Heading to Heaven!

Our Unchanging, All-Sufficient, Always-Providing God

August 3, 2024 dbirsch

It’s a bit disconcerting, actually. But it doesn’t matter how we feel about it, or how the simple truth can amp up our anxiety. None of that alters a thing.

This one principle always remains and never changes: everything is always changing. And it’s typically not changing for the better.

There’s even a scientific law that describes this process! According to the second law of thermodynamics, “systems” naturally change from order to disorder. The fancy, shmancy term for this is “entropy.”

There’s no shortage of examples of the second law of thermodynamics. Leave a building or a yard untended over time and observe what happens. A brand-new vehicle doesn’t improve in performance or appreciate in value through the years. Even our bodies and minds fade over time. As many will confirm, make it past middle-age and “it’s all downhill from there.”

I’m not trying to be negative or provide anyone with a “downer” today. I’m simply stating the reality that everything in this world is always changing. Everything in our lives is always changing!

Usually the changes are minimal or even unnoticeable, yet change is still occurring. Sometimes though the changes may be sweeping.

Now it’s certainly true that not all change is bad. Some changes can bring profound blessings. And we know that our God is always working “all things for the good” of his children (Rom. 8:28). However, often enough entropy rears its nasty head and the changes occurring aren’t so good. And even the positive changes are typically still stressful.

Like everyone else, I have certainly gone through many changes in my life through the years … some of them significant. Confirmation. Starting at new schools away from home, and ultimately graduating from them (3 times!). The death of loved ones. Marriage. The birth of our children. Health issues. Changes galore!

But as I write this, I stand (well, sit actually) between two of the most significant life-altering events in my life-story. These changes precipitated other changes, all rolling together into some of the most epic and stressful periods of my entire life.

On August 5, 1990, I was ordained and installed as pastor in a congregation in Tacoma, Washington. This necessitated a move across the continent. It also meant that I was no longer anticipating being a minister one day; I now WAS one for real!

Then, almost exactly 33 years later, on July 9, 2023, I was installed as the new pastor for two congregations in central Michigan. Which necessitated a move back across the continent! (But with a LOT more stuff this time around!) Not to mention selling a house and buying a house wrapped into the mix.

There are a multitude of lists suggesting the most stressful things in life, and there is a fair amount of variety on those lists. Nevertheless, selling and buying a house, financial uncertainty, moving, and starting a new job make most of the “most-stressful” lists, and usually rank quite highly on them. My wife and I checked them all off in two majestic life changes!

At those flashpoints of our lives, almost everything in our lives changed. Almost everything! And almost completely! Looking back on how our lives were altered in both of those situations leads me to stunned amazement.

However, reflecting on how the Lord worked everything out along the way leads me to absolute awe.

I can’t fathom how he managed it – other than that he is a great God, of course! – but both times the Lord provided for us wonderfully and completely. Our heads were spinning, (still are to some degree), but God had (and has) everything under complete control. There are still a few pieces that need to fall into place currently, but there is no doubt that our God will fit those pieces in at right time. He always has; he will again.

And that’s the most wonderful truth for you and me! Even when everything in our little world seems to be changing, and even changing dramatically … our Lord never does!

He is always … constantly and unchangingly … almighty, all-knowing, ever-present, eternal, and good. He is forever faithful. He is continually loving, merciful and compassionate. He is all-sufficient to us in every situation; always providing for our every need. And thankfully, this will never, ever change!

“The Father … who does not change like shifting shadows” (Jms. 1:17), and “Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8), personally assure us that the Triune God is unaffected by entropy! “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

There is immense joy and profound peace that comes from recognizing that our God is unchanging … AND all-sufficient … AND always-providing. Because in this ever-changing world, it is wonderful to have an Eternal Rock and Mighty Fortress who never does.

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Abounding in Thanksgiving

July 25, 2024 dbirsch

My wife and I are getting away for a few days, (something for which I’m very thankful!), so here’s this week’s post … a little early!

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I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I definitely don’t thank God enough for the blessings he has showered into my life. Perhaps you can relate, and can sidle next to me on my bench of shame?

I am so very, very blessed by God! And you are too!

It would be completely appropriate for me (and you) to be engrossed in an ongoing prayer of thanksgiving. But … that hasn’t been my custom.

The problems, the challenges, the obligations and responsibilities I hold, and the hassles, frustrations and busyness of life keep me distracted – and keep the words of thanks silenced in both my mind and mouth. Satan and my sinful, selfish flesh strive (effectively!) to keep me more focused on the negatives than the positives – which, of course, doesn’t encourage thanksgiving.

But thankfully, there are moments when thankfulness bursts from my heart; occasions when profound gratefulness overwhelms all the other distractions.

Like when I reflect yet again on the Lord’s love for me … a love that moved Jesus to step down to earth, not to be acclaimed by earth’s residents, but to be rejected by them. To be crucified by them for them – for you, for me!

And when I remember that though Jesus died, he didn’t stay dead. He rose off the cold, hard burial shelf, exited his tomb and ascended back to his heavenly home to prepare a place there for you and me.

Yet, his blessings aren’t only future blessings to be experienced someday when we transition from this world to the next. His love impacts us every day with his abiding presence, guidance, provision, protection and peace.

These spiritual truths move me to abounding thanksgiving!

As does a difficult, even impossible, situation resolved solely through God’s intervention. Or a close call where it was clearly God’s strong hand that kept me from being hurt (or worse!). Likewise, when someone dear to me was miraculously spared. These definitely elicit thanksgiving to a gracious God!

But day-to-day activities can sometimes prompt the same response. Nature especially has this effect on me. A hike in God’s creation, a spectacular view spread out before me, a glorious sunset, experiencing the woods waking up on a deer stand, or the lake easing into night on our dock – these elicit thanksgiving too.

Sometimes it’s just “normal” events. My latest experience of this was when our entire family was together at our new “house on the lake,” as we have come to call it. As I looked around me, seeing precious family members … as I listened to loved ones’ voices all around me … as we interacted in conversation and activities … I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving over and over and over again. How good is our God!

There are definitely circumstances that naturally pull thankfulness from our souls. But I want thankfulness to be a natural part of my everyday existence!

Even when something goes wrong. Even when the car breaks down, or the funds are falling low, or the stresses are mounting, or the body is struggling or failing. Because even then our God is good! Our God is always good! And his love and faithfulness to us never ever ends.

As I consider this, it seems to me that focusing on the word “always” might be helpful. The Lord is always faithful, so we can be always thankful.

In fact, sometimes God’s greatest blessings come through our greatest hardships. It’s difficult for us to see it that way. Especially in the midst of those challenging moments. But it’s true nonetheless.

When we recognize this wonderful truth even in the valleys … when we trust our good and gracious God even in the storms … then we are “not anxious about anything,” but have “the peace of God that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7).

It’s a peace centered on our all-sufficient Lord; it’s a peace that fosters abounding thankfulness … no matter the circumstances.

“… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20).

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Undefeated Forever

July 20, 2024 dbirsch

No one stays undefeated forever. A team might manage it for a season (Miami Dolphins – 1972), or for several years (UConn women’s basketball – 111 wins in 2016-18). A reign of dominance might even extend for centuries (Roman empire).

But no one and nothing remains undefeated forever. Except, that is, for God!

Job described the Lord, the ultimate victor, this way: “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases” (Job 23:13). The Lord himself asks, “Who is like me and who can challenge me?” (Jeremiah 49:19).

There has never been a time that the Lord was overmatched; never a situation where God lost control. In fact, there’s never been a situation where events began to slip even a smidge from the grasp the Almighty. The outcome on anything (and everything!) has never been even the slightest bit questionable for the Heavenly One.

No enemy has ever run roughshod over God; none have ever vanquished Him. Satan and the rebellious angels – spiritual beings of immense wisdom, power and abilities – gave it their best effort, and were cast from the heavenly halls as a result (Revelation 12:7-9). They didn’t defeat the Lord then, and though they’ve been trying ever since, they still haven’t managed it. Nor will they.

And if even the demons can’t overcome God, all the puny efforts of humans certainly won’t. Mortals have been opposing the Immortal since the beginning of time. Not a single one has come close to knocking the King from his throne; none have made the slightest advances against him.

This simple truth has profound ramifications – for the world, for our nation, for the Church, for our family, and for each one of us individually. History – all history – is “His story.” All of it is God fulfilling his glorious plans for the advancement of his Kingdom and for the benefit of his grace-blessed people.

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’ … For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:24&27).

Even when it seems like God is losing, he’s actually winning! There are a multitude of examples of this in the Scriptures, but the most significant one can be seen by looking to the horrific suffering and death of Jesus. Jesus’ seeming defeat was the most glorious victory in all of history! (His story!)

The God who controls everything has never lost control. Never once. Not even a little. Nor will he!

God does not weaken or waiver. He does not get distracted or neglectful. He is never overwhelmed or overcome. He is never uncertain or uniformed; no one and nothing has ever “ambushed” God. No circumstances surprise the All-knowing and Almighty or are beyond his capability to control or conquer.

The Lord’s dominance is such that Satan has to ask God’s permission to afflict God’s people; nothing can or will be done by the enemies of God unless God allows it (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6). Any evil that reaches us must go through the Lord’s protective barrier first (Ps. 18:2).

And if we are afflicted, it’s because God has a loving reason for it (Rom. 8:28) which we may or may not come to understand in this life. But we will someday (1 Cor. 13:12), and we’ll praise him for his love and wisdom (Rev. 7:9-17).

Why do bad things sometimes happen to God’s people? We usually don’t understand. But we know that our God knows, AND we know that he loves us beyond our comprehension!

We also know that our God is undefeated, therefore we are comforted that things … that we … will be OK because the Lord our Savior is on our team. That makes us victors too!

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Goodbye to Goodbyes

July 13, 2024 dbirsch

This post is somewhat of a biyearly tradition. I shared it four years ago and then again two years ago … both times after visiting family in Michigan. Almost exactly two years later, I am posting it again.

Things are somewhat different this time around as my wife and I now actually live in Michigan ourselves. All of our children and grandchildren (and almost every one of our children’s spouses), gathered in our new home in our new (old!) state this week. It was the first time in years we were all together.

The last of them just left. Which means we said a lot of painful goodbyes yet again, so it seems appropriate to share these thoughts yet again. As always, I pray they bring some insight and encouragement to you.

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I hate goodbyes. But then almost everyone does, don’t they? Goodbyes to loved ones are rarely “good byes.” In those situations, the word is the ultimate oxymoron.

This is a fresh and sensitive topic with me. Recently I found myself saying goodbye to all of our immediate family members.

They arrived at different times and left at different times … providing a 2-day window when we were all together. (Because of various circumstances, these precious visits occur only very occasionally for our family.)

Naturally, this initially led to multiple and heartfelt hellos. Every new arrival brought joyful greetings of one kind or another; warm hellos springing from the shared bond of faith and family. Vibrant hellos and hugs that reflect blood ties and past experiences, and which anticipate the wonderful things that the coming moments together will bring.

I love hellos. Especially hellos to those people embedded deep in my heart. But every hello in this world ultimately leads to a goodbye, doesn’t it?

Of course, there are a multitude of things to which we sooner or later bid adieu. Houses, cars, places, experiences, jobs, schools … even previous health and appearance … can all merit “farewells” as we meander on through life. And then there are those gut-wrenching goodbyes to our pets. Make no mistake, some of these goodbyes can foster high emotion.

But the worst goodbyes of all are the goodbyes to people we love.

Why are goodbyes to loved ones so difficult? Well, we thoroughly enjoy our time together. Consequently, goodbye means a pause in those joyful moments, and often bounces us back to the reality of our other responsibilities and less enjoyable activities.

However, that’s not the fundamental reason we hate goodbyes. The real reason is very simple; we abhor goodbyes because we don’t know if we will be together again in this world. The uncertainties of our earthly existence are ever-present in our awareness, and we all recognize that sooner or later there won’t be another hello.

This inescapable fact rocks us. It makes farewells to loved ones we rarely see agonizing. But it even lurks in our consciousness with our day-to-day goodbyes … as much as we try not to think about it. One can’t live a few years in this uncertain world without recognizing the uncertainty inherent in goodbyes.

My purpose in writing about goodbyes is not to bring anyone down. Rather I want to underscore a few key points that I have fallen back on as I negotiate painful farewells.

Here’s the first one: The fact that a person has agonizing goodbyes means that God has blessed them richly with dearly-loved family and friends. Every close relationship in our life is a precious gift. Each difficult goodbye we must endure simply emphasizes how profoundly blessed by God we are.

The second significant aspect of painful earthly goodbyes is that they encourage us to eagerly anticipate the day when there will never be any more goodbyes, but only hellos forever and ever. This is such a foreign concept to us earthlings that we can barely consider it or comprehend it.

But the day when God ushers us into heaven marks the end of experiencing goodbyes and the beginning of an eternity of hearing only hellos! “Hello” to the Lord himself and Jesus our Savior. “Hello” to the multitude of angels. “Hello” to the great men and women of faith from the Bible and history. “Hello” to our ancestors who lived and died in Jesus. “Hello” to our family and friends who preceded us to heaven. And “hello” to every family member and friend who follow us there! Never again will we say “goodbye.” Only “hello” over and over again forever and ever.

The Apostle John was given a glimpse of this wonderful heavenly home where goodbyes are gone and hellos predominate.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain [or goodbyes], for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

A goodbye to goodbyes. Now that really will be a “good bye!”

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The Simple, Unimaginable, Incredibly Comforting Truth

July 6, 2024 dbirsch

Usually I know what I will write about for “Heading to Heaven” when it is time to write it. Almost always it becomes clear as the week progresses. But this time around I drew a blank.

Not adding a weekly post certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world … for you or for me. Still, I wanted to follow through, if possible. As I contemplated the situation and the potential subject matter, I finally asked myself, “If you wanted to share the one most important thing in simple fashion, what would it be and how would you word it?”

Here’s what I settled upon: you are incredibly loved by God.

This is a simple yet profound truth. It is summarized beautifully (and simply) in the words of the children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so!” (And do not doubt that the message applies to adults as well!)

Simple enough. Simple even as can be.

But this truth plays out in so many different ways in our lives beyond the cross that the concept becomes complex. Incomprehensible even.

David delved into the reality of God’s active involvement and presence in our personal lives – for ALL of our lives. In the process, David was led to profound awe. Here are his words. Read them slowly and dwell on the magnificence of our God!

Psalm 139:1-18
¹You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. ²You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

⁷Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” ¹²even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

¹³For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

Do not miss the love of God embedded throughout those words!

The Lord has been intimately involved in our lives from the moment we began to exist inside our mothers. He knit us together fearfully and wonderfully in the womb, and he already knew then when he would call us home to him.

In the meantime, he knows our every thought, the very words we will speak before we speak them, and what we are doing at any given time.

But so much more than that! Our Lord surrounds us with his presence – hemming us in “behind and before.” He is so close that he lays his hand upon us, holding us fast in in his powerful hand … strengthening and stabilizing us, comforting us and guiding us.

And he never leaves us. Wherever we may go and whatever situation we may find ourselves in, his loving presence remains with us.

The Apostle Paul describes that abiding love in poetic and majestic fashion:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

It’s a love so extensive that the Son of God took our place on the torturous cross so we could join him one day in eternal salvation.

Why does God take such a personal approach in our lives? Simply because he loves us!

This simple fact – and all the complex ways God weaves it into our existence – is unimaginable! Yet Scripture is always true, so this unimaginable concept is undeniable. Which also makes it incredibly comforting.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

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To Be Free

June 29, 2024 dbirsch

For me, it was just another quiet evening on my dock, relaxing after a long day of work and watching for activity on my bobber. But for the bluegill who tried to steal the bait off one of my hooks, it turned into a rather traumatic evening.

One moment he was pulling on a juicy waxworm in anticipation of a tasty snack, the next he felt a sharp pain in his mouth and was being dragged in a direction he didn’t desire to go. Though he fought with all his might, he couldn’t break free.

Even more terrifying, he was pulled from the watery world he knew into one where it was difficult for him to breath. And worst of all, one of those “land giants” was now looking down on him. There was nothing the fish wanted more at that moment than to be released back into his familiar and comfortable environment.

The “bluey” was indeed dropped back into the water, but not until he was firmly locked into a metal stringer. And though back in the water, the stringer pinned him to the lake bottom. No amount of straining could change his dilemma. He was hopelessly trapped.

I don’t pretend to understand how a fish thinks, but on some level he must have been longing to fin freely through the water … swimming where he wanted to swim without restrictions – like he always had before. But suddenly he couldn’t.

Do fish feel frustration? Anxiety? Despair? If so, he must have experienced them.

But it was a fortuitous night for this particular fellow. I happened to receive a rather lengthy phone call shortly after catching him. As a result, no other fish were added to the stringer. I decided I didn’t feel like going through the hassle of cleaning just one. Since he was cleanly hooked and clearly still healthy, I let him go.

His longing was fulfilled; he was again finning freely through the green waters of Shamrock Lake. Does he do so with a new appreciation for his freedom? I don’t know. But I do know that if he makes the mistake of getting hooked by me again, his freedom will undoubtedly come to an end.

I’m not trying to humanize fish, or foster sympathy for them. I will still catch them, keep them and clean them. I enjoy eating breaded panfish fillets far too much to become a fish vegan.

However, we can certainly relate to that bluegill in this regard: we love our freedom too!

To be so profoundly blessed to live in a country where we have absolute freedom is no small thing. Yet, it’s a thing often taken totally for granted by all of us.

When was the last time we actually considered the freedoms we enjoy, and thanked our God for them? Generally speaking, we can live where we want, wake up when we want, and wear what we want. We can go where we want and stay there as long as we want. We can do what we want, eat what we want, buy what we want, read or watch what we want, hang out with whomever we want, and finally go to sleep when we want.

And these are the smaller freedoms! The value rises exponentially when we consider that we are free to say whatever we want however we want to whomever we want, and that we can freely vote for whomever we desire. Best of all, we are free to believe what we want, acknowledge the deity we want, and worship that god (our God!) however we see fit.

The places in the world where these freedoms exist are becoming fewer and fewer.

Of course, there is also the freedom from the condemnation of sin that our Savior, Jesus, has provided for us, as well as all the connected spiritual freedoms connected with knowing and trusting in our gracious God. Profound blessings that we can appreciate and celebrate openly because of the freedom we enjoy in our country!

God grant that we never reach the point when these freedoms are recognized only because we no longer have them … like a fish on a stringer beside the dock. Rather, may we constantly appreciate the blessings of being free … as a nation, and as a Christian.

Oh, what a treasure it is to be free.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in a Nation

Psalm 33
¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. ¹³From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; ¹⁴from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—¹⁵he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. …

¹⁸… The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, ¹⁹to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. ²⁰We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. ²¹In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²²May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Deuteronomy 28
¹If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ²All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

³You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. … ⁶You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. ⁷The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. ⁸… The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

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Passages on the Blessings of Freedom in Christ

John 8
³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. … ³⁴Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 8
¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. …

¹⁴For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ …

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Right Here. Right Now.

June 22, 2024 dbirsch

It’s a fairly common approach: write a letter or a song to one’s younger self.

Now that I’m older, I better understand why it is commonly done – the older we get the wiser we become. There are so many nuggets of wisdom I dearly wish I could share with my younger self. (Not that I would have necessarily listened to my older, wiser self, mind you.)

Here’s one truth that my older self would beg my younger self to understand: enjoy every moment. It won’t come again, and a person often doesn’t realize its preciousness until it’s over.

In fact, this is a truth that I beg my older self to take to heart as well. And every reader too!

Too many times I’ve squandered a priceless, unrepeatable moment by dwelling on the current challenges or worrying about the unpredictable future. Or simply by taking it for granted. By the time I realize my mistake, the moment is gone … never to return.

The list of such situations is lengthy, and would vary with each individual. But here’s a few that come to my mind:

The carefree days of childhood. Laying on the lawn and staring at the white clouds floating above, or the sweep of the stars at night. The first day of summer vacation. Outdoor games with relatives during daylight; hide-and-seek in the dark. Telling stories in the tent at sleepovers. Slushies in the park after the baseball game is over.

Birthday, Baptism, confirmation, graduation, wedding, and anniversary days. Any family gathering … whether for an auspicious event or just because.

Your baby son or daughter falling asleep in your arms. Cuddling your young children or grandchildren on your lap. A toddler’s laughter. Meals with all the youngsters scattered around the table. Holding your child’s hand when they need extra stability. Storytime, evening devotions and bedtime prayers.

Vacation … any vacation (even rained-out camping trips!) … with family members. A back-packing, hunting or fishing trip with your sons. A lunch out with your daughter. A walk in the park with a loved one. A quiet moment with a spouse. A phone chat with a distant child, parent or relative.

Pre-outdoor-activity planning sessions with participants, and the post-adventure conversations that follow. Casting a line into the lake; the thrill of a bite. Opening morning in a deer stand. Naps in a hammock surrounded by God’s great creation. Games at the picnic bench in the campground; Euchre on a makeshift rock “table” after a day of backpacking. Campfires at camp or in the backyard.

Watching your children compete in a sports event, perform in a play or sing in a concert or a worship service. Holiday meals with dear ones. Petting or playing with your dog.

Stepping onto a field or a court to personally participate in a ballgame. Observing the boys you coach execute the skills you’ve taught them. Playing in a formal softball game with your children. Watching a professional game with family members. Catching a batting-practice baseball.

A delightful conversation with a friend. An evening together with pals. Banter between buddies.

A gorgeous view the Lord has brought before your eyes; a moment of clarity and peace in the craziness of life. Witnessing something spectacular, and the profound awe it brings.

The moment you realize that the Lord has intervened … yet again … and the seemingly unsolvable dilemma is solved.

Time in the Word … whether in formal worship or private devotions, and the comfort, understanding and insights the Holy Spirit brings through it. Those moments when the monumental love of God becomes obvious yet again. The view of the cross and the revelation of the empty tomb.

The celebration of a life lived in Jesus and the eternal salvation that person is enjoying now that the Lord has called them Home.

A smile directed toward you from someone you care about.

Every single hug with a loved one.

This is far from a complete list. But it is a list that fostered deep emotions in me nonetheless. And it underscores the point – with God’s help, strive to appreciate every moment right here and right now. There are magnificent blessings from God in each one.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. … ‘The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’ … The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. … The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. … Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:selected).

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God Lingo

June 15, 2024 dbirsch

If you do a quick online search for the definition of “lingo,” you’ll find something like this: “A language or vocabulary that is specific to a certain subject, group of people, or region; including slang and jargon.” In short, “lingo” is specialized speech from some niche of society.

For example, one can sit in a mall in “big-city” America and hear a variety of lingos. There’s distinct inner-city lingos, cultural lingos, and high school lingos, just to name a few. And even those will vary based on the location from which the people speaking derived! As discussed in a recent Bible study at the churches I serve, there are also gender lingos for both men and women.

The same is true of various sports, activities and hobbies. For example, “ducks on the pond” means something quite specific to baseball players, and something totally different to most other people.

As a matter of record, I don’t speak inner-city lingo, though I am fascinated when I hear it. However, my brother came up with a modified Scrabble game called “Red-necked Scrabble.” A number of years ago when I played it, my wife was rather alarmed at how easily I slipped into the jargon … even winning my first game with some “hunkey-dorey dandified” words!

In that same vein, I wonder if we as Christians don’t sometimes slip into “God lingo.” We use catch-phrase words which are absolutely Bible-based, but which have lost some of their impact to us.

This can work both ways. We hear the words, but they don’t fully register in our minds and hearts. Or we say the words at the right time and right place, but they have somehow turned into simply “the right words to say.”

I think the God-lingo list is long for many believers. Here are a few words that come to my mind as perhaps lacking their proper punch to the average Christian:

“Triune” or “Trinity” – The words flow off our tongues so casually in worship – a creed, hymn or prayer. Furthermore, “Trinity” is often part of a church or school name. Asked to define the words, and God’s people can easily spout off, “Three persons in one God.” But pause for a moment and consider this truth: three distinct persons making up one distinct God! This is such a deep concept that we can’t even begin to wrap our minds around it! An incomprehensibly complex God, yet one who is absolutely devoted to us. (Which is the most incomprehensible aspect of God of all!) The words should inspire the deepest of awe in anyone who “understands” them and the Lord they describe.

“God loves” – Not the generic “God is love,” but rather, “God loves me!” How astounding! We are well aware of how unworthy of God’s love we are. Yet the unmistakable message of the Scriptures is that the Triune God … the Creator God … the holy God … the All-in-All and Everything God … does love us. It’s a love so profound that he left heaven so we could one day go there to be with him forever. A love so devoted that it abides with us even in our day-to-day lives here on earth. “God’s love” are words that should never be taken lightly by any child of God.

“Paid for” / “Forgiveness” – As in, “your sins are paid for,” or “you are forgiven.” The phrases are often spoken and often heard. But don’t let their common usage empty them of the significance of the truth! “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The atoning payment for our transgressions, and the forgiveness it won for us, cost God’s Son dearly! But thanks be to Jesus, he paid the price in full!

“Saved” / “Salvation” – These are perhaps two of the most commonly used words in “God lingo,” and understandably so. They express the central message of the Bible; we are saved and headed to eternal salvation. But please never let their frequent usage keep you (or me!) from ever being totally overwhelmed at the wonder of this truth. We were spiritually lost, blind, and chained … dead in our sins and doomed to damnation. And God saved us and made us heirs of salvation! (Titus 3:7). All of eternity will be too short to properly praise him for the blessing.

“Faith” – This is not a reliance upon good fortune or the ability of self, but a confidence centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God … our Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, and Savior. It’s not self-manufactured, but a profound gift of the Holy Spirit produced through contact with God’s Gospel. “Faith” is no small thing. It never was and never will be. In fact, faith in Jesus our Savior is the balm to our conscience, the gateway to our earthly peace, and our ultimate ticket to heaven. “Faith” is never a word to be casually dismissed.

“Trust” – A frequently stated word about an incredibly important concept that many Christians struggle to self-apply. “Trust” is not a wishy-washy hope that things will somehow work out, but a rock-solid confidence that our loving God will keep his promises to us and provide for our every need … in his way and in his time. The Holy Spirit describes it this way: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“Providence” – This is a word frequently offered to encourage self or others. “Providence” is not good fortune or the positive side of karma. It’s the God of the Bible providing for us – typically in common ways, but sometimes in extraordinary ones. The longer God’s people live, the more they can point back to God’s remarkable and repeated providential activity in their lives. Which encourages trust. (See the previous entry.)

“Church” – For many, “church” describes a building that one attends now and then … at least on the holidays. But “church” describes so much more. The Scriptures refer to the church as the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 1212-27) and even the “Bride of Christ” (Rev. 19:7). It’s not just a structure or a gathering place, but a living, spiritual entity made up of God’s people and empowered by God himself. Somewhat dysfunctional because of sin, it nevertheless is the earthly family of God where his children can be encouraged, uplifted and spiritually blessed through his Word.

These are some of the “God lingo” words that came to my mind. This is by no means a comprehensive list. Do you have some others you think should be added to the list? If so, please list them in the comments section of this blog.

In the meantime, may we remember these Bible truths: “All Scripture is God-breathed …” (2 Timothy 3:16), and ^“these [words] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

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The Master Planner

June 8, 2024 dbirsch

I like to think that I’m a fairly practical person who is proficient at making fairly good decisions. I can plan projects and even anticipate extenuating circumstances. At least, generally. I may not be the sharpest hook in the tackle box, but I’m not the dullest either.

By nature, I’m an organizer, thinker, and scheduler. A planner, and a pretty good one. Or so I like to tell myself.

Then the Lord humbles me once again.

A while back on this very blog, I was lamenting the lack of birds visiting my new bird feeder. I had erected it in what seemed to me to be the perfect spot – the backyard between the lake and the house. It was a location that was private, sheltered, and in ready view of all the large windows on that side of the house.

But the birds seemed reluctant to visit it. Oh, sure, some came. But not in proportion to all the birds in our area, or with the variety represented around here either. “Why not?” I wondered (and I wrote).

Then things took an extremely negative turn. Canada geese couples with their broods of goslings discovered my “ideally located” feeder, and began swimming right up to our shore and waddling the entire family under the seed-packed outfit. Yes, it was cute at first. Until I discovered how many “deposits” multiple goose families leave behind on the lawn! AND they scared away the limited and more desirable smaller visitors.

After chasing away the geese multiple times a day … no doubt to the supreme entertainment of our neighbors … I began to realize I may need to switch plans. But I’ve never been a quitter, so I researched ways to keep geese out of one’s yard. I promptly strung lines with multiple reflectors attached across our entire shoreline. Pleased with myself, I resumed my other planned activities for the day.

Remember that expression about the best-laid plans?

30 minutes later, I was chasing a family of 8 geese away from the feeder, across my goose-dropping-peppered lawn, and back toward the lake. They nimbly stepped over the line and reflectors and splashed into the water … honking their annoyance with me the entire way.

My plans changed immediately. Not only in regard to where the birdfeeder should be mounted, but also about how I would be spending my next free moments.

I moved my fancy feeder to the front yard. There are smaller viewing windows on that side of the house, but there are more trees in the vicinity, which definitely makes the smaller birdies more comfortable. And the geese aren’t bold enough to travel that far away from the lake. (Although two drake mallards are regular visitors.)

The transition has been a smashing success.

The expected sparrows, finches, and chickadees now make appearances … as well as the colorful bluejays and cardinals. The regulars from the back still swoop in – grackles, red-wing blackbirds, and mourning doves. We’ve even spotted pileated woodpeckers clinging tenaciously to the apparatus, popping aggressively away at the woodpecker blocks mounted on both ends.

Additional critters routinely seen scouring the grass below are the requisite squirrels, as well as chipmunks and even rabbits. It’s not uncommon to view a vast smorgasbord of wildlife gorging themselves together on and under the feeder.

Who would have known?

Well, certainly not the “great planner” that is me! However, the Great Planner that is God knew exactly what was needed and where. And he guided the entire process.

Perhaps you will argue that the Lord does not involve himself in such mundane aspects of our lives like the proper placement of a birdfeeder. I am convinced that he does!

I have personally experienced God’s guiding and blessing hand too many times … certainly in significant matters, but even in the simplest ones! Sometimes especially in the simplest ones! I believe that these are the Lord’s loving reminders to us of how astonishing he is, how aware he is, and how present and providing he is even in our day-to-day lives.

Zophar posed these searching questions to Job: “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea” (Job 11:7-9).

In other words, our God is astounding and completely beyond our comprehension!

We consistently short-change God by underestimating his abilities, and his involvement in our lives. Like him making it clear where the bird feeder should be placed. And so many other incidental and monumental details in our complicated (to us, but not to God!) lives.

Solomon makes these points: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

Which is why the wise king urges us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

So certainly make your plans with prayer, to the honor of God and to the best of your ability. Sometimes God moves us immediately into his planned path. But also be ready to pivot if your plans implode, because sometimes the Lord lets us struggle a bit to remind us who is really in control.

And thanks be to God that He is, and not us!

All of which underscores how we can and should rely upon our all-knowing and almighty God. His plans are always perfect … even if they initially seem far from it.

The more we learn to lean upon our God and his loving plans, the more profound our peace. And that’s just another blessing the Lord brings us when we trust him, the true Master Planner.

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He Didn’t Need to Do It

June 1, 2024 dbirsch

I love God’s creation. I am awestruck that our creative creating God formed so much variety in the plant and animal world! And everything has its place in the balance of nature.

But while I’m intrigued by its unique characteristics, I admit that snapping turtles don’t command a great deal of my appreciation. Beige leathery skin camouflaged a dull green on top, and covered with a dull green shell. A snake-like head with small, beady eyes and protruding nostrils, and a snake-like tail covered with armored ridges. Long claws protrude from its thick, stumpy legs.

Not only are they ugly, but they can be nasty too. And especially when they are out of the water, where they feel more vulnerable.

Generally slow in movement, they can bite astonishingly quickly. And their bites pack a powerful PSI (pounds per square inch)! To put it in perspective, humans have a PSI of about 162, most dogs about 200-250, while an alligator snapping turtle can exert an astonishing 1,000 pounds per square inch with its bite!

That’s powerful enough to crush bones, sever fingers, and, as proven in an experiment, cut through a wooden broomstick! Thankfully, they aren’t generally aggressive in water, where they usually hang out.

I recognize that snapping turtles have their place in God’s creation, but I admit that I wouldn’t go out of my way to see one and certainly not to assist one.

So imagine my surprise recently when I witnessed a young man ushering a snapper across busy McEwan Street here in Clare!

As the locals know, McEwan is essentially “main street” into and out of the city. It consists of 2 lanes going in both directions, with a turn lane in the middle. (5 lanes altogether.) Furthermore, the street can get frantically busy, and especially along “hamburger hill” … a stretch just off the freeway packed with restaurants.

Restaurant alley seems an unlikely place for a turtle to decide to cross the street. Presumably it was a female searching for a suitable place to lay her eggs, and there doesn’t seem to be much habitat in that area for such a thing. Nevertheless, that’s where she was methodically making her way across the 5 lanes of speeding vehicles.

It could very well have been a mortal mistake on her part. Except for her benevolent guardian who walked beside her.

He wore no bright clothes; no fluorescent orange or yellow. He was in drab, every-day clothes that really didn’t allow him to stand out much. What DID stand out about him was that he was standing out in the middle of a busy street, waving his arms at oncoming traffic!

“What in the world is he doing?” I initially wondered. Then I saw the turtle.

I don’t know how long that slow trek lasted, but I’m confident that young man stayed with the turtle for the duration. He didn’t need to do that, but he did.

It occurred to me that this is what our Savior did and does for us.

We are every bit as ugly – spiritually – as that turtle. Every bit as undeserving. Every bit as foolish. Every bit as undesirable. Yet Jesus desired that we be with him now and forever.

So he stretched out his arms and died for us. Our sins are atoned for; our salvation secured through him. He didn’t need to do that, but he did.

And he still walks beside us through the dangers and difficulties of this life!

What a thought. We are slowly ambulating through circumstances that beset us, imminent destruction surrounding us … and Jesus walks beside us, keeping us safe. He doesn’t need to do that either, but he does.

“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand …; with your right hand you save me” (Psalm 138:6-7).

Thanks be to our God and Savior, who didn’t need to do what he did and does, but who did it and does it anyway!

How awesome is our God! How unimaginable his love! And how comforting his presence.