My Tummy Hurts

John 3:30 He must increase and I must decrease

It’s been some time since my son has told me, “Daddy, my tummy hurts.”, but when I’d hear this phrase, I’d go through a series of questions to decide if maybe he’d eaten something that isn’t agreeing with him, been around a friend who was sick, or maybe trying to avoid a lesson or test. Then again, there were times that it’s just that he didn’t feel well and he need a little comforting and tender loving care to nurse him back to health.

I think we’ve all had a day where we just don’t feel our best – or maybe the day’s just a bit off-kilter. I can tell you I’ve run into a few days like that were my “tummy hurt”. Looking back, it’s not until later that I’ve realized it was on those days that maybe I’d tried to make it more about me rather than making it more about Father God.

Maybe I forgot to say good morning and thank Him for the day, or maybe forgot to spent a few moments in prayer or thank Him for the cup of coffee I held in my hand. In reality, what I did was make Him less a part of my day rather than more. It doesn’t take long to get me squared back up once I’ve come to that realization. While I don’t tell him my “tummy hurts”, I will take a little time in His loving embrace to be nursed back to health.

If you’re having one of those days, stop and take a moment to rest and tell Him, “Father, I am sorry. I need you in my life. I need Your comfort and love. Let me make my day more about You and less about me. Amen”

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad…

Hebrews 13:6 This is why we can confidently say – The Lord is my helper and I won’t be afraid.  What can people do to me?

I hope “wolf” came to your mind when you ended the above title. If you think about that classic children’s story, those little pigs are in a bad way and honestly, they have every reason to be scared.  If I had a hunter like the wolf on my trail, I think I’d be a bit nervous.  It wasn’t until they found protection of brick that they could finally rest and feel safe.

You know, sometimes it can feel like we have a wolf on our tails – whether it be because you’re not getting along with your best friend and/or spouse, or maybe it’s the bills and you’re a bit behind.  Could it be something at work or with your children?

No matter the single or combined cause, we’ve all had a time in our lives where it feels as though that wolf is breathing down your back and you just need to find refuge – a house made of bricks with a sturdy door to hide behind.

God can be that refuge – that brick house and sturdy door – and we all have a key. Find a quiet spot and simply go to Him in prayer.  Ask Him for help to bring peace into your life, and safety from those things that you fear.  Then you too can sing, “Who’s afraid of the big bad…”

Share with us your fears, your concerns. We will pray for, and with, you.

Trash-Talking

Proverbs 13:1   A wise son listens to the discipline of his father, but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.

I heard a pastor on the radio use this verse to build an entire sermon on how children should respect their parents. I’ve heard good Christian folk pull this one out of their back pocket during difficult times.  But, let’s break this verse down.

The wise son listens to the discipline of his father. First, I think we can exchange ‘smart’ for wise, remove son and insert ‘child’.  Now, when you first look at it, it’s pretty easy to point at this and say, “see look, if you want to be smart, you must listen to what I have to say”.  But if you stop and really think about what it’s saying, that finger should quickly start pointing back to you.  We are all God’s children and He gives us wonderful direction (discipline) in His book and in our day-to-day lives. Problem is, we may not always be listening.

Now the second part, but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.  Mocker isn’t a word we use very often.  We might say Johnny is mocking Sue, but were not going to go to Johnny and call him a mocker, so let’s change it to trash-talker.   If you apply this as I did above, to a discussion with your child, that pointing finger is flying up quick, but you better stop it before it gets all the way up because you’re going to wind up pointing at yourself.  We’ve all been around someone who tends to degrade, make fun of, or simply dismisses what we say – a trash-talker.

So if we put it back together and change it up to fit with today’s conversations, it might sound something like… The smart or intelligent child (you me and everyone) listens to the Father about the changes we should make because if we don’t, then we’ll wind up being trash-talkers.

Hmmmm…it’s funny, if you think about it and the conversations you’ve had with God, they are eerily similar to ones we’ve had with our own children or parents. How easy is it to turn off God and not listen to His gentle course corrections? And where does that put us?  Not ‘smart’ because we wind up being the trash-talker.  Thankfully, our heavenly Father is forgiving, loving, understanding and full of grace.    All it takes is “Father, I’m sorry I’ve not listened, but I will start now. Give me open ears and an open heart to hear you.  Amen”

A Lantern

Matthew 5:16   In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Torches, lanterns and flashlights have all been used to light man’s way throughout history. I’ve used a campfire or a Coleman lantern more times than I can count to find my way to my tent or the bathroom.  Funny thing is, I’d never stopped to consider how important that light is in my journey.

Just about as often as I’ve used a flashlight to find my way, I’ve used the lanterns God has put into my life to get back on the path. I’ve been so fortunate to have some absolutely amazing men and women come into my life to direct me and guide me through some of life’s greatest struggles.

One of those lanterns was extinguished in the last week, and I realized that I never did say thank you for the light he shared with me. Through his examples as a father and husband, by his faith and belief in the One Great Architect of the universe, and through his presence in my life with a warm smile and a strong and supportive hand in friendship and brotherly love, he lit my path.

He, as well as all those who have lighted my path in past, will be missed. I am eternally grateful for role they had in shaping the man that I am. I thank my Father for putting them along my path so that even when I get lost I can find my way back to Him.  Finally, I pray this “Father, let me be a lantern shining brightly so that others might see their path to You and all the good You do. Amen!”

Not Batting a Thousand

James 3:2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their word has reached full maturity.  Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely.

Full maturity – what an amazing goal to set for ourselves! But today, I want to talk about the first 5 words of this verse. We all make mistakes OFTEN!

Today at work seems to be one of those days where OFTEN is coming much more frequently than I’d like. It seems that every time I turn around I’m finding something that I forgot to do or someone is pointing out something that I missed.  It’s led to me feeling very discouraged.

I was listening to sports talk radio and they started going through the lineup for the baseball playoffs tonight where the Kansas City Royals will be facing the Oakland A’s. I realized there wasn’t a single player in the starting lineup hitting .800 – not even 1 hitting above .500.  In fact, there is just a handful even hitting over .300.  Out of over 50 players in tonight’s game, there was only a few players who would reach base 1/3 of the time.

This knowledge boosted my confidence a bit, and then I read this verse and realized that being perfect, never making a mistake, is an amazing goal.  I must continually work and strive to possibly someday reach this level but until then – I must recognize that I’m going to make mistakes. Further, I must learn from the mistakes I make each and every day.  Today was filled with lessons that I am thankful and excited to learn.

You too, are going to face days filled with mistakes. Are you going to be open to learn the lessons He has put before you?

Simple Man

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.

One of my favorite songs is “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I think it means so much to me because it’s a summary of several conversations I had with my mom as a young man.

In the song, it goes over a number of things that the mother has found through experience will lend themselves to a happy and productive life for her son. It talks about not living life too fast so that you can appreciate each day.  She tells him to find love and not to focus on riches because what he truly needs is within him, in his soul.  Throughout the song, she tells him to just be simple, “something you love and understand”.  The one thing I take from the song is the reminder that there is someone above.

If you are familiar with this band at all, you’ll know this southern rock and roll band is filled with members whose lives are chronicled to be filled with alcohol, drugs and women. Yet, from them we have this reminder. There IS someone up above, and if you listen to the song, you can probably hear a mother talking to her son, maybe a conversation one of them had with their own mother.

I’m not going to judge their choices or their lives – I have enough to carry regarding my own – but I will say that when I hear the song, it reminds me of a time when Mom was trying to help me make the right choices in my life.  It grounds me to where I came from and what’s truly important in my life.   I’m sure if you look back, you can find a reminder in your life to bring you back to where you’re suppose to be.  “Father God, help me each day to remember You have never left me, You’re always there. Amen”

The Morning Star

2 Peter 1:19   And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 

Revelation 22:16  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

I received a few pictures by text the other day.  It was a panoramic view of a crystal blue sky with mountains in the background.  They were from someone who has been going through a very rough time – relationship issues, difficulties in a job transfer.  I, along with a few others who had received those pictures, exchanged a few thoughts – mine was that it was symbolic of a fresh start.

I think most of us have either seen that perfect morning at the end of a movie or or hopefully experienced it – little wind, fresh, clean, maybe even crisp air, and the sun warming your face.   In this case, it’s not an action movie ending where the good guy wakes up to the perfect sunrise with all the evil in the world left in a burning heap.

I do believe that perfect morning is symbolic.  You see, just like in that action movie, Jesus Christ removed, through the cross, the evil from our lives – the sin – and allows us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins.  He was sent down upon this earth to bring us that perfect morning, to leave all of the evil in our lives behind and allow the morning sun to warm our face.

If you’ve not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it’s really fairly simple.  Find a quiet place, bow your head, and have a conversation with Him about who you are, what you’ve done that probably wouldn’t make Him proud.  Ask for forgiveness and invite Him to come into your heart and into your life.

If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, asked for forgiveness and invited Him into your life, you have an idea of what I’m referring to.  You may draw a different comparison, but the bottom line is the experience and the knowledge that you’re starting with a clean slate.   I must ask, have you shared that perfect morning with someone else?  Do you really want to hide the Son from someone else? The gift we’ve received is not for us alone but one that must be shared.

From the Mouth of A Clown

Matthew 15:11 It’s not what goes into the mouth that contaminates a person in God’s sight. It’s what comes out of the mouth that contaminates the person.

It’s festival time here in the Midwest, every small town and even some of the bigger towns around the area shut down main street or the town square to put up canvas booths filled with all sorts of things. From politicians (inset your best joke here) to hand-made crafts.  Oh, and then there’s the food.

Now I’ll admit I’m not going to win any awards for my eating habits, but I’ve started working on the idea that I should eat a bit healthier. That said, I’ll repeat it IS festival time and with that comes funnel cakes.  I don’t know what it is about a funnel cake, but I struggle to resist.

Anyway, my wife and I were walking around taking in the sites and the funnel cake when we came across this guy in a dunk tank. He was that typical obnoxious guy, dressed kind of funny and spreading insults to people as they passed by the tank.  As I approached, I saw him and he saw me as I was taking a bite of the powdered sugar covered fried dough.  I cringed to wait on the venom he was going to fling my way, and sure enough out it came.  For whatever reason it really hit me to the bone, but we continued on and as we passed him, I handed my wife the remainder of the funnel cake and told her I was done.

Later that evening when I had a little time to myself, I thought about what he’d said and I thought to myself “I can’t believe someone could say something so hurtful! I could never say anything like that.”  My thoughts moved on to some of the conversations I’ve been a part of recently.  I don’t lack in opinion and am not afraid to share those opinions.  Up until this point, I’d actually be proud of the fact that I’d speak my mind – not really sugar-coating the truth.  All at once it dawned on me, while I’ve not used phrases flung out by the clown in the dunk tank, the words and tones I had used were just as, if not more, hurtful because of the people to whom I’d spoken them.

I know I don’t always realize what’s coming out of my mouth and I’d wager that most men are the same way. I’d be pretty confident in saying further that we all wish we could somehow suck back in about 50% of what we say.  Well, we can’t, but we can be a bit more deliberate when we speak – think just a bit harder about the words and the tones we use.  Instead of trying to use our words to lift up our position and prove ourselves right, we can be a light for God and our words can lift others so that they may reach out and touch His hand.

“God, help me to not be a clown, but to be a platform and a light to guide others to Your loving embrace. Amen”

Just a Hem

Mark 5:27  Because she had heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes.

As I was sitting at my desk this morning, I looked down and saw the hem on my pants, and the story of this woman came to me.  It’s a story of a woman who had been sick for a number of years.  She’d spent that time seeing doctors, looking for relief, yet she continued to be sick and in fact, getting worse.

With faith in all that she’d heard, she went to see Jesus and be healed.  The crowd was so great she could do nothing but reach out and just barely touch the hem of His robe.  Instantly, she was healed.

I think of the many times I’ve had a struggle in my life.  The times I was sick – not just physically, but broken spiritually from a change or a loss in my life.  Each time I’ve reached out to Him, I’ve found relief – maybe not how I’d asked for it, but He has always been there.

What do you do when you’re feeling sick?  What has He done to heal you and heal your life?  I’d love to hear how He’s worked in your life to heal your life.  Please take a few minutes to comment and tell us your story or the story of a friend.

Recognize Success

Psalm 73: 22-24  I was stupid and ignorant.  I acted like nothing but an animal toward you. But I was still always with you! You held my strong hand! You have guided me with your advice;  later you will receive me with glory.

I’ve got a friend who’s going through a difficult time with his teenager. They seem unmotivated, uninterested and quite frankly, almost disengaged.  I’ve spent quite a bit of time at their place and have had an opportunity to see a number of interactions between my friend and his child.

From everything I’ve seen, he’s a good father. He’s genuinely interested in their friends, the way they dress, hygiene, school activities and school performance.  The kid seems to be well-liked, he’s always talking with friends or hanging out with kids from school, but well, they just don’t seem to connect and don’t seem to care.

I’ve watched my buddy talk, rationalize, explain and even yell about school performance until he’s blue in the face, but nothing seems to be getting through. It was the conversation that they had last night, along with some other things by buddy had shared, it finally connected.

See if this makes sense.  Imagine if every time we didn’t do exactly what we were supposed to, or failed a life test, our heavenly Father pointed it out. Can you imagine how completely useless any effort what so ever would seem?  Why would any of us want to do anything?  Instead, our Father accepts us for who we are and provides us with gentle course corrections that keep us on the correct path.  Not only does He give us gentle nudges, but he rewards us when we’ve leaned a lesson or done something right…wait He rewards us…? He does if you open your eyes, your mind and your heart.  There are glimpse of His glorious beauty revealed. There are moments of laughter when you need it most and there are kind words and a helping hand to lift you up and dust you off.

Now back to my revelation.  As they were talking about school performance, there was a focus on what the child was failing rather than the positive things they were doing. Instead of recognizing the success, the failures were magnified.  So in my head popped this thought, what if we tried to help our kids with gentle non-judgmental nudges? Reward them for the good things they’re doing and lessons they’ve learned and offer a helping hand up and a kind word when they’ve been knocked down.  In other words, recognizing the successes rather than magnifying the failures.

Prayer: Father, there is not one of us who is perfect, I make mistakes everyday. Thank you for not pointing out all of my failures.  Help me to recognize success rather than magnify failure. Amen

A Foggy Start

John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

As I was driving in this morning, I looked around. It was dark – not even a star visible.  The sun not yet visible on the horizon, the road in front of me was hazed with a thin veil of fog.

The sun finally began to break through the haze about half-way through my trip, and as it moved higher on the horizon, the road became easier to see and the direction I was going became clearer.

It’s like that in life as well. Without the Son, life is foggy, the road is hard to see and the direction you’re heading is not clear.  It’s not until the Son begins to shine in your life, until He is higher and more prominent, that the fog begins to lift, the path becomes better defined and you know the direction you should travel.

Today can be the day you begin clearing the fog that is covering your life’s direction and purpose, just let the Son shine on you.

My Thanks to You

Jeremiah 20:11   But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;
therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me.
They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.
Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

I’m not sure that this belongs here, but after the movie I watched the other night, I feel compelled to write about it. My family has a long and very rich history of service for this country.  Based on the research I’ve completed, it appears there has been at least 1 member of my family involved in each of the major military conflicts in which the United States has been involved.  In addition, we’ve served in law enforcement and in the fire and emergency medical services.

I am very proud of this history – not because I’m a man who loves war, bloodshed or any of the hardships associated with conflict, but because I know that my family believes in freedom. The men and women who I’ve known were, and are, warriors.  Not warriors of aggression, but warriors for peace, liberty and upholders of the freedoms and rights given to us by the Creator.

There are many reasons for which this country was founded, (some of which are far from honorable) but to the men who sought independence thought certain freedoms, inalienable rights were so important that they etched them permanently on parchment.

Through the years, and really from the beginning of time, countries have had different visions.  Men have fought by order and by choice. But the warriors I speak of, hold these God-given rights so dearly that they have gone across the world to share them – in some cases, laying down their lives to ensure that people throughout the world can experience and enjoy something for which we have grown accustomed.

War and hatred are not a creation of God, but a by-product of the Free Will provided to us by the Creator. That said, God does stand on the side of the oppressed and those who would fight for them.

It is, almost without exception, exemplified in the men and women who have served and who currently serve our country in wearing a badge, in bunker gear, driving an ambulance and those who wear the uniforms of our country’s armed services.

To each of you and your families, I say thank you and may the Creator, our Father, bless each and every one of you and keep you safe.

It Costs More Than You Think

I read an interesting quote this morning and it made me think. It was a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Money costs too much”

If you think about that, it’s true. What do you have to give up in order to work that extra shift? Who might you disappoint if you spend the day mowing? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for making sure that my family has food on the table and shelter over their heads, but beyond that I have to question the motivation, and more so, I have to question the cost.

Proverbs 17:16 reads “Why should a fool have money to pay for wisdom? He has no mind.”   You’ve probably read or heard this passage translated a bit differently – talking about a fool and his money are soon parted, but I like the wording here.

Try reading it like this… “Why should a husband have money for his wife and kids? He has no family…” Reading it that way may help you start to see what truly is important.

Yeah, everyone will have a great time going to Disney and the memories will last a lifetime, but looking back at the times I spent with my folks, the biggest smile and the warmest feelings in my heart are the memories when we were spending an evening together playing a game or the afternoon spent fishing at a local lake. It always comes down to the time they spent with me – not the money they spent on me

This weekend, instead of spending an extra hour or 2 trying to get ahead, take that precious time and spend it with your family and as you do, give thanks to our Father for the gift. “Father, You have given me so many gifts, one of the greatest is my family. Amen”

Comment and tell me how you spent some time with, rather than money on, your family this weekend.

W.W.P.G.G

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be determined and confident.  Don’t be afraid of anyone or anything.  Your God the Lord himself will be with you.  He will not fail you or abandon you.

With the last 5 posts I’ve gone over a process that I’ve worked to develop in an effort to more effectively handle adverse situations – a way to rely more on Him and less on me.  That process entailed taking a little time when faced with a “mountain” to touch on 5 words

W isdom

W ords

P atience

G uidance

G race

I put this together because the 2 options I’ve used in the past just weren’t getting the best results and I was worn out from the constant strain and emotional drain.  It all came about because of a 36-hour period where first I saw that a payment was mistakenly debited twice from my account, leaving me overdrawn and owing more in fees than the original debt, secondly getting a call from a relative whose life was “blowing up” and finally, to top it off, everything I touched I was dropping or breaking!

My first thought was to get mad, curse a bit and maybe raise my voice.  I contemplated calling the relative back and telling them this is how the situation is should be handled.  Then call the company back who ran debit through twice, likely using an angry tone and demanding satisfaction and reimbursement for the overdraft fees.

The other option was to withdraw, and hide from everything.  I could assume that the family member would resolve their issues without my input.  I could hope that the company would reimburse me for the accidental charge and all the fees associated with it – surely they would discover their mistake.  And by withdrawing, I would not have contact with as many people and therefore could stop my path of destruction.

Like I said, these options just didn’t seem right.  The first (getting mad) gets you nowhere quickly!  When I would choose that option, I’d have expended so much energy that there was no joy to celebrate the success.  In addition, I’d have created chaos in the lives of at least 2 more people and with that, the enemy has won.

The second option resolves absolutely nothing; in fact it actually winds up making things much worse.  As things combine and compile, the little issue becomes a mountain, and when I’d look to climb that mountain, I would be overwhelmed with its size!

With that, I decided to do something different,  I looked skyward and asked our Father for His help.  My request wasn’t concise, and I’m sure it didn’t come close to covering the situations I was facing, but what it did do was allow me time to calm down.  It also allowed me to move it from my hands to His.  Knowing that my Father was with me and knowing that He was there to guide me through each of these situations brought me peace and energy.  I had the strength through Him to celebrate overcoming each situation.   I also had the joy to praise Him for His help and His grace.

I continue to struggle with this daily, sometimes minute to minute, but I always remember, no matter what the situation, God is near and will guide me through the obstacles of life.  The next time you’re facing a hurdle, stop and ask Him to be with you – give WWPGG a try.

Grace

2 Corinthians 4: 15  All these things are for your benefit. As grace increases to benefit more and more people, it will cause gratitude to increase, which results in God’s glory.

If you’ve attended a church service at any time in your life, there has probably been some mention of grace.  As a kid, the first time I heard the term I immediately thought of it as the prayer said before a meal.  As I grew older, I heard the term thrown around, but no real definition given.

Now I say no real definition, but that’s not completely true.  I’d hear this or that but it never really sank in until I did a little reading myself.  What grace boils down to is this; a love that is unearned with absolutely no expectation that it will ever be returned.  It’s the love your parent(s) showed you; the love you’ve shown your child; the love shown to a partner or to a sibling, (including when they’ve put Vaseline in your hair brush or scarred you shin for life).

God’s Grace is an amazing gift He’s given to us since the beginning of time. The most obvious example is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross so that we might all someday live in His kingdom.  Stop and imagine the many gifts you’ve been given – yes including the scar on your shin.  He has given you so very much.  So let me ask; Is it too much to ask that the next time you face a difficult situation that you show Grace to the person you’re dealing with? I’m talking His Grace, a love and understanding – without any expectation that it will be returned.  A kind word, a pleasant tone, an open mind and loving heart.

The next time a car cuts you off, or you hear the angry tone of voice in response to a  question or any situation, try taking a deep breath and calling on our Father for a little help.  “Father, I’m facing a trying situation and I need Your help, I need Your strength.  Give me the ability to show Your Grace through my actions.”

Look, I’m gruff, opinionated and “determined” but if I can do it just 1 time a day, or maybe in 1 situation a week, then I can make a difference not only in my life but in the lives of others.  Give it a try, I mean really, what do you have to loose?

Guidance

Psalms 25 4-6  Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—because you are the God who saves me.  I put my hope in you all day long.  Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love—they are forever!

As a man, I tend to fit into the stereotype – I don’t like asking for directions or asking for help.  I tend to feel as though it’s a mark against my man card.  That all being said, I’ve noticed that this stubbornness (I like to call it determination) has infiltrated society, crossing gender boundaries more and more.

It’s so difficult to admit you’re going through a difficult time and you need help.  Can you remember the last argument you and your partner had in which they may have brought up a very valid point about one of your habits?  It may have been done in the most loving manner, yet what did you do – snapped their head off instead of taking a breath, accepting their words and asking “Father, I know I need help with this, let me accept the guidance and help they’re offering”.

And as a couple or individually, think about financial problems.  How sensitive are we about others finding out that for no fault of your own, ends aren’t meeting, the IRS is sending you letters, or you’ve found out that your company is downsizing?  Rather than hording the pain of the situation like a miser holds onto his gold, why not ask, “God, I can’t handle this on my own, please direct me and guide me by Your words, and through Your people”.

This isn’t like sending a text message to a dear friend (likely you’ll not get an immediate response) but He will act on His time and in His way.  So, when you’re facing a situation you don’t feel like anyone will understand, take a moment, take a breath and pray.

“God, I’m facing something I just don’t know how to handle.  Please give me wisdom, give me words, give me patience and give me guidance.  I leave this in Your hands. Amen”

Patience

Ephesians 4:2  Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other in love.

Romans 12:12 Be happy in your hope, be patient when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer

Since I’ve started writing these, it seems as though I can find a thousand flaws in myself.  Patience is one more thing that I need some work on.  I tend to assess situations and develop a “fix” for things in my mind, and usually I don’t take the time to hear or see the perspective from another view point.

Case in point – my wife and I will be having a conversation about a matter that is fairly important to our family.  During the conversation, I will play out the script in my head as to how that conversation will go.  I’ll reach the conclusion and make assumptions, and before we’re halfway through the conversation, I’m done and ready to move on.  However, my scripts normally aren’t right, and thus my end point of that conversation is way off course.  This leads to frustration for both of us, and my wife left feeling like her opinions and her concerns aren’t important.

I’ve also found that I tend to expect immediate results.  I assessed the situation and I’ve done what I said I was going to do, why isn’t it WORKING?

You know, like when you’re out on the lake fishing.  You’ve not had a bite all day and you decide that you need to change bait.  You tie a new lure on the line and cast out, anticipation builds as you slowly real in the line, this is going to work.  I know a different color and/or shape is going to make all the difference.  The lure gets to the rod tip.  A second cast and this time I real just a bit quicker, nothing…a third time…a fourth.  Now frustrated, I debate should I change lures, should I change locations.  Patience may be a virtue, but it is a virtue that either doesn’t run deep in me or I cannot readily locate it.

As you have read, my lack of patience does not just impact one aspect of my life, but blankets me in whatever I am involved.   As I’ve grown in years, I’ve found that I want and need to do things a bit differently.  The energy I have previously spent in frustration, I now increasingly want to use it in a more productive manner.   I’m attempting to create a habit where I immediately look for help when faced with a situation.  “Father, please give me wisdom to assess the situation, the loving words from my mouth and from the mouths of others to help resolve the situation, and God give me the patience to hear others and to wait for You.   I need Your help Father.”

It’s been a struggle to take a moment, breathe, and as for help, but I do find that when I ask, He is there at my side.

Words

Luke 21:15 I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict.

Does anything else really need to be said? No, probably not, but I feel as though He has given me this topic and the words to explain this a bit further.

Well, when was the last time you were in a difficult situation and rather than taking a moment to compose your thoughts, you lashed out? I can tell you, sadly, that mine is more recent than I care to admit.

My son had received some bad news about a tryout he’d had earlier in the week. I didn’t know he’d gotten word of the results, but could see that he was not in a good mood. I asked him a very simple question and he lashed out verbally. I tried to remain calm and asked him another question and he continued to vent his disappointment my way. I’d taken all I could and snapped back. Well from that point, the proverbial fight was on. Before it was all said and done he, I, and my wife (yes she was there to witness it all) were angry, hurt and embarrassed. Had I only taken a couple of seconds, or even a minute to calmly ask for the words to handle the situation, things may have taken a different path.

This verse is actually part of a lesson taught by Jesus to His disciples and is just as important a lesson today as it was when He walked with us. In it, He describes to them the trial that they are going to face and He is reassuring them to remain strong because the Father will be with them throughout.

The next time your first reaction would be to snap off an answer, take a few seconds and ask not only for the wisdom to handle the situation, but the words necessary to resolve it in a manner that will allow you to be an example of His love.

Wisdom

James 1:5   But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score.  Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.

Through the next 5 posts I’m going to be going into a process that I use to help me through difficult situations.  Do I use it every time?  No, sadly I don’t, but when I do, I find that the situation diffuses itself a bit quicker.  The outcome is a bit better and I don’t feel like I’ve been a total caveman to those whom I love.

How many times have we been faced with something for which we don’t have an answer or possibly all the information?  If you’re like me at all and we’re all a bit similar in this regard, we jump in with both feet.  We may get frustrated, irritated and/or angry.  It could be that we freeze, trying to call on a past experience for guidance. But how many times have you stopped, taken a breath, looked skyward and said “God, I need your help”?  Probably less often than we should have.  It doesn’t even have to be a confrontational situation.

A few years ago, I was faced with obtaining a license to sell insurance.  It’s a computer based multiple choice test approved by the state and administered by a 3^rd party.  You have 90 minutes to complete 100 questions on a variety of topics, in this case, on property and casualty insurance.  I’d study daily at least 4 hours a day for about 2 weeks.  Even though I had a background in insurance and knew a lot of the terms and concepts, I was far from being confident.  In practice exams I scored at or just below the passing threshold, but now it was time for the real thing and I had to make the leap.

I pulled into a parking stall about 20 minutes before my scheduled time and tried to steady my nerves.  With about 5 minutes left, I looked up and literally said, “God, I’m leaving this to you.  I don’t know all the answers and I’m going to need your help.”  Braced with a bit more confidence, I walked in to the office, they sat me down, gave me my instructions and the clock started ticking.

I was 3 or 4 questions into the test when I came across the first one I couldn’t answer.  I read the question and answers several times and just couldn’t find the right answer.  I bowed my head, closed my eyes and said “Father, please help me!”.  A letter appeared in my mind and I put that down.  Through the remainder of the test when I’d come across an questions I wasn’t sure of or didn’t know the answer, I’d go through the same process.

When I finished, with about 20 minutes to spare, I closed the browser and made the slow walk out of the exam room and to the test proctor just outside of the room.  As I turned the corner, he had no expression but as I got close to his desk, he handed me my results and congratulated me.  No, I don’t know if I scored 100% or just enough to pass (it’s a pass/fail situation) but I do know that each time I bowed my head and asked for help, I got it.  I received the wisdom from God.

I could share other stories, but I’m sure if you think back there have been times that you’ve come to a resolution only because you looked to Him.  The next time you’re faced with a situation, before jumping off without a clue, take a breath, bow your head and ask…

Oh How I Wish I Was…

For me, I’d finish that statement with, fishing with my son and my wife.  How many times have you thought or uttered that very phrase and how have you ended it?

In a perfect world, we’d do what we wanted and when we wanted to do it.  In a perfect world, we’d have no deadlines, no appointments to make.  We’d not have to worry about getting groceries, mowing the yard or changing the oil in the car.

Well, not that you don’t already know this, but here’s a news flash.  We don’t!  Someday, we will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  I’m both excited at the thought of being there some day but also don’t want to rush that trip. Until then, we must deal with the confines of this earthly existence.  So, then, what do we do?

We can moan and complain about all the BS we experience day to day (and before you stop reading, there’s nothing wrong with venting once in a while.  I do it and most of the time I feel much better after “dumping” it out of my head but once the dump has occurred, I have to let it go.  If I don’t, and if you don’t, then we’re sending out bad energy with the good).

Or, there’s always spending the day staring off into space dreaming of “oh how I wish I was…” but where’s that going to get you?  To quote an old classic “another day older and deeper in debt.”  Again, nothing wrong with spending some time in that fantastic daze to escape for a while, but within reason.

I’ve fallen into each of these categories to excess, but I’d like to think I’ve gotten a handle on that with a fairly simple activity.  I took what I believe to be a God-given talent and have ventured to make a difference in the lives of others.  Through my actions, directed by God and by my words, (well probably God’s words through my hand) this site was created.

Take a look around your church or in your community.  Talk to your pastor or to a trusted friend and then dig inside.  Pray, ask Him for direction.  Think about what do you do well and what you enjoy doing. Ask yourself “what is my gift from God?”   For the longest time I said ‘I don’t know’, but really what I was saying is ‘I don’t know if I want to do it’.

In my case, I’ve taken the perspective that if I can simply touch, I mean really touch and impact just 1 person with this page, then I have made a difference and I’ve been a good steward of the gift given to me.

Find your one thing and start doing it today.  But don’t stop dumping, don’t stop dreaming and always make sure you’ve got a little time to bait your hook and get your line wet.

Stand in Wonder

It’s been unseasonably cool around here this summer and it’s been a welcome break from the norm.  That said, a breeze brushed against my face as I was leaving work the other day and even with the weather, it was still very welcome because of the urban setting in which I work – even an 85 degree day can feel oppressive.

The breeze that blew across my face rustled the leaves of a tree in the parking lot and it made me look up.  I stopped my journey to my truck and just looked around for a moment.  The sky was so blue and it looked like it went on forever.  One little puffy cloud could be seen likely dancing to the tune that the birds were singing.

I started thinking about the all that I have in my life.  My son and wife, my brother, in-laws (I don’t like that term because they are truly just family and in-law has such a negative feel).  I thought about the times I’ve spent camping and fishing.  The drives I’ve taken and the many scenic views I’ve seen.

I’m sure I probably only stood there for a few seconds but it felt like I was there several minutes – mouth open in amazement.  As I walked off the steps, a song came to my heart and I began singing it silently in my head and before I reached my truck, I was signing out loud….”How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God and all will sing how great, how great is our God”.

I’m quite sure just as with everything else, that moment was planned by His great hands, that breeze was just a gentle reminder to stop and look around.  I hope that these words will serve in the same manner.  Please stop and look around today and maybe you’ll just stand in wonder of His amazing gifts.

Geyser

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. ¹⁰ If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up!

I had a DIY emergency recently, and something you should know, my skill level allows me to change a light bulb but probably very little else. I have to generally rely on my wife and the skills she learned from her dad, MacGyver, or trained professionals. It’s not that I’m not smart enough, nor is it that I don’t want to learn it, or do it.  It’s that I can’t seem to readily translate the mechanical thoughts in my mind to the bolt I’m turning.

Anyway, we had been awoken by our son, who had gotten up to see if it was raining  – only to find that the seam on the side of the water heater was no long a seam but a nozzle. I went downstairs to find a sizeable stream of water shooting out about 6 feet from “old faithful”.

We got the water shut off, and things moved out of the way, and my wife mopped up some of the puddles. I immediately got on Facebook to work my magic. I have a decent mix of friends – all with a number of different skills. I wanted to see if anyone could recommend a plumber.

It wasn’t 5 minutes, and a friend told me it was easy and I should do it myself. Then another chimed in with the same recommendation. I laughed a bit and as I shared it with my wife, she started to get this look of fear that I might just consider it. (I was but wasn’t about to share that with her.) Instead, I made a joke about it with my friends and one came back “Call me”. It’s 12:15 AM, I’m not going to call anyone one unless death is imminent. About 10 minutes later, he sent me a text, “Call me” to which I responded, “now?”

Well I did, and immediately he offered to come over and help me replace the water heater. I told my wife, and she seemed ok with it. I told him I’d call him later in the day and we ended the call.

Now I didn’t take him up on the offer. We found a plumber who was VERY reasonable and we had them there and gone within 12 hours of the initial geyser.

If you ran upon my friend, while he’s respectful, he’s also a bit rough around the edges, but I’ve had the opportunity to know him a bit better. I know that while we see many things from the same perspective, there are topics that we’ll never see eye to eye. I know that the church, and more importantly God, is very important in his life, but I’ve learned something new about him today.

The words that come from his mouth about his beliefs, about his faith, and about the importance of God, aren’t just words. He genuinely takes those words to heart. There’s a song that talks about us being the body of Christ and asks, “If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t His feet going?”

Well today, He was – through my friend.

 “Father, I have so many things to be thankful for, not the least of which are my friends. Be with them, protect them through this day and all their days. Amen.

John 14:2-6

New International Version (NIV)

² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I find this passage interesting it can take on so many different meanings depending on the situation and the person.  I however through these words and prayer have found that what is being revealed is that we can only make that journey to His house through his Son Jesus Christ.

Some believe that by being baptized we have come to Him and we have a promise of eternal life.  Others believe that by being baptized and attending church every week, singing loudly from the hymnal they will find their way to the everlasting promise

In these words I find both these statements to be true but there is one aspect that is missing, a personal relationship with the Jesus Christ.  A relationship built through constant conversation with Him.  Daily time devoted to Him for prayer, praise and conversation.

Stop and think about this for a moment.  We each have at least 1 person with whom we talk to daily, sometimes multiple times in a day, updating them on life, the good, the bad and the mundane and getting updates on them and their family as well.  We may call them a friend, spouse or parent, really it doesn’t matter, the point is you go out of your way to make time to continue and build this relationship.

So why is it any different with our Savior, Jesus Christ?  We need to make time to have a conversation with Him every day not only to update Him about what’s going on in our lives but also to praise Him for all He has done.  We also need to take some time to listen for His answers and guidance.

Make a plan to build your relationship with Him.  It can be as simple as turning off the radio on the way to work and having a short chat with Him.  Start simple and short, say 5 minutes.  Before you know it, you’ll fill the commute and will be turning to Him throughout your day.

I started with “Father thank you for all that you’ve done and all that you’ve given me.  Father I ask for forgiveness for not always following your Son’s words.  Help me today to be a light for You.”  I’d repeat it a couple of times, after a few days I found I was adding concerns, prayers for friends and family.  Now my morning commute is spent with an old and trustworthy friend. Find time today to reconnect with Him and you too will find your way through Him.

What If?

Luke 18:9-14  The Pharisee and the tax collector

 9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: 10 “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”

I heard that over the weekend – the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  It was an interesting presentation and one that’s had me contemplating the message that Jesus was trying convey in that particular moment, but then my mind wanders and…

In the lesson, they both go to temple (church in today’s terms).  The Pharisee lifts his voice very high and begins to thank God for how great he is and how thankful he is for NOT being a tax collector.  The tax collector bows and asks God to forgive him because he has sinned.

I believe the point of the message was that one should not look down upon another and also we should humble ourselves before the Lord our God – which are messages each of us should take to heart.

…If you read the story, it does not say where each of these men went or what they did afterward.  I suspect that they each went back to their respective lives with little changed.

But what if?  What if the Pharisee heard the prayer of the tax collector and instead of looking down his nose, he listened to the words and realized himself that he has made mistakes, and humbly came to God to ask for forgiveness?  What if after humbling himself, he offered his hand to his brother in Christ and helped the tax collector off his knees?

What if the tax collector heard the prayer of the Pharisee and instead of grumbling about the words and condemnation spoken by the Pharisee, he took the words to realize he has work to do.  What if he realized that the Pharisee was someone he could work to be more like even with all of the flaws he knows the Pharisee doesn’t acknowledge about himself?  What if the tax collector takes the hand of the Pharisee and instead of accepting the help up they help each other up?

I’ve been a “temple goer” for a number of years, and I’ve been both the Pharisee and the tax collector.  I’ve also seen and heard both within the confines of the church.  But what if instead of seeing or being either one, we work to be more like Christ?  What if that’s what Jesus was asking us to do?

Prayer:  “Father God, I humbly come to you and ask for forgiveness.  I’ve made so many mistakes.  Father help me to change.   Let me see when I start to judge others and Father help me to be a humble role model for those around me.”