When I was in the First grade, I thought, “If I only had some Converse low tops, white with a red stripes, then I would be the fastest kid on the playground.” The shoes were so cool, and only the fastest kids had them. I remember when my mom gave in and allowed me to purchase a pair. I wore them at the end of the year race. It was a warm and sunny day - a great day for a race that is if you have the right shoes. Forty kids all lined up. The race was not long. We were to run out to the center of the playground, around a pole, and then race to the finish line. We lined up, I could feel my heart beating, and then the principal yelled, “Go!” I had a good start. All I wanted was to be first (who doesn’t?). I was so convinced that my shoes made a difference and nothing was going to stop me from winning. I was one of the first ones to make it to the pole, now for the sprint to the finish. There was only one other kid just slightly ahead of me. I pushed hard making my legs and arms work. In the end, I came in second, but I was still thrilled to have done so well!
So many times, I hear others, and even feel it myself, say if only I had this or that, then I could have peace. There are times in life when the peace we feel is based simply upon our own ignorance. However, when we become aware of the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible without the intervention of Christ. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you…” He is able to create this peace within a person, when that person embraces His righteousness. Peace is so often confused with Truce. Truce making stops the fighting, but does nothing to address the real issues at hand. The only way to have true peace is to yield to God and acknowledge our desperate need for Him. So often when we are in turmoil, we wring our hands, worry, and fret about what we to do. All the while, the God of peace waits for us to seek after Him. I think this is the very reason troubles come into our lives. God promises to comfort us in our troubles, then asks us to share that comfort with others. In 2 Corinthians 1:2-4, Paul praises God for His mercy and comfort, and also moves us to use that experience to comfort others. It is always good to remember that we cannot give away what we do not possess. We are to pass on what God gives to us. We do not receive as an end in itself, but as a means to an end. We are to empower others with the power God gives us. I believe that there are at least six gifts we can offer to others in an effort to share our comfort with them:
1. The gift of Accountability: Helping others keep their commitments to God (especially through difficult trials and troubles).
2. The gift of Affirmation: Speaking words of support and encouragement (not a Pollyanna outlook, but sincere compassion and empathy).
3. The gift of Advice: When sought by the person in trouble words of wise counsel and direction can be a soothing balm.
4. The gift of Admonishment: Offering words of caution, rebuke, or correction.
5. The gift of Assets: Sharing tangible resources to help others.
6. The gift of Acceptance: Providing unconditional love, regardless of the recipients’ identity.
May you know and share the peace of God with those around you. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
This past week a friend was sharing from Jeremiah 29, and I remembered a time in my life when verses 11-14 became very real. It was July 1996, though in some ways, it seems like it was just yesterday. I had just finished another day of looking for teacher candidates for the coming school year. This was my first year as Administrator of Fairview Christian School, and I needed to fill four full-time teaching positions. A task that seemed not too terribly difficult in May, but now in July seemed overwhelming. To say I was frustrated would have been an understatement. I was praying, asking many questions, and feeling more than just disappointed. Everything I tried, everywhere I looked seemed to come up empty.
I left Fairview, and was on my way home to play tag-team parenting with my wife. It was almost time for her shift at the hospital and it was my turn to take care of our two boys (Jeff was not born until 1997). As I walked in the door, she was busy preparing to leave. She gave me some last minute instructions what I could make for dinner, who had just had a nap, etc., I listened, but all the while, I was lost in thought; perplexed by the obstacles that stood before me.
Oswald Chambers states, “It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.”
Only a few months prior had I discerned that God wanted me to stay at Fairview. I felt led to take on this new unexpected assignment of ministry, and to wait patiently for Him to work in and through me, but now I was feeling at the end of my rope. Where were the resources that He promised? Why would He ask me to fill this position and not provide? It was one of those times, when I felt as though everything was going to come crashing down around me. It sure would be easier I thought to go and do something else. Let someone else solve these problems, face these challenges – I must have heard God wrong. It was not supposed to be like this!
As I sat in our rocking chair, praying, my son Ryan toddled over and indicated that he wanted to be held. I placed him on my lap facing forward, and held him close as I continued praying in earnest. Suddenly, he turned and stood up on my lap. I really did not pay much attention, but just then, he stretched his small arms around my neck, rested his head on my shoulder, and began to pat my back with his little hand. It was exactly at that moment that the words from Jeremiah 29 came ringing into my head. It was an incredible moment that I will never forget. God had sent encouragement to me through my little three-year-old son. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I gave praise and thanks to God – my provider. By the middle of August, I had filled the last position I needed. Once again God had come through – praise the name of the Lord.
I do not know all the challenges that you face in your life. I do know that there is one who can and will make a difference for you and your family if you let Him!
Thanks for reading!
I left Fairview, and was on my way home to play tag-team parenting with my wife. It was almost time for her shift at the hospital and it was my turn to take care of our two boys (Jeff was not born until 1997). As I walked in the door, she was busy preparing to leave. She gave me some last minute instructions what I could make for dinner, who had just had a nap, etc., I listened, but all the while, I was lost in thought; perplexed by the obstacles that stood before me.
Oswald Chambers states, “It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.”
Only a few months prior had I discerned that God wanted me to stay at Fairview. I felt led to take on this new unexpected assignment of ministry, and to wait patiently for Him to work in and through me, but now I was feeling at the end of my rope. Where were the resources that He promised? Why would He ask me to fill this position and not provide? It was one of those times, when I felt as though everything was going to come crashing down around me. It sure would be easier I thought to go and do something else. Let someone else solve these problems, face these challenges – I must have heard God wrong. It was not supposed to be like this!
As I sat in our rocking chair, praying, my son Ryan toddled over and indicated that he wanted to be held. I placed him on my lap facing forward, and held him close as I continued praying in earnest. Suddenly, he turned and stood up on my lap. I really did not pay much attention, but just then, he stretched his small arms around my neck, rested his head on my shoulder, and began to pat my back with his little hand. It was exactly at that moment that the words from Jeremiah 29 came ringing into my head. It was an incredible moment that I will never forget. God had sent encouragement to me through my little three-year-old son. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I gave praise and thanks to God – my provider. By the middle of August, I had filled the last position I needed. Once again God had come through – praise the name of the Lord.
I do not know all the challenges that you face in your life. I do know that there is one who can and will make a difference for you and your family if you let Him!
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution...No, in all these things we are conquerors…” Romans 8:35,37a
A friend of mine told me once that as soon as the car reaches 61 miles per hour, the angels fly off. Funny to think about, but have you ever wondered if God has taken His hand away from your life? Troubles...everyone has them from time to time. Sometimes they are things that happen to us, and sometimes they are things that happen to those we are close too. Troubles are exhausting. They do not just take your energy, but can cause a person to trade joy for despair, and even push one to question God’s very character and nature.
Paul talks about the things that might seem likely to separate a believer from the love of God. However, the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and His child. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. Nevertheless, none of these things is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a believer on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Christ; a love that is a free gift that cannot be earned. Paul said this is the reason that “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We are champions whose joy comes from experiencing the very things, which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
For example, huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. How can this apply that to our own circumstances? The things we try to avoid and fight against—adversity, pain, suffering, and persecution—can be the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things” not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A believer does not know the joy of the Lord in spite of trouble, but because of it. Paul said, “I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Cor. 7:4).
The abundant overflow of joy in a person’s life is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. Moreover, the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
Thanks for reading!
Paul talks about the things that might seem likely to separate a believer from the love of God. However, the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and His child. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. Nevertheless, none of these things is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a believer on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Christ; a love that is a free gift that cannot be earned. Paul said this is the reason that “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We are champions whose joy comes from experiencing the very things, which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.
For example, huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. How can this apply that to our own circumstances? The things we try to avoid and fight against—adversity, pain, suffering, and persecution—can be the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things” not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A believer does not know the joy of the Lord in spite of trouble, but because of it. Paul said, “I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Cor. 7:4).
The abundant overflow of joy in a person’s life is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. Moreover, the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).
Thanks for reading!
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