Permission to Pray

For Buddhist monks in Virginia Beach, government permission is needed to pray in their own home. And that permission was granted...for one year. Jason Marks, of Norfolk's NBC affiliate, filed the report on last night's City Council meeting.

Some neighbors argued that the monks' home sits on land zoned for residential use, and the house should not be used to hold worship services. While residents voiced their concerns, members who attend services say not allowing them to pray would be a violation of their rights.

Last year the monks moved to the area and began to hold their services. They wanted to build a temple on the land instead of using the home. Instead city council sent the message that there will be no temple and the praying must stop by next year.

The monks wanted to pray for three hours on Sundays and a few holidays during the year. In the end, the city council decided to grant a one year permit for the monks, but only to give them time to find a new building for worship. Neighbors say that's a fair deal. "I feel that a vote against this is a vote against freedom, which is what our nation was built on," said Samantha Neizgoba, one of the worshippers.

The noise would not be an issue, as the monks don't engage in communal singing, but in quiet meditation. Folks who live nearby say the Sunday prayer services would cause unnecessary traffic. "First five cars," said neighbor Dan Franken."Then ten. Twenty. Thirty. Forty. Fifty. Tour buses, port-a-potties, etc.,"

I live in a neighborhood with homes in close proximity to one another. We have neighbors who throw a party almost every weekend. Both sides of the street are filled with cars, lining up nearly the length of the block. They do not need a special permit to host a gathering in their home. But if the gathering is religious in nature then you need the permission from the city council?

Citizens shouldn't need government permission to have a gathering in their homes. The purpose for the gathering shouldn't matter as long as the peace of the community is not being disturbed and no illegal activity is taking place. It seems this group is being discriminated against because the gathering being hosted is religious in nature.

Meeting for worship should not be against the law, especially in a private residence. To say you cannot erect a building is one thing, but to say you cannot pray in your own home is ridiculous!

No one should need the government's permission to exercise a right that is already guaranteed in the first Amendment to this nation's constitution.

My understanding of Amendment I to the Constitution of the United States of America:
"Congress (the government) shall make no law respecting (in respect or regard to) an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble (even in their own home), and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

As an American and a Christian I enjoy this "right", but also feel an obligation to make sure it is defended and extended to other religious groups as well.

August 29: Modern Ancients

Early Teusday morning, (around 4:45am EST) in the western sky, we were treated to a total lunar eclipse.

We were up earlier than usual to take my Mother-in-law to the airport for a break-of-dawn flight. With coffee in hand and rubbing the sleep from our eyes we saw the "blood moon".

The moon slipped behind the Earth, going into a total eclipse. I understand that lunar eclipses happen fairly regularly, but most are only partial eclipses. The folks from NASA explain that the Earth's shadow is composed of two cone-shaped parts. Within the outer shadow the Earth blocks only some of the sun's rays. Within the inner shadow all direct sunlight is blocked.

"In the case of a total lunar eclipse, the moon will slip into that inner cone.
Thus, with Earth serving as a celestial umbrella, the moon will be illuminated only by light refracting through our atmosphere. And given that only red light penetrates in that way, the moon should turn dark orange or a bloody red."

The stars around the moon, which are usually hard to see because of the brightness of sunlight reflecting off the lunar surface, shone brightly during the eclipse -- it was beautiful!

As the eclipse ended it appeared as thought the moon had disappeared. Scientists theorize that without the stabilizing influence of the moon, the Earth would spin much faster and wobble dramatically. We'd have four-hour days, huge temperature shifts and near-persistent wind storms with the polar caps growing and receding rapidly. It's amazing how precise everything has to be for life to be maintained on our tiny planet.

The ancients believed that an all-powerful being (God) designed and created the natural order of the universe. Some 3,000 or so years ago, King David of Israel penned these words: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim His handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." (Psalms 19:1-2)

I am a modern ancient. I look at the heavens and see intelligence, order, design, precision and don't believe for a moment that it is accidental. I am a modern ancient who believes an Intelligent Designer created it all. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

I look at the human body, and again hear the words of King David echo: "For you, O Lord, created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My 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, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalms 139:13-16)

Ben Stein has a documentary called Expelled coming to theaters in February of 2008. It reportedly explores how the belief in intelligent design and creationism have been expelled from classroms on American campuses. The latest Gallup Polls reveal that a significant number of Americans believe in intelligent design and/or creationism. I won't comment on the movie until I've seen it, but I really want to see it.

Some of my readers will no doubt think I'm ignorant or insane. I assure you I am highly educated, though I must admit my sanity is "up for grabs" at times. This morning was a moment of clarity and sanity. It was a time of worship as the heavens declared the glory of the Lord.

~ Father, I blieve that you are, and that you are creative. Help me to increasingly see your fingerprints in the natural order of things. Amen.

August 28: Finding Jesus

NFL star, Michael Vick, began his quest for public redemption Monday. Vick made a formal 'guilty' plea to gambling and dogfighting conspiracy charges. He has lost his lucrative sports career, at least for now, and will probably spend some time in prison.
In his first public statements since charges were filed, Vick spoke of how terrible dogfighting is, took full responsibility for his actions, spoke about being a role model for young men who idolize him about what NOT to do. Vick also revealed that he had "found Jesus" and had asked for forgiveness.

I was watching the news with a group of people and everyone sat in silence listening to his remarks. The only line that really drew a reaction was his comment about "finding Jesus". Laughter erupted from the group, as one man asked, "How come everyone facing jail time all of sudden 'finds Jesus'?"

The general concensus seemed to be that Vick was saying all the right things in hopes of getting a lighter sentence from the judge or finding mercy with NFL officials. Most doubted the sincerity of his words. (When did Americans become so cynical? One too many scandals involving sports heroes, politicians and religious leaders, I suppose.)

For me, hearing Vick say he how found Jesus was good news. I hope it's true--time will tell. If it is true, there was a party going on in heaven when it happened. Jesus said, "I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)

While the Apostle Paul was "in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there... Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD."

"Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

"From one blood he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:16-17, 22-31)

America is a lot like the city of Athens during Paul's days: we are very religious (check any Gallup Poll), our society is proudly diverse and pluralistic, granting religious liberty and freedom of expression to all our citizens. Our people worship many gods.

Paul would stake his life on the fact that their was one, true God--the God that Jesus worshipped-- and that this God wants more than anything for people to find him, to have unhindered friendship with Him. So I hope that Michael Vick has indeed found Jesus. And I hope and pray you find him, too.

~ Father, help me not to be cynical and not to judge another man's words or motives. Thank you, that in our game of 'Hide and Seek' you let me find you. Amen.

August 26: The Loving Judge

“God loves everyone” is popular thinking, but is it true? Some people or groups focus on God's wrath and judgment to the point of ignoring His love. Other people or groups do the exact opposite, focusing on God's love while disregarding His warnings about a coming judgment day.

It is absolutely true that God loves everyone. But that doesn't mean that everyone is going to heaven, that God never gets angry or that God is not displeased with people's defiance and disobedience. It doesn't mean that God forgives all sins (There is a sin that God will not forgive--Matthew 12:30-32). It does not mean that God is accepting of all behaviors or that God is not a God of judgment or has no standards.

God is loving, but He is also the Judge who has the final word. Look at what the Apostle Peter wrote:

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our Fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed (The Flood of Noah's day). By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:3-8)

When you and I die our judge will be “righteous and just” (2 Timothy 4:8). A good and loving God created us and we must give account to him for our lives. Romans 2:16 says there is a day when God will judge our secrets. History has a destination. We have a date with God. God keeps perfect records and will “give to each according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6). God does not show favoritism. If God judges us, then how can he be loving at the same time?

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up and laid bare." (2 Peter 3:9-10)

The most popular verse in the whole Bible is John 3:16, which tells us that God does love everyone:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

But don't ignore verses 17 and 18:

"For God sent hot his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved... He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten God."

2 Samuel 14:14 reveals the true heart of God:

"Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him."

Even though God has spoken that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and “the soul that sins shall surely die” (Ezekiel 18:4), his love is so great that he is devising ways for people to be forgiven and reconciled to Himself.

Forgiveness is often difficult for us and we are often bent on revenge or "evening the score". God doesn't act and react like we do. God is constantly looking for ways to draw people back into relationship. God desires reconciliation.

“God is able to save completely those who come to God through Jesus, because Jesus always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Remember, God does not desire for anyone to perish, but reconciliation comes about through repentence. Some will perish because they are too stubborn to turn to God.

~ Father, it seems like contradictory that a loving God would also pass judgment. Thank you that you are always seeking reconciliation and devising ways to bring prodigals home. Amen.

August 24: Erasing Racism

I was out on my morning walk (I do 4 or 5 miles each morning before 7:00am) and needed to make a "pit stop". There are some ball fields near my home. The Little Leagers hone their skills there, and middle-aged, pot-bellied softball players try to hold tightly to their fleeting youth. I slipped into the port-a-pot and was confronted with some of the most hate-filled, racist, profanity-laced graffiti I've ever read in my life. I stood there and began to boil with anger at the thought of children and teenagers going in there and being confronted with that filth, that hate.

Later in the day I drove past the ball fields, got out of my car and re-entered the toilet. With a can of black spray paint I covered over the revolting words. Now there was a big, black blob on the wall. So I'm confessing that I defaced someone else's property with my own brand of graffiti. As I walked back to my car I was well aware of the fact that I hadn't really changed anything. The person full of racially-charged hatred hadn't had a change of heart, hadn't been held accountable for discharging his venom in our community.

Why so much hate? The outermost layer of a person's skin has more or less pigment than their neighbor's, but beyond that they are made of the same stuff. Racists come in all colors--it's not just "white" against "black" or vice-versa--but it is always ugly.

There is one race--the human race. One species--homo sapiens. When the Apostle Paul spoke to the crowd in Athens, Greece nearly 2,000 years ago he pointed out this truth:

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one blood He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:24-28

From one blood we are all made, and with one blood we have the possibility of being made new. The Bible describes the scene in heaven:

"You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9

God is not a racist. Racism is born out of ignorance, fear and/or pain. If I could find the person who spewed his hate on the inside wall of portable toilet, I'd ask who hurt him. I'd want to know why he's so afraid and full of anger. I'd want to know who taught him to look with disgust at a fellow human being just because their skin tones vary by a few shades.

I try to make the posts here upbeat and inspirational for the most part, but I'm kind of bummed out right now. It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to. Racism is such a cancer in our communities. I keep wondering when we, as a people, are ever going to get this lesson right.

Racism is deeply ingrained in our society and some view change as an idealistic dream.

1 John 2: 9-11: “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”

We need a radical wake-up call about the evil of racial prejudice.

"But if we walk in the Light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

“Fellowship” is a wonderful word. My friend and mentor, Pastor Charlie, used to say that "fellowship means we are 'joined together at the heart.'”. How can you possibly reject someone because of one thin layer of skin when you are joined together at the heart?

One blood. One blood. One blood.

~ Father, forgive me for reacting to people different from me out of my own fear, ignorance and pain. Help me to see my neighbor through your eyes. Amen.

August 20: Uncivil Civil War

An article in Sunday's Washington Post regarding "a rift in black churches" over gay unions begins the next chapter in the story of how American churches will respond to "the homosexual question", and launches the latest salvo in what is becoming America's next uncivil civil war.

Author, speaker and leader in the Emergent Church movement, Brian McLaren, recently opened Pandora's Box in a magazine article highlighting the need for pastoral sensitivity and it seems some readers wanted to burn him at the stake as a heretic for even suggesting civil discourse on the subject. When did "christians" become so mean?

McLaren, in a response to critics of the article, posed some interesting questions with which every church will soon wrestle if they have not already done so:

"For example, if you are certain without a shadow of doubt that homosexual behavior is always wrong, where do you draw the line:
Do you let a homosexual person be a member of your church, or an attender?
Does your exclusion apply only to “practicing” gays, or to celibate people of gay orientation?
How many weeks can they attend without being given an ultimatum?
How do you find out if a supposedly nonpracticing person is hiding their secret behaviors?
How many failures do you allow before excommunication?
And do you allow heterosexual people who attend your services to have gay friends?
Must they confront those friends in order to be faithful Christians?
What if they don’t?
What if your leading elder comes to you to say his daughter has come out as a lesbian?
What if your daughter comes out?
Or conversely, if you are an “open and affirming” congregation, do you require fidelity or do you allow promiscuity?
How do you enforce that?
Do you accept people who think homosexuality is wrong?
What if they repeatedly share their opinions publicly and in so doing scare away gay people whom you seek to receive?
Are you then open and affirming of homosexuals, but not of people who consider homosexuality a sin?"

My question is, "Can christians be Christ-like during the discussions?" I hear the old addage, "Well, we just have to agree to disagree." I can't stand that phrase. It leaves no room for either party to grow, change their opinions or their behavior. How about, "Let's learn to disagree without being disagreeable."? At least that makes a request for civility during the dialogue.

And why do so many christians pick and choose which sins to punish. For example, many church-folk are quick to condemn gay couples who are monogamous and committed, while at the same time turning a blind eye to heterosexual promiscuity or straight couples living together out of wedlock. Why the double standard?

Some are quick to quote Leviticus 20:13, "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.", but completely skip verse 10, which reads, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death." Why the double standard?

I'm not suggesting we institute the death penalty for either one of those behaviors, I'm just raising the question of why some church-folk are so rabid about one Biblical injunction but often turn a blind eye to so many others?

The question I pose for the church is, "can churches be civil while they wrestle with the questions posed earlier?" So far the answer is "absolutlely not", and that's sad and more sinful than the issues being discussed.

There is no doubt more to come as our culture and churches clash over this issue. You'll hear church-folks echoing the mantra "love the sinner, hate the sin." I want to ask my gay friends, "do you feel the love yet?" I didn't think so.

~ Father, help us to hold out love as we seek to know your heart and will. Forgive me for acting like behavior and belief have nothing in common. Amen.

August 19: Magic Eye

My friend Charlie tells the story of going to the shopping mall one day with his family. A crowd had gathered around a small kiosk and everyone seemed very excited about what they were seeing. His curiosity was aroused so Charlie went to see what was capturing the interest of so many people.

There were many large frames on display and the pictures seemed to be nothing more than colored dots. Exclamations of “I see it” and disgusted statements of “I don’t see anything” by people moving away certainly increased his interest. He began to stare at those pictures, allowing his eyes to relax and cross slightly, and right before his eyes the dots and swirls were transformed into three-dimensional pictures of various subjects. It was great! He was looking at a “3-D illusion”.

Magic Eye artwork is fascinating for those who are patient and focused, or unfocused as the case may be. The dots, for some, present a very clear picture, but for others only frustration and disappointment.

There are many people for whom the Bible might as well be a "Magic Eye" painting. Some people read the Bible, focus on its message, and become overjoyed by what they discover. Others will pick up a Bible in a hotel room or bookstore, flip through the pages for a few moments and then with irritation put it back and wonder why others get so excited about it.

"This is a stupid old book of myths and old wives tales", they say. The sad part is they feel that those who do find value in it message, and truth in its teachings, are somehow defective, unintelligent, or backward. The skeptics have eyes with which to see, but no heart to believe. Perhaps from previous conditioning or past pain, they are unable to embrace the message or the Author.

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We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths to spiritual people. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them, and they cannot understand them, because these things are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

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~ Father, if you are real I want to know you. Give me spiritual eyes to see the Truth and make a correct appraisal of those things which are of infinite and eternal value. Amen.

August 15: Always Ready

"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.

August 14: Is God All-powerful?

I grew up in church, but in my mid-teens had a crisis of faith. I had a lot of questions. I was not allowed to ask them in church. I didn’t find satisfactory answers and every reply raised ten new questions. I was asked to stop asking my questions.

The biggest hurdle for me in coming to faith was, "If there is a God, how can he be all-powerful and all-loving?" It seemed that if he were both that he would stop all the suffering in the world. If he were powerful enough to stop the suffering and didn't then he wasn't very loving. If he loved everyone and wanted to end the suffering, and yet couldn't, then he was weak. I was left with the prospect of following a God who was either mean or weak, or both.

The Bible asserts that God has made himself known through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2), through created, natural order...
"... since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:19-20)

The Prophet Jeremiah expounded on God's attributes:
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the fathers' sins into the laps of their children after them. O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 32:17-19)

Then I read the book of Job in the Bible. Job had lots of questions for God, like I did. For 37 chapters Job and his friends try to make sense of things and figure God out. Finally, in chapters 38-41, God shows up and speaks to Job. When he concludes Job still does not have the answers to his questions, but he does have a new understanding and perspective on how awesome God reaally is.

Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things (all powerful); no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:1-6)

God has demonstrated his power through Creation (Genesis 1-2), The Flood (Genesis 6), The Exodus (10 Plagues and Red Sea Crossing, Exodus 7-11, 14), The Miracles of Jesus and the Resurrection of Jesus (see the Gospels), The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles...

The list goes on. Even today we hear of modern medical stories that leave the doctors scratching their heads and without logical explanation as to what has happened. My friend Cheryl's X-ray show a tumor in her abdomen. She called friends and enlisted them to pray for her healing. When the surgeons operated there was no sign of a tumor...and no explanation as to how it had disappeared! We hear stories like these on a fairly regular basis.

There is nothing that God cannot do! The dilemma and the difficulty is why sometimes God seems to demonstrate his power and at other times remain unmoved and silent. I don't know why. I'm like Job, I know God can do all things but I cannot explain God. But I have seen over and over again His love demonstrated and His provision supplied in my own life. I know that God is real and that God loves me. I've learned over the years to trust His heart even when I cannot see His hand at work.

~ Father, thank you for demonstrating that there is nothing you cannot do. Help me to trust you even when I do not understand you ways. Amen.

August 11: Life's White Water

So I'm still thinking about my Mom and a tribe of sassy seniors headed down the Nenana River in Alaska in a rubber boat. Most of my kayaking is done on flat water, although we've done a few river runs with class 4 rapids. But I've yet to do a white water rafting trip. One day...

Anyway, just thinking this morning about how much of life is like that. At times things are smooth and calm, easily moving along with time to reflect. Then there are times

when life hits the rough water and you hang on for dear life; paddling like crazy and praying like never before. When it's all over and the crisis has passed you count to make sure everyone is still in the boat and that you didn't lose anyone along the way.

When you head into those crisis moments of life, do you ever wonder where God is? Or wonder if God is real? Or wonder if anyone is listening when you pray?

For those who live by faith, who trust in God, He proves Himself to be real and ever-present. Listen to the ancient promise to the Israelites. I believe the promise holds to anyone (or group) who believe and trust in the LORD.

But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, he who formed you: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One, your Savior; you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you." (Isaiah 43:1-4)

I encourage you not to wait until you find yourself in the white water of life, engulfed by circumstances that threaten to do you in, or take you out. Establish a relationship with your Creator now by believing and trusting in Him. By bcoming accustomed to believing Him and conversing with Him in the calm waters, it makes it easier and more natural to call on Him when you're in over your head.

~ Father, thank you for your promise that when the bottom falls out you are still with me. Strengthen my faith today, help me to trust your heart even when I cannot see your hand. Amen.

August 10: Minuscule Faith

My Mom arrived yesterday for a ten-day visit. We are having a blast cooking together, catching up on family gossip, playing board games and just enjoying each other's company.

She just returned from an Alaskan cruise and I'm amazed as I look at the pictures of the place--the natural beauty is breath-taking, even through photographs.

I am very impressed with my mother. She went on a white-water rafting trip (and has a picture to prove it). Mom shooting the rapids!--I'm not just impressed, I'm envious. Not envy as in "one of the seven deadly sins" kind of envy, but envy in a Napolean Dynamite, "Luh-key" kind of way.

I would love to have been in that raft with her. She'll get me for telling this, but she' 65+ years old. What is so cool is that she was the youngest one in the boat!

They went into the Denali National Park and saw Mount McKinley. It was an amazing trip! The pictures of the mountain have got me thinking about faith this morning. As I looked at the photos of this impressive mountain I was reminded of the words of Jesus:

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

That's some faith! Faith strong enough to move mountains. But as I ponder this teaching of Jesus it becomes clear that it is not the size of your faith that matters, but the object of your faith. A person can have mountain-sized faith in the wrong things and live a life of frustration and struggle. Jesus said a mustard seed size faith is big enough if it is directed toward Him.

Faith is simply trusting. So now I'm pondering, "what is it I really trust in?" Honestly, far too often it is my own abilities, creativity and intellect. These are enough to handle some of the challenges in my life, but not the mountains--not the huge, immovable, impossible, life-altering challenges that sometimes arise.

Mustard seed-sized faith, trust, in Jesus can move the mountains in your life.

~ Father, help me to trust you, and believe you when you speak. Thanks for the reminder today that You are trustworthy, and there's no problem so big that you can't handle it. Amen.

Jimbo’s Gumbo

(Gumbo, by definition, is “okra stew” but, ironically, there is no okra in my recipe because I only like fried okra. Feel free to add okra when you’re cooking. It’s your pot, throw in what you like. It should, however, include the Cajun Trinity: onion, bell pepper and celery.)

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup green onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
½ cup celery, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 Quarts of water
½ cup of oil
½ cup of flour

16oz. can of stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. black pepper (feel free to add more red and black pepper if you like it kickin’)
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 bay leaf

1 pound boiled chicken, pulled
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
1 pound shrimp
1 Tbsp. filé

Putting It All Together:
1. Sauté onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic.

2. Make a dark brown roux by heating ½ cup oil in a large Dutch oven and once hot, add just a little flour at a time, while stirring. When you’ve added all the flour and it’s nice and brown then slowly add the 2 quarts of water, keep stirring!

3. Add the sautéed onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic and stewed tomatoes to the roux and cook for about 15 minutes.

4. Next, toss in your salt, red cayenne and black pepper, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf (not necessarily in that order) and simmer for two hours.

5. Now add your chicken, sausage and shrimp, and simmer for 20 minutes.

6. Remove from the heat and slowly stir in the filé.

(Fix it a day ahead of time and let it “sit up” in the fridge overnight for added kick.)
Serve over steamed rice. Feel free to add as much Tabasco Sauce® as you desire.

August 8: God's Gumbo

My kitchen is smelling good right now! We just finished cooking up two big Dutch ovens full of gumbo! Now for those of you unfamiliar with gumbo, it is a southern Louisiana type of stew that starts off with a dark brown roux and is full of good things like bell peppers, onions, garlic, stewed tomatoes and okra; at least a pound each of chicken, smoked sausage and shrimp; seasoned with cayenne red pepper, black pepper, Worcestershire Sauce—served over rice…Ah-yeeee! (That’s Cajun for yee-ha!)

Man, it’s good stuff! All these wonderful ingredients bring out the flavor in each other. I’ve been perfecting the recipe, “tweaking” it here and there, for over 20 years. My Mom is flying in tomorrow and we are getting ready for her. She is in for a treat! For those of us who like to spice it up we’ll have plenty of Tabasco Sauce on hand. So as I’m standing here stirring the pot and thinking about how good God is (thank you, Lord, for gumbo!), I can’t help thinking about how He’s cooking up His own brand of gumbo...

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us…in love… to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…” (Ephesians 1:3-5).

God is putting together this Family of Faith, and though we’re all different, we’re in the same pot together, bringing out the best in each other. Allow me to paraphrase a portion of Scripture…

"The gumbo (Church) is one dish, though it is made up of many wonderful ingredients, and though all its ingredients are many, they form one mouth-watering dish! So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one pot--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the dish is not made up of one ingredient but of many; if the onion should say, "Because I am not a shrimp, I do not belong to the gumbo,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the gumbo. And if the pepper should say, "Because I am not sausage, I do not belong to the gumbo," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the gumbo. If the whole gumbo were a tomato, where would the seasoning be? If the whole gumbo were chicken, where would the Worcestershire Sauce be? But in fact God has selected all the ingredients in His gumbo (Church), every one of them, just as it pleased Him.

If we were all the same ingredient, where would the flavorful gumbo be? As it is, there are many ingredients, but one succulent dish! Now you are the gumbo (Church) of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 27)

If you find my paraphrase irreverent or sacrilegious, please forgive me; I got up early and I'm sleep deprived. But the truth is we’re not intended to do this spiritual journey—this walk of faith—flying solo, but in a community of believers. Do you have a group of believers (church) with whom you share the journey? Every Christ-follower needs a faith-family (church) for encouragement, accountability and companionship. If you’re not in the pot, maybe it’s time to add your own distinctive flavor to God’s gumbo and see how satisfying a life lived in spiritual community can be.

~ Father, thank you for adopting me into your family of faith. Thank you for those You have given me to share this journey. Help us to stay in the pot and bring out the best in each other. Amen.

August 7: Where is God?

When I was in high school my Mom not only had "eyes in the back of her head", she had eyes all over town. I couldn't get away with anything, anywhere. It seemed as though news of my "activities" always arrived home before I did.

I was thinking about this the other day during a discussion with some friends about the nature of God. What is God like? One of my friends was questioning the notion of God's omnipresence--His being in all places at the same time. He insisted there are some places God would not go. He even questioned whether or not God ever shows up in church buildings, citing this verse from the Bible:

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." (Acts 17:24-25)

The Bible asserts that “the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

"Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

God is aware of everything, everywhere, all the time. Because he sees everything, does that mean God is everywhere?

God is where people who love Him are. God resides in believers in the form of the Holy Spirit. God is wherever He chooses to be and wherever He is invited.

“And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that abides in love abides in God, and God in him…he that does not love does not know God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:16, 8 )

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1)

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Psalms 139:7-12)

How does knowing that God sees, hears and knows everything make you feel? Guilty? Frightened? Comforted? Secure?

I once entered a storage shed at night and turned on the light. The rustling sounds of critters moving was a little unnerving. Some ran for darker hiding places, avoiding the light. The moths were attracted to the light. I suppose that's how it is with God--some people hide out of a sense of fear or guilt, others are drawn to the light of His presence.

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)

When the truth of God's word is spoken how do you react?

~ Father, help me to move toward your outstretched arms, trusting that you come to counsel and correct, not condemn. Amen.

August 6: Who's Going to Heaven?

“The Bible is garbage. There is no heaven or hell, it’s all just the figment of the imagination of self-righteous Christians.” ~ (Daniel R., age 22, in a recent conversation)

“There are some who believe there is no such thing as heaven, and there are people on the other end of the spectrum that think everyone is going.” ~ (My friend Rick K., age 24, during same conversation)
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John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the subject of a current running movie by that title, once said:
“If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third -- the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there."

He captures something of the wide sweep of God's grace. You can be certain that God's grace will reach farther that yours or mine would. Newton also taps into the idea that we’ll be surprised over those we would expect to see there but don't.

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (words of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 7:21-23)

These are the good people who trust in their relative goodness rather than in God's grace. They may be in church every time the doors are open, hoping God notices how good they are, playing the church game, yet never meeting Jesus.

Mr. Newton's astonishment of finding himself included is beautiful. That's grace: If there is anyone who doesn't deserve to be in heaven, it is me. If God can include me, knowing my own struggle with sin, then anyone has a shot…anyone who puts their trust in Christ, in God’s grace.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, all things have become new! All this is from God, who was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him (see Philippians 2). To make the most of your time on earth, we can shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ and maintain an eternal perspective.

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 6:19-21)

You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people!

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a life that truly is LIFE down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

God loves everybody…heaven is for those who love Him back; but you can’t say you love God and yet reject His Son. It all comes down to this question:

“What will you do with Jesus?”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

August 4: Back in the Paddle

Memorial Day weekend I threw my back out. The pain was terrible all day Sunday and through the night, and all day Monday. I spent some time Monday in a swimming pool in hopes of finding relief from the pain and stiffness, all to no avail. As I sat in my recliner that evening I let out a huge sneeze, at which time I both felt and simultaneously heard a “pop” in my lower back. I was immediately pain free and had full range of motion, having realigned whatever had been out of whack. The next morning the pain had returned and continued until the middle of the following week.

After feeling okay for about four days, on Father’s Day it was “dejavu all over again”. As I reached down to pick up a microphone at church I heard the crack and couldn’t stand upright. A week of muscle-relaxers, pain killers, anti-inflammatories and heating pads followed. No lifting, anything, not even a newspaper. No driving. Grounded. That was followed by X-rays and over a month of physical therapy with heat packs, stretching my back muscles and learning and doing exercises to strengthen my core. So that’s been my summer vacation. Not quite what I planned.

Unable to go kayaking since April 24—it’s been a long, bleak “winter of the soul” this summer. So yesterday was my first real day of freedom. A couple of friends and I went kayaking in the Great Dismal Swamp and out into Lake Drummond. Nine miles of paddling to take my rehabbed back for a test drive. We had a blast. Even the blazing heat could not evaporate the sheer gratitude of being out on the water.

So today I’ve been thinking a lot about strengthening one’s “core”. Saturday morning TV is filled with advertisements and infomercials hawking diets, machines and exercise equipment to strengthen the core abdominal and back muscles. What about the real core—the “heart”, the soul, the spirit? What’s being done to strengthen those things?

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
(Proverbs 4:23-27, NIV)

Godly advice instructs us to "guard our heart"--not the organ that pumps blood, but our beliefs, values...our faith. Avoid giving in to temptation, work on controlling your tongue, and practice spiritual discipline and focus in order to protect your “heart”, the core of your spiritual being. Just as we give attention to our physical well-being, we need to make our spiritual health and well-being a priority also.

“Above all else…”, the highest priority, is to guard your heart. Don’t allow people or circumstances to sour you, or derail your pursuit of living to please God. How is that done?

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or worthy of praise—let your mind dwell on these things…the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

~ Father, guide me as I make developing my spiritual “core” my highest priority. Amen.

August 3: The Results Are In!

Kidney problems run in my family. An Aunt (on my Dad’s side) died in her early thirties from kidney failure. My Dad had diabetes and died at the age of sixty-six. So when I went in for my annual check-up in June and the lab work came back indicating problems with my kidneys I was a little unnerved.

It has been a worrisome summer. After exams with specialists, X-rays and sonograms, the results are in. During the sonogram it was discovered that I only had one kidney. Where the second one should be there was evidence that one had been there at one time, but had atrophied—shriveled up like a raisin.

After another sonogram they found another kidney. I have two, although misplaced. The technician asked me when I had the transplant. She was stunned when I informed her that I hadn’t. “The second kidney,” she said, “is exactly where a surgeon would place it in a transplant scenario.” The arteries attached to it were also configured the way a surgeon would have done during a transplant—efficient, but not natural.

So I have two kidneys, both on the right side, an upper and a lower. Both are functioning properly and there appears to be no further problems. A well-balanced diet, plenty of daily exercise and all should be well.

The doctor said it looks as though the left kidney collapsed, and that a transplant was performed, although I never had a kidney transplant. Kim thinks it’s a miracle. I don’t know what to call it. But I am grateful. I will sleep without worry tonight for the first time in a couple of months. Thank you God.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My 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, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalms 139:13-16 (NIV)

August 2: Unworried

This has been a worrisome summer. Anxiously awaiting the results of doctors' tests. It is difficult for worry and peace to reside in the same heart. I was always taught that worrying is another way of saying, "God can't handle His job." Great, now I have guilt on top of the fear.

My wife reminded me of a poster hanging in her classroom...

"Worry does not rid tomorrow of it's trouble, but it robs today of its strength." ~ Mary Engelbreit

Worrying about tomorrow robs today of its joy. That reminded me of the words of Jesus...

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?"

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:25-34)

When worry is present faith is usually not. When faith enters worry has no choice but to pack his bags and leave.

Faith is a verb, not a noun; it is an action more than a thing. Do you faith God? Do you trust Him unconditionally?

Beth Moore, one of my favorite Bible teachers says, "There is a world of difference between believing in God and believing God." When we trust Him our worry is replaced by His peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Are you worried today? Why not pause right now and ask God to envelope you with His presence and His peace?

PJT