Earlier this week I was carrying on a conversation with a good friend of mine via text.  Every so often we drop each other a note just to say we’re praying for the other as we sending our love and prayers.  [side note: if you don’t have friends like that you’re missing out.  Those random texts of love and concern have a way of making you feel like you actually matter to someone.]  I felt blessed because they had sent me a text rather than the other way around.  I realized I mattered to someone and, honestly, that felt good.   You know people love you and care about you but, and I’ve done it too, we tend to overlook those closest to us.  The simplest acts of kindness can make a world of difference during one of those ‘bad days.’  Okay, back to my story.  I responded to the text expressing I was doing well and thanked them for checking on me.  I, genuinely concerned, returned with the same question asking how they were doing.  The response I got wasn’t the one I was expecting but I was thankful for as it really ministered to me and has continued to do so throughout the week. 

This person responded by expressing to me a lesson God had taught them during their drive to work.  We’ve all been there.  Our day starts and we’re not feeling very well mentally.  No doubt the past few days, months or, possibly, years have affected our outlook on life.  My friend, a fellow minister, expressed genuine feelings of hurt.  Having poured themselves into ministering to those around them, when God led them in another direction, they felt forsaken as no one from the last location ever called to check on them and express the same love they had unselfishly given to others.  This person felt worthless, and, using their words, they felt “disposable.”  You may choose to stand in denial but if you’re willing to admit it, you’ve felt that way too at one time or another.  Whether you’re a minister, nurse, social worker, parent or….whatever…….it’s easy to fall into our own little pity party.  You give and give, others take and take, and you leave feeling empty, unloved, and uncared for.  Where are those people when YOU need a pat on the back or an encouraging word?!?!    

The response my friend got from the Holy Spirit was no doubt unexpected as the answer was, “You’re not disposable, you’re recyclable.”  WOW!!!  Okay!!!  That’s puts a TOTALLY different spin on things.  While those feelings of hurt are genuine we must constant reassess where our focus is.  When we start focusing on things of the flesh such as receiving the same love, care, and recognition we give others we’re setting ourselves up for failure as many people simply don’t have the capacity to give or choose not to.  We live in a world surrounded by needy people.  They have their own list of grievances and, many times, are only out to have their own egos stroked and needs met without having to lift a finger to help themselves or someone else.  We’ve become a “ME” generation.  Take care of me!  Give to me!  Love me!  Do for me!  All while they sit back and expect to be pampered and coddled.  While I realize we’ve all been hurt or mistreated, we can’t allow these things to prevent us from doing the work of the kingdom. 

If you call yourself a Christian your life becomes LESS about you and MORE about doing His work.  We’re called to be His hands and feet.  The word reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Even Jesus Himself had no desire to die on the cross as he asked the Father to “take this cup from me.”  His human fleshly feelings were genuine.  YOUR feelings are genuine.  Let me repeat that à YOUR FEELINGS ARE GENUINE…..BUT……if you’re a Christian your life isn’t about you any longer, it’s about helping others—and this is true whether you have ministerial credentials or not.  We can’t allow society to convince us everyone owes us something.  Again, I realize some have been genuinely hurt and mistreated.  But when you allow your past to paralyze you, you become unable to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”  This scripture reminds us the focus is less about us and more about leading other to His saving grace.

The choice is really all yours.  If you live in the flesh you ARE and WILL BE disposable, as my friend mentioned.  God can’t use someone who is self-centered as that goes against everything He stands for.  If you choose to live in the spirit you are choosing to become recyclable.  No doubt, the recycling process isn’t a nice one, as you’re being remolded and re-made into something He can use.  Truth be told it’s down-right uncomfortable at times.  I know this from my own personal experience.  The choice is yours.  What do you choose?  Disposable or Recyclable?     

It was just like any other evening.  Dad and Mom had been to work and the kids had been to daycare.  We ate supper and prepared for bath time.  Seemingly, everything was just like normal.  But sometimes there are things lurking beneath the surface we’re not even aware of that attempt to knock those perfectly orchestrated schedules completely off track.  As is our custom, Mom was bathing our five year old daughter and I was bathing our two year old son in separate bathrooms.  While I wasn’t in the room when the incident took place, I listened intently as my wife discussed what had happened with a friend a few days later.  She said, “As I was bathing our daughter it came time to wash the soap off.  Our daughter responded, “Don’t wash it off or I’ll be brown again.””  (she was referring to the soapy layer of white foam that covered her little body)  You see, our girl is transracial.  We’re not even sure exactly what her ethnicity consists of though, to us, it has never mattered.  We think she is the most gorgeous child you’ll ever lay your eyes on.  In the beginning her skin tone matched our own but as time progressed, things changed pretty drastically overnight (around the nine month mark).  Without any warning her skin went from a lighter tone to the most beautiful olive complexioned skin you’ll ever lay your eyes on.  Ordinarily, we would have inquired further about her comment but we fully understood where it originated.  Six months earlier our daughter experienced racism pointed directly at her for the first time in her young life.  A little boy had informed her he couldn’t play with her because her skin was brown.

My first emotion after hearing that was one of confusion.  Why would he say that she’s………ummmm…..well, I guess she IS brown.  I had become color blind and wasn’t even aware of how others might view her.  My second thought was, ‘how dare that little runt say something like that to my daughter.’  To be quite honest, I was ready to turn him over my knee as the old timers use to do it.  My third thought was a total game changer and slightly frustrating.  I began to realize he was a five year old just like my daughter.  He wasn’t aware of what the definition of racism was nor did he realize the characteristics he was displaying. That type of behavior was learned.  While I wanted to wrap her up in my arms and shield her from the cruel world I realized this course of action wasn’t the answer either.  While I hated to admit it, this was just the beginning and she would encounter this again.

Society is surrounded by books, magazines, commercials, movies and more spewing their version of what beauty is.  It’s apparent society is moving in the wrong direction when a size zero isn’t even considered the smallest size anymore.  Have you been born with a slight crook in your nose?  No worries, we know the perfect plastic surgeon.  Not happy with the wrinkles that are creeping in around your eyes?  Don’t worry, we have an injection or a high priced cream that will take care of that, at least for a short while.  Not happy with a $15 pair of jeans from the local retail establishment?  The store next door has a pair for $150, and they are likely made in the same warehouse, most likely from the same material.  Our culture continues to follow this downward spiral with no end in sight.  My daughter doesn’t realize it now, but the skin tone that seems to bring her hurt and frustration is the same skin tone most Caucasian women work on MONTHS in a tanning bed to achieve.

These toxic mindsets are creeping into my household and threaten to affect the views my son and daughter have of themselves.  I cannot control the environment around my child 24/7 but I can control how I will respond.  I will remind my children that God, “formed [their] inward parts; [He] knitted [them] together in [their] mother’s womb.”  And that they are, “…fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Just as the Apostle Peter reminds us, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”  You see beauty isn’t about money, plastic surgery, makeup, jewelry or any other number of tangible things.  As the old children’s song expresses, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.”

Beauty is fat AND skinny.  Beauty is both straight AND crooked teeth–or maybe a slight gap in between the two front ones.  Beauty is blonde, brown, red, grey and white hair.  Beauty is whatever way God chose to make you.  We have all been made in His image and He is perfection.  As parents it becomes our job to teach our children how they are to view themselves.  They learn this by watching how we respond to our own selves.  The next time you decide to stand in front of a mirror and complain about what you see be reminded, little eyes are watching and learning either good or bad habits.  The next time you decide to respond negatively about someone because of their stature, color, level of intelligence (or lack thereof), social standing, religious or political associations, or any number of things, realize little ears are listening and learning.  The next time you decide to do something that is going to destroy the temple God has entrusted you to take care of (your body), don’t forget someone is watching you and taking notes.  White or yellow teeth, straight hair or curly hair, short or tall, plump or boney…..none of that really matters.  You are made in His perfect image.  Now, THAT’S beauty.

Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash

Hey, my sweet girl.   I sit here tonight reminiscing about the past and I felt the need to share my heart with you.  I still remember the day I laid eyes on that beautiful face.  My first thoughts were, “Wow, that child is gorgeous.”  Then I realized your mom, dressed in medical scrubs, was walking beside the nurse who was carrying you.  She had a HUGE smile on her face.  Wait!!!  That means…….THAT’S MY DAUGHTER?!?!  It WAS you…..8 pounds of the sweetest and most darling thing I had ever seen in my life.  You see, you were not conceived in your mother’s womb.  Rather, you were conceived in her heart.  She may not have carried you in her body for 9 months but I dare say you had been birthed in her heart years before we would see you, our promise from God, come to fruition.  Our road to begin a family started a few years earlier.  That very road led us to you and we couldn’t have ask for any greater a gift than what we had received.  I still remember watching your mom through the window of the nursery that day.  She seemed to stand a little taller as she protectively hovered mere inches from your pink body.  She stared intently at the nurse as, no doubt, instruction and information were being discussed about any number of things related to newborn babies.  That day I saw your mom in a different light.  She wasn’t the same woman I had married years prior.  As if someone had flipped a switch, something wonderful had happened.  The passion, love, and mothering instinct radiated from every pore of her existence.  From that moment, and every moment since then, she would have given her life to protect you.  Who really needs a man-made holiday when you have days like this???  THIS is a TRUE Mother’s Day!!!!

Though you are only five years old right now the day will come when you too will have your own children.  I pray, with all my heart, you will learn from the Godly example He has placed in your life.  She is a wonderful example of how to be a spirit-filled woman of God.  The way her life is lived is something to be emulated.  She is not perfect and does not claim to be but, in my opinion, she comes closer than most any other woman I know.  Solomon, the author of Proverbs, said it best when he stated, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  Forsake all books, television programs, magazines, and anything else that would ever attempt to teach you what beauty is.  You need look no further than your own home.  Not only will you find true beauty every time you look in the mirror but also every time you see you mom.  Your value will not come from how much makeup you wear, the amount of friends you may have, the clothes you wear (or lack thereof), or the car you may drive.  Never look to the world for guidance of any sort as you will only be manipulated.  Allow God to be your compass.  Never attempt to find or assess your value through the relationships you may or may not have.  Your worth is found in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  Keep your eyes focused on God and I assure you, you will never go wrong. 

All My Love Forever,

Dad

As a minister I walk around constantly dealing with things I feel are outside of my area of expertise, training, education, etc.  I enjoy being able to help others though I openly admit I may not always be as equipped as I need to be to help someone navigate through their issues.  There are many parts of life and ministry I can not change and, to be quite honest, that frustrates me.  I want to sweep in like Superman, Batman, and those other super heroes and save EVERYONE.  I want to make things better for others but I can’t always do that and that leaves me feeling helpless and downright mad at times.  One of those things is specifically the lifting of others burdens.  We all know life is hard and sometimes there are those among us who seem like they deal with MORE than their fair share of heartache and trouble and that too seems unfair.  You want to do something but, in many cases, you’re left feeling just as helpless and incapable as those you’re attempting to aid.  How did I get sucked into this vortex too??  I was only trying to help?!?  This probably happened because you were trying to handle something that was never YOURS to handle in the first place.

I have learned that being a minister is a lot like my job as a parent.  You are aware of the dangers that exist around you and you want to shield your children (or congregants).  You realize you may have the answers to a specific issue but that child (or congregant) is a living, breathing person with their own opinions and, let’s face it, they are going to do whatever they decide to do.  You can talk until you’re ‘blue in the face’ but some people just are not going to listen.  I think it’s important we realize a very important lesson: Sometimes others wrong choices lead them to a road of consequences they are suppose to walk.  They could avoid it if they chose to but….  Let me give you an example.  Let me begin with a disclaimer – no child was hurt during the duration of this story….well, at least not physically.  I grew up in a home full of love.  Though my Dad loved and protected me he also realized early on that I was a hard-headed little joker (well, I was chubby, but that another story).  At times he would tell me not to do something and I did it anyway.  He never desired anything bad to happen to me but sometimes he allowed me to make wrong decisions in an attempt to help me learn a valuable lesson.  As an adult I have taken this same approach with my children.

Case in point, Sundays are my biggest days.  My wife and I are extremely busy on these days.  We’re expected to be at church anywhere from 1-3 hours before a service will start because of practices in preparation for services.  My kids, at times, live at church as much as home.  We constantly drag our kids with us because we don’t live close to family and have no one to watch them as we prepare for service and my wife is just as involved in our Music Dept as I am.  Early in my sons life he would listen to and heed my warnings.  As time went on he became a little more independent and daring.  Our stage at church is a couple of feet high and has 3 steps from top to bottom.  When he was about 1 ½ he decided he wanted to begin walking up and down those steps.  We knew that if he wasn’t careful he would fall up or down them.  At one point I finally got tired of trying to show him and I finally decided to, as my Dad did, let him learn his own lesson.

For about 3 weeks following my wife would run to his rescue and save him every time and then fuss because I wasn’t helping her.  Finally, I told her too to stop.  She did the normal mom thing and fussed at me.  I said, “If you’ll let him fall down those steps one time he’ll learn his lesson and will listen to us.”  It took me a few weeks but I finally convinced her, though she still hovered in typical mommy fashion.  The moment came.  He approached the edge of the stage.  I said, “Sit down and scoot!”  He looked at me and I’m almost sure that little squirt rolled his eyes at me.  He got closer to the edge and decided to take a step down.  Mom ran for the save and I close-lined her in the chest to stop her dead in her tracks.  His first step was fine but he lost his balance and toppled down the other two.  Not allowing my wife to intervene I approach, picked him up and calmed him down.  Once he was calm I reminded him he had to “sit and scoot.”  With a heavy heart of my own I put him back down……yep, on the stage a few feet from the edge again.  And I walked away.  I turned to him and he looked at me with a tear in the corner of his eye threatening to run down his now drying cheek as if asking permission to try again.  I said, “You can go down the steps but you have to sit down and scoot.”  After about five minutes he gained the confidence to try again and, as before, when I saw him approaching I barked the same instruction.  What do you know……this time he listened and went down safely and easily and has every time since then.  My wife still fusses at me for that moment but deep down I think she realized the necessity for it.

My point is this…………YOU are NOT superman/superwoman.  Those super heroes we see in movies and read about are fictitious characters.  I don’t have all the answers and neither do you.  No amount of schooling will prepare you to help people with everything they must endure.  It’s okay to, as a Christian brother or sister, “stand in the gap” or provide a helping hand to those in need.  That’s what we’re commanded to do.  But sometimes there are lessons to learn that their ‘Father’ is allowing them to experience for a reason.  Sometimes it becomes necessary for someone to experience consequences for their actions because that’s the only way they’ll ever learn.  In some cases hardship comes at the hands of someone else and those are the REALLY frustrating moments.  But even in cases like this is doesn’t mean that God isn’t weaving a beautiful tapestry from someone else’s mess.  Creating a “beautiful mess,” if you will.

Give Godly counsel and lend a shoulder to cry on if that’s what is needed but don’t intervene when a lesson is being taught.  Do what you can do and let God do the rest.  We don’t learn from always doing everything right.  It’s when we make mistakes that we learn valuable lessons we can carry with us through life and, if we’re smart, we can eventually share with others.  Be reminded in your times of trouble or when you’re helping others, “There hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  [1 Corin. 10:13]  Most importantly realize He will ALWAYS have your best interest at heart.  His word assures us of this, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  [Jeremiah 29:11]  This promise is just as much for you and it is for EVERY child of God.  Don’t despise the process.  There is something MUCH greater at work here.  Stop trying to be a superhero because, quite frankly, you stink at it and you may do more damage than good.  “Daddy” has got this under control 🙂

WARNING:—I’m about to date myself and many of you.

When I was a child I remember one of my favorite things to do was play games.  I loved all types.  I’m talking about outdoor, board games, arcade-type games……it didn’t matter.   I just enjoyed it all and would spend as much time as my parents allowed immersed in those activities.  Truth be told, I STILL enjoy playing board games and such with family & friends.  I still remember my brother and I sitting for hours playing our Atari [yep, there it is–showing my age].  Years later our parents gave us a Nintendo gaming system.  Again, we were hooked.  The Nintendo systems were more advanced than the Atari and we felt like we had made it to the big time.  I still hear the Super Mario music from time to time on a commercial or something and my memory immediately flashes back to those days of sitting in front of the television battling against and overcoming evil to free the princess.  It was intense and always felt so real.  There was always a struggle of some sort.  We were always on the hunt for extra points, extra lives and anything that would help us get to the next level.  Some levels were fairly easy and left you with a false confidence that you could decimate the next level just as quickly.  This was not always true.  Many times we would find it necessary to battle the same level for weeks at a time before we were able to move on.  There was always some sort of trick.  Once you learned and/or mastered the trick that specific level was never a struggle anymore.  What had, in the past, taken us two weeks to figure out now only took us a few minutes to complete and move on.  Battling those Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Buzzy Beetles, Bullet Bills, Hammer Bros. and those pesky jumping Cheep-Cheeps were, figuratively and literally, child’s play.

It may sound crazy but I learned a very important life lessons during those younger years just wasting time in front of a video game.  One of the most important lessons was realizing my willingness to struggle and fight would ultimately be the determining factor in my ability to move forward.  The same is true of the Christian life and walk.  We like to look around us at the current Christian ‘superstars’ and compare our own lives with those we think have it better than we do.  Maybe it’s someone in mainstream ministry or even those in our local churches.  We see others who ‘have it made’ and we stand back frustrated and jealous that it seems their ability to overcome/succeed supersedes that of what we ourselves are capable of.  We look at the struggle we’re dealing with and find it unfair that someone else received their blessing or promise much faster than we did.  Their struggle didn’t even seem like a struggle at all.  You sit back, frustrated, and feel like God has forgotten or turned His back on you.  It’s just the opposite.  We all have a bad habit of allowing ourselves to develop tunnel vision.  We can only see what’s in front of our faces.  We weren’t there to see the struggle those men and women endured in the past to achieve their breakthrough.  You didn’t see all the nights they were on their knees in tears asking God to [you fill in the blank].  That specific level probably was easier for them than it was for you simply because they have experienced that battle before and have learned to overcome it quicker.

Rather than focusing on what you don’t have or the ‘what if’s’ realize the level at which YOU are willing to struggle will become the determining factor in overcoming the struggle that is sitting in front of you.  The struggle is not easy but you CAN overcome if you’re willing to fight………OR you can choose to wallow in your own little pity party.  Trust me when I say, the struggle will not go away.  Truth be told, it doesn’t need to go away.  That struggle is preparing you for the battles that are to come.  You may not realize it but you’re becoming stronger mentally, spiritually, and even physically.  You’re learning how to make better decisions in the heat of the moment.  You are learning what NOT to do because it did not work.  What you learn in THIS battle will determine your ability to fight and conquer the next battle that comes your way.  Choose to FIGHT today.  Rather than allowing the devil to remind you of past failures begin testifying how you will overcome THIS and FUTURE battles.  Go ahead and praise God on credit 🙂  Your destiny in Him awaits you but remember the old adage…different levels=different devils.  More importantly, be reminded you ARE an overcomer today– though it will never be by your own strength.  Rather the strength that can ONLY be found in Him.

When I was in college I directed a multi-racial/multi-cultural choir. I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of my time in college. I was a pasty white boy with a black gospel sounding voice directing a very diverse group of people and I had a BLAST! I taught those choir members a few things but, for the most part, they taught me more than I could ever thank them for. That single position prepared me for what I do now. That being said, I was recently reminded of a devotion I led during my time directing United in Harmony (the name of the choir). I called one of my friends to the front and ask her if she would be willing to help me with an object lesson. She agreed and I began by simply asking her if she trusted me. She smile and confidently said, “Sure!” I said, “Are you sure you trust me?” She responded a little less confidently this time, “Uh, yeah.” I asked her again, “Do you REALLY trust me?!?!” With a slight frown forming around her lips, “I THINK I trust you……what are you up to?” I just laughed it off and reassured her I wouldn’t hurt her. She didn’t seem convinced as I launched into my lesson. “Okay everybody, she has told me she trusts me and it’s time to put her to the test.” I looked at her and said, “Amanda, I need you to turn around and fall backwards……and I’ll catch you.” She looked me dead in my eyes and said, “Ummm, no.” And asked her again, “Didn’t you say you trusted me?” She replied, “I thought I did until you kept asking me over and over and now I’m not sure who I trust.” After about 5 minutes of coaxing I finally talked her into falling backwards and, as promised, I caught her and sent her back to her seat so I could finish my lesson. Those five minutes had actually gotten pretty comical, to say the least. I had no intentions of dropping her. I’d never purposefully do anything to hurt someone, that’s just not the type of person I am. The point of that lesson was this…….we say we trust God but do we REALLY trust God?

I can tell my wife I love her over and over until she’s tired of hearing it but if I’ve done things to prove to her I’m untrustworthy I’m wasting my time. My actions have already spoken louder than my words. If I tell her something then it becomes my job to prove it to her. When I express my love to my wife my actions, language, and the way I live my life need to reflect this truth I have spoken to her from that point on. We like to sing songs that talk about trusting God. Our churches choir recently sang a song titled, “I’ll Trust You,” by Richard Smallwood. The words are:

You are my refuge. In You I’ll trust.

You are my fortress. In You I’ll trust.

I won’t dread the terror by night

for angels are all around me.

So, I will not fear.

When I call you, you’ll answer,

in time of trouble.

When I call You, You’ll answer.

You will deliver

I’ll trust you, for I will dwell under shadow.

I won’t dread the terror by night

for angels are all around me.

So, I will not fear.

While that song is powerful and faith building, if I don’t put my words to work I’ve done nothing but give God lip-service. The purpose of this blog is this: I want to encourage anyone who is reading this today to push through the doubt you experience to trust God in a way you never have before. Allow Him to prove Himself to you in ways you’ve never experienced. The word of God reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” [Prov. 3:5-6] We already know from reading this scripture those moments of doubt will come as we’re instructed to, “lean NOT (my emphasis) on OUR own understanding.” If we lean on our understanding then we’re going to walk away from each situation frustrated and confused. Many times the things of God don’t make sense to our logic-driven human minds.  We’re to “acknowledge” Him.   The original Hebrew word used in place of acknowledge is yada`. This word is used in verb form. English lessons of my past taught me that a verb is an action word. We have to work to know who He is. Whether through reading His word, our personal prayer and devotion time, or our worship we must strive to get to know Him better. A few of the definitions given in Strong’s concordance for this word yada` are: to perceive; to find out and discern; to know by experience; to confess; to be acquainted with; to make known, declare. God’s will for our lives may not always make sense to us but if you’re His child He’s already promised He would work all things, “for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” If you are His you have HOPE today. HE is your hope. Even when your circumstances don’t reflect it, He’s working things out for your good. Feel like your prayers have gone unanswered? Maybe that’s a GOOD thing. It’s possible that if things turned out the way you wanted them to you’d be in a mess. Just like a father or mother protects their child from harm, it is the same with your Heavenly Father. His ways and thoughts are higher than yours. He knows what lies ahead of you. Your Heavenly Father longs to protect you. Even more importantly, He’s standing behind you waiting for you to test His faithfulness to you. Mark my words when you fall backwards….He will catch you EVERY time. Don’t give Him lip-service today. Stop worrying about the things you have no ability to control. Give Him control of your heart and life. When you tell Him you trust him, lean not on your own understanding. Be assured, He’s directing your path!!

With Easter being only a few days away from us I have been mulling the above question over in my head. By nature I am in an inquisitive person and have a tendency to consider things that others might consider awkward. Jesus knew He wouldn’t be with His disciples much longer and even informs them of such. I have always wondered if He felt an urgency to pour as much into them as He could in those final days. What was truly the extent of his ‘God-ness’ while on this earth? Did know the exact day and/or time He would be taken from them? We know from reading the word He was human just like you. Knowing such I assume He experienced the same types of emotions anyone else would….worry, fatigue, stress, frustration, urgency.  If you knew you were about to die what would YOU do?

It may seem morbid but this is something that I reflect on frequently having tragically lost my mother when I was young. Realizing what my family endured and how unprepared we were for something like that I have always found it necessary to make sure my own little family would be taken care of should something like that happen to me. Things such as making sure we keep our life insurance up-to-date, leaving behind lists of account numbers and important papers should my wife need it, and more. All of those things are well and good but………

Let’s turn back to Jesus for a second……what did He leave behind for His disciples? If something were to happen to you unexpectedly you would probably be leaving behind cars, a home, maybe debt (yuck), and more. But what else are you leaving? The answer to this question is simple. A heritage — or possibly lack of one.

During those few years Jesus walked and talked with His disciples everything He said and did was to prepare them for His coming absence. He knew the day would come so He poured heart, mind and soul into teaching and preparing them. He gave them the tools they would need to fulfill their destinies for His kingdom. Are you doing the same in your home?  You may not feel you have much to offer but you’re wrong.  The rights and the wrongs of your life can serve as a guide for your children. You’ll never be perfect so stop trying. But you can allow the word of God to be your road map. You can live your life in a way that would be pleasing not only to the Father but can also serve as an example to your family. It’s important to leave a GODLY heritage for your children to inherit. Money and things are nice but what they really want and need is you….and a WHOLE LOT of God!

If you haven’t done so well make the changes necessary today. Trust me when I say your kids are watching EVERYTHING you do. Having children is like placing a mirror in front of your face. Much to our dismay they will most likely repeat it all…..the good, bad, and ugly. They were watching when you told the truth and when you decided to tell that ‘little white lie.’ They’ll treat their mate the same way you treated yours. Most likely they’ll handle their finances the way you handle yours. But even more important than ANY of that………they will learn to serve and love God by the life they see you lead. If you’ve screwed up thus far…..change it!  Simple as that. I can assure you, if you will keep your focus on Him the majority, if not all, of the rest of that ‘stuff’ will fall into place. Listen to His voice. Heed to His calling. Leave something more important than your ‘stuff.’ Let the heritage you leave behind be the road map your children, grands and great-grands can follow for years to come.

From Adam and Eve to Noah; from Moses to Samson, and on to John the Baptist. The stories of the Bible leading up to Jesus arrival were intricately woven together to form a beautiful tapestry of what was to come. Each prophetic word given held a special meaning and all led to the very moment in time where Jesus would truly become the King His people had been waiting for. Interestingly enough, it never happened the way anyone expected it to. He didn’t gain his kingdom by declaring war on those who came against Him. He didn’t establish His throne by enslaving those around Him to do His bidding. Just the opposite. Those that had been oppressed for so long waited for an uprising- and even encouraged such- but it never came to be. His kingdom seemed somewhat backwards…..a Backward Kingdom, if you will. Unlike those who preceded Him, this King came to establish His kingdom in peace, granting mercy and love to everyone He came in contact with. He was born of humble beginnings, completely different than the way all other earthly kings had come to claim their rightful thrones. There was no fanfare only a cave, animals with their stench, shepherds, and (later) a few wise men. What kind of King was this?!?!?

The moment He was born no doubt His mother set about counting 10 little fingers and 10 little toes and she reveled in how seemingly perfect He really was. In the years to come, those same hands that were once only small enough to hold on to one of her fingers would bleed from large holes that were created through the brutal force of large stakes being pierced through skin and past bone. Those same feet with tiny toes some years earlier would now drip with blood as they too had been pierced. That chubby little tummy and back with their smooth skin was now being marked with stripes left by pieces of leather, glass, and bone – His body unrecognizable to the naked eye. What kind of King was this?!?

This King seemed helpless hanging there for the world to view. His bruised and mangled body were a far cry from ‘riches untold.’ Where was His army?!?!? How could THIS be our King?!?!? Kings of the past and present did all things to benefit themselves. Yet, in those final moments leading up to death, as the blood and life were literally draining from His body, He was crying out for forgiveness for those that had abused Him so badly. What kind of King was this?!?

He did come to set the captives free though not in a way anyone expected. He did claim His earthly kingdom though His crown didn’t resemble anything made of gold nor was it jewel encrusted.  His crown was made of sticks and thorns. His earthly throne was not made of gold and precious elements rather pieces of wood that had never been sanded or smoothed in preparation for his arrival. This throne was only haphazardly created out of necessity. He wouldn’t sit on this earthly throne. No, He would hang on it. His eyes looked to the heavens as He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED!” Instantly His spirit left its physical shell. The earth cried out as if in anguish as the skies thundered its own response. What kind of King was this?!?

His body was removed from the cross and fell into the very arms that had once cradled Him. The very chest that had at one time nurtured His growth was now covered in His very life’s essence. No doubt hell celebrated believing it was over and victory had been won. The very men that had become His followers now moped and ran away in fear realizing their loss. Had they forgotten everything He had taught them? The seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours. The hours stretched into a day. Nothing. Two days. Nothing…….but wait…….around the final minutes of that second day…..in the midnight hour…….ahhhh yes, that midnight hour…. there was a shifting in the atmosphere. The air became thick. Something was changing. I can’t put my finger on it but something isn’t the same anymore. The clock strikes twelve, the beginning of that third day. Shhhhhhhhh……….what’s that noise?!?!? Something—someone— is moving in that tomb. Shhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! WHAT’S THAT NOISE?!?!?!?

WHAT KIND OF KING IS THIS?!?!?

The answer: THIS IS YOUR KING!!!!!  He needs no introduction but just in case you weren’t aware……THIS IS THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORDS OF LORDS. HE IS ALPHA AND OMEGA AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. HE’S THE ROSE OF SHARON……..THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR!!!! To those that are hungry He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water. To those in need He is Jehovah Jireh– the Lord that provides. He is your banner and victory! He is the Lord that Heals you! He is Adonai—Lord and Master!  He is your peace in the midst of the storm! He is Jehovah Sabaoth—The Lord of Hosts! He is El Elyon—the Most High God! He is El Olam—the Everlasting God! He is your sanctifier today!! Whatever your need today, He is the one called, “I Am.”  The tomb may have seemed like the end.  NO!  It was just the beginning!!!!!

HE’S ALIVE AND HE WEARS THE VICTORS CROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT is YOUR King!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Or is He?!?!?

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash

As I write this blog I am actually sitting in the parking lot of one of our local restaurants waiting for a monthly meeting that I’m involved in to get started.  This day seems so peaceful to me.  Some may hate it but I’m the opposite.  I LOVE days like today.  It’s rainy and dreary.  Among many of my friends and family I’ve always found myself to be the “black-sheep,” if you will, in this manner.  Most of those around me seem to enjoy the sun and heat.  While I don’t mind that, I much rather prefer a rainy day.  To some it seems quite depressing.  Interestingly enough, to me, it is refreshing.  Some people see it as a figurative and literal damper on their day.  I love the difference in perspective the rain always brings me.

It’s easy to get caught up in the worries and cares of the day while rushing from one thing to another.  When it rains I find myself relaxing a little.  No use in driving too fast or I’ll end up in a wreck.  No use in attempting to stay dry because it’s futile even with the largest umbrella created.  It is what it is.  You just have to accept it and work around it.  While I’ve stated I enjoy the more relaxing atmosphere I fully realize there’s a more practical use for the rain.  In Spring when the new growth of plants are at their highest the pollen count in the South can, at times, become almost unbearable.  When I breathe during these times it’s almost has an unnatural feel to it and quite frankly, I don’t like it.  I have found when it rains I can actually breathe better.  The rain falling tends to clear the air of the pollen that threatens to choke the life out us.

I have always viewed the Holy Spirit in this same way.  We go throughout our days constantly bombarded by things that are far from being considered “salt” and “light.”  It seems like the air around us is full of impurities and, spiritually speaking, it’s true.  The devil is referred to in the word as “the prince of the power of the air.”  This area, if you will, has become his domain.  Don’t believe me?  Check it out in the Bible in Ephesians 2:2.  It’s the rain of the Holy Spirit that falls and clears away all the mess and junk that fills the air and makes it hard for you to spiritually breathe.  One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is rain.  Just like in our natural world, the rain of the Holy Spirit brings refreshing when it comes.  That which was dry now begins to function as it was originally intended to.  Just as plants have certain needs, the same is true of our spirits and souls.  Plants must have fertile soil, light and water to grow.  He is the light, His precious Holy Spirit is the water we need for refreshing, while His word offers us the seeds of truth that we should be allowing to be scattered over the fertile soil of our gardens/hearts.  Instead of being frustrated the next time it rains because it makes your hair frizz, messes up your favorite pair of shoes, or just seems like a nuisance allow it to bring you genuine refreshing.  It may sound foolish, or maybe infantile but, choose to get wet today.  Choose refreshing over barrenness and dryness!  Don’t complain about it, enjoy it!  PS—No umbrellas needed for this rain.  You should WANT to get drenched!!

BRING ON THE RAIN!!!!!!!

I find it interesting that as a world we always choose to place our focus on things that bring no eternal significance.  I’m speaking as much to myself as I am anyone.  I am extremely blessed to ride around in a car that is fully paid for.  I remember the day I paid it off I scribbled, “HALLELUJAH” on the check.  I was so excited!!!  It was honestly one of the best days of my life.  My wife and I had made an agreement that we were going to try and get our finances in order and pay off as much debt as we possibly could.  I’m not even lying when I say it wasn’t even 3 months before my eyes started wandering.  “Oooooo–look at that SUV!!!  Man, that’s nice!!  I wonder how much the payment would be on something like that?!?”  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!?  I just paid off my car!!!!!!  Why on earth why I want to go and put myself back in debt!?  My car was…….my car IS fine.  It hasn’t given me a moments problem outside of the normal weekly/monthly/yearly  things that must be taken care of (i.e. tires, oil changes, etc).  I had wandering eyes.  I saw something more shiny ride by me and my flesh said, “Oooooo–purty!!”  (Yeah, I said ‘purty.’  I live in the south, ha ha).

What was the real issue?  We’ve already established that I didn’t need anything new.  The answer is simple, I allowed my fleshly desires to steal my focus.  We are a sad society.  We live in a world where we are surrounded with visible/physical/mental stimulation.  I doesn’t matter how much you have there tends to be something better that you want to get your hands on.  We all know the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence [insert sarcastic stare here].  What “they” (there’s always a “they”) failed to tell us is that pasture sits on top of a septic tank.  I guess my question to you (and myself) is this, are you being faithful with what you have been given?  Rather than complaining that you don’t drive a new car, take a moment today and thank God you HAVE a car.  Rather than complaining that your husband/wife/son/daughter is “good for nothing” be thankful you have them in your lives.  There are many who would pay all they had to have just one more moment with a loved one.  Rather than complaining about the dirty dishes and the laundry that needs to be done be thankful you have food to feed your family and clothes to cover your body.  Instead of complaining because you came outside to a flat tire on your car, be thankful God spared you from a tragic car accident 5 miles from home on your way to work.  (Yeah, it’s possible there’s a reason for that flat tire.)  Romans 12:2 reminds us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  There’s always going to be something more shiny.  What’s more important to you, earthly wealth or living life as a testimony of His greatness thus leading others to desire to also have a relationship with Him.  Don’t allow the world to dictate how you will act/react.  Be salt and light in a world that is dark and bland.  Wake up every morning and make it a point to allow your mind to be transformed and renewed.  Many things will come to steal your focus.  Those things may even seem to be important enough to take your eyes off of God.  Just remember Peter’s lesson; if you take your eyes off of Him most likely, figuratively speaking, you’ll begin to sink. 

It’s easy to focus on everything that is going wrong.  I encourage you today to be begin being thankful for what is going right.  It’s a funny thing, the more you focus on the good stuff the more you’ll realize the bad stuff isn’t as bad as you think it is.  Life isn’t perfect.  There will be seasons you feel like life is raining bad news.  It’s okay to be overwhelmed but be sure of this, no matter how big your problems seem, your God is MUCH BIGGER.  I’ll even take it one step further, begin thanking God for the struggle and the trials.  Wait!!!!!!  What?!?!?  {insert screeching brake sound here}  Yeah, I said it.  Thank him for the bad stuff.  Let’s face it, He said He would never put more on us than we can bear.  It may not be fun but it’s quite possible He’s trying to teach you something through your struggle.  And PLEASE stop giving the devil so much credit.  Just because something bad happens doesn’t mean it’s the devils fault.  He doesn’t have that much power!!  Sometimes we’re simply reaping the consequences of our own bad decisions from our past/present.   There’s a method to the madness, of this I’m sure.  Be reminded, “All things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”  I love the old hymn “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”  The end of the first verse says “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear.  All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”  Focus on what’s good and right and let the other things just fall to the side.  Choose to focus on the author and finisher of your faith.  Choose to focus on Him!!!