Pandemic Pentecost: Fanning the Flames of God’s Assurance
Unfortunately, it’s still my corona. And yours. Politicians dance about at press conferences, relaxing restrictions while reserving their right to reinstate. What assurance will we have that we’ll be safe? Ah, these days of new uncertainties. They unfold in this, our pandemic Pentecost as I’m fanning the flames of God’s assurances rather than culture’s. It’s a tad lofty, goal-wise. But I figure, why not set my sights high? I can fill up my tank with His awesome power. I love how the verse from Hebrews 11:1 lays it out. It refers to “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Presidents can’t see it. Prime ministers…
Silver Linings Playbook: How God Can Heal Us In Lock Down
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” That’s a line from the celebrated 23rd Psalm. Whenever I am getting blood drawn, or prepped for surgery, this is the Psalm I recite in my mind. I had to memorize it in school as a child. God is making all of us lie down right now, alright. Many of us are under house arrest. But thankfully in His inimitable silver linings playbook, God can heal us all in lock down. If we partner with him in it. A few weeks ago, I was listening to a teaching about a chapter in Genesis. The Lord suddenly spoke to me and said, “Are…
Lemonade From Lemons: How God Transforms Bitter Into Sweet
As we move through life, we experience an unpredictable mix of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. As we grow older, we become more aware of adversity and its affect on our lives. But if we recognize God’s ability to make lemonade from lemons, we see how God transforms bitter into sweet. Though it isn’t always a rollicking adventure, the process can be a fulfilling and satisfying one with the proper attitude. Approaching Life as A Lab of Learning The key to accepting the lemonade lifestyle involves adjusting expectations. This can be challenging in a world where indulgence is culturally in vogue. Alas, sacrifice is passe. People enter into relationships…
Astonishing Insights From God’s Messengers
As we journey through life, we experience a wide variety of experiences. There are the joyful mountaintop moments. We also face deep, challenging valley periods. In between the two lies a vast expanse of less dramatic day to day living. Nestled in the everyday encounters with others are astonishing insights from God’s messengers. Our messengers don’t necessarily arrive decked in wings. And they may or may not be angels. But they are appointed by God to speak truth, encourage and guide us to do God’s will. I would like to share a few of the encounters I’ve had of this kind. I’m hoping these stories will prompt you to recognize…
Being Clearly Seen, Fully Known & Deeply Loved By God
I’m in a fog of sorts right now, even though it’s 64 degrees and sunny with clear visibility in my ‘ hood. My cataract surgery: postponed! My ears are stopped up and I can’t taste or smell anything due to my cold. So today my sense of touch and my spiritual sense assume the sensory load. However, my impaired vision lead me to a number of epiphanies. In this moment, I wonder just what it really means for me that I’m being clearly seen, fully known and deeply loved by God. God Spies with His Inimitable Eyes I find there’s so much to learn in my newfound “blindness.” I choose…
Cataracts and Other Painful Corrections Part 2
It’s just a couple of short weeks until a cataract will be removed from my left eye. Then, another four more after that until the right one’s eradicated. I’ve been learning a lot about what I imagined I saw prior to not being able to see very well at all. Everything in the grocery store actually isn’t in my permanent memory bank. Signage is more important than ever. And because my depth perception is off, I’m running into table corners and even people! Truth be told, I probably soldiered along with vision impediments for far too long. Cataracts and other painful corrections can do that to a person. We tend…
Cataracts & Other Painful Corrections
In a charming candle lit dining room in Montreal, efficient waiters are delivering seafood platters one after the other. Several tables are laid out in close proximity. As I contemplate my options, I lean into the diner next to me. “Excuse me,” I ask, ” what’s that type of shellfish on your platter?” With crinkled brow, a fresh faced ingenue leans over and says, giggling, “Um, that’s the hot sauce bottle!” This embarrassing incident marked the beginning of a journey involving cataracts and other painful corrections. Eyesight & Epiphany It wasn’t the first or the last time I’d end up red faced about my impaired vision. Or feel like a…
Twisting Away From God’s Plans
Who doesn’t rejoice over the beautiful, abundant seasons with God? We feel so in synch when we are reasonably happy with our circumstances and in harmony with His plans and purposes. But before we know it, we find ourselves running with scissors, twisting away from God’s plans. How on Earth did we end up there? How does one end up going from cloud nine to the bottom of the abyss?Out of our deep love for the Lord comes a desire to please Him and do what He asks us to do, at least in general. But there are times in our walk when He makes it clear He wants us…
Serendipity: Falling Through A Trap Door of Blessing
You may know the old Irish blessing “May the road rise up to meet you.”May you succeed on the road” is the literal meaning. The song goes on to mention a desire for more favorable winds to blow from the rear rather than in head-on fashion. There’s a petition for sunshine to warm the face and for lavish rains to fall on the thirsty outlying fields. The closing line asks God to hold the traveler in the palm of His mighty hand. Yet Life hands out its share of lemons. It’s not likely you’ll be traipsing carefree through the land of Oz indefinitely. It is, however, possible to encounter the…
Scare Away Nagging Skeletons With Patience & Prayer
Scary decorations are up for Halloween. But it may be time to address some skeletons in our own closets. Let’s get down to the bone marrow. Scare away nagging skeletons with patience and prayer. This is my goal for October. Honestly, if I had a hundred dollars for every nagging suggestion I’d made, the world would be my oyster! My oldest son and my spouse bore the brunt of it throughout their lives. My autistic, mostly non-verbal son once had enough of my “suggestions” and finally said “good boy.” That was his way of letting me know he was trying his best. Ouch. Nagging by definition is constantly harassing a…
