Spring 2023 has sprung in Broken Arrow, OK

Saturday, March 16, 2024

What's In a Name?

I got interested in NASCAR about three years ago and have been enjoying the race day theatrics, burning rubber, loud exhausts and spectacular pileups ever since.  It seems to be one of the last national sports that still incorporates old time American patriotic values and honors our country’s Christian heritage. 

I think my two most favorite times in each race are the pre-race ceremonies when the announcer asks everyone at the track to stand and remove their hats for the presenting of the American flag, the prayer of invocation over the race and for the safety of the drivers, the singing of our national anthem, the military flyover and the excitement that is generated throughout the stands when a special guest takes to the microphone and emotionally proclaims the words that starts everyone’s heart to pumping “Driver’s start your engines!” 

The other time is the last 10 or so laps when the remaining cars are vying to be the first to cross under the black and white checkered flag at the finish line.  I can’t help but to find myself standing up in front of my couch with both arms raised as the winning car zooms under the waving flag… It is also the time when I inevitably have to remind myself to start breathing again… after holding my breath throughout the final lap!

What really startles me and warms my heart at the same time is when the appointed chaplain, minister or priest finishes the race day prayer spoken over the microphone and heard throughout the track and on national television, with the affirmative and powerful words, “In Jesus Name, Amen!”

I know that it shouldn’t… but I guess that we’ve been so programed over the last few decades, for the fear of offending someone, to NOT speak the NAME of Jesus in public gatherings… that it still catches me a little off guard.  But like I said, it also warms my heart like when someone mentions the name of a very special friend and/or a popular dignitary in a public setting!

I’ve been re-reading (for the umpteenth time) a book entitled “The Wonderful Name of Jesus” written in the 1940’s by the renown Bible teacher and pastor E.W. Kenyon.  In his writings, the author discusses how the modern church in his day, at the brink of WW2 (and still seems prevalent in the 2020’s), has seemingly forgotten, down played or simply by-passed the knowledge of the importance that the NAME of Jesus has in the application and power that is inherent in our Christian faith.

A look into the New Testament writings of the early church leaders will demonstrate the central and pivotal role that the NAME of Jesus occupied as the gospel message was introduced to the world.  In the book of Acts, Luke repeatedly talks about the content of the message that was being taught… a good example being the ministry of the evangelist Philip where it is summed up by saying,

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12 – KJV) 

I’ve been doing a study of the NAME of Jesus in the New Testament over the last few days and I’ve been discovering that Philip’s preaching was right in line with all the writers of the New Testament… including Jesus Himself!

Jesus taught throughout the book of John in chapters 14, 15 and 16 of the importance of praying to the Father in His NAME.*  The book of Acts records many stories of incidents when the NAME of Jesus, when spoken with faith through the lips of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and the everyday church members, brought physical, emotional and spiritual healing and restoration to people, cast out devils, brought unity and order between individuals and in the churches, changed the weather and literally raised the dead!

But it is not just knowing the NAME, it is knowing the One who IS the NAME.  I’ve told many times of the long nightly phone conversations that my girlfriend and eventual wife Piper and I had when we were dating in high school.  In my strong Catholic background, I knew the NAME and was taught to be very respectful of it… BUT… Piper not only knew the NAME, but more importantly, the power that the NAME carried as she enjoyed a very personal, intimate and ever-increasing covenant relationship with the One who was the NAME!

Do you know the POWER that is inherent in the mighty NAME of Jesus?  Have you ever spoken out the NAME and seen the negative circumstances that might be approaching you change?  I have!  Just recently in fact, with the bout of Severe Weather threats that we faced throughout our part of the state a couple of days ago.

The two-fold message of the Kingdom of God and the NAME of Jesus is just as prevalent today as it was to the early church when it was first presented to the world over 2000 years ago.  And with everything that is happening in our country as well as in the rest of the world today… It’s probably even more needed NOW!

I’ll share some more truths about this life-changing, powerful and somewhat untaught truth in blogs to come.  But in the meantime, I might suggest that you pick up your Bibles and spend some time reading the New Testament… and in particular in the four gospels and in the book of Acts.  Underline and/or highlight the times that the NAME of Jesus is spoken of… and I think that you might just be excited to discover, along with me, the power… THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND ME as faith-filled BELIVERS… in the mighty NAME of Jesus!

You never know… this revelation truth just might change the way you walk in your daily life!

Have a wonderful St Patrick’s Day tomorrow.  I was listening to someone explain the big influence that the Christian conversion of Ireland (by the ministry of St Patrick) had to the entire continent of Europe.  One can never fully appreciate the power and depth of influence that the NAME of Jesus can have… so therefore… keep EXPECTING God’s best as you celebrate St Patrick’s Day and share your faith with your world tomorrow!

 

*See: John 14:13,14,26 / John 15:16 / John 16:23-26

Saturday, March 9, 2024

I've Got History

I was contemplating the other day about the rich and wonderful HISTORY that I shared with my beloved wife Piper… and while other couples also share a HISTORY with each other, our particular story is totally unique and special to us.  It is a story written in the annals of HISTORY that I can hold on to and know that is all mine.  There are experiences and special moments in time that we enjoyed together that most people will never know of.  There were special looks, touches and unspoken words shared between the two of us that meant the world to us, but yet to others, would have absolutely no significance.

I came across an old notebook of hers from 2007 with one page that was basically empty except for a few words and was entitled,

“Jim’s Birthday Day”

Underneath the title she penned in her familiar handwriting, “Chocolate Cake w/Chocolate frosting.” And while the rest of the page was blank, save for three other words, my mind’s eye saw a whole story filling that page and many more throughout the notebook. 

I immediately drifted back in my memory to the 36 other birthdays that we had celebrated up to that time, both alone and then with our children around the kitchen table, complete with homemade cards from the kids, balloons, streamers and candles.  I thought of how she always delighted in baking me my favorite cake or pie, many times from scratch, in order to honor me on my special day.  I especially remember her Chocolate-on-Chocolate cakes and Lemon Meringue pies. YUM!

Over the years, I have tasted other chocolate cakes and lemon meringue pies, but none of them tasted as delicious and mouthwatering as hers… for hers contained something that no other’s desert could ever have… and that was her love for me that was the major ingredient for every slice and every bite!

Now this may sound funny, but the memories of her special birthday deserts came wafting through the air the other day as I read something familiar that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi… and I don’t think that it actually had any reference to a Birthday party!  In Philippians 4:19 he wrote,

“I am convinced that MY God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!”  (TPT)

You’re probably thinking that I wrote about this verse in my last blog post… and you would be right!  But the thing that is very exciting about the Word of God, is that it is a living and active* gospel that has countless layers to every verse and every chapter!  As I read this verse the other morning, I no sooner got four words in when the fifth word jumped off the page and thumped me right in my heart!

I stopped breathing there for a second or two as I caught hold of the word “MY”… and the personal ownership that Paul associated with it… and found myself repeating aloud… “My, My, My!”  And when I finally caught my breath, I turned around to look at the dog laying on the couch behind me and exclaimed …with an “Ah-Ha!” smirk on my face.., “He had some HISTORY with God!”

I instantly realized that Paul was so convinced and assured that HIS God would “fully satisfy every need” that the giving members of the Philippian church had… because he had personally experienced the faithfulness of God over and over again in his own life and ministry!

Paul knew God in a similar fashion to the way in which Piper and I knew each other.  He didn’t need to go into a lot of explanation with the Philippians, but simply shared from the wealth of personal interactions, words, both spoken and unspoken, touches, special looks, and the thoughts and feelings that are intimately shared between individuals who enjoy a close relationship with each other.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges states that Paul’s use of the term “My God” are “words that are deeply characteristic of St Paul” and emphasize the depth and wonderful relationship that he enjoyed with his God!  Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments explains Paul’s deeper meaning adding that my God — Whose ambassador I am; shall supply all your need — As he has mine.”

And Dictionary.com describes the word “MY” as an adjective which describes a particular quality of the word that they are modifying,” in this case, Paul’s personal description of his close relationship with God.

When Piper got sick, I had different people tell me to watch out because Piper was going to displays certain negative behaviors as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s increased… to which I simply laughed and said “NO WAY” because I KNEW my wife and the precious HISTORY that she had with her God that would prevent certain actions from having their way with her… and you know?  She NEVER displayed any of those fearful behaviors. 

So… How personally do you KNOW God?  Would you stand in front of anyone and refer to Him as “MY God?”  If someone told you that He was going to do something that was contrary to the Word of God and your knowledge of it… would you stand firm and tell them “NO WAY” ?

I would encourage each of you to take a few moments this weekend and ask yourself:

“Do I have a HISTORY with God?” and how would I explain it to someone else…”

Have a great weekend.  We had lots of rain over the last couple of days but are enjoying a sunny (but cool) day today with a warming trend into next week!  So, our prospects are looking good and I hope that yours are as well!

And as I am enjoying the sweet memories of the special HISTORY that I shared with my wife, I pray that each of you are enjoying sweet times in the midst of your current HISTORY with YOUR God!

 

*See Hebrews 4:12

Saturday, March 2, 2024

I Am Convinced!

Some of my favorite memories as an adult were made when Piper and I would take the kids up to the Redwoods or the Sierras for a summer camping adventure and when Piper and I would take one of our two-night holidays at a lodge along the Sonoma County coast in northern California.  And I think what made them even more extra special was all the anticipation and expectations that would always build up in me in the days or even weeks before we actually got in the car and pulled out of the driveway!  Do any of you know what I’m talking about?

By the time we actually arrived at our destination, all that anticipation and expectation working in me, CONVINCED me that we were going to have a GREAT time… and you know?  I don’t think that I was ever disappointed!  We learned from any potentially negative parts of the vacation every time we would go, so that we eventually packed and/or were prepared for any type of unexpected event… rain for instance… that would arise.  I also think that our background in Youth and Children’s ministry prepared us to be flexible and easily adaptive to any hiccup that might arise!

Like I said earlier, whenever we would sit down to plan one of these special times… I was fully CONVINCED that we would thoroughly enjoy ourselves!  But it didn’t just happen… for we would plan activities and special times to enhance our experience wherever we where going.  When Piper and I would book a two-night holiday, I would always surprise her with a new nightgown and we would purchase special food treats, bring some good books and rent a movie or two that we both enjoyed... and then plan on taking many romantic walks, hand in hand along the bluffs overlooking the breath taking views of the Pacific ocean.

Similarly, like my parents always did on our family camping trips, Piper would plan for special meals and treats that we could cook over the open fire, bring some fun books to read with the children and surprise the kids with some new toys to enjoy at camp.  In the meantime, I planned for family hikes in the mountains and other excursions to places that were unique to the area we were going to.  In later years, I also wrote some Bible related, all family, VBS type activities that we could all participate in during our week at camp.

The way that we planned for and enjoyed Piper’s and my personal holidays alone and the family camping trips with the kids, were very similar to the way in which we planned and enjoyed the personal experiences of our faith life as well.  The Apostle Paul wrote that,

“I am CONVINCED that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!”  (Philippians 4:19 – The Passion Translation)

I don’t know if you see what I do in that particular verse of scripture, but when I read this translation, I can’t help but get very excited because I see a man that fully EXPECTED God’s Word to work in his behalf when he went to the Lord with a need!  And when you study the rest of Paul’s letters to the early church, you quickly understand that Paul was a man that put the work in that would assure Him of the truth of God’s Word being a solid reality in his life.

When Paul stepped out the door first thing in the morning on the way to a ministry event, to go visit a friend or to travel to a new region of the country… he was CONVINCED that God would fully satisfy ANY need that arose… and you know why?  Because he had seen it all before and carried the evidence of the faithfulness of God in his heart wherever he went.

Like Piper and I on our vacation events, we were CONVINCED ahead of time that we were going to have an enjoyable time and be blessed along the way as well!  We always put in the time to prepare for whatever we were doing both physically and spiritually and were never disappointed.

Earlier in that same letter to the Philippian church, Paul declared that,

“I have mastered the secret of living… I am equal to every lot, through the help of Him who gives me inward strength.” (Philippians 4:12 – S. Way)

Paul always gave all the glory and/or credit to Christ for the success of all that he endeavored to accomplish in his life.  But in order to do that and be fully CONVINCED that God would meet his every need, he made the consistent effort to spend time with the Lord in prayer, recalling and meditating on the revelations that the Lord had directly given to him, and in reading the Old Testament promises (since he and the other apostles were then writing what would become known to us as the New Testament).

One of Piper’s favorite Old Testament promises that I’m pretty certain that the Apostle Paul also favored and took to heart, is found in Jeremiah 29:11 where the prophet wrote of the Lord saying,

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an EXPECTED end.” (KJV) 

The Message Bible makes it a little easier to understand and put into practice in our lives by declaring,

“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you that you hope for (or that you are EXPECTING*).” 

So, let me ask you today… on this absolutely warm and beautiful - albeit windy – day in northeastern Oklahoma, are you CONVINCED that God will fully satisfy and/or meet all your needs today?  Why or Why not?

Think about it and ask yourself… “What am I really EXPECTING today?”  How satisfied will you be when your head hits the pillow tonight?

Have a great day enjoying the promises of God actively participating in your life today! 

Put in the time and your life will be sublime!

 

*Both Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Definitions and Brown-Drivers – Briggs Hebrew Definitions define the word “hope” as “EXPECTATION

Saturday, February 24, 2024

The 1970's

I found the old 1977-1983 C.H.i.P.’s TV series on one of my streaming channels the other day and have been reacquainting myself with the series that Piper and I used to watch in the early years of our marriage.  After a few shows I realized two things. 

First… that Fiver does NOT like the theme song and will break out into a loud and soulful howl every time the theme plays at the beginning and end of each episode… and Secondly that this show… more than any other from the many old TV series that we used to enjoy… REALLY pulls at my HEARTSTRINGS, overflowing my memory banks with endless recollections of all the fun, adventures, loving and poignant times that Piper and I shared in the first ten years of our relationship.

I watched another episode at lunch yesterday and when it was over and Fiver and I stepped out the front door to take a leisurely walk in the beautifully warm weather, I asked the Lord why this show affected me with such strong, specific and vivid memories of Piper.  Then as we strolled and Fiver stopped every few feet to take a deeper sniff of a scent that caught his nose, I began to envision a timeline in my mind’s eye that started at one end with the date of 1970 and ended on the far side with the date of 1980.

With each step that we took, familiar activities, events and milestones began to fill the length of the timeline.  I was a little amazed at how many things were recorded in that relatively short, ten-year period of our lives… and by the time we climbed up the berm and looked across the glassy looking, calm waters of our large neighborhood pond... it hit me!

And I realized all the foundational events that occurred to Piper and I in the 1970’s that became the groundwork on which the rest of the next four decades of our marriage and family were built.  From the initiation of our dating in 1970 to our marriage in 1975, the call to ministry I felt in 1976 and our first ministry position, the fire that was ignited in our hearts for the message of faith that directed our Christian walk for the rest of our lives, and the beginning of our family in 1979, along with all the other kinds of visions, plans and, purposes that we began to pursue… all happened in the decade of the seventies!

As the C.H.i.P.s stars ride their motorcycles along the highways and byways of Los Angeles County in Southern California and pass a 1973 Pinto wagon, I’ll yell out to Fiver “Hey that looks like Piper’s Pinto” and I’ll be blasted with memories of her in that car, of all those early camping trips we took and the countless times we pulled into the parking lot of the First Baptist Church where we were employed as Youth Ministers.

Then there’s the plethora of British sportscars like my ’66 MGB that were so popular in the sixties and seventies, the young gals in their short skirts and boots or shapely jeans just like Piper wore in high school and college and all the memories of my eyes popping out of my head when I saw her in them, the lingo spoken at the time, and the way that the cameras captured the California lifestyle that Piper and I enjoyed back then. 

Yes… I finally figured it all out!  The seeing and re-living of all those sweet memories is what caused my heart strings to be plucked into the melody of a moving song of remembrances of the woman I loved and partnered with for 48 years… and of all the adventures we experienced in our teens and twenties.  

And you know what else I realized, as Fiver and I reversed our direction and headed home from our afternoon walk?  I understood that God also had a HEAVY hand in the midst of all of those events that shaped and established our future. I can look back at almost each and every one of those experiences listed on that timeline that unfolded in my mind’s eye and observe His nudge in a certain direction, Him sending special individuals into our lives at just the right time, scriptures that spoke to our hearts and led us to make certain decisions and the countless answers to prayer all along the way.

I realized with an emotional jolt that caused me to suddenly stop on our walk and pull on Fiver’s harness when he kept walking on, that God set Piper and I up for success back then… and is still doing the same for meas well as for you dear reader, TODAY!

Was it always easy to follow His directions… NO!  Did everything always work out as planned… NO!  Did we ever make mistakes along the way… YES… many times!

Paul told his readers in Philippians 4:12-13 that,

“I have learned the secret—the secret to real peace and contentment in every situation, regardless of circumstance, regardless of whether I’m hungry or well fed, regardless of whether I am rich or poor.  The secret to real peace and contentment is an abiding trust in Christ—realizing that my strength comes from him; and through the peace, strength, wisdom and perspective that Christ gives me, I can handle whatever happens”.  (The Remedy New Testament)

The SECRET of Paul’s success in life was his abiding trust in Christ… and in looking back through our memories of the 1970’s, I realized that the good Lord was giving Piper and I the same message that we sought, to the best of our abilities and ever-increasing scriptural knowledge, to do the same.

Then I picked up a hint from Jesus Himself on how to best accomplish this task in the middle of this mixed up and crazy world that we seem to be living in today.  Jesus tells us that,

“If you continue in My Word, then are you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth (in My Word) shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 – KJV)

So YES!  I believe that God has set us ALL up for success.  He has given us ALL the tools we need to succeed in everything we set out to accomplish in this world… ALL we have to do is to discover His will for us in His Word and then DO it… according to the way that He leads us to in His Word!  EASY RIGHT?  Well… not really… but ALL the dedicated effort on our part SURE DOES payoff!

Have a great weekend… and as you do… spread some JOY and Godly success along the way!

We are in the midst of a picture-perfect weekend here in northeastern Oklahoma… if someone were to ask me… I’d have to say that Oklahoma copied a page from the 1970’s California lifestyle that Piper and I used to enjoy when C.H.i.P.s was one of the top shows on NBC!

Monday, February 19, 2024

Fiver's 411

“All of you came to me and said, "Let's send men ahead of us to gather INFORMATION about the land for us.  Have them report to us about the route we should take and the cities we'll come to." (Deuteronomy 1:22 - God’s Word ©)

I was thinking the other day that not much has changed in my morning schedule since Piper’s homegoing a few years ago.  I still get up around seven every morning, get the coffee going and head into my study to spend an hour or so with the Lord, reading and interacting with Him through my investigations of His Word. 

Being as my study faces our front yard with views of the cul-de-sac and the adjoining city golf course, Fiver enjoys standing at the window and watching the outside activities as the neighborhood wakes up and depending on the weather, the golfers who populate the greens.  I’ve gotten into the habit of cracking one of the windows open about an inch (or more depending on the temperature…) so that he can not only catch the sights outside but also the sounds and smells of the new day.

I usually make a big deal over the opening the window so that he gets a little excited, perks up his ears and hastens to the window sill.  Once there and he presses his nose against the screen, I’ll plop back down onto my desk chair and tell him to go ahead and give me the INFORMATION or “411” for the day!  It is amazing to see how much sharper his senses are when the window is open.  He’ll start softly whimpering a few seconds before a walker comes into view and even louder if they have a dog with them! 

He'll take note of the golfers and especially so if they are talking to each other, keeps track of the two neighbors across the street who leave for work the same time each day and turns a very watchful eye on any unfamiliar vehicles that turn around in the cul-de-sac… and don’t even get me started with the noisy lawn mowers performing their daily trims of the golf course lawns… Whew!  He does NOT like loud engines or noises of any kind!

When he is satisfied with his first observations of the day, he’ll usually back up a step or two and lay down on the rug right in front of the window… while looking up expectantly at me.  And I’ll play along, turn in my squeaky but comfortable desk chair and ask him for his morning INFORMATIONAL report of our neighborhood.   I’ll say “Fiver, what’s the 411?” and he’ll look at me like I’m crazy, put his head down between his legs and close his eyes!  And so, the morning ritual goes and I’ll laugh as I turn in my chair and get lost in conversation with Lord!

I’ve been involved in a situation lately where I have had the opportunity to share a lot of counsel with some individuals in need.  As I have prepared for our times together, I have found myself praying and then searching through my Bible for just the right and succinct INFORMATION or “411” that would best satisfy the particular needs of this situation.  And as has been my practice over the years of my ever-growing personal Christian experience, I find that God continues to have the uncanny ability to bring me to the exact portions of His Word that are helpful to those reaching out for assistance.

The section scripture that has provided a solid foundation for the thoughts that I have been sharing recently, is one that I wrote about in a blog post a few weeks ago.  It is found within the third chapter of the book of James.  Here the Pastor is discussing God – like WISDOM and looks at its results in contrast to the effects of natural thoughts and ideas that come from a heart of anger, selfishness and/or fear. 

He stated that,

“Real wisdom originates in heaven and is always pure, healing, restorative, kind, compassionate, selfless, merciful, peaceful, transformational, unbiased, and sincere.”*

While,

“selfishness, envy, and all violations of God’s law of love break his design for life and cause chaos, disease, suffering, and everything evil.”* 

Informational scriptures such as these give me the 411 that I need in order to best prepare me for the events of life and to address and successfully work through the situations that I am involved with.  When asked for advice or assistance from those in need, I have discovered that God’s 411 always presents the most logical, compassionate and healing solutions to whatever or whomever this situation has entangled.

I guess you could say that my Bible… otherwise known as God’s 411 manual… has become my GO-TO source whenever proven, reliable and long-lasting tools for the successful navigation through the journey of life are sought… and I am NOT alone in this practice!  “According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Bible has now been printed over a billion times in more than 2,400 languages, making it the most-printed book in history.”**

SO… Just like I open the window for my four-footed furry friend each morning and charge him to sniff out the neighborhood and give me the 411 before we step out on our morning walk… I also take the time to study and sniff out God’s 411 for whatever or whomever comes across the pathways of my life each and every day.

I like to be in the KNOW… and I like to Be PreparedDON’T YOU?

Have a great President’s Day today… and speaking of President’s Day… I got to thinking this morning that a President’s merits are judged by what they do with the INFORMATION or 411 that they receive while in office.  I guess that the same could be said about you and me too!  I wonder what the history books will record from my life… or yours?

__________________

*James 3:17,16 – The Remedy New Testament

**The Holy Script –

https://www.theholyscript.com/how-many-copies-of-the-bible-have-been-sold/#:~:text=The%20first%20printing%20of%20the%20Bible%20was%20in,languages%2C%20making%20it%20the%20most-printed%20book%20in%20history.

 

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Why I Stay in EXPECTATION of Him...

During the years of our relationship, from dating in high school and the ensuing 43 years of marriage and ministry… which seemed to be closely related and intertwined… my wife and I had many opportunities to minister to or counsel countless individuals who were experiencing difficult times in their lives.  And in the majority of those cases, my wife would make the sincere comment that, “they need to know how much God loves them.” 

In each of those situations I would always nod my head and agree with her… although to be perfectly honest… I really didn’t understand the importance and scope of her statement until years later when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

During the last eight years of her life, I did a lot of things to keep myself strong and focused spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  I got up early every morning to study the Word and thereby build myself up in order to face the new day with a joyful and positive attitude and to help keep me focused if any emergency situations should arise.

I made sure that we ate right, took daily walks and diligently strived to keep a healthy and faith-filled environment around our home… but what really gave me the strength and ability to trust the Lord and all that His Word was providing for us in the face of many contrary situations, less than helpful advice, negative medical reports and the increasing changes I saw to my wife’s beautiful visage, was the personal knowledge of how intimately Jesus knew and loved Piper and I.

I finally got that revelation… that Piper seemed to know from way before we started dating… while preparing a sermon for my preaching class in Bible College back in 2008.  I know that I have written about this before, so I won’t go into a lot of detail.  But will suffice to say, that while researching my topic for the sermon one day, I opened up a new Bible translation that I had just discovered, to one of the two prayers of Paul’s in the book of Ephesians.  In this portion of his letter, he penned that,

 “You will KNOW Christ's love, which goes far beyond any knowledge. I am praying this so that you may be completely filled with God.” (Ephesians 3:19 - God’s Word ©)

When I looked up the word “know” in the original Greek, I discovered to my amazement that it defines an intimate relationship as in the very act of intimacy between a husband and wife… and as the light went on inside of me, I heard that small still voice of the Lord speaking to me saying, “Jim, I know and love you and Piper in the same depth of intimacy in which you… and you alone… physically and emotionally know her.”

The graphic picture of that revelation opened up to me an entirely new and deeply personal relationship with Jesus and His Word.  And just like I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would do anything for my wife… I knew that He would do the same for us throughout the rest of our lives together.  So, when the nights got long and dark for me during that difficult period in my life, I could and did rest in the comforting knowledge of how intimately He knew me and would always be true to the promises in His Word concerning us.

Following that understanding concerning the intimacy in which Jesus knew and loved me and Piper eventually brought me to the secure place where I simply trusted and EXPECTED Him to act… according to His Word… in all the circumstances of my life. 

According to I Corinthians 13:7 in Ben Campbell Johnson’s relational paraphrase of the New Testament entitled “The Heart of Paul”

“(God’s) Love is the most enduring quality of human existence.  It keeps on keeping on; it trusts in God in every situation and EXPECTS God to act in all circumstances.  (For) Nothing can destroy God’s love.”  

In the five years that she has been gone now, I continue to stand on the heartfelt truth of the intimacy in which Jesus knows and loves me.  The EXPECTATION that it releases into my heart has given me the daily strength to carry on and move forward in this new season of my life.  It empowers me to believe that His BEST is still before me today and tomorrow and gives me the joy of living and sharing His Good News everywhere I go!

And you know what?  He wants to do the same for YOU!  Isn’t that special?

I hope that you are having a great weekend.  We’ve got some rain coming tomorrow with a good chance of more snow on Monday morning… but the temperatures during the week are going to be fairly warm… so the white stuff won’t last long – YEAH!

Be blessed… and as you are… share some of God’s BEST with those around you!

Saturday, February 3, 2024

SUPERMAN

I’m not totally sure why, but I have been seeing many posts on my Facebook feed from a Classic TV/SUPERMAN group.  Many of the pictures and comments reference the 1950’s TV series staring George Reeves in the title role.  I do remember watching the show when I was a kid, but I would assume that it was reruns as the program went off the air in 1958 when I was still pretty young.  I have to admit though… that even back then, I had a difficult time trying to figure out how Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane never realized that Clark Kent was SUPERMAN… especially since the only disguise he wore were his black rimmed glasses?

But I digress… What I do fondly remember about the show was how SUPERMAN calmly stood on the window sill of Clark’s office, many floors up in the skyscraper Daily Planet building, bent his knees and was seemingly CATAPULTED off into the sky on his way to save a damsel in distress.

That picture and the idea of being CATAPULTED from one place to another came to mind as I continued my study in the Word that had branched off from I Peter 1:8, where Peter, in speaking of Jesus, wrote to the believers in various provinces of the Roman Empire declaring,

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy UNSPEAKABLE and full of glory!” (KJV)

Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary defines the word “unspeakable” as “ineffable” which the Oxford Online Dictionary describes as “too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.”

As I thought about that definition, I began to understand that amongst other things, Peter was telling his readers that there is a level of JOY that needs to take the worshipper to the end of their words and CATAPULT them into the fullness of God’s words.  I also saw Peter’s words as an encouragement telling us that that process is a good one to follow whenever the situations in our lives take an upside down turn for us.

One thing that I have learned through the years, is that the sooner I can stop thinking or talking about the things happening in my life from a natural standpoint and begin to see them and then talk about them from the viewpoint of God’s Word… the BETTER it is… the sooner I can let God be God in the midst of my need!  For you see… God’s Word has it all!  Whatever we need in any situation, God’s Word has an answer for it!

John chapter one tells us that God’s Word has been with us from the very beginning of time, and that His word is the source of all life, and the light for anything that we may need illumination for.  I John chapter four informs us that God is Love.  Hebrews 4:12 lets us know that His Word is living and active and is able to discern a person’s thoughts and intents, while 2 Timothy 3:16 declares that,

Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval.”  (God’s Word ©) 

And then, if you still don’t believe me, there’s Jesus himself, who when praying to the Father before going to the cross, asked Him to set those of us who believe in Him apart from the ways of the world by saying,

“Sanctify them by Your TRUTH; Your Word is TRUTH.” (EMTV)

So… like my beloved wife always said, from a tender and child-like heart, “God said it, that settles it for me and therefore I believe it!”

I sure believe it… HOW ABOUT YOU? 

If you’re anything like me, then you are going to want to quickly get to the end of your words in the face of any situation and allow God to CATAPULT you into the fullness of His truthful and powerful words.  Wouldn’t you rather face life as a SUPERMAN or SUPERWOMAN by speaking what God’s Word say about your circumstances… rather than having your own words working against you?

Have a wonderful weekend.  I would encourage you to take some time away in prayer and ask the Lord to show you ways in which you can incorporate the working of His Word into the various areas of your life.  I guarantee that it will make a noticeable change for the positive for you and yours!

We not only have rain forecast for the weekend… but we also had a 5.1 EARTHQUAKE last night!  I really thought that when we left California, that we had left those things behind… but… I guess not!  PRAISE THE LORD!