SLAP!

I had one of those slap-across-the-face wake up moments yesterday afternoon… not a physical slap across my face mind you… but an emotional slap that stunned me enough with the truth of something that I have unknowingly been accepting since Piper’s graduation to heaven…

I was watching something that I had recorded on TV while I was eating my lunch, when a commercial break occurred and I immediately reached for my remote control.  But I paused to soak in all the panoramic views that filled my big screen TV, of people outside in different vacation locations.  I was immediately drawn into the scenes of beautiful mountains, alpine lakes, sandy beaches at the edge of deep blue oceans… and a whole bunch of images of people enjoying nature and having fun!

I couldn’t help but to get lost in what I was observing and leaned back on the couch and declared aloud, “Now, that’s the kind of vacation that I need to take!”  But in a flash of time… I felt the sting as of a slap across my face when I fully realized that Piper would not be with me!  And then it hit me like someone had stuck my balloon with a pin and deflated every meter of air in me!  I dropped the remote and realized… That I don’t know how to relax and have fun without her!

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I sense that feeling of deflation quite often during the course of a day.  Many times, it happens in the mornings when I’m in that foggy zone between sleep and wake up.  On many occasions I’ll find myself dreaming about what Piper and I might have on our schedule that day, only to open my eyes with the disappointing reality that… once again… She’s not here!  It’s just Fiver and I in the house.

It is a hollow feeling that at times can be quite haunting.  But yesterday, I finally understood something I’d read about in the various books on the grieving process a few months after Piper passed in North Carolina.  This one written by noted grief and trauma counselor Norman Wright* from his own personal experience of the loss of his wife, spoke in one section of the need to “refile the memories of your loved one.”

This being the continuous effort of thinking about your lost one, in my case Piper, in a new way.  Basically, bringing her from my present file into my past file.  I’m obviously learning that it is not as easy as it sounds.  For me, it incorporates many facets of being, including the seeing of my life in a new vain.  Developing a new way of thinking about her, and establishing new activities, memories and relationships to fit the multitudes of voids that were vacated by Piper’s physical absence… and as my brother once told me concerning Piper’s life, goodness and joyful personality, saying that she set a pretty high bar… but not an impossible one to reach!

In reference to my seeming inability to have enjoyment and/or fun in life without her… it includes redefining what constitutes an enjoyable or fun experience… that isn’t highly dependent on the presence of one special individual. I also have to be aware that I am not holding myself to impossible standards or judging myself too harshly.  I have to keep in mind God’s specific and perfect plan that He continues to have for me, and the perfectly timed schedule that He also is following.

I was reminded as I read, once again, from Psalm 91:16 this morning where the Lord declares, “You Jim, are being satisfied with a full life because of all that I have done, am doing and will continue to do for you.  For you are in the position to behold and then enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” (The Passion Translation/Jewish Publication Society Old Testament – personalized)

And, after I read this today, I could have sworn that I heard that small-still-voice on the inside of me laugh just a little and smirk, “And that doesn’t just mean for the first 65 years of your life, Jim!”

What can I say?  I firmly believe that God has a very robust sense of humor… and wanted to make the point that my best isn’t over… but is still yet to come!

So… I’m glad for those sort-of slap-your-face moments!  Piper had a funny but yet serious way to grab my attention with the way she spoke or with her humorous actions… and now that she’s with God in heaven… I think she’s sitting right there at Jesus’ right hand giving Him some hints of when I need to tune into Him… and they re probably both giggling about it!

So, I shared all that, so that you would know, that if He is doing those things for me, telling me that my best isn’t over, but still on the way… and to NOT GIVE UP and/or feel sorry for myself… that He wants to, can and will do the same for you!

So, let go of what ever might be holding you back and grab hold of Him… for He also wants for YOU to BEHOLD and then ENJOY the FULNESS of His salvation!

Have a great mid-week, and as you do… Keep EXPECTING God’s best for your life!

Needs and Desires

I had a pretty rough night’s rest last evening.  It seemed like the dogs belonging to the neighbor’s behind and over one house, barked from the moment I turned the lights out for the night, up into the wee hours of the morning!  Since that house is on the end of their street, their backyard is totally fenced in with iron bar see through fencing, giving the occupants a full view of the green space behind our neighborhood and the golf course next door.  It also gives their three dogs a wide-open view of any and everything that walks, crawls, flies, or hops by… 24/7!

So, between the noise that the dogs were making caused by who-knows-what source and the thunderstorms that began around 1:30 and continued until I got up around 7:30 AM, I kept twisting and turning and checking on my restless dog throughout the night!

When I dragged myself out of bed, I dropped a fresh pod of coffee in my new coffee maker and rambled into my office to spend some time in the Word… hoping that doing so would encourage and energize my mind and body, as well as give me some focus for the day… and well…

I must admit, that the time in God’s Word, a cup of hot java, a long hot shower and a brisk walk down to the neighborhood pond and park did the trick!  As I walked along the greenway next to the golf course, I couldn’t help but to enjoy the look, the feel and the smell of the rain-soaked environment around me.  We barely got off our cul-de-sac before I noticed that it had started to rain, but even though I had chose to forgo my light rain coat, I decided that we’d continue on anyway!  And it was worth it!

As we walked along in the light rain, I found myself remembering all the times that the good Lord blessed both Piper and I with and through the many desires of our hearts.  He knew that we loved… and I still do… to take daily walks and therefore always had us living in a comfortable, safe neighborhood that was always near to a park or community green space.  This morning’s walk on the vast green lawn in the wet and warm morning reminded me of one of the first of many, rainy day, warm weather walks that Piper and I took across the vast, Oak tree-studded, green lawns on the campus of Chico State University back in the fall of 1973… the only difference being that we had raincoats on back then… aren’t we supposed to get smarter with age and experience?

In between the barking dogs and the boom of thunder and flashes of lightning last night, I also found myself thinking on two familiar and well-used scriptures from the long list of Piper’s and my all-time-favorites.  One of these verses talks about God’s plans for meeting our needs, while the other gives God’s directions to us concerning the acquisition of our desires. 

Philippians 4:19 was one of the first scriptures that I ever memorized and took to heart.  Here the Apostle Paul confidently told his readers that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (KJV)  Mark 11:24 was also of major importance to Piper and I as it set the course for our individual lives, as well as for our marriage, family and ministry.  In this portion of scripture, we find Jesus teaching an all-important lesson on FAITH saying, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (KJV) 

In these verses I can see how God differentiates between needs and desires.  When you read the previous verses before Philippians 4:19, you understand that God’s supplying all of our needs is directly associated with our giving of tithes and offerings.  Simply said, when we are obedient and give of our finances to the work of God, He assures that our needs will be met.

Desires, on the other hand, take a process of coming boldly and yet humbly before the throne of grace and asking for the particular desire of your heart.  And as Jesus taught, that process includes our prayer and then our immediate belief… at the moment we pray… that we have already received that for which we have asked for.  After that it is simply a matter of thanking Him until you see the manifestation of your prayer.

In our life together, we continuously saw the Lord tending to mix the meeting of our needs with the fulfillment of our desires.  I think about all the more-than-nice houses that we had lived in over the years.  Piper had prayed when we first began to have our family that we would always have a nice house to live in… and you know… we always did!  And it wasn’t just any house, but one that many times, had many “extras” in it that we enjoyed… but didn’t necessarily ask for!  Our house in North Carolina is a perfect example of this.  There was hardly a week that went by in the relatively short period of time that we lived there when I didn’t discover an upgrade that the previous owners had put in, or realized that we had higher quality appliances, and even more property than I originally thought we had!

The same could be said for the many vehicles we owned.  Both Piper and I were “car guys” and God knew it!  Even when finances were on the tight side, we always drove a nice vehicle that most times was equipped with more accessories than the base or even upgraded models!  The show-room quality, Ford executive driven, custom assembled, Mustang GT convertible we had was a perfect example of this.  (Did I mentioned the tuned exhaust... I still dream about those glorious notes!)

My point is that God is such a GOOD GOD that He loves to bless us not only with what we need, but also throw in a little bit of our heart’s desires as well!  We’ve seen it through countless personal examples and with many faithful members of the congregations in which we served.

Let’s face it… When it came to our salvation, God loves us so much that didn’t pull any punches or try to get by with second best… No!  He gave His best.  He gave us His one and only begotten Son to carry the burden of our sins and trespasses… and assure us of a clean and clear path to heaven!

Think about that the next time you go before Him with a need and/or a desire.

Have a great week, and as you do… Keep EXPECTING God’s best for your life!

The Night Sky

“God’s splendor is a tale that is told; his testament is written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 

Each day gushes out its message to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all. 

Without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, 

Yet all the world can see its story. Everywhere its gospel is clearly read so all may know.”                  

                                                       Psalm 19:1-4  The Passion Translation 

I’ve developed a habit over the last year or so of watching the end of one opinion commentator’s daily show on the Fox News Channel and then the beginning monologue of the next show, while I tidy up the kitchen and living room, take the dog out for his final foray of the evening, and then head into the bedroom for the night.  Lately I have been incredibly amazed at many of the news clips that they show from the day’s political statements made by some of our highly intelligent leaders here in the USA.

Just like last night, when I stopped dead in my tracks and loudly declared, “Can’t they see how downright dumb they look when they make those stupid and actually false statements like that?  Who do they think that they are kidding?”  But then I sigh, because I think that I am pretty sure of the source of the comments and the “why’s” behind them.

I have to admit, that I REALLY had my eyes opened when Piper and I went through our final journey together in the latter years of her life.  I’ve told the story before… but I think that it is worth repeating… of how a client of mine… a sweet, older, but definitely opinionated and outspoken women said to me one day as I took a break from mowing her 2-acre spread… or was it rebuilding her deck or repairing the front fence or reroofing her two outdoor sheds… I don’t quite remember now as I did all kinds of work for her!

Piper and I had been back from attending Bible School in Oklahoma for a couple of years and I’d quit my job at The Home Depot and was gaining an income from my yard care business in order to be able to care for Piper at the same time.  On this particular day, Piper was home in the care of a friend and my client (who was a personal friend of Piper’s family) and I were talking about some of the difficulties that we were beginning to face with a group of individuals who thought that I should be doing things differently in the care of my wife.

Like I said earlier, she was very opinionated and suddenly turned toward me, shook her head and said, “You’re very naïve, when it comes to trusting other people!”  That statement hurt my pride and I immediately denied her statement thinking that I was a pretty astute individual when it came to trusting people’s character.

Well… over the coming months and years I shockingly came to realize just how RIGHT she was and how WRONG I was!  Let’s just say that we had many negative things happen, many mis-truths propagated and experienced unexpected abandonment from individuals that I would have sworn we’d never had seen that kind of behavior coming from.

But through it all, I have learned to understand how the overwhelming power of FEAR can sneak in and (in many cases) unknowingly change good people, causing them to believe and see things that are obviously incorrect and then say and do outrageous things that one would never conceive as possible.  And that is exactly what I see happening in our world today.

Psalm 19:1-4 artistically tells of the beauty of God’s creation that is clearly visible all around us.  In particular, it likens, or some even believe, tells the story of the gospel message through the constellations and other celestial bodies in the night sky.  I used to love to go out on the back deck, just before bedtime and spend a few moments staring up into the beauty of the heavens that seemed to encase our country home and property in North Carolina.

And most nights I’d laugh as I thought about how much I wished that Piper could have stood out there with me each night… and tell me (over and over again) the names of all the constellations that she’d learned and taught the kids in one of their homeschool classes.  For some reason, she was very proud of that knowledge and loved to share it with me.  She was in seventh heaven when we drove to the top of a mountain near our camp at Plumas Eureka State Park in the northeastern Sierras to do some star gazing late one evening while camping with the kids!  You would have thought that she was the guide on a special star tour that evening!

But my point is... that I don’t know how anyone can look at the beauty and intricacies plainly seen in the evening skies anywhere in the world… and deny that God exists!  Our scripture tells us that, “His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.”

I also have a difficult time seeing how intelligent people can see some of the real catastrophes that are present in our country and the governmental agenda that instigated the problems… and talk and act like either nothing unusual is happening… or even worse… declaring that their policies are making good progress… when the opposite is quite obvious!

What I have come to see through our personal experiences in Piper’s time of need… is that the same power that was working behind the scenes in our situation… is the exact same power that is working behind the scenes today… and that the players involved… have NO idea of what’s really happening to and through them!

2 Corinthians 4:4 tells us that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. It is Christ who is God's image.” (God’s Word ©)  Therefore they can’t see or acknowledge the falsity and/or fantasy of their beliefs and corresponding words and actions.

Romans 1:21-22 is a little more blunt in its explanation of what’s going on with those who refuse to believe the truth of God’s Word and see what’s actually wrong... as right.   Here Paul says, “Throughout human history the fingerprints of God were upon them, yet they refused to honor him as God or even be thankful for his kindness. Instead, they entertained corrupt and foolish thoughts about what God was like. This left them with nothing but misguided hearts, steeped in moral darkness.  Although claiming to be super-intelligent, they were (and still are) in fact shallow fools.” (The Passion Translation) 

So, I try not to get upset when I see and hear the different clips of the incorrect and dangerous policies that are being introduced not only in our nation, but also in most countries around the world.  I know the source and I thank God for His over-coming power.  I pray for the salvation of the unbeliever and that the eyes of all… including those who consider themselves to be a Christian… to be unblinded and opened to the wonderful truth and the freeing and loving will and ways of God.

& I bet that you do too!

Have a great weekend, and as you do… keep praying for your country and its leaders… and in EXPECTING God’s best for your life!

 

Cheerfulness on Your Sleeve!

I’ve always seemed to have had a cheerful disposition.  One would be hard-pressed to find me without a smile.  It is also really difficult to get me down.  I believe that I inherited my mother’s genes in that specific department.  Most people that knew her would agree that she could brighten up the darkest of rooms… simply by walking in!  In many respects, you could say the same exact thing about my wife Piper.  That’s just another reason that we got along so well… pretty much from day one, on that warm September morning as seniors in high school, way back when!

Through the years, we grew to possess an innate understanding of the power of cheerfulness in individuals, as well as in the workings of a group of people.  Piper was, what I would call, “the bearer of cheer” in her immediate family.  As our families matured and her folks aged, she could turn a quiet or even sullen holiday gathering into a happy event, complete with smiling faces and congenial attitudes.  As the Alzheimer’s worked to rob her of her ability to communicate, the atmosphere of the family events were noticeably different.

I learned early on, in the battle for Piper’s health, that my wide range of responsibilities for her care not only covered all her personal needs and the medical and financial requirements but also included surrounding her in an environment of faith and cheerfulness… pretty much everywhere we went… whether it was at a doctor’s office, the pharmacy, the grocery store, at church and even at family gatherings.

I learned the two sides of cheerfulness in the midst of those most difficult times, as Piper’s body physically deteriorated before my eyes and her overall health declined.  On the one hand, I could easily see how simple it would be to give in to what one’s physical senses are yelling at them, put aside any cheerfulness and give in to hopelessness and fear with its accompanying symptoms of sadness, sorrow and depression.  And on the other hand, fight to keep 100% of your focus on the promises of God in His Word and choose to walk in the cheerfulness that always attends to this level of faith.

Speaking on this subject, the author of the book of Hebrews writes in regard to the full assurance of our faith declaring, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 KJV)  The two most important words in this verse, to me, are “CONFIDENCE” and “PATIENCE” and both of them contain an element of cheerfulness within their practice! 

According to Wuest’s Word Studies, CONFIDENCE means, “freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, and assurance."  While Strong’s defines PATIENCE as “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance or constancy”

So, from these two verses alone, you can understand the importance of holding on to and demonstrating your faith with a cheerful attitude and happy demeanor in the midst of difficult times.  In my simple way of thinking… God in His Word, is clearly telling us to live our faith with a smile on our faces!  This may sound like a cliché… but I can’t tell you how many times a person’s frown turned upside down after their eyes traveled from Piper in her wheelchair, up to the smile on my face as I pushed her into a doctor’s waiting room, down the aisle in a store or on the sidewalk as we walked around our neighborhood!

I believe in living my faith on my sleeve… and in doing so, help to encourage others and… uphold the legacy of faith that Piper demonstrated throughout her life.

How about you?

Have a great rest of the week, and as you do… do it CHEERFULLY while EXPECTING God’s best in your life!

More Thankfulness

I can’t seem to break away from my study of, and actions taken, in thinking about and singing melodies of thankfulness to God.  When Fiver and I snuck out of the house for a walk between thunderstorms this morning, I couldn’t help but to continue in what has become a daily ritual of thanking God.  As we briskly stepped to the park, I thought anew about my life and how blessed I have been.

After planting a Celeste Fig tree in my backyard yesterday afternoon, I came in the house to cool off and recharge.  So, I grabbed my thermos of ice water and sat down in my office… careful not to let my wet T-shirt soak the chair, kicked up my feet on the desk and stared at my picture filled wall. 

As I enjoyed all the memories that those pictures represented, I began to focus my thoughts on the truly unique and close relationship that Piper and I always enjoyed.  We were both dreamers and adventures with a pioneering spirit about us.  I thought back about all the fun and crazy things that we did, how we tended to regularly be on the same page of thought and actions, and of how differently we responded to many of the challenges in life than other members of our extended families did.

I found myself thanking God that we hardly seemed to face many of the difficulties in our relationship that I see many couples around me dealing with.  I loved and therefore trusted her and she loved and therefore trusted me.  I John 4:18 in The Message Bible describes the God-kind of love saying, “There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life— (ie;) fear of death, fear of judgement (and/or the fear of sickness, fear of missing out, fear of not having enough finances, the fear of not being good enough or accepted by others, the fear of not being in control, etc…) —is one not yet fully formed in love.”  

The God’s Word translation tells us that, “No fear exists where love is…”  The Bible in Basic English states, “There is no fear in love: true love has no room for fear…” and I am thankful for that is the type of love that Piper and I worked diligently to attain and then keep strong in our marriage.  The next verse perfectly sums up God’s plan for His love to work in our lives.  My personalized version of I John 4:19 in The Passion Translation would state that “Our ability to love (God, others and ourselves) and to know love (God’s toward us and to others, as well as ours to God) is a grateful response to the love that God first demonstrated to us.”

You see, God set the benchmark and all we have to do is follow the lead that Jesus demonstrated during His 33 years on this earth.  It’s really as simple as that!  Situations and circumstances in life will do their best to throw a wrench into our lives and challenge our faith, but don’t allow them to swerve you off the track of His LOVE working in, for and through you. 

All these adverse situations and circumstances are filled with and driven by the enemy of our faith’s only weapon… and that is FEAR!  Therefore, as we keep our eyes on God’s perfect LOVE working in our lives, the fear will diminish and allow the answers to the needs at hand, to come forth in our lives.  And that my dear friends… is the demonstration of GOD’s LOVE in ACTION!

As I thought about my staring at the myriad of pictures on my study walls today, I found myself thanking God once again, for His perfect LOVE working in mine and Piper’s life over the 48 years of our relationship… and to know that although Piper’s is no longer in the picture of my life… that God and His LOVE still is!  NOW that’s something to be thankful for, wouldn’t you agree?

What many things are YOU thankful for today?  Is the perfect LOVE of God working in, for and through YOU one of them?

Have a terrific week, and as you do… keep EXPECTING God’s best… and then thank Him for it all!

♪ Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise! ♫

As I was heading to my local Super Walmart this morning, I couldn’t help but to sing a song of THANKFULNESS to our God for His goodness to me.  When I drove out of my neighborhood and past the Casey’s General Store (gas, groceries and pizza to go restaurant) just up the road, I asked the Lord to cause me to be a blessing to someone today. 

Once in the store, I found myself quietly humming simple Christian choruses… mostly ones that Piper had written for our Children’s Ministry classes and Vacation Bible Schools over the years.  While we had both written songs for the ministry, Piper had the knack to keep hers very simple, very catchy, very praiseful and very memorable, while I tended to lean toward funny songs that told a story!

I’m not sure if it was just me or not, but most people seemed friendlier today.  I tend to smile and say hello or start up a conversation with people I pass in the aisles and today received many smiles, nods and hellos.  Since I didn’t buy many things, I went through the self-checkout.  At one point I typed in the wrong number for a pair of sweet yellow peppers that I had bought so the head cashier watching over the front end of the store came over to correct my mistake.  I kind of know her a little as we have talked on previous occasions and this time was no different.

I got her to smile and laugh a little and then when I walked out, she went out of her way, with a big smile, to tell me to have a great day to which I returned the greeting and once again, thanked her for helping me out.  Once on the way home, I enjoyed the scenery along the way.  One of the roads that I normally take was closed in an area where there is new construction going on, so I got to discover a new road to my home that was surrounded by beautiful green fields and a mixture of old home and new sub-divisions. 

I never thought I’d hear myself saying it… but Oklahoma is really beautiful in its own right.  It may not be the mountains, hills and ocean that I was used to in Northern California, but Oklahoma’s open prairies, beautiful grasses, trees, multitude of lakes and far less ostentatious and laid-back way of life is becoming more and more enjoyable to me.

I spent most of the day yesterday with our youngest daughter and their two kids and had a blast.  In the midst of one of our conversations, my daughter and I were talking about what blessed lives we have had.  That truth helps me to be assured that God still has good things for me today, in this new chapter of my life... without Piper at my side.  And it was with those encouraging thoughts that I began to PRAISE the Lord and THANK Him for His goodness toward me as I drove home from my grocery excursion at Walmart this morning.

Similarly, the Psalmist also encourages us in Psalm 95:1-7 saying,

“Come, let's sing joyfully to the LORD. Let's shout happily to the rock of our salvation.  Let's come into his presence with a song of thanksgiving. Let's shout happily to him with psalms.  The LORD is a great God and a great king above all gods.  In his hand are the deep places of the earth, and the mountain peaks are his.  The sea is his. He made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  Come, let's worship and bow down. Let's kneel in front of the LORD, our maker, because he is our God and we are the people in his care, the flock that he leads...”  (God’s Word ©)

How PRAISEFUL and THANKFUL are you for all that the Lord has done for you in your life?  Wouldn’t RIGHT NOW be a great time to start lifting up words of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING to Him?  If you don’t want to shout it out like the Psalmist suggested, then how about singing some simple choruses of THANKSGIVING unto Him.  And if that’s not comfortable… than you could simply HUM them like I did in the store today.  I literally walked from one side of the store in the grocery section, all the way to the opposite end where the garden department is, HUMMING Piper’s simple songs of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING… and it was wonderful! 

Ah… come on!  I bet that you have at least ONE favorite hymn or PRAISE and Worship song that you like!  Set your inhibitions aside and Hum a song for Him… and to Him.  I bet you’ll end up really enjoying it, feeling better and best of all… feeling closer to Him!

Have a great day, and as you do… keep EXPECTING His best for your life… while singing or humming a song of PRAISE and/or THANKSGIVING to Him!

FLAG DAY

When I looked up to my “America’s Backroads” calendar hanging above my desk in the study this morning, I took special note that today is FLAG DAY!  I got into the habit years ago of hand-picking a pictorial calendar for my desk at work, that would help me to be drawn into the majesty of our country’s dramatic landscapes and temporarily transport my thoughts away from the pressure of the job!  For most of those years it was the sweeping and panoramic views of trains crossing America in the “Trains” calendar put out by Trains Magazine.  This year though, I felt that a change was needed so, after much deliberation, I purchased a 2021 calendar portraying “America’s Backroads.”  Therefore, my first view of FLAG DAY today, was seen from a dirt road in the beautiful country found in Gillespie County, Texas!

The patriotic thought of FLAG DAY inspired me to jump up out of my desk chair, grab our flag and hang it in the new flag holder that I had purchased and installed in the front yard last summer.  I can’t help but to get the chills every time I raise the flag over my yard.  Maybe I’m a bit old fashioned, but I am still moved by the sight of Old Glory… and just like I began each and every school day as an Elementary student at both St Rose and later St Eugene’s Parochial Schools, I stood at attention on my front porch and proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I have been more-than-bothered over the last few years as an increasing number of political leaders, schools, and civic leaders as well, have voiced the desire to stop the daily recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance in our schools, teach that respect for our flag is somehow racist, and want to remove the phrase “Under God” from the official wording of the pledge... declaring that the words “Under God” were added in 1954.  But if one were to take the minute or two it takes to check the record, they would note that the very first Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1887 by a veteran of the Civil War, Captain George T. Balch, gave thanksgiving, respect and honor to God for our once-again united nation by declaring, “We give our heads and hearts to God and our country; one country, one language, one flag!”*

Well, I for one have to agree with Captain Balch because I can’t think about the majesty of our Flag that so brightly, brashly and colorfully represents our country here in the USA… without giving all the glory and honor for it to the Lord God Almighty.  I have had the pleasure of physically living on both coasts of our nation, as well as my current residence pretty close to right smack in the middle of it!  Each part of it gorgeous in its own right with its unique landscapes, history, culture, people and attitudes.  Being the offspring of a proud New York raised and bred Mother and an equally proud West Coast Father, kind of gave me and my siblings a multifaceted look on life and how our differences make us stronger.

When I step out the door each day for my dog’s and my morning walk, I can’t help but take a moment to thank the Lord for the neighborhood where I live, as well as to thank Him for the beauty of His majesty that He wants to show me as we walk.  But it is not just the physical beauty of these United States that I am thankful for, but the way the Lord uses His family of Christian individuals to spread His grace, His peace, His Love, and His power to bring inner healing, strength and beauty to our co-citizens of this great land.

I have heard stories over the years told by people who to be honest… don’t really know what they are talking about when it comes to the Christian foundation of our country as well as to their disdain of the Christian religion as a whole… but that is the first mistake they make, for Christianity isn’t a religion but a relationship between mankind and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Those without that relationship… which Jesus died to make available to all mankind… Don’t… and actually… can’t understand the grace, peace, love and power that He brings into a person’s life.  To put it very plainly… those individuals have bought into a lie.

The Apostle Peter saw that same phenomenon in his time when he wrote, what was thought to be his last letter before his martyrdom, to the believers of his time that were literally scattered all over the known world.  In speaking of the Gospel message that he and the other Apostles taught, he stated, “When we apostles told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we didn't base our message on clever myths that we made up. Rather, we witnessed his majesty with our own eyes.  (2 Peter 1:16 God’s Word ©) 

He was basically saying that these people who twist the truth and make up lies about our country and our God “Come a Day Late and a Dollar Short!”  Peter said, I’ve personally witnessed the majesty of our God.  And I bet that many, if not most of you could also speak that same truth when it comes to witnessing the majesty of God in your own lives… I KNOW that Piper and I sure could!

And like I said… I can’t help but compare the similarities of the majesty and beauty of our country with the beauty and majesty of God, our Father!  Am I saying that our country is perfect?  Not At All… but we definitely have a solid foundation of Christian principles to continually look at in order to guide us through the rough periods of our history.  I guess the one BIG difference between the majesty of our country and the majesty of our God on High… is that while we in these United States are continually growing and many times learning from our imperfect ways… what we DO HAVE is a PERFECT God whose majesty will lead us, and guide us until we see Jesus come again to take we, His church home!

Have a great day celebrating our American FLAG and everything GOOD that it stands for… and as you do, keep expecting God’s best for your life.

 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

That Guy or That Gal!

Oh My Gosh!  When I opened the door to take Fiver out front for his morning walk… THEY WERE THERE!  We had GIANTS in the neighborhood.  The big red monsters with their army of bright green camouflaged riders were being disgorged from their enclosed transports and began to roam feely throughout the neighborhood… and with only moments to spare, I yanked back the leash on the dog and miraculously slammed the door shut just before they could get to us!

Well… at least that is how I imagined that Fiver saw the dreaded lawn care guys as they fired up their big professional riding lawnmowers and began their assault on the large extent of grassy commons area between us and the gold course.  The young guys running the equipment are actually very nice and always go way out of their way to keep their distance when they spot Fiver and I on our morning walks on the commons.  But just the same… Fiver gets very spooked and anxious when he even gets the slightest idea of their presence in our neighborhood.

They usually come on Friday’s so I was taken by surprise when they showed up today.  But I know my dog and realized that although he would be upset that we COULD’NT go on our walk… that he'd be more miserable if we DID go out amongst the noisy machinery. 

So… I decided that I needed to be “That Guy” and make the tough decision to close the door and opt instead, for some ball-tossing in the protection and confines of our fenced backyard!

I had begun to think about what it means to be “That Guy” in my daily life, earlier in the morning, when I read from Psalm 37:23 in my King James Bible.  In “this Psalm of David, (which is) rightly considered one of the most beautiful written by him,”* David declares that “The steps of a ‘good’ man (ie; mankind) are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” 

My attention was aroused as I began to study out the verse, when I noticed that the word “good” in this version is italicized, meaning that it was added by the interpreters to best complete the original writer’s train of thought.  But the more commentaries that I read, the more I became aware that the interpreters for the King James Version missed it with this verse.  Both Finis Dake and Adam Clarke summed it up best by explaining that, “There is nothing for (the word) good in the text. גבר geber is the original word, and it properly signifies a strong man, a conqueror or hero;”

Therefore, the better interpretation of this verse would read that “The steps of a STRONG man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.”  In my way of thinking, the use of STRONG instead of GOOD better defines and clarifies the way or lifestyle that the Lord wants His children… we Christians… to live our lives within the authority that Christ provided for us through His death, burial, resurrection and subsequent ascension to the right hand of the throne of God in heaven.  The Abarim Publications’ Biblical Dictionary explains that,

“The verb גבר (gabar) means to be strong or mighty or to prevail. Noun גבר (geber) is one of a few words for man, perhaps comparable to our words "guy" or "dude". Adjective or noun גבור (gibbor) means mighty or strong or valiant man. Noun גבורה (gebura) means strength or might. Noun גביר (gebir) refers to an alpha male: a lord or master, and the feminine equivalents are גבירה (gebira) and גברת (geberet), mistress (ie; a woman in a position of authority or control**) or queen.

So, according to that definition of the original Hebrew word used in this verse… It is pretty obvious, when it comes to walking in the truth and promises that are included within the BENEFITS*** of our salvation, that God is calling on us to be THAT GUY or THAT GAL in our daily lives!

There are a couple of lines in the 2007 movie “Live Free or Die Hard” where the two main characters discuss what it means to be “That Guy,” which in their case, was the one who puts aside his fears and does whatever he has to do in order to be a hero when the bad situations in life come to us.  At the end of the movie the brave policeman looks at his new friend, who finally overcame his fears and helped to save the policeman’s daughter, and says with a pause and a smile, “You were That Guy!”  - and then threatens the young man to NOT even think about dating his daughter!

I never even considered it at the time… but I heard that small still voice deep inside of me this morning say, “You were “That Guy” for Piper, when she needed you the most…”

I firmly believe that this verse and many others throughout our Bibles, are a reoccurring theme and directive of the Lord for all Christians.  I believe that He is calling each of us… both you and me to be “THAT GUY” or “THAT GAL” in the way that we live our lives, in the way we believe in the truth of His Word and in the way that we reach out to others with an encouraging word, a phone call, a visit, a warm meal, a simple smile and with acts of Christian love and assistance to others in need.

Be aware though… in our world today… this way of life is coming more and more under attack.  Many people don’t like STRONG GUYS or STRONG GALS… (ie; those of us who are actively STRONG and outspoken in our convictions of faith!)  I experienced it first hand when I was taking care of Piper… and I still see it rearing its ugly head today!

But… as far as I am concerned, I’d much rather be “THAT GUY” for the Lord and His standards, than a blinded follower of the world’s convoluted standards… WOULD YOU?

Have a great day today!  Enjoy life and ENJOY being “THAT GUY” or “THAT GAL” in your Christian beliefs and lifestyle of faith… God’s approval is really all that matters!

… and through it all… Keep EXPECTING God’s best for your life!

 

*Dr. Kretzmann’s Popular Commentary – written between 1921-1924 - http://kretzmannproject.org/

**Oxford Online Dictionaries https://www.bing.com/search?q=mistress%20def&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=mistress%20def&sc=0-12&sk=&cvid=35BE7FF0B2D244CCA86E13B8385C4FBD

***Refer to a couple of my past posts “The Ultimate Sacrifice” (6/31/21) and “Accessing Your Benefits” (6/2/21) for a discussion on our BENEFITS as a Christian.

Energy

 energy

[ˈenərjē]

NOUN

1.     the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity.

synonyms:

vitality · vigor · life · liveliness · animation · vivacity · spirit · spiritedness · fire · 

·       (energies)

a person's physical and mental powers, typically as applied to a particular task or activity.

 

Yesterday was an interesting day.  For most of it, I felt like I had very little ENERGY.  On our morning walk, I noticed that I didn’t just feel tired, but spent…if that makes sense.  As we turned to walk down the berm around the neighborhood pond and head home, I had to make a conscious decision that we could do this and make it back.  I’m thankful that it was a beautiful day with only a light breeze and that Fiver was very cooperative and not wanting to pull off course to sniff every wild scent that floated across his nose!

Once home, I thought that the better discretion would be to take it easy for the rest of the day and not trim my boxwoods in the front yard.  So, that is what I endeavored to do.  I even sat down for about an hour and read a book… which is something I NEVER do during the day!  By late afternoon, I was feeling good, barbequed a steak on my Weber and then sat down for dinner and a little TV. 

But… Then I made the mistake to watch a Hallmark movie!  The movie itself was fine but when it came to the end with the gal looking at her special guy with THAT LOOK of affection all over her face… well… you guessed it… my emotional plane crashed and began to burn! 

As I glanced from the TV to some pictures of Piper, hanging on the wall next to it… I suddenly realized just how much I miss THAT LOOK in her eyes… toward me.  And even though in the course of her long deteriorating illness, it’s probably been about ten years since I really saw that heartfelt look in her eyes… I still realized how much that it ALWAYS meant to me, how wonderful it was to be loved by someone else and to have that special, giving relationship and bond with another individual that is TOTALLY unique to any other relationship with anyone else. 

…and I noticed, when I turned out the living room lights a little while after that and headed to the bedroom, that I was suddenly feeling pretty spent again. 

I had an extra early wakeup call this morning around 4:00, with the booms of thunder and the dog whimpering next to the bed.  So, I was a bit bleary eyed when I sat down in my study with a hot cup of coffee in my hand a little earlier than normal.  But then an interesting transformation began to happen in me as I opened up my Bible and read from the beginning of Hebrews 4:12 where the writer notated that, “God's word is living and active…” (God’s Word ©)

A quick click of my mouse in my Bible Study program switched translations and I couldn’t help but smile when The Passion Translation seemed to hit home declaring, “For we have the living Word of God, which is full of ENERGY…”  And, let me tell you… if anyone needed ENERGY at that moment, it was me… and I must admit… THAT I GOT IT!

With a surge of excitement, I started clicking through more translations on my computer and then jumped up and pulled a few of the older and more obscure Bible versions that I have on my bookshelves in the study.  All in all, I ended up looking through at least twenty other translations to learn whatever unique thoughts that other Biblical scholars had when translating this verse to fit their perspective generations.

The one that seemed to perfectly sum up the purpose of this verse was the S. Way, 1906 edition of “The Letters of St Paul to the Seven Churches and three Friends with the Letter to the Hebrews” where Paul stated that “God’s Word, on which I base my argument, is not a thing of the past nor something external to us; it is still living; it is instinct with ENERGY”

…and what I noticed as I got immersed in the Word this morning… was that… I was suddenly filled with ENERGY!  Wow! 

That realization got me to thinking of how it was His supernatural ENERGY that is innate to the Word of God, that empowered me to push through the times of exhaustion that I had to deal with when caring for Piper, 24/7 for the last eight years of her earthly presence.  It was the Word of God that I verbally confessed at night after putting her to bed, or during those precious times studying the Word each morning, along with all the scriptures I read to Piper and the scripture-based books we read every day that propelled me to do whatever needed to be done at any time day or night.

Then… as I began to think about it… I recalled how many of the folks who had the hardest times dealing with Piper’s declining health… always seemed to be tired and/or lacking ENERGY.  Their repeated excuses for not being able to visit or call Piper was that they were either “too tired” or “too busy.” 

Hummm… I’m not in a position to judge… but do you think that maybe they didn’t spend quality time in the Word and thereby lacked the added ENERGY required to put themselves into an uncomfortable position of facing Piper’s visible decline?  That would also explain their surprising lack of faith when it came to agreeing with us in our stand for Piper’s and my needs to be met during that time… after all… Romans 10:17 does tell us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (EMTV)

So, like I said… Hummmm… There does seem to be a correlation between our intake of God’ anointed Word and our physical levels of ENERGY.  I’ve experienced in the past… and continue to experience it today! 

How About You?

It’s definitely something to consider… wouldn’t you agree?  Have a great new week, and as you do… keep EXPECTING God to ENERGIZE you through your study of His Word… and in your EXPECTATION of His best for you… TODAY!

What's Your Vision?

My wife and I watched an interesting program about the forests of North Carolina last night as dinner was cooking.  In the course of the documentary, I was pleased to learn that the forests of our new home constitute approximately 58% of the land mass.  This high percentage of forest lands is unique in that there are only three or four other states in the Union that can boast of a percentage higher than 50%. 

In point of fact, it was the seemingly endless groves of Longleaf Pine that drew early settlers to the state.  North Carolina quickly became the largest producer and supplier of navel stores in the world.  These supplies which consisted mainly of tar, pitch and turpentine, supplied many needs for the vast fleet of wooden sailing vessels of the British Empire.

I had to giggle a bit as I watched the show and began to nod my head while I called over to my wife exclaiming: “See there is another example of God leading us to the right place at the right time!”  He knows how much my wife and I love being out in the forest, enjoying the beautiful trees, abundant wildlife and the peace that it fills us with as we listen to the wind flowing through the trees that seem to call out with the sounds, smells and life of God’s creation!

One of my favorite things to do since moving here, is to step out on the back deck, stare off into the forested areas next to and behind our property and simply absorb what I see and hear.  This has been one of the most wonderful ways to relieve the stress of our situation and turn my thoughts from the battle at hand and begin to praise God for all that He has and continues to do for us!  I guess you could say that it quickly changes my focus from the natural to the super-natural!

I was reminded of all this once again this morning as I took the dog out for his morning constitutional.  The warm damp morning air aroused my senses and God’s peace over-took any anxiety, as I took in the bright greens exploding from the trees and the climbing bushes growing up the low fence in our yard.  When I returned to the dining room table and began my Bible Study, I found myself singing:

♪“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

  Look full in His wonderful face,

  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

  In the light of His glory and grace.”♫

                                       (Helen H. Lemmel, 1918)

 

Then at the completion of the chorus, I could not help but smile again and thank the good Lord for His extraordinary care for us over the last seven to ten years.  I learned pretty quickly at the beginning of this walk of faith, that I could not depend on people, but had to diligently assert my consciousness and focus onto God and the truth of His Word.  And that effort has not abated since those first couple of years after we returned home to California following Bible College in Oklahoma

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that: “We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith…” (God’s Word ©)  Well, let me tell you, as that old Western Airlines commercial used to say, “It’s the only way to fly!”  I find that I am constantly re-adjusting my focus from what I am seeing with my eyes or the pain I am reeling from in my heart, to the truth of God’s Word.  In fact, while praying for Piper this morning, I began to agree with Jesus as He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane asking Him to “Sanctify or separate Piper in Thy truth, for Thy Word is truth.”  (John 17:17 KJV – personalized)

Sanctify or separate her from what?  From the lies of sickness and disease and the ravages of what I see happening in her body and mind.  What better to focus on than the truth, spirit and power of His Word which is working to perfect a healing and a cure in her… rather than the lies of the enemy of our souls who “cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”.  I choose instead, to focus on the Lord Jesus who comes so that we “might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV personalized)

So, what will you focus on today?  Will it be what you may be seeing or experiencing that is contrary to what the Word of God says?  Or - will you “Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face?”  What answer do you really seek?  What LIGHT will you turn your attention to this day? 

I suggest your separation from the symptoms and darkness of death… to the LIGHT of His Word where you’ll see “The things of this world grow strangely dim, in the LIGHT of His glory and grace!”

Have a great weekend, and as you do, keep asking yourself… “Who’s LIGHT am I expecting to seek for and follow today?”