It's No Coincidence

 

co·in·ci·dence

[kəʊˈɪn(t)sɪd(ə)n(t)s]

noun

coincidence (noun)

coincidences (plural noun)

co-incidence (noun)

co-incidences (plural noun)

1.     a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection:

 

 

I had to laugh earlier this morning as I read the portion of the Christmas Story from Luke chapter 2, when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple in order to present Him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice as prescribed by the Law.  As they entered into the temple courtyard an older man approached them and Luke writes:

“Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courtyard. Mary and Joseph were bringing the child Jesus into the courtyard at the same time. They brought Him so that they could do for Him what Moses’ Teachings required.  Then Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God…”

The picture of Simeon walking up to the couple and taking the child in his arms set off a flurry of memories of when my wife and I initially walked into the Baptist church we attended, proudly carrying our week old, first-born child Josh.  You have to understand here, that Piper had been raised in that church and was well known and respected by just about everyone.  When I started attending the church with her as a senior in high school, it became very evident to me that Piper was “the little darling” of the church.  It was like she was good friends with everyone in the congregation… be they old or young!

Then when we were married, we almost immediately were asked to take over the youth ministry and became very visible to the congregation in that position.  It was like we lived the first five years of our marriage progressively in front of them.  Therefore, when we walked in on that Sunday morning, we were seen as family by just about everyone… and you guessed it… everyone seemed to think that our baby was their baby and could hold him whenever and as long as they wanted!

But… even though they felt like they knew and loved us…They had not considered (nor yet met) wise, sensitive to the Spirit, and very protective Mama Piper!  She was very selective as to whom she would let hold the baby (as she was with all four of our kids in their infancies) and kept a watchful eye when the child was in someone else’s arms besides her own or mine!

So… when Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms without a recorded word from either Mary or Joseph, it was pretty clear to me, that Mary, like Piper, either sensed God’s anointing on the man, or that she was already familiar and comfortable with him.

I also laughed… or maybe it was more of a light-hearted “Ah-Ha!” when I finished that part of Jesus’ story at the temple, that also included their meeting with the Prophetess Anna who spoke about Jesus and His eventual ministry to Isreal.  What caught my attention there was that her meeting with Mary, Joseph and the baby, similarly to Simeon’s, was not a coincidence, but a divinely planned event.  After Luke gives us a little background information on Anna he wrote,

“At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.” (Luke 2:36-38 n- God’s Word ©) 

The “Ah-Ha!” slipped out of my mouth because a light went on in my brain as I recalled all the other divinely planned or orchestrated events that had also taken place previous to these at the temple.  From the very beginning of the Christmas Story from Zechariah, to Mary, to Elizabeth and to Joseph, as well as all the supporting cast, we see God’s hand as he masterfully puts people, places and various resources together in order to deliver both the message and the Messenger of His plan of salvation for mankind on this earth.

I couldn’t help but smile, as I too, have learned through many personal experiences, the ways in which God responds to our EXPECTANT faith in Him and His Word.  Like with each of the characters in the Christmas Story and then throughout history since then… a history that most definitely includes both you and me… we can repeatedly see the way that God supernaturally puts people, places and things (ie; resources) together in behalf of those of us who live our individual lives in EXPECTANT faith in Christ and His anointed Word of TRUTH!

So… When I gain revelation knowledge and personal understanding of a truth in God’s Word and then stand on that truth for a need in my life, I can stay excited about His promised results because I continually keep my heart and my mind on the EXPECTATION of God bringing together whatever people, places and/or resources that my be needed… for His Word to be manifested in the fulfillment of my need.

What do you think about that?  Is that how you walk in your daily life… I sure hope so… because for me… the WOW FACTOR of God putting things together for me…

NEVER GETS OLD!

Isn’t God Good!  I pray that you are in the midst of the very best Christmas/Holiday season in your life… so far!

So, stay EXCITED!  Stay EXPECTANT! and stay WATCHFUL! for God’s personal involvement in everything you do!

Christmas Miracles… all year long!

Well, it looks like we won’t be experiencing a white Christmas this year… although it’s definitely been cold enough to produce snow… if it were to rain!  But alas, we may have cloud cover, but them clouds have no moisture in them… which to my California temperature gauge, is a good thing!  I’m not sure if I’ll ever enjoy the snow for more than one day… for the entire winter season!

Fiver and I are slowly acclimating to our new home city and state and little things like knowing how to get to the grocery stores are finally becoming second nature to me.  I’ve been enjoying going to Kroger again like Piper and I used to do in North Carolina.  I still go to Walmart on occasion, but Kroger is closer and it reminds me of the Raley’s that we frequented back home in Santa Rosa.

Apartment living has taken some adjusting to… but it is nice to not have to think about repairs, leaking roofs and mowing lawns… even though I’ve always enjoyed the outdoor tasks.  Fiver and I have developed a daily walk schedule and are getting to know the various areas of the large and nicely landscaped apartment homes, complete with additional amenities like a workout room, swimming pool, a trash valet service and park-like picnic areas with gas BBQ’s, tables and mood lighting strategically placed throughout the gated community.

And now that we are in the midst of the Christmas season, there are many balconies and front porches (on the ground level apartments) that, like mine on the third floor, are adorned with holiday lights, festive decorated and lit trees, garland and some with inflatable seasonal Ho! Ho! Ho! Characters!

And speaking of Christmas… I couldn’t help but to notice as I have been revisiting and studying the Biblical Christmas story found in Luke chapters one and two, that our heavenly Father sure had MIRACLES on His mind as He sent His messenger angel Gabriel to the earth in order to introduce the world to His Good News plan of salvation.

It would seem that God desired to present the Gospel message and it’s coming Messenger… with the expectation of CREATIVE MIRACLES and then… when THE Messenger left to return to His rightful position in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God… some 33 years later… He specifically left the message of Good News in the hands of us Believers… with the expectation of CREATIVE MIRACLES coming through the words of THE Messenger that we would speak to the people around us in our individual lives, incorporating our families, neighborhoods, jobs, schools, the stores we frequent and anywhere else our daily adventures would lead us!

Following her life-changing, CREATIVE MIRACLE encounter with the words of God that the angel spoke, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who had previously received another life-changing CREATIVE MIRACLE with words of God that the angel had spoken to her.  As soon as she entered into her cousin’s home, Elizabeth, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit that had filled her,

“said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have… And blessed is she that BELIEVED for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”  (God’s Word © - KJV)

When you look at their experiences through the eyes of God’s plan for CREATIVE MIRACLES to be attached to His Word, it is easy to see how both Mary and Elizabeth were the predecessors to Jesus’ Great Commission as recorded at the end of Matthew 28 and Mark 16… and summarized in Mark 16:20 where Mark… from his first-hand experience, wrote what he saw back then and prophesized over the ever-growing church saying,

“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen.” (KJV)

Like Elizabeth spoke over Mary, Jesus made it clear (and confirmed by Mark in the verse above) that God’s CREATIVE MIRACLES (or signs) would “follow them that believe.” (Mark 16:17 -KJV) But please note that when Jesus spoke of “them that BELIEVE”, He was not just talking about any believer… but a believer that is actively BELIEVING in FAITH (as per Mark 11:24 and Hebrews 11:1)

So… with the celebration of Christmas occurring in just a few days, I would encourage all of us to look anew at the Biblical story of the coming of the Lord on that first Christmas… through the understanding and power of God’s CREATIVE MIRACLES that are present in His Words that we can speak into a world that desperately needs some!

Remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”  (Hebrews 13:8 – KJV) AND… if He was expectant of His CREATIVE MIRACLES changing the world back then… then, as the verse states… He is still expecting it today… and they occur when WE speak out HIS Word in Faith and expect a miracle!

Familiarity

Today’s Reading:  Isaiah 7:14 / Luke 1:26-38

 

Today’s society tends to look at the teenage years as a time to fear.  To many it is looked upon as “The Rebellious Years,” or as a time of experimentation.  It is the one phase of the child rearing years that many parents dread and pray that they have the endurance to make it through with their kids.  As one who has had the honor of working closely with and ministering to youth in the local church throughout my life, as well as actively participating in the upbringing of our own four kids, I look at those experiencing life as a 12- to 18-year-old with a different set of glasses!

I see these youth as older kids who suddenly find themselves in an in-between time where they are no longer children, but yet not quite adults.  Their bodies are changing, and they are beginning to have the capabilities to think about and comprehend the world and everything they have ever known with a whole new set of comprehensive and abstract tools.  Then on top of everything else, their emotions seem to be on a rollercoaster ride as they are going through this physical, mental, spiritual and emotional upheaval!  With everything happening in them, it is no surprise for me to see some of our youth dressed in black from head to toe, with hair in multicolored shades of red or blue, with a new vocabulary that seems to only include about half a dozen words, or with body piercing and/or tattoos in a wide array of locations on their bodies!

Yes, they are experimenting and testing the waters of life.  Yes, they are looking to find out who they really are and what they really believe and yes, they are testing those around them, those they love and befriend in order to find out just how really loved and accepted they are to them.  In my experience, I have come to realize that our youth are a product of the environment that they have been raised in, and underneath it all, that they are looking for the same securities that we adults seek in our lives.

In our story today, we see the angel Gabriel coming on the scene again as he appears to a young teenage girl with a message that could turn her world upside down!  It is interesting for me to see that there is no record of her physical features or dress.  The only description that is given is that she was “a virgin” who was “highly favored.” (Luke 1:26-28)  Have you ever thought about Mary’s appearance?  What if she wore a nose ring like Rachel the revered wife of Isaac who was one of the Patriarchs of her Jewish faith?  (See Genesis 24:22)  It would seem that God only looked upon the qualities of her heart and not on the sight of how she dressed, her hair style or the jewelry she might have worn.

What we do see as our story unfolds though, is that this young girl, who was most likely between the ages of 12–15, knew the prophecies, knew the faithfulness of her God, and was very confident and yet humble to accept and pursue whatever responsibility was given to her from Him.  When Gabriel appeared to her, she was not overtaken with fear as we saw with her uncle’s experience six months previous to this event.  I believe that the reaction that caused her to be “startled by what the angel said” and her question “How can this be?” (Luke 1:29 & 34) was simply the inquisitive request of an innocent young girl wanting to know how it would happen.  She did not ask for a sign and never doubted that it was from God, or that she could handle the calling!  Her reply to the angel’s explanation was a straightforward affirmation of: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word…”  (Luke 1:38 KJV)

Nowhere do we find any recorded thoughts of “Can I do this?  Am I good enough or able to accomplish this task?  What if I fail?” or “What will my family, friends and relatives think?” and maybe most importantly, “What will my husband to be think?”  I am positive that Mary’s home environment perfectly prepared her for this all-important role in God’s plan for our salvation.  She never flinched, but jumped whole heartedly into this sudden and totally unexpected turn in her life!

Once again, how would you respond to such a dramatic turn of events in your life?  Would you have the same simple confidence, zeal and freedom to let go and let God as this young teenage girl exemplified?  This short story has many things for us to consider this Christmas season.  For instance, how we look at others and how we look at ourselves.  It implores us to examine the depth of our unyielding trust in our heavenly Father, and maybe even the difference between how God looks at teenagers compared to how we view them.  This could be an advantageous time to grab a sheet of blank paper and begin to jot down some personal notes as thoughts on these questions arise within you.  It might just be the beginnings of a whole new way you look at life’s assignments, at other people and at yourself!

Have a wonderful day!  Stay in tune to His Word, and ask yourself… “Would I, like Mary, reply to God’s assignments by declaring, ‘Be it done unto me according to they word’?”

New Assignments

My return to the online cyberspace may not be a big surprise to many of you… But it was to me… Hummm… well… not really, because besides trying to get settled in my new home state of Tennessee, I have been secretly working on a brand-new blog with a somewhat familiar name but with a new theme and direction that will flow in sync with this unfamiliar but yet exciting NEW SEASON of my life!

I won’t tell you much about it here or in the next few posts, except with some teases and the hope to have the initial blog site up by the beginning of the new year!  Eventually the blog site will include study notes and more… and intertwine with my lifelong passion for black and white photography. 

To kick-start my desire to further explore my love for writing, photography and ministry, I even purchased a new laptop within weeks of my arrival in my new home here in Mt Juliet, in middle Tennessee… and I’m still learning the use of the new software, upgraded operating system (my old computer was outdated and not supported anymore!) and all the unfamiliar bells and whistles that come with the new model and brand.  But, I am also enjoying having my oldest daughter and her computer genius engineer husband just down the hill, within walking distance for my faithful pooch Fiver and I in our apartment complex.  And my older son and his family only live about 5 to 10 minutes away as well.

As it turns out, my apartment is a fair amount smaller than I thought it would be.  So… moving in and getting settled turned out to be a much longer and difficult scenario than in past moves.  Suffice to say that the majority of my furniture and boxes of ‘stuff’ reside in a storage unit about 15 minutes from my new residence. 

But I really can’t complain, for once I got it all figured out… my third-floor apartment in the building at the top of the hill in the nicely appointed complex, is actually quite livable.  I even have a pleasant view of the surrounding area of the more country area of Mt Juliet and the smaller town of Lebanon in the distance to the southeast of my balcony.  Oh… and did I mention rolling hills and small mountains on the edge of the horizon?  That alone was worth ALL the time and effort I put into this move!

I must say though, it is really good to be back in the real South again.  As I experience Tennessee and its people, I find the recollections of my past tend to bypass the six years in Oklahoma and slide right back to our special time in North Carolina.  In fact, it’s hard not to as the accents, stores, history and overall feel of the two states are almost inseparable!

Before I sign off, I just wanted to mention one point that jumped off the page at me as I started re-reading the Christmas story yesterday… beginning with Luke chapter one.  I quickly caught on to the undergirding command that went with both the assignments that the angel Gabriel brought from God to the priest Zacharias and then to the young teenage Mary.  From the very beginning he set the mood as he seemed to command the atmosphere in the room, looked them straight in the eyes and said “Don’t be afraid!”  (Luke 1:13 & 30 – God’s Word ©)

And I immediately caught on and understood what the Lord was trying to say to me, here in Tennessee a few thousand years later… and maybe to you as well, wherever you may live and in the midst of any situation that you might find yourself in.

Simply stated, “Don’t Be Afraid!”

I moved here to Tennessee with the heart-felt understanding that God had a NEW ASSIGNMENT for me.  It’s in a brand-new location, in a place that for the first time in almost 50 years, my late, beloved wife and I have not nor will not form memories together as covenant life and ministry partners.  In some respects, you could say that for the first time since my early high school years… I’m on my own again.  But not really, as I have our very supportive, older two children and their families close by and they have repeatedly let me know that they are available to help me with any assistance I may need.

So yea, It could be very scary for me… and I would be amiss if I was to say that I haven’t been tempted to participate in a pity party or two… but inside I am assured, as with every other direction or leading that the Lord has given me throughout my life… that this NEW ASSIGNMENT from HIM for me, late in life, comes with HIS full array of support, strength, wisdom,  and GRACE to accomplish whatever HE has for me to do here in The Volunteer State.  Therefore, Gabriel’s words,

“Don’t Be Afraid!”

Ring loud in my ears… and have (everyday) since we arrived early in the morning on the 29^th of August.

So, my closing thought is that we, most likely, will all be faced with the possibilities of NEW ASSIGNMENTS as this year comes to an end and a fresh new one is knocking on our front doors.  The question I leave you with is, “How are you going to answer that knock?”  Will it be with the joyful EXPECTATION of God’s constant supply and steady hand…  or… will you yield to the temptation to NOT answer that familiar knock and give into fear?

Like with Zacharias and Mary, God wouldn’t be giving you and me NEW ASSIGNMENTS if HE didn’t think that we could handle them!  So therefore, I think it best in this wonderful season of giving, to listen to the angel’s sound advice and “Don’t Be Afraid!”

Enjoy all your Christmas season events (I’ve been thoroughly enjoying one of my granddaughter’s high school plays and choir concerts – Oooh and the memories they’ve brought to mind)  Remember also, to keep up and pass on your personal joy and…

Stay tuned as there is more great new things to come!

Memorial Day... EVERYDAY of the year!

I have found myself watching a lot of the local news this weekend due to the seemingly never-ending line of severe weather that, like clockwork, appear in the late evening and continue through the early morning hours every day... including today... and continuing on into tomorrow! 

So, while I have kept up with the excellent weather coverage, I have also learned about all the special events that have been happening around the area as Oklahoman’s go all out in their honorable celebration of Memorial Day and in particular, of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

As I was out walking the dog this morning under the gray skies that seemed to have finally drained their reserves of water after raining steadily all night (Tulsa broke their all-time record yesterday with the most rain in a single day, measuring out at almost 5 inches... the former record was under 2 inches!), I got to thinking about all the ceremonies that were being held in cemeteries around the state. 

Volunteers had put out hundreds of flags to mark the graves of fallen soldiers and one military cemetery had also put out an interesting display of army boots and flowers along with the flags.  Oklahoma really knows how to honor the military!

As I discussed this with the dog... he can be very intuitive, you know... I suddenly saw a parallel to a scripture that I was sleepily (not having slept much this weekend with all the storms) studying earlier this morning from Hebrews 4:15-16.  Where, after talking about how Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but didn’t sin,” (God’s Word ©) the author of the book of Hebrews continued teaching saying,

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need.” (KJV) 

Well, the revelation that seemingly hit me with the same force of the 60 mph winds that knocked down numerous big trees along the golf course during Saturday morning’s storm was that, as Christians, we honor and celebrate the life of the Eternal One who gave up His life for the freedom of mankind in every nation across the globe.

But... the difference being... Jesus, the living Son of God, conquered death and then walked out of the tomb where His body was placed... and now... we don’t go to a cemetery to place wreaths or flags at His empty grave... but can go “boldly unto the throne of GRACE” to receive, as the Remedy Translation says,

“God’s GRACE without fear, but confidently, realizing that He longs to dispense all the resources of heaven to heal us so that we may receive mercy, GRACE, and every benefit to give us victory in our time of need.” 

So yes... It is very important for us to set apart a special day each year when we can remember and honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the wonderful country we live in, but as Christians, it is also very important that we walk on a daily basis in the freedoms that Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the throne of God provided for us... and go boldly to His throne... which is the very seat of the power and authority of God’s GRACE, as well as the place where He longs to fellowship with us and in doing so, allow us to receive His mercy, His GRACE and every benefit to enable our victory in our times of need.

So instead of just going to a cemetery to remember important people in our past, we can also go... on a daily basis... to fellowship with the living Son of God, to bring fresh joy, peace, wisdom and strength to our lives... and be empowered to live the life that Jesus has provided for us!  WOW!  Isn’t God Good!

Enjoy the rest of your special 3-day weekend, honor the heroes of our country and go with a bold assurance to the throne of God’s GRACE where He is waiting to spend special times with you... each and every day!

Who is Your SPOKESMAN?

I’m sure that you’ve all noticed, that when a municipality holds a public news conference after a big news worthy event… sadly… many times after some tragic incident… the leader of the gathering will step up to the microphone and have a line of individuals who are SPOKESMEN for other departments or organizations or individuals that have a stake in the situation, standing solemnly behind them.

The Oxford Online Dictionaries defines a SPOKESMAN as “a person who makes statements on behalf of a group or individual.”  Dictionary.com describes them as “a public speaker.”

In my Bible study times this week, I discovered the Apostle Paul talking about a very important SPOKESMAN that each of us should employ in the course of our daily lives.  As I was reading and studying various Scriptures, I began to take note of how many times Paul and the other writers of the New Testament talk about JOY in reference to the believer’s walk of faith. 

I’ve always taken it for granted that JOY was an important benefit of the Christian life… but the deeper I looked in to it… the more I began to see that it is not just a benefit… but also both an offensive and defensive weapon for us to strategically use as we face the pressures that arise in our daily existence.

With the thought of JOY as a weapon, the immediate scripture that came to mind is from the book of James where the pastor of the Jerusalem Church speaks of the use of JOY as something that to be honest… doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense nor is easy to follow!  I would imagine that the members of his church and the readers of his letter across the known world at the time, responded with a raised eyebrow as he taught…

“My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2 – KJV)

This familiar scripture is one that many of us tend to bypass as we read our Bibles… especially when we are in the thick of a difficult situation in our lives.  I mean, how can one be JOYFUL when everything looks to be falling down around you?  And even if you attempt to be JOYFUL in the hard times… people are going to think that you aren’t taking things seriously or are just plan naïve! (or in my case a few times… called stupid!)

JOY in the difficult places in life just isn’t a normal response,,, right?  Well… I’m pretty sure that Pastor James would emphatically say “WRONG!” in response to that question.  The Passion Translation of James 1:2 opens up James’ thoughts a little more distinctly by saying,

“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!” 

A key word to understand in this verse is “COUNT” in the King James and translated “SEE” in the Passion Translation.  In the original Greek, these words connotate the idea of “to lead or command with official authority.  To lead with respects to influence; to control in counsel and/or to be a SPOKESMAN.”

So, if I’m getting this right, James is instructing us to understand and employ Godly, word-based, faith-filled JOY as a powerful force to be reckoned with in our daily lives!  He and the Apostle Paul, who taught by precept and personal example, explained that the official role and responsibility of JOY in a Christian’s life is to lead, command, preside over and be the SPOKESMAN in not only the good times of life, after the battles has been won… but also… and maybe most importantly…within the very midst of the most difficult and rough situations that we face throughout our lives.

And yes… Being full of JOY in the midst of difficult times is not the way of the world.  The world expects one to feel fearful, anxious, confused, helpless and even angry when things go wrong.  But remember that our Christian handbook, the Bible, tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that,

“The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons, but are mighty for God in overthrowing strong fortresses.” (Weymouth) 

And what we need in troubled times is a weapon that is mighty for God to use for us when overthrowing our strong problems!  And that is exactly what happens when, despite what is negatively happening around us, we can have an attitude of JOY – BECAUSE – we have more faith in the power of God and in what His Word is specifically telling us about the outcome of the situation we are dealing with.

James encourages us in James 1:2 to let our attitude of faith-filled JOY be the SPOKESMAN in the midst of the hard times.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN that directs the conversation concerning yours and my situations in life.  To let JOY be the SPOKESMAN who is leading you with the information he has concerning God’s kingdom abilities working for you!

You know… a good SPOKESMAN stays up-to-date and current with the information about those he represents… and likewise, a good SPOKESMAN of JOY stays in touch and receives regular updates (through you) from the Word of God.  This way… when any questions arise concerning the needs and/or success of God’s way in your life… the SPOKESMAN of JOY always has the right answer!

When I study the Word of God, I can see pretty clearly that,

JOY is God’s ANTIDOTE for trouble!

And according to the dictionary, the definition of an ANTIDOTE is something (ie; a medicine) that prevents or counteracts particular poisons or injurious or unwanted effects… poisons like fear, doubt, unbelief, depression, anger, sickness, financial need, a lack of wisdom and any other unwanted, injurious problem that you and I might face in life!

So… when you step up to the podium to make a report on the news of your life… which SPOKESMAN are you going to call upon to share the right, victorious and peace-giving report for your situation?  The choice is up to you… but if it were me… I would choose to,

“see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY that you can!”

Have a terrific weekend and as you do… Choose the SPOKESMAN of JOY to be the authoritative voice in your life… whenever you face trying times... (and for every other time as well!)

Participant...

participant

/pɑrˈtɪsɪpənt/

/pɑˈtɪsɪpɪnt/

Definitions of: participant

-A participant is a person who participates, or takes part in something.

-A person who participates in or is skilled at some game

-A participant plays a role in the unfolding of events.

______________________________________________

When my wife Piper and I were young we enjoyed playing volleyball.  I guess you could say that we like to participate in the activity whenever we could!  We played with our high school friends at the beach on different occasions and when we attended our local junior college we took the Volleyball P.E. class numerous times during our two-year attendance at the school. 

During that time, Piper’s whole family got involved and her dad had matching t-shirts made up so that the family (me included!) could play volleyball together after holiday dinners at her paternal grandmother’s ranch, located in one of the rural/country areas of our town.

After we got married, we played a lot of volleyball on the lawn of our church on Sunday evenings as well as following the mid-week service.  We talked about joining a city league team, but never quite found the time to do so!

With the classes we had taken at the JC, we had become somewhat skilled at many parts of the game and always encouraged those we played recreationally with, to follow the official rules of the game… and not play “Jungle Ball” as we called it where rules were haphazardly followed and one could return the ball in any way possible.  Playing according to the rules of the game with our ever-increasing skill level made our participation in the activity that much more exciting and enjoyable.

In thinking about it now, I believe that I could make similar comments when it comes to my active participation in my Christian faith.  The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:11-12 to,

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord by keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.  Let this expectation burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in times of pressure but stay consistent and diligent in talking with God.”*

I don’t know about you… but when I read these verses, I can’t help but to feel something being stirred up inside me!  It immediately draws me back in remembrance to the very early years of our marriage when Piper and I began to learn in our Bibles, about the authority that we as Believers have, in our union and legal position in Christ.

I can’t help but to get excited and sense the ever-increasing desire to participate in the Gospel message in and through every avenue of my life.  The very vivid and descriptive words and phrases that Paul uses to paint a picture of his faith like “be enthusiastic, passion, boiling hot, radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit, excitement, expectation and continual joy” simply thrills me and encourages me to be an active participant in the faith of Jesus Christ within the full spectrum of my daily life.

Now granted, I am quoting these verses from some modern English translations, but when you look up the original Greek definitions in the words used in the King James Version, you will find all of these very descriptive terms making up the Greek meanings… so the early Christians reading these letters in the original language of the time, clearly understood stood the full intent of the excitement and passion of what Paul was wanting to convey.

I believe that is why we see all of the excitement, miracles and life changing events that surrounded the early church as was written down in the chronology of the Book of Acts.  Wouldn’t it be exciting to have those same events happening today?  Well, you know… It doesn’t get a lot of publicity in mainstream media… but it is happening all over the world… Right Now! 

It is happening on College Campuses, in Churches and in evangelistic meetings occurring all over the world… and it can be happening with you and me as well!  All we have to do is let Paul’s excitement become a part of us as we seek out and allow ourselves to actively participate in the Gospel message, seek the fellowship of like-minded (or heartfelt) Christians and then share our experience with others.

It’s like learning and increasing any athletic skill… it just takes enthusiasm, a hungry heart, practice and consistent and diligent talking and personal interaction with our heavenly Head Coach!

Well… now that I’ve got us all stirred up… Let’s get going and start actively participating (or increasing our level of participation) within the daily events of our life!  I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day weekend and that it will continue for the week ahead!  We have a beautiful and warm forecast for the week and I pray that you do as well!

 

*A combining of The Passion and Remedy translations

The Foundations of Faith

I went to bed last night with and air of excitement and expectation for the warm sunny day that had been forecast, not only for Saturday but for the entire weekend and through Monday as well!  You see… It is spring here in Oklahoma and while that means warmer weather and the dormant lawns and countryside turning green, the changes in the temperatures also signal the season of severe thunderstorms and tornados!

And much to my personal displeasure… we’ve had a lot of those in the past few weeks.  In fact, this month of April produced the record for the highest amount of rainfall ever recorded!  So… you can easily see why I was so enthusiastic about this weekend’s change of pace forecast!

But low and behold, when I woke up before seven this morning, I found myself fighting a bombardment of concerns for the multitude of things that need to be completed before I can put the house on the market and follow through with the plan to move to Tennessee… and alas… all that enthusiasm for a fantastic weekend seemed to blow away in a puff of smoke! 

So… I dragged myself out of bed and out of nowhere… began to speak aloud and interestingly enough… say to myself,

“Jim, Be anxious for nothing and don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. But be saturated in prayer and the Word throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, and then God’s wonderful peace that transcends all human understanding, will guard your thoughts and emotions and make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.”*

Well, that should have been enough to flip my lid and get me going in the right direction… but it didn’t!  It took me the time to brew up and pour into my insolated cup some Folger’s Hazelnut flavored coffee… how does that jingle go…

♫ “The best part of waking up is Folger’s in your cup”♪,

sit at my desk in the study, turn in my Bible to where I had left off yesterday and read,

“Thank God that He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, then, brothers and sisters, don't let anyone (or anything) move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. (for) You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.” (I Corinthians 15:57-58 – TPT)

The truth of not letting anyone nor anything move us off our foundation of faith, brought back immediate memories of the various individuals who seemed to thrive in their attempts to shake our faith with their negative opinions of Piper’s and my needs when she got sick… BUT… It wasn’t their words that I was reminded of this morning… it was God’s and His faithfulness to His Word toward us… all along the pathways of that journey.

And THAT’S what gave me the victory and return me back to the place of excitement and expectation that I went to sleep with last night!

But you know?  It didn’t end there… As I mulled over all those thoughts in my heart and mind, I suddenly remembered something that Piper and I used to discuss a lot, as well as share with others, throughout the 48 years of our relationship, from high school on… that we always felt and held to the conviction that

“The Christian life… (and we’d make it very personal by adding) ‘Our Christian Life’ is supposed to be an EXCITING and ADVENTEROUS personal relationship and walk of faith with Jesus Christ… But it is NOT for the WEAK or WORRY hearted!”

Well, the recollection of our long-standing belief and personal approach to our faith made me smile this morning and feel any overwhelming sense of despair float right out my study window!  Then when I looked back at my open Bible, my eyes carried up a couple of verses from Philippians 4:6-7 to verse 4… and I literally burst out with a hearty laugh… so much so that the dog jumped off the couch behind me with a look, as if to say “Hey I was sleeping here!”

Philippians 4:4 seemed to confirm everything I had just learned and caused me to lift my arms in praise to the Lord as I read aloud…

“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!” (TPT) 

So, yea… I felt like the Lord was reminding me and re-connecting me to Piper’s and my personal conviction of the way we lived our faith.  As I walked out of my study this morning, I definitely felt the old swag and pull of the excitement and adventure of my faith.  The cheerfulness and joy that keeps me strong, confident and balanced on the foundation of my faith had re-centered me and is there to keep me strong and on point for all the good things that the good Lord has in store for me!

What about you today?  Are you feeling strong, confident and balanced on the firm foundation of your personal faith?  What are you going to do when you feel the burdens and cares of your life shaking your faith?  If you haven’t yet… you might want to memorize Paul’s encouraging and life strengthening words found in Philippians 4:4-9** from your favorite Bible translation… It’s a quick and proven way to re-center your life on the foundation of your faith!

Have a great weekend.  I hope that your weather forecast is as nice as our is today… and as you’re out enjoying God’s creation… Keep EXPECTING to EXPECT God’s BEST for your life!

 

*Personalized version of Philippians 4:6-7 from the God’s Word © and The Passion translations. 

**Remember that Paul wrote these words while awaiting an uncertain future in prison…

Living BIG!

I was studying some scripture earlier this morning that definitely got me to thinking about the possibilities of Living BIG for God.  So… it kind of made sense that I would be giving that idea the freedom to run through my mind and mouth, as Fiver and I took our cloudy day walk about an hour later.

As is my habit, I tend to verbally talk through the conversations that are going on in my heart and mind while Fiver blissfully ignores me and pushes his nose into every interesting smell that catches his attention along the way.

Well… as you might imagine, the idea of Living BIG for God immediately got me reminiscing about my wife… as she tended to do exactly that!  As the dog and I meandered down the pathway along the green commons area of our neighborhood next to the city golf course, I had to laugh while I pictured Piper going into the kitchen at her parent’s home during their annual Christmas time “opening of the presents under their tree” gathering in order to assist in the food preparation.

First of all, let me just say that entertaining groups of people at their home was totally different than that at my parent’s home.  Being first generation Italian Americans, my folks were used to BIG and often held family gatherings, with a ton of delicious, homemade Italian cuisine, where everybody jumped in to lend a hand… while noisily laughing, joking and singing … all at the same time!

Piper’s immediate family was much more reserved and private.  So, the annual family meal and Christmas gathering tended to be a lot quieter and a tad disorganized… until Piper got there!  But it wasn’t that she carried a commanding presence or quickly took control of the situation.  She simply walked in with her big confident smile and let the love and joy of the Lord, that emanated from her, fill the tiny kitchen area. 

Therefore, it wasn’t necessarily that she purposedly set out to Live BIG for God… but simply let the abounding Spirit of the Lord in and about her live BIG wherever she went.  Within a matter of moments after her arrival, tensions, frayed nerves and raised voices tended to melt away and be replaced with laughter, encouraging words and an orderly flow as the meal preparations came together.

And that is where my thoughts were centered as Fiver and I returned from the neighborhood park and pond and proceeded toward our street at the end of the pathway.  As our street came into view, I noticed a young mother in the distance, pushing a baby stroller and accompanied by a young girl on a bike coming our direction.  When we got closer, I realized that we hadn’t met these folks before, so I told Fiver to behave himself, put on a big smile and heartedly greeted them.

Well… Fiver immediately grabbed their hearts as he wiggled and whooed up to them and the mom beamed from ear to ear as she reached out to pet the dog and encouraged her daughter to do the same.  While all this was going on, I noticed that the baby looking at me from the stroller was hooked up to a machine that I imagine was helping him to breathe, so I smiled and waved to him.

Then, as we exchanged some quick pleasantries with each other, I felt a strong, over- powering desire to either pray for them or encourage them… without offending them.   So, without much further thought, I raised forth my left arm over the baby and simply said, “God bless you guys, in Jesus name!”  And the mom’s response was amazing to me as she glanced down for a second and then looked up at me, with a glow on her face, and joyfully declared to me, ‘YES! YES! YES!

And with that, I felt impressed that that was all I was supposed to say, so I encouraged them to have a blessed day and off they joyfully went along the path we had just taken while we continued in the opposite direction home.

Hummm… Live BIG for God.  Could this be an example of something Paul was trying to teach us?  The portion of scripture that I was studying this morning, is where Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to,

“Thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.  So now, beloved ones, stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.” (I Corinthians 15:57-58 – TPT) 

We know from these verses and others throughout both the Old and New Testaments, that God is a BIG God and lives BIG for us.  Paul tells us first of all, that we are to be thankful to God because He produces BIG victories for us, that cause us to act as CONQUERORS in and through our faith in Christ Jesus.  And then, with that in mind, Paul further encourages us to “live our lives with an unshakeable confidence” because “we know that we will prosper and excel in every season by our serving the Lord.”

In matter of fact, Paul here, is telling us to Live BIG for God… BECAUSE… He lives and provides the tools we need to succeed in this life in a BIG way for us!

Likewise, Ephesians 5:1 instructs us to,

“Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as Hs beloved sons and daughters.” (TPT) 

So… were my simple, straight forward words spoken to that young family this morning a BIG thing for God?  It wouldn’t seem like it… BUT.. the glow on the mom’s face and the joy that radiated in her simple reply tells another story!  Was it a BIG, momentous action for me?  Not necessarily… but it definitely was a BOLD thing for me to do in obedience to HIS urgings! 

Maybe Living our Lives BIG for God is more about being humble, obedient and BOLD to do what HE instructs us to do… when He tells us to do them… rather than looking for BIG and seemingly impressive things to accomplish.  That makes more sense to me. 

What do you think?  The glowing look and smile present on the face of that mom this morning was worth my stepping out in obedience to God… PLUS… I had a joyful confidence as Fiver and I walked away from them this morning… That the power of God was released and HE was doing something special in the life of that little baby TODAY!

Living my Life BIG for God… Well…that’s my plan for the rest of my day today… and tomorrow and everyday after that!  Won’t you join me in that endeavor for the Kingdom of God?  And as you do it… Keep EXPECTING God’s BEST in your life!

The Other Side of the Cross

On our daily walks this last week, I found myself reminiscing about the various observances of Holy Week that I participated in during my childhood years.  Looking back today, I can see that my understanding and focus of this special week, that leads up to Easter, has changed from my Catholic upbringing to my adult life as an evangelical, Pentecostal Protestant. 

One Catholic tradition that stood out in my memory was The Stations of the Cross devotion that commemorates what we Protestants refer to as The Passion of Christ.  It is the period of time that highlights the events surrounding the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, from The Last Supper to His death on the cross and burial.

What I remember most as a kid attending Parochial school is that it was a solemn, dramatic (depending on the priest leading the procession around the 14 Stations), sad and to be honest… a little boring event that we attended during school hours throughout the week, as well when our parents went back at night to meet their personal obligation.

As I recounted my experiences with this tradition on our walks this week, I suddenly stopped and turned to the dog who was indignantly looking at me and wondering why I halted his sniffing adventures, and declared, “Boy, I wish I knew back then what I know today!”

One of the main aspects that I realized as I came into the life-changing experience of having a personal relationship with Jesus during my high school and college years, was that while the remembrances of the events leading up to Resurrection Sunday are very important… as a Christian, I don’t want to stay there!  For my wellbeing and maturity in Christ that undergirds everything I do in my life today… all happens on the other side of the cross!

Everything that Jesus did for us through His suffering, death on the cross, burial, resurrection and assumption to the right hand of God, He accomplished so that we can legally have our sins forgiven… once and for all… and then… receive and walk in all the promises that are outlined for us (as we bring the gospel message to the nations) throughout the Pauline revelation as written in the epistles from the book of Romans through Revelation!

And speaking about the promises of God, 1 Corinthians 1:20 informs us that’

“For all the promises of God, whatever their number, have their confirmation in Him; and for this reason through Him also our "Amen" acknowledges their truth and promotes the glory of God through our faith.” (Weymouth) 

So YES!  When I think about all that Jesus suffered for YOU and ME during Holy Week, I am almost speechless on Easter morning at the sight of the empty tomb and the vacant cross… and I can’t help but to praise and worship Jesus for His unconditional LOVE for YOU and ME and… look forward with JOYFUL expectation to what now lies on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CROSS!

Everything that Jesus provided for us at the cross of Calvery is NOW AVAILABLE for us and makes me want to shout aloud,

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 – KJV) 

ISN’T GOD GOOD!

Have a blessed celebration of Easter tomorrow and keep moving forward with all that HE has for you… on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CROSS!

Absolutely None!

Today was one of those strange days, for me, where I woke up in a funk… and just couldn’t seem to shake it!  Usually, I can simply start praising the Lord and by the time I’ve got my cup of coffee and I’ve been in the Word for a few minutes, the funk has melted away… but not today!  Thankfully though, by force of long-standing habit, I pushed on through, and as I followed my regular morning routine, I FINALLY got some relief after thirty minutes or more of study time in my Bible!

I’ve always been a “get-up-and-go” sort of person… of which I couldn’t say the same for my wife.  I still remember the first time I saw her, first thing in the morning… We were at a snow retreat with her high school youth group in the Tahoe area of California.  The leadership had rented a somewhat small cabin where a whole bunch of us youth stuffed ourselves and our belongings for the weekend.

At night we were told to throw our sleeping bags wherever you could find a spot… and somehow… my bag just happened to locate one open place… right next to my high school sweetheart and future bride, Piper.  Well, as you might imagine, I woke up all “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” rolled over to cheerfully address my girl… when one look at her sleepy eyes and the expression on her face made it clear… that I needed to “cool my jets” and allow her the space to wake up on her own!

I have always been thankful to Piper’s college dorm roommate who was also an “up and Adam” energetic in the morning type of person, who somehow… miraculously, I might even say… turned Piper into a much more enthusiastic morning riser!

But I digress, this morning’s funk finally began to evaporate as I deepened my almost, weeklong Bible study into James 1:17-18 where the Pastor of the church in Jerusalem stated:

“Every good gift and every perfect boon, is from above, and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light. In Him there is (absolutely) no variation nor the slightest suggestion of change.  (For) God decided to give us life through the word of truth so that we would fulfill his chosen destiny for us and become the favorite ones out of all his creation!”*

This particular portion of scripture contains a large and varied cornucopia of “teachable moments.”  For me today, the “teachable moment” was focused on my need to grab hold (and hang on tight) to the truth, that with God,

“there is absolutely NO variation NOR the slightest suggestion of change.”

And what triggered it all was an event that happened at church yesterday.  It was pretty evident from about midway through the first Praise and Worship song that God was wanting to do something special at that service.  The anointing of God in the atmosphere of the large auditorium was thick and the enthusiasm and expectation amongst the congregation was contagious.

When the Pastor came to the podium, encouraged the people to continue worshipping the Lord and then asked the church Pastoral staff to come to the front of the auditorium, you just knew that God was going to show forth His glory… and that He did, as the Pastor spoke to the congregation and declared if there was anyone with any kind of pain in their bodies to come forward.

Within a few moments the front of the auditorium was literally packed with people and the Lord began to move with astonishing results.  I couldn’t help but to stand in awe, laugh and even shed a tear or two as I watched the power of God in action and recalled… the great multiplicity of times that Piper and I, as part of the church leadership team, had been in the thick of identical kinds of experiences at many of the church services that we were apart of over the years.

What saddened me was that this type of event was an exciting part of Piper’s and my past and had also been a vivid vision of our life plan together, following our graduation from Bible College… but then, with the onset of the Alzheimer’s that attacked Piper… all that changed!

But then again… had it?  Had it ALL changed?

That funk that had tried to attach itself to me this morning began to go up in a puff of smoke when I realized that while my personal plans and circumstances had painfully and drastically changed… God hadn’t changed… in point of fact,

“In Him there is absolutely NO variation NOR the slightest suggestion of change.”

I began to realize this morning… and it has taken me six years to come to this realization… that while the love of my life, my closet friend and partner in the call to ministry has left this world and gone home to “greener pastures” sort-of-speak… God hasn’t changed… and in reality… either have I!

For even without Piper at my side… I am still the same individual that I was before.  I still carry the same giftings, talents, anointings, experiences and the calling that God has given me over the years.  And you know… it was actually kind of fun to see that the same awesome moves of God, as well as the everyday work of the ministry, still stirs up the excitement of my soul!

It would seem that God’s “chosen destiny for me” is still very much alive and just waiting for me to re-connect with it.  My personal circumstances may have changed and the original characters in God’s plan for my life may also have changed… but God in His nature, in His ability to make the seemingly impossible possible in my life, and in and with the power of His anointings… are still the same… and…

“there is absolutely NO variation NOR the slightest suggestion of change.”

How about with you?  Are there things that have seemingly disrupted and/or changed the plan and/or direction of your life?  Well… let me just say that you are NOT alone and while your life may look and feel a little (or maybe a lot) upside down… God in His LOVE for you and in the POWER of His infallible Word hasn’t changed one bit!  He still has His destiny for your life and only needs for you to throw your care upon Him… so that He can lead and empower you into best of life that He still has for you!

WOW!  I’m gonna take advantage of all the favor that God says I have with Him… How about you do the same…

I can’t wait to hear all your good reports!  Have a fantastic week and keep asking yourself… “What am I EXPECTING today?”

 

*My personalization of James 1:17-18, by combining portions of the King James, Weymouth, God’s Word © and The Passion translations.