It's Darkest Just Before The Dawn

I had to get up this morning about an hour or so before the breaking of the dawn.  As I stood in the bedroom loft, I spent a few moments gazing out the various tall windows in our living room and stairwell.  What caught my attention was the dark shadows of an oak tree protruding through a window against the wall near our piano, the neighbors roofline silhouetted against the darkness, and the trail of low wattage lighting that follows the pathways around the cluster homes in our little community.  The thought that arose in me was the old saying that “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.”

I had to chuckle a little at this point as this is exactly the position that I have found myself in over the past few weeks.  Many of the goals that we have been working on are finally coming to a point of reality, but the timing is getting critical.  Will everything come together at the right time?   Will all the puzzle pieces fall into their perspective places as the deadlines arrive???  When will we see the first signs of the new day appearing over the eastern horizons?

I did a little research on that old saying that I thought of early this morning, and it seems that it has been around since at least the 1600’s.  The first known individual to put it to print was an English theologian and historian by the name of Thomas Fuller.  He penned “It is always darkest before the day dawneth” in his religious travelogue “ A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine And The Confines Thereof “ in the year 1650.  The source of the proverb is not really known although some think that it originated with an old Irish ballad.

From this bit of information, we can deduce that mankind has been faced with this dilemma for many hundreds of years.  I am fairly sure that you may even have faced this situation… In fact, some of you might be in the midst of it right now.  Maybe you are not standing in a dark room looking out at the inky blackness, but in your mind's eye, this sight is very vivid.  The question is, how will you deal with this condition?  Most people come through these times unscathed while some fall short of the morning light.  Many years ago I had a friend and fellow co-worker commit suicide when a situation that he found himself involved with turned ugly.  Just as things were looking better for him, another event arose where he thought that the original incident might be reopened and he panicked and took his life.  The sad part is that the thing that he feared the most did not occur, and had he hung in there just a little longer, his life would have had a fresh beginning.  He left a wonderful young widow behind.

What is the answer?  For me the answer relates back to my personal belief system and foundation.  As I continued to read through the book of Colossians, when I got up for the second time this morning, the first verse that I read said it all.  Colossians 3:1 states: “Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things above – where Christ holds the highest position.”  (Gods Word ©)  Just like I’ve talked about in past postings, all I have to do is keep my eyes on the Light, that always overcomes the darkness.  It may be black right now, but as long as I keep my eyes on my foundation, I can relax and even chuckle again, because I am assured that the dawn light will arise at the right time and at the right place, just when I need it!

So why let the darkness prevail over you.  Do as I did this morning and after glancing at the spooky shadows, look to the lights on the pathways, illuminating to me the way to the answers that I am expecting to receive!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What are you expecting today?”

Decide To Have A Good Day... No Matter What!

Today was one of those days that I had pre-decided was going to be GREAT!  Yesterday was a long and emotional day.  Piper had her initial appointment with a new doctor.  I had more paperwork to fill out, had to relive the trauma of her medical situation as I answered the multitude of questions with the various caregivers at the office, then go shopping, return home and get dinner ready.  While everyone we spoke with was kind, sympathetic and helpful, by the time we went upstairs for the night, I was totally drained, but, before I turned out the light I determined that today was going to be spectacular, no matter what it looked like when we arose for the morning.

Well, the morning we got up to was gray and dreary, but I was still expecting good things to happen. As I went about my usual morning routine, I did everything I could to encourage my wife and myself.  I have to confess that my body was just not cooperating, but I still persisted.  As I prayerfully sat down to write this post I was reminded of one of the first additions to this blog that I had written, under similar circumstances, back in December of last year.  When I went through my files and read the post, I suddenly discovered that I had a new attitude and things were looking a lot better than they had a few minutes before.  So… with that in mind I thought that I would re-share with you those words of encouragement entitled:

 “Look For The Color In Life.”

I awoke this morning with a determination that I was going to have a good day.  I was not about to let a headache or the dark clouds that greeted me, as I looked out the large window over the staircase that rises to our bedroom loft, have any negative effect upon me.  So I threw on a sweater, ambled down the stairs, flipped on the heater and headed into the kitchen to brew up a fresh pot of Starbucks coffee.  Well, it seemed that things were not going to go my way as I opened up the cupboard door.  Reaching in I suddenly remembered that I had run out of coffee beans the previous morning and had failed to pick up a fresh bag!  Turning slowly around I thought about my morning resolution and bravely poured out the day old brew left in the coffee maker and put it into the microwave.  At the sound of the timer bell I gingerly pulled out the hot cup, poured in a little 2% milk (yuck… I was out of half and half too!), took a sip and looked out the kitchen window.  As I peered up past our patio fence, what caught my attention was not the dark clouds or light rain, but the beautiful colored leaves on the tall maple trees reaching toward the heavens beyond our home.  Those bright tones of red and orange totally captivated my thoughts and instantly brought a warmth and cheer into my morning.  You know… even that first sip of the day old coffee tasted good!

Isn’t it interesting how a little color can brighten even the dullest of days?  Do you look for the color in life when things seem to be going contrary to what you desire?  Maybe it doesn’t jump out at you like those trees did for me today, but it is out there all around you just the same.  Keep expecting good things in your life, and don’t be deterred when obstacles may get in the way.  Look for the color and after awhile you won’t be swayed by the gray in life anymore!  Stayed tuned, and keep asking yourself… What am I expecting today?

"Excuse Me?"

Well, she did it again…  I mentioned on a posting last month about my wife’s habit of offering compliments to the cashiers in the various stores that we shop at.  Today was no different, but yet, this cashier’s reaction was worth writing about!  As we were checking out at the local Lucky’s grocery store, my wife and I were joking with the cashier when my wife paused and told the women what a good job that she was doing.  What happened next was almost comical.  The lady just froze and stared at my wife.  Finally she came out of the daze and said: “excuse me?”  My wife repeated her compliment and the cahier just looked incredulous as she stammered out a: “thank you!”   We all stood there for a moment and then I stated: “you don’t hear those very much do you?”  She just shook her head, thanked my wife again, and laughingly went back to scanning the item that she still held in her hand. 

Isn’t it funny how a little positive reinforcement can make another person’s day?  As we turned to leave at the completion of our transaction, the cashier stopped, and told us to have a very special day.  The shinning look in her eyes said it all. 

Give it a try the next time you go into that busy supermarket or department store.  Take an extra moment and compliment the cashier for a job well done!  Who knows… you just might be the only positive thing that happened in that person’s life that day!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What are you expecting today?”

Bright Shiny Places

After a week or so of rainy weather, it was really nice to wake up to the sunlight streaming in through the windows this morning!  I like to be in light cheery places.  It just sort of lifts my whole being into a place of content and joy.  Have you ever noticed that folks who battle with depression tend to keep the blinds drawn, and enjoy indirect lighting?  I really believe that the darkness gives these folks a sense of false security.  It’s almost like they won’t have to deal with reality if they can’t see it very clearly.  The Bible makes vivid distinctions between the dark and light.  It portraits Jesus as the light (John 1:4), and as such, is the one who has the ability to disperse the darkness.

I guess that I am talking about our foundations again today.  The more I know of my foundation, the more I am able to walk where my pathways are well lit, and easy to follow.  Colossians 2:7 says that one should “Sink your roots in Him (speaking of Jesus) and build on Him.”  (Gods Word ©)

The weatherman for our area is forecasting mostly clear skies going into this weekend.  Hopefully it will be the same wherever you live.  As you gaze into the blue above you, as it reaches to the horizons during the next couple of days, take a few moments to reflect on how well versed you are with the foundation in which you have placed your trust.  Take a close look at the level of intensity of the light around you.  Is that light bright and clear, or low and a little hazy to your vision?  Maybe you’ll find it time to pull the blinds all the way up and allow the full extent of the Light to fill your personal environment.  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… ”What am I expecting today?” 

Is It Time To Re-Create Yourself?

This may seem a little different to you, but Thursdays have always been one of my favorite days of the week.  I’m not totally sure why this is.  It may have to do with the ministry schedule that I have kept over the years.  I usually spend Saturday’s preparing for Sunday’s lesson, teach on Sunday and then begin to think about the Wednesday night program right off the bat on Monday.  Come Thursday I’m finished for that week and have 2 days off!  (off from the ministry work but not from the secular jobs I’ve always worked in conjunction with the church work.)  The ministry is my passion and I tend to put my entire heart and soul into it.  Maybe that’s why I look forward to the two day respite between my prep and teaching schedule.  Hopefully that doesn’t sound like I am talking out of both sides of my mouth at once, but even Jesus took time off from His demanding ministry to rest and regenerate!

R&R is an important part of our busy lives.  Without times of rest and recreation we can burn out, open the door to illness and end up despising the things that we enjoy the most!  Note that the word recreation is a derivative of the word recreate.  The American Heritage College Dictionary defines recreate “as imparting fresh life, mentally or physically.”  The word recreation, which is listed immediately below it, is defined as “refreshment of one’s mind or body through activity that amuses or stimulates.” (American Heritage College Dictionary Copyright © 1993 by Houghton Mifflin Company)

Our bodies are a unique and complicated creation, but we can only push them so far!  We need to take the time to allow ourselves to be renewed and have fresh life imparted to us.  In the past, my wife and I used to take two vacations a year.  We would schedule a two night stay at an inn on the coast in the winter, and a trip to the mountains in the summer.  In recent years with new jobs, Bible School, a growing and changing family, and a whole host of other activities, we slowly got away from the winter holiday and to be honest, we haven’t actually had a real summer vacation to rest and just have fun for five years!  I think that it is about time to reverse this course of direction!  What do you think?

While this wasn’t one of my originally set goals for 2011, I think I’m about to add an additional one!  How is your schedule looking?  Do you take the time to participate in recreational pursuits?  Notice that I said “participate”…  If you look back at the definition of recreation it stated that it is accomplished through an activity.  I tend to believe that this does not just refer to watching a movie or going out to dinner.  I believe that it requires some type of extended physical action.  We have always enjoyed hiking, and while we take daily walks, there is nothing like hiking along a path that follows a winding stream, a tree filled countryside, green meadows, birds, deer (bears?)  and a noticeable absence of man-made structures!  This type of adventure will obviously take a little more planning and time, but the rewards are enduring to your emotional and physical state of being!

Just think about it.  What fun physical activities do you enjoy, and when was the last time you participated in them?  Maybe it is time to plan a holiday!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”

How To Avoid A Crash Landing

I have to admit… I was not in the most joyful of moods when I awoke this morning.  I have had a lot of things pressing against me lately, and had not done the best job in relinquishing them.  After dragging myself out of the bed, following another restless night, I grabbed the handrail and carefully negotiated my way down the stairs.  Once there I went thoughtlessly through my morning routine of turning on the heater, letting the dog out, making the coffee and then my wife’s favorite hot drink consisting of two spoonfuls of chocolate marshmallow mix, a couple shakes of cinnamon, and splash of vanilla, combined with a half a cup of hot water, a little fresh coffee and then topped off with a few ounces of milk.  Having this completed, I fed the dog, poured myself a steaming hot cup of coffee, handed Piper her drink and then padded off to the study to get my spiritual energy kick for the morning!

With my thoughts driven askew by tiredness, I was experiencing frustration and an inkling to just give up!  When I sat down at my desk, I was immediately led to open my Bible to Hebrews 10:35 where the writer says: “So don’t lose your confidence.  It will bring you a great reward.”  (Gods Word ©)  As I stared at that verse with my head in my hands, it was almost like a voice arose from the pages of my Bible accentuating the word “So!...” 

“So… what are you going to do ,Jim…  throw in the towel, and give up, or press on in – by continuing to do what you know to be right and attain your reward?”

Right after hearing this I glanced up at my computer Bible study program and clicked on the Strong’s and Thayer’s Greek definitions for the word translated “confidence”.  My eyes skimmed through the definitions and stopped at Thayer’s second listing which included the thought of “cheerful courage!”  So… there was that idea, again, of being happy or joyful in any situation based on your foundational belief system.  You know what, I was not in the mood to be happy just then!  A few moments later I had to get up to go into the kitchen to clean up something, and my thoughts were wavering from what I’d just read when the phone rang.  Now, that was unusual, as no one normally calls us before nine in the morning.  I grabbed the phone, swallowed hard and put on my best cheerful face and said “hello!”  Well, the caller turned out to be a good friend of mine who just called to “cheer us up”.  He shared a joke with me, prayed a prayer of joy for Piper and I (without having any foreknowledge of what I was going through!) and hung up!

I’d say that was a direct confirmation of what I had been reading (or hearing) in my study!  With that, I returned to my desk, wrote down everything I’d read and heard, put a real smile on my face and returned to the kitchen to start breakfast with a little bit of a hop in my step!

Joy can be a powerful force when you are in the midst of a trial.  It is not always the expected course of action.  In fact, most times, it is just the opposite of what you feel like!  So I encourage you today, to take a look at your thoughts and emotions and see what path you are on.  If you’re angling toward a crash landing, like I felt earlier today, I would suggest that you stop, take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and then allow the joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10) to strengthen you and propel you back on course, flying through the clouds to your victory!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself…”What are you expecting today?”

Only Believe!

Yesterday I read a sermon by the great evangelist Smith Wigglesworth.   Wigglesworth (who was called the man with two last names!) was considered a radical minister who traveled the world and preached from the early 1900’s until his home going in 1947.  He was considered radical because of his unwavering faith in God which caused him to be bold and sometimes gruff when ministering to the sick, and because of the signs and wonders that accompanied his meetings.  Hundreds of people received miraculous healings, and up to twenty people were said to have been raised from the dead after he laid hands on them.  He is known in Pentecostal circles as the Apostle of Faith.  His favorite saying as well as the foundational basis for his ministry was “Only Believe!”

In the sermon which was entitled “The Substance of Things Hoped For” Mr. Wigglesworth said that it is important that people have a foundational truth that is greater than themselves, on which they can rest.  As I absorbed that thought, I smiled in agreement because this is the basis for what we expect to happen each day.  Once again, Hebrews 11:1 in the Gods Word translation states that “Faith assures us of (the) things we expect…”  (Gods Word ©) and as I have stated in the past, those expectations can be either good or bad.  It all depends on your personal foundation.

Like Smith Wigglesworth, my faith is based on the unshakeable foundation of God’s Word.  Therefore, no matter what the circumstances around me present, I know that I will eventually overcome any negative events and walk forth in victory.  (Check out I Corinthians 15:57!)  How is your foundation holding up this week?  Do you have that same confidence as I do?  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself…”What am I expecting today?”