Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Day of Praise

Tu, 09/30/14, "Day of Praise"

"Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?'" - 1 Samuel 9:21

Have you ever felt small and unimportant?

When I was a kid, I was quite overweight. I liked sweets waaaaaay too much. (And I still do.) Not everyone, but there were a number of students who were very good at pointing out my deficiencies. Almost everyone else joined in.

I felt small.

But God, as always, was good. Amongst my peers were a few kind and encouraging voices. A very few. But my brother, Ben, my younger sister, Cheryl, and a girl named Billie Sue Dickson, were very encouraging.

God helped me to hear their encouragements. I will always be grateful to God for them.

In today's verse, Saul felt small. But Samuel was a lone encouraging voice. And out of Samuel's encouragement, Saul came to see how God could take smallness and turn him into a man with a changed heart, a man on whom God's Spirit would come with power, a man who could prophesy God's Word, a man who could strongly remain silent in the face of his detractors, a man who could be an instrument of victory over the enemies of others who felt small.

One voice, speaking with an ear toward God, can change a person who feels small into a person who lives large to the glory of God.

God has given at least one voice to encourage you to live large to God's glory. Listen to them. Thank God for them.

And God has placed someone in your life so that you can encourage them to live large too.

Dear God, help us to see them and to speak. To your glory. Amen

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Monday, September 29, 2014

Day of Praise

Mo, 09/29/14, "Day of Praise"

"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" - Ruth 1:16

Today's verse has got to be one of the most famous quotes, Biblical or otherwise, in all of human history. The only question is, "Why?" Why are Ruth's words so dear and enduring to humanity?

Do we really need to ask?

We all long for faithful friends, for people who will stick with their commitment through...well, better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health.

And, as today's verse and the Bible Book of Ruth make clear, such faithfulness is longed for in every kind of relationship. Our flesh might like affection, but our souls are definitely starving for faithful relationships.

I love contemporary music, but there is nothing like the words of faithful friendship found in the Golden Oldie, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

    "Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you,
You will find a solace there."

In today's verse, Ruth embodies, ideally, what Jesus is perfectly, namely, faithful. And because Jesus is perfectly what our souls are starving for, then we can be like Ruth, faithful, to the people in our lives.

Dear God, thank you for Jesus. In him, you give us both the longing of our hearts and also strength to be the same for others, namely, faithful friends. Amen.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Day of Praise

Sa, 09/27/14, "Day of Praise"

"My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies" - Judges 11:34-40

Malcolm X, in his biography, finished posthumously by Alex Haley, once said, "Never ask a question for which you might get a response that you really don't want."

A slightly different saying can be set forth In today's Bible verses about Jephthah the Gileadite, namely, "Never make a deal or promise that you're not ready to keep."

However, because of Jephthah's daughter's faithfulness to God, Jephthah's promise to God is kept. "My father," she replied, "you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies". (Judges 11:34-40)

Talk about an unsung hero! We aren't even told her name. Sure we remember Abraham and Isaac and their willingness to do as God commanded with the sacrifice of Isaac, but what about Jephthah and what's-her-name?

They not only did the deed, but it was the innocent child, what's-her-name, who made sure they did!

And just as what's-her-name went to the greatest length to help Jephthah stay faithful to God, there are people in all of our lives who go to great lengths to help us stay faithful too.

Maybe you don't even think about or remember the name of ol' what's-her-name or what's-his-name.

But God does.

How about we all slow down today for a few minutes and ask God to help us remember and give thanks for the what's-her-names in our lives who have helped us have some semblance of faithfulness to God?

Ol' what's-her-name clearly doesn't care from the standpoint of needing to be remembered.

But God does...from the standpoint of wanting us to be people of thanks!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Friday, September 26, 2014

Day of Praise

Fr, 09/26/14, "Day of Praise"

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Tell the Israelites to designate cities of refuge...so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.'" - Joshua 20:1-6

Accidents happen. Even really bad ones.

God understands that there's a difference between accidents and acts of violence that are thought out in advance. So God makes provision of protection and mercy for those who do tragic things accidentally.

I remember when I was a kid. My brother and I were with our family at our grandparents in Pennsylvania. Ben and I were being brothers (translation "wrestling") on a really old bed at our Gram and Pap DeGreen's. The bed wasn't made for wrestling. The ensuing crash just about sent us and the bed through the floor to the downstairs.

We looked at each other like, "Oh, man. We are in big trouble now." And we should've been. In trouble, that is. We never once gave thought to the possibility that anyone would see it as an accident.

But our Pap DeGreen did. He calmly walked in the room. (I still don't know how he got there so fast.) He took apart the bed, calmly telling us what to do to help. Then he put the bed back together, calmly telling us what to do to help.

"Sorry, Pap-pap," we said.

"It's ok," he said. "It was an accident."

Mercy, as from God himself.

Friends, your day today will be filled with real people, who will make mistakes. Accidents will happen.

In the strength and calm of the LORD, let's deal mercifully with others, as God in Christ, (and people like Pap DeGreen), has dealt with us.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Day of Praise

Th, 09/25/14, "Day of Praise"

"Moses...said to them, '...They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them you will live long in the land...'" - Deuteronomy 32:44-47

I wonder if this is where our grandmothers got that old saying. Ya know, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." I'm not even sure if my grandmas ever even said it, but the whole world seems to attribute the phrase to "Grandma."

Aaaaanyway, one dictionary, right out of the chute, says that "idle" means "not working or active."

In today's verses, Moses is hilariously plain in saying that the words God gave him to say "are not just idle words." God's words are not "idle." They are not "not working or active."

It's just as God says in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

So, what are your "thoughts and attitude" towards God's word? Do you believe God's word is idle? Or do you believe God's word is alive and active? And if you say "alive and active," do you live that attitude? Do you live, believing that God's word is "alive and active"?

I remember the late summer when I'd started my junior year in high school. I was bummed because my brother, Ben, had just gone off to college with my sister, Cathy. I adored and do adore my younger sister, Cheryl, but there's nothing like the bond of brothers.

Aaaaaanyway, I was bummed, and I was mowing our lawn. As I neared the street I saw a wad of paper in the yard. Instead of mowing it and making a mess, I picked it up. Now, I don't care if you think I'm looney-tunes or not; I'll tell you that "a voice" said, "read it." So I unwadded it, and this is what it said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6"

Where did that come from? A car passing by or a walker? Who knows, but either way, why would anybody throw a wadded up Bible verse into my yard, and a Bible verse that said just what I needed? Maybe it wasn't ultimately from a car or walker, maybe it was from God. In fact, that's what I did believe, and that's what I do believe to this day. And I don't really care what anybody else thinks.

Because my God is not idle.

My God is living and active, just like his word. My God and your God has shown us his face and his heart through Jesus, who is alive and active in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. My God and your God is mighty to do supernatural things (like get a wad of paper with an encouraging Bible verse thrown into a lawn in a neighborhood which otherwise has no other litter). My God and your God is mighty to save us from despair with a word of hope when we'd be otherwise bummed out.

So the question remains, "Do you believe?" Are your hearts and minds alive and active, searching for encouragement from the living and active God and his word?

Or has your mind actually become idle in unbelief? Just remember, Grandma has a warning about that, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Praise God for Grandma!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Day of Praise book need

Hey, friends,
We're down to the book cover.
If any of y'all are willing to send in a short endorsement blurb that includes your name and occupation then we'd be most appreciative.
Your blurb may say, "I've gotten the Day of Praise email for years and look forward to it every day." - John Doe, fireman
I didn't mention before that even the publisher is a missionary, so every penny of the book proceeds is going to missions for spreading the good news of Jesus.
Thank you!!!
Pr. Chris




Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 09/24/14, "Day of Praise"

"The LORD said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites: "Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged."'" - Numbers 5:5-7

Have you ever said, "It's more than I can bear!"? If you haven't, you should. Because it is.

In today's verses, we hear that if you've wronged another person in ANY way (people, that's ANY way!) then you 1) are unfaithful to the LORD, 2) are guilty, 3) must confess that sin, 4) must make full restitution, 5) must ADD a fifth of the value of the offense, and 6) must give all that restitution to the particular person you've wronged.

Moreover, #3's requirement to confess ANY wrong as sin is impossible, for God's word says nobody can even know all their wrongs, as in Psalm 19:12, "But who can discern their own errors?"

It's enough to make us all cry out, "It's more than I can bear!"

Hmm! Sounds like Genesis 4:13, "Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is more than I can bear'" or John 16:12 where Jesus said to his followers "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."

In Psalm 130:3, God gives us another way to speak of our burden, "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?" Are our knees starting to buckle yet under the weight of sin?

However, God desires not the crushed soul or everlasting death of us poor sinners.

In Psalm 32:1, we hear, "Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

"Forgiven," as in 1 John 1:8-9, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

And "covered," as in God got an animal skin, a blood sacrifice, and covered the first sin in Genesis 3.

Through confession that we are sinners and then faith in Jesus Christ and his shed blood on the cross, we are forgiven and covered in his righteous love forever.

Spread the word because there's a lot of people out there who don't know Jesus and are still crying out, "It's more than I can bear!" Tell them, "Jesus is our Savior."

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Day of Praise

Tu, 09/23/14, "Day of Praise"

"But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." - Exodus 21:23-25

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Ya know, how could the loving God of the New Testament say such things in the Old Testament? And doesn't Jesus change that in the New Testament.

It's okay. A lot of people wonder.

But don't just wonder, please. Check it out.

In actuality, "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth" was a very loving thing for God to command at that time. Why? God's people were surrounded by other people who said, "You took my eye, so I'm going to kill you!"

But God said to his people, "Life for eye is not fair; eye for eye is. Life for tooth is not fair; tooth for tooth is." God was teaching his people about justice.

And furthermore, though God had pointed to the Savior Messiah since Genesis 3 when he covered the man and woman with the blood sacrifice of an animal skin and though the prophets would be inspired to foretell of the coming Savior Messiah, God's people had not yet seen the Messiah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. So being a people of justice was about as much as they could do.

But when God's people saw Jesus everything could change. So moving is seeing Jesus that Simeon (Luke 2:25+) says, "This is as good as it gets. Now I can die." So moving is seeing Jesus that Saul (Acts 9+) was blinded by holiness, given new "eyes" of faith, and led to see life in a totally new way so that now he'd live as the great Saint Paul. So moving is seeing Jesus that Jesus in essence says (Matthew 5:38+) that we can say, "I know you took my eye, but I don't need your eye. I need to give you the grace that I was given, so I will love those who hurt me by praying for them. I will forgive, letting go of my stranglehold on those who hurt me, as I have been forgiven."

Seeing Jesus, the Messiah who saves, moves us from being the great people of God who give justice even though we're surrounded by injustice to being the great people of God who give grace because we're surrounded by God's grace.

Dear God, we're surrounded by injustice, to be sure in this sinful world but, as with Simeon and Saul turned to Paul, give us eyes of faith to see Jesus and your grace so that, even when we must administer justice, we can do it in Christ with your love and grace. Amen.

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Monday, September 22, 2014

Day of Praise

Mo, 09/22/14, "Day of Praise"

"If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung
on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to
bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's
curse. You must not desecrate the land the LORD your God is giving you as an
inheritance." - Deuteronomy 21:22-23

Oh, that's where that comes from!

Remember how all four Gospels tell us "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent
member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went
boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body." - Mark 15:43 (also Matthew
27:57, Luke 23:51, John 19:38)

The reason that Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body is because of
today's verses from Deuteronomy 21. To leave Jesus' dead body on the "tree"
(the wood of the cross) overnight would have desecrated (made unclean) the
land God gave them.

Very practically, what I hope you're seeing from today's verses is the
magnitude of Jesus' sacrIficial love for us. He himself, who was without sin
against Father God, took on our capital offenses (sins, cf Romans 6:23), sat
under God's curse for us, and took on our uncleanness, which, like a
spiritual leprosy, separated us from fellowship with God and people. In
taking on these burdens that belonged to us, Jesus fulfilled, not abolished,
the Law of God (Matthew 5:17) so that we could be restored to the fellowship with God that we long for.

He did all that, and more, for you and for me...so that we, believing in Him
and His saving work, would not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Day of Praise

Sa, 09/20/14, "Day of Praise"
 
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: 'Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'" - Job 38:1-3
 
All I remember is that he looked as big as the Biblical Goliath, and all I could do was laugh.
 
I was a non-scholarship, practice player with The University of Tennessee football team, commonly known to the public as a "walk-on", but commonly known to the scholarship football players as a "blocking dummy".
 
He, by contrast, was the all-time quarterback sack leader at Tennessee and was on his way to being the all-time sack leader in the National Football League who would have his number retired at the University and enter the Pro Hall of Fame.
 
When we ran our conditioning tests at the start of training camp, we ran side by side, and he ran them faster than me, even though I was 5'10" and 174 lbs, and he was 6'3" and 295 lbs.
 
His name was Reggie White, aka, The Minister of Defense because he was also ordained as a Baptist Minister about the time he finished high school.
 
Tragically he tasted a premature death from a heart condition, but he did a lot of great things with his life.
 
One thing he did was humble me, along with a lot of other people. In my case, I was supposed to block him, as he was on the punt return team and I was on the practice-squad punt team.
 
He said, "C'mon Chris, give me some more resistance!" I said, "Reggie, it takes three guys, twice my size, to try to block you in real games, and they can't do it. So what do you want me to do?"
 
It was humbling. And Reggie was merely a man.
 
Imagine how humbled Job felt in today's verse when God says, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." (Job 38:1-3)
 
I was humbled by a mountain of a man. Job was humbled by the God who made every mountain!
 
And yet if you read the balance of the book of Job, you see some great things come from being humbled: 1) Job's prayers are rich toward God and others, 2) Job's prayers are effective, 3) Job and his life are restored in a multitude of ways.
 
There is some mountain or mountain of a person that is waiting for you today that will humble you.
 
Trust the God who made every mountain!
 
He will work with your humility and bless you!
 
Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Friday, September 19, 2014

Day of Praise

Fri, 09/19/14. "Day of Praise"

"The LORD bless you and keep you: The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-27

If I've told you once, I've told you a million times, "stop exaggerating!" In that vein, we've probably heard, read, said, or prayed the blessing in today's verse a gazillion times, which means one thing, namely, see what somebody else has to say about it!

And guess what I found? An article at
www.ancient hebrew.org/40_numbers1.html by Jeff A. Benner of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center. The article gives great insight to the ancient blessing. For those who can't follow the link to see how he gets there,
here's the translation by Mr. Benner:
"Yahweh (he who exists) will kneel before you presenting gifts and will guard you with a hedge of protection, Yahweh (he who exists) will illuminate the wholeness of his being toward you bringing order and he will provide you with love, sustenance and friendship, Yahweh (he who exists) will lift up his wholeness of being and look upon you and he will set in place all you need to be whole and complete."

What I hear in that translation of the blessing is that God Almighty wants to serve us, guard us, guide us, provide for us, encourage us, and give us every single thing that we really and truly need to be happy. Wow! That's a lot! Almost seems exaggerated.

Before she died in her 80's, a charter member of our church, Juanita Hoffmann, was receiving Holy Communion. After hearing a brief explanation about Communion, she asked, "Jesus did all that for me?"

Yes, Juanita, Almighty God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, does all that for you and for all who will believe His promises (as in Communion) and His blessings (as in Numbers 6). And that's no exaggeration!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Day of Praise

Th, 09/18/14, "Day of Praise"

Lots of road construction, distracted driving, and flashing blue lights going on around here. It reminded me of the following devotion from 2/22/12, which also was Ash Wednesday.

"If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

"Ignorance is bliss!" Uuuuh, no it isn't. In 1742, Thomas Gray actually wrote "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

Didn't know that? Doesn't matter. You're guilty of a half quote, which is a misquote. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

In Mitch Albom's fictional book, "Five People You Meet in Heaven" he tells of meeting someone in heaven who was killed by a person who didn't even know they killed someone. Based on "distracted driving" stats, Albom's book probably isn't fiction.

Sin is sin whether we meant to sin or not.

I'll be honest; it scares me to think what I've unintentionally done. Ya know, driving down the road, looking down at the radio...or Blackberry. Next thing ya know, I'm a mile down the road, and I don't even remember the last mile. Did I run somebody off the road? I don't know. I was looking at the radio...or my Blackberry. But if I did run somebody off the road and hurt them (or worse), even if it was unintentional, then I'm guilty. That's what God says in today's Bible verse. "[Even] if a member of the community sins unintentionally...he is guilty." - Leviticus 4:27

I suppose then that I should be grateful for Officer Wooten. Who's Officer Wooten? He's the nice Police Man who pulled up behind me with his blue lights on just in time to park behind me at church yesterday. He said he was worried that there was something wrong with me because I kept "bumping the yellow line." Really? Me? I didn't know I was doing that? I was looking down at the radio...or my Blackberry.

Doesn't matter. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

Ya know, we Christians say we're thankful that Jesus died for our sins. Ya know what? I bet we don't know the half of it!

Oh, before I unintentionally forget to tell you, today is Ash Wednesday, a day to go to church and confess a bunch of sins we know and ask God for mercy for a bunch more we don't. See ya there. And oh...drive carefully...or tell Officer Wooten I said hello.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Day of Praise

We, 09/17/14, "Day of Praise"

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

"Feast!" For as long as I can remember, that's what I say after every good meal. And as best as I can remember, I've said "Feast!" quite a bit.

In fact, in all my years I only remember 3 unsatisfying meals. There was one when I was still sitting in a booster chair where I had to eat my green beans before leaving the table. It got really late. I finally took a bite. What followed was not a pretty sight.

There was another at the home of some visitors to church. The main course was liver ball soup. Yes, liver balls. I talked a lot at that meal. Ya know, stalling. Hoping for dessert to be offered. Sorry, no dessert.

And finally, there was this grass casserole dinner. I'm serious. It looked like grass, smelled like grass, and tasted like grass, freshly mown from the lawn. Hmm, come to think of it, I had just mown...nah, couldn't have been, could it?

Well, you get the point. Other than those 3 meals, I've had countless feasts. And after every one, by God's grace, I've consciously felt like the most blessed man in the whole world.

It makes me think of all you wonderful people who have been "God's hands" and fed me, even green beans, liver balls, and grass. For you, I give thanks to God. And to God, I say, "Feast!"

What about all of you?

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." - Deuteronomy 8:10

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Day of Praise

Tu, 09/16/14, "Day of Praise"

"Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, 'Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?'" - Numbers 32:6

Oops! Did I just say that?

Ever said something and wished you hadn't? Duh!? Or ever said something with a tone and wished you had a "do-over"? Got me again.

Sometimes ya just have to feel bad for Moses. Poor guy. He's just trying to get God's people intact to God's land. And lo and behold, here come the tribes of Gad and Reuben, who don't want God's land west of the Jordan. They want land on the east; land already conquered.

So Moses jumps to conclusions and accuses them of cowardice and unwillingness to fight for God's land to the west.

Oops! Moses is wrong, guilty of false judgment.

Every year on Ash Wednesday and at other times, the church worships God and confesses "all false judgments" and other oopses.

I'm thankful for Jesus who gives us some major do-overs. You?

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Monday, September 15, 2014

Day of Praise

Mo, 09/15/14, "Day of Praise"

My daughter Cassidy was home from college this weekend. It made me think of the following devotion from June 19, 2013.

Isaiah 11:6b -
"And a little child shall lead them."

I hurt my left shoulder very badly months ago and like any good man, who never asks directions, I still haven't been to the doctor about it. Furthermore, I'm still terrified of heights, and I still think the only three uses of water are rain, getting clean in a shower, and Holy Baptisms.

So!

Why in the world would I even consider sliding down a 60 feet high, 100-yard long zipline and crash back first (if I hit it just right, otherwise it's the injured left shoulder first) into a manmade lake at camp last week?

Why?!?!?!

Because my 17-year old daughter, Cassidy, asked me to.

"Daddy," she says, "do you wanna go down the zipline with me?"

She's 17! Not 7.

I'm 48.

There aren't many of these invitations left in life.

So we gear up; we walk up; we climb up; we get hooked up; we get instructed; we stand backwards on the platform; they open the gate; and she starts singing.

"Jesus loves me! This I know..."

She looks at me, still singing; she bends her knees; she says, "Bye, Daddy!"; and there she goes.

What's a real man to do?

Well, let's just say that, with the exception of losing my swim shoes when I hit (and thankfully not my swim trunks...well, not completely, anyway), it was an incredibly smooth landing in the lake.

And what else should I have expected?

After all, God promised, didn't he? "And a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Hey, Gang, do something with a kid today. You'll be blessed!

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Day of Praise

Sa, 09/13/14, "Day of Praise"

"Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: 'I am with you,' declares the Lord." - Haggai 1:13

Presence. Never underestimate the value and power of presence.

I received the following email late one night -- "Hey PC! By chance do you have a break in your schedule this week to come visit [my wife] and our new born baby girl, who are both, at this moment in Critical care units @ [this hospital]? No emergency. Your smile and presence, would be a world of reassurance for us all!"

I hadn't seen this couple in years. Yet they would like someone's "smile and presence".

I'm not being falsely modest when I say I'm nobody special. That couple just wants someone who will represent the truth of today's verse from Haggai where the Lord said to the people: "I am with you".

God promised it through Haggai. In other words, God promised to be present, but he made the promise to be present through a person who was present, namely, the prophet Haggai.

That's the way God chooses to work with his word, that is, through means, like the water in Holy Baptism, the bread and wine in Holy Communion, and through ordinary people in hospitals, homes, ball fields, and workplaces. God chooses to tell people that He Himself is present through people who are present.

I have friends in Birmingham who drove to Atlanta to be present with a loved one who had surgery. They were present, but they also represented the truth that God is present because that's how God chooses to work. In the same fashion of the email I received that time, my friends who drove to Atlanta were the "smile and presence [that will] be a world of reassurance for us all!"

I myself will always be grateful for the man (not a pastor mind you) from our church who came and visited with me before my back surgery in November 2009. He was my "smile and presence [that was a] world of reassurance!"

To be sure, Jesus, being the Son of God, is the ultimate means through which God gives us his presence. Jesus' last words in the Gospel of Matthew are "behold, I am with you, even to the end of the age."

Yes, Jesus is the ultimate presence of God, but make no mistake about it, because Jesus lives in you by the power of the Holy Spirit, somebody this week and next week and every week needs you to be the "smile and presence [that will] be a world of reassurance for us all!"

Presence. Never underestimate the value and power of presence.

Go visit and encourage someone soon.

"Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: 'I am with you,' declares the Lord." - Haggai 1:13

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Friday, September 12, 2014

Day of Praise

Fr, 09/12/14, "Day of Praise"

"So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it." - 2 Kings 25:1

Have you ever been surrounded?

Yesterday, I listened to multiple people at church who described what surrounded them. Most did so with tears in their eyes. And they weren't tears of joy.

They felt surrounded by demands
Or disappointments
Or challenges
Or anxiety
Or a sense of unsettledness.

And yet these were the same people who filled the sanctuary to worship in a way that the sanctuary felt surrounded and filled by the presence of God.

This is why worshiping with others weekly is so important.
Life comes at us,
surrounds us,
sometimes because of our own poor choices (as with King Zedekiah and the
whole people of Israel in today's Bible verse),
sometimes because of the brokenness of the world,
sometimes because of the evil in the world,
sometimes because of...well, the possibilities are endless.

But the bottom line is this, worship is God's gift to us to hear again that God wants not our destruction but instead that God wants us to wake up and trust Him as our Shield, our Protector, our Sovereign, on Sunday, on Monday, on each day and moment that God grants us.

This is why the psalmist is inspired to sing, "Surely, LORD, you bless the
righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

If you're reading this, you're alive in this fallen, broken, sinful world on
this Friday, which means that you're surrounded by the demands
and disappointments
and challenges
and anxiety
and unsettledness that go with the world.

But you're also surrounded by the LORD who "surrounds you with His favor as
with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

Worship Him this Sunday but also today in each segment of your day by remembering Him, looking to
Him, calling on His name, listening for Him, trusting His word, walking in
His truth, and encouraging others to do the same.

He will deal with all the ill that surrounds you...and He will surround you
with His favor, His shield, and His peace.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Day of Praise

Th, 09/11/14, "Day of Praise"

After President Obama's speech last night, it seems good to re-post the following Day of Praise from November 7, 2012, which was the most replied to DoP ever from the day after President Obama was re-elected. It's long. In sum, trust the LORD, and pray for our President, our nation, and the nations of the world.

Wed, Nov 7, 2012, Election Day + 1, "Day of Praise"

Same song as yesterday. Second verse.

I think it's important for me to tell you, right here at the start, that the guy I voted for (Mitt Romney) did not win, assuming there's no Dewey-vs-Truman-like reversal overnight. It's important for me to tell you that because I'm sticking to God's word from 1 Timothy 2:1-6 that tells me to pray for those with authority in government.

I was going to stick to God's word and ask you all to do the same, whether my guy won or not.

It's a call for us to recognize that, while we walk in faith, we have one foot in the earthly realm and two feet in the spiritual realm. Yes, I realize that's three feet. It's a paradox, of sorts, that reminds us that earthly government is just that, earthly government, with an earthly President, who needs our prayers.

None of us can fathom the pressure the President of the United States must be under day after day. Ultimately, every President counts on every able-bodied person to get up out of bed and go to work and produce something that contributes to our economy.

Even moreso, every U.S. President probably doesn't realize how much he counts on us Christians holding the line of the spiritual realm which totally works on principles of authority. And every Christian has a direct line to the One who said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18).

The morale of this country is radically dependent on every Christian being Christian and, therefore, doing what Christians do, namely, believing. That means believing that, whether it's Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan, Obama, or whoever as the name on the mailbox at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that President is powerless unless God imparts the power.

Ultimately the God who sent His Son to our cross for our sin, and in so doing displayed his might and power over all creation, that God is calling the shots. Remember Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

President Obama needs our prayers, not because he didn't get the vote of many people, including me. President Obama needs our prayers because he's the President of a country that on many counts is fractured and divided and has lost its soul by chasing after wind.

God help us.

God help the President.

And ya know what?

Throughout history, God has shown that He's ready to do just that--to help us and our President and any country for that matter. But God's made it clear in His Word that His help is tapped into through faith in that God, through prayer that really believes in the sovereignty of the God who's being prayed to, and through people who dignify those prayers by stopping their griping about the President and instead put all that energy into those prayers, into a good day's work, and into faithfully loving their family, their neighbors, and their fellow man like the LORD, Jesus Christ showed us how to do in the strength of the Holy Spirit of the Sovereign God.

So, here's ten truths to believe before and after breakfast, as we start today to restore this nation to its greatness--one God-fearing, Jesus-believing, Holy Spirit-praying, hard-working, family-and-neighbor-loving citizen at a time.

1. God is still on His throne.

2. Jesus is still The King of all kings and The Lord of all lords.

3. The Bible still has all the answers to every problem because God speaks through it to the heart of every matter, which is the condition of the heart of every man and woman!

4. The tomb is still empty.

5. Jesus is still The Only Way to Heaven.

6. Prayer still works and still makes a difference and is still answered by God if people will just pray!

7. The cross, not the government, is still our salvation as Jesus' cross sets us free to love our neighbor with the same sacrifice, persistence, and grace that Jesus loved us with on that cross.

8. There is still room at the cross for people to visit God and lay their griping sin at the feet of Jesus and ask Him both to forgive us and also to give us a new heart to joyfully conquer whatever comes our way today.

9. Jesus, who was raised up to new life, still saves anyone for new life (and saves anyone from the old life of despair and hopelessness and meaninglessness), who places their faith and trust in Him.

10. God will still be with us always - He will never leave us or forsake us - so we know that if God is for us, then who can be against us and prevail?

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time." - 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Day of Praise

We, 09/10/14, "Day of Praise"

And another one of the favorites that y'all picked out. Thank you for sending them in!

From Wed, Holy Week, Mar 27, 2013, "Day of Praise"

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Ephesians 2:8

Ok, y'all.

Just stop.

Deeeeeeeeep breath.

Breathe iiiiiiiiiiin.

Breathe ouuuuuuuut.

Iiiiiiiiin.

Ouuuuuuut.

Close your eyes.

Deeeeeeeep breath.

Picture a river. The Jordan River it is.

Look out over it. All you can see is a band of angels. Comin' after you.

To protect you.

But, when an arrow is permitted through, then those angels are there to encourage you.

To turn your heart from the troubles and sorrows of the world. To gently touch and turn your face into the wind.

It's the movement of God. Coming. And yet always present. Mighty to save.

To save you.  

By his grace.

From despair.

Which is hopelessness. Ya know. Throwin' in the towel.

No. Don't throw in the towel.

Just be still. And believe.

It's true. Just a bit of faith. As much as a mustard seed. Just a wee bit. Of faith. Is enough to tap into. To receive. The salvation. The right hand. The strong arm. Of the living God.

It's there. For you.

He's there. For you.

Here. For you.

To lighten the load. To give you a hope. A purpose. To hold up your arms. And strengthen your knees.

It's true. Somehow faith. In receiving the grace of God that saves.

Things just get bearable. Even peaceful. Like it's all gonna be ok. Because they are ok.

Yes, there's still a storm. But God is in the midst. Of the storm. Holding your hand. Looking in your eye. Calling you. Not with his voice. But with his eyes. His heart. A whisper to the soul. "Dance with me."

I will lead you.

In the dance.

Through the storm.

To your salvation.

Your freedom.

From thinking that your life is defined and measured and able (or not) to be enjoyed. Based on your problems and debts and regrets and challenges.

No. Instead your life is defined by the One.

Who loves you. Who died for you. And more. And was raised. To be with you. And to strengthen you. And encourage you.

And to gift you.

With grace.

Upon grace.

Upon grace.

You need only believe.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Day of Praise

Tu, 09/09/14, "Day of Praise"

Here's another one of the favorites that y'all picked out. Thank you! Please keep sending them in!

From Thursday, April 18, 2013

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" - Isaiah 52:7

When getting ready to speak comfort in Christ to someone, in order to cover the looooooong distance from our head to our heart you don't need the internet but you do need a "www".

1) Give your "wonder" to God, as in "I wonder how I can do this?". Answer? You can't, but God can, so give your wonder to God.

2) Give your "wounds" to God, as in don't try to look strong by hiding your wounds, but recognize that God wants to work through your past wounds to minister to someone's present wounds so they know that you can truly understand just like God can.

3) Give your "words" to God, as in trust God to speak through you, as Jesus says in Matthew 10, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it, for at that time it will not be you speaking but the spirit of your Father in heaven speaking through you."

Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Monday, September 8, 2014

Day of Praise

Mo, 09/08/14, "Day of Praise"

Here's one of the favorites that y'all picked out. Thank you! Please keep sending them in!

From Tu, 07/30/13, "Day of Praise"

Acts 15:32 - "And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words."

I was in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, which gives me an opportunity to say "Hi!" to my friend Mark Ingram and his family, as Mark was amongst the few early leaders of Ruby Tuesday who helped make it what it is today, both here in the U.S. and also abroad.

So I'm in this Ruby Tuesday, catching up with a church member, Ilene, who for years faithfully cared for her Korean War hero, bed-bound husband. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice this 18 year old guy, flexing his bicep as if he were performing for a Mr. Universe contest. I look over just in time to see the 17 year old girl across from him, as she's reaching over to check out his bicep and feel exactly how big it is. He smiles even bigger and nods his head like a Bobblehead doll that's saying, "Yaaaayu, I'm strong."

And he was.

But she made him stronger.

He was strong. Like Popeye. Ya know, the sailor man, who lives in a garbage can. (Is that really the way that song went?)

But she made him stronger. Like Popeye's love, Olive Oyl
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Oyl), who was a main cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 (10 years before Popeye!) for his comic strip Thimble Theatre.

As in today's verse from Acts 15:32, the little lady in Ruby Tuesday "encouraged and strengthened the brother with many words."

Oh, yeah, the whole time Ilene and I talked, we never noticed Popeye nor Olive Oyl pick up a cell phone. Like my friend, Art Fries, is always saying, "the most important person in the world is the one right in front of you."

Oh sure, there's a few off-the-chart egotistical people in the world. But for the most part, most people are just looking for someone who will celebrate with them when they "flex their muscle." In other words, invite people to tell you something they like about themselves. After the shock wears off of them because they can't believe you want to hear something great about them and then they "flex their muscle", tell em how great they are.

And make them stronger.

We need more strong people in the world. So, let's "encourage and strengthen [one another] with many words." (Acts 15:32)

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Day of Praise

Sa, 09/06/14, "Day of Praise"

"As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you...But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name." - Isaiah 62:5; 63:16

God is not a man; God is God!

Now that we've got that established, I need to tell ya that I'm feelin' kinda sentimental. So, I wanna talk about this "bridegroom rejoicing" and "Father redeeming" stuff in today's Bible verses.

Now to make sure we root sentimentality in reality (that rhymes :-) "sentimentality in reality") then we need to acknowledge that the Bible reading today says that there's a whole lot that we don't understand about God's ways. In the same way, there's a whole lot my kids will never understand about my ways as their father, just like I'll never understand some of my father's ways and both my grandfathers' ways. So, with that being said, reality is acknowledged.

But now, let's get sentimental.

My dad did a whole bunch of "rejoicing" over me, and it had a pretty powerful positive effect on me, just like today's Bible verses talk about.

For example, I grew up in a small city (I guess that's how it'd be classified) in Tennessee. Kingsport to be exact. Not a whole lot to do in the Fall on a Friday in a small city in Tennessee except go to the local high school football games. I played football. By God's grace, I played a little, even got to play with my older brother where I was a linebacker on defense and he was an end. We had a ball.

Problem was, nobody in the stands seemed to be havin' a ball. Oh sure, they'd cheer if you scored, but there's a lot of plays in a football game where nobody scores. So there were a lot of plays where nobody was cheerin'...except my dad.

He was great. He cheered on every play! But that wasn't the half of it!

He made noise makers. Homemade noise makers. Tin cans. Plastic lids. Filled with gravel. It was great. They were loud. He was loud. Every play.

So loud that people didn't want to sit around him.

He yelled...every play..."Go, Chris!" and "Go, Ben!" and "Go, DB!" (DB stands for Dobyns-Bennett.)

Every play...he yelled...and shook those cans...so that nobody wanted to sit around him...and he didn't care.

Because he wasn't there for the fans.

He was there for his sons...and for the other boys...who had no father to cheer for them.

To rejoice over them.

Pretty powerful stuff.

Kinda like the way God cheers for all of us.

And I know that God's not a man.

But I'm feelin' kinda sentimental. Feelin' like rejoicing over those who've rejoiced over me, my brothers, and some other boys. Even when nobody else would.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Friday, September 5, 2014

Day of Praise

Fr, 09/05/14, "Day of Praise"

"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you
are the one I praise." - Jeremiah 17:14

When there's a storm outside, it awakens me before usual.

The thunder's so great that it rips the sky and rocks the house. The lightning's so great, it's like day.

"Save me, O LORD, and I'll be saved." (Jeremiah 17:14)

It is true.

The wonder of a storm
in the dark night sky
reminds me of a storm
in days gone by.

I was short and fat, a sixth-grade pleaser. He was tough and mean, to be feared.

It was outside the school, before the day even started. He wanted a chump for his breakfast.

This had happened before. I was his punching bag. But God (I think)
whispered, "Not today."

It lasted one punch. My knuckle was bleeding. But it brought an end to that
storm. Forever.

"Save me, O LORD, and I'll be saved." (Jeremiah 17:14)

There was a storm inside.

It awakened something within me.

The world around me was falling apart.

The thunder was so great that it ripped all I loved. The lightning so great, it brought pain.

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed, for you are the one I praise."
(Jeremiah 17:14)

God said (I know), as he spoke to my heart, trust me, I will carry you
through.

By His grace, and the comfort of the Comforter Holy Spirit, and the kindness
of many friends, the promise of God proved true.

Some of you, I know, have a storm in your day, but fear not, God's promise is true.

He will be with your child or your friend or your self. Mighty God will be guiding the way.

You need only believe
that God's promise is true.
In Christ, to be sure,
he died for you.

But even long before Jesus came and took on mortal flesh, God spoke through a prophet into a storm.

Your storm.

"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you
are the one I praise." - Jeremiah 17:14

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Day of Praise

Th, 09/04/14, "Day of Praise"

Thank you all for your replies yesterday and your willingness to point toward your favorite devotions for the Day of Praise books. Here's one from June 29, 2012.

"Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.' But Ahaz said, 'I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.'" -
Isaiah 7:10-12

It was hard to believe it.

Even after I saw it with my very own eyes.

It's not that I don't believe that God can do miracles. It's just that, well, I've always believed (and seen daily) that God does miracles of the heart for others and for me. And I've always believed (and seen regularly) that God does miracles of the body for others.

As for miracles of the body for me, I just feel so blessed of heart that I've never really felt the need to ask God for my own miracle of the body.

So when the team of white-water rafting guides at JH Ranch asked if they could pray for my body when they learned of my back problems, I suppose that I was like Ahaz in today's Bible verse. The commonality is that God wanted to bless us both, and Ahaz and I said, "No, thanks, God."

And, to both of us, God said, "Excuse me?"

In Ahaz's case, God said, in chapter 7, that he was going to do the miracle anyway by way of the virgin birth of the Messiah. God said the Messiah would be born to a young girl. Being young, she was un-jaded; that is, she had not yet been made dull, apathetic, or cynical-by-experience to the possibility of a miracle connected to her body. And so it was with Mary, the young, virgin girl who bore our Lord Jesus in her womb.

In my case, God said that he was going to do the miracle anyway by way of four young, volunteer college students named, if my memory serves me correctly, Matt, Will, Luke, and John. The only thing that could've made the whole experience anymore surreal was if Will had been named Mark! (For those who may still be sleepy, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four Gospel writers.) I don't know, I'm thinking now that maybe there was an Adam too!

Bottom line was there were a bunch of young, un-jaded guys with Bible names,
who asked if they could pray for my back and for my daughter Calley-Taylor's foot, with which she's had broken-bone numbness problems for years. Their
hunch with my back was that I had a leg that was shorter than the other.

So they gathered Calley-Taylor, another guy with his broken ribs, and me into this circle of seven (which interestingly is the biblical number of wholeness, completion, and perfection). They prayed a short prayer.

Then the order becomes kind of fuzzy because I was blown away by what was
not fuzzy. I didn't ask the broken-ribs guy what happened for him because I was so blown away by what happened to Calley-Taylor and me.

They sat me down on the ground, showed us all how one of my legs was an inch or so shorter, asked a short, heartfelt prayer to God, shook my short leg, and, voila!, the short leg was longer, and I had instant relief in my back.

Then they touched Calley-Taylor's foot, asked a short, heartfelt prayer to God, and, voila!, she had feeling in her foot for the first time in years.

We all hugged. Calley-Taylor, the broken-ribs guy, and I got on the bus with the other fathers and daughters to go back to camp. The Bible-named, volunteer, college guys went back to the white-water rafts in the river. And that was that.

Make of it all what you will. But I'm sitting here on the floor, looking at two legs that are still the same length, and thinking about Calley-Taylor, who gets back today from a Mexico, house-building mission trip with sister Cassidy and 24 others from our church. And I'm betting her foot still feels great.

Because I've learned, like Ahaz of old hopefully did, to bet on God...with every part of life.

And God invites you to do the same!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Day of Praise Favorites being published

Hi Everyone!

It's happened. After three years, God has brought us together with a publisher for Day of Praise. The sister, Diane Wigstone, of a former member of our church, Gary Wigstone, who moved away from Birmingham, owns a publishing company in Texas. Diane has started to work on a 60-day, Day of Praise, devotional book.

We'd like to start with your favorites.

So, would all of you please pick out some of your favorites, and send me the date of the devotion? Diane plans to publish more than one book, so some of your favorites may be in the books that follow.

Please remember the archive for 2 years of Day of Praise devotions is at my daughter Calley's blog:
http://dayofpraisepc.blogspot.com/?m=1.

Also, please remember that all my royalties will go to the work of missionaries who spread the good news of Jesus, especially in long-term missions (2 months or more), including my 2 daughters and the missionaries to Tijuana (Greg and Melissa Segrest) and Niger (Ashley Moman) from our church.

Thank you for teaming together in this project as you have with prayer campaigns and World Vision fundraisers and other ways that we've worked together to take the good news of Jesus to the world!

I look forward to hearing from you with your favorites so that the books are as strong as possible.

Pre-order information is forthcoming.

May God bless us all to be a blessing to others in Christ!!!

Pastor Chris


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Day of Praise

We, 09/03/14, "Day of Praise"

"Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" - Isaiah 21:9

It's wonderful to see the enemies of faith come crashing to their end. Today's verse says it all, ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9) Hooray! The enemies of faith come crashing to the ground wherever God's word goes forth.

That's the common thread between today's reading and the day that's ahead of us. The enemies of God's word and the enemies of our faith in God's word are defeated. ""Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!" (Isaiah 21:9)

The enemies of your faith in God and the enemies of his word cannot endure. Jesus himself encourages us best, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority...to overcome all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:18-19)

And that's a reason for everyone to say...Praaaaaaaise God!!!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Day of Praise

Tu, 09/02/14, "Day of Praise"

"Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago." - Isaiah 25:1

I had a seminary professor, years ago, who constantly encouraged us to, as he called it, "attend". He said if we would just pay attention and reflect on the events of a day, then we'd constantly see how God had kind of orchestrated blessings throughout each day.

I don't remember if that professor was the reason that I started looking for "divinely orchestrated blessings," but I see them all the time, just like he said we would.

Actually, I see them all the time, just like God said we would. In today's verse, God speaks through Isaiah to say that God does "wonderful things, things planned long ago." (Isaiah 25:1)

For example, one time, in a way I couldn't explain, I had a strong feeling to gather my things at work in early afternoon and take them home to type up a number of reports for Wednesday appointments.

I never do that. Type at home, that is. It's just easier to type and print at church. But it's like I was literally being pushed through one door and into another.

So I get home, with all my stuff, to do things that I'd normally do at church. I sit down to get started.

And the doorbell rings.

I laughed. And I said in my heart, "Okay, Lord, so this is why I'm here."

I went to the door. Listened to the young man and his sales pitch. Offered him a water. He accepted. As I turned to get it, I invited him to step inside out of the heat. He stepped in, and I retrieved the water. As I handed it to him, I asked if he worshiped anyplace.

And the next thing ya know, I'm sharing the Gospel of God's unfailing love through Jesus and inviting him to worship. He said he'd never heard that the Gospel was about God's work for us and the wonderful life he's prepared for us, "things planned long ago." He'd always heard that Christianity was about trying to be good for God. And then he said he'd just started the job that day and now he knew why...because he and I were "supposed to meet" so that his life and approach to work could be changed. He even left, long after he'd stepped inside for water, saying he'd think about our talk as he went to other doors. And maybe he'd come to worship since he hadn't been to church in years.

I don't know if I'll ever see him again. We have talked since. But he's in God's hands, just like so many friends, who I met in the strangest way, where inexplicable things happened to create a meeting of new friends, where we all agree that God "arranged" an appointment that was "planned long ago," not dictating our lives, but doing things "in perfect faithfulness... wonderful things, things planned long ago" (Isaiah 25:1) to bring the blessing of friendships in God's love together.

Indeed, God is so good! Look for him, and you'll see!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson

Monday, September 1, 2014

Day of Praise

Mo, 09/01/14, "Day of Praise"

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

I'm guessing many of you are saying, "Wait! That's not how Psalm 23 goes; it's 'the valley of the shadow of death.'"

Actually, the King James Version did translate it as you remember. But the Hebrew is as you see in the verse above: "the darkest valley" or even "the valley of deep darkness."

King James was capturing what you feel like when you go through the darkest valley, through the valley of deep darkness, namely, you feel like death must be lurking near because it feels like the valley of the shadow of death.

Not too long ago, here in Birmingham, some of us had a deep darkness, maybe-death-is-lurking evening. We had torrential rain right as 70 kids needed to get into their parents' cars at church. The rain was accompanied by lightning which was more scary and majestic than the 100 best fireworks displays I've ever seen. The torrential rain contributed to multiple car wrecks in the eight miles from church to my home. The truly awesome lightning contributed to multiple power outages, including my home.

As brilliantly lit as the skies were, my house was equally as dark, especially in the basement. It was valley of deep darkness dark. It's a darkness so deep you literally can't see your hand in front of your face.

We had peace though. Because we have a promise. From God. Through David in Psalm 23. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the deepest darkness, a darkness so deep that you can't see your hand in front of your face...I will fear no evil...for thou art with me, God...your rod and your staff...they comfort me."

Many of you, who I'm aware of, have recently shared things you're worried about, unsure about, wondering about, afraid about.

You're totally in the dark.

You have no idea what today holds, let alone tomorrow. How could you? You can't even see your hand in front of your face.

God has a promise for you. He says to you, "I am with you. I comfort you. With my rod and my staff, I'll protect you and guide you."

Even in the deepest darkness, trust God's promise, and you will see...

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson