Day of Praise

Sa, 11/29/14, "Day of Praise"

"Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,' declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 41:14

High school biology. Dissecting a shark was really cool. Methodically cutting up a body in order to study its internal parts was the neatest thing.

Well, it was cool, when there were some internal parts to study. A shark had a lot of parts to dissect. An earthworm, on the other hand, well, there isn't much to it.

Why then does God call his people a "worm" in today's verse? God says, "Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob."

Is God insulting his own people? Is God insulting them, saying, "There's not much to you, you worm!" No!

God's not insulting his people. Instead, God's saying he understands how others insult his people, as in Psalm 22:6, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people."

So in today's verse, in Isaiah 41:14, when God says, "'Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you," God is saying the following:

1) Other people may insult you, but I, the Lord, will build you up.
2) Other people may think there's not much to you, but I, the Lord, made you, and I think the world of you.
3) Other people may bully you, but I, the Lord, will fight for you.
4) Other people may think you're standing alone, but I, the Lord, am on your side.
5) Other people may call you a worm, but I, the Lord, call you my people.

So today, as the world comes at you and calls you a worm and tries to beat you down, be not afraid; be not discouraged.

The truth that God will stand with you and hold you up, even as the world tries to beat you down, is summed in Romans 8:31, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Have a great day, Friends, and trust that the LORD, the Living God, is for you and fighting by your side.

'Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,' declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 41:14

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

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/28/14, "Day of Praise"

"'Who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." - Isaiah 40:25-26

I don't remember having seen such a wondrous sight. Surely I would've remembered. Because I'm sure we'll never forget.

God brought "out the starry host one by one and...not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40:26)

The night before my daughter, Calley-Taylor, and I went white-water rafting at JH Ranch a few years ago, the leaders guided our group to an even more remote place in the Northern California mountains to sleep in an open field without a tent.

I have never seen so many stars in my life.

I grew up in East Tennessee. I was an Eagle Boy Scout. We camped a lot in remote places. I don't remember seeing that many stars.

I suppose I could blame it on the ambient light, ya know, light from the surrounding area or environment getting in the way of the stars. But I don't think ambient light is the total reason I didn't see so many stars.

I don't think I really ever looked up.

As I think back, I think I was so caught up in the people and the things we were doing that I never "lifted up my eyes and looked to the heavens." (Isaiah 40:26)

Bummer.

Because when my daughter and I did look up and saw all those stars a few years ago, we saw that God is right. Imagine that.

Looking at all those stars made us wonder "Who created all these?" He must have "great power and mighty strength." (Isaiah 40:26)

Probably enough power and strength to help me with whatever I've got goin' on down here.

Probably.

If I'll give him a chance...to help me, that is.

Hey, when you start to get a little overwhelmed or frazzled today, just go outside.

Day or night.

Look up.

It'll take about 30 seconds for perspective to kick in.

The One who made and guides all that you can see up there and beyond, He probably has enough power and strength to help ya with whatever you've got goin' on down here.

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

Day of Praise

Th, 11/27/14, "Day of Praise"

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures
forever. - Psalm 106:1

Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Day of Praise

We, 11/26/14, "Day of Praise"

"The Lord had said...'I will not again make the feet of the Israelites wander from the land I gave their ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them...' But the people did not listen." - 2 Kings 21:7-9

Today's Bible reading gives us absolutely no good news to work with. Manasseh is a
horrible king. The people turn from God. God is not pleased. And the prophets are God's mouthpiece to tell the bad news to the people.

However, all is not lost. Someone once gave me a book for a high school graduation gift, which said, "Everyone is useful, even if only as a bad example."

And there's our "in" for today's devotion; the people, in today's Bible reading, were a bad example. Specifically, "the people did not listen." (2 Kings 21:9)

Listen!

In her book, "Reach for the Summit," retired Tennessee women's basketball coach, Pat Summitt, barely gets started before she's talking about the value of listening in successful teamwork. Listen!

Our premarital and marriage counseling tools at church make clear the value
of listening in successful relationships. Listen!

And God, of course, is very clear on the matter in the Bible. From Moses to
Matthew, God speaks through all the Bible authors to emphasize the value of
listening, especially listening to God. In Proverbs 4:10, God plainly says to all who will listen, "Listen...accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many."

May God bless you with peace and goodness as you listen for him and to him
today!

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

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/25/14, "Day of Praise"

"The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" - Isaiah 19:3

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

Imagine we're playing a friendly game of Jeopardy. Ready?

Answer: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Question: What do most people want out of life?

You would look at me as if I were crazy.

But what is a life? Isn't it made up of years? And aren't those years made of months? And months made of weeks?

So, uh, what are you planning for this week? And more importantly, with whom are you planning this week? By yourself? With your family? With a team of coworkers?

In today's Bible verse, the southern kingdom of Israel, called Judah, is in the process of making plans for the week. And longer.

Judah's leaders are trying to maximize the possibility of a good life. So they make plans. After all, isn't the old saying, "No one plans to fail; they just fail to plan"?

The problem is not in their planning. Judah's problem is their partner in planning. Judah's partner in planning is  the Egyptians.

And God has something to say about that, as in today's verse: "The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing" (Isaiah 19:3).

In fact, through the whole of scripture, here are the words God uses to describe plans that leave God out of the planning: Foiled, Futile, Frustrated, Nothing, Shattered, Thwarted.

Sounds to me like our little game of Jeopardy from earlier.

But this is not a game. It's life. And the question remains: What do most people want out of life? Or how about, what do you want out of life?

The outcome depends on who you include in the planning.

There's certainly nothing wrong with including others in your planning. Just be sure to ask the LORD to be the lead. After all, "the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:11).

Therefore, with intentional head-bowed prayer, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:3).

So, if a life is made of years, months, and weeks, then planning for a good life starts this week...with the LORD.

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/24/14, "Day of Praise"

"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us." - Isaiah 33:22

There are few greater joys than being known and still being loved. In this vein, we often think about being known as the reason for not being loved. But what about being loved while not being known?

It is easy for us to love God because, through Jesus, we know that God has saved us and "will save us" (Isaiah 33:22). But do we love God without really knowing God? Yes, God saves us, and praise God for that! But today's verse makes clear that God is also judge, lawgiver, and king.

Do we know and love God as judge, lawgiver, and king? In my experience, people don't want to hear about God as judge, lawgiver, and king. But how can you really love God if you don't know God?

In brief, that God is Judge is to be an authority who is able to estimate worth or quality. God estimates that you are of such great worth that God sends his Son, Jesus, to die for you! So let's love God as Judge.

That God is Lawgiver is to be one who gives a code of laws to a people so that they're not constantly hurting each other. God is very clear in the Bible as to how we can have good relationships and not constantly hurt each other. So let's love God as Lawgiver.

That God is King is to be a ruler of an independent state, especially one who has the position by right. There's no doubt that God has the right to be King. But obedience to God the King, where obedience equals "trust in action", is a major part of being "a citizen" in God's "independent state." As we hear in Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." So let's love God as King.

Judge, Lawgiver, King. God calls us in today's verse to know that the Lord God "is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king" in addition to being the one "who will save us".

We certainly love God for saving us. Let's read our Bibles on Monday through Saturdays and be in church on Sunday so we can grow in our love for God as Judge, Lawgiver, and King too.

After all, as we said at the start, there are few greater joys than being known and still being loved. So just as God clearly knows us and still totally loves us, let's get to know more about God so we can grow in our love for God too!

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

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/22/14, "Day of Praise"

"[The LORD says,] '...I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.'" - Isaiah 29:14

God is awesome!

I'm thinking about "wonder". It means "beyond understanding". So, of course, "the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

As I keep reflecting on today's verse, my mind turns to various matters where my intelligence has vanished. Where I'm at my proverbial "wit's end," the "end of my mental resources."

And then I'm astounded! The God of "wonder" shows up. The God "beyond understanding" speaks to me.

In an instant, just like that! God speaks.

Like through my dear friend, Henry.

Henry sends out an encouraging text most mornings. Many times it arrives from Henry while I'm sitting here at my wit's end.

One time, Henry said, "Hey Pastor Chris, don't know Y I'm up reading this but...I'm reading Luke 5:1-11...Now in the Henry Translation (which is me), Peter says "Master, I have a Bachelors, Masters and a Doctorate degree in fishing. I been out here since 6:00p.m and it's now 6:00a.m. Now I've washed all of these nets." Now Pastor Chris here's where it gets interesting...verse 5, Peter says "nevertheless at Your word"...I challenge U to highlight those 4 words in your bible and meditate on them...Just think when we've done all we know to do with our resources, education, finances, etc. and we don't get the results we desire...If we just said "Lord! "Nevertheless at Your word." I'll do what U want me to do...Have a good night brother...I love U!!"

I will, Henry. I will.

And so will everyone else who just read this and is at their wit's end with something. Because, Henry, you reminded us all that when we've done all we know to do with our resources, education, finances, etc. and we don't get the results we desire. Just say, "Lord!" And give it to the God of wonder.

He's got it under control.

Thanks, Henry!

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

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/21/14, "Day of Praise"

"Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." - 2 Kings 18:5-7

In the box-office smash, Finding Nemo, the fish named Dory constantly encourages herself and Marlin, the father of the abducted fish, Nemo. Her uplifting, though monotonous, refrain is "Just keep swimming; just keep swimming."

It's as if she believes that something good, or at least better, is just one flip-flap swim-stroke away.

For those of you who read The Bible with us, a slight adaptation of Dory's refrain is sometimes useful, just as it is today, namely, "Just keep reading; just keep reading." Today's Bible verses are a good example. After four pages of gloomy prophecy from Isaiah and despicable living by Ahaz, the "just keep reading" philosophy pays off as the last half-page of Bible reading includes today's section of verses about Hezekiah.

Isn't it amazing how a positive and uplifting final word has the power to totally change the tone of all the ill that preceded it?

This is why I love God's word so much.

Do you love God's word? Do you chase after God's word with purpose? What would that purpose be?

I love God's word and chase after it because it encourages me to persevere, which means to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles.

It doesn't matter if there's four or four-hundred pages of gloomy prophecy and despicable living. I know that if I "just keep swimming: just keep reading; just keep persevering," then the sure-to-come positive and uplifting final word has the power to totally change the tone of all the ill that preceded it.

We know this because Jesus pushed through and then bore a whole bunch of, uh, bad stuff, but his righteous life and glorious resurrection had the power to totally change the tone of all the ill that preceded it.

God's final word is always a word of life.

Today's a real day. Probably gonna be some gloomy and despicable stuff to deal with.

Just keep swimmin'. Persevere.

Keep your chin up. Stay positive, like Hezekiah in days of old. Good things are just one flip-flap swim-stroke away.

God has promised and sealed it in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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

Day of Praise

Th, 11/20/14, "Day of Praise"

"Give praise to the Lord, call on his name" - Isaiah 12:4

I love you! And thank you!

A friend of mine says that there are no sweeter words to the ears of a parent than "I love you!" And "thank you!"

How much more then are they sweet to the Lord, our God? God is both our "Father," as Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 6:9, and also like a "Mother" as Jesus says in Matthew 23:37 that he has longed to gather us "children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings."

Today's verse, "Give praise to the Lord, call on his name" (Isaiah 12:4), is God's call to us to worship the Lord with others at a local church. When we worship with others we are called to remember that God loves to hear us say what every parent loves to hear. "I love you!" And "thank you!"

One week from today is Thanksgiving Day. Ironically, many regular worshipers choose not to worship on the Sundays that bracket Thanksgiving Day. However, here's an encouragement for you to go against that trend and worship as much as you can during Thanksgiving week, even if you're out of town. Worship him, and tell God "I love you!" and "thank you!" You might even get some interesting ideas for your home church or even a picture of everlasting heaven.

That's what happened a couple years ago for us. We got an idea and a picture, when my youngest daughter, Cassidy, my son, Caden, and I worshiped with our friends, Matt and Lori Spahn and their three awesome kids at Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin, Texas, just east of San Antonio.

When the last worship song ended, no one left. They all sat back down in the pews. At first, we thought we'd unwittingly wound up in a congregational meeting! Oh, no!!!

But we then saw the ushers move to the front and invite the first pew to stand up and go down the middle aisle to the Pastor, then refreshments, and then the exits. Then the ushers invited the second pew from the front to stand up and so on.

In case, some of you don't know it, unless you were my family growing up, which always sat on the second pew, then Lutherans, in general, tend to fill the back pews first and then the second to last pew and so on from back to front.

In the back, you can't hear God's Word as well, though it's better than not being in church at all. But, even though you can't hear God's Word as well in the back, when worship ends, you get to be the first one out to greet the Pastor, eat the donuts, and get on out the door.

Not at Faith Lutheran in Seguin, Texas! Those who sit in the front and hear God's Word the best, they get to leave first for fellowship, food, and the like. Those who sit in the back are ushered out last. Talk about a cure for sitting in the back of the church!

It's kind of a picture of heaven. Don't ya think? Those who hear the word of God are those who get the two most wonderful joys: 1) a renewed faith in Christ that comes from hearing God's word (see Romans 10:17) and 2) an intentional opportunity to tell God the two things that every parent, earthly and heavenly, loves to hear "I love you!" and "thank you!"

Wherever you are, may your worship of God in a local church be blessed this weekend and always.

"Give praise to the Lord, call on his name" - Isaiah 12:4

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

Day of Praise

We, 11/19/14, "Day of Praise"

"[Ahaz, King of Judah,] burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and sacrificed his children in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites." - 2 Chronicles 28:3

My children laugh at me. Sometimes I'll stare at something in disbelief as if my stare is going to change the reality. Kinda like a McDonald's that doesn't have a caramel sundae on the menu, of which there are many such McDonald's in Birmingham, AL.

Only worse. Much worse.

I read the words in today's Daily Bible verses "[Ahaz] sacrificed his children in the fire," and I almost need to read it twice.

Or stare at it in disbelief as if my stare is going to change the reality.

But, it happens. Earthly parents do unspeakable things to their children everyday. And I'm not just talking about Saddam Hussein who, for these and countless other unspeakable deeds, was himself executed on December 30, 2006.

Just yesterday, I was with a family who still tastes the sorrow of things their mother did years ago. Moreover, we all know way too many children who have seen their mother or father's backside, walking away from them, as the abandoning parent chose some other lifestyle or relationship over their own children. I'm not talking about making a loving decision to put your infant child up for adoption. I'm talking about abandonment.

I read an article the other day that said that the abandonment of children has become more prevalent than the abuse of children as the primary social problem in many regions of the world. Sadly, that's probably very old news.

Maybe if we all stare at it in disbelief long enough our collective stare will change the reality.

It won't.

Man, oh man, this is depressing.

It's a good thing that life in a broken, fallen, sinful world doesn't have the final word. It's a good thing that neither Ahaz, King of Judah, nor any other painful, relational reality has the final word.

God does.

The Lord of Life, the King of all Creation, the Master of the Universe, who stared death and the devil in the eye and raised Jesus from the dead as a foretaste that, for all who believe, the one true God has the final word. And the final word of the Lord of Life is a word of Life.

Like the final word that the Lord of Life spoke through Isaiah to those touched by unspeakable sorrow. "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15)

Did you hear that "God will not forget you!" Though the world and even close relatives may have abandoned or forgotten you, "God will not forget you!"

And you can stare at God's words all day long, but it isn't going to change the reality.

You are loved, cherished, and remembered by the one, true, almighty and merciful God, who is with you and serves you everyday, through, His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So God be with you, and have a great day!

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

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/18/14, "Day of Praise"

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -
Micah 6:8

Please forgive me, but I can't remember what stories I have or have not shared with all of you. I tell you that for two reasons:
1) I want to be humble, like God tells us in today's verse, and
2) I want you to have mercy on me, like God tells us in today's verse, in case I repeat a story.

Anyhows, y'ever eaten "Humble Pie"? Dutn't taste too good goin' down. But shur is good fer da soul.

I never thought that I thought too highly of myself, but I learned with Humble Pie that you better not think so highly of how humbly you feel about yourself. You know it's kind of like saying, "I'm proud of how humble I am."

Ok, ok, the story about Humble Pie. Well, I was at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Conference in Black Mountain, NC. I know I told you about coming back from it and being high as a kite for Jesus, but I don't think I told you what happened there.

The speaker, one night, told us all that if we really wanted to taste (get it? "taste") the depth of Jesus' love, then we needed to eat some Humble Pie. He said we needed to go up to someone who was hard to love and tell 'em that we loved 'em.

Well, he finished talkin', and I started thinkin' real hard about some people in my life, when, lo and behold, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and there was this guy from my high school. And this guy, well, let's just say he didn't run with the most popular crowd. It's not
that I really did either, run with the popular crowd, that is, but I sure as the world knew that I was more popular than him, and I was smarter than him, and I was a better athlete than him, and I was better at...well, you get the point.

And you probably have guessed, by now, where this is goin'.

It's like I said at the outset; I never thought that I thought too highly of myself, but I learned with Humble Pie that you better not think so highly of how humbly you feel about yourself.

And boy did I get a big ol' helpin' of that thar Humble Pie when the boy that I was more popular than, smarter than, more athletic than, well, he looked me in the eye, smiled as if he was about to say somethin' nice to somebody who's hard to love, just like the speaker challenged us.

And he did.

Just like the speaker challenged us, he said, "Chris, I love ya' man." And he didn't say it like, ya know, "Oooooh, you're so greaaaaaat, and I admire you so muuuuuch because you're more popular than me, and smarter than me, and more athletic than me, and I just think you hung the moon."

Nope, he said it like, "Man, you're hard to love."

Ditn't taste too good goin' down. But shur was good fer da soul.

As you can tell, I will never forget my friend, who ironically had initials J.C., just like the most highly exalted one, Jesus Christ, who humbled me by pointing out my sin and then lifted me back up higher than I was by loving me up on his cross.

Let us not think too highly of ourselves. For we know that "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/17/14, "Day of Praise"

"But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the LORD,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression,
to Israel his sin." - Micah 3:8

Notice, in today's verse, that Micah is inspired by God to

1) celebrate who he is and what he has in the LORD, as he says, "I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might" and

2) recognize, (because of who he is and what he has in the LORD), what he must do for the LORD, as he says his work is "to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin."

In sum, 1) Micah has an identity in the LORD and 2) he has a job to do for the LORD.

These two principles, that Micah knows, stand in contrast to "the prophets who lead [God's] people astray" (Micah 3:5). "As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim 'peace' if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them."

Notice the "principles" of these horrible prophets!
1) They have peace with people who feed/serve them.
2) They are at war with people who do not feed/serve them.

Micah listens to God and makes the connection between being and doing. The bad prophets do not. Micah wants to serve because of who he is. The bad prophets want to be served. (Cf. Jesus' words in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45)

And who has a book of the Bible named after them? Micah or the bad prophets? Micah!

And so it is with every book of the Bible. If they're named after a person, it's a person who made the connection between being and doing. They were all sinners, to be sure, for whom Jesus died, but they listened to God and made the connection.

There's no book of the Bible named, "The dude who expected everybody to serve him."

I will never forget the church secretary who quit after two weeks on the job, saying, "I thought this would be church work, but this is work!"

I don't remember her name.

No one else will ever have a book of the Bible named after them. But, being made in the image of God, we all long to leave our mark in the world. We long to have our name carved into the Tree of Life. We long to be remembered, as Abraham Lincoln said, as someone who did something for God.

For this to happen, like Micah, we are called to celebrate our identity and gifts in the LORD and then to do something with God's gifts and in God's strength for the LORD.

In so doing, we thank God for his goodness, we encourage others to do the same, and we sleep well at night, knowing our little ol' life made a difference in a great big world.

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

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/15/14, "Day of Praise"

"Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy..." - Amos 5:15

My wife, Amanda, and I were originally planning to visit my daughter, Cassidy, at her college in Columbus, MS today, but because of a church member's funeral today, we're not able to go. The thought of road-tripping to Cassidy reminded me of road-tripping with Cassidy and the following devotion from a couple years ago about that road trip.

We were surprised that the huge parking lot was empty except for a few cars. Moreover, none of the people from the cars were around. So, when my youngest, Cassidy and Caden, and I parked our car in downtown Memphis this past Memorial Day, we weren't exactly sure if we should walk down the right side of the parking lot or the left.

We should've gone right.

As it was, we had gone to the left, working our way toward the National Civil Rights Museum, which came to mind as I read more from the prophet Amos in today's Daily Bible reading. Through Amos, God demands that we treat the Cushite the same as the Israelite (Amos 9:7). God demands that foreign people be treated with the same love and respect as our "home boys." Just as God sends his grace on all people, God calls us to love, respect, and do justice toward all people, regardless of race, nationality, creed, etc.

So, Cassidy, Caden, and I are walking toward the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis early on Memorial Day, May 28. As we walk past the parking lot and cross to the next block, we realize "we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

We've stepped into a poor, broken-glass riddled, mostly abandoned neighborhood. And the next thing we know, we hear "rah, rah, rah, rah, rah." At least that's what it sounded like to me as the Alice in Wonderland-sized Rottweiler barreled towards us with what was surely more than the supposed 130-pound max carried by these "Rottweil butchers' dogs" (German: Rottweiler Metzgerhund).

They were first called "Rottweil butchers' dogs" because they carried carts filled with the meat that the butcher had butchered after the dog had hunted it down for butchering.

My children and I started looking for the cart that would carry us away to the butcher after our new friend got done with us. Mr. Rottweiler was barking and barreling towards us from a "Samford and Son" looking property, but Fred Samford was nowhere to be found to call back his version of man's best friend.

So on comes the butcher dog, racing at the speed of light, until...

He crashes into the chain link fence about ten inches away from our delicious-looking thigh meat.

That's the first time I ever heard three people pray in unison, thanking God for the beauty of chain link fence.

And we immediately thanked God for his mercy.

In the very next instant, as if God himself used his finger to lift up our heads and turn them to the right, we saw the sign on the National Civil Rights Museum just one block to the right. We raced there faster than a Rottweil butchers' dog.

And as we passed the very place where the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on April 4, 1968, 6:01 PM central time (as the Lorraine Motel itself where Dr. King was killed has been transformed into the Museum), our little experience of mercy with the Rottweil butchers' dog made us keen to God's demand through Amos, "Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy..." - Amos 5:15

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

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/14/14, "Day of Praise"

"Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt." - Proverbs 27:11

I was 16. I had just gotten back from Black Mountain, North Carolina and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Conference. It had been a mountaintop experience on a mountaintop. I was spiritually higher than ever before.

And I was probably too zealous.

I had never really talked about Jesus to other people. So, like a teenage boy calling a girl on the phone for the first few times, sharing Jesus the first few times was filled with awkwardness and butterflies.

My football teammates were less than impressed.

In fact some, were downright mean.

I was crushed.

I went to our head football coach, Fred Walton, not because he was the head football coach, but because I knew his heart. It was strong and, at the same time, gentle.

Somehow in my spirit I knew that, in the words of today's verse, Coach Walton could "bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt." (Proverbs 27:11)

He and I sat together, just the two of us, at the top of our very large gym. It was like we returned to the mountaintop, which both lifts up your heart and also from which you can gain perspective.

Coach Walton gave me strength and renewed my joy. I came to realize that, of
course, it wasn't him, but it was the Holy Spirit of the Living God working through him and through the faith that God had worked in him.

I would need every ounce of it because a couple months later, I broke my ankle at the start of the 2nd game of my senior year. Once again, some of my teammates ridiculed me, my abilities, my previous football awards, and my faith.

I was depressed.

But Coach Walton, physics professor Wally Owens, and Coach John Brooks were all men of God's Spirit in Christ who daily encouraged me and were God's
instruments for restoring some semblance of joy.

I am forever grateful.

And I want to thank God for them by doing for others what they did for me.

Indeed for all of us who will believe that Christ is truly alive and wants to work powerfully in us and through us by His Spirit, we can be world-changers and heart-restorers for others in the name of the LORD.

"Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who
treats me with contempt." - Proverbs 27:11

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

Day of Praise

Th, 11/13/14, "Day of Praise"

"Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness." - Proverbs 25:4-5

When I was a kid in the 70's, I remember listening to and talking to my father about cars. Specifically, I remember wondering why so many Japanese-made cars, like Hondas, rusted so badly. As I understand it, the reason they rusted so badly is that they were made of lesser-quality metals.

Too many impurities.

Too many impurities create a product that can't withstand the weather and time. At least nowhere near as long as higher quality materials.

God made us all to love to praise the Lord. God made us to love to bring glory to his name. This is our true self.

But in today's Bible verses, God says that it's really hard to praise the Lord and bring glory to his name if our lives are filled with too many impurities, too much dross, too much "wickedness," which God tells us in Romans 14 is anything we do apart from faith in God and his word.

To be sure "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), but God calls us to be who God made us to be and to care whether or not God can build, not Japanese-made cars out of us, but his kingdom!

Yes, we fall short, and God is gracious! But do we want, in our heart of hearts, to be high quality "material" with which God can build his kingdom? Or are we apathetic to the whole endeavor?

In Mark 9:24, we hear a father cry out, "I believe, Lord; help my unbelief." In a similar fashion, God would have us cry out, "I want to be a great servant of your kingdom, Lord; please help me where I fall short!"

Dear God, please, help us! Refine us and purify us by your grace and teaching and discipline to be fine material for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus and the advancement of your kingdom in the hearts of all people. 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

Day of Praise

We, 11/12/14, "Day of Praise"

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10

So add today's verses to the list. Genesis 14, Malachi 3, Matthew 23, Hebrews 7, and today's verses from Proverbs 3:9-10. Through all of these, God speaks plainly of Biblical tithing, which is the promise of God to bless those who bring the "firstfruits" of our labor, the first 10%, to the LORD so as to honor, exalt, and share him with the world.

My own simple testimony is this: since I was a junior in High School, when God moved me to read the Bible from cover to cover for the first time, I have seen that tithing "works."

I know that giving 10% of income, as a starting point for giving to God's work, seems like a lot, but I've found that God is always true to his promise. In sum, you can't outgive God!

And ya know, there's so much more that I could say with conviction about this tithing thing, about giving the first 10% of your income to the work of the LORD, but it's on my heart just to stop today. And here's why.

You're either going to believe what is God's promise, not mine, or you're not going to believe the promise.

And upon, hopefully, believing, you're either going to act on the promise and (continue to) bring the tithe or not.

It's your choice.

Christ's saving work has set you free (John 8:33) from being a slave to thinking like the world thinks and set you free to choose and to be a servant of thinking and acting like God counsels and models.

I'm not trying to make anybody feel guilty. That's not what Day of Praise is all about.

I'm just trying to tell you that God wants you to taste (Psalm 34) some blessings that only God has to offer.

So in a simple prayer, I pray you'll (continue to) give tithing a try, giving 10% both to God and also to the spread of his word.

You won't regret it.

It is God who promises you won't.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." - Proverbs 3:9-10

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

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/11/14, Veterans Day, "Day of Praise"

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'" - Matthew 25:19-20

If you are a "The Cup Is Half Empty" person, then you would say, "If you don't use it, you lose it." And that perspective is indeed a part of the parable in today's verse.

However, I prefer "The Cup Is Half Full" outlook, which leads you to say, "When you use it, you get more." And that perspective is the part of the parable that is today's verse, 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

One of our year-long classes at church is studying Arthur Burk's Biblical study of the redemptive spiritual gifts. (Google it! It's fascinating stuff.) One of the primary truths about spiritual gifts that Burk points out is "When you use it, you get more." Specifically, when you use the primary spiritual gift that God's given you, you get more spiritual gifts from God.

I'll let you explore that spiritual gifts application more on your own.

What I want to close with is another application of the "When you use it, you get more" principle, which applies both to the use of God-given gifts and also to Veterans Day.

Veterans have a special God-given gift, namely, a courage and conscious willingness to stand in harm's way for the sake of other people. And not just for the sake of other people but also for the benefit of other people. In other words, "When they use it (their gift), we get more."

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to assemble (with other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I had the freedom to practice my religion (with those other Christians) on Sunday.

It is because of Veterans using their God-given gift that I have the freedom to speak (from a pulpit to those other Christians) on Sundays.

And so on. And so on. And so on.

Thank a Veteran today.

And tomorrow.

And as often as you can.

"When they use it, we get more."

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/10/14, "Day of Praise"

"Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." - Proverbs 10:17

Little in life is harder...

Than the giving...

And receiving...

Of rebuke, counsel, and discipline.

But little in life is more important.

This is not some obscure teaching. Instead, in the Bible, God repeatedly speaks of the love, life, and wisdom that are gained and imparted from the receiving and giving of rebuke, counsel, and discipline.

It is hard to receive rebuke, counsel, and discipline because we don't want anymore "bosses" than are required to get our paycheck.

It is hard to give rebuke, counsel, and discipline because we don't want conflict as much as we want "friends," that is, people who like us.

But, praise God, there is more to life than paychecks and people liking us.

In today's verse, God calls us to value two things: 1) "the way to life" as greater than a paycheck and 2) not "leading others astray" as greater than people liking us.

As with all these Days of Praise, there is so much more we could say, but the bottom line is this: God's word plainly and repeatedly tells us that no man or woman is wise unto the truly good life in and of themselves.

God himself made us this way, that is, God made us to need one another for the giving and receiving of God's word.

So today, as you interact with others, listen intently for God's rebuke, counsel, and discipline. And when it's your turn to speak, do so boldly, with confidence in the Lord and love for the person.

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

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/08/14, "Day of Praise"

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21

Don't ya just love our life in the LORD through Christ? Seriously! I love it and pray that you do too.

One of the top things I love is that Almighty and Sovereign God wants to be, and is, involved in our lives in a myriad of ways.

One of the greatest ways that God is involved with us is that God works to "guide us into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79) so that, as in today's verse from Proverbs, God says that we might have plans, but the Lord's purpose prevails.

The thing I love about this is that we don't have to worry about making a mistake because, whenever we make a decision and go with it, God will do one of two things: either affirm the decision or work to get us back on track.

God does this because "God is for us" (Romans 8:31), God has good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and God wants us "to have life to the full!" (John 10:10)

So, let's get busy living!

And we do that by trusting God's repeated promise (from Exodus 15:13 to John 16:13) to guide us, by the Holy Spirit, into all the blessings that God has prepared for us.

So, have a great day! Live, believing that "many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21).

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

Day of Praise

Fr, 11/07/14, "Day of Praise"

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23

My wife, Amanda, and I are serving at Fall Camp, which is the Fall (Thursday - Sunday) version of the weeklong Special Camp we served at this past Summer. Fall Camp for Senior-aged adults and Special Camp for middle-aged adults are camps for God's dear ones with intellectual disabilities. Everything here is simple: food, rocking chairs, walks, bingo, a field trip, fishing, ice cream sundaes, and short, simple devotions, like today's Bible verse and reflection.

I have known people who have known today's verse for years. And depending on which ones of those people you're talking about, today's verse is either blessedly simple or tragically simple.

It is blessedly simple for those who know the verse and do it--for those who actually guard what goes in their heart.

And today's verse is tragically simple for those who know the verse and don't do it--for those who do not guard what goes into their heart.

God's appeal to us to guard our heart is simple. But, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 with the parable of the wIse and foolish builders, how much such wisdom to "guard our heart" positively impacts your life will totally depend on whether or not you do it.

It's a simple concept. Even children can understand it by way of an all-time favorite children's song.

(VS 1) Oh, be careful little ears what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears what you hear.

(VS 2) Oh, be careful little eyes what you see, (repeat)
For the Father up above,
is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.

(VS 3) Oh, be careful little mouth what you say, (repeat),
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mouth what you say.

(VS 4) Oh, be careful little hands what you do (repeat),
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little hands what you do.

(VS 5) Oh, be careful little feet where you go (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet where you go.

(VS 6) Oh, be careful little mind what you think (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mind what you think.

(VS 7) Oh, be careful little heart what you love (repeat)
For the Father up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little heart what you love.

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

Day of Praise

Th, 11/06/14, "Day of Praise"

"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both." - Proverbs 17:15

If you ever want a measure of how much God loves you, just remember Proverbs 17:15. In that verse, God tells us that he detests both the setting free of a guilty person as if he were not guilty and that God also detests the sentencing to death of an innocent man as if he were guilty!

In the suffering and cross of Jesus, we shared in both those detestable things as humanity asked for Barabbas, the insurrectionist, to go free and asked that Jesus, the innocent, be sentenced to death and crucified.

Furthermore, the name "Barabbas" means "child or son of God." And his offense of "insurrection" is a fancy way to say "sin or rising up against the ruler [God]". In other words, we, like Barabbas, are children of God who have risen up in sin against God, but we also, like Barabbas the guilty, were set free from the penalty and sentence of death, as Jesus, the innocent, took our place on the cross that we deserved.

We were on both sides of the equation of the two things that God detests.

And yet God, who doubly detests the sentencing that all humanity unjustly laid on his Son, freely sent and gave his Son to die for us so that we might live anew.

And God tells us this in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." So imagine how great is the love when one dies for someone they don't know or dies for someone who has done something they detest.

Friends, we're quickly approaching Veterans Day weekend. It's a time to remember and give thanks for countless people who died or were willing to die for their friends and for strangers and even for people who have done things that they and God detest. But let's not wait until the last minute to remember and give thanks for all who have died for us and/or served us so that we might go free. No, America, let's bless God now and every day, giving thanks for those who served and gave their lives, that, in the strength of Jesus Christ crucified and raised, we would gladly do the same.

Die to self; live in love.

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

Day of Praise

We, 11/05/14, "Day of Praise"

"'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the Lord'" - 2 Chronicles 7:21-22

Based on the testimony of God's word and general observation of life, one of the hardest things for people to learn is the place of good works in the life of grace.

After all, if grace is God giving us good things that we don't deserve, then why do we need to do any good works at all? Such is the question in Romans 6 in the Bible.

But the answer to the question of the place of good works in the life of grace is actually very simple. Our good works, or lack thereof, do not change God's heart toward us. God always loves us and wants to be in a relationship with us so that we can have a great life in him now and forever.

However, our good works, though they don't change God's heart toward us, they do impact our heart toward God. As Jesus says in John 15, our good works, works done with faith in God and love for God, are the way to stay in a relationship with God. We get into a relationship with God by his gracious initiative. We stay in the relationship with God by "good works," which, again, are deeds done with faith in God and love for God, as we hear in Romans 14. Jesus says it this way in John 15, if you stay in my love and keep my commands, you will bear much fruit, but apart from [the relationship with] me, you can do nothing [that endures positively with life].

In Hebrews 12, especially, God plainly tells us that God disciplines (that is, acts to teach) us when we don't do good works of faith and love, in order to teach us how good relationships with God and one another work...or don't work.

God is always graciously faithful to the relationship with us. Period. Even when we're not. But God graciously loves us so much that he wants us to know the unmatched joy of actively being in a relationship with him. So he graciously teaches us the place of good works.

Think about it. Please. Because one of the hardest things for us people to learn is the place of good works in the life of grace.

Dear God, please be gracious, according to your will, plainly revealed through your Son, Jesus Christ, and help us to learn and live out the place of good works in the life of grace, so that we trust you alone to create us, give us "daily bread", and save us for eternal and everlasting life. But help us to see the joy of good works, as you have ordained such works to be the way to stay in and enjoy a relationship with you through faith in you and love toward others. 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

Day of Praise

Tu, 11/04/14, "Day of Praise"

[And Samuel said to the people,] "Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty." - 1 Samuel 12:20b-21 (ESV)

Amanda and I are still getting settled into our house after our honeymoon. Translation: her stuff is all in its proper place and my stuff, well, I'm a guy, so, oh well. I'm glad she's patient!!!

One of my things that's still not put up is the box her wedding ring was in. The box is in the back seat of my car, on the floor, right behind the driver's seat.

Yesterday, I was getting out of my car, and, as I observed the ring box with "Diamonds Direct" clearly printed on the top for all the world to see, I thought to myself, "That ring box is really a temptation for somebody to try to break into my car." And then I got to thinking about how much work somebody might put into breaking in and stealing the box. And then I thought about how much they'd be willing to risk to steal the box, ya know, like going to jail. And then I thought that maybe they weren't really thinking about the risk at all because they were so eager to get the box that their vision of riches shut down their brain from thinking. And then I thought how sad all of that would be because of what's actually in the box.

Namely, nothing.

There's nothing in the box. Oh sure, it's a nice enough box, and it says "Diamonds Direct" on the outside, but there's absolutely nothing on the inside.

The nice box is empty.

Just like a lot of stuff that people chase in this world.

Today is a workday. What are you chasing after with your work today? In today's Bible verses, God clearly says through Samuel, "And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty." (1 Samuel 12:21 (ESV))

So what should we chase after with our work? God gives that answer too in today's Bible verses, "Serve the Lord with all your heart."

Passage after passage in the Holy Bible says that if we'll just trust God at the center of all things (Genesis 2), love God above all things (Matthew 22), and seek God first before all things (Matthew 6), then we'll be given everything else that we need and more!

So, have a great day with Jesus!

And remember to "not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty." (1 Samuel 12:20b-21 - ESV)

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

Day of Praise

Mo, 11/03/14, "Day of Praise"

"[Solomon prayed] 'When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the Lord...then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.'" - 1 Kings 8:44-45

When I was in college, I was blessed to have Christian fellowship on campus with a man named Bob Schindler. Bob was with the Navigators ministry on college campuses and also worked a full-time engineering job, in addition to being a great husband and father.

Bob loved the Lord.

Bob loved the Lord so much that trust in the Lord was a natural fruit. Bob asked his engineering company if he could work half-time because that would still provide adequate income for his family and he could devote more time to Jesus through campus ministry. His company said, "No!"

Bob decided to trust the Lord's calling. After explaining to his company his burden to have more time for ministry as he had requested from them, he left his engineering job. It was a hardship and a battle in many ways on Bob and his family.

It would be wrong to say, "They prayed." No, instead, they continued to pray. The emphasis is on "continued," because, in the spirit of today's Bible verse, Bob saw the life of faith as full of little wars that constantly try to destroy our faith. As should we all.

As it turned out, when the Schindlers prayed to the Lord, God heard "from heaven their prayer and their plea, and upheld their cause." (1 Kings 8:45) As it turned out, months after Bob left his engineering job because of his dedication to campus ministry, his company came back to him, recognizing his immeasurable value to their company, and they worked out a plan to bring him back to their company in a way that still freed him for campus ministry, just as Bob had asked for to begin with.

Today's Monday! Give your employer an honest day's work. But work to the glory of the Lord so that you and yours and your company will all see the blessings of God for those who love him and trust him and pray.

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

Day of Praise

Sa, 11/01/14, "Day of Praise"

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

This was from last year at Halloween, but it's so memorable for me that I really want to share it again.

So I'm giving out ice cream and a "Jesus loves you" to every child and adult who came to our door last night. Once I found a rhythm, I'd start by giving a plastic spoon to a couple folks at a time, saying, "Here's a spoon," while they all were noticing the big bucket of Blue Bell ice cream that was clearly sitting in front of me.

Well, one boy, about eight, clearly did not notice the ice cream. As he approached my porch stairs where I was sitting, I reached over the Cookies 'n Cream and said, "Here's your spoon." As I turned to grab his kid cup and the scooper, I noticed him look curiously at the spoon, and then he turned to leave, saying, "Thank you!"

I started to chuckle and said, "Wait! What about your ice cream?" He turned back and with genuine astonishment said, "Oh! Wow! And there's ice cream?"

So, I scooped some up, told him "Jesus loves you!", and sent him on his way, as again he said for the second time what 95% never said at all, namely, "Thank you!"

Two quick things to take with us today, November 1st, which is All Saints Day. First, whatever comes your way, learn from the spoon-boy, and be thankful. It might be small. It might be strange. But, be like the boy, and be thankful. After all, a thankful heart is a happy heart. And all the saints, who've truly encouraged me through the years have been characterized by a genuine faith in Jesus and a thankful heart, no matter what came their way, even if it was just a plastic spoon.

And second, learn again from the spoon-boy, but this time by his mistake. Don't be in a rush and so quick to presume. Again, like all the believers who've genuinely inspired me, when something first comes your way, take a deep breath; wait at least a moment; and see if there's more to the story or the gift. We live in a world where everything is fast, and everyone's in a rush. But today's Bible verse is clear: hope, wait, and be patient. Something more is often on the way.

But if not, be thankful for the spoon!

And remember! Jesus loves you too!

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

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