Friday, December 22, 2017

Day of Praise

Sat, 12/23/17, "Day of Praise" 

"And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." - Acts 2:45 

Please sit down. 

After all, it's Saturday. 

But actually, the reason I want you to sit down is because my sincere desire is to help you get stronger. 

God's way. 

As an illustration before the request, did you know that, when you give blood, the blood that your body makes to replace what you gave is actually stronger blood than what you gave away? 

God's way of making us stronger is that God made us to pass along what God gave and entrusted to us so that we'd get stronger in return. So when we pass along blood that God gave and entrusted to us, then we get stronger blood in return. And when we pass along our stuff, our possessions, our material goods that God gave and entrusted to us, then we get stronger stuff, possessions, everlasting goods in return. 

This is what God's talking about in Malachi 3:10 and Jesus is talking about in Mark 4:18-21. This is what the people in today's Bible verse were counting on. This is what we're all counting on every time we give away canned goods or clothing or money or any possessions. 

In freely giving, we actually are receiving even more, which God freely gives in return. 

With this in mind, please stay seated and consider the following challenging (but rewarding) video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YwScBFTb_M. And if you'll believe and respond to what you see while you're seated, God's promise is that you'll rise up even stronger than before. 

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, December 21, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 12/22/17, "Day of Praise"

Jeremiah 11:18a - "The Lord made it known to me and I knew..."

Amos 8:1a - "This is what the Lord God showed me:..."

What would you like to know?

Don't let Friday get in the way. 

It's easy for us to get so wrapped up in the things that we enjoy and the things that we anticipate that we wind up missing out on the things that God wants to show us now. Usually it means that we're so wrapped up in the temporary that we wind up missing out on the eternal and everlasting. 

I remember a time when a friend was telling me that he had recently discovered the joy of inviting people both to Jesus and also to worship. Such joy is a joy, whether or not people accept your invitation, because, having made us in His image, God made us to love it when we invite others to Him. It's an additional immeasurable bonus when they accept.

Well, my friend said that he was with his usual group of almost twenty golfers, who get divided into foursomes by drawing names from a hat. These guys had met and divided into groups and played golf for years, so they knew each other quite well. My friend said that, as the first three names were drawn, he recognized that two of them were strong non-believers. And upon recognizing that the non-believers had been picked, my friend said that he just knew that, even though there were almost twenty names still in the hat, he himself was going to be picked next. 

And he was.

He knew he'd be picked, and he knew he then was picked because God had a divine appointment for him. He was supposed to start talking to the strong non-believers about Jesus and worship.

But the question is, "How did he know he was going to be picked out of a hat?" Was it coincidence? Well, friends, you can choose to believe whatever you want. Or you can believe what God says in His word as in today's Bible verses. God wants us to know things and show us things that have to do with everlasting things. And God wants us to just know these things and show us these everlasting things even when we're doing some earthly temporary thing we enjoy, like golf, or when we're eagerly anticipating some earthly temporary thing we're going to enjoy, like the weekend. 

So today's Friday. It's fine to enjoy it as Friday and to enjoy anticipating the weekend, especially with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day being a part of this weekend. But in the midst of your earthly enjoyment, remember why we're ultimately here: to know the Lord and to worship Him and to make Him known, inviting others both to Jesus and also to worship God too. And as you remember our ultimate purpose, God will show you things so that you'll know things that bring unmatched excitement to your day, an eternal blessing to those before you, and glory to God and his name. 

Jeremiah 11:18a - "The Lord made it known to me and I knew..."

Amos 8:1a - "This is what the Lord God showed me:..."

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, December 20, 2017

Day of Praise

Thur, 12/21/17, "Day of Praise"

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

I remember the time I was in the lobby and at the front desk of my oldest daughter and son's huge, 2,600 students, high school, signing my son in as tardy, with 100 or so students milling around and with a good number of them saying, "Hello, Mr. DeGreen" or "Hi, Coach Chris" or "Hey, Pastor Chris." After all, my family has been blessed to be in this community for almost three decades.

The thing was that day that this wear-pastor-clothes-90%-of-the-time-with-the-little-white-thing-at-your-neck-coach-Mr.-pastor was in the huge high school lobby...in my pajamas.

Of course, that also meant doofy looking hair and, only the good Lord knows, whatever else was uncovered or out of place.

I was embarrassed for a moment.

And then God said, "Chris, this is nothing. But if it is anything, it's a chance to show these kids what matters." So instead of apologizing about my pj's to every kid and adult, I just had an even greater time greeting the kids, hugging a couple necks, and telling my son to have a great day and that I would pray for him with his test.

And let's be clear; I was embarrassed, but God had greater plans.

So, come what may today, with whatever may be out of place, may God speak to our hearts, help us to laugh at ourselves, shine through us with gladness, and bring God the glory.

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, December 19, 2017

Day of Praise

Wed, 12/20/17, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 25:11 - "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

Every parent wants to give their child(ren) "more than they had." The question always is: "More of what?" 

I have a friend. He's an older man in my life, who's not related to me, who says that his father gave him more life by giving him less words. For example, his dad would say, "Son, you're a young man, so you have freedom to make your own decisions, but you're not making very good ones." My friend says that's all it took for him to wake up and start making what have turned out to be some amazing, mature, life-giving decisions, which have brought him far more spiritually and financially than his father ever had. My friend's father, therefore, saw every parent's dream come true, namely, the child had more than the parent. And in this case, the parent gave his son more by giving him less because what the father gave was, what God calls in today's Bible verse, "A word fitly spoken."

"Fitly" means correctly; judiciously; suitably; properly; pertinently;
done in a competent, appropriate or suitable manner. And such a word, God says, "is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

Did you know that God has given us such a word? God has spoken a fitly word, which is correct, judicious, suitable, proper, pertinent, and done in a competent, appropriate and suitable manner. And that word is "Jesus." If we'll read John chapter one in the Bible, we'll see that God calls Jesus "The Word," so that with one word, "Jesus," God has given all his children "more" because in Jesus we have the most! In God's word, Jesus, we have the most life, the most strength, the most insight, the most courage, the most peace, the most love, the most joy, and on and on and on of everything that counts and matters and lasts in life. 

Do you want your child(ren) to have more? If so, then give them less words. In fact, give them just one word. Give them Jesus! 

(And, by the way, any child of God, any human being, no matter their age, could use and needs the same! So, give it; give Jesus to them!)

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

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

Monday, December 18, 2017

Day of Praise

Tues, 12/19/17, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." - John 16:7

I remember a young teen basketball team our son, Caden, played on. Though thirteen, one boy had never played the game. It was a good reminder for us coaches to make sure we touched on the basics of basketball. Very basic. 

I remember a time I was asked a question that I assumed everybody knew, at least I thought you'd know it if you'd ever been in a church. It was a good reminder for us churchgoers to make sure we touch on the basics of the Christian faith. Very basic.

And so it is with Jesus in today's Bible verse. He's making sure that we touch on the basics of the purpose of his death on the cross. Very basic. 

We all know that Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. That's basic stuff. 

But did you also know that Jesus died on the cross so that he can actually live in you by the power of the Holy Spirit? I talked to somebody just yesterday who's gone to church their whole life and didn't know that Jesus had to die in order for the Holy Spirit to come. And they didn't know that the Holy Spirit had to come in order for Jesus to live within us. That's why Jesus said, "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

And what that basically means is this: if you will believe that Jesus died for your sins and that he was raised from the dead so he could pour out the Holy Spirit, then Jesus will actually live in you so that, no matter what happens today, you will find that you are not alone, that Jesus is your strength in hard times, and that the Holy Spirit will be your peace and insight in the face of your difficulty. And basically a whole lot more. 

The mom of the new boy on our basketball team told me that her son never knew that basketball was a team sport. As basic as that may seem to some of you, please don't laugh because apparently he'd only experienced basketball as a street game where everybody played by themselves and for themselves. 

Kinda like what many people think being a Christian is. Everybody by himself and for himself. 

But basically, y'all, in case you're new to the concept, Jesus died on the cross so he could send the Holy Spirit and turn the game of life into a team sport with Jesus in me and Jesus in you and Jesus joining us all together in a winning team called the Church. 

So, if you haven't gone to church lately, you should go and get involved. 

Your team needs you. And you need the team. 

And while you're at it, invite a friend. After all, being part of a church may seem basic to you, but it's a brand new concept to many, who need your help in learning to be on the team. 

And, because Jesus died and was raised, the Holy Spirit will help and coach us all!

Praise God!

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Day of Praise

Mon, 12/18/17, "Day of Praise"

Y'all have heard this one before a bunch, but I couldn't help but think about it all day Sunday since we had a cold, rainy day on the outside but an amazing day of worship, study, and fellowship in Christ for our hearts, including little Megan Durbin serving as a Banner Bearer at our church for the first time, a prayer and healing time in worship, and 60 preschool kids doing an absolutely amazing Christmas Pageant! So here's the simple word—

"My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day." - Psalm 71:8

Have a great day!

I hear there's a great forecast for today:
1) God will reign.
2) The Son will shine.
3) The Spirit will provide a gentle breeze from the East.
4) And, if we're really blessed, Jesus will come on the clouds of heaven.

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, December 15, 2017

Day of Praise

Sat, 12/16/17, "Day of Praise"

Mark 15:43 - "Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus."

Psalm 123:1 - "To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!"

Psalm 14:2 - "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

I rarely, if ever, go when the light initially turns green when I'm first in line at a traffic light. I value my life way too much. Plus, I really do want to see the expressions of all the drivers who are running the red light as they fly down the road in a hurry for their funeral. 

As the cars zip in front of me through their red light, while I'm getting honked at from behind at my green light, I notice two primary expressions on the faces of the red-light-runners. The first expression is that they are staring ahead, laser-focused on the road, but exuding a spirit that you can feel where they clearly think that if they don't look at any other car while they're running the red light then it makes it all okay. The second red-light-running expression is much more rare where the driver realizes that they've made a poor judgement, and they actually turn my way, waving both hands (which is also dangerous) as they're trying feverishly to apologize for the high probability that they would've killed everyone in my car if we had gone when the light turned green. 

Do you see the contrast? One does something wrong and looks away from the wrong as if not looking makes it right. The other does something wrong and looks feverishly for someone to apologize to and for forgiveness. 

I don't know about you, but I will mess up today. In today's Bible verses, God plainly encourages us to be like the Psalmist and Joseph of Arimathea who are both constantly looking to the Lord and for the Lord because they're looking for help when they mess up and when they're hurt and when they're confused and when they're looking for strength and when they start a new segment of their day and when they're wanting to taste the constant fellowship that God promises and because they've tasted the inexplicable peace that comes over you when you look to God for everything and not just to apologize and for forgiveness.

And best of all, Joseph and the Psalmist look to God and for God because they clearly believe God when in Psalm 14:2 God says, "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

May God help us today and everyday to look for the Lord and know the blessings that God promises when we do. 

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, December 14, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 12/15/17, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus prayed to the Father,] "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3

I remember one time, standing in my office, bawling like a baby, looking up to the heavens, and crying out to God, "What is going on?"

Have you ever wondered that in your life?

Recently, I met someone at their favorite coffee-shop so they could ask me the same question about their life, "What is going on?" "Am I a bad person?" "What am I going to do?" "How am I going to get past this?" "Where is God?"

As my friend was talking, we were doing the guy thing, ya' know, sitting next to each other, backs to the wall, looking out into the room, watching people. At the same time, we both had noticed a very tall person who came in looking very short, pressed down by the weight of the world, with that look on their face, "What is going on?" The now-short, tall person ordered a coffee, sat down, shook their head despairingly, and took a deep breath, as if they were trying to expel a bad taste from their soul. Shortly after, their name was called; they got their coffee; they pulled out their phone; and texted someone. We both later said that they probably texted a trusted friend with the words, "What is going on?" because the coffee stayed untouched as they waited for a reply like a person on trial, waiting for a verdict. Their phone must've vibrated because they jumped about a foot off their seat, even though their eyes never came off the phone. They started to read what must've been short because they never scrolled. They just put down their phone, screen down. Then they looked up. And then they smiled. 

And grew tall again.

Coffee untouched. They arose and walked away. Restored.

What was said to them that made it all better? We, of course, can't be totally sure. But I said to my friend, "this is what I think was said" to the short-tall person now restored to tall. What I think was said was something like, "Who can be sure exactly what's going on when broken people and destructive forces are involved? But this is sure, 'I am with you!'"

And so it is with us in today's Bible verse. Jesus is praying. He's about to be rejected, suffer, and be crucified because and only because broken people and destructive forces are involved. In his humanity, we know that Jesus was feeling the make-you-feel-short-and-small weight of the question, "What is going on?"

But God sent him a spiritual text. Jesus heard the voice of the Father say what God's word says again and again and again. God's word says, "This is!" (John 17:3), as in "this is most importantly what's going on: I know you, and I AM WITH YOU!"

Can't you just see Jesus smile?

Like when St. Paul's in a horrible jail for the "crime" of preaching about Jesus, and Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). And when Jesus knows he's about to be rejected, suffer, and be crucified, and he says, "In the world you'll have trials and hard times, but cheer up! For I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)

Friends, in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we have assurance that God sees you shaking your head and hears you groaning with a sigh too deep for words, "What is going on?" "Am I a bad person?" "What am I going to do?" "How am I going to get past this?" "Where is God?"

And God just sent you a spiritual text, saying what God's word says again and again and again. God's word says, "This is!" (John 17:3), as in "this is most importantly what's going on: I know you, and I AM WITH YOU!"

And because of God's promise, may we all grow tall again, arise from our untouched coffee, and get back out there with a smile.

Because mighty, victorious God knows us and is 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

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Day of Praise

Thur, 12/14/17, "Day of Praise"

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

In one short little verse, God says that transgressions, iniquities, punishment, and the need for healing are the things that belong to us. And in that same verse, God says that there is one who will be pierced and crushed for us in order to bring us the peace and healing we need. 

How might we understand this?

I remember consciously thinking and telling people how I'd never had one stitch in my first eleven years of life. And then in the next ten years, it was like it was inevitable, and I got more stitches than, as they say, you could shake a stick at: a surgery in my midsection, another surgery in my midsection, a huge gash in my left shin from jumping a fence, another gash in my thigh from falling out of a tree, surgery on a badly broken ankle, surgery on a badly broken cheek and jaw, multiple broken noses, multiple broken ribs, stitches over my right eye, then my left, and then my right again, and a feeling that stitches and I just were born for each other. 

I became so thankful for a mother who bandaged, a father who provided medical insurance, and doctors and nurses who knew how to stitch up my accidental, but still real wounds. 

And so it is with sin and the need for a healer of the soul. 

We might have a run where we feel really good about our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions; ya know, we feel like we're good people, and we've got this sin thing conquered. 

But it's inevitable! Spiritually speaking, here comes a punch in the gut, a kick in the shins, the jumping of a boundary fence that plainly said "stay out", a falling from our high horse, a broken heart, various other wounds to our pride, a plank in our right eye, a splinter in our left, and then a poke in the right eye again, and an overall feeling that the need for spiritual stitches and us were just born for each other.

Ever since the first man and woman, way back at the beginning, used their God-given freedom to think and decide and act in ways that wounded their relationship with God, all us people are all under this condition called "depravity," which means both that we're totally helpless to avoid sinning and also that we're certainly helpless to stitch up and heal our soul and our God relationship. It is the human condition. It is inescapable. We can't get out of our own way. We are sinners to the core. And it is good for us not to deny but to understand ourselves as sinners in this way because Jesus himself said in Matthew 9:12, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

To deny our sinfulness is to deny our need for a healer. 

And, boy oh boy, do we need a healer. Maybe not for a season when you're feeling good about how good you are and how good you're doing and how good things are going. 

But it's inevitable and inescapable that we will see the truth plainly again. 

We need a Healer for our every wound. 

And that's just what we have in Jesus Christ and the wounds he bore unto death on the cross. 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Praise God!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Day of Praise

Wed, 12/13/17, "Day of Praise"

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." - Romans 14:13

So, some time ago, I go into the bank, fill out my cash withdrawal slip, walk through the Disney World line, walk toward the inviting teller, and put my driver's license and withdrawal slip on the teller's counter. He pulls both my license and the slip towards himself with the slip being closer to himself and my license placed right above it, like he's dealing a hand of Black Jack. He says, "So you'd like $50 from checking [as I see on the slip], Mr. DeGreen [as I see your name on your license]?" I respond affirmatively. 

But then (we'll call him) Travis says, "Could I see your I.D. please?"

And now I'm confused. So I look at him with my world-famous I-look-dumber-than-I-usually-do look. Then (we'll still call him) Travis wakes up and says, "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm thinking. I have your I.D. right here."

Well, I know what he's thinking. We'll still call him Travis is thinking that I'm just like everybody else, namely, nobody ever shows I.D. without being asked. 

And y'all know that this has nothing to do with me wanting to win a "Best Bank-Customer" Award. It has to do with the fact that "oh we of little faith" start pre-judging people at an early age; (we'll still call him Travis could not have been over 22). At a very early age, we taste things that irritate, annoy, or hurt from a person or two or ten, and we start saying, "Oh, everybody's that way."

And, because we start lumping people together (because it's easier), we miss out on a whole lot of blessings. 

The worst of it is when a person or two or ten does something that irritates, annoys, or hurts us, and we throw God into the lump. Ya know like, "Eeeehh, people always have ulterior motives, so God does too. People use ya, then they leave ya, so God does too. People can't be trusted, so God can't either."

What are we doing? We're judging God, and lumping God in with everyone else; we're lumping God in with sinners. And in so doing, we miss out on the blessing that's right under our nose, namely, seeing the face of God with us in the face of Jesus Christ...

which, by the way, is a whole lot better looking face than the one that was under let's still call him Travis's nose. :-)

But, let's be clear, not judging God so we can see the blessing of his face starts by not judging others so we can see the blessing of their face. 

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." - Romans 14:13

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

Monday, December 11, 2017

Day of Praise

Mo, 12/12/17, "Day of Praise"

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

If things get tough today, remember this: God is for you!

Holy Communion is a reminder of two things. First, Holy Communion is a reminder of Jesus's death on the cross where Jesus showed us that God is totally for us. Second, Holy Communion is a reminder from Jesus himself that God's promise to us in Holy Baptism is still true, namely, God is totally for you.

It's not just that God is giving us something that we must respond to. Ya know, like, "Here, ya go. This is for you." No, in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion God is saying, "Hey Kiddo, I not only have something for you, but I myself am for you!"

Knowing that someone is for you makes a difference. Knowing that God is for you changes everything. 

I still remember a boy named Brandon on a little boys tee ball team that I coached in a recreational league one summer in college. He played for us at shortstop, which, at that age, means he's the best at fielding the ball. But he missed a ball on one play and was pelted with criticism from a family member. Even as a little boy, Brandon had latched onto the truth and called out to his critics, saying "Coach would say that I did a good job even getting to the ball!" In essence, if I know my coach is for me, I don't care who is against me. 

When we are for each other, believing in one another and passing on genuine affirmations, the people around us walk in unheard of confidence and can stand up respectfully to the harshest of critics and the hardest of trying matters. 

So how much moreso is it true? When God is for us, believing in us through Jesus's death on the cross and passing on genuine affirmations in Baptism and Holy Communion, well, then who can legitimately be against us?

Walk tall today, friends, walk tall! And if things get tough today, remember this: God is for 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

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Day of Praise

Mon, 12/11/17, "Day of Praise"

"So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner." - Matthew 20:10-11

Football. Baseball. Basketball. Soccer. Sports teach lots of lessons.

There's one lesson, though, that I don't remember learning and that I rarely hear much about. It's the lesson on the power of a loss to invalidate time.

I remember one time on a Saturday, my favorite college football team lost on the very last play of the game. Then on Sunday, my favorite pro football team lost on the very last play of the game. On Monday, my favorite pro baseball team lost on the very last at bat of the other team. Though I didn't watch the whole game of any of those three games, they were a combined twelve hours of the best contests that any sports fan could ever hope to see. But because of the power of a loss to invalidate time, that twelve hours turned into the biggest waste of time a human being could ever experience. The power of a loss to invalidate time says that time slipped away because of my team losing. 

That's the tragedy in today's Bible reading. The workers who were hired first worked twelve hours that day. Clearly, in the parable, they should have been the most glorious twelve hours that a human being could experience. But in creeps the power of a loss to invalidate time. The workers who were hired first and worked twelve hours saw that those who got hired later and worked a lot less got paid what the first workers were promised they'd get paid. So when the first workers saw that they got paid exactly as all the others, then the first workers felt that they'd lost, and that loss totally invalidated the time they'd worked in the garden. 

Lesson: No it doesn't. A loss at the end doesn't invalidate all the great things that preceded it. 

My three favorite teams lost in the end, but the loss does not invalidate the fact that they played amazing games that both my son and I will remember forever. The Atlanta Braves suffered one of those losses, and it ended their season, but the loss doesn't invalidate the fact that they had a terrific season. The first workers in the parable thought they might get more in the end, but their perceived loss of pay does not invalidate the fact that they had a wonderful day in God's garden. 

Too bad they refused to see it that way. 

Friends, sometimes the ending is not what you had in mind to start with, but God sees to it that the loss at the end doesn't invalidate the good things that preceded the end.

A forced retirement or job transition doesn't invalidate all the good work that you did over the course of your career. A failed test doesn't invalidate the things that you did learn, (but you probably need to learn a wee bit more before the next test. :-) )

And Jesus's death on the cross doesn't invalidate all that he revealed and taught, along with all the people that he saved and healed before he was crucified. In fact, his loss on the cross opened the door to a victory for us which gave eternal life now and everlasting time with God. 

Do you see the irony? In Jesus Christ, the power of a loss or bad ending (the cross) is the power both to validate all that preceded it and also to give back even more time to those who will believe. 

So, come what may today, remember that a bad ending doesn't invalidate all the good things before it, and, as we see in Jesus, that bad ending may just be the beginning of something better. 

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, December 8, 2017

Day of Praise

Sat, 12/09/17, "Day of Praise"

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." - Psalm 73:2

Have you ever had a close call? Ya know, an "Oh, I can't believe what almost happened" moment?

One time, I'd parked in the short driveway of a young family next to the large van that's a work vehicle for him. After our visit, I was backing out very slowly but couldn't see because of the work van. I'd barely pulled back toward the sidewalk when, in my right rear view mirror, I saw two very small children flash past on the sidewalk merely inches from the back of my car. "Oh, I can't believe what almost happened!" My heart almost stopped as the near-tragedy flashed through my mind. God alone could be thanked for the horror that didn't happen.

In today's verse, the psalmist is inspired to tell of their "Oh, I can't believe what almost happened" moment. In their case, the horrors were constantly happening, namely, those who did wrong were prospering while those who did right were scraping by. And then, the psalmist got so wrapped up in how unfair life often is that he almost tasted a worse tragedy, namely, he almost gave up faith in the power and goodness of the living and almighty God. "Oh, I can't believe what almost happened," says the psalmist, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold" (Psalm 73:2).

The psalmist continues saying that all the unfairness of life "troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood" (Psalm 73:16-17). In other words, when the psalmist surrendered to the nudge of the spirit (instead of quenching the spirit) and he went to God's house, the sanctuary, to worship God, then the near-tragedy of renouncing the faith and giving up on God was averted. 

The real, but lesser, tragedies of unfairness in a fallen, sinful world had still happened, but the greater tragedy of giving up on God was prevented and warded off. 

So, what would have happened if the near miss had happened that day to me? What would have happened if I'd accidentally hit and brought injury or worse to those three and four year old kids who innocently zoomed past on the sidewalk? Would I have kept faith? Would their parents have any faith to draw on? Or would the wrongs and pains of a broken world break us down? We'll never know in that one case. 

But near misses sadly hit everyday. People are hurt or worse everyday. 

How do you deal with it? How do you endure? How do you keep from becoming bitter? How do you walk with a friend who already has?

God says, "Come to my sanctuary and worship me! Run to me and my word! Call on my name, believing! Speak my word of hope to another!"

Through God and his word alone is the ultimate near-miss averted. 

Run to him, friends. Pursue him. Worship him. Listen to his word. Encourage another to keep trusting and searching for the Lord. And find the strength and hope in him to press on. 

Praise God!

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 12/08/17, "Day of Praise"

Jesus said, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." - Luke 14:33

Some time ago, I was standing next to the copy machine with my friend, Neal. I stick some papers into the feeder to make copies and push "print". The machine kicks into action, but my papers don't move into the feeder. However, a copy does pop out, but, of course, it's blank. 

I looked at Neal and matter-of-factly said, "Well, there's tomorrow's Day of Praise." Neal looked at me and started laughing. I said, "Hey, that's a great parable for how much of Christ we image to the world when we're not engaged. Nothing."

And it's true. The papers were laying there on the copier feeder but were not touching the "grabber" that the papers needed to touch. And because the papers were not engaged, therefore the image that came out was a blank, so too when our lives are full of religious activity but aren't touching the "grabber" (the Holy Spirit) that our lives need to touch, then the image the world sees is a blank.

That's why, in today's verse, Jesus says, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Luke 14:33). When we're not engaged to Jesus and his work of pouring God's word into others and breathing the Holy Spirit into others, it's impossible for us to produce an image of him and his life-giving work.

The reason we care about our lives producing an image of Christ and his life-giving work is that God made us for that very purpose, as God attests in the very first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, and in countless places in the Bible after Genesis 1. And since God made us for it, our hearts are starving to live lives that produce an image of Christ and his life-giving work.

So what are we to do?

Start by acknowledging that you know you're not engaged with Christ as you ought to be (because who of us sinners is?). But then, thank God for showing us (by Jesus pouring out every drop of blood on the cross and then by pouring out every ounce of the Holy Spirit after the resurrection) that God is fully engaged with us. And then ask God to do what it's impossible for us (or a copy machine) to do, namely, ask God to produce his image and reflect his glory in and through our lives by pouring us out and filling us with himself. (And repeat, over and over, until Jesus comes again.)

Jesus said, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." - Luke 14:33

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, December 6, 2017

Day of Praise

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is observed annually in the United States on December 7, is to remember and honor the 2,403 victims who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. I've always been grateful for our Veterans, but the older I get the more I appreciate them. Thank a Veteran today!

Here's today's devotional. 

Thur, 12/07/17, "Day of Praise"

"Whoever believes in [Jesus] will not be disappointed." - Romans 10:9-11

I love football. It doesn't matter when or where it is. It can be our now 18-year old son, for all those years, with his friends playing in our neighborhood cul de sac. It can be little kids playing flag football. Or it can be High School, Pro, or the best, College football. 

I'm rarely disappointed when I watch or play football. It's not because my team always wins. Instead, I'm rarely disappointed because of what I'm hoping for. When I watch football, what I hope for is that I'll see a bunch of kids or adults who want to win. I hope to see people who try to win. And even after a win is not possible, they keep playing to the end as if a win were still in reach. In other words, the players believe that if there's time on the clock, then there's still time to try. If there's still time on the clock, then there's still time to give your best and have fun doing it. 

That's the way it is with those who really, deep in their hearts, believe in Jesus. Any time to play is a great time to play. Until the very last second runs off the clock, life is worth living, not on cruise control, but trying hard and giving your best and encouraging others to believe the same, that any time to play is a great time to play, that any time left on the clock of life is a great time to live life, trying your hardest and giving your best until the very last second runs off the clock.

That's exactly what I saw recently: a bunch of, let's be honest, old people, whose average age was like the numbers of football linemen, 70's, 80's, 90's. They meet weekly to pray and try to figure out how to get others into the game and how to get others to come together as a team and how to care and give your best until the very last second runs off the clock of life. But remember, they're not meeting about football. They're meeting about people, and life, and the living of life. Right to the end.

And the constant solution is Jesus. Getting people to know more and trust more in Jesus is how to get others into the game and how to get others to come together as a team and how to care and give your best until the very last second runs off the clock of life.

So these people, in their 70's and 80's and 90's keep playing to the end as if a win is still in reach, namely the win that is winning a soul for Jesus Christ. In other words, these guys believe that if there's time on the clock, then there's still time to try. If there's still time on the clock, then there's still time to give your best and have fun doing it.

And they pray for you and try to reach out to you, hoping that you will grow in believing the same!

And maybe even join their team.

After all, "Whoever believes in [Jesus] will not be disappointed." - Romans 10:9-11

Praise God!

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Day of Praise

Wed, 12/06/17, "Day of Praise"

"But what about you?" [Jesus] asked. "Who do you say I am?" - Matthew 16:15

Curly hair. Sweet little smile. Who doesn't love a little kid?

Have you ever heard a little one sing "Jesus Loves Me"? It is absolutely one of the top treasures in life.

Because it's all about Jesus.

It comforts a child to tell others, to sing to others, who Jesus is to them. 1) Jesus loves me. 2) Jesus makes sure that I know that Jesus loves me. 3) The book about Jesus tells me that Jesus loves me. 4) Jesus has claimed me as his own. 5) Jesus is strong for me because I'm weak.

If Jesus asked a kid, who knows the good song, "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15), then the child would just sing the good song.

Because it's all about Jesus.

So what happened? Why is it that when we leave childhood behind, we also leave our child-likeness behind? If Jesus asked a kid, who knows the good song, "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15), then the child would just sing the good song that's all about Jesus. If Jesus asked an adult, "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15), then the adult would not sing, but they'd tell you, "Well, for one, I believe in Jesus. And I pray to Jesus. And I worship Jesus. And I read books about Jesus. And I give money to help Jesus."

See the difference? The kid's talkin' about Jesus. The adult's talkin' about, well, the adult.

Maybe that's why Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14). Maybe, as much as kids need to be around Jesus, the adults need even more to be around kids who know the good song.

And why might that be true? Because no matter how much I might do in my adult way of doing in order to show that I love Jesus, Jesus loves me even more.

I mean, any kid knows that!

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, December 4, 2017

Day of Praise

Tues, 12/05/17, "Day of Praise" 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 

What a funny and interesting world God loves! 

I personally witnessed all but one of the following: 

Exhibit A - A person is talking to me on their cell phone when their land-line rings. They pick up the television remote control and talk into it for 20 seconds or so, thinking that it's a phone. 

Exhibit B - Hymn title seen in a church bulletin: "Gladly, the Cross-Eyed Bear". (Get it? It's supposed to be "Gladly, the cross I'd bear.") 

Exhibit C - Rural Alabama. We pass "Jerry's Processing". The big city person says, "I wonder what companies they do papers for." (Uh no, that would be Venison (deer-meat) processing.) 

Exhibit D - Seen in a church bulletin one summer: "As the Hart Pants for Cooling Systems". (Uh, the hart pants for cooling streams, not air conditioning.) 

Exhibit E - The dear, regally-dressed, senior ladies near Alex City, Alabama clearly had it all under control as they're driving west-bound on 70-mph Hwy 280 East. As casually as taking tickets at the gate of a football game, the little bouffant-haired ladies were driving smack down the middle at fifteen mph, pointing at each of the more than twenty oncoming cars, and directing oncoming traffic as to how to drive around them. (P.S. - I didn't hear one horn honk in frustration.) 

Have a great day! 

And have a sense of humor! 

God sure does! 

Praise God!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Day of Praise

Mon, 12/04/17, "Day of Praise"

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' [Jesus] replied, 'If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it will obey you.'" - Luke 17:5-6

So a new week is starting, and everyone is looking for an extra boost to start the week off right. In today's Bible verses, the apostles believe that such an extra boost will be found in a faith boost. 

They're right.

But notice what that means. 

Notice what it means for God to give and for us to receive a faith boost to start the week off right. Jesus is basically saying that God is eager to answer the request to boost our faith so we can start the week off right. The question is are we ready to receive it. 

Jesus says that receiving the faith that God is eager to give is directly tied to speaking with faith in the power and authority that comes with being a Christ-one, i.e. a Christian. Speaking with faith is tied to receiving the faith because speaking in Christ's power is a faith proposition. I mean, who in the world would talk to a mulberry tree, saying, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea"? Only a fool in the eyes of the world. 

Or a Christian.

Who would be crazy enough to speak God's word when you know it's going to get you flogged (prophet Jeremiah), ridiculed (prophet Ezekiel), burned at the stake (John Hus in 1415), excommunicated and outlawed (Martin Luther in 1521), imprisoned (St. Paul), stoned to death (Stephen in Acts 7:59), or crucified (Jesus Christ)?

Only a fool in the eyes of the world.

Or a person who wants to live out of more than their own strength. A person who wants to live out of the strength of the Living and Almighty God.

No unbeliever is ever going to speak God's word. Why? Because speaking God's word is a faith proposition.

Every believer, though, must speak God's word. Why? (Same reason that an unbeliever won't!) Because speaking God's word is a faith proposition.

Come on, trust Jesus, and you can do this. In fact, it's still a faith proposition if we all do this together. Let's all do together what my brother, Ben DeGreen, Jr., has done many days and my friend, Bob Kasper does almost every day. Each day they send a text to selected folks with a simple greeting, a simple Bible verse, and a prayer. Here's an example:

"I thought you'd enjoy this verse: Exodus 14:14 - The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Let's all ask God for whom we should cut and paste that greeting and verse into a text or email, and send it to them. Sure, they might do what some people have done with me with this daily devotion, namely, reply to you, telling you that they'd kindly like to be off the list. That's what makes it a faith proposition in that somebody might reject not only your text with a Bible verse, but they might also reject you!

But the vast majority of humanity is looking for an extra boost to start the week off right. When you send them a simple text like the suggestion above, then they will get the extra boost they need.

And so will you!

Put your faith in Jesus, send the text, and see!

Praise God!

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 12/01/17, "Day of Praise"

I heard an awesome group of little ones preparing to share the Christmas story at our church's Child Development Center yesterday, which reminded me of the following devotional I wrote years ago. 

[Jesus said,] "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says." - John 8:47

I hear things.

Based on what I hear, many people hear many of the things that I hear. Especially at night, after my kids have gone to bed, I hear the train that's miles away, the ceiling fan that's whirring on another floor, the refrigerator that's doing whatever refrigerators do to stay cool, and, best of all, my kids adjusting in their beds and breathing. A lot of people hear those things. 

But I hear things that are probably a little strange to hear. Do you? At my church, I can walk in the education building and tell you if a bathroom light and fan is on. I can walk in the preschool building and tell you if a toilet is running on and wasting water because the bowl flap didn't close. I can walk in either worship space and tell you if the sound system wasn't turned off. I know it's a little quirky. But hey, we all, well, we all have our quirks. 

I hear things.

But, quite frankly, it doesn't bother me that I hear things or to tell you that I hear things. It doesn't bother me, as long as I hear the best thing. In today's verse, Jesus said, "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says." (John 8:47)

God wants all of us to hear what God says, but it can be a challenge since God often speaks in a whisper (1 Kings 19:12) and since the devil is often roaring like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and since we hear things like refrigerators, trains, and ceiling fans, not to mention music, televisions, and screaming sports fans.

But we want to hear God because God's word works life and faith in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and brings us hope and good news (Colossians 1:23) and gives us God's Spirit and miracles (Galatians 3:5) and bears fruit and grace through us (Colossians 1:6) and warns us of the anti-christ (1 John 4:3).

So how, in a noisy world, can we hear God's word that we sorely need so we can have abundant life? Well, I bumped into an old friend today, and I asked if he could sit down for a few because he looked like he had the weight of the world on him. I asked how he was doing, and he calmly and quietly told me all the noises that were claiming his attention. I really had to listen because he spoke so softly. Then I asked how he was being fed. And a soft voice turned to silence. But his eyes and therefore his heart were crying out. We made a deal that included quiet time with God, putting time into having and being a spiritual friend, finding a spiritual mentor, and going to church for worship, fellowship, study, and service. 

Only tomorrow will tell if the beggar will show up for his bread. But he looked much stronger at the mere sound of it.

Because his ears were now tuned to the best thing...God's word. 

May your ears be tuned there, too. 

[Jesus said,] "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says." - John 8:47

Praise God!

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Day of Praise

Thur, 11/30/17, "Day of Praise"

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand." - Daniel 3:17

I love the radio advertisement for foster parents that has the message that you don't need to be perfect parents in order to be great parents.

In the same way, you don't need to have a perfect day in order to have a great day.

Consider the three teenage boys in today's Bible verse. It was hardly a perfect day. The king was about to throw them into the blazing furnace. But in what could have been the origin of the oft-quoted saying, "Don't tell God how big your problems are, but instead tell your problems how big your God is," the boys tell their problem (the king) how big their God is. With utmost confidence, the boys say, "The God we serve is able to deliver us from [the blazing furnace]."

Something is going to go wrong with our day today. Our day will not be perfect. But "the God we serve is able to deliver us from" whatever problem stirs up the heat and turmoil in our day.

So if we'll all follow the lead of those boys long ago and tell our problems how big our God is, (he's the God who, in Jesus Christ, overcame death, sin, and the grave), then our day will be as great as our great big God!

Praise God!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Day of Praise

Wed, 11/29/17, "Day of Praise"

"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:2

Life is funny. Just when you think something is a sure thing, then you come to see that maybe you shouldn't have been so sure. 

As a general example, sometimes things that look bad become reasons for someone to step up and do something. And sometimes things that look good become the ruin of the one who got the good thing. Life can be funny. Things aren't always as they seem. 

As a specific example, I remember one time I used a football and dirt example in this devotional. I thought for sure that I'd hear from the mass of guys who receive Day of Praise because guys stereotypically like dirt and football. But life's funny, and every single reply that initially came back about dirt and football was a beautifully-worded response from a woman. Only a little later did a few guys chime in. Life's funny. Things don't always turn out as you initially think. 

Even as I began today to write about life being funny, someone dear to me was just talking about life being funny: "I love seeing God's sense of humor in all the places: life, relationships, scripture, weather, and so on."

In the end, for all the things that we think we know, there is one absolute thing for certain and for sure. And that one thing is this: God loves us. Almighty, sovereign, everlasting God loves us. And we know this with utmost certainty through his Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Specifically, we see God's love for us completely poured out from his heart when Jesus is rejected, suffers, and dies on the cross. 

That's why St. Paul wrote: "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). In essence, St. Paul was saying that life is funny because just when you think something is a sure thing, then you come to see that maybe you shouldn't have been so sure. Therefore, Paul was saying, "I'm going to stick to the one thing that truly is for sure: Jesus Christ and him crucified." For in Jesus and his cross, we have assurance of the one thing we need for sure, namely, that we're loved with the everlasting love. 

Praise God!

Monday, November 27, 2017

Day of Praise

Tue, 11/28/17, "Day of Praise"

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

Years ago, a friend introduced me to the American adventure writings of Louis L'Amour. My friend told me to note two things in each story. First, he said that L'Amour always has a good guy, a bad guy, and a girl. Second, he said that L'Amour always has the good guy sit with his back to the wall in saloons and taverns because the good guy doesn't want anyone sneaking up on him. 

It's the second concept of "back-to-the-wall" that's connected to today's Bible verse. Basically, God is telling us that he wants to "guard our hearts" both by giving us peace and also by keeping us from anxiety when we tell him in prayer what we see in front of us. 

The reason God wants us to tell him in prayer what we see in front of us is because God is covering everything that's behind us. God has our back! God's literally covering our rear, just as God tells us in Isaiah 52:12, "For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."
No "haste" and no "flight" equals no anxiety because God is leading us forward and guarding our "rear."

So practically speaking, what does this all look like? 

First, trust God's promise that God has both your back and your past covered. Stop looking over your shoulder, and let go! 

Second, trust and obey God's command, "with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." In other words, thank God for dealing with your stuff even before you ask, and then tell God about everybody and everything that you can see in front of you. 

Finally, experience God's peace, and listen for God to speak to your heart. Doesn't it make sense? If God has your back, and if you've told God about everything in front, then everything is in God's hands! And if it's all in God's hands, then what is there to worry about?!?! Nothing. 

There's only peace, coupled with the voice of God speaking to your heart with words of life. 

Enjoy!

Praise God!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Day of Praise

Mon, 11/27/17, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:29-30

It's like an Easter Egg that's staring you in the face in the annual Easter Egg Hunt because it's easily overlooked by so many. But it's clearly right there. Jesus says, "Learn from me" almost at the very start of today's verse.

Learning from Jesus and finding rest in Jesus clearly go hand in hand.

My friend, Tim, is a great example of this. He's done all sorts of projects for us, helping us to finish basements, rooms, and other projects. As Tim works, he not only takes on the yoke and does the heavy lifting, but he also imparts some lofty wisdom. Tim has tasted all sorts of twists and turns in life and always manages to come through with a positive and gracious outlook. So whenever you get to work alongside of him, whenever we're yoked together, he not only leads the way in the project, because he knows what he's doing, but he also imparts wisdom that's priceless for all of life.

This is the way it is with Jesus. To be yoked to Jesus not only takes the load off of us and gives us relief through a hard season that Jesus knows how to guide us through, but while Jesus is guiding us through the specific difficulty, he also imparts wisdom that's priceless for all of life.

Bottom line, whatever pops up today, or any day for that matter, call on the Lord, Jesus. Trust him, and listen for him. He will yoke himself to you, helping you to carry the load, and also speaking words of hope and wisdom that will bless you down the road!

Praise God!

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 11/24/17, "Day of Praise"

"[Paul said,] 'So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.'" - Acts 27:25

There's a huge, huge, huge, huge and did I say huge high school football game here in our community tonight. The city of Hoover and the city of Alabaster (Thompson HS) high schools play in the semifinals of the state playoffs with the winner advancing on to the state finals.

It got me to thinking again as I have in the past on the matter of how many boys will actually play in the game compared to how many have put in years and years worth of work in order to be a part of the team.

Ninety-two is more than eleven, at least it was the last time I looked. It's even more than twenty-two. In football terms, that means that seventy players are standing on the sidelines for most of the game, specifically, seventy players on my son's high school football team.

I admire the coach. Coach Niblett, who is a marvelous Christian man, does an amazing job trying both to get many of the boys into the game and also to win the game. I truly admire the coach.

I even more admire the seventy boys who don't get much playing time, no matter how hard the coach tries.

Those seventy boys are good young men like the other twenty-two. I know them. Those seventy boys have also had grueling workouts last winter, spring, and all summer. Those seventy boys also have to study hard and make good grades to stay on the team.

But those seventy boys are not going to hear their name much on the public address system. It's called laboring in obscurity, working hard day after day to get a chance that might come.

And it might not.

But it builds character.

It requires heart.

It requires faith.

It requires faith that God has a purpose and a plan for your life that has to do with both being proud of yourself and also wanting God to be proud of you most of all.

This is the kind of heart that the vast majority of people in the world must have. People who, when it's all said and done, are not going to feel good about their work and its outcome unless each one can be proud of their own work and know that God is proud too. Actually, more than seventy out of ninety-two need such heart.

It's like ninety-two out of ninety-two.

And six billion out of six billion.

If you feel like you're laboring in obscurity, take heart.

You're not alone.

"[Paul said,] 'So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.'" - Acts 27:25

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 11/23/17, Thanksgiving Day "Day of Praise"

"Give thanks to the LORD for He is good! His love endures forever!" - Psalm 107:1

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Praise God!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Day of Praise

Wed, 11/22/17, "Day of Praise"

[Jesus said,] "So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near." - Luke 21:31

Seen one time when I went to the dentist:
Miss R,
I am sorry that I was ugly. You are a good teeth cleaner Lady. 
Love,
jb

What did Jesus mean when he said, "when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:31)? What things will we see? In context, Jesus is clearly saying we'll see new life springing forth from stuff that previously looked dead. 

So let's start with what looks dead. Let's start with "jb" and the letter above. When jb was being (to use his mom's, er, I mean, jb's term) "ugly," do you think he thought he was being ugly? My heavens, no! Nobody thinks they're being ugly until after they're done being ugly. And even then, they may not think they were being ugly. 

I mean, seriously, I've got a long, long, long list of people who have been ugly to me in my life, and they still don't think they were being ugly. There are so many people who've been ugly to me that they could all start apologizing right now and the line still wouldn't be done when Jesus comes again. 

I know you know what I mean. Aren't there a whole bunch of people who owe you an apology for being ugly? 

And that's exactly what dead looks like. 

What dead looks like is a world full of people who are walking around each day, waiting for the long line of people to form who owe them an apology. And I know some people who are going to be waiting a really long time like a person who recently replied to my apology by telling me that I didn't apologize the right way. There's a lot of "jb"s out there who don't think they've been ugly. It's just everybody else. 

But Jesus says that we should stay hopeful, that one day what's dead will spring forth with new life. Jesus says that leaves will start popping out of fig trees. He might as well have said that apology notes will start coming from jb. 

Ya see, what beautiful looks like is a world full of people who are walking around each day, not waiting for the long line of people to form who owe them an apology, but instead are starting to address the first person in the long line of people that, (I'll own it), I owe an apology to. And who cares if they apologize back to me. If the only reason I apologize to them is to get them to apologize to me, then I should keep my stinking apology that really is no apology at all. 

Hey, y'all, I'm not feeling really bad about something and using all of you to have some dump-my-emotions, healing session. All I know is that I went to the dentist one morning, and I saw the note from jb: "Miss R, I am sorry that I was ugly. You are a good teeth cleaner Lady. Love, jb." And it made me smile. And it felt good. 

And I thought, "I need to start writing some notes to some people about me being ugly and them being a good teeth cleaner Lady or whatever they're good at because I bet I'm in a bunch of people's lines who are waiting for an apology from me." 

This upcoming Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, and this imminent time of year that our church tradition calls Advent isn't just about our waiting for Jesus and Christmas. It's also about God waiting for us to get ready for him to come; as John the Baptist said long ago, "Repent and believe; the Kingdom of God is near!"

So, it's your choice whether or not to join in, but I'm declaring today "National Do-like-JB and Apologize-to-Somebody Day." I myself know a long line to whom I should apologize. In fact, God put it on my heart a few weeks ago to start writing some letters, lots of letters. And if enough people participate, we should be seeing lots of leaves and life springing forth (even in late November and early December!), ya know, seeing lots of smiles, probably seeing lots of tears, and, God's word promises, seeing the kingdom of God a lot more clearly than the day before. 

[Jesus said,] "So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near." - Luke 21:31

Praise God!

Monday, November 20, 2017

Day of Praise

Tues, 11/21/17, "Day of Praise"

"No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:3

One of my favorite movies is the Disney flick, "Holes." And in the movie, "Holes," one of my favorite lines is from Sam the Onion Man when, multiple times, he says to Kissin' Kate, "I can fix that." 

Whether it's your auto mechanic or roofer or Geek Squad guy, "I can fix that" is a great thing to hear. But there's, of course, no greater fixer than The Great Fixer himself. Though many of you have recently shared some painful, broken realities in the relationships and finances in your lives, take heart. All sorts of things can get fixed and are possible in Christ by the power of God's Holy Spirit. After all, in Mark 9:23, Jesus said, "All things are possible for one who believes."

Here are some examples: Jesus can make us clean, washing away skin diseases (Luke 5:12), as we witnessed at our church with a woman who came to our monthly healing service. 

Jesus can heal despair, cure loneliness, and untangle confusion, doing things that remind us that God is with us. (John 3:2)

Jesus alone can take an old, tired, broken-down life, (which sadly can often belong to a very young person), and deliver us, like new-born babies, into a new life in the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

Jesus alone can make it possible for us to be in accord (which is to be in one mind in truth, peace, and harmony) with God the Father. (John 5:19)

Jesus alone can make it possible for us to seek and hear the life-giving will of God the Father. (John 5:30)

By actually being our strength to endure and our courage to press on, in spite of overwhelming physical or financial or mental or emotional obstacles, Jesus alone makes it possible for us to follow a path to new life. (John 13:36)

Jesus alone can lay a sure foundation for our lives so that our lives don't fall apart at the first sign of trouble. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Jesus alone can pour out the Holy Spirit so we can have insight into complications and mysteries that are otherwise overwhelming and incomprehensible. (Ephesians 3:4)

What's messed up in your life? What needs fixing?

Believe! Jesus, even better than Sam the Onion Man, can fix that!

Praise God!

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Day of Praise

Mon, 11/20/17, "Day of Praise"

"And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." - Luke 18:1

Even as football season is coming around the home stretch, basketball is getting cranked up. One of the most colorful basketball people in my lifetime was Coach Jim Valvano. Coach V, as he was fondly called, died of cancer. However, before he died, one of Valvano's most memorable motivational speeches was delivered February 21, 1993 at Reynolds Coliseum on the basketball court of North Carolina State University during the ten year commemoration of the University's miraculous, 1983 NCAA men's basketball championship. It was during this speech, celebrating the team he coached, that Valvano stressed the importance of hope, love, and persistence, which included his famous quotation "Don't give up, don't ever give up."

Jimmy V's oft-seen-and-quoted speech is universally celebrated as one of the greatest-ever encouragements, even challenges, that people ought to never, never, never give up.

His speech was less about his overachieving, underdog, championship basketball team and more about battling overwhelming illness, as was his cancer. And his speech was a call to live life with joy and hope, even when circumstances are insurmountably difficult. 

But let's be honest.

There is only one way to have the spirit and strength that Valvano referred to, and that's through faith in Jesus Christ. When Jesus told the disciples "a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1), Jesus was calling them not to dig deeper into the extremely shallow and helpless human soul. Instead, Jesus was calling the disciples to believe in the infinitely deep love and grace of God, which is perfectly revealed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

Friends, what is overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable in your life? To be sure, like Coach V said, "Don't give up; don't ever give up." But you will find the strength and spirit to do that, not by looking in yourself, but by looking to God and God's Son, Jesus Christ, who will give you God's own strength to hope and endure because God himself will not give up. God will never give up on you!

Praise God!

Friday, November 17, 2017

Day of Praise

Sat, 11/18/17, "Day of Praise"

"Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance." - Hebrews 12:1

Hooray! It's Saturday! And from the time I was a teen, I dream of Saturday as Donut Day. I dream of getting a dozen Krispy Kreme chocolate-covered, creme-filled donuts and eating all twelve of them all by myself. I've actually done it twice in my fifty-three years. 

But I've gotten to the age where I realize that when I eat just one donut, not twelve, just one, that I might as well get some duct tape and tape that donut right to my body on one side of my love handles because that's where it's going to wind up. And ya know, that isn't very helpful at all. I wanna live life with a bounce in my step, and here I've got these donuts taped to my side. 

God gives me a simple solution. God says, "Well, just don't eat the donut, Chris." God says, "Let's lay aside every weight, and donut which clings so closely." Okay, well, that's a slight adjustment on what God says. 

But that donut is a parable. It weighs me down. Just like sin. Neither the donut, physically, nor the sin, spiritually, help me to run with endurance. When you run and you start getting tired, do they still call it "sucking wind"? Spiritually, "wind" is "the Holy Spirit." In Hebrew (the word "ruah") and in Greek (the word "pneuma"), both words mean "breath, wind, spirit." 

So, if I want to run the race of life that is set before me with endurance, then I should probably stay away from the donut. And sin too. Don't ya think? 

God's word actually tells me not just to stay away from sin, but to "flee" from it (1 Corinthians 6:18). It's like God wants us to get in shape for the race by sprinting away from things that will keep us from getting in shape. 

So as one dear young man in a group home that I visited said, "Bye, bye, sin." And bye, bye, donuts. 

Ah, I feel better already. In fact, good enough, to go for a run!

"Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance." - Hebrews 12:1

Praise God!

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Day of Praise

Fri, 11/17/17, "Day of Praise"

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" - John 14:6

Ya know those puzzles where you have two different words? The puzzle challenge is to find the way for the two different words to become the same word. The way to do it is by changing one letter at a time in one of the words to make it a new word. Ooooooh, let me just show you the way. 

Here's the puzzle. What's the way for the word "rear" to become the word "Lord"? Here's the way. You start with "rear". Then change "rear" to "read". Then change "read" to "lead". Then change "lead" to "load". Then change "load" to "lord." Those are the steps along the way for making "rear" to become "Lord."

Jesus also shows us that knowing the way and steps along the way is important. He actually tells us in today's Bible verse that he himself is the Way. He also spends time with his followers, who are called his disciples, so that he can teach them the steps for leaving behind being a new disciple and becoming a mature disciple.

For example, I can look at my own life and see that I once thought that being a Christian was "knowing the Bible and being nice." 

Then, God, through the Bible, showed me that being a Christian certainly includes knowing God's word, like the Bible, but it's more important to know the God of the Bible. And Jesus says that the Way to know the God of the Bible is by getting to know Jesus. So "knowing the Bible and being nice" became "knowing Jesus and being nice." 

Then Jesus showed me that being a Christian certainly includes being nice. However, Jesus showed me it's more important to help other people take steps toward knowing Jesus. And many times helping people know Jesus feels, to them, like we're not being nice because coming to know Jesus always changes our lives and sometimes those changes hurt. The way to knowing Jesus doesn't always feel nice because it includes a cross and various forms of suffering and rejection. So "knowing Jesus and being nice" became "knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus."

And now, Jesus has shown me that "helping others to know Jesus" is fabulous, but there's even more joy waiting for those who would know the Lord if we not only help them to know Jesus but also help them to help others to know Jesus. After all, in Luke 15, Jesus tells three straight parables where each parable's ending celebrates the rejoicing in heaven and with the angels and with Father God when someone comes nearer the God of heaven than they were before. So "knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus" became "knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus so that they could then have the heavenly joy of helping others to know Jesus."

So just like "rear" became "Lord" by changing one letter at a time, God shows us that he'd change us one "letter" at a time so he can shape us into being a follower of the Way, who is Jesus. "Knowing the Bible and being nice" becomes "knowing Jesus and being nice" which becomes "knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus" which becomes "knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus so that they could then have the heavenly joy of helping others to know Jesus."

And we thank God for every step along the way. 

I encourage you to think about and thank God for how he's blessing you by shaping and changing you one step, one "letter," at a time so that you can both know God and His Son, Jesus, and also know how to help others know him too!

Praise God!