Day of Praise

Mon, 07/01/19, "Day of Praise" 

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18 

I remember the first time I tried to use a telephone to call a girl that I liked. Fortunately, no one was looking. 

I suppose it didn't matter though because the mess wasn't on the outside of me. It was on the inside. I was a nervous wreck! 

I never made that call. At least, not for a long time. So the girl might as well have been a million miles away. 

Good thing it's not that way with God. God is never a million miles away. Even when we're nervous to call on him. 

In fact, I'd dare say that God is even glad when we're a little nervous when we call on him. It probably means that we're praying really big and really real. Ya know, like really honest, like really in tune with our feelings, like Nathanael, who was the "Israelite in whom there is no guile" or "a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false" (John 1:46). Can you even begin to possibly imagine Nathanael's prayers? 

Nathanael's prayers needed to be heard. Because they were true. There was nothing false about them. They were honest and real and raw. And when Nathanael prayed, God did not get impatient or angry or defensive or accusatory...but God let Nathanael feel. There was no "now, now Nathanael, it will be fine, now just go on, and get over it." 

To the contrary, when Nathanael prayed, God said, "Bring it on Nathanael. Let it all out. I'm right here with you!" 

In fact, God says the same thing to you, "Bring it on. Let it all out. I'm right here with you!" 

How do I know? 

Because God says so in today's verse. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Fri, 06/28/19, "Day of Praise"

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

I think I was 11. It was my first time to Boy Scout Camp Davy Crockett. I think it was in Rogersville, TN. I'm not sure though. I was 11. And what 11 year old pays attention to where you're going or how you get there? 

I came to be really glad though that somebody paid attention to directions. 

I think his name was Mr. Caffey. He was the guy in charge of waking up all the first year campers in our troop at about 4:30 a.m. so we could get to this big field and do our sunrise observations for our Environmental Science merit badge. 

If you're observant like my 18 year old son, then you're recognizing that the timing of waking up and getting someplace before sunrise at a Boy Scout camp in the mid-'70's means that we were walking in the dark. 

Total dark. 

No flashlights. No nothin'. 

(I'm sure I remember this correctly.)

But somehow, Mr. Caffey knew the way. And, if we stayed close to him, like he told us to, then we not only got where we were supposed to go, but it was kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there. 

This is how we're supposed to see Jesus. Everyday is a new adventure with the potential for us to wind up someplace where we have no idea how we got there to begin with. And then Jesus comes along, like Mr Caffey, and kinda jiggles us, telling us to get up and follow him to some big open field to observe birds and all sorts of critters. 

"But it's dark in this world, Jesus!," we say. "We can't see. And we have no idea how to get where you're describing."

Jesus replies, "That's good, if you stay close to me, like I'm asking you to, then we not only will get where we're supposed to go, but it will be kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there."

In sum, whatever way you think you're heading today, Jesus wants to be the light on your path and make it far more fun and adventurous. 

All you have to do is say, "Ok, Jesus! It's dark in this world, but here I am. Jesus lead the way."

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 06/27/19, "Day of Praise"

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." - Proverbs 3:3

When I had just turned 16, (don't you love it when a story starts like that?), I ran my parents' new car into a parked car.

Somebody out there has done the same. C'mon, 'fess up!

The rest of you are saying, "How do you do that?"

In my case, I was nervously looking at street numbers on the houses at dark-dusk, trying to find the house of the girl I was going to a school dance with.

In sum, I wasn't watching where I was going.

People do that all the time. They don't watch where they're going...spiritually speaking especially.

Ya see, here's the deal, Jesus is the Way. Period. He leads us on the Way. Period. He is faithful in leading us on the Way. Period. His "love and faithfulness never leave" us (Proverbs 3:3). Period.

So why do we keep running into things spiritually...at least? Because we're not watching where we're going. We're not watching the Way. We're not watching Jesus.

So, since so many of you have responded to Biblical meditation encouragements in the past, here's the meditation for today: "Lord, you're always faithful." "Lord, you're always faithful." "Lord, you're always faithful, and help me keep my eyes on you!"

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you..." - Proverbs 3:3

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 6/26/19, "Day of Praise" 

"for the battle is the LORD's" - 

1 Samuel 17:47

Little David knew it and shouted it for all to hear, as huge Goliath stood before him in today's verse. Whatever is before you today, God is on top of it, ahead of it, bigger than it, LORD over it!

So give it to God! For the battle is the LORD's! He will conquer the matter and lead you through!

Trust him. Look for him. And you will see! 

So have a great day! 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Tues, 06/25/19, "Day of Praise" 

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" - Proverbs 20:24 

We don't need to understand. We only need to believe what God has made plain through His Son, namely, Almighty God is for us.

To say that Almighty God is for us is to say that God is good. All the time, God is good. 

God is good, directing our steps, leading us to doors and windows of blessing. Sure, we can do what we want. But what God wants is always better. And we know this through the undeserved initiative of God to create us and daily provide for us and through the sin-forgiving cross and the life-giving resurrection of God's Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And then God tops it all off by sending us Holy Spirit who is our calm and counsel, our guide and our strength to live the New Life of following Jesus into Abundant Life, both now and forever, along with the unmatched joy of inviting others to know these same incomparable treasures with our God...who is good...all the time!

Enjoy! It's gonna be a great day! God is planning on it! 

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" - Proverbs 20:24 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Mon, 06/24/19, "Day of Praise" 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17 

When I was in high school, my two best friends were Barry and Lisa. They wound up marrying each other and are still happily married to this day. I'm happy for them; after all, they were my best friends, and they still are very dear to me. 

That's the way it is with friends. Ya love each other at all times. 

Barry doesn't remember it. But he kinda bullied me before we knew each other. We were in elementary school, and our respective schools were participating in a city-wide celebration of our nation's bicentennial. Our schools sat next to each other, and he and I sat close to each other. He didn't want anyone around him to sing, but I wanted to sing. We tangled. 

A couple years later, we both tried out for the 7th grade football team. He had never played. I got some revenge when we lined up against each other. So our first two encounters weren't very friendly. 

But one day, he got a bloody nose after school, and all his friends abandoned him. I had a chance to be a friend. And for the next six years, Barry and I were inseparable. 

And even though we live a six-hour drive apart, when, by whatever means, we get to chat, it's as if we were never apart. That's the way it is with friends. 

And that's the way God is with us. The Lord is always near us, but sometimes we stray. Yet when, by whatever means, we get to chat, it's as if we were never apart. Because, through Jesus, God is a friend who loves at all times. 

So, delight in God's friendship today. And reach out to an old friend that you haven't talked to in a while. And celebrate again the good things, namely friendships, that God has given us by his grace. 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Fri, 06/21/19, "Day of Praise" 

"Son, your sins are forgiven." - Mark 2:5 

Is there any sweeter sound than the words "I forgive you"? Especially when, as in today's Bible verse, Jesus the Son of God is speaking those words to us, is there any sweeter sound than "I forgive you"? 

I'm guessing that "I love you" and "Thank you" are up there too. 

Whatever the sweet sounds are to you, have a great Friday by speaking some of that sweetness today to the people around you. And I pray you'll read your Bible everyday and worship on Sunday so you can hear more about God's sweet word, which he himself says is "sweeter than honey." (Psalm 19:10 & 119:103)

It's like a rhyme — 

Mmm, mmm, it's good livin'!!!
"Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Thur, 06/20/19, "Day of Praise" 

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13 

In the 12th Century, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote some words that would become the lyrics to one of the greatest hymns ever. It goes like this: 

"Jesus, the very thought of you 
fills us with sweet delight; 
But sweeter far your face to view, 
And rest within your light." 

If, as in today's verse, a cheerful face is the result of a happy heart, then we're blessed to know from one of God's faithful, Bernard, how to have a happy heart: 
1) Stop and think of Jesus, 
2) Picture the face of Jesus, which was one of our Days of Praise, where we encouraged seeing him Shepherding and his face shining radiantly from within, and 
3) Rest in Jesus. 

Try those three things today, multiple times, especially when you realize that you're not as happy as you want to be. Think of Jesus. Picture Jesus. Rest in Jesus. 

In closing, I commend to you the wonderful, practical, thankful and happy heart song from the children's videos Veggie Tales episode with Madam Blueberry: 

I thank God for this day, 
For the sun in the sky, 
For my mom and my dad, 
For my piece of apple pie! 
For our home on the ground, 
For His love that's all around, 
That's why I say thanks every day! 
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart! 
I'm glad for what I have, 
That's an easy way to start! 
For the love that He shares, 
'Cause He listens to my prayers, 
That's why I say thanks every day! 

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." - Proverbs 15:13 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Wed, 06/19/19, "Day of Praise" 

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." - Psalm 30:11-12 

Claim the promise, Friends. Please, don't give up. Claim the promise. 

Might you join me in the following prayer?

Dear Lord, You know the burdens that have created anxiety or tears or wailing in my soul. But I am claiming your promise because you never break a promise. You promise to turn my wailing into dancing; you promise to remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. 

Now, Friends, as you go through your day. Meditate on the promise, think about it, claim it all day with the simple phrase from today's verses, "Wailing into Dancing. Wailing into Dancing. Wailing into Dancing." 

Then, believing and claiming God's promise, look for God. Listen for him. 

He will bless you. 

And each time he does, simply look up and pray the simple prayer from today's verses, "O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Tues, 06/18/19, "Day of Praise" 

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11 

Love CARES. 

Love...

C - Love Costs...Cost Jesus his life to love us. It costs us our lives to love him and others too! 

A - Love Answers...Answers the Father's call to serve. Jesus answered the Father's call so that we can too!

R - Love Reaps...Reaps rewards. God's word says that as we sow, so shall we reap. Sow love! 

E - Love Expresses... Expressions of love flow naturally, like Jesus washing the disciples feet. So we can too. 

S - Love Sees...Seeing with the eyes of the heart, love responds to countless opportunities to help others see God's love too. 

Love CARES. 

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11 

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Fri, 06/14/19, "Day of Praise"

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8

Kisses on the cheek. A blessing on the forehead. Praying together. The magic words, "Sweet Dreams."

All of these (and more) are treasured bedtime rituals. 

But they're all vain and meaningless and empty, even the prayers, if they're not coupled with 1) a personal relationship with the Lord, 2) calling on the name of the Lord, and 3) claiming the promises of God. All 3 of those elements (relationship, calling, claiming) are implied or explicit in today's verse from Psalm 4:8. 

I remember going through a season of my life (years actually) where I couldn't sleep. Some may call it insomnia, but it wasn't a condition of my body. It was a condition of my mind. I couldn't shut the crazy thing off. 

And then one day, God spoke some ancient and everlasting truth to me, saying, "Hey big guy, ya think you're so smart and strong, but all you're getting is exhausted. How 'bout you let me do the heavy lifting? I know you hold onto all that stuff in your mind because you're worried that it won't get done or it won't get done well enough or it's the wrong thing to be getting done. But holding onto it through the night isn't getting it done. To the contrary, holding onto all that stuff through the night is making you your own worst enemy. And that's the threat to you that I want to defeat. Indeed, I promise, that's the threat to you that I will defeat; namely the threat that you pose to yourself when you think that you can do a better job of bringing peace to projects or conflicts or bedtime than I can. So give it all to me. Put your mind and your fears to rest. I've got you covered. Go 'lie down and sleep in peace'. And oh, don't forget...Sweet dreams."

So now, waking or sleeping, that's what my life is by God's grace and what God wants all our lives to be...a dream, a beautiful unending dream, that just keeps getting better everyday. 

A Sweet Dream indeed. 

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:8

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Thur, 06/13/19, "Day of Praise"

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD." - Psalm 3:3

One of my all-time favorite movies is "Gladiator." I honestly do not think it's because of the violence. Instead, "Gladiator" is one of my all-time favorite movies because of the themes of hope and perseverance by the protagonist, Maximus. 

I also love how Maximus never meets a stranger when it comes to those who are willing to work together with him for the sake of both surviving and also defeating the enemy. 

In one scene, Maximus, and many others who've been enslaved, are about to be thrown to the "lions" of the gladiators for the sheer sport of it in the 2nd century. 
The following is the dialogue as Maximus and the slaves are in an arena, waiting for some gates to open and release vicious and overpowering animals or men, which will mark the death of most of the slaves but also becomes a ray of hope and perseverance for the slaves who will stick together. 

Maximus: [while Cassius continues his introduction] Anyone here been in the army?
[an unknown slave responds yes and tells Maximus he served under his command at Vindobona]
Maximus: You can help me. Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive.

Basically, what they do, in working together, is they form "a shield around" each other, which is the image of what God does for us in today's verse from Psalm 3:3.

It's an image of daily life for believers as we walk by faith in a fallen world. Each day and each moment, we never know what's going to be thrown at us by life, but if we stick with God and one another, we find that God is eager to be "a shield around me, O LORD" (Psalm 3:3). We also discover the power of believers who will work together in the face of overwhelming odds, and in so doing, we learn again the power of friendship and the power of the Body of Christ, when what binds us together is love for one another and honor of what is right and faith in the living, mighty God. 

So, as life comes at you and throws all sorts of arrows and animals and gladiators at you, stick with God and stick with others who are committed to God and God's Word. And, with those other believers and the one true God in whom you believe, you'll discover again and again the power of strength and honor. 

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD." - Psalm 3:3

Praise God!

Day of Praise

Wed, 06/12/19, "Day of Praise" 

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10 

When I was in seminary, I had a professor who used to say the same thing all the time -- so much so that many students made fun of him. 

But he was right. 

What he said all the time was "grace, recipiency, thanksgiving." 

"Grace" is undeserved love, namely, God's love for us. "Recipiency" is simply the reception of God's grace. And "thanksgiving" is the response to God's grace; we say, "Thank you, God!" 

That's what God's getting at in today's verse, namely, that God loves us, and all we can really do is receive it and say, "Thank you!" 

Some friends of mine had grandparents who would wake up each morning, and the first thing they'd do was shout to God, "Thanks, God!" 

And that's a good game plan for us all, namely, wake up, and then let everything we do through the day be a great big "Thanks, God!" for all his great love for us. 

Have a great day! 

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10 

Praise God! 

Day of Praise

Tues, 06/11/19, "Day of Praise"

John 21:17 - "[Jesus] said to [Simon Peter] the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

Even beyond the simple fact that Simon Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times, there's a reason why Jesus asked Simon three times if Simon loved Jesus, namely, we tend to forget what it is to love Jesus. 

Jesus makes it clear for us, who tend to forget, that to love Jesus is to feed his sheep.

And what does loving Jesus by feeding his sheep look like? There was a time in an amusement park when I went to buy our girls' dinner. They wanted to share a turkey leg meal. So I walked to the place, ordered, and paid. The guy then gave me the bottled water, the bag of chips, and the cookie, and then said, "There you go!" I stood there literally for a minute, smiling, and finally his coworker said, "He doesn't have the turkey leg." Ya see, it's so easy to give some food to eat but forget to give the best food, the most important food. When Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," to Simon Peter, Jesus told Simon three times because we tend to get caught up in giving the lesser food, the least important food to our dependent sheep and forget about the best stuff altogether. It happens to all of us!!!

I distinctly remember a couple years ago when it happened to our family. We were leaving a Disney park in late morning and found ourselves to be the only ones at the bus stop until a short, quiet, young lady joined us. We started talking to her and discovered she was a Disney employee, so we started asking her about the realities of working at Disney. Then we realized we hadn't asked her the usual stuff, ya know, where you were born and reared, if you have siblings, etc. Then, noticing how shy she was, I guess my daughter Cassidy's and my entertainer gene kicked in and we started to sing a song to which we didn't know all the words, but the young lady knew some more of the words. At this point the bus came, and we continued singing and having fun with this quiet young lady with only one more passenger on the bus.

As we neared our destination, it dawned on us to ask her name as we introduced ourselves. We arrived, said goodbye, went our merry almost-at-the-end-of-our-vacation-way, and all of a sudden the kids and I simultaneously heard Jesus say, "Do y'all love me?" "Well, yes, Lord, you know we love you," we said. And Jesus replied, "Then why didn't you feed my sheep?"

We all felt horrible because we realized that Jesus was right. We'd given Hilary the bottled water, the bag of chips, and the cookie, and then said, "There you go!" But we too had gotten so caught up in the lesser food of getting to know her and her workplace and singing earthly songs with her that we totally forgot to feed her the best food and make sure she knew Jesus and his love.

Yes, friends, everybody makes mistakes, and God is forgiving. But some mistakes are bigger than others. And we found ourselves, during our prayers that night, asking God again for forgiveness for not sharing Christ and the Gospel with the quiet young lady, who God had clearly orchestrated sending our way at a lonely bus stop. I can remember all this like it was yesterday. 

So, what are you feeding your sheep? Is it the best food or something less? Children hunger for the best food from the time they're conceived. Are you feeding them by talking to them about Jesus? Spouses long for a word of hope and encouragement and power which God's word alone can truly provide. Are you speaking God's word into your spouse's heart? Coworkers are real people who hunger for the best food. Are we ever feeding them with more than the daily diet of "what have you done for the company lately?" And on and on and on.

There are so many sheep. They're all hungry. And Jesus is asking if we love him. We're eager to tell him, "Absolutely, Lord!" And he's eager to reply, "Then don't forget to feed my sheep!"

Dear Lord, pleeeeeease help us all to remember and care and feed all your sheep with the best food of your word.

And He who feeds us faithfully will!

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

Mon, 06/10/19, "Day of Praise"

Deuteronomy 4:29 - "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."

It happened again, just like it has before! It's a little over-dramatic to say that I was in a panic, but how about we say that it was not comforting that I couldn't find my red stole yesterday morning before our 8:00 a.m. worship service? Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, which is the celebration of God pouring out the Holy Spirit on Jesus's disciples, and worship leaders traditionally wear a red piece of fabric, called a stole, over their robe. Furthermore, the whole congregation tries to wear red. So when I couldn't find my red stole in the little closet of my office, I started a singsongish, "Ooooooh nooo-ooooo, thiiiiiiis is not goooooood." I even started to think of alternative plans, but none were really viable. None were capable of working successfully.

And that's when I heard God speak as plainly as if He were standing right next to me and thinking with me what to do. God simply said, "Keep searching; it's there."

And sure enough, there, stuffed at an angle in the back corner of the hanger rack, was the hanger with my red stole. And I shouted to the Lord, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Now here's the point, Pentecost is about the outpouring of Holy Spirit. Many Christians have a sense that something is not quite complete and fulfilling about their life. And God's testimony at Pentecost is that the missing piece is the personal reception of the Holy Spirit, which brings all sorts of previously unknown treasures, such as a daily ability to see God working wondrously in our lives. And just as God spoke to me yesterday to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is an unnecessary piece of fabric, God speaks to you today to keep looking for what, in the grand scheme of things, is the most important piece of your life, namely, the daily presence and blessed work of the Living God in your life.

God wants to be a present help for you with your daily work. God wants to encourage you and cheer you on with each situation that arises. God wants to counsel and guide you with each person and conversation that's before you today.

The question is, have you gotten so used to doing the day on your own that you don't even think about God's presence and help? Or maybe you "wish" God would help, but you feel so pressured to get it aaaaaaall done that you don't leave enough time for God to speak.

Friends, in God's economy, taking more time to heed God's call in today's Bible verse ("you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul") is much more efficient than taking less time to leave him out.

It's a faith proposition.

God is with you, whether you acknowledge him or not. And God is eager to help you whether you accept his help or not.

So, just like He encouraged me yesterday morning with a piece of fabric, He encourages us all today with His presence and blessings, saying, "Keep searching; it's there."

May God bless us, as He promises, that as we patiently look, we will indeed see!

Praise God!

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

Day of Praise

Fri, 06/07/19, Easter Day #48 of 50, "Day of Praise"

Luke 9:62 - "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"

Backwards is a fascinating phenomenon to me. 

A couple times through the years, I've seen this car show with our kids that's really fascinating and action-packed! Part of the fascination was watching this one driver do chases and spins and jumps driving backwards that most people can't do driving forwards. But then they reveal that the car is specially set up so that it looks like he's going backwards, but the driver is actually facing forwards. So in the end, backwards isn't such a great thing.

The same is true with some guys I played football with in college. They could run as fast backwards as most people can forwards. But they were still faster going forward than back.

Or take time travel. Many people think that's so cool. But nobody ever does it (even in the make-believe world) without messing something up.

In sum, backwards is never as good as forwards, which is what Jesus is talking about in today's Bible verse. Basically, we're all tempted to spend a lot of time looking backwards and wondering about this and worrying about that and regretting things we wish we'd done differently. When we do that, when we're preoccupied with the past and looking backwards, Jesus is saying that we're missing out on the kingdom of God.

The reason that looking backwards causes us to miss God's kingdom is because the God in Jesus, who says, "Follow me," is calling us forward. Forward is where God is leading us. Forward is where God shows us how he takes our past and uses our past regrets with all things together for good. Forward is where God casts a vision. Forward is where God works out our wonders and deals with our worries. But we'll never see all these works of God if we're always looking back.

So, as one cartoon character says, "Put your behind in the past!" And better yet, as God often says plainly, "Onward, ho!", because forward is where God, God's blessings, and God's kingdom are found!

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

Thur, 06/06/19, Easter Day #47 of 50, "Day of Praise"

Isaiah 53:6 - "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

So vacation talk is picking up steam as May has coming roaring in with warm temperatures, all of which makes me think of people at Disney World. It is really quite impossible for anyone there to watch where they're going. It's true that there are some, in fact, many, who clearly aren't paying attention to anything at all and, therefore, are just plain old wandering aimlessly. But even for those who are seemingly paying attention, there are just too many directions; in other words, people are flying at you from every conceivable direction, which makes it impossible to not get into someone's way. 

In sum, if you want to get angry because somebody's not watching where they're going, then you could be angry all the time!

It's the same in today's Bible verse, if God wanted to be angry because somebody's not watching where they're going, then God would be angry all the time! After all, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

But instead of being angry all the time, God chooses to do something about the problem, namely, "the Lord has laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all."

Praise God that God is not like a negative person who has a problem for every solution! Instead, God has a solution for every problem!!!

What this means is that God chooses to do something that makes a difference to the spirit of the world instead of promoting the spirit of irritation and anger amongst people who are constantly getting into each other's way. 

And God created us through Christ and redeemed us by Christ to do the same.

For example, today, someone will not pay attention to where they're going, and they'll bump into you. You have two choices: 1) get all bent out of shape, or 2) say, "No prob!" 

Or someone today will mindlessly wander directly into your path, literally or figuratively, and you could plow right over them. Or you could calmly slow down, give them a moment to come to their senses, and just smile at them as they move on. You might even pour yourself out and say to them, "God bless you!"

In sum, people in this world, generally speaking, wander like they're lost. And we can get angry about it, and therefore stay perpetually angry. Or we can be world changers, where, in the strength of Christ, we meet people with God's calm and mercy and grace, and, in so doing, offer some direction to a world that sorely needs it, so that, one person at a time, the whole world is transformed to find it's Way in Jesus Christ. 

As the great preacher, Steve Brown, says, "Now you think about 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

Day of Praise

Wed, 06/05/19, Easter Day #46 of 50, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 19:14 - "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'" 

To hear Jesus talk about children, you realize that God must have infinite love and a gigantic sense of humor. So, in the bounds of God's word, our family tries to make people laugh. 

We'll go through the Taco Bell drive-thru, and we might start by complimenting them on their menu board and the landscaping they've planted around it. After a momentary silence from shock, you usually hear a chuckle, and then they thank you for your kindness. Then we pull up to the window and as payment we'll hand 'em some Chik-Fil-A gift certificates, maybe a BoJangles, which they'll look at, read, and say, "Are you for real?" And then they'll laugh along with all of us as we give them the correct money. 

Or maybe we make a trek to a fancy sit down eatery, like for one of our Baptism Birthdays, which reminds me that my wife Amanda's Baptism Birthday is this Saturday, June 8. While at the sit down place, we might pull out Amanda's phone and show our waiter some crazy pictures of us, and we'll tell him from the git-go what we'd like him to give us for free. We tell him that if he gives us some stuff, then we'll give him a nice tip, like "don't serve banana pudding to a monkey." And we laugh all through dinner and talk about memories and make some new memories too. And our waiter smiles a lot while other tables ask him if they can order whatever we're eating. And then we tell him Jesus loves him, invite him to church, and leave him a nice tip (and this time it's money). 

In the bounds of God's word, make someone laugh today. After all, Jesus says heaven belongs to children of God, no matter what your age may be. 

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

Tues, 06/04/19, Easter Day #45 of 50, "Day of Praise" 

Acts 7:55 - "But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." 

Many think Stephen was killed for his faith in Jesus. But actually, according to Acts 7, Stephen was killed for telling others about Jesus in a way that moved them out of their proverbial "comfort zone." 

Most people love the thrill of being moved out of their comfort zone until they're out of the zone that's thrilling. I'm not trying to be cute. I'm just telling you what Stephen's witness displays, namely, people love a thrill, that is, a momentary thrill, until the momentary thrill is tied to implications that aren't so momentary, in other words, the implication that you've got to change the way you're living day after day after day. 

But even though people killed Stephen for telling people about Jesus in a way that truly made them uncomfortable, Stephen clearly believed that the price he paid was worth it because not only did Stephen see God as we see in today's verse but Stephen's witness also led to the single most important conversion to faith in Christ, namely, the conversion of a persecutor of Christians, Saul of Tarsus, who would later, because of Stephen, come to faith in Jesus and would himself taste persecution from many for doing exactly what Stephen did, namely, tell the world about Jesus in a way that moved people out of their comfort zone to an authentic faith and trust in Jesus Christ. 

What follows therefore is what we can call,  "Learning from Stephen: How to Tell a Faith Story (What Stephen did, and how he did it)" - Acts 7:55-60. I pray this is a blessing to you. 

WHAT Stephen DID to share his faith story.: 
1) He looked up, took a deep breath of the Holy Spirit, and invited others to do the same. 
2) He cast a vision by telling them what he saw God doing and invited them to look and see it too. 
3) He was prepared for their resistance and attack because casting God's vision will always run counter to what despairing sinners see. 
4) He entrusted both his own life and also the others into God's power to make things right. 

HOW Stephen WAS ABLE TO DO 1-4: 
5) He regularly stopped to both spend time with God and also remember how God had acted mightily and graciously in his own life. 
6) He was at peace because, in stopping regularly, he was able to both turn any ill-sentiments against others over to God and also remember his purpose in life to reflect God's might and grace, which he did by praying for God to forgive the very ones who were killing him. 
7) He was hospitable to God's word and all that it commands because he knew that God only asks us to do what we will need God's strength to do which a) increases our faith, b) brings us closer to God, and c) unveils our eyes of the heart so we can see God! 

May God bless you as you share your faith story!!!! 

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

Mon, 06/03/19, Easter Day #44 of 50, "Day of Praise"

Luke 21:34 - [Jesus said,] "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap."

I was sixteen. And I'd had my license two weeks. And there was this nice, used car; we'd had it two weeks. It was the Fall of 1980. And there was this dance at school. You had to dress up. I'd asked this girl to go; I'd never been to her house. So I'm driving down her street to pick her up; I'm going real slow because it's dark and because I'm looking for her house number. All of a sudden, I hear this horrible metal on metal noise; I look up to see that the nice, used car we've had for two weeks had kissed the nice, used car that somebody's had for two decades. What made hitting a parked car even more humiliating was that I looked at the house number where I'd crashed, and it was hers. There were about to be two deaths. My date was going to die laughing at me; and my father was going to kill me. Praise God that she didn't and he didn't. 

That doesn't change the fact that I should've been watching better. 

Just like the other three times that I've backed into objects that weren't there the last time I backed out of those places: one was a dumpster in the parking lot of the church where I grew up and the other two were cars in my driveway. Hey! At least I've never hit anything that was moving. 

That doesn't change the fact that I should've been watching better.

And I wasn't watching better in every case because my mind was on something other than where I was going. 

Spiritually speaking, that's what Jesus is talking about in today's Bible verse. Our minds get on something other than where we're going. So we're not watching, and we run into things. It causes damage to both cars, er, I mean lives. Our eyes are supposed to be on Jesus. 

Good thing his eyes are on us. Or the whole world would be a big ol' pile up.

Y'all, Jesus warns us that the world is eager to grab our attention with all the "cares of this life" (Luke 21:34). He also reminds us in many scriptures, like John 10, that he's raised from the dead to put his attention on us because he cares for our life. He's a very, very good shepherd. And he's watching out for you. 

But he also wants you to watch for him. Ya know, so you can see him, see his blessings, and see the car you're about to otherwise run into.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You know what's in front of us this day. There are so many things demanding our attention. It's impossible to see 'em all and not run smack into something or somebody and cause some damage. So Lord, we just ask that you help us to trust that you're watching out for us so that we can watch out for you and see your gracious guiding hand and provision. We ask for this, and all that you know we need, in the most precious name of your only Son, Jesus Christ, our crucified, risen, and indwelling Lord and Savior. 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