Category: Encouragement

Unceasing Anguish

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9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. – Romans 9:1-2

Great Sorrow

Death has left a great furrow in our family. A furrow that with the passing of time began to close and in my opinion “heal”. But apparently, the ground needed to be broken again. Unexpectedly, death has once again brought out the plow and deepened the “healing” furrows. As painful as the first plowing was, the second is much more so. Old wounds have been reopened. Old memories are being relived.

Does the preparation of the soil for the planting of the seed need to be so painful? How much sorrow can we carry? How long can we endure unceasing anguish? We go to bed crying and wake up crying. But I am not alone.

I have often struggled with Paul’s heart-cry recorded in Romans chapter nine. Not so much his honesty about his sorrow, but his proposed solution. Would he really sacrifice his salvation to see his fellow Israelites saved? Did he really love his people to such a depth that he would be willing to surrender the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46) for them?

Great Love

Over the last few days, we have not only shed a lot of tears but we have also petitioned the Throne with countless prayers. We have prayed that Isaiah’s little heart would again beat. We have prayed that his little feet would once again kick. We don’t mean to be selfish when we pray these prayers, we just believe that life is a precious gift from God and our hearts want to show the love of God to little Isaiah.

As I listened to the desperate pleas, I found myself echoing the sentiment of Paul that I so often struggled with. I “bargained” with God to take my life so Isaiah could live. To stop my heart so Isaiah’s could start. I would gladly exchange my life so my grandson could live. Such is the love of a parent. Such is the love my daughter and her husband want to shower on children of their own.

If we are honest with ourselves, we would probably have to admit that few of us have a love as selfless as Paul’s. And yet if we did, it would only be a stepping stone on the journey to the love of Christ. Yet, despite our shortcomings, the Church is to be recognized by it’s love and unity. And the enemy knows this.

Great Attacks

When we experience trials and tragedies, we hear so many people question why? Why do bad things happen to good people? As I have been wrestling with God the last few days, He began to open my eyes to something I think I have overlooked. And my guess is I am not alone.

I believe my daughter and her husband have a capacity to love that is very great. As I have shared with them, this capacity comes with a great risk. Those that love deeply can be hurt deeply. We must never shelter our hearts from love because of fear of being hurt. But I believe there is another risk.

Is it possible that bad things happen to “good” people because the enemy sees them as the greatest threat? Isaiah is safe in the presence of his Heavenly Father who is showering him with a love we could never touch. Isaiah is safe, but I believe the faith of his parents is being attacked.

Living Hedge

In the first chapter of Job, Satan accuses God of protecting Job with a hedge around him and his household. Imagine the great liar and deceiver basically accusing God of cheating to protect His own. As humorous as the charge may sound, the necessity is a real one. After all, there is a reason we are commanded to put on the armor of God.

In a day and age when other barriers were inefficient or ineffective, hedges were made of thorn bushes too dense and sharp to be penetrated and too deep to be jumped over. When we pray for a hedge of protection, this is an illustration of what we are praying for.

As I wrestled with God this morning, He challenged me to make a living hedge for my family. A living prayer chain to gather around my daughter’s home. One that would reciprocate their love and encourage their faith. But that is just part of the story.

Love and Unity

This past year, Satan has used a pandemic and politics to weaken the church through separation and division. Instead of love and unity we see a fractured picture of the Church as painted in the Scriptures. It is past time to put aside the differences and show the world the Love of Christ, who wore a crown of thorns to make a hedge around His children.

I am hoping to rally part of God’s army to 3075 West Mead Road beginning at 1:00 P.M. tomorrow, Saturday the 3rd. I know we can never replace baby Isaiah, but we can reflect the love of Christ.

As a weak and helpless father, I believe this will be an encouragement to a grieving family. Sort of what I call a love transfusion. But before you accuse me of being selfish, I believe that is just part of the potential.

As I have already alluded to, we are living in unprecedented times. By the grace of God, I believe this time could serve as a balm for a lot of Christians who have struggles of their own. But most importantly, I believe this will exalt the name of Jesus and bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

If you want to be a part, just bring yourself and something to sit on, and perhaps a note of encouragement. I recognize it is Easter weekend, but so many of you have asked what you can do in a tangible way. This is what God challenged me with so I am just passing it on.

God Bless all of you for your love and support thus far.

5 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. – Romans 12:15

 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35

No One Missing

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26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
    and because he is strong in power,
    not one is missing. – Isaiah 40:26

Falling Stars

I walked to my ladder stand in the dark of the morning without the aid of a flashlight (didn’t want to advertise my presence to the deer). I quietly climbed up into my stand and nestled against the tree where I would patiently await the rising of the sun. Sitting in a tree stand in the early morning darkness gives a person time to reflect (which is certainly safer than falling asleep).

Before my mind could even begin jumping from one thought to another, a flash of light to my left caught my attention. As I turned my head toward the light I witnessed the beauty of a falling star. Before it even had time to properly announce it’s arrival, it disappeared! Awed by the brilliance of the streak of light, a pang of sadness touched my soul. A pang that was spontaneous, but real none the less.

The falling star immediately brought to remembrance the passage quoted above. Despite the fact that the sky seems to be filled with a countless multitude of stars, our Creator placed them all in the sky and calls them all by name. Even though what we term a falling star is in reality a meteor flashing across the sky, my heart was saddened by the thought that one of God’s stars would be missing from His evening roll call. Although it would not take long for my mind to correct my heart, my heart’s response planted numerous seeds for my mind to reflect upon.

Grandpa’s Grin

I walked into the back of church by myself at the ripe old age of ten. As I surveyed the best pews at the back of church for a prime seat, I saw my Grandfather sitting by himself. Immediately, I knew where I was going to park myself for Mass. As I slipped into “Grandpa’s” pew, a big grin took over his previously somber face.

My Grandfather had recently joined the ranks of widower, and like most who have lost a spouse of 50+ years, he was trying to find his “place” in life adjusting to his new normal. Apparently my presence was a temporary balm for his pain and sorrow. Before there was time for the grin to absolve from his countenance, he put his large hand into his front pocket and pulled out a quarter, which he promptly deposited into my tiny hand. Out of love for my Grandpa I would have sat with him for free, but what ten year old declines a quarter (keeping in mind the time value of money and this was 1975).

As a young boy, I didn’t realize the significance of the moment. My Grandpa was so proud that I sat with him that he later told my parents how touched he was that I would choose to sit with him as opposed to my friends. A lonely old man’s heart was touched by the attention of a young boy. A young boy who would never again have the opportunity to touch his Grandpa’s heart and put a grin on his face. Shortly afterwards, my Grandfather died of a heart attack. A falling star of eighty three years who would never again pay pew rent.

Screaming Sirens

I rolled down the window to make small talk with my classmate and childhood best friend Jimmy. It was June of 1983 and along with some of my other recently graduated classmates, we had just arrived back into town after taking in a movie. Seeing another group of classmates we decided to pull over to talk with them as they were standing around a car reminiscing. With high school in the rear view mirror, we were enjoying our “last” summer together before going away to our different colleges. For Jimmy, it was a chance to pursue college football on a full scholarship.

It was just after midnight when I said goodbye to Jimmy, as our car full of guys left to return to my house for some late night euchre. Although we played a lot of cards during our school years, including in our classes, it was a little unusual to play so late into the night (or early morning). I suppose we all recognized that since we would soon be going our different ways, we were all a little reluctant to “let go” of the past. But all good things must come to an end. Or so we are told.

I believe it was between two or three in the morning before we finally decided to throw in the cards and call it a night. As we did so, some emergency vehicles raced by my parent’s house with their screaming sirens penetrating an otherwise still and quiet spring night/morning. Little did I know as I finally settled into my bed that I would never again see my buddy Jimmy. He was killed in a auto accident shortly after I said goodbye to him. And it was for him the sirens were screaming. A falling star of 19 years who would never grace the college grid iron.

Last Message

For me it was a morning full of listening to theological questions and Biblical interpretations as a fellow Pastor was seeking ordination. For my wife, it was a morning full of sorrow and uncertainty. During a morning “intermission”, word had gotten to me that my mother-in-law, Janet, had been involved in a bicycle accident.

That was all I knew.

A few hours later, a telephone message was finally relayed to me that the family was to meet with a neurosurgeon. Now I knew the accident was extremely serious. Immediately, along with the other two Pastors I was serving with, we jumped into the church van and made our way across Lansing to be with my in-laws at the Hospital.

When they opened the door to the family waiting room, it was immediately evident just how serious the situation was. The teary eyes and anxious looks told the story. How could I know that the morning theological questions would give way to a “test” of Faith?

When I got home that night, there was a message on our answering machine. It was a message from Janet left early in the morning, probably just moments before she got on her bike. Being the servant that she was, she had plans to go into Lansing to do some shopping and wanted to know if we needed for her to pick up anything for us. Not wanting my wife to be “disturbed” by hearing her mothers voice on the recording, I foolishly deleted it. If only I could see into the future.

After having brain surgery, my mother in law would pass over the river of death six days later without ever again regaining consciousness. A falling star of fifty-nine years never again to offer an encouraging word or write an encouraging letter.

Missing Child

As I write this, it is Sunday, February 14th. Valentines day 2021. In five days, our family will celebrate our youngest daughter’s eleventh birthday, but unfortunately, our daughter will not be with us to enjoy the meal and the cake. Born extremely prematurely, she died of complications related to her lack of “development”. A falling star of 37 days whose light was barely given a chance to grace the night sky.

As I sat in my ladder stand reflecting on the falling star, I was keenly reminded of the fact that we are all falling stars. Whether we live thirty-seven days or eighty-three years, in the grand scheme of things we are as short lived as the light of the falling star trekking across the dark sky.

I couldn’t help but wonder, what are we doing with the brief time we have? In a dark and desperate world are we reflecting the light and love of Christ? What are we doing to build into the lives of those God puts in our lives?

Star Lessons

We would be wise to heed Isaiah’s admonition. It is healthy for us to lift up our eyes and ponder the stars. Not because of their inherent brilliance, but because of the Creator they point us to. A Creator so powerful and majestic that He alone hung the stars in place. A Creator so loving that He calls them each by name. A Creator so faithful, that He will make sure none is missing.

During our short lives on earth, God will place a lot of “falling stars” in our orbit. Family members and friends we will love and relate with. In varying degrees He will interweave them into the tapestry of our lives. Hence, when they fall from the sky our hearts are touched with more than a pang of sorrow. Part of our heart is torn from us with the loss of each loved one. But lift your weary eyes and see.

Our loved ones in Christ are not gone, they are in Heaven with the star Maker. They are in the eternal Home of their Father. Some day, when our time to shine has faded, we will join them. There will be no somber faces or sorrow, nor good-byes and screaming sirens. There will be no accidents or last messages, nor will there be any empty seats at the table. Instead, God will give us each a new name, and when the roll is called, not one of His Children will be missing.

“By the greatness of His might, and because He is strong in power.” And because of His perfect infinite love.

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9-10

Joy to the World

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6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. – Romans 5:6-11

Weak

Perhaps nobody wants to be labeled “weak”, but that is precisely the word that the Apostle Paul uses to describe us. While the word may not be attractive to us, it is certainly accurate. More accurate than we would care to admit.

When we think of the word weak, we tend to think in relative terms. Perhaps thinking of a small child in comparison to a developed adult or a frail person in contrast to a healthy athlete. But when Paul in the passage quoted from Romans refers to us as weak he is using an absolute term, not a relative one.

When Paul says we were weak, he is referring to our spiritual position as sinners. Helpless. As ungodly people, we were as impotent as the corpse of Lazarus lying in it’s tomb. Dead in our trespasses and sin we were both helpless and hopeless.

Right Time

Our salvation is not an afterthought. To the contrary, it was planned before the foundation of the world. Lying in our spiritual grave, in our state of “weakness”, Christ died for us at the “right time”. At the time appointed by the Father, He went to the cross, and died in our stead, liberating us from our grave. In doing so, He manifested a love and humility beyond our imagination, prompting Paul to pen what appears to be a commentary on John 3:16.

For a righteous person, which we were not, one would scarcely die. For a good person, which was even further from describing us, one might dare to die. But for a sinner? An enemy of God? Yes. In such a condition God showed His love for us.

Enclosed in our graves of helplessness and hopelessness, only one light could penetrate. The love of God. In His timing, Christ called us forth from our death beds with a victorious shout of acclamation; “It is finished”.

Justified

In our weak condition, we were subject to the wrath of God, the final Judge of all creation. As sinners, we deserved nothing but the just punishment for our sins; eternal separation from the presence of God. Our destiny was eternity in hell, subject to the heat and torment our enmity toward God merited.

But as Paul reminds us, the blood of Christ has purchased our redemption. Accordingly, God has declared us justified in His sight. The Righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us. The Judge of all Creation has given His verdict.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4 

Reconciled

As amazing as our justification is, Paul doesn’t end there. Instead, Paul transitions from a forensic, or legal term, to a filial, or relational one. Not only has God the Judge declared us justified, but God the Father has also called us reconciled. In other words, Christ’s death has not only purchased our redemption, but also reconciled our broken relationship with our Heavenly Father. After pronouncing us innocent, God adopted us into His family.

This is a most important truth. Salvation isn’t “just” being saved from the consequences of our sins, but rather being given the privilege of fellowshipping with the Trinity.

3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. – John 17:3

Through the blood of Christ, God has made His once bitter enemies His beloved children. But amazingly, it gets even better!!

Security

Look at what Paul proceeds to say. If the death of Christ is powerful enough to secure our justification and adoption, imagine what His life can do!! In verse ten, Paul reminds us that the cross on Cavalry was not the end of the road for Jesus. Likewise, neither was the Garden tomb. As Scriptures tell us, Jesus not only defeated sin on the cross, but He also defeated death by resurrecting from the grave. Jesus has ascended into Heaven and lives to intercede for us at the right Hand of the Father.

By implication, Paul tells us that our eternity is secure. If the death of Christ could reconcile us to the Father, how much more shall we be saved by His life (v. 10). Because of the death and resurrected life of Christ, Paul has no doubts about the certainty of our ultimate glorification. If Christ’s death can save God’s enemies, His life is more than capable of protecting His children (Philippians 1:6). From beginning to end, our salvation is “entirely of God and His love”.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:28-39

Rejoice

So what. What do these spiritual truths practically mean to us? Paul goes on to tell us in verse eleven that we should rejoice (joy) in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have received reconciliation. As we reflect upon the truth of what Paul has written about our salvation, the gift of Joy that the Holy Spirit brings to us is able to “grow” and “blossom”.

The Christmas season is certainly a good time to “cultivate” our joy.

As Christians celebrate Advent, the third week is typically associated with a pink candle, often referred to as the Shepherd Candle, which represents the joy that comes from the arrival of the Christ child. Obviously, we are reminded during this very special season, that without the birth of our Emmanuel in the manger, our salvation would never have been possible.

If you want to “experience” a little joy this Christmas season, reflect on the One who left Heaven’s throne to become weak to save you from your weakness.

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. – Galatians 4:4-5

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:10-14

Joy to the World

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields & floods, rocks, hills & plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

May your Christmas be “full” of Joy as you reflect on your salvation and your Savior.

The Thanksgiving of the Living

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19 The living, the living, he thanks you,
    as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
    your faithfulness. – Isaiah 38:19

The Living

Isaiah Chapter 38 records the fascinating account of King Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery. Try to put yourself in King Hezekiah’s position if you can. Lying sick, and at the point of death, the imposing figure of the Prophet Isaiah comes to pay you a visit. Always sober and dressed in his humble sackcloth, the mighty prophet gives you these “encouraging” words:

“Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.”

How would you respond to such a statement? Especially coming from a source like Isaiah. A prophet who received visions from God during the reign of four kings of Judah. During his forty years of ministry Isaiah prophesied on the coming Messiah, warnings and assurances for Israel and Judah, the coming Day of the Lord, and the Kingdom of God. In time, each of his prophecies would be fulfilled, thus proving their Divine source. When Isaiah spoke, the wise took his words to heart.

Hezekiah was familiar with Isaiah. Thus, the gravity of his words were unbearable. At thirty-nine years of age and childless, Hezekiah’s days among the living were numbered.

Death Sentence

As I read through the Bible, this account reminds me of my chiropractor and good friend Dr. Russell Willemin. Like Hezekiah, he was given a hopeless diagnosis that might better have been called a death sentence. Specifically, in early February of 2014, he was diagnosed with uroepithelial carcinoma in his right kidney. Although surgery was performed to remove his right kidney, ureter, and bladder cuff, the cancer had progressed to stage IV and was in the lymphatics around his aorta and was inoperable.

While he did not receive any somber words from the Prophet Isaiah, Dr. Russ did receive sobering counsel from his medical team. Certainly, the odds were not in his favor. If ever there was a time to set his house in order, it was now.

At fifty-eight years of age, with of bride of thirty-six years, three children and four grandchildren, it appeared that Dr. Russ’s days among the living were numbered.

Weeping King

Where do you turn when you are given news like King Hezekiah? For Hezekiah, his first thought in the “trial” was prayer. Isaiah records that King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. As he wept bitterly, Hezekiah reminded the Lord of his faithful service and his whole hearted devotion in doing good in the sight of God. And unlike the wall he was facing, God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer.

Immediately, God spoke to the Prophet Isaiah, and told him to go back to the King with the comforting words that his prayer had been heard and his tears had been seen. Because of his contrition, God promised Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life. In addition, God promised his protection to Hezekiah and Jerusalem during that time. A promise He confirmed with a miraculous sign. The shadow would turn back on the dial, but God would not turn back on His word. While I don’t believe God changes His mind, I do think this teaches us that “there is room in God’s plans for the prayers of man” (H.C. Leupold).

With his remaining life, Hezekiah pledged to praise God. Specifically, he would thank Him for His grace and make his offspring (of which he currently had none) know of His faithfulness.

Heart Covenant

Like King Hezekiah, Dr. Russ also turned to God in prayer during his time of desperation. Instead of reminding God of his faithfulness as the King did, however, he confessed his spiritual apathy. In his own words, he wasn’t practicing his faith or praying regularly. Basically, his life was lacking spiritual conviction. But in his current condition, he decided to make a covenant “of the heart” with God. Not unlike the vow that Jacob made with God in Genesis chapter twenty eight. If God would show him mercy and allow him to recover, he in turn would do whatever God “asked” of him. Like King Hezekiah experienced so many years before, God heard his prayer, and saw his tears.

The day before he was scheduled to begin his very aggressive chemo regimen, Dr. Russ attended a healing service at the recommendation of one of his employees. Little could he know how this service would change his life. And by extension, countless others.

At the service, the audience was challenged to forgive anyone that they were harboring ill will towards. As Dr. Russ did so, the Spirit began to work on him. As the chains associated with unforgiveness began to weaken, Dr. Russ began to perspire profusely, as if the cancer were leaving his body through his pores. Once he reached the alter and was prayed over, he lost all control of his body as the Holy Spirit began to operate on the inoperable. Like a patient under anesthesia, he could not move or even open his eyes.

The Prophet Isaiah was not on the scene, so God sent the Holy Spirit to inform Dr. Russ that he was going to be healed and he would survive. But it wouldn’t be easy. Before the healing, he would have to endure some suffering (how often the same knife that heals us must first hurt us). But with newfound trust in the Great Physician, his tears of sorrow were quickly turned into tears of joy.

Death’s Threshold

Have you ever stood at the threshold of death like these two men? When death comes, even a mighty king is helpless before it’s onslaught. For King Hezekiah, it came calling at the “prime of his life” and would forever leave an indelible mark.

In the words of John Oswalt: “At the time when he least expects it, Hezekiah is confronted by the gaping maw of death. Suddenly all the years upon which he had counted for more achievements and for the enjoyment of those achievements vanish away like a vapor. How easily we human beings consider the years of our lives an inviolate possession. But that is not true. We have only today and perhaps not all of it. We are distinctly dependent creatures, and if such experiences as Hezekiah’s help us to face what that fact means for present living and eternal destiny, then they are very salutary experiences indeed.”

Hence Hezekiah would write:

15 What shall I say? For he has spoken to me,
    and he himself has done it.
I walk slowly all my years
    because of the bitterness of my soul.

16 O Lord, by these things men live,
    and in all these is the life of my spirit.
    Oh restore me to health and make me live!
17 Behold, it was for my welfare
    that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind your back. – Isaiah 38:15-17

Life Lessons

How can you be delivered from the threshold of death without being forever changed? I am sure Dr. Russ would agree with Hezekiah’s statement that “in all of these is the life of my spirit”. As H.C. Leupold says of such experiences, “They are the wellspring of all existence. All this is said in an effort to indicate how deep these things go and how long they last”.

Death has the ability to remove so quickly what we treat as so permanent. As we see from Hezekiah’s words, one never completely gets over the shock of being confronted with it so suddenly and intimately. We see that his praise is not only tempered by his “bitterness” but is actually enhanced by it (v. 17). There is a depth to his thanksgiving and praise that man can not manufacture without such an experience. It is a blessed thing to be reminded of our dependency on God, and perhaps nothing does it so quickly and thoroughly as a death sentence.

It is good to remember that God holds the keys to life and death. Also, it is good to be reminded that he hears the prayers of those that cry out to him. It is wise for the living to trust Him with, and thank Him for, their lives every day.

Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, may you ponder these words from Dr. Russ.

“I strive now to stay in His presence all day every day. I speak out His name for support all day just to bring my awareness back to Him. For that, He offers us love, support and forgiveness beyond our comprehension. He gives us the gift of another day on Earth with our loved ones. How are you going to use that gift today? How are you going to prepare to use that gift tomorrow? Don’t waste those gifts, these days. Praise Him and thank Him every day.”

When you take time to thank God today, don’t forget to thank him for Hezekiah’s son Manasseh who was born during the fifteen years that God added to Hezekiah’s life. Although Manasseh was a wicked King, he was part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:10). And it is only because of Christ that the redeemed can echo the words of Hezekiah’s thanksgiving.

“but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind your back”

Happy thanksgiving, and welcome back from the dead.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:4-5

Kindness, Empathy and Life

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19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live – Deuteronomy 30:19

Unhinged

On June 16, 2015, business mogul Donald Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Personally, I thought it was some sort of joke, perhaps a publicity stunt. What did Donald Trump know about politics? As might be expected, the media had a field day with the announcement. In fact, I felt they were so obsessed with Donald Trump that they hardly recognized the other candidates, including “my” candidate. But the obsession was only beginning.

On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected President, and many liberals became unhinged, including those in the media and academia. The morning after his election, some Institutions of “higher” learning cancelled classes so their students could get grief counseling. But the grief only blossomed into frustration. In June of 2017, in a New York play of Julius Caesar, a Trump-like “‘Caesar” was stabbed to death to the delight of it’s liberal audience (and the dismay of some of it’s sponsors). But the stabs in the back were just beginning.

Not wanting to accept President Trumps election, his opponents fabricated a Russian collusion conspiracy. After spending much time and tax money on false charges, they then proceeded with a bogus impeachment trial. Many of these same people cheered when he was diagnosed with Covid and jeered when he was released from the hospital. At every turn, those obsessed with President Trump are still dripping their venom.

False Scales

11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but a just weight is his delight. – Proverbs 11:1

While the media has been busy pointing out every flaw of President Trump, real or perceived, they have basically ignored those of his opponents. While we were subjected to months of conjecture regarding the Russian collusion theory, there seemed to be no interest from the media about Obamagate, and Vice President Biden’s role in all of the spying.

When Judge Kavanaugh was nominated for the Supreme Court by President Trump, we were educated about the Me Too movement. One thing we learned was that any man accused of sexual misconduct was guilty until proven innocent. Certainly no woman would fabricate such personal and sensitive accusations. At least that was until Vice President Biden was accused of sexual misconduct/improprieties by several women.

In addition to Obamagate and the numerous sexual allegations, Biden is now linked to his son Hunter’s ongoing scandal. It seems that while Vice President, Joe Biden used his position to financially benefit Hunter. Likewise, no mention is made of all of the damning sexual perversion found on his (Hunters) laptop computer. Unfortunately, instead of professional journalism, all we are getting from the elite powers is gaslighting.

Untold Story

What are we not being told by the media? According to the website whitehouse.gov, this is what Paul Harvey might refer to as “the rest of the story”.

“President Trump has delivered historic results in his first term in office despite partisan gridlock in the Nation’s Capital, and resistance from special interests and the Washington Establishment.

He passed record-setting tax cuts and regulation cuts, achieved energy independence, replaced NAFTA with the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, invested $2 trillion to completely rebuild the Military, launched the Space Force, obliterated the ISIS Caliphate, achieved a major breakthrough for peace in the Middle East, passed the most significant Veterans Affairs reforms in half a century, confirmed over 250 federal judges, including 2 Supreme Court Justices, signed bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform, lowered drug prices, protected Medicare and Social Security, and secured our nation’s borders.

To vanquish the COVID-19 global pandemic, President Trump launched the greatest national mobilization since World War II. The Trump Administration enacted the largest package of financial relief in American history, created the most advanced testing system in the world, developed effective medical treatments to save millions of lives, and launched Operation Warp Speed to deliver a vaccine in record time and defeat the Virus.”

Bet you didn’t hear any of that on the nightly news.

Laurel Trees

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
    though I sought him, he could not be found. – Psalm 37:35-36

In the midst of the Second World War, as the anxious world was watching every move of Adolf Hitler in fear and trembling, Martyn Lloyd-Jones was unmovable in his confidence. His faith in God was his firm foundation when the world around him was falling apart. How? He believed in the sovereignty of God and clung to His Word. Specifically, he found comfort in the passage above. Like the laurel tree in the Psalm, one day men would seek Hitler and he would be no more. His wickedness and ruthlessness would be a thing of the past.

From an earthly perspective, President Trump and Vice President Biden are laurel trees. Mere mortals who will someday pass away and be no more. Just like Adolf Hitler. Just like all of us. However, unlike the laurel tree, they will stand before their Creator and give an account for their deeds in the flesh. Every careless word uttered, and every deed performed will be weighed by the almighty God, who hates false scales.

We need to be careful how much fear and how much faith we put in laurel trees.

Fools Galore

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent. – Proverbs 11:12

I don’t follow Facebook, nor do I follow Twitter. But I am well aware that much of what President Trump says and Tweets, would certainly qualify him as a fool according to many of the Proverbs. But despite what the media would like us to believe, he doesn’t have a monopoly on foolish words or behavior.

When questioned about his bowling game, President Obama once remarked to Jay Leno, “It’s like the Special Olympics or something”. (To his credit, he quickly apologized). In what appeared to be a childlike meltdown, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, in front of a watching world, tore up her copy of President Trump’s State of the Union Address. Not to be outdone, in the first 2020 Presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden told President Trump to “shut up” and also called him a clown.

Prior to his debate embarrassment, Biden got into a heated exchange with an autoworker in Michigan who questioned his stance on gun control. According to the auto worker, Biden “went off the deep end” as he lost his temper and used expletives in his response to what was deemed to be a fair question.

Kindness and Empathy

So where is all of this political talk leading? Since President Trump was elected President, there has been a lot of discussion about kindness and empathy. Yet, in the midst of all of the Clinton sex scandals we were told that character doesn’t matter. Remember being told “Its the economy stupid”? So how did we get to this point?

It didn’t take long to find the trail. According to a 2016 article in the New York Times, Mark Zuckerburg, was devastated by Trumps Presidential win. Accordingly, he decided to make empathy (or the lack thereof) the focal point of 2020. And through Facebook, and the media, he has done just that. For many, this election is about the subjective. Which candidate is perceived as the kindest and most empathetic. To which I humbly say, HOGWASH!!

As a “Patriot” and more importantly, as a Christian, who recognizes the stakes of the war we are in, I am casting my lot with General MacArthur before Richard Simmons. As I have been pointing out, perfection is not an option, so we must vote for direction. Both candidates have a fool’s tongue, but one has a lot more blood on his hands.

Choose Life

I remember years ago listening to a radio interview with the well known financial advisor Larry Burkett. Larry was battling cancer at the time and after sharing some of his experiences in that struggle, he was asked about an upcoming election. Despite making a living talking about finances from a Christian perspective, Larry said the only truly important issue in any election is life. If a candidate didn’t fight for the sanctity of human life, he wasn’t much interested in their other credentials or convictions. As a young CPA, that left a great impression on me.

That interview was roughly twenty years ago. Larry has long since passed. But the battle for life remains. As an accountant, I appreciate what President Trump has done for our economy. The same is true for the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. Further, as I father and grandfather, I appreciate the lack of ISIS activity under President Trump’s watch. But when I look at the list of accomplishments taken from the whitehouse.gov sight (copied above), one is glaringly absent.

According to every pro life organization I am aware of, President Trump is the most pro-life President in our history. By contrast, the Biden/Harris ticket has been dubbed the most pro-death. As a nation, God has certainly placed before us life and death. In a few days, we will make our choice.

Mere Mortals?

How do we move beyond the earthly perspective of humanity? How do we get past our feelings and subjective standards? Perhaps a testimony will help. On November 17, 1995, as she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Brenda Shafer, an RN, shared this about an abortion she assisted in:

“The baby was alive and moving as the abortionist delivered the baby’s body and arms – everything but the head. The doctor kept the baby’s head just inside the uterus. The baby’s little fingers were clasping and unclasping, his feet were kicking. Then the doctor stuck the scissors through the back of his head, and the baby’s arms jerked out in a flinch, a startle reaction like a baby does when he thinks he might fall. The doctor opened up the scissors, stuck a high-powered suction tube into the opening, and sucked the baby’s’ brains out. Now the baby was completely limp.”

With this sobering picture in your mind, ponder the words of C.S. Lewis, from The Weight of Glory.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations-these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit-immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

Let’s not redefine what it means to be pro life. You can’t love, protect or care for someone from cradle to grave, if you’ve denied them the right to life in the womb.

This election exercise kindness and empathy by choosing life, “so that you and your children might live”. With heaven and earth as His witnesses, God awaits our decision.

Let My People Go

Posted on by scott

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” – Acts 16:35-37

Images

The Bible has been the best selling and most popular “Book” for ages; and for good reason. Inspired by our Creator God it is full of absolute Truths including why we were created, the reality of sin, and God’s plan of Salvation through Christ; and Christ alone. But while it is true that the Bible is full of absolute Truths, we must not confuse it’s absolute Truths with it’s general guidelines and principals, many of which are contained in the Proverbs. Although the Bible does not contain any contradictions, it does allow for exceptions.

When the Pharisees came to trap Jesus about the eternally divisive issue of taxes, He taught them a more important lesson (Matt. 22:15-22). The question they put before Jesus seemed innocent enough, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not (v. 17)?” Jesus’ answer however, was very profound. As He held a Roman coin up for His audience to observe, Jesus responded, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

In Jesus’ day, an image denoted ownership. The denarius coin that Jesus held up was Roman money. Bearing the image of Caesar, it ultimately belonged to him. But, that wasn’t the end of the lesson, even though Jesus answered their question about taxes. More important than the money that belonged to Caesar were the bodies and souls of the taxpayers. Bearing the image of God, they ultimately belonged to Him. While we may have an obligation to give Caesar his money back, we must never give Caesar what belongs to God alone. Our hands, our bodies, our very souls belong only to our Creator. As Christ taught His audience, much more important than the taxes we render unto Caesar, is the worship we render unto God.

AMENDMENT I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Our Founding Fathers knew the importance of religion and the ability to worship freely. You can not get much more explicit than the first Amendment of the Constitution; the government shall not make any laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion (worship). Yet we are witnessing it all over this great land of ours. Caesar is demanding our money AND denying or dictating our worship!

Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, many State governments have placed onerous restrictions on churches and houses of worship. Caesar has been so bold as to tell us how many people can attend (if at all) and how far the worshipers must be spaced apart. Further, many are being told they must wear masks and singing has been banned. To make matters worse, hugs and handshakes are basically illegal for many. Does this sound like free exercise of religion? As restrictive as some of these regulations are, others have been downright draconian.

In Florida, Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, was wrongfully arrested at his home for holding a church service. While criminals were being released from jail for fear of Covid, Pastor Browne was placed behind bars. In New York City, the mayor personally participated in a raid on a Jewish funeral dispersing mourners, but by his silence seemed to have endorsed the gathering of thousands in close quarters to watch the Blue Angels’ and Thunderbirds’ flyover. In Louisville, Kentucky, church members listening to a sermon from the safety of their own cars, as part of a drive in worship service, were threatened and disbursed by a “swat team”. What kind of health threat could they possibly have posed? Strangely, the drive-thru at the local McDonalds was open and deemed safe.

The city council of Chicago threatened to bulldoze a church, Elim Pentecostal Church, for not acquiescing to unrealistic demands. Prior to this threat, the police towed away and impounded the cars of those attending Elim worship services and proceeded to block the surrounding streets. Another pastor, upon having his worship service interrupted by authorities, asked his members to meet him at Walmart. His point was well made but not well taken. The police followed them to Walmart and kicked them out of there as well. Now, in California, Caesar is telling God’s image bearers that they cannot meet together in church for worship OR in the privacy of their own homes for Bible Studies.

Such actions are not only in contradiction to President Trumps recognition of church services as being essential, they are illegal and unconstitutional, even during COVID. Like Paul, we are seeing our rights grossly violated.

Bondage

Without a doubt, the Church is being persecuted under the guise of public safety. How can we believe otherwise, when many of the same politicians who are trying to keep people of faith isolated and locked up in their homes are concurrently encouraging and often participating in mass protests? Are people of faith the only carriers of the virus? If not, how is singing Hymns in church more dangerous than chanting death to America and death to police officers in the midst of a throng of thousands marching arm in arm?

The curve has been flattened. The ventilators have been mass produced and are now collecting dust. There are plenty of empty beds in the hospitals and there are plenty of available medical professionals out of work. All of the original “sky is falling” predictions have been far from accurate, yet it feels as if we are living out the the children’s book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Like the mouse in the book, Caesar is not satisfied with just a cookie. If you give it to him, he is going to “ask” for a glass of milk and so much more.

Our right to worship without the interference of Caesar is God given and protected by our Constitution. I am gravely concerned that as long as we passively allow these tyrannical government officials to rob us of our religious freedoms the damage will be irreversible. Some day we will wake up and find our freedoms gone. Religious and all. Before it is too late I believe we need to repeat the words of Moses to Pharoah, “Let my people go…(Exodus 5:1).

Just Say No

I believe that Christians should be model citizens, but I do not believe that means there is no place for civil disobedience. As I stated at the beginning, the Bible contains both absolute Truths and general guidelines. During this pandemic I have heard a lot of Christians quote Romans 13:1.

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God

As much as I appreciate this verse, it is obviously a general guideline and not an absolute Truth. When Peter and the other apostles were told to stop preaching their response to those in authority was, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Later in the book of Acts, as quoted above, the great Apostle Paul, who penned Romans 13, exercised civil disobedience. As a Roman citizen he was wrongfully arrested and beaten (according to Valerian and Porcian laws). In the words of F.F. Bruce, “…their rights as Roman citizens had been grossly violated.” Upon recognition of their mistake, the magistrates sent police to the jailers to have Paul released, via a hole-and-corner manner.

Although I have heard of people resisting arrest, Paul actually resisted release. In his eyes being “wrongfully” released did not rectify his wrongful arrest. Accordingly, Paul said “No!” to those in authority. The authorities, who themselves were in violation of the law, could come and apologize and personally release Paul. And they did!

Paul is certainly not the only person in church history to take such a stance. According to Frank Wright, Ph. D. (president and CEO of D. James Kennedy Ministries), “During the Reformation, John Calvin, John Knox, and others argued the right and responsibility of governing authorities beneath the king to resist unjust laws and tyrannical actions.” When John Bunyan was told to quit preaching, he said “No!” and spent the next twelve years in jail. Like many in authority during the days of Paul, we are witnessing political leaders who disrespect the Word of God and the law of the land. Do we continue to quote Paul’s words in Romans 13, or follow his example in Acts 16?

It is a difficult question we must all wrestle with. Stay tuned.

Mavis and Me

Posted on by scott

5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home; – Psalm 68:5-6a

Wrapped Up

I have never been a flexible person. Undoubtedly, with time, my limited flexibility has become more “limited”. Certainly, no one who knows me well would ever confuse me for a contortionist. Which makes the position I found myself in this past weekend a little surprising; wrapped around the finger of a three year old girl named Mavis. Like a fresh band-aid, I was stuck. What made my position even more unusual was the fact that just a couple of hours before she wrapped me around her tiny finger, Mavis was a perfect stranger to me.

While spending some time at the cottage with my family, my daughter Rebekah asked if she could invite some friends up for the day. Although I knew her friends Holden and Cassie, I did not know their young children since they had lived out of state for a few years. However, I was soon to meet their two year old Kenneth, and their three year old daughter Mavis. Little did I know the blessing I was in for.

Tea Time

After spending some time in the sun, we decided to give our bodies a break and relax in the cottage (as well as you can relax in 90 degrees with a dead air conditioner). As I rested sitting on the fire place ledge (under the ceiling fan), little Ms. Mavis offered me some tea from her Beauty and the Beast tea cart. Being hot and exhausted I could not say no.

For two hours I could not say no. If it is possible to drown in imaginary tea I was there. The British would have been proud of me. I was an ambidextrous tea drinking machine. For the record, I was even holding out my pinky as I tipped each cup. As fast as I could drink them, little Mavis filled them. She was the perfect little hostess (although the tea cart did crash into my knee a couple of times) with an irresistible sales pitch.

No L

Besides her big brown eyes, much of Mavis’ success as a hostess was attributed to her speech and her etiquette. How can you resist a three year old girl whose speech is replete with such rare words as “please” and “thank you”? Besides, Mavis’ vocabulary, at least for the time being, doesn’t contain the letter L. And further, she doesn’t replace it with another letter such as W. Do you know how cute it sounds when a little girl says, “Pease will you pay with me” or “Can you ook in the coset for more toys”?

Further, not knowing my name, first or last, Mavis would often address me as, “Pease Mr. Guy” or “Pease Mr. Sir” (when her father told her my name wasn’t Guy). Are you getting a sense as to why I was wrapped around her finger? This little girl could melt any man’s heart and would make any father proud, if only…

Fatherless

Although ten months older than her brother Kenneth, Mavis joined the family after him. Although she is now a vital part of their family, she wasn’t born into it. Rather she was adopted by Holden and Cassie last October. In talking with the new parents, they informed us that the slowest part of the adoption process was trying to identify the biological father. In fact, six different men were given DNA tests and none of them matched. Which begs the question, how many “potential” candidates are out there?

With no success in identifying the biological father of Mavis, a notice was published in the local papers stating that if the father did not respond within a designated period of time, his parental rights would be forfeited. As you can imagine, nobody responded. I don’t know about you, but I believe Mavis qualifies as one of the fatherless that the Psalmist was referring to.

Past and Present

Besides the identity of her biological father, so much of Mavis’ past is unknown. From what little is known, it is easy to speculate she may have been neglected. There were a few physical “issues” her adoptive parents had to address. It is also possible there was some abuse. But who knows for sure? Hopefully, if such evils were a part of her past, they will not be remembered because of her young age.

While much is unknown about her past, it appears that Mavis has a bright future. If it is true that Mavis could be a poster child for the fatherless, it also appears that she is one of the “solitary” that God has settled in a home as the Psalmist goes on to say. Which makes me say, Thank God for adoption and for couples like Holden and Cassie who make the bold and faithful step.

Confessions

As I partook of the tea party with Mavis, I had to reflect on my own attitude about adoption. There were times in our marriage when I wondered if my wife and I weren’t called to adopt, but I never felt it was “right” for us. I realize that there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to adoption, but for me there was always one insurmountable hurdle; fear that I might not love an adopted child the way I would one of “my own”. I know it might sound selfish, but the fact of the matter is, I never wanted a child to feel second rate. Not under my roof.

As a young child observing families with natural and adopted children, I usually felt like the adopted children were treated like outsiders. I may have been mistaken, but unfortunately this impression was always difficult for me to overcome. But fortunately, God never stops working on any of us, and I believe my tea time with Mavis was ordained by Him.

Options

In light of the precarious circumstances, why did Mavis’ mother not choose abortion? One would have to speculate there would have been pressure to do so. Who would have objected, especially in our selfish society? But thank God she did not buy into the lies of the world and the promotion of “choice”.

Similarly, why did her mother choose to put Mavis up for adoption? Was that her intent all along or was it an afterthought? Despite her background, was there as least some rudimentary respect for the sanctity of human life? I can only speculate on her motives, but I am thankful she chose life, and I am thankful she chose adoption. May we live to see the day when it is no longer option 2.

Best Friends

When I had finally had my “fill” of imaginary tea, I moved from the hard fireplace slate to the floor, sitting with my back against a couch. As I made the move, Mavis followed me (how could she not, we were attached!) and attempted to sit in my lap. Being “strangers” I thought it best to redirect her to the floor sitting beside me. But I was soon to learn that sitting by my side wasn’t what Mavis wanted.

After probably less than a minute at my side, Mavis stood up and faced me, and quickly proceeded to give me a hug. As she did so she said in her sweet little voice, “You’re my best fwend”. I am not going to lie, it brought tears to my eyes (or else I was literally drowning in tea). As if having me wrapped around her finger wasn’t enough, she had to go and tie up my heart strings. Like I said before, thank God her mother chose adoption over abortion!!

Mavis and Me

As we were wrapping up our time together, it was time for ice cream at our favorite ice cream shop (ok so it is a gas station). When the last of the ice cream was eaten and it was time to go, as Mavis got into their family vehicle for the ride back home, she said, “Good-bye best fwend”.

Then it was time to process what Mavis had taught me.

Despite the joy and blessing children bring us, at the end of the day it isn’t about what they give to us, but the love we shower on them. And who can better love the adopted, than the adopted? After all, Mavis and I have more in common than meets the eye, and as a child of God so do you.

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. – Ephesians 1:5-6

Our Father is an adopting Father. Although our pasts were uncertain, our futures are bright, we have a Celestial home. When we felt insecure, God is our true protector. With the love of Christ to share, our Father has equipped us to love the fatherless, and to point them to their true Father. Instead of focusing on my limited capacities, I should have been relying on God’s unlimited resources!!

Although the “age” of adoption has passed me by, I can certainly be an advocate and encourager.

Thanks for the tea time Mavis and all that you taught me. May you continue to touch and soften hearts the way you did mine. It is an honor to be your “best fwend”.

Death’s Appointment

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27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment – Hebrews 9:27

Introduction

I remember as a young boy of six years of age playing with my cousin Mark, who was one year younger than I. We were out in the yard of his family’s farm in the shadow of the milk parlor and barn playing as carefree as two young boys could. And should.

After so many years, a lot of the details escape me, but I do remember being impressed by how quiet my cousin was and the gentle soul that he had. At an age that a lot of children are animated and seeking attention (often referred to as hyper and obnoxious), Mark was almost “angelic” in demeanor.

I am sure that my memory of my little cousin is biased because of the tragedy that was soon to follow our last play time together. But I can’t separate reality from bias at this point, I can only relate impressions etched forever on my mind.

When Mark did not show up for dinner one evening, his concerned parents and elder siblings made a search for him. From what I understand, it was his oldest brother who found him above the milk parlor. Mark was dead, the result of an accident. His gentle little frame forever stilled. His death forever casting a shadow on our souls.

Because he died so young, I don’t have a lot of memories of my cousin, but looking back, I believe it was he who first “introduced” me to death. It was an introduction I wish had been prolonged. Indefinitely!

Appointment

I still remember the night that my uncle called to tell us of Mark’s death. How does a father make such a phone call? Torn with sorrow, his voice often failed him as he shared what details he could of the tragedy. I did not fully comprehend what was happening at first, but I knew it must be something bad as the air was so heavy with sorrow and tears were freely flowing.

Later, as my mother was on the phone trying to console her elder sister in her time of loss, my father tried to explain to me the reality of death. Mark was gone and he wasn’t coming back. Ever.

Death is so personal. Death is so permanent.

As he sat beside me on the couch trying to make death “understandable”, I am sure my father was battling his own emotions and shock. As he struggled to find the appropriate words, I coped the best I could; I drew a picture of Mark and I playing in the yard. Just as two boys should. Just as we never would again.

What I tried to ignore as a young boy has become all too real over the years. Death is always near, and some day it is going to claim every one of us. Mark’s death may have come at a young age, but young or old, we all have an appointment with it.

Man

When we went to the Funeral Home to pay our respects to my “angelic” little cousin, I found that he was not “alone”. Sadly, death had been working overtime. As I walked up the steps and entered the viewing room(s) there were two caskets instead of one. Against the North wall was the casket of Mark, and around the corner against the East wall was the casket for the deceased wife of one of my Father’s best friends.

Needless to say, death can be overwhelming. As we pulled “double duty” consoling not one, but two families, death’s sting felt very painful. There laid little Mark, dead before he had a chance at life, and there laid Donna, her life taken by her own hands because she didn’t want to face the life ahead of her.

Regardless of “how” and “when”, death is the fate of mankind, whether a young boy or a middle aged woman. When the Bible tells us that it is appointed for man to die once, you can put your name in that statement.

The man who refuses to face the fact of his own death, is a fool! – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Once

I recall my first days of school as a First grader, but not for the usual reasons. I wasn’t particularly fond of school, I was too shy, so the new teacher and the new classmates were more intimidating than exciting to me. Rather, the reason I remember those days is because Mark was just beginning kindergarten. Classes began on Tuesday, August 31, 1971, and Mark’s tragedy happened just two days later.

On Monday, September 6, 1971 Mark’s classmates were at school reciting the alphabet and doing basic math. They would have their break and enjoy their milk. They would probably also enjoy a suspenseful game of Heads Down, Thumbs Up. And while his classmates were participating in their lessons and games, Mark’s little body was being laid to rest. His little seat at the classroom table was empty.

As we were trying to process Mark’s death, his brother Darryl, one year my senior (a big second grader) and I walked down to the kindergarten classroom during recess and peered through the window. With our curious faces pressed against the glass we looked for Mark’s seat. I’m not sure how we expected to find it but I suppose we were just looking for a sense of closure. Was he really gone?

For the next 13 years an empty desk would remind us he was. Three days in his seat was all Mark had. He would never again walk the halls or for that matter even get a chance to know his classmates. For two young boys standing on the outside looking in, there was something very sobering about the mystery of it all. To keep things in perspective however, Darrel did inform me as we walked back to our different classrooms, that his parents let him keep Mark’s milk money that was set aside for the week. I’m not so sure it lessened the pain however.

One chance is all we have on this earth. We won’t be reincarnated, and our money can’t buy us additional time. The fact that “we only die once” shouldn’t be motivation to live recklessly and foolishly, but should make us sober and wise stewards of the time we have.

After

It has been a long time since Mark “introduced” me to death. Death has become even more personal since then. A decade ago, it “stole”our last child. This time, it was my uncle’s turn to be on the consoling side of the Funeral Home visitation. As he turned away from our baby’s casket, my uncle was overcome with sorrow. And why not? Death has now taken two of his children.

It is inevitable that my uncle reflected on his own loss(es) as he saw Brooke’s little casket. As he turned to walk away, perhaps in fear of making an unwanted scene, I quickly grabbed my uncle and assured him that we were okay. With tears in his eyes, and his voice broken perhaps like it was on that tragic night so many years ago, he could only mutter, “It only gets harder with time”.

While I am better acquainted with death and the fact that the grieving process is a never ending one, I am also more confident that death is not the end. Quite to the contrary, it is the “after” that the writer of Hebrews refers to that is eternal. While death may be personal, I have come to learn that it is not permanent. Which is why Christ could refer to it as sleep (John 11:11).

Judgement

It is intriguing to me that although death awaits all of us, we try to ignore it and live as though we are immune to it. If the Bible teaches us anything, it is the fact that we are eternal beings. Accordingly, death is not the end of the road, it is only a passageway to our eternal destiny.

The judgement that awaits us on the other side of death is not based on what we “do” on earth, but rather on where we put our faith. Despite my flawed memory, I realize that my little cousin was not perfect. But the Babe in the Manger was.

Christ came to earth as a baby and then lived a perfect life fulfilling the Laws. On the cross he died for us and took the punishment for our sins. If we repent of our sins and put our faith in the work of Jesus we will not be judged (condemned) on the other side of death because Jesus has taken our judgement for us.

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. – John 3:18

Offering

One of my favorite things about verse 27 of Hebrews chapter nine is the verse that follows it!!

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

While we may not be able to avoid our appointment with death, we can avoid judgement and an eternity in Hell thanks to Jesus, who willingly kept his “appointment” with death. Christ has been offered to bear our sins. For those of us that are “eagerly waiting for him” (have placed our faith in Christ alone), “salvation” is our eternal destiny.

The “offering” definitely keeps the “appointment” in perspective.

It has been nearly 50 years since Mark’s death. He is in a place where there are no empty seats and no sorrows. He is immune from sickness and unfamiliar with tears. The daily struggles we face because of sin are foreign to him. The same can’t be said for his father who is now nearly 90 years old and time worn.

I am convinced that if my uncle could see his son today, his little boy would correct him in his gentle spirit. In Christ, it only gets better “after” time.

Nehemiah and the Thin Blue Line

Posted on by scott

14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” – Nehemiah 4:14

Position

Nehemiah was a man in an important position in the Persian Court. Specifically, he was cupbearer to the king. At this time, the King of Persia, Artaxerxes, was a very powerful man on the world scene. Yet the life of this mighty monarch was daily in the hands of his cupbearer. In an age when the threat of being poisoned was very real, no wine could touch the lips of Artaxerxes without first going through the hands of Nehemiah.

The position of cupbearer was a position of great risk and great stress. Oftentimes, the cupbearer would need to taste the wine before serving it to the king. Obviously, if the wine was poisoned, his life was in danger. But death also awaited him if poisoned wine made it past him to the lips of the king. There was no margin for error.

In order to rise to his position in the Persian Court, Nehemiah had to prove himself as being trustworthy. To fulfill the position, he must have been a man of great selflessness and courage. Certainly, his position brought him great honor and influence in Persia. But although Nehemiah had such an important position in Persia, being a Jew, his heart was tied to Judah and by extension, Jerusalem.

Patriot

In contrast to Nehemiah’s important position, stood Jerusalem in it’s precarious position. Word came to Nehemiah that a remnant of his fellow Jews, who had been in exile, had returned to their homeland. And, although Ezra had led them in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the walls around it were still in ruins. So although the Jews now had a place to worship, they could not do so in peace. As long as the walls were in ruins, the residents and their Temple were in danger. In the day and age in which Nehemiah lived, a city without walls was a city without defense. In the words of F. Charles Fensham, “For Nehemiah such a state of affairs was unacceptable and a shame for his people.”

Therefore, upon hearing about the condition of Jerusalem and the shame of it’s defenseless position, Nehemiah was reduced to tears. Out of his great love for his people and their Holy City, Nehemiah knew what he had to do. He must take leave of his important position as cupbearer to the king, and make the 765 mile journey to Jerusalem and repair the wall. For the safety of his people, it was imperative that the breaches were repaired and the wall restored.

Nehemiah was faithful and loyal to the king he served, but ultimately he was in the service of the King of Kings. His respect for one would have to give way for his reverence for the Other. So, after praying and fasting before the face of God, Nehemiah resolved to begin his arduous journey. Because Nehemiah’s life was devoted to protection, he couldn’t bear the thought of his people being so vulnerable. His people desperately needed him. He knew he had to leave the safety and comfort of the king’s palace in Susa for the dangers of Judah. Hence, he was now going to make the transition from cupbearer to wall builder. A job with it’s own set of risks and rewards.

Persecution

When Nehemiah eventually made his way to Jerusalem, it did not take long for his enemies to make themselves known. When it became public knowledge that Nehemiah was to lead in the restoration of the wall, those that opposed it’s reconstruction began to attack him. At first their weapon was scorn and ridicule. But they would soon upgrade. After all, a man like Nehemiah would not be intimidated by jeers and taunts.

As the wall around Jerusalem continued to take shape, the taunts would soon become death threats. If hostile words could not dishearten Nehemiah and the Jews, perhaps hostile actions would. In an evil world, there are no rules of engagement. But despite the threats, Nehemiah was still unbending.

Nehemiah wasn’t going to panic. Nor was he going to run. The walls had to be restored. The city had to be protected. Rather than allowing the threats to rule the day, Nehemiah encouraged his fellow Jews. They needed fresh courage to “strengthen their hands”. Nehemiah did not downplay the threats, rather he wisely put them into perspective; God is in control, but we have a responsibility. Trust AND action were both necessary. So, “Remember” and “fight” were his battle cry!

Protection

Nehemiah may be long gone, but unfortunately the evils he faced are not. In fact, they appear to be multiplying exponentially. As we look around us it seems that chaos and anarchy are ruling the day. Rioters are taking over our streets. Anarchists are “stealing” our cities. Stores are being looted and innocent citizens are being beaten in broad daylight. While the barbarians are burning Rome, our politicians are throwing on more gas and the media is fanning the flames.

Like the days of Nehemiah, the walls have been breached and the gates have been burned down. Our homes and our families are being threatened perhaps like never before. Because the threats are so imminent, we are becoming more desperate for protection. There is only so much we can do as individuals to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Just like Jerusalem of old, we need a secure wall of defense. In an age of abundant poison, we need our protection. More specifically, we need our Thin Blue Line.

Police

Many trustworthy men and women serving as police comprise the “Thin Blue Line” that stands between order and chaos. Like Nehemiah, they make great personal sacrifices to protect us and our loved ones. As they battle the evil that threatens society, many of them put their lives on the line every day. Instead of getting the positive support that they deserve, more often than not they face the same treatment that Nehemiah did.

Despite their commitment to stand as a barrier between order and chaos, too often our police are subjected to persecution. Like Nehemiah, they have heard the taunts and jeers. They have certainly heard the name callings. But as we have seen, that weapon is soon upgraded. Words give way to actions. Taunts give way to threats, then threats are carried out.

According to Officer Down Memorial Page (odmp.org), there have been 110 line of duty deaths to date in 2020. Twenty six of these deaths the result of gunfire. For the most part, the death of these police officers won’t make the nightly news, but you can open the link and go to the 2020 Honor Roll of Heroes and view their bios.

Perspective

When I scroll down the Honor Roll of Heroes, I see men and women of different races and varying ages. Seeing them, I am reminded that heroism is not limited to any sex, race, or age group, but rather is defined by selfless sacrifice. These 110 Heroes left the comfort of their homes to protect us by acting as a barrier between order and chaos. Like Nehemiah, they devoted their lives to protecting others. But unlike Nehemiah who returned to Susa after twelve years in Jerusalem, these 110 Heroes are never returning home.

Like heroism, death is not restricted to any sex, race, or age group. Death is definitely no “respecter” of men. But our Heroes in blue are willing to face death on a daily basis to protect ALL of us, regardless of sex, race, or age. When they committed to being a part of the Thin Blue Line, they knew the risks and rewards of the job. Unfortunately, in today’s environment the risks have increased and the rewards have diminished.

During Nehemiah’s time, in warfare it would take prolonged efforts with siege weapons to breach a city wall. As you are well aware, some things never change. This is exactly what we are witnessing today. The Thin Blue Line is being subjected to repetitive blows by an enemy with evil intentions. The enemy is going to relentlessly attack with the hope of breaking the line. As our Blue wall is absorbing the frontal attack, it is imperative that they know we have their backs.

Plea

Many of our men and women in Blue are becoming disheartened. As in the days of Nehemiah, morale is waning. Therefore, now is the time to rebuild the wall. Now is the time to “strengthen the hands” of the Thin Blue Line with fresh courage. As Nehemiah would remind us, it is not a time for fear, but rather trust and action.

We owe it to our families, and just as importantly, we owe it to theirs.

We owe it to the three year old son of Officer Breann Leath who will never again be hugged by his mother who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. We owe it to the young daughter of Officer Christopher Ryan Walsh who will not have her father at her side to escort her down the aisle some day because he was shot and killed responding to an armed robbery call.

Certainly, we owe it to the grandsons of Deputy Sheriff James Blair who will never again garner the wisdom of their grandfather. Raising his grandsons on behalf of his deceased daughter, Deputy Sheriff James Blair was fatally shot on duty. Likewise we owe our support to Deputy Sheriff James Blair’s surviving wife, and to all the surviving women and men who entered the ranks of widow and widower because of the sacrifice of their spouses in Blue.

Despite the rhetoric, we must always remember that the Thin Blue Line is no inanimate cold stone wall surrounding a city, but a living vibrant part of the communities they serve. Like us, they have homes to keep up and bills to pay. They have children (and grandchildren) they love and nurture and elderly parents they love and care for. They are our neighbors, and they are our friends. And perhaps now more than ever, they need our support.

Proposition

I realize that we don’t have the authority to do the jobs that our police have been trained to do, but I do believe we have an obligation to support them as they protect us. As I’ve witnessed the animosity being directed toward those in Blue, my heart has been broken. I believe many of us, like Nehemiah when hearing about the wall, have been emotionally touched by troubling stories we are hearing about the treatment of our police. Today, as then, I believe our state of affairs is unacceptable and a shame to our society.

Accordingly, we need to let them know that we do not agree with the jeers they are subjected to. Nor do we agree with the threats and the violent actions taken against them. Further, we are disheartened by the blatant stereotyping against our police and the acts of discrimination against them. We may not be able to stop the relentless blows of the enemy, but we can counter them.

I would like to propose that we inundate our Thin Blue Line with positive support. Personally, I am hoping to saturate our neighborhoods with yard signs displaying Old Glory sporting the Thin Blue Line. If interested, I would encourage you to go to websites such as thinbluelineusa.com and purchase apparel supporting our police and proudly wear it. I am sure there are many ways we can let them know they are not alone in their battle against evil but these are just a couple of suggestions.

The least we can do is to turn to our “great and awesome” Lord and pray for them and then when possible, thank them for their service.

“Do not be afraid…Remember the Lord…Fight for your brothers…”

Dreams

Posted on by scott

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on men,
    while they slumber on their beds,
16 then he opens the ears of men
    and terrifies them with warnings,
17 that he may turn man aside from his deed
    and conceal pride from a man;
18 he keeps back his soul from the pit,
    his life from perishing by the sword. – Job 33:15-18

Dreaming

Not all dreams are created equal. Most mornings, when I awake, I don’t even remember my dreams from the prior night, but this morning was an exception. In my dream, my wife and I decided to sell our current home and property and move into the apartment we lived in for most of the first seven years of our marriage. It seems we were downsizing our home and were in need of a place to live while our new home was under construction.

Apparently I found our current situation so ironic (or amusing) that I thought I would share it with my mother (as if she wasn’t aware). But here the dream took a sad turn. In my sleep I recalled that I could not share our change of address with my mother because she is now deceased. And then I experienced one of those strange moments, when “inside” of my dream, I realized I was dreaming. I am sure you have experienced the same thing. Regardless, before my dream turned too somber my mind decided to “stop” the nonsense and I awoke.

Reality

Upon awaking I picked up my phone to check out the weather and then checked my e-mails. In my mail I saw the days headlines. It seems that in Seattle, WA, USA, we have a new country named CHAZ. This country, it appears, is run by a group of terrorists who are promoting peace. According to the media, it seems that these “civil” protesters are collecting “offerings” from the local businesses in exchange for protection (formerly known as extortion).

In addition, the leaders of this new country, for some strange reason, surrounded their “borders” with walls. Now there is a novel concept!! Further, if you want to enter their country you will be met by armed guards and vetted. Something that they once deemed discriminatory. Now, however, they deem it as necessary and vital to the existence of the land of CHAZ.

It seems the land of CHAZ was birthed out of the concept that all police officers are evil and must be done away with, yet CHAZ is patrolled by an armed force of it’s own. As to this thing called freedom of press and freedom of speech? Not in CHAZ. If you disagree with them you are beaten and expelled.

I love the new model of tolerance.

If this is reality, I want to go back to bed. This living nightmare pales any dream I’ve ever had in the slumber on my bed.

Divided House

So how did CHAZ just mysteriously appear in the heart of Seattle? According the the police chief, they surrendered the area to the “peaceful protesters” because they (the police) were tired of being pelted by objects and being called names.

Ok. So parents, if you can’t control your unruly children just give up and let them have their way. Let me know how that works for you!

We are a sick nation. There is no way around it. I’m not just talking about the virus that is dominating the news. Or the mental disease known as TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) that is dominating the media members. I’m talking about the sickness or our souls. I’m talking about the evil ideology that is responsible for the agenda of divide and conquer. As Christ warned us:

25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:25)

What is the enemies end game? Control.

What is the enemies strategy? Chaos and confusion.

Chaos and confusion are the fertile soil on which evil takes root and grows.

Confusion/Chaos

As I drift between evening dreams and daytime nightmares, I become more and more confused. Not long ago if I wanted to peacefully protest my Constitutional Rights and protect my livelihood, I was called a selfish grandmother killer. Today, if I don’t agree with the violent riots I am deemed a bigoted racist. Oh the difference a day makes.

The people protesting from the safety of their cars were such a threat to public health that the Michigan lock down was threatened to be extended in retaliation for their obstinacy. Miraculously, when the Governor wanted to join the rioters in a demonstration, the lock down was immediately lifted, and apparently social distancing was no longer a concern. While most of us are asking for clarity, we are being told simply to acquiesce. Confused?

But we are not only confused about the present, we are also confused about the past. In the midst of the current uncertainties, we are witnessing an attempt at the destruction and re-writing of history. Monuments that have stood for the better part of two centuries are being defaced or destroyed. The American flag that has been the symbol of freedom home and abroad is now deemed the symbol of oppression. Instead of respecting it and those that have fought and died for all it represents, we are now told we must apologize for what it represents. As to our Founding Fathers, we are being taught that they were simply slave-holding racists pursuing wealth and prosperity.

Fathers forgive us.

Clarity

It is difficult to see clearly in the midst of all the smoke and mirrors, but that is exactly what the enemy wants. Threaten us with an unseen enemy and keep us in the dark. Like a bad dream, an invisible foe is hard for us to get out of our heads. While the enemy knows he can’t control what we think, he can control what we think about. The objective? Eventually, we don’t think for ourselves at all. Instead we become nothing more than glorified parrots (my wife doesn’t like when I use the word idiot) repeating the slogans of the day. From my perspective, we are well on our way to being fully hypnotized to the point of allowing others to do all of our thinking for us.

It is past time for Christians to awake. Just as the Bereans “validated” the teaching of Paul and Silas, we need to examine what is happening around us and what we are being told. Blind obedience is dangerous. We need to start asking the difficult questions. How do the events of the day line up with Scriptures? How many of my rights am I willing to sacrifice under the guise of safety? At what point, like so many in the Bible and church history, do we have to determine to disobey man and obey God?

Our country was founded by Godly men on Godly principals. I recognize that ultimately our citizenship is in Heaven, but even as sojourners here on earth, we have a responsibility to our fellow man. We must strive to put an end to the divided house. We must cut through the chaos and confusion. If we want unity, we must have clarity. If we are going to have clarity, it has to come from the Word of God.

Terrifying Warnings

As Elihu addresses Job in his suffering, he tells him that God may speak to us in our dreams and warn us to turn from our ways (deed) thus potentially saving us from a premature death. As Christians, the enemy cannot touch our souls, but I am afraid we may be witnessing the last days of our great country. Perhaps for too long, the church has been casually existing in a dream instead of living in reality.

Slowly but surely, we have surrendered our freedoms for safety and comfort. Naively, we have believed that each power grab has been done “for our best interest”. It may be fair to say that the death of this great nation, birthed on Christian principals, can be laid at the feet of Christians too often succumbed by chaos and confusion and thus complacent. Too often divided by disasters when we should have been unified.

God does not owe us the privilege of living in a free country, but in His mercy he has allowed us such a blessing. How long will the blessing last? How can we know? Perhaps the answer lies with us if we “turn from our deeds” (or lack thereof) and seek the face of God praying for restoration (2 Chron. 7:14).

Freedom

I am no prophet. I am merely clay enlivened by the breath of God. Like you, I often have meaningless dreams that leave me confused. But when I am awake, I pray that God will give me the clarity of vision to see through the enemies schemes. I may not be able to stop the chaos and confusion, but I can control what I think about. I can say no to the temptation to allow others to think on my behalf and suffer the consequences of my choices. Otherwise, will the same softness and complacency that enables me to surrender my political freedoms also enable me to sacrifice my spiritual freedoms?

It is one thing to burn the flag, deface the monuments and disgrace the veterans of our great nation, but to hold up the Son of God to contempt (Hebrews 6:6)? Whether political or spiritual, our freedom has never been free, but it has always been worth fighting for. Those of us that have it must fight as valiantly to retain it as did those that fought and died to make it available to us.

Like waves rolling in and beating the shore, the enemy will relentlessly try to pound us into submission. As the waters attempt to wash us away, we must cling to our Firm Foundation. In the midst of confusion, He alone can give us clarity. In times of division, He alone can bring unity. We simply need to decide, where we are going to stand, and more importantly, with whom.

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1