Tomorrow's Forecast

O

ne winter evening the weather forecasters ventured into very shaky territory, especially for the state of Texas.  It seems that conditions were favorable not only for precipitation but for frozen precipitation at that.  Moreover, the forecasters actually went so far as to use the “S” word, snow, calling for the white stuff to arrive in the mid-late-afternoon.  That remained to be seen but, as you can guess, the mere mention of the “S” word (I don’t want to say it too loudly) caused a bevy of activity in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Slag trucks geared up to protect bridges and overpasses, grocery stores braced for the onslaught of people who would make a mad dash for eggs, bread, and milk, and school administrators as well as parents who began to make contingency plans in the event schools would have to close their doors due to the inclement weather.  All this just because someone on a television set mentioned one word.  Amazing!

I remember watching the evening news as a young boy.  I was fascinated by the weather forecast and watched it religiously every evening.  The weatherman drew the systems on a huge map of the United States.  There wasn’t much mention of other systems around the world and hardly any mention at all of weather across the country.  All that mattered was the immediate region and the next couple of days.  The time came for a picture of the radar and I remember watching in rapt attention as screen showed the swirling needle of the radar screen.  I didn’t understand any of it but I was convinced that whatever the weatherman said was law and would come to pass just as he said it would.

When you think about it, society exhibits an incredible amount of faith in the words of the weather forecasters.  We plan our entire lives around one or two words and we base all our decisions on what someone tells us about the conditions of the atmosphere.  Imagine how different our walk with God would be if we placed the same amount of faith in him and in his word as we do in the evening forecast.

The disciples had such an experienced and it is recorded in Luke 5:5, “Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  All night long the disciples had been on the Sea of Galilee fishing.  These professional fishermen made their living from the abundant number of fish swimming in its waters.  However, this evening, the fish had found somewhere else to swim leaving the disciples with nothing to show for their intense labors.

Jesus then told them to go out one more time into deep water and let down their nets for a catch.  Jesus predicted a large catch but the disciples had to go out one more time.  All they had to go on was Jesus’ word, the only instructions to follow were his commands, and for Simon Peter this was enough.  Although he was tired and although he had been out all night, he placed his faith in Jesus and based his decision not on feelings or desires, but on the word of his master.  Peter says simply “because you say so...” and that is the secret of the life of faith.

We do not receive life the way we want it; we receive it the way God sends it to us.  Since he knows all about us and the situations facing us, doesn’t it make sense to place our trust in his word?  Shouldn’t we, like Peter, simply say, “Father, because you say so, because your word is never wrong, because you love me and have only my best interest in mind, I will do as you say?”  If we would live like this we would find our lives so much richer, deeper, and more fulfilling than we can imagine.  Notice, I didn’t say easier.  Nowhere in scripture are we promised an easy life.  What we are promised is a life that is fulfilled and pleasing to God.

So, what’s the weather like where you are today?  Does the weather look to be cloudy, sunny, windy, or cold?  Have you opened your Bible to see what God has to say about the way ahead? Are you trusting God with tomorrow’s forecast today?

Safely Sleep

O

ur home on Main Street was a wonderful place to grow up.  We had great neighbors all around, there were plenty of other kids to play with and it seemed we never lacked for anything to do.  Mom would step out onto our back porch more than once to call us in, especially during the summer months when school was out.  Finally, as the last remnants of sunset gave way to the dark pall of night, we would head home for baths, and bed.

Each night before closing the house for the night, mom or dad would follow the same routine.  All the lights in the house were turned off, the thermostats were checked to make sure we were cool or toasty, mom and dad would stop by our rooms to kiss us good night, and the doors, both front and back, were firmly shut and the security latches fastened.

Peace then reigned in our home and we all settle down for a good night’s sleep. I never felt afraid, nervous, or worried about anything happening to our family.  Mom and dad were there, they had secured the house, and all was well with the world.

Today it is quite different. I go through the same routine each night as my parents did but the last thing I do is to make sure the security system is armed and all the outside lights are on.  Then, I hop into bed and Trixie, my cat, settles into one of her many favorite spots, and we go to sleep.

Isn’t it funny how we place so much confidence in locks and security systems?  David, the shepherd boy who became king, had no such options. Instead, as a shepherd, he looked to God for his safety and security.  He records this for us in Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

There are three great truths tucked neatly away in David’s words.  First, notice his confidence in the Lord.  Despite weather, despite intruders who would harm the sheep or try to steal them, despite the lion and the bear that could easily strike the flock, David says confidently that he will lie down and sleep.

Then notice how David plans to sleep.  He will lie down in peace and sleep in safety.  No cares, no worries, no things going bump in the middle of the night, just deep, peaceful, and restful sleep. David knows full well that God is on watch, that God will protect him and let no harm come to him.

Lastly, let us take notice of why David will sleep in peace.  David categorically states that he can and will sleep in peace and safety because the Lord, and he alone, will make this happen. In fact, David uses the word, dwell, to demonstrate his faith and confidence in God’s provision. To dwell means to remain constantly in that state. In essence David is saying I will lie down and sleep in peace and safety because Lord you, and no one else, constantly stand watch over me, be it day or night.

Tonight, I will make the rounds just as I am sure my mom and dad will make the rounds at their home.  Before I turn out the lights and settle in, I will remind myself that despite the locks, despite the outside lights, and despite the security system, I will sleep in peace and security because God alone will stand watch over me, just as he has every night of my life!  Do you know this security today?

Tomorrow's Forecast

O

ne winter evening the weather forecasters ventured into very shaky territory, especially for the state of Texas.  It seems that conditions were favorable not only for precipitation but for frozen precipitation at that.  Moreover, the forecasters actually went so far as to use the “S” word, snow, calling for the white stuff to arrive in the mid-late-afternoon.  That remained to be seen but, as you can guess, the mere mention of the “S” word (I don’t want to say it too loudly) caused a bevy of activity in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Slag trucks geared up to protect bridges and overpasses, grocery stores braced for the onslaught of people who would make a mad dash for eggs, bread, and milk, and school administrators as well as parents who began to make contingency plans in the event schools would have to close their doors due to the inclement weather.  All this just because someone on a television set mentioned one word.  Amazing!

I remember watching the evening news as a young boy.  I was fascinated by the weather forecast and watched it religiously every evening.  The weatherman drew the systems on a huge map of the United States.  There wasn’t much mention of other systems around the world and hardly any mention at all of weather across the country.  All that mattered was the immediate region and the next couple of days.  The time came for a picture of the radar and I remember watching in rapt attention as screen showed the swirling needle of the radar screen.  I didn’t understand any of it but I was convinced that whatever the weatherman said was law and would come to pass just as he said it would.

When you think about it, society exhibits an incredible amount of faith in the words of the weather forecasters.  We plan our entire lives around one or two words and we base all our decisions on what someone tells us about the conditions of the atmosphere.  Imagine how different our walk with God would be if we placed the same amount of faith in him and in his word as we do in the evening forecast.

The disciples had such an experienced and it is recorded in Luke 5:5, “Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  All night long the disciples had been on the Sea of Galilee fishing.  These professional fishermen made their living from the abundant number of fish swimming in its waters.  However, this evening, the fish had found somewhere else to swim leaving the disciples with nothing to show for their intense labors.

Jesus then told them to go out one more time into deep water and let down their nets for a catch.  Jesus predicted a large catch but the disciples had to go out one more time.  All they had to go on was Jesus’ word, the only instructions to follow were his commands, and for Simon Peter this was enough.  Although he was tired and although he had been out all night, he placed his faith in Jesus and based his decision not on feelings or desires, but on the word of his master.  Peter says simply “because you say so...” and that is the secret of the life of faith.

We do not receive life the way we want it; we receive it the way God sends it to us.  Since he knows all about us and the situations facing us, doesn’t it make sense to place our trust in his word?  Shouldn’t we, like Peter, simply say, “Father, because you say so, because your word is never wrong, because you love me and have only my best interest in mind, I will do as you say?”  If we would live like this we would find our lives so much richer, deeper, and more fulfilling than we can imagine.  Notice, I didn’t say easier.  Nowhere in scripture are we promised an easy life.  What we are promised is a life that is fulfilled and pleasing to God.

So, what’s the weather like where you are today?  Does the weather look to be cloudy, sunny, windy, or cold?  Have you opened your Bible to see what God has to say about the way ahead?  Are you trusting God with tomorrow’s forecast today?

Daddy, Carry Me!

A

s a little boy, it was sometimes hard to get around, especially if it required walking!  Somehow, my little footsteps were never able to keep up with daddy’s. For every step he took, I had to take at least four so, as you can imagine, our progress was a bit slow.  But daddy was patient. He held my hand and waited for me to take four steps to his one and then we would do it all over again.  We slowly, but surely, ambled up Main Street toward his place of business or to buy something at Nell Beam’s store.

But when I grew tired or when he just wanted to have fun, daddy would pick me up and carry me.  He would hold me high over his head or put me on his shoulders and away we would go at, what was to me, break-neck speed!  I was no burden to carry and daddy drew as much delight from this as I did.

But daddy didn’t always carry me into places that were fun.  Sometimes he carried me into hospital wards for an extended stay while doctors operated to repair my kidneys, my heart, or my leg.  At these particular times, the ride in daddy’s arms wasn’t always pleasant and I didn’t fully understand why he would carry me into certain places.  I didn’t realize until I was much older just how difficult these carries were for him.

The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, understood the idea of being carried away to an unpleasant place.  The Children of Israel were carried off to Babylon for seventy years of captivity.  The Babylonian army took them from their homeland and resettled them in a place that was foreign, hostile, and completely unfamiliar to them.  Yet, God was there and his instructions through Jeremiah were meant to bring comfort and encouragement to his people.

In Jeremiah 29:7 we find these words, “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  There are several important lessons packed into this small passage from Jeremiah.  Please notice that God has carried his children into exile.  Although they are not at home, although the circumstances in which they find themselves are unpleasant, challenging, and confusing, he has led them there.  It is impossible to carry someone without touching them.  Even in exile, God’s hand is there.

The Children of Israel are also told to pray for the city where they are held captive.  This seems almost impossible to believe but notice the end of the passage.  If the city prospers, God’s people will prosper.  It is the difficult circumstances of life that God uses to grow us and teach us more about himself.

Wherever you are today in your walk with God, please know that he is there with you.  He has not forgotten you, he has not abandoned you; he has carried you.  He is aware of your present circumstances and his promise is that every situation you face, no matter how unpleasant, challenging, or difficult it may be, will be used for his glory.  Won’t you let God carry you today?

The Turbulent-Free LIfe

“H

ow was your flight?”  This was the first question my dad asked me as I climbed into the car at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina.  “The flight, “ I said, “was fine, except for the turbulence!”  My statement was indeed accurate.  For the majority of the flight, it was smooth sailing.  But every once in a while, we would encounter pockets of rough air and the small jet was bustled and jostled from all sides and in all directions—not exactly my idea of a swell time.

The more I fly, the more unrealistic about flight I become.  I expect the flight to be smooth from takeoff to landing with no incidents of turbulence, no hints of gusty winds aloft, and certainly no bumps, rattles, or shakes during the flight.  I know what you’re thinking.  “You’ve got to kidding, Blake.  Get real!”  And I would certainly agree with you that I need to be a little less naïve about flying. Hey, what can I say?  I’m an eternal optimist!

The turbulence does serve its purpose though and is a good lesson about living the Christian life.  Although being strapped in a metal tube at 38,000 feet is no picnic when the winds are buffeting, it is also the safest place to be in that environment.  The only place of safety, the only place where you can survive is inside that airplane.  It has been designed to withstand the pressure exerted on it by the atmosphere and it has been designed to fly in all weathers and in all conditions to deliver its cargo safely to its destination.  The very fact the plane is designed and built with these conditions in mind means the engineer knew there would be bumps along the way and made provision for them.  That turbulence exists comes as no surprise to the designer or the pilot, although it may be unnerving to the passenger.

The number of Christians who believe a walk with God should have no bumps, shakes, rattles, or turbulence is surprising.  Yet, nowhere in the Scriptures are we promised that life gets easier when we become a Christian.  Nowhere in the Bible does God promise that once we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that the road automatically becomes smooth and we just sit back and enjoy the ride.  No! It is in the difficult times of life that we understand and learn just how faithful our God is and just how much strength, assurance, and grace He gives to us.

Jesus’ words in John 17 should teach us that there will be bumps in the road of life.  In John 17:15 he says, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."  This verse is taken from the section of John’s gospel known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.  If you have never read it or if it has been some time since you have, I invite you to do so now.  This is where Jesus prayed for his disciples because he knew the hour for his crucifixion had come and that their lives would change and become turbulent.  Notice he does not ask God to take remove them from the world but to protect them from the evil one.  In other words, Jesus did not ask for smooth or turbulent-free living for the disciples; he asked for protection.  You only need protection if you are in danger, not out of it!

At 38,000 feet, the airplane protected us from the turbulence outside. It did not take us out of it as my shot nerves and aching muscles would tell you.  But only in that turbulence was my faith tested and rewarded.  Had it not been for the rough and bumpy patches in the flight path, I would have never appreciated the long tracts of smooth air nor the firm ground beneath me.  If this is the case with a flight, my friend, how much more true is this in our walk with God?  There is no such thing as a turbulent-free life and I thank God there isn’t!  Only in the most turbulent times can you here His voice saying, “Peace, be still!”  Thank God for the bumps in your road today!  Bon voyage!

How Do I Get There Daddy?

M

y dad has one of the best senses of direction of anyone I know.  No matter the destination, no matter if he’s been there or not, he isn’t at all intimidated by driving across unfamiliar territory or blazing a path into the unknown.  This is one aspect of his character that drives my mom crazy!  Daddy never returns by the same route that he took to arrive at a destination.  So, as you can imagine, this has led to some very interesting trips in the family car.

Several years ago, I flew to Detroit, Michigan to purchase a car from a friend I met at seminary here, in Fort Worth.  Getting to Detroit was not at all difficult; the pilot did all the work.  I wasn’t concerned about which direction the plane needed to take to arrive in Michigan.  Once on the ground, however, it was a completely different story.

Fortunately for me, daddy was on the job. In fact, he had been on it for several days, studying maps, plotting out the most direct and the safest route for me to take. All I had to do was ask a simple question, “How do I get there daddy?’ and he did the rest.  I have a good sense of direction and I know how to read a map.  What I lack, however, is the years of driving experience my dad possess and whenever I travel, especially to unfamiliar places, I defer to a higher level of expertise.  Daddy possesses that expertise and he has never steered me wrong yet. 

From Detroit, he laid out a way home that was both enjoyable and low key.  He knew that driving a different car would be stressful and driving a manual transmission after having been accustomed to an automatic one, would require a greater level of concentration and attention.  He plotted a way home whereby I made good time but covered roads that were not heavily traveled.

The writer of the book of Proverbs understood what it was like to defer to a higher authority for directions.  Instead of a road across the country, he needed directions for his life.  In lieu of asking his earthly father for these instructions, he took his request directly to God, himself.  The writer preserved this wonderful piece of advice for us in Proverbs 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” 

Please take a very close look at this passage.  In the first half of the verse, we are reminded that we can, and do, make decisions in life.  The writer says that in our hearts, which is in our inmost being, we determine what path we want to take.  We submit our plans to God and then allow him to work out the details of that plan.  The Scriptures are filled with examples of this.   Consider Abraham who wanted a son and God worked out the miraculous birth of Isaac. And how about Solomon who asked for wisdom and received much more because he submitted his life to God’s plan?

God cares very much about us and about the choices we make.  He alone knows what path we must take to fulfill the purpose he has for us.  God directs our steps and we must follow. Sometimes these paths take us into places we have never been before, but God goes on ahead of us.  At other times, the path grows steep and hard to travel, but God gives us the strength to persevere.  God knows what is best for us.  He will not make our path more difficult or more challenging than is necessary to ensure our safe arrival at the place he has for us.

The trip from Detroit was pleasant.  Taking the road my dad picked wasn’t always understandable.  At times, other roads seemed to be more direct and much easier to travel.  But daddy knew what I needed.  He understood my situation and he took it upon himself to make my travel the best it could be so I would arrive home safe, sound, in one piece, and more confident than I was when I left.  If this is how our earthly fathers lead us, how much more will our Heavenly Father direct the paths we walk every day?  Are you submitting your life and your way to him today?  Is he giving you traveling instructions and are you traveling by them today?

Safely Sleep

O

ur home on Main Street was a wonderful place to grow up.  We had great neighbors all around, there were plenty of other kids to play with and it seemed we never lacked for anything to do.  Mom would step out onto our back porch more than once to call us in, especially during the summer months when school was out.  Finally, as the last remnants of sunset gave way to the dark pall of night, we would head home for baths, and bed.

Each night before closing the house for the night, mom or dad would follow the same routine.  All the lights in the house were turned off, the thermostats were checked to make sure we were cool or toasty, mom and dad would stop by our rooms to kiss us good night, and the doors, both front and back, were firmly shut and the security latches fastened.

Peace then rained in our home and we all settle down for a good night’s sleep. I never felt afraid, nervous, or worried about anything happening to our family.  Mom and dad were there, they had secured the house, and all was well with the world.

Today it is quite different. I go through the same routine each night as my parents did but the last thing I do is to make sure the security system is armed and all the outside lights are on.  Then, I hop into bed and Trixie, my cat, takes settles into one of her many favorite spots, and we go to sleep.

Isn’t it funny how we place so much confidence in locks and security systems?  David, the shepherd boy who became king, had no such options. Instead, as a shepherd, he looked to God for his safety and security.  He records this for us in Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

There are three great truths tucked neatly away in David’s words.  First, notice his confidence in the Lord.  Despite weather, despite intruders who would harm the sheep or try to steal them, despite the lion and the bear that could easily strike the flock, David says confidently that he will lie down and sleep.

Then notice how David plans to sleep.  He will lie down in peace and sleep in safety.  No cares, no worries, no things going bump in the middle of the night, just deep, peaceful, and restful sleep. David knows full well that God is on watch, that God will protect him and let no harm come to him.

Lastly, let us take notice of why David will sleep in peace.  David categorically states that he can and will sleep in peace and safety because the Lord, and he alone, will make this happen. In fact, David uses the word, dwell, to demonstrate his faith and confidence in God’s provision. To dwell means to remain constantly in that state. In essence David is saying I will lie down and sleep in peace and safety because Lord you, and no one else, constantly stand watch over me, be it day or night.

Tonight, I will make the rounds just as I am sure my mom and dad will make the rounds at their home.  Before I turn out the light and settle in, I will remind myself that despite the locks, despite the outside lights, and despite the security system, I will sleep in peace and security because God alone will stand watch over me, just as he has every night of my life!  Do you know this security today?

Stand Still or Get Moving?

O

ne of the most difficult challenges in the Christian life is deciding to stand still or to get moving.  At times it seems God places us into situations where He requires us to “be still and know that He is God” and at other times He would have us hit the road at full march.

We are usually reticent to move forward where the path is uncertain and we are most unwilling to stand still when we believe we know what is around the next bend.  We have our perspective and God has His.  The key is for us to make sure we are seeing things as best we can from God’s perspective and when we can’t see we must simply trust and obey.

This was the situation facing the Children of Israel as they left Egypt and approached the Red Sea.  All was going well. Pharaoh had freed them, they were on their way to the land God promised Abraham and everything seemed to be going according to plan.  That’s when they heard a rumble behind them, not the rumble of the sea in front of them but the rumble of Pharaoh’s chariots behind them.  What had been a steady walk to the Promised Land now seemed like more of a death march.

They were trapped.  Pharaoh behind, the sea in front and they had nowhere to go.  They raised their voices in protest to Moses, demanding to know why he had brought them into the desert to die instead of leaving them in Egypt. It should be noted, however, that no one “volunteered” to stay behind and tend the brick pits.  No, everyone lined up for the long march to freedom.

In Exodus 14, we get a brief look at two perspectives on the same situation.  Moses bids the people stand still while God tells them to get going.  Let’s look at this brief passage and see what it holds for us today.

Exodus 14:13-15 reads, “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

After seeing God miraculously move through the 10 plagues on Egypt, Moses wanted the people to know that God would fight for them once again.  He had not brought them out into the desert to abandon them and He had not resigned from leadership.  Moses knew that whenever we take things into our own hands we frustrate and thwart God’s efforts.  So Moses, fully trusting the Lord, told the people to stand still and see God’s salvation.

God, however, did not intend for His people to remain on the shore of the Red Sea.  He had called them to enter and take possession of the land He promised to Abraham.  God’s agenda called for them to move forward and although the sea lay before them, although they did not know what was about to happen, God was testing their faith. Moving forward into a body of water with no way to cross it save through God’s intervention is a total walk of faith.  And this is exactly what God wants from us—total faith!

There are times when God asks us to remain still, to rest, and to wait on Him.  There are other times when He simply asks us to “get moving.”  Our challenge is to move when He says move or to stay when He says stay.  We are not to rely on our understanding nor refuse to change our perspective on our situation.  God sees far beyond our capabilities and bids us move forward when there seems to be no clear path to tread.


So, where are you today?  Are you standing at the water’s edge, reluctant to take the step?  Are you more comfortable on the sea shore even though you hear the thunder of approaching chariots?  If you listen very carefully you can hear God whispering in your ear, “Trust me.  It’s time to get moving.”

Out Into Nothing

“L

adies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages….” The Ring Mater’s voice boomed from center ring and reverberated from the walls and ceiling of the Charlotte Coliseum where my parents had taken me and my brother to see the circus.  It was everything they said it would be.  There were animals from all over the world—my favorites were the elephants and the lions.  There were clowns, jugglers, fire eaters, magicians, and something I had never seen before nor expected.

High above the circus floor, flying through the air, defying all laws of gravity were acrobats.  I was mesmerized from the moment I saw them.  The Ring Master walked the audience through their entire performance, telling us about the impossible feats they were conducting high above our heads.  I remember shuddering with fear and excitement as these men and women sailed through the air, turning somersaults, hanging upside down from the trapeze, and trusting the other members of their troupe to catch them.  It was an amazing sight and one I never forgot.

The moment of truth, however, came when the Ring Master announced that one of the acrobats would be performing a difficult maneuver high above our heads.  He would swing out on the trapeze several times, do a combination spin/somersault, and land in the outstretched hands of his partner who would deliver him safely to the other side of the arena.  As if this weren’t adequately heart-stopping for the audience, this last feat would be performed without the added safety of a net!

The two acrobats began their performance.  The gentleman who would perform the maneuver began swinging back and forth, faster and faster, and higher and higher.  His partner also began swinging but he was not in sync with his partner.  From the ground, it looked as if the two would never be in rhythm and I became very worried.  How would the one acrobat catch the other?  Would he be in a position to catch him when he released the trapeze?  Would the other acrobat release the trapeze and trust his partner?  What would happen?

Finally, I got the answer to all of these questions.  The two acrobats approached each other.  The one performing the spin/somersault had his back turned to his partner.  He swung out, released the trapeze, performed the trick and landed squarely in the hands of his partner who delivered him safely to the other side.  The audience breathed a collective sigh of relief and applauded thunderously.  What was so amazing to me was not so much that one partner caught the other.  What impressed me as a young child was that the first acrobat, without being able to see his partner, had the guts to let go of the trapeze in the first place.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of men and women who exercised great faith, trusting God to catch them when they stepped out into nothing and had no net catch them.  This is the type of faith God wants us to have. It is the type of faith that only comes from experience, from learning that no matter how high the trapeze, no matter how out of rhythm life seems, and no matter how difficult the maneuver, God will always be there to catch us! 

But there is one proviso in all this, one requirement which we must meet, we must be willing to let go of the trapeze.  We cannot put our hands into the hands of God if our hands are full.  We cannot reach out and take hold of the things God has for us if we continue to hold fast to things in the past or present.  In order to experience God’s wonderful grace, in order to understand what it means for Him to care for us, and in order for us to truly know God in all His fullness, we must let go of the trapeze.  It’s just that simple.

In Luke 9:62, Jesus, himself, gives us this requirement for being servants in God’s kingdom, “Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Look at the first two words of this passage. The words no one are all inclusive, they leave no one out!!  In order to be servants in the Lord’s kingdom, we must let go of all we hold dear, be that a job, a home, a stock portfolio, a friend, or a family.  This does not mean God will take them from us, but we must be willing to release our hold on them so He can give us His best.

Like the acrobat, we must be wiling to let go of the trapeze, knowing there is nothing below us to break our fall.  With our backs turned, without the luxury of sight, without being able to hear, we must let go in faith, knowing God will catch us.  Has your walk with God prepared you for the moment when you must let go?  Are you ready and willing to let go of the trapeze today, to step out into nothing except the hand of God and experience the joy that comes from landing squarely in His arms? When you do, you will find that it truly is the “greatest show on earth” or anywhere else for that matter!

             

Sow What?

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rom September of 1983 through June of 1984, I lived and studied in the city of Montpellier, located in southern France about three hours east of the Spanish border.  My college strongly encouraged its language majors to study abroad in order to master the language and to understand better the culture and the customs of the people in other countries.  My time abroad provided many opportunities to see things I might not other wise have seen and to experience life in a completely different way.  I also learned many lessons from the people I encountered on a day-to-day basis in Montpellier.  I became well acquainted with several pastry shop owners as well as with the man who delivered the mail and the proprietors of several small cafes in the neighborhood.  All of these people play an integral role in my understanding of French culture and daily living.

However, one of the best experiences I had throughout the year was my weekly visit to the open air market.  Although France is a modern country, some customs still linger.  Visiting the market on a daily basis is one of them.  Due to my study schedule, I could only visit the market on Saturday mornings.  In order to have the best selection of items, I had to arrive early, just as the market opened.  The same vendors faithfully opened their booths and sold everything from fresh flowers to fresh spices.  Everywhere, you could hear merchants calling out prices and advertisements for their goods.  The marketplace filled with people shopping for the perfect ingredients to prepare a scrumptious meal.

In the middle of the market place, occupying a strategic corner, was a lady dressed completely in black.  Every day she came to market, and every day she stood in the same place.  Instead of a variety of items, this woman sold only one thing, garlic!  Each morning, she opened her stand and instantly began calling out to the crowd to come buy her garlic.  "My garlic is fresh and beautiful," she would cry out.  Her voice would carry over the entire place and could be heard by everyone.  It would not have been market without her.  Who knows how many people were touched by this woman's garlic?  How many meals was she part of?  Just how far did her influence go?  All she did was sell garlic, not very important by the world's standards but very important if you are preparing a French meal.

The book of Mark records a similar story.  In one of his most famous parables, Jesus talks about the importance of being faithful to our calling.  In Mark 4:3, Jesus says, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow."  Most of us will recognize this as the opening line of the parable of the soils.  In this parable Jesus describes the different kinds of soil on which seed falls.  According to the kind of soil, the seed either survives, is carried away, starts to grow but withers, or never takes root.  Indeed, the thrust of the parable addresses the responsibility of the individual believer to prepare his or her heart to receive the seed of God's word.

But there is also something else in this parable, I believe, which merits attention.  Notice how Jesus begins his parable.  The sower went out to sow!  That is all he did.  His job was to sow the seed, to make sure it had every opportunity to take root and produce a crop.  This farmer would have broadcast the seed, throwing it by the handful in every direction to ensure a crop. He would sow a large amount of seed, knowing that some of it would never produce.  However, because he believed that a crop would be produced, he sowed his seed.

This farmer didn't have the latest technological marvel to ensure all his seed would yield a harvest.  He just sowed his seed.  He had no guarantee that any of the seed would mature.  But he sowed his seed.  He did not count the number of seeds he had and calculate an exact amount of return for his labor.  He just sowed his seed.  This farmer had no assurance of financial gain from this crop.  He just sowed his seed.  Lastly, he could not know how many people, if any, would benefit from his actions that day.  Still, he sowed his seed.

Is there a better picture of faithfulness than this farmer?  Without exact figures, without an economic forecast, without any soil analysis, without any guarantee of success, this farmer just did what he knew to do, sow seed.  When Jesus calls us to work along side him, he calls us to sow seed.  Like this farmer, we are to sow the seed of God's word in every direction.  We are to use all our strength and industry to plant his word in the fields around us, trusting and believing it will produce a harvest, even though we may never see it. 

As Jesus told this parable, I believe he observed a farmer in the distance.  He used that example to teach a simple but all important truth to those listening to him.  The farmer is not responsible for making the seed grow, that is God's responsibility.  When the farmer does his job of sowing, there is every possibility the seed will take root and grow.  However, if the farmer shirks his responsibility, the chances of a successful crop are zero.  The only action required of the farmer in this process is to sow his seed, trusting God to produce the harvest.  Are you sowing your seed today?  Are you trusting God to produce a harvest? Are you being faithful in the place where God has called you?  Have a wonderful day!

A Lot Of Shaking Going On

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n February 28, 2001 an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richer scale shook the city of Seattle Washington.  There was extensive damage in several areas of the city and several thousand people were without power.  There were minor injuries and at least one fatality due to the quake, but it could have been much, much worse.

At times like these, people seem to ask very difficult questions.  Where is God when things like this happen?  Why does he allow innocent people to die or become injured? These are all good questions, but ones which have no immediate answers. However, I believe the real tragedy lies in the fact that people only seem to concern themselves with God's existence when catastrophic events occur. Yet, they only speak about his unwillingness to stop these events from happening. Rarely, if ever, do they stop and thank him for his protection and guidance on a daily basis.

Did you realize that earthquakes happen every day?  Perhaps not on a global scale, but certainly on an individual one. Emotional crises, financial difficulties, relationship problems, illnesses, -- all of these rock our world.  It seems that our very foundations are shaken and we experience great turmoil and upheaval in our lives.

The writer of Psalm 43, from where we take our text today, seems to understand what it feels like when the underpinning of life collapses. When everything we hold dear, and all we deem important is torn from us, what is left to hold on to?  The Psalmist's answer is clear and confident.  We hold on to God. 

In the opening verse of this Psalm he writes, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 43:1) Not only does God provide shelter and safety during the cares of life, he is always near us. The writer continues his praise by saying "Therefore, we will not fear, thought the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah."

There is that word again, Selah, meaning stop and think about what has been said.  When everything goes wrong, when the foundations are shaken, when everything falls away from us, our God stands. He is with us and he is for us. Though everything known to us collapses, God remains and because he remains, his promises always hold true.

As the people of Seattle began putting their lives and their city back together, they provided an example of a great biblical truth. At any moment our lives can be altered and changed. We never know what may come our way. However, we do know that God remains unchanged and his love for us is unalterable.  "Therefore, we will not fear because the "Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress." Selah!!

A Tried & Trusted Friend

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y friend Larry has been around for as long as I can remember.  In fact, we have pictures of him dating back to my very early childhood, around the age of two or so.  Although every member of my family knew Larry, he and I were especially close and practically inseparable.  If I was watching television, Larry was with me.  If I decided to take a nap, Larry stood guard over me while I slept and sometimes he would even make it to the table for supper.  After eating, he and I would dart off to my room or somewhere else to play or just to talk.

Larry was a good listener.  I could talk to him about anything and he always listened, never interrupting, letting me get it all out in the open.  Larry gave great hugs as well.  He was never too busy and never too tired to comfort me.  He was always there; ready to listen, hug, laugh, and play when I needed it most.

As I grew older, Larry and I saw less and less of each other. In fact, for several years, I didn’t see him at all.  I almost forgot about him but from time to time he would cross my mind and a flood of wonderful memories came rushing back.  Finally, one day in August of 2002, Larry showed back up at my place.  He found me in Fort Worth, TX and has once again become a constant companion.

Ok, I have to make a confession.  Larry is not a person.  Larry is a lion, a talking toy produced by the Mattel ® Toy Corporation in the early 1960’s.  He is the first toy I remember and we have stayed together all these years.  When I pull Larry’s string, he talks.  His messages are few, simple, and always the same.  But those words that I heard as a boy still make me smile and laugh.

Larry is a tried & trusted friend.  He has been present during crises and triumphs, during skinned knees and skinned hearts, during times of sickness and times of excellent health, and on more occasions than I can count, he has stood watch over my bed while I slept, a lone sentinel in the night, protecting me from harm.  In all these years, Larry has never changed and as our friendship continues I know he will continue to be the same in the years ahead.

I have another friend who is even more constant and more trusted than Larry the Lion.  This friend is real and his name is Jesus.  He also has been present during every stage of my life, even before I was born.  He saw me when I was still a secret to my mother.  He was there at my birth, he was there when I accepted his gift of salvation, he was there in all of life’s challenges, during all of life’s joys, and during all of life’s disappointments.  Every night and all day long, he keeps watch over me, protecting me from harm, providing food, clothing, and shelter and meeting every need I have.

He is a good listener, understanding all my disappointments, hurts, and fears.  He is a great hugger, opening his arms wide to enfold me when I need it most, giving me the reassurance that he is still in control and that he cares for and loves me just as I am.  But when he speaks, his words carry such comfort, such strength, and such love.  At every turn, Jesus reassures me that just as he was with all those who walked this way before me, he will be with me as I walk it today and he will never leave me no matter how dark or steep the road grows in the days ahead. 

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he writer of Hebrews 13:8 expresses this great truth like this, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Do you know him as your tried and trusted friend today? 

A Popcorn Lesson

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he opening and closing of cabinet doors in the kitchen told everyone in the house that mom was up to something.  I can still hear the sounds of her rummaging in the lower cabinets as she looked for the old faithful piece of equipment that always brought a smile to everyone’s face.  The closing of the cabinet doors, the sound of something being placed on the counter top, the opening and shutting of the pantry door, and the sound of hard kernels being poured into a metal pot soon confirmed what we already knew.  Mom was making popcorn, again!

For my mom and dad, popcorn is almost a religious experience.  They love it and I can hardly recall an evening in front of the television when popcorn wasn’t’ served.  Now I’m sure I’m over exaggerating and I know my mom will let me know I’m stretching the truth about the frequency of our eating popcorn, but the fact remains we love the stuff.  I remember watching her as she placed the corn into the old popper we had for years.  A little bit of corn, a little oil, a dash of salt, and about 15 minutes were all that was required to make a huge bowl of popcorn, and my mom had it down to a science!

There was one other element needed to make that popcorn, however.  All the effort in placing the ingredients into the popper would have been worthless had she not plugged the unit in and turned it on.  This supplied the heat necessary to make the corn cook, sizzle, and eventually pop.  I loved to hear the corn as it exploded, banging against the sides and the lid of the popper.  It started off slow but toward the end the sound was almost deafening as the kernels in the popper changed from something small and hard into something hot, salty, and yummy!

But no matter how many bowls we popped, one thing was certain.  Not all of the kernels would turn out as white fluffy pieces of popcorn.  Invariably there would be kernels that just didn’t make it.  They were unchanged by the heat of the popper, remaining in their shells, refusing to change and falling short of their potential.  Although they all looked the same in the jar, in the heat of the popper, it was a completely different story.  When put to the test, some of them just didn’t make the grade.

Has it ever occurred to you that our walk with the Lord is very much like being inside a popcorn popper?  Only when the kernels are placed into hot oil are they really challenged to change from what they are into what they were meant to be.  It is only in the heat that the real interior of the popcorn kernel is revealed.  Without the high temperature and boiling oil, the kernels remain just that—kernels—filled with wonderful flavor but never releasing it.

The story of Abraham’s walk to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son, Isaac, gives us a bird’s eye view of what it is like to be a kernel in God’s popcorn popper.  After promising to give Abraham a son, God requires this father to travel for three days toward a mountain that He will show Abraham.  For the entire journey, the Scriptures do not reveal any conversation between Abraham and God but it is a certainty that the heat and pressure on Abraham grew ever more intense with each step he took.

Genesis 22:6 paints this vivid portrait of Abraham during this time of testing, “Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together…”  Can’t you feel the heat as it builds up in this man’s heart?  He places the wood on Isaac, (the corn goes into the popper) he takes the fire and the knife (the heat is applied), and they begin walking toward the mountain (the heat builds, the kernels sizzle, and Abraham is ready to explode)!!  There is no place to turn, no where to run, and no chance of getting out of this test.  The only thing Abraham knows is that God will fulfill His promise of providing him with descendants through this boy.

And God never disappoints.  Abraham places Isaac on the altar and raises the knife to perform the sacrificial act.  At that moment God stops Abraham, telling him not to harm the boy.  Now God knows that Abraham loves Him because he has not refused to sacrifice his only son.  In the heat of the moment Abraham’s character was revealed.  Here was a man who loved and trusted God above all else.  In the hottest part of the test, with his heart breaking and his mind swirling, Abraham held to God’s promise.  He trusted the Lord even when it looked as if all hope was gone.  The whiteness of Abraham’s faith was revealed only because God turned up the heat, causing what was on the inside to pop out for all to see!

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oday, God is still in the business of making popcorn.  He knows that without the heat of trial and testing it is impossible for the best to come out in His children.  He also knows that unless we are tested in this way, our lives will never serve the purpose He has in mind and that purpose is to glorify Him.  So, if you are in the popcorn popper today, know this.  The heat and the pressure you feel around you serve only to perfect that which is inside you.  God sees through the shell of the kernel to the white, fluffy, refreshment that only comes through the heat of testing. The real question we must answer is whether we will be a kernel that pops or one that remains unchanged.  I believe I hear the sound of corn popping.  Do you?

A Planter of Trees

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lthough we lived on Main Street, just a few blocks from the center of town, our yard was filled with trees.  Our backyard sported two apple trees, a cherry tree, a weeping willow tree, a maple tree, a pen oak tree, a magnolia tree, and a row of Lombardi poplars.  Our side yard was guarded by a huge maple tree and the grass and flowers in our front yard flourished in the shade of the two more maples that grew there.

What can I say, my dad loved trees and he planted most of the ones around our home.  I remember daddy replacing the two trees in the front yard.  He dug two deep holes, carefully planted the saplings, and covered their roots with rich soil.  We helped him pack the dirt by walking around and around until the soil was completely mashed flat.  Daddy then watered the young trees and continued to do this throughout the spring and into the summer.

Some of those trees are still there and when I pass by the house I remember climbing them, hiding behind them, or just lying in the grass looking up at them.  I remember daddy raking their leaves into crisp piles that crunched and snapped when we jumped in.  I remember the creaking noises they made when a strong wind bent their branches, sending their roots further down into the soil, making their trunks stronger.

But the most important thing I remember about those trees is that they were always there.  Every year found them bigger and stronger than the year before and each year their branches spread further and provided more protection from the heat in the summer and the rain in the spring.  The fruit trees in our backyard always produced fruit, especially apples that my next door neighbor Mom Jenkins turned into wonderful homemade pies. 

Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet had a lot to say about trees.  He understood that a tree could survive only when its roots went deep into the earth and drew out the nourishment that the soil and water provided. It is little wonder that he makes a comparison between a person who trusts God completely and a mighty tree that continues to thrive from year to year.

In Jeremiah 17:7-8 we read these words: "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah describes an interesting description of the person who trusts God completely.  Notice the two conditions the believer must meet and the four results of his faith. According to Jeremiah, we must trust God and place our confidence in Him just as a tree places its roots deep into the soil for strength and nourishment.  This means we are to take our hands off and let God have His way.  We must let go of the reins if we ever expect to go where God wants to take us.  But trusting God cannot be divorced from placing our confidence in Him.  This means we know that no matter the circumstances, no matter what we see or think we see, hear or think we hear, feel or think we feel, we have 100% assurance that God is working on our behalf; that all things will work for our good in accordance with God’s will and on His time schedule.

When we place our faith this securely in God, Jeremiah lists four things we can expect.  We will not fear in time of trial.  We will always have all we need.  We have no need of worry and we will never fail to produce fruit for God.  Notice, however, that God does not remove us from the difficulties of life. Jeremiah states we will not fear when the heat comes.  In other words, when life throws us curves, when things don’t turn out the way we expected, we can stand strong in the knowledge that God will meet our needs.  As a result, our leaves will always be green, meaning that God will supply what we need, but not what we always want! In the year of drought, the tree has no worries.  Likewise, there will be times of drought and periods of difficulty but when we make God the source of our strength and the very means by which we live, our lives will continually bear fruit.

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y mom and dad have since moved across town, away from the hustle and bustle of Main Street.  The yard around their home is substantially larger than the one where I grew up.  We still talk several times a week and catch up on all that’s going on in our respective lives and in the lives of family and friends.  However, since mom and dad moved to their current home, you’ll never guess what my dad has done!   Well, perhaps you already know—he has planted trees, lots of them.  How many trees have you planted lately?  Are you living your life rooted in the confidence that no matter what life sends your way God will always see you through?  I surely hope you are.  If not, I invite you to become firmly rooted in Him!  Do you know the great planter of trees today?

A Hot Potato

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aked potatoes may be one of man’s greatest inventions.  Now I know I’m treading on thin ice here.  First of all, man didn’t invent the potato; he did, however, figure out what to do with it.  Bake it in an oven, add butter, chives, cheese, salt, pepper, and of course sour cream, and you have a culinary masterpiece no matter what else is on the plate! 

I was reminded of this fact one evening when a friend of mine from the seminary joined me for dinner.  We decided to eat steak and when it came time to choose between steamed vegetables and a baked potato, well let’s just say the choice wasn’t very difficult to make.  In fact, it was a no-brainer!  When the waiter asked me if I wanted the potato with everything on it, I stared at him in disbelief.  Is there any other way to eat one?  Not in my book!

A few minutes and a dinner salad later, our steaks finally arrived.  The potato was wonderful, baked to perfection and scrumptious to the taste.  I marveled at how tender the potato was, given the fact that when these things are pulled from the ground, they are anything but soft and tender. Instead, potatoes are rock hard, dirty, and anything but appealing to the taste.  I have heard of some people who like to eat them raw but this was never an option for me.  Baked, fried, or mashed, these are the only ways for me to eat a potato.

I want us to think about that baked potato for just a few seconds—not as something to eat but as a lesson from God’s word.  In order for the potato to become soft, it must be placed into heat.  Once it exits from the flame the potato is forever changed.  It is no longer hard but rather is soft and very appealing. The potato cannot do this on its own; it must enter into the fire in order to be changed into a form that is suitable for enjoyment.

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful reminder of just how much Jesus Christ did for us on Calvary’s cross.  The writer goes to great lengths to point out that Jesus is superior to the angels and to Moses.  Christ’s sacrifice was also superior to all the sacrifices required by the law.  The giving of his life resulted in the removal of sins, not the covering of them.  Jesus died once for all whereas under the law, the high priest had to sacrifice once a year to cover the people’s sin.

Now back to the example of that potato.  In Hebrews 3:7-8, we read the following warning against unbelief, “So, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.”

The writer warns us against hardening our hearts to God’s forgiveness and mercy.  He reminds his readers that their forefathers tested God by refusing to enter the land promised to Abraham.  They hardened their hearts and refused to let God work in their lives to give them all the blessings He had in store for them.  Because of this hardness, because they refused to believe God’s promise, they could not enter into His blessings, mercy, and grace. They wondered in the desert for forty years until all those who left Egypt died in the wilderness.

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hat are our hearts like today?  Are they hard?  Are they closed to God’s message and His love?  Do we hear Him calling us to service and are we refusing to follow Him?  If this is the case, our hearts will always be like that potato pulled from the ground, hard, cold, dirty, and unsavory.  However, if we hear God’s voice and obey it, if we accept His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then our hearts will be changed.  They will become soft, tender, and a source of nourishment, providing an inviting aroma for all those we meet on a daily basis.  So, could you be considered a hot potato today?