Decisions, Decisions

   My heart is heavy this morning for our spiritual leaders and our governmental leaders.  What a heavy load it must be to make decisions that impact the health and welfare of hundreds of thousands of people.  We don’t have to look far to know that whatever decision is made, someone will be critical.  What of us,  the common man,  how do we decide who to listen to and who is telling the truth?   

   When will it be safe to attend church again? 

   Can the kids go back to school safely?  

   Should I go to the store or not?

  Can I rebook my cruise to Hawaii? 

   Am I going to be able to use my Hamilton tickets? 

   How soon can I get a nail appointment?     Sorry,  I got a little carnal  there.  You get my point.

   We are at the crossroads.  It’s time to decide how we plan to move on and when.  As Believers, we don’t dare make these decisions without consulting our Lord.  Thankfully, He’s given us lots of reasons to trust His help.  Psalm 32:8 says “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” NLT    Hebrew translations say that He will give us the “best mode of action”.  The approaching comeback is not going to be mediocre; it’s going to be the phenomenal!

   For those of us who will take time to look and listen, our God is going to guide us out of this crisis.  Our God is going to lead us along the best route.  He’s going to tell us what to do and when to do it.  Most importantly, His eye is on us. It's never been more important to seek His wisdom, than today.  

   When this is over, there will be even more decisions to be made. Some of you will be looking for a new job.  Some will be deciding what to do with their small business.  Some will make the hard decisions about a move.  Some will decide about schooling their children.  We may be ask to decide about Rona vaccines and/or medicines.  Any time we face a decision, we can rest in the assurance that our God has fixed His eyes upon us and is guiding us along the very best possible path. 

Thinkin' about my mode of action for today!

Dare to Hope

   One of the my most distressing disappointments of this pandemic (no, not Hawaii) will impact 10,000 children and 15,000 adults  in 43 states and 6 countries.  Anyone who knows me knows I choose twenty years ago to align myself with Royal Family Kids (rfk.org).  I've spent the past eighteen summers working with camps in Oklahoma, Colorado and Missouri.  We believe  that this week of camp is essential to the well-being of the children we serve.  Those children who have been placed in State Custody due to dysfunctional families and abuse. Our kids have been ripped from their families, often siblings are separated; they live in a constant state of uncertainty. It has been devastating to those of us who work with these children to have to cancel this summer's camps.    One mainstay at camp is reminding these children that they are not forgotten,  God knows their name and He has a purpose for their lives.  It takes them a while to even entertain that thought. 

   It wouldn’t be surprising if many of us are not feeling forgotten in this day of trouble.  As this pandemic drags on and even with some relaxing of the restrictions,  we are still a long way from the world we knew before. Some say we will never see that world again. Not a very encouraging thought. 

   Lamentations 3:21-23  is my favorite scripture and today,  it seems all the more true.  “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends, His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness;  His mercies begin afresh each morning.” 

   I confess that I have entertained hopelessness in these long days.  I’ve wondered where God is in all of this and I’ve worried that this is our new normal.  But, most days,  I ‘dare to hope’.  As long as there is breath in our bodies,  God has a purpose for us.  His timetable is not ours.  Isaiah reminds us that our ways are not His ways.  He holds the completion dates.  He has not forgotten. 

   If you could join me at camp; you would see exuberant little faces, arms in the air, jerky movements and finally arms raised to Heaven;  singing at the top of their lungs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L9n_Tb3PRc

He knows all of our names,  He sees us in this crisis. 

Thinkin about that this morning,  and hoping.  

Houston, we have a Problem

   Remember Tom Hank’s famous phrase in Apollo 13 (one of my favorite movies BTW)?  Tom and his fellow astronauts had lost control of their spaceship. They tried multiple fixes but eventually had to surrender to mission control. 

   Well, my friends,  we have  a problem.  Government leaders have tried to control the spread of this deadly virus.  Medical experts have tried to treat this deadly virus. Wall Street has tried to command the economic impact of this deadly virus. The news media has tried to sway the narrative of this pandemic.  If we have learned nothing else in the past few weeks, we must know; WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL.  We have used the phrase, “out of control” too lightly because right now the world is out of control!  The inconsistencies of what we hear daily about this deadly virus is mind boggling. 

   Today’s scripture is a reminder, it’s familiar, but we need to look at it again.

 Psalm 46:1-2 NLT “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So, we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”  Refuge can be translated “protection.”  “Always ready to help”  doesn’t get much plainer.  I love the synonyms for ‘so’ :  Consequently, thus, therefore, hence, accordingly.

    The Message translation puts words so plainly. “God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need Him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.  Jacob-wrestling God fights for us.  God of Angel-Armies protects us.” 

   It may seem we are at the ‘cliff-edge of doom”  with today’s problems.  Standing fearless is out of the question in our own power.  Like the astronauts of Apollo 13,  it’s time we surrender control of this pandemic  to Mission Control.  The One who is steadfast, immovable and strong; the One who is and was in Control from the beginning.  

Friends,  we have a problem,  let’s give it to the Omnipotent Problem-Solver.

We're Not Done Yet

   In these days of uncertainty and confusion, with my blank planner sitting on my dresser, it’s easy to feel insignificant.  For many of us, the ‘ministry’ aspect of our lives seems to be sidelined. Those who previously made meals for shut ins can’t do that now.  Those who visited the sick can’t do that now. Those who had disposable income to give to charity don’t have that now. Some who had jobs, no longer have those.  Those who cheered on special Olympians stare at empty fields.  Those who planned and raised funds for children and young people to be ministered to at summer camps won’t do that this year. Teachers who live for fourth quarter, the time when classrooms are finally cohesive, don’t have that sweet spot this year.  Pastors, looking forward to Easter weekend, musicians practicing for months for that time, scrambled to do the best they could digitally.  Celebrations; graduation, weddings, birthdays, are cancelled. No one has escaped the disappointment of interrupted plans. 

   The Bible is full of stories about men and women whose plans didn’t pan out.  Many of them lamented about how God must have forsaken them.  That never turned out to be true.  The prophet Zephaniah has a word of hope to those of us who feel lost in a twilight zone.   In chapter 3:17 CEV it says:  “The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.  He celebrates and sings because of you and He will refresh your life with his love.”

  Imagine, God ‘celebrates and sings’ because of me.  The ESV says “LOUD singing”.  Few of us are celebrating and singing these days.  On the worst day,  when every day is the same and there is no end in sight, we are still of value to our Lord.  His plans for us have not changed.  Our future is still in his hands.   Listen, can you hear Him singing over you today? 

 Let Him refresh you with His love.  

Really Take a Look at Psalm 91

   Today’s post seems to be a reinvention of every sermon, post, blog, article and quote circling us today.  Any Believer whose been in this Christian life very long has been told to memorize Psalm 91 and recite it in the midst of trouble.  I don’t dispute that for a second.  However,  I think those of us who were born and raised in a Christian home and stayed the course for a long time tend to take these familiar verses less seriously.  Most  people,  believers and non-believers are quick to quote a PORTION of a verse they’ve heard.  I’ve been learning that my favorite promise verses usually have a condition or request attached to them.   If I memorized the verse,  I tend to read through it quickly,  throw out a quick,  "yes, Lord,  let it be!"  We all want the "no plague" coming near our house.    

   We don’t the luxury today of hearing portions of what God says.  We need to hear from God.  We need to not only hear verse 1-8 but also verses 9-16.   In this turmoil,  I need to hear and heed  His words.  Psalm 91 is indeed a mainstay of promises from the Lord but a careful read will yield much more.  There are promises and commands within the 16 verses:

Psalm 91 NLT

1Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Right off the bat, there’s a small stipulation:  you must live in the shelter of the most high. and the shadow of the Almighty.   We know God does not force himself on anyone,  so immediately,  before I can “find rest”,  I’ve got to move close enough to God for His shadow to fall on me.   Think about shadows. Think about how far from the solid object they cast their shadow.  In order to be in that shadow and benefit from it, I’ve got to be close to God.  That will preach for another 1500 words but I move on.

2This I declare about the LORD:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

he is my God, and I trust him.

No free verse here,  I have to  admit, these things about the Lord.  And I have to let go of any trust that is not Him,  alone.   Then I have to declare that He is my God  and I have to  be confident in His abilities.  Entertaining doubt is in direct conflict to this declaration.

3For he will rescue you from every trap

and protect you from deadly disease.

4He will cover you with his feathers.

He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7Though a thousand fall at your side,

though ten thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

8Just open your eyes,

and see how the wicked are punished.

These are the verse we love to quote, especially these days.  And rightly so, for they are the promises of the God who loves us.

  

9If you make the LORD your refuge,

if you make the Most High your shelter,

10no evil will conquer you;

no plague will come near your home.

All of us are praying verse 10 over our homes and families. However,  verse 9 starts with the word, “If”.   That little two letter word prefaces a multitude of thoughts.  No plague is coming IF I have made the Lord my refuge. If The Most High is my shelter. 

11For he will order his angels

to protect you wherever you go.

12They will hold you up with their hands

so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13You will trample upon lions and cobras;

you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet.  

Yes, I like those promises!

14The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

15When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

And here we have the final terms:  you must love me.  Reminds me of a commandment,  “ Love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind.”  You must trust in my Name.  You must call on me. 

16I will reward them with a long life

and give them my salvation.”

Notice that the requirements are far less than the promises and not all that difficult.  They are quite simply the very things He asked of us when we chose to believe. 

When we lament that God didn't answer a prayer,  dig deeper.  Did you do your part?  

Thinkin' what my part is today.  

Got Joy?

   On August 27, 2018.  I wrote  a blog with reasons we should not be joyous.  Apparently it struck a cord, it is my most viewed blogpost of this little career.  So today, as Queen Rona reigns, I am sure joy seems like a distant emotion.  Again, I want to turn to a Psalm of David.  They are the songs of this season.  Yet, let’s dig a little deeper. 

   Psalm 94:19 NLT “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”   Doubt, “a hesitancy to believe”.   It’s not that we don’t want to believe,  it’s not even that we don’t.  However,  in the midst of  job loss,  sickness,  isolation,  boredom and death,  it’s difficult to believe.  We haven’t lost our faith,  but we are cautious in our convictions.   I am not putting aything into my planner these days,  I’ve used all my cancelled and rescheduled stickers!   

   The definition of ‘doubt’ in the various translations is very inclusive.  For example:

Cares of my heart

Burdened with worries

Multitude of thoughts 

Overwhelming anxiety

Disgusting thoughts

Busy thoughts

   How could one smile with these running through your mind constantly?  It is humanly impossible.  Until we allow the Holy Spirit  the Comforter to enter the situation. Only then can we  receive restored hope, which we will lead to joy.  His gift of joy is never contingent on circumstances.  

Think about that today!

Hot Pursuit

   Last fall in my current home, Colorado, there were several mountain lion attacks.  I have a friend who has a bear family living in her front yard.  She carefully opens her door and checks before going outside. Every year,  the local newscasters give the public a tutorial on what to do if hiking and meeting up with a wild animal.  (Don’t worry about me, it’s not going to happen.  One can avoid those meetings).   While ‘experts’ have many tips for what to do in these situations,  they all agree on ONE major rule.  “Do not run or turn your back on the animal.”     Isn’t that the first instinct, turn around and run?  It is for me.  The experts say you should face the animal.  Speak slowly and quietly as you back away.  

   My  mind knows that I cannot outrun any animal.  Just like my spirit knows,  I cannot outrun Satan. When I encounter him on my pathway, or look behind me and see him coming,  I want to run! When Satan came to Jesus to tempt Him,  Jesus didn't run.  He faced Satan and quietly quoted God's Word.  

   As we face day 30, 40,  whatever of this pandemic;  it feels like sickness, hopelessness and fear are hot on our trail.  I want to turn and shout scripture at these emotions. But, I confess, I’m tired and weary.  Peter has a word of hope for us in this crisis.   

   "But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That's why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm."  I Peter 5:10 CEV    Suffering is temporary, but glory is eternal.  The commentaries about this verse tell us that “all time is short in comparison to what comes after.”  

   Several years ago, I attended a  memorial for a child who had died from cancer.  In the corner of the stage was a thick, coiled rope like the one used to anchor ships.  As tears ran down her father's face, he took the end of the rope.  Placing about a foot between his two hands, he  began to walk back and forth across the stage trailing it behind.  He made several trips before he  held up the section of rope in his hands. “This was her life on earth”  then he indicated the rope he was extending across the stage and said,  “this and more is  her life in Heaven."

   We cannot comprehend eternity but it is our future.  April 2020 has seemed very long, but it is just a blip on our life's timeline. We will never forget this time but Rona will become a memory, not a reality.  It is not part of our eternity.  

Thinkin’ today about eternity.