Intentional Encouragement

            I'm always concerned about how long the experience of Christmas will affect us as we move into another year.  Next week this time, I suspect our Christmas decorations will be put away and we'll be back into our groove, anticipating 2014.  I don't want it to be the same this year.  How about you?  For one last post this year, let me re-post something from a couple of years ago.               It seems each year, as my mind is drawn back to those days so long ago when our Savior was born, that I find myself immersed once again in some “sanctified speculation.” I wonder just how the individuals that we read about in the Biblical account must have felt during the experience that we now call history.             The shepherds are on my mind today, and one particular ...

     Here's another repeat post from an earlier Christmas.  I hope you enjoy it...actually I hope it brings you encouragement; especially if "life" has thrown you a curveball or two this year.                  There was a lot about Mary's situation that would have been hard to take in.   She was pregnant but unmarried.   Further, she hadn’t done anything wrong to get into that situation.   Even more, who would believe that?             While every young Jewish girl held the faint hope in her heart that she might be privileged to become the mother of the Messiah, they didn’t plan their lives around it.   Mary wouldn’t have either.   She had plans, but they likely didn’t include this.   Not this way; n ot now; not before she and Joseph were married.       ...

     I wrote this a couple of years ago during the Christmas season, but the challenge of it is still with me, so I thought I'd share it again this year.  In fact, the next couple of weeks I'll probably do that.  Hope you don't mind re-reading.       Here's how the ESV translates Paul’s description in Philippians 2:5-8 of what happened at Christmas:   “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”   We call this the incarnation. Jesus took on humanity; he became flesh; became one of us.      I am astonished at the extent to which Christ went to bring the message of...

     Those crazy birds with the mean look on their face were all the rage a couple of years back.  You could get nearly addicted using the slingshot to tear down structures.  It was fun to hear them scream and utilize their strengths and uniqueness to accomplish as much demolition as possible.  Their reason for existence, it seems, was to tear down.      I've already started to see the Christmas version of these creatures.  The difference is that they are not animated birds.  And they aren't fun.  They are people; specifically Christians.  "Don't shop here; they hate Christmas."  "Boycott those people; they won't acknowledge Christ in Christmas."  "Those jerks won't allow us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas because they say Happy Holidays."   OK; that last one isn't something I've actually heard, but it seems to be the gist of the argument.      Peop...

     As I was speaking about controlling the tongue (from James 3) recently, I reminded people of the incredible power of the tongue to cause great damage.      My closing challenge was to apply Colossians 4:6 this week, so I'll offer it to you too.  "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."      As you head into a new week, plan to keep the thought of "gracious and nicely seasoned" in your mind as you speak.  You will be challenged as you head off to work.  People will annoy you.  Circumstances will be frustrating.  You will have plenty of reasons to be upset.  But take on the challenge to have ALL of your speech this week be gracious and seasoned with salt.      Some people are on a salt-free diet.  It adversely affects their blood pressure, or some other aspect of their health, so they have mini...

     I was reading from 2 Kings 4 the other day in my devotions and was reminded about an important principle.  It's not "how much" I have to offer to the Lord that is important.  It's how much of what I have, that I'm willing to use for His glory.      The first 7 verses of the chapter I mentioned talk about a woman whose husband died.  He left her with 2 children and a great deal of debt.  She ran out of any substance she had to pay the creditors and finally was in danger of losing her children to slavery to satisfy the debt.      When she cried to Elisha, he asked her what resources she had.  She responded by saying that all she had left was a jar with some oil in it.  Oil was a precious commodity, since it was used in so much cooking and also for its healing properties.  She had just a little bit in a jar.  It wasn't enough to do much of anything.      Elisha's...

     I read this morning about common household lubricant that I have used many times both in my work and my personal projects.  WD-40 is great for loosening nuts, bolts and hinges; for preventing rust, and (according to one web site) for 2000 other uses.  It's like duct tape...you always have to have some around and it's good for lots of things.      I learned that WD-40 was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, who was attempting to create a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles, by displacing the standing water that causes it.  He made 39 unsuccessful attempts, but on the 40th try, Norm got his Water Displacement formula correct.  Water Displacement, 40th formula, or WD-40 was first marketed in 1958.  The original name of his company was the Rocket Chemical Company.  The name of the company was changed in 1969 to WD-40 Company after what was then its only product.       I'm...

     How about some simple thoughts this week?  Are you meek?       Some years ago, I read in "Our Daily Bread" about a man named J. Upton Dickson, a fun-loving fellow who said he was writing a book entitled "Cower Power."  Supposedly, he also founded a group for submissive people.  It was called "DOORMATS."  That stood for "The D ependent O rganization o f r eally m eek a nd t imid s ouls."  Their motto was "The meek shall inherit the earth...if that's OK with everyone else."  Their symbol was the yellow traffic light.      I'm confident none of that is true, but it does sort of describe our view of what meekness is, right?  We picture someone who stays out of everyone's way and apologizes for everything...even what they didn't do.      But Jesus was, by his own description, "meek and lowly of heart."  Moses was the meekest man on earth.  Neither of ...

     "Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was somebody. He spent his second forty years learning he was a nobody. He spent his third forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody."      When I read about the great heroes of the faith, I am impressed to see that all of them thought themselves to be "nobodies."  In fact, in some cases, they spend a good deal of time learning how little they are before they are used of God in any significant way.  I think of the example in the quote above, but also of David, tending those sheep in the wilderness.  Abraham lived in the desert when God called him and travelled a great distance before he came to the place of God's blessing.  The entire nation of Israel (after they left Egyptian slavery) spent 40 years in the desert learning the lesson that God was the one who was in charge and who had everything figured out.  Over and over again, we see people spending time le...

     I was studying and teaching from James 1 this past Sunday.  As I spoke about the 5th verse, I emphasized God's generosity and his natural inclination to give.  I thought I'd remind you of that by means of encouragement today.      When we need wisdom (which we all obviously need from time to time), the first step we are to take is to ask God.  What I'm thinking about at the moment...and am particularly thankful for is the statement that says God gives generously and without reproach .      I need that reminder every once in a while.  Do you feel sometimes like you are going to God AGAIN for wisdom when you have been pretty frequent about it lately?  Do you ever wonder if he says "oh no; not YOU again!"?  God never has that attitude toward us.  God never wonders "didn't you just ask me about that last week?"     If you need some wisdom today...if you have some matter...

      I was speaking this past Sunday, about how to face trials and have the confidence that God is being glorified in our lives even when we are in the midst of them (which gives us joy).  As a part of that, I focused on a couple of words that challenge me and remind me that my expectations are not always what they need to be in this area.      James says (1:2) "count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of various kinds."  For the purpose of this post, would you look at the word in bold text here?  Why didn't James say "if" you face trials?  The obvious reality is because facing trials is a part of life.  Whether they are a trial that is the result of decisions we have made (good or bad), the result of living for Christ in an increasingly secular society, or for some reason we can't make heads or tails of, the reality is that we will regularly face trials.  They will vary in intensity.  ...

     After quite a respite, I am going to come back to my blog and seek to share some thoughts that are on my heart with you.  I hope you will continue to find them challenging and encouraging.      When I last posted about taking a break, I mentioned some lessons that I was learning from the Lord that I wanted to eventually share with you.  Honestly, some of the lessons are ones I have been working on for some time, and a few are ones I hadn't put much thought into.      The first, and the one that is on my mind most recently is addressed in the title of this post.  I have been taught all my life (and taught others as well) that it is important for us to believe God for the impossible.  "Trust God; He is more willing to give than you are to ask."  "Ask God for something so big that when it happens, there will be no doubt that it was God that did it."  As I sit here, I think of many phrases such ...

     To all those who have been in the habit of reading my blog, I thank you.  I thought I'd emphasize the obvious...I am taking a break from blogging.      It's not that there is nothing to say or that it isn't worth it.  I simply need to take a break from some of my writing and posting activities.  God is continuing His work in my life and trying to teach me some new lessons right now.  I need to focus on that and be sure I am on His page before I continue to encourage you in doing the same thing.      I anticipate that I will return to my blog at some point, but for the time being, I need to simply thank you for reading.  If you are new to my blog, please enjoy reading through previous entries.  I trust they will be a blessing to you. David

     This morning I read from Matthew 18 where Jesus instructed his disciples (who were debating among themselves which was the greatest) that they needed to become like little children and acknowledge their complete dependence on Him alone.      Then I opened the quarterly that I have been asked to teach from in Sunday school for the next several months and read the first sentence.  "One of the greatest hindrances to true worship is a lack of thankfulness, and the greatest hindrance to thankfulness is the illusion of self-sufficiency."        It has given me the opportunity to think for a little while about this matter of how we view our ability to do what God has called us to do.  This applies to any situation in life.  Whether it is a ministry situation or a "secular" vocation or raising kids or simply being a good spouse, we have to come to the place where we recognize that we simply don't have it in u...

     I've been reading in the gospels recently during my Bible reading time and have been struck by how many times Jesus healed someone (or cast out a demon), and then swiftly told them not to tell anyone who did it.  There were even occasions when Jesus came near someone demon possessed and when the demons began to acknowledge who He was, he told them to keep silence.      I get the theological answers to this; I've given them.  It wasn't his time yet.  He didn't want people to follow him because of the miracles.  He didn't want the crowds to get the wrong impression of why he had come to earth, etc.      Still; I'm reminded of how different I am from Jesus...maybe you are too.      If I had the power to cast out demons or perform miraculous healings or bring someone back from the dead, I think I'd be OK with people knowing about it.  Alright; I'd probably put it on my web site....

     My wife has recently been undergoing some medical issues, including numerous trips to have blood drawn, several trips to a doctor's office, a "procedure" in a hospital operating room, and finally (3 days ago), surgery.  According to friends who have had a similar surgery, and her doctor, she can expect full recovery after a week or so of rest home and a month or two of generally feeling weary and tiring easily.  I'm thankful that all appears to be well and this will soon be a memory for Jodi.      As always; the doctors came with thorough information including the "possibilities."  It could have been "this or that." "All surgery has potential complications such as..." The likelihood of _____ is small, but I am required to mention it to you."  Jodi signed all the papers dutifully and was wheeled away for her surgery.  It's all so common that we simply come to expect that everything will be "fine."  And it no...

     I have started into Francis Chan's "Multiply" just recently and I'm really impressed and thankful for his simple, straightforward insights into both the importance of discipleship and the nature of the process.  I completely agree with his premise that we have to view discipleship differently.  It has to be "disciples making disciples."   Look at it on Amazon       For years the church has treated the training of believers as a professional responsibility of pastors or "specialists."  We have set up discipleship "classes" and gotten very academic about seeing disciples developed in the church.  We see someone come to faith in Christ (glory!). We get them to the point of baptism and 6 weeks of a "new believers" class and then we immediately put them into Sunday school class where they can learn more about the Bible.  This is all wonderful.  We should follow up with new believers.  They shoul...

     Winter is fighting to loosen its grip for some reason this year.  We had snow flurries in the air this week and my sister (who lives in northeastern New York) had 9 inches of snow.  Lots of my friends are frustrated with the groundhog and his prognostication of an early spring.  And yet; as with every year, spring is coming.      I love springtime.  I can’t wait until the flowers begin to break through the cold ground for their first peeks at the warmth of new beginnings.   I love watching those little buds on the trees come into bloom.   I like watching the grass green up and make the lawns pretty again.      Spring time is all about new beginnings.   I love that.   Most people talk about the New Year as their time for new beginnings.   I'm starting to think that it would be better to use nature’s new beginning time.   The weather warms up, and even people seem generally...

     As I was preaching on Sunday morning, I used some references to what we enjoy because of our position "in Christ."  They really encouraged my heart and seemed to bless others, so I thought I'd share them with you with very little commentary. [We] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24) ...you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) ...the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2) Nothing, including "anything...in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39 But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:13)      We have so much because of our relationship to God through Christ that ...

      I was looking back for a post from early on in my blogging activity that very few people viewed.  I found one that only 4 people looked at.  I must have been having an off week. :-)  At any rate; I am aware of numerous situations right now in which people are suffering.  One friend with double knee replacement surgery, one family struggling with their daughter's health and spending a lot of time in the hospital recently.  Many other situations are very troubling.  Of course; there always seems to be a list of my friends or family members who are struggling with the emotional and relational difficulties of life.  I know my tendency is to want "out."  This post was a good reminder to me that "out" isn't always what God will use most effectively in my life to accomplish His glory.  Maybe it will help you a little also...      “To keep me from becoming conceited… a thorn was given me in th...

     If you follow my blog, or read it occasionally, you probably know that I was a pastor for most of my ministry life.  In addition to that, I spent 5 years serving with a mission agency and have had 2 seasons during that time in which I was not being paid to be in active ministry.  I was waiting for God to show me what he wanted next.      In the first instance, I was selling office furniture because we had endeavored to move to Australia to plant churches and the door closed.  When I switched to serving at the home office of the mission agency, my support quickly dried up and I sought out "secular" employment.  The second of those times is right now.  In July, I resigned my pastorate of nearly 9 years in Virginia because I became fully convinced that my time there had come to a conclusion and that God was done using me in that particular church.  I'm still convinced that it was true, but God has permitted me...

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV) When Paul penned those words, life was tough. “Ephesians” was among a group of letters Paul wrote from prison. While he had a number of years left to serve the Lord, he didn’t know that for sure, nor did he know what each new day would bring. He understood the truth of what he said very thoroughly. We must make the best use of the time because the days are evil. We must not be foolish but we must understand what the Lord’s will is. There are several connections my mind makes in reading these verses. First, I have 2 college graduates numbered among my 4 children (1 of them is about to finish her Masters). The girls are living in their own apartment and each holding down full-time jobs.  Our third just returned today for his final semest...