Still In One Peace

A LIFE OF JOY March 28, 2012

THE DEAD OF WINTER February 2, 2012

“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion?” Job 38:31

Seasons. As surely as spring follows winter and fall follows summer the seasons roll by. It has been this way since God created the world. In the ancient days of the Bible, it was absolutely necessary for farmers of those times to determine the current season in order to reap the greatest amount of healthy crops. Back then, without written calendars, farmers focused on the positions of constellations in the night sky to determine the changing seasons. The brilliance or dimness of stars in the heavens depended on the earth’s orbit and the locale of the observer. Farmers counted on knowing the times of the seasons in order to know when to sow and when to harvest.

While Job, a farmer among other things, is suffering with all his recent struggles and battles, God explains to him what’s happening. God asks him, “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion?” He is asking Job if he has the slightest ability to alter the position of the stars in the sky. God is making the point that what is impossible for Job is easy for God. But, He was also indicating something else.

In a subtle way God is letting Job know that seasons come and seasons go. When did Orion’s stars shone brightest to the farmers where Job lived? January and February. The winter. Certainly, Job was going through the winter of his life. It couldn’t get any worse for him. The Lord was telling Job that he cannot quicken the days of winter. Job could do nothing to alter this winter season. He had to go through it, just like you and I in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes it is winter and winter is just long, dark and cold

But what inevitably follows winter? Yes, spring! The stars of Pleiades shine brightest in mid April, the new days of spring. God asked Job if he could “bind . . . Pleiades.”  To bind something is to keep it from coming about, or hinder it. God was asking Job if he could keep the stars of spring from shining. Of course not! No one can stop a new day dawning!

Everyday, I speak with people going through tough times. I remind them that they will face all the seasons of life if they live long enough. It’s just a matter of understanding that seasons come and the seasons go. You can’t let difficulties destroy you. You just have to make it to spring time, or to morning, or to home. When you’re in the middle of the winter, look ahead to the spring because the spring is coming. Remember that life has its cycles as surely as the stars shine in the heavens. You can’t hurry through a season nor cut it short.

And don’t forget that you can sip hot chocolate by a fire in the winter! That’s right, because it is often in winter that you are closest to God. As the seasons change, allow these thoughts to remind you that God is the One who brings about the changes and He will absolutely bring you through each season in victory!

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for the changing seasons and for seeing me through each one. Winter, spring, summer, fall – I know you are with me to sustain and guide me through. If it is your will, allow me to be the springtime in someone’s life. For surely, there is someone nearby who is feeling the icy chill of winter’s frost on their soul. Let your love so shine through me. Amen.

THE BEST PARENT IN THE WORLD November 19, 2011

“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be
called His children, and we really are!”
I John 3:1

The love parents have for their children is found in the heart of God. In order for you to be the kind of parent that all children need, you must understand what kind of a parent God is to His children.

First, your children need leadership. You have been called by God to instruct your child, point your child to the path of life, and show your child how to walk upon it. You are your child’s spiritual leader. From your lips, your child needs to hear wise words and wise counsel; from your steps, your child needs to see the importance of wise choices and good decisions; from your love, your child needs to discover their purpose, identity, and true worth.

Your children also need great care. Children are very needy people. Every child needs to be cared for and have their basic needs met. You have the responsibility of caring for and providing for the children God has given you. Not one thing can be overlooked. Would God forsake you? Of course not. Never! Nor should you ever allow the real needs of your children to be ignored, nor matter where they are or in whose care they might be.

Your children need your time. It is our greatest and most precious resource. And time has an extraordinary value to all human life. Those who choose not to spend time with their children came up with the lackluster theory that spending “quality time” is more important than the quantity of time. I see the victims of “quality time” parenting wandering the streets every day with no where to go. It’s not a question of quality, it’s a question of quantity. And that means spending large quantities of time with your kids. Being a parent is about being together with your child to share life’s joys and God’s blessings. Every moment you spend with your child is another opportunity for good to happen in their young life. You need to value and guard your time with your children.

Finally, you must give yourself. There’s no easy way to put it, to be a parent is to sacrifice your whole life for your child. It’s not about you anymore. But, when you give yourself to a child you are saying, “I am not only spending this time with you, but you have my complete attention. My eyes are upon you, heart follows you, my thoughts are with you, and my love is around you.” Remember, when God spoke to Abram, God gave him this precious promise, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” What a wonderful and cherished gift to give to our children as well.

We witness the most exquisite pattern for our own parenting in God, our Father in heaven. He gives us His love through His wise leadership, His uncompromising care, His unlimited time, and His perfect self. Today, it is our responsibility to pass these blessings to our children.

Today’s Prayer

Lord God, You have given us the privilege as well as the responsibility of being loving parents. In the name of Jesus, we ask you to guide us as we invite our children to hear your call to service and leadership in our Church. May our children respond with deep faith and generosity to the needs of God’s people. Help us to be a source of love and encouragement to our children as we look to you for courage, strength and wisdom in the years to com. Amen.

YOU ARE THE CURE November 7, 2011

“When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.”
Job 22:29

A young man was learning to be a paratrooper. Before his first jump, he was given very clear instructions by the jump master: “Jump when you are told. Count to ten and pull the rip cord. In the unlikely event your parachute doesn’t open, pull the emergency rip cord. When you get down, a truck will be there to take you back to the airport.”

The young man memorized these instructions and climbed aboard the plane. The plane climbed to ten thousand feet and the paratroopers began to jump. When the young man was told to jump, he jumped. Just as he was told, he counted to ten and pulled the rip cord. Nothing happened. His chute failed to open. So he pulled the emergency rip cord. Still, nothing happened. No parachute.

“Oh great,” said the young man. “And I suppose the truck won’t be there when I get down either!”

Sometimes, when trouble comes upon you, it just keeps coming and coming. There is no life without trouble and challenges or even disasters and tragedy. At one time or another, all of us will experience or be close to illness, accidents, betrayals, and death. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it will. And when these days come upon us, the first thing we ask ourselves is, “Why?” Somehow, we think our troubles will be easier if we know the reason behind them.

Rarely is there a reason we can easily see or comprehend. But, there is always a purpose to our pain, a purpose that God needs you to understand.

There is an analogy from an old minister that goes like this: A bar of iron worth 1 dollar, when hammered into horseshoes, is worth 2 dollars. If made into needles, it is worth 70 dollars. If into penknife blades, it is worth 650 dollars. If into springs for watches, it is worth 50,000 dollars. What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered and passed through the fire, and is beaten and sharpened and polished, the greater its value.

You see, you are of more value to our Lord Jesus when you have gone through the trials and tribulations of life. In fact, those who suffer most are capable of yielding most. Why? Because you are able to identify with the pain and suffering of Jesus on the Cross, thereby bringing you closer to Him, and you are able to identify and encourage others who will go through the fire in the days to come.

Seldom does God use a person greatly who has not been hurt deeply. Yes, you have been through a lot. Sometimes, it’s too much to bear. But, you are warrior of life. And you have been saved from despair and destruction by Jesus Christ.

Now, He wants you to stand by those who need protection from the storms of life. They need you because you know where the pitfalls are. You know the darkness of hopeless days. You know how much it hurts and how lonely it can be. But, you also know what it is like to call upon Jesus. You know how to sit with someone and call His name in prayer. And you know the joy and hope of His voice when the new dawn awakens in your heart.

It has been said that the brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. And those of us with the voice of pain have the responsibility to sing our song to the hurting people in our lives. It is the blessed sound of heaven’s healing. The music of the Holy Spirit that calls to the broken hearts of the world.

Why do we go through so much in life? Because God put us here for Him and for each other. The Lord has made you strongest where you were wounded the deepest. Today, someone near you needs that strength.

This week’s prayer

Lord Jesus, I love you. As your child, I confess it is sometimes difficult to thank you for the problems I have had in life. But, I do thank you for them all. Your plan is greater than I could ever see or know. I only pray that I may live a life that brings honor and glory to you. I know that my life will have difficult days. Please allow me the strength, patience, and wisdom to use these experiences as a foundation for the healing of others. Make my life a living sacrifice, an encouragement and an example to those who suffer this day. May they see the light of your love coming from my heart. Amen.

DREAM A BIG DREAM October 18, 2011

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
Acts 2:17

Along with every individual in the world, you have been created by God to have a glorious dream, a magnificent destiny and a higher reason for living. On that day long ago when God created you, He needed something accomplished on Earth that no other person could do, so He designed you to do it better than anyone else could.

Your God-designed, unique destiny, your dream, that certain something only you can do better than anyone is meant by our Lord to change the course of human history. Every one of us, and you are NO exception, has a moment when our dream and destiny can somehow impact the lives of people all over the world for generations to come. So, as you journey through the adventure of your life, remember that God has already arranged appointments and opportunities that will fulfill your destiny of making an eternal impact on His Kingdom.

What are these dreams? (No, I don’t mean the images that flash through your sleeping mind in the night.) By dreams, I mean the goals and visions that burn so brightly in your heart and permeate your soul with joy at their very thought. These are the strong and clear visions of what you want your life to be at your highest level of fulfillment. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” You see, it’s all about what you truly want to do with your life, how you want to do it to your greatest potential, and who you want to become in the process.

Your dream is more than a goal. It should be the very definition of your life. Eventually, you should be able to define your life in one word. When people think of Michael Jordon, they think “basketball.” When they think of Shakespeare, they think “Playwright.” What word pops into the minds of your family and friends when they thing of you? Why not “servant,” “soul winner,” “giver,” or “discipler”?

As you go about your day today, please know that dreams do come true. Without that possibility, God would not incite us to have them. Next week, we’ll discuss how you can discover a clearer view of your dreams and some very real tips for making your dreams become reality.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for creating me. Give me the courage to make my dreams come true. For, I know you have given me those dreams. If they come true for me, they come true for you. Oh, that you would allow me to do great things for You and Your Kingdom. Grant me that I would never underestimate what you have created me to do and the great things you need me to do this very day. Amen.