Archive for October, 2009

Isn’t it a peculiar paradox that God has blessed us with many amazing talents but calls us to be completely dependent upon Him? Mankind was created with many remarkable abilities. We construct projects, solve problems, and make decisions. We observe the world around us and reach conclusions about what we see. It is here that we must exhibit caution - - for it is possible to think our way into the wrong interpretation.

We possess the propensity to arrive at incorrect conclusions about ourselves. There are situations where we presume we are stronger than we actually are, and other instances where we think we are weaker. Sometimes we think we are more important than we are, and other times we feel we are less important.

Jesus’ challenge is for us to realize that no matter how strong or weak we think we are - - He always has His eye on us. He graced us with the abilities to succeed in life, but He wants us to walk humbly in partnership with Him because that is what we are designed to do.

Ponder God’s provision to the bird – as He designed it’s wing muscles so they are proportionally a hundred times stronger than the arm muscles of the strongest man. Our Father cares for and nurtures the birds. We must always remember that we are more valuable to Him than all the world’s birds combined and He will always be there for us. We are NOT on this journey alone!

I love you!

Stay faithful and finish strong,
dale

Many Christians subscribe to the notion that “if God is in this thing, the doors will swing wide open.” While there are times that this holds true, there are often occasions when it is not.

There is a peril in using this axiom as if it were a definite spiritual truth. God does not always take the path of least resistance.

In the book of Exodus we read that Moses was required to go to Pharaoh seven times before the leader of Egypt got the message that it was time to let the Israelites go.

Ponder the situation - if Moses only makes one trip to the royal palace and declares: “Let the people of Israel go,” to which Pharaoh replies, “No!” [which actually happened] And if Moses’ mentor bought into ‘if God is in this, the doors will swing open’ philosophy - - Moses would have then headed back to the desert to herd sheep.

But Moses learned painfully, and even painstakingly, that when God instructs you to do something, you do it, whether the doors swing open or not. There will most assuredly be times when God calls you to have faith and all doors seem closed.

Remember: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Consider the time Jesus ordered a group of fishermen to throw the nets on the other side of the boat, or when He directed disciples to alter a three thousand year tradition of ‘exclusivity’ by taking the message of good news to the Gentiles. He proclaimed to His followers not to seek the things of the world, which rust and can be stolen, but seek first the kingdom of God, and store up treasures in heaven.

Lord, continue to train us that Your ways are so much higher than our ways. May we persevere and not always look for the easy way nor walk through any door that swings open. We seek Your guidance in all things. Amen.

I love you!

Stay faithful and finish strong,

dale

When I am following God - I feel a tad lost most of the time. But that makes sense. I am not leading Him. He is leading me.

I cannot always know what will happen next, nor demand control. Only by following Him will I be able to make an impact in the world.

I need God to help me master who I am and how I impart meaning to actions and events around me. When I truly listen - the Spirit encourages me, points to the truth, allows me to decide, and holds me accountable.

Left to myself there is never enough information, there are always conflicting opinions and priorities. I encounter difficulty sorting it all out - - but perhaps this is best.

Those who followed Jesus [in the flesh] seemed just as confused and uncertain as we often feel. He answered questions with ambiguous illustrations and more questions. He was not who they anticipated Him to be. He was much more! The ‘final act’ was not what they had expected. It was much better! Their internship was rough, unsettling, and they many times felt lost. When on their own, guided only by the relationships they had come to know and the truth they had come to believe - - it was enough. They were ready to lead.

On ‘that day’ - when the fog lifts, we will see where we all wandered, the dangers we missed, the miracles, and the good fortune of God’s grace. The certainty of seeing comes after the action of believing.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”    Romans 8:28

I love you!

Stay faithful and finish strong,
dale

Tony Dungy [former Head Football Coach of the Indianapolis Colts] has shared many times about their young son [Jordan] - who has a rare congenital condition which keeps him from feeling pain. Tony says: “he feels things, but his does not have the sensation of pain.”

Many folks would think that this would be an especially good thing - - but Tony cautions that it is not: “pain is necessary for people to distinguish the difference between what is good and what is harmful.”

Jordan loves cookies according to Dungy. “Cookies are good, but in Jordan’s mind, if they are good out on the plate, they are even better in the oven. He will go right in the oven when my wife’s not looking, reach in, take the rack out, take the pan out, burn his hands and eat the cookies and burn his tongue and not even feel it. He doesn’t know that’s bad for him” says Dungy.

Coach Dungy offers great wisdom: “You get questions all the time, ‘Why does the Lord allow pain in your life? Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a God of love, why does He allow these hurtful things to happen?”‘ “We’ve learned that a lot of times because of that pain, you determine what’s harmful. You learn to fear the right things. Sometimes, pain is the only way that will turn us as kids back to the Father.”

Maybe this is why James [the half-brother of Jesus writes in James 1:2-3]: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

I love you!

Stay faithful and finish strong,
dale