Monthly Archives: June 2018

SIMPLY GONE WITH THE WIND

“The wind blows, and we are gone–as though we had never been here.” (Psalm 103:16)

When Margaret Mitchell selected “Gone with the Wind” as the title for her epic tale, she was referring to a remembered past as the main characters in the story find themselves trying to survive in a world which had considerably changed.  One of the best-selling novels of all time, it was published on June 30, 1936 and served as the basis for a blockbuster movie just three years later. The expression “gone with the wind” itself comes from a poem by Ernest Dowson. In Mitchell’s novel, protagonist Scarlett O’Hara also uses the phrase from a line of dialogue in the book. When her hometown is overtaken during the Civil War by the Yankees, she wonders if her home plantation is still standing, or if it was “also gone with the wind which had swept through Georgia”. The reference here, of course, is to the pre-war South’s elite culture with its expansive plantations and elegant society, so easily contrasted with the oppression of slavery. The romanticized view of passion and loss captivated readers far and wide and was ranked by a 2008 Harris poll as the second favorite book of American readers, just behind The Bible.

Whether you saw the movie or read the book, you’ll remember the first views of Scarlett as innocent, charming and flirtatious when the most important thing on her mind was which dress to wear to a barbecue. She would never have imagined herself three years later scavenging for food with no shoes or change of clothes. We identify with her character because as we go through life, many of us also find ourselves in or having gone through humbling situations. The Apostle Paul gave this warning: “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:13-14). Once when I visited a few local cemeteries, I observed two massively engraved monuments placed by persons in an effort to memorialize themselves or their family. I found no humility in those grave markers. Those who are so desperate to be remembered could benefit from these wise words found in the Old Testament: “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

If we are realistic, we can easily conclude that life as we know it can change in an instant. If we become too self-absorbed, we risk being able to appreciate the things around us and learning to know God at His fullest. No one can attest to that better than Joni Eareckson Tada.  Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1949 – she was the youngest of four daughters. Experiencing a very active life all through her growing up years, Joni enjoyed riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming. On July 30, 1967, she dove into the Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. She suffered a cervical fracture, and her earthly life drastically changed. Now as a quadriplegic – she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. After years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others.  Today, she is married, has written forty-five books, recorded several musical albums, starred in an autobiographical movie of her life, and is an advocate for people with disabilities. In 2017, fifty years after her accident, she wrote: “Grace softens the edges of past pains, helping to highlight the eternal. What you are left with is peace that’s profound, joy that’s unshakable, faith that’s ironclad.”

Jesus told a brief parable in which He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44). Bottom-line – the kingdom of heaven is more precious than anything we possess, and it is worth all we have. Once we have found the prize, we are willing to give up everything to possess it. This spiritual truth is missed by many and cannot be gained by possession of power, worldly wisdom or earthly shrines listing the great things we have done. We need to secure our future through a Higher Power and come to realize that life as we now know it will one day be simply gone with the wind.

REFLECTION: How should the fleeting nature of life humble us?  What parts of your daily life do you take for granted that could easily change in an instant? How might you refocus your view of normalcy as being boring or monotonous?  In light of scriptural teaching about the temporary nature of satisfaction and recognition, what changes in your earthly life would better prepare you for an eternity with God?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JULY 7, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

WALK OF FAITH

   “ . . . so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”                 (1 Corinthians 2:5)

Holding a 43-pound balancing pole, he prayed out loud as he walked untethered across a 1,400-foot-long, 8.5-ton two-inch thick steel cable suspended 1,500 feet above the Little Colorado River. It was June 23, 2013 and 34-year-old aerialist Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a high wire across this river gorge near Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Just one year before, he became the first to walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Then broadcast officials required that he wear a safety tether in case he fell. This time, however, he wasn’t wearing a harness as he traversed a quarter-mile across the ravine.  Nik Wallenda, a member of the famous Flying Wallendas family of circus performers, learned to walk on a wire as a young boy making his professional debut as an aerialist at age 13. The Grand Canyon trek was the highest walk of his career, and he completed it in just less than 23 minutes. I remember thinking as I watched this event on TV – is this man fearless, faith-filled, or just foolish? Before beginning his journey, Wallenda prayed with Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen asking God for strength and endurance. It was certainly uplifting to hear this daredevil calling out to heaven and saying “thank you Jesus” dozens of times during his walk. Indeed, much has been made of Wallenda’s deep faith, and He should be admired for his openness. But I wasn’t quite sure at the time whether I saw this act as a walk of faith or whether I just couldn’t help but wonder if deep down he was simply crazy.

Maybe that’s how the other disciples felt when Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. After He had ministered to a huge crowd of followers, Jesus instructed His disciples to get back in the boat while he sent the people home. He then went to be alone so that He could pray, and nightfall came. Meanwhile, the disciples found themselves in a boat “a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’  ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22-33). It’s important to consider that Peter and the other disciples embarked upon this journey in response to their master’s request. Like the disciples on that boat who would have been aware of the dangers of traveling on the Sea of Galilee with its sudden storms – we began our journey with an understanding that there would be risks along the way. We find that there are forces capable of upsetting our most carefully improvised plans. But we, like Peter, can discover that our Savior stands nearby ready to help us if we will but reach out to Him and accept his divine assistance.

Nik Wallenda and Peter provide a common lesson for us:  It’s important that we have a strong foothold and know who provides that strength. The Apostle Paul said, “do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27). While Wallenda’s assurance may have been somewhat grounded in his years of training, Peter’s was at least for a short while based on His faith in His Lord. Peter’s attention was drawn from Jesus, the object of his faith, to the vigorous wind and waves around him. In a moment of confusion – fear overpowered his faith, and he started to fall. We should not be critical of Peter because that has been our issue as well.  Each of us has stepped out on faith many times and have taken our eyes off Him. The waves around us are as real as Peter’s waves were to him. And, like Peter, we may slip. We may feel the awful descent toward a dangerous outcome. I can’t claim to be free of fears or doubts, and I would suppose you can’t either. We are all humans on a shaky wire, walking to our own self-destruction unless God, by His grace, gets us to the other side. For each of us, it becomes a true walk of faith.

REFLECTION: Are there times when the storms of your life have influenced your faith walk? Has the concept of free will affected your faith and the ability to make decisions? How can you know if you are exercising your faith or simply using it to further another agenda?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JUNE 30, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

“My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.”     (Proverbs 3:11)

There would have been a day not so long ago when any grade school student would have been able to tell you, without hesitation, that the ‘father of our country’ was George Washington. Today, there are those who would find that title to not be politically correct or who would seek to undermine the credibility of the man himself. It was on June 15, 1775 that Washington accepted an appointment to lead the Continental Army as its commander-in-chief. Washington’s determination, leadership and refusal to give up made the difference between victory and defeat on more than one occasion. Indeed, so powerful was Washington’s character and reputation that the organizers of the Constitutional Convention believed that the Convention would not succeed unless Washington attended it. Due to his military fame and humble personality, Americans overwhelmingly elected Washington to be their first president in 1789. Just as a good father can provide leadership for his family, Washington provided unquestionable direction for a new country. Historian Joseph Ellis has stated that, “Washington was the glue that held the nation together.” He seemed to understand the ‘big picture’ more than many of his day, and he was at the forefront of every major event in American history from 1754 to 1799. The respect for Washington was a direct result of his personal virtue which was cultivated over his lifetime. He was keenly aware of his faults from an early age, and he worked at controlling his shortcomings. In his book, Our Sacred Honor, William Bennett states, “Washington wasn’t born good. Only practice and habit made him so.” It certainly sounds as if his own self-discipline made him worthy of the label as the father of his country.

As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day – it could be useful for any of us to apply some of the examples that Washington displayed. He would have been the first to tell you he was an imperfect man but was trying to do better. Recently, an older friend of mine told the story of her own father who, along with her two older brothers, always seemed to find themselves in trouble at a young age.  They frequently heard the oft-used threat from their mother – “Just wait ‘till your father gets home.” My friend said that on those occasions as their father appeared after a hard day’s work – he would remove his dirty work shoes, put on his slippers, and motion the three of them to the cellar. When they arrived there, they each understood the drill. As their father removed his slipper, he began to slap it loudly against his own hand. He then proceeded to tell each of the children to yell out, one by one, as if they were being disciplined. The story of their punishment remained a secret into adulthood, with their father undoubtedly recognizing that his demonstration of love yielded better results than a sore bottom may have accomplished. The Lord is very merciful as well, and He normally gives us ample time to repent. His discipline usually comes after our recurring acts of disobedience and His repeated warnings. After all, when it comes time to show obedience to our Heavenly Father – it can only strengthen our relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32).

The great news is that like my friend’s father – God is gracious. If we haven’t been living for Him, if we haven’t been following His commandments, if we’ve been living in and for the world – we can be transformed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can ask God for forgiveness, and He will give it. And He will choose to forget our sin, just like it never happened. “Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:9-11). If we have ever experienced the love of an earthly father who showed discipline in his life – we have indeed been fortunate. But what is even more precious is that all of God’s children can know a Heavenly Father who they will come to embrace more and more each day. All who do so will learn to recognize and regard Him as their true Commander-in-Chief, now and for all of eternity.

REFLECTION: Reflect on some examples of ways you practice self-discipline each day. In pursuit of your own spiritual and faith development, what aspects of your life do you consider in need of tougher discipline? What is your plan for making that happen? How can you be sure to include God in the process?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JUNE 23, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”  (James 4:14)

What happens when you bring together a New York City stockbroker and an Ohio physician with a common personal concern?  You end up with a solution. At least that’s what happened on June 10, 1935 when Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, two recovering alcoholics, came together to institute Alcoholics Anonymous. The co-founders had a chance meeting, and with each other’s help – they both achieved lasting sobriety. With other early members, they developed AA’s Twelve-Step program of spiritual and character development. The first step for a new member is to admit that they have a problem and are “powerless over alcohol.” Making this acknowledgement with others who share their addiction allows the individuals to draw strength from one another. Members of the strictly anonymous organization control their addictions through guided group discussion and confession, reliance on a “higher power,” and a gradual return to sobriety. While the program of treatment references God, members define that higher power in their own way. In that regard, both persons of faith and non-believers as well are welcomed. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There is an estimated membership of nearly two-million people.  Working the 12-step program requires commitment, and many people benefit from the use of a sponsor to help them through the process.

I once heard a story of a man who asked a pastor to pray over him, so that he would be freed from his drinking problem. Recognizing that the motivation of the man was only to achieve a quick and easy fix, he told the individual that he really needed to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, follow the outlined program, and become grounded in Biblical teaching. He reduced his advice to a few words – “Do the hard work.” In this day and age – it has become far too easy for many to expect an immediate fix to their problems. Certainly one might think that finding the right app, paying a fee-for service, or receiving a drive-thru prayer should do the trick and allow one to move on.  In scripture, we find Paul counseling his student Timothy to establish his life so that he could be a model for other believers. His words: “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12). If we would paraphrase Paul’s directive, it might sound something like this: ‘Timothy . . . pursue, fight, and hold tightly; in other words, work the program as you have been instructed.’

As one takes a closer look at the basics of the Alcoholics Anonymous program, you will find one remaining principle of importance. Each member refrains from the use of alcohol using the slogan, “one day at a time.” In doing so, their abstinence can be achieved successfully using a daily goal rather than becoming overwhelmed with all of tomorrows which lie ahead. That philosophy is in line with the teachings of Jesus who said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34). It’s good advice for any believer, as we should seize the opportunities and be grateful for the many blessings that God gives us each and every day. Cristy Lane reflects on this in the lyrics of her modern chorus:

One day at a time sweet Jesus; That’s all I’m asking from you.
Just give me the strength, to do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way . . . One day at a time.

For anyone with an addiction, the key to success is to trust in a higher power for the strength to say no to today’s temptation. For we who believe in God as that higher power, He reminds us to look to Him when the prospect of tomorrow seems too difficult to endure . . . and to simply do so one day at a time.

REFLECTION: What compulsions and obsessions do you face in your life that prevent you from making the most of each day?  How might you apply these words from Billy Graham in your daily faith walk: “Take one day at a time. Today, after all, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JUNE 16, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

TRUTH THAT WILL ULTIMATELY MATTER

“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” (Proverbs 11:9)

Corruption in the government at the highest level. Spies implanted in political campaigns of candidates by the FBI. Collusion with foreign governments in order to influence elections. These insinuations are all-too-familiar for those who have lived in America in the 21st century. However, if you go back several generations to the early 1950’s – you will find a man by the name of Joseph McCarthy, a senator from the state of Wisconsin. Senator McCarthy spent almost five years trying in vain to expose communists and other left-wing “loyalty risks” in the U.S. government. In the hyper-suspicious atmosphere of the Cold War, suggestions of disloyalty were enough to convince many Americans that their government was packed with traitors and spies. On June 2, 1954, he charged that communists had infiltrated the Central Intelligence Agency and the atomic weapons industry. Just weeks before, 36 days of televised investigative “McCarthy Hearings” were led by the Senator in which he displayed his bullying style and hysterical behavior. The character assassinations he imposed quickly turned off the audience. McCarthy was thoroughly disgraced when an attorney asked him whether he had any sense of “decency” at all.

Over time, McCarthyism has been used in modern political discussions as a reference to defamation of character by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations, frequented with unsubstantiated charges. In today’s society, it is common to observe daily examples of executed attempts to tarnish a person’s reputation. It may involve exaggeration, misleading half-truths, or manipulation of facts to present an untrue picture of the targeted person. Such conspiracy theory plotting is not new; in fact, it’s been around for centuries. People throughout history have speculated on hidden meanings and dared to jump at the potential of juicy secrets. Our society’s nonstop use of social media and obsession with round-the clock news outlets has created an outflow of instantaneous information from which it is difficult to escape. Unfortunately, when these things are unfounded – false narratives are unstoppable, and the reputations of innocent people are irreparably damaged. Frequently Christians have been the focus of these attacks, and even worse – they are sometimes the ones perpetuating them. This directly violates Scripture’s prohibition from bearing false witness against our neighbors (Exodus 20:16). It devalues the name of Christ, who is the essence of truth, and it inflicts pain upon the people involved.

The Bible tells us that the relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees was frequently marked by the practice of character assassination with Jesus as the main target. This group of religious intellectuals witnessed His works with envy and heard his instruction with resentment, because they recognized He threatened their position and prestige. Jesus responded by saying: “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach” (Matthew 23:2-3). In fear and hatred, they did all they could to falsify the point of his lessons, attempted to negatively paint His personal character, and began a plot to kill Him (Mark 3:6). David also felt the persecution of false witnesses but fortunately, he knew how to respond. As he prayed to his God, he said: “Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart” (Psalm 119:69).

The question must be asked how we separate ourselves from the character assassinations of this world. First and foremost, don’t repeat what you do not know to be true. If there appears to be a degree of accuracy, do as David did . . . listen to your heart and pray for those involved. Don’t become part of the rumor mill, and do not seek to discredit the accused. If you are the target of such allegations, follow this advice – “But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ” (1 Peter 3:16). Consider yourself blessed by the One who knows the truth that will ultimately matter.

REFLECTION: Take time to reexamine your social media interactions and sources for news and information. What habits do you need to consider changing in light of your relationship with Jesus? How can you set an example to not get caught up in hearsay about others that has no foundation of fact?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT. JUNE 9, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.