Who's in charge anyway?

Who's in charge anyway?

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

Yes, we all make plans. We make daily to-do lists. We plan out our weeks and weekends. Qe plan summer vacations. We have five -year plans and ten-year plans. How often do we consult God before making plans?

How many times have our plans gone sour? Ever wonder why? Lack of planning or lack of seeking God first? 

Maybe . . . if we stop asking God to bless our plans and seek His plans first, we can actually bless Him!

Who's in charge anyway?

El Roi

God sees it all! 

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)

Hagar thought she was abandoned with her son Ishmael. Abram (Abraham) did not obey God and wait for Sarai (Sarah) to become pregnant. Sarai offered her servant girl Hagar to him and she became pregnant. Then Sarah became angry and bitter! However, our merciful God took care of Hagar and promised to bless her. (Genesis 16:9-12) He saw and experienced her pain. (El Roi)

God then reminds Abraham of His covenant blessing with him and his wife Sarah yet would bless Ishmael (Hagar) also. (Genesis 17:19-22) 

God sees all we are going through. He knows our struggles. He wants our obedience however . . . especially when it seems so hard. That is when the biggest blessings flow! In our darkest places, God's Light and Love shine the brightest!

His process

Losing hair . . . losing sleep . . . losing health . . . stop worrying so much and trust God with His process!

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Luke 2:22-25)

Let's face it: one can worry himself to death these days. We stress over finances, politics, sports, family, our future, and finally our health. It is a fact . . . less stress brings better health. The evidence base linking faith to better health has been decades in the making and now encompasses thousands of studies.


Having faith, in our case in the living and true God, can actually lead to a healthier life! Maybe not longer life, since only God knows our length of days, but a healthier and more content life. Faith in God and His process is good for one's soul and body!


So stress less and trust His process more . . .

One day . . . .

One day it will all be better . . . no perfect!

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Revelation 21:22-24)

One day the world will be better. However, today is not the day! In the meantime, we have to be sure to shed as much of God's Light upon the situation as we are able. We, who carry the Light within us through the Holy Spirit, must be aware of the evil of darkness and counteract it within our families, churches, schools, and nation. 

We can no longer hide our Light under a basket, but let it shine from the mountain tops! We are running out of time! One day may be too late. Shine for Jesus today!

This little light of mine . . . I'm 'gonna let it shine! What about you?

Who do we say we are?

If we say we follow Christ, then who do we say we are?

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Paul instructs us that we are the "temple of God (the Holy Spirit)". If truly a follower of Christ, saved by His Blood, then His Spirit lives within us . . . right? Then who are we?

In Exodus 3:14, God tells Moses that "I Am" sends him to Pharaoh. God says "I Am when describing Himself. Jesus told the Jewish leaders, "before Abraham was, I Am!"(John 8:58) Jesus knew Who He is. 

So I ask, if we are saved followers of Jesus Christ, who do we say we are? Better yet, who do others say we are?

Who do I think I am fooling?

 Where can I hide? Who do I think I am fooling?

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:1-7)

Ever think God cannot see you? Ever feel like God will never find out? Who are we fooling? 

Read the psalmist David's words again. God is everywhere and knows everything about everyone! Guess what? He still loves us!

Let's come clean and be honest with God. It will lead to a more peaceful and enjoyable life!

Father knows best

Father knows best.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Trusting God as a parent is tough. We want to do all we can to assure our kids' futures, yet we can't really do much on our own. God has the final say. Many times we simply get in God's way. The more we try to provide, protect and prepare our kids, the more we can frustrate what God has in mind. 

Remember how Jacob favored Joseph? (Genesis 37:3-4) How did that work out? God really had to work in that situation!

I am learning to let God be God. The one who I think needs me more, really needs more of God. That is not to say we do not still parent. We just have to give God room to work. Father knows best. 

Spiritual workouts

Could it be such a thing as a spiritual workout? 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (JAMES 4:7-8)

James reminds us to resist the devil and he will get out of our way. This seems to require some effort on or part . . . and practice! Resist is defined as withstanding or refraining from something. Again . . . effort!

As with any exercise or effort, the more we perform the exercise the stronger and more comfortable we will become when doing it. So . . . may I suggest that we begin or continue our spiritual workouts (efforts) or resistance on a daily basis?


The more we do it, the better we will become at resisting the devil and drawing closer to the Lord. Just do it!!!!

Reputation is important, but integrity last forever

Reputation is important, but integrity lasts forever.

But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to his cross. They don’t want these things anymore.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become proud. Let us not make each other angry. Let us not want what belongs to others. (Galatians 5:22-26 NIrV)

Let me explain . .  .

What people think about us . . . our reputation . . . is indeed important. We can be know to be punctual. We can be known as trustworthy. We can be known as kind, giving, and friendly. Yet it only takes one harsh word or a misunderstood text, email, or an on-line post, and our reputation is tarnished . . . perhaps for good.

Yet God knows who we really are. He knows who we are when we are home alone and when we are in public. He knows how we act in church and how we act at work. What God knows about us in our integrity! People may not like us because we do not curse. hey may give us the side eye when we talk about God and His work within our lives and others'. They may even shun us and speak ill of us when we are not present. Our reputation may not be so good with people, yet with God we are in good standing . . . for eternity!

How is your reputation compared to your integrity today? While we do all we can to be friendly and help others, there are some things we just cannot do as CHRISTians and some things we cannot do without! We cannot love God and the world!

What God knows matters!

God is good . . . even the God of adversity

 God is good . . . all the time . . . right? What about when He is the God of adversity . . . when things do not go your way for a while . . . especially when He has been so good for so long?

What do you prefer: 

• a sunny beach vacation or a week of thunderstorms and being stuck indoors?
• an intimate four corse meal with a loved one or day-old burned burgers and dogs from the grill?
• a calm, sweet, cohesive classroom environment or one of chaos and mischief?
• things going as planned or everything hitting the fan at once?

Whatever is going on, God is still God!How we handle things however, let's others know, especially our students and families. 

God is good . . .Over the past year and a half, God has been real good to my family and me . . . real good (house sale, move, car, etc)!  

But then He allowed some adversity . . . 

• Planned (delayed by covid) anniversary trip to Italy cancelled (passports and $$$$)
• Wife's injury lasting waaay too long for me
• Planned week at Myrtle Beach (substitute for Italy!)cancelled due to scheduling.
• Yet in the end, we were able to have a neighborhood VBS in our yard with some neighborhood kids as we had planned!

The God of adversity is still good!

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1)

This past year and a half my wife and I have learned to deal with ups and downs. We did not always handle things right the first time. We feel as though we got in God's way. We have come to understand that He knows what is best for us He will always have His way if we simply get out of His way!

We will have our ups and downs at home and in the classroom this year. 

• Family members will get sick
• Lesson plans will be torn up
• Fire drills will happen
• Our best plans may never come to fruition . . .

Yet God is still God . . . even the God of adversity!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:1-6)

So plan your days but expect adversity. 

How we handle things reflects the God we serve!

Summer 2023: Do not forget . . .

Do not forget His name!

As I close out summer and head back to school, I am reminded that God cares for me . . . and you!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

No matter what the day may bring or the circumstances in which we find ourselves, God is still God! In the middle of chaos, mention His name quietly. It doesn't have to be a long drawn out prayer or time in a closet. Just the mention of His name whispered within one's heart can calm a raging fire.

Later, when things calm down, then we can have that long conversation with Him. Just do not ever forget to mention His name. . . . all throughout the day! 

God is present and He cares about everything and everyone . . . even you and me!

Summer 2023 . . . beware!

Caution Ahead . . .

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit . . . (Ephesians 5: 15-18)

I often read these words without really defining the words. However, today I have looked them up! To walk circumspectly is to live with some caution, to be discreet, somewhat guarded and careful. Redeeming (rescuing, buying back) the time calls us a believers to buy back these evil days for Christ. We can indeed win the day for the Kingdom if we walk cautiously, guarded, and looking for opportunities to share Christ, wherever we find ourselves.

God's will is that no one be lost . . . . destined to eternal hell. (2 Peter 3:9) As we come to fully understand that, we realize that when we know someone is lost, we should seek them for salvation as Christ did. (Luke 19:10)

Nothing should control our decisions more than the Holy Spirit of God! Nothing should should slur our speech (not beer, wine nor the company we keep). Now I know we are not to be drunk with alcohol, but being in the constant company of unsavory folks can begin to control us. (Psalm 1:1-2) 

So to sum it all up, we as ambassadors of Christ have to be constantly be aware of how we live, where we go, and why we are here on the earth. Bottom line: we are here to glorify God and to do His will!

Summer 2023. . . . from heaven to heart

The God of heaven . . . Creator God . . . from deep within the Throne Room of heaven actually speaks deep to within our hearts individually. This is a privilege we cannot take for granted. Through Jesus, God reached down to have a relationship with us. We are now allowed in His presence to connect from heaven to heart!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. (Psalm 95:1-5)

Jesus purchased this privilege with His blood. Our position in His Kingdom is a gift . . . directly from God. We need to walk in it wearing our royal garments so others can clearly see Him in us and around us! We then bring heaven down to earth! We are to connect others to Christ as He connected us to God!

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (1 Corinthians 5: 16-20)

Summer 2023 . . . Waiting for God to answer

Waiting for God to answer, or to move, is not easy! We can get in His way. We can even get in or own way! How do we be still in such a rush rush world? Everyone, even you and me, want our way now. 

Well, the psalmist David discovered that God is not in a hurry:

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . . (Psalm 37:3-7)

Ahhhh, be still and wait patiently. How hard this is for me.! What about you? It has been a while since I have felt really engaged with the Lord and what He wants for me and from me. Oh, I have been working, worshipping, tithing, praying, teaching, etc, but was it what God desired? 

Praying . . . searching . . . pleading . . .

I think I got it now . . . after about a year of redirecting and waiting patiently . . . well at least waiting!

Summer 2023....trusting the road ahead

Why do we fear the road ahead? Why are we hesitant to go around the corner? If we follow closely with the Holy Spirit as our Guide, we will find the journey not only safe, but rewarding. Even the bumps in the road can be rewarding! We will never know His plans for us if we keep following our own. Even when Paul was in prison, he found opportunity to walk with the Lord and be fruitful!

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Like the disciples, at times we feel lost and going no where fast. However, they asked Jesus for direction! He had a simple answer: Follow Me!

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:5-7)

Nothing is coming up that God hasn't already seen and handled. Let's walk with Him today! Trust the road ahead . . .His road!

Summer 2023 . . . talking too much?

Oh how we all love to talk. If you are like most (and me included!), you cannot wait for someone to stop talking to respond with your opinion. I am working on that! We all value out own opinion, many times more than the opinions of others. How many times do we talk too soon and often too much?

As we read from Old Testament scriptures, the tongue can be very encouraging, but also very deadly!

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12: 17-19)

Jesus' brother James has some sage advice coming from one who was very close to the Word Himself . . . maybe he learned from experience to listen to Jesus more!

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1: 19-20)

The apostle Paul gives us this advice as unwholesome talk can actually grieve God the Holy Spirit as well as damage the people around us. Gossip, rumor spreading, on-line chats, tweets, social media responses, coarse joking and "joning" on people can all lead to damaged character and sin.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:29-30)

My pastor is quick to remind us that we have a natural cage around our tongues . . . teeth! Keep that tongue guarded! Practice prayer before speaking!!!!

Summer 2023....think of what our time with God does for Him!

Got a minute?

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalm 21:6)

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)

I believe most of realize that our time with God brings us peace and calmness while living in an unstable world. However, do we ever think of what our time with God does for Him?

As parents of young adults, we simply cherish the times our kids spend time with us . . . nothing special, just time to chat, spend time in a backyard b-b-q, or sitting on the porch sipping a cool drink on a hot summer evening. I know we enjoy it more than they do. They may see it as a chore, but we are blessed within our hearts. Those visits are indeed cherished. Their time with us is precious.

So in relating to God, many times our time with Him may seem forced or even a daily chore, yet when we do God is pleased. When we ignore Him, He is hurt for sure, as we are when our kids are too busy to stop by the house.

So let's bless God today with a genuine visit . . . even if we have to make ourselves do it! Think of what our time with God does for Him!

Summer 2023....idle time/alone time

Is summer all it is cracked up to be?

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession or us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. . . . As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 26-27, 36-39)

Summer time is supposed to be a time of fun, excitement, travel, and rest. However, many find it challenging. Some are not able to travel as they would like. Others may feel rather alone, not seeing classmates, co-workers, or family as they do in the normal routines of the non-summer months. Yet others face emotions of envy and jealousy seeing others travel to exotic lands, recall their fun-filled cruise excursions, or discuss their days or weeks on the beach.

For many, summer is simply not as much fun or restful as others may think. People may become frustrated, alone, and rather invisible during the summer. They may slip into a state of recluse and hide within the shadows as others enjoy the times of rest and relaxation. I know! As a teacher/mentor/coach, I have summers free. Yet free to do what? I find myself idle and feeling alone many times, even though family is around and friends visit. I tend to cover up my feelings inside with outward learned social skills. Is that you at times too?

God knows these emotions. He knows our hearts and His Spirit pleads for us (Romans 8:26-27). Know that we are never alone . . . especially when we have feelings of aloneness. (Romans 8:36-39)

We all must know that God truly cares. This is why I pursue others to know the God I know. His care gets me through the toughest of days! Let Him in today . . .