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 . . .

Summer 2023....a short break from the norm . . . rest a while!

 Everybody needs a break from the norm. Some are blessed and privileged to take weeks or months at a time while some of us take advantage of the short respites . . . a day trip or a weekend get away. Either way, breaks from the norm are needed for good mental and spiritual health as well as physical health. Many times the breaks are not just a time to rest and relax, but to restart or jump-start our failed or forgotten physical routines.

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32)

The disciples had been sent out by Jesus to share the Good News and were weary. They had heard of John the Baptist's murder by Herod. They were tired, hurt and in need of rest. Jesus saw of their need to rest. It would come to be a short rest though, as the people followed them as they departed. They would again assist Jesus is ministering to those in need.

So take the time to rest . . . even if just a quiet evening on the porch! Take a short break from the norm . . . rest a while!

Summer '23...It's been a while...

 Yes, it's been a while since I last entered a blog. God has been good providing some summer work. He is providing for our needs. 

Yet there are some folks close to us going through some things we do not quite understand. As we pray, like the farmer, we trust God with the process.

Mark 4:26-29 NIV

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man
scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.