Slay The Giant

We  all have hallenges. We have our own battles to fight. Our giants may not look the same but they are intimidating. No matter what the giant is or how big a shadow that giant casts no giant is bigger than God. Not cancer. Not death. Not depression. Not finances. Not the competition. No giant is bigger than God.

David slew Goliath. David faced overwhelming odds. Underdog David had no chance to win on paper but he did take that into account. He went in name of the Lord, the strength of the Lord and for the glory of the Lord. DAVID SLEW THE GIANT.

It is time for you to do the same. Face your giant. Run to the battle in the strength and confidence of the Lord. Trust God for the results and slay the giant.

When the people of God slay giants God's name is magnified and God gives His people a bigger platform to testify. SLAY THE GIANT AND BRAG ON GOD.

It's Almost Time

The passage has been selected. The word studies have been done and the truths extracted and put on paper. Prayers have been offered for insight and delivery. Now I wait. I wait somewhat impatiently for the next two hours to pass before I will gather to do what I delight to do so much. Teach and preach God's word.

Our Faith family is currently working our way through the book of II Samuel. We spent nearly nine months previously studying the book of I Samuel. I love the challenge of studying verse by verse. God's Word covers such a wide range of topics. It amazes me how timely and applicable the Scriptures are to daily life.

Most of the times I study certain truths make me think of certain people. That happened again this morning. Now I wait eagerly to get to share these truths with the folks who will come. It does not get old. After all these years I still love it. I love the studying. I love the actual teaching and preaching. I love the experience when God's people come into contact with God's Word and God touches their lives. That never gets old. It is one of the reasons I love what God has called and enabled me to do so much.

Some preachers begrudge the fact they have to prepare two or more sermons a week. I jokingly say that sometimes studying for a sermon is like writing a research paper every week. Pastors have to love book work even if their books are now on a computer. Lazy preaches can exit right here because I mentioned the word work. Studying is work. Not work in the sense of contracting a home, building a road, or working at the factory. It is still work.

Bible saturated expository messages do not just happen. Prayers have to be made. Word studies have to be done. Context has to be taken into consideration. Commentaries are often consulted. Research has to be done. I thank God it is work He put in my heart to love to do. I have often written about my love of reading and my love of words.

Yes, preachers can get tired and some sermons will be better than others. Yet the love of study and the passion to share Bible truths should permeate every preacher. I sit here counting down the minutes until I drive to the church and sit behind my music stand to teach life changing eternal truths. I have been doing this for close to 30 years and it still excites me today as much as it ever did.

I wish the people who attended Bible studies in churches all over the nation had such excitement to come learn and hear from the Lord. I wish they came to the church house prayerfully excited about studying God's word. It saddens me that there are so many distractions. There are distractions tonight. Game 2 of the World Series will be played tonight. The second night of the new NBA season starts tonight and several marquee teams are playing their first game on television. The Republic Presidential debate also is tonight. Some of these things are more tantalizing than a Bible study. Not for me.

So I wait. Now an hour and a half before I get to teach. It's almost time and I cannot wait.

A Little Good News

Lord we all need a little good news,
The world leaves us feeling abused,
Bad news abounds everywhere we look,
But there 's good news in Your Holy Book,
We are assured You reign on the throne,
You watch over and care for Your own,
You are a present help and our refuge,
In the storms of life when they deluge,
You are powerful  as our burden lifter,
Helping when Satan attacks as sifter,
Even though temptations are abounding,
Your presence never quits surrounding,
Thank You for speaking some good news,
When we immerse ourselves in Your truths.

A Love Born Of God

Love does not seem to mean what it used to. People say they love all the time but love is deeper than some emotion. It is deeper than a feeling. Love goes to the heart and to the will. Love is more work and sacrifice than gushy feelings. People say they love and yet divorce. They say they love but give up family and friends in the tough times. Employers say they love their employees until tough economic times come.

There was a time when love could  keep a man and woman bound together through thick and thin. Love stirred many people to follow the call of God to some distant shore as a missionary. Love has bonded the hearts of teammates. Love has often moved leaders to think of the well being of the masses and prompted them to public office.  Love spawns admiration and gratitude from a child to a parent.

While all these forms of love are good, it is not what is on my mind today. Today I am thinking of a different kind of love. A love so deep it can only be born of God. It is a supernatural kind of love. A love manifesting itself in sacrifice and service. It is a love so supernatural it can demand tough love at one moment and tender affection in the next.

It is the only kind of love known of a pastor for his flock. O, I know. There are plenty of preachers who abuse and use people for selfish agendas. These are not pastors. I know there are scoundrels in the pulpits these days manipulating congregations and greedily padding their pockets with the good tithes and offerings of hard working church members. Such so called men of the cloth use people for selfish gains. They do not love the people they serve.

How many flocks have been wounded by preachers coming in like a tornado ripping the congregation apart and then moving on to the next church. Over time such churches become untrusting and protective. As the years pass they lump all preachers together and can run off the good ones with the bad ones.

It is a blessed thing when a pastor and a flock connect. The only love I know that surpasses it is the love between a husband and his wife. The love of a pastor for his flock and a flock for their pastor is like a wedded kind of love. It is a supernatural kind of love.

It took me a long time to learn this. Just because a church calls a new preacher does not mean that preacher is their pastor. It takes time to become a true pastor. You have go through some hard times together, minister to people in times of crisis and tragedy and grieve with them in times of sorrow. You have to fearlessly preach God's word behind the pulpit and tenderly hold the member's hands in the hospitals and funeral homes. A preacher earns the right to become a shepherd to his flock. When this happens a supernatural love that only be born of God transpires.

It is a pure, holy, and enduring love. When a church knows they have such a pastor they will trust his leadership. They know that pastor will lead in such a way that he only has the congregation's best interest at heart.

Only a pastor can know of what I write today. I do think others can experience something supernatural. It might be a Sunday School teacher for her class or a music minister for a choir. A love born of God can develop between men and women in a fellowship group.

O, but there is something downright supernatural that happens when God weds the heart of a pastor to a flock and the hearts of the flock to a pastor. It is love that can only be born of God.

Restless In Runaway Bay

I went to bed last night at 8:30 p.m. I kept drifting off to sleep in my recliner and decided I need not fight it any longer. As I laid my head on the pillow I thought to myself, "If you go to bed this early you will not sleep through the entire night. You will get up early." 

True to form I slept four hours and then awoke. At some point I will go back to bed to get a few more hours of sleep but now I am wide awake. The creative juices are flowing and so I write.

Proverbs 20:13 (NASB)
¹³  Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food. 


Some people love sleep. They can sleep for ten or twelve hours at a time. I hear of teens sleeping until the late hours of the afternoon because they stayed up all night not doing anything productive. I hold to the old adage, early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise. 

I think one of the reasons God created sleep is to remind all of us we are not God. Our mental, physical, and emotional capacities are limited. We all have to sleep to recharge. Sleep seems like such a waste of time. There is so much work to be done but we all have to rest. We all have to recharge to carry out our duties.

You can go to either extreme. Some sleep too little. They push and push their bodies to the extreme and eventually they break down. This is not wise or healthy. As I mentioned earlier some people love sleep and sleep too much. That is not wise or healthy either. There has to be a balance.

Some need more sleep than others. I have a good friend who regularly functions on four hours of sleep a night or less. It is not uncommon for him to be at his office working by 4:00 a.m. He regularly puts in twelve hours at work daily. I do not found bound to follow his example. That is how God made him.

On the other hand, others need more sleep. They do not function optimally without six to eight hours of sleep a night. They need not feel guilty. They should adjust their schedules so they can get the proper rest they need to perform at the highest levels the following day.

Some people are restless. I have learned over the years this can be valuable time spent if the time is invested wisely. How much praying can be done during restless hours? How much intercession can be done for others while you are restless? I am convinced that is at least part of the root cause for restlessness in my life. That is God's way of beckoning me to meet with Him and to pray for my nation and others. I have also studied for sermons during restless times as well as to write. I once wrote an entire book during a three day restless spell.

 Ephesians 5:16 (NASB) 
¹⁶  making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 

I heard it said that each day is a gift from God and what we do with that day is our gift back to God. How do we make the most of our time or get the most out of our days? How can I use restless times to be productive? That is the question foremost on my mind as I write this morning.

I keep this thought in my mind. One day my head will hit the pillow for the last time. I will either die in my sleep or be called home during the day. At that point I will never sleep again but wake up in eternity. When that day comes I will present before Christ a body of work that represents what I did with my life. I do not think on that day I will wish I had slept more. I can't see my excuse before Jesus being I needed more sleep.

I suspect on that day I will wish I had done more. Prayed more. Studied more. Witnessed more. Written more. Read my Bible more. Worked longer and harder. On that day I will want to have made the most of my time. 

I am not advocating workaholism. I am exhorting all of us to use the time we have to be productive. If that includes times of restlessness then let us make the most of that time. 

The fiery evangelist and author, Leonard Ravenhill, seldom slept through an entire night. He went to bed early and then rose to pray in the wee hours of the morning. Often he went back to sleep for a couple of hours before starting the day. Many times he spent the entire night in prayer. I admire that example. Ravenhill inspires me during my restless nights. 

I also think of that old pastor and author, A.W. Tower. He wrote the book The Pursuit Of God while on an all night train trip. He wrote all night by hand if my memory serves me correctly. During that restless night God gave the world the gift of a classic book that has ministered to hundreds of thousands of people. 

Make the most out of your restless nights. Use that time to draw near to God. Keep watch on the walls of your home and community as an intercessor during restless seasons. Standing before Christ on the last day I don't think you will regret it. 

Redeemed

It has been 32 years since Jesus You found me and redeemed,
Revealing Your grace and love to a young man You esteemed,
You sent a gospel messenger with the truth of amazing grace,
My life redeemed and all my sins past, present, future erased,
Your story of sacrifice on the cross to purchase my salvation,
Transformed my life changing the old making a new creation,
What can I say, but praise Your name Jesus to whom I owe all,
I can't wait to see You in Heaven when on my face I will fall,
I 'll praise and worship You my Savior, Redeemer and my King,
You are my all in all, joy, abundant life, You're my everything.

Do You Want To Make A Difference?

Do you really want to make a difference? Do you want to use your days to do something significant? Many people say that but wonder how. I want to give you a fool proof way for your life to count for something and to have an impact that reaches further than you can imagine. It all started with a conversation I had yesterday.

A successful businessman stopped by my office. We talked mainly about what God is doing in our lives. What a refreshing conversation. Near the end he said something that grabbed my attention. He told me he and his wife have been saved for 38 years. He recently called the pastor who led them to faith in Christ. That pastor now serves in another state. He called that pastor to tell him that his faithful ministry not only impacted the businessman and his wife but also two generations after them in their children and grandchildren. God used that pastor to impact three generations for all eternity.

If you really want to make a difference in this world share the gospel with lost people. Tell them about the hope and salvation available through Jesus Christ. A youth minister named Eli Bernard did that for me back in 1983 in Lufkin, TX. His faithful witness for Christ impacted not only my life but also my four boys as well.

I wonder if Eli ever wonders if his life made any difference. Over the years I lost contact with Eli. The last I heard he resided in Colorado. His life made a difference for me that will last through eternity. All because Eli had a burden and boldly shared the greatest truth in the world with an insecure, broken and angry teenager.

Think about that. When God uses us to share the gospel with people, and they respond and get saved, that ministry has the potential to impact multiple generations. MULTIPLE GENERATIONS. Wow.

Paul wrote, Romans 1:14-16 (NASB) 
¹⁴  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
¹⁵  So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
¹⁶  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  

Are we eager to share the gospel? Do we have a burden for those who do not know Christ? The word eager in verse 15 means to be willing and ready. I think of Eli. He could have stayed home that Thursday night with his new bride. He didn't. He went out on a gospel hunt and in that football stadium put me in the crosshairs of his gospel gun. God primed me to hear that message. Jesus changed everything that night. 

In another part of the state of Texas an eighth grade girl made a commitment to get serious about her relationship with Christ and started praying for her future husband. Six years later she and I would meet on the campus of Howard Payne University. God blessed us with four boys all who have trusted Christ for salvation. Taylor, our oldest, called me last week to tell me God used him to lead two young men to Christ at FCA's Fields Of Faith. God used Tanner to lead a friend to Christ back in Seminole during a convert. God also used him to invite a friend named Darian to our church and on a youth retreat. Darian trusted Christ for salvation on a youth retreat at a bonfire a couple of years ago. Adrian preached last Wednesday for our youth group. Tucker recently testified before our whole church about the power of Christ to transform a life. Turner is very outspoken for Jesus and spoke for Him during a recent junior high pep rally. 

Over the years God has allowed me to preach the gospel at youth camps all over the nation, at youth rallies, youth retreats and in church revivals. He has also allowed me to preach that message as the pastor of five different churches.  God worked. God convicted. God opened hearts to the gospel and many have been saved. The gospel message keeps spreading. 

I think of the first person saved at Faith Community Church. His name is Tom. He trusted Christ on September 11, 2011. I recall that blessed day vividly. We have a picture of him getting baptized in the back of the warehouse where we meet for worship. He is more than my friend. He is my brother. I got to baptize his children and step children. in the days that followed.  Now his father in law and mother in law attend our church too. Tom and hjs wife Pam helps with our student ministry. Amazing stuff. 

So I ask you again, do you really want to make a difference with your life. Share the gospel. Tell people about Jesus. Let God use you to change generations for eternity. That makes a difference. 

Your Boys Are Lucky

She and I talked in the weight room in between sets. She is a tremendous athlete. She excels at all she does. Her comment surprised me. She said, "You are hard on your boys but your boys are lucky. You care. You support them. My parents never come watch me do anything. I do what I do for my team and my coaches."

I assured her when I see her compete I will support her and even pray for her during competition in the future. Her words lingered long after she left. "Your boys are lucky. You care and you support them." That is very important to Brenda and I. We want to be there cheering on our boys whether they succeed or fail.

It breaks my heart that young athletes compete their hearts out with nobody there to watch them. I remember some little league games I played when my mother had to work and nobody watched me play. I felt all alone especially after the game when other parents hugged their boys and patted them on the back. I stood aside awkwardly waiting for someone to come pick me up or to catch a ride home with a teammate.

Let me state this up front. I know there are parents who go too far. They are over the top. They pay for special coaching, kiss up to coaches, and pour on the praise. They never offer constructive criticism. I do not advocate this. Nor do I support overly critical parents who never praise their kids. They constantly tear their children down breaking their spirit.

Two things we have sought to do with our boys is to tell them we love them and to tell them we are proud of them whether they succeed or fail. We have seen them on both sides of the competition winning some and losing some.

I assured that girl that I will sit in the stands and support her. I got the impression that her parents love her but do not care about her competition.

My boys would not think they are lucky. We run a tight ship in the Edwards home. There is little tolerance for foolishness. We do not demand perfection but we do strive for excellence and obedience to God. This has led to many family talks when things were getting off kilter. There have also been numerous times when I had to apologize to the boys when I did things wrong or came down on them too harshly.

How many students have no one to support them. That is why I continue to go to the weight room at the high school for many of my workouts. God gives me the opportunity to love on students and speak truth to them. When she performs on her athletic stage I will support her. I will cheer for her. I will look for her after the event to pat her on the back. That girl needs to know she is supported and cared for.

Yes, my boys are lucky but with God's help so will this young lady be and other young men and women just like her. God is a more perfect loving Father for her, my boys, you, and me as well. He is a Father who cheers our successes and comforts us in our failures. He is always available. He is always watching. He is always supporting His children. All the redeemed are lucky. No, I don't like that word. We are more than lucky. We are blessed. Blessed to be loved by a perfectly patient Heavenly Father.

They Turn And Walk Away

I learn so much from talking to people. In two separate conversations recently I heard the same thing. Both people have suffered. Their sufferings have taken on different forms but the sufferings are both public knowledge. Both people told me that people will see them coming and turn to walk the other way to avoid having to speak to them.

One even told me about receiving text messages from a so called concerned person, but if the two of them run into each other face to face the texter turns and walks away. Is that what caring looks like? Are we so callused as a society we only care behind the safety of our cell phones through social media.

I could not believe what they told me. I asked why. One of them commented that maybe people just do not know what to say and so they avoid being in that uncomfortable situation. This is happening to Christians by other Christians. Are you kidding me?

Why would people turn away from those suffering in need? How many suffering people walk through life alone because people turn and walk the other way? That does not reflect Jesus Christ.

For all our supposed connectedness as a society through social media, how can we ignore and blatantly reject people who are hurting, lonely, and keep them at arm's length. It is woeful sin!

Jesus walked toward hurting people. Jesus walked toward those suffering. Jesus walked toward sinners. He did not insulate Himself with upwardly mobile successful people all the time. Jesus walked toward the grieving. He walked toward the downtrodden. He walked toward the outcasts. He walked toward the brokenhearted.

If you are guilty of turning and walking away from the needy NOW  is the time to REPENT! The church should be stumbling over ourselves as we walk toward the suffering around us. If we are not doing this we are giving only lip service to being followers of Jesus. Jesus did not turn and walk away from people who needed Him most. We must follow His example.

Does Anyone Care

I sat on the couch in her living room listening intently to her words of wisdom. She sat in her chair with no hair and a little knitted hat on her head. She is battling cancer. Her battle has been long and often lonely. Her words penetrated my heart. She commented, "I have been on both sides. I have often been the one who felt the nudging of God to visit, call, or send a card to someone suffering. I did not know what to say so I did not do anything. Now I sit here and nobody calls or comes to visit. You start to wonder if anyone cares. This can lead to deep depression."

I took her every word. I felt shamed for it had been several weeks since I had last visited her. She did not hold a grudge. She did not cast stones in my direction. She did not have to. The Holy Spirit had already begun working. Many faces flashed across my mind. Hurting and lonely people. Some I failed. How many did I let down as they wondered if anyone cared.

Does the church really care about people. Are they worth more than a tally mark on an attendance board or sheet? Are they worth more than a dollar amount on their giving record? Do people really matter? A more pertinent question is do all people matter? Popular people get special attention in times of suffering but obscure people are often easily forgotten. That was not the pattern Jesus modeled in ministry. He ministered to the rich as well as the poor. He touched the outcasts as well as the included. Jesus cared and still cares about people.

John 13:35 (NASB)
³⁵  "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 


1 Corinthians 12:26 (NASB)
²⁶  And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.




Love for people and compassion should characterize the Christian church. If this is true why do so many people fall through the cracks. Why do so many people wonder if anyone cares about their well being.

This happens with adults, teens and children. If any group of people should care shouldn't it be the church. How many members think the staff get paid to care. The staff is supposed to visit the suffering people. Caring is the professional ministers job. Churches can become cold compassionless communities. They are supposed to be extended families and caring communities.

While lifting weights today, I saw a student with tears in her eyes. I do not know her. I have seen her around but never had a conversation with her. As she sat misty eyed I asked her if everything was okay. She tried to hide the truth and said yes while wiping her eyes. I looked her in the eyes and told her I did not believe her. Our conversation ended there as she left.  Afterwards I talked with her sister. I actually got to speak some words of ministry to her sister and encouragement. I will blog about our conversation later.

You have the God ordained capacity to care about people. You have the Holy Spirit inside you and He produces love in your heart. God has given you the capacity to care. All you have to do is release God's love on those around you.

The God who cares is the God who resides in you and gives you the capacity to care. Release that care and compassion on those around you. Make the visit. Pick up the phone and dial the number. Send a text. Write a letter or a card. Show them you care.

Word Of God Speak

Hearing from God fascinates me. I have been reading in I Kings this morning and am struck by how the Lord spoke to prophets and through prophets. God gave them insight into the times they lived and daily instruction.

These prophets did not have the luxury of God's Word but they were still able to hear from God. Now that we have access to the holy scriptures what excuse can we make for not hearing the word of the Lord.? Could it be that we do not read the Bible or meditate on the truth found there habitually?

While we have unprecedented access to God's Word I wonder how many take advantage of it. We have multiple translations. You can read the Bible in the Old King James as well as contemporary English and almost every other language in the world. There are electronic Bibles and Bible apps for smart phones. They have one year Bibles organized for devotional readings. Some even have the Bible on cd or their iPod where somebody reads the scriptures. A person could actually drive down the road and listen to the scriptures. Through these technologies we have unprecedented access to God's Word.

This does not even take into account available religious broadcasting on television, radio, or the internet. If we are not hearing from the Lord clearly and consistently is it because we do not sit with open Bible and read prayerfully and thoughtfully. No generation has ever had such access to hear God speak as we do.

I have many spiritual heroes from days gone by. Nobody inspires me to read my Bible more than the old prayer warrior and man of faith George Mueller. He read his Bible through from Genesis to Revelation 100 times. Not content to stop there, before he died he read the Bible through another 100 times while kneeling each time he read. After reading through the sacred scriptures 200 times in his lifetime it is no wonder God strengthened his faith and used him so powerfully.

While none of us is a George Mueller we can still make scripture reading and meditation a normal part of our lives. In this way I am convinced we will hear from God over and over again. God will use His word to instruct us, guide us, comfort us, exhort us, rebuke us, convict us, inspire us, call us, and move us.

The greatest thing He does is to reveal Himself to us. He does that through the gospel message for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. To His children He does that so we might know Him and make Him known to others.

Go ahead. Pull that Bible off the shelf or night stand. Open that Bible app and start reading slowly and systematically. Make it a life long habit like George Mueller and you too will hear the Lord speak to you regularly.

The music group Mercy Me wrote a popular song a few years ago titled, "Word Of God Speak." That should be the prayer and expectation of every child of God. Lord, please speak to us through Your Word. We want to hear fresh words fromYou. In Jesus' name, amen.

Praise The Team

I want to take a moment and praise the Faith Community Church team. They are a hardworking bunch of people. I catch them serving in the community, serving in the nursery, children's church, among our student ministry, cooking meals for school sponsored events, along with other things.

Many pastors complain about how the people in their church will not work. Our people work a lot. Not only do they work but they do so joyfully. It makes me proud to serve as their pastor. It seems wherever I look up somebody from our church is serving in some capacity at church and in the community.

I want to praise the team. They are the backbone of Faith Community Church. I may stand on the stage each Sunday but they are the ones who make the dream work. They are creative team players without any agendas. They sacrifice not only their time but also their finances. They are worker bees who deflect praise to others neither wanting nor needing special recognition.

My hat goes off to Faith Community Church. They take meeting in a warehouse, not having a worship minister, not having a youth pastor, and not having a children's minister all in stride. They are adapt at moving chairs as we use our limited space for multi-purposes. We have tried new things and succeeded and tried a few things and failed. These people keep getting back up and trying again. Thank you Faith Community Church for giving God and this community your best.

Reframed

Jesus I was not well when I awoke yesterday morning,
A sorrowed grieving heart deeply entrenched in mourning,
For those I love, shepherd, and walk with side by side,
My sorrow became evident to all - nowhere to hide,
I retreated into my own mind shutting everyone else out,
In those moments faith gave way to many lingering doubts,
But his morning You brought the long needed breakthrough,
Giving me the healing soothing balm of Your word to renew,
My broken heart deeply touched and once again made whole,
Healing my heart, spirit, permeating every crevice of my soul,
Gone is grief, sorrow, disappointment, and the crushing despair,
You restored joy, peace, hope, and faith badly in need of repair,
Today is a new day, a day You created, planned and ordained,
A day to live joyfully a day of hope where everything is reframed.

Being There For The Brokenhearted

Some say the eyes are a window to a person's soul and a person's face paints a portrait of the heart. Admittedly, some people are stoic and you never know what they are thinking or feeling on the inside.

Many times we mindlessly greet people with the question, "How are you today?" Do we really care? Do we stop long enough to deeply look into the eyes of others to see how they are really doing?

If you pass a person wiping tears from their eyes that is pretty good indication they are upset about something. The easy thing is to keep on going and to ignore the situation. It takes courage to enter into other people's pain. Isn't that exactly what Jesus did over and over again.

Jesus entered into other's pains when they sinned, were mistreated, brokenhearted, overwhelmed, grieved, judged, condemned, and without hope. Are Christians not called to do the same thing.

Everyday there are people broken. These are not whole. They live with broken, wounded, sorrowful, shattered, and crushed hearts. The reasons are varied. They live with an emotional limp without hope and joy. Who cares? Who listens? Who gives a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on? Who offers any hope for better days and for wholeness?

You may come across these people at a cafe, a ball game, work, school, or even sitting in church. Hurting and broken people are everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

Ps 34:18 is some of the best medicine I know to give broken and hurting people. Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

There are countless brokenhearted people who need the reassurance God has not left them or forsaken them. These walking wounded need God's deliverance and for you and I to be representatives of Christ to them offering love, healing, and hope.

As you go through your day look into people's eyes and check out the portrait on their faces. When the need arises enter into their pain with the love and ministry of Jesus. Maybe it will mean nothing more than a listening ear, a word of comfort, a quick prayer, or a short text for encouragement. Maybe it will require you to walk with them over the long haul. You never know the difference it might make.

Battle The Flesh

If you are a Christian, then you know all too well the battle of the flesh against submission to the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 (NASB) 
¹⁶  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
¹⁷  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

The flesh is a formidable foe. There will be battles against the flesh as long as you live. Some are small and appear insignificant. Others are larger and have greater implications. For example, you are in bed and the alarm goes off. You have a choice. If you get up you will have time for prayer and Bible reading and meditation. If you choose to sleep in a little longer you can rest but will not have time for devotions. This decision appears insignificant but if repeated over time can have deeper consequences. The flesh fights against you getting up for that devotion. This is just a small example. 

As Paul wrote it in Galatians, the flesh set its desire against the Spirit. Think about that this way. Every single thing the Holy Spirit purposes do in your life, through your life, and for your life, the flesh opposes and resists with vigor. Every desire of the flesh is in opposition to every desire of the Holy Spirit. Every single one. 

On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is constantly working to oppose the flesh. We are caught in this great tug of war for our souls. There are days when we are more in submission to the Holy Spirit and we resist the flesh and win victories. There are also other days when our flesh wins and we yield to temptation and live in defeat. 

Do we really think about this day in and day out. Paul writes we are to "walk by the Spirit." If I interpret that rightly every day we are to walk in submission to and empowered by the Holy Spirit. If we do this Paul continues, "We will not carry on the desires of the flesh." The key to living victoriously is to walk by the Spirit. 

What does that look like practically. On the ground where you live and work how does walking by the Holy Spirit even happen. From the moment you awake until you go back to bed you are in a battle. Decisions you make daily, hourly, and even minute by minute will determine whether the flesh or the Holy Spirit rules. 

As I wrote earlier the flesh is a formidable foe. The flesh will never surrender any ground without a life and death struggle. It sounds hopeless from that point of view. Who really wants to think that every moment of your life the flesh will oppose every work of God in you and around you. 

There is only one solution. Paul referenced it earlier in the book of Galatians. Galatians 2:20 (NASB) 

²⁰  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

The only way to win the battle is to crucify the flesh. Put the flesh to death. I wish that could be a one time act and perhaps there are many people will argue that it is. It appears to me that crucifying the flesh is a daily experience. Multiple times we have the opportunity to deny the desires of the flesh. Each time is a little death blow to the flesh. Vice versa each time we yield to the desires of the flesh we strengthen the flesh. 

Crucifixion was a bloody and horrific in the New Testament. Likewise crucifying the flesh is never easy. The flesh will fight being nailed to the cross every step of the way. It is way beyond our ability to will to happen in our own power. It is way beyond our resolve. Our resolve will weaken over time if left to our own strength. That is why it is imperative that we walk by the Holy Spirit. 

The battle is difficult. There are casualties and scars from the fighting. It is worth the battle. The battle against the flesh is one we have to win empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit and yet in many mainstream churches the Holy Spirit is seldom referred to or embraced. How many Christians are even familiar with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me state this emphatically. We will never win the battle of the flesh without the Holy Spirit. We need to familiarize ourselves with Him and His ministry. We also need to yield to the Holy Spirit. If we do we will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 

Wisdom Beyond The Years

We are not as smart as we often think we are,
Ignoring Your wisdom seems foolishly bizarre,
You know everything from beginning to end,
We can't even see what's around the next bend,
Solomon prayed for wisdom beyond his years,
A wisdom that alleviated needless petty fears,
A wisdom going beyond any other ever known,
A wisdom he could never attain all on his own,
We need wisdom to navigate all the paths of life,
To bring peace in the midst of chaos calming strife,
We need wisdom irregardless of our position or age,
Wisdom in every season of life turning the next page.

Let No One Look Down On Your Youthfulness

We called it Big Wednesday. We set aside the night for students to lead in their on youth service. They led the games. Four students testified. Two others gave a Bible study. I sat in the back of the room amazed at these young men and women.

One testified about losing his father at a young age. Another testified about being born with a genetic disability. Another testified about surviving a horrific car accident on her way home from practice about a year ago. A fourth testified about getting hurt and God healing him. Powerful testimonies about overcoming adversity.

I sat in the back of the room beaming. I love these young men and women. They were powerfully used of the Lord tonight among their peers.

Two young men tag teamed a Bible study. Again their theme revolved around suffering and overcoming adversity. Both of those young men have had to overcome their fare share of adversity in their young lives.

As I listened to each of those students share I felt humbled. Humbled that God has given me the unique opportunity to love, influence, and invest in these students. What a powerful night. God had enough potential in that room to not only transform Paradise but much further than that.

I listened to high school students speak from the heart, with conviction, and about the word of God. I sit now and wonder what God will use them to do. How will God use their young lives to expand His kingdom. The thought of it excites me. Even in their teens God is using so many of these young men and women in profound ways in their circles of influence.

As an adult I should do more. I should set a better example. I should stand with these students more closely and invest in them more heavily. I thank God the gospel baton is in good hands with these students. Nobody need look down on their youthfulness. God can use even the young.

No Pain No Gain

Most of us have an aversion to pain. We will do almost anything to avoid it. In fact, we go to the other extreme to build as much comfort into our lives as possible.

I confess I am addicted to pain. I got my first set up weights when I was only twelve years old. I have pumped iron as they say ever since. I used to do it for football and to get stronger. I have long ago given up those dreams. Now I do it for cardio and to stay fit, though you would never tell that by looking at me.

So early this morning, after cooking the boys breakfast, I donned my workout out clothes and went to my home gym in the garage. Before long the sweat started pouring and the pain increased. While doing some leg extensions the burn in my muscles got so intense I thought they would burst out of my skin. Set after set and repetition after repetition  the pain increased. I jumped rope, did leg curls and leg extensions, lat pulls, bicep curls and abdominal work. In the en,d exhausted, I went for a shower. Brenda commented I looked dirty and tired.

Everyone who exercises knows the value of pain producing gain. The runner pushes himself or herself to run a little faster than last time or a little further. The cyclist does the same. The cross fit people push their bodies to extreme levels. Panting though shortness of breath they push through pain to do a little more.

I think this serves as great preparation for life. Life is filed with pain. People get sick. Loved ones die. There are tragedies to endure and survive. There are trials to overcome and obstacles to surmount. Jesus told us this would be the case. John 16:33 (NASB) 
³³  "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

As long as we live on this planet we will experience pain on multiple levels. At 49 my body cannot do what it used to do. While jumping rope last week I tweaked my knee. I felt the pain as I navigated the steps at football stadiums all last weekend. My shoulders ache at night and I find it more difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep. If I stay in the bed too long my right hip hurts so badly I can barely walk the next morning. All of this is part of the plight of living within the confines of the aging human body. It is a small part of the tribulation we all endure as we age. 

There are many other tribulations. You know what they are. Any parent knows the sorrow of raising children and the pain associated with that task. Just yesterday morning one of my boys lied to me in response to a simple question I asked. The evidence sat right before both of us but he chose to lie anyway. Other parents have experienced far worse treatment from their children. How many spouses live under the same roof but no longer share love and emotional warmth. Painful words and memories have driven a wedge between them. Some Christians endure severe persecution. 

There are many painful tribulations in life. There are also nights of weeping to endure. John 16:33 (NASB) 

³³  "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

When I am working out I can will my body to get through the pain. I do mind tricks to get my mind off the pain like counting in five sets of five rather than just counting one through twenty-five when doing that many repetitions. I tell myself I am a machine and machines do not feel pain to get past a difficult exercise. I choose to think about something else rather the pain. 

We can do the same in life. If we wake up daily and remind ourselves with God's strength we can do anything He will help us. Phil 1:21 We can trust God for the resolve to get through the tough days. We can keep pressing on through the pain in life. In the end all the pain will be well worth it when we step into eternity. All the pain will be worth the gain of eternal life through Jesus Christ. You can make it through this day. You can get through the rest of this week. By God's strength you will reach the end of your trials. We have to endure a little pain in life's journey but it will not last forever. 

A Natural Bent

I firmly belive God puts people on this earth for a purpose. Granted many never submit to God or His purposes. Some submit to God but never discover their purpose. It is true gift when God reveals what a person was born to do. Such people are able to live life with purpose and passion. It is a true gift.

Some students are gifted in mathematics. Others excel in science. Another group shows a propensity toward English. Some are gifted in athletics and others in music. Each person has a natural bent.

I think of my four boys. In some ways they are similar but in other ways they are unique. They each have their own natural bents. My job as a father is to help to discover that natural bent and prayerfully steer them to discover their God ordained purpose.

Taylor discovered that purpose as a high school junior. He knew back then he wanted to coach and to teach history. He is studying to teach history and coach at Howard Payne University. Tanner mentioned the other night he thought about teaching English and coaching but he is not settled. The other two have not discovered their purpose or natural bent.

The educational requirements of junior high demanded I take typing in the ninth grade. I actually learned to type on an old fashioned manual typewriter with a manual lever. I hated it at the time. My fingers moved clumsily over the keyboard. I had difficulty remembering where to put my fingers to start and which fingers were supposed to hit which keys. Grades were determined by how many words you could type a minute and how accurate you were able to type. Typing was not my natural bent. I did not excel in those classes. Nor did I excel in wood shop. I barely passed that class while other guys around me excelled. I do not have a mechanical bent.

 I use a keyboard almost everyday. Writing is my natural bent. Typing seems like second nature to me now days. I'm at ease writing short stories, essays, devotions, books, and poetry. People have often commented they do not know how I ever write books. It is my God given natural bent. I do not know how people repair car engines or lawn mowers. Nothing frustrates me more than trying to work with tools in my hands. Brenda jokes when she sees me with tools in my hands she starts praying. The phrase, "Some assembly required," has gotten the best of me on many Christmas mornings. I am not a carpenter or a mechanic. Those are not my natural bents and I stand in awe of those gifted in those areas. It fascinates that people can repair machines or construct things from wood. Those are things I could never do. I do not feel at home in the hardware store. I am like a fish out of water. Now, take me to library and a bookstore and I feel perfect home surrounded by books.

What is your bent? What did God create you to do? Teach? Farm? Business? Invent? Mechanic? Medicine? Pharmacist? Lawyer? Accountant? Baker? I am convinced you will never feel more alive than when you are doing what you were created to do. What were you meant to do? So what is your God given natural bent? It is your responsibility to discover it and fulfill your God ordained purpose.

To My Last Breath

Jesus, I want to be faithful to my last breath,
When life is exchanged for the icy grip of death,
I want to serve You with all my remaining days,
To stay the course finishing strong my life's race,
Come what may, storms, trials or sorrows galore,
I want my heart devoted to the only Savior I adore,
When old age steals youthful vigor and creeps on,
I will praise You for the faithfulness You've shown,
I want to exalt Your name to the next generation,
Exhorting them to praise You with joyous elation,
I know not whether my days will be many or few,
I want to live them out fervently devoted to You.

A Tragic Tale

Startled the young man jumped from his bed soaking wet. At the door stood his drunk father in a dirty white tee shirt and soiled denim jeans with a glaring scowl on his face and a dripping bucket in his hand. "Get your lazy good for nothing self out of bed." With that the dad staggered down the hall to his bedroom. 

Roddy wiped a tear from his eye. He knew his dad had not been right in the head since his mother died and he got laid off from work. To cope with the pain he started drinking. These days he spent more time drunk than sober. Roddy had learned to fend for himself He cooked his own meals when he could find food in the house, washed his own clothes, and cleaned house while trying to go to school and hold a part time job. 

If ever a young man felt unloved by everyone it was Roddy Cook. He drug himself to the bathroom to get ready. After a quick shower and dressing, Roddy went to the kitchen to find something to eat. When he opened the rusty refrigerator door the only thing he found inside was beer cans. Looking on the counter he found the milk jug left out and opened. One quick smell notified the milk had spoiled. Next the to the milk jug sat an empty cereal box from one of dad's late night binges. It looked like it would be another day at school with a growling stomach until lunch. At least he could be assured of lunch everyday on the free lunch plan. 

As Roddy walked down the steps of the old single wide mobile home he suddenly remembered he had a test that morning. He told himself he would get up early and study the night before, but after work he had been too exhausted to study. He overslept and the dowsing of cold water had driven out any thoughts of the upcoming test until that moment. He rummaged through some papers trying to cram while he walked to school. 

As the wind blew gently, Roddy caught a whiff of a pungent odor. He knew the odor came from him. He had showered but did not have any soap or deodorant. What little he made from sacking groceries could only pay for food. He often used hand soap in the school bathrooms to masquerade the body odor. 

Once he arrived at school he had to face the gauntlet. A line of students waiting for the school doors to open began the all to familiar cat calls and relentless bullying. He tried to ignore their comments. He thought the old neurally rhyme about sticks and stones was not true. The words did hurt. A lot. Roddy rarely ever talked to anyone. He kept to himself. He did not have any friends and did not trust any of the adults around his life. 

When he walked into Algebra class for the test the teacher looked at him scornfully. Rowdy knew he had a failing grade in the class but he honestly tried his best but his best was not good enough. One quick glance at the examination and Roddy knew he did not have a prayer to pass. 

Dutifully he endured the remainder of his classes. In between classes he had to face the ridicule from schoolmates walking down the halls. All the while, his stomach growled louder and louder. He had not eaten anything since lunch the previous day. Lunch for the day was his favorite. Chicken Fried Steak. He tried not to appear too anxious as he received his tray. He found his usual isolated seat in the corner and sat down to eat. Just as he took his first bite something hit him in the back of the head. 

When he turned to see what had hit him a group of football players began poking his food with their fingers, taunting him and pouring the entire salt shaker out on the food. With that the group left. All over the cafeteria others laughed at his plight. It was not the first time he had bene laughed at. One nibble and Roddy knew the food could no longer be eaten. 

Sullen Roddy hurried out of the cafeteria to find an isolated spot to wipe away his tears. Too late. The same pack of ball players spotted him crying and their torment ensued. Finally he could not take anymore and skipped school for the rest of the day. He wandered around town waiting for his shift at work to begin. Several times he passed fast food establishments and wished he had a dollar to get something to eat. Anything to eat. 

Eventually he found a picnic table under a shade tree. He decided to curl up and take a nap to take his mind off his growling stomach and to pass the time away. For the second time that day Roddy got startled awake. This time an intimidating police officer towered over him ordering him to move on. Roddy tried to explain his situation but the police officer listened unsympathetically. 

Roddy collected his notebook and scuffled away. Time passed slowly before the start of his shift. His stomach hurt. He also felt weak and wondered how he would get through his shift to closing. Before clocking in he browsed the break room to see if someone had left any food behind. He found a partially eaten peanut butter cracker. He scarfed it down and then went to work. 

A busy night made time pass by faster but it proved hard to sack people's groceries when he starved. One lady had a buggy load of food. Her spoiled bratty son insisted on a candy bar. She relented. Tempted Roddy slipped the candy bar in his pocket when nobody looked. Later the bratty boy pitched a fit causing a major scene over the candy bar. The flustered clerk gave the boy another one and Roddy pushed the groceries to their car. 

Roddy waited anxiously for his break. When it came he took out the candy bar. By this time the chocolate had melted. He ate it like a wolf devouring the carcass of a kill. He even licked the wrapping to get the last drop. Lost in his thoughts a voice behind him startled him. It was the store manager calling Roddy to his office. 

Roddy had no idea what the manager wanted. He was a nice guy. He had always treated Roddy fairly and given him extra hours when he could. He often asked how things were at Roddy's home. Most of the time Roddy lied and pretended things were fine. Mr. Howells was a good man but Roddy did not trust him anymore than he trusted his own father. 

Mr. Howells shut the door behind Roddy and gestured for him to take a seat in front of his desk. The chair squeaked and Mr. Howells sat down looking at Roddy. At first Mr. Howells asked Roddy about things at home again. Roddy gave the same canned answers he always gave. 

Mr. Howells then asked Roddy when he had eaten last? Further he wanted to know if he had food to eat back home. Mr. Howells pried too deep for Roddy's comfort. Next, Mr. Howells looked deep into Roddy's hollow blue eyes and asked him something way too personal. Mr. Howells asked Roddy if he had ever trusted Jesus Christ as his savior. Nothing could have been further from Roddy's mind. He had only been to church a half dozen times in his life and had felt judged for not having the proper Sunday clothing to wear so he never went back. In Roddy's estimation God had never done anything for him so he had no interest in doing anything for God. 

The next question from Mr. Howells froze Roddy in his tracks. "Roddy, did you steal a candy bar tonight?' 

"No. I did not." Roddy tried to remain calm. He had lied many times before and gotten away with it. Mr. Howells sadly shook his head. He then pointed to a computer screen showing video footage from the security cameras. The proof on the screen told the truth. The clerk saw Roddy take the candy bar and informed Mr. Howells. Mr. Howells then went through the security footage and found the evidence. 

"Roddy, the store policy is clear on this issue. If you admit the truth we can work something out. So I ask you again, did you take the candy bar.?'

Stoically Roddy responded, "I already told you I did not take the candy bar. Why is everyone always down on me?" Angry he pounded the desk.

"Then I have no choice. I have to terminate your employment with us effective immediately. Your backpay will be mailed to you. Please collect your things and leave."

Angrily Roddy stamped out slamming the door behind him. He grabbed his notebook and headed home. Upon arriving he felt relieved that his father was not home. He usually frequented the bars at this time. 

The candy bar had done little to satisfy his hunger pangs. Once again he rummaged around looking for anything to eat but found nothing. Not even a crumb. The events of the day came crashing down on his mind. The more he thought the more depressed he became. The more depressed he became the more hopeless everything seemed. 

Recklessly  he reached in the refrigerator and grabbed a can of beer. He did not like the way it tasted but it did soothe the hunger pangs in his stomach. If his father knew he sometimes drank his beer it would not be pleasant. 

Outside he heard the puttering of his dad's truck pulling up. The front door opened and as usual his dad stumbled in the room drunk. The sight of Roddy holding a can of his beer drinking it angered the drunken father so badly he took a swing at Roddy connecting his fist with Roddy's jaw. The force of the blow sent both son and beer sprawling. A steady stream of profanity spewed from the drunken father's mouth. 

Roddy ran to his room and locked the door. Soon the father stopped his cursing and then things got quiet. Later he heard his father snoring in the living room. Roddy had reached the end. The events of the day had pushed him past the tipping point. 

With no hope and only pain added on top of pain Roddy formulated a plan. He went to his father's room and knelt down looking under the bed. There he found a 12 gauge shot gun. He then found a box of shells in a nightstand drawer. 

He walked back to his room and loaded the gun All he could think was with one pull of the trigger he could end the pain. He contemplated writing a suicide note but then thought nobody cared. He felt alone. Trembling he picked up the loaded gun and looked at the barrel. He vacillated between putting it down and holding the barrel to his mouth. 

In the end he could not think of one single reason to go on living. He tried. His father did not care. None of his teachers cared. He could not think of one single friend. Submitting to the despair he pointed the barrel toward his face and actually opened his mouth to the put the barrel in. The steel felt as cold as his heart. His fingers felt the way to the trigger. Once he located it he slowly began applying some pressure. "In a few seconds all the pain would be over," Roddy thought. Slowly he squeezed with his eyes tightly closed.............

The loud knock on the door caught Roddy by surprise. He pulled the barrel from his mouth and threw the gun on the bed with shaking hands. The knocking on the door grew louder. Roddy tried to pull himself together. He could not imagine who knocked on the door. 

To his surprise on the front steps stood Mr. Howells with a sack full of groceries. Roddy's drunk father continued in his drunken stupor. 

Mr. Howells began to unfold a hard to believe story. Once Roddy left his office earlier Mr. Howells had  prayed for the troubled teen. His burden for Roddy increased throughout the evening to the point he felt he had get some food and make a personal visit. To sum it all up Mr. Howells relayed that he felt God had sent him there though unsure as to why. 

Before the evening ended Roddy found hope in Mr. Howells' Jesus and had his old job back. Jesus averted what surely would have been another tragic tale. 

The American Dream Illusion

Many people grow up wanting to live the American dream. They plan on getting married, having some kids, buying a home, driving shiny cars, a few toys, and advancing their career. In the end when they retire,  they plan on a life of luxury and play. Many people pursue this American dream with vengeance.

My family lives in such a community. The city of Runaway Bay is a retirement community. The city is built around Lake Bridgeport and an eighteen hole golf course. All of our neighbors are retired or near retirement age. They worked hard, planned, saved, and now spend their days in playing golf, traveling, fishing, and spending time at the country club. Is that all there is? A golf score seems like too small a goal to live for or catching another fish. Going shopping and traveling seems overrated. From my perspective there is no place like home. Surely there is a bigger purpose to live for and expend our energy than golf, fishing, traveling, and shopping.

If the American dream is everything it is cracked up to be let me ask a few questions. Why are so many marriages crumbling behind the walls of dream houses? Why are so many students, spoiled by the latest video games, cell phones, and vehicles, hooked on alcohol and drugs? Why do some take their own life even though they appear from the outside looking in to be right in the middle of the American dream? Why are so many families stressed and depressed because of all the debt trying to keep up with others pursuing the American dream? Why do so many people claiming to live the American dream have to file bankruptcy because things have gotten so out of hand? Why do so many extra-marital affairs happen among those supposedly living the American dream?

The American dream is an illusion. This really came home to me many years ago while on a field trip in Fort Worth to the Log Cabin Village. This is a little village set up as life would have been like in the pioneer days. The smallness of the cabins struck me. When our guide pointed toward the closet and cited how many pioneer men and women only owned two suits of clothes I felt spoiled. I have a closet and chest of drawers full of clothes. I have dress clothes, casual clothes, and work out clothes. I have clothes for the summer as well as for the winter.

I am convinced the American dream is an illusion. While the media paints this picture and people have bought into it the American dream does not satisfy. Everything about it is set up to make us discontent with what we have. We want bigger houses, newer clothes, more shoes, newer cars, the latest cell phones etc. We can go back as far as sitcoms such as the Donna Reed Show or Leave It To Beaver and see the portrait of the American family living the American dream.

Several things stand out. Why were all those sitcoms featuring white people? Are white people the only ones eligible for the American dream? What about people of color? Is the American dream segregated? Looking back then it seemed to be. Now diversity is in. Sin is flaunted on television like it is the new normal. Shows such as Blackish and The Modern Family, which I have never watched, paint a different America. Diversity is in unless you are a born again, Bible believing, Christian who believes in the right to bear arms.

Next, I ask was it really feasible that June Ward on Leave It To Beaver actually cooked and cleaned in high heels and a pearl necklace. That is a fantasy world. Cooking, cleaning, lawn work, and paying bills are all hard work. There are many nights when dinner at our house is eaten in shifts or on the run as we rush off to the next event. I work to have our family sit down at the dining table for dinner at least a few nights of weeks. This is increasingly difficult. It is not that uncommon for families to eat dinner at tv trays watching television and then everyone disappears to their room. They never sit at the dining table expect at holidays. Children get lost in the fantasy world of video games and social media. Parents watch their own television or bring their work home. Sadly these families do not engage in family conversations where real dialogue takes place.

How many students living the American dream, who are popular and successful at school, feel unloved  by workaholic parents. These students strive to achieve in hopes of winning the approval of parents. They are ignored. Instead of nurture they get more money to buy their love. Again the American dream is an illusion.

Wake up. You do not have to play this game. You can choose a different path. I advocate pursuing God's dream for you and your family. That is far more important than having all the outward appearances of success. God's ways are the best ways. His principles are timelessly true. Those who build their lives on those truths build their lives and families on a firm foundation. Those who believe the illusion of the American dream wake up one day and wonder when will the fulfillment come. When will the contentment, joy, satisfaction, and sense of purpose come. It comes through submission to the person of Jesus Christ. To the pit of hell with the American dream.

This Is The Day

It is Monday morning. All the Edwards are exhausted. We traveled to Breckenridge on both Thursday and Friday nights for football games. While the older boys watched game film on Saturday morning, Brenda, Turner and I headed to Brownwood for Taylor's game. After our prayer meeting last night Tanner, Tucker, Turner, Brenda and I drove to Denton to watch the new Christian movie Woodlawn. We did not get back home until 11:00 p.m. It was well worth the late night. I highly recommend the movie. Getting up this Monday morning was a little tougher than normal.

The boys have to leave the house around 6:00 a.m. to begin their day. I am confident they did not wake up thinking this is the day God made and they rejoiced in it. Like most people who have weekends jam packed with too much activity and too little rest, Mondays are a gut check. When the alarm sounds many want to snuggle under the covers longer rather than to get up and attack the day.

However you feel about this Monday this is the day God has given you. This is the only day you can live now. What happened in the past is gone. Tomorrow is not promised for anyone. All we have is this day. God has gifted us with this day. THIS DAY. What will we do with  it? How will we use this day? Will we fill it with pleasures, leisure activities, and entertainment? Will we endure this day enslaved ball and chain to our employers showing up dutifully but giving lackluster effort? Will we go through the motions of living this day? Will we stop and take in the scenery around us? Will we cherish the time we have with loved ones today? Will we take full advantage of having access to God's word to seek and know God better? How will we use God's gift of this day?

This is the day. This is a day to seek God and trust Him for greater things. This is the day to unload burdens as we cast them upon the Lord. This is the day to pray fervently. This is the day to spread the love of Jesus to those around us. This is the day to serve someone as we shine our lights through good works in such a way others see it and glorify God. This is the day we get to impact our little worlds through a kind word, a gentle loving touch, a listening ear, or a thoughtful deed. THIS IS THE DAY.

None of us can predict all the events of this day. For the first time ever I sat in the movie theater last night and thought about a gunman showing up and what I would do to protect my family. None of us can predict the next disaster, the next horrific crime, the next terrorist attack, or the next diagnosis that blindsides us. All we have is this day. To be more specific, all we have is this moment. There are people all over the world who will not live to see the end of this day.

So what will we do with this day? You have a choice. Live it to the fullest and honor God with what you do with the gift of this day.

Pebbles And Boulders

Did you ever go to a pond or a lake and skip rocks? We did that often as kids and held competitions. We took our time to find the best rocks. The flat ones skipped the best. Ever so often I would try to find a big rock to see if I could make it skip. Normally they just made a splash and sunk.

Who are the people you influence? If you use your mind even a little when reading you are probably asking what skipping rocks has to do with influence. Stay with me. Back to our question. Who are the people you influence? A spouse? Sibling? Friends? Co-workers? I'm betting you have influence over someone.

Now think a little bigger. At the end of your life what impact will you have had? Most of us are pretty  ordinary. We are like pebbles skipped across the water. The after effects leave ripples. Some pebbles are bigger than others and leave larger and more far reaching ripples. No matter what the size of the pebble they all leave ripples of varying degrees.

We cannot afford to use our ordinariness as an excuse for not making some kind of splash. In the hands of God we can impact our families, churches, and communities. The ripples of our lives must be both seen and felt by those around us.

God calls some people to be boulders. Their lives will make a bigger splash. Sometimes such lives don't leave ripples. They leave waves. I am referring to people in history like Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Amy Carmichael, John Wesley, George Whitfield, D.L. Moody, Mother Teresa, and Billy Graham. Their lives made huge waves as they served Jesus. The masses have often been caught up in the wave of their influence.

What I am advocating is that whether God calls us to leave ripples or waves we need to make a splash. If God has called you to be a pebble then make the biggest splash you can make trusting the ripple effect to make a difference. If God called you to be a boulder then make a splash and trust the waves of your life will reach far and wide.

Quick To Judge

Why are Christian so quick to judge? Why are they so quick to throw stones and condemn those who sin, fall, and make mistakes. It is almost like some Christians revel in the pain, sorrow, and humiliation of others.

We all have skeletons in the closet. We all have sinned. We all have failed. None of us is perfect. In recent days I have had the opportunity to minister to those who have fallen. They failed. They sinned and the sin became public. These broken people wept, confessed, repented, and made no excuses. The backlash they received from many in the Christian community has been shameful. SHAMEFUL. What ever happened to grace and mercy. Walking with them hurts. Walking with them has been the right thing.

Each child of God has been lavished in grace and mercy. Our sins are just as bad. Those shameful deeds committed in the secrecy of the dark shadows can be kept from public knowledge. Sometimes the truth comes out. O for grace and mercy.  We plead with God to deal with us in grace and mercy and yet demand He deal with others in justice. That is hypocrisy. Everyone needs grace and mercy.

It is painful and messy to pull up next to someone caught in sin. It is painful. My heart has grieved long and hard over people caught in trespasses and the ensuing consequences. It is awkward at times. Didn't Jesus deal with the woman caught in adultery with grace and mercy. She deserved condemnation but Jesus offered a second chance. He was not weak on sin. Before she departed He told her to sin no more. John 8:10-11 (NASB) 
¹⁰  Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
¹¹  She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."]

Why are people so quick to judge. I have needed grace and been bathed in that grace. Who am I  to throw the first stone in judgement. Who am I to look at people with condemnation. Who am I  to act as if I am better than they when I have needed the same amount of grace as the vilest offender. 

I think all Christians who love to spread the misery of someone caught in sin through gossip should go back and read  what Jesus said in Matthew 7. Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB) 

¹  "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
²  "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
³  "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
⁴  "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
⁵  "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Not one person reading this has the right to sit in judgement of anyone. We have all sinned. Some of us have done a better job of hiding it. We all need grace and mercy and should treat others with that same grace and mercy. 

The day may come when we fail and everybody finds out. What a horrible thought. We will be forced to face up to the music of sin. Dressed in our humiliation, shame, and regrets we will wish for grace and mercy on that day. We will wish for true friends that will stand by our side on that day. We will wish for those who will not gossip about us behind our backs and who will not shun us to our face. 

Jesus is holy. Completely holy. He had every right to condemn the woman caught in adultery. He did not! Who do we think we are to sit in judgement of others when they fail. I will never shrink from calling sin a sin. By the grace of God I want to deal with others in the same grace I have experienced in my own life. I hope you will do the same. 

Little Daydreamer

The little fifth grade boy sat at his little desk bored. He looked out the window day dreaming. The teacher kept teaching but the little had no interest in the subject matter. He was lost in his thoughts of a fantasy world. Nobody could reach him while he lost himself in a fantasy world of his own choosing. A place of imagination where all things were within the realm of possibility. The little daydreamer preferred this world to the reality around him. A world of broken hearts, disillusionment, and where dreams were not encouraged or believed.

Suddenly the teacher said something snapping the boy's attention back into reality. This little boy was not a model student. He showed promise but had no interest in things like science, math, or social studies. The only time the little boy showed interest and promise came when the teacher taught English. To be more specific, when the teacher taught composition. He loved to write.

On this day she gave out a writing assignment. All other the classroom the other students moaned in agony. Not the little daydreamer. The teacher assigned the students to write a short story. Each child could pick out their own subject matter but the story had to be several pages in length. While other children whined in their protest of such a taxing assignment the little daydreamer quickly took out his notebook and pencil and let his imagination run wild. He went to work and came alive on the inside.

The daydreamer became so engrossed in his assignment he got lost in the story. It felt like he actually lived in the story. He could feel the emotions, picture himself in the adventure, and see every scene in vidvid detail. Here is the plot of what he wrote. The world was about to come to an end. The main character overcame many obstacles to get to safety. In the end there was no safety to be found except to escape to another planet via a spaceship.

In the end, the main character made it to the space ship where he would be rescued along with family and friends.  In a surprising plot twist, when the captain of the spaceship opened the door, he just so happened to be a popular kid in that very classroom. The captain was in real life the daydreamer's best friend. The daydreamer wrote furiously for the entire class period. It seemed like time stood still. The assignment brought the young lad to life academically. Long before he wanted the allotted time ended and the next subject had to be taught. The writing assignments were turned in.

The next day the teacher did something surprising during the English period. Instead of the children doing another assignment she decided to read each short story for the class without revealing who wrote it until the end. This took a couple of days.

The daydreamer's story did not get read until the second day. He sat nervously at his desk as the teacher read story after story. While most of the students were exuberant that they were not having to do classwork, the daydreamer writhed in agony. Then Mrs. McKinney picked up the next story and the daydreamer knew immediately she read the work of his imagination out loud.

The daydreamer tried to act nonchalant but the truth is he cared about what Mrs. McKinney thought about his work deeply. He also cared about what others in the class thought about the story. As she came to the part of the story about the revelation of the identity of the captain of the spaceship, she and the whole class gasped in surprise. This reaction satisfied the little daydreamer to no end.

This proved to be pivotal day in the life of that little boy. He never forgot the reaction of that teacher and the class to his story. On that day he understood the power of words and the ability to move people with those words through writing.  For the first time in his young life he believed he could be good at something. For the first time he felt like he had a gift and could excel at something. That little boy always considered Mrs. McKinney his favorite teacher. She had inspired the best in him, at least in English. He always struggled with the other subjects doing just enough to get by.

This continued to be the case through the years. The little daydreamer became a larger daydreamer. Anguishing in classes like Biology, Algebra, Geometry, and Chemistry. He even failed an Algebra II class. Teachers could not motivate the daydreamer. No matter what said or how they threatened, none of them broke through. The daydreamer continued to stare out the windows and get lost in his daydreams and fanciful imagination.

He squeaked by enough to graduate from high school. The same pattern followed the daydreamer in college. In each class he suffered through. He gravitated toward the desks near the windows. He continued to get lost in his thoughts. One professor gave a writing assignment and once again the daydreamer fully engaged. Just like Mrs. McKinney had done about ten years earlier, the professor saw the promise in the daydreamer and wrote words of encouragement in red ink on the his essay. The daydreamer never forgot them.

Just like in high school, the daydreamer did just enough to squeak by to earn a college degree. After college he devoted himself to his career. His career took him in a total different direction than all his daydreams. He got married. Had some children. He worked hard and enjoyed some modest success in his career.

One fall afternoon the daydreamer sat his desk. Just like in earlier days he could not get focused on his work. He had work to do but his imagination and daydreams got the best of him. Just like as a kid he looked out the window and began to daydream. He took out a legal pad and with pen in hand he did something he had not done in years. He began to write. He wrote whatever came to mind.

Suddenly the daydreamer awakened to a reality he had never discovered before. He knew he had been created to write. He knew writing coursed through his veins. It did not matter how many people would read his writings in the future. It only mattered that he write. On that day he did more than daydream. He began to fulfill his destiny. For the rest of his days he wrote. He wrote essays. He wrote inspirational pieces. He wrote poems. He wrote a few books. This little daydreamer gave his life to writing. He never became famous. That never drove him to begin with.

God used a little teacher named Mrs. McKinney to deeply impact his life and help him pursue his dreams. The little daydreamer never saw or spoke to her again after fifth grade. She never knew the impact she had on that little daydreamer. Her gift and words of encouragement help fuel the fire in the daydreamer's heart to this day. How do I know. I am that little daydreamer.

Meditations On Psalm 145

What has God done for you? What reasons do you have to extol and praise His name today? What mighty acts have you seen Him do? How has He sustained you in the difficult times? When did He bring you out of the miry clay and pit of destruction? In what ways has God worked wonders in and around your life? 

One generation declares the praises of God and His greatness to the next generation. Can you think of anything passes on to you about God's faithfulness from grandparents or parents? Are you passing on these same things to your grand children and children? Everyday there is a reason to praise Him. 

Even in the tough times. I know many of you are living in those tough times now. Tough times never last but tough people do. Just ask those who fought in WWII or lived through the Great Depression. They can testify of works of God in very trying times. Look at those devastated by floods and fires. Many lost everything except their lives. They can praise God for life. 

Many mourn the deaths of spouses, parents, children and the hole in their hearts aches daily. The saved can praise God for the gift of eternal life. The grieving can praise God for HIs comfort and strength to get through each day. God does not abandon those in their grief and sorrow. He is there each step of every day. He is the only one who can heal broken and shattered hearts. 

So let me ask you to pause in your day and mediate on what God has done for you. Think of the many things you can praise God for doing in your life. Contemplate the many things you have to be thankful for. This is what I did during my quiet time today reading and meditating on Psalm 145. What an amazing God and what a privilege to testify for Him.

Bad News

I think with every edition of the morning or evening news should come the introduction, "Welcome to   Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN Bad News." The news is nearly always bad.

Try these on. In recent days we have seen another mass shooting in Roseburg, OR, wildfires in CA, a hurricane brushing the east coast, investigations of a presidential candidate, Russian aggression in the Middle East, more terrorism and terrorists threats, racial upheaval. and a bad economy. These are just some of the highlights, or perhaps I should say the lowlights.

As I watched some news programs this past week, I grew increasingly irritable, frustrated, angry, and disillusioned with all of it. In those moments God stepped in to intervene. He used His word once again to bring me back to balance.

The 46th chapter of Psalm seemed addressed just for me. Psalm 46:1-2 (NASB) 
¹

 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
²  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

It is good to be reminded that in the middle of all the chaos in our world, when it appears the very foundations of our society are coming unravelled, falling apart, and crumbling right before our eyes. In the middle of this God offers some comforting words about Himself. 

He is our refuge. That means He is our shelter. He is also our strength. That means He is our might as well as our fortress and stronghold. He is also our very present help in times of trouble. To put that another way God is our support and the One who comes to our aid in distress and anguish. 

Those are comforting truths. 

Verse two starts off with these words, "Therefore we will not fear..." The word fear defined is to be afraid or terrified. It is easy to look at everything and fall prey to fear and terror. It is so vitally important that we balance out all the bad news with the good news that God is still in control. 

No matter if we face the afflictions of natural disasters, political upheaval, or wars brought on by the aggression of wicked tyrants, we need not fear. God is still our refuge, strength, and very present help in times of trouble. That does not change no matter what is going on around us. Because God is our foundation we need not fear. We need not live life in terror. We trust Him and we hope in Him. 

The next time the bad news gets to you recall the words of Ps 46:1-2. We need not fear because God is our shelter, our fortress, and the One who gives us aid and support in our afflictions. Maybe we all need more time in the book of the Bible with good news instead of glued to the television, newspaper, or internet with all the bad news. 

Let Me Brag On God (Part Three)

We started Faith Community Church a little over four years ago with high hopes. God blessed immediately. Attendance soared. We scrambled to keep up having to find a larger meeting place after our first Sunday. We witnessed God at work and went about our work with faith and enthusiasm. Those were euphoric days. Many were saved and we celebrated their baptisms.

After a year things changed. We could not sell our house in Seminole. This depressed me. Attendance at church began to decline. The gossip spread about me around town took its toll. I became increasingly bitter and withdrawn from public life. Preaching became a greater chore as I saw more and more empty seats than people in attendance.

Three times we tried to start Sunday School and three times the people did not support it. The offerings dwindled. We found it harder and harder to make ends meet each month. The morale in the church reflected my defeated and soured attitude. It felt like Faith Community Church began taking on water and sinking like the Titanic. I did not hold out hope the church would survive.

My depression deepened. Nothing brought me out of it. No amount of Bible reading or praying. No books I read. All looked hopeless and dark. A veil of darkness covered my mind and outlook. I went through the motions of serving as a pastor but I did not shepherd or lead the church adequately. I doubted my call to start the church and convinced myself I got it wrong. I contrasted our troubles with the wonderful years we enjoyed in Seminole. Instead of looking forward I looked back to the past. People I loved shunned me, refused to even speak to me, and spread lies behind my back.

I had enough. I tried everything in my power to leave. I sent resumes. I prayed. I visited with friends. For two years my obsession became getting my family out of Paradise. FOR TWO YEARS GOD SHUT EVERY DOOR.

Fast forward to this past summer. God used a series of events to remind me of His call on my life to start Faith Community Church. He settled this in my mind in a very real way. He renewed that sense of call on my life to do this. He healed my heart from bitterness. God produced forgiveness in my heart. God renewed my love for the Faith Community Flock and opened my eyes to see how much they loved their pastor. They prayed me through the darkest times of my entire life.

Then it happened. I got involved in public life again. I shared my faith with people. I began loving people. I shepherded people with a renewed joy and preachhed with a renewed passion and power. I knew God called me to start Faith Community Church. Instead of planning to leave my mindset changed to planning on staying.

Then it happened. The church began changing. Many did to notice at first. Instead of the lingering smell of death and defeat the fragrance of life filled that little warehouse. God began moving. Slowly the attendance increased. People lingered long after the services ended. Our Sunday evening prayer meetings were better attended.

Then the attendance started increasing more dramatically. To be more exact, it doubled in two months. New faces started showing up and returning. The youth group began burgeoning like it had in the early days. Church became fun because God worked in visible ways. Testimonies were more frequent. Answers to prayers became more evident.

The final thing I want to brag on God  about is not just what He is doing in Faith Community Church. It is what He is doing in me. A week ago I worked in the concession stand at a football game. A trusted friend texted me later that night and said, "I see changes in you." I knew God had brought me back from the brink.

Last night, after Bible study, I talked with a member of our leadership team about what the Lord is doing in our church. That person made a comment that deeply impacted me. "You are different. I see joy in you again." Hallelujah.

I can only brag on God. He is touching me. He is delivering me from the things that strangled my faith and hardened my heart. He is still making me whole. He is opening His word to me in ways I have never known. He is anointing me to preach and teach. He is setting me free from the chains that nearly destroyed me. He has restored my passion to write again. LET ME BRAG ON GOD. He is at work in Matt Edwards and Faith Community Church. He brought me back from the brink of destruction and Faith Community Church from the brink of death. All I can say is, "Thank You Lord. I am unworthy. I am humbled You would bestow such amazing grace on me again. I renew myself to this work, to shepherding this flock, and to the advancement of the gospel and building your Kingdom in the community of Paradise, TX. In Jesus name, amen."