Lord, this prayer goes out this morning for those who are weary and worn. They are heavy laden with trials, sorrows, and burdens. They are tired of the battles and worn down by life. I ask you to come to each of them with your fresh word and undergird them with strength. You know each of them by name. As they read this and wonder if I was thinking of them show them yes. This is a prayer sent up on their behalf. I ask you to lift the oppressive burdens that suck the vitality from them. Help your children to lay them down and leave those burdens and cares with you. For those who have their backs up against the wall and they see no way out, I ask you to remind them of Exodus 14:14. For those who are enduring the seemingly never ending night of weeping I pray you would bring joy with this morning. [Ps 30:5] For those confused and they do not know which direction to go I pray your word would be a lamp unto their feet and light unto their path. [Ps 119:105] For those stressed and overwhelmed by life I ask you to be their peace that surpasses all understanding. [Phil 4:7] For those that can barely drag themselves out of bed this morning and wonder how they will ever get through this day I ask you to be their strength. [Phil 4:13] For every broken, battered, and bruised child of yours I ask you to draw them nearer to you as you draw nearer to them. [James 4:8] I ask you to give my brothers and sisters enduring faith today. I ask you to restore hope to them. Please help the weary and worn to see you at work. I ask you to open their eyes to see you have not abandoned them nor forsaken them. In Jesus name, amen.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Broad and Full Intelligence
Our world is fascinated with education. People still naively believe that with enough education we can create an utopian society. It will never happen. Sin will always get in the way. The more education a person acquires they will only become an educated sinner.
Don't get me wrong. I am not against education at all. I look back with fond memories on my elementary education. I recall the excitement on the days we got to visit the library and check out books. I held the book order catalogues with eager excitement marking my selections and working up a persuasive sells speech to get money for the books from my mother. She never said no. My love of reading goes back that far.
By the world's standards I have acquired a modest level of education. I write this in an office surrounded by thousands of books. So much of my work as a pastor is book work in studying for messages, writing blogs and authoring new books. I have ample tools to do this and education to know how to use these tools. All this book knowledge is good. There is a place for it.
All of this education, though, does not necessarily mean I or any other educated person will always make the right decision. We need something more than book smarts to make intelligent decisions. We need the wisdom of God.
When God asked Solomon what he wanted here is Solomon's response. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people for who can rule this great people of Yours? [II Chronicles 1:10] We are in no less need of wisdom today. Educated people are making a mess of our country from the White House to your neighbor's house. Educated people are making foolish decisions from the backwoods to Hollywood. We need more than education. We need wisdom that can only come from God.
The book of Proverbs is filled with admonition to gain wisdom. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire counsel. [Prov 1:5] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. [Prov 1:7] Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding. [Prov 2:2] For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. [Prov 2:6]
In the book of James we are exhorted to pray for wisdom. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. [James 1:5]
One definition for the word wisdom is broad and full intelligence. This can only come from God and the fear of God. When we have leaders, who claim to be educated, speak with eloquence, and are put in influential positions, but they do not have the wisdom of God they will lead us astray every time. Let it be a person on board or committee at church, a school board member, a member of corporate board of directors, a politician, or a pastor. If they do not have God's wisdom they will not lead effectively.
I am amazed at the foolish decisions politicians make. Self centered, egotistical, manipulative, and foolish decisions are made in Washington all the time. Where is God's wisdom. People go there saying they will make a difference and have convictions. Before long they compromise convictions for personal gain. They are blinded by greed and ambition. Foolish decisions are voted on. Freedoms are forsaken.
How many churches are led by wise pastors and wise church members. I have encountered and heard about more power struggles in churches by power hungry pastors and church members than I hear about in corporate America. We rely on education for the latest models and methodologies for ministry. Wisdom is discarded like rubbish. Biblical principles and God's wisdom are being neglected to our own peril as churches and as a nation.
Even in the home wisdom is not sought. People make the foolish choice to go deeper and deeper into debt. This adds stress to the family. Parents often neglect God's wisdom in raising their children opting for the advice of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and celebrities who cannot even get their own acts together.
This is a cry for wisdom. One of the things I pray most often when entering a church meeting of any type is that God would grant His wisdom. I need wisdom to pastor. I need wisdom to raise my kids. I need wisdom to handle my finances. I need wisdom to relate to people. I need wisdom to resolve conflict. I need wisdom to make decisions that effect my future. WE ALL NEED WISDOM. God's wisdom.
Lord, I ask you grant your broad and full intelligence in our day to day decision making. I ask you to give your wisdom as we appoint and elect people to lead us. I ask you to give us your wisdom in decision making at the churches we attend. I ask you to give us your wisdom on our jobs and as we relate to people. May we fear you and keep our ears attentive to your wisdom. Education can never provide this. True wisdom only comes from you. In Jesus name, amen.
Don't get me wrong. I am not against education at all. I look back with fond memories on my elementary education. I recall the excitement on the days we got to visit the library and check out books. I held the book order catalogues with eager excitement marking my selections and working up a persuasive sells speech to get money for the books from my mother. She never said no. My love of reading goes back that far.
By the world's standards I have acquired a modest level of education. I write this in an office surrounded by thousands of books. So much of my work as a pastor is book work in studying for messages, writing blogs and authoring new books. I have ample tools to do this and education to know how to use these tools. All this book knowledge is good. There is a place for it.
All of this education, though, does not necessarily mean I or any other educated person will always make the right decision. We need something more than book smarts to make intelligent decisions. We need the wisdom of God.
When God asked Solomon what he wanted here is Solomon's response. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people for who can rule this great people of Yours? [II Chronicles 1:10] We are in no less need of wisdom today. Educated people are making a mess of our country from the White House to your neighbor's house. Educated people are making foolish decisions from the backwoods to Hollywood. We need more than education. We need wisdom that can only come from God.
The book of Proverbs is filled with admonition to gain wisdom. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire counsel. [Prov 1:5] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. [Prov 1:7] Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding. [Prov 2:2] For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. [Prov 2:6]
In the book of James we are exhorted to pray for wisdom. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. [James 1:5]
One definition for the word wisdom is broad and full intelligence. This can only come from God and the fear of God. When we have leaders, who claim to be educated, speak with eloquence, and are put in influential positions, but they do not have the wisdom of God they will lead us astray every time. Let it be a person on board or committee at church, a school board member, a member of corporate board of directors, a politician, or a pastor. If they do not have God's wisdom they will not lead effectively.
I am amazed at the foolish decisions politicians make. Self centered, egotistical, manipulative, and foolish decisions are made in Washington all the time. Where is God's wisdom. People go there saying they will make a difference and have convictions. Before long they compromise convictions for personal gain. They are blinded by greed and ambition. Foolish decisions are voted on. Freedoms are forsaken.
How many churches are led by wise pastors and wise church members. I have encountered and heard about more power struggles in churches by power hungry pastors and church members than I hear about in corporate America. We rely on education for the latest models and methodologies for ministry. Wisdom is discarded like rubbish. Biblical principles and God's wisdom are being neglected to our own peril as churches and as a nation.
Even in the home wisdom is not sought. People make the foolish choice to go deeper and deeper into debt. This adds stress to the family. Parents often neglect God's wisdom in raising their children opting for the advice of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and celebrities who cannot even get their own acts together.
This is a cry for wisdom. One of the things I pray most often when entering a church meeting of any type is that God would grant His wisdom. I need wisdom to pastor. I need wisdom to raise my kids. I need wisdom to handle my finances. I need wisdom to relate to people. I need wisdom to resolve conflict. I need wisdom to make decisions that effect my future. WE ALL NEED WISDOM. God's wisdom.
Lord, I ask you grant your broad and full intelligence in our day to day decision making. I ask you to give your wisdom as we appoint and elect people to lead us. I ask you to give us your wisdom in decision making at the churches we attend. I ask you to give us your wisdom on our jobs and as we relate to people. May we fear you and keep our ears attentive to your wisdom. Education can never provide this. True wisdom only comes from you. In Jesus name, amen.
Monday, January 6, 2014
The Gift of My Boys
This is the last day of Christmas break for my boys. I certainly took advantage of it. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch together. We went to the weight room to get our work out in and then took a thirty minute run/walk in the sub-freezing temperatures.
Over lunch we laughed and laughed. They were cracking me up. It was one of those snapshots you capture with your heart.
Now we are at home getting ready for the national championship game. There is a fire in the fireplace warming the living room. The fragrant aroma of dinner is wafting from the kitchen. It has been a good day. No it has been a great day.
Today I put work on the back burner. I chose my boys over studying, reading, writing, administration, and a host of other things needing to be done. I want to take every moment I can to treasure these four boys together. We are traveling down the painful path of a child making the transition from high school student to college student. While Brenda and I are proud we know the reality about to hit us. We have seen our friends go through it and few did so without tears. We have already shed a few of our own. Moments like today will soon be fewer and farer in between.
Taylor is my first born. To this day I remember the day he was born on July 28, 1995. It felt awkward holding him for the first time. My heart swelled with pride when the doctor measured Taylor's hands and feet and then said, "Big paws means a big dog." He is taller than me now, though that is not saying much. He just broke his all time personal record on the bench press today. Much more than I ever did in high school. He has a great work ethic. He is focused and disciplined. He has always been goal oriented. Most importantly he still loves Jesus. He is not perfect no more than I am. He is my son and I so grateful God chose me to be his day.
I am not saying I love him more than the rest of the boys. I did enjoy him first. I did not have to share my time with him in the beginning. When he was a tike I pulled him in a wagon around the church parking lot where I served as pastor. We played at the park. I taught him to throw, catch, shoot, and hit a ball. He climbed up in my bed on a Saturday morning after a youth camp I had just preached and he attended with me. Little did I know he was in the back listening to those gospel messages. I got a front row seat when the trusted Christ as his Savior. I remember the night before Tanner was born. He laid in my arms and I asked God how I could ever love another child as much as I loved him.
God helped me to love Tanner every bit as much. Tanner is our funny child. He cracks us up. He is also what we have called our tank. We were so proud when he not only made varsity football this year but started all season. He is also our golfer. I am just now learning how social Tanner is. He loves people. He is an extrovert. He likes to be the life of the party. He and Taylor just ran an owl of our garage. Tanner walks back in and says, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop. 1...2...3." This kids knows how to make people laugh. He is also a fierce competitor. He hates losing video games and I saw the frustration in his eyes during a football season where they lost many games.
Tucker is a competitor also and a leader. He hates to lose anything. Video games. Football. Basketball. He also seems to be very social. I have seen him be very tough and also be very tender toward people others overlooked or rejected. That part of his personality makes more proud of him than anything he has ever done athletically.
Turner is probably our most tender hearted kid. He cares about the feelings of others. He has a heart for God and during our prayer meetings on Sunday nights he always wants to pray with me. His prayers move me and inspire me. He is serious about wanting to serve God. He loves basketball and also loves to laugh. He still climbs up in my lap at least once a day to watch television with me. When Brenda went out of town recently he was quick to ask if he could sleep with me. I have nicknamed him my velcro because he is always stuck on me. I love it.
We have moved a lot. They have all made and had to say goodbye to friends over and over again. They has taken it all in stride. There were many tears. Yet they never resented my following Jesus' call on my life. Now Taylor is seeking God's call on his life on where he will attend college. The others seek God for their futures.
With half of his senior year over I took the day to enjoy time with all my boys. I would not trade anything for the time we shared together doing simple things. There will be more days in the office. There are only a few more days like we had today. I want to make the most of them. I can't always take time away from the office but I did today and I have no regrets.
I am also aware I have a tenth grade son right behind Taylor, an eight grade son behind Tanner, and a fifth grade son behind Tucker. They are all growing up so fast. I have to redeem the time with them and make the most of it while I can. Soon they will be grown. They fall in love and get married. We will see them less often. We will have to share them with in laws during the holidays. Right now I have this precious gift of my boys and I do not want to squander it.
When God gave me children something changed. I have given them my life. I could have worked more hours but I chose long ago not to sacrifice my wife or kids on the altar of ministry. I have forsaken hobbies like hunting, fishing, and golf to give them my attention and my time. I have prayed with them and done what I could to help them achieve their dreams. Let me say that again. I have prayed with them and done what I could to help them achieve THEIR DREAMS. Not my dreams for them. I have not sought to live my life through them.
We work out together because they have dreams. Taylor has asked me to push him, to stretch him, and we have sweat together. We started doing this when he was in elementary school. It started with the desire to keep the boys active during the summer. It evolved this past year to the "Iron Panther" workouts with up to two dozen of my boys and their friends working. We ended those workouts with devotions and prayer. Over the years those have been great boding times with the boys. They used to be little boys working out. Now Taylor and Tanner are stronger than me.
When my boys have chosen to walk away from a sport I have supported them. None of them wanted to play baseball in school and I have supported that decision. When they have chosen to be good at other sports I have supported them. I encourage them to seek God for the path He has for them.
So I sit here on this frigid January night reflecting on the gift of my boys. Turner just ran through the living room shouting, "Fire! Fire!" as he sat on the hearth. I love being a daddy. I did not grow up with one and I have made it my ambition to make sure my boys to do not have to know that heartache.
Now the two youngest are in bed and it is just Taylor, Tanner, and me watching the last quarter of the football game. Another snapshot with the heart. Another treasured memory to file away for later years when they are gone.
One day these boys will all be gone. Only Turner still sits in my lap. When they are all gone I will not look back and wish I had spent more time in the office. I will not wish I had locked myself away to write another book. There is still time to do those things. I write when I can like now. I study in the wee hours of the morning at the house when I need to. My work gets done. But on this day, I thank God for the gift of my boys. They each are a blessing. They have different temperaments, talents, and personalities. They reward me. They are my gifts from God. They are my reward. My quiver is full.
Over lunch we laughed and laughed. They were cracking me up. It was one of those snapshots you capture with your heart.
Now we are at home getting ready for the national championship game. There is a fire in the fireplace warming the living room. The fragrant aroma of dinner is wafting from the kitchen. It has been a good day. No it has been a great day.
Today I put work on the back burner. I chose my boys over studying, reading, writing, administration, and a host of other things needing to be done. I want to take every moment I can to treasure these four boys together. We are traveling down the painful path of a child making the transition from high school student to college student. While Brenda and I are proud we know the reality about to hit us. We have seen our friends go through it and few did so without tears. We have already shed a few of our own. Moments like today will soon be fewer and farer in between.
Taylor is my first born. To this day I remember the day he was born on July 28, 1995. It felt awkward holding him for the first time. My heart swelled with pride when the doctor measured Taylor's hands and feet and then said, "Big paws means a big dog." He is taller than me now, though that is not saying much. He just broke his all time personal record on the bench press today. Much more than I ever did in high school. He has a great work ethic. He is focused and disciplined. He has always been goal oriented. Most importantly he still loves Jesus. He is not perfect no more than I am. He is my son and I so grateful God chose me to be his day.
I am not saying I love him more than the rest of the boys. I did enjoy him first. I did not have to share my time with him in the beginning. When he was a tike I pulled him in a wagon around the church parking lot where I served as pastor. We played at the park. I taught him to throw, catch, shoot, and hit a ball. He climbed up in my bed on a Saturday morning after a youth camp I had just preached and he attended with me. Little did I know he was in the back listening to those gospel messages. I got a front row seat when the trusted Christ as his Savior. I remember the night before Tanner was born. He laid in my arms and I asked God how I could ever love another child as much as I loved him.
God helped me to love Tanner every bit as much. Tanner is our funny child. He cracks us up. He is also what we have called our tank. We were so proud when he not only made varsity football this year but started all season. He is also our golfer. I am just now learning how social Tanner is. He loves people. He is an extrovert. He likes to be the life of the party. He and Taylor just ran an owl of our garage. Tanner walks back in and says, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop. 1...2...3." This kids knows how to make people laugh. He is also a fierce competitor. He hates losing video games and I saw the frustration in his eyes during a football season where they lost many games.
Tucker is a competitor also and a leader. He hates to lose anything. Video games. Football. Basketball. He also seems to be very social. I have seen him be very tough and also be very tender toward people others overlooked or rejected. That part of his personality makes more proud of him than anything he has ever done athletically.
Turner is probably our most tender hearted kid. He cares about the feelings of others. He has a heart for God and during our prayer meetings on Sunday nights he always wants to pray with me. His prayers move me and inspire me. He is serious about wanting to serve God. He loves basketball and also loves to laugh. He still climbs up in my lap at least once a day to watch television with me. When Brenda went out of town recently he was quick to ask if he could sleep with me. I have nicknamed him my velcro because he is always stuck on me. I love it.
We have moved a lot. They have all made and had to say goodbye to friends over and over again. They has taken it all in stride. There were many tears. Yet they never resented my following Jesus' call on my life. Now Taylor is seeking God's call on his life on where he will attend college. The others seek God for their futures.
With half of his senior year over I took the day to enjoy time with all my boys. I would not trade anything for the time we shared together doing simple things. There will be more days in the office. There are only a few more days like we had today. I want to make the most of them. I can't always take time away from the office but I did today and I have no regrets.
I am also aware I have a tenth grade son right behind Taylor, an eight grade son behind Tanner, and a fifth grade son behind Tucker. They are all growing up so fast. I have to redeem the time with them and make the most of it while I can. Soon they will be grown. They fall in love and get married. We will see them less often. We will have to share them with in laws during the holidays. Right now I have this precious gift of my boys and I do not want to squander it.
When God gave me children something changed. I have given them my life. I could have worked more hours but I chose long ago not to sacrifice my wife or kids on the altar of ministry. I have forsaken hobbies like hunting, fishing, and golf to give them my attention and my time. I have prayed with them and done what I could to help them achieve their dreams. Let me say that again. I have prayed with them and done what I could to help them achieve THEIR DREAMS. Not my dreams for them. I have not sought to live my life through them.
We work out together because they have dreams. Taylor has asked me to push him, to stretch him, and we have sweat together. We started doing this when he was in elementary school. It started with the desire to keep the boys active during the summer. It evolved this past year to the "Iron Panther" workouts with up to two dozen of my boys and their friends working. We ended those workouts with devotions and prayer. Over the years those have been great boding times with the boys. They used to be little boys working out. Now Taylor and Tanner are stronger than me.
When my boys have chosen to walk away from a sport I have supported them. None of them wanted to play baseball in school and I have supported that decision. When they have chosen to be good at other sports I have supported them. I encourage them to seek God for the path He has for them.
So I sit here on this frigid January night reflecting on the gift of my boys. Turner just ran through the living room shouting, "Fire! Fire!" as he sat on the hearth. I love being a daddy. I did not grow up with one and I have made it my ambition to make sure my boys to do not have to know that heartache.
Now the two youngest are in bed and it is just Taylor, Tanner, and me watching the last quarter of the football game. Another snapshot with the heart. Another treasured memory to file away for later years when they are gone.
One day these boys will all be gone. Only Turner still sits in my lap. When they are all gone I will not look back and wish I had spent more time in the office. I will not wish I had locked myself away to write another book. There is still time to do those things. I write when I can like now. I study in the wee hours of the morning at the house when I need to. My work gets done. But on this day, I thank God for the gift of my boys. They each are a blessing. They have different temperaments, talents, and personalities. They reward me. They are my gifts from God. They are my reward. My quiver is full.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Prolonged Sadness
Many people live with depression. One definition I read for depression is "dejection and prolonged sadness which is unwarranted by objective reasoning." For some people the prolonged sadness does not end. It lasts and lasts.
Another way to describe depression is to describe it as a darkness that will not lift. There are some Christians who think that people who struggle with depression are just not spiritual enough. They reason if depressed people just prayed more, trusted God more, and read and applied scripture more they would not suffer from depression.
The Bible records instances when those who loved God, WROTE scripture, or were major characters in scripture suffered bouts of depression. David did. Elijah did. Job did. So please spare me the super spiritual high horse sermons.
David Brainerd battled prolonged sadness but loved and served Christ. So did William Cowper who wrote inspired poems and hymns. Charles Spurgeon battled times of emotional dejection as well even though he pastored a successful church and wrote numerous books. Have you read the book of Psalms. There are some prolonged moments of sadness recorded by David.
Elijah, for all his faith and all his praying, became afraid and wanted to die in I Kings 19 because Queen Jezebel threatened his life. He had just come off the famous fire from heaven episode on top of Mount Carmel. He had just prayed and believed God to send rain after a three and a half year drought and the rain came. On the heels of all this, Jezebel threatened Elijah's life and he ran in terror.
When I think about all of this a few things come to mind to remember when encountering periods of prolonged sadness.
1. The enemy is relentless. He never stops attacking, deceiving, opposing, and enticing to sin. His tactics vary. He might plant a thought, cause us to dwell on a negative comment, tempt us to sin, deceive our emotions or a host of other things to trip us. No matter how many victories we win or mountain top experiences we have with God, HE WILL NOT GIVE UP. HIS ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE. The enemy can wear us down over time if we do not keep our guard up.
2. We are vulnerable when we are fatigued. After running from Jezebel Elijah lay down and slept. When we are tired we are more vulnerable to the enemy. We can become fatigued physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many people do not get enough sleep and live under constant stress. They begin to drain physical, emotional, and spiritual reserves. Rest and being refreshed in the Lord's presence helps to combat fatigue. There are times this might mean taking a nap. At other times it might mean withdrawing from crowds for a walk alone to clear our heads, to sit alone to read a good book, or some other relaxing and refreshing activity.
3. Depressed people tend to withdraw from others. While on the run Elijah left his servant behind. He was all alone and people who are depressed tend to isolate themselves. We are more vulnerable when we are alone. WE NEED THE BODY OF CHRIST! We need their prayers, their support, and listening ears at times. If Satan can isolate us in depression he can lead us further and further away from God and from hope. Trusted brothers and sisters in Christ are vital in the battle against prolonged sadness. I am thankful for a band of brothers and sisters who have stood with me and given me wise and biblical counsel over the years.
4. Depressed people live in deception. God sent an Angel to Elijah who provided food for him on his journey. God was at work right beneath Elijah's nose but he could not see it. All he saw was the threats of Jezebel. He took his focus off God who provided for him in the past, raised the widow's dead son, sent fire from heaven, and brought rain after a three and a half year drought. Yet he could not understand God was at work right in front of him. Depressed people cannot see God's new mercies every morning and how great is God's faithfulness all around them. They are blinded to these truths. The darkness in their minds deceive them.
5. Finally, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. What a precious grace that God sends His word to us. He knows how to get the right scripture to us at just the right time. Elijah experienced the word of the Lord speaking to him with the still small voice of God. I have experienced this over and over again in my life. Back in the spring of 2013, in a season of prolonged sadness, the word of the Lord came to me on the back porch of some friend's house. I was reading through the gospel of John and one verse brought light into my mind and soul, [John 5:17]. The systematic reading of God's word is an invaluable aid in combating prolonged sadness. Even more so, we need to renew our minds with God's word. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind proving what the will of God is, that which is good, perfect, and acceptable. [Rom 12:2] We also need to take every thought captive. [II Cor 10:5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We do this when the word of the Lord comes to us.
Elijah recovered. He met God on Mount Horeb. God turns prolonged sadness into gracious gladness again when we seek him long enough, renew our minds in his truth, and keep on hoping in Him. You and I can experience the same type encounter Elijah did with God. Hang on brothers and sisters. Though the prolonged sadness lingers keep hoping in God. He is able to take downcast souls and restore the light of hope on darkened minds. Seasons of prolonged sadness do not last forever.
Another way to describe depression is to describe it as a darkness that will not lift. There are some Christians who think that people who struggle with depression are just not spiritual enough. They reason if depressed people just prayed more, trusted God more, and read and applied scripture more they would not suffer from depression.
The Bible records instances when those who loved God, WROTE scripture, or were major characters in scripture suffered bouts of depression. David did. Elijah did. Job did. So please spare me the super spiritual high horse sermons.
David Brainerd battled prolonged sadness but loved and served Christ. So did William Cowper who wrote inspired poems and hymns. Charles Spurgeon battled times of emotional dejection as well even though he pastored a successful church and wrote numerous books. Have you read the book of Psalms. There are some prolonged moments of sadness recorded by David.
Elijah, for all his faith and all his praying, became afraid and wanted to die in I Kings 19 because Queen Jezebel threatened his life. He had just come off the famous fire from heaven episode on top of Mount Carmel. He had just prayed and believed God to send rain after a three and a half year drought and the rain came. On the heels of all this, Jezebel threatened Elijah's life and he ran in terror.
When I think about all of this a few things come to mind to remember when encountering periods of prolonged sadness.
1. The enemy is relentless. He never stops attacking, deceiving, opposing, and enticing to sin. His tactics vary. He might plant a thought, cause us to dwell on a negative comment, tempt us to sin, deceive our emotions or a host of other things to trip us. No matter how many victories we win or mountain top experiences we have with God, HE WILL NOT GIVE UP. HIS ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE. The enemy can wear us down over time if we do not keep our guard up.
2. We are vulnerable when we are fatigued. After running from Jezebel Elijah lay down and slept. When we are tired we are more vulnerable to the enemy. We can become fatigued physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many people do not get enough sleep and live under constant stress. They begin to drain physical, emotional, and spiritual reserves. Rest and being refreshed in the Lord's presence helps to combat fatigue. There are times this might mean taking a nap. At other times it might mean withdrawing from crowds for a walk alone to clear our heads, to sit alone to read a good book, or some other relaxing and refreshing activity.
3. Depressed people tend to withdraw from others. While on the run Elijah left his servant behind. He was all alone and people who are depressed tend to isolate themselves. We are more vulnerable when we are alone. WE NEED THE BODY OF CHRIST! We need their prayers, their support, and listening ears at times. If Satan can isolate us in depression he can lead us further and further away from God and from hope. Trusted brothers and sisters in Christ are vital in the battle against prolonged sadness. I am thankful for a band of brothers and sisters who have stood with me and given me wise and biblical counsel over the years.
4. Depressed people live in deception. God sent an Angel to Elijah who provided food for him on his journey. God was at work right beneath Elijah's nose but he could not see it. All he saw was the threats of Jezebel. He took his focus off God who provided for him in the past, raised the widow's dead son, sent fire from heaven, and brought rain after a three and a half year drought. Yet he could not understand God was at work right in front of him. Depressed people cannot see God's new mercies every morning and how great is God's faithfulness all around them. They are blinded to these truths. The darkness in their minds deceive them.
5. Finally, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. What a precious grace that God sends His word to us. He knows how to get the right scripture to us at just the right time. Elijah experienced the word of the Lord speaking to him with the still small voice of God. I have experienced this over and over again in my life. Back in the spring of 2013, in a season of prolonged sadness, the word of the Lord came to me on the back porch of some friend's house. I was reading through the gospel of John and one verse brought light into my mind and soul, [John 5:17]. The systematic reading of God's word is an invaluable aid in combating prolonged sadness. Even more so, we need to renew our minds with God's word. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind proving what the will of God is, that which is good, perfect, and acceptable. [Rom 12:2] We also need to take every thought captive. [II Cor 10:5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We do this when the word of the Lord comes to us.
Elijah recovered. He met God on Mount Horeb. God turns prolonged sadness into gracious gladness again when we seek him long enough, renew our minds in his truth, and keep on hoping in Him. You and I can experience the same type encounter Elijah did with God. Hang on brothers and sisters. Though the prolonged sadness lingers keep hoping in God. He is able to take downcast souls and restore the light of hope on darkened minds. Seasons of prolonged sadness do not last forever.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Their World Gets Smaller
How we take youth for granted. We used to run, play, and live life with boundless energy when we were younger. As the years passed we discovered new aches, a few pains, and limitations in our physical abilities. I have watched this go full circle as people navigate their senior adult years.
Over time a senior adult's world begins to get smaller. Many of the people they loved, befriended, and shared life with die off one by one. A new generation comes along at church busy making a living, raising their families who do not know or take the time to get to know many of the senior adults around them. As the senior's health deteriorates more and more their world gets smaller and smaller.
Once these people were young, active, energetic, successful, beautiful, handsome, and influential. As the years takes their toll their world gets a little smaller. They know less people. They do not get out as much as they once did. The days comes when they cannot get out of the house by themselves. They can no longer shop for themselves or drive themselves to places. They become more and more dependent on others for help. Time marches on and takes away vitality and strength.
Soon the senior adults find themselves confined to the prison of their home. Some get to share this with a beloved spouse. Many others have to endure these years alone. The phone never rings. Letters do not come in the mail. They do not receive emails or text messages. Nobody comes to visit. These once vibrant people are forced to endure an isolation they did not choose and do not want. They suffer silently while the world passes them by. Time marches on.
I have seen seniors health decline so suddenly that a trip from the bedroom to the living room becomes a chore. What used to be routine becomes a major triumph. Sadly I have seen things get even worse until senior adults are confined to their bed or to a bed in care center facility for the elderly. Some pass into eternity rather quickly at this point. Others linger on for years in physical pain and mental anguish. Their worlds get smaller and smaller.
Should Jesus tarry many of us will know this experience. Youth is fleeting. We try to grasp hold of it. We do it through exercise, coloring our hair, skin softeners, plastic surgery, and a host of other things. Old age still comes. People's worlds still get smaller. Eventually we will all face the reality of death with those we love and in our own lives.
So what is the point? Two scripture truths come to mind to be contemplated. [Ps 90:10,12] As for the days of our life they contain seventy years, or if due to strength eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away. So teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom." The truth we must take to heart is even though we are getting older we need to live each day to the fullest. We need to enjoy the embrace of those we love. We need to laugh, weep, savor the meal, walk closely with the Lord and serve Him steadfastly while we have life down here. While we have youth we do not need to take it for granted.
As I write this I am forty-seven. I have more life behind me than in front of me if I live to the average age of most adults. My physical limitations are mounting. Yet I am still active. I can still exercise, drive myself, and do most things I want to do. I am in my middle age years. This is sobering. There are still numerous things I want to do before my world gets smaller. Let us number our days and redeem the time while we still have the chance.
The other truth I focus on tonight is found in [Ps 71:17-18] "O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray; O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." Even when our physical worlds begin to shrink God does not abandon us and we still have purpose. That purpose is to declare His strength to those around us. We can do this with family, with health care providers, with friends, and neighbors. We must resolve with God's help to do this. I just learned of a woman who recently died of cancer and suffered mightily. While in pain and suffering she still volunteered in Vacation Bible School this past summer only months before she died. Though she had to lay on the floor and direct those helping her in the room in with instructions of what to do she still lived out her purpose to the end. To the very end she declared God's wondrous deeds and His strength to those around her.
I don't know where you are at on your journey through life. Wherever you are I hope you will not take life for granted. I hope you will still serve God even as your world begins getting smaller and smaller. I hope you will endure in the faith to the end.
Over time a senior adult's world begins to get smaller. Many of the people they loved, befriended, and shared life with die off one by one. A new generation comes along at church busy making a living, raising their families who do not know or take the time to get to know many of the senior adults around them. As the senior's health deteriorates more and more their world gets smaller and smaller.
Once these people were young, active, energetic, successful, beautiful, handsome, and influential. As the years takes their toll their world gets a little smaller. They know less people. They do not get out as much as they once did. The days comes when they cannot get out of the house by themselves. They can no longer shop for themselves or drive themselves to places. They become more and more dependent on others for help. Time marches on and takes away vitality and strength.
Soon the senior adults find themselves confined to the prison of their home. Some get to share this with a beloved spouse. Many others have to endure these years alone. The phone never rings. Letters do not come in the mail. They do not receive emails or text messages. Nobody comes to visit. These once vibrant people are forced to endure an isolation they did not choose and do not want. They suffer silently while the world passes them by. Time marches on.
I have seen seniors health decline so suddenly that a trip from the bedroom to the living room becomes a chore. What used to be routine becomes a major triumph. Sadly I have seen things get even worse until senior adults are confined to their bed or to a bed in care center facility for the elderly. Some pass into eternity rather quickly at this point. Others linger on for years in physical pain and mental anguish. Their worlds get smaller and smaller.
Should Jesus tarry many of us will know this experience. Youth is fleeting. We try to grasp hold of it. We do it through exercise, coloring our hair, skin softeners, plastic surgery, and a host of other things. Old age still comes. People's worlds still get smaller. Eventually we will all face the reality of death with those we love and in our own lives.
So what is the point? Two scripture truths come to mind to be contemplated. [Ps 90:10,12] As for the days of our life they contain seventy years, or if due to strength eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away. So teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom." The truth we must take to heart is even though we are getting older we need to live each day to the fullest. We need to enjoy the embrace of those we love. We need to laugh, weep, savor the meal, walk closely with the Lord and serve Him steadfastly while we have life down here. While we have youth we do not need to take it for granted.
As I write this I am forty-seven. I have more life behind me than in front of me if I live to the average age of most adults. My physical limitations are mounting. Yet I am still active. I can still exercise, drive myself, and do most things I want to do. I am in my middle age years. This is sobering. There are still numerous things I want to do before my world gets smaller. Let us number our days and redeem the time while we still have the chance.
The other truth I focus on tonight is found in [Ps 71:17-18] "O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray; O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." Even when our physical worlds begin to shrink God does not abandon us and we still have purpose. That purpose is to declare His strength to those around us. We can do this with family, with health care providers, with friends, and neighbors. We must resolve with God's help to do this. I just learned of a woman who recently died of cancer and suffered mightily. While in pain and suffering she still volunteered in Vacation Bible School this past summer only months before she died. Though she had to lay on the floor and direct those helping her in the room in with instructions of what to do she still lived out her purpose to the end. To the very end she declared God's wondrous deeds and His strength to those around her.
I don't know where you are at on your journey through life. Wherever you are I hope you will not take life for granted. I hope you will still serve God even as your world begins getting smaller and smaller. I hope you will endure in the faith to the end.
They Have it Worse
We all suffer from time to time. We all have our doubts when life comes crashing in and we feel like we are being tugged by the undertow. We all sin. We all face trials.
It is easy to get so caught up in your own personal struggles that you get tunnel vision. You become so fixated on your own issues you fail to notice others suffering worse right beneath your nose. I thank God that every so often He opens my eyes to remind me of how many have it worse than me. Just read the following to see what I mean.
On New Year's Day early in the morning a beloved father, husband, and faithful brother in the Lord was killed in tragic car accident about one mile from his house. What a way to start of 2014 for that family. A college buddy of mine had a horrible 2013. He fell down some stairs injuring his knee which will require surgery. Not long afterward his other knee gave out going up some stairs. He fell tumbling down the stairs and knocking himself out. He injured his back in the fall. Not long afterward he was fired from his job. Months later he lost his house. A visit to the doctor revealed that he had a heart attack at some point though he was unaware of it. His joy and faith inspire me.
I recently saw a picture of a mother with her two children who struggle because her husband was martyred by Muslims in their country. You can see the sorrow in her eyes and the despair on the children's faces. They have it worse than I do.
I spent yesterday with a grieving widow who just this week lost her soul mate unexpectedly. Brenda went to a funeral last week for a high school friend who died of cancer just a couple of days before Christmas. The daughter of the deceased is so upset and under so much stress it has made her physically sick. The grieving husband and father commented through tears, those were the times when his daughter really needed her mother but now she is gone.
My mind now drifts to the people I know who live with chronic pain. They never have a good day when they are pain free. The pain never subsides. There might be days when the pain is more tolerable but it never goes away. These suffering saints struggle with depression at the thought of never getting better. The hopelessness and despair nearly strangle the life out of them.
I have seen far too many watch their loved ones suffer horrifically from cancer. I have stood by the side of those grieving at the graveside with questions of why God took their loved one so soon.
People all around us struggle. Some of them suffer silently. You don't have to look very far to see someone who has it worse than you do.
Several years ago I was going through a tough season in ministry. One weekend I hit rock bottom but I was scheduled to preach in Plano. My heart was not in it. I willed myself to preach each message. On Saturday night God set up a divine appointment I will never forget. A man came to eat at my table for dinner. Before long everyone else had left but the two of us. God used that man to minister to me. I don't know why he opened up to me but he did. He poured out his soul to me even though I was a relative stranger to him.
He began asking me if I remembered the story of a daycare being held hostage by a gunman months before. I had seen the story on the news. He told me his wife and son were some of the ones held hostage that day. He feared he would lose them both. God protected them. What he said next stunned me. I can still recall the distant look in his eyes when he told me he and his wife had just discovered she had cancer. He had not told his kids, extended family, pastor, or friends. He had not told anyone yet. Why he chose to tell me I still do not know other than God used that encounter to remind me that many people have it worse than me.
I am betting the same is true for you. I get it. Believe you me. I get it. Life is not easy. It is filled with sorrows, broken dreams, regrets, pain, disease, heartaches, and trials of every shape and form. My challenge to you is that you take a few moments to contemplate someone who has it worse than you do. I challenge you to go a step further and to pray for them. This morning I prayed for some persecuted Christians in a Muslim country, for a grieving widow, for a brokenhearted and weary sister in Christ, for a brother in Christ just diagnosed with cancer, for a chronically ill sister in the Lord who never has good days without excruciating pain, and for a former church member involved in a horrible atv accident causing severe injuries. They all have it worse than me. [Gal 6:2] "Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ." One way to do that is to intercede for others. To the pit of hell with pity parties. There are suffering people all around us who need our intercessions. May our eyes continually be opened to those who have it worse off than we do.
It is easy to get so caught up in your own personal struggles that you get tunnel vision. You become so fixated on your own issues you fail to notice others suffering worse right beneath your nose. I thank God that every so often He opens my eyes to remind me of how many have it worse than me. Just read the following to see what I mean.
On New Year's Day early in the morning a beloved father, husband, and faithful brother in the Lord was killed in tragic car accident about one mile from his house. What a way to start of 2014 for that family. A college buddy of mine had a horrible 2013. He fell down some stairs injuring his knee which will require surgery. Not long afterward his other knee gave out going up some stairs. He fell tumbling down the stairs and knocking himself out. He injured his back in the fall. Not long afterward he was fired from his job. Months later he lost his house. A visit to the doctor revealed that he had a heart attack at some point though he was unaware of it. His joy and faith inspire me.
I recently saw a picture of a mother with her two children who struggle because her husband was martyred by Muslims in their country. You can see the sorrow in her eyes and the despair on the children's faces. They have it worse than I do.
I spent yesterday with a grieving widow who just this week lost her soul mate unexpectedly. Brenda went to a funeral last week for a high school friend who died of cancer just a couple of days before Christmas. The daughter of the deceased is so upset and under so much stress it has made her physically sick. The grieving husband and father commented through tears, those were the times when his daughter really needed her mother but now she is gone.
My mind now drifts to the people I know who live with chronic pain. They never have a good day when they are pain free. The pain never subsides. There might be days when the pain is more tolerable but it never goes away. These suffering saints struggle with depression at the thought of never getting better. The hopelessness and despair nearly strangle the life out of them.
I have seen far too many watch their loved ones suffer horrifically from cancer. I have stood by the side of those grieving at the graveside with questions of why God took their loved one so soon.
People all around us struggle. Some of them suffer silently. You don't have to look very far to see someone who has it worse than you do.
Several years ago I was going through a tough season in ministry. One weekend I hit rock bottom but I was scheduled to preach in Plano. My heart was not in it. I willed myself to preach each message. On Saturday night God set up a divine appointment I will never forget. A man came to eat at my table for dinner. Before long everyone else had left but the two of us. God used that man to minister to me. I don't know why he opened up to me but he did. He poured out his soul to me even though I was a relative stranger to him.
He began asking me if I remembered the story of a daycare being held hostage by a gunman months before. I had seen the story on the news. He told me his wife and son were some of the ones held hostage that day. He feared he would lose them both. God protected them. What he said next stunned me. I can still recall the distant look in his eyes when he told me he and his wife had just discovered she had cancer. He had not told his kids, extended family, pastor, or friends. He had not told anyone yet. Why he chose to tell me I still do not know other than God used that encounter to remind me that many people have it worse than me.
I am betting the same is true for you. I get it. Believe you me. I get it. Life is not easy. It is filled with sorrows, broken dreams, regrets, pain, disease, heartaches, and trials of every shape and form. My challenge to you is that you take a few moments to contemplate someone who has it worse than you do. I challenge you to go a step further and to pray for them. This morning I prayed for some persecuted Christians in a Muslim country, for a grieving widow, for a brokenhearted and weary sister in Christ, for a brother in Christ just diagnosed with cancer, for a chronically ill sister in the Lord who never has good days without excruciating pain, and for a former church member involved in a horrible atv accident causing severe injuries. They all have it worse than me. [Gal 6:2] "Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ." One way to do that is to intercede for others. To the pit of hell with pity parties. There are suffering people all around us who need our intercessions. May our eyes continually be opened to those who have it worse off than we do.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Looking Back on 2013
As I look back on the year that was 2013 there were many ups and some downs. In the spring of last year I hit an all time low spiritually and emotionally. Those closest to me know the details but it was a hard season. Some time away in the mountains of New Mexico on a prayer retreat and a little time with some very close friends were the medicine God used to bring me back and to restore my soul.
There was a lot of upside to the year. We sold our house in West Texas after two years of praying. Subsequently, we were blessed to buy a home in Wise County. God gave us more of a home than we could have hoped. God gave me the desires of my heart in giving me a home office. We live on a golf course and because Tanner is on the varsity golf team, he gets to play for free. To top it all off the house came with our very own golf court. Unbelievable.
I did not set out in 2013 to write more than I have written previously. It just happened. I wrote the things on my heart. Writing is at times more like therapy for me. I write what God gives me. At the end of 2013 I wrote 218 blogs more than any other year. We surpassed the 61,000 hits mark on the site. I am shooting to break the number of blogs I write again in 2014.
God also made another dream come true. I wrote a book titled Weeping For A Night that is going to be published with a traditional publisher. It is set to be released some time this spring. I have long pursued this dream of getting published on a broader scale and God is making it come true right before my eyes. The book just finished the editing process and just entered the lay out phase of the production schedule. During the spring and possibly into the summer I will be doing some book tours.
Though I told only few people, at the beginning of 2013 I re-enrolled in seminary to complete my Master's degree. While everyone else was getting ready to celebrate the new year on New Year's Eve, I spent a good portion of my day studying for and taking my last final exam to complete the Master's of Art degree in Pastoral Ministries. God supplied the money up front to do this and in the end, when I needed additional money to graduate and receive my degree, God also provided that as well.
All in all, I would have to say God worked in marvelous ways throughout 2013. He was faithful every day. He proved trustworthy in my desert experience in the spring. He proved reliable by selling my house and making it possible to buy a dream house. He proved a dependable provider to help me finish my seminary degree I have long wanted to complete. True is His word, "Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass." [I Thess 5:24]
There was a lot of upside to the year. We sold our house in West Texas after two years of praying. Subsequently, we were blessed to buy a home in Wise County. God gave us more of a home than we could have hoped. God gave me the desires of my heart in giving me a home office. We live on a golf course and because Tanner is on the varsity golf team, he gets to play for free. To top it all off the house came with our very own golf court. Unbelievable.
I did not set out in 2013 to write more than I have written previously. It just happened. I wrote the things on my heart. Writing is at times more like therapy for me. I write what God gives me. At the end of 2013 I wrote 218 blogs more than any other year. We surpassed the 61,000 hits mark on the site. I am shooting to break the number of blogs I write again in 2014.
God also made another dream come true. I wrote a book titled Weeping For A Night that is going to be published with a traditional publisher. It is set to be released some time this spring. I have long pursued this dream of getting published on a broader scale and God is making it come true right before my eyes. The book just finished the editing process and just entered the lay out phase of the production schedule. During the spring and possibly into the summer I will be doing some book tours.
Though I told only few people, at the beginning of 2013 I re-enrolled in seminary to complete my Master's degree. While everyone else was getting ready to celebrate the new year on New Year's Eve, I spent a good portion of my day studying for and taking my last final exam to complete the Master's of Art degree in Pastoral Ministries. God supplied the money up front to do this and in the end, when I needed additional money to graduate and receive my degree, God also provided that as well.
All in all, I would have to say God worked in marvelous ways throughout 2013. He was faithful every day. He proved trustworthy in my desert experience in the spring. He proved reliable by selling my house and making it possible to buy a dream house. He proved a dependable provider to help me finish my seminary degree I have long wanted to complete. True is His word, "Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass." [I Thess 5:24]
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