Chariots of Fire

What do you do when you feel outnumbered or surrounded on all sides? When the kids are yelling just a little too much or the boss wants the report on his desk RIGHT NOW! Do you give up, quit and just run away from the problem? Do you lash out, lose your temper and start yelling in frustration? Try this.

What if we turned to God during those tough times and ask HIM to help or guide us through? Sounds like a great idea but why do we never think of actually doing that? We always try to change things or do them ourselves, don't we? I know I do. Why is that?

I think it's because we get so caught up in trying to figure out what to do that we often forget the most obvious thing. The only thing that really and truly has a chance of any success at all. Prayer.

Our prayers do get heard, if we are a child of God. And God WILL answer them, often giving you the true desires of your heart. But we have to remember to pray! I am terrible at this.

Elisha was an amazing prophet of God. He always remembered to consult the Lord before he did things. When his people were surrounded with little hope of surviving a coming attack, Elisha prayed and opened the eyes so his people could see God's army waiting to defend them.

"17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." - 2 Kings 6:17

We have "chariots of fire" at our disposal. If only we would pray and pray in God's will. In Elisha's example, God did not want His people destroyed. He wanted to have them be strong and courageous for the coming battle. God answered Elisha's prayer and open their eyes and they saw.

How do WE pray? And what do we pray FOR?

Open The Eyes of My Heart - Sonicflood

The Simple Things

When we distill life down to its basic elements it really is quite simple. Our "needs" are actually  very few. We need air to breathe, we need food, water and sleep. Clothing is optional but quickly becomes essential when the temperatures drop, or someone comes to visit. Shelter is another seasonal need. But the one thing that we all need is love.

Have you seen any of those videos of kids being surprised by their mom or dad who came home from military service overseas? I love watching those. So do you, I'm sure. Why is that? I think it's because the kids miss the physical and visual presence of their parent. The ability to give them a hug. They miss the presence of tangible love.

I have found that, even in my old age, I still need to be loved, just like everyone else. But kids especially need to feel loved these days.

When I was a youth leader at my church I saw kids whose parents were divorced or separated. Relationships never seem to work when love is not present. Love is the key.

I met a kid nine years ago while on a mission trip. This kid was very loving as a small child. The member of our team were humbled by all of the hugs we received. But today that little kid is a teenager. Facebook posts are filled with gang signs, tough talk and thoughts of death and suicide. What happened? I think love, true, unconditional love, has disappeared from this persons life.

I reached out to this young friend this week. We talked about love, the kind Jesus offers. I could almost hear the pain in this young one's heart when they said, "It's nice to know that someone cares." What they are really saying is that they didn't know that anyone cared before.

We all want to feel loved. The question is are YOU willing to love someone else the way YOU want to feel loved? Someone has to make the first move. Extend a hand in friendship, change your schedule to accommodate someone else, listen to them, empathize with them. If you can't do that, perhaps YOU are the one who needs to feel loved.

Christians are especially good and showing love. Why? Because we know God. We have experienced HIS love for us. Are we just supposed to keep His love to ourselves? Or would God want us to share His love with others?

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  - Matthew 22:37-39

Pretty Simple

Love Is A Cross - Russ Lee

The Biggest Question

During a recent appearance on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert asked Keanu Reeves, “What do you think happens when we die?” Keanu replied “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”

That was a big question to try to answer. But it is not THEE biggest.

Our pastor gave a message yesterday which he entitled "The Great Divide". And that it was. But it could also have been called "The Biggest Question."

The text for the sermon was Mark 8:27-30 but I'll narrow it down to one verse for you. Verse 20

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

That is a HUGE question that we ALL must answer. Peter answered well.

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” - Mark 8:29

How would YOU answer that question? Thee biggest of questions.

Is God someone you call on only when you get into trouble? Is He your magic Jeanie or your spare tire in the trunk? Those are all answers that people give but none of those is not the best answer.

Jesus will ask us the question one day. "Who do YOU say I Am?"

Funny thing is, He just gave us the answer.

"I Am."

"God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." - Exodus 3:14

God needs to be everything to us. He needs to be our Lord, our Savior, our King, our Messiah, Our Hero, Our Example, The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, The First, The Last, The Beginning and the End, The Alpha and the Omega.

Is He all those things in your life? I hope and pray that He is, for that is the Biggest and Best Answer.

Who Am I? - Casting Crowns
Is He Worthy? - Chris Tomlin
The Biggest Question Promo - Wretched TV

The Tick

Yard work in Central Wisconsin often comes at a cost. If it's not the mosquitoes and biting flies that get you, it's the bees, wasps and snakes that get your attention. But by far the worst backyard nemesis has got to be . . . The Tick.

The tick is a silent killer that stalks the tall grass. They just hang out, waiting for something tasty to come along, and they hitch a ride . . . on their dinner. And that "dinner" awaits for them if they can remain undetected on their clueless victims.

It's not hard to draw the comparisons between the parasitic life forms in our backyards and Satan. All are distractions to our normal, preferred way of life. They want to suck the life-giving blood from our bodies and prevent us from doing what we were created to do - love and worship.

These pests, and I include Satan amongst them, bring disease and discomfort into our lives. They also can bring death. Such is the way of the Devil.

So, we basically have two choices. The first is the least dangerous and probably the smartest - never go into the tall grass again! Stay away from the sinful world and its entanglements. The farther we are from it, the better the chance we have from becoming consumed by it.

The second option is the best option, in my opinion. To be IN the world, but not OF it. God placed us here in this world for a reason. To simply lock ourselves in the closet and not engage with others in the world seems contrary to God's plan for us.

I believe we should be right in the middle of "the tall grass", fighting against the parasitical elements it contains, while spreading the best pest repellant the world has ever known. Love and The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." - John 17:14-21

Greater - MercyMe

The Parable of The Bunny

All was quiet around our house last night. It was one of those late spring evenings when the wind calms down and everything is peaceful. Unfortunately, that's when things erupted at our house.

I was in the house, working on a jigsaw puzzle. My wife was outside somewhere, working in one of her gardens. All seemed normal.

That's when I heard the yelling and the banging. What the heck was all the racket about? I got up to investigate.

My wife was charging through the brush in our backyard, banging on a plastic pale with a small trowel. She was yelling at some unknown assailant, "Drop it! Get out of here!"

My wife had witnessed our neighborhood cat catch a baby bunny. The cat was holding the bunny in it's mouth when my wife went on the rampage.

The cat dropped the bunny and ran off. The bunny quickly ran in the opposite direction. A scary but very good lesson for us all to learn.

We live in a dangerous world. It might seem all green and lush with a cool breeze blowing and plenty of food to eat, but that can change in an instant. Something can come at us out of the darkness and catch hold of us before we even know it. Many times the jaws of what gets a hold of us are unrelenting and without mercy. That's when we need Jesus the most.

Last night in our backyard my wife played the role of Jesus, chasing away the devil (the cat) and saving a young rabbits life. In the life we live, Satan is just and evil as a hungry cat. He prowls around looking for someone he can devour. Will it be you? Do you have Jesus in your life?

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8

Wayland The Rabbit - Seals & Crofts

Black

Did you ever try walking around in the house with your eyes closed? Like you were blind? It gives us a different perspective on things.

Eventually, after enough bumps and bruises, stubbed toes and yowling cats, we can eventually figure things out. We can learn where everything is and navigate through it. That is, until someone leaves something on the floor or rearranges the furniture. Having sight certainly makes life easier to navigate.

Here's a fun little experiment you can try tonight. Go into a dark room. What do you see. Nothing, right? Now turn on the light and go to the closet. It's dark in the closet. Open the closet door. Does the darkness flow out into the lighted room or does the light from the room brighten the dark closet?

Light overcomes the darkness!

"That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. " - John 1:5

In the world we live in there is a lot of darkness. I think most people would agree that we need more light instead of more darkness. I wonder, would you agree with that after reading this verse from the Bible?

"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." - 1 John 1:5

If God is light, and we need more light in the world rather than darkness, doesn't that mean that we need more God in the world? There are some that would disagree with that statement. I am not one of those people.

There is another statement in 1st John that say "God is love." Most people would believe that the world needs more love in it. I do. But there are still some that will say, "More love, yes, but not more God." I believe that love is the answer and that God is the answer.

When you walk through this world do you shine a light? Or are you a black hole? A dim bulb? Don't be darkness. There is enough of that in this world. "Let your light so shine before men." - Matthew 5:16

Lights Shine Bright - TobyMac (feat. Hollyn)

Love

I'm having a bit of a milestone moment here this morning. This is the 1000th story I have written for this blog. So, what shall I write about? The Millennial Kingdom perhaps? Ha ha! No.

What would God want me to write about? This would be my guess.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

Love is an amazing thing. If you have never experienced it, it really is amazing. There are different kinds of love too. Parental, spousal, familial, relational, emotional, physical, spiritual, etc. It is also possible to love pets, countries, flags, potato chips and milk too.

With so many things to love in life, why are so many people not finding it?

I think it's because they are "looking for love in all the wrong places."

Several years ago I talked with a young lady who was struggling in her relationships. She still is. I asked her to describe the perfect guy and she did. I then asked, "Where do you think you'll find that guy?" "In church?" was her reply. She continues to date and seek out "hot" guys in bars.

Guess what . . . love doesn't have a face or a body. Love is an emotion. We need to quite using our eyes to find it and examine our own hearts instead. Sometimes though our hearts get damaged and we become afraid to love. God has something to say about that.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." - 1 John 4:18

I like to tell people that I love them. Why? Because I am old and I might not get another chance? Lol! That's partially true I guess. But the real reason I tell people I love them is that God wants us to love others and not everybody is a mind-reader.

Hey, I love you and I don't even know who you are!

Today, if you are with a friend, a spouse, a child or a neighbor, tell somebody you love them. It's what God wants us to do. It's actually a command. So. What are we waiting for?

Nobody Loves Me Like You - Chris Tomlin

Monday Already?

Usually, when Monday mornings roll around, we find ourselves wondering, "Where did the weekend go?" That's how it was in our house this morning. Friday night dinner with friends, visiting relatives, yard work, a ball game. Time sure does fly when you're having fun.

That's kind of the way it's been with this blog. I've been writing these stories for several years now. This particular story is number 999. Again, time flies.

Nearly all of my stories have been about God and His workings as I see them occurring in the world around me. Kind of an eye-witness thing. Other stories have been opinion pieces but ALL have been based in the truth of God's Word.

Sometimes these stories have run afoul of public opinion. Tough noogies. Public opinion often flows contrary to God and His Word. We ARE a stiff-necked people according to God. Ain't THAT the truth!

So, beginning with story number 1,000 I am going to be changing things up a bit. Rather than a Monday-Wednesday, Saturday thing, I will only be inflicting you with these musings "as God leads". If there is nothing to write about, I won't write. But if there are multiple things to write about, I will write about them all. You have been warned!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

I like to write, therefore I shall. I love God, therefore I shall write about Him - either ABOUT Him or to bring glory TOO Him. That's what that verse we just read tells me to do.

Not many people read my stories anymore. That's okay. I don't write these stories to change people's minds about a particular topic. I write my stories to make people think. To think about God. There is a tendency for us not to think about Him in our busyness and the hurried state in which we always seem to find ourselves.

So, until next time, whenever that is, love God and love one another. The last will be first and the first shall be last. Whoever have ears to hear, let him hear.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

Glory To God Forever - Fee

Caught In The Nett

You think you know God? You think you have Him all figured out? You ain't got nothin'. Wait until you hear THIS story!

I drove up to Nett Lake on Wednesday. There's nothing like a nice 6-hour drive to try figuring out what God will be doing when I get there. I thought I knew what was going to happen. Wrong. This is how I thought the day would go.

I would arrive at my friend's house, install a bunkbed I had built for her kids, and then we would talk about life and about God. It was going to be an absolutely wonderful day. But then I arrived and all of MY plans went right out the window. Enter GOD's plan.

I thought for sure God had placed me in my friends life so I could tell her about God and the joys and responsibilities of being a Christian. It was going to be perfect, or so I thought. That's not what God had in mind. Why? Because that was MY plan, not His.

When I got to my friend's house her boyfriend was the first person I saw. Then I saw my friend walking towards me from down the street. There were also two teenage girls in the house - cousins, I was told. Plus my friend's two kids. One was having way too much fun showing off. The other was having just as much fun, being cranky.

All of these people were getting ready to leave for an appointment as soon as I finished assembling the bed. Well, there was not going to be any conversation about God I guess. No moments of deep reflection or prayer. I was going to assemble the bed and that would be it. Then another 6 hours of driving back home to think about what had NOT happened. Wonderful.

I clearly thought God had me drive up here for a reason. But now nothing was happening. Did I miss something? Did I not pick up on some sign from above?

As I was tightening the last bolt on the bed my friend asked me, "Could you drop my cousin off in Virginia on your way home?"

"Sure."

Virginia, MN was 20 miles down the road but it WAS on my way back home. I was doing a favor for a friend plus I have no idea what's going to happen next so, okay, let's go.

I was feeling a bit awkward, being in the car with a teenager I barely knew so I introduced myself. "Hi. I'm Bob. What's your name?"

[Here it comes - the revelation of God's plan for my day, my trip, and perhaps my life.]

"Joelle."

One word. A name. And just like that, God's blessings poured down on me. Big time! So, who is Joelle?

On May 8th I wrote a story called "Why?" (Click on the link and read it).

In the story I wrote about the struggles we face in life. Joelle was definitely struggling, having just lost her sister at such a young age. In the last paragraph of my story I asked you to pray that God would put a Christ-follower into Joelle's life. To show her someone cared and to share the love of Jesus with her. God answered those prayers. I just never thought it was going to be me.

So Joelle and I talked for 20+ minutes about her sister Chere, the pain of someone we love dying, Nett Lake Baptist church, Pastor Kevin, The Warrior Leadership Summit. I even got her laughing a bit.

If you ever think you have read the Bible enough or prayed enough or learned enough about God, get ready. You're about to learn some more.

All the way home I was praising God for the gift He had just given me. What an encouragement! I hope our conversation helped Joelle. I KNOW it helped me.

So, what's next? I'm not even going to try to guess. But these verses come to mind.

"9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” - 1 Samuel 3:9-10

God Speaking - Mandissa

Where To?

Do you have a GPS device in your car? Or maybe you use your phone instead. Knowing where you are going is a good thing.

I'm taking a long trip today so I updated the maps in my GPS unit last night. Turns out they were old and out of date. I could have easily gotten lost! Instead, I am now confident of where I am going and that's a good thing.

I attended a funeral recently and heard the pastor talk about a meeting he had with the deceased a few weeks earlier. The pastor said this person told him, "I am ready physically and mentally but I'm not so sure about spiritually."

There was an open invitation to share the Gospel if there ever was one. But instead of hearing about sin, repentance, and Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, the pastor said none of that. Instead he said, "You have always been ready. You've been ready your whole life."

I thought about what I had just heard for a few seconds before saying (under my breath), "That's not right."

I think we all say things to make other people feel better, especially at funerals or when they are dying. How many times have you heard someone say, "Well, she's in a better place now" or "They're in heaven now looking down on us."

My response to that is, "Really? What makes you think so? Did they place their faith in Jesus recently? Did they repent of their sins and surrender their hearts to Jesus?" What people REALLY need to hear is the truth.

Read through the Book of Acts and count the number of times people came to faith in Christ. What is the pattern? Almost every account says that they 1.) received the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they 2.) repented and they (3.) were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Here's just one example.

"38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

No human can read peoples hearts. That's God's job. With few exceptions, according to what I read in the Bible, all Christians and those made righteous in God's eyes by their faith are "in the presence of The Lord" when they die. Those who have not placed their faith in Christ are unrighteous and in hades or sheol - "the place of the dead."

Each of us is on a spiritual journey. We must make sure our "maps" are correct by increasing our knowledge of the scriptures. Is what I have just told you correct? Do your research. Read the Bible. Seek the truth for yourselves.

Just remember, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me."

Here is a really good article about sin and repentance and its requirement for salvation.

What Is Repentance and Is It Required For Salvation?

Ala Carte Faith?

Do you like eating at those all-you-can eat buffets? I think a lot of people do. Every time I drive by a Cracker Barrel for example the parking lot is always full. People like to have everything they want. What ever our little hearts desire. But is that how our faith and our beliefs should be?

I was talking with a young friend of mine the other day. She is still searching I think. She was carrying a Bible but then also spoke to me about believing in reincarnation - basically a do-over for a life not lived to the fullest.

Can we pick and chose when it comes to our faith? I don't think so. There are a wide variety of belief systems but, regardless of which one we chose to follow, we cannot take parts of one and combine it with part of another. Doing so would make US the gods, would it not?

Christianity offers eternal life through faith in Jesus, the Son of The Living God. The Bible is filled with stories of what happened to the Israelites when they intermingled with other faiths and worshiped other gods. It didn't end well for them.

I believe there is one God who exists in three parts - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. There is no reincarnation or any do-over. We get this one life to live here on earth and then we die. BUT our spirit will live on in a new heavenly body . . . for ever.

The next time I go out to eat I think I will just order fish and leave it at that.

6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” - John 14:6-7

Unplugged

This past weekend we said goodbye to my sister-in-law's husband Pat. After the funeral we said goodbye to his wife. When asked what she would do now she simply said, "I think I'm going to unplug for a while." Smart lady.

I started "unplugging" a few weeks ago when I surpassed my data limit on my phone. I was forced to limit my phone usage and guess what? I really have enjoyed it.

Oh sure, there were those times when I wanted to check Facebook or my e-mail but those moments faded when I was faced with paying extra fees. I'm such a cheapskate.

The beauty of unplugging is that you suddenly have time to do other things. We ALL could use some spare time. What would YOU do if you had any?

I have been reading more. That's a good thing. I have also been able to work on some unfinished projects, which has been really sweet. But what I really enjoy is the quiet. The times in the early morning hours to just sit and think rather than scroll and surf.

Do you have adequate time to spend with God? To thank Him for all of the things He has given you? Your family, your friends, a job, a house, food on the table. Everything!

Take the advice of my sister-in-law. Unplug, close your eyes and pray. Renew your mind! You will be glad you did.

"2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

All Of Creation - MercyMe (unplugged)