Testimony

We all go through life, experiencing ups and downs. Some of those events can have profound effects on us. Some can even be life changing.

When we look back on our lives, what are the key "steppingstones" that got us to where we are today? And what if we took those turning points and turned them into a story . . . about God?

That's our testimony. It is a story about how God changed our lives for our good and for His glory. Do you have such a story? You should.

The Apostle Paul had quite a testimony. You can read about it in the Book of Acts.

"About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. ⁷I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

⁸‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked.

‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ⁹My companions saw the light, but they could not understand the voice of the One speaking to me.

¹⁰Then I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me. ‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’

¹¹Because the brilliance of the light had blinded me, my companions led me by the hand into Damascus. ¹²There a man named Ananias, a devout observer of the law who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there, ¹³came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul,’ he said, ‘receive your sight.’ And at that moment I could see him.

¹⁴Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear His voice. ¹⁵You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’" - Acts 22:6-16

Wow! That's quite the testimony! Most of us don't have a story to tell that can compare with Paul's, but we all have SOME kind of story to tell.

And what does Jesus want us to do with our story? Here's what He told a demon-possessed man to do after he was healed.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him." - Luke 8:39

Ans so should WE do.

If you look at Paul's testimony, he has a before, during, and after phase - his life before meeting Jesus, meeting Jesus, and his life after meeting Jesus. His life after meeting Jesus testified to his changed life.

Our next Youth Night Bible study is about giving our own personal testimony. The three adult leaders will be giving theirs. What is yours?

"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." - Revelation 12:11

Here's one more word of advice from an angel of God who was speaking to Lot and his family.

"As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back." - Genesis 19:17

Don't look back at your old life and think about what once was. You have been saved! Saved FROM it. Look at what awaits you in the future instead! Give glory to God by sharing what He has done in your life and how He has helped you to overcome.

Overcome - Jeremy Camp

According To You

Jesus healed many people in His 3-year ministry here as "God among us." He also brought the dead back to life. So, why then did the blind man in Mark 8 not receive his full sight right away?

"And he (the blind man) looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” - Mark 8:24

Jesus then went on to fully restore the blind man's sight. But the blind man was not totally healed initially. Why not?

As it is said, "The Bible proves The Bible." Here's another passage about Jesus healing the blind.

"As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰and their sight was restored." - Matthew 9:27-30

"According to your faith."

It kind of sounds like the blind man in our opening verse didn't have a complete 100% faith. Only a partial faith.

Here's another example of this. A man came to Jesus with his son who was demon-posessed and asked . . .

"If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

²³Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” - Mark 9:22-24

Do we have faith enough to be healed? Or is our faith merely superficial? Do we go to church on Sunday only out of obligation? Or do we attend out of 100% faith and worship God? The latter faith is the faith that God seeks from us. What kind of faith do WE have?

Post-Op

God has blessed me with many friends in this life. I met with several of them this past week, two are recovering from recent surgeries. Both were more energetic than they were before their operations. Both were free from their previous ailments. Their smiles were bigger and their eyes were brighter.

Obviously, my friends were both glad they had made the decisions they did. Both were feeling far better than they had in the past. That got me thinking . . .

"And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Mark 12:16-17

Jesus, the great physician, spent a lot of time ministering to those who needed to hear His healing words. There are numerous examples of His physical healings in the Bible too, but they were just a fortaste of what Jesus REALLY was interested in - their SPIRITUAL healing.

"All I know is, I was blind and now I see," said the man born blind. He was speaking of his physical healing. But he is also an example of spiritual healing saying, "Lord, I believe," and he worshipped Jesus (John 9). We are all "blind" . . . until we meet Jesus.

I love ALL of my friends. And what do friends do? Do you remember the paralytic man whose friends tore a hole in the roof and lowered him down to Jesus? What did Jesus do? He forgave the man's sins. That was his primary need. THEN Jesus healed the physical.

"And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven." - Luke 5:20

Do you have someone in your life who is in need of spiritual healing? These days, it seems, there is an endless supply. Love someone enough today to tell them about the spiritual healing power of Jesus. He can absolutely change their lives. And their future eternity.

Come To Jesus

There is a wee little story in the Book of Mark that is a perfect primer for anyone wanting to be saved. Jesus and His disciples are in Jericho when someone yells out from the crowd.

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" - Mark 10:47

The man calling out to Jesus was named Bartimaeus, and he was blind.

"Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” 

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. 

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” - Mark 10:49-52

What can we learn from this story? And what are the steps we must take as we place our faith in Jesus?

1. We must hear about Jesus. We must hear about the miracles he has done.
2. We must know who Jesus is. As Bartimaeus said, "Jesus, Son of David . . ." Bartimaeus knew Jesus was the promised Messiah.
3. We must be called, and Jesus did that very thing for Bartimaeus. Jesus' disciples were acting like the coming Holy Spirit, who calls many into the Kingdom.
4. We must pray. Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted. Bartimaeus said, "I want to see." This a very basic prayer, but it worked.

And notice that Jesus said, "Your faith has healed you. Jesus says this more than once when He healed people.

Bartimaeus was even gifted something he DIDN'T ask for. Eternal life.

I would guess that Bartimaeus was one happy man after his encounter with Jesus. Events like this can happen today. All we have to do is Come To Jesus. And live.

Come To Jesus - Chris Rice

The War Inside

It's easy to figure out what war looks like by watching the evening news these days. We see horrifying images, from Ukraine and Israel, but most of us have no idea what a war is REALLY like.

Those who have experienced war know only too well what it is truly like. Unimaginable evil, excruciating pain and suffering. Both physical and mental.

However, there IS a battle that wages within each one of us. That is the personal war we wage within ourselves every single day. The war.... inside.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight." - James 4:1-2

A lot of people struggle just to break even in their fight against evil. People succumb to addictions and suicides every day. People need help. Guidance. And love.

There are counseling organizations and support groups that try to help. Some people try to struggle through on their own. But no one can help like Jesus can.

James goes on to tell us this in verse three of the text above.

"And when you do ask you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives." - James 4:3

Our first prayer should be a prayer of submission, not a prayer for removal from a situation. We should acknowledge God for who He is in our lives, THEN make our requests.

Remember the Lord's prayer? First comes acknowledgement....

"Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

THEN comes the request....

"Give us this day our daily bread...."

Do you remember when Jesus healed people in the Bible? His healing was often accompanied by words similar to these:

"Your faith has made you well."

The most difficult of wars are often won with the help of the most powerful of allies. You can't do any better than to have God on your side.

The War Inside - Switchfoot

Hezekiah's Prayer

In chapter 37 of Isaiah, the prophet was told by God to tell King Hezekiah that he was about to die. This news understandably upset Hezekiah. So he prayed and God added 15 years to Hezekiah's life.

This is a portion of Hezekiah's prayer of thanks after God extended his life:

"You restored me to health and let me live.
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.

In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

The living, the living - they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness." - Isaiah 38:16-19

These verses were part of my daily reading, the day after my visit to the ER with chest pains. And now the pains in my chest are gone.

So what happened to me? Did God heal me? Or was it the doctors? The doctors didn't do anything really, except run a bunch of tests.

My first doctor said that I had a heart attack. He gave me nitroglycerin, which expands the blood vessels. That helped, eventually taking my pain level from a 9 to a 1. But the second doctor, a cardiologist, could find no evidence of anything wrong.

The second doctor couldn't find any evidence of a heart attack, yet she prescribed daily baby aspirin for me. Something they do for people at risk of a heart attack. I give up.

Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I will sing God's praises for extending MY life, just as Hezekiah did. My testimony now has another chapter in it. Anyone willing to listen will hear a story of God's grace and mercy and His healing hand. And, as Hezekiah said, "The living, they praise you, as I am doing today. Parents, tell your children about God's faithfulness."

And so, I shall. 

The Caduceus Lie

The medical community has a 'caduceus' as its symbol - two snakes spiraling upward around a staff with some wings at the top. It was created in honor of Hermes, a Greek god, and his 'magical' staff. Yeah, well here's a better idea.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever  believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

The serpent in the wilderness? What was that?

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” - Numbers 21:8

God's people had sinned, again, so He sent serpents among them who began biting and killing them as a punishment for their disobedience. The serpent on the pole was a foreshadowing of Jesus on the cross.

Jesus referred to Moses's serpent on a pole when He was talking about His own death. The serpent, synonymous with sin and death, was a perfect example of Jesus, who became sin as He died on 'a pole,' the cross, that all who looked to Him would be saved.

The medical profession does good work, but they've got nothing on Jesus - the best healer in the business!

The Cure

I have just been diagnosed with lyme's disease - a condition caused by the bite of a very small bug. It's treatable. But in the meantime it's painful and causes a rash and soreness. If left untreated it can cause problems with your heart and nervous system. Strange.

Lyme's disease is a lot like the disease of sin that affects each one of us. If left untreated, sin also leads to death. Thankfully, there is a cure for sin. His name is Jesus.

Jesus cures just about everything we could imagine. He makes the blind see, the lame walk, and can raise the dead back to life.

To cure lyme's disease one has to take an antibiotic. A pill, twice a day, for ten days. To cure sin, all you have to do is commit your life to Christ. Just do it once. It lasts a lifetime,  and more!

"When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." - Matthew 11:2-5

Right now my body is sore and tired, all brought on by the infection that runs throughout my veins. I have hope that I will be feeling better with the medication I am taking and the diagnosis provided by my doctor.

The diagnosis of our sin appears in God's Word. Read it to discover just what condition you are in. Then trust in Jesus. He is the cure for what ails us all - our sinful nature. Why live in agony and pain when a cure is readily available for anyone to take?

Monkeypox!!

Just when we thought the Charlie Victor One Niner pandemic was over, with all of its endless variants, we now have monkeypox!! I don't know about you but I'm feeling a little like Rameses from The Ten Commandments movie - enduring plague after plague after plague.

I predict that we will not run out of wars, pandemics, deadly diseases, murder hornets and brain-eating bacteria until the November election is over. But I could be wrong. It could go on indefinitely. Why?

The media LOVES to scare us. Anything to get their ratings up, right? If they were really interested in improving their ratings, perhaps they should try telling the truth. The same goes for the Democratic party. Never let a good crisis go to waste.

The Republicans aren't that much better but at least they seem to form policy by using common sense. But I'm not here to offer political solutions. The solutions I offer here today are biblical solutions.

Read the Bible. It is full of ways to end plagues, eliminate starvation and overcomes disease. His name is Jesus.

As you read through the Gospels one can quickly see that Jesus is interested a few main things - obeying God, eliminating man-made "religion," loving and serving others, forgiving sins, and believing and worshiping the one TRUE God.

That seems simple. The application is the hard part. Why? Because we are all sinners. We are easily distracted by the next, new "shiny object" in our lives. A movie, a television show, a new hobby, a new toy, . . . ourselves.

Life was good back in biblical days when God came first, and people served Him. People had plenty to eat, there were no wars, everyone lived in peace because they obeyed the Lord. That's not happening in our world today. We are lovers of self. Here, let's let Paul explain it, as he did to his friend Timothy.

"There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone." - 2 Timothy 3:1-9

That about says it all, doesn't it? Paul says these things will happen "in the last days." Well, they're happening right now. Are these the last days then? I believe that they are. What about you?

With All Your Heart

"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." - Jeremiah 24:7

Do you remember a guy named Christiaan Barnard? He was a heart surgeon from South Africa. Dr. Bernard performed the world's first heart transplant back in 1967. Or did he?

According to our opening Bible verse, GOD has performed millions of heart transplants, LONG before 1967.

God removes hearts of stone and installs hearts of flesh.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

A heart of stone is not good. Uncaring, unfeeling, a heart of stone is something that God does not want us to have. God wants us to love Him and to love others. It's His first and greatest commandment.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31

What does it mean to love God "with all your heart?" I think it means to love God without conditions. To love Him above ALL things. To place God first in our lives. Even above ourselves.

That's the first question we have to ask ourselves. Is God first in our lives? If not, the next question must be, "How can we change that?" How can we place God first in everything we do? How can we serve others without thinking of ourselves first?

That's easy. Ask God to give you a new heart. Ask Him for renewed energy for doing His will. As God for the courage to walk up to someone and ask them, "How is your heart feeling today? Would you like a transplant?"

Win The Race

When I walked into the room, there they were - a big pile of motionless high school boys, wondering what to do without their friend.

Nobody was saying a word. They just all had these sad, lost looks on their faces. The silence reflected the status of their hearts. Their friend Austin had taken his own life just the day before.

As a youth leader at our church, I knew I had to break the painful silence in the room so I did something kind of weird. I asked them a question.

"What was the dumbest thing that Austin ever did?"

Their frowns instantly turned into smiles.

"Austin had this four-wheeler, and we piled as many guys as we could on it and took off through the woods. Austin crashed us and went flying everywhere and the four-wheeler went into the lake."

The laughter of Austin's friends was much needed and very therapeutic. They began speaking other remembrances. And laughing!

That was ten years ago. That very same scene played out this past Saturday strangely enough.

It was my niece's funeral this time. After the service had ended, I was talking with my sister-in-law, when I turned and saw an entire row of young ladies in the back. All of them were looking sad. Some were crying.

It was the very same scenario as the one I had encountered ten years ago after Austin's suicide. Should I go over to them? I don't even know them. I began walking.

After introducing myself I asked them that same question. The same question I had asked Austin's friends ten years ago.

"What was the dumbest thing that my niece ever did?"

The frowns again turned into smiles. Then one girl said this:

"Well, she had this Jeep and we were trying to get some place and accidentally turned the wrong way down a one-way street. We all screamed "It's a one-way street! But your niece said, 'Screw it' Let's go!'"

Suicide is not an easy thing to deal with. There are too many unanswered questions floating around. And so much pain in our hearts. We wonder, could we have done more? Did we say 'I love you' enough? But look what happened in both of these cases.

Smiles replaced every sad face at the mere recollection of a happy, memorable moment. A time when they all had fun. A time when their loved one was alive and with them.

It is a demonstration that the sad times WILL fade. And the happy memories will eventually overpower the bad for our missing friends and family members. Those memories are the "fuel" that fills our emotional tanks - our "love tanks" if you will. It is a dangerous thing, to run out of love. That's why happy memories are so important. They are our heart's emergency backup fuel.

Since Austin's death I have made a point of telling all of the people who I love that I love them. It's a simple thing. But if someone's emotional tank is getting low, that last little bit of fuel might be just enough love to get them to the next filling station.

"Love one another, for love comes from God." - 1 John 4:7

But all of life is meaningless without Jesus.

The pastor at our niece's funeral mentioned 2 Timothy 4:7.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7

The race we are all running is life. The finish line is heaven. The only way to get to the finish line is by repenting of our sins and placing our faith and hope in Jesus. What is the point of being in the race if we have no chance to win? Jesus is the key to victory.

Austin trusted in Jesus. So did my niece. Have you?

This is from a song we sang in church yesterday. It seemed a fitting reminder as we end this story.

"When I fall down you pick me up. When I am dry you fill my cup. You are my all in all."

Telling our earthly "all-in-alls" that we love them is a good thing. But telling JESUS the same thing is critical if we ever want to see those loved ones again.

"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

The Sleeping Giant

"This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” - Ephesians 5:14

By now everyone on the planet has heard about the Loudoun County School Board and Critical Race Theory. The parents of the school children got rather upset and were voicing their opinion and it made national headlines. This is not to lessen the news that the school board covered up a rape case that occurred on their watch.

The Democratic Candidate for governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, sure wishes that the sleeping giant, the parents of Loudoun County school children, never would have been awakened. Their votes likely swung the election in his opponent's favor.

There is a lesson that needs to be learned here. Two lessons really.

Lesson #1 - Remaining silent when our children are being taught things against our wishes, and God's wishes, is NOT an option.

Lesson #2 - We need to remember that we are "One nation, Under God." That comes with some responsibilities.

We have been silent for too long. And despite what Barrack Obama says, "We ARE a Christian nation." We have just forgotten to act like it.

Everybody should remember 2nd Chronicles 7:14 by now.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Remember, we are called to "be holy, as I am holy." And what does "holy" mean? It means "set apart ones." If we as a people are truly holy, maybe we should start acting like it. We should be set apart from those in our communities who want us to blend in or to be eliminated. God is ONE "sleeping giant" we don't want to awaken to wrath.

May this November 2nd election be the first day of God healing our land.

The Miracles of God

As we approach Easter, the celebration of God's raising Jesus from the dead, it seems like a fitting time to reflect on God and His performing miracles in people's lives.

A few weeks ago I wrote a story about meeting a friend of mine on a rural road near our house. The story was about my friend's battle with cancer and his dealing with the terminal nature of his brain tumor.

To briefly recap, his doctors had given him a few months to live. He had already contacted people about serving as pall bearers at his funeral. The end was pretty much in site, Then this Facebook post last night . . .

"Hey guys, I got the results of my MRI..."

Then this these.

"I'm CURED through Christ!"

"They are amazed. Like it never happened."

And then this.

"It's a miracle from God"

And that it is!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

King Hezekiah was told that his life would soon be coming to an end. Hezekiah prayed and wept. God heard his prayer and extended Hezekiah's life. A miracle! A gift from God!!

"In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ”

2Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, 3and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. 6I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.” - Isaiah 38:1-6

Some people mock Christians for our faith. but look at my friend Paul, suddenly cancer free. We pray, we seek help from a great God who saves. Some people "trust in the science." They trust their doctors. But as for me and my Christian brothers and sisters, we trust in the Lord!

Lord, we thank you and praise you for hearing our prayers. There is NO ONE like You!!

Our God - Chris Tomlin

Observations of a Sick Boy

There are many things I have discovered while being sick. Some of them are really good, some unexpected, and others were rather disappointing. Some downright depressing. But the good gratefully has seemed to outweigh the bad and God, my King, is ALWAYS in control.

My relationship with God has definitely improved. Although reading has decreased dramatically, daily conversations, minute-by-minute chats have soared in both frequency and intensity. Even LOOKING at my Bible has proven beneficial.

My appreciation for my wife has grown massively. Just lying around watching what she does all day has been tiring. She works pretty much full time, which is amazing, but throw in her daily chores and the spare time things he likes to do and she's really getting tired. Now, add in all MY daily chores, needs, trips to the hospital and . . . wow.

Probably the saddest things I have observed during this week-long illness has been in my relationships. My relationship stock has crashed! I haven't really let a lot of people know that I am sick. I'm not someone who does that really. But I DO love all of my relationships. Those are pretty much gone.

Food tastes better. I should be gaining weight, but I'm not. I've lost 16% of my body weight. I am free to eat!! Anyone wanna go for a burger? HMU!

Turn off the television. It will make 25% of your worries and fears disappear. IMMEDIATELY!

I'm currently running low on energy so I have to end this post by encouraging you this these ways:

• Never take your relationships for granted - whether with God, your spouse or friends, relationships are the most precious things we get in this life. Especially our relationship with God.
• Don't think your doctors and nurses are able to read your mind. They can't. Just like in any good relationship, there must be trust. Tell them everything. Expect the same from them.
• Offer appreciation when someone does something for you. No matter how small. It's an act of service. They didn't HAVE to do that. Then where would you be?

I will leave you today with my favorite verse. I have written about it many times. Call it my life verse if you will.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Divided Against Itself

I wasn't sure what to write about this morning, until I saw this picture. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture speaks volumes.

This picture was taken last night when a line of thunderstorms ripped through our state. The flag flies at the Acuity Insurance headquarters in Sheboygan, WI.

The flag is 70'x140' and is the world's largest free-flying American flag. The storm ripped the flag in two. Spilt the flag right down the middle. Why am I even typing words? The story is already written.

Jesus said these words that seem applicable to our nation today. All the civil unrest has split our great country right down the middle.

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house." - Mark 3:24-27

We are divided against ourselves. What will be the outcome from all this unrest? Only God knows for sure. I think God sent America a message last night. The image of this flag, OUR flag, split in two, is a powerful visual - a warning perhaps - for what awaits a country that has turned its back on God.

What is needed is a revival of sorts. We, the American people, need to repent and turn to God. We need to stop "ripping" each other down and start lifting each other up. And we need to pray! Oh, dear Lord, we need to pray desperately.

This great flag can be repaired. So can this great nation. But We The People are the ones who have to do it. We have to WANT to do it. If we don't, we WILL fall. The choice is ours.

What then shall we do? Continue to fight and war against each other? Or will we stop and humble ourselves before God? It is our choice. It is YOUR choice. What will we do?

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" - James 4:1

The Struggle Is Real

Today's story is quite personal in nature. A "chance" encounter in the parking lot of a local food pantry on Saturday.

I volunteer there as basically a greeter but during this corona virus situation I have become more of a chaplain than anything else.

Each conversation usually goes something like this.

"Hi! How are you guys doing?" Most people say they are fine. But with this virus floating around, I ask more pointed questions like, "How are you surviving with the shut down?" That's when the REAL conversation begins.

I met one lady Saturday morning who had never been to a food pantry before in her life. She didn't really know what to do. A friend told her about the food pantry so she came. She was clearly struggling. She told me she had been laid off from her job. She had been a school bus driver but the schools in Wisconsin had just been closed for the rest of the school year. She was now without income until September.

So, I'm standing there outside the driver's side window feeling so sad for this person so I asked, "May I pray for you?"

"Sure," was her answer.

"May I touch you," I asked?

"Please."

And so I prayed for her, my bare hand on the shoulder of her coat.

The bare-hand thing probably wasn't too smart for me to do from a corona prevention standpoint but I would do it again in a heartbeat from a compassion point of view. The lady thanked me, then pulled a Kleenex to her face to wipe away the tears. Lots of people were struggling in that parking lot. Not because of the virus, but because they had lost their jobs due to FEAR of the virus.

I shared that story of my prayer with all of the volunteers afterwards and with many in their cars hoping to receive food. All were touched by her struggle. Many others were in similar situations. Our governor extending his "safer at home" executive order until the end of May and I could see it taking its toll.

I was reminded of the story when Jesus healed the leper.

"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "LORD, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." - Matthew 6:1-3

People need hope during a struggle, no matter WHAT the situation is. Jesus provides that hope. But, just like the leper in the story, we have to ask. We also have to BELIEVE that Jesus can heal. That is where many of us fail. The leper believed Jesus could heal him (verse 2) and Jesus did just that.

It was also against the law for a leper to approach within a stone's throw of any clean person. Yet the leper took a chance with Jesus and walked up to Him. May we, the Christians, be the ones who are willing to reach out and touch others who are suffering in life. It is right and fitting that we do so.

Yes, we must be smart about it. But we must also live a life without fear. A life Jesus told us to live.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

Jesus Heals The Leper - The Chosen
Heal Me - Terry MacAlmon

A Mother's Eyes

It has been said that "eyes are the windows to the soul." That couldn't be more true than for mothers whose children are sick or hurting.

One of the many blessings that God has given me is to serve the people of our community each month at Ruby's Pantry. People from all over Central Wisconsin to come to Waupaca to get some groceries for their families.

My volunteer job is to pre-register all of our visitors - most of them are mothers trying to provide for their families. My job might sound like a frightfully boring thing to most people but it has been a blessing and a privilege to be able to look into the eyes of ALL comers and to be able to ask them questions about important things. Life, family, God.

Some people are pretty good at hiding their emotions and some are actually fine and smiling, but the eyes of a mother who has a struggling or hungry child are the most wide open "windows of the soul" I have ever seen.

This past Saturday I was able to talk with a mom who, just one year ago, was seeking prayers for her struggling children. We prayed together for her family on a very cold day last February. This year the mom came up to me in the parking lot and told me about her children. All were doing fine. One had even received a promotion at her job.

"Wasn't it just a year ago we were praying for these children who are now so doing well? God is good!" I asked. Answered prayer.

Another mom was there picking up food for her daughter-in-law who was working and couldn't attend. Another was there because she had just been laid of from her job. But the most powerful conversation I had in the parking lot was with a mom who couldn't find formula for her young son.

I have seen lots of pictures on Facebook of people hoarding supplies when this virus hit - toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, - but I have not seen any pictures of people hoarding baby food. Yet, shelves in grocery stores are more lean than normal these days. Innocent children, suffering, has got to be my number one hot-button issue.

We had no baby formula that day. We never do actually. But what we DID have plenty of was caring people volunteering their time, and an abundance of prayer. All people in need of prayer were prayed for, whether they knew it or not.

God provides for His children. It not always what they want but it's usually exactly what they NEED. These are trying times to be sure. If you are trying to get through this virus thing on your own I wish you well. Wouldn't it be better to walk with someone who has promised to never leave you or forsake you?

God lifts us up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)! He restores our soul Psalm 23:3)! He gives us peace (John 14:27)! His Word is a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105), a very present help in danger (Psalm 46:1).

Doesn't that sound like something we all NEED right now? If you don't have a relationship with God, if you have never met Jesus on your own personal road to Damascus, this is a great time to do so. SO, what are you waiting for? Talk to Him! It's easy, yet it may be the hardest thing you've ever done.

Tell Him you're sorry for ignoring Him, apologize for your sin and seek His forgiveness. He will do both of those things for you but you MUST ask. And then follow Him. Learn from Him. He is a wonderful teacher, and He loves you.

Make your faith and salvation the best thing to come out of this virus situation we are in. Then, you can look back on this time of strife in our world, and smile.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." - Romans 10:9-10

Where's Your Mountain?

Reading through the Gospels these past few weeks has reminded me of something about Jesus. There are two things that we all can do to make our loves so much more fulfilling.

Jesus was a popular guy. People flocked to Him as word spread about His miracles of healing and restoration. There were times that the crowd was so thick around Him that some climbed trees just to get a glimpse of Him.

Jesus did some important things we all should be doing in our own lives. If we did just these few things we would be so much simpler and fulfilling.

The first is His compassion. Love.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - Matthew 9:36

There are so many who need love and compassion in this world. Is there someone in your life who could use a friend right now? Someone with a listening ear? Or maybe just someone to be with?

The other thing Jesus did was He got away from the crowd numerous times during His ministry, just to be by Himself and to pray. Where do you go when you want to recharge? To pray? What do you do?

"After sending the people away, he went up a mountain to pray by himself. When evening came, he was there alone." - Matthew 14:23

For me, I turn off the news shows, close the laptop and pick up my Bible. Reading God's Word takes me out of this world and places me somewhere, by myself, with Jesus. I find that to be very calming. I will also sit in the dark and just pray and love people from the comfort of my living room chair.

The important thing is to DO something. We need to remind ourselves that this world can be a cold, dark place in need of some light. BE that light in someone's life today. And if you need recharging, get away by yourself someplace. Take the time you need to be re-filled. Read God's promises, read through Psalms and pray, visit with a friend.

There aren't many mountains here in Wisconsin but there are Quiet Places we can go to get away from it all and get closer to God. Where's YOUR mountain?

The Old Rugged Cross - Alan Jackson

What Do You Want?

What do Jesus and Pink Floyd have in common? More than you might think.

We had some interesting teaching in church this past Sunday. Although I have read the text several times I never really made the connection between a couple of encounters Jesus had in the Book of Mark. Here's the first.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” - Mark 10-35-37

Two of Jesus' disciples, the guys who spent three years absorbing Christ's teaching, wanted power. They hadn't learned very much, had they?

Later Jesus had another encounter. This time with a blind man. Jesus asked the very same question.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” - Mark 10:51

The blind man just wanted to be healed. He knew who Jesus was even though he was blind. The blind man didn't want power or glory for himself. He just wanted to be made whole. And isn't that what Jesus came to do? To heal the sick and raise the dead? To sacrifice Himself on our behalf that WE might be made whole?

And the Pink Floyd connection? It's in the song at the end of this post. Here's a little taste of some of the lyrics.

Do you want my blood? Do you want my tears?
What do you want?
What do you want from me?

You can lose yourself this night
See inside there is nothing to hide
Turn and face the light
What do you want from me?

God has the power to give us what ever we want. But why should He? He is more interested in giving us what we actually need. But until we "turn and face the light" and "lose ourselves tonight" we can never get what we really need. Jesus.

What Do You Want From Me? - David Gilmore

Piercings

Do you have any piercings? I do. Most people would be surprised to hear that. "Bob? Piercings? No!" But it's true. Only a few people know about them. Even fewer have actually seen them, but they exist.

My piercings are more hard core than most. Most people have piercings in their eyebrows, lips, noses, tongues, nipples, belly buttons or ears. Not me. Those are for sissies. Try having your HEART pierced sometime!

Piercings of the heart are usually involuntary. They are inflicted upon us rather than obtained during an appointment. Their initial "installation" is extremely painful and , in some cases, the pain of getting them never really goes away.

My wife's sister lost her husband to cancer. Her heart was pierced in a major way this past weekend when he died. Yet the first news he had pancreatic cancer was worse, I think, than his actual death.

My former boss walked into a room this past weekend and found his brother, dead. Another piercing that very few will ever see. He's too proud to let anyone have a look at THAT piercing.

Have you had your heart pierced?

Heart piercings are basically invisible. All we can see is symptoms as even seeing those is rare. Ironically, the only way to ease the pain from the piercing is    to reveal them to someone else.

Showing our heart piercings to someone who has no piercings themselves seldom results in any healing. Only someone else who has been pierced can truly understand.

Try revealing your heart piercings to Jesus sometime, if you're looking for a cure that is. He's been pierced . . . in His wrists, feet and side.

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." - Zechariah 12:10

The only one who can truly heal your heart is Jesus. Trust in Him. Offer your aching heart to Him. But be prepared. The resulting feeling, having been healed, is amazing.

How To Heal A Broken Heart - Nick Vujicic