For What Purpose?

Do you believe that things happen for a reason? I do. Does someone orchestrate these "coincidences" that life throws at us? Is it God? It has to be!

I have been a born-again believer in Jesus for over 14 years now and have seen enough amazing "coincidences" in my life to convince me that things do in fact happen for a reason. God is that reason. He is the cause, the perpetrator, and the orchestrator of ALL things.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:17

A friend and I were playing disc golf on Saturday when my buddy's tee shot went wide left on Hole #3. We searched for it in the thick brush and finally found it but not before finding another disc as well (see picture).

The found disc was an older model. Some might consider it a collector disc. My friend who found it  definitely thought it was worthy. As he gave me the disc he said, "If you don't find the owner, let me know, I'll put it in my collection."

You see, I run our league's Facebook page and we advertise lost and found discs. Most disc never make it back to their owners. No name or phone number on them. That's MOST discs. This particular found disc had the owner's name, phone number and PDGA number on it! This disc really wanted to go home!

Isn't it odd that the person who now had the disc also had access to the PDGA player database. Hmm. Strange. A search was made and the disc's owner was found. He lives in Stevens Point - a community about 20 minutes down the road.

I also just happen to be a member of the Point Disc Golf group on Facebook. Hmm. I wonder. So I searched their membership list and there was the disc's owner! So I sent him a message. You won't believe the reply I received.

"Oh my gosh! That's awesome!"

And WHY was it awesome, you might ask?

"That disc was one that I had in my bag when it was stolen out of my truck."

Wow! And now here it was, heading back to its owner . . . tomorrow. But for what reason? What purpose?

You see, this whole thing, in my opinion, this whole chain of events, is too weird to be strung together by anyone other than the God Himself. His name is written all over it, just like this golf disc had it's owner's name written on it. But why would God do this?

Well, on Tuesday I am driving up to Point to meet this guy. He will be happy to get his disc back. He will also be happy to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And how do I know that? God didn't bring that disc this far without having a purpose behind it. And God placed it in the hands of one of His children, who once was lost. And now I can tell the disc's owner a story about how "I once was lost but now am found."

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" - Luke 15:32

God is very good at finding lost things and reuniting them with their owner. You and I were lost. But then we were found. Let us thank God for His willingness to pursue us and search for us and for calling us to Himself like He did. We were all hopelessly lost. But God never gave up the search. And now we are going back home to our Owner where we belong.

[This story will also be appearing on Disc Golf Devo's Facebook page]

Disc Golf Devos

The Parable of The Wedding Ring

I heard a story yesterday that made me smile so I asked if I could share here. It's a wonderful story of love and joy, sadness and frustration. It may even make you cry a bit but it will for sure make you smile. Ready?

I have been blessed with many wonderful friends. A lot of them are located at the place I used to work. So, I like to visit as often as I can. They're like family.

One of my friends there is named Myshelle. She was the teller of this story that I heard. I have known Myshelle for 20+ years. When I first started working at this company I was placed in between her and another drafter Named Juergen. I didn't know it at the time but they would soon be married to one another.

Sadly, several years later, Juergen was diagnosed with cancer and eventually lost the battle in 2009. Myshelle raised their two kids. One is currently in high school, the other is in college. Great kids. Their mom and dad did well.

This past weekend the oldest was home for Easter and was enjoying sleeping in Saturday morning. So was her brother. My friend Myshelle decided to clean her closet - doing something quiet while the kids slept. She started off low in the closet my removing all the shoes. Then, still tucked in the corner of the closet was a pair of her husband's shoes and his slippers.

My friend pulled out the shoes, then the slip . . . Wait a minute. What's that? Under the slippers. It's Juergen's missing wedding ring!!!

Before Juergen had died he lost his wedding ring. All the weight loss from the chemo treatments and the cancer had made his fingers thin and, one day, it was just gone. They looked everywhere in the house, in the car, even the yard. Nothing. It was gone. Until this past weekend when it was found.

I don't have to tell you, my friend Myshelle was beside herself with joy! Juergen had been so upset that he had lost something he treasured so dearly.

Another interesting point of interest, Saturday was also her son's birthday. When he finally woke up his mom told him the story and gave him the ring saying, "I think your dad wanted you to have this. Today."

Now HE was crying.

What an amazing story! Have you ever lost something valuable to you and then found it when you were least expecting it? My friend's story reminded me of several stories in the Bible about things being lost and then found. Lost sheep, lost coins, and the Lost Son (all in Luke 15).

Why did Jesus tell so many stories about things that were lost? I think it's because of the joy that is felt when they are found.

As I listened to my friend tell her story yesterday I felt incredible joy for her. To have found something so valuable after years of it being missing. What an incredible feeling that must have been. That is the very same feeling God has when just one sinner repents. Amazing!

But hearing my friend tell her story was far better than my trying to replicate it here in mere words.When she told the story to me I could see the expression on her face and the joy in her eyes.

I knew the events she related to me were true because I could see how much it effected her and changed her. Do YOU have a story like that? A story of something that changed YOUR life? I do. His name is Jesus.

"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” - Luke 15:7

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." - Matthew 16:25

Drink Deep

There is an old saying that goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." That is especially true in the world we live in today. And it can be true in our own lives as well. Here's an example of what I mean.

There's nothing I like better in the morning than a nice Manderfield's Bavarian Cream filled doughnut. I seldom buy them for myself but when someone brings in doughnuts at work for their birthday I am often first in line. The problem is I am diabetic. Sugar is not good for me. Yet I still consume sugar.

My wife tries to get me to eat smart. No doughnuts! No cookies! And I comply with her wishes . . . as long as she is present. But as soon as she turns her back, I am in the cookie jar! My wife knows what is right for me but she has trouble making my follow her wishes. That's because my desire to eat sweets is often stronger than my desire to please my wife.

As a Christian, walking through a fallen world each day, I see many people who are thirsty. Thirsty for the living water of Jesus. The problem is, they don't KNOW they are thirsty. Does that make sense? They are living a life that is not pleasing to God, yet they think their lives are perfectly fine.

We Christians are supposed to be the ones who lead these "horses" to water - Jesus. So, how do we do that? I think the answer is love, and compassion.

I have some young friends who are involved in a same-sex relationship. They are drinking the water from a polluted stream - the world. I have talked with them about sin and their need for repentance. I have done so in love. When we see each other these days we always give the other a hug. There IS love present in our relationship. But they prefer living that lifestyle. I am the same with my doughnuts. Have I done my job as a believer in Christ in the lives of my friends?

I have loved them, I have had compassion for them and told them about sin and doing what is right in God's eyes. I pray for them, that they will one day taste the crisp, clean water the Jesus has to offer. I have led them to the source of the water, but I can't make them drink Him in. I have done my job. The rest is up to them. And Him.

It's frustrating because I love these people. I want what is best for them. God does too. But we all have free will to chose the path we want to take. That sounds like something God might be saying about US when WE screw up and make the wrong choices.

The difference comes, I think, that when we sin the only thing that quenches our thirst for righteousness is another drink from The Well. HIS well.

The next time someone brings in doughnuts at work to celebrate their birthday, what will I do? I'll probably have one, despite the fact that doughnuts are not good for me. And that's the problem. I am more interested in that sweet taste of sin than I am about doing what is right.

"It's just one doughnut."

It's more than one doughnut though. It's a lifestyle that needs to be changed if I want to have a longer life. It's the same with Jesus. If we want to have a longer life - eternal life - we need to make a lifestyle change. We need to drink from a different stream.

So, when are we going to do that?

In a few months I am going to retire. My "lifestyle" will be changed. The temptation from those sinful doughnuts will still be there but the exposure to them will be far less. Isn't that what needs to happen when we sin?

We need to change our lifestyle and how do we do that? Seek the help of someone who changes lives everyday. Jesus is just what we need. Drink Him in and drink deep!vHe will change your life.

^"37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸ Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ - John 7:37-38

The Well - Casting Crowns
Washed By The Water - Needtobreathe
Jesus, The Water of Life - Ben Hur
The Atheist Delusion Movie - Living Waters

When You Love Someone

My wife and I went to visit our grand daughter yesterday. It was totally worth the trip just to hold and cuddle that soft, warm little baby. So much love! However, on the return trip we experienced a different kind of "love".

It is very close to the end of the month and, although I have heard police departments say they don't have ticket quotas, they DO have budgets with a certain amount of anticipated income based on issuing tickets. Is it just coincidence that we tend to see more police cars on the road at the end of the month than at any other time? I think not. But I digress.

Back to our trip home yesterday. We were just about home when I noticed a car parked on the side of the road. I slowed . . . just in case it was a cop car. And it was. State patrol. He was mainly interested in cars heading in the opposite direction and that's where our Bible lesson for today begins.

We passed the cop car and sure enough, here came some cars towards us, heading in his direction. They were dead meat if they were speeding. The State Patrol usually lets you get away with a few miles and hour over but not many.

I flashed my lights and the on-coming traffic - a warning that there was a police car waiting for them just around the corner. I don't do that often but I felt like doing it yesterday for some reason - perhaps it was for this story. LOL!

I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the cars hit their brakes. They were probably breaking the law by speeding and I assume they were thankful for the warning.

As we continued on our way home I began thinking about how we are ALL speeders in God's eyes. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are guilty of breaking God's law. So who is warning us about OUR transgressions?

God's Word and The Holy Spirit. SO what do we learn from the lesson of teh speed trap? Read The Bible daily. Seek God's rebuke in your own lives before confronting a sinful brother or sister. We are not to judge those outside the church. I speak only about correcting a wayward member of God's family. And when we do so, exhibit grace and love. They will thank you for it. At least they should. All these things do in love and you will be blessed.

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love. " - Proverbs 27:5

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." - Galatians 6:1

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." - Matthew 18:15-17

When Should You Confront Someone About Their Sin? - John Piper
When You Love Someone - Bryan Adams

The Parable of The Sticky Buns

When I was young my mom used to make sticky buns. They were so sugary and sticky that it felt like you were going to suck the fillings right out of your teeth will you were eating them. They were like glue! They were so sticky, yet so enjoyable. Well, this story is not about them, but it IS about something just as sticky and it IS about somebody's buns. LOL!

Each year at Lifest, a Christian music concert in our area, we camp out with thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The music is wonderful, the conversations are wonderful but the weather is sometimes hot and humid like it was this year.

We have developed a Lifest tradition that my friend and I take our group of campers to the office where we work so we all can take showers and smell better. This year was no exception.

Saturday morning we arrived at our workplace and went upstairs to the workout area to shower. Situation normal except we were getting new carpeting in our office and there was a carpet layer there working on the stairs so we had to walk around him.

After our showers was sat in the board room, talking about our Lifest experience. Lots of laughs and tears too as we shared our hearts with one another.

We were all hungry by that point so we set off for another Lifest tradition - breakfast at Perkins. We headed downstairs, me leading the way, talking with my friend David who was right behind me. David is like a son to me, but more on that in a moment. The others followed behind.

As we neared the bottom of the stairs we hear the voice of someone calling out in the wilderness. No, it wasn't John the baptist, it was Jim the carpet guy.

"No, no no!!!!"

I looked down and I was standing in a fresh layer of carpet adhesive. Suddenly, behind me, there was a BOOM! My friend David had slipped and fallen, right in the glue. What a mess.

The carpet guy was very nice, trying to help us to get the glue off our shoes. But he wouldn't touch David's shorts. And neither would anyone else! LOL!

David changed back into his dirty shorts and my friend Gayle took them to her daughter's house for a cleaning. While she went to put David's pants in the wash the rest of us went to Perkins. On the way there I related how we were missing the example God had just provided for us. A living example of The Gospel.

"Huh?"

Yup. I explained . . .

"As we walked down the stairs, The Father (me) was leading the Son (David). The Son sacrificed Himself for those who were following him so that they would not get stick in sin (the glue that sticks to us all)."

Then Molly added from the back seat, "Yeah! And the humble servant (Jim , the carpet guy) was washing your feet!"

"Perkins Jesus" - back, right

We laughed all the way to Perkins. It really was The Gospel!

When the hostess sat us down at our table I looked across the room. There, seated at the far table, was a man . . . with long, brown hair and a beard, wearing a linen shirt. I then told Molly and David to look over to see if they saw the same thing I did. They did and broke out laughing. They guy looked just like Jesus!

"If he's wearing sandals I'm going to lose it," I said to my friends. They looked. He was! And we laughed even harder.

On almost a daily basis, God provides us with Living examples of who He is. Whether it's in the mountains or the stars, walking down the stairs at work or at Perkins - He is teaching us.

Oh, I almost forget. The glue in David's shorts. What a perfect representation of the sins in our lives. It is only when we are "washed clean" of our sins, the glue that adheres to us in this world, can we be free to enter the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

My friend used Goo-Gone to get ride of the glue on David's pants. All WE have to do is place our faith and hope in Jesus and he will make everything new, and clean.

^"16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." - Romans 1:16-20

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³⁷ When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

³⁸ “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” - Luke 19:37-40
Made To Worship - Chris Tomlin

An Unexpected Treasure

There is a place not far from my home where I have found a treasure. Far from where you'd think it would be, it has been sitting there for years,  right in plain sight. I have probably walked right past it a dozen times and never noticed it the sun hit it just right one day, and there it was.

Lady Slippers are not supposed to grow around where I live. Yet there's one in my back yard. They are normally found in bogs, swamps or wet woods where there is an abundance of natural light. The one in our yard is growing high on a hill in a pine plantation where all the light is filtered. It shouldn't be here . . . but it is.

Have you ever found treasure in unusual places? Think about it. I bet you have.

When you have lost something, where do you usually find it? In the last place you looked, right? Why was it the last place you looked? Because you have already looked in all the places where you thought you would find it. Ironically, if your car keys were where you expected them to be, they wouldn't be lost.

Guess where I found my wife? I found her at a friend's house. I never expected to find my mate at a friends house. Why? Because I wasn't even looking! That's when we find lots of treasures. When we least expect them.

Where did you find Jesus? Some people find Jesus in an alley. Some people find Him at the bottom of a bottle or in a desperate cry for help. find Him in the death of a friend or a loved one. I found Him in a stained glass window. Jesus is never where we expect Him to be.

Two thousand years ago the Jewish leaders never thought they're find their promised Messiah eating and drinking with sinners but that's where He was. Jesus is found when and where we least expect Him and usually when we need Him the most.

The Bible tells us multiple times that is we seek Him with all our hearts we WILL find Him. So, if we haven't found Him yet, where should we start looking? Where would you expect to find Him?

If Jesus came to pay us a visit today where would He be? With the president? The Pope? Nope. He'd be with the poor, the sick, the dying, the sinners - He'd be with people who don't know Him yet.

^"16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” - Mark 2:16-17

We can see Jesus today if we'd only look hard enough and in the right places. Are we seeking Him where we expect to find Him? Or will He be in the last place we look. Either way, He is our priceless and unexpected treasure. The most important place to find Him is in your heart.

Every Single One - Geoff Moore