Bridge

I was watching one of those Alaska shows the other night on Nat Geo (The National Geographic Channel). Some guy was trying to build a log bridge across a creek. The creek wasn't your typical slow, meandering waterway. This creek was filled with rapidly flowing ice water. And it was deep.

Prior to his decision to build this bridge he always had to remove all of his clothes, throw them across the creek first, and then wade through the ice water . . . the belly-deep ice water. It wouldn't take ME too many hours of deliberation before I would consider building a bridge. One dip would do it.

It took him all day to chop down a tree or two and cut them into pieces before he could simply just walk across the creek on his new wooden bridge. He felt good about his accomplishment.

What an idiot. He was smart for building the bridge but a fool for not building it sooner.

I drive across many bridges on my way to work. I never really think about them. I never think about all the hours of labor spent to make my morning commute a little easier. I never think about it at all. And that's the problem with us humans. We never think about such things.

For example, I have been told that, once you tour a meat processing plant, you will never eat hot dogs again. That may be true. I've never toured a meat processing plant. I like to eat hot dogs. But maybe, if I really knew what went into making them, I would never even want to touch the things.

There are some bridges where we have to pay a toll, a price, to cross the bridge. The Mackinac Bridge is one of those. Each summer when we go to our farm in Michigan we stop at the toll booth before we cross the bridge and pay money to use it. We actually pay a toll on nearly every bridge we cross. It's just that most of those costs come from taxes.

We who call ourselves Christians don't really spend a lot of time thinking about our sin. The things we do during any given day, whether they are God-honoring or not, don't really matter to us most of the time. We just want to get through our day. We just want to "walk across the river." We don't really think about how our "bridge" to heaven was built. We just want to get there.

Perhaps if we each had to get scourged before we got there we'd begin to understand. Perhaps if someone pounded some railroad spikes through our hands and into a tree we'd begin to get the picture. Perhaps.

Jesus has already built a bridge for us. He knew exactly what it was going to cost before it was built. And He paid the price for its construction . . .  with His life.

The next time I cross a bridge in my travels, I think I will stop and examine it. Take a look at its foundation. Check out the size of the beams. Maybe I should call up the construction company as ask them what it was like to build that bridge. But I probably won't. I'll just drive right on over to the other side.

What would we do if we had no bridges? Many of us would have to move, including me! But we DO have bridges. And we DO have an eternal bridge, in Jesus Christ. HE is our bridge to heaven. But what about the toll for crossing the bridge? Who is going to pay that? Already paid. Paid in full.

I'm going to thank Him in my prayers today for what He has done to aid my travels, in this life and in the next, Won't you please join me? Thank you! :)

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all," - 1 Timothy 2:1-6

The Bridge

Warm & Fuzzy

Winter is getting closer every day. We now have snow on the ground and the temperatures are below freezing. I keep asking myself, "Why don't you move somewhere else? Idiot!" Well, there are several reasons we don't move. Our family is here. Our jobs are here. All of our friends are here. And, truth be told, we actually kind of like it here.

Of course the winter does have it's drawbacks. Like my wife for example. Wait. That didn't sound quite like it should have. Let me explain. You see, my wife gets cold in the winter. She likes to sit and read books. That's fine. I like to read too. But her reading in winter causes her hands to get really cold. I mean REALLY cold!!

When my wife gets cold she does two things she doesn't normally do during the summer - she takes hot baths and . . . she likes to snuggle in bed. Nothing wrong snuggling. That sounds sort of romantic actually. ut we mustn't forget my wife's frigid digits. One touch and I shoot skyward like a scalded cat.

Speaking of cats, that's another bad thing about winter. Our cats like to snuggle too. Their just as bad as my wife is when it comes to leeching heat. Worse! They're forever climbing on my wife, looking for warmth and comfort.

Last night our cat did something it has never done. It hopped into our bed with us (at 2:00 in the morning!) and curled up between us. I had no clue. I was asleep at the time. But I became aware soon enough when I rolled over that someone else was in bed with us.

I felt a warm body next to me. Thinking is was my wife I snuggled a bit closer. She must still be cold. The poor thing. Well, I was plenty warm so I snuggled closer. That's when I noticed the purring. That's a little weird I thought but I reached out my hand to pull her close and grabbed nothing but cat fur.

Unacceptable!!

I shoved the cat off the bed as was greeted with a big hiss. I rejected the cats desire to stay in our bed where it was comfortable and warm.

Now some people will call me mean. My wife might be one of them. But beds are made for humans to sleep in, not cats. The same would be true for dogs is we had one. Our cats can sleep on the couch or the stuffed chair, but the bed is mine. It is created for a specific purpose and it wasn't to host felines.

I was listening to a lecture the other day that was given by a pastor. He was speaking about apostasy in the church.Apostasy is a lot like our cat in bed. Warm, fuzzy and should be kicked out as soon as it's noticed.

What is apostasy?

The 1828 Webster's Dictionary describes it as "an abandonment of what one has professed; a total desertion, or departure from one's faith or religion."

How does that happen? Slowly, very slowly. But it DOES happen.

The cat-in-bed scenario can also apply to sin in our lives. It creeps in ever so slowly. Even unnoticed at first but it can sneak in, even when we think we are watching.

"My wife is gone for the weekend. Maybe I'll check out that porn site the guys at work were telling me about."

"I'm home alone for the day. I'll eat the entire bag of potato chips while I watch my soap opera. I need a special day, all for myself. Maybe some ice cream too!"

"I wonder what this whiskey tastes like. Mom and dad keep it on the top shelf but here I am standing on a chair with the bottle in my hand. What will one drink hurt? Besides, mom and dad drink. How bad can it be?"

There are so many ways that sin sneaks into our lives. It finds a crack. A failing marriage suddenly makes it okay to explore other options. A bad day at school suddenly is cause for a drink, or two, or three.

What happened to who we once were? When did that once-innocent person get replaced with the more sinful model? Slowly. V-e-r-y S-l-o-w-l-y.

God wants more from us than a quick in-and-out at church on Sunday. He wants us to live lives of love and devotion. Of sacrifice and service. We are to worship God, not the idols we have allowed to be constructed in our lives. God doesn't want us to be comfortable. He wants us to be humble and to fear Him. Not be AFRAID of Him. To fear Him. To respect Him, to honor Him, to praise Him . . . above all else. May His Holy Spirit have His way with us - today, and always.

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." - Psalm 139:14

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." - Psalm 106:1

"12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:12-17

Praise To The Lord - Jason Waller

Jessica

Why do interesting things always happen to me when I am donating blood? I have posted several here about my conversations while donating blood. This one is no different, although there is a new twist to the usual flow of words.

I had decided to take the afternoon off work. It was a Friday and there was no work on my table so I thought, "Hey, why not?" So I did.

One of my stops was the Community Blood Center. I was beyond my eight week waiting period between donations to I stopped in to see if they had any openings. They like me to donate blood and are grateful to see me, however I think their enthusiasm has more to do with my A-negative blood type than with me personally.

My blood technician for the day was named Jessica. She was good looking lady, hair pulled back in a ponytail. I'd guess she was in her late 30's - early 40's. I'd seen her there before. A veteran. That's always a good thing to have when someone is trying to locate one of your veins with a needle.

I usually donate out of my left arm and had my I Am Second bracelet all poised in position and rotated for easy reading. It's a great conversation starter and soon Jessica and I would be talking about I Am Second and what it meant and then we would be talking about God - my desire for ALL conversations.

But Jessica never asked about my bracelet. It was like she didn't even notice it! I was kind of disappointed. Instead she asked me this question.

"So, what are you doing for excitement this fall?"

The man I used to be would have answered that question differently than the Bob that lives inside this rickety old tent these days. I probably would have talked about the Corvette I used to have or all the projects I was working on at my job. That was then. This is now. I want to talk about Jesus.

"Well, I write a blog and I mentor / counsel teens and young adults in our area."

"Whoa. Back up a bit. You write a blog? What kind of blog?"

"I write a Christian blog. I write stories about where I have seen God working in the world around me."

"That's cool. Tell me more about the counseling thing."

"Well, I talk with kids about their faith, I give them advice when they ask for it, I listen to them as they unload their problems. I listen to them and then I try to tell them about Jesus and all the things He went through and how He will forgive their sins if they only come to Him in repentance and place their faith and trust in Him."

Mission accomplished . . . or so I thought. I continued . . .

"This time of year is really tough. Last year we had a young girl take her life and the year before a young man did the same thing. Suicide is a problem everywhere but it has hit our community hard these past few years."

That was the trigger. THAT was why "I suddenly decided" to donate blood that day. It's always amazing to see God working around us, and sometimes THROUGH us.

Jessica told me about her daughter who was struggling in high school and how her daughter had told her she didn't want to live anymore one night after breaking up with her boyfriend. Jessica was a wreck for one nasty week as she watched over her daughter like a hawk.

When her daughter went upstairs to take a bath one night Jessica kept walking by the bathroom, knocking on the door and asking if she was alright.

Zoom back out of this conversation for a moment and look at the two people God brought together - a mom with a daughter who has contemplated suicide, and a man who has had experience counseling teens who have seen two suicides in their lives.

We talked for the entire duration of my blood donation and for several minutes afterwards as well. I prayed for Jessica and her daughter and then I left for home . . . with a smile on my face. It is nice being used to help someone else. Another one of the many gifts God showers on those who love Him.

I pray to always be ready (as it says in 1 Peter 3:15) to give a reason for the hope that I have. To see these situations as they are happening instead of regretting my inaction after the fact.

One of the prayers I should pray more often is to ask God to forgive me, not only for my actions, but for my in-actions as well.

May each of us be faced with situations this week, opportunities, to serve God through pouring ourselves into the lives of someone else. As it says in Galatians,

"Let us do good to ALL people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:10

We can never discern what is in a person's heart, whether they truly believe or not, whether they are in "the family of believers" or not. That is why we are to default to doing "good for ALL people." And doing them . . . In His Holy Name.

Good Things - The Bodeans

Empathy

"Empathy is the experience of understanding another person's condition from their perspective. You place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling." - Psychology Today

Empathy, I think, is both good and bad. It is good in that when we have empathy for someone we ourselves hurt. We can relate to what someone is going through because we "feel their pain." It's like we're going through the experience, whatever it is, along WITH the person it's happening to. We KNOW what they are feeling. Empathy is bad . . . for that very same reason.

I have a friend whose family lost their pet dog recently. To them, their dog was part of the family and they grieved for their dog just like they would a family member. For those who have never lost a pet to death it is hard to have empathy for that grieving person because they have never gone through that experience themselves.

In my life, I have a special empathy for people whose parents develop Alzheimer's. My father had it. I know what it's like to go through that. I know what my mom went through, living with Alzheimer's everyday for years. I have empathy for that. I have LIVED that.

One of my daughter's friends was recently diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. I have lost several good friends to cancer. I can empathize. It is our experience in these emotional situations that creates our empathy in similar situations when we encounter them.

Some people, however, do not feel empathy for others. It might be because they have not experienced the death of a loved one, for example, to really know exactly how they should feel. But it is also possible that they simply do not have the ability to empathize. It's not in their DNA so to speak. Which would lead one to believe that empathy for others is a God-given gift.

Can you imagine God's empathy? How He must hurt. Imagine the pain you have felt in your life and multiply it by billions. That's a lot of pain!

God's love is unmeasurable. So is His empathy towards those who are hurting - all of us.

Here is a question to ponder. What does a holy and just God do when all the people He created have sinned against Him - an offense punishable by death. "The wages of sin is death" is what it says in Romans 6:23. The answer is in the Book of John. You've heard it before. John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

THAT is empathy!!

How much empathy do we show for others when we encounter someone who is suffering? Some but not as much as God would. Imagine THIS scenario:

A young family is grieving over the loss of their baby girl. She didn't even make it two days in this world before she died. The mother and father hold each other and cry as they stand next to their daughters lifeless body.

Suddenly an older man walks into the room and, holding out a small bundle towards them, says, "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased. I offer him to you freely. A gift to remove your pain."

Unbelievable, right? Yet God did that very thing when He sent Jesus to earth to die in OUR place.

Empathy? I'd say that God exhibits empathy alright! And we have been created in His image. We strive to become more and more like Him as we grow in our faith. What will we do today when we encounter someone who is hurting? How will we react? Will we place their pain above ours? I think that is part of what God wants us to become - selfless, compassionate, loving . . . empathetic.

Today, when you encounter someone who is hurting or grieving, even going through a really bad day, will you scroll past their Facebook post? Or will you pause, say a prayer, and send them an encouraging message?

May God create in us a humble, loving and empathetic heart. Be willing to serve in such a way and you will be pleasing your Heavenly Father.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." - John 15:12

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3

Empathy

Vote

Yesterday in this country we voted to elect people to represent us in government. We elected senators, representatives, governors, right down to county treasurers . . . and dog catchers I suppose. Nationally, things swung the republicans way. It looks like the republicans have now won control of the senate as well as the house. You can look for a flood of conservative bills to make their way to the presidents signature. However, the president is a liberal and not likely to sign any conservative measures set before him. So, once again, nothing will get accomplished.

Yesterday morning on my Facebook page I posted this comment:

Today is election day. How will you vote? Will you vote for someone who will do what he or she thinks is best? Or will you vote for a candidate who honors God in the decisions they make? Think before you vote!!!
A friend replied with this:

How does one know if a candidate honors God in the decisions he/she makes?

Interesting.

(The answer, of course, is . . . read your Bible!)

I posted this comment:

Try here (the following link) and make your choices based on God's Word.

http://www.isidewith.com/

There are some real questions to be asked when deciding who to vote for. Abortion for example. How does God feel about abortion? Read His Word! Here's God talking to His prophet Jeremiah.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

God knows us before we are born. So how does He feel about killing someone He already knows?

Open your Bibles to the book of Exodus, The Ten Commandments.

"You shall not murder." - Exodus 20:13

How can we Christians vote for anyone who supports murdering babies in their mothers womb?

Next question.

My decision to vote for governor went now farther than the answering of that question.

So we vote. Many people in our country vote for themselves. The "What am I going to get out of it?" vote. I think that is wrong. We are told to make God-honoring decisions.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” - Proverbs 2:6

Here's another good one to remember:

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5-6

If you go back and read first and second Kings you will find the following phrase repeated again and again.

"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord."

May it be so with our elected leaders.

The Parable of The Sower

Flashing lights - reds, blues and yellows - painted the faces of those who were there. How did I get here? Where are all of my friends? Where's my phone?!

Someone came up to me and stuck a flashlight in my eyes. Seriously?

"My name is Michelle, I'm here to help you. Do you have any pain?"

"No." (Just the annoying flashlight you're sticking in my face.)

"Where's Abby?"

The lady didn't answer. She just smiled and walked off. What the heck is going on here?

Someone else walking up to me now . . . a cop . . . and another flashlight. What is with you guys and your flashlights?!?

"Hi. How ya doin' kid?"

"Fine."

"I'm Officer Oaks but you can call me Daryl. Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure"

"Can you describe for me exactly what happened? Who was driving the car?"

"Umm, Lizzy was. Where is she? Is she alright?"

"Lizzy is fine, Miss . . . Logan. How did your night begin?

"I . . . I don't remember."

"When did you first get in the vehicle tonight."

"After school, I guess. We were going some place. Umm, youth group. We were going to Abby's youth group."

"Okay. What did you do there?"

"Some lady was talking. Destiny . . . something. Everyone called her Dee Dee."

"Okay. Anything else you remember?"

"Yeah. She was talking about Jesus. She was really excited. A little TOO excited, if you know what I mean."

"That's nice Miss Logan. When did you leave your youth group?"

"Oh, wait. Something else happened. Something happened when Dee Dee was talking. She asked us about our faith . . . our relationship with Jesus. Abby didn't want to hear it and wanted to leave. Lizzy did too. Abby was KIND of interested but not really. It was her youth group after all. And Lizzy . . . she really did not want to hear what Dee Dee was saying. But Chanel was really into it. Then something happened."

"What's that, Ma'am?"

"Please, call me Ali. I ain't no ma'am."

"What happened to . . . Chanel, is it?"

"Yeah, This lady, Dee Dee, was talking and she was really excited about Jesus. She was telling us all about sin and repentance and how we needed to KNOW Jesus and ask Him to forgive us. I don't know. Maybe you should ask Miss "Destiny.""

"We will ma'am. I mean . .  Ali. What happened then?"

"Well, one of Abby's youth leaders came over to us . . . Maddy was her name."

"Yes?"

"Well Maddy and Chanel went off in the corner and talked all night. Then Chanel started crying and Maddy gave her a hug. They talked some more and prayed I guess. It kinda looked that way."

"And then?"

"And then we left. Chanel really wanted to go some place. So we left."

"Where did you go then?

"DQ. Hey, can I get something for my head? It's really pounding."

"Sure. Hey, Jenny! Jenny!! Can you bring this kid something for her head? Thanks."

"Sure."

"So what happened at Dairy Queen?"

"Chanel wanted to tell her friend Josee something. Josee works there. She and Josee were talking all excited like. They both started jumping up and down and hugging each other. Weird. Anyway, then we took off for the Truck Stop."

"Busy night. And what happened there?"

"What ALWAYS happens there, we sat in the corner booth and ordered coffee and fries. Then Chanel started telling Judy, she's our waitress, she started telling her all about what had happened at the youth group. Then Judy got all excited. I've never see her excited like that. She was slopping coffee everywhere! And I didn't think they even knew each other! But it was almost like they were related. Weird."

"And then?"

"Well, we got in the car . . . and . . . . that's the last thing I remember. Lizzy wanted to do something else and Abby was all for that. Lizzy was kind of mad actually. I just wanted to be out of the car. Then Lizzy started yelling at Chanel. Is that lady ever gonna get me those pain meds?"

"Sorry. Hey Jenny!! You can talk to Officer Ed later. This kid needs those pain meds. Okay, You said Lizzy was driving the car, right Ali?"

"Yeah. Chanel and I were in the back seat, She was calling her mom. Umm, that's Kathy, if you're taking notes."

"I am. Go on."

"Yeah. I remember Lizzy leaning into the backseat, grabbing for Chanel's phone . . . tryming to make her stop."

"And then? What happened next?"

"That's it. I was in the car and now . . . I'm here. Hey, is that Lizzy's car?!? Oh, wow! Lizzy?? LIZZY!!!!!"

"Hey, HEY!! Settle down. Take is easy. Lizzy is alright. She's got a concussion and we think she has a broken arm but she's okay."

"And Chanel? Where is SHE? Officer Daryl? Where is Chanel?"

* * * * *

All that happened over a year ago now. I still can't believe she's gone. I never saw Lizzy again after graduation. Abby neither. They both just kind of drifted away. I still see Chanel's mom though. Maybe I should call her Auntie Kathy because that's what she feels like to me.

I miss Chanel SO much. She was so excited to tell other people about her new-found faith and what had happened to her that night. I almost wanted to believe it myself but I'm . . . I'm just not sure. Still, there was something in what Dee Dee said that night. I can even remember it.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Hmm. Not perish? Eternal life? Maybe Chanel isn't really dead then. Maybe that means . . . she's just with Jesus.

* * * * *

"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” - Matthew 13:1-23

Thanks to those who allowed me to use their names in this short little story. I will be writing more of these in the future. Stay tuned . . . and blessed be the name of the Lord!

Wisdom

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:1-6

The older we fathers get the wiser we get. Theoretically. We gain knowledge and wisdom through many different means but mostly we learn from our life experiences (I will spare you a discussion about Calvinism vs Arminianism - at least for now). Were older and we've been through more stuff. However, despite a father's vast amount of accumulated knowledge there is a STRONG tendency for our sons and daughters not to listen to us. Why is that?

Well, it's the same reason that WE didn't listen to OUR parents. We're independent, we don't want anyone else telling us what to do, we'd rather figure things out for ourselves. That's one of the reasons people end up with a collection of scars in their lives - both on their bodies and on their hearts. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks.

My wife and I were visiting our son last night. At one point we went down stairs to look at something. Out grandson came too of course. On his own. He got down on his belly and, feet first, began to go down the stairs. His father reminded his son to duck his head under the protective gate at the top of the stairs which his son did rather obediently. Why? Was our grandson dutifully obeying his father? I doubt it. I think it was more like his father's words only reminded him of a previous experience where he had NOT ducked his head and the pain that was associated with the lesson he learned. My son could have removed our grandson from harms way but by allowing HIS son the opportunity to fail and hurt his head, he had allowed his son the opportunity to grow.

Oh, if our children only listened to us parents. We are far more wiser. I think I smell the scent of sarcasm in the air. All we have to do is watch the nightly news to see just how "smart" us adults can be.

Parents usually want what is best for their children. Look at what Solomon wrote to his sons. How do we, as parents, impart our knowledge to our children without them rejecting it? If I knew that I'd be a millionaire from the line of parenting books I would be offering in the bookstores or on my television channel for only $19.99. Operators would be standing by to help disseminate The Wisdom of Bob encyclopedia . . . probably more like a pamphlet . . . one page.

Learning things in life is something we ALL do. What we do with that knowledge is up to us. If it were up to me the planet would be filled with Bible-believing Christians, all of us knowledgeable in the scriptures. I am grateful not to have the  responsibility of making THAT happen. But I have allowed sometimes painful lessons in the lives of my children so the lessons they learn from them will stick in their minds. Is that wisdom? Or is it simply being mean?

I believe it is wisdom. I learned to do that from reading and applying God's Word in my life. As parents it is our responsibility to "train up our children in the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). Telling them what to do will rarely yield the results we seek. But offering them some sage advice WILL eventually find a home in their heads if you tell them about the pain YOU learned in a similar situation, in a similar sin.

The phrase "nobody's perfect" is still as true today as is was back in Jesus' time when Paul reminded us in Romans 3 that "there is none righteous." Solomon reminded us as well in Ecclesiastes 7:20 "there is not a righteous man earth who does good and never sins."

So what "wisdom" can this old fool leave his children on this cold November morning? Read your Bible! Place ITS wisdom in your heart and mind. In doing this one thing we can ALL get through this life with smaller scars, less pain, and more understanding of what God wants from us in this life - to learn and grow in our wisdom and character. We who believe are privileged to be called children of God. Could we not show OUR wisdom by listening to our father's?

I think YES!

Teach Me God To Wonder (Hymn 299) - Strathroy United Church

Thoughts

It's been a while since I have really ranted on this blog. I might do so today . . . but probably not. I'm too nice a guy I've been told. But I AM going to express my frustration with the use of a few words in our "English" language. Or should I say misuse.

The first word is luck. "Good luck!" people say, as if merely saying that "lucky" word will somehow propel the recipient into new prosperity or greater riches. Fat chance! There is no such thing as luck.

And speaking of fat chances, there's another word! Chance! That word actually HAS a use. There are some things that occur by random chance. Rolling dice for example. Every time you roll the dice there is a chance you will get a six. There is the same chance for rolling every other number on the di so is that really a chance?

Back to the word luck for a moment. I was listening to an audio CD of a faith-based novel a few years ago. Someone wished one of the characters "good luck" to which they replied, "We don't DO luck." Implying that they relied on God rather than some random occurrence. I like that.

Here's another word I've been hearing a lot lately - thoughts. Thoughts can be both good and bad. We can have amazingly wonderful thoughts of a loved one or about our God. But we can also have evil thoughts, sinful thoughts.

When my father was dying a few months ago I had some people come up to me and say, "You and your family are in my thoughts." When I hear that, the first thing I think is, "Gee . . . uh, thanks. I guess. Thanks for . . . thinking." It also tells me that there is no faith or belief in a higher being in their lives. No one to give them hope. That's sad.

I know they mean well and I always respond nicely to such comments but their "thoughts" do absolutely nothing, except perhaps for the person thinking them. If someone really wanted to have an effect and do something meaningful, they would pray.

Prayer is a powerful thing. No, that's not right. GOD . . . is the all powerful thing in this universe. Our prayers are pitiful offerings at best, only made meaningful by His Holy Spirit.

"26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." - Romans 8:26-27

When someone prays for me I truly appreciate the effort because I know about the power of prayer in the hearts of true believers. But I think the ultimate prayer has got to be the one you receive when you are telling someone about your troubles face to face, and they offer to pray for you right there on the spot. They take immediate action and live out the "where two or more are gathered in my name" verse. They make praying come alive as they take their friend with them before the Lord in prayer.


So, thank you for your thoughts. But please, care enough to at least TELL me your thoughts and let's do it together in front of God, 'cause frankly, Scarlet, I ain't no mind reader.

The Prayer - Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

Fatty

When my wife and I were in Big Bay, MI earlier this month we passed a sign by a long driveway that read "Big Bay Health Camp." I looked at my wife and asked, "Well should I drop you off, fatty?"

Looking back on things now .. . perhaps that was the wrong thing to say. My wife is not fat and she knows I was just teasing her but every time we drove past that sign from then on my wife gave me the evil eye and said, "Fatty, huh?"

I suppose it didn't help that my wife is a dietician and is very conscious about what she eats. She is all about eating healthy. And she gets paid for it!

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are tall, some are short, there are wide people and there are skinny ones. The point of what I am writing about today is not about our differences and how we should all just get along and sing Kubiya around the campfire as one, big happy family. No. This is about what we eat . . . spiritually.

I'll start off with two sayings that probably everyone has heard of and I will ask you to think how they might apply to our spiritual lives. The first is "You are what you eat" and the second is "Garbage in, Garbage Out."

People who go to "health camp" are told they must watch what they eat if they are going to lose weight and get healthy. It is the same with us and the things we intake spiritually. If we simply believe everything we hear without questioning it or comparing it with scripture, how do we know if it's true or not?

The things we take in spiritually can be deceiving, kind of like junk food. It tastes really good but it is not very good for us. Instead, we must examine all spiritual food to see whether it is true or not . . . to see if it is good for us.

A few weeks ago in church I heard a pastor speaking about the woman caught in adultery in John 8(1-11). After all the Pharisees had left Jesus said, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?" To that the woman replied "No one." Then the pastor told us that Jesus said, "Go, your sins are forgiven."

That sounds right, doesn't it? It sounds like something Jesus would say . . . and a pastor told us this is what Jesus said, so it must be true, right?

No, it is not. Jesus did not say, "Go, your sins are forgiven." What Jesus actually said was "Neither do I condemn you." And then Jesus said something else . . . AFTER that. Something the pastor never told the congregation, "Go, and sin no more."

It is often things left unsaid that speak the loudest.

The next time you are reading a book, listening to sermon or just in general conversation, listen closely as the Bereans did, to determine whether of not what they heard in the synagogue was true.

"11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." - Acts 17:11

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Trust only what you read in the Bible. There is no others source of truth, only opinion. Opinion doesn't save. Only Jesus can do that. A real, truthful accurate Jesus, not the watered-down, needy Jesus that is preached in many of our churches today.

"In the beginning was The Word (Jesus), and The Word was with God and The Word was God." - John 1:1

God doesn't sin. God doesn't make mistakes. God doesn't have an opinion on things. He is right, never wrong. And so it is with His Word that still speaks to us today. Compare everything to his Word and don't be eating any of the junk food being served out there. And there is a lot of it.

Many of us with appetites for warm fuzzy sermons and the absence of any "meat" or "healthy choices" in our spiritual diet are getting rather obese these days. We should only be eating the things that Jesus offered us. Only then can we spiritually healthy and able to descern what things are good for us to eat, and what things are not. If we don't do that, we will end up being The Biggest Loser.

And now, to help you in your spiritual exercise, here's a little Christian workout music for you this morning. Have an amazing day!

Move - MercyMe

Closed?

There are two seasons in Wisconsin - winter . . . and road construction. The same is probably true where you live as well. Road crews seem to always be fixing something on our roads. Why is that? Shouldn't things last just a LITTLE while?

I was on my way to work Thursday morning, driving semi-consciously through the pre-dawn darkness, when I saw a new sign go by on the side of the road.

"What did that say?" I thought to myself.

Another sign soon appeared and answered that question. I actually READ this one.

ROAD CLOSED AHEAD

What? This was a major highway I was traveling on. How could the entire road be closed? Maybe a lane closer. I could understand that, but the entire road? Yup.

Soon there were barrels and directional arrows forcing me to the right, forcing me to get off the road. Construction barrels, yellow flashing lights, men in reflective suits. Awesome! But what could I do? Nothing. So I exited. I had no choice.

Usually, when construction crews close a road there are detour signs, someone has thought ahead and provided an alternate route for us weary travelers, using helpful signs, to direct us back onto the road road we were on. Usually. Not Thursday morning. There were no detour signs whatsoever.

Have you ever found yourself diverted from your intended path in life? Have ever thought, "Life is going pretty darn good." when all of a sudden, things start going pretty darn bad? Maybe the phone rings late at night with some bad news. You get a text message you really didn't want to receive. Or maybe something so unexplainably bad happens . . . so bad that you can't even comprehend it.

One year ago today our community was rocked by the death of a beautiful young woman named Kameron. She was 17. Somehow she found herself in a similar situation to the one I had on the road the other day. Alone in the darkness. Not really sure which way to go.

We can ALL find ourselves in similar situations. Sometimes we get diverted off life's road. Should we turn to the left? Should we turn to the right? We can get so confused in this life. We find ourselves looking for some kind of direction. And sometimes we can find ourselves thinking that we just want the whole thing to end.

Too often we get in those situations and we're looking for direction, all we really want is just a little hope. We look to the left and to the right and when we don't find that hope, well, it can sometimes be life changing. We think there are no answers. Except we forget to explore all the options. We forget to look in EVERY direction available to us. So often, when we find ourselves without hope in this cold, dark world, we forget to look . . . up.

When Jesus was crucified, and died for our sins, suddenly his disciples experienced a "road closed" sign in THEIR lives. Suddenly they were without hope. They didn't know which way to turn. Do you know what THEY did? They looked up.

"3 After his suffering, he (Jesus) presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:3-11

When we encounter seemingly life-changing events in our lives we need to spend more time looking up. Jesus is our only hope when we are lost and don't know which way to turn. When we are at the end of the road, all alone in the darkness, we need to look up and ask for directions. We need to ask Jesus.

Give Me Jesus - Fernando Ortega

This blog post is dedicated to the family and friends of Kameron. Today will be a tough day to get through. When I have tough days I usually read the Bible - Romans 8 specifically. Try reading it today and see if YOU don't feel better.

Love you Kam.

Romans 8

Build

How do we know when we have been called by God to do something? How do we know it's from God rather than from somewhere else? How do we know that God wants us to do something if He doesn't actually speak to us or provide us with a pillar of fire to get our attention?

As I approach the two-year anniversary of writing this blog I am going to be making some changes. The frequency of the postings will change from three times each week to only once. There are several reasons I am going to be doing this but the main one is that it will give me more time to devote to other things. Those "other things" are really what this post is going to be all about - following God's will.

How do I know this is the right thing to do? How do I know that I am not making a mistake? After all, I love to write. Well, I still will be writing. I will just be doing it less. The most important thing to me is pleasing God - to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others.

I have heard a lot of people saying they "want to be in God's will" or they "want to know what God's will is for their life." Well, to come to the aid of all the poor wandering souls out there who don't have a clue what God's will is, hear this!

I don't either.

But I have come up with a short list of ways we can determine whether something is "of God" or not. It's probably not all-inclusive like a Carnival Cruise but the following list of things I have found to be true.

How do we know when God wants us to do something? How can we know what God wants us to do?

1. Read the Bible. All the answers really are in there. You will find them. Stay true to God's Word, even when it might seem there might be some other answer to go. There isn't.
2. You won't necessarily want to do whatever it is God wants you to do. Look at Moses. He didn't want to do what God wanted him to do. Yet he did. And he did pretty darn good.
3. It's WAY bigger than you can handle by yourself. That's how God like to work in you. He will stretch you and make you grow, all for His ultimate glory. Read about Elisha in 1 Kings for your inspiration.
4. This nudging you are feeling . . . if it is from God, it simply will not go away. It's possible that some other force could be trying to get you to do something evil, but if what you are about to do brings glory to God? Go for it!
5. God often accomplishes multiple things through one of his "events." I have a friend who is gifted at sewing. She uses that gift to teach others to sew. And while she is doing that she talks to them about their faith. She wins, her students win and God gets all the glory.
6. God will accomplish things though you that you never even imagined. A simple smile can change someone's life. Just taking the time to talk with someone can change someone's life. I know. It happened to me.
7. God will provide clues for you along the way to your final decision to act. "That's the third time I heard that song today." "I was just thinking about calling you!"
8. God provides opportunities. God opens doors. I saw this happen just a few days ago. A young man comes into the local food pantry. He can't find work. He talks to someone there who knows someone in need of some help. Everybody wins. God gets the glory.
9. God provides resources. A man learns of a family who needs firewood. The following day there is a storm and a large tree falls over in teh man's yard. Need wood?

There is nothing God can't do and there are amazing things that God can do through us! All we have to do is be obedient. Read His Word so that we will know the character of God and how He works in the lives of the people who love Him.

So, what am I going to be doing with my extra time now that I am backing off on my writing a bit? Well, I am going to be using other gifts that God has given me. I will be bringing Him glory by answering his call and helping others help themselves. There are clues hidden in this blog post actually. This thing is bigger than me but God has provided the nudges, the resources, the skills and the desire to accomplish His will "on earth as it is in heaven." Stay tuned. I'm sure I'll be writing about it.

And thanks for reading! One month from today I will be transferring my energies in a different direction. Please pray for me and pray that God will be honored in everything I say and do. Thank you. It means a lot that you would take the time to read my stories about the God I love so much.

“24The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” - Numbers 6:24-26

We Build - Nicole Nordeman

Felon

My job has taken me to some mighty weird places. I am an architectural draftsman. That means I draw the construction drawings for our client's buildings. Sometimes, when one of our clients wants to add onto or remodel and existing building, I have to go out and "field verify" the existing building conditions.

Sometimes field verification can be enjoyable. For example, I have been in every room of The Hearthstone building in downtown Appleton. I measured the entire structure. The Hearthstone was Wisconsin's first hydro-electrically powered house. You can read more about it here if you want.

The architectural firm I worked for at the time was hired to conduct a study of the building to make recommendations for its rehabilitation. I measured the building, drew the plans, and even got to do some architectural forensic work.

It was fun analyzing the layers of paint on the exterior. I found seven layers of different colored paint on one of the porch's posts. The color you see today when you drive by is a match to the original color of the building. Cool!

Sometimes my job takes me places I would rather not go . . . like the Kettle Moraine Correctional Facility for example . . . a prison. Security screenings, locked doors, and stares from the prisoners as I walked amongst them, trying to go about my business without looking directly at anyone.

It's hard to describe the feeling one gets inside a prison. It's an extremely uncomfortable feeling for sure . . . if you allow yourself to think about it. If you allow your mind to wander, exploring all the possible things that go wrong. I have found that feelings like that are from the devil. I learned that this passed Saturday while volunteering at a local food pantry - Ruby's Pantry.

I was pre-registering people as they waited in line outside the building. I love that job. I have gotten to know and love many of the people who walk through the doors there. Hugs are freely given and received. Every once in a while though, I get a surprise . . . like Saturday, when I saw a young man, formerly a member of an area youth group.

We talked for a while, catching up a bit on each others lives. He was having trouble finding work, telling me that most employers tend to balk at his felony record. Umm, yeah. Bad decisions made years earlier in his life were majorly effecting this young mans life in the here and now.

I told him to talk to John, the man in charge at Ruby's, and told this young man that there might be some work for him. I didn't really know if there was any work or not but I knew that John was the kind of guy to make some work for someone if they really needed it. And he did.

I saw my young friend a few hours later. He was all smiles. I asked him if he had talked to John. He said that he had and thanked me as he shook my hand. John had found something for him to do. Someone had finally cared enough to look beyond this young man's felony record and talked directly into his heart.

Can you see how God is at work in this young man's life? This guy came to Ruby's Pantry that day to get some free food because he didn't have a job. He left, not only with food, but with some work to do. AND not only that, he now had two men in his life who will speak to him about Jesus, about repentance, and about forgiveness.

I think God really enjoys rescuing the lost and helping those who are hurting. And I think He enjoys doing so through others. It's like he is going up to bat in the World Series and with one swing he gets three hits! Our God is mighty to save and He likes using the weakest among us to accomplish His will, not to show the world what WE can do, but to show the world what HE can do, despite our shortcomings, and as a result, draw people to Himself.

He digs down through all the layers we have built up in ourselves over the years. He restores us to our original working condition. He removes all the stains, He re-builds us if we need it.

I am anxious to see what awaits this young man. God is clearly after him. I feel blessed today to have seen yet another example of God working in the lives of those around me. God is eager to forget our sins, if we would only come to Him in humility and ask for it, placing our faith in Jesus as we do so.

God is so incredibly, undeniably good.

"6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him." - Psalm 103:6-13

East To West - Casting Crowns