Monthly Archives: October 2018

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” Psalm 55:6 NLT

As I wait in SeaTac Airport for my flight to Indianapolis, this text seems especially appropriate. It’s been a very busy summer. Mom and Dad came to visit in the spring and since then life has been a little hectic. I can use some rest!

I’m going to Indy for a Lifestyle Medicine Conference. Lifestyle Medicine uses diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes to dramatically affect a patient’s health; including controlling and even reversing diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. It’s the kind of medicine I’ve always wanted to do and I’m really looking forward to this conference.

I’m also looking forward to seeing my aunt and uncle, Hazel and Ben Sowers, who I haven’t seen in many years. They live just an hour away, so I’m going to drive there tonight and spend the weekend with them. It’ll be good!

Most of all, I’m looking forward to the chance to just unwind and rest. This busy life we all lead can wear us down and we all need a chance to stop and rest. And no rest is sweeter than that found in Jesus’ arms. He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT

Maybe life has clipped your wings right now. Maybe you’re too busy to “fly away and rest”. That’s okay, because no matter where you are, even if you’re sitting in a noisy airport like me, God is near. Bow your head right now and steal away with God in prayer. In your mind “fly away and rest”.

Today, Jesus is calling to you, inviting you to “Come aside…and rest a while.” Mark 6:31. Why not take Him up on the invitation. Take his yoke upon you and “…you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29. And may“the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.

Until tomorrow, God bless and have a wonderful day! Gotta fly!

A while back I had a couple rough days. There was nothing really wrong, but I couldn’t seem to shake the gloom. I had an important decision to make and I desperately needed God to light my way, but instead found myself stumbling in the dark.

This experience reminded me of the time I was lost in the Adirondacks with some other youth from our church. The night was so dark we couldn’t see each other, although we were standing close enough to touch. The darkness seemed to press in on every side, smothering us, filling our minds with dread. When all you can see is nothing at all, you really understand what it means to be lost.

I think most, if not all of us, have experienced similar times in our lives, days when you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light. God seems distant, your prayers unheard. You seem to have wandered into, as Job describes it, “the land of gloom and utter darkness, the land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.” Job 10:21, 22.

The Spanish cleric, St. John of the Cross, called these times “the dark night of the soul.” He described them as “a dense and burdensome cloud which afflicts the soul and keeps it withdrawn from God.”

Although difficult to go through, “the dark night of the soul” can be a blessing. It makes us aware of our utter helplessness, blinds us to the distractions of the world which separate us from God, and makes us seek the Light like never before. And God promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV.

Moments like these teach us to “trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” Isaiah 50:10 NLT. He promises to turn the darkness into light before you and smooth out the road ahead of you, guiding you by ways you have not known. (Isaiah 42:16).

Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

In the dark night of your soul, do not despair. Instead reach out in faith and grasp the hand of the Unseen and let Him lead you safely into a glorious new day! Put your faith in Him today and He will light your way!

This morning, if the darkness of night seems to have followed you into the day, if God seems distant, hope has fled and you feel lost and alone in “the dark night of the soul”, do not give up. Remember “in the face of darkness light is near.” Job 17:12.

God bless and have a beautiful day!

Have you ever bitten into an apple, which looked perfect on the outside, only to discover it was bruised and rotten on the inside? It’s not a pleasant experience, is it?

On the other hand, consider the Ugli Fruit. It’s not the prettiest fruit out there; with its wrinkly, greenish-yellow skin; but inside, this Jamaican tangelo has a sweet, citrus flavor.

The Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

In this world, where so often we are judged by our outward appearance; where politicians act like school children, insulting their opponents looks; and where someone may call the cops on you just because of the color of your skin, I’m glad our Heavenly Father looks deep inside and judges us, not by our looks, but by our heart.

Today, as you interact with others, ask God to “give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you….” Pray that he will “remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh,” a heart which beats only for Him and with love for others.

And while you’re at it, ask God to also give you “salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” past a person’s outward appearance to the hurting child of God trembling within.

Remember none of us are all that pretty in God’s eyes, but we are all precious in His sight. Let’s treat each other that way today.

Remember that old children’s rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? If only that were true. Unfortunately words can hurt, sometimes worse then sticks and stones and the scars can be longer lasting.

A study done at Harvard University found verbal abuse, including, swearing, ridiculing, and criticizing, could be as harmful to children as physical and sexual abuse. Children who had been verbally abused were more prone to physical aggression, PTSD, delinquency and difficulty getting along with others. Verbal abuse may cause delayed mental development, depression, and negative self image.

Even adults are not immune. A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found verbal abuse of postmenopausal women was associated with increased depression, anxiety and decreased optimism. Verbal abuse in spousal and long-term relationships had similar psychological effect as physical abuse.

As I look back over the years I cringe at the number of times I have said something I later wished I could take back. Unfortunately, once a word is past the lips it’s impossible to suck it back in.

Words can hurt, but they also can heal. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

This morning let your prayer be, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3.

Determine, with God’s help, to speak only encouraging words to those you meet, spreading a little honey wherever you go today.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

When we were teenagers, our youth group went backpacking to a remote lake in the Adirondacks of New York. Our leaders counseled us to pack light, but a few somehow didn’t get the message.

Kenny was not big by anyone’s standards, but the backpack he’d brought was! He’d filled it with canned goods, bottles of water, and a bag of potatoes. When he put it on he fell over backwards in a heap!

The counselors helped Kenny lighten his load, but after a couple miles he was still lagging behind the rest of us. At that point, my father took over, lifting the pack from Kenny’s back and carrying it the rest of the way for him. Relieved of his burden, Kenny ran off with his friends, finally able to enjoy the rest of the journey.

I find I’m a lot like Kenny. I pile stuff on myself I have no business carrying – worries, cares, responsibilities. Some days it feels like I can’t take another step.

It’s then Jesus steps in and says, “Here, let me get that for you.” Suddenly I feel like a new man. I feel like I can “mount up on wings like eagles;… run and not be weary…walk and not faint.” Isaiaih 40:31 NKJV. And all because I let Jesus carry the load!

I don’t know what is weighing you down right now, what cares are breaking your spirit, what worries trouble your soul. Whatever they are, stop wasting your energy dragging them from place-to-place. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.” Psalm 55:22 NLT.

Today don’t try to make it on your own. Stop trying to carry your burdens by yourself. Lay ‘em down! Let go and let Christ! Lay your burdens at his feet and let Him carry the load. You’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel!

God bless, have a great day, and remember – lay ‘em down!

In their song, Fly Like an Eagle, the Steve Miller Band lamented, “Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future…”

That’s what’s been happening to me in the last few months. Back in May, with my parents coming to visit and a lot of other things on my plate, I decided to take a break from writing in my blog, EncouragingWordsforToday.com.

I really only intended to stop for a couple weeks, but time “keeps on, slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future…” Our home remodel has been taking up most of my time and there were vacations to take, church activities to do, and “places to go and people to see.” Before I realized it several months had gone by without me writing a thing.

But, in spite of my neglect, God has continued to bless Encouraging Words for Today. The blog and Facebook page both now have over 100 followers. Thank you all for your support and please forgive me for my negligence. I promise to do better in the future.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “There is a time for everything…” Well, for me, it’s time to start writing again, to start “…encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12.

I’m excited to share with you some of the things God has been showing me from His Word the last few months. I hope you will join me and together we will continue to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’” (Hebrews 3:13)

God bless and see you tomorrow!