Monthly Archives: May 2020

This week was a difficult one for our nation and our world. COVID-19 continued its march around the planet. In the US over 100,000 have died, worldwide almost 6 million have been infected, and the virus is decimating the impoverished residents of Brazil’s crowded cities.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis a black man died with a white police officer’s knee on his neck, sparking violent protests, which are rapidly spreading across the nation. Our televisions are filled with images of burning police stations, angry crowds, and police in riot gear.

In a world that seems to have gone insane, where violence, hate, and despair seem to rule the day, what is a child of Christ to do? Called to share the Good News, how can we make our voices heard over the angry shouts and hateful rhetoric spewing forth from every quarter? Can one man or one woman make a difference against such evil?

Jack Kemp, American politician, thought so. He said, “The power of one man or woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society.”

Over-and-over in earth’s history we have seen the truth of this statement. Whether a humble nun like Mother Theresa or a gifted orator like Martin Luther King Jr., for a person willing to move forward in faith, nothing will be impossible for them. (Matthew 17:20).

The power of one is inestimable. Jesus proved that. Romans 5:14 & 17 tells us that “just as sin entered the world through one man, and…death reigned through that one, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

Faced with a world filled with disease and hate we may feel we can’t make a difference, but we are wrong. We cannot save the world, like Jesus did, but we can live for Him in our little corner of it. We can’t cure COVID-19, but we can comfort a grieving heart or feed a hungry child. We are unable to stem the hate spilling into our streets, but we can let God’s love flow through us in acts of kindness and love.

The power of one is beyond measure. This week God is looking for one, one person to be an instrument of His peace, one man or woman to sow love where there is hate; faith where there is doubt; hope where there is despair, one He can use to change the world. Will you be that one today?

I woke this morning to another spectacular day in our beautiful valley. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the irises Ana planted along our fence lines are in full bloom. Their brilliant colors and varied hues brighten the landscape, making me marvel at the beauty of God’s creation.

I love this time of year. “The winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” Song of Solomon 2:12. It’s a great time to be alive!

Yet the beauty I see all around me pales into insignificance compared to the wonders just over the horizon. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, ““No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Heaven is a place of spectacular beauty, joy, and love, a place beyond our wildest imaginings.

Our world is beautiful in so many ways, but that beauty is marred by the effects of sin. The irises I took pictures of yesterday are spectacular, but if you look closely you can see where the bugs have eaten them, fraying their edges, and hurrying their demise. Their beauty lasts for just a few days, then they wither and die.

So it is with our own lives. We start life with great plans, lofty hopes, and expansive dreams, but then reality hits. Plans go awry, hopes fade, and dreams turn into nightmares. Before we know it the days before us are far less than the days which are gone. “We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.” (Job 14:2)

Yet, in spite of this, a spark of hope still glimmers in our souls and when we gaze upon the beauty of a flower or the magnificence of a sunset, it fans for a moment into life. In spite of the detours thrown in our path, we know God has a plan, that the same Jesus who created such beauty on this earth, who gave His life that we might live, has gone to prepare a place for us, that where He is, there we may be also. (John 14:2).

That is what we must focus on. In this life we will have hardship and disappointment, but we will also have joy and laughter and days like today, filled with beauty and hope. It is these things we must cling to. Jesus told us to “Consider how the flowers grow.” (Luke 12:27 GW). In the beauty of the flower we catch a glimpse of the beauty which awaits us and we find hope to face another day, secure in the knowledge the best is yet to come.

This Sabbath morning Jesus invites you to “Come aside…and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:32). Open your eyes today to the beauty around you. Consider the flowers and for just a little while, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2). And may “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

There are a lot of things I miss since this COVID-19 shutdown started – giving a friend a hug, eating in a restaurant, watching the Yankees play, getting a full paycheck. I miss all these things, but one of the things I miss the most is singing at church.

We are blessed at the Cashmere Seventh-day Adventist Church to have a lot of talented musicians. I love listening to special music or to the young people playing their flutes and violins, but what I enjoy most is when the congregation all sings together. There’s just something special about dozens of people all praising God at the same time. It’s like a little foretaste of Heaven!

My Bible tells me singing is a big part of Heaven. Job 38:7 says, when God created the Earth, “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy”. When Jesus was born a vast host of angels celebrated, singing, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14).

Someday soon Jesus is coming to take us home. Never again will we need to “be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” No more will we “dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.” (Psalm 91:5, 6). Never again will we have to self-isolate or miss out on worshiping together. In Heaven “there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” (Isaiah 35:2).

When Jesus comes to take us home Heaven will ring with the sound of a vast crowd singing, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” (Revelation 19:1). Even God will sing that day. “He will take delight in you with gladness…He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Can you imagine that? The Creator of the Universe singing and rejoicing? Now that’s something I’ve got to hear!

Even though we’re all looking forward to singing in Heaven someday, we don’t need to wait till then to set the angels singing. Luke 15:10 tells us “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

Do you want to make the angels sing this Sabbath? Do you want to make Heaven ring with joy? Then “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2).

Don’t wait till the pandemic is over and the church doors are open. In fact, don’t wait a minute longer. “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Accept Jesus as your Savior today and then listen closely – you just might hear the angels singing!

Have a Happy Sabbath!

I’ve been blessed with a very special mother, a true Proverbs 31 woman. Mom is loving, kind, hard-working, a little crazy, and a wonderful friend. But most of all she is wise. Here are just a few of the things I’ve learned from Mom:

1. “No matter what, you are loved.” 

Growing up it didn’t matter how bad I screwed up I always knew at the end of the day I was loved.

2. I’ve got your back.

You know what happens if you come between a mama bear and her cubs? That ain’t nothing compared to what would happen if you hurt one of Mom’s kids! Even when we were in the wrong, she was always on our side.

3. Do the right thing, even if it hurts.

Mom believes people need to know they can count on you and you should treat others the way you would want to be treated, even if it hurts.

4. Truth matters.

Mom taught us honesty counts. Nothing hurts a parent more than to be lied to. 

5. It’s okay to have fun. It’s okay to be a little crazy sometimes.

Mom has never let a little thing like pride stand in the way of having a good time. When she and her friends, Deloris Foote or Carol Grimes, got near water, a water fight was sure to break out, even in the middle of a party. 

6. There’s always room for one more at the table.

Mom and Dad opened their home to foster kids, kids from broken homes, strangers, even whole families. It was crazy at times, but it was also a great way to grow up!

As I think back over the lessons Mom taught me I realize she was just passing on what she’d learned from her best friend, Jesus Christ. Just like Mom, Jesus wants you and I to know: 

1. “No matter what, we are loved.” – That’s why Jesus died for us. (John 3:16)
2. He’s always got our back. – He promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). 
3. Real success comes from doing the right thing even when it hurts (Joshua 1:7).
4. Truth matters. Why? Because “the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). 
5. It’s okay to have fun – Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)
6. There’s always room for one more at the table – God doesn’t want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

I’ve learned many things from Mom, but the most important thing she taught me was this – – Jesus loves me. He is a Friend who will never let me go. He loves you too and He wants to be your friend. This Mother’s Day, why not give your mother a gift she’ll cherish forever? Give Jesus your heart.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic people are living under stay-at-home orders in an attempt to “flatten the curve”, to slow the progression of this deadly virus. Only “essential” businesses are allowed to stay open, resulting in hardship and loss of income for thousands. My question is, “What makes a business ‘essential’?”

Now, obviously hospitals, fire departments, police departments and grocery stores are essential and I applaud the men and women who daily put themselves at risk to provide us these much needed services. They are heroes, one and all.

However, some of the other “essentials” don’t seem to make a lot of sense to me. I mean how are tobacco shops, liquor stores, or cannabis stores “essential” businesses? How come the liquor store on the corner is allowed to remain open, but our churches must remain closed? Something doesn’t add up here.

When it comes right down to it, much of what we consider “essential” has no real value at all. We spend our lives rushing from place-to-place, trying to make ends meet, striving for success (whatever that is) and we end up missing out on the things which really matter, things like time with family and friends, stopping to smell the roses, or, the best thing of all, sitting at Jesus feet.

The problem is our priorities are all messed up. Unfortunately, this is not a problem unique to our modern world. It has always been this way.

Luke 10 tells of a time when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha. Determined to make a good impression, Martha scurried around the kitchen, preparing a meal and making sure the place settings were just so. Meanwhile, her sister sat in the living room at Jesus’ feet, savoring every word which fell from the Savior’s lips.

Finally, Martha had had enough and, bursting into the room, she complained to Jesus, “Sir, don’t you care that my sister has been leaving me to do all the work by myself?“

With a twinkle in His eye and a touch of sadness in His voice, Jesus replied, ““Martha, Martha, you are fretting and worrying about so many things! But there is only one thing that is essential. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it won’t be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42 CJB)

This coming week, as you deal with all the “essentials” of life, don’t forget the “one thing that is essential”, spending time with Jesus Christ. Time with Him is never wasted. If you make Him your top priority this week, you’ll be amazed how all the other “essentials” just fall into place.

Happy Sabbath!