Monthly Archives: August 2024

Today is my first day at my new and, hopefully, last job before I retire. I had orientation last week in their Richland office, but today will be my first day at the College Place location where I’ll be working.

I’m excited and optimistic about this opportunity, but mostly I’m determined to do things differently this go round. At the job I just left I didn’t have a good attitude. Yes, the job was not ideal and the administration didn’t always make the best choices, but I realized toward the end the real problem was my negative attitude. With God’s help I’ll do better this time around.

Attitude makes such a difference. It can turn a great situation sour and sweeten even the foulest circumstances. To have this type of attitude we need a transformation in how we think. Our natural tendency is to look out for ourselves, to make sure no one takes advantage of us, to build ourselves up. This isn’t Christ’s way, however.

In describing Himself, Jesus said he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35 NIV). Jesus, even though He was “in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” (Philippians 2:6, 7).

The secret to a positive attitude, whether at work, home, or whatever circumstance you find yourself in is to have the “mind of Christ” and, like Him, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phillipians 2:3, 4).

This doesn’t come easily to any of us, but can only happen when we fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). When we do this we will “be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind.” (Romans 12:2). With a new mind comes a new attitude and with a new attitude we can reach heights we’ve never dreamed of, because to truly succeed we first have to serve.

There’s an old saying that goes, “Rules are meant to be broken.” The origin of this phrase is not clear, but it is usually quoted when someone wants to go against the flow, to follow their own course, without regard to the rules of a society or their employer.

When it comes to human laws and regulations, there are times when this course of action may be justified. Consider the laws which enslaved generations of African-Americans or Hitler’s laws oppressing Jews, leading to the deaths of millions. No one with an ounce of humanity could argue that these rules were not meant to be broken. To do otherwise would be immoral.

When it comes to God’s Law,, however, this saying does not apply. God’s Law is perfect, reflecting the perfect love and character of our Heavenly Father. When we choose to break His law, chaos and suffering are the sure result, not because God is a vengeful god, but because these rules form the very foundation of society and when they are ignored everything comes tumbling down.

David, speaking of God’s Law, declared, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160 NIV). God’s Law is unchanging, eternal. Man’s laws may change at the whim of whatever party is in power, but God’s Law will never change.

Even Jesus, God in human flesh, declared, “until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18). So if Jesus wouldn’t change the Law, what makes you or I think it’s okay for us to do so?

At times human rules may be “meant to be broken”, but choosing to keep God’s Law is always the right choice. In fact, Psalms 119:1 says, “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”

Today, let your prayer be, “Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:33, 34).

Recently our granddaughter came to our daughter with tears in her eyes. Holding up 2 pens in a trembling hand, she complained, “Tata (Aunt), these pens are broke!”

“What do you mean, Bon Bon?” Rishana asked. The pens looked fine, so she had no idea what Bexlie was talking about.

“This one’s red and this one’s blue, but they only write black,” Bexlie replied in disgust.

Trying not to laugh, Rishana patiently explained that, just because the pens were red and blue on the outside, that didn’t mean the ink inside would be the same color too.

When Rishana told me this story later, I had to laugh, but then I got thinking maybe my little granddaughter had noticed something I could learn a lesson from.

It’s so easy for us to jump to conclusions about things based just on what we see on the outside. I’ll never forget the Chinese take-out place we found when we lived in Dayton, OH. On the outside it was a rundown hole-in-the-wall in a bad neighborhood, but inside it was clean and bright and the food was amazing. If I hadn’t looked beyond the exterior, I would have missed out on an incredibly tasty meal.

We do the same with people. One person sports tattoos and piercings in places we would never think to hang jewelry, while another doesn’t have a hair out of place and wears an expensive suit. Looking at their outward appearance we easily jump to conclusions about who we’d rather spend time with. However, if we take the time to get to know them, we may find they’re both just like us – hurting, hoping, just trying to make it through another day. In other words, human.

Thankfully, while we may “look at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV). To God the bum on the corner, the executive in the corner office, and you and I are all the same – His dearly loved children. “God does not show favoritism…” (Acts 10:34). In His eyes there is “neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28).

So, learn a lesson from my granddaughter and remember, you can’t judge a pen – or a person – by its color. Only God knows what’s really on the inside. Instead of wasting time judging others, let God use you to write His love is another person’s life today.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Puerto Rico, but, as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” That includes vacations, unfortunately.

It was difficult saying good-bye to Puerto Rico and especially to Ana’s family. There were lots of hugs and promises to keep in touch. We delayed as long as we could, but finally it was time to head to San Juan if we were going to catch our flight.

The flight back had its own challenges. We couldn’t initially land in Atlanta due to weather, so we were diverted to Greenville, SC to refuel, then back to Atlanta. By then we’d missed our connections to Minneapolis, so we were put on a flight to Salt Lake City, arriving there about 2 in the morning. By then we’d been awake for over 24 hours straight.

We got about 4 hours sleep at a hotel, then headed back to the airport to catch our flight to Pasco, WA. We finally arrived home at 2 PM, approximately 36 hours after we started. Needless to say we were tired, but it was so good to finally be home!

Our journey through life can be hard sometimes too. Plans get changed, delays happen, people disappoint, promises aren’t kept. It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go the way we hoped, but we can take comfort in the promise that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV).

So, today, whether you’re journeying across an ocean or just down the block, remember “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Have a great day!

When we’re home in Walla Walla, WA, we go to Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s a wonderful church, filled with kind, caring people, who truly love Jesus. The praise service is something I always look forward to, with contemporary Christian songs mixed with old time favorites. The pastor preaches practical, down-to-earth sermons, filled with thought-provoking illustrations and spiritual nuggets. I truly love worshiping there.

The one problem with Eastgate, however, is it is too big. With several hundred members, it’s hard to get to know people in a meaningful way. I’ve been going to church there for a year and a half and only know a handful of people. It’s a problem the leadership team is working to solve, but there is no quick fix.

Our first Sabbath in Puerto Rico Ana and I didn’t have that problem. Far from it! Instead of hopping in our car and driving 8 minutes down the highway to Eastgate, we drove about 40 minutes through small towns and down winding country roads deep into the jungle north of Patillas, Puerto Rico. Our destination was the beautiful home of an elderly widow, to worship with her and 7 others who meet each Sabbath to study God’s Word together.

There was no sound system, just two guitars and some faded hymnals. Instead of fancy pews we sat in folding chairs, with comfortable cushions. There was no pastor, just the 10 of us studying 2 Timothy together. The sanctuary was nothing more than her carport, with the door open to the sights and sounds of the jungle beyond.

A fancy, sophisticated church service it was not, but it was truly one of the most memorable worships of my life. That small group sang their hearts out, lifting their voices in praise to their creator. They were not just mouthing the words, but singing each one from the depths of their souls.

When it came to Bible study time, they took it seriously, taking it verse-by-verse, making sure each person understood what was being said before moving on. I could only understand a few words, but there was no doubt about the sincerity of the people who were speaking, All this, combined with the tropical breeze wafting through our meeting place and the sounds of coquis and jungle birds mixing with our words and songs, made this a Sabbath I will never forget.

Jesus once told his disciples “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:22 NIV). It doesn’t matter if we’re worshiping in a beautiful, modern church, surrounded by hundreds of people, or in a carport in the jungle with only a handful of believers. The important thing is for us to be together, because when “two or three gather” Jesus is there also and wherever Jesus is is where we need to be.

Choose Your Focus

In many ways Puerto Rico is a land of amazing contrasts. Much of it is a tropical paradise, with lush greenery and beautiful flowers, but there are also dry, somewhat arid areas, with cacti. Luxurious resorts stand next to abandoned buildings. Wealthy neighborhoods are just blocks from areas of abject poverty. Beautiful beaches are marred by discarded trash.

It would be easy to see only Puerto Rico’s defects, if that is where we focused, but that is hard to do when you round a corner to another majestic view or when an ocean breeze touches your face. There is so much beauty to be found there, it seems foolish to concentrate on the things which have gone wrong.

Life is a lot like that. Days of unbridled joy are sometimes followed by setbacks and grief. Once healthy relationships can fall apart due to betrayal or neglect. Health can give way to sickness Prosperity for one may result in poverty for another. Yet, just like in Puerto Rico, beauty can be found, even in darkness, if our eyes and hearts are open to them.

“The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses… ‘God is love’ is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green – all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.” (Steps to Christ, pp. 9-10)

Today, when tempted to concentrate on all the problems in your life, ask God to open your eyes and ears to the evidences of His love that are all around you – the song of a bird in the tree, the warmth of the sun on your face, the smile of a friend at the end of a hard day. Everyday, in myriads of ways God is letting you know you are His and you are loved.

Life is full of contrasts, even in tropical paradises, but we get to choose where we focus. Today,

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”

One of the most beautiful places we visited while in Puerto Rico was the Punta Tuna Lighthouse southeast of Maunabo. It sits on a narrow spit of land jutting out from the southeast shore of the island. Built in 1892 it was originally called Faro de Mala Pascua.

For many years the Punta Tuna Lighthouse’s lamp faithfully warned ships away from the Sargent Reef, but several hurricanes took their toll, seriously damaging the lighthouse and knocking out its lamp. Today it is still a popular tourist attraction and offers spectacular views of the ocean and coastline, but its light has gone out and it is otherwise useless.

In order for a lighthouse to remain an effective beacon of warning and hope to storm-tossed travelers, it must be regularly maintained. The same is true in our Christian lives. Jesus said of His followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14 NIV). As His disciples we are to shine like lights in the darkness of this world, guiding our fellow men to Jesus.

If we are to be effective lights to the world, however, we must keep our lamps trimmed and burning. We do this by staying connected to the source of our power, Jesus Christ, through daily Bible study and prayer, and by exercising our faith in service to others. If we don’t make this a priority every day, soon our lights will go out, just like that old lighthouse.

The Punta Tuna Lighthouse is a beautiful place to visit, but it is no longer serving the purpose for which it was built. Don’t let the same thing happen to you. Stay connected to Jesus and everyday “Be dressed, ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” (Luke 12:35 NIV).

Rest for Your Soul

Our second week in Puerto Rico we moved to a beautiful VRBO we’d rented on the coast. We’d had a wonderful time visiting Ana’s brothers and sisters and other family, but we needed some to ourselves to rest and reconnect with each other before we headed back home.

The place was just what we needed. Our view of the ocean was framed by graceful palm trees, their fronds waving in the wind. We sat and watched the waves crashing on the shore and fell asleep to the sound of them each night. We walked the beach, collected seashells and coral, and enjoyed watching pelicans diving into the waves to catch fish. The breeze was warm, the sky clear, and life was good! We could have stayed there forever!

I spent hours just sitting on the veranda, looking out over the ocean, listening to the waves, reading, and talking with God. I felt such peace being in that beautiful place. My mind was at rest. All the stresses and worries which I’d been dealing with at home, seemed so far away. Even now, over a week later, just thinking about those hours I feel that quiet peace wash over me.

In this crazy world we all live in, we all could use a little rest, a little peace in our souls. The thing is, we don’t need to go to a tropical island or a mountain retreat to get that rest. It is ours for the asking, even in the middle of a busy day. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Today Jesus is inviting you to come to Him and “find rest your souls.” (vs. 29). Why wait? Come to Him today and experience for yourself this peace, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…” (Philippians 4:7).

Our recent trip to Puerto Rico was just what Ana and I needed. The previous year had been incredibly busy, with a lot of stresses and challenges, so when we realized I was going to have a month off before I started my new job, we decided this would be a great chance to go to Puerto Rico, see Ana’s family, many of whom we hadn’t seen in more than a decade, and get some much needed rest.

The first week in Puerto Rico, we stayed with her brother Manny while visiting other family who lived nearby. We had a wonderful time eating all the foods Ana misses from her childhood, staying up late talking, and tromping around the family farm where Ana was born. It was so wonderful to see the joy on Ana’s face and the faces of her brothers and sisters at finally being back together after so long.

That joy, however, was tempered somewhat by the knowledge we’d have to say good-bye again far too soon. Also, not everyone was there. Her parents and 2 brothers died years ago and other siblings are scattered across the mainland. Our reunion was incomplete.

That won’t be the case when Jesus comes again. That will be the best family reunion ever, because it will never end. On that wonderful day “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV).

Forever! Doesn’t that have a wonderful ring to it? No more visiting each other for a couple days or even a couple weeks, then never getting together again for years. No more tearful good-byes or sad “see you laters.” No more funerals. No more broken hearts or long separations. No, “we will be with the Lord (and each other) forever.” (v. 17)

If you’re missing someone right now, I hope these verses give you hope. A great Family Reunion is coming when “The Sovereign Lord will wipe the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8). So, until then, hold on, trust in the Lord and, most importantly, remember to “encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Have Faith

When we boarded our plane almost a month ago, on the first leg of our 15 hour trip to Puerto Rico, my mind was filled with anticipation and excitement. I love everything about flying – the feeling of being pressed back in my seat at takeoff, the initial climb, the banking to get on course, the sound of braking and the engines reversing to slow the plane at touchdown. I even like when we hit a little turbulence. It’s like being on a rollercoaster. Ana, on the other hand, hates flying. On takeoff she grabs my hand and holds on for dear life – another thing I enjoy about flying!

The funny thing is, I got on that plane, and the two others that followed, without a single worry about our safety. I had total confidence in our pilots and co-pilots. I knew they’d gone through rigorous training and I was certain they would do everything they could to bring us safely to our destination. I couldn’t see the pilots, hadn’t met them, and didn’t even know their names, yet I had unquestioning faith in them.

Why then, if I can trust an airline pilot I’ve never met, do I sometimes have so much trouble trusting my Heavenly Father, who I’ve known all my life? Everyday God proves His love for me, providing for my needs and guiding my steps, blessing me far more than I deserve, yet I still have trouble trusting Him with the big (and sometimes, little) things in my life.

It all comes down to having faith and “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV). The more time I spend with God, reading His Word and in prayer, the more I get to know Him, and the more I get to know Him the more my faith grows.

In this journey called life, filled with uncertainty, there is only One we can always count on, and it’s not some faceless pilot. It is our Heavenly Father, who “showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT).

Today, whether you’re “flying the friendly skies” or just going to work or school, “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22 NLT). Trust Him today, and everyday till He comes again, and just enjoy the journey! He will never let you down!