Monthly Archives: September 2024

Have you ever noticed plans don’t always go as planned?

Ana and I were planning to build a house on some property we own, but now we’re selling it instead. I’d planned on writing this post much earlier, but things came up, so plans had to change. We were planning on living in Cashmere the rest of our lives, but now we call College Place home. It seems no matter how carefully we plan our lives, our plans change.

I think our Heavenly Father must chuckle sometimes when He hears the plans of His earthly children. We are so naive, so short-sighted. We think we know what’s best, but God says, “Hold on a second. I’ve got a better way.”

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”, to which I say, “Thank God!”. I’ve made enough of a mess of things over years, following my own plans. I’d much rather have the One who sees the end from the beginning plan out my days.

Today, if your life isn’t going quite as you had planned, turn it over to Jesus. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3). Trust Him with your life, let Him work out His plans for you day-by-day, knowing that as long as you’re following Him you’re headed in the right direction.

For most of my life I’ve been whisker-free. I’ve grown a beard a couple times, but never really liked the way it felt. More importantly, kisses from my wife are few and far between when I’m sporting the scruffy look. She hates the feel of whiskers on her face and even cringes when some actor with a 5 o’clock shadow kisses his girl in a movie we’re watching.

So, to keep Ana happy and my face beardless, every morning I dutifully shave those little hairs away. There’s one problem, however, with scraping a sharp blade over my face each day – sometimes I slip! In a moment of inattention, still groggy from a night’s sleep, I press a little too hard or move the blade wrong, leaving myself cut and bleeding. In fact, I nailed myself pretty good just this morning.

Unfortunately, sometimes in our dealing with others, we make the same mistake. Often unintentionally our words cut a little deep or scrape a little too close, leaving the person we’re talking to sliced to the core, hurt and bleeding. Often we don’t even realize what we’ve done, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

Solomon addressed this tendency when he said, “Some people make cutting remarks…” (Proverbs 12:18 NLT). But he didn’t leave it there, adding, “but the words of the wise bring healing.”

Words can cut and cause pain, but they can also, when guided by Spirit and spoken in love, soothe and heal.. My prayer is that God will give each of us “his words of wisdom, so that [we] know how to comfort the weary.” (Isaiah 50:4) May the words we speak be to those who hear “like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24).

God bless and Happy Sabbath!

I’m a coward. I hate to admit it, but it’s true. When it comes to sharing my faith with someone I’m afraid to offend, worried about what they might think, fearful of how they might react. In other words, I’m a coward.

I’ve been trying to change this a little at work, by ending my patient visits with a promise that I’ll be praying for them, rather than my customary “Good Luck!” It’s so hard, though! I feel awkward, timid. Why is it that it is so much easier to mouth a meaningless, “Good luck”, then it is to say words that could really matter, like “I’ll pray for you”?

The funny thing is when I’ve told patients I’ll pray for them I’ve never had anyone say, “Oh, please don’t!” No, most people really appreciate it, because they know it means I care. So, why am I so hesitant to do it, when prayer is the one thing that always makes a difference? Medicine or therapy can only do so much, but “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

I love the promise in 2 Timothy 1:7 that, “the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” That’s what I want today, more of God’s Spirit to take away my timidity and help me boldly share His love with the people I meet.

How about you? Are you, like me, feeling a little timid about sharing Jesus with others? If so, remember, help is just a prayer away. Ask Him and He will give you all the courage and love you need to share Him with a friend today, even if it’s just telling them 4 simple words, “I’m praying for you.”

God bless, have a great day, and, oh, by the way, I’m praying for you.

Yesterday was September 11th. Twenty-three years ago the world changed forever – again. Yet, I didn’t even realize what yesterday was until a friend mentioned it in a post. Isn’t it strange that an event so life-changing for people of my generation, has become for many of us just another day, a footnote in history.

I remember how it was in the weeks and months after September 11. For many Christians it was prophecy fulfilled, a sign of the end. Others were “faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world…” (Luke 21:26 NIV).

Yet, here we are, 23 years later, and “everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4). Yes, we’ve been through wars and pandemics and hurricanes, but we’re still here. It’s easy to think this is the way it will always be.

But, “you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…” (1 Thess. 5:2). A day is coming when we shall “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30.

For many these words fill them with dread, but, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, this is good news, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10).

Time is passing, our world is waxing old, but there is good news – Jesus is coming! So, let us “live holy and godly lives as [we] look forward to the day of God…” (2 Peter 3:11, 12). And let us do all that we can to ‘speed its coming.” (v. 12). Today, share this good news with a friend or neighbor, so they too can find hope in the promise of His soon return.

There is a light on the campus of Walla Walla University which has a connection problem. It flickers on and off all through the night. As I walk by the campus early each morning, its flickering light is downright annoying. It has no consistency. Sometimes it lights my path, while other times it leaves me walking in the dark.

My Christian witness is too often like that light, flickering on and off. I’ll have seasons where my light will shine bright and I share Jesus with others with joy in my heart, but too often my light will flicker out when I face some challenge or disappointment.

I’m not the only one who has this problem, of course. The end time church, our generation, is described by Christ in Revelation as “lukewarm – neither hot nor cold…”. (Revelation 3:16 NIV). There is no consistency to our witness, to the way we live our lives. Our light flickers off and on, sometimes lighting the way for others, but too often leaving them stumbling in the dark.

So is there a solution for this problem? Absolutely! We need to stay connected to the Source of power, to Jesus Christ. That lamp that annoys me so much has a poor connection. It needs to have a couple wires tightened or the bulb replaced, so it can shine consistently like the others around it.

The same goes for you and I. We have to stay connected to the Source, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). It is only by staying connected to Him, through study of His Word and talking with Him throughout, that we consistently shine for Him, lighting the way home for others.

How about you? Is your light shining brightly consistently or does it flicker on and off, depending on your mood or circumstances? Get connected to Jesus and stay connected to Him. Then, wherever you go today, let your light shine, all the time, brightening the path for those you meet and pointing them to Jesus, the Light of the Word.

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NLT).

As someone who’s a few years over that proverbial hill and heading down the other side, I can tell you, today’s verse is true. God truly has been with me throughout my lifetime, and I know He’ll be with me for whatever years are still to come.

He’s with you too, my friends. He’s with you whether your hair still has some color in it or if every strand “is white with age” (or, as in my case, has all fallen out). He is with you when you’re young and when you’re old, when you’re filled with energy and when you’re just plain tuckered out.

He made you and He cares for you. On days when you can’t put one foot in front of the other, He will “carry you along and save you.” When everyone else turns their back on you and you’re feeling abandoned and alone, He promises, “I will never fail. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). You can trust Him, because. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” (Lamentations 3:22).

No matter what stage you are in life, whether just starting out, smack dab in the middle, or you’re watching the sands of time quickly running out, He is still your God. You are still His child. Put your trust in Him. Give Him your life today and know that, whatever tomorrow may hold, He “will be your God…” He “will carry you along and save you.”

The Father, in His love, gave us His heart.
Emptied all Heaven, His love to impart.

He loved us so much, He gave His own Son,
To die for our sins, for the things we have done.

We are loved by the Father, loved by the Son, loved by the Spirit, God three in One.

Jesus came down, to show us God’s love,
To open the way, to our home up above.

In His great love, He died for our sin,
On a cruel cross, our Salvation to win.

We are loved by the Father, loved by the Son, loved by the Spirit, God three in One.

But death had no power over the Son.
He rose from the grave, the victory won.

He lives now in heaven, but He’s not far away
Through the Holy Spirit, He’s with us each day.

We’re loved by the Father, loved by the Son, loved by the Spirit, God three in One.

The Spirit is with us all through the day,
Guiding us back, whenever we stray.

He never will leave us. His love knows no end.
He guides all our steps, sees round every bend.

We’re loved by the Father, loved by the Son, loved by the Spirit, God three in One.

As you go through this life, wherever you roam,
God’s always with you, ever leading you home.

He’s your loving Father, your Brother is He,
Your Guide every moment. You’re loved by all Three.

So, come to the Father, come to the Son, come to the Spirit, God three in one.

Give Him right now first place in your life.
He’ll be there with you, in both joy and strife.

Then share Him with others, wherever you go.
Tell them about Him, so they too can know…

They are loved by the Father, loved by the Son, loved by the Spirit, God, three in one.

After a long night fishing, with little success, Simon Peter was worn out and discouraged. Then, just when he was getting ready to head home, Jesus asked to use Peter’s boat as a speaking platform. Reluctantly he agreed and for the next couple hours he listened as Jesus shared the Good News with the “great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.” (Luke 5:1 NLT).

When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Peter, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” (v. 4).

Peter knew this was a foolish request. He replied, “Master…we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” (v. 5).

With a sigh of resignation Peter pushed off into the deep and let down his nets. “And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.” (v. 6, 7).

This is a great story, but let me ask you a question. What if Peter hadn’t let down his nets? What if he’d given into discouragement and told Jesus “No”? I’m not much of a fisherman, but I do know this – if you don’t cast your lure or let down your net, you’re not going to catch anything.

Jesus has called us to be fishers of men, to draw others to Him. But how can we do this if we’re too afraid or too busy to let down our nets, too caught up in the distractions of life to invite someone to know Jesus, too wrapped up in our own problems to give another a helping hand?

Today, be a true fisher of men. Let down your nets, nets of love, compassion and kindness, nets of kind words and kind deeds. Draw your family and friends to Jesus by showing them love in action. Don’t be afraid, don’t let these opportunities pass. Let down your nets and draw someone to their Savior today.

On our recent trip to Puerto Rico, Ana and I spent some time walking the beach, splashing in the surf, collecting seashells, and just enjoying the warm tropical breezes and the beautiful scenery.

As we walked along we left footprints in the sand, leaving a record of where we had been. Anyone who happened to come along later could have walked in our footsteps and seen the direction we were heading.

Many people each year spend thousands of dollars to head to Israel to visit the scenes of Jesus’ life, strolling the same streets He walked while on this earth, walking in His footprints. For many these trips have been life-changing experiences.

Most of us can’t afford to visit the Holy Land, but that’s okay, because we don’t need to fly to the Middle East to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. We can find His footsteps by the bed of a sick friend, in the cell of a convict seeking a better way, in the home of an impoverished mother, desperately trying to provide food for her children. Anywhere there are hearts longing for hope and people in need of a helping hand we will find Jesus’ footprints there.

Talking to His disciples, Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be.” (John 12:26 NIV). Wherever Jesus is, that’s where you and I need to be, whether it be in the halls of power in our nation’s capital or the farmer’s lowly mud hut in deepest Africa.

Jesus says to each of us, “anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…” (John 14:12 NLT). None of us need wander through life, without purpose or direction. Jesus has shown us the way. Walk in His footsteps, do what He does, and leave footprints of your own that others can follow to find their way Home.

At the beginning of this week our daughter, Rishana, had to take a trip to Spokane for work. A couple days before she left she was telling her niece where she was going. Bexlie, not understanding this was just a 2 day trip, whimpered, “But why, Tata? Why would you move to Spokane when I am here?”

I think this is how the disciples must have felt as they stood “looking intently up into the sky” as Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:10, 9 NIV).

For 3-½ years they had walked and talked with Him, shared in His ministry, and listened to His words. They’d seen Him heal the demoniacs, raise the dead, walk on water. They’d handed out loaves and fishes when He fed the 5000, baptized people in His name, and rejoiced at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem just a few weeks before. Then, just when it seemed all their hopes were about to be fulfilled, they’d seen Him put on trial, scourged, and crucified on a cross.

The following Sunday, devastated, confused, seemingly abandoned, the disciples had gathered in the upper room, to commiserate together. Suddenly “Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Luke 20:36 NIV). Hope once again sprung up in their hearts and for the next 40 days they rejoiced at being in His presence.

But now, once again, they’d been abandoned and, like Bexlie, their hearts cried out, “Why? Why would you leave us when we are still here?”

Suddenly “two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘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 1:11)

The disciples had not been abandoned and neither have you, my friend. Just like Rishana returned to Bexlie, “This same Jesus…will come back…” very soon. He has promised, ‘I go and prepare a place for you” and “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3).

Today, as you face the daily challenges of your life, remember you’re not abandoned. A better day is just over the horizon. Hang in there! “This same Jesus” is coming back!