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None of us likes to lose. Whether we’re playing Monopoly or tennis or competing for a promotion at work, we all live by the adage, “Winning’s a lot more fun.”

When it comes to the game of life, however, things get all turned inside out. God’s way is not our way. To gain victory in life, not just for now, but for eternity, we first have to surrender. Only by total surrender to God’s will can we attain total victory.

This is so hard for us to accept. We resist the very idea of surrender, of accepting our own weakness, our inability to save ourselves, but it is the only way to truly win. God promises if you “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV).

Sometimes it’s okay to lose. It all depends who you’re losing to. When you lose yourself to Jesus, you win the biggest price of all – eternal life. When we give up what’s holding us back from Jesus, we gain so much more. Don’t be afraid to surrender your life to Him today. It’s the only way to truly win the victory, both now and for eternity.

Almost everyone has seen shirts or posters or mugs starting with “Keep Calm…”, followed by something like “and Drive On” or “and Enjoy the Day.” There are all sorts of variations, but all start with that same sage advice, “Keep Calm.”

The original saying was “Keep Calm and Carry On”. It was found on posters issued by the British Ministry of Information during World War II in an attempt encourage British citizens to stay calm in the face of aerial bombardment and possible invasion by Nazi Germany. In recent years, in reaction to the stresses of modern life, this saying has again gained popularity, with multiple variations.

“Keep Calm” is something that’s a lot easier to say than to actually do. Just watching the evening news can send your stress level into the stratosphere. Add on the pile of bills on your kitchen table, layoffs at work, relationship problems, or any of the innumerable challenges we face each day, and you have the recipe for a serious anxiety attack. It’s no wonder anxiolytics and anti-depressants are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world today.

It doesn’t have to be this way, though. God offers a solution. He invites you to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). He wants to carry this load for you, if you will only surrender it to Him. When you do “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

No matter what challenges you are facing today, remember you are not alone. God is on your side. Just as He delivered Israel from their enemies so long ago, He can deliver you. If you will let Him, “The Lord Himself will fight for you” so “Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14 NLT).

Whatever comes your way today don’t give up. God is with you. “Cast all your anxiety on Him”. then “Keep Calm and Carry On”. God’s got this!

We spent yesterday evening visiting Alex at his place. Our grandson had gotten a hold of a ball of his mother’s yarn just before we got there and rearranged it for her. It is amazing what a mess a 6-month old can make out of a ball of yarn. It was knotted and twisted and all tangled up. We spent most of our visit slowly working the knots out and rolling it back into a neat ball, while we chatted with Alex. What took our grandson about 10 minutes to mess up took 3 adults about 1-½ hours to untangle.

Our lives are a lot like that ball of yarn. We’ve done an amazing job of messing our lives up, getting ourselves hopelessly entangled by our sins and mistakes, till we can’t tell one end from the other. We struggle to free ourselves from the cords that entangle us, but we end up just making things worse.

There really is only one solution to this problem. We need someone wiser than us to free us from “the sin that so easily entangles.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). There is only one who can do this for us, Jesus Christ, the “one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Heb 4:15). He alone can set us free from the jumbled mess we’ve made and “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36).

Come to Jesus today and hand him the knotted and twisted threads of your life. “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6). Let Him have control and he will take those tangled threads and make something beautiful of your life.

There are days when I just have nothing to give. Today’s one of those days. Nothing is wrong. I’m just dried up, uninspired, empty. No trite spiritual parallels to share. No divine inspiration. No insights on life’s mysteries. Just me, the computer, the empty page.

Thankfully, my God doesn’t have this problem. He always has an answer. He always knows what we need. Here are a few things He’s been teaching me:

Problems are opportunities. They are how we grow. They strengthen us, prepare us, not just for the challenges of this life, but for the joys and wonders of the eternity to come.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3-4 NLT).

We all could use a little grace. None of us are perfect and we all need to give and receive a little mercy sometimes.

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7).

We need each other. We need friendship, a listening ear, a nudge in the right direction. It’s how God made us.

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” (Proverbs 27:9)

Sometimes being empty is a good thing. Until we feel our need, experience the vacuum only God can fill, we can never really appreciate the joy of His presence in our hearts.

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.” (Psalm 28:7).

“But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘The Lord is great!’ ” (Psalm 40:16).

Today, if you’re feeling empty, embrace it. Ask God to fill you with His joy till you overflow. Then go and share it with someone else who’s running on empty too!

I usually eat a pretty healthy diet, but last night I got a craving for pizza. There’s a pizza place near here that makes a delicious vegan pizza, loaded with veges and non-dairy cheese. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. It was so good!

That craving we all feel sometimes, whether it’s for pizza, ice cream, or some other delicious treat, is what God wants us to feel when we think of Him. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NIV).

God wants us to crave being in His presence, to thirst for a relationship with Him, to long to be like Him. Why? So He can fill us up, bless us beyond anything we can imagine, satisfy our hunger with the Bread of Life.

All the things this world has to offer will never relieve the hunger we feel in our souls. Only God’s presence, His righteousness, can do that. So, don’t wait a moment longer. Come to Jesus. Invite Him into your life today. Let Him fill you with His righteousness and hunger and thirst no more!

“Bob, we need you down here right now!”

The nurse’s urgent tone barely penetrated Bob’s sleep-deprived mind. He worked as a physician assistant in a small rural hospital in upstate New York, pulling 24-hour shifts in the ER. Some nights could be brutal and this was one of them. Bob was exhausted. But duty called, so he pulled on his shoes and headed wearily towards the in-patient wing.

“Okay, I’m here,” he announced. “What’s the emergency?”

The head nurse took in his rumpled scrubs and bleary eyes and declared, “You look awful!”

“Thanks,” Bob snarled, “Three hours of sleep will do that to you. What’s the problem?”

“Mrs. Jeffrey, Room 14, is having a mental breakdown. She’s hallucinating and screaming there are frogs in her room. We need you to order something to calm her down.”

Bob groaned. He hated dealing with mental health patients and never more than on nights like tonight, when he was barely holding onto his own sanity. Shaking his head in disgust, he grabbed Mrs. Jeffrey’s chart and headed toward her room. He told himself he’d just take a quick peek, prescribe some Xanax and head back to bed.

A few minutes later, Bob reappeared at the nurses’ station, grinning from ear-to-ear. He unceremoniously plopped a huge bullfrog on the counter, then turned and walked away, calling over his shoulder, “There’s your frog! Next time, take the time to actually check the patient before you call me. Just because a patient sounds crazy, doesn’t mean they actually are!”

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1 NIV). It is so easy to make a snap decision about someone based on their appearance, how they talk, or where they come from. However, until we actually step into the room with someone, get to know them, we have no business criticizing them.

We need to give each other a break and “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32). We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Who knows? After we get to know someone, we may just discover there really was a frog in the room.

Every morning one of our cats meets me at my bedroom door with a loud, “Mmmrroww!” Now I would like to think that means, “Good morning!”, but I think she’s actually saying, “It’s about time you got up! Feed me!” That kind of greeting leaves me wishing I hadn’t opened the door and had stayed in bed.

I kind of felt like that yesterday afternoon. It had been another busy day and when I went in to see the next patient, the first words out of their mouth were, “I’ve been waiting for over an hour!” I almost turned around and walked away, but I took a deep breath and sat down to listen. The patient then proceeded to give me a several minute lecture on professionalism and courtesy and several other areas and my staff were coming up short. It was not a pleasant start to the visit, to say the least.

I was tempted to respond in kind, telling the patient about the 5 other patients waiting to be seen and detailing how my day had gone so far, but then I remembered Solomon’s counsel that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT). I swallowed my pride and quietly apologized for the wait, promised to try to do better, and asked, “So, what brings you in today?” The rest of the visit went well and the patient left seemingly satisfied with our plan of treatment.

Afterward I got thinking about this and realized what people (or cats) say and how they say it can set the tone, for better or worse, for another person’s day. Words are powerful things. They can build someone up or tear them down in seconds. I guess that’s why Paul told us to “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).

Today, as you deal with people, even those that aren’t especially pleasant to be around, watch your words. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). Your words (and how you say them) can make or break someone else’s day, so choose them wisely, with God’s help.

God bless and have a pleasant day!

One week ago I tested positive for COVID. It hit me pretty hard this time – fever, chills, body aches, cough – a little bit of everything. It left me feeling totally wiped out. I finally started feeling better over the weekend, but was still pretty weak when I went to work yesterday morning. Then we got clobbered!

The patients kept coming in one-after-the-other and sometimes in packs of 4 or 5. COVID, colds, injuries, blood clots, anxiety – the normal jumble of complaints which make up any day at an urgent care. It’s always a challenge when we’re this busy, but when you’re feeling lousy yourself it makes for a long day.

I sent up several prayers for strength throughout the day and God gave me the extra boost I needed to make it through. We ended up with 32 patients, the most we’ve seen since this clinic opened. In spite of being that busy, things went well and we only got out about 30 minutes late.

The truth is, I know I couldn’t have made it through yesterday, and have things go as well as they did, without having God to lean on. He pulled me through. I guess that’s what He meant when he said to Paul, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Well, I was feeling pretty weak yesterday, but God’s power pulled me through.

No matter what challenges you’re facing today and no matter how inadequate you feel about meeting them, if you will ask God for help He will provide the power you need to make it through. “God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:25). With God on our side we have everything we need.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

“I’ll pray for you.”

How many of us, when a friend has shared some difficulty in their life, a problem they can’t find a solution for or an illness which has them fearing for the future, have mouthed this simple phrase? Those four words slip so easily off our tongues, almost like “Have a nice day.” Usually we mean it, but it also can be a convenient way to end an uncomfortable conversation.

Social media makes it even easier. We can type in the words in the comment section or just throw in an emoji of a couple praying hands, maybe even a heart. Then it’s on to the next post.

But what if we took those words seriously? What if we not only meant it when we said “I’ll pray for you,” but actually did it, not just once, but consistently throughout the day? Paul tells us “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV). If this is true, then when we say “I’ll pray for you” and follow through, we can expect miracles to happen. We can expect the armies of God to move in answer to our prayers.

All this last week we’ve been talking about the armor of God. Prayer is the final piece of that armor. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Prayer extends the protective covering of God’s Armor over not only ourselves, but also over those we are praying for.

Miracles happen when we pray. Hearts are changed, evil is beaten back, people are healed, and lives are transformed. “I’ll pray for you” is so much more than a passing phrase when spoken by a committed Christian. It is a promise that we will be calling on all the forces of Heaven to come to the aid of those we are praying for.

Today, don’t stop with an emoji on Facebook or Instagram. Don’t just mouth those 4 words, “I’ll pray for you.” Follow through! Be “faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Then listen closely. God’s army is on the march!

Yesterday, I talked about the power of the sword of Spirit, God’s word, and our call to wield it in God’s service, severing the bonds which hold others from a living relationship with their Savior.

This sword, when used correctly, has great power to do good and to transform lives. However, this same sword can also be used to cause great harm, when swung by the hand of one who does not have a clear understanding of the mercy and love of God.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a colleague once who, when describing how he’d “witnessed” to a patient, bragged, “I hit him with about 20 Scriptures in 10 minutes!” I immediately had an image in my mind of this poor patient taking blow after well-meaning blow and staggering out of the office, never to return. This is not Christ’s way.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 tells us “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” Too often we Christians latch onto that word “rebuking” as our license to start swinging the Word like a club, with no thought of the harm we’re doing as we beat our way through an unbeliever’s defenses.

God’s Word is not to be used as a club against unbelievers, but as a precision instrument to carefully sever the ties which hold them back from the freedom which can be found only in relationship with Jesus Christ. We are called to skillfully wield the sword of the Spirit as did Jesus who, when faced with opposition did “not quarrel or cry out.” (Matthew 12:19).

Instead of bludgeoning others with the Word, “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2: 25, 26)

Today, as we go out to fight for the Lord and our fellowmen, let’s remember to not use God’s Word as a club, but pray instead that God will teach us how to wield the sword of the Spirit with skill, compassion and love. Ask Him to help us “to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,” always remembering that we ourselves are “subject to weakness.” (Hebrews 5:2).