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Yesterday morning broke bright and sunny. The air was crisp, yet there was a touch of spring in the air. Unfortunately, by afternoon the skies had clouded over, blocking the sun, and turning our valley a depressing gray. This morning we woke to snow.

On days like today, when the sun is hidden by clouds, do we lose faith it will show itself again? When it sets at the end of the day, do we doubt it will ever rise? In the darkness of night due we question the sun’s existence? Of course not!

Why then, when the troubles of life obscure our view, do we lose faith in God? Why, when the sun seems to have set on all our hopes and dreams, do we question if He cares? Why, when we stumble in the dark, do we doubt He exists?

Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith.”

True faith is not affected by circumstances, for “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Even the great heroes of faith described in Hebrews 11 “died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them…Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (v. 13, 16)

Saving faith continues to believe even when troubles come, all seems hopeless, and God seems to have taken a vacation. Faith is a choice! That is why Job could say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15).

Even if we do not receive the fulfillment of God’s promises in this life, even if we rest in the grave, even if we spend our days wandering “in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth” (v. 38), we will choose to trust Him, for we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (v. 13). We know our God is faithful. His promises are true and even if they are not fulfilled on this earth, we shall receive them in “a better, that is, a heavenly country.” (v. 16)

Today may be dark and dreary, but just as I know the sun will reappear, I also know that, even in the winter of my life, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” (Malachi 4:2). Until then I will “…walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthinans 5:7), trusting God to show me the way.

Won’t you walk with me today?

This morning, as I looked out the window, the moon was shining brightly over our valley, nearly turning night into day. Yet, the light I was seeing was not really from the moon, but the sun. The moon has no light of its own. It only reflects the light of the sun.

In the same way, our lives reflect what is in our hearts. Proverbs 27:19 says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” If our hearts are filled hate and bitterness and guilt, then our lives will be like a black hole sucking the light from the lives of all we meet.

However, if we will invite Jesus into our lives, He will fill our hearts with His love. When that happens our lives will shine for Him, reflecting His love into the world and lighting the path for others to find their way home.

In Psalm 110:5 David prays, “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” David longed to reflect his Heavenly Father in all he did.

This morning, as the sun rises in the east, may this be your prayer also. May Jesus fill your heart so completely with His love today that everything you do reflects the Son. May every place you go be brightened by His love reflecting off you.

Today, let’s s brighten the world around us! Let’s reflect the Son!

Our daughter, Rishana, ran her 5th Hot Chocolate 15K yesterday! She runs and swims in several races each year, but she seems to especially like this one (could it have anything to do with all the chocolate waiting for her at the end? Hmm!).

We are incredibly proud of Rishana! She trains very hard for these races and puts her all into every one. Has she ever won? Not technically, but the truth is she wins every day she puts on her running shoes and hits the road. It doesn’t matter how far back she finished in this race. The important thing is she gave it her all.

We are all in a race, a race with a far sweeter prize than a cup of hot cocoa at the end. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Rishana never would have finished those 15 kilometers if she hadn’t trained ahead of time. She had to watch what she ate, make sure she got enough rest, and, most importantly, get up off the couch each day and hit the road. Without the training she could have never claimed the prize.

The same is true in the race of life. True, salvation is a gift, for the Bible promises, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31), but there is still a work to do.

Just as Rishana cannot maintain her level of fitness without daily training and proper nutrition, so we cannot maintaining the saving relationship we have with Christ without daily time spent studying His Word, without spending time in prayer and fellowship with Him. There is no other way. If we want to win the prize we have to put in the time.

Rishana ran well yesterday. She deserves our praise, but her race is not over and neither is yours. A far greater prize is within your grasp, so run “…with purpose in every step.” Discipline your “…body like an athlete, training it do what it should.” (1 Cor. 9:26, 27).

Remember, you don’t have to run this race alone. If you will commit to spending daily time with Jesus He will be with you every step of the way. Don’t forget, He already ran the race and won. What better training partner could you have?

Our world is in its final days. The race is almost over!The finish line is in sight! Don’t stop now!

Run today! Run with Jesus! Run to win!

May 6, 1954 dawned wet and windy. As Roger Bannister looked over the track, he knew conditions were not ideal for what he was about to attempt. No one had ever run the mile in under 4 minutes. Some said it couldn’t be done. Yet that was just what Bannister was there to do.

Finally the wind died down and Bannister, with two friends running by his side, started off. Lap after lap sped by under his feet. His legs ached and his heart felt like it was pounding out of his chest. At last, with a final desperate burst of speed, he crossed the finish line in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds, shattering the 4 minute barrier. Bannister had done the seemingly impossible!

Today, as the sporting world mourns the death of Roger Bannister at 88 years old, I want to ask you a question. What impossible challenge do you face today?

• Is it a habit you just can’t seem to break, a relationship which seems broken beyond repair, or a career move you’ve been afraid to make?
• When you step on the bathroom scales do the numbers mock you, telling you you’ll never lose that excess weight?
• When you walk into work each day does the door closing behind you feel like a cell door locking you into a life sentence in this job you hate?
• Are you struggling to break free from debt, start a business, find a purpose for your life?

Whatever the challenge you face today, don’t despair. No matter how seemingly impossible the task, remember this promise, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Roger Bannister did not have to run his race alone and neither do you. Jesus is with you. This race you are running may seem long, the challenge more than you can bear, but Christ is by your side every step of the way. Trust in Him and He will give you the strength you need to succeed.

Today, if God has put a dream in your heart or a challenge in your path, don’t listen to the voices who would tell you it can’t be done. God doesn’t know the meaning of the word “can’t”. He promises, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)

So, tie up your shoes, stretch out your faith and get into the race! Don’t listen to the naysayers. Keep your eyes on the goal and let Jesus set the pace! Keep running and never forget – with God you can do anything!

This is my least favorite day of the year. I always dread March 3rd, because of the memories it brings.

36 years ago today my brother Eddie was killed in a car accident at 17 years old. Even after all these years my family still feels his absence, especially on those rare occasions we are all able to get together. Grief is a pain which never fully heals.

However; as much as I may dread March 3rd, it is also a day for celebration, because with each passing year we draw one step closer to seeing Eddie again.

You see, one of the joys of being a Christian is we know that, for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, death is but a rest stop on the way to Heaven. There is a better day just over the horizon, “…for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth….” John 5:28 NKJV.

On that great day “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

As the glory of the Lord splits the sky, we, reunited with Eddie and all the others we have lost along the way, will together lift our voices in a mighty shout of victory, declaring, “O Death, where is your sting?O Grave, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55.

Never again will we have to say goodbye. Never again will grief tear at our souls for “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.

Today our family remembers the joy Eddie brought to our lives. Today our hearts grieve from our loss. But today, and everyday till Jesus comes, we also rejoice. Someday very soon will see Eddie again, then together “…we shall always be the Lord.”

My friends, “…do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” Instead, rejoice! 

Death is not the end – a better day is on its way!

I saw Orion last night from 30,000 feet!

Seemingly just outside my window, The Great Hunter stalked majestically through the night sky. His sword by his side and club in his hand, he continued his eternal quest for prey.

Orion has always been one of my constellations. It is an easily recognizable constant in the southern sky and I always look for it first when I look at the stars. To see it from a different perspective as I flew over California was exciting.

As I considered this beautiful constellation and the other stars in their courses, I was reminded of David’s words in Psalm 8:3-4:

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?”

I was overwhelmed by the realization that the same God who set Orion and the Pleiades in the night sky directs my steps. Whether I am on a plane at 30,000 feet or walking the streets of Wenatchee, He leads me day-by-day, moment-by-moment. I am never out of His sight, never separated from His love. And neither, my friend, are you.

He has loves you with an everlasting love and holds you always in His hand. As surely as He guides the stars, He guides your life.

So don’t be afraid, do not despair, for “He who made the Pleiades and Orion…the Lord is His name!

How many of us, when the phone rings, ignore it? No, we drop everything and scramble to get to it before the answering machine picks up.

How about when someone knocks at the door? Do you just go about your business, ignoring the annoying sound, wishing whoever it is would just go away? No, you rush to the door and open it wide, eager to see who has come to visit.

Or what about when your computer announces, “You’ve got mail!”? Most of us can’t resist clicking that mouse to see who’s reaching out to us today.

If we get this excited about answering the phone, opening the door, or clicking on email, why is it we so often ignore the soft knock of the Savior on the door of our hearts? Why do we leave Him standing in the cold, while we surf the net or watch the tube?

Think about it! More often than not the phone call we’ve so eagerly answered is someone trying to sell us something; the email is just another cat video from Cousin Bob; and the knock at the door is that annoying neighbor who’s always borrowing a cup of sugar.

But when Jesus knocks He’s not trying to sell something. He wants to give you peace like you’ve never known (John 14:27).

When you answer His call He’ll “…show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jer. 33:3).

When you open His Word He’ll feed you the Bread of Life, so you’ll never be hungry again (John 6:35).

This morning Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart once again. He’s calling out your name. Haven’t you ignored Him long enough?

Open the door – Let Him in!

As you’re walking down the street can you tell who the Christians are?

It should be easy. All you should have to do is look for the people with smiles on their faces and a twinkle in their eyes.

Christians should stand out from the crowd. They should be the happiest people on earth!

Why? Why not? I mean, really, think about it. In a world full of heartache and despair, where so many stumble through life with no clear direction, no hope, Christians have the Good News:

• They know Jesus died for them and paid the price for their sins. (John 3:16)
• They know God is always with them and never leaves them nor forsakes them. (Hebrews 13:5).
• They know God has great plans for them, “plans for good and not for evil.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Most importantly, Christians know that no matter how bad things are right now there is a better day coming soon. This is not all there is, because God has promised, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37 NIV.

Soon Jesus will come to take His children home. “Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17 NIV).

With all this good news it’s no wonder David declared in Psalm 144:15 “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” We have hope and nothing the world can throw at us can take that hope away. No wonder we’re the happiest people on earth!

God bless and have a wonderful day!

Do you ever wish life gave “do-overs”? I know I do.

Somedays I can’t seem to get anything right.

• Old sins raise their ugly heads at the most unexpected times, catching me off guard.
• I can’t seem to say the right thing and I end up hurting the ones I love.
• I’m so crabby and irritable.
• People ask if I got up on the wrong side of the bed, but the truth is I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed at all.

Unfortunately, there are no “do-overs.” What’s done is done. I can’t take back that angry word, that hasty remark. I can’t go back and “un-sin” my sins.

There is good news, however. God doesn’t give “do-overs”, but He does give new starts.

Paul tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV.

God is in the business of second chances (and third and fourth and…). No matter how bad we’ve messed up in the past, if we will just come to Him and confess and repent He promises, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 NIV

When we accept Jesus as our Savior we become “…a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17 NKJV. All our mistakes in the past are just that – in the past. We get a clean slate. It’s up to us what we will write on it.

Are the mistakes of yesterday stealing the joy from today? It’s time to turn over a new page.

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13, 14 NIV

We can’t do anything about yesterday. There are no “do-overs”, but praise God today is a new start! Get out there and make the most of it!

We live in a beautiful mountain valley in the Cascade foothills. I love this place, but there are days, especially in winter, when I wish I had the faith to say to the mountains around us “Move from here to there.” (Matthew 17:20)

The dark days of winter are made even darker by the mountains blocking the sun. There are days when the sun doesn’t hit our house till about 9 AM and sets by 4 PM. Add in a little fog you begin to question if the sun will ever shine again.

Life can be like that sometimes. Problems surround us, blocking our view of the Son. Life can seem dark, dreary, cold, like our valley on a winter morning.

It is in times like these, the days we walk through life’s darkest valleys, when the words of Psalm 23:4 mean so much. It says there, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for [God is] with me.”

But how is God with me?

He is there in the touch of a friend’s hand, a smile from a stranger, a kind word or a comforting hug. He is there when you and I care for each other.

It is in life’s darkest valleys we need each other most. It is through you and me God reveals Himself to others. As we reflect His love to those around us, we light their way through the dark.

Today, don’t give into the gloom. Reflect the Son! Let God’s love reflect off you and brighten someone’s day. Show those you meet they need “fear no evil”, for God is with them. Even in the darkest valley, He is there, in the touch of someone who cares.