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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!

Have you ever noticed it is really hard to return to work after being off for a few days? I’m facing that situation this coming week.

I’ve been on a break for the last month. After ending my time at BestMed Urgent Care July 10, I decided to take a month off before starting my new job. It’s been wonderful! No rushing out the door in the morning. No 12 hour days. No stress. No pressure. A whole month without having to think about work. It’s been great!

In the middle of the month we went to Puerto Rico for 2 weeks. We visited Ana’s family, some of whom we hadn’t seen in over 10 years. We went up to the farm where she was born, walked the beach, ate delicious food, and just relaxed and enjoyed being in a tropical paradise. The last few days we had a place right on the ocean. It was so beautiful and peaceful, with the waves crashing on the shore and palm trees waving overhead. I can’t wait to go back!

But now break time is over. I start my new job with Providence Express Care this week. It’s going to be a challenge getting back into the routine, after taking so much time off. Still, I’m glad I took the time. I’m rested and my mind is in the right place, which will help me go into this new opportunity with a positive attitude, something I didn’t have in my last job.

Taking a break once in a while is a good thing. Jesus knew this. That’s why, when his disciples were so busy “they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (Mark 6:31 NIV).

Has life been especially stressful lately, with so many demands on your time it’s hard to even think straight? Maybe it’s time to take Jesus up on his invitation, even if it’s just for an afternoon, and come away “to a quiet place and get some rest.” Take a break to refocus, recharge, and, most importantly, reconnect with your Heavenly Father. You’ll be glad you did!

P.S. – Break time is over for Encouraging Words for Today also. Several months ago I took a break from writing, so I could study for a test. Since then I’ve been struggling to get back to posting regularly. Well, break time is over! From now on you’ll be seeing posts again on a regular basis. I hope you’ll get a blessing from them and please share them with your friends who need an encouraging w`ord too. God bless and have a great day!

I’ve reached that wonderful age where I need a colonoscopy every few years to screen for colon cancer. Anyone 45 or older or with a family history of colon cancer needs to get this done periodically, because it can save your life. Still, it’s not something any of us look forward to.

The colonoscopy procedure itself was a piece of cake. I slept through the whole thing. The hard part was the fasting that came before. Nothing but fluids for 24 hours, including this “delicious” concoction called GoLytely. Yuck!

Now, I’ve never been a big fan of fasting. I know it offers some amazing benefits, including weight loss, blood sugar control, and lower blood pressure, but I love food too much to enjoy it. I love the taste, the texture, the smell of good food and going without for a whole day was torture. Thankfully, the colonoscopy went well, so I won’t have to do it again for 7 years.

The Bible, in Isaiah 58, tells us God’s not a big fan of fasting either, at least not the way too many of His people do it. Too often we fast just to make ourselves look good. Many times this kind of fasting doesn’t make us any holier, just grumpier, ending “in quarreling and strife….” No wonder God asks, “Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?”

There is a kind of fast which is pleasing to God, however, and it has nothing to do with starving ourselves to death. He says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

God wants us to fast from our selfishness. He wants us to put the needs of others above our own and fast from “the pointing finger and malicious talk”. He says, “spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed”. If we do this God promises to light our way in the darkness, guide our steps, and provide for our every need. Then when we call, “the Lord will answer…and he will say: ‘Here am I.”

Fasting can have amazing benefits, both physically and spiritually, but only when you do it right. Ask God to show you the kind of fast He has chosen for you today. If you do “then you will find your joy in the Lord” and, believe me, there’s no joy quite like that!

Last Sabbath Ana and I traveled to Wenatchee for the first time in almost a year. Ana’s brother, Danny, had come back from Puerto Rico and was staying with a friend in Wenatchee, so we went to visit him.

Before we saw Danny, however, we stopped in at my old job to see our friends at the Walk-in Clinic. It was wonderful getting to see Jennifer, Vicky, and Chip after a whole year! We just wish more of our friends had been there. We miss all of you!

After stopping at the Walk-in, we went to church at Cashmere Seventh-day Adventist Church. There we heard an excellent sermon by Christina Ford and then shared a meal with many of our wonderful friends. It was so much fun catching up and sharing old memories.

Finally, we got to see Danny and learn about everything he’d been up to in Puerto Rico this last year. It was great to hear about the family and about his plans for the farm..

Reunions are the best, but, unfortunately, they end too soon, and we have to say, “Good-bye”, not knowing when or if we’ll see each other again. That is so hard!

But there’s good news! We’ve all been invited to a reunion that will never end. On that 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 4:16-18).

Then there will be no more sad good-bye’s, no long separations, no tears of regret. On that day “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

Now that’s a reunion worth going to! It’s going to be amazing! See you there?

Today’s the day! For football fans this is the day we’ve been waiting for all year, a day right up there with Christmas and New Years! It’s Super Bowl Sunday!

Even though my Buffalo Bills blew it and won’t be there (again!), missing a clutch field goal at the end of the game (again!), I’m still looking forward to seeing the Chiefs and the 49er’s face off. It should be a great game!

This one’s going to be even better, because my kids and I will be watching it together. The last few years I’ve watched it by myself, so this should be a lot more fun. We’re getting pizza and lots of junk food and we’re going to have a blast!

As much as I’m looking forward to the Super Bowl, there’s another day I’m looking forward to even more. The Bible calls it “that great and terrible day of the Lord…” (Joel 2:31 NLT). Joel describes it that way, because it’s going to be the greatest day ever for those who’ve accepted Jesus as their Savior, but a truly terrible day for those who’ve rejected Him. I know which side I want to be on!

On that day “the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 NLT). There will be no need for a television broadcast then, because “every eye will see him…” , “For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:27).

The Super Bowl will happen today, but when it comes to Christ’s second coming, “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen…” (Matthew 24:36). However, Jesus does promise over and over, “I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:12, 20; 3:11). So “keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42).

Kickoff for the Super Bowl is just a few hours away, but when it comes to getting ready for Christ’s return there’s not a moment to lose. Paul warns “the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Super Bowls come every year, but when it comes to your salvation, today is the day! Don’t wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may never come. Give Jesus your heart now and live every day for His glory and honor. If you do, then, “when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” (Colossians 3:4). And that’s better than any old Super Bowl ring!

God bless and have a Super Day!

Ana and I are going to be taking a step forward in faith in the next couple months (more on that later). I posted the following about 6 years ago and it’s reflects how I’m feeling right now, so I thought I’d repost it today:

When we hear the story of Peter walking on the water we like to get on Peter’s case for his lack of faith. After all, even Jesus, as he pulled Peter out of the drink , said to him, “You of little faith…why did you doubt?”

I think we’re too hard on Peter, though. At least he had a little faith. At least he got out of the boat. And remember, he actually did walk on water, even if for only a few steps! How many of us can say the same? For that matter, how many of us would even have the courage to get out of the boat?

We beg Jesus to work a miracle for us, to get us that new job or help us leave our old job. We plead with Him to bring the right person into our lives, Mr. or Ms. Right. We ask Him to open doors, remove mountains, or make a way through the Jordan, and He says, “Sure, let’s do it.”

That’s when we hit “pause.” He reaches out His hand and says, “Come,” but we freeze. Glued to our seats, trembling in fear, we refuse to get out of the boat, refuse to take a chance on Him. Our focus is on the waves, rather than the One who calms the seas.

When Israel was preparing to cross the Jordan the waters didn’t stop flowing until the priests stepped into the waters. When God parted the Red Sea Moses first had to hold out his staff. And before Peter could walk on the waters he had to step out of the boat.

Today Jesus is inviting you on an adventure. To all your God-given hopes and dreams, the ambitions He’s put in your heart, He is saying, “Yes.” His hand is outstretched to you right now. His voice whispers, “Come.”

What will you do? Will you stay safe and secure in the leaky boat of your humdrum existence? Or will you show a little faith, climb over the side, and walk on water?

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather walk through the storm with Jesus then ride it out alone in the boat. I’d rather go over the side, and maybe sink, then stay “safe” and never really live.

This morning, when you hear Him say, “Come”, don’t hesitate. Jump over the side and into His arms! Keep your eyes on Him and He’ll never let you down. Put your hand in His and prepare to be amazed!

Walking on water is just the beginning! So, get out of the boat and walk on the waves!