Earlier today, I began to feel like Job, pondering when my recent streak of trials will end. While attending a friend’s concert this evening, enjoying the Raymond Lee Band, I sensed an answer coming from the Holy Spirit. If victories out numbered losses, individuals would not learn essential life lessons. Therefore, God allows losses to outweigh victories in life so that humility produces teachable moments.
As I read the book of Psalms, it appears King David does more complaining than celebrating. In the tough times. people are forced into a corner, revealing their true character. Behind the sadness and tears, rough circumstances leads troubled souls to trust in the Lord. Without failure. you don’t truly appreciate the good things in life.
Perhaps, this is the main message of James 1:2-4. After the storms of life fade from the horizon, souls are left to pick up the pieces. Subsequently, wisdom is gained through maturity and perseverance. Winning is nice, but sometimes victory hides flaws and imperfections. Thus, the Lord places losses in life more than victories so that Jesus’ power might be displayed in our weaknesses, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
If I had to take an honest assessment of my goals in life and compare this with how I actually spend my time, my actions display a lack of hunger to make my American Dream a reality. While playing on a Florida mini-tour in 1995, I met several individuals who were willing to risk everything, sacrificing food, shelter and wants to one day make the P.G.A. Tour. Clearly, they wanted it more than me as some ate peanut butter and jelly 3 times a day, 7 days a week, a few lived in their cars and many more worked the night shift so they could play in golf tournaments during the day. In essence, I’m the only one to blame for not fulfilling this desire of my heart.
Nearly 20 years later, I not willing to let another dream slip through my hands. Back in the late 90’s, I had a 45 minute phone conversation with Max Lucado’s editor, set up by a mutual friend who owned a Christian Bookstore. At the time, I was a freelance writer trying to break through, asking as many questions as possible without being rude. Two of his statements serve as a glimmer of hope for this amateur author: “If you want to get noticed, the average professional writes full time for 7 years before getting paid or if you can only afford to do this part time, you must be willing to invest 15 years of your life.” Over the past 3 years, I am in the process of paying my dues, with over 700 daily articles, 1 complete 90 minute movie script and currently a third of the way through my first book called Behind the Devil’s Door. Though I could probably devote more time to writing each week, this time around the block I want it more than ever.
In Psalm 27:4, King David asks a similar question, but from a spiritual perspective: “How badly do you want to spend time with God?” Are you happy with your current relationship or are holding back, not ready to commit fully to the Lord? Based upon verses 1-3, if you are afraid, faithless or weak, you’re likely missing essential pieces. What’s holding you back, keeping you from experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit daily? Perhaps you don’t want God as bad as He longs to be with you, Luke 15:20. May the words of Matthew 6:33-34 provide the assurance you need to re-prioritize your life as soon as possible. While every human feels the pain of unfulfilled dreams, I pray that gazing upon the beauty of the Lord will transform your perspective on life. Your actions in the days that follow will answer the question, how bad do you really want it?
In the game of chess, there is the Touch-Move Rule which states a player must move any piece once they touch it. Despite any miscalculation or mistake, a player must finish their move with this piece regardless of their initial motives. This rule is strictly enforced and maintains a sense of integrity during each game of chess.
In the game of life, a similar rule applies, known as Cause and Effect. For any action take, there are consequences that follow. Good decisions often lead to blessings and or rewards. On the other hand, ill-advised decisions tend to result in harm, punishment and trials. Like the apostle Paul points out in his letter to the church at Galatia, you reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7-8.
Touching things of righteousness moves individuals closer to eternity. Yet, immaturity can lure people away from faith, essentially crucifying Jesus over and over again, Hebrews 6:1-6. One touch of an apple by Eve moved mankind into a fallen world, now filled with Turkish Delights, James 1:14-15. If there is any hope for the future, one must learn from the past, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, to flee from modern temptations, 1 Peter 2:11. Keep in touch with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25 and you will move beyond the game of chess, by entering into eternity.
If any of you are a parent or grand parent, perhaps you shake your head as I do watching teens stare at their game systems and cell phones instead of engage in an actual conversation. Beside sending your kids outside to play, I’m afraid this generation is being led by the spirit of technology. Sure, the technology misfits like me need their oldest to get most gadgets around the house to work, but isn’t there something parents can do to develop healthy communication skills?
Before ascending to heaven, Acts 1:9-11, Jesus promised to send a counselor to guide people through life. While Pentecostals often make the mistake of limiting the Spirit of God to spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, the apostles provide clues to become driven by the Holy Spirit. Philip kept his head up after hearing the Holy Spirit’s still small voice in Acts 8:29, eventually leading an Egyptian to faith in Christ. Meanwhile, Paul sensed in his heart to avoid visiting Asia on a missionary journey as God’s Spirit kept him from entering their cities, Acts 16:7.
One of the greatest clues left behind is found in Galatians 5. Inside each human being, there is a war between good and evil as the acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:19-21 battle fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. As modern technology drives souls to feed their fleshly desires, an invisible forces seeks to intervene, urging individuals to stay on the course of faith. The key to overcoming today’s technology driven culture is found in Galatians 5:25. By tuning into God, with eyes and ears alert and open, the apostle Paul suggests you can keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if you emulate this spiritual practice, you will provide a blue print for loved ones to become Spirit led, not technology driven.
As the 2014 Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 7th in Sochi, Russia, I am reminded of the drama previous events have delivered. Whether it’s a human interest story, someone rising to the challenge of stiff competition or the 1980 United States Hockey Team who came out of no where to defeat the U.S.S.R. and earn a gold medal one game later. Thus, as viewers tune in from all over the world to watch next weekend, who will be the next star, who shocks their fellow competitors with one shining moment of gold.
Looking back on my not so allustrious athletic career, most of the sports I played in high school were held off sight in a relatively obscure locations like local golf courses and State Parks. The only sport I participated in with bleachers was swimming, my weakest talent by far. Yes, my 200 Individual Medal Relay did earn a bronze medal at the 1986 State Meet held at the University of Delaware’s pool, but my lack of speed cost us the gold. Yet, in one of my last high school races as a senior, God moved me to swim faster than I ever had before. Despite dabbling in butterfly, back and free style, the 100 yard breast was my strongest stroke and race.
Leading our arch rival Brandywine by a point heading into the final 2 events, I was facing a cross town swimmer who was 1 second faster on average throughout the season. Typically, the number 1 swimmer swam the inside lanes, a little faster than the 2 outside lanes due to the wake splashing back into swimmers. However, just before stepping on the starting block, their top breast stroker switched lanes to shadow me in lane 1. After 25 yards I was slightly behind, pulling even by the halfway mark. Since the bleachers were right on top of lane 1, I began to hear a roar from lane 2 as I approached the final turn. The noise of the crowd, filled me adrenaline, causing me to go faster and faster as I touched the final wall, finish line. As I looked up, the noise was deafening as members of the final relay applauded my victory by 4 seconds, shattering my PR by 3 seconds. In addition, our other swimmer passed both of Brandywine’s breast strokers in the final 5 yards to earn second and mathematically clinch the win.
As great as this experience felt, there is only one other shining moment that compares. While in college I was asked to help out at a lock-in by my high school swim coach who had become a youth pastor. During the festivities, I was drawn to a kid who was called Satan by his peers. Yeah, he had a mean streak inside of him that was pure evil, but the Holy Spirit moved me to minister to him. Layer by layer, like peeling an onion, God began to show me the defense mechanism that he had created to prevent his heart from being broken again. During an altar call late in the night, I led this young man to invite Jesus into his heart, Romans 10:9-10. Able to fulfill the words of James 5:19-20, I sensed another round of applause, this time from heaven. “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not repent,” Luke 15:7. May you experience multiple spiritual shining moments in not just during the Olympics, but throughout life.
Before the day’s of cell phones, internet and twitter, one of the most popular means of communication was CB radio. The 1977 classic Smokey and the Bandit starring Bert Reynolds glorified this coded form of conversation. In this film, Smokey referred to highway patrolmen, especially those setting speed traps for truckers. Snowman was Cledus’ handle, played by Jerry Reed, who drove an 18 wheeler full of 400 cases of Coors Beer and Bandit was Reynold’s nickname, who teamed up with fellow drivers to escape the police and fulfill their dare with Big and Little Enos, driving 2 vehicles from Georgia to Texas just in time for a big celebration.
In the 2003 Pilot episode, Amber Tamblyn plays Joan Girardi, a high school junior trying to comprehend God’s handle on life during Season 1 of Joan of Arcadia. Through a series of strange events, Joan’s not sure if she’s crazy, delirious or actually able to hear God speak. Afraid to tell others she is communicating with God, Joan starts to subtly ask others their opinions about the Lord’s existence, trying to make sense of her bizarre encounters. Finally, after obeying God’s first assignment slowly, she lays down to sleep, removing her headphones, hoping to discern God’s voice, waiting in silence, like an old CB radio with static.
The most difficult part of adjusting to God’s Handle, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, 1 Kings 19:12, as your volume is not always tuned up. However, when you do make a conscience effort to hear God, sometimes you may want to turn the dial to another channel because you’re not happy with what you hear. This is where Free will enters the equation. If you are able to watch the first season of Joan of Arcadia, CBS and the writers of the show do a valiant job of illustrating moments of obedience and disobedience. Although the nature of God is flawed by Joan Osborne’s song “What if God was one of us,” the premise challenges the audience to ponder, “what’s God’s handle?”
On earth, travel agencies will try to convince clients of a sweet deal, hidden gem or destination that will change your life. As spring approaches, television commercials will display eye popping images as states hope your summer plans include a family vacation to one their resorts. While memories can be forever etched into your mind, the thought of work quickly snaps individuals back to reality, ending any memorable getaway.
From a spiritual perspective, people may recall the place they got baptized, the church they were married in or a retreat center where they met God for the first time. Inside a sanctuary, family’s tend to gravitate toward their favorite pew, stare at magnificent stain glass windows or recall taking their first communion. According to Exodus 29:37, the altar made for the Tent of Meeting possessed supernatural powers, making those priests who touched it holy. While not the Tent of Meeting, the altar at a church in Friendship, Maryland changed my life forever.
During my senior year of college, I was asked to serve on a Lay Witness Mission team for a church seeking to revive its congregation. My role was to be a small group leader for the youth group and its college students, sharing how God had made a difference in my life. Usually, one of the leaders was asked to share part of their faith journey, a snapshot of their life. On Saturday night, our leader Ken told me that I would be speaking to the entire congregation Sunday morning. Caught off guard, my initial instinct was fear, pondering, “how can someone who stutters speak for 15 minutes?”
Subsequently, I was led to pray, asking the Holy Spirit and my roommate to clue me in on what God wanted me to say to several hundred strangers. Tossing and turning, I was reminded of a song that I brought, called The Altar. Studying the lyrics in my mind, a vision for my first sermon was conceived, drifting me off into a peaceful sleep. As I made my closing remarks, I gave an altar call, inviting anyone who was touched by the Holy Spirit to come to the altar while I played Ray Boltz’s song.
To my amazement, one college student literally ran to the altar as soon as the song began. Others quickly, followed, filling up the semi-circle shaped altar in front of the pulpit. When the music ended, people were standing in line, waiting to kneel at the altar. Elders and leaders of the church began to lay hands on those crying, quietly whispering words up to heaven on their behalf. As I joined the congregation following my message, the senior pastor shared a few words, summarizing these amazing events of this 3 day event, encouraging people to continue lay their burdens up to Jesus at the altar, Matthew 11:28. On earth, there are countless wonders of the world, but for me, I will never forget this day when lives were changed forever at the altar.
According to Webster, confidence is a feeling or belief that someone is good, possessing the ability to succeed. Although this may be confused with cockiness, success is a state of mind, ushering individuals toward pleasant places. Apparently hidden within the words of Psalm 16 are clues to the meaning of life, left behind by a man who possessed a heart of gold. However, its worth pursuing, what did David know that other kings of Israel never grasped?
Some how David understood the teachings of Jesus without ever meeting him. If you don’t believe me, take for instance the words of Psalm 16:2 and John 15:4. While Jesus is using a parable about a vine, gardener and branches, David came to this conclusion on his own. Meanwhile, the concept of Psalm 16:11 and John 10:10 are nearly identical minus the portion about the thief called the devil. Sure, David was a shepherd prior to becoming king and Jesus was a shepherd for lost people, Luke 19:10, but who communicated these spiritual truths to David.
Despite his complaining, disappointment and frustration from seeing the wicked prosper, God used prophets, the words of the Old Testament and a still small voice, known today as the Holy Spirit to bring David to a place of spiritual maturity. The king recognized failures often occurred when he relied on his strength and wisdom. Furthermore, David had reached an age where he began to see answered prayers, blessings and miracles from time spent on his knees. Thus, the path of life, his purpose for being born and taste of the abundant life filled this king with a blessed assurance. May you come to a place like David where God is real and his promises are fulfilled!
I know what you’re thinking; God doesn’t have favorites. The earthly brother of Jesus testifies to this fact with his own eyes, James 2:1. The rest of you are probably like, “who cares; why does it matter anyway?” You may be right, but the symbolism behind this color provides insight to God’s character and nature.
While God’s favorite metal is gold, fashioned, molded and shaped into every aspect of the tabernacle, Exodus 25-31, acacia appears to be the perfect wood for constructing non metallic pieces. Beside the 12 jewels representing each of the 12 tribes of Israel, blue, purple and scarlet appear to be God’s favorite mix of colors. Each of these 3 colors are woven into coverings, curtains and special garments worn by priests.
I’ll be honest; there are certain sections of the Bible that are hard to hold a person’s attention, especially this portion of Exodus and Leviticus. However, the Holy Spirit is teaching me there is a purpose for the details enclosed within this book. For instance, blue is symbolic of heaven and holy service. Meanwhile, purple represents royalty, a sign a riches due to the scarcity of this dye. Finally, scarlet is commingled with crimson in different translations, referring to blood, cleansing of sin, life and purification. When you follow the laws handed down by God to Moses, you are essentially displaying blue, purple and scarlet through your actions. May the prayer of David in Psalm 51:10-12 become a reality for you in 2014, illuminating blue, purple and scarlet!
Whether you enter a high school as a parent, visit a college with your child or observe your own workplace, people are trying so hard to fit in that it is easy to forget the real you. Thinking they aren’t good enough on their own to be accepted by their peers, individuals seek to emulate Hollywood stars and pop culture to find approval. Behind this mask, a heart, soul and mind wrestle between reality and the facade you are living. This suppression blinds many youth from discovering the real you, often leaving a trail of remorse, regret and shame.
History isn’t exempt from this dilemma as one of the Bible’s greatest characters struggled with his own self image. According to Genesis 25:27-28, Jacob was a mama’s boy early on. Not blessed with the physical talents of his twin brother, Jacob was quiet, staying at home afraid to compete against the other boys his age. Fearful of being exposed as a wimp, Jacob became a humble servant around the house, doing whatever his mother told him. When the time came from receiving the birthrate from his father Isaac, Genesis 27, Jacob felt like he had to dress, look and smell like Esau to earn dad’s blessing. Several thousand years later, teenagers across the country find themselves in Jacob’s shoes.
While speaking to Jesus in the dark, John 3:1-9, Nicodemus was searching for the meaning of life, knowing deep down in his heart that following the laws of the Pharisees wasn’t the answer. Privy to the truth, the disciples of Jesus receive greater insight in Matthew 16:24-27 to eternal life. The secret to finding the real you is through surrender. As Michael W. Smith once sang about, “Love isn’t love until you give it away!” Despite being a paraphrased version of Jesus’ words, the moment you yield your body as a life offering to the Lord of Creation, Romans 12:1-2, the Holy Spirit unveils the real you in the form of God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. Let the words of scripture guide you toward the path of righteousness, Psalm 119:105.
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