Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Romans chapter 8, verses 35-37; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Defiance! What thought enters your gray matter when you see or hear this word? That teenager under your roof? That toddler trying to find themselves? That neighbor who refuses to follow the rules? The local anarchist? Most times the thoughts are about a rebel–someone who disregards decorum and the rule of law. But what if I told you there’s another side to defiance? A good thing about defiance? Look at the definition of defiance:
a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
open disregard; contempt (often followed by of):defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.
a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest.
Now, still think that defiance is a bad word? If so, think again. Every day of your life there is an opposing force coming against you; all in an attempt to deny you peace and confidence–confidence about the future–confidence in your abilities to handle life-as-it-happens. This opposing force has only a single desire: to break and crush you! Maybe it’s your finances; health; family; work; expectations of others; your own personal expectations; and the list goes on. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s some personal failure–even failing to be faithful to God. We call that kind of failure sin!
Whatever your opposing force may be, wherever your struggle is at, remember the question of Paul and his answer to his own question: Can anything separate us from God’s love? NO! NO! NO! A thousand times NO! Don’t give your opposing force the right to control you. Bring it to Jesus! Some say God never gives us more than we can handle. That just ain’t true! God’s love is always here for us. And God’s love is more than powerful enough to deliver us from that opposing force! Even if we don’t or can’t see how.
Everyday has it’s challenges. And what we need is to bring those challenges to God. If it’s sin–then ‘fess up and ask Him to take away that authority sin holds over you. Get this: Every opposing force is powerless against God’s love for you. He’s our Savior! Our Deliverer! He was defiant against the pain on that cross. Heck, He was even defiant against the power of the grave. Whatever force is opposing you right now–run! Run to God! His arms are wide open! And they are open for you! Live defiantly against sin and all its various forms!
But, my child,let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verse 12; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else.
Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verse 12; from The Message (MSG)
Please forgive me, but today’s thoughts are just a bit lengthy. Just in case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t written anything lately. And truthfully? I don’t have a single good excuse. Heck, I don’t even have a bad excuse. But there is a reason why. Of course, there is always a reason why for everything. And, as painful as it is for me to admit it, it wasn’t a good reason; not in the very least. It’s no where near the level of what some consider to be a justified reason! I have been, and continue to be overwhelmed by a lot of thoughts. Some related. Others unrelated. My thoughts have been and are still looking like mashed taters. Not the kind you measure out of a box or pack, but the real thing. You have to be from the south to get that image.
After a short time at home, we departed Wednesday morning at 2:20 a.m. to return to Florida. Before you get images of white sandy beaches and splashing waves, we are in Bartow, which is over an hour to the nearest beach. We came back for our family. Debbie’s “cousin-more-like-a-sister” died January 18 and according to her wishes was cremated. This past Saturday was her Celebration Of Life Service and Michelle’s husband, Ken, asked me to lead it off. Ken and Michelle are more like brother and sister to me, and honestly I struggled with what to say.
Then we received word that a great friend of ours, Ben, was near death. Apparently he had a heart attack which led to a wreck as he was heading to work. He has been on a ventilator since January 31 and today, they will be removing that ventilator and allow nature to take it’s course. His mother, Donna, had asked if I would do his service. And of course I said “Yes”. And one day after one service, I was trying to put some thoughts together for Ben’s family.
And, now I will explain today’s title. Saturday morning it all boiled over. I went out on the back porch with another cup of coffee (I can’t remember which number it was). The sun was up and the lake in front of me was beautiful as usual. And though I should have been thinking about and focused on Michelle’s Celebration, I noticed my brain was thinking of a lot of things. Though Daddy died a little over a year ago and my sister, Jackie, had died nearly a year and a half ago, I found myself thinking and grieving all over again. Then I had thoughts about the garden I wanted to plant. About plans for next year’s deer hunting. A repair to one of our vehicles. About the church. About this, that, and the other, and that other thing, oh, and that other thing. And one other thought: I’m so tired to doing funerals and even celebrations!
And that last thought just ain’t a nice thing for this Preacherman to say; or any other pastor/preacher to say as far as that goes. These words started to roll off my tongue: Why are all these thoughts running wild like kids leaving school at the end of the day in my mind??? But I didn’t finish them before The Spirit said, “Because you’ve given them permission to be there! Duh!” I failed to heed The Sage, Solomon, and his words: constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. (MSG) Yes! Preacherman who advocates, preaches, and teaches that we control what we think–had given permission to my thoughts to run wild.
I know that the translations use the word study, but what is thinking but studying? Or what is studying but thinking? And I was thinking/studying about a lot of things; too many things. And I was worn out and no good for anything else. So, what did I do? I admitted my problem! I needed to change my choice of thoughts. Did that solve my problem? Absolutely NOT!!! But it did move me back in the right direction. It’s still a struggle. No, I take that back! It’s a war going on inside this skull. So I fight–not with my strength or my weapons. I’m heeding the admonishment of Paul found in Ephesians:
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Chapter 6, verses 10-13 (NLT)
Today, they will be disconnecting Ben from the ventilator. Today I will be finishing up the words that need to be said. Today I will begin waiting for that call from Donna. Today I will be packing up to leave early in the morning to head back home–and to another funeral service. Today, well, it’s today. And all those thoughts that are like mashed taters? To be truthful, that tater masher is still at work. But I am now relying on HIM to help me in this battle. And the ebb of this conflict is now going in the right direction. With God’s Grace and help, and with my surrender to Him, things are getting better. I still don’t like it–but it’s still getting better. And The Spirit who has got me this far–will get me through this, too. Oh, and if you don’t have anything to do, will you say a prayer for us?
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Psalm 143, verse 10; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
This morning is one of those morning’s I don’t like! No, the coffee pot didn’t fail me, thank God! Yesterday afternoon was busy for me. I packed my bags for a trip I don’t want to make. My wife Debbie’s cousin, Michelle, is in a hospice center in Auburndale, Florida. She is dying from a rare and rapidly advancing form of cancer. We are leaving this afternoon for that 12 hour trip to be with the family. A little background here. Michelle’s Dad, Wiley, has been and is more of a Dad to Debbie than her own Dad. So Wiley’s daughters are more like sisters to her. So they are like sisters-in-law to me. We just need to be there.
We are in a very hard moment of life. And though I am “just” an in-law, some may say “outlaw”, they are my family, too. And their friends are our friends. I’m trying to process all this pain, and yes some anger, and it’s. . . well it’s just plain hard! So I’m reminding myself that sometimes life IS hard. It’s the nature of this fallen world we all live in. And even after 66+ years of living here, I still don’t like it.
And is it OK with you if I’m honest with you? Well, I’m going to be honest with you, like it or not! I am struggling right now. More than struggling, I’m in a quagmire. Now I’ve got a choice: I can wallow in this quagmire like a pig wallows in mud. Or–I can do something different. Being covered in this muck isn’t desirable for me. I’m not the brightest person in the world, but I sure ain’t the stupidest either. So, the only option is to do something different. And what would that be? I’m so glad you asked me this question.
I can do what the most prolific song writer ever did when he found himself in the mud hole of life. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.“ I know this thing called cancer isn’t His Will. Sorry fundamentalists and Calvinists. Not everything that happens in life is God’s will. It’s OK to disagree with me on this point. But you’re still wrong. And I am going to be blunt with you: I haven’t a clue as to what God is teaching me in this hard and difficult season!
But there is something I do know. I know that God is Good! I know that He loves me. I know that He is faithful to me. He proved it to me on that Cross and a gazillion times since then. And I know that whatever it is He is teaching me, it’s good, good for me, and will bring Him honor and glory. What am I doing right now? Checking the list of things we need to pack, making sure they will get into the car, and I am saying the very same prayer David did when he was in the muck and mire of life as it happens: May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.God, I sure need some firm footing right now! And if you can spare the time, please pray for our family and that I will be a good student of Jesus–paying attention to Him and applying what He is teaching me!
For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord?
Psalm 89, verse 6; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
One of the favorite pastimes for many is making comparisons. Some turn it into a sport. Others have made it an art form. By definition, comparison is a consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people. One thing is like another because of… Another thing is unlike another because… But unfortunately, most comparisons are made based on opinion, not facts. For example, the selection of the 4 college football teams to play for the national championship. Comparisons were made on the teams selected, and teams not selected. And though the process is projected as being unbiased and nonpartisan, it’s still the result of of opinions. And some people even compare opinions to a certain body orifice–everyone has one and most of them stink.
Seriously, comparing is quite common. We compare one product to another. One person to another. And especially comparing ourselves to others. We look at another person and think, “I could never do what they do.” Or, “Well, I’m not as bad as they are!” We compare political ideologies, theological perspectives, churches, and you name it. Compare! Compare! Compare! Some even do “taste” comparisons. Which cola tastes the best? Which cheese is cheesier?
But there is One that there is really nothing to compare with. And that is God–revealed in The Bible–affirmed by Jesus–and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, some want to compare God by their traditions; their opinions; even worse–to the values of this world. Truth Time! Nothing and no one compares to God. And this is why we need to stay close to Him, to know Him through the Scriptures, and listen to Him. Attempts to comingle Him and what the world says will only lead to disaster and destruction. Sure! He will contradict everything the world says is right. But He IS God. And there’s just no comparison between the two!
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah chapter 43, verses 16-19; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
I can’t speak for you, but I loathe those signs which declare “Road Construction Ahead”! It means I’ve got to slow down. I never know if they are going to stop traffic. And then there’s those who slow down to 3 miles per hour because they want to look at the equipment, or what the workers are doing. I rarely consider if it’s making the road better and safer. It’s just an annoyance to me. Not exactly a healthy attitude. But today’s musings aren’t about Highway Construction on physical roads. It’s about what God is doing.
To say that our world, and even some churches, is in chaos qualifies for the response, “Well, duh!” But even in the chaos, count on God being at work. He doesn’t post dozens of signs like highway construction crews, but He is at work; even if we doubt it. Admit it! Sometimes we wonder how God can make a way through this mess! But He does. And He is!!! Think about the Way Jesus made for Paul. Or how about the Way He made for John the Baptist? He made a Way for David to become King. He made a Way for the Hebrews to cross the Red Sea; a way which included eliminating their pursuing enemies. He made a Way for Moses to become the leader. He made a Way for Abraham and Sarah to have a child. He made a Way for Abraham to become the one to open the door for The Messiah to enter the world. He made a Way for Adam and Eve to be reconciled back to Him.
And know what? He did it for them and more than you can count. And He made a Way for me. And He’s making a Way for you. Say it out loud about yourself: “He’s Making A Way For Me!” He made THE Way for you to be forgiven, redeemed and restored. He made THE Way for you to be set free from the dominion of sin. AND He is Making A Way for you and I to move forward through all the messes in this world. And to those who have went through, are going through, or about to go through the mess of disaffiliation from the UMC, He’s busy making a Way forward for you.
It takes too long, way too long, in Alabama to build new highways. But God is at work right now. This is one of the most unique times in the history of the church. And God is making a highway–the highway that will transform everything and everyone! I leave you with this song that spoke into me the Hope that is building confidence that Revival is at hand! I believe He’s doing it again!
Kingdom Pastor 