Light in darkness

.... And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.””

Luke 1:68-69, 71-79 NIV. http://bible.us/111/luk.1.68-69,71-79.niv

Christmas is about bringing light into a dark world. God came down to rescue us from the darkness of evil and sin. John was chosen to prepare the way. Today we are chosen to prepare the way for the impact of the gospel message. 

Christmas is not about our private little celebrations. Christmas is about spreading the word of the power of this marvelous event. The creator of all things coming down and serving us. That's the message and it is a call to humble ourselves and serve the lost, the lonely, and those who don't know our creator. We are the light of Jesus in a terribly dark and lonely world.

There is hope for everyone that lives in darkness. Jesus is that hope.

We can't lose hope!

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Psalm 33:20-22 NIV (http://bible.com/111/psa.33.20-22.niv)

I've said it. I think we've all said it and have felt the hopelessness of this world. "This world is messed up and things are getting worse." Those thoughts of desperation happen for only brief moments after watching the news or reading the newspaper. That's why it's so important for me to start my day and end it with the word of the Lord. I need the hope and the joy that is in the word. 

When I read the word of God, I realize the world has survived for centuries of chaos and craziness. We are not the first civilization to deal with eroding morality, or a disconnect between the people and the leaders. We are not the first ones to deal with threats from invading armies or dealt with terrorists bent on destroying us. The bible and history itself witness to the turmoil that has plagued us from the beginning. We have overcome it all with the power of the God of the Universe.

Do not despair, our hope is completed in Jesus! I can go from complete despair to utter joy just by exploring the words of my Lord. How can you not feel the love when you read The Psalms. How can you not know of the hope of eternity when you read of Jesus overcoming death on the cross? Praise God he is with us. He loves us. We love you and praise this life, even with the turmoil, that you have given us. 

Don't forget

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth. (Psalms 96:11-13 NLT)

Be glad, rejoice, shout his praise, burst out with joy, sing for joy! I think I see a pattern! 

If you read this blog on a regular basis or you see my social media posts you know I've been on a roll lately. I've discussed one controversial topic and then another. It's draining and can really drag you down. If you look at the entirety of this globe we occupy you would agree there is not a lot of positive. 

I need to remember who I am!

I am a child of the most high God and if I can keep that in focus, I can do all these things. It really is a strategy of the deceiver. If he can get our focus off Jesus he will destroy us. If he gets us thinking of all the division in the world, the stress, the strife, conflict, and bitterness, we will forget Jesus. 

Not this guy!

I will ignore all the world to focus on the joy of my salvation. Even through the turmoil of life, I can have real joy. I see hope. I know it's strange to say when we even see a great divide among believers. Jesus is my hope, my strength, my redeemer. Praise God for the hope that awaits me in eternity.

My God's not mean!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

My lord is powerful. He can move mountains, tear down barriers, part the seas. So many people view God as a powerful, slave master driving us with a whip and dealing vengeance to thse who make mistakes. We look at biblical phrases like "fear the lord" as a literal message to fear his retribution and that my God is just MEAN!  That's why I feel these verses help us do much. You can count on God to have great plans for your life. You can be confident that those plans are centered around what will prosper you and NOT harm you. These plans are designed to give us hope and a future. Most of the ills of my life are due to my sinfulness. They are due to poor choices and distancing myself from a God. Gods plans are for our good to give us hope and a wonderful future. 

Thank you Lord for your love and the plans you have for me. I see so much evil in this world. I see fear and hate for you, with no reason. As I get to know you throughout my life, I can see your plans for me ARE for good and not to harm me. Through all of that I DO have hope for the future! Amen!

Water under the bridge!

Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins— even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. You will rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry. (Job 11:13-18 CEV)

I have heard this saying hundreds of times, "That's water under the Bridge!" I hear it often when some one is trying to tell me to forget something. I never knew it was biblical. It's hard for me to forget about my faults and failures. Sometimes I have a dificult time forgiving and forgetting. I struggle forgiving myself and others. Being a Christian puts you under a microscope with others but also yourself. Because I know the power of God, I also know he knows everything about me. He knows my deepest and darkest sins. There is shame for that weakness. But this is verse states it all. I need to surrender it ALL to God. 

When I surrender to my Heavenly Father, I slept easier at night. I walk through my day with confidence and more importantly it allows me time to focus on the job at hand. If My mind is occupied with my failures and shortcomings, I can not focus on the things that really matter. Surrender!

Lord I know my sins. I praise you for removing them and giving me confidence in my weakness. You have granted this amazing gift through your son, Jesus. Thank you Lord for washing my sins away in that water that flows under the bridge. I praise you for the peace, joy, and hope you provide in the midst of the pain! Amen!

Hope!

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:18 NIV)

Remember Faith, Hope, and Love. Yes, we know the greatest of these is love. But that is not meant to diminish Faith and Hope. Hope is critical, especially in this crazy world we live. Yes, love is the greatest. But, to be able to rest easy at night, to sleep that restful slumber, we must have hope. We need hope that the God of the universe will never abandon us. We need hope that the darkness is not permanent. We need hope that tomorrow brings greater things. 

In practical every day life, if we get dragged into hopelessness, the results are often life ending. The loss of hope brings desperation and desperation breeds destructive decisions. We can not let ourselves lose hope. We must encourage others there is always hope. Our gospel message of faith will never grow if it is not centered around hope. This world is full of troubles and despair. Jesus provides the only real hope of the world. In him you can rest, assured you will be taken care of in all situations. Rely on him, love him, and trust him. 

It all starts with suffering!

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Our entire life is filled with suffering. That's not something to be depressed about. I know from personal experience that I grow in my faith through the suffering and stresses of life. 

Today is the last day of school for our students. Every one of my 20 years in education have produced great memories and times of "suffering". This year is no different. We started a new adventure at GHS this year with personalized learning and interdisciplinary learning. We have done some great things and there are definitely things we need to change. It has been one of the most rewarding and challenging years I've ever had. I am glad I went through it. I feel more confident in ways we can help prepare our students for life beyond high school.

Praise God for his plan for my life. I praise him for the joys and sorrows that help me draw closer to him. I thank you for the spirit you provide to help me negotiate the obstacles I see every day. I have a hope, not because of my own power, but from the strength of The Lord.

Enduring winter

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; (2 Timothy 2:11, 12 NIV)

I have the winter blahs. I need SPRING. This weekend we change our clocks to daylight savings time. Usually it's a sure sign of spring. With the thick snow pack still on the ground it's not easy to see the warm freshness of spring in our future. Yet, yesterday it was 40 degrees. The forecast for the week to come is possible 50's. The newness and hope of Spring is such a critical time. 

We need hope. We need something that gets us through the winters of our life. Christ can do that for you. My hope is in him. I can get motivation to endure tough times by praising God for his perfect plan. I can get to betters times by remembering the obstacles I've overcome. God has been wonderfully faithful and blessed me in my life. He will help navigate rough waters. We will grow in our knowledge and faith in him. 

Praise God for the good times and bad!

Believe

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Do you remember the cute Disney movie "Angels in the Outfield"? The haphazard Angels ML baseball team couldn't win a game. Then a small boy gets involved, real Angels come and help the team win. It's a funny show that has a message about faith. I loved that movie because life is about Faith. They had lost so many games they had lost all hope of winning. They needed outside help to bring back the hope. 

It may seem strange, but you can't please God if you don't believe in him. But not only do you have to believe in him, you need to seek him. Faith is central to our life with Christ. The first step is believing in his existence, the second is getting to know him. I've heard it said in athletics, first you have to believe you are going to win before you can win. Our lives  have that same theme and sometimes we need outside help to strengthen those beliefs. Faith is the beginning of our hope for a successful life. Seeking him takes that faith and makes it grow. 

Lord, I believe in you. I am so amazed by the love you show us. I'm humbled by the sacrifice of your son for me. Guide my life in ways that helps my faith grow. Bless this day for your purposes through my words, thoughts and deeds. Amen!

Hope is not a question?

because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. (2 Corinthians 4:14 NIV)

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).  So many people know of this verse from the Love Chapter. We always emphasize the Love because it is listed as the greatest. Yet, hope and faith are also critical to the life of a follower of Christ. The three are forever intertwined, so that we can not study one without the other.

Hope - As a child I would use the word hope as a question mark. My hope was a desire that realistically had no chance. "I hope I get a bike for Christmas!", "I hope my team wins." "I hope I do well on a test I didn't study for." Hope is not a question. Hope is a wonderful promise that can't get here quick enough. My hope as a 53 year old follower of Christ rests in the knowledge of his promises. The existence of my hope is an extension of my faith. I have the complete knowledge and faith in my own resurrection and eternal life. My hope is not questioning if it's going to happen, but when. My hope is an anticipation that it could occur at any moment. I look forward to my life beyond this planet. I long to be sheltered in my own room, created exclusively for me by my Heavenly Father. My hope is filled with nothing less than Jesus love and righteousness! Praise God he is Lord of all! He is Holy and has promised to take me with him!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2 Timothy 3

 ¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

These verses reminded me of a book I've read to my kids (many, many, many years ago):

Maybe you haven't read the book or forgotten what it was about. So, here it is, Enjoy!

I can certainly relate to Alexander. No, today wasn't all that bad. It wasn't great either. But, I have had some days that were Terrible, Horrible, No Good, very bad days. I have had days where I just wanted to move to Australia. I'm confident we've all been there.

Hope is just around the corner. God is with us. No matter how bad our days, he promises a brighter tomorrow. A hope that is ETERNAL. It's through Jesus that the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, very bad days.......go away for ever. Thank You Lord for the hope you provide. Thank you for this wonderful, adventurous life. Lord forgive me for giving up hope and getting bogged down with the evil in this world. Forgive me for not being focused on you and your love when things go wrong. Thank You Lord, for this very day. Thank you.  This day was a blessing to live for you!

Comfort for my Brother!

2 Corinthians 1

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

I've never been without a job. I was thinking of that a few days ago while I was watching the news. The news channel was talking about the unemployed who have given up. We are hovering at 8% unemployment in the U.S. Yet, those numbers don't come close to speaking the truth. They don't tell about the millions of Americans who have given up looking for work. It doesn't tell about the UNDER employed, those who are working in jobs just to earn any amount of money because unemployment has run out. I'm almost embarrassed that I haven't ever been without work. I want so bad to extend comfort and hope to those people who can not find fulfilling and meaningful employment.  Why am I the lucky one and they aren't? 

I have a brother who is in this situation. My brother is a smart guy. He is a talented Christian man who cares deeply for people. He is and always has been a hard worker. He has degrees and education that are well beyond the average person. Yet, he is grossly under-employed. I want so bad to comfort him. I want so bad to be able to fix things for him. I don't want him to HAVE to receive comfort. I want him to get beyond the suffering he is going through. My experience doesn't give me any authority or credibility to comfort. I can't say I know what he's going through. I can't give him the hope that "this too will pass". But, I know someone who can. ....... the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles,.........

I feel grossly under-qualified to know what my own brother is going through and has been suffering for years. Yet, God and our Lord Jesus know of his suffering beyond what I will ever comprehend. He was beaten and crucified for no reason. He didn't deserve it. But, he did it so he could comfort my brother through his suffering. Eventually, my brother will come through his suffering, even though he can't see the end. He has hope because of Jesus. Eventually, he will be able to share that hope from deep within his heart. He will be able to share that comfort and hope with someone else, because of Jesus. 

I don't want this to sound trite and weak. I truly believe God is preparing my brother for great things. He will be able to comfort like very few people have. God knows what he's going through and stands with him now and forever. Praise God he is the Lord of comfort and hope. Praise God he will see us through all trials and suffering. Praise God that he gave up his life so we might be comforted for all of eternity. 

Thank You for you!

1 Thessalonians 1

 ² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.


I'm not sure people realize the value of positive words of encouragement. It really doesn't matter if they come from family, friends, coworkers, bosses, or strangers. Everyone appreciates when someone talks well about them. Today is Thanksgiving Day. It's a great time to tell PEOPLE how much you appreciate them. There are no rules here except to be sincere. It always helps to be as specific as you can. There's nothing wrong with saying you appreciate someone, but what about them do you appreciate? It costs you nothing but it is valued more than any gift purchased on Black Friday.


 I am Thankful for my family. Specifically, I am so thankful they all Love the Lord and have made worshipping him a big part of their family. I am so thankful God has blessed me with a wonderful wife for 33 years. She is the greatest blessing I have ever received from God. Like all of my blessings, I don't deserve her and thank God every day for her love.


I am Thankful for YOU. You help motivate me to stay in God's word. YOU help me to meditate and consider what God is saying to me. This Blog is a place where God speaks to me. I pray those of you who read these posts are also open to the voice of God. Thank YOU!


Dear Lord, I am thankful for my family every day, not just on Thanksgiving. Thank you for giving them a faith they put in action every day. Thank You for the Love they share and the hope they live in winning others to your kingdom. Thank You for speaking to me through your word. Thank you for the Spirit which guides my life. You are an amazing and wonderful God. You are creator and savior for all mankind. Thank you for your grace and promises for eternity!
Thank you Lord! Amen!

New Year brings Hope!

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

 ¹ My heart is not proud, LORD,
   my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
   or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
   I am like a weaned child with its mother;
   like a weaned child I am content.

 ³ Israel, put your hope in the LORD
   both now and forevermore.

Tomorrow I head back into the office fulltime to get ready for the upcoming school year. Vacation is behind me and it is now full steam ahead to the first Athletic Practices in 1 week and then the start of school in a month. As I look back at the summer, I have had a great break. I can always tell I had a good break because I am ready to go back and I am content. I have spent the past 4 weeks not worrying about anything of substance. I have quieted myself and have been calm the entire time. 

My hope for this year is the same as every year. I hope that God will work through me at GHS. I hope that I can do what is best for the kids. I want to prepare them for their future and hope they can see Christ in me as I do my job. I hope I handle controversy in an honorable way. I hope that I will respond to those who oppose me and this school in a positive manner. I hope that our student-athletes handle success and failure in that same positive manner. I hope to have a servants heart to the administration, school board, faculty, staff, students, and community.   I hope I can love, even the un-lovable. Lord give me the strength to do your will, to be your hands, and feet at GHS. I thank you for your love. I thank you for your protection and guidance in all that I do. I love you Lord. Amen!

Shaken Faith!

Psalm 60 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹ You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
   you have been angry—now restore us! ² You have shaken the land and torn it open;
   mend its fractures, for it is quaking. ³ You have shown your people desperate times; 


My heart bleeds for the Japanese affected by the Earthquake, Tsunami, and the ongoing nuclear situation. Like many situations in my Christian faith, I ask God why? This is not the first time and it won't be the last time innocent people are killed by nature. All through human history we can find examples of such "natural massacres". So who do we blame? As a Christian who believes in the complete power and sovereignty of God, it is tough not to blame God. Some Christians find it easier to blame the people and their sin as bringing out these disasters. Some would say it's a test of Faith.  So who's right? What's right?

It's easier not to really care to much about the situation in Japan since I am so far removed from this situation. But, what about those I Love and have lost. My Dad certainly comes to mind. He suffered a debilitating stroke and then after a few years of suffering through the consequences, he was taken to his heavenly home. I know of countless people who have lost loved ones to cancer. Just recently the Angola community lost four young men in a tragic spring break car accident. My heart goes out to those families. I know the number one question they ask is WHY?

The answer to this question can't come in our lifetime. Really, any of the reasons could hold true and God could have other purposes beyond our comprehension. To have Faith in our God admits, without a doubt, that God could have prevented the Earthquake. He could have kept my Dad alive to continue his ministry. He could have kept those 4 Angola Students from harm. Yet, he didn't. I trust my God. He has saved me from certain death by sending his son. I don't know his ways. I don't understand his purposes. What I do know is he loves me and regardless of the pain I face on this Earth, he is with me. He has guaranteed me eternal life with him. He has guaranteed me a life without pain and suffering. Until that time, I will ask the question why. I know there is no comfort and no hope without God. I certainly hope the people of Japan and the families in Angola can put all there hope and trust in God. 

Hope is now!

Psalm 53 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹ The fool says in his heart,
   “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
   there is no one who does good.
 ² God looks down from heaven
   on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
³ Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.

 ........


 ⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
   When God restores his people,
   let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

When you start reading chapter 53, you quickly find sadness. This is such a classic view of God. We always talk about Heaven being in the clouds. We see God looking down on us just hoping to find one person who does good. It's like looking through a crowded building hoping to find someone. You really strain, just to get a glimpse. God is straining just to find someone who wants to be with him.  It's so sad that good people are so hard to find. It seems so hopeless. Even now, the world seems so hopeless. We look and look for goodness. We can't find it anywhere. We can't even find it in ourselves. Hopeless!

Finally, just before all hope is gone, God sends his Son to save us all. He becomes the righteous one God was looking for. He is the salvation out of Zion! What starts out as sadness in the world ends up being the Joy of Salvation. God will never give up on us. When hope is nowhere to be found God sends us hope. Jesus is that hope. We can't find anything more hopeful than Gods love for us. He could have given up on us 2000 years ago. He didn't. He sent us hope then and he provides hope now. Praise God!

Scorpions, Locusts, Horses, Torture!

Revelation 9 (The Message)

 ^20-21The remaining men and women who weren't killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn't change their way of life, didn't quit worshiping demons, didn't quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn't see or hear or move. There wasn't a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.


Between Chapter 8 and 9 in this book, we are told about a lot of death and destruction. Venomous Scorpions, torture, Locusts with Lions teeth, horses with serpent tails, and massive amounts of gloom and doom. Even with all of these wild weapons, some people will not change their ways. I am nobody special, but even in my own life, I have seen overwhelming evidence of the power of God. How can anyone go through life without completely bowing and worshipping the creator of the universe? How could anyone not believe in the power of a risen savior? I may never witness the type of suffering and destruction written in this book, but I see enough suffering and destruction all around me. The break down of the family is enough to overwhelm me. The poverty, faithlessness, and hopelessness is chilling. How can people make it on their own? People are so blind to the power of God. They rely on their own knowledge and their own understanding to make it through each day. This "Revelation" predicts it's not going to get better before it gets worse. Yet, even through the wild destruction that is to come, some people will just go about their lives as if nothing has happened.

So, what do WE do? Should we give up. Should we yield to the darkness? NO! NO! NO! NO! It should raise the urgency of our mission. Christ told us to "Go" throughout the world and preach the gospel. Never has this been more important than now. There is so much darkness. It can seem overwhelming. Yet, we need to share the Light of the World with everyone we meet. Take it serious. Pray for guidance, Pray for opportunities. Pray that the hearts of the lost will be open to the message. Now is the time. Don't wait. PRAY! STUDY! SHARE! PRAY! STUDY! SHARE! The world needs you!

I'm Pumped!

Galatians 5 (The Message)

 ^22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

I made a comment today on Facebook that I love the excitement and anticipation of another school year. Today was our first day back at GHS.  We had a great assembly to welcome the students back.  I'm not sure many people would admit it (teacher or student), but I think we really miss it when we are apart during the summer.  I love talking to the students and reconnecting with them.  You have very few, if any, discipline problems on the first day.  It's too bad it can't stay that way. I might be crazy, but I sense an exuberance about life from everyone. It doesn't always last.  Don't get me wrong this was an exhausting day and I will look forward to my head hitting the pillow.  I don't adjust to the activity like I used to.  But in the midst of a terrible economy, layoffs, unemployment, the breakdown of the family, and a dangerous world, it is nice to have some place that provides consistency, routine, and a hint of hope. To me, school is like that. I see students every day that I feel will never make it in life because of all the barriers they face. But our theme for the year is to "Rise Above". The largest majority of our students bring me cause for hope. I can't wait to see what these students will accomplish this year. I can't wait to see how they can make a difference in the future of our planet. I can't wait to see them rise above their circumstances and make a difference. It's exciting to be a part of developing the future hope of society.

I think IF I was living God's way more, I could sustain this exuberance past the first day of school.  I could consistently feel the serenity that all is right in my life.  I could develop more endurance during rough times and a better attitude towards others.  I could see "the basic holiness that permeates things and people."  How often do I look at the good in people instead of the bad? If I was more committed to  God's way of living I wouldn't get as exhausted, because I would do a better job managing my time and resources.  I would be content in my situation.  I would constantly act to serve others. I could reap the full blessings God has promised!

Being around the future generation brings me hope. Spending time with my Creator brings a hope that is eternal!

Dear Lord,  Thank you for the hope that is eternal.  Fill me with your spirit.  Give me the desire to do your will so I can have a hope that lasts and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen!