Be Still

It has been 18 days that this blog has been silent. It wasn’t by design, but it had a purpose. I needed some time for reflection and this is why.

As a kid, growing up near Lake Ontario in upstate New York, I was always excited when we were at the lake to swim and the waves were big and would toss you around as you tried to swim or even stand up. In fact I learned to swim by body surfing the waves at a place called Mexico Point where my family would rent a cottage for a week or two during August. We always went in August, because according to my Dad, that was the time for the best bass fishing. When the waves are big, the water is churned up; silt and sand make the water cloudy so you can’t see the bottom so you are never sure what you are going to step on when you take your next step. As much as I liked the excitement of those big waves, they could also be very dangerous. Many have lost their life, trying to fight against the power and the fury of those waves.

As much as I liked the excitement of the waves, with all their power and fury, the days when the lake was calm, were amazing, especially early in the morning or at the end of the day. The water cleared, you could walk in the water and actually see where you were stepping, you could see the fish as they swam near shore looking for a light breakfast, or a late night snack. It was quiet, peaceful, still, and always gave me a sense of security. I’m sure that is exactly what God had in mind when He said “Be still and know that I am God!” This is the first part of Psalm 46:10. Here, the word still comes from a Hebrew word meaning to “let go” or “release.” The meaning would be best understood to say “cause yourself to let go.” In other words, we need to come to a place where we are willing to submit ourselves to God and acknowledging that He is in sovereign control.When we realize that we are truly incapable of controlling life, we can surrender our will to God’s will. It may be a matter of finally saying we trust Him. You are the Lord of my life, not me. This will open the door so that we may experience the fullness of all God wants and has for us. After all, He is our Creator and has a perfect plan for us when we let Him control it.

The other night my five year old granddaughter Emma told her mom very softly as she went to bed “Listen” her mom said what do you hear? Emma said “I think I hear responsibility!” a few moments later she said to her mom, “now I think I also hear consequences!”

Have you ever been quiet enough to hear responsibility or consequences? As God’s children, He gives us the responsibility of following His will and consequences for not following His will. In James 4:17, James tells us “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin.”

Take some time, be still, let the water of your life clear, look and see where you are stepping, the direction that God is leading you. Don’t spend your days being tossed about, playing or drowning, walking or trying to swim in muddy water, trying to live your life in your own strength, doing your own thing, not knowing the closeness of God, or experiencing the Joy of walking in His will. Take a few minutes, a few days, maybe even 18 days, as long as it takes; but take some time and; be still and know that He is God.

Grace and Peace

My Redeemer Lives

My Redeemer lives and I will see His glory as He works all things together for my good.Whatever things occur of this I can be sure, I know my Redeemer lives.

Even though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil He is with me.And on the battlefield, although the pain is real, my struggles soon will fade as His glory is revealed.

The message of this praise chorus says it all for me. In sickness, in health, when my children have struggled, when I have struggled with finances, my marriage, people, work, places and things; through it all sometimes I have to be reminded that My Redeemer lives. I recently mentioned that I wished that the symbol for Christianity was the empty tomb, instead of the cross. Maybe that would help me to remember that I serve a living Christ. The cross is a symbol of suffering and death, but the empty tomb is the symbol of new life; Eternal life for all of us who believe that God sent Jesus here to earth to die for our sins, each and every one of us. In Romans 10: 9 – 13 the Apostle Paul reminds us “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto Righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

It goes without saying that life in Jesus Christ is not always easy, but as Psalm 23 tells us and the chorus above reminds us; even though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil for He is with me. And on the battlefield, although the pain is real, my struggles soon will fade as His glory is revealed.

Jesus Christ is our full time resource. Trust in Him, the work that He did on the cross for us and remember to praise Him for the empty tomb.
Grace and Peace

Walking in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7. The Apostle John, the author of this book, walked with Jesus talked with Jesus and was a student of Jesus. John knew that Jesus always knew what He was doing, and where He was going. Jesus walked in the light… even at night. Those who had fellowship and worked with Him, were also walking in the light, because they were where He was and involved in what He was doing. In verse 5 the apostle John declares, “God is light.” God is never confused about anything. He knows exactly what He's doing and where He's going. And God is working in this world. Light is the absence of darkness. We can’t create darkness, we can only add light. So darkness is the absence of light, cold is the absence of heat and evil is the absence of good. John stated in verse 6, “if we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie.” What John said is really not complicated. I say I work for URS Corporation, but if I never go to work, never turn in a time sheet, no one at the company has ever seen me, and I’m not on their payroll or have drawn a paycheck… it is clear that I’m not telling the truth, I really don"t work for them. If someone says they are walking with God, but they aren't involved in what He's doing, their name is not on His work rolls, there is no fruit in their life then they are not telling the truth, they are not walking with God. To walk with God all you must do is get involved in what He’s doing on His terms on this earth. I had a Pastor friend once give me some very valuable advice he said "Look and see where God is working and go there and get involved with Him…" it’s where the light is...

Peace and Grace

Walking in the Spirit

It’s been a couple of days since I posted, but God continues to do miraculous things in our life. Last night with some brothers and sisters from our church, my wife and I were blessed to be able to minister at a homeless shelter. We were able to pray for many of the people there and to share the Gospel of hope in Jesus Christ. The Lord never ceases to amaze me on how He works. Last night as I was talking to a gentleman, the Lord led me to use three little packages of crackers; you know the kind that you get in a vending machine, to explain the importance of walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The picture I included here is something that I drew up this morning to represent the crackers, but I wanted to share what the Lord was teaching me and whoever might listen. Most times the dominant characteristic in our life is the flesh. The thing about the flesh is we really don’t need much training. We are able to eat, drink, reproduce, and basically satisfy ourselves without a lot of training. When we let the flesh rule, it undoubtedly influences our emotional being and usually with a negative effect. Just take a look at the anxiety and depression that are so prevalent. Suicide continues to climb. When we walk in the flesh we will suffer the consequences. As the flesh pushes down and influences our emotions it really minimizes our spirit. (See Man’s Way). But we need to turn our lives, not upside down, because upside down is where most of us are, but turn it right side up which is to walk in the Spirit (See God's Way). The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia and to each of us beginning in Chapter 5 verse 16 on through verse 26.

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another”.

God wants’ us to walk in the Spirit. The proof of that walk is the fruit that it produces. May each of us look at our life to see if there is any fruit. Better yet ask someone else to look at your life to see if there is any fruit. If the fruit is lacking, maybe it is time to ask God to prune your life, to identify and help you remove those things that are detrimental to how God wants’ our Daily Walk to be.

Grace and Peace

The Power of the Tongue

Something that I observed over the last 24 hours reminded me of this little story. It is a simple illustration, but has such a profound moral. Words are something that can cause more damage then we can ever imagine and many times the damage is permanent. Whether the words are spoken in anger, spite, jest, or just not thinking about what we say, our words can destroy families, friendships, careers, ministries and our lives. You may have read it before, but I think it's worth reading again.

There once was a little boy who had a bad
temper. His father gave him a bag of nails
and told him that every time he lost his
temper, he must hammer a nail into the back
of the fence. The first day the boy had
driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next
few weeks, as he learned to control his
anger, the number of nails hammered daily
gradually dwindled down. He discovered
it was easier to hold his temper than to
drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't
lose his temper at all. He told his father
about it and the father suggested that the
boy now pull out one nail for each day that
he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally
able to tell his father that all the nails
were gone. The father took his son by the
hand and led him to the fence He said, "You
have done well, my son, but look at the
holes in the fence. The fence will never be
the same. When you say things in anger,
they leave a scar just like this one. You
can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm
sorry, the wound is still there. " A verbal
wound is as bad as a physical one.

James Chapter 3

The Untamable Tongue

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Father, help us to watch what and when we speak - Grace and Peace

A Firm Foundation

This afternoon I was reading about a Christian artist who a few years ago went through a painful year including the death of her parents, a daughter’s suicide and the breakup of her marriage. When discussing the marriage breakup she said “the marriage fell out from under me because the spiritual foundation of the home fell short.”

After spending over 40 years in the construction industry in one capacity or another I for one know how critical the foundation is to the long term life of any project. I am firmly convinced that God, once we become His child begins to work on and in us to turn us into the child that He wants us to be, as any father would. This begins the solid foundation. Once we become that child, He then can begin to mold and build us into becoming the man or woman that He wants us to be. Once we are the man or woman He wants us to be then we can further the project and become the husband or wife and then the parents and so forth.

There are a couple of keys to this whole process. First and foremost we have to yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If we are not willing to do that then our foundation will never be firm. Secondly, we need to obey His word. Step by step God will refine us, build us and make us all He wants us to be if we are totally yielded to Him. Look at Acts 11:5-8 the story of Peter’s dream as he was praying. Peter says “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.” The phrase Peter uttered, “NOT SO LORD” is an impossible statement to make. You can’t say no to the Lord if He truly is the Lord. So being totally yielded to Jesus Christ means never telling Him no to anything He tells us to do. If we truly want a solid foundation whether in marriage, business, ministry or life the key is being totally sold out to Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace

It's in the Bag

I’m on my way home on the train thinking about my day and thinking what I might write here tonight. One of my daughters had a disappointment today and I was thinking about disappointments and how our life is full of them. But the blessings we receive from our heavenly Father far out way the disappointments. I also remember hearing the old adage that without a test there is no testimony. Sometimes when we are faced with disappointments God is using it to sand off some rough edges, so it is important that we search our hearts and see if there is something we need to change. But then the Lord changed my mind. As I sat on the train and began looking in my briefcase for my headphones, I was thinking about how this particular briefcase is marketed. You can check it out at http://store.saddlebackleather.com/. It is marketed as the toughest bag you can buy, it is hand made, guaranteed for life, and able to withstand an attack of an enemy. On their website they show it being attacked by an alligator, coming back for more and being used all over the world. I’ve used it for a while now and the more I use it the more functional and attractive it becomes. It is with me no matter where I go. The company’s motto is “they’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” Then it dawned on me, I want my faith to be like my bag. To be tough enough to withstand anything the enemy comes against me with; to last a lifetime and the more I use it to be more and more attractive to others. Now I don’t want my family or friends fighting over anything when I’m dead, but like my bag, I want my faith to live on, to be an example to the succeeding generations should the Lord tarry. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen Hebrew 11:1.

Grace and Peace

The End of One of Those Days

It’s funny, how certain days seem to be more stressful than others, even when there is not a particular issue or something that you can point to that is causing the stress. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe I didn’t get enough sleep last night, whatever, and for me today has been one of those days. In the past when I’ve had days like this I would just let it linger. Left alone, the stress turns into anxiety, the anxiety into a physical ache, and the ache into an illness. It happens every day to people all over the world. I think it is important to recognize that as humans, God created us to exist in three areas of consciousness; physical, emotional and spiritual. What I described above is caused by an unchecked interaction between our physical consciousness and our emotional consciousness. It becomes like the unraveling of a sweater, once it starts its hard to stop. God did not only design us to be physical and emotional beings but gave us spirituality as the matrix that holds everything together. Whenever I start feeling like I did today I start to recognize how important the spiritual consciousness is. Once we make a decision to walk and live in the spirit and not in the flesh, the cares of the world seem to fade. 1 Peter 5:6-8 tells us: "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." These verses prompt us to focus on humility, patience, trust, sobriety, vigilance and faith. These are certainly all desirable attributes. It also reminds me that as we walk through this world, things happen that sometimes we just don’t understand. Understanding the why, how, when and where seems so important to so many people. When we don’t or can’t understand the circumstances it causes stress. The Lord tells us in Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." Because I was reminded of this today, I wanted to remind anyone who reads this.
Grace and Peace

J-O-Y

It’s interesting the responses that you get when you ask someone the difference between joy and happiness. We are all looking for happiness; the problem is that happiness is dependent on your circumstances. If the Yankees win, some people are happy, some are unhappy. If you get a raise, you are happy; if you get a bill you are unhappy. If you pay that bill someone else is happy. If someone compliments you, you tend to be happy. If you hear criticism, you’re not so happy.

Joy on the other hand is deep rooted and based on the belief that no matter what the circumstances, someone bigger than us will see us through. We often see joy in children because they know that their parents are there for them no matter what. (Unfortunately we see this less and less due to the demise of the family and family values.) As we get older and are thrust into the reality and responsibility of everyday life, the joy is gone and we look for that quick fix feeling of happiness. We look for happiness in things, places, position or relationships. Unfortunately, this doesn’t last long and we are looking for the next thing that will make us happy. Joy on the other hand is a gift from God. It is not dependent on things, places, or position. It is however, dependent on a relationship, a relationship with God. A relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. The Word tells us: The joy of the Lord is your strength."—Nehemiah 8:10. When we have the joy that is given to us from God, then He gives us the strength through Him to face anything that the world throws at us. I remember when I was a kid we learned that putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third was the formula for JOY. I think it is still true today. Oh! and by the way there is another benefit of Joy, real happiness.

Grace and Peace (Joy too)

Entertaining Angels

Have you ever run into an Angel? You may have and never realized it. This past weekend we had some friends over for a BBQ. One family was returning from vacation in New Hampshire and while they were there, they took some pictures of clouds that resembled angels. It got me to thinking about angels. The Bible is very clear, when it tells us in Hebrews Chapter 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” We run into strangers every day, and I will be the first to admit, some are stranger than others; after all, I work in Manhattan! I often wonder when I see someone looking at me intently, if they are an angel and know me very well. I think the admonition in Hebrews is a good reminder for us. It reminds us that we should treat every stranger we encounter as if they were an angel and entertain them accordingly. It sounds intimidating, but if we weren’t supposed to do it, God wouldn’t have put the reminder in His Word. In Psalm 91:11 it says: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” So tomorrow as you run into a stranger, take a second look; maybe, just maybe it is an angel, maybe your angel. Better entertain them accordingly! Grace and Peace

Against the Wind

When I get off the train in the morning and head to my office in midtown Manhattan, it seems I am always buffeted with crowded sidewalks. And as it is in our life, it seems like everyone is going in the opposite direction. It certainly would be easier to go with the flow, no resistance, and at least I wouldn’t always feel like I was in someone’s way. Often times there exists a dichotomy between what our will and the will of God is in our lives. We want to go one direction and the Lord seems to be telling us to go another direction. What is God’s will for us, what direction does He want us to go and how do we determine His will in our daily walk? Determining His will in everyday activities is not always that easy.

I recently heard a story about an office manager who decided that she was going on a diet. She enlisted all the ladies in the office to join her in this effort, strength and encouragement in numbers. As they started sure enough they begin losing weight, lots of it. Everything was going great until one morning this office manager comes in with three dozen donuts. Everybody was flabbergasted at her actions. When asked, she began to explain to them that it was God’s will that she bring donuts to work. She said, ever since we started this diet, I changed my route to work, because my old route took me by the Dunkin Donuts, so to remove the temptation; I changed the way I travel to and from the office. But, she said, today I forgot to take the new route and found myself in front of Dunkin Donuts. I prayed, Lord, if indeed it by your will that I should stop and buy donuts, let there be a parking place right at the front door, and I’ll accept that as an indication that buying donuts is your will in my life today. And sure enough the 15th time around the block there it was, an open parking place right at the front door.

Here is an individual who is desperate to see her will done. So desperate that she is willing to convince herself that it is God’s will.

Jonah was a man who was also desperate to see his will done, so desperate in fact that he was willing to do the complete opposite of what God had asked him to do. In the book of Jonah 1:1-3 we read: Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah had his own idea, which was different from the will of God. Jonah didn’t want the people, the wicked people of Niniveh to be saved. He thought God would have mercy on them, and he thought if he went the opposite direction, they would receive the punishment that he thought they deserved. Jonah was wrong. Sometimes our thoughts, desires, our flesh gets in the way of doing what God wants us to do. We even think that it is impossible for us to do whatever it is that God wants’ us to do. But the simple fact is if God guides, God provides. He will provide everything that we need to do what He has called us for. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Grace and Peace

Lessons From My Dog

Briggs was a birthday present, given to me by my family in January 2001. We went to the breeder to look at the puppies when they were five-days old. We got to meet Briggs mother, half brother and grandmother. They were all great dogs and gave us a good indication of what the puppy we picked might be like. We had decided that we wanted to get a male, and since Springer’s come in black and white and liver and white, personally I was leaning toward a puppy that was of the later coloration. Briggs came from a large litter, much larger than normal, he was one of 14 puppies. One had died at birth which left 13. Briggs was the last puppy born. According to the breeder, Briggs was the one who pushed all the other puppies out. She also said that Briggs was a whiner and probably always would be. When we looked at the pups he was the one that made the most noise, moved around the most, and was the pushiest. He immediately caught my eye, along with one other pup. We went back and forth for a while trying to decide and finally chose Briggs. Of course his name wasn’t Briggs when we selected him; the breeder had called him something completely different. We named him Briggs, because at the time we raced go-karts powered by Briggs and Stratton engines, just like a lawn mower. My dream was to have a Briggs, and then to get a female and name her Stratton and maybe raise Springers. Briggs was only five days old when we picked him, but we named him and went back every week to visit him, hold him and play with him until he was old enough to leave his family and come join ours. After having Briggs for a few months we never thought about having two Springers again. One thing I can say about Briggs is that he is very social, loyal and completly devoted to me his master. Whenever I’m around he not only needs to be with me, but close enough to be touch me. Whatever direction I’m looking, his desire is to be in my line of sight. If I go out, he wants to go out. If I go for a ride he wants to come with me. He not only wants’ my attention, he craves it, and he is willing to do anything as long as it is with me. He also knows my voice, and when I call him he comes. Sometimes someone else in the family will try to get him to come, and if he is busy or his mind is on something or someone else he just won't come. But when I call, no matter what the distraction he comes. For the most part he is very obedient. He listens very intently really wanting to understand and do my bidding. Sometimes he does struggle with obedience. For example, if we come home and he has been lying on the bed or the couch or somewhere where he isn’t allowed, he hangs his head and goes to the laundry room, this is his way of doing penance. I want to be like Briggs with my Master Jesus. I want to be in Jesus’ line of sight, as close to Him as I can be. To crave to be with Him all the time, listening for His voice, coming when He calls, wanting to understand what it is He wants me to do and striving to do it, to be fit for my Master's use. Oh, I know I will fail, just like Briggs fails, I will lay down where I’m not suppose to be and have to hang my head. But Briggs knows that when he comes back up the stairs from the laundry room that I, his master will be there, will pat him on the head and say good dog Briggs..Oh Lord my prayer is that you might make me a Springer Spaniel!!
Grace and Peace.

To Be Like a Dog

This is Briggs my Springer Spaniel. His name is Actually George W. Briggs as he was born on inauguration day in 2001. Tomorrow I want to share what Briggs has taught me about following a master.

Looking for God's Blessings

Sometimes it's easy to look over, past around God's blessing in our life. We don't see His blessings or His miracles because we aren't looking for them. The other day Susan and I prayed before I got on the train to go to Manhattan. I prayed that the Lord would bless us and that we would recognize His blessing. That morning as I got off the train I saw a quarter, laying on the platform. Since no one was there to claim it I picked it up not knowing what God had in store. As I arrived at the Subway Station a young lady maybe 14 years old was looking frightened and dismayed. She came up to me and asked me if I had a quarter she could borrow. You see that day the NY MTA raised it's toll from $2.00 to $2.25 and she only had the $2.00. I told her that I didn't have a quarter that she could borrow, but that the true and living God had provided her with a quarter, and He used me to deliver it. She was blessed, I was blessed, but it would have been easy to overlook. Susan's blessing came as a result of making her first sale on Ebay. She said, that that sale, really blessed her. The Lord has been really making me aware of His presence in my and my family's life. So much so that I felt prompted to start this blog and sharing some of the things with whoever is lead to read it. I remember the old hymn that we sang when I was a kid. Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done... I challenge you to start counting your blessings..