Carp's Daily Tidbits

Life's Ultimate Rest Area

2022-10-18T06:59:00.003-05:00

On August 7, 1979 I finally reached that long-awaited age of 16 and that meant one thing—driver’s license!  Yep, all my friends had been driving for months and now it was my turn to join the ranks.  My parents, though, didn’t seem to be as enthusiastic as I was about the prospect of me climbing behind the wheel of a car.  Go figure! 

Despite my assurance that I could now run errands for them, take my brother and sister to wherever they needed to go, and that I would no longer need them to shuttle me everywhere, they simply didn’t seem to be thrilled that I would be driving.  Something about increased insurance premiums, and not being able to relax until I was home, etc. were apparently a few of the reasons for their not-so-enthusiastic acceptance of this important right-of-passage. 

Once I received that little piece of plastic giving me the legal right to operate a vehicle, it soon became obvious that I would need some help if I wanted to go beyond the city limit signs.  That help would have to come from my dad, whose sense of direction still puts any GPS to shame! 

In order to have a car of my own, I had to get a job.  I worked on the weekends and during the summers to pay for it.  My job was in one of the local hospitals about 30 minutes from our home.  I remember asking my dad to give me directions which he did.  He gave the best directions, telling me how to avoid traffic and which areas would be the easiest to navigate but also those which could prove troublesome.  As long as I followed his directions, I never had any difficulty going to work or getting home safely. 

In 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 we are introduced to King Uzziah, who, at the ripe age of 16, wasn’t worried about driving; his concern was in governing a people.  If ever there were a time to ask for directions this would be it.  And that is exactly what Uzziah did.  In this passage we read, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.  He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” 

There are three important statements about Uzziah in this brief passage that provide great insight for us.  First, we are told that Uzziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  This is a very telling statement for someone who is only 16 years old.  He didn’t know everything, in fact, he knew nothing about what it meant to be a king.  But he knew that as long as he obeyed the Lord, and did what was right according to him, his reign would be successful. 

Second, he sought the Lord.  Before making policy, before entering into agreements, before entering armed conflict, and before making any decision, Uzziah asked God for directions.  He trusted and knew that God would make sure he avoided traffic and difficulty areas and would see that he and his people remained safe and sound. 

Third, Uzziah was successful, not because of what he did and not because of what he knew, but because he consulted God in everything.  This is the great secret of walking with God.  We are to seek him daily, even hourly, because the road ahead is filled with all types of dangers we cannot see.  When was the last time you asked God for directions?  Before you start today’s journey, don’t you think you should? 

A Spirutal Flying Buttress

2022-10-16T18:34:00.005-05:00

I remember the first time I saw it. I had read about it, teachers and professors had lectured on it, and I had seen pictures of it in books and in movies. However, nothing compared to visiting and seeing the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris firsthand. Nothing I had seen, heard, or read compared to this magnificent structure. In that instant it became, and still is, my favorite place to visit in Paris. Everything else, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, etc., pales in comparison to this jewel.

During my junior year in college, I lived in southern France and had occasion to visit Paris on three different occasions. As you can guess, I visited Notre Dame every single time and it’s the first stop I make when I visit Paris. On four different occasions it has been my privilege to introduce students to Notre Dame and each time I saw the same reaction in their faces that I had on my first visit to the cathedral.

While the interior is impressive with its rose windows and high vaulted ceilings, the bell towers are one of its most alluring features. Although I am afraid of heights, at the ripe old age of twenty, I climbed the towers to get a breathtaking view of Paris. While climbing to the top of the towers, I kept looking for Victor Hugo’s hunchback, Quasimodo. There is just something about reading that novel that causes you to expect to see him in all the nooks and crannies that dot the cathedral. Needless to say, I never saw Quasimodo, but I have a feeling he is lurking somewhere in those bell towers!

It was on a solo visit to Notre Dame, however, that I discovered its most endearing feature. Just past the south tower is an entrance that leads to a park located behind the cathedral. This walk provides an impressive view of one of the most iconic parts of Notre Dame, the flying buttresses. The enormity of the structure and the immense weight of its roof put intense pressure on its walls.

The builders of gothic cathedrals, of which Notre Dame is a prime specimen, devised an ingenious way to stabilize the cathedral’s walls. They built a series of flying buttresses that pushed against the exterior of the cathedral, directing the immense forces pushing on the walls into the ground, thus securing the entire structure.

The best view of the flying buttresses is in the park located directly behind Notre Dame. The park is a haven for locals and tourists alike. There is a bench that sits dead center of the cathedral and that is where I sit every time I am there. It is a marvelous sight and one I never tire of.

Would it surprise you to learn that the concept of the flying buttress existed way before architects discovered its use in building? It is true, and we need look no further than Paul’s letter to the Galatians to find it. In Galatians 6:2 Paul writes, “Cary each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Do you see the concept of the flying buttress in Paul’s letter? He states categorically that we are to help each other, to uphold each other, to encourage each other, and to lighten one another’s load. Jesus told his disciples in John 13:35 that everyone would know they were his disciples if they had love for each other. What better way is there to demonstrate love for another person than to help shoulder his/her burdens?

Paul reminds us further that we have opportunity to do this and that we must avail ourselves of the opportunity to help all people, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:9-10). Every day we meet people at work, in the grocery store, at the park, on the sidewalk, etc. who are hurting. In fact, everyone is carrying some sort of burden. Some carry the burden of illness, some of depression, some of hopelessness, some of loss, and some have no name for their burdens. Paul reminds us in this passage that we are to come alongside them and to provide support, to be a spiritual flying buttress.

Notre Dame remains standing almost one thousand years after is foundations were laid. Through storm, through rain, through hail, through the French Revolution, and through fire, it remains. The flying buttresses continue to support and uphold that tremendous structure. It is not a great leap for us to understand that if a piece of stone can support a building, how much more can we help others to stand when we help them bear their burdens. Are you being a spiritual flying buttress to those around you today?

Just One of Those Days

2022-10-13T07:20:00.004-05:00

ames 1:2-4 reads, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This definitely was not the verse of scripture I wanted to be reminded of one particular Monday. I was having one of those days where nothing, and I mean nothing, went according to plan. Oh, I had a plan, but it was absolutely worthless. Please allow me to recap the day for you. It’s good therapy!

The whole ball of wax actually started the evening before when I decided to download a quick and easy little program for my computer. The download went well. I encountered no glitches, bumps, or electronic hiccups. The installation process was also smooth and in just a few minutes the program was living happily on my hard drive, ready to obey my every command.

I restarted the computer, selected the newly installed program, and asked it to perform a quick scan of my computer to see if everything was all right. That’s when it all started. The little program located some files that to its mind posed a threat to my system. It asked if I wanted to repair or delete the programs. I first elected to repair the files but when that wasn’t possible, I deleted them. That was my mistake! I deleted several files from my operating system and the computer wouldn’t work.

I tried at least three attempts to coax the computer back to life but it just wouldn’t budge. Instead, it just sat there with a beautiful sunset on the screen, refusing to go any further. All my programs were there; I just couldn’t get to them. Several calls to a good friend in Pennsylvania, confirmed what I already knew. The computer was busted and would have to be rebuilt; not exactly what I wanted to hear.

During the day, my situation got better (that’s a little joke, not too funny). On my way to the airport, everybody in the free world decided to drive below the speed limit and box me into one lane of traffic. I couldn’t get around the car ahead of me and the cars to my right and to my left wouldn’t budge. I thought it was some kind of conspiracy with the whole world, including the animals, decidedly against me. I wondered if Noah ever had a day like this.

A good friend called to see how I was doing. What a loaded question that was! I told him I didn’t feel very Christian and proceeded to share my terrible day. I called my mom and she got the full onslaught as well. I was miserable and I determined that everyone I knew would just be miserable as well. Ever been there? None of this solved my computer problem, but grinding that axe seemed to make me feel better; I mean I actually enjoyed it. If what James said in the opening verse above applied to me, I had to be the happiest man alive!

It was only after I had spent the day frustrated, angry, confused, bitter, hostile, and just a little cranky, that I realized what a wasted day this had been. Replaying my thoughts and conversations from the day indicated every sentence or thought began with the word “I” or had the word “me” in it at least three or four times. I looked at myself as the victim. Nothing went my way, everything was against me, I didn’t understand why I was going through this, you get the picture don’t you?

James certainly hit me right between the eyes when I calmed down and remembered this little admonition. James says that we will face trials of many kinds. He never says they are fun but he does say they have their purpose and that purpose is the perfecting of our faith, the increasing of our patience.

I wasn’t very faithful or patient on that particular Monday; I was anything but. And that is why I missed the blessing of verse 4, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Because of my attitude, I was lacking in several areas, not the least of which was my relationship with God. But God’s design is to grow me to maturity so I want lack anything. That Monday reminded me just how much growing up I still have left to do.

The next time you have one of those days, and it may be today, be thankful for it. I know this is not something you want to hear, especially if today’s your day, but God is with us in the small trials as well as in the big ones and I think that when we have just one of those days he is reminding us of just how difficult it is to live the Christian life without him!

The Backside of the Desert

2022-08-19T07:32:00.003-05:00

n the distance the first tendrils of sunlight appeared on the horizon. In a few moments it would be dawn with sunlight splashing over the landscape as it had for thousands of dawns before this one. Not far away, the bleating of sheep and goats signaled that the night was indeed ending as man and beast eagerly awaited the arrival of the morning sun.

He had been lying there for over an hour, waking from a fitful sleep. His tent was open and he stared at the vanishing stars fighting against the breaking of the dawn with all the fury and determination of someone battling for his life. The sound of the animals and the ever-brightening sky meant he needed to start his day. It would be a busy one as it always was when he moved the flock from one area to another. He was tired from lack of restful sleep but tonight he knew his rest would be sweet and deep.

The flock gathered around him, eager to begin the long journey. Although they didn’t know where they were going, anticipation filled the air. The tents were struck, camels were loaded, and all the animals were gathered into one place. Finally, after one last check around the campsite, man and beasts set out for the pastures found at the foot of the mountains on the backside of the desert.

The journey took most of the morning and by early afternoon they had reached their destination. Once camp was established, it was time to visit the pastures and feed the flock. The shepherd was finally relieved, having arrived at the base of the mountain and its pastures in record time. He joyfully led his flock to the grasslands to graze. That’s when he saw something he would never forget, something that shouldn’t be, something no one had ever seen, and something that would change his life forever! What he saw defied all logic and yet it was real—a bush on fire that did not burn up!

Yes, our shepherd is Moses, the man who would stand before Pharaoh, the man who would deliver the children of Israel from slavery, the man who would use his staff to perform miraculous signs, and the man who would be known as the lawgiver. But all of these things were in the future. Moses’s past still haunted him. He had fled Egypt because he had murdered an Egyptian. He had come to the wilderness of Midian, married a woman named, Sephora, and had become a shepherd for his father-in-law’s flocks. But from this day forward, nothing would be the same.

Let us take a closer look at Moses’s not-so-usual-day-at-the-office. Exodus 3:1 gives us the following account, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.” Notice that Moses is in the wilderness. It was a remote place where he had very little contact with others. As if this weren’t enough, the passage tells us that Moses led the flock to the backside of the desert. Now I ask you, how much more remote can you get? Exactly where is the backside of a desert anyway? Wherever it is, it had to be one of the loneliest and most challenging places Moses knew.

Yet it is in this very setting that God performs one of His greatest calls to ministry. Although the story of Moses and the burning bush is well-known, we need to understand exactly what took place at Horeb, the mountain of God, on the backside of the desert.

In the conversation between God and Moses, Moses learns he is to return to Egypt. God has chosen him to walk into Egypt and break the good news to Pharaoh that the Hebrew slaves are free and will be leaving right away! Lucky Moses! But it is not so much the message God gives Moses as the manner in which it is given. Notice in verse 12 that God tells Moses he will return to this very mountain to serve God. Notice also that Moses is leading a flock of sheep, caring for them and tending to their needs. For the past forty years he has covered this ground, learning everything about its contours, its dangers, and its safe havens. The time has now come for God to take all that knowledge, all that training, and all that skill, and put it to use for his divine purposes.

But in order for him to make that point clear to Moses, God leads him to the backside of the desert. This encounter with God forever changes the life of Moses and forever alters the future of mankind. Where once he led sheep, he will now lead people. Where once he fed animals, he will provide for God’s own. Where once he traveled alone, he will now lead a multitude. Everything Moses did for his father-in-law, he will now do for God on a scale never before imagined.

Are you wondering in the wilderness today? Do you feel you have covered the same ground countless times and performed the same tasks over and over so that they now are just part of the routine? Take heart from Moses. Who knows how many times he had been to the backside of the desert? Who knows how many times he had seen that bush in previous years? Who knows how often he had gazed at the summit of Mount Horeb, wondering what views could be seen from its heights? Then one day God called Moses to the far end of the desert to be his own. Are you ready to visit the backside of the desert today?

Have You Been There?

2022-08-18T07:20:00.000-05:00

uring trips to France, most of our students spend several days shopping, trying to find perfect souvenir for that special someone. They come armed with lists from people back home asking for everything from perfume to postcards. Every member of our group has at least five people who all want a little piece of France, something to prove they know someone who has been there.

As for myself, I purchase very few, if any, souvenirs. Instead, I take snapshots and try to drink in as many special moments as I can. I visit the bakeshops, go to several cafés, visit a few restaurants, and take several walks in my favorite sections of the city. I don’t come back with bags and pockets full of key chains, saltshakers, or little silver spoons. The only items I have that prove I visited France include my pictures, my airplane boarding passes, and the stamps in my passport proving I entered and exited the country.

I do, however, buy a few small items to bring back to the States for a very special people. They want something from France, something that would prove the place exists so I accommodate them as best I can. It is easy for me to speak of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Seine River, etc. because I have actually been there and have seen these things first-hand. The fact I have been there in person causes those with whom I share my experiences to believe me. They know I have been there and that gives them all the more reason to believe my stories and experiences are true.

Daily life is sometimes more adventurous than a trip to Europe. We encounter all types of challenging experiences in life and we appreciate those people who fully understand by virtue of having experienced the same circumstances we are experiencing. It is one thing to tell someone who is about to undergo surgery that you can understand their fear. But if you’ve ever undergone the same surgery, you can give them insight and encouragement the average person can’t. Someone who has never had surgery simply cannot empathize with someone who is facing a major operation. What we want is someone who has been there and experienced the same thing first-hand.

There is a biblical basis for this and it is found in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. Paul knew that sometimes life throws us curves and he also knew the road of life frequently takes uphill climbs. Who better to encourage his fellow Christians than someone who spent time in prison, who was beaten, who was shipwrecked, and who was himself persecuted in so many ways? Perhaps that is why Paul writes the following in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

In this passage Paul explains why it is we go through trials and difficulties in life. Notice his words of encouragement that God, himself, is our comfort. God is our refuge and shield as the Psalmist says, but he is also our comfort. God comforts us when we are hurting, when we are disappointed, when we are sick, and when we simply are tired of the journey. He does this so that we can encourage and comfort others who are experiencing the same things in life. Notice that he admonishes us to comfort others with the same comfort we received from God. This means that not only do we understand the situation in which others find themselves, but we also can share the joy of God’s comfort with them because we have experienced it ourselves.

Wherever you are in your walk with God today, know this: God is aware of your situation and he knows everything you are feeling and experiencing right now. He wants to comfort and he will comfort you in every situation. But don’t be surprised to find out that he will call on you to share that comfort with someone else who is hurting or who is facing trying circumstances. You will be a source of encouragement and strength when they look at you and ask, “Have you been there?” You can say with all confidence, “Yes, I have been there and I know that God has been there too because he was there with me.” Are you ready to comfort someone today?

Daybreak

2022-08-17T07:31:00.003-05:00

he sound of the piercing alarm clock rouses me from a deep, restful sleep. The room is still dark, but the first tendrils of daylight indicate that the sun will soon rise in the east and a new day will start. The alarm is still sounding so I throw back the covers, get up, walk across the room, turn off the alarm, and then climb back into bed for “just a few more minutes.”

As I lie on my bed looking out the window, I notice that it is steadily growing lighter outside. I can now see the outline of trees, houses, and the birds and squirrels have started their early morning jaunts and their never-ending search for food and water. Soon, the highways will be filled with people going to appointments or hurrying to their jobs and another hectic day will be in full swing.

But for now, the sun continues its steady approach and light is rapidly overtaking the darkness that has held the world captive for the past several hours. I enjoy this time of the morning, as the night gives way to the day. Although the darkness tries to linger for “just a few more minutes,” it is no match for the light. The sun totally dispels all the darkness and chases it away, making everything clear and visible.

Isaiah knew what it was like to watch God create a morning. I’m sure he watched the sun rise and dispel all the darkness and the gloom of night. Perhaps that is why he used this analogy to speak of the coming Messiah and of a time when all would be made clear and visible. He wasn't speaking about seeing the physical world better, but about having a clearer spiritual understanding of God and his plan for mankind. Isaiah knew that the coming of the Messiah would remove the spiritual darkness holding mankind captive and would replace it with the burning light of God’s salvation, love, and mercy.

In Isaiah 9:2, the prophet writes these words, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” Can you think of a better way to describe a sunrise than this? Isaiah heard an alarm sounding, indicating that the long night was ending and a new day was beginning. From his vantage point, he could see the small but perceptible tendrils of God’s light that would one day dispel all the darkness of sin from the earth.

We are now living in that light and that light is Jesus Christ. Jesus, himself, said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). Jesus fulfilled the promise Isaiah made so many years before. The light of God’s salvation did come and it did remove the darkness from the world. But notice that in order to walk in this light, we must follow Jesus. He is the only way to God and he is the only means of light in a dark world. Only by believing in and following him can we ever hope to leave the darkness behind.

Is it dark where you are today? Are you walking in the light of Jesus’ salvation? You can. Listen carefully and you will hear the alarm clock sounding. It is God’s voice calling you from the darkness to walk in his eternal light. Won’t you get out of that spiritual bed and watch the sunrise today? You will never see things in the same way again!

No Way Out!

2022-08-16T07:08:00.000-05:00

hospital is not the place to go if you need to rest. People are always coming in and out of your room to check your temperature, to monitor your blood pressure, to weigh you, or to see if you need anything. My personal favorite is when they wake you up to see if you're sleeping all right. I've never quite figured that one out! This was my experience the evening of June 11, 1975. My parents had taken me to Duke University Medical Center to undergo open-heart surgery the following day. I was eleven years old and the memory of that evening is indelibly etched on my mind.

I had had a grueling day, spending most of it waiting for a room to become available. Late in the afternoon, I was admitted. We met with the surgeon early in the evening and then my parents left to go to their hotel. The remainder of the evening I spent alone with my thoughts. Many things raced through my mind but the one thought that kept returning to me was that there was no way out. In the morning, I would be taken to the operating room and the surgery would be performed. It was just a matter of time before they would come after me.

My parents arrived early the next morning and, not long after their arrival, they came to take me to surgery. The view from a gurney is very interesting. All I could see was the ceiling above me and I wasn't sure where I was. All I knew is that everyone around me was a stranger and the surroundings were unfamiliar. Everyone and everything familiar was behind me while everyone and everything before me was unknown.

As they made the final preparations for surgery and moved me to the table, the words of Isaiah 43:2-3acame to my mind. This was a verse I had heard my mom quote several times and the words provided great solace to me, even at eleven years of age. No words, perhaps, have given me more comfort during the difficult times in my life than these. Isaiah 43:2-3a says, "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

As I closed my eyes, I knew God was there. There was no way out except to go through the surgery. God's promise was to be with me, all the way through to the very end. He was there when I went to sleep, he was there when they began the surgery, he was there when they stopped my heart, he was there when they repaired the hole in it, he was there when it started again, and he was there when I woke up.

The pain I experienced when I awoke was proof that God had been with me. The pain meant I was alive and the surgery was over. Now the process of healing would begin. When I saw my parents again, I remembered I hadn't been alone and that the same God who kept watch over me during the surgery also watched over them. He had been with them through the long hours of waiting and had not left them alone either.

Each time I see the scar on my chest, I am reminded of God's great promise to me. He never promised to remove the difficulties or the trials of life, but he did promise to go through them with me. Since then, there have been other trials and tests and I can tell you that in every single one of them God has been with me. He has never left me but has held my hand at all times through them, just as he promised he would.

Wherever you are and whatever you are facing in life today, rest assured God knows where you are. He is there with you, going through every trying experience you have, even when it seems there is no way out. Believe me when I tell you that God is faithful, that he fulfills his promises, that he will never leave you, and he will never forget you. So, squeeze his hand more tightly as you walk with him today and you'll find that he will squeeze yours as well to let you know everything is all right!

Roadside Assistance

2022-08-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

ne Friday, I got up as usual, made breakfast, made sure the cat had all she needed, made the bed, and got ready for work. I was ahead of schedule and would arrive at the office with a few extra minutes to enjoy some conversation over a steaming cup of coffee. Yes, all was going well until I pulled my car out the garage. The car’s steering just didn’t feel right and there was a thumping sound as I rolled down the driveway.

I stopped the car, turned off the radio, put the car back in gear, and gingerly eased it forward. Yep, there was the thumping sound again and the same resistance in the steering wheel I had felt just a few moments before. I pulled the car back into the garage, hopped out, and inspected the front passenger side which seemed to be the origin of the noise. Sure enough, the front right tire was flat; I mean it was on the rim.

Well now, what was I going to do at 6:30 in the morning? I couldn’t wake my neighbors, I couldn’t call a friend to help change a flat that early in the morning, and changing it myself would have been quite a comedy routine. Fortunately for me, my car offers a feature which I took full advantage of that Friday morning. A series of three buttons, one for information, one for emergencies, and one for roadside assistance, are located just above my head in the center console. I pressed the roadside assistance switch and in fewer than thirty-minutes, a technician arrived at my home, changed the tire, and sent me on my merry way!

That got me to thinking about the number of times people call roadside assistance on a daily basis. So many times, I pass people along the highway who are just waiting for that magic truck to appear and help them out of their predicaments. Sometimes, I see good Samaritans who will pull off to the roadside just to help someone in need.

Would it surprise you to learn that the idea of roadside assistance dates all the way back to the New Testament? Don’t believe me? The let’s spend a few moments together in Acts 8 as we see Philip, one of the 12 disciples, rendering roadside assistance to the Treasurer of Ethiopia.

As our story opens, the Treasurer of Ethiopia is reading a passage from Isaiah. Phillip asks if he understands what he is reading to which the man categorically states his frustration in understanding because he has no one to explain the passage to him, “The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:31)

Do you see this man’s call for roadside assistance? Can you hear the desperation in his voice as he pleads with Philip for help? And that is exactly what Philip did. He climbed up in the man’s carriage and gave expert service so this man would no longer be in need, “So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”

The road of life is strewn with people who have been stranded by the difficulties and challenges they face. They don’t know what to do. They don’t know whom to call. They don’t understand why no one will take the time to come alongside and help them. As Christians, we have been given the solemn order to preach the gospel at all times and to help those who are in need. Take a good look around you today and you will see so many who are experiencing difficulties. Won’t you, like Philip, offer them roadside assistance today?

Nothing to Wear

2022-08-14T06:10:00.001-05:00

k, how many times have you opened up your closet and just stared? You have been invited to go out to eat, or to a party, or over to a friend's house and you have absolutely nothing to wear? If the truth were known, your closet is probably hanging full of clothes that are both attractive and fashionable but for some reason you don't wear them because you don't like the way you look in them. Moreover, you are worried what people's reaction to you will be in a particular outfit.

We spend way too much time worried about our outward appearance. We spend both time and money to find just the right apparel so we will be accepted by our peers. Someone once said that we buy things we don't need at prices we can't afford with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. I believe this comes pretty close to the truth for most of us.

John the Baptist's wardrobe would have driven any modern-day designer crazy. The scriptures tell us in Matthew 3:3-4 that "John's clothes were made of camel hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan." Pardon me, but John doesn't sound like someone you'd invite to a nice restaurant, or someone you'd probably have in your home as a dinner guest. Yet, people from all over the region went out to see John.

What was it about him that caused people to travel such a great distance to see him? It definitely couldn't be the clothes or his diet. Could it have been John's message? Could it have been the fact that John's words and actions spoke of a man who knew God and spent time with him? I believe it was for this very reason people went to see him. John came preaching repentance, telling people that what they needed was to be forgiven. He came to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. His message was real, timely, and touched the lives of those around him.

We are called to do the same thing. People should be drawn to us because of the message we share. What is it about your life today that attracts people? Is it what you wear, or the person you are underneath the clothing? Is it the words you use or the message you send? Is it the claims you make or the actions you perform? John had no great store of clothes in his wardrobe. There were no Armani suits or Oscar de la Renta ties. All he had to give and to present was the message of God, and that can be worn anywhere for any occasion.

On Your Way Home

2022-08-03T07:11:00.001-05:00

ummertime was the most wonderful time of the year for me as a kid because summertime meant three very important things: school was out, I could go barefoot, and I could ride my bike anytime and anywhere (well, almost anywhere) I wanted. I would wake up in the morning and have the whole day ahead of me. The waking hours were filled with all kinds of possibilities of things to do, places to go, and people to see. Sounds like I was some big-time explorer with some big-time plans for making a grand discovery, doesn’t it? Well to me, it felt pretty much like that.

One of my favorite things to do was to ride my bike. All the kids in our neighborhood had bikes and we rode them all the time. Most of the time, we would ride in the neighborhood, not too far from our homes. But we also broadened our horizons, widening the boundaries of our jaunts, venturing across town to the park, or to get ice cream at one of the small convenience stores that dotted our town.

But I also enjoyed the rides I took by myself. I enjoyed these the most because I usually ended up at the same location, grandma and grandpa’s house. They lived only a mile away but we always described it as “clear across town,” and sometimes it seemed that their home was the furthermost outpost in the city.

Whenever I arrived, both my grandparents were always glad to see me and anything in the cabinets, the refrigerator, or under grandpa’s chair was game. Grandpa’s chair was where the most precious of all treasures, Snickers candy bars, was hidden. Those candy bars were always a special treat because grandpa loved them so much and he always handed me one (or two) when I went over to visit. But the cookies, the cakes, the ice cream, and anything else were always sampled as well.

Usually, my mom would call me at grandma’s to see what time I was leaving for home. She usually had something she wanted me to pick up on my way home from one of the local grocery stores. She always said the same thing, “On your way home….” Sometimes it was a loaf of bread, a pack of cheese, some sugar, or something to drink. At other times there were several items but always there was something for me to pick up on my way home.

Jesus left the following instructions for his disciples and for all those who would become believers in him because of their testimony and witness. In Matthew 28:19 we read these words, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” This passage of scripture is usually referred to as The Great Commission because Jesus gave his followers a big assignment. They were told to make disciples everywhere they went and to share the truth of God’s word with all those around them.

I like to think of this passage in light of my mother’s phone conversations with me while I visited with my grandparents. I believe Jesus wanted us to understand that on our way home, we are to pick up as many people as we can and bring them with us. Now, what we have to understand is that we are on our way home every waking moment of our lives. As long as we are taking in air, as long as our hearts are beating, and as long as we remain here, we are on our way home. That means we must constantly be about the task of picking up people and telling them about Jesus and his love for us.

As I grew older, I exchanged my bike for a car. However, whenever I visited my grandparents, mom still called and still told to me pick up things on my way home. Since I had a car, however, I could pick up more things and carry more responsibility. I believe it is the same with us as we mature in Christ. We move from a spiritual bike to a spiritual car, being able to pick up more, to carry more, and to deliver more as we mature and grow in our walk with God. Even today, one thousand miles away from 511 South Elm Street where my grandparents used to live, I still make myself a mental note to pick up certain items on my way home. What are you picking up on your way home today?

The Search Party

2022-07-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

ne day, just after lunch, I stepped out on the west porch of the men’s dorm at Southwestern Seminary and watched a group of squirrels searching for nuts. They scampered about the yard, feverishly digging, searching for nuts, or anything else that resembled food. They took no notice of me or the fact that it was raining; the only thing on their agenda was locating and picking up nuts. Their dedication to this task was total and was evidenced by the way they conducted their search.

Each squirrel ran along the ground with its nose working overtime. When they came upon a promising spot, they began feverishly digging, concentrating on the task at hand. Suddenly, they stopped, pulled an object from the ground, and examined it thoroughly. If they found a nut, they would scamper off and hide it, then they would return and begin the search over again. However, if the object they removed was inedible, they tossed it aside and started the process all over again. Occasionally, they would sit up on their hind legs, shake the rainwater from their fur, shoot me an inquisitive glance, and resume their endless and tireless search for nuts.

As I watched them, I suddenly became enthralled with their dedication to this task. Here, on a soggy afternoon, in conditions that were anything but favorable, these squirrels methodically and assiduously continued their search for food. The conditions outside and the presence of strangers did not deter them from the task at hand. Instead, they gave their full concentration to one single goal, finding pecans.

This, I believe, is the kind of dedication the prophet Jeremiah was speaking of in his writing. Jeremiah 29:13 conveys a promise that God speaks to His people. The Hebrew people have been held captive in Babylon and now the time for their return has come. However, God doesn’t want them to be free only in the physical sense; instead, He wants them to experience the freedom that comes only in a loving and personal relationship with Him. Notice His words in this passage of scripture, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This short statement contains both a promise and a condition. First, God promises that He can be found. This does not mean God hides from us, playing a game of hide-and-seek. He is not running from us, daring us to discover His hideout. No! God wants us to enter into a personal relationship with Him, to come to a deeper and more extensive knowledge than we have ever had. However, for us to do this requires a decisive effort on our part.

This leads to the second portion of the statement, that of the condition. Notice that finding God requires two things on our part. First, we have to want to find God. We don’t search for things unless we want to find them, unless we miss them, and unless we know that we are incomplete without them. When these are the conditions behind our search, we look frantically, refusing to give up until we find what we are looking for. Second, the search must be complete. God wants nothing less than our whole person. He will not be satisfied until He is the sole reason for our search. Searching for God in this manner means that nothing deters us from this goal. We pay no attention to the conditions around us nor are we concerned with the presence or the opinions of others. Nothing is to detract us from finding God.

Like the squirrels that so diligently remained faithful to their search, we too will be rewarded. Our reward, however, will not be something temporary, our reward will be eternal. God’s promise is that we would find Him and when we find Him we have all we need and all we desire. Although the world is damp, soggy, cold, and inhospitable, we must live in it. We must search diligently and deliberately to find God because the things of this life so often distract us from finding Him. However, when we make the decision, when we exercise our will, when we seek Him with all our being, then we find Him. How is your search going today?

A Lesson On Main Street

2022-07-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

ain Street was a wonderful place! On this street, I met my first and best friend, on this street I learned to walk, and on this street I learned to ride a bike. I received my first skinned knee on Main Street; I got into my first fight on Main Street, and it was on Main Street that I learned just how much my mom, dad, brother, sister, family and friends loved me.

I remember so many occasions when the traffic on Main Street stopped my play and turned my thoughts elsewhere. Some cars were headed toward town, and some were headed the other way, going to who knew where. From our front yard, I could see in both directions. To my left, I could see the stop light and some of the buildings of our town. To my right, Main Street stretched a great distance until it curved out of sight. I was convinced that this is where the world ended because when cars went around that curve they disappeared!

My dad worked just up the street from our home. Every day he would come home for lunch and in the evening he would walk home for supper. I can still see him as he walked down the sidewalk on Main Street and I remember running to meet him and jumping up into his arms and him carrying me the rest of the way home. However, there was one time when dad’s walk home wasn’t’ the most pleasant experience for me. It was the first time I remember him disciplining me and, like most other things in my life, it happened on Main Street.

It was around lunch time and I was standing in our front yard watching the cars go by. Not satisfied with being an observer, I decided it would be fun to participate. So, I began throwing small stones at the passing cars, not realizing what I was doing. Several cars passed by and the stones fell harmlessly in front, behind, or on the other side of them. One stone, however, performed perfectly, hitting a car and causing the driver to stop! As luck would have it, my dad was walking down Main Street and saw the whole thing! Moreover, he knew the driver of the car and that made it even worse.

When he got to me, he took my hand, led me into the house, and he gave me a spanking. Then, he did something far worse, he made me call the lady whose car I had hit and apologize to her. I remember daddy standing me up on the counter. He dialed the number, got the lady on the phone, handed it to me, and made me apologize. Through tears and sobs, I finally got it out. There had been no damage to the car, but there had been damage to my character and daddy knew how to fix it! It wasn’t fun at the time, but I learned my lesson and I learned respect for my dad.

The writer of Hebrews knew that the Christian life is not without its moments of discipline. He understood that we get out of line, that we do things we shouldn’t or fail to do the things we should. The writer also understood that God, like our human fathers, will not tolerate character flaws in us and He will discipline us so that we grow to spiritual maturity, doing what is right and pleasing in His sight.

In Hebrews 12:9-10, we have a vivid picture of why God disciplines His children. “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.”

There are so many truths locked in these two verses. Discipline teaches us respect for our earthly fathers because we know that they discipline in order to teach us right from wrong. But they discipline us for only a little while, then we go out on our own, armed with the knowledge and experience they have provided. But God disciplines us for life and He does so for our own good. Left to ourselves, we would never lead holy lives. We need God’s discipline and instruction in order to please Him.

God’s discipline does have a purpose. The closing words of this passage tell us plainly that God disciplines us for one purpose and one purpose only, “that we may share in his holiness.” Think about that! God disciplines us so that we can have a relationship with Him. He disciplines us in order to remove everything from us that keeps us from living according to His will and His commands.

Just like my dad, God will not tolerate harmful behavior. He will not let us get away with anything, not even a little stone-throwing. God’s aim is not to make us comfortable, but to teach us right from wrong. Sometimes that teaching involves discipline and God teaches His best lessons on Main Street!

Take As Directed

2022-07-29T07:14:00.001-05:00

ake as directed! These are the instructions written across the label of the prescription bottle containing my heart medication. Once a day, I open this bottle, remove one of the capsules, take the medicine, and continue on with my day. It has just become a part of my daily routine.

For the past forty-eight years, I have been taking medication to control episodes of irregular heart rhythms. Although I now have a pacemaker, the necessity of taking medicine everyday remains the same. Over the years, I've had to change medications. Some of the medications required four doses per day, some required three doses, and my present medication requires only one.

The potency of the drug determines how long I can go between doses. The important thing is to maintain a constant level of medication in my body so my heart will always be protected and have the resources it needs in times of trouble. If I don’t maintain the proper level of medication, then I run the risk of experiencing a rapid heart rhythm.

Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, also wrote a prescription to keep man’s heart in the proper working order. When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them the prayer that millions have learned by heart. This prayer has been repeated in times of joy, times of sadness, times of fear, and times of isolation by people all over the world.

Yet, very few of us ever take notice of the wonderful truths contained within this brief conversation with God. Jesus’ third statement in this prayer reveals the secret to maintaining a healthy relationship with God and keeping our hearts pure before him. Jesus says in Luke 11:3, ^“Give us each day our daily bread.”

In this one statement, Jesus conveys two essential truths of the Christian life. First, God supplies us with our daily sustenance. He is the one who provides our food and all the necessities to sustain life. We must always look to him as the source of all that we have, the wellspring from which our lives flow.

When was the last time you thanked God for the several thousand times your heart beats in a day? When was the last time you thanked him for the hundreds of breaths you draw? When was the last time you thanked him for your ability to hear, see, smell, feel, taste, etc.?

Second, Jesus’ words can be applied spiritually as well. He is the bread of life and we need to partake of him daily. This is the only way to keep our hearts safe, protected, and acceptable before God. God’s word is our heart medicine. Without it, our hearts just don’t run correctly and they risk getting us into trouble. However, if we spend time in God’s word, feeding on it, concentrating on it, and making it a part of our lives, we will find that our relationship with God will stay healthy.

If you knew your heart wasn't working properly, you’d make an appointment with your doctor who would then send you to see a cardiologist. Whatever the doctor prescribed, you would do in order to protect and heal your heart. How much more important is it, then, to follow the prescription that God gives us? Who knows the human heart better? Who better than God knows what we need on a daily basis to keep us spiritually fit and in working order? Take as directed! Have you had your medicine today?

Stand Still or Get Moving?

2022-07-28T06:40:00.002-05:00

ne of the most difficult challenges in the Christian life is deciding to stand still or to get moving. At times it seems God places us into situations where He requires us to “be still and know that He is God” and at other times He would have us hit the road at full march.

We are usually reticent to move forward where the path is uncertain and we are most unwilling to stand still when we believe we know what is around the next bend. We have our perspective and God has His. The key is for us to make sure we are seeing things as best we can from God’s perspective and when we can’t see we must simply trust and obey.

This was the situation facing the Children of Israel as they left Egypt and approached the Red Sea. All was going well. Pharaoh had freed them, they were on their way to the land God promised Abraham and everything seemed to be going according to plan. That’s when they heard a rumble behind them, not the rumble of the sea in front of them but the rumble of Pharaoh’s chariots behind them. What had been a steady walk to the Promised Land now seemed like more of a death march.

They were trapped. Pharaoh behind, the sea in front and they had nowhere to go. They raised their voices in protest to Moses, demanding to know why he had brought them into the desert to die instead of leaving them in Egypt. It should be noted, however, that no one “volunteered” to stay behind and tend the brick pits. No, everyone lined up for the long march to freedom.

In Exodus 14, we get a brief look at two perspectives on the same situation. Moses bids the people stand still while God tells them to get going. Let’s look at this brief passage and see what it holds for us today.

Exodus 14:13-15 reads, “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

After seeing God miraculously move through the 10 plagues on

Egypt

, Moses wanted the people to know that God would fight for them once again. He had not brought them out into the desert to abandon them and He had not resigned from leadership. Moses knew that whenever we take things into our own hands we frustrate and thwart God’s efforts. So Moses, fully trusting the Lord, told the people to stand still and see God’s salvation.

God, however, did not intend for His people to remain on the shore of the Red Sea. He had called them to enter and take possession of the land He promised to Abraham. God’s agenda called for them to move forward and although the sea lay before them, although they did not know what was about to happen, God was testing their faith. Moving forward into a body of water with no way to cross it save through God’s intervention is a total walk of faith. And this is exactly what God wants from us—total faith!

There are times when God asks us to remain still, to rest, and to wait on Him. There are other times when He simply asks us to “get moving.” Our challenge is to move when He says move or to stay when He says stay. We are not to rely on our understanding nor refuse to change our perspective on our situation. God sees far beyond our capabilities and bids us move forward when there seems to be no clear path to tread.

So, where are you today? Are you standing at the water’s edge, reluctant to take the step? Are you more comfortable on the sea shore even though you hear the thunder of approaching chariots? If you listen very carefully you can hear God whispering in your ear, “Trust me. It’s time to get moving.”

Do You Remember When?

2022-07-27T06:21:00.003-05:00

he screen saver on my computer is set to scroll through photographs from France, New Mexico, my home in Texas, and my hometown in North Carolina. There are pictures of family, friends, and familiar places I’ve visited. As I look at those snapshots, I easily remember the events taking place when I took the photographs. I remember the places, the people, the weather, the conversation, the smells, and the time of day. All these return to me as I carefully observe the pictures on my monitor.

Isn’t it funny how a single picture can do that? One glimpse of the picture and our memories are flooded with sights, sounds, smells, and emotions tied directly to the circumstances caught for all time on film. Everything around us comes to a grinding halt and for a few moments we are transported back in time, revisiting friends, family, places and events that were important to us.

The Children of Israel had several experiences like this in their history. The Old Testament is full of examples where God reminded them of their past and how He acted on their behalf. One such occurrence is found in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 5:15, Moses records these words, “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.”

What a photograph that must have been! Can you imagine walking through the middle of a sea on dry ground? Can you imagine the sound of the wind and the height of the water as it formed walls on both sides? Can you imagine what the people must have felt with the Egyptians behind and the open sea before them? It is a picture that escapes our ability to fully understand and imagine all the conditions surrounding it. But the Israelites had been there. They had witnessed this miracle first-hand and now God wants to make sure they don’t forget!

The passage above, though, does not concentrate on the waves, the water, the wind, the dry ground, or on the Egyptians. The focus of the verse is not on what happened but on who caused it to happen. God’s intention is clear. He wants His people to remember all that He did for them and how He brought them from slavery and bondage into freedom.

As Christians, the message given so long ago by Moses is directly applicable to us. Too often we pray that God will see us through some type of crisis and when it passes we forget His blessings and His actions on our behalf. We forget all that God has done for us and only come to Him when we are in trouble or in dire circumstances. But God would have us remember everything He has done for us in all our circumstances. Remembering God’s love and protection in our past gives us faith and hope that He will continue to lead us through all our difficulties in the future.

God always brings us out from the slavery of sin into the freedom of His love and grace. He wants us to remember that He loves us that He cares for us, that we are the apple of His eye, that nothing can touch us without His approval, and that He is aware of all that happens in our lives even when we don’t feel as if He does. God’s word is sure, His love is constant, and His watchful eyes are always upon us. We need to remember that today!

So, how long has it been since you reviewed the photographs of your walk with God? Why don’t you do that today? You will hear God whispering to you, “Do you remember when….?” And He will whisper again, “I do. I remember everything and every trial we’ve walked through together. I was there then, I am here now, and I will be with you in the way ahead, no matter what! Remember!”

That Don't Make No Sense

2022-07-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

“T

hat don’t make no sense!” Movie aficionados among you may recognize a quote from the movie “O Brother Where Art Thou?” I must admit, the first time I saw it at my parents’ home I fell out in the floor laughing when I heard this line. What could be more nonsensical than a band of three convicts, having escaped prison, searching for a buried treasure which doesn’t exist and in the process getting into more trouble than you can imagine?

Watching their exploits, I wondered what would happen next that could make the situation they were presently in seem harmless. And, just about that time, I received my answer. Something more fantastic, far beyond anything you can imagine occurred, and the boys found themselves in another fix, much worse, more complicated, and more serious than the preceding predicament. In all honesty, the movie could be have been subtitled, “The Predicament du Jour!”

We are all familiar with this scenario, especially if we are living a life of faith. Just about the time we have the next step figured out, just when we have the master blueprint all drawn, when every “T” is crossed and every “I” is dotted, that’s usually when the unforeseen happens and all our plans go up in smoke. We look at the new situation life throws our way, we scratch our head, we may even shed a few tears, and we say, “God, that don’t make no sense!” I’ll bet you didn’t know God spoke Southern, did you?

Well, lest we believe we are all alone when this happens, let us look at the life of a man who lived a long, long time ago; who understood that life “don’t make no sense” and that sometimes even our best and most noble attempts often fail. The don’t fail because they are bad or wrong, they fail because God has something better for us, even though we can’t see or understand it from where we are now standing.

Genesis 41:1 gives us a very straightforward look at the life of Joseph. The passage simply says, “When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream…” The whole of Joseph’s life can be summed up in this statement. His was a life of waiting, of not understanding the difficult circumstances. I am sure Joseph never understood why his brothers betrayed him, why Potipher’s wife tried to seduce him, why he was unfairly imprisoned, or why the cupbearer forgot him. In fact, the Scriptures never tell us that Joseph ever received any of this information.

After trying to orchestrate his own exit from the prison by asking the cupbearer to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf, we find Joseph waiting two more years until Pharaoh had a dream. But once Pharaoh had his dream, Joseph was positioned and ready for God’s use. After all that had happened to him, after all the false accusations, after all the betrayal, and after all the long nights in a lonely prison wondering what had become of his world, Joseph found himself second only to Pharaoh in all the land of Egypt.

My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to take great encouragement from this passage of scripture and from this man Joseph. The last verse of Genesis 40 tells us the cupbearer forgot Joseph. The cupbearer did; God didn’t. For the next two years, he was with Joseph and he was already making preparations for Joseph’s promotion two years down the road, a promotion Joseph never dreamed of!

This is the way God works. Whatever your present situation today, I pray you will know that God is not only above it; he is working beyond it! It’s when life just “don’t’ make no sense” from our perspective that God does his greatest work in us and through us. Stay the course! Hang in there! Trust God’s heart even when you can’t see his hand. One day it will all make sense! Who knows, that day just might be today!

Good to See You

2022-07-24T06:10:00.000-05:00

everal years ago I was walking down Main Street in my hometown, looking in the windows at what the various downtown shops had on display. Some of the shops were selling their wares at discount prices and others were displaying new merchandise that had just been added to their stock. The street was unusually crowded and everywhere people were coming in and out of stores or craning their necks to see the window displays.

I moseyed down the street, continuing my window shopping when I heard someone call my name. The voice was unmistakable. I had heard this voice since I was a little boy and it had always proved a source of encouragement, security, and joy. Now, it wasn’t this particular voice that made me stop and turn around; rather, it was the voice’s owner that stopped me in my tracks.

The voice belonged to Mrs. Ozelia Gingles, a lady who kept house for my grandfather and who took care of me when I was just a little tike. Ozelia would come to our house in the morning and she stayed with me while my parents were at work. She cooked great meals and she spent quality time with me, telling me stories and rocking me to sleep for my afternoon nap. Whenever I needed her, Ozelia was always there and she always wore a smile. But Ozelia’s smile was more than skin-deep, it was heart-deep. She loved me and I loved her and we had a wonderful relationship.

So, on this particular afternoon when she called my name, I stopped everything and ran to see her. Ozelia always greeted everyone the same way. She would always say, “Good to see you!” Unlike most of us who say such things in passing, Ozelia meant exactly what she said. She was glad to see you and her smile and great hugs proved it. Her voice always made me happy and it served as a great source of encouragement and strength.

In 2 Corinthians 7:6, Paul writes about the comfort provided by one of his fellow workers, Titus. “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…” What a wonderful testimony this is about the life of this man named Titus. His very presence served as a great source of encouragement and comfort for the Apostle Paul. This passage, though short, tells us something wonderful about Titus. His was a ministry of comfort. The Apostle Paul had many times of distress and difficulty in his life. He was imprisoned, beaten, rejected, and deserted by friends all because of his faithfulness in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

No doubt there were times when he was lonely, dejected, and he needed encouragement and comfort. Paul knew that God provided comfort in life’s most difficult moments and he learned that sometimes God’s comfort comes in the form of friends and fellow laborers along the Christian pathway. That is how he describes Titus. God comforted Paul by sending Titus to him in times of great difficulty and challenge. Titus, like Ozelia, could have easily greeted Paul with the words, “Good to see you!” Such a greeting spoken in love and genuine concern can profoundly touch another person. Paul experienced this from Titus and was forever grateful.

Do you have an Ozelia Gingles in your life who serves as a source of comfort and encouragement to you? Is there someone whose mere voice can change your outlook and perspective on your situation? If so, thank God for them. However, we can carry the question one step further and ask ourselves if we are serving as a source of comfort for someone else. Are we being Ozelia Gingles to those around us? Are we bringing comfort to those we meet? Are we letting God use us to help others as He used Titus to comfort Paul? Have you said, “Good to see you” to someone today?

Remember Me

2022-07-22T07:14:00.000-05:00

he last year of high school is one of the most memorable and most challenging for students. All during the year, students constantly speak of their ardent desire for the school year to end. They can't wait to receive their diplomas, leave home and family, attend university or get a job, and finally be out on their own. These sentiments usually last until April and then, as the final six weeks of school approach, they suddenly realize that this portion of life is over. Frantically, they seek some way of applying the brakes, of slowing life down, and avoiding the inevitable. The excitement of finishing school and breaking all ties with home is replaced by the anxiety of what the future holds and the fear that they will be forgotten.

One of my former high school students embodied these very emotions with frightening precision. At the start of his last year he was overjoyed to be finishing school and wanted nothing more than to be done with his studies and his hometown. Yet, on graduation day, he stood before me with tears in his eyes and streaming down his cheeks asking me over and over not to forget him. He had this terrible fear that no one would remember him, that his life to that point would have had no significance for anyone.

This student, however, is not alone. We all suffer from this same fear. We are afraid that after we have served our purpose, we will be forgotten, thrown out, discarded, much like we discard containers after we have emptied them of their content. Such a view of life, though extremely common, fails to take into account God's thoughts toward us.

Genesis 8:1a at first seems to be just an introduction to a new chapter. But if you read it carefully, you will discover just how much God cares for you. The opening line of chapter 8 begins with these words, "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him on the ark..." But God remembered? No, God never forgot Noah. He knew where he was and he knew what Noah was doing. I believe the verse might be better understood if read this way, "But God was thinking about Noah...." That's right, thinking about him.

Although Noah was locked in the ark without knowing what the situation was on the outside, although he tended the animals day after day and week after week, and although he may have believed God had forgotten him, the scriptures tell us that God remembered him. God's promise to Noah was that he would be saved and God kept that promise. All the time Noah spent in the ark seemingly forgotten, he was in the process of being saved and perfected for the purpose God had for him. God thought about Noah. He saw him in the ark. He saw him as he performed his daily duties. He heard him when he prayed, and he sheltered him during the storm.

God does the same things for us on a daily basis. God thinks about us all the time. He makes plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), he knows how many hairs are on our heads (Matthew 10:30), his thoughts toward us cannot be counted (Psalm 139:17-18), he hears our prayers (Psalm 55:17), and he shelters us (Psalm 61:3). When we consider all that he does on our behalf we understand better what Genesis 8:1a means. Although it may appear that God has abandoned us and that he has forgotten us in our moment of need, nothing could be farther from the truth. Isaiah 43:3 assures us that whenever we pass through deep waters or walk through fires God is with us. It is impossible for him to be with us and forget about us. It simply will not happen.

Today as you go about your routine and it seems to you that God is nowhere in sight and that he is very far away, let these words from Isaiah 49:14 -ff comfort and reassure you: "But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' 'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." He who remembers Israel and who keeps all his promises is faithful to remember you today!!

Stay Where You Are

2022-07-21T07:38:00.000-05:00

t all started one winter afternoon! The weather forecasters had said that inclement winter weather was a distinct possibility and this time, at least, their predictions were right on target. Around 2:30 in the afternoon, the skies opened up and rained down sleet. As the ice pebbles hit against the building, all of us in the office pressed our noses against the windows, staring in amazement, mouths agape, just like thousands of school children who were no doubt doing the same thing.

The excitement from the sleet, however, soon gave way to concern about the drive home and the impending problems the ice would cause as literally thousands of people jammed the highways in order to arrive safely home before the brunt of the storm hit. Classes were cancelled, schools and offices closed early, and people began making their way home. My trip home from the university was uneventful and I arrived at my apartment safe and sound.

Later in the afternoon and all throughout the evening, the sleet continued to fall. Sometimes it came down very hard, almost in sheets, and at other times it was barely noticeable. But all the while, the amount of accumulating ice continued to grow and the ground was soon covered in a blanket of white. The next morning, I looked out and noticed that a significant amount of ice had accumulated during the night hours. It was a beautiful view but one that was also fraught with danger.

The television news channels and the radio stations were all promoting the same warning: Stay where you are! All of the anchormen and women repeated that message over and over, stressing the importance of remaining indoors and not braving the elements or the icy road conditions. Although it appeared harmless, the ice was indeed deadly, causing cars, trucks, buses, etc. to lose traction and veer off the highway. Unless absolutely necessary, everyone was urged to stay home where it was safe, dry, and warm until the icy conditions were gone.

Icy weather provides a deeper understanding of a passage of scripture from the book of Isaiah. The prophet gives us a warning which we should consider as we walk with God. Isaiah 50:11 reads, “But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.”

There is a solemn and sober truth in this passage of scripture. Israel was awaiting the coming of the Messiah and had in her mind the manner in which he would appear. They believed the Messiah would overthrow Israel’s oppression and set up God’s kingdom in its place. But the kingdom of God did not come by way of the sword but by way of the cross. It did not come with an overthrow of a political government but with the overthrow of sin and death. It did not come in the manner in which they thought it should so they walked by their own understanding and completely missed God’s plan for man’s salvation.

The same is true for us in our daily walk with the Lord. When we lean on our own understanding, when we believe we know how we are to proceed, and when we fail to stay where we are when God tells us to rest, we place ourselves in great peril. The conditions all around us tell us to stay where we are, but instead we venture forth, losing our footing, sliding off the chosen road, landing in the side ditches where we get into trouble and difficulty. Just as God said through the prophet Isaiah, when we do things our own way instead of obeying God we always bear the consequences of our actions.

Wherever you are today in your walk with God, pay close attention to His commands. It may be that the road ahead is covered with ice, impassable, and treacherous. If God, who knows the way much better than you, has commanded you to stay where you are, don’t take a flashlight and strike out on your own. Remain where you are in the safety of God’s presence until He sees fit to move you forward. You will never be disappointed and you will never be in danger as long as you walk with Him. Are you walking with God or ahead of Him today?

Office Hours

2022-07-20T07:31:00.003-05:00

he sign on my office door simply read J. Blake Carpenter, M-F 8:00 – 5:00. This information also appeared on our website and provided contact information for students in the event they needed to come see me for any reason. The university required that I provide such information for students and that I made myself readily available during times when we were not in class. In addition, I also advised our language majors and minors so I saw a lot of people in the course of a semester. The university did not dictate the times or the days for my office hours; it simply required me to have them.

During the course of a semester several of my students came by during the posted hours or made an appointment to see me. Most of these meetings centered around a particular area of difficulty the student was encountering in class or revolved around questions about graduation, registration, or what courses should be taken next. It usually took just a few minutes together to identify the problem, isolate the difficulty, and correct the student’s understanding so s/he could get on with his/her studies.

Some students liked to make an appointment, reserving a certain time slot so they knew they could see me. At such a time, the student consulted his/her day planner, calendar, or smartphone and wrote himself/herself a note about the time and date of the meeting. Just like clockwork, s/he showed up on time, we held our meeting, and all was right in the world! Sometimes, students missed their appointments but I usually received a phone call, an e-mail, or an explanation as to why the appointment was missed.

Psalm 121:3-4 is all about appointments. It may not seem so at first reading but if you take a closer look at these two verses, I believe you will understand that God makes Himself available to us at all times. Much too often in the Christian life we want to make an appointment, juggling our personal schedules so we can grab just a few minutes here or there with our Heavenly Father. We promise to get up earlier in order to spend more time with Him but invariable something happens and we find ourselves missing the appointment. When this happens, feelings of guilt and embarrassment can creep into our lives making us feel uncomfortable because we didn’t keep our appointment with God.

Let’s take a look at this passage today and I think we will find words of great encouragement. David’s words remind us that “He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” To me, the most beautiful part of this passage is found in the last eleven words. In essence, the posted sign for God’s office reads “Sunday-Sunday, 24 hours per day. No appointment necessary!! I am here all the time!”

What an uplifting source of strength. What an encouragement for me to drop my day planner. The God who keeps Israel, the God who spins everything in orbit, and the God who holds everything together is available to talk to me any moment of the day or night. He is never “out to lunch”, He is never too busy, and He is never tired or on vacation. God is always in the office. I can come to Him anytime and He encourages me to do just that. When was the last time you dropped by for an office visit with God? This might be a good day to do just that. I have no doubt you will find Him in the office, ready to meet with you today! Drop that appointment book and knock on the door!

Trying to Make Up

2022-07-19T07:33:00.001-05:00

everal weeks ago, I stopped into a local pharmacy to buy something for a headache, you know the slow, nagging kind that just won't go away. As I made my way toward the pain relievers, I walked down an entire aisle devoted solely to cosmetics. I never knew there were so many different colors! I mean, how many different shades constitute a blush? And let's not even talk about eye shadow!! Needless to say, my hat is off to you ladies who are able to negotiate these aisles with ease. There is simply no way I could manage it! I have a hard enough time deciding regular or double stuff Oreo's, and they are the same color!

All along the aisle were posters and pictures of beautiful models, advertising different brands of make-up to improve your looks and to make you a more successful and confident person. Excuse me, but let's face one fact! If these people need to use cosmetics to "make up" any deficit between what they are and what society believes they should be, do any of the rest of us have a chance? I don't think so! Personally, I think we're sunk!!

But this stroll down the cosmetic aisle only served to reinforce a stark truth about our society. We are so enamored with the outward appearances of people. We notice their hairstyle, their clothing, their shoes, etc.; but we neglect the people themselves. As a society, we have set a standard that is impossible for us to reach on our own. Although we speak of valuing inner beauty, we sell products to enhance and improve outward appearance. In addition, we convey the idea that people, women in particular, need to use something to "make up" the deficit between themselves and "perfection." The very name of the product, "make-up" only undergirds the notion that we aren't good enough on our own and must constantly work to make up for what we lack.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon touches our spiritual lives as well. It is difficult, if not impossible, for some Christians to accept the notion of God's grace. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve; but grace is receiving what we don't deserve. It is by God's grace that we have obtained eternal life through Christ. There was nothing we could do to receive it, it is God's gift that he offers freely to each person who believes Jesus Christ came to die and pay the penalty for sin.

However, we, as Christians, send the wrong message. We are constantly "doing" things for God. We serve on every committee the church organizes; we attend every bake sale, every Bible study, try out for every program, and make sure we read everything written about Christianity. We teach Sunday school, work in the nursery, deliver meals to people who are home-bound, donate our clothes to the less fortunate, and send money to at least five missionaries or Christian organizations. All the while, we buy into the idea that the more we do for God, the holier we are. But nothing could be farther from the truth!!

Paul addresses this issue in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Here, Paul takes issue with the idea that we can earn our salvation by performing a certain number of works. He states categorically that our salvation is a gift from God and not because of anything we have done. We get caught up in appearances, believing we will "look" more like a Christian if we do things perceived by society as Christian. This is the equivalent of applying cosmetics to dress up a person's looks. No matter how much make-up is applied, it can do nothing to change the inner attitude or character of a person.

God saved us because he chose to, because he loved us, because we couldn't do it for ourselves. We need to stop living as if our salvation depended on the number of church bazaar's we attend and start understanding that true life begins when we accept the gift of God's grace. Constantly doing alienates us from God because we are too busy to spend time with him. Accepting his grace, however, draws us closer to him because we understand just how much we need him and how much he loves us.

Before you start your day, spend some time with your Heavenly Father. You can go to him, blemishes and all, because he loves you. He sees you just the way you are and he will never require you to "make up" any part of your life. Instead, he will look at your heart, the real you, and accept you and love you for the person you are, not for the person you think you should be.

A Hot Potato

2022-07-18T07:21:00.001-05:00

aked potatoes may be one of man’s greatest inventions. Now I know I’m treading on thin ice here. First of all, man didn’t invent the potato; he did, however, figure out what to do with it. Bake it in an oven, add butter, chives, cheese, salt, pepper, and of course sour cream, and you have a culinary masterpiece no matter what else is on the plate!

I was reminded of this fact one evening when a friend of mine from the seminary joined me for dinner. We decided to eat steak and when it came time to choose between steamed vegetables and a baked potato, well let’s just say the choice wasn’t very difficult to make. In fact, it was a no-brainer! When the waiter asked me if I wanted the potato with everything on it, I stared at him in disbelief. Is there any other way to eat one? Not in my book!

A few minutes and a dinner salad later, our steaks finally arrived. The potato was wonderful, baked to perfection and scrumptious to the taste. I marveled at how tender the potato was, given the fact that when these things are pulled from the ground, they are anything but soft and tender. Instead, potatoes are rock hard, dirty, and anything but appealing to the taste. I have heard of some people who like to eat them raw but this was never an option for me. Baked, fried, or mashed, these are the only ways for me to eat a potato.

I want us to think about that baked potato for just a few seconds—not as something to eat but as a lesson from God’s word. In order for the potato to become soft, it must be placed into heat. Once it exits from the flame the potato is forever changed. It is no longer hard but rather is soft and very appealing. The potato cannot do this on its own; it must enter into the fire in order to be changed into a form that is suitable for enjoyment.

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful reminder of just how much Jesus Christ did for us on Calvary’s cross. The writer goes to great lengths to point out that Jesus is superior to the angels and to Moses. Christ’s sacrifice was also superior to all the sacrifices required by the law. The giving of his life resulted in the removal of sins, not the covering of them. Jesus died once for all whereas under the law, the high priest had to sacrifice once a year to cover the people’s sin.

Now back to the example of that potato. In Hebrews 3:7-8, we read the following warning against unbelief, “So, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.”

The writer warns us against hardening our hearts to God’s forgiveness and mercy. He reminds his readers that their forefathers tested God by refusing to enter the land promised to Abraham. They hardened their hearts and refused to let God work in their lives to give them all the blessings he had in store for them. Because of this hardness, because they refused to believe God’s promise, they could not enter into his blessings, mercy, and grace. They wondered in the desert for forty years until all those who left Egypt died in the wilderness.

What are our hearts like today? Are they hard? Are they closed to God’s message and his love? Do we hear him calling us to service and are we refusing to follow him? If this is the case, our hearts will always be like that potato pulled from the ground, hard, cold, dirty, and unsavory. However, if we hear God’s voice and obey it, if we accept his free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then our hearts will be changed. They will become soft, tender, and a source of nourishment, providing an inviting aroma for all those we meet on a daily basis. So, could you be considered a hot potato today?

The Spider's Web

2022-07-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

uring the summer months of 1991, I was doing final coursework for my teaching certification. I took the courses at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina. Boone is a small college town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the prettiest stretches of highway in the entire country.

One of my courses focused on presenting instruction, including the making of lesson plans and the delivering of a specific body of knowledge to my students. A large portion of teaching involves reflection on the material being taught and the way the teacher intends to deliver it. The teacher must know what the outcome will be so that all the instruction will be aimed toward that one goal.

Every day we had to keep a journal. Our instructor wanted us to spend an hour walking in the woods, driving along the Parkway, or looking at a vista. She then wanted us to reflect on our day and place our thoughts in the journal which she would read at the end of the course. I wasn’t too sure about this idea at first but I soon learned to enjoy this time and I looked forward to it.

I found a beautiful trail just off the Parkway that wound through a dense grove of trees and ended at a beautiful waterfall. One afternoon at the waterfall, I sat on a rock and just listened to the falling water. The sound was almost deafening as hundreds of gallons of water per minute tumbled over the rock outcropping and crashed several feet below. In the rising mist, not far from the fall itself, I saw a spider methodically building her web. She was not deterred from her task by the falling water but continued her knitting, piecing together the various parts of her web.

I watched in utter amazement! Very carefully and expertly, the spider joined one silk thread to another until a finished web emerged. She then climbed to the center of the web to rest and wait. Her legs were sprawled out in every direction of the web. Anything flying into the web or brushing against it immediately alerted the spider and she ran to that particular area of the web to take care of business.

There is a great biblical truth to be found in the spider’s web. Although the spider is blind, she succeeds in putting together one of nature’s most intricate architectural designs. She knows exactly how the web is to be constructed and how it will look once it is finished. That afternoon at the waterfall, the design was lost on me. I had no idea what the web would look like nor how the spider would put it all together; but when she was finished, it was far prettier and more intricate than I had ever imagined.

God’s ways are just like this. He is always working, always putting things together, and always accomplishing His purposes. Although we can’t see the end result, God knows exactly what it will be. This fact is found in Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, "My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'”

These are great words of comfort, especially when things in the world seem to be upside down. We often wonder if everything is falling apart and we also wonder if God is aware of what’s going on! Rest assured He is. He knows all that is happening and He is still in control. If He takes notice of birds when they fall, how much more is He aware of what is happening in the world and in our individual lives? The last part of this verse reminds us of the immutability of God’s word and that everything is done in accordance with His will.

The next time you have occasion to watch a spider do her work, take a few moments and observe. In her activity be reminded that God holds the individual threads of your life. He knows where they should be anchored and in exactly what order they should be joined. He is busy knitting every facet of your life into an intricate and beautiful piece of architecture that will bring glory and honor to Him. What are you learning from the spider’s web today?

The Water Cooler

2022-07-12T07:26:00.001-05:00

ummertime in a small town has to be one of the best memories a boy could have. It seems there was always something happening to keep your curiosity peaked and your desire for mischief at an all-time high. I remember summers as a time when families came together for reunions, when crowds cheered as the local baseball team won the state pennant, and when churches gathered their congregations on lazy Sunday afternoons for the all-important-and-ever-essential dinner on the ground.

Whenever anyone was having one of these events, my dad usually received a phone call to reserve equipment we provided whenever people were in need. In addition to conducting funeral services for our community, we also provided tents, chairs, and water coolers to the public. I remember going on trips with my dad as he delivered equipment to people, organizations, and churches that were planning events for large crowds. Whenever the city had any type of event, they always called dad for tents and water coolers. No matter the occasion, I have fond memories of watching my dad erect tents bearing our family name and placing water coolers in strategic locations so people would have a cool drink to slake their thirst.

Of all the equipment we loaned, the water coolers stick out in my memory. They sat approximately knee-high, were made of metal, were gray in color, and had light blue plastic interiors that were designed to keep water at a cool temperature. On the outside of the cooler at the bottom was a spout for dispensing cold water. Ice filled the inside and as it melted it provided enough cold water to quench the thirst of a large number of people. A church gathering or a large event required several of these coolers and we were more than happy to provide them.

Matthew’s gospel reminds us of the importance of small gestures, like providing water coolers. In fact, in Matthew 10:42 Jesus speaks specifically about the importance of providing a cool drink of water to those who are thirsty. “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

This is a wonderful passage of scripture because there are so many truths packed into it. First, Jesus reminds us that even a cold cup of water given in his name brings great reward. So often we believe we must do something great for the Lord. By great, we usually mean going above and beyond the call of duty, accomplishing a goal no one has ever done or would ever dream of doing.

Second, Jesus reminds us of the importance of doing these “ordinary acts” to those people who are around us on a daily basis. We are to share the good news with everyone, especially those with whom we work and live from day to day. When we do this, Jesus says we will not lose our reward. He is not speaking of monetary compensation; rather, he is speaking of the reward God has for those who simply obey Him and share the truth of His son by word and deed.

I can still taste the water coming from the spout of those old water coolers. They were by no means the center of attention at any of the events they attended but those events would have been incomplete without them. People would not have stayed long had there not been something there to satisfy their thirst.

Today, wherever you are, I pray you are playing the role of the water cooler. The world is a hot and dry place, zapping the life from people on a daily basis. Everywhere you look, you see people looking for ways to cool and quench their thirsts. Remember that Jesus said that if we provide just a cool cup of water in his name to those within our reach, our effort would not be in vain. Are you providing people with the cool, clear water that quenches their souls? Are you pointing the way to Jesus Christ, the living water? Are you being a water cooler today?

The Balance of my Time

2022-07-11T07:23:00.006-05:00

he floor of the United States House of Representatives can, and usually is, a lively and animated place. Here, decisions are made that potentially affect every man, woman, and child on the face of the planet. In recent years, television has made it possible for people around the globe to watch our government in action. When I have time, I like to watch the debates, the discussions, and the brawls that occur in this chamber.

I have noticed, however, that no matter from which side of the aisle a speaker hails, certain protocols are always followed. The members always address the presiding officer as the “Speaker” and they always use the phrase, “I yield the balance of my time to…” I find this phrase very interesting as it applies not only to the political process but to daily life as well.

Psalm 90 addresses this issue of time and how much we have of it. This psalm was not written by David but is instead a prayer of Moses. It is a wonderful piece of scripture and I invite you to read it in its entirety. However, only one verse is the focus of today’s Tidbit. In Psalm 90:10, Moses makes the following statement, “The length of our days is seventy years- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” In this brief passage, Moses reveals just how short our lives are and how little time we have to impact the world for Jesus Christ. But let’s put this in a more familiar perspective.

Although math is not my strong suit, I am able to do simple multiplication. If we multiply 70 (the number of years promised us) by 365 (the number of days in the year) we arrive at the total of 25,550 days. I am leaving out extra days for leap years because that is higher order mathematics, fully beyond my ability!! Now that still sounds like a rather large number. So let’s continue to make this more concrete.

If the total number of days represented dollars and your account was filled with $25,550 you would think yourself wealthy indeed. However, if you spent $365 per day, you would have depleted the entire amount in only 70 days, a mere two months and 10 days. Once depleted, there would be no more deposits made to your account; you would be out of money and flat broke.

The analogy is not too far off, is it? What we don’t realize is that our bank accounts were filled with this many days at the moment of our birth. The question is not will we spend them but how? Each day finds our account total less than the day before and each year lessens our total by 365. Isn’t it amazing that we would watch over that $25,550 with the utmost care yet we spend our days as if there were no tomorrow! The truth is that today represents one less tomorrow than we had yesterday!

Returning to the statement made by the members of Congress and using the number of days in our lives form above, we can now ask ourselves the following question: To whom are we yielding the balance of our time? How much of our time do we give to God and to the furtherance of His kingdom? How much of our daily time allotment do we yield to Him? God has yielded all of eternity to us, given us all of His time, and made provision for us to live forever. How much time are we giving Him? Will we yield the balance of our time to God or will we be like Belshazzar who was weighed in the balance and found wanting? (Daniel 5:27)