Author: Don

Dear Friends,

 ^“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

The family entered the restaurant and found a quiet table in the corner. They were greeted by a server who took their order then retreated to the kitchen. The family members spoke quietly as they waited for their meal to appear. When it arrived they bowed their heads as the father offered grace. Suddenly, soldiers appeared and their lives were forever changed.

This morning as Bonnie and I offered grace at breakfast, it occurred to me that we are truly blessed to be free to pray. In many parts of the world being a Christian can be a capital offense, and offering a simple prayer is often an open invitation to persecution.

According to an article published by sharondalecc.org “It is estimated that more Christians were martyred in the 20^th Century than in the previous 1900 years. More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day, and it is estimated that over half of these are children.”

One of the sad consequences of the war in Syria: thousands of Christians from the region have been martyred or enslaved, yet Christian refuges have been largely excluded from relief efforts. One news agency reported that through June of this year, only 23 of 6.726 Syrians admitted to the U.S. professed to be Christian.

Jesus said, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)

As I studied the statistics on the persecution of Christians, I couldn’t help but wonder if I will have the courage to stand for Jesus if and when I am subjected to real persecution. Will I, for instance, stop praying before meals in a restaurant just because I fear being discovered? Will I take off the cross I wear if wearing a cross is outlawed? I don’t know. But when I recall the times I have stood silent rather than take a stance for Christ because I didn’t want to offend someone, I can’t be sure what I would do if more than my self-image was a stake.

We have been blessed to live in a country where freedom of religion is a fundamental right. But times could be changing. A number of recent court decisions have chipped away at that fundamental right and the cost for standing for your beliefs may be rising.

Rather than wait timidly for a time of testing, I plan to go forth now boldly proclaiming that Jesus is Lord. If I can’t stand up for my Savior when the cost is so low, how will I ever stand for Him when the stakes are higher?

I won’t be a Sunday Christian whose week is filled with strife.
I’ll do my best to pass the test and show Christ in my life.
I’ll wear a smile instead of a frown; I’ll spread encouragement all around;
I’ll strive to share the joy I’ve found, and be a Christian all week long.

I plan to be a mender, a Band-Aid for men’s souls;
Not a great pretender whose story’s full of holes.
I plan to be a servant whose service shows God’s heart,
A seed of hope for those I meet who don’t know where to start

I want to be like Jesus; that “me” is years away.
Step by step I’ll get there; Christ said He’ll show the way.
I’ll wear a smile instead of a frown; I’ll spread encouragement all around;
I’ll choose to share the joy I’ve found; I’ll be a Christian all week long.

Verses for the Week: “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ

Dear Friends,

My nature is to fix things. Like the television character McGyver, if there isn’t a ready solution, I’ll jury-rig one. But temporary fixes are usually inadequate when it comes to fixing people.

The story is told about a farmer in the Midwest who heard the warning sirens sounding and raced into his tornado shelter. For several minutes, the sound was deafening as a tornado passed directly overhead. When the farmer emerged from his shelter — oblivious to all of the damage around him — he whistled and said, “It sure is calm since the wind stopped a-blowin’”

That’s how our son John seemed to respond when he was released from five days in intensive detox. Refusing to surrender to the truth, he plans to kick his addiction “his way.”

At one point, our frustration became so great that Bonnie curled up in the back seat of the car praying, “Dear Lord, help me to see John through your eyes. Jesus, I need you like I haven’t needed you for a long time.”

Suddenly, she startled John and me as she burst into laughter.

What’s up?” I asked.

Pointing to a large lighted billboard she said, “I needed Jesus, and he reminded me he was near.”

On Sunday morning John attended church with us. We asked the pastor to talk to him about joining a Celebrate Recovery group, but we realize that the desire can’t come from us; it’s up to John.

Bonnie and I left Atlanta saying to ourselves, “Our kids are grown, we’ve done our best. It’s up to God to do the rest.”

On our return flight from Atlanta we listened as the flight attendant gave her standard safety spiel, “In the event of an emergency, before attempting to help others, put on your own oxygen mask.” A child who suffers from an addiction can suck the air out of a relationship. We believe the Scriptures can be the oxygen mask that helps you pull through.

Sometimes the hardest thing we can do as Christians is to “let go and let God.” Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

When we become frustrated, we need to focus on love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians: 4-7

When we feel tired, with hope fading, we need to learn to wait. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

When we want to solve the problem … their problem, we need to remember: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

We’ve been through this kind of drill before, and find it hard to imagine a good outcome. In times like this we turn to Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Bonnie and I continue to pray for John and Dee Dee, and we are grateful for our friends who have supported us with their prayers, and lifted our spirits with emails and cards. We are truly blessed.

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ

Dear Friends,

As I sit here typing, my younger son John is going through detoxification in an intensive care unit in Georgia . He had been making preparations for his upcoming wedding when a life-long problem with alcohol got the best of him. Damage to his kidneys and liver is severe and things are touch-and-go. We just learned of the situation a few hours ago, so after taking time to pray with Bonnie, I retreated to my office where I turned to the one thing that calms me: writing about the glory of God.

The inspiration verse for today on one of the Bible websites I follow read, “It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

When life is easy, serving and holding fast to the Lord is easy. It is when our world seems to crumble around us that our faith is tested. Habakkuk 3:17-18 is a Scripture that reminds me that in good times and bad, I must follow the Lord: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Bonnie and I will be flying to Atlanta to be with our son and to assist his fiancé Dee Dee. Whatever the outcome, I know that my son loves the Lord and that he is not alone. Thessalonians 5:16-19 tells us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

While I am far from joyful right now, I rejoice in the Lord knowing that, as Isaiah proclaimed, “’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

Bonnie and I are praying continually for John and Dee Dee, and we ask you, our Friends in Christ, to pray with us. We give thanks to God for the compassion he has for all of us.

Blessings,
Don &Bonnie

Dear Friends,

Pilate asked. “What is truth?” John 18-38 (NLT) A wave of “secular relativism” has swept over our country, and truth seems to depend on what each individual recognizes as truth, with morality being defined by the moral standards of each individual. Is truth nothing more than a weathervane blowing in the winds of change, an abstract idea whose essence depends on the individual?

Like millions of Americans who have been following current events, I find myself repeatedly asking, “What is truth, anyway?” Those in positions of power seem to have their own understanding of the concept of right and wrong, and it’s hard to discern what, if any, standard they are using. If their perceptions become the standard for truth, how are we supposed to protect ourselves and our loved ones from trickle-down immorality?

Christians need to offer a clear standard and refuse to be complacent when that standard is challenged. Fundamentalists might say, “The Bible said it; I believe it, and that settles it!” A less confrontational response might be, “The Bible says it; I believe it, and that settles me.” Generations of Christians, have found that the Bible provides a firm foundation upon which to build their righteous standard.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Of course the foundation we build our standard upon is constantly under attack. Just as Eve was tempted by the serpent in the garden with the words, “Did God really say …,” the voices of secular humanism challenge the Bible because it is antithetical to lifestyles secularists promote. “If there is a God,” they question, “Why would he say that?”

Isaiah offers an answer, “How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”? Isaiah 29:16

In Deuteronomy, the Lord spoke about the importance of his Word. Those words from Deuteronomy are as relevant for Christians today as they were for the Israelites then. “’So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.’” Deuteronomy 11:16-19

In some sects of Judaism men wear phylacteries, small leather boxes containing Hebrew texts printed on vellum to remind them to keep to God’s Word. Many Christians find Post-It notes are an excellent alternative. As they read their Bible they look for verses that speak to specific areas of their life and write them on Post-it notes as reminders.

They also honor God’s instruction to teach their children by giving their children and grandchildren their own age-appropriate Bibles, and by showing them verses that support a strong moral and spiritual foundation. Philippians 4:8 is an especially important verse for teenagers and young adults. When they face moral dilemmas, evaluating their options based on the qualities listed in this verse can help them to make the right decision.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Unfortunately there is no sure-fire human defense against trickle-down immorality. We all are influenced by the world. We all make wrong decisions. The Good News is that once we make the decision to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we don’t have to fight the battle alone. As the verse below reminds us, we have a reliable guide to the truth.

Verse for the Week:  “’If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.’” John 14:15-17a

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ

Dear Friends,

It was one of those emails you hate to get: “The aortic ultrasound shows no aneurysm, but it did show a possible growth in the bladder.” What was she thinking? Doesn’t my doctor realize that growth is one of those medical terms that can conjure up all sorts of disturbing thoughts? I wished she hadn’t sent the email.

For a few minutes I just sat at my desk wondering how I should process this bit of information. I started worrying about what the implications might be; which quickly shifted to whining about how unfair this was.

Psalm 46:3 came to mind. “So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea … “ OK for you, Mr. Psalmist, but I’m not dealing with an earthquake. I’m dealing with something much more personal.”

I’m sure many of you have been there. The doctor wants to do a biopsy, or maybe your chest X-ray requires another look. You know that God is control, but at that particular moment, you want to be in control.

I needed to be in control, so I did what comes naturally; I went to Google. There is a plethora of websites that can help you diagnose almost any condition. A few clicks of my mouse and I was sure my condition was terminal.

But then I remembered a message about worry delivered by Pastor Buddy Owen from Saddleback Church. His message was taken from Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV):

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“When you fix your thoughts on God,” Buddy said, “God fixes your thoughts.” Then he offered a simple exercise that can help you fix your thoughts on God rather than on your worries:

If you have something that is troubling you, offer it to the Lord in prayer. Start by praying with your palms up. Imagine that your worries are in the palms of your hands. Ask God to take the worries from you, and then turn your palms down, symbolizing you are letting go of your worries. Then turn your palms face up again, as you thank God for the good things he has in store for you.

“OK!” I thought. “This is a good time to try this exercise.” Lifting my hands I imagined my growth sitting in my palms. “Lord, I have a lot to do today, I would appreciate it if you would take care of this worry for me.”

Then I turned my palms down letting the worry slip from my grasp. After a brief pause, I lifted my hands and thanked God for his goodness.

I was late for an appointment, so I rushed to my car and drove away. During my two-hour appointment, concerns about my doctor’s email didn’t come to mind. Perhaps I was just too busy to worry. However, as I started my drive home the growth again came to mind. Except this time it was the memory of a growth I had forgotten.

“Could it be?” I wondered. I called my former urologist and asked if I could pick up a copy of my medical records. When I opened the envelope, I saw that word … growth. I had been through this drill once before and the growth that showed up on my recent MRI was the same benign critter that we had examined a few years ago. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t some kind of miracle. What it was — was a better way for me to handle worry.

Scripture tells us “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Sometimes the MRI doesn’t come out the way we had hoped, or the X-ray brings bad news, and sometimes it just doesn’t seem like all things work together for good. But wishing things could be different, worrying about the implications, and whining that the world isn’t fair won’t change anything. The one thing that will make a difference is worshipping.

So the next time you face a crisis, remember to fix your thoughts on God so God can fix your thoughts. Perhaps the “growth” you’ll have will be spiritual growth.

Verse for the Week: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ