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Category: Salvation

FACING IT!

FACING IT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This life experience from my life began September 24, 1976. That evening I sat in a Dave Wilkerson crusade listening to Nicky Cruz. I was overcome with the presence of the Holy Spirit, which I didn’t understand, and went forward to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This began a new chapter in my life and started me on a life journey I have embraced since. My journey has resulted in an ever growing and deepening relationship with God. Now soon to celebrate my 82nd birthday, I am so thankful I took a step of Faith in 1976. You may be wondering where does “Facing It” fit in and what is it all about?

Approximately two months ago I began experiencing chest pressure and some pain when exerting myself. As it became clear the symptoms were not going away I contacted my primary care physician. This began a process of testing including a referral for a nuclear stress test. The test revealed blockage and the hope was I would be a candidate for stents to resolve the issue, a much less invasive solution than open heart surgery. Unfortunately my condition could not be corrected by stents, leaving me with options of open heart surgery or doing nothing. Doing nothing was not really an option as my symptoms were becoming more serious, seemingly with each passing day. On Sunday June 23rd I was in discomfort and had my wife take me to the ER, where they admitted me to the hospital. Now I’m sure you begin to understand what “Facing It” is about. We go about our lives giving little thought to our mortality. Most of us don’t want to talk or even think about it. What happens when we die? I can assure you when you are facing open heart surgery you do think about it! The reality is every one of us is going to die. We don’t know when or how but we will die. A life surrendered to Jesus Christ assures us of Eternal Life with a Heavenly Father who loves us. The Bible clearly declares there is a Heaven and a Hell as well as God and Satan are both real.  The words of Jesus in John 10:10 “The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Satan will lie to you and deceive you into believing God doesn’t love you or that you have done too many bad things for God to accept you. Every thought against God Satan brings to your mind is a lie! Satan does not want us to accept the free gift of Salvation God offers each of us through Jesus Christ and he works tirelessly to that end.

As I faced the surgery and while going through the surgery and recovery, I have experienced the Peace the Bible calls Peace beyond human understanding.

There is more to tell that perhaps will be the subject of future posts. For now I encourage you to think about and face your mortality. God loves you and wants a relationship with you. He will never turn away one who comes to him with a sincere heart and desire to be His child.

 

THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER WRITTEN

THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER WRITTEN

The greatest love story ever written is not Romeo and Juliet or Gone With The Wind. Nor is it any of the thousands of other love stories which have been written. Some definitely are great love stories which touch our hearts and grip our emotions. Many of our lives, if written down on paper, would read like a love story. We are born with a desire to love and be loved. A desire which can overshadow common sense and good judgement if left unchecked. The pathway of my life bears evidence to this fact. My wife of thirty nine years and I are acutely aware and grateful of the blessing of our love story. We both experienced previous marriages which did not, well………..read like a love story. Many of the stories you might pick up to read describe a love which sacrifices for the good or benefit of the other person or persons in the story. Sometimes the sacrifice which unfolds as we read, is so real or so painful, we think we may be the person being described or written about. When the story is so real and impactful, we have discovered a literary gem.

I believe The Bible to be the greatest love story ever written. It describes pursuit, action, sacrifice and a love so great and deep, it is beyond our ability to completely understand. The Bible tells of God’s love for the universe, nature, animals and mankind, each a part of His creation. It details His desire to have relationship with every person and His plan for us to love and care for each other. The Bible declares God is love! (1 John 4:8 and 4:16). His love, which is described throughout Scripture, is like a thread in a fine woven tapestry. You see it over and over, intricately part of a beautiful picture. God’s love described to us in The Bible is unconditional and undeserved. If you question God’s love or that He loves you, I suggest you read John, Romans, 1 Corinthians and 1 John in The New Testament.

The Bible, God’s love story, is an open invitation to every person for a relationship with Him through His son Jesus Christ. In my humble opinion the greatest love story ever written!

 

A SHAKING NOT SEEN IN OUR LIFETIME

A SHAKING NOT SEEN IN OUR LIFETIME

When we experience a shaking in our lives, a disruption to how we have grown accustomed to living, it is uncomfortable to say the least! It is unsettling and scary! Suddenly we are facing the uncertainty of what will happen next. Our life can seem to be spiraling completely out of control. This is the all too real description of what millions around the globe have been and continue to experience daily during recent weeks. Job loss or that possibility, loss of retirement funds, inability to meet obligations, or worse no way to feed themselves or family. This has become daily life for many! Fortunately for most, unemployment benefits, stimulus funds, food banks and other resources are available to lessen the uncertainty and meet basic needs. For some that is not the reality, and even when it is, our lives have literally been turned upside down! It is very easy to allow panic to take over. If we do we cannot think clearly or make rational and wise decisions. It is vitally important to determine to live today, facing whatever challenges this day holds, and to face tomorrow’s challenges tomorrow.

For myself, the Bible gives me comfort and direction. Even more so this is true during unforseen or uncertain seasons in life. Scripture is God’s truth and roadmap for living my life. An example is found in Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus is teaching in this portion of scripture and reminds us our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us. He tells us in verse 34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

I believe God is allowing the shaking we are experiencing for a purpose. If you know anything about God and His Word, the Bible, you know in America we have turned from God and the way He instructs us to live the life He gives us. Because God loves us He warns us of impending danger and provides opportunity to turn to Him. The opportunity is for us individually and as a nation to turn back to Him. As the fire and brimstone preacher would say “REPENT”! Turn from the way we have been living and seek Him and His righteousness. If we do, He will heal our lives and our land. He is with those who believe in Him through whatever we face in life! Jesus has overcome and will help us overcome if we turn to Him and allow Him to lead us through the difficulties we face. He has been faithful to me in my life more than forty three years.

During this season of social distancing, let’s imagine we are walking with friends across a railroad trestle. We have come about halfway. We can see the light of the locomotive! We can hear the whistle blow! We hear the rumble of the engine as the trestle shakes beneath our feet! If we stay stubbornly where we are on the trestle, what might we imagine will be the outcome! I pray we allow the shaking to wake us up individually and as a nation to the MESSAGE GOD IS SENDING! Is there an idol in my life that needs to go? Is there sin or anything else keeping me from the fulness of what God has planned for my life? God will not accept half-hearted commitment or the leftovers we may choose to give Him. He requires first place, and asks us to give him our best. Why, because it confirms our trust in Him! After all, He has already given his best for us!

 

 

 

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE?

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE?

The past month has been a busy few weeks for us. Early March we traveled by car to Tacoma to attend son John’s retirement party. He recently retired after 26 years of service from Federal Way Police Department. We planned to make the trip there in two legs. First leg from Bend to Longview/Kelso, spending the night with son Scott, wife Joy and twin granddaughters. The girls became ill and we did not want to risk catching their illness, as we planned to leave March 12th for Mexico to spend time with friends who are Missionaries there. Patty’s sister Nancy and husband Jerry were gracious to let us spend the night. We had a good visit with them and another sister Becky and her husband Brian. On Friday morning we met with son Jason and Shelly for breakfast, and had a short visit with son Scott before heading North. While we had to change our plans, we were thankful to spend time with family. Living a four hour drive apart, it is rare that we get to do so. It was the beginning of a wonderful weekend. We arrived in Tacoma Friday afternoon. Daughter Melissa and husband Jeff traveled from New Jersey to attend John’s party. Melissa arranged for us to share a townhome with them. It was really good to be together. Friday evening there was a pre-party gathering at John and Kathy’s home for some friends who could not attend the party on Saturday. Kathy, John’s wife, is a gifted planner and it gave us opportunity to meet some of her family along with the friends. The party Saturday evening saw around 120 of John’s family, friends and co-workers come out to honor him and celebrate with him. It became clear during the evening, John is loved and respected. People traveled from across the country to attend, in spite of the Covid 19 threat. As you may imagine, it was a proud moment for Patty and myself.  What’s the message? Relationships matter! Family relationships really matter! Our busy lives make it difficult to give the attention and care needed to develop and maintain relationships. Those who prioritize relationships reap a great reward!

We traveled to Mexico as planned, returning March 19th. The trip provided a special visit with friends Holly and Steve, and an opportunity to meet new friends as well as view first hand some of the fruits of the ministry there. We are very grateful for their hospitality.

So, what’s the message? There is a relationship that is more important, one that matters more than any we may have with friends or family. We can have a personal, deep, relationship with our Heavenly Father who created us and loves us. The opportunity is through Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, to purchase that opportunity for us. He meets us and accepts us right where we are, warts and all. That is the message!

WHO WILL IT BE?

WHO WILL IT BE?

We go to great lengths to be in control of our lives and our destiny. Certainly a life being lived without clear direction generally results in chaos. A ship which has no one tending the rudder will most likely end up on the rocks or going in circles. So where do we find direction for our lives that we can trust and depend on? Who can we trust to help us navigate life? Even when we are moving in the direction we choose, and think we want to go, we don’t necessarily end up where we thought we were headed! For me, living out the choices I was making in my life turned out differently than I hoped or planned and prompted me to take a look at how my life was going. I realized I was not doing such a great job of running my life. When we experience failures in the choices we make, we begin to doubt our ability to choose wisely. We wonder if we are capable of making good choices! I believe we are shaped to a large extent by the teaching and direction we receive in early childhood from our parents and other adults in our lives. I was fortunate to have hard working, loving, honest parents who gave me a good foundation. Growing up on a farm five miles from the nearest small town, I did not face many of the distractions and temptations others face. Even so, I had my share of troublesome choices in my early years. I will share one example I remember vividly. As a child I had a savings account where money I earned was deposited. There was a water pistol I wanted in the worst way. I don’t remember if I asked my parents whether I could buy it, but I managed to withdraw money to purchase it and sneak it home. I put it in what I thought was a good hiding place. However, my parents found it and I had to fess up to what I had done. Some of the character issues this story uncovers would repeat themselves during my childhood and early adult years. Even with the good foundation I had, there were still many lessons to be learned. Some of the lessons would prove to be painful experiences.

If we are not grounded and directed by the Word of God, we are depending on our abilities, or worse, we are following the worlds ways which are fueled by greed and self indulgence. There is a misconception, a lie, that satan plants in peoples minds. He wants us to believe that surrendering our life to God is giving control to a dictator who will force us to do what we may not want to do, or that we become a puppet and God is the grand puppet master! In reality, that description fits satan and what he will do in a person’s life being lived apart from God and God’s principles. God extends free will to us, giving us the choice of accepting Him and following his principles or not. The principles in His Word are our entrance into a life to be lived as God intends! His ways work, when we choose to live life as He shows us in His Word.

God created us, and by His design no two of mankind are exactly alike! From the creation of Adam and Eve, billions of babies have been born, each being different than every other child. If God were not real and did not hold every aspect of life in His hand, there would be no explanation of this fact! I want to draw attention to several Scripture verses which speak of God’s love and intentions for us. Psalms 139:13-18 and 71:6, Proverbs 8:17,  John 14:21, 1 John 4:16-19, Ephesians 2:10, Ecclesiastes 11:5 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Perhaps like me, you realize the choices you have made are not resulting in the life you desired for yourself, the life you thought you could direct and make happen. If that be so, it’s most likely not the life God desires for you. He loves you so much! When you turn and take a step towards Him, He will meet you, and lovingly accept you right where you are! For forty three years He has proven himself faithful over and over in my life. If you will trust Him with your life He will be faithful to walk with you through whatever and wherever your life may lead. I know He will because He promises He will in His Word!

 

 

 

 

 

WHO, REALLY, IS THIS JESUS?

WHO, REALLY, IS THIS JESUS?

When a surreal experience occurs in our lives, it is normal if we find it difficult to comprehend or understand. We search for meaning and understanding. Something has happened that seems unreal, but we know it is real, because we had the experience. If you snow ski and ride the chairlift to the top of the ski run, then make an exhilarating trip down the slope, you are filled with excitement and happiness from it. You know the turns and jumps you made! However, if you read about the ski run, it’s completely different than making the run yourself. Even if the writer is gifted and describes the run so well that you feel you are going down the mountain with the skier, it is not the same. It can also be this way in our relationship with God. Let’s say I have a close friend whom I cherish and would give one of my kidneys or part of my liver to save their life. That would be an expression of my love for him or her.

Jesus didn’t give a kidney or part of his liver for you and I. He sacrificed his life for us! God The Father loves each of us with a sacrificial love we find hard to comprehend or understand. God The Father, God The Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit are one in purpose. Jesus died to give us salvation, and access to relationship with our Heavenly Father. The purpose for us is to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enables us to experience God’s presence.

The Old Testament foretells the coming of Jesus and clearly speaks of him. The New Testament describes Jesus to us and tells us about his life. While it is good to read about Jesus, and it is important to do so, reading about him is not the same as personally experiencing him. Salvation, is the free gift of forgiveness of our sins plus eternal life from God. It is the only solution for us not being eternally separated from God when we die.  Every person is offered this choice because of God’s love, grace and mercy. When you say yes to God and accept his free gift, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you. You personally experience God and his presence. A pretty mind boggling reality to grasp! It is a rare person who, when facing death from a health related issue, would not give all their possessions to have their health restored. In essence, this is what God offers each of us, but in a spiritual sense.

In Scripture  –  Matthew 16:15-18  –  Jesus is speaking with his disciples. He asks, “But who do you say I am”? Peter answers, “you are the Messiah, the son of the living God”. This is who Jesus is, REALLY! I could give many references from scripture as to who The Bible says Jesus is. You may or may not believe The Bible, and that would not enable you to personally experience Him. Only when you make the conscious decision to make Him Savior and Lord over your life, can you begin to know Him! The beginning of the journey of a lifetime!

 

 

WHEN MY DREAM DIES, WHAT THEN?

WHEN MY DREAM DIES, WHAT THEN?

I have my share of dreams, once vivid and alive, which now reside in the dream graveyard. Perhaps you have some as well. Usually, when I realize my dream is ill, I administer CPR!  Sometimes I have placed the dream on life support, grasping at every possible way to save it. Typically when I am finally exhausted, and no pulse can be detected from my dream, I reluctantly accept reality.  It is dead!

I am not one who had a lot of childhood aspirations or dreams. Growing up on a farm five miles from the nearest small town, my younger years were full of farm chores. Not a lot of spare time for dreams. It was later in life when some of the hopes or dreams I had did not pan out. I have written in previous posts, describing some of those experiences. Were it not for my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I can’t imagine how I would have come through some of them and kept my sanity.

What I want to convey as I write today is, everyone has or will face difficulty and perhaps tragedy in life. My faith has given me the strength and courage, to face my challenges and persevere through, knowing I was not alone on the journey.

Major traumatic events can test our character and faith to the limit. We doubt, we question and we wonder why we are in the situation we find ourselves in. Believers have The Word of God and The Holy Spirit to help us during the difficulties we encounter. Those who are without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ depend on self and every other source imaginable to cope. The truth and assurance of The Word of God is available to anyone, willing to place their trust in the only source, dependable and trust-worthy.  God’s love for each of us is certain, unshakable and undeniable! You can read David’s perspective that God is always there for us in Psalms 46:1-3, 37:39-40 and 20:1. Isaiah 33:2, Ephesians 6:10 and  II Corinthians 12:9-10 also point us to God and declare his faithfulness to help us navigate the pathway of life.

When we face the death of a dream, or any other of the disappointments life may throw at us, we have a choice to make. As aptly spoken by our Pastor recently, regarding trials in life. “They will destroy us, define us, or develop us.” The best outcome is to persevere through the difficulty, and that it helps develop us into a stronger person, who is more reliant on God, in a deeper relationship with Him. He promises His help in all of life’s trials and circumstances. I have found He is faithful, trust-worthy and His Word a guiding light for my life.

 

 

THERE IS HOPE

THERE IS HOPE

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Recently my wife and I were fortunate to spend a week in Hawaii. A celebration for our 38th anniversary and a break from our winter weather. It was all good. The one thing I can’t explain is why we received record breaking snowfall here, right after we returned home. Perhaps a penalty for the wonderful week we enjoyed in such a beautiful setting. Getting away for a time, a break in our normal daily routine, gives one time to be refreshed and to think. Patty and I enjoy sitting at the beach, people watching and enjoying the natural beauty found everywhere in Hawaii. We did some of that on our trip. Watching the waves roll in made me think about the precision in which the universe functions. The huge expanse of water and the effect of the moon on the tides was one thing that came to mind. Watching the sunset each evening, as well as the time change of sunrise and sunset daily intrigue me. When I take time to consider some of these everyday occurrences, which normally have no place in my thinking, I am reminded of how incredible the world we live in really is!

Being a person of faith, I don’t question creation. I am amazed by the working and beauty of the universe God created, as well as by how it functions. It all serves to solidify and assure me of the unquestionable validity of God and His Word.

How can I be certain there is HOPE? 

As Romans 15:13 declares, God is the source of hope. There is an ample and growing body of proof the Bible is true and accurate! Historical manuscripts, unrelated to the scriptures, prove it’s truth and validity. Then there is my own life experience of Joy and Peace, because I have put my trust in Him. We do have confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit, when Jesus Christ is Lord in our life, just as scripture declares.

If you are a believer, you are assured of this. If you have never taken a step of Faith, what is keeping you from experiencing the HOPE which is found only through faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?  

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5 NLT)

 

AN UNBROKEN CIRCLE

AN UNBROKEN CIRCLE

My wife Patty and I are grateful for the strong heritage of faith passed down to us from our parents. We see and take seriously, the importance of doing everything we can, to instill this importance within our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our unwavering faith in God through our relationship with Jesus Christ, is the substance of our lives. We recognize each person is on their own journey, and if they come to faith, they must do so in their own way and time. The Bible clearly declares God’s love and His desire for relationship with each person. We know, by Scripture, He is working in each person’s life to bring them to Faith in Jesus, and grow them to spiritual maturity. As such, we can believe, in faith, for the salvation of each member of our family and extended family. We can believe for it in faith, because we know it is God’s will.

Growing up on a dry land wheat and dairy farm in western Kansas, I was introduced to country music at an early age. I listened to a country station out of Dodge City, as I cleaned the milking parlor after milking was completed each morning and evening. I am not sure when I first heard the song “Will the circle be unbroken”. Johnny Cash and June Carter, along with many country and non-country artists have recorded various versions.. The song found a special place in my heart, and it is one of my favorites. About 20 years ago, the Lord began to impress to me, I was to begin to pray for AN UNBROKEN CIRCLE for my family. I came to realize this directive would continue throughout the rest of my life. I believe it is a directive God has charged me with, and one I cannot disregard or allow to go unfulfilled. In our Faith journey, there will be pivotal times and events, we know have special significance. This has been one of those occurrence’s in my life, and continues to hold significance for me. Patty has joined me, and it has become an important part of our prayer life together as well. We know we are praying into the work of The Holy Spirit in the life of each member of our family and extended family. While they must each travel their own journey, we pray with an assurance of God’s faithfulness. We are standing against Satan and his attempts to keep our loved ones from their destiny in God and His plan for their lives.

We look for purpose, and desire our lives to somehow make a difference in the small part of the world we occupy. I can assure you, this directive has helped accomplish that in my life. Acts 16:29-32 declares a promise of Salvation for those who will believe. Whether or not we see the fulfillment of the UNBROKEN CIRCLE during our lifetime, we have the assurance we are believing and praying into God’s desire for each of their lives. We see with spiritual eyes, an unbroken circle, and a joyous celebration of ETERNAL LIFE with each member of our family and extended family present! Because Jesus, wearing a crown of thorns, (an unbroken circle) Him being one with God the father and the Holy Spirit, hung and died on a cross. Through His obedience, He opened a pathway to eternal life for each of us, and the possibility of an unbroken circle for our family.

Yet to ALL who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12 NIV)

 

 

 

 

 

NO MATTER WHAT

NO MATTER WHAT

 

Anyone who has experienced divorce, the loss of a loved one or some other traumatic event in life, will understand the wide range of emotions a person experiences during these times. A sense of helplessness, hopelessness, anger and disappointment only touch the surface.  I was experiencing all of these, plus others, in the place I found myself. I think the most poignant was the utter sense of failure.

If you have not read the narrative on “About” at the top of the blog, I encourage you to do so. It provides more insight.

The “valley of the shadow of death” found in Psalm 23 pretty well describes how I was feeling. As you read further in the Psalm however, you encounter comfort, hope and provision. What I experienced was a crossroads of sorts. What would I do about God if he didn’t come through in what was, at the time, my greatest need and desire. After all Psalm 37:4-5 NIV says “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” I was beginning to realize what committing my way to the Lord meant. Matthew 6:33 NIV “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well”. Revelation 3:16 NIV “So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth”. What I believe the Lord was showing me in the midst of my pain was that he wanted all of me. He wanted a total commitment.  More of a commitment than I had made thus far in life.

I remember very well the evening, when during a time of prayer, I arrived at the intersection of the crossroads. The time was at hand for me to decide where I stood in this struggle. As I remember, it was with great fear and trembling that I said to God, “No matter what, whether you restore my marriage or not, I am going to serve and follow you”. An overwhelming sense of Peace swept over me at that moment. I had decided the path I would follow.

I believe someone reading this, has accepted Jesus but has not arrived at their crossroad. Or they have arrived, but refused for whatever reason, to go further. The Word is clear in this regard. God’s desire is for you to go deeper in your relationship with him. He wants all of you. Life and my walk of Faith have taught me, a deep, meaningful, successful relationship requires total commitment. Jesus understood and instructed us in John 15:13 NIV “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. He freely gave His life for you and me! After choosing to follow Him, how can I do less than serve him with my whole heart? Today He is asking you “Will you commit to me, walk with me, serve me, no matter what”?

It’s your decision to make. In the same way you are free to choose to accept His free gift of salvation or not, God will not force you to go deeper than you want to go with him. I pray you will choose to deepen your relationship with Him.

After 41 years I am thankful I said “no matter what” to Him. He has been faithful, and I have no regrets.