How NOT to Apply the Bible

After playing in a bluegrass band my first year in Cru’s Music Ministry, there was a massive reorganization and the leadership asked me to become a vocalist in a choral/orchestral group – you know the type where the women wear evening gowns, the guys sport tuxedoes, and everyone on stage does elaborate hand gestures. NOT my style at all. I told them I would rather run sound, carry the equipment, or do anything that would rescue me from that fate. When I mentioned that I had played cello in high school, they agreed to assign me to the orchestra instead of being on stage. What a relief!

Along with playing in the orchestra, I also worked in the Music Ministry national office with about a dozen other people. Our schedule included weekly devotional messages given by one of our fellow musicians.

One particular talk stands out – but not for a good reason. The speaker fit the stereotypical profile of the sensitive, “heart-driven” musician, perhaps a bit lacking in common sense. He focused on the prophet Daniel’s spectacular visions in which he saw tumultuous oceans, grotesque beasts with multiple heads and horns, and numerous angels. In these visions, various heavenly beings also laid out God’s plans for earth’s future.

“Talk about a quiet time!” the speaker exclaimed. “They should all be like that.” He admonished us to never end our devotional time until we had truly had “met with God,” just like Daniel had.  One of the other office staff guys – a more practical type – raised his hand and pointed out that just the week before the Music Ministry director had laid down the law and told us we absolutely had to be at our desks by 8:00 a.m. sharp. “What do I do,” he asked, “if it’s 7:30 and I don’t feel like I’ve had a supernatural encounter with God?”

The presenter hadn’t thought of that and, trying to recover, he blubbered a few words out.

He made two errors in urging us to have spectacular encounters with God every day.

1. Although he didn’t say so, he implied that we can dictate what our interactions with God should look like – a particularly dramatic experience every day. Wrong. I can faithfully present myself to God, but he is the one who determines what our time will look like.

2. He made a basic error in how to apply the Bible by assuming that an event that is described in the Bible means it’s a pattern always to be followed. There’s a difference between a descriptive passage (simply reporting an event) and prescriptive one (presenting something that is always true for every Christian). Even though the Bible reports something happened at a particular time, it doesn’t necessarily mean it always applies to everyone throughout the ages.

Here’s another example. People who say that every believer should speak in tongues point to Acts 2 where all the believers spoke in tongues. “When the Holy Spirit came,” they say, “everyone spoke in tongues. So we should too.” However, verses 44-45 in the very same chapter report that all the believers had everything in common and sold their property and possessions. My question to those who promote universal tongue-speaking is that if they take the report of everyone speaking in tongues as necessary for all Christians, shouldn’t they say the same about living in communes?

I’m neither speaking for nor against speaking in tongues or living in communes. My point is that just seeing that something happened once is not enough to establish it as a universal requirement. You need other verses that show it always applies to everyone.

So let’s be careful in how we apply events reported in the Bible.

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• Have you ever heard someone apply a Bible passage in a way that sounded fishy? How did you react?

• What steps can you take to make sure you interpret and apply a lesson in the Bible in the way the author intended?

Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15

Are You Either One of These Extremes?

Each month Christianity Today magazine features the story of how God captured someone’s heart. I was blessed to have my story featured in the April 2023 edition. In case you missed it, you can read it here:  I Was the Mole in a Family of Mallets - Christianity Today.

What makes the CT testimony stories so fascinating is the huge variety of the subjects’ backgrounds and the amazingly creative ways God used to reach them. Here is just a smattering of some recent profiles:

• A gang leader who, while in solitary confinement saw what he described as a “movie” on his cell wall in which Jesus told him from the cross, “Darwin, I’m doing this for you.”

• A former stock trader who couldn’t ignore the contrast between his “Bible thumper” wife’s joy and his own hollowness as he pursued career success and money. Late one night in a solitary London hotel room, he was overwhelmed by God’s deep love and also his need to repent and commit his life to Jesus.

• A Neo-Nazi skinhead who – bizarrely – was invited to play drums on a church’s worship team. Through the loving relationships he formed there, he eventually came to know Jesus.

• A top Hollywood vocal coach who began her life of faith after attending a Bible course for nonbelievers at a Santa Monica church.

• A violent, radical Muslim born to one of Sudan’s leading political families that was responsible for establishing sharia law in the country. He converted to Christianity after witnessing the miraculous healing of a relative who had been prayed over by Coptic Christians.

Other stories include those of a national TV personality, a polio survivor, a former member of the Israeli Defense Forces, a New Age psychic, a woman who transitioned to become a man and then back again, and a former adult movie actor and producer.

Two things strike me about these stories:

• God touches the hearts of people from any and every background, regardless of how successful or desperate they may be.

• He shows incredible variety in reaching people.

Recall that this article is called, “Are You Either One of These Extremes?” You may be wondering what that title has to do with these testimonies. Well, it doesn’t directly, but it does refer to our attitude toward how we approach telling other people about God’s love.

Some who read dramatic testimonies like this say, “These stories show that God chases down those people he’s really after. If it’s God’s will, they will respond.” And then they do very little to try to reach out to others.

At the opposite extreme are people who want so much for their friends and loved ones to come to faith that they act like it is totally up to them. And they feel they have failed if the other person doesn’t respond right away. To them, I say, “Relax. Remember that some of these testimony stories span years. So you’re not at the endpoint yet.”

Although these people’s motivation and passion are commendable, you can’t “make” anyone become a Christian. That’s entirely a work of the Holy Spirit. Since he typically uses people to communicate the message, you need to do your part to lovingly explain the gospel while recognizing it’s up to God to touch the person’s hearts.

The happy middle ground is this:  Remember that someone only comes to faith when God fully reveals himself to them but also that you have the privilege – and the responsibility – to be God’s messenger. I can tell you from personal experience that being used by God to bring someone into his kingdom is one of the greatest joys in life!

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• How do you react when you read dramatic stories of how someone became a Christian? Do you rejoice with the angels in heaven (Luke 15:10) or do you get slightly jealous since some of your friends haven’t responded yet?

• Are you at either extreme, either minimizing your role in helping bring others into the faith or acting like it’s all up to you? If so, what is the best way to move toward the happy medium?

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” - Mark 16:15 - NLT

Tone-Deaf

Promise Keepers was one of the most significant spiritual movements of the 1990s. During a four-year period, the organization hosted 50 stadium events which an estimated 2,000,000 men attended. I was blessed to have been at three arena events and also the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally at the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The top-notch presenters helped draw thousands. However, there was one speaker at the 1996 Atlanta meeting who bothered me. His main point was that we should redouble our involvement with our kids.  At one point, as he asked us to pray for his son, he got so emotional that he broke down in tears.

I wondered what this young man was facing that caused his dad to “lose it” in front of thousands of men. Was he an alcoholic? Was he a drug addict? Was he sitting in jail somewhere? Was he living on the streets in a dangerous inner city?

No. What caused the speaker to break down was a tough decision his son had to make. Should he go into mission work right now or delay direct ministry by going to seminary to become a pastor.

That was it? Really? That’s what caused the tears?

I’m certain that among the 15,000 attendees, hundreds either had pregnant 15-year-old daughters or were going through nasty divorces or hadn’t seen their children in years because of their rank sinful behavior before they came to faith. And this guy was in tears over his son’s “tormenting” decision about how to best serve God?

Maybe I’m being too hard on him, but I fear his insensitivity caused many guys with serious family problems to lose heart. If he had acknowledged their pain, it would have been taken some of the edge off his tone-deafness. Because I was so taken aback by the nature of his prayer request, I don’t recall whether or not he said anything like that.

Even Job’s friends who concluded that his suffering was actually God’s retribution for some hidden sins had enough sensitivity to recognize his pain and enter his world.  “. . . (T)hey sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw his suffering was very intense” (Job 2:13).

This shows true empathy and offsets to some extent their tone-deafness of attributing Job’s excruciating pain to his sin.

So how do you interact sensitively with hurting people? Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t go on and on about your wonderful Hawaiian vacation to a single mom who isn’t sure she can pay next month’s rent.

• Think twice before showing your daughter’s prom pictures to the dad with an autistic daughter who has never been asked out on a date.

• Don’t brag about your promotion to a neighbor who has been out of work for six months.

I’m not saying you have to avoid these topics altogether. Just temper your discussion by thinking how you would feel if the tables were reversed.

And one last thing. Never quote Romans 8:28 about God working all things together for good to someone whose wife was just killed in a terrible accident. By God’s grace, he may eventually embrace that verse, but give him time to get there on his own.

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• Have you ever had someone say the wrong thing to you while you were in a bad spot? How did that affect you?

• How easy is it for you to empathize with other people’s problems? What can you do to increase your sensitivity to others?

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

Are You a Superstitious Christian?

Godly habits like reading the Bible, praying, attending church, giving to further God’s kingdom, and telling others about Jesus are all important parts of growing in your faith. However, sometimes these can take on a life of their own and, if left unchecked, become unhealthy.

A few years ago, I was slated to deliver the morning sermon at our church. I felt good about my extensive preparation, but I wanted to make sure I was trusting God for its delivery. That Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church, I decided I should spend at least a few minutes reading the Bible. However, a big part of my motivation was to show God that I was a faithful, disciplined Christian, secretly hoping that this would increase the chances of my sermon going well. It was almost as much a “bribe” as it was an honest desire to spend time with God.

When I was in my 20s, I succumbed to the appeal of a persuasive television evangelist who encouraged his viewers to “plant a seed of faith and see what God will do in your life.” I liked the cause he was promoting, but I have to admit that part of my motivation for writing the check was to – possibly – pave the way for God’s blessing.

Both these examples demonstrate how we can drift towards trying to entice God with our good behavior. But how is this different from rubbing a rabbit’s foot to ensure good luck?

A superstition is an unreasonable belief that something I do or don’t do will result in a consequence I either want or wish to avoid. Superstition and magic are first cousins. In both cases, people are trying to impose their will by doing certain things. You can transfer this same attitude into your relationship with God and end up trying to manipulate him.

I’ve written before about a devastating job mismatch I had early in my career. The primary lesson I learned was that God didn’t owe me anything. My subconscious mindset had been that, since I had been such a “good Christian,” checked all the right boxes, and even “gave up” nine years of my life in fulltime Chrisitan service, God would reward me with great future career success.

God did ultimately bless my career through subsequent jobs, but first I had to learn that there’s no one-for-one relationship between my doing the right thing and God doing what I want. Some people assume God is punishing them if they experience difficult circumstances. But rather than being a sign of God’s displeasure, hard times are often part of God’s training and disciplinary process. Try convincing Job or the 12 apostles (almost all of whom were martyred) that they did anything wrong.

So I encourage you to avoid quasi-superstitious or quasi-magical behavior and to continue doing the things that honor God in every aspect of your life. He wants you to do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing rather than doing so in an attempt to put God in your debt. Can’t be done and it seldom ends well!

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• Have you ever tried to “bribe” God into doing what you wanted? How did that turn out?

• When you face difficult circumstances, is you default to assume God is punishing you?

• Think of a time when you did something honorable just because it was the right thing to do. How did that make you feel?

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer – Psalm 19:14

Would You Buy a Cappuccino from this Coffee Shop?

Of the eight restaurants in Wrightwood, only three serve breakfast. And two of the three don’t open until 8:00. That means the only option for meeting with people who must get to work early is the lone coffee shop that opens at 6:00 a.m.

Because the owner is vocal about his political views and social positions – sporting banners and T shirts that go counter to common Christian views – some churchgoers won’t eat there. A few times, I’ve suggested to someone this as a place to meet, but he balked because of the social messaging. I get it. Ours is a free-speech, free-choice country. The owner is free to speak his mind. And customers are free to go there or not.

But there’s something else to consider. With only about five tables inside and six or eight outside, it’s a cozy environment where you often overhear other people’s conversations.  When I’m meeting with guys to discuss God’s grace and how great it is to follow Jesus, I know it’s likely that other people hear what we’re saying. I consciously avoid appearing judgmental by criticizing any groups, and instead of using “church speak” terms like “Hallelujah,” or “washed in the blood of the lamb,” I explain whatever concept we’re discussing in terms a non-Christian could relate to.

Just last week, I met with a guy who was on the brink of committing his life to Christ. I explained in very simple terms how to become a Christian, and I know the man sitting by himself at the next table overheard our conversation. Of course, I have no idea what he thought, but at least he heard a clear and positive message.

One cool thing about Wrightwood is that each April and May, we get hundreds of hikers traveling the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which runs right by our town. Not long ago as I was enjoying a guava turnover at one of the indoor tables, I got into a conversation with a friendly hiker. We had a great discussion about hiking, how cool the PCT is, why Wrightwood is a great place to live, etc. And although I didn’t go through a complete explanation of how to become a Christian, I was able to present a positive view of the faith. I hope I gave him something to think about as he spent the next few weeks on his solitary trek.

I get that some Christians avoid this place on principle. But I’m reminded of how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day chastised him for mixing with sinners and tax collectors. But just because he ate with them doesn’t mean he endorsed their lifestyles. And just because I meet with people in a place that shows few signs of following Christ, it doesn’t mean I agree with all their views. The Letter to Diognetus – a second-century apologetics letter – urges Christians to “be in the world, but not of the world.” I can’t think of a better place to have grace-filled spiritual conversations than the heart of a thoroughly secular environment where “the walls have ears.” This includes both customers and staff.

Clearly, businesses like porn shops and places that sell drug paraphernalia should be avoided unless God specifically leads you to bring the gospel there, but a small-town restaurant can be a fertile ground for significant ministry, even if you don’t subscribe to all its views.

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• To what extent are you uncomfortable frequenting businesses that express views you disagree with? Where would you draw the line?

• Is it wrong to buy from a place that supports views you reject? Have you thought through the fact that any product or service you buy could very well have ties – either through corporate ownership, funding from various mutual funds, or charities they support – to organizations you don’t like?

• How well can you explain the gospel in terms someone with zero spiritual background can understand?

“It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners.”

(Jesus in Matthew 2:17)

"Woe Is Me!"

Annette and I faced some unusual infrastructure challenges one day last week. It started with an unexpected electrical power outage that lasted several hours. Right after power was restored, we discovered a natural gas leakage that caused the gas company to shut us down. Unfortunately, the valve needed to fix the leak was on back order, so no gas for more than a week. In case you’re wondering, sponge baths, cold water shampoos, and being “stoveless” are not fun.

Several times, I was tempted to lament this inconvenience. But then I remembered a letter I had received a few weeks previously. That letter reminded me that having no gas was just that – an inconvenience, not a tragedy.

In the letter, Paul Copan, an internationally renowned apologetics author and speaker, shared the plight of a South Asian church in a heavily Muslim desert area. Only 1-2% of the local population is Christian, and they suffer significant persecution. One lady in particular – Eshaal – has experienced tremendous hardship: witnessing murders, gang rape, extortion, bribery, and other horrors. Eshaal’s family and another family are the core of a poor but thriving church that, among other things, is addressing the dire needs of orphans, widows and others trapped in economic or sexual slavery.

Paul requested funds for some core necessities: a refrigerator and a generator to power it, fans to combat the oppressive heat, and such basics as food and fuel. Additionally, the church hopes to improve its kitchen space and secure a bicycle rickshaw to further its grassroots ministry.

After I recalled Paul’s letter, I had two reactions to losing our natural gas. The first was to quash the temptation to complain. OK, so we can’t use our stove or take a shower. Boo hoo! Between our microwave, outdoor grill and hotplate, neither Annette nor I have lost any weight. And the gym showers are working just fine.

The second reaction was feeling led to provide at least a small level of support for these dear people. In the weeks before I got this letter, I had been reading the Gospel of Luke. Two of Jesus’ parables, in particular, are convicting:

• The one about the rich fool who had so much abundance that he couldn’t contain it all so tore down his barns only to be called a fool by God because of his misplaced priorities (Luke12:16-21)

• ·The one describing the rich man who ignored the needs of the destitute Lazarus and ended up in Hades (Luke 16:19-31)

These stories show that Jesus wants us to use our resources wisely and compassionately. And his warning in Luke 11:42 about “being religious” by tithing even the smallest level of spices but ignoring the truly important things is chilling.

Beyond our regular giving budget category, we have ample discretionary funds. In addition to sending some of our tithe, I felt led to take money from my “allowance” account to help this struggling church. I assure you I will not miss that money in the least. This gesture was far from sacrificial.

I don’t share this story to either congratulate myself for my “generosity” nor to guilt anyone into giving more. Rather, I hope it’s a reminder to me and others – in light of God’s incredible generosity and blessings – to take minor setbacks in stride. Additionally, I hope we all consider how God wants us to use the abundance he has provided to assist some of the vast majority of the world that is far less fortunate than we are.  

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• How easily do you lose your equilibrium when you face a significant inconvenience? Do act like you really believe that God is in control?

• How generous a person do you consider yourself to be?

• Do you see giving as an obligation or a privilege? Can you think of some ways to make your giving more of a joyful part of your life?

(Jesus, in describing the destitute widow who gave two tiny coins), “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” 

Luke 21:3-4 (CSV)

Just What’s in That Box on the Top Shelf in Your Basement?

“How many power drills did this guy have?” I wondered. My Uncle Ben, who was in his 80s, had recently died and no one knew where his will was. His sister (my mom) asked me to fly up to his house on Long Island to see if I could find it. Uncle Ben was a bit eccentric: a life-long bachelor, a recluse, and somewhat of a hoarder. Hence the abundance of power drills. I ultimately found 24, ranging from a $19.99 Wal Mart special to several heavy-duty commercial-grade power drills.

Since I had no idea where his will was – or if he even had one – I literally had to open every drawer and search every box in his large house. I never did find a will, but in the process, I did learn more about Uncle Ben’s private life. Fortunately, there was nothing particularly shocking, but that potential was there. If he had had a stash of assault weapons, child pornography, drug paraphernalia, or subversive political writings, I would have found it.

How about you? Are you quietly harboring something tucked away in a “secret” place in the basement? If you were to die unexpectedly and a family member had to liquidate your belongings, would they be shocked by what they found?

Beyond the potential wreckage to your reputation among your family and friends, you must consider someone even more significant.

God says in Jeremiah 16:17, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.” And Jesus himself declares, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:2-3).

That’s a sobering reality. However, beyond this bad news, there is also the good news that counteracts it.  God freely forgives when we acknowledge our sin and turn to him. Isaiah 55:7 promises, “Let the wicked forsake their ways… let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them… for he will freely pardon.”  And God promises in Hebrews 8:12, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

If you regularly read my blog posts, you know that I am upbeat about life and enjoy focusing on God’s grace, mercy and love. But I wrote an entire book describing how some people filter out the parts of the Bible they don’t like. A key part of the Bible’s message is that there are dire consequences for turning away from God. If we have any intellectual integrity, as much as we might want to, we can’t erase that part.

But he hasn’t left us to die in our sins. That’s why Jesus came to pay the penalty we deserve. If you haven’t come to the point of recognizing your need for forgiveness and committing your life to him, I urge you to do so. If you already know Jesus, let me remind you that he says, “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17). If you’re a Christian, are you OK with how  you are living?

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•  Would you be humiliated if a family member or friend searched every drawer and box in your house or checked out your text feed?

• Does it bother you that God knows everything – both good and bad – about you?

• Are you encouraged by the fact that through Jesus, we have a clean slate and get to live a life that reflects God’s transforming love toward us and others?

He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:10-12

Being an Ambassador Two Times Over

Besides becoming a Christian during my sophomore year, the highlight of my college career at Syracuse University was my spring semester junior year studying in Madrid. I loved everything about the country: the people, the language, the culture, the history, and the food.

Halfway through our time there, a tour group organized by Syracuse University stopped in Madrid for two days. The students from our program were invited to an evening reception to welcome the guests and talk about our experiences in Spain. Two of the tourists were an SU graduate in her late 40s and her daughter who was attending another college in Upstate New York. Since we had such a delightful evening, I offered to show them around the city the next afternoon. They readily agreed, so the following day I became an ambassador of sorts.

An effective ambassador bridges both countries involved and must have a thorough knowledge of and love for both. Someone with only marginal knowledge of or who is lukewarm about one of the countries would make a pretty lousy ambassador. I obviously understood American culture, and since we had been in Spain for a couple of months, my knowledge of life there was pretty good.

The next afternoon as I showed my new friends some of Madrid’s highlights, I enthusiastically explained why I thought Spain is such a great country. One of our stops was El Parque de Buen Retiro, Madrid’s equivalent of New York’s Central Park. As we sipped our Cokes in the park’s an outdoor café, I had the chance to become an ambassador of another type.

I had become a Christian a year-and-a-half earlier and was eager to let as many people as possible know how great it is to know Jesus. We had a friendly chat, and I was able to clarify some of their misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian. They thought the main thing was trying to be a good person who does the right thing. I explained that although that’s important, it doesn’t deal with our separation from God caused by our own sin and that the only remedy is claiming the forgiveness Jesus offers through his death and resurrection. I’m not sure they entirely grasped the essence of the message, but they seemed to enjoy the conversation and thanked me for my hospitality.

The heart of Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 is that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting our sins against us. This includes explaining that God has committed this message of reconciliation to us, his followers. Then comes this pivotal verse:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God – 2 Corinthians 5:20

My fun afternoon with those friendly ladies allowed me to be a double ambassador. I wanted them to catch both my love for Spain and my enthusiasm over the forgiveness of sin and the new life available only through Christ.

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• You obviously understand American culture. But how well do you grasp the principles of the Kingdom of God? What are you doing to grow in that knowledge?

• Have you ever – as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:20 – implored anyone to be reconciled to God? If so, how did it go? What steps can you take to become more motivated and better equipped to be a better ambassador.
  

. . . If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.

2 Corinthians 5:17

A Little Kiss from Jesus

In an earlier article, I described God’s 100% clearcut leading from my job at the Hospital Council of West Michigan to become Executive Vice President at Georgia Hospital Association (GHA). I firmly believe that as we make significant decisions under God’s leadership, we have no choice but to interpret every circumstance – even the awful ones –  that results from that decision as part of God’s will. About 18 months into my stint at GHA, I had the chance to see if I truly believed that.

My transition to GHA was very smooth – with one glaring exception. GHA already had a long-tenured Executive Vice President, a very talented and respected woman. When the GHA board decided to create a new EVP position, they wanted to recruit someone from the outside, and I ended up being that someone.

My friends on GHA staff later told me that from the moment the board announced the new EVP position, my colleague was clearly unhappy and they knew that anyone who stepped into that position would be in her crosshairs. Once again, I was that someone.

As I said, she was a gifted, respected leader. There were three types of people in her universe:

• Those, both inside and outside GHA, who recognized her talents and creativity and openly praised her

• Several people who reported to her and who lived in great fear because, underneath her Southern charm, she had a reputation for retribution against anyone who didn’t do exactly as she said

• ·Those within the organization – like me – who did not report to her and often had to protect our turf against her tendency to seek control of areas not directly under her

I tried to do my job while maintaining the peace, but since I had little experience navigating treacherous political waters, I made a few missteps. About 18 months after I arrived, things came to a head when the president hauled the two of us along with the HR VP into a hotel conference room for an all-day pow wow. He made it clear that the tension had better stop or someone wouldn’t be around too long. The clear implication was that, as the newbie, I would be the someone out the door.

In a previous post, I described the most difficult period of my life as I experienced a serious mismatch in my job which resulted in my overwhelming sense of failure. During that time, God used a little-known Promise Keepers song called “I Will Be With You” to sustain me. The chorus repeats the line “I will be with you” about a dozen times and promises that God will be with us until the end because that’s who he is. I must have listened to that song hundreds of times during that dark period.

One morning not long after the troubling meeting with the GHA president, I ended up leaving for work about ten minutes earlier that normal. When the car radio came on, incredibly the song “I Will Be With You” was playing. Mind you, this was a little-known song that almost no one ever heard of. Furthermore, this was the only time I ever heard it on the radio – either before or after that day. And the only reason I heard it at all is that I inexplicably left for work ten minutes early. I nearly teared up over this “coincidence.”

I call things like this “a little kiss from Jesus” – just a reminder that he hasn’t abandoned me and is always there.

My colleague and I reached an uneasy truce, but I always had to watch my back. We continued to work together for a total of 18 years until she retired. After she left, I hoped that a couple of years down the road, we would able to meet for lunch to try to repair our relationship. Unfortunately, that never happened.

About two years after she retired, she died unexpectedly. I thank God that my immediate reaction on hearing this was, rather than any sense of gladness, one of sadness. I take no credit for the fact that there was not even a tinge of happiness that she had passed. That was strictly God’s grace working in my heart.

There were two reasons I was sad. First, it’s always sad when someone dies. And secondly, I regretted that our reconciliation meeting would never happen. But since, as far as I know, she knew Jesus, we will have that opportunity in heaven.

I tell this story as a testimony of God’s kindness to me in a rough time by reminding me in a highly unusual way he is truly with me. He also graciously brought me to the point of regretting I couldn’t make peace with someone who had caused me untold grief over many years.

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• Have you ever had a similar experience where God unmistakably did something to encourage you when you were seriously troubled? How did that make you feel?

• How do you react when you learn that someone who has been the source of significant distress has suffered some kind of serious setback?

“I will never leave you or abandon you” – Hebrews 13:5 (CSB)

Wrightwood Flash Flood - Part 2

Last time I reported on the Christmas Eve flash flood that dumped tons of mud all over Wrightwood and completely took out a few dozen houses. In the midst of this tragedy, it was a joy watching people rally to help their neighbors. We were the recipients of almost 100 man-hours of assistance for which we are extremely grateful. Beyond this, Annette and I worked for about a week straight clearing the remaining mud, and we’re finally back to normal – minus all the plants in the garden.

In the five years since we bought our house, we’ve experienced:

• The 2020 Covid shutdown

• The 2022 Sheep Fire that forced our evacuation

• The 2023 blizzard that pummeled us with five feet of snow and trapped us for nine days

• Tropical Storm Hillary – also in 2023 – that took out the main road into town  

• The 2024 fire that came within 50 feet of our house and prompted another evacuation

• And now the 2025 Christmas Eve flash flood caused by 10+ inches of rain within 24 hours.

Oh, and then there was the small avalanche just up the mountain from our house, but thankfully it had little impact. And I can’t leave out the bear that regularly raids our neighbors’ trash cans, the rattlesnakes, the coyotes, at least one mountain lion, and the bobcat. Plus we experience power outages and loss of city water more often than we’d like. And did I mention that we are ½ mile away from the San Andreas Fault?

I guess we live a lot “closer to the land” than we did in suburban Atlanta.

A creative metal worker in town is making a fortune selling Christmas tree ornaments commemorating our many calamities.

Several of you have commented on the numerous challenges we’ve faced. Although no one has openly asked us, I suspect some of you wonder if we think we made a mistake moving here.

Absolutely not! We have no doubt that God led us here. I firmly believe that, if you commit an important decision to the Lord and make a prayerful, responsible decision, you have no choice but to interpret any and all subsequent events as part of God’s will.

There are five reasons why looking over your shoulder is a bad idea:

1. Second-guessing dishonors God – It shows you don’t really trust that he acted like a loving father and that he failed to lead you down the right road.

2. You are not at the end point – Even if you face negative circumstances today, the story may not be over. Things might look grim now, but they could improve or even do a complete 180 down the road

3. Second-guessing overlooks the “God Factor” – Even though we want important decisions to result in smooth sailing, God may be using the unfortunate developments to help you grow in new ways. Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned have surfaced from rough waters.

4. You are probably comparing your current situation against an idealized version of the alternatives – Things could have turned out as bad or even worse had you made a different decision.

5. Second-guessing is useless – You can’t unscramble an egg or un-ring a bell. Lamenting your decision will only distract you from picking up the pieces and moving forward.

We love living in Wrightwood with all the pluses and minuses. Do we regret our decision to move here? Not at all!

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• Do you truly believe that God will lead you to the right decision when you responsibly and prayerfully seek his will?

• Which of the five reasons for not second-guessing God are the most compelling to you?

• How hard is it for you to trust God when you face unforeseen calamities?

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging – Psalm 43:103 (NIV)

Special Edition: Wrightwood Flash Flood

After

You have undoubtedly heard of Wrightwood – but probably not for a good reason. The recent West Coast atmospheric river roared through our town on Christmas Eve, dumping over 10 inches of rain in 24 hours. Some important roads were washed out, and an estimated 25 to 50 houses were completely destroyed. Just on our street, three homes suffered significant interior mud and water damage.

The September 2024 wildfire that came within 50 feet of our house burnt most of the ground foliage on the mountain immediately behind us. When we heard of the coming storm, we were concerned about possible mud flow. As it turned out, that part of the mountain was fine, but the section further up the road was not. At the peak of the storm, it sent water and mud gushing through our back yard so forcefully that our concrete stairway completely disappeared under a river of water and mud.

Several neighbors learned of our plight and came to our rescue, bringing shovels and many sandbags. Water threatened to lap over the concrete foundation of the house into the lower level, but thanks to our friends we had only minor seepage. When it was all over, our backyard was caked with about three feet of mud, pushing up against the garage and completely burying our HVAC unit locked next to the garage.

Just as the rain was tapering off, we lost electricity. And then early Christmas morning, the household water went out. That was the last straw. The storm had forced us to delay our plans to spend Christmas Day with our daughter Stephanie’s family in Old Town Orange so we could monitor the situation. But with no power, no heat and no water, we decided to leave anyway.

When we returned a few days later, a team from our church, our son Andy, and some close friends showed up with a mini-backhoe, a standup mini-skid loader, wheelbarrows, and shovels and spent the whole day digging out the backyard. I don’t know what we would have done without them!

Years ago, I remember reading a magazine article written by a Christian college girl whose family’s house had burned to the ground a few years earlier. Some well-meaning friends, when they learned of their calamity, drove by their burned ruin and told them, “If you need help, just let us know.”

“Just let them know if we need help!?” the girl wrote. “Just let them know!? Of course we needed help! We had no house, no clothes, no furniture, and essentially nothing.” In the midst of the aftermath of the house fire, the last thing they needed was having to initiate a call for help.

Some other people, she noted, jumped right in, bringing food, clothing and other necessities and helped them pick up the pieces by assisting them in charting a path forward. They exhibited true, practical compassion. Of course, you can't solve everyone's problems, but you can make a difference in some people's lives.

Over the years, I have often thought about that article, and I try to do what those truly helpful people did. My instinct is to “run into the burning building” and embrace people going through serious personal, relational, family, employment, medical, or other problems.

Our friends who showed up certainly demonstrated much-appreciated engagement. So we’re thankful that we suffered no catastrophic damage, but beyond that, we’re very thankful for the practical outpouring of love from some dear friends.

+++++++++++++++

• Have you ever suffered a tragic situation and had friends jump to your rescue? If so, what impact did that have on your attitude toward helping others in need?

• How can you balance stepping up to help others in need with your other legitimate priorities? (This is not intended to be a guilt-inducing question.)

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.     . . . Truly a tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

Matthew 25:35-36, 40 – CSB

The Lowest Point of My Life

As I was lying curled up on the living room floor, my four-year-old son saw my distress and patted me on the back trying to comfort me. I appreciated that but it didn’t change the fact that I was in the middle of a year-long meltdown at work.

I had always been the “star” student and employee, earning many academic awards and scholarships and consistently receiving plum jobs, regular promotions, and the highest performance reviews. Now, unexpectedly, Providence Hospital’s executives considered me marginal at best. Since I had never failed at anything, I didn’t know how to handle this.

A month later, in a meeting with the VP over my area, we agreed there was a mismatch between me and the organization. Rather than fire me outright, he kindly suggested I take the next six months to find a job that better suited me.

I was devastated! How could this have happened to the “superstar”? What was I going to do? What if I couldn’t find a suitable job within the time limit?

The first thing I did was contact the Sachs Group, a software company in Evanston, Illinois that had developed a superb healthcare market analysis program. I loved their products and, since I had offered dozens of suggestions for their software which they adopted, they considered me one of their “super users.”

They really wanted me, and it turned out the only opening they had was in the product development area – precisely where I wanted to work. Yay! However, weeks later, instead of receiving a call with an official offer, I got one telling me that, due to a bad quarter, they were suspending all hiring. So no job.

It took a few days to get over the shock, but I realized I had another viable short-term option. I had led a team of Providence Hospital physicians, nurses, executives, social workers, and others to successfully receive a major grant from the Medicare program to establish a geriatric case management program. That was a huge win. We were the only hospital in the country to get the grant, and because of my leadership, the team approached me about running the program. I told them I would enjoy the ramp-up process but that once the service was established, I would not be interested in the day-to-day operations. Since they knew I was looking for another job, I asked if they would take me on just as the start-up guy while I kept looking. They agreed, and shortly after the anticipated software job dissolved, I was offered the grant directorship.

The very next day, the U. S. Congress rescinded the controversial Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, the vehicle that would have funded the grant. So no grant and no job.

Within two weeks. I lost two “sure thing” jobs. 

As I was panicking, I happened upon a Modern Healthcare magazine ad for a VP job at the Hospital Council of West Michigan, a job I ultimately took and where I thrived.

How did I process all this, and what did I learn from these bizarre circumstances?

The most important lesson was that God didn’t owe me anything. I realize I subconsciously thought God was lucky to have me on his team. I mean, with my strong ministry background and entre to high-level executives for sharing the gospel, I was real asset to his kingdom, wasn’t I? Perhaps, but that didn’t put God in my debt. The only thing he owed me was condemnation because of my sin. Solely through Jesus’ death on my behalf, I was forgiven. Anything else this side of hell is a pure gift of his grace.

The other thing I learned was that God can and will move you where he wants to. It was astounding that I lost two “absolutely certain” jobs within two weeks, one of them literally through an act of Congress. Furthermore, getting the hospital association job was pretty remarkable too. I “just happened” to see the ad, and I later learned that it’s highly unusual for executives to get a job through a magazine ad. Only about 5% do it that way.

Shifting to the hospital association world proved to be an excellent decision and set me up for the rest of my career. I’ll have more to say about this in my next post.

Am I glad all that happened? At the time, I certainly wasn’t. But I can look back and be delighted that God orchestrated those events to help me better trust him, appreciate his grace, and lead me in a new career direction. So, yes. Now I’m very glad.

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1.      What would you say was the lowest point of your life? How did you handle that? Were you a Christian at the time? If so, how did God use that situation in your life?

2.      How easy is it for you to accept or even appreciate the really tough circumstances you sometimes face? Can you think of what you can do now to be able to better process future challenges?

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, And let endurance have its effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing 

James 1:2-4 (CSB)

Bible-Reading Atheists and Some Christians Have This in Common

Jim’s a friendly, outgoing self-described atheist I know from the gym. “I don’t believe the Bible. And I don’t believe in unicorns either,” he told me. When he declared that the Bible is full of contradictions, I suggested we get together for breakfast so he could give me some examples.

As we enjoyed our breakfast burritos at a local hangout, he showed me a meme from one of the atheist Face Book groups he follows. “Here,” he said. “Look at this.” In Matthew 28:19 Jesus tells his followers to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them, yet in 1 Corinthians 1:17. Paul says, ‘Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.’ That’s a clear contradiction.”

That was such a simplistic example of an alleged problem that I had to hold myself back from chuckling. I gently explained that the context of those two verses couldn’t be more different. The Matthew verse was given to his disciples at the very end of Jesus’ time on earth as he is setting the pattern for his followers through the ages to come. Baptism is to be a hallmark of the church. Does this mean that any Christian who fails to baptize others is violating Jesus’ command? I hope not. I’ve never baptized anyone.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is helping a particular troubled church at risk of splintering at it struggles with a specific theological controversy. Some of its members are identifying more with particular church leaders than they are with Jesus. Some favor Paul; others prefer Apollos; still others like Cephas the best.

Paul reminds them he wasn’t crucified for them and that they weren’t baptized in Paul’s name. He then states that he is glad he didn’t baptize many of them because his principal calling was preaching the gospel, not baptizing.

Jim’s meme takes the words from Matthew 28:19 and 1 Corinthians 1:17 in a completely wooden way. It erroneously concludes that since Paul was a follower of Jesus, he was personally under Jesus’ mandate to baptize. Since he states that God didn’t call him to baptize, 1 Corinthians 1:17 directly contradicts Matthew 28:19. Voila! Instant inconsistency.

The writer of the meme’s mistake was treating the Bible as a totally “flat text.” All words and all applications should be taken to mean exactly the same way wherever they appear regardless of context. There is no nuance of interpretation. Never mind that the audiences and the circumstances for these verses were completely different.

You may be surprised that I say that these atheists and some Christians do the same thing. We can treat the Bible as if it were a magic book. If I can find a sentence I like, I can claim it as a promise from God. Never mind that I might be completely misunderstanding or misapplying it.

There are many examples, but probably the most abused verse in this regard is Jeremiah 29:11:  “I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” How many mugs, pens and plaques displaying this verse are sold every May during graduation season?

As theologian Walter Kaiser would say, “Great concept. Wrong verse.” Certainly, God loves us and blesses us in many ways. And if we let him, he will generally bring prosperity into our lives. That prosperity can take many forms:  spiritual vitality, life-affirming relationships, and (sometimes) even career or financial success.

The problem is that in its historical context, Jeremiah 29:11 has absolutely nothing to do with any of that. It is God’s message through Jeremiah to the people of Judah who were exiled in Babylon because of their collective sin. After 70 years in captivity, God will restore them and once again prosper them as a nation but (according to verses 12 and 13) only if the people repent of their sin and seek God with their whole hearts.

Consider this. Virtually every one of the people who heard those words from Jeremiah died before they were fulfilled, so there is no way this was a promise any individual today can “claim” about their next endeavor.

So don’t get caught in the same trap that the atheist meme writer fell into. Continue to recognize the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible word to us, but make sure you understand what a passage means in its linguistic historical and cultural context before you try to apply it.

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• What steps can you take to make sure you don’t make the mistake of ignoring context or the writer’s original intent?

• Do you think it in any way undercuts the Bible’s authority to realize that some popular interpretations or applications may be flawed?

Do your best to present yourself to God as one . . . who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timiothy 2:15 (NIV)

Three Ways to Change – Which Is Best?

“Tom, you are Christian now. You need to stop drinking, smoking pot and smoking cigarettes.” That’s what a well-meaning person told my good friend Tom Jeannett a few weeks after Tom came to faith in Christ. Confused, Tom went to Jim, the guy who had initially shared the gospel with him, and said, “I thought you told me it was a free gift, and now this guy is telling me what I can and can’t do. That’s pretty much what I came out of. If this is what it means to be a Christian, I’m not sure I’m interested.”

Wisely, Jim said, “Tom, you have a personal relationship with the Lord now. Why don’t you just talk to him about this and ask him to show you if it’s something he wants you to change.” Tom thought that was reasonable, so he agreed to that plan. Here’s how he describes the results:

After seven months, God brought me to the point of seeing that continuing to do all those things after experiencing the blessing of having a growing, personal relationship with Jesus was like settling for hamburger when the Lord was offering filet mignon. On May 2 of that year, I quit drugs and cigarettes and getting drunk.

And he never looked back. I have known Tom for many years, and the transformation in his life is astounding. He is one of the most godly and pure-hearted people I know.

The original advice Tom got reflects the “admonition method” where someone (correctly) points to a biblical standard and urges the other person to change their behavior. There is certainly a place for that, and we should never ignore the Bible’s behavioral expectations.

A second approach is where a person decides on their own to change their habits through discipline and determination. I’m all for intentional self-improvement, and we should pursue this as well. 

Please understand, I am not dismissing either of these approaches. You should always be open to heeding instructions from others or entering a discipline that improves your life. However, the most profound changes occur when God burns a new conviction into your heart.

One event from my early days as a Christian parallels Tom’s experience. I trusted Christ my second year of college. Before that point, my language frequently included words – many of which had four letters – that you never hear from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. I also referenced Jesus frequently, but not in prayer – if you know what I mean.

One day about a year into my Christian life, I was having a friendly argument with a guy from my dorm floor. I headed toward the elevator to go to dinner and he said something stupid. As I stepped into the empty elevator, I turned around to respond and yelled out, “What in the world are you talking about?!? Jesus Christ!!”

At that moment, as the elevator doors closed, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart, showing me that my use of Jesus’ name like that was totally inappropriate and instantly become repulsive. And I never, ever, ever did that again.

So, there are three ways to pursue change:

• Respond to someone’s admonitions

• Embark on a self-improvement plan

• Ask God to reveal areas of sin and change your heart

Although all three are valid, the most profound and long-lasting is the last one. Even though you can’t manufacture or force this type of change – God has to be the one to do it – you can regularly remind God (and yourself) of your desire to have him transform your heart.

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• How do react when another Christian calls attention to one of your flaws? How does your reaction inform how you approach someone else to point out a lacking in their lives?

• What is the balance between self-improvement and letting God revolutionize a particular part of your life?

• Have you ever had an experience like my friend Tom’s transformation or my “elevator realization”?

        Search me, God, and know my heart;

             Test me and know my concerns..

        See if there is any offensive way in me;

              lead me in the  everlasting way.

Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB)

How Specific Do Your Prayers Need to Be to “Count”?

In a previous post, I mentioned a prayer practice I started about a year ago. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back to sleep. A few years ago, I heard of a woman who, when faced with this situation, prays through her acquaintances “alphabetically.” She starts with someone with either a first or last name beginning with the letter “A,” goes on to a “B” name, and so on.

Rather than toss and turn with all kinds of thoughts, ideas or worries going through my head, I have adopted this practice. I will often make it through “Z” and still be awake, but sometimes I fall asleep “mid-stream.” Turns out that my “early in the alphabet” contacts get more attention than my “X, Y and Z” friend do.

When I first started doing this, I offered somewhat detailed prayers for each person based on my knowledge of their situations. However, the more my brain kicked in, the more awake I became, and I almost never got back to sleep. So now, I typically just mention someone’s name and then move on.

I wanted to get your thoughts on how “effective” this type of prayer is. Of course, it’s great to pray detailed and specific prayers for others. Author Stormie Omartian has written a series of excellent books promoting the power of praying husbands, wives, parents, grandparents, etc. Each book runs about 200 pages and suggests very detailed prayers about every aspect of life:  spiritual state, physical health, family relationships, friendship choices, and other areas. These wonderfully specific prayers guide the reader through prayers about details they may not have thought of.

A scene in the 2019 movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – where Tom Hanks portrays Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) – represents the other end of the spectrum. It shows Mr. Rogers praying through a lengthy list of people, merely mentioning their names. His prayers cover dozens or even hundreds of people but are paper-thin. So are my middle-of-the-night prayers.

Being a typical American Christian, I wonder about the “value” of various types of prayers. Do my tiny prayers “do any good”? Are detailed prayers more “effective” than simpler ones?

I think we subconsciously adopt a mindset that assumes the more “prayer minutes” you rack up, the more likely the answer. Sometimes we implicitly operate with an unspoken equation based on:

The number of people praying

            x

The number of times they pray

                        x

            How long they pray

The higher the total number of minutes prayed, the better. And you get bonus points if the prayers are especially “fervent.”

Of course, I wouldn’t be so crass as to “demand” that God be bound by this formula, but I often unintentionally operate under the above assumption.

However, at its heart, prayer is a reflection of a RELATIONSHIP, not a formula to get a reluctant God to bend to your will. Jesus says it’s unthinkable that a father would give his child a scorpion if they asked for an egg. How much more is your relationship with God defined by his unfathomable love? Rather than being an indifferent being who must be coerced into answering your prayers, he is your loving father who invites you to bring any and every concern to him. There is no such thing as a “useless” prayer, and we should ditch the concept of evaluating which “prayer methods” are most likely to “yield results.” The highest purpose of prayer is NOT to convince God to do what you want. Rather, it’s to strengthen your relationship with God and reinforce your dependence on him for everything. So despite their “effectiveness” or relative lack thereof, I think my middle-of-the-night prayers for my friends please God.  

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

My Most Stresful Bike Ride Ever

Two weeks ago, Annette hosted a ladies’ book club meeting. Because I was invited to not be home, I decided to go cycling on the nearby Pacific Electric Trail.

All went well until I was about eight miles out when I noticed a distinct, rhythmic “thumping” sound. I got off the bike and discovered that the rear tire was fairly soft. Changing a rear innertube is a huge pain because of the serpentine route the chain follows around the derailleur and the various gears. Once the wheel is off, you’re out of luck if you can’t put everything back together.

Since the tire was just soft and not entirely flat, I decided to try to pump it up enough to limp back. Unfortunately, the thumping returned within a half mile, so I stopped to fill the tire again. When the thumping returned for the third time, I decided I either had to try to change the tube (a thought I didn’t relish), ride on the flat (which would shred the outer tube), or walk the seven miles back (destroying the metal cleats clamped to my cycling shoes).

With a gulp, I decided to attempt the repair knowing I would be in a real mess if I failed. I prayed  for wisdom as I started. Within minutes, I regretted that I had just lubed my chain before the ride. Greasy hands and a white cycling jersey don’t mix too well.

After a few false starts and many appeals to God, I succeed in putting everything back together. As I rode off toward my car, I thanked God for granting my request. Then I remembered to check that I had my phone, wallet and all my tools.

To my horror, I discovered my wallet wasn’t in my rear jersey packet. I panicked! I had three credit cards, my ATM card, my driver’s license, my health insurance card and about $80 in the wallet. If it was lost, I would have to replace all of those – a monumental task – and notify the dozen companies being auto-paid using one of the credit cards.

I decided to retrace my steps in case the wallet had fallen out of my back jersey pocket as I stopped to pump up the tire or replace the innertube. But nothing.

Then I started to pray that perhaps a kind soul would find my wallet and use my business card to contact me and return it. Then I prayed that maybe the wallet had fallen out of my jersey next to the car before I left and that I would find it there.

I thanked God that he answered my prayers about fixing the tire but then resigned myself to the fact that I would probably have to face major hassles to replace everything in my wallet. Just then, I thought of what Job told his wife when, after she saw his misery told him he should just curse God and die. Job said she was speaking like a foolish woman, adding, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). Could I praise God for answering my prayer about the tire but not the lost wallet?

And THEN, I had a completely different thought. I remembered that I had NOT put my wallet in my jersey pocket after all but instead had zipped it up into the back pocket of my Camelbak hydration backpack, something I had never done before. So the wallet was safe and sound!

I thanked God for his grace in letting me avoid having to replace everything. But I was more thankful that he led me to the point of being willing to accept a bad outcome without resentment. I think the only reason I was able to do that is that Jesus has shown himself to be faithful over and over in negative and even tragic situations.

So it was a tough ride:  a flat tire, anxiety over a possible lost wallet, and (because of those problems) a delated finish until early afternoon when the temperature was 104 degrees. Not my favorite ride, but one that reinforced an important lesson.

How about you? Are you able to accept both good and trouble from God?

Jumping to Conclusions

No author writes something hoping no one reads it. I have been blogging for several years and appreciate my readers’ level of support.

The email posting service I use – Constant Contact – notifies me whenever someone either subscribes or unsubscribes. Of course, I hate to see someone leave, but I get it. My inbox consistently receives 100-200 messages a day. Since I can’t possibly read and process all those, I periodically drop some feeds.

A few years ago, Constant Contact informed me that Dan, a top leader of a ministry group I was heavily involved with, unsubscribed. I have to say, I was a bit miffed. I had spent countelss hours working with that group and also made major financial contributions. However, in the months preceding the “unsubscribe,” I felt a bit of tension with the group. There had been numerous opportunities for me to jump in on some projects for which I was very qualified, but I was ignored, which made me a bit resentful. Seeing his “unsubscribe” just added to my negative feelings, but I didn’t say anything to anyone in the group.

But I was ticked! After all I had done for them, Dan couldn’t even tolerate an occasional email notice in his inbox? Instead of unsubscribing, he just could have ignored them and left them unread.

A few weeks later, I was scrolling through my subscriber list in Constant Contact and stumbled across Dan’s name. And then something caught my eye. I saw he actually had TWO registered email addresses – one ministry and one personal. His unsubscribe was for just one of them, keeping the other address active.

Oh, that’s quite different! He wasn’t ditching me after all.

I felt ashamed that I had let my feeling of being overlooked cloud my interpretation of Dan’s action.

There are four ways I could have responded to his change of status action:

• Angrily communicate my disappointment to Dan

• Not say anything but let my negative feelings boil below the surface

• Calmly initiate a conversation, asking questions rather than making accusations

• Conclude that this wasn’t a big deal and get on with life

Our decisions are informed by past experiences. It’s not unreasonable to let your prior interactions with someone color how you feel about them. You can notice others’ conduct and draw reasonable conclusions about who they are and how they’re likely to act in the future. However, how you let those observations influence your behavior to them matters. Although we are not to be naïve babes in the woods – never following up when we detect that something is amiss – neither are we to lash out whenever we don’t get our way or feel snubbed.

As Jesus was sending his disciples out on a preaching and healing mission, he instructed them to be as wise as serpents but as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). This dual admonition to astuteness tempered by gentleness should also govern our behavior.

I could have angrily confronted Dan, pointing out how much I had done for this group and walked away from their ministry. However, since I had little direct operational interaction with this with him, I didn’t feel this issue rose to the level of needing intervention. If this had been a problem with a co-worker with whom I interacted all the time, I would have taken the third option listed above:  try to resolve the situation respectfully and tactfully. 

What is your default reaction when you feel slighted? Do you jump to conclusions and lash out? Do you ignore the issue and let it fester? Or do you gently pursue a resolution?

How Playing this James Brown Song Reminded Me of the Christian Life

Among the cool things about our little mountain town is the Wrightwood Blues Society. At a recent open mic event, I was with the band onstage when a female vocalist asked if she could to come up and  sing soul artist James Brown’s famous song “I Feel Good” – you know, “I feel good (bah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah) I knew that I would (bah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah).” Although I know the song well, I had never played it. Did I really want risk public humiliation by attempting an unrehearsed number?

I don’t want to geek out too much on how harmonicas are set up, but I have to explain what a quirky instrument it is. There are twelve notes in the chromatic scale, but the lower octave of the small harps I play only have 5 of the twelve. That creates a real challenge when attempting a new song. Given how many notes a harmonica DOESN’T have, some songs with lots of “accidental notes” (the black keys on a piano) typically require careful planning and trial and error to play on harmonica. I don’t recommend doing that live onstage.   

Fortunately, “I Feel Good” is pretty straight-forward and I instinctively knew it would work. Everything fell into place, and our rendition was a hit.

My confidence in moving forward required three things:

• Willingness to respond to a spontaneous opportunity, even in light of possible high-profile failure

• Enough familiarity with the material – that is, that particular song – to know if it would fit

• Enough “muscle memory” concerning the instrument to pull it off

As I later thought about that event I saw interesting parallels with the Christian life. As much as we like predictability, life has a way of bringing new circumstance – some positive and some negative – our way. Just like I had to decide whether to try a new song in a potentially risky situation, we regularly face circumstances which force to us to decide if we will step out and trust God or back away.

If you are serious about your faith, you will regularly study God’s instructions to us that as revealed in the Bible and through mature Christians. As you “spiritual muscle memory” develops, you will instinctively know certain things – cheating on your spouse, lying to your boss, ignoring a friend’s needs, hoarding your money, gossiping, and many other things – are wrong. You don’t have to think or pray about them, but you will instead have deep convictions about what the right thing to do is.

So here are some takeaways:

• Acknowledge that every one of us has a dark side. No lesser person than Jesus himself said that from the human heart come sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly (Mark 7:20-23). Never forget that.

• But recognize that if you have gone to Jesus to have your sins forgiven, you are a new person (2 Corinthians 5:18) and have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). This is not to say you are infallible, but as you continue in a faithful relationship with Jesus, your muscle memory concerning right and wrong will grow.  

We use the phrase “second nature” to describe practices that are so ingrained that they are practically automatic. Second Nature Productions in the name of my little music and writing ministry. Beyond its reference to the fact through the new birth we have a new (or second) nature, it also alludes to our continued transformation so that our godly responses become “second nature.” My playing “I Feel Good” was second nature. You desire to act in ways that please God should progressively become second nature to you.

None of this is to say you don’t have to pray for God’s wisdom in your daily circumstances, but as you increasingly respond to God’s leading and new opportunities, I hope you can instinctively say, “I feel good” about where I am with the Lord and where he is leading me.

Try This to Add Some Texture to Your Prayer Life

Many people faithfully pray every day for those closest to them. I love bringing before the Lord each of my family members plus a handful of close friends. However, this often becomes a jumble of requests as I move among various people and their differing and ever-changing needs:  someone’s health concern, a friend’s tough financial circumstance, a third person’s relational challenge, someone else’s job-related problem. With about 15 people with so many needs to pray about, my prayer time often turns into an ADD nightmare.

About a year ago, it occurred to me that my prayers for others would probably be more effective and certainly more enjoyable with a bit of organization. So I started clustering my prayers into four categories and focusing on just one category each day for those 15 people.

I start with myself and then progress to my wife Annette, and then each individual in my son’s family, then each individual in my daughter’s family, then my 96-year-old mother-in-law. Then I move on to five dear friends and finish by praying for the direction of our country and for guidance and effectiveness in my ministry activities.

This is what it looks like:

• Day 1 – For God to speak to each individual (including me) and that we would listen and respond. If I know someone is going through a particularly tough period, I will add a request that the Lord would provide a specifically tailored bit of encouragement to them, even that very day.

• Day 2 – For what I perceive to be that person’s greatest spiritual or personal need. It may be a particular struggle they’ve mentioned or it might be my own thought about a possible growth area.

• Day 3 – For relationships: both my relationships with each of them individually and the important relationships within their family units.

• Day 4 – For their tangible needs like health issues, financial circumstances, job-related problems, etc. These are more “nuts-and-bolts”-type prayers and are different from those from Day 2, which focus on more personal needs. On Day 4, I include prayers for protection of the grandkids from the many dangers our culture exposes them to.

I follow this practice first thing in the morning. If I wake up early and don’t have to jump out of bed, I’ll take my time and pray in some detail. Other days If I’m rushed, I walk through the list rather quickly.

Beyond these 15 or so people, from time to time, I commit to praying daily for a month for someone going through an unusually tough season. Making them a permanent “add” would eventually bloat my prayer activity to an unreasonable level, so the 30-day commitment allows me to bring someone before God for a period while keeping things manageable.

Of course, none of this means that I don’t pray for other requests throughout the day. I love being able to remember needs mentioned at Bible Study, lunch meetings or friends’ texts.

I wanted to describe this very rewarding prayer approach that I stumbled on and suggest that you consider adopting it. A word of caution, though. What makes this an enjoyable process is a personal commitment to not make this a legalistic “must do.” On those days when I’m particularly rushed, I quickly move through the topic of the day and then move guilt-free into my day. Discipline is good. A guilt-inducing attitude is not.

I'm Glad I Didn't Let My 18-Year-Old Self Determine My Future

The September after I graduated high school, I packed up the VW bug and headed to Syracuse University with high hopes and only a vague idea of what I would do for the rest of my life. Because, as a high school senior, I did an independent study project trying to replicate laboratory creation of polystyrene, I slid into a chemistry major without giving it much thought.

Because my freshman year of college saw major campus protests, midway through the spring semester, I began to seriously question the relevance of my chemistry major. In light of larger social issues, I didn’t really think spending the rest of my life studying certain subatomic particles that could only be detected by an electron microscope would be that fulfilling. Who cares?

So I did a hard right turn and became an English Education major. Then a few months later I entered into a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Although I stuck with the English major, instead of becoming a teacher after graduation, I joined the staff of Cru, a Christian outreach organization.

I had three wildly different jobs over my nine-year tenure at Cru: 

• 2 years working with college students in New York and New Jersey

• 5 years directing various internationally traveling bands

• 2 years serving in the international personnel office in the main headquarters

During our last two years on staff, my wife and I carefully evaluated long-term career objectives. I tentatively decided to go to seminary and ultimately become a church pastor. For various reasons, I decided instead on a profession in healthcare executive leadership and spent the rest of my career there.

By my count, including my three different roles within Cru, I made seven vastly dissimilar career decisions. If my choice as an 18-year-old would-be chemistry major was irreversible, my life would have been much different and ultimately, I believe, far less fulfilling. 

Why am I telling you this?

We live in a time when some voices in our society are giving their blessing to 12-year-olds who might have ambivalence about their gender identity to undergo radically life-changing and irreversible surgery and/or hormone therapy to switch genders. I even saw a TV spot about an eight-year-old boy being encouraged by his parents to adopt a gender identity that contradicts his biological reality.

Allowing adolescents to physically transition their sexual identity is horrifying on three levels:

First of all, to my knowledge, there has never been a society in the history of the world that has believed that a man can become a woman or a woman become a man. This goes against every aspect of human history and natural science. Is our generation truly wiser than every other civilization that preceded ours?

Secondly, in a few cases, school officials encourage students to “explore” gender identity alternatives without informing their parents. If a student can’t even go on a field trip without a permission slip from a parent or guardian, how can some outside authority start a child down a path that could ultimately lead them to make permanent, life-altering decisions? 

Finally, with no disrespect to adolescents, how could they possibly make a clear-headed decision about something so fundamental as whether they will spend the rest of their lives as a man or a woman? Middle school teachers will tell you that students who display gender confusion at that age often settle into their true biological gender a year or two later. And of course, every person should be treated with respect as someone created in God’s image.

Because society recognizes the relative immaturity of 12-year-olds, here are some things that, for their own protection and society’s good, they are not permitted to do:

• Vote

• Serve on a jury

• Join the military

• Get married

• Enter a legal contract

• Get a driver’s license

• Buy an R-rated movie ticket

• Drink alcohol

• Buy cigarettes

Yet some in our society encourage their “right” to make a drastic decision to make changes to their bodies that can never be fully reversed.

If I, as an 18-year-old, made an initial career choice I subsequently changed six times, what sense does it make to allow an early adolescent to start down the unalterable path of drastic body change?

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“ . . . (w)hoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away – it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offenses come.”

Matthew 18:6-7 (CSB)