DEALING WITH DARKNESS

When I was a small boy, I was for a time afraid of the dark, probably because I had such an active imagination. Now and then at night my Dad would tell me to go turn off the pump or check on the chickens or some such thing, and since it was already dark I'd have to walk 100-200 feet across a dark and forboding farm yard. We had a yard light on a fairly high pole, but it cast big shadows all over. And who knew what dangers lurked in those shadows?

One particular moonless summer night I was headed out to the barn to retrieve something and paused when I stepped into the big shadow behind our granery. I knew Dad had parked some machinery near there and didn't want to run into it and break a leg. Then I realized something was there in the shadows and I couldn't see! I waited a moment for my eyes to adjust and just at that moment something cold and slimy touched my hand...

A monster! Yikes! My heart pumped about a gallon of adrenalin and I jerked my hand away and ran like the wind, letting out a pitiful holler. I ran that 40 yard dash back to the house in record time, but not before our old dog Zeke got there ahead of me. You see, it was his wet nose I'd felt and I'm sure I scared him more than he scared me. Our old dog was a monster, and he didn't even know it! The next morning, of course, Zeke was by the front door wagging his tail, and the yard was sunny and there was no monster, and I felt a little foolish at being so frightened. It was a new day and everything was okay.

Right now some of us are feeling something cold and slimy touch us in the dark. It's a disease we have, or it's a bad relationship, or it's the ugliness of politics, or it's a shakey economy. Part of the problem is real, but part is imagined because we can't see into the shadows.

God is with us in both the night and day. Now is the time to stop and realize life is not as bad as we think it is. God, who is with us in the sunny daylight is also with us in the dark shadows of night. Same good Lord, same Friend Jesus, same caring God with His same heart of love and mercy. He who brings us through the day will also get us through the night.

We just need to trust Him and not be afraid.

BUILT ON THE ROCK

The many recent storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea have made me think of how we all need a strong anchor. Ships need them to keep from drifting, buildings need a sure foundation, and trees need a deep root system if they are going to stand when the storms come. In each case, their very survival in the storm depends on being attached to that which cannot be moved.

We all know that life has its share of stormy times, times of impending destruction. But are we attached to the immovable, the unchanging power of God? Despite our preparations, anchors can give way, roots can pull up and foundations can crumble. But God provides us a faith that can endure. It is faith in Jesus Christ that holds us fast in life's stormy times. God the Holy Spirit provides us this faith. Jesus reassures us, saying, "Lo, I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20) It is His strength that surrounds and protects us in the buffeting of life's torrents and calamities.

"Built on the Rock, the Church shall stand," we sing. So shall we stand, if our lives are built on the Rock. If we are personally attached to Christ the Rock of our salvation, we can rest assured that we may stumble, but we will not fall. We may be badly hurt, but we will not suffer destruction. 

God loves us with an everlasting love that does not fade. Knowing and trusting His love, we can have a faith that will withstand the storms of life, no matter how hard they hit, or where they come from.

"Jesus is the Rock of my salvation, and His banner over me is love..."

GOOD FROM BAD

A man bought a home which he felt would suit his needs. It was a fine house in a good neighborhood, the soil was rich and there was even a small area in back which he was sure would be good for a garden. But when he began spading his garden, he struck rock! He soon discovered his entire garden area had a rock layer just a few inches under the surface, so the soil could grow little.

And because the man had always wanted a garden, he was very disappointed. “Why me?” he wondered. Yes, the house was nice and the lawn mostly green, but he was sad. Even when he hauled in more soil, his garden grew hardly a thing. Then he discovered it was because that surface rock was a vein of coal on which little could grow. He would have no garden, and so he was very sad.

When bad things come our way, our first response usually is, “Why me?” And yet, when good things come our way we hardly ever ask, “Why me?” It's because we believe good things should be the norm and bad things should be the exception. Most people expect life should be mostly always good, and rarely bad.

We humans are very adept at labeling events either “good” or “bad.” But are those labels correct? For instance, we call business success “good,” but don't consider that it can lead to excessively long work hours, or separated families, or exhausted bodies, or the temptation to love money. And we call disease or trouble “bad,” but forget that such events can also teach us perseverance, or a source of inner strength, or cause us to seek God, or even draw families closer together.

We need to try viewing “good” and “bad” through God's eyes. He has a longer view of our life than we do. God has promised to make all things work together for good for those who love Him. He can make "good" come out of our "bad." Disease, disappointment, troubles, even death can and will touch each of us. But when we havea faith and trust in our Lord Jesus, God can make it turn out for our good.

I suppose I could finish the story by saying the man made a fortune from his vein of coal, but that would miss the point. In the midst of our pain and trouble we need to realize that God can smooth the rough edges of our life and even make a diamond out of our lump of coal.

What “bad” things in your life can God make “good” for you?

LET THE SON SHINE IN!

A father was showing his son the stained glass windows in a nearby church. The father pointed out some of the brightly illuminated figures that were pieced together in the glass.  "Who's that?" the boy asked.  "That's Saint Peter," the father replied. Pointing to another, the boy asked, "Who is that?" "That's Saint John." "And that one?" "That's Saint Mark." Then the boy made a profound observation: "I guess a saint is somebody that light shines through."

Perhaps you've been blessed enough to know someone through whom the light shines. It may be a teacher who treated you with special kindness. It may be a kind neighbor, it may be your faithful spouse, or it may be an individual at work who always manages to see the bright side of situations.

The Bible speaks about many such individuals, people through whom the Light shines. Most of all, the Bible speaks about the One who is the Light of the world - Jesus Christ. Without Him, the world is dark, but with Jesus there is hope, joy, peace, forgiveness, escape from guilt and a whole host of other good and lasting things. Best of all, with Jesus there is a life to come that promises the best of everything.

Give thanks for the Light, and then be one of those through whom that Light shines. After all, it was He who said, "Let your light so shine that people will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."  (Matthew 5:16) By the way, so far your response to "Pastors Hope Fund" has been nearly $2,000 - praise the Lord!

Keep letting the Light shine through!

HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED

It's really easy to see a need and it's even easier to hear of one. In today's world of rapid communication, we are inundated with requests to help this or that person or need. The important things, however, are that we do respond with help if we can, and that we make the right choices.

I have a pastor friend who could use some assistance, due to his age and his being removed from his congregation. He acted according to God's Word, and stepped on the wrong feet, and now has no place to go, for he has always lived in a parsonage. He, of course, is not without some fault in this, but the important thing is that he has no place to live and needs some help.

I have set up a fund through a local church's charity account. If you'd like to assist my pastor friend, age 63, who is praying and actively seeking another pastoral position, you can send your tax deductible gifts to: "Pastor's Hope Fund", 2353 Meadows Ln., Castle Rock, CO 80104. Gifts received will be placed into the Charity Fund and the church will then issue him a check when gifts are in.

It's been said that "People give to people," and "People give then they're asked." This is a legitimate request on behalf of a faithful pastor who has a major need. If you'd like to assist, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks and many blessings to you!

THE LORD PROVIDES

"The Lord Provides!" How many times have we heard that saying, and how many times have we experienced it? Consider...

+++A young man is buying a gift for his girlfriend. He discovers he is 85 cents short, so he removes the backseat of his car, hoping to find some coins. How much does he find? 85 cents!  "The Lord Provides!"

+++A newly married couple overspends their first credit card by $500. A week later they discover an elderly aunt had given them a C.D. for graduation months before. The amount of her gift? $500!

+++ A young couple finds their washing machine needs replacing. They purchase one on sale for $500. A few days later they change their auto and home insurance policies for a total savings of -- $500!  "The Lord Provides!"

+++ A mature couple makes a pledge to their church's building Fund for $5000 more than they had planned. A few days later their college son calls with the news he's received an unexpected grant. The amount? $5000!

+++After three fruitless months with a rental agency, a man Emails his friends about his son's rental house. Result? In one week the house is rented!  "The Lord Provides!"

I'm sure if we think about it, we all have our story of how "The Lord Provides." The disciples asked Jesus, "How can we feed all these people with so little food?" "Sit them down and I'll show you!" Jesus said, and fed 5000 with a boy's lunch (Matthew 14).  Truly, the Lord provides in amazing ways, and usually through His people.

Next week I am going to ask you to be part of the Lord's providence for a pastor friend of mine who was terminated because he applied the Word of God to some long-standing immorality in his church and stepped on some toes. Illness had depleted his savings, and he owns no home (always lived in parsonages), so he needs help. I truly believe he will get another chance in ministry, but right now he needs people to show him "The Lord Provides."

And I know He will provide, because those examples above are all from my life. I, more than most, know the truth in the saying, "The Lord Provides." I pray we can help bring that kind of hope to my pastor friend.

Next week I will give you details how. 

GOING INTO THE FOG

Two land surveyors went to study the mountains of North Wales. They stayed two weeks with a shepherd who fed them and gave them a good place to sleep. During the day the surveyors climbed the slopes, checked landmarks and followed mountain streams to their sources. Each night they returned to the warm and snug shepherd's cottage.

One night, the old shepherd suggested he accompany them the next day.  "There's no need for that," answered the men. "We won't get lost. We have compasses, charts and maps." "Just the same, I'd better come with you," insisted the old man.  "No, no -- don't trouble yourself!" they confidently replied. 

"But I know well the mountain trails. I know where the steep gullies are, and where the bogs run deep," the old man said.  "But it's all on the maps," they answered.  "Why would we need anything further?" The old man paused and then said, "Because the fog is coming in tomorrow, and the fog is not on the map."

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, knows the trails of our life, and He also knows the fog. He can guide us through any trial or danger we will face in life. Although He gives us the Bible, He still wishes to walk beside us. He knows that fog will come into our lives, and when it does, we will need Him beside us. 

For a safer journey, always let Jesus accompany you.