Being Still

I apologize for the length of time since my last blog. I had several ideas bounce around in my head but nothing really clear.

Having been “unplugged” from the frantic pace of the east coast of the United States over the past several months I have enjoyed being still and really seeing God at work. As I became aware of the peace in the stillness my mind turned to the scriptures on the same topic.

1 Kings 19:11-13
11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Exodus 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Hebrews 4:1-11
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b]
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”[d]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

How can we hear the voice of God if our waking moments are filled with all the busy things we fill our schedules with? Personally my life had been out of balance and I am sure one of the many lessons He taught me in the last five months is to bring balance back into my life. To be still more often, to listen to Him, to listen to my brothers and sisters in Christ, to intercede in prayer for them and speak encouraging words to them.

Very little of my service to my Savior and King could be done if I worked to exhaustion day in and day out. He has been gracious to bring me through a time where I can learn this and He has also blessed me with Godly employers who are willing to work with me as I seek a healthy and Godly balance.

I encourage you to be still and to listen to God in and through all His ways of speaking to you. His best for you may be unveiled in the still small whispers that can only be heard when you are in a place of peace and quiet – in His rest.

I plan to do this more and pray for the eyes to see and ears to hear Him at work in my life. How about you?

Open Hands

When you are in the hospital many hands are laid upon you; doctors, nurses, aids, family, friends and pastors. It is amazing the sense you develop as you feel others interacting with you – simply by how they touch you. I found myself praying for good nurses and aids - those with tender and loving touch.

As I reflect on this new insight I thought about Paul and the different places he stayed on his way to trial in Rome. From guards to friends he experienced the full range. I wonder if he prayed as I did. What seems evident is that he kept his hands open in a humble posture before God. He allowed God to place in his hands what he needed for a period of time but Paul also held these things loosely so God could give him more or take something away in order to give him something better.

That something better was not always something that looked better to those praying for Paul’s deliverance from Roman officials. Often it was something that allowed God’s glory to shine even more in and through Paul’s life.

So here I am, 22 days into my second round of a hospital stay and yet I seek to glorify God in and through all He has placed in my hands. I am reminded of the two verses below and my own situation.

Luke 8:16
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

My jar of clay is continually being filled and I don’t want to hide the light. So how do I best let His light shine? Through the cracks in my clay jar, that’s how. As the Lord puts me through the furnace of affliction and I come to the end of my own strength I rely on Him more. The cracks created show my frailty but also serve to allow His Glory to shine through my weaknesses.

As God works in your life, hold things loosely and welcome His best into your life. Also, let the cracks in your jar serve to shine His light into the darkness of this world. We can glorify our Father in Heaven in many ways – when you find yourself at the end of your own strength, He can really shine.

Breath of Life

Every breath is a true gift from God, one none of us should take lightly. Think about those who have been given six weeks or six months to live. I often call these folks “short-timers” and they share the truths of life with much more abandoned than others. I often feel sad that it takes facing death for many of us to pour out all we have learned along our journey.

I think about the judgment each of us will face; believers will be held accountable for the life each of us has been given in Christ. Non-believers will have to answer for their sins. Now I picture myself standing before God with Christ and hearing the question: “What did you do with the life I gave you.” I want to have empty hands and be able to say I used up all you gave me and have nothing left.

Acts 20:24 New International Version
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

2 Timothy 4:7 New International Version
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Someone hit the re-set button!

Did you ever read a passage of scripture and get one impression only to read it at a later date and see something completely different? Since the Word doesn' t change it is our position relative to the Word that changes. This winter I spent 36 days in hospitals, came home for 19 days and sit here today on day 14 of my second round in hsopitals.


I was amazed by God's presence in my journey the first time. What he taught me, what I could share with others, and how other believers came to be known along the way. The fellowship was magical and the edification was mutual. I really connected with Christ and his sufferings during the crucifixion and shared these thoughts with all who came calling on me.


This second journey seems much different. I have a deeper appreciation of Paul's time in prisions. This blog will serve as my way of communicating to those who read it as Paul communicated to the various New Testament churches.


I trust and pray you will find this blog worthy of your time and challenge you to dive into our Father's Word and hear His message for you.


God Bless!