Author Archives: revjaf

WALK ON WHAT?…Matthew 14: 22-32

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This Bible passage puzzles me.  You know this story.  Jesus has fed thousands of hungry people.  Previously, their stomachs were probably growling!  He sends them on their way… well-fed!  The 12 disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, when a fierce storm blows through that canyon-like lake tossing them every which-way with water spraying all over.  Jesus remains up on the hillside, keeping a careful eye on them.  Finally, He comes toward His fearful and panicked disciples.  Walking on the water!

What did you say?  Walk on what?  Those 12 really question what’s happening now.  Wait a minute.  That’s not a ghost or a monster.  It’s Jesus!  Really?  Are you sure?  First the storm.  Now this!  Can you imagine what Peter comes up with next?   Peter wants Jesus to let him walk on water.  Do what?  Why?

Here’s what puzzles me.  Why not ask Jesus to calm the storm?  Why not beg for His help?   I don’t know.  I have the sneaking feeling that even he wasn’t sure.  Except that he knew that Jesus would help.

That’s a good idea for us to hold onto today.  And tomorrow as well.  Jesus cares.  He helps us.  Peter steps out of the boat.  Starts out fine.  One step in front of the other.  Looking straight at Jesus.  Floating barefoot on whitecaps, on the Sea of Galilee!  What a feeling!

But then he senses water up to his ankles, then his shins and knees.   He gets nervous, looking here, there… and finally down.   He falters…with that sinking feeling!  Who hasn’t felt that?  So, Peter cries out for help.  Jesus catches him.  Then our Lord, tenderly but firmly, speaks with Peter about his itsy-bitsy faith and those pesky doubts.  Peter needs to do some ‘faith’ soul-searching.

I was wondering–what does the Lord needs to speak to me about?  My easy worrying?  Miniscule faith?  How about you?

Peter learns a lesson or two.  Like what?  Little baby steps of faith will grow in Jesus’ hands, even in the face of devilish doubts and faltering faith.  Let Him help.  It’s what He does best.  Peter probably thought he was quite strong, but he was all wet!  Jesus will help us.   He will speak with us.  Like prodding us to be more than we are.  More like who we were created to be, made in the image of God.

Interested in that?  I am.  Let’s journey together…with Jesus!  I’m stepping out of the boat.  Look up.  Take His hand.  His grip is firm.  We can do it!   ‘(We) can do all things through Christ…'(Philippians 4:13).

Prayer:  Lord, we take your hand in ours.  We may slip and fall at times, but we know you are always there to lift us up!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

MORE WIND CHASING!… Ecclesiastes 1-2 Again!

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I wish my life didn’t involve so much ‘chasing after the wind’.  As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes chapters 1 and 2.  I have a secret I’d like to share with you.  Many years ago, I made a commitment to read the Bible from cover to cover in the new year.  A Roman Catholic priest friend said that he’d like to also.  But a Lutheran pastor friend said that he had read the Bible through a few times.  Well, he wasn’t going to get one up on us!  No way!

I found a Bible-in-a-Year reading calendar and started out with Genesis, Psalms and Luke.  Two Old Testament and one New Testament every day.   If followed, I’d read from Genesis to Revelation by December 31st!   Now,  I knew that there would be some days when that would not be possible, but also that God was understanding.  Nevertheless, I really tried my best to stick to that schedule of Bible reading.  Every day with Him in the Bible.  Day by day, week by week, month by month, I was navigating through the entire Bible.

I didn’t notice anything different for awhile, but change was coming into my life.  And I don’t mean nickels, dimes and quarters, either!   You see, I was moving from Ecclesiastes 1:6-‘The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course’–to Ecclesiastes 2:26-‘To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…’  From wind that blows here, there and who-knows-where; to God’s wisdom that anchors me firmly in Him.

Guess what?  I accomplished my goal–read the entire Bible that year!  Almost 30 years later, I’m still at it!  Every year–every book and letter, every chapter and verse.  Won’t stop.  Too much to lose.  Won’t stop.  Too much to gain…by staying with Him in His Word.

Up for the challenge?  In this new year, how about reading your Bible from cover to cover?  Or listening to it on CD?  Or on one of your digital devices(whatever that may be!)!  But don’t say I’ll do it…do it!  A good place to find a number of daily Bible reading schedules would be on the internet, at of all places, ‘Daily Bible Reading Schedules’!  Even I found that!  Have fun looking.  Find one that interests you.  Then go for it.  Do it!  Begin today.  And get ready to notice that life is changing for you…with Him!

Prayer:  Lord, we want to get close to you.  Help us to open our Bibles every day as we open our hearts to you as well.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

MORE WIND CHASING!……Read Ecclesiastes 1-2

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  I wish my life didn’t involve so much ‘chasing after the wind’.  You remember King Solomon’s phrase from Ecclesiastes.   Chasing,  pushing, shoving,  fighting for…things that are just ‘wind’, meaning so little.   Like some years in my ministry.   Would have to admit that I began poorly.   Then, I had 20 very satisfying years as a Master Financial Planner with a large American investment firm.   Praise God I ended pastoral ministry with much less chasing you-know-what.  But looking back, way back,  I just shake my head at so much time and opportunity squandered and frittered away.  ‘Chasing after the wind’–as Solomon claimed in Ecclesiastes chapters 1 & 2.  Hope you’ve read those two chapters–again.  Doesn’t take a lot of time.  Maybe 10 minutes.  In that space of time, we could channel-surf the mass nothingness of cable TV or Hulu, HuHu or whatever they’re called!   For me,  what’s with this new italic I’m seeing?  It’s shown up from who-knows-where?  I must have pressed a wrong key on my computer.  Must have…but which one?  Who cares as I don’t know how to fix it anyway.  So, where’s my wife?  This is ruined!  Help!  Sue!  To my rescue once again!   Ah, she’s done it!  Back to normal.  Thank you, Lord… and Sue!  Doesn’t take a lot of ‘wind’ to waste 10 minutes…at least not in my life.  See what I mean?  Am I the only one?  But I do have a secret I’d like to share with you.  Many years ago, I made a commitment to read the Bible from cover to cover in the new year.  A Roman Catholic friend of mine, a priest, also admitted that he had never done so in his many years of ministry.  But a Lutheran pastor friend of ours said that he had read the Bible through a few times.  Well, he wasn’t going to get one up on us!  No way!  Not a Lutheran, anyway!!  So, I found a Bible-in-a-Year calendar and started reading.  It had 2 Old Testament and 1 New Testament readings every day.  If followed, I’d read from Genesis to Revelation by December 31st!   Must confess that I had made this same commitment when I was a student at Bible college many, many years before.  Think I kept that resolution through possibly part of one week!  That’s terrible to admit.  But truth be told.  ‘Truth or Consequences’– I can clearly see the consequences of not allowing God’s truth to penetrate this thick, Irish-German skull (and soul) of mine.  Not good.  Not at all.   Now, after I had made this new commitment to read the Bible every day, I knew that there would be some days when that would not be possible but also that God was merciful and understanding.  Nevertheless, I really tried to stick to that schedule of daily reading.  Every day with Him in His Word, the Bible.  Day by day, week by week, month by month, I was navigating through the entire Bible.  I didn’t notice anything different for awhile, but change was coming into my life.  And I don’t mean nickels, dimes and quarters either!  You see,  I was moving from Ecclesiastes 1:6: ‘The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course’–to Ecclesiastes 2:26: ‘To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…’  From wind that blows here, there and who-knows-where;  to God’s wisdom that anchors me firmly in Him.  Guess what?  I accomplished my goal–read the entire Bible that year!   Almost 30 years later, I’m still at it.  Every year–every chapter, every verse.  Won’t stop.  Too much to lose.  Won’t stop.  Too much to gain…by staying with Him in His Word.  Up for a challenge?  For this new year, how about reading your Bible from cover to cover?  Or listening to it on CD?  Or on one your digital devices(whatever that may be!)?  But don’t say I’ll do it… do it!  A good place to find a number of daily Bible reading schedules would be on the internet, at of all places, ‘Daily Bible Reading Schedules’!  Even I found that!  Have fun looking.  Find one that interests you.  Then go for it.  Do it!  Begin today.  And get ready to notice that life is changing…for you…with Him!

Prayer:  Lord, we so want to get close to you.  We need more of you and less of us in this crazy world.  Help us to open our Bibles every day as we open our hearts to you.  We need your help to do just that.  In Jesus’ name and for His sake.  Amen.

 

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE REST AND RELAXATION?…Isaiah 36: 1-22

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Here we are retired and in need of rest and relaxation.  What gives?   What about these Bible verses?   Isaiah 36:4 is a strange one.   Some context here.  Jerusalem and Judah are being threatened by the world power of its day, Assyria.  The Assyrian King Sennacherib sends his high officials to pressure God’s people into submission.  He seeks to undermine their confidence.  The foreign official tells Judah’s King Hezekiah this–‘…Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours?'(ESV).

Sennacherib preens himself as the supreme power in the world, upon which no foreign god has ever had any control, authority or success.  No god has ever defeated him, he brags.  ‘And yours won’t either, Hezekiah’.  Then Sennacherib has the nerve to say that Israel’s God, Yahweh, has said this to him– “The LORD said to me, ‘Go up against this land(Israel) and destroy it'”(Isaiah 36: 10).  The evil Assyrian powerhouse pulls out all the stops, resorting to any tactic to put abject fear into the hearts of God’s people.  I love what Hezekiah does next, up against such a fierce foe and liar.

What does Hezekiah do first?  Poll the citizens for possible options?  No.  Send out advisors to ‘spin’ a positive message in a dire situation?  No.  Gather his most trusted advisors around him for a consensus?  None of the above.  Verse 1 says–‘As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.’  And then he calls for Isaiah the prophet.

Of course it’s wise to seek other’s counsel.  We know this.  But what comes first?  For me, it’s worry and fretting.   I go over things until they build up into a huge tangle of nerves.

What have I discovered over the years?  Prayer helps because God answers prayer.  God wants us to think about Him.  First.  To focus on His promises found in the Bible.  First.  To find rest and relaxation, trusting Him.  First.

Even though the question of the day comes from one of God’s enemies, it’s still a good one.  On what do we rest?  On whom do we trust?   Trust is a big issue.  The Hebrew word is used seven times here in Isaiah 36: 4-9.  Where do we place our trust?  On big ‘bucks’ and bulging investment portfolios?  On looks?  Government and elected leaders?  On education or positions in life?  On church and pastors?  Families and friends?  All have their place… behind coming to Jesus with everything, placing them at His feet, walking away knowing that in His care we’ll be blessed.

I wish I always trusted the Lord.  I haven’t.  But the little baby steps I take will result in giant strides for me with Him.  You too?  Why not?

Prayer:  Lord,  may my fears give way to faith in you.  Through Jesus your Son.  Amen.

WIND CHASING!… Ecclesiastes Chapters 1-2

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Good old King Solomon!  Not Wenceslaus!  Two chapters to read today.  Tsk…tsk.  You won’t be sorry.  These chapters display wisdom from Solomon as he approaches the very end of his life.  He was doing some reflecting, like someone else I know and like!   Me! Here’s something hard to believe– he made more mistakes, committed more sins, than even I have!  Have you looked in the mirror lately?!

Solomon begins by telling us that life is meaningless.  Oh, that’s good news to start my day!  Meaningless–vanity, transitory, empty and fleeting(told you I got a new Thesaurus for Christmas!).   He’s tried it all.  Excesses… that make us blush.   Good enterprises… that went awry.  Education… as the ‘Renaissance Man’ he was.   Yet,  he writes “Meaningless, meaningless…” (1:2).

All a big, fat waste of time with a clock that’s running out of hours and minutes.   However, the phrase that caught my attention was ‘chasing after the wind’.  Five times in these two chapters, he uses this phrase.  I can picture one of our grandchildren running outside chasing a leaf, blown around in the wind…to no avail.  Trying to catch the wind is ultimate futility.  Oh, how I dread playing tennis or golf on a windy day.  At least I can blame my lame game on that infernal wind!

Can’t catch the wind.  It would drive you mad.  One of my favorite silent movies is Lillian Gish’s ‘The Wind’.  The unyielding wind of the Texas prairie drives her literally insane.  Images of her tiny body facing into that unrelenting wind, trying to keep the intrusive dust out of her log house, are ones I’ll not soon forget.

When I was an undergraduate student at the Moody Bible Institute, on one of those wintry, blustery Chicago days, where you had to walk hunched-over facing deeply into the wind  to keep from being windswept away.  Saw children wafted dangerously into the streets by the winds of the ‘Windy City’.  The wisdom of the Bible Institute’s architects was to build heated tunnels connecting all the buildings.  The cold, the wind, the blowing snow…all kept away from us… if we stayed inside.

Like knowing Jesus, who keeps us safe and secure.  Tunneling near to the heart of God,  finding shelter from life’s windy blasts.  Without the stability of God’s love anchoring us to safety and shelter, life would be little more than meaningless ‘chasing after the wind’.

Remember, Jesus gives us the wind of the Holy Spirit.  He’s that gentle breeze that feels good and clean.  The Holy Spirit is the dependable reason for whatever season we find ourselves in.    Comfort and counsel, all from God’s Holy Spirit, make for a certain richness to our daily grind.   Even old Solomon would say “amen” to that!  How about you?  Happy New Year!

Prayer:  Dear God, in this new year help us to find our safe lodging in you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

ON THE SHELF!… Luke 1: 5-25

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I’ve always loved preaching during the Christmas season.  To come up with some new  angle was quite the challenge.  Recently I discovered a new insight.  From Luke chapter 1.  It’s about John the Baptist’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah.

Both righteous Jews, who know their Bible, serve God faithfully, and obey their Lord. Getting along in years with no child for them.  Lots of prayers and hope– all frustrated.  Until… ministering at the Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah hears directly from the angel Gabriel that in a few months they will have a son, who will be the forerunner of the Messiah!

Can you believe it?  Zechariah had a hard time with that.  He needed proof, something to counter his doubts.  The couple are old and worn out.  Every dusty thing, stored in their  infant nursery, has been given away.  But Zechariah will be silenced, unable to utter one word, until God’s promise has been fulfilled.  He needs to listen.

Then Elizabeth discovers that the love they have for each other has resulted in the conception of a baby.  Her reaction?  Not hers alone.  Imagine all the congratulations voiced, the gifts given, the nursery showers lavished on this older woman unexpectedly expecting this blessed event?  But Luke writes in verse 24 that ‘After…Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden…’

Zechariah–in silence.  Elizabeth–in seclusion.  Today, I noticed something new.  Zechariah, who leads in worship, now must live quietly for awhile.  God has made him a promise.  One that they were too afraid to believe in.  What he needs most is to keep quiet, keep his mouth closed… and listen to God.  To reflect.  God has put him in a place where listening is all he can do.  He needs to listen.  Don’t we?

Sometimes the Lord will put us in a place where all we can do is hang on to His promises.    Good people have questions and doubts. Been put on the shelf.  Be quiet…and watch what God does.   Listen to Him.  Will we?

Elizabeth closeted herself for a period of 5 months.  That’s a long time.  What was this all about?  I picture her getting closer to God.  Spending time with the One who now has so blessedly answered her prayers.  Distanced from distractions, even family and friends.  Not much of a stretch to imagine that each of us needs to get away, to turn off the radio or television, finding some place and some time for Him.  Someone has called aloneness that ‘splendid isolation’.  At times, it can be.  As for Zechariah and Elizabeth, of years gone by.  Take time to be alone with Him.

I’m so glad God showed me something new  in the Christmas story, for I was listening while alone in His Word!  Now it’s your turn!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, that when you speak, we listen, drawing closer to us.   In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THOSE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS!… Psalm 103: 1-5

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They look somewhat silly perched on our heads as we gather around the table for our Christmas dinner.  Bright-colored, crinkly paper hats that never seem to fit.   Looks more like a poorly formed bird’s nest with my hair sticking up and out its sides!  But I wear my ‘Christmas Cracker’ proudly, enjoying other’s raucous laughter as they see ‘Silly Papa’ doing what he does best, being silly and fun!  My wife Sue continues her English tradition of those Christmas crackers.  She enjoys them.  That’s good enough for me.  Christmas crackers!

Psalm 103 is a hymn of praise to God.  When we’re stuck in problems, heartaches and headaches, turn to this psalm.  Good medicine for you and me.  Take the medicine…praise the Lord.  Sing His wonders and goodness.

I want you to notice all those powerful verbs that King David uses in this psalm–‘forget not… forgives all…heals all…redeems…crowns…satisfies…and renews'(Psalm 103: 2-5).  I’m still thinking of those Christmas Crackers that have little toys inside, along with a puzzle to solve or a joke to tell.   Of course, that paper crown to wear.  What a treat!

Verse 4 gives us a glimpse of a better Christmas Cracker!  We’re crowned with ‘steadfast love and mercy’.  God’s love that never ends.  His mercy offered as the gift of forgiveness.   God’s grace is getting what we don’t deserve and never earned.  His grace.  His mercy?  Well, that’s NOT getting what we do deserve.  I REALLY need that.  If He gave me what I deserved, oh boy, would I be in deep, deep trouble.  Am I alone in this?  He…’ crowns you with steadfast love and mercy’.

Look back at those vibrant verbs used in Psalm 103.  Do you notice something?  All of them are gifts from God.  All come to us because His Son Jesus gave Himself on the cross for you and me.  We can never earn God’s crown.  Never.  ‘His steadfast love and mercy’– these are His gifts to us.  I like that adjective ‘steadfast’.  Reminds us that God’s love is steady. Fastening to our soul with a super glue that never loses its adhesiveness.

It’s takes hold as fast as saying ‘yes’ to Jesus, welcoming Him into our lives.  Like a man and a woman, becoming husband and wife, by saying ‘I do’ to each other.  Two heartfelt words– ‘I do’– bind two lovers together in marriage which begins at that very moment.  When saying ‘yes’ to Jesus, you immediately experience God’s love and mercy, His grace and goodness.  All yours…from Him.  Wear them as the crown of your life.  Merry Christmas!   Rejoice in all those gifts God has given you!

Prayer:  Lord, we praise you for everything in our lives.  Praise you, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

BE A CHEERLEADER!… Psalm 136

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I never wanted to be a cheerleader.  Fun to watch, but looks quite dangerous.  Getting tossed in the air like a water balloon hoping you don’t get dropped and splattered all over the ground!  Today, I’m not talking about being a cheerleader for a football team.  Rather, being an encouragement to others.

It means so much to me when some of you take the time to contact me that a devotional  lifts you up in your walk with the Lord.  Makes my day.  As if the Lord is saying to me: ‘keep at it.  Write for me!’   Recently, however,  I  received five rejection notices from a devotional magazine that I’ve written for for over thirty years.  Five for five.  Batting a big, fat zero!   Why work at this?  Retired.  I have other things on my dream list.  Starting to wonder.  Maybe it’s a lot of hot air, circulating around in my hollow head!

Then, an acceptance came from a new magazine I’ve started writing for.  That letter was like a cheerleader rooting me on!  Like the Lord saying, ‘write on!  Acceptance or rejection, don’t stop now.  It’s too soon to quit’.  Thank you, Lord!

We all need encouragement.  AND– we all need to be cheerleaders for someone else.  Can you think of someone you can encourage today?  Get in touch with them.   Send a note.  Bake something.  Invite them over for a meal.  Think of something.

One of my favorite psalms is the 136th.  It’s a great song of praise to God.  Notice that the same response is given at the end of every verse.  Your translation may say, ‘His love endures forever’ (NIV) or another says ‘for His steadfast love endures forever'(ESV).  Whatever, the message is the same.  God’s love lasts forever.  His love is enduring and endearing.  Not like mine, fickle and conditional.  This is about ‘His love’.

God’s people keep repeating that phrase over and over again for every single verse of  Psalm 136.  I did some digging in the original Hebrew Bible.  Instead of six or four words in their response, there are but three.  Literally, they say, ‘forever…His love!’  In each and every one of those twenty six verses–‘forever… His love!’  Keep repeating it.  Say it again.  Like a cheerleader saying wonderful words of praise to our God and His Son Jesus.  Can never say it enough.  God never tires of hearing us praise His name.  ‘Forever…His love!’  Be a cheerleader… for Him!  A Christmas cheer for Jesus, our Lord and Savior!  ‘Forever…His love!’  Say it again…!

Prayer:  Lord, we can never praise you enough.  We love you and worship you.  In Jesus’ name.  ‘Forever…His love!’  Amen.

 

BURIED TREASURE!… Isaiah 33: 5-6

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Buried treasure!  The thought stirs my imagination!  Pirates…gold doubloons…Long John Silver and Treasure Island!   Did you ever dig a hole in the backyard when you were  a child?   I did.  Looking for buried treasure!  Hoping not to dig too deep as my father said  I’d open a chasm all the way to China. China?   How would I get home?!

Once in a while, you read of someone out walking their dog, which digs up what looks like a bone, only to unearth a tin can filled with old gold coins now worth a prospector’s fortune.  Not me!  Kept digging in our backyard, and only found worms, pebbles, smooshed cigarette butts, and someone’s old broken tooth!

My buried treasure never was found.  Until today.  Yes… buried treasure!   Treasure?  Where?  The prophet Isaiah:  ‘The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high…he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure'(33: 5-6 ESV).  Treasure!  For all who worship and love the Lord.  Treasure indeed!  Nothing buried either.

Why not let everyone else know where this treasure can be found?  Tell others about the Lord they can love and serve.  Unfortunately, that rarely happens anymore.  We clam up, keeping to ourselves what needs sharing.  As the Apostle Paul said, ‘…how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?'(Romans 10: 14).  How?

Good question.   I thank the Lord that someone bothered to do a radio program telling me about Jesus.   What about you?  Some Sunday school teacher?  A Bible given to you?  A neighbor who took the risk?  Someone unselfish,  sharing treasure.  Can we do less?  We can and do.  To our shame.  The treasure is for all who believe.  That’s clearly the message of the Bible, our treasure map.   John 3:16:  ‘…that whoever believes in him(Jesus)…’  Did you notice who this applies to?  Yes, ‘…whoever’.  As in you and me!

Last night I wrote another letter to the little 9 year old girl who we help get an education, decent clothing and food, and discover the love of Jesus.   She lives in one of the poorest countries in the world.  A country dominated by a religion that hates Jesus and His followers.  But courageous Christians in her country share treasure, and our little girl now has some treasure too!  Poor as poor can be in this world’s goods, yet rich in what matters, what will last for all eternity.   We can love Jesus…and share Him with others as well.  Does it get any better?

Actually, it does.  For the treasure of worshipping the Lord is like finding a vein of gold that has no end.  Even buccaneering pirates-of-old couldn’t imagine a treasure trove like this!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of sharing you with others.  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray.  Amen.

I FOUND MYSELF IN THIS PSALM!… Psalm 115

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I can’t believe it.  I found myself in this psalm.  Yes, little old me!  Let me set the stage for you.  I’ve been writing this devotional book for over two years now.   I know that there are many wonderful devotional books.  I’ve used some and they have helped me to grow in the Lord.  Who needs one more?  Good question.   But none of them, not one, have my reflections, my experiences and my take on the Bible.

I want to have what the Lord means to me down in print for our kids and their kids and their kids to read about.  If they want to.  For most, I won’t be around to bug them about it.  My passion is for people knowing and growing in Jesus.  Not my family alone.  Hence, my writing what you are now reading.  How did this all begin?

My wife and I were driving across country in early 2014 (our 7th cross-country trip).  I had retired from 14 years pastoring the best little church this side of heaven!  Somewhere in  Texas, a thought popped into my pea-brain!  ‘Do more writing for me’.

I’d have to use a computer.  No doubt.  But I’m so tech-averse.   I knew who could help.  My wife Sue.   She’s tenacious.  Determined.  She figured it out.  She got it set up.  Told you I needed lots of help!

I do love to write.  But a shadow of doubt lurks in the room where I’m now writing.  Sometimes, I wonder.  Will anyone want this book?  Give it as a gift?  Use it as a doorstop!?  But wait a minute.  Just a cotton pickin’ minute!  I thought I found myself in this psalm?

I did.   And it helps.  Calms me down…for awhile.  Helps me to write more, regardless if anyone is out there.  Anybody home?!   Psalm 115: 13.  ‘…he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great’.  There it is!  The ‘small’–that’s me!  How encouraging to know that the Lord will bless the likes of me for following Him in obedience.  Knowing that but one of you has been helped by these devotionals, means the world to me.

How about you?  Feeling a bit insignificant?  Like life has let you down or passed you by?  Remember who gets mentioned first in this list of blessed people.  Yes, that’s right.  ‘…both the small and the great’.  We’re in first place in God’s plans!  Hang in there.  I will if you will. You and me… and the Lord–quite the winning team!  Being ‘BIG’ with Him is really all that matters!

Prayer:  Lord, perseverance is what we need.  Not greatness but faithfulness to you.  In your service…for others.  In His name.  Amen.