On The Right Track
I took this picture before the start of Isaac’s last Pinewood Derby. It was a fun morning, and Isaac took 3rd place overall to our surprise.
I like this picture. It kind of reminds me of the importance of being on the right track. It is so easy to get on the wrong track through the distractions of life. We often let the busyness of life steer us of course and away from where our focus should rest. Whether we get caught up in work or we get sidelined by some sort of defeat or setback or we get distracted by some sort of hobby, we all can find ourselves on the wrong track.
I think the author of Hebrews had this in mind when he wrote the first three verses of Hebrews 12.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
By keeping our focus on Jesus, we are sure to be on the right track.
You Are Here
As I think about the sign, “You Are Here,” I think it’s a good reminder for me. Sometimes, it can be easy to get stuck in our past – where we dwell on either our victories or defeats. Let’s face it, we often like the way things were just because that’s what we’re used to. Does that make sense?
On the other hand, sometimes, it can be easy to get caught up in the worries (and hopes) of the future. I think it’s good to have hopes and dreams and to go after them. But sometimes, we deal with anxiety because we’re so focused on what might happen in the future. We are crippled by questions which have answers that are out of our control.
As I think about this, two passages come to mind:
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
These offer great reminders to rejoice in today – this moment in time when the past is in the past, and God holds the future in His hands.
I am here. Where are you?
Filled Up With Bread
This morning on my way to the office, I was listening to a podcast from Mosaic, out in southern California. In the podcast, Hank Fortener, was speaking about Jesus being the Bread of Life (found in John 6:35 – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”).
Hank shared the following:
“You see. I think there are these times in our lives where you go through these spaces where you feel like you’re spread out. Spread thin. Where you wonder if you’ll ever get back to normal. Will I ever get back to better? Will I ever get to good? Will I ever be at awesome? Will I ever get to the amazing part? You see this is the part where Jesus says, ‘This is where I step in.’ Because one of God’s sweet spots is His ability to meet us at our weakest. One of His sweet spots is His ability to be more powerful than our temporary circumstances. So when Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life,’ He’s saying that ‘no matter what you’ve done up to this point, no matter what you’ve experienced up until this point, it’s still going to perish. You’re still going to die. But I can give you something that gives you life – that fills you so full that you can barely breath.’”
As I listened to these words, I could relate. Over the past year, I have wondered if things would ever return to normal. I have wondered if things would ever get back to better. I have wondered if I would ever get to the amazing part.
But I have also experienced relief – despite the chaos around me. I have experienced healing – despite unanswered questions. I have experienced a peace that comes from knowing that ultimately everything will be okay – despite the fact that life often seems to be swirling around me. I believe this comes from knowing and depending on my “Bread of Life” – Jesus Christ.
Do you know Him? Are you hungry? Are you unfulfilled? Are you thirsty for more?
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
This Is How I Roll – Blessed Be Your Name
This morning on my way into the office, I heard this song by Tree63 – Blessed Be Your Name. This is how I’m trying to roll these days – if you hear what I’m saying! God is good through the ups and downs of life. Great way to start the day!
Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord Still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord Still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say Lord,
Blessed be your name
Strength to Carry On…
It seems like I’ve connected with a lot of songs recently. I am thankful for the words that song writers have to share. I sometimes wonder what they may have gone through in their lives that have inspired them to write the very words that resonate with me. Tonight, on the way home from work, I heard another song that really met me where I’ve been. Steven Curtis Chapman’s When You Are A Soldier reminds me how God carries us when we can’t go any further on our own, cheers us on, and cries along with us when we’re down.
The last couple of days have been good. I am thankful! And I can see where God has carried me to this point. He has surrounded me with encouragement. He has given me strength for one day at a time. And He has brought me light and rest at night.
Here are the words to Chapman’s song:
When you are a soldier I will be your shield
I will go with you into the battlefield
And when the arrows start to fly
Take my hand and hold on tight
I will be your shield, ’cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier
When you’re tired from running
I will cheer you on
Look beside you and you’ll see you’re not alone
And when your strength is all but gone
I’ll carry you until you’re strong
And I will be your shield ’cause I know how it feels
When you’re a soldier
I will be the one you can cry your songs to
My eyes will share your tears
And I’ll be your friend if you win
Or if you’re defeated
Whenever you need me I will be here
When you’re lost in darkness I will hold the light
I will help you find your way through the night
I’ll remind you of the truth
And keep the flame alive in you
And I will be your shield
‘Cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier
Lead Me
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbbFjWreLiw]Life can be real tough sometimes. Sometimes, being a husband and a father isn’t easy. I love my wife and my kids more than any words can say. And I want to be the very best husband and father that I can be for them. But to be honest, there are many times when I don’t do or say the right thing, and there are also times when I don’t have the strength to carry on. Life has been pretty challenging recently. I am so thankful for friends and family who have surrounded me and supported me and my family through these days – but even they cannot fully sustain me. I’m learning again and again the importance of looking to God for His leadership and His strength when mine is waning.
This song by Sanctus Real speaks to my heart today.
Sanctus Real – “Lead Me”
I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Psalm 119:116
Night Watch
When I was a little kid, I slept with a night-light. I can remember calling for my parents in the middle of the night, because I was scared of the monsters under the bed or the robbers that might be in the house in the middle of the night. Obviously, these things don’t scare me now, but there are things that keep me up at night. Sometimes, it’s something I ate earlier that day. Sometimes, it’s a stressful decision that I need to make at work. Sometimes, it’s a relationship that needs mending. Sometimes it’s the challenges of life.
This afternoon, I took some time to read on my deck, and I came across these verses:
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8
This is a great reminder for the times when sleeping is a challenge. I can trust God for help. He upholds me. I can cling to that. I’m looking forward to a good nights sleep.
Songs for the Soul
Last night, I was talking with a friend, and he mentioned that his small group was going through a Bible reading program together. From the words of my friend, it sounds like it has become somewhat mechanical and even a drudgery for the group to be going through this exercise. I’m sure that God’s Word is not supposed to feel like this, but I can understand the feeling having experienced it myself. The problem with going the opposite way (not reading God’s Word regularly) is that we miss out on opportunities to hear God’s voice on a daily basis through His proven Word.
I may have mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again. Being in God’s Word especially when we face life’s obstacles is so important. As I hit a rocky patch a few weeks ago, it was a friend who challenged me to spend time in God’s Word on a daily basis. My friend said, “Make yourself do it!” I knew this was the right thing to do, and I’m so thankful that my friend was willing to be bold with me.
This morning, I continued my journey through the Psalms. I have found them to be helpful and even healing. (My dad reminded me several weeks ago that the Psalms are packed with just about every emotion that you and I deal with as we experience the ups and downs of life.) Today, two Psalms really spoke out to me.
The ups and downs of life can cause us to question God and can cause us to feel down. Both of these passages reminds me to put my hope in God even when life gets rocky.
Psalm 43
1 Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Plans for Me
I feel like I have recently been in a mental wrestling match with myself about my plans, the future, and trying to live one day at a time. I like to have a plan for things. I like it when I can map things out and know where I’m headed. I have a quote hanging in my office, “If you fail to plan, you should plan to fail.” I think it’s important to have a plan, but I’m also learning that it’s important to be flexible and to trust. Trusting God for my future sounds easy and maybe it should be easy, but I must have the brain of a mule (stubborn). I still get hung up on the “what ifs” of tomorrow, next month, next year, etc.
As I’ve been processing this and meditating on the word ‘plans,’ Jeremiah 29:11-13 came to my mind:
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
These verses point very clearly to that fact that God has plans for me that include hope for the future. He simply asks me to come to Him, to seek Him with all I’ve got, and to be open to His plan. I’m learning, and I’m thankful today for this reminder. With this in mind, I can let go of my anxiety and my personal wrestling match.
One day at a time…
I Still Believe
Just in case you were wondering, I still believe…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgJrflQ0Qwg]