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How to Face Down a Storm of Life

April 20, 2016 by

We all get blindsided by storms in life don’t we?  Everything is running along smoothly when suddenly we’re swept up in a storm beyond our control and ability to solve?

In the story we looked at previously the disciples are in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, sailing at night when a nor’easter swoops down on them unexpectedly.  They’re struggling in a gale worried about joining their friends who’d lost their lives in the same situation.

Yet, just when it seems bleakest Jesus comes walking to them on the water.

Interestingly though the storm keeps raging.  Jesus didn’t immediately calm it.

Perhaps they had something to learn.  Perhaps we do too?

Jesus said to them, “Take courage.  Don’t be afraid.  It’s me.”

First, take on courage.

See at this point we have a choice.  We can thrash around in fear or we can choose to rest in God’s power.  We can choose to expect God to act or we can choose to let the storm overpower us.

Second, we do this by focusing on Jesus.  Look at him instead of the storm.  Trust him that he can calm the storm.

Third, look for God’s answer.

The disciples almost missed seeing Jesus.  They thought he was a ghost.  They weren’t expecting him.

How often does God come to calm the storms in our lives yet in a surprising way that we don’t expect?

Then he took power over the storm and subdued it.  Just as he will for us.

 

*Matthew 14: 24-26

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Are You In the Midst of a Storm?

April 18, 2016 by

We all go through storms in life don’t we?  Maybe you’re in the midst of one right now.

Our dreams are being crushed.  Life spins out of control.  And there just seems to be no answer.

That’s what I love about this story of Jesus and his disciples.

The disciples had just finished a day watching Jesus perform miracles.  Now they’re sailing across the Sea of Galilee on a star lit night relaxed in the afterglow.

Suddenly one of the notorious nor’easters hits them.  Winds whip their sails.  Waves crash over the bow.

They’re terrified.  Each one knew someone who’d drowned in one of these common ferocious storms.

Their thinking, “Why me?  Why did we ever take off?  Why didn’t we just stay on land tonight?”

That’s the often the worst part of the storm isn’t it?  The second guessing, the rehashing our decisions.

Now they can do only so much.  They’re sailing into the wind and making little headway.  They’re bailing water but not keeping up with the waves crashing over the side.

Everything they know just isn’t enough.  And they’re exhausted.

Ever felt that way?  You’ve tried everything you know but it just isn’t working this time.  And now you’re exhausted and bewildered.

Yet, in the darkest hour of that night, when all seems lost, Jesus comes.

He tells them to take courage.  What he tells us to do as well in the storms of our lives.

 

*Matthew 14: 24-26

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What a Re-energized Life Looks Like

April 15, 2016 by

The pressures of everyday life can crush us at times can’t they?  And they can leave us feeling despondent if we’re not careful.

From a story we looked at last time, we see even Jesus became worn out. So he slipped away often to be alone with God and his own thoughts.*

See I think as a man he struggled with the same things we struggle with.  So the results in his life encourage me.

First, he gained direction from God.

When we’re tune in we can discover the next steps to solving the confusing puzzles we face.

He found rest.

When we’re absolutely bone tired exhausted we can find the rest we need.  Sometimes just being able to slow down and decompress is huge.

He felt God’s presence continually.

Frankly, sensing God’s presence in the midst of the crush is one of the greatest blessings we can receive.

He was restored in strength.

Even when we’re spent we can come back with strength.  We may feel whipped today but that’s not the end of the story.  Strength and power can return for a new day.

He saw God’s power work in miraculous ways.

He offers us that same power.  So should we expect to see anything less?

And he found peace.  Perhaps he grew despondent at times as well.

But peace sneaks back in.  The strength and confidence to go back out and continue on returns.

Have you found the same?

 

*Matthew 14: 22-23

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The Secret Sauce to Living Continually in Strength

April 13, 2016 by

Do you have times that after a tough day you just feel spent?  I think it’s a pretty common experience we all struggle with.

But how do we recharge to keep living this pressurized life in strength?

We catch a glimpse of the answer from a story about Jesus.

He was ministering, teaching and healing and he was spent.

So he told the disciples to go on ahead to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and he would catch up with them.  Then he dismissed the people to go to their homes.  And he went up into the hills to be alone and pray.*

The story doesn’t tell us what he did other than spend time in prayer.  But to only pray he didn’t need to hike that far away.  So I think we can assume a few things that may help us when we’re feeling crushed.

Sure spend some time praying.  But more importantly spend some time listening.  Tell God what you need.  Ask him questions.  Then just listen to your heart and mind.

You’ll be amazed at the answers you receive.

Second, stop trying to be superman.  Realize you’re human and you need times to reenergize.  So plan them.

Third, I think he ate and slept also because it was evening and the story next picks up in early morning.  It’s amazing what a good meal and sleep will do for restoring us.

Time to get restored?

 

*Matthew 14: 22-23

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When You Feel Just Spent

April 11, 2016 by

Do you ever have days when you feel just spent?  I mean, by the end of the day the pressures and challenges leave you feeling like so much road kill?

I’m kind of a balance between extrovert and introvert.  I enjoy being around people.  I’m energized on conversation up to a point.

But I also find after a full day of meetings and talking with clients.  Particularly on a pressurized day when the economy and financial markets are going crazy I come home spent.  Frankly, I just want to exercise, read and become a hermit.

Those days my wife finds me to be less than a sterling conversationalist.  I’m just wrung out.  I’ve nothing left.

Frankly, when I’m in that place I can drift into growing despondent very easily.  Suddenly my world and life can grow dark.

I used to sort of double down, up the pace.  Suck it up and get busier.

Yet, that always ended poorly.

I used to think something was wrong with me.  Ok well maybe.  But that also only pushed me further into a funk.

Finally, I realized it’s just how I’m wired.

I also realized that even Jesus, as powerful as he was, after spending time with people teaching, ministering and healing was often exhausted.  So he stepped out of the crush for a while to recharge.

If that was true for him what makes me think it isn’t for me.

Understanding that has changed my life in remarkable ways.  What about you?

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How to Step Out of the Rat Race to See God’s Miracles

November 17, 2015 by

I had a friend who was an Energizer Bunny. You remember the ad with the bunny that just kept going and going?

 

Energizer Bunny

 

He couldn’t tolerate quiet. He constantly had music playing. If the stereo wasn’t on the TV was blaring. If he was away from those he had in his ear buds listening to music on his phone.

He could never just sit still. He always had some project he was working on. Constantly.

We talked a few times about spiritual things when he asked questions. He seemed genuinely interested. Occasionally I suggested a book I thought he’d find helpful. But he never could find the time to read them.

 

Eventually, he imploded.

 

Lost his career, his family, everything. I lost contact with him but I think about him sometimes.

Yet, I’m not being judgmental. I can get caught up in busyness as well.

When I was younger I could be very much like my friend. Racing and never slowing down. Trying to outrun the demons swirling in my brain.

But you know what? I never could.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Happiness, Success

4 Keys to Staying Strong and Winning in the Battles of Life

October 29, 2015 by

I’ve seen way too often the tragic results of people who play around with spiritual power. I know that sounds kind of bizarre but stay with me here.

 

Soldier Returning from Afghanistan is Greeted by his Son

 

When I went to the church I pastored I met first thing in our home with the leadership committee. I discussed my plans to revitalize the church, grow it and see people’s lives changed.

That evening as we sat in a circle in our living room I said, “When we do this we’ll be declaring war on the evil one and entering into battle. So if you don’t want to take that seriously and keep yourself spiritually strong everyday then resign now. I don’t want responsibility for what may happen to you.”

From the beginning the church rapidly grew. We saw real miracles. Lives were transformed.

 

And a few of those leaders who I talked with that night and some other leaders who followed them imploded.

 

They wanted the leadership role. They wanted the excitement. But they didn’t take the warning seriously with devastating results.

Sadly, I’ve also watched this happen to pastors who had life changing ministries and eventually blew up.

[Read more…]

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What to Do When You Struggle with Doubts

October 27, 2015 by

I made a big mistake on Facebook. I have a Facebook friend who often posts atheistic rants. Most are reposts of some offensive quote or short article followed by comments by his groupies.

One day he posted one that was not only particularly offensive but based on dodgy research and faulty logic.

 

Photo Credit: Sergio Patino

 

So, as I rarely do, I posted a comment pointing out the irrationality of this article he’d linked to. I mistakenly thought he wanted to rationally discuss this.

My mistake. He responded that I was obviously uneducated and/or stupid for not seeing things the way he did.

I calmly replied again pointing out the illogical development in the article he linked to. At which point some of his followers attacked me personally as he liked their comments and cheered them on.

I realized two things.

One he had no interest in having an open and respectful discussion about faith.

Second, I discovered how to turn off someone’s Facebook feed without un-friending them.

 

Now I’m the first to say I also struggle with doubts about God at times.

 

Particularly when I’m faced with a crisis. My faith can leak out pretty fast.

I can question, “Is God for sure real? Is Jesus truly who he said he was? Is Heaven for real? Will God answer my prayers?” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Happiness, Heaven Tagged With: ,

How to Cultivate a Fruitful Life

October 20, 2015 by

My wife had an aunt who in her charismatic church was one of those people who spoke in tongues regularly in the worship services. When there was a lull and no one else stood up she often would. Then she’d deliver a message in a language no one had heard before.

Later after church when she was preparing Sunday dinner at home, I’ve been told though, that if one of the kids messed up look out. She could go off in a tirade using language that people had heard before but few used at least in polite company shall we say.

I met her a few times, when Jennifer and I were first married, and I would have to say she was not what I’d call a peaceful person.

 

Photo Credit: Anguskirk

Photo Credit: Anguskirk

 

Another snapshot was when I was in seminary. Some of the students who most stringently followed all of the spiritual and seminary rules got the best grades but frankly were the least fun to hang around.

 

To be honest I didn’t exactly ever fit in. Actually, I still probably wouldn’t.

 

I can also say though that I’ve had times when I was caught up in trying to live an exemplary life so God would bless me. And I wasn’t much fun to be around either.

[Read more…]

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6 Reasons I Believe Jesus is God

September 22, 2015 by

Many people believe God exists and desire a relationship with him. Numerous studies have shown this over and over.

Yet, the problem is which God? Which religion?

 

Photo Credit: Pim Geerts

Photo Credit: Pim Geerts

 

I’ve heard people say, “Well, they all lead to God.”

Yet, that’s kind of like saying just head off any direction and you’ll eventually end up in Honolulu. Hmm, sounds nice.

Literally all of the world’s major religions, not to mention the scores of sects, have tenets that directly contradict each other. So how can they all be correct?

 

Which leaves us back where we started with a deep craving to know if God is real. And if so how to have a relationship with him.

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Happiness, Heaven, Love
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