When Words Fail

"I ran in to a couple that lost their baby. The husband was broken. We cried together and then prayed and talked. I was a mess."

These few messy sentences summarize so much pain and emotion. I didn't have any words of wisdom for this couple that lost their child. Words failed me. I had tears, prayers and eventually some encouragements. I don't think an immediate response of anything other than that would have even been appropriate. 

Many people are just like this couple. Tragedy has hit and there are no words to comfort or settle them. We see it every day. Pain and trials are the norm. 

Recently in our nation we have seen loss and tragedy on many levels. In our social and political structures we are divided. Racially we are heading down the wrong path. In the natural realm disaster has struck and devastated lives. With our national relationships abroad the word 'tense' seems to understate the current norm. 

People are looking for answers. All these things impact people personally. Even without the things that have happened in our nation we see people living amidst personal trials. While the Christian life is not easy I can't imagine doing life any other way. How do people make it without God? 

The only hope we have in the midst of tragedy is that God is good. Some scoff and some don't believe in the goodness of God. I can't see any other option. Without it I am without hope. God's goodness is the only thing that assures me that the suffering and pain we endure in this life will be worth it all in the end. 

God is near to the brokenhearted and collects our tears as His treasures. That in itself is mind blowing. But when you think of a God who cries with us, Who listens to our prayers and Who speaks words of comfort and wisdom to us there can be no other conclusion than that God is good. He loves us and love never fails. His words are eternal and when words fail us His word stands strong. 

If you're experiencing pain or tragedy know that God is with you in your pain. He loves you and hasn't left. Your emotions are normal and it's okay to experience anger, confusion, sadness and to have questions. But when you settle in to the reality that God is good it will help you to go through the trial and the pain. 

Day 363 - Counting Your Blessings

"We awoke to children as we do most days. What a blessing they all are."

Today I watched the classic movie White Christmas with my family. It is no contest the most entertaining Christmas variety show/tear jerker and feel good movie. Who doesn't tear up when the general inspects the troops? Between the smooth voices of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, the humor of Danny Kaye, the dance moves of Vera Ellen you can't go wrong. 

In the movie they have a song about counting your blessings. The first verse goes as follows:

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
i count my blessings instead of sheep 
and i fall asleep counting my blessingswhen my bankroll is getting small 
i think of when i had none at alland i fall asleep counting my blessings


It is interesting how some retrospect can change our perspective. Think back to when you had nothing. Think about what life was like before you had children. Sure they can drive you nuts sometimes but I bet you couldn't imagine life without them. Think about the blessing of your spouse or your friends. If you say you have nothing but Jesus remember the equations; 

Everything - Jesus = Nothing. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. 

There has been a saying going around on social media and I'm not sure who said it first. I guess when it is something as good as this is it doesn't matter who but really it must be a Holy Spirit inspiration. "Rather than look at what you don't have why not start looking at what you do have?" I call that wisdom. 

At a recent church service we decided to do something a little different and have a panel of people instead of a formal sermon. The wisdom that came forth was excellent. One of the statements that came from a wonderful woman in our ministry named Theresa Aguilar who is a reverend and instructor in our Bible College was to "Look for what God has placed in your life and connect with that." How awesome is that? 

If worry, fear, anxiety, depression or discouragement has hit you over this holiday season I would encourage you to count your blessings. You can start with Jesus as the biggest blessing of all. Don't focus on what you are lacking but look at what you do have. Finally, see who or what God has place in your life and try to connect. You can put all those fears to rest counting your blessings. 

What are the blessings you cherish? Are there any overlooked blessings people don't often see?

Day 358 - The Beauty of the Season

"Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful day." 

In many ways Christmas Eve has become as memorable as Christmas Day. Families host gatherings, parties happen in the workplace and amongst friends. Christmas Eve has also been popularized by movies and stories of what happens on that night. 

Growing up I remember opening gifts on Christmas Eve and then enjoying them on Christmas Day. I don't think we did that every year but it was fun when we did. In the same way I am sure you may have fond memories of things that happened on Christmas Eve. Family traditions and celebrations that happened may have significance or special memories. 

I would encourage you to look for the beauty of the day. I think of the feeling in Heaven on the day before Jesus was born on the earth. The Son of God was physically formed in Mary's womb and only Heaven knew the following day would bring Him into the world and change history forever. I can only imagine the anticipation of the angelic host as they looked on the events on the earth. I can imagine the watchful eyes of the Father as He looks on at the events unfolding. Joseph and Mary traveling and making their way to Bethlehem and the pains and discomfort of a full term pregnancy. 

What a day. What a thought. 

Now that Jesus has come and we look back on those events we should look for the beauty of what God is doing. God has a special plan and good works He has prepared for us to do. Heaven is still watching and anticipating the plan of the Father coming to fruition on the earth. The Father is watching over your life and Jesus is interceding for you while the Holy Spirit is leading you. 

Enjoy your Christmas Eve. May God bless it and reveal His plans in and through you. 

What is your favorite Christmas Eve memory? How can we live out God's plan and see His beauty today? 

Day 343 - Saving Grace

"The food wasn't all that great."

Apparently the day wasn't all that great either. We went to a theme park last year that is called 'The happiest place on earth.' As I looked over the day's events it was anything but happy. There was a flat tire, disobedient children, bad food, crowds, a lost wallet and vomit on the way home. 

Have you ever had a day like that where it seemed that everything that could go wrong did? We actually planned the day for fun, happiness and family togetherness and ended up doing the opposite. 

It is funny though because the one saving grace of the day was something special. 

Remember the lost wallet? We were all so worried about it. My sister who lost it had that sick feeling. You know the one. That terrible feeling in your gut that all your personal information and access to your money is out there for anyone to steal. That feeling in the back of your mind that you will have to call every agency and bank you work with in order to stop the old cards and get new ones. It is a terrible feeling. 

We stopped and looked all around. We prayed and looked again. We asked at the lost and found and hit up every employee and trash can we could find. 

Finally on our way out they told us to look one last place. We had given up hope but thought we would try just in case. If they didn't have it that night we would call the next day.

I remember my sister walking to the counter, talking for a minute and then jumping up and down like she won the price is right. With tears in her eyes she was praising God. 

What a day. I guess it wasn't so bad after all. That one saving grace saved the day. It comes down to where you look. Will you look at everything that is wrong or look for the saving grace of God?

Have you had a day like the one I described? What was the saving grace that redeemed the day?

Day 335 - The Redeemer

"Not a bad day."

Most days when I journal and look back on the events that took place I realize that as bad as it may have seemed at the time it really wasn't that bad at all. Even a boring day without much activity has its own special graces. 

Blogging this year has shown me that after all the struggles, joys and monotony of last year God has had His hand in all of it and there never is a bad day. There are days that have bad things that happened but really the day itself is redeemed by God. 

The worst day that ever could have been was the day Jesus went to the cross. That day is remembered as Good Friday because of the redemptive power of Jesus. In the same way when God is at work in our lives the days are redeemed. The book of Romans tells us that God works all things together for good to those that love Him and who are called according to His purpose. That is you and me! 

When you know this it changes the way you view each day. I pray every night before I go to bed and always find that I open my prayer with thanks for the day that is coming to a close. I often think those words to be strange when I have had a tough day. When I think of it though I know that I really do mean it because God is up to something good. How can I not be grateful? 

As you read this I hope you are realizing how good God is and how today may be tough, good or boring, but it was not a bad day. 

How have you seen God turn bad days into good ones? How do we cultivate a heart that says thank you in tough times? 

Day 314 - Kids Stuff

"We usually only get kids stuff."

Life changes when you have kids. You don't realize it until later but when you have children you are no longer your own. All that you have and every moment is consumed with them. This is actually wonderful. I have enjoyed being a dad. The big three in my life in order are becoming a Christian, getting married and having children. 

On my birthday this year I told my wife that I just wanted to be with her and the kids. She started trying to change the plan and when I was asked if I really didn't want to be with anyone else I had to pointedly say no. There was just something in me that wanted to be with them. We ended up going to the science museum and the museum of natural history. Someone asked me if that is what I wanted to do for my birthday. It wasn't what I would have picked if it was just me but because I was with my kids we were doing kid stuff. (Truth be told when I saw the Shuttle Endeavor and the real dinosaur bones I became a kid again!)

The quote from last year is about clothes shopping. Probably every mom that read it immediately shouted amen. You go to the store to buy yourself something and come home with bags of children's clothing. In fact you probably are like us and have felt guilty for buying yourself clothes and not the kids. 

The one thing I love most about my children is that they are continually teaching me the heart of the Father. How much greater is His love than mine? How deep is His love that He would give His only begotten son for us. How awesome is His grace and mercy for His children. If my love is so great and I  want to be with my family all the time how much more our heavenly Father? It makes me love Him so much more. 

How much do you love and enjoy your family? In what ways do you see God through your family?

Day 303 - The One Percent

"All of us were focusing our attention on the one percent rather than the 99."

Most of what we worry about and fight over is small compared to the big picture. We focus on one percent of the whole picture. That one percent is where our frustrations and fears get the best of us and bring our the worst in us. 

Today I had the opportunity to have a bad day. Lots of meetings, lots of needs, lots of stress. Frame all that with a problem with the sewer lines at my house and that makes for one crappy day in every sense of the word. I didn't let it get to me though. In the midst of all the stuff going on I took time to pray, exercise,  enjoy my children, take in the beauty of a sunset and clouds changing colors over the mountains, talk to a friend, cuddle my wife while watching a show together and get in to the Word of God. When you look at the ninety nine percent versus the one percent it just makes sense to not sweat the small stuff. 

Working with people it is easy to find little things that bug us. Personality quirks or inefficiencies are like sand in your bathing suit. You end up irritated to no end by such little things. It just takes a dip in the ocean or a quick rinse to get rid of the chafing. Similarly all we have to do is wade into God's love and mercy and remember how much He has forgiven us in Christ and it won't be long before we are ready to forgive and love others. 

If we focus on the ninety nine percent we would overlook offenses, promote love and unity and get a lot more done. Just like the oyster that covers the little grain of sand over and over so that it no longer irritates we will find our days to be beautiful pearls to be treasured. 

How can we keep our focus on the ninety nine percent? How do we effectively deal with the one percent? 

Day 298 - You Win Some You Lose Some

"No responses to the altar call but that is okay, I won't cast away my confidence (as I preached today!)."

This day last year was quite a contrast. As I read over my day I realized that I did some things well and other things not so well. Even with all that it wasn't a loss. We still had family time despite my bad attitude at one point. Even though the altar call had no responses I read several miraculous answers to prayer in the church service. 

As I look over the past year I see that there are tough days and great days. Highs and lows and everything in-between. Life in this world is designed to bring us down. Strength is limited by age, there will always be more need than resource and we are warring with our own flesh and the spiritual host of evil we don't see. 

With all that we desperately need to realize that we should never give up. On our worst day when we have fought and lost we are still more than conquerors. When things don't turn out in our favor or we did everything right and everything went terribly wrong God is still working all things together for our good. 

Just yesterday there was a huge cyclone headed for Mexico. We got the word from one of our pastors to pray and we did! This morning my wife told me that the cyclone had downgraded overnight to be a tropical storm and even though there could be some flooding there would be no loss of lives. 

Be encouraged. God is good continually and He never changes. The circumstances good or bad while we are here on the earth are subject to change. We will have the mountaintop experiences and the valley seasons. Don't ever give up or cast away your confidence.

Have you seen days like this? What keeps you going through the tough times?

Day 291 - The Worth You Have

"God was waiting for them to come. So I had them sing the song again and closed my eyes and waited on the Lord to do His work in the hearts. When I opened my eyes there was a woman standing in front in tears. It is worth it to go after souls."

Read that last line again. 

You are worth going after. I am worth going after. I know that because the God of the universe, Creator of all things, Author and Most High went after us. He looked at our condition and patiently waited for us. In the fullness of time when He had given us all we needed to prepare for His coming He came down to our level. Jesus, the Son of God, God in the flesh, came for us. He showed us God's heart in word and then in deed as He died on the cross. 

He saw us as worth dying for. He saw us as worth waiting for. He is still waiting. Lest anyone think that God sends people to Hell or is happy about people going to Hell consider that God is patiently waiting for the full number of people to come in to salvation from Hell. He knows that exact moment. In fact when you see the events unfolding in Revelation realize that even through catastrophe and demonic attacks like we have never seen He is still offering salvation to those who will believe. 

Our worth is not based on our goodness. Our worth is based on His goodness and love for us. The value of something is placed by what someone will pay for it. God payed the ultimate price for humanity with the purchase price of the life of His Son Jesus. 

The next time you think that you are worthless, too stupid, too ugly, too sinful, or too whatever else, remember that God is too in love to leave you there. He wants you. He loves you. You are worth it. I am worth it. 

Lastly, others are worth it. If you have experienced the saving power of Jesus then God wants to live His life through you and save others. Just like we needed Jesus so do those who are lost and don't even know it. These are people who Jesus died for. They are worth my life being lived in a way that witnesses the goodness of God to them. I will unashamedly and unreservedly tell people about Jesus because they are worth going after. 

Have you received this wonderful saving goodness of God? If not click here and watch the video. 

What amazes you about the goodness of God? How can we let others know they are worth going after? 

Day 263 - From Bad to Best

"We went for milkshakes at a place we heard was good. They ended up being an average milkshake but way overpriced."

I smile when I read the quote from last year. It sounds like a good review of something bad. 

Have you ever heard of something that sounded so amazing that you just couldn't wait to get a hold of it but when you finally got it you wished you hadn't wasted your time and money? That was my experience with these milkshakes. 

The wonderful thing is that an average milkshake didn't ruin my day. In fact when bad things happen that should ruin my day I still don't let them. God is too good, life is too short and Heaven too real to be crying over temporary situations and circumstances. 

God works all things together for our good. The worst of things can even produce good. Need proof of that? Just look at the cross. It was the most terrible thing that could happen. God in the flesh, crucified and dead. But the Spirit raised Jesus and it made the way of our salvation. 

If you have been having bad, or even average days, just look to the Father to see how He is going to turn it around. He will make those things work for your good. 

Have you ever spent too much on something disappointing like the milkshakes? What bad thing has God worked together for your good? 

Day 210 - This is Really Important

"The decision was made by a best two out of three game of Rock, Paper, Scissors."

Very important decisions should be made with this system, specifically, the best two out of three. You can't just do one game and that's it. The decisions I often have made with this method have included but are not limited to; diaper changing, getting up with kids in the middle of the night, cleaning the kitchen after dinner, and many other life and death decisions. 

Whatever the outcome of the game I know I played well and left it all on the battlefield. 

I think this parallels the Bible verse that says the lot is cast into the lap but the answer comes from the Lord. This might be the modern day equivalent. 

God knows our ways and directs our paths. We can trust that no matter if decisions are fun or tough that we will be okay and God is working it together for our good. 

What decisions have you made with Rock, Paper, Scissors? How can you tell that God is working things out on your behalf?

Day 199 - When People Think You're Crazy

"When we drove back we saw six deer on the side of the road. As we were stopped looking at the deer a guy on a bike rode by and was looking at us like we were crazy. Then after he passed us he looked over and saw the deer and turned around to get a photo."

People will think you are crazy from time to time. That is okay. Any good person who is doing something right, innovative or new will seem crazy. 

These days right is being portrayed as wrong and wrong as right. Don't let that deter you from doing what is right. People may think you are wrong, stop and stare or even tell you what you are doing is wrong. Don't let that deter you from doing right. 

Eventually you will be vindicated. Hopefully they will see the wisdom of your actions and follow suit like the man on the bike who saw the deer we were looking at and stopped to admire them himself. Your job is to stay the course and remain faithful. 

What are some good things we do that will be misinterpreted by others? Have you seen people who have come around to wisdom after thinking you were crazy? 

Day 184 - Glimpses of Goodness

"He is a good guy and I am happy he and his family are going forward with God."

Every now and then I get to see people who I have worked with to get them on track with God. Sometimes they are not well. Sometimes they didn't listen to sound advice and wisdom. But then there are the wonderful moments when I get to see someone who I worked with who did listen and is doing well. 

As a pastor my purpose is to help people. I watch and guard, guide and feed, nourish and fold. There are many heartbreaks and it is a tough job. You don't leave your work at the office and contrary to the awful statement that says pastors work one day a week it actually is a job that you never clock out. 

It would be easy to give up and walk away from a job like this. Discouragement is common among pastors. But when you see someone who 'got it' you find that you can make it another day and preach another message. Someone is listening. Someone is blessed. Someones life is changed because of what you did. 

We all need encouragement that what we do matters. Look for those glimpses of God's goodness. He will reveal to you the value and purpose for what you do. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony; the testimony reminds you of that goodness that God has done in your life. 

What glimpses of goodness have you had? How has it encouraged you to continue? 

Day 175 - Spending and being spent

"Sometimes you just have to spend more and go the extra mile to make sure you don't lose the heart of a person."

It is sad to hear of Christians who are not financially responsible. I personally have had people who call themselves Christians skip out on paying money they have owed me. Not only because I am a pastor but also because I will stand before God and give an account of my life I have strived to live with integrity. 

I love how Paul tells the Corinthians how much he worked, spent, and how he went the extra mile to not be a burden to them. It shows me the example he was setting for leadership and the heart behind the message he was speaking and living before them. 

I gladly give large tips, spend more time with people than I probably should and smile and say hello to everyone (that last one is bigger than we think). It may cost more than I like but it is worth every cent if someone knows a Christian isn't cheap and backs up what they preach. 

What do you think? Are there more ways to express this heart to others?

Day 151 - Help Yourself

"It touches the heart to help people."

I find that when I help people I help myself. It may touch someone that we meet a need in a practical way but at the same time it touches my heart when I help them. 

Have you ever done something for someone else and afterward your heart was soaring? That is the feeling I am describing. You are helping yourself by helping someone else. 

My heart grows more tender to people and I am closer to God when I step out and help someone. I remember a time we were leading a team of teenagers into Los Angeles to expose them spot the melting pot of cultures and the diverse needs of the community. I was dreading the trip for weeks beforehand but once I got there and started helping people that all changed. I was soaring on a spiritual high for weeks after. 

Don't wait! Get off of yourself and go help someone else. You will be helping yourself!  

Have you helped someone else and felt good afterward? Why do you think that is?

Day 126 - Just My Luck

"We went on a hike in Oak Glen with the family. It was fun but cold. I don't know why both times we have done this hike this year it has been bitter cold."

Have you ever had reoccurring things happen to you that made you think "Well, that is just my luck"? It seems like sometimes when things happen like this we raise an eyebrow and wonder if there is any significance. 

I am not sure that there always is or isn't. What I do know is that God has ordained all of our steps, every day is the day that the Lord has made and He is working all things for my good. So what if it is a cold day both times I went hiking at the same spot?! We had fun and I probably would have enjoyed a cold hike more than a hot one! 

We have to watch our attitudes. Otherwise complaints creep in and eventually we speak negative stuff over our lives. Perfectly good days get ruined with complaints. Look for the silver lining and speak what God says. It is a good day. God is doing something good on my behalf. My steps are ordered of the Lord! (Try it out right now and see if you're not smiling by the time you're finished.)

Have you had experiences that made you wonder if it was 'just your luck'? What are some other positive confessions from the Word we can speak over our day? 

Day 124 - Gravity

"It was like gravity; people just came rushing to the altar."

My brother in law was ministering on this day last year. Before he got into the message the Spirit called out for people to give their hearts to the Lord and get saved. He called out in one of the services that there were ten more people and ten people came like they were being pulled from orbit into the atmosphere. It was like gravity. 

There is an old movie that they were adding mass to a planet in order to make it into a star. The more they added the more the core heated up and eventually it would set ablaze and light up. Momentum is like that. When God is doing something He blesses and increases and makes it come alive with light and a glow everyone can feel the warmth from. 

Even our lives, as we shine forth the goodness of God, will attract others. We are to set ourselves on fire and let others come and warm up to the glow of God's goodness  in our lives. 

What attracts you to God like gravity? How can we shine the light of God's goodness to others? 

Day 108 - A 'Good' Day

"Today while I was at the grocery store I saw a worker there who is a believer. I got in his check out line as I usually do when I see him. As I was leaving after I paid I said have a blessed Good Friday. He responded that his friend had text him that it wasn't good for Jesus. I think the contrary though. 

Truly today is Good Friday. Good because it pleased the Father to carry out His plan of redemption even though it cost His Son's life. Good because Jesus had the joy that was set before Him and endured the cross. Good because saints and sinners remember what was done this day. Good because the church gathers and remembers and celebrates her King."

What a contradiction that the day that God in the flesh is crucified has been named "Good Friday". And yet the Bible is filled with statements like this that to the natural mind make no sense. You have to die to live. You must be born again. He who is first shall be last and the last shall be first. The way to life is narrow and there are few who find it and the way to destruction is wide. Many are called but few are chosen. The way up is down (humble yourself and He will lift you up). 

To our natural minds we may ask questions such as "Why would God allow suffering?" or "If God is good then why is there so much evil on the earth?" The answer is that to our natural minds these things don't make sense. But to someone who has truly experienced the power of what happened on Good Friday who now has been born again by laying down their old life in death and being raised in new life we now have a new perspective. We don't blame God for evil we blame the flesh, poor choices, and the evil one for the things going on around us. We have a new perspective on suffering too. We see it building character and causing us to walk in love and in the Spirit. 

For us, any and every situation is now under the transforming power of the resurrected Lord. He is good and makes our worst days into good days too. 

Have you experienced the power of the cross? Has your life been made new? Are you born again? If your answer is "No" click here.  

What are your thoughts on "Good Friday"? How has your life been changed from bad to good?

Day 106 - Healthy Hate

"In church tonight Pastor Jim brought up such a good point for Christians and ministers. We need to be afraid to go back to where our failures have led us. In other words the things which we stumble in we should avoid. The Bible says to flee youthful lusts and avoid even the appearance of evil. Jude said to hate the garment stained with sin. Such strong vivid language and yet we play by the mud hole and expect to stay clean."

Our society has made hate such a bad thing. But if we hate evil then we will love good. It is such a simple concept and yet many struggle with it. I don't mind hating evil. Evil destroys people who Jesus died for. Evil breaks up marriages and leaves children without parents. Evil lands people in jails and hospital beds. I hate it. 

The Bible says we are to hate evil and cling to good. To hate something takes a willful opposition and bold moves against it. If I hate evil then anything contrary to the way of God will be my personal vendetta. I will shun it, run it out of my house, warn others about it, talk bad about it, get angry at it when it surfaces, and do everything in my power to keep it out of my life. 

How do you oppose evil? What other scriptures can help with this? 

Day 77 - A Good Laugh

"While we drove Jess was quizzing our nephew for his spelling test and tried to get him to say the definition for 'frigid' by talking about her arm. She said “I can't move my arm it is stiff and straight.” Our son chimed in and said “Mom, just move it. You can move it.” When she started to laugh and waved her hand he said “See I saw it move!” We had a good laugh about it."

A year later I read this story and still smile. It is good to remember good things and smile. There are so many things in every day that can bring us a frown. Just watch the news and the frown will come naturally. Life will give plenty of reason to be down. 

I have read that smiling releases endorphins that help you feel better and can actually change your mood. It just confirms what Will Ferrel says in the movie The Elf "I just like smiling, smiling is my favorite!" 

God has given us reasons to smile. Beauty, humor, redemption, eternity, family, friends, church and love to name a few. If we can focus our attention on what is good and remember to smile our days will be brighter. 

What makes you smile? Do you have a moment that you can't think about without a smile?