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This is Messed Up

September 7, 2011 in Thoughts, Tragedy, Trials with 0 Comments

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV).  I believe this verse in my head, but I struggle believing it with all of my my heart.  When Paul wrote these words almost 2,000 years ago, I am convinced that he believed them with all of his heart.  He knew that the Lord was capable of taking all things – injustice, suffering, sin, disappointment –  and causing good to grow.  Before you begin to claim God’s beauty in your mess, remember that God’s converting of bad to good is conditional.  Only those who love Him are promised a good outcome for their pain and suffering.  Humanly speaking, I am not sure how God can bring good from that which seems bad; however, He has made it very clear that He is capable of accomplishing those things that man views as impossible.  Your perspective on circumstances in extremely limited, but God sees the beginning from the end.  You only see death.  You only see brokenness.  You only see disability.  You only see a mess.   God sees the big picture.

God specializes in turning that which is undesirable into that which is beautiful.

A Not-So-Tragic Death

January 26, 2011 in The Gospel, Tragedy, True Stories with 0 Comments

My kids have good intentions.  They really do.  However, the other day they introduced me to a new show airing on the Travel Channel called When Vacations Attack.  The premise of the show is simple – a person or family goes on vacation, but one harrowing event changes everything.  This show includes real life stories such as a women whose fishing trip goes terribly wrong when a hook catches her in the eye or there was another scenario when an alligator “expert” almost gets his arm ripped off when the powerful jaws of the gator clamp down on his bicep.   Whenever I watch this show I am reminded that ONE action can change everything.  A perfectly enjoyable vacation can be turned upside down with just ONE incident.

If a good situation can quickly turn bad, does that mean a bad situation can quickly turn good?  I believe the answer is yes.  Thousands of years ago, Adam and Eve’s obedience to God was “attacked” in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3).  Satan lied to Eve and told her that she was better off living independent of God’s word.  Although Eve was deceived by Satan and ultimately disobeyed God’s word, Adam deliberately disobeyed God and plunged the entire human race into sin causing death and eternal separation from God (Romans 5:12).  Thousands of years later, God turned this bad situation into good when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners so that they could be forgiven and set free from the power and penalty of sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).

ONE thing can change everything.

Paul said it best in Romans 5:18-19 (NLT), “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners.  But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

MapQuesting God

September 22, 2010 in Communication with God, Disappointment, Faith, Fear, God, Life, Perspective, Relationship with God, Thoughts, Tragedy, Trials with 2 Comments

Why does God feel distant?  Why is God remaining silent?  Why does it feel like God has abandoned me?  These are questions I have asked plenty of times since becoming a follower of Jesus.   Typically these questions begin surfacing when an unforeseeable circumstance arises and the outcome cannot be governed by me.  I may pray for divine intervention, but when rescue does not arrive quickly I doubt God’s nearness.  I may search the Scriptures for peace, but when the answer is not clear I am overcome with confusion and bitterness.  I may seek wise counsel for clarity, but when the explanations are unsatisfactory I am filled with uncertainty.

I’ve been contemplating this dilemma lately.  Is there a way that these questions can be reconciled?  I believe there is a clear answer.  My feelings do not determine truth. In other words, the way I feel is not an accurate reflection of reality.  David, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote these words in Psalm 37:25, “Once I was young, and now I am old.  Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned….”  According to Scripture, God NEVER forsakes or abandons the righteous.  Although I may feel alone in my circumstance, the truth is that God will NEVER leave me.

God’s proximity is not measured by my perspective, but by His promise.

Finding Strength When There is None

September 1, 2010 in Tragedy, Trials, True Stories, Weakness with 0 Comments

Scripture has the unique ability to bring peace into a chaotic life.  I love it when I come across one of those verses in the Bible that brings me strength when I’m feeling weary.  Today, I just wanted to share these few verses with you from Isaiah 40.  Make sure you take a couple minutes to meditate on these words and allow the Holy Spirit to make application in your own life.

28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Feeling weary or tired today?  Are you worn out and ready to give up?  Remember that God gives power to those who are weak when they put their trust in Him.

Suffering in Style?

August 25, 2010 in Faith, God, Tragedy, Trials, True Stories with 7 Comments

Sometimes I think my life is hard. I bet you also think life is difficult at certain times. You and your husband are not getting along. The kids are out of control. Bills are piling up. Your health is deteriorating. You feel that the best part of your life is behind you and that the future is bleak. A major crisis has taken over your life.

During hardship, it is easy to allow the circumstance to define you, even consume you until there is no hope of escape. But, what if comfort is found in the embrace and not the escape of suffering? What if the way to healing is not running away from but patiently enduring trials? Maybe that is why James writes to suffering believers, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3).

Yesterday, I read these words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and I think we should read them every time we experience suffering because they capture the essence of a proper perspective. “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.”

Feeling crushed or overwhelmed by life’s circumstances? It may be time to stop running and start relying.

What is your usual reaction to suffering?

A Needle, A Nurse, and Near Death

July 30, 2009 in Funny Stories, Tragedy, Trials, True Stories with 0 Comments

When my wife made an appointment for me at the doctor, I just pictured a brief visit which would end with me receiving a prescription for some medication. Since last Friday I have felt a little under the weather so I decided that it was time for me to get checked out, especially when I considered that I’d be traveling out of the country next week. Upon my doctor’s arrival in the room he did all the regular actions such as look in my ears and throat as well as ask me questions about my symptoms. After the examination was complete he gave me the verdict – some kind of a sinus infection. “No problem,” I thought. “Just give me the meds and I’ll be on my way.” Then without warning I heard him use the word “shot.” The rest of his instructions got lost following the ultimate doctor curse word. Even the mention of a needle sends cold chills throughout my body.

After my doctor left the room, a nurse appeared in the doorway with what I swear was the world’s longest and pointiest needle. I had already taken my jacket off to give her quick access to my arm because I believed this would expedite the process. “Which hip do you want it in?” she asked with a smile on her face. “Excuse me,” I thought in my mind. Did she just say “in the hip”? I cautiously stood to my feet but she must have noticed the apprehension in my eyes so she said, “This one doesn’t hurt.” Yeah, right! Anytime sharp objects are punched into someone’s skin it hurts! I don’t care what they told you in nursing school! Oh, and by the way, that wasn’t my hip because my parents didn’t spank my hip! I went to the doctor expecting to get help, not to be put through more agony.

When a person seeks help, that individual doesn’t expect to experience pain in the process; however, the destination of healing is often traveled by way of the path of pain.

The Day the Tunnel Caved In

July 16, 2009 in Fear, God, Life, Tragedy, Trials, True Stories, Weakness with 0 Comments

When I was young, I loved building tunnels and forts in the living room of my house. Typically, I would attach cardboard boxes together (end to end) along with some tables and chairs with blankets draped over them. After creating this monstrosity, my two brothers and I would spend hours crawling through our carefully constructed tunnels and hiding out in our impenetrable fort…or so we thought it was impenetrable. When I arrived home from work yesterday, my two children had built one of these huge forts in the middle of our living room using the kitchen table, an end table, sheets from their bed, and pillows from our couch. All night they peeked in and out of the fort taking pride in the security and sense of protection the bed sheet walls provided. I remember those days. Life was easy, carefree, and lived without fear, except for the monsters under my bed.

I’m not sure where the shift occurred in my own life, but at some point the simple things formerly providing security and a sense of protection were forgotten and lost with each passing day. Instead of feeling safe, I often feel vulnerable. Rather than feeling protected, I feel exposed. Ever been in that place before? These words are for you…the vulnerable, the exposed, and the insecure.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling (Psalm 46:1-3).

Puzzled Pastors

July 1, 2009 in God, Life, Random Thinking, Tragedy, Trials, Unspecific Ramblings with 0 Comments

I’ve had several conversations with people this week who are hurting. As a pastor, I’m constantly hearing stories of people who are experiencing health problems, marital problems, financial problems, parenting problems, addiction problems, and all kinds of other problems. From time to time, I am able to offer a comforting word to those who are broken because I’m familiar with the circumstance, but more often than not, I have nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m supposed to say things such as “I’ll pray for you” or “God knows what you are going through” but I always feel like I should have more answers for the individual; after all, aren’t those who represent God privy to His ways?

If I am honest, hearing about some of the trials people are experiencing creates questions in my mind also. Why would God allow this person to die? Why would God permit this to happen in a person’s marriage? Why didn’t God put a stop to this atrocity before it happened? You see, Pastors are human beings too. We struggle with the same questions and doubts as you do. Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I don’t doubt God. I just don’t always understand His ways.

Previous Posts:
Why I’m Against Killing Ants
One Pastor’s Struggle
A Not So Friendly Encounter

I Cried Last Week…

June 18, 2009 in Funny Stories, Loving Others, Relationships, Tragedy, Trials, True Stories with 0 Comments

I cried. I admit that it’s been a while since I’ve let the tears flow, but I just could not hold them back. What was it that caused this grown man cry? Kris Allen winning American Idol provoked emotions in me which I had not felt in some time. Before I continue, I know what you’re thinking…what a wimp! Yeah, you’re right. I would be a wimp, but I am lying. I didn’t cry when Kris Allen won American Idol, but I did shed a few tears when I was in the shower the other day and shampoo got in my eyes. I’m not even sure how it occurred, considering I wash my hair every day, but I must have haphazardly slapped the shampoo on my hair causing it to seep into my eyes. Oh my word! I forgot how much it hurts to get that stuff in your eyes. For a brief second I thought about rushing to the emergency care center near our house so they could flush my eyes out with something, anything…but I figured they would just laugh at my expense. For the rest of the day my eyes were stinging and watering, but the irritation eventually subsided. Who in the world invented such potent shampoo and shouldn’t there be a massive warning label plastered on the front saying, “WARNING: May Burn Eyes Out of Head!”?

A little later in the day I remembered an incident last year when we had run out of the “tear free” shampoo for the kids and I had to make them use “big boy and big girl” shampoo. I thought my presentation about the shampoo being something big kids would use would convince them to use it. I was right. Inevitably, they both got shampoo in their eyes and made a big drama out of it. I remember saying to each of them, “It doesn’t hurt that bad. Quit being a baby!”

I find it very easy to judge someone whenever I haven’t experienced what they’re experiencing or when I’ve forgotten how it feels to be in their predicament. Saying things such as, “Forget about it” or “Get over it” or “Just move on” or “You’re acting immature” are unfair statements, especially when you haven’t attempted to identify with their feelings. A good rule to remember is this: If you can empathize (know by experience), share your story; if you can only sympathize (know by knowledge), keep your mouth shut and just listen.

What was I writing one year ago? Click here to read an old-school post.

Or, see what you’ve missed this week.
Monday – No Hamster Dance for Us!
Tuesday – The Intruder in Our House

9-11…A Defining Moment?

September 12, 2008 in Tragedy, True Stories with 0 Comments

I was in a staff meeting at the church when we received an emergency phone call. On the line was the wife of one of our pastors. She was explaining that an airplane had crashed into the side of one of the twin towers in New York City. As she was trying to make sense of what had happened, another plane slammed into the other tower. We listened as she told us what she was hearing from the news reporters – we are under attack. Our entire leadership staff rushed to a television only to be horrified by the repeated replays of both airplanes crashing into the buildings and just a few minutes later as both towers came crashing to the ground. Over the next few days I stayed glued to the news to find out all the details of what had happened. During the countless hours of television viewing I listened to stories of people and discovered the selfless acts of heroism in everyday citizens. It is hard to believe that was seven years ago. Today I pulled up some old news coverage on YouTube and relived the emotions of what I felt that day. Images of innocent people jumping from the burning buildings and falling to their death are something I cannot seem to erase from my mind. I was scared, angry, and fearful of what the future held. In the days and months following these horrific attacks, our nation came together as I have never seen in my lifetime. Everyone seemed like they cared about their neighbor and the person across the street. For the first time in my life, the well-being of others was so much more important than me. I miss those days. It is kind of weird how tragedy brings us together, but then time begins to pull us apart…shame on me for forgetting.