Growing during Covid

Graduation open houses take a lot of planning and preparation. If you are a parent of a graduate, you know the time and effort it takes to set up decorations, food, drink, tables and more to host dozens, sometimes hundreds of people to attend your child's open house. 

As we make preparations for our son's graduation Open House, we are browsing through all of the pictures we have of him since birth. When he was a baby, he couldn't do anything. He couldn't sit up, couldn't feed himself, couldn't walk, couldn't talk. He was totally dependant on his parents and other people. He had so much to learn. Over the years, we have captured pics of him learning to do so many things like ride a bike, swing a bat, and drive a car, to name a few. 

During this time of Covid, many of us have found ourselves under stay-at-home orders. We haven't been able to attend church in person, assemble in a small group, or just share in the fellowship of other believers. On the plus side, we may have come to the realization that the church is still alive and vibrant within each one of us who believe. On the negative side, we may have not been feeding that "body" very well without the encouragement of other believers. 

Scripture says in 1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so by it you may grow up in your salvation now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

We excitedly watch as babies grow up and eventually learn how to feed themselves. Their minds develop and limbs and digits learn fine motor skills to be able to use utensils and successfully brings food and drink to their little mouths. 

Even Christians may be isolated, we still have the responsibility to feed ourselves spiritually. 

"In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:11-14

Spiritual growth is difficult to measure. How do you gauge one's spiritual depth? The above passage in Hebrews does give us some guidelines to use. 

• Being acquainted with the teaching about righteousness
• Distinguishing good from evil

Feeding ourselves implies maturity. Living simply on the "milk" of our faith is not healthy. That means you are dependant on someone else to give it to you, and you don't know how to use the spiritual "utensils" to feed yourself. Your growth has stagnated because a body, even a spiritual body, is created to grow. 

Let's look at a couple spiritual utensils that will lead to digesting "solid food."

• The Bible - Start with a steady intake of God's word. We eat every day to feed our physical bodies so why not feed ourselves every day with reading the Bible. 
• A Reading Plan - Read the Bible in a way that is structured. Read along with a friend or in a Facebook group. Take notes. Use the commentaries in the margin to understand what you read. 
• Listen to Biblical teaching - Avail yourself to the teachings from other Christians. Find them on podcasts, YouTube, church websites, Facebook, etc. Listen with a discerning ear and be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) who constantly compared what they heard with scripture. 
• Pray - Talk to God. Some people say they can't pray. If you can think, you can pray. Pray in your mind. Pray without ceasing the Bible says. In other words, pretend God is right there with you, and just talk with Him as a friend. God speaks to you through the Bible; You speak to God through prayer. 

We're proud our son has grown up. He has moved on from being dependant on his parents for so many things, including food. He has exceeded our expectations and look forward to him achieving great things for the Kingdom of God in the future. 

Christian, you too. Make sure you are growing up in your faith so that your heavenly Father will also be proud of you and all that you will do in the future!

Celebrate!

It's time to celebrate!

Celebration! This weekend our country celebrates the declaration of independence from Britain in July 4, 1776. In addition to our freedom, we have much to celebrate as Americans. What do we have to celebrate as Christians? Let's take a quick look at scripture.

Rejoice with those who rejoice

There are Biblical reasons for celebration.

Celebrate when others celebrate

Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Celebrate when good things happen to your neighbors, family, and friends. Lift them up with encouraging words. Give them a gift. Throw a party! Just celebrate with others who have found a reason to celebrate. 

Celebrate over a sinner who repents

Have you ever lost anything valuable? Maybe you misplaced your cell phone. You searched the house, the car, everywhere. You had someone call it. Finally, you located it. Remember, how good that felt? 

Joy for even one

There is a parable in Luke 15 about a woman who lost one silver coin - probably equal to a day's wage. In today's economy, perhaps the silver coin would be worth $200-$300. Jesus says she lights a lamp, sweeps her house and searches until she finds it. Upon locating the lost coin, she calls together her friends and neighbors, and exclaims, "Rejoice with me! For I have found my lost coin!" 

Jesus uses the illustration to say there is more joy in the presence of God's angels over just one sinner who repents. There is celebration! 

Celebrate that your name is written in Heaven

In Luke 10 Jesus sends out 72 disciples to spread the Gospel to the surrounding areas. They are successful as people listen to them and respond to the message. They also do amazing wonders and miracles. On returning to Jesus, they exclaim, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your Name!"

Jesus shares with his followers that indeed we do have victory over Satan and his angels, but a more important reason to celebrate is that your names are written in the Book of Heaven. Imagine the fireworks, the food, the music when we arrive in heaven to celebrate our eternal home free of virus', natural disasters, disease, pain, suffering, and death! Now, that is something to celebrate!

As you celebrate this 4th of July, be thankful for God's blessings inherit in this country, but remember the greater reasons to celebrate found in scripture. The celebration with Jesus in heaven will never end! 

The Lesson of the Sneeches

The Sneeches

The Dr. Seuss story "The Sneeches" has been one of my favorite stories since childhood.  The Sneeches were fine left to themselves. They enjoyed daily life eating, working, playing with one another. Until one day, this chap named, Sylvester McMonkey McBean, showed up with a machine that could put stars on their bellies thus differentiating one Sneech from another. That's when the problems began. Pride, jealousy, and envy crept in as some Sneeches had stars and some didn't.

I made a quick stop at Meijer yesterday and had mistakenly forgotten my mask. I've been wearing a mask whenever I went out and had become quite accustomed to it. Reluctantly, I headed into the store without a mask. I felt self-conscious as I saw most people with their masks on. To make matters worse, the grocery cart I had grabbed had a wobbly wheel and it just brought more attention to me and my maskless face. I did notice a few other nonchalant shoppers also without a mask. I thought,  "Now they are my people!" We are the "maskless" ones! On one occasion I was going down an aisle following the arrows on the floor and ran into a masked family who were going in the wrong direction! Did I feel proud? I may not have a mask, but I was obeying the arrows!

When I returned to my van in the parking lot, I started thinking about my experience. What was this newfound mask-wearing culture really all about? Some people are even saying, "wearing a mask is unhealthy" Others say it doesn't even work. And why did it make me feel inferior or superior than other people? What a strange way to go about life!

Life is a challenge, isn't it?! Maybe now more than ever. Whether you want a star on your belly, chose to wear a mask, or can't decide if it's time to go back to church or not, life is a challenge. Add to the mix now issues of police brutality, racism, and politics, and life can seem overwhelming. No wonder many people I talk to are just content to stay home right now and wait to see how the next few months pan out.

Jesus did say, "In this world, you will have trouble..." Just look at the trouble He had to deal with! But the encouraging words are "...But take heart! I have overcome the world." Sometimes it helps if we just turn off the news and open up our Bibles. Pray without ceasing. To me, that means living with a mindset of prayer. A constant dialog with God. Just like He is there with you in the home. And encourage one another. If you haven't lately, give a brother or sister in Christ a call. Stay connected with one another. One of the lessons the Sneeches learned was that after the whirlwind experience was passed, they still had each other.

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. 1 John 4:7 (MSG)

Masking the Struggle

Wearing my mask at Costco

We live in confusing times today. This pandemic has up-ended the world like never in our lifetimes. Unemployment has skyrocketed. The stock market is volatile with lower lows and higher highs. Travel and vacationing have ground to a halt. And sitting down in a restaurant has never sounded so good! 

There are many more questions out there than there are answers. And who do we listen to? A politician says one thing and a medical professional says another. Listen to ABC news and feel like this sickness may never end or listen to Fox news and feel like it's back to business as usual. 

And we are becoming more polarized day after day as we each decide how we will merge back into the lives we once knew. Is it safe to go out? Is it too soon? Should I wear a mask? Why is that person NOT wearing a mask? Are they six feet apart? 

The tension is palpable. And it is real. It's real in the physical world. And it's real in the spiritual world.

Paul writes in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to, but I am doing the very thing I hate." 

Paul is referring to the struggle between doing God's law and giving in to sin. 

Walmart sign in Traverse City

He continues in verse 19, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." 

This is the constant struggle of every person. Good vs. Evil. It's the spiritual tension every Christian has to deal with. Since he knows that sin leads to death (Rom. 3:23), it seems like Paul is about to throw in the towel as he cries out,

"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death!?"

And like a late-night talk show host teasing viewers to keep watching after the commercial, Paul delivers the goods:

"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord...Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." 

He goes on to say that Jesus Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross has made us right with God.  We no longer have to doubt or be afraid. We can rest assured that our struggles are not in vain and will result in eternal life with our heavenly Father. 

Friend, if you don't yet have the relationship with God through Jesus Christ, reach out to a believer and walk through the steps of faith today. 

Even though we are living in confusing, polarizing times, we can take comfort that God's plan will prevail. God is still in control. And "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6)." 

From a Taxi driver in Tortola

In January of this year, I was riding in a British Virgin Island taxi on the left side of the road through the mountains of Tortola. The view overlooking the countryside was spectacular. The temperature was perfect. The sun was shining. We had just come from a tropical beach where we enjoyed the sand and surf of this island paradise and were returning to our Norwegian Cruise on the Encore.

I recall chatting with our driver about the history of the island, the culture, and the people. At one point, the conversation turned to the church and how the world might end. Our driver asked if we had heard about this virus over in China? None of us had. In fact, I didn't even take it too seriously at the time. But he said it was bad and spreading. We quickly moved onto other topics and the virus was forgotten.

That was Thursday, January 23rd.

Fast forward to today, April 8, 2020.

It's only been a little over 2 months and today, as I write this, people from every country are staying home, self-quarantining in order to avoid catching or passing on Covid-19. This pandemic is like nothing we have experienced in our lifetimes. The world has literally come to a standstill. There doesn't seem to be an area of life it hasn't affected. Yet as grave as it seems, there are still reasons to have hope.

As we strive to flatten the curve and make it through this, it is important that we stay positive. Remember these truths as you do your part to end this pandemic.

1. Lean on God when you are troubled - Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength; an ever-present help in trouble."
2. Take your anxiety to God through prayer - Philippians 4:6 says, "“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
3. Jesus has conquered death -1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says,
   "'O death, where is your victory?
   O death, where is your sting?'
   For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

That January vacation seems so long ago now. Still, I know as I watch China return to normal life, that this too, will pass. In the months to come, we will again venture to out to buy groceries, visit our loved ones in their homes, attend sporting events, and go back to church on Sundays to worship with our spiritual family. Until that day, stay home. Stay safe. And stay faithful!

My Favorite Tech Life Hacks

A Life Hack is a simpler, more efficient way to do something. Think of it like a shortcut which will achieve the same result, but sooner. Here are a few of my favorite tech Life Hacks.

Listen to your Bible

Listen to the Word

Do you use the Bible app on your tablet or smart phone? Did you know with most versions of the Bible there is an option to have it read to you? There is! Useful for when you are driving or busy doing something else. "Faith comes by hearing...!"

Speedometer

Smartphone Speedometer

The estimate to repair the speedometer in my vehicle is over $500. I had an older Android phone just laying around. You can use your old smart phone to display your speed. You don't need a plan or subscription. The GPS component in your phone will still work. Keep it powered by plugging it into a USB adapter and then into the car cigarette lighter.

Parking Reminder

Remember Where you Parked

Ever leave your car in a parking garage or large parking lot only to come back and scratch your head as to where it is? Save the confusion by taking a picture with your smart phone of where you parked. When you come back, just pull up your picture and proceed to your vehicle!

Fast Cash

Get Cash from Grocery Stores

Need cash from your bank account, but there isn't a branch or ATM nearby? Go into any grocery or convenience store, buy something as small as a pack of gum and use your debit card to get cash back. Store limits may be $50-$100, but if you need more, just buy another pack of gum. Daily limits are much more.

Immediately Access Desktop

Press F11 to show Desktop

As you work on your computer, you open more and more windows until your desktop covered. What happens when you want to get back to your desktop quickly? You could close each window one by one, but there is a much quicker way that will minimize all your windows at once.

Windows - Windows Key + D (May not work on newer Windows OS)

Mac - F11 (Press F11 again to restore all windows)

Worship with Humble Gifts to those in Need

Whether you are new to the Christmas story or you have heard it over and over, it's still the most incredible story in the history of the world. That creator God would send his own Son on a mission trip to earth, step into history, claim victory of Satan and sin, is nothing short of spectacular!

Some time after Jesus makes his miraculous appearance in a feeding trough in Bethlehem, Magi from the east show up at a house where the family is staying. The Bible states it like this:

"After coming to the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 3:11

These "Magi" or "Wise Men" had followed a moving star in the eastern sky that led them not to a manger in a stable but to Jesus.  What can we learn from their trek that we can apply today?

1. Humility - The verse says, "they fell to the ground" indicating a posture of humility. Everything surrounding this Christmas story points to humility: Mary says "...the Lord...has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave..." Joseph is the humble carpenter. The shepherds are humble  caretakers of their sheep. As the Magi enter the house, their immediate reaction to the long-sought child is to drop to their knees. The Psalmist wrote, "The humble will see their God at work and be glad." Psalm 69:32 NLT. Humility is the key element to seeing Jesus. 
2. Worship - After the men fell to their knees in humility, they worshiped him. What does "worship" mean? Dictionary.com states that worship means "to show reverence or adoration to a (deity)" The Magi demonstrated their reverence toward baby Jesus in such a way to honor Him as God. As an adult tempted by Satan, Jesus would say, "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only" Matthew 4:10. Our response ought to be the same in that we worship Jesus, our Lord and God. 
3. Gifts - The wise men gave their treasures to Jesus. They brought what was valuable to them in their day and presented it to Jesus. The three gifts recorded in scripture are:
1. Gold - Gold represents royalty which indicates the nature of Jesus - a king - although not an earthly one. Gold is also very valuable indicating the priceless Son of God. 
2. Frankincense - Frankincense is a fragrance many times mixed with oil and used in ancient times to anoint a newborn infant. Three people were anointed in the Bible: Prophet, priest, and king - All of which Jesus would be. 
3. Myrrh - Myrrh is a spice used in burials in ancient times. Most believe the myrrh was prophetic of Jesus' death and resurrection from the dead. 

As we humbly come to worship Jesus, the risen Christ, this Christmas season, how do we give him gifts? He is no longer a helpless babe in a Bethlehem house. But perhaps we can still give to him. We might remember the words of Matthew 25:40, "...whatever you have done for one of the least of these, you have done for me." When we give water, food, clothing, care, and love to those in need, Jesus says, we have given to Him.

Your gifts will look different than those on the first Christmas, but let them be given to those in need and with a cheerful spirit. Give to those less fortunate this Christmas season. Share with those in need. In doing so we celebrate as the Wise men did long ago. Merry Christmas.