Sunday’s Blessing – 07/20/2025 – A Week in Paradise

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/20/2025 – A Week in Paradise

Until now, the only island I’ve ever visited was Puerto Rico. I don’t really count Ireland since it is so large. Today I will step foot on the “big” island of Hawaii, called Hawai-i. I’m excited. I never thought I would get to visit this tropical paradise. The trip has been somewhat arduous, but sometimes you have to go through a little hardship to get what you want. What I’ve heard about Hawaii is worth the effort.

It has not disappointed. The ocean views are spectacular. The climate is moderate with a constant breeze which makes even the hottest temps tolerable. The resort is very nice, with every amenity you would expect. The 5-hour time difference has taken some time to get used to, but I’m acclimating. There are many things I hope to see, like Volcano Park and the Black Beach. Being accustomed to the sugar-sands of Gulf Shores, the “beaches” are not even comparable. They are filled with rough, jagged lava rocks and coral. Still beautiful, just in a very different way.

I’ve also never travelled this far west from Alabama. Being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is a bit surreal when you realize there is no way to get off the island on your own; unless, of course, you own a boat or plane.

For those who live here, the mindset may be very different. Even the most wonderful environments can become commonplace. Without a view beyond your existence anywhere you live can become mundane. Any relationship you have can get dull and frustrating. Any amount of provision you possess can become inadequate. This is where the importance of thanksgiving becomes vital. This is the reason we need a Savior. This is when our trust in a Creator keeps us moving forward in the life and purpose we have. Contentment is not an excuse or surrender. Paul said in his writings to “be content in every state you find yourself”, but he also instructed us to “press forward toward the prize of the high calling of God.”

These are not contradictory. They are complementary. Together – contentment and drive – they work to keep us at peace while seeking fulfillment. This is the “zoe” life God makes available to each one. This "God-kind of life" is characterized by spiritual vitality, abundance, and a relationship with God. Let us purse the Giver of Life, and in that pursuit we will experience all He is.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the Giver of Life keep you content and blessed in Him

So you will never experience lack or frustration

So you can have an overflowing cup to bless others

And in doing so remain at peace and abundant

May you find all you have need of in pursuit of your “why”

So you can live fulfilled yet motivated

So you can be joyful and content

As you press toward all which lies ahead for you

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/13/2025 – Ordinary Time

Sunday’s Blessing – 07/13/2025 – Ordinary Time

I learned something interesting this week about the liturgical calendar. There is a season called Ordinary Time. There are four main seasons: Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas. The remainder of the calendar is called Ordinary Time. It is the longest season of the year and is divided into two sections.

I found this very interesting. During the time I spent in the charismatic church I encountered many people who taught that, for the “spirit-filled” Christian, every day should be a “Book of Acts” kind of day, experiencing miracles, signs, and wonders constantly. Not only is it not scriptural, it is also not feasible. The events found in the Book of Acts covers years of time. The “miracles, signs, and wonders” we read about were not daily occurrences. Sometimes life is just Ordinary. I read a book once called, “God of the Mundane.” It described this topic very well.

I’m glad the church leaders who developed the liturgical calendar to help Christians maintain their walk with God included “Ordinary Time.” It’s ok to have a “normal” day. It does not mean God loves you less, or that you love God less. Ordinary is not a sin. It’s not failure. It’s not defining you. God is still on the throne and, as a Christian, you are still seated with Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Learn to embrace the ordinary days. They can be just as fulfilling and “miraculous” as any other. Use these days to sharpen the cutting edge of your spiritual life. Use them to rest. But always remember, even though they are ordinary, they are still not to be wasted.

Now for today’s blessing:

May the God of Ordinary Time reveal more of who He is to you

So that you can lead ordinary people into a relationship with an extraordinary God

May God use your mundane to reveal His miraculous 

So your average can still lead to advancement in the Kingdom of God

Sunday’s Blessing - 07/06/2025 - Independence Day in the US

Sunday’s Blessing - 07/06/2025 - Independence Day in the US

One of the first doctrinal changes that came from early American church leaders was to bring the idea of "independence" into the Christian faith. The concept of a "personal Savior" began to be propagated which rang true to those newly separated from the Church of England and other European denominations. The only problem with that was it is not the message Jesus came to share with us. The early church was known as the ekklasia, or "called out ones." There was a strong sense of community among Believers known for their love and care for others. The command Jesus gave to those who saw Him ascend to the heavens was to "go make disciples of every nation." This later became known as "The Great Commission", even though the Bible never refers to it as such.

The new independent American evangelicalism took this up as their mantra, using it as a battle cry to overtake the world for Jesus, just as the Minute Men had conquered the Brits. It was not laced with love and concern for others, but instead a tool to build their churches. The focus was not on the welfare of those being converted, but instead on the "stars in their crown."

July 4th is not a Christian holiday. It is an American holiday where we celebrate our declaring ourselves to be free of the tyranny of the British Monarchy. We refused to pay tribute money and tariffs on the goods coming into our ports. The unfortunate part of the early American church doctrine is it confused nationalism with Christianity. The two are not synonymous. Being American does not make you Christian. Being "free" based on our Constitution does not make us free from the law of sin and death. Only Jesus can do that.

On this Independence Day, if you are an American citizen, or just love this country, celebrate our independence. But regardless of your nationality, find a way to celebrate the freedom we have in Christ, who redeemed us back for the sake of the Father, Who loves us. God, Himself, provided everything needed to restore us into right relationship with Him. Through our identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of the Father, we are made to sit together with Christ in the Kingdom He established and now rules. We are not lone rangers for Jesus. We are part of one Body working together to bring a world who does not know God into a new relationship with Him.

Light that flare this 4th!

Now for today's blessing.

May the Lord of the Sabbath, and the Lord of Independence Day, give you rest

May you see the spectacular display of His love and mercy in Jesus

So that you can celebrate being reunited with your Creator

And find the peace and rest that only He can bring

May the liberation you find not consist of release from earthly ties

But instead be the shedding of the walls we have built around our heart

Designed to protect us from being hurt, but cause us more harm than good

And keep us from experiencing the warmth of the Father's Love through Christ

May the distance we find between us and God be removed by drawing near to Him

Accepting the grace and mercy which was made available to us in Christ

And now is our daily bread as we learn to rest in Him

Fully independent from the sin that once held us as slaves