Tuesday Blessing

Hope, even when there seems to be none 

Pray, even when you do not seem to have one

Believe, even when there is no reason 

Trust, even when you cannot see it

Because …

As long as you are alive there is hope for a better outcome 

Prayer is always heard by your God who loves you 

Things do not have to be understood to be true

The most powerful forces impacting you are not visible 

For …

Without hope you’ve already lost

Without prayer you’ve unplugged from the source of your salvation 

Believing will lead you home

Home is always waiting for you

Autumn Sunday’s Blessing - 10/21/2023

May the changing leaves remind you of the seasons God takes you through.

Each season a step in the process of growing into all He has planned for you.

May the fallen leaves remind you of preparation for new growth.

Without the shedding of the old, there is no room for the new.

May the cooler temperatures remind you of the need for rest.

Winter is simply a time of sabbath rest for the earth, including you.

Be encouraged by the hope of springtime when all things are made new.

Where you will experience the freshness of growth, maturity, and fruitfulness.

Uncertain Times (an article I wrote a few years ago)

Uncertain Times (an article I wrote a few years ago)

I learned a new word this week. It is a very appropriate word for these days in which we find ourselves. The word is liminal. It describes a type of space we pass through during certain phases of life. For example, one that all of us can identify with is puberty. It is a time when our bodies go through changes that we do not fully understand. We are "in between" being a child and an adult.

Another example of this is the wedding ceremony. The participants in the wedding go into the ceremony as individuals and they leave the ceremony as a couple, two become one. During the ceremony their status is somewhat ambiguous. Until the pronouncement is made, "Man and wife," they stand simply betrothed.

Liminal spaces are normally avoided because of the uncertainty that exists there. I wrote a book last year where I described these times as "wilderness." I like liminal because it is much more descriptive. When we become Christians we enter a liminal space. Before, we were lost, separated from God. Eventually we will see Him face to face. In between those two is our ambassadorship, a liminal space, where we are citizens of Heaven, yet here on earth proclaiming the Good News of Jesus.

The past few years have been wrought with major changes in every aspect of our existence. The onset of a virus that cannot be seen, but clearly is noticed if you come in contact with it. Our world is in a liminal space. We don't know exactly how things will end. Until then we adapt, we persevere, and we continue living. But for Christians we have an opportunity to be salt and light like never before. For us, this is just another facet of the liminal space we already experience. We can offer hope to others who do not have a Firm Foundation in Jesus Christ.

Do not allow "social distancing" to keep us from having spiritual encounters with those around us. Be creative. Find a way. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct you to give a "word in due season" to someone who may be suffering beyond our comprehension, but is hidden by a mask, not made of cloth, but one of a smiling face to hide their pain or shame. Speak the truth about Jesus and His love for us. It could literally save someone's life.

Blessings!

Sunday’s Blessing - 10/8/2023

Sunday’s Blessing 

May you know the beauty of God is within you 

May you experience the fullness of God’s love

May you see the goodness God has for you

May you display the joy of God every day of your life

The Names of God - The Propitiation for Our Sins (Jesus)

The Propitiation for Our Sins (Jesus)

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  

1 John 2:2 (ESV)

There are a few words in scripture that really capture my attention, mainly because they are not part of everyday language, yet have such deep meaning. Propitiation is one of these words. It literally is the crux of the matter when it comes to our salvation. Without it, we would still be lost.

When God met with Moses on the mountain and laid out the plan to redeem Israel and seal them as His chosen people, the plans for the tabernacle were given, along with everything which would happen in it. 

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5 (ESV)

There is so much here it would take a few volumes to explain it all. Let’s just look at this one piece called the propitiation.

Every year the high priest would enter the Holy Place to offer atonement for the people. Time was spent preparing the lamb for sacrifice. Additional time was spent preparing the priest for his ministry in the Holy Place.

When the time came, the “spotless lamb” was sacrificed on the altar. Some of the blood was saved and used in the purification process of the high priest. Then the high priest would take the blood into the Holy Place were God’s presence met him between the cherubim of the Ark of the Covenant. Once there the high priest would place the blood on the Mercy Seat. It was in this moment the blood became the propitiation, the one thing which God declared would stay His wrath from the people. Sin had to be dealt with, but the propitiation became the payment to cover the sins of mankind.

In Hebrews, the writer (whom I believe to be Paul) described the New Testament version of the tabernacle; not the replica which Moses built, but the real one in Heaven. Everything Israel did in the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness was just a picture of what God planned to do in the real tabernacle in Heaven. For THE Propitiation (the blood of Jesus) to cancel sins of all mankind “once for all” there would have to be a “spotless lamb” and a High Priest qualified to enter THE Holy Place in Heaven to offer the blood sacrifice on the REAL Mercy Seat.

He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27 (ESV)

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:17–19 (ESV)

This is why Jesus commanded those who saw Him immediately after the resurrection not to touch Him.

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” John 20:17 (ESV)

He had not yet been to the Holy Place in Heaven to offer the “once for all” propitiation to pay the debt created by sin. Later He instructed His followers to “touch me.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27 (ESV)

The difference between seeing Mary and seeing Thomas was the visit to the Holy Place. He also imparted the Holy Spirit to them because He had been to see His Father.

There is so much more here than can be addressed in this format. I hope you will dig into this for yourself. It is the difference between life and death, spiritually speaking. Because Jesus offered Himself, His own blood, as THE Propitiation, we can be saved!

The Journey - Week 7

The Journey – Week 7

I’m beginning to feel settled. It’s a long way from normal, but more manageable. I met a few more folks at the campgrounds. So far, they all have a story which brought them here. The vast majority of the campers here are long-timers. I’m the newbie.

My neighbor on one side is a young couple. They are here trying to save money for land to build a house. They have a young daughter. I can’t really imagine raising a child here. Maybe their dream will be realized soon. Another I met is here from Florida. She and her husband are here for an undetermined time-frame. Unexpected health problems have sidelined their plans. They are biding their time here waiting on things to improve.

Waiting is a common motif I’ve heard in all of the stories thus far. Apparently, campgrounds are popular spots to wait. That seems to be a pretty easy thing to do here. There is not much else to do but wait.

Waiting is not really a problem. The important thing is what you do during the wait. When you have the luxury of time to wait, it should be spent with intentional activity. If not, it is just wasted time.

My book, “Wonder in the Wilderness”, gives lots of insight into what to do with waiting time. I’m gleaning from my own words during this season. You don’t have to be living in a camper to be in a wilderness. The path to where you are varies for each of us, but the actions we take while here are basically the same. You have to get your eyes (both natural and mental) focused on the answer which for every one of us is God.

You can pick up a copy of my book on Amazon in both print and Kindle format. If you don’t have the funds to cover the cost, send me an email and I’ll email a .pdf copy of the book to you. I pray as you find a way to “wonder” while in the wilderness you will spend less time “wandering”. 

If you choose to read it, please let me know your thoughts.

All of Creation Cries Out

Everything God created was done so to declare His goodness in the earth.

The beauty of Spring, with the blooming flora and fauna bearing their young indicates new life; a new beginning.

The bounty of Summer feeds us year round, a vast variety of fruits and vegetables, every color imaginable; the whole spectrum of taste.

The wonder of Autumn brings a kaleidoscope of color as the leaves turn, indicating the end of the growing season.

Winter comes with its own array of beauty and splendor with snowfall, icicles, and freezing temperatures.

These are the seasonal changes which boldly proclaim the manifest variety of visual stimulation created by our environment.

Then you have the daily wonders of sunrise and sunset, painting the azure blue canvas with red, purple, black, and gray, and every possible hue between these.

At night, the billions of stars and planets create a menagerie, perplexing even the most learned minds. Does it ever stop? How did it get here? Why are we alive when it appears there is no other life to be found?

With all of this, creation cries out the praises to its Creator. How, then, can we be silent?