GREAT START

One never knows when or where God may put a person in your path that could impact the lives of both of you. Or at least make your day a bit brighter.

I didn't want to start my day with a re-check on a patient's prescription, especially one who had just walked in five minutes after I arrived at the office. But what a great start to my day it turned out to be. Thank you, God, for bringing that patient into my life.

She was such a happy, charming, funny person I would never have guessed that she had 26 surgeries in the past 30 years or so, mostly for colitis and other GI issues. But in the course of talking to her she mentioned that her troubles are for the glory of God, because she uses them to talk to others about God and his faithfulness to her in spite of her trials. She mentioned that she's ready to be with God any time because she loves him so much.

I said, "I say the same thing to people, too. I know where I'm going so I'm ready any time. Like Paul says—"To live is Christ; to die is even better." If God has more for me to do here, great, but I'm ready to be with him any time."

Her expression changed as I was talking, and tears formed in her eyes. I'm sure she wasn't expecting her eye doctor to say such a thing. She said, "Oh, I'm so glad God brought us together today. I needed this so much. I needed to hear that. Who would have thought I would have found such hope from my eye appointment?"

We talked more about her church experiences. She loves the Lord but has been essentially shut out of churches because of being gay. She was very involved in a church for four years, singing with their worship band. She mentioned that she is "an awesome musician and gifted songwriter", and she wanted to lead the worship band but the church leaders would not let her because of her lifestyle.

"I haven't dated in 10 years," she said, "but that didn't matter. Being gay goes against their teachings. So, I left the church. But I need to be part of a church. I need the support of others in my faith, and it helps me learn more about God."

I was able to tell her about the United Church of Christ, which welcomes all people, including gays. The slogan of the UCC is, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here." Some of the UCC congregations are Open and Affirming, meaning they have gone through a two-year process to talk about homosexuality and spirituality and have voted as a congregation to welcome gays without judgment, even agreeing to marry them in the church. She said, "I'll have to check it out. Going to Reading may be worth the drive."

She again expressed how happy she was about our encounter. "I'm so glad I met you," she said.

"Well, this was a wonderful way to start my day," I replied.

She started to cry and said,"You've given me such hope." I reached out and gave her a hug.

Both of us had our faith strengthened and our joy renewed from a "chance" encounter that God knew all along would happen.

Thank you, God, for the people you put in our path, some of whom are the least expected to be part of your kingdom.

LISTEN

When the rains of life beat upon you, when tragedies come, when trials get you down and you wonder where God is through it all, listen closely, and you may hear God's beating heart as he enfolds you in his arms and whispers to you, "I love you. And nothing will ever stop me from loving you."

"I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, NLT)

Head or Heart?

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 13-35, two disciples are on the road to Emmaus. From the context of the passage we can infer that they are not in the inner circle of Jesus but they are devout followers. They can’t understand why the man they meet on the road does not know what happened in Jerusalem.

They tell this man (Jesus), "We were hoping that he was the one who was going to rescue Israel. And some women of our number astonished us because they went to the tomb and did not find his body, and they had a vision of angels who said that he was alive."

And so when these two men later realized it was Jesus they had been talking with and walking with, they hurried back to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered and those with them and found that those gathered were saying “it is a fact that the Lord has risen, and he has appeared to Simon." And they told them all that had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The disciples said, "It was a fact that the Lord has risen. And he has appeared to Simon." Yet in the very next passage, when Jesus stands in the midst of them and says, “Peace to you” they are terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost or a spirit.

See, intellectually they knew it--it is a fact that he is risen. They knew it in their head. But because they had not experienced the presence of Jesus for themselves they could not wrap their heads around the fact that Jesus was alive. They had seen him die. They had seen him be beaten and tortured. They had seen the centurion thrust his spear into the side of Jesus. They had seen him be put into a tomb and a stone rolled across the opening. How could Jesus be alive after all of that?

Yet, they were told that he was, and he even appeared to Simon.

I think sometimes that is the way it is for many Christians, and for me. I know the facts. I know the Bible very well because I have read it for most of my life. The stories are in my head and many of them I know by heart. Intellectually I know the Bible and I know Jesus. I know God exists…in my head. I know Jesus is alive…in my head.

Sometimes, because I haven’t experienced the physical presence of Jesus for myself, I still find it hard to grasp. I still find it hard to be passionate about my faith.

Sometimes I still think of God as someone I do not want to disappoint. I haven’t experienced his grace for myself.

But I still have to rely on that grace. As much as I accept it intellectually I have to rely on the grace of God for salvation. There is no other way.

And even if I doubt, as long as I accept the grace of God, then God will accept that and accept me, and will welcome me in to his kingdom.

Simple Pleasures

"Be still, and know that I am God"  - Psalm 46:10

The little things in life always have a way of bringing me joy far out

of proportion to their size. Of course, in order to find these treasures I

must slow down, be observant, and forget about life's complexities. Not always

a simple task in today's hectic lifestyle, but the rewards are worth

it.

Below are some simple pleasures that warm my heart and calm my soul.

They bring peace and stillness to life's chaos, and help keep me close to God.

If you don't have your own list, begin today. Take time to slow down; look and

listen for the simple things in life. You'll find it makes a world of

difference, and you just might see a different world.

* The soothing pulse of a gentle rainfall

* A rainbow's arc of soft color after the rain

* A golden sunset's awesome splendor splashed across the sky

* The graceful, carefree flight of a butterfly

* Bright, shiny stars on a clear summer night

* Songs sung by a chorus of birds

* Curling up in a comfy chair with a good book

* Putting worshipful music on the stereo, slapping headphones on, and    

        shutting out the rest of the world while listening to glorious music praising God

* Taking a walk      

* Taking a walk with my spouse, hand-in-hand

* Taking a walk with a child, rediscovering the joy and wonder of God's

  creation through their eyes

Lord, open our eyes to the simple things in life.

Be Still

Quick—what is the biggest environmental nuisance facing Europe? Air pollution? Global warming? Contaminated rivers and streams? Acid rain?

The World Health Organization, in 2009, declared noise “the biggest environmental nuisance facing Europe, and issued night noise guidelines calling on officials to limit exposure to below 40 decibels.”

According to an article from the McClatchy-Tribune, noise is becoming not only a nuisance but a health threat as well. Of course, there is the obvious risk of hearing loss, and estimates are that 15% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have some kind of hearing loss due to noise exposure. Hearing loss begins at continuous decibel levels above 85. Rock concerts reach levels of 110-140. (Pain threshold is about 125.)

But people bombarded by noise also have higher risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sleeplessness, irritability, and poor work and school performance. Noise pollution is even forcing residents to pack up and move to quieter places to live.

All of this shows the enduring wisdom of God’s Word.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”—Psalm 46:10

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”—Jesus (Matthew 6:31)

Noise is not just a threat to our physical health, but also to our spiritual health. How can we commune with God when we are surrounded by distractions? How can we hear God’s voice amidst the noise of the world?

           

If you live in a quiet neighborhood, or in a peaceful rural area, give thanks. If you reside next to a highway, or train tracks, or in a busy metropolitan area, take time each day to close yourself from the noise. You owe it to your spiritual—and physical—health to turn down the noise.

Do Not Fear

Anyone who has endured trials knows that we don't wish for them in our lives but we also know that adversity is what draws us closer to God. It is through suffering that we learn great truths about God and about ourselves. It is through hardship that we learn God is in control. It is through trials that we learn God will supply all our needs. It is when we hit bottom that we find God waiting there for us, for God knows we will not truly search for Him until we have nowhere else to go.

God never promised that we would have no problems. But God promised that He would be with us through the problems that come our way.

When your life is falling apart around you God listens for your cry. God knows your voice and God says to you, "Do not be afraid. I have called you by name. I know you. You are mine. And I am with you."

God does not promise to take away our trials, or even rescue us from the midst of them. Our faith does not shield us from the harsh realities of life. But God has promised that we will not be alone.

When all hell breaks loose around you, God will be there with you, holding your hand, listening to your cries. God will never forget you, will never leave you alone, and will be with you every step of the way.

But now thus says the Lord: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned; and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3a (NRSV)