Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

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God Doesn’t Do It Our Way

The Spiritual Journey is Not What You Think

Life has many markers, decision points, and some of them are spiritual. Either they are markers that record your journey towards God or they mark your distancing away from God. You come to a “Y” in the road and a decision will be made. God is always calling you, but you can turn your back to him. You will make a choice. One cannot go back via the way you came. You may stall–camp there and consider your options–and then make a choice.

Each choice will instruct your future and determine your path. Many voices compete for your attention–some good, some bad, some self-centered, some indifferent, and some spiritual. You know, it’s true. It pays to be wise. By now you’ve probably made some good choices and a few bad ones. Haven’t we all? Some are embarrassing to think about. You wish you hadn’t gone there, done that.

Beware of what side-steps you away from God’s will for you. You can really try hard to do everything right in your own best interest without including any thoughts of God and, consequently, repress the spiritual side of you until God’s voice is almost silenced. Why not do the opposite? I encourage you to listen for the still, small voice of God. Do you hear him? He is there when you consciously look for him, if you’re intent on seeing him. God works in each person’s life in a unique way according to who you are and how you think. I do know he hears the cry of your heart, even when you don’t know you have a “cry” in your heart that needs to be met.

You need God in your life. Seriously, you do. More than because he forgives your sins, more than because he gives meaning to life, and more than because of his helpfulness and care. Everyone needs God. God is your anchor in stormy seas. God is the great controller of all things. God is the most sensible of all in this crazed, upside-down world. He is a stabilizing force we can count on.

God REALLY is an anchor in the turbulent sea of life. But it is up to us to access him as our mainstay. Some miss this. For example, some make radically wrong choices. Suicide is one of them. In 2017 my son got out of the military. He returned to civilian life and is now established in a job. In the short time since, three from his command have taken their own lives. Heartbreaking.

What gives? That is a hard one to answer. There are clues, but they don’t tell the whole story. They needed help, hope, a reason to live. Life was too much and too hard. I hope they knew Jesus. Belief in God is the best reason for living. Spiritual belief is not dependent on circumstances, people, money, health, success, good looks, relational health, achievement or popularity.

God is always there for you. Truly, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on top of the world or down in the dumps, he is there. Respect him. Learn his ways. Don’t try to manipulate God by praying your will instead of God’s will.

I want to share with you four distinct spiritual markers.  Each of these helped me become “anchored” in God and came about as the result of things in life. My spiritual life began when I asked Jesus into my heart as a child. The evening news was scary after the Bay of Pigs invasion. Mother shared that Jesus would take care of us. I’m sure the Spirit of the living God was drawing me as I came to my first Y in the road.

My Most Important “Y” Markers

  1. Salvation. I realized my need of a Savior. I believed in Christ as my Savior and accepted his gift of salvation for my soul. My mother guided this process by explaining how Jesus loved me, died on the cross, rose again, and lives. My brother and I both prayed by the side of the bed that night. I was seven.
  2. Dedication. I gave my life to God when I was sixteen. The Spirit of God flooded my spirit. I was emotional as I drew near to God. I decided to follow him and never looked back.
  3. Surrender. We sing “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to him I freely give.” That’s exactly what happened to me when I quit trying so hard. I was at a crossroads and knew I couldn’t go on as I was–on empty, depleted.  I gave it up and turned to God with my heart, mind, and soul.  Best decision I ever made!
  4. Consecration. My life now is one of consecration to God. I desire to honor God with my life. This is an on-going process, one of sanctification. I allow God to “Mold me and make me, after thy will,” like the potter with the clay, where God molds his children into the shape he wants them to be.

An awakening process of renewal and transformation comes with this pursuit. This initiates healing and freeing. For me, this relaxes my rigidity and opens me in the Lord’s service as a vessel that pours out from its inner abundance.

You and I are either drawing closer to God or slipping further away from him. God promises that if you seek him you will find him, period, in spite of the struggles in life–your relationship issues, financial woes, health crises, loss and heartaches. These will bombard you and make you want to quit.

You also may not believe a word I’ve written, but that’s okay.

It is choice time, again. You’re at another Y. Why not turn to God, he loves you so very much. He is the giver of hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11

God can be your dearest friend. He makes life worth living, and he also makes it beautiful. Don’t regret the hard times. Let them go or give them to God. Trust God and find him as your “enough.” “God, I need you. I want to know you. Please help me. Show me who you are.” I believe God will do that for you.

I would be remiss to not say a word to whoever doesn’t believe God exists. Give him a chance. Allow yourself to be vulnerable by asking God to reveal himself to you. Then wait expectantly. The wait may be hours, days, or months. I am positive he will answer your request if you are willing to reach out to him and are sincere in heart. God is a gentleman and will not force his way into your life. I caution you. No dares and no games. They dishonor and displease God. He is holy.

And to anyone who is mad at God. You got upset with God when he let you down or didn’t do what you wanted him to do … when you wanted him to do it. Maybe you were mistreated and it seems unfair of God to have allowed it. In all honesty I say this to you, you have to let it go because it is wrong-minded. God is not a dispenser that gives you everything you want, pray, and ask for. It simply doesn’t work that way.

Another Y in the road. Now you have a choice to make. Instead of being angry with God, you are given an opportunity to turn to him. He takes it from there.

God does it his way. You will receive when you turn to him and believe on him. Then things start happening. God feeds your soul, gives you peace, helps you discern, guides your thoughts, mends your brokenness, and changes your life for the better good. It all takes time, of course.

When you are in-tune with God, the more you are able to accept and become okay with the way life plays out. You are not living in your own strength. God is with you, sustaining and keeping you. This becomes possible when God is part of your life in an active way.

Try it, you’ll like it!

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The more we are in-tune with God the more we are able to accept and become okay with the way life plays out.
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Next Week:  What you can do when you’re worried about your unbelieving Millennial.

Stay tuned!

 

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Books I’ve Been Reading

Books I’ve Been Reading as of Late

I tend to read a variety of books, mostly religious non-fiction. Like entrées at a smorgasbord, each book brings something of delight. I like to delve into a book with an open mind as much as possible. I sort as I go. Almost always I find a statement that makes me pause and consider its meaning and possible ramifications. For me, I find hidden nuggets in the way an author portrays their philosophy on life or the spiritual. These are the bits of wisdom that stay with me.

Here is what I’ve been reading over the past month or two. I’m sharing these with you for no other reason than the idea hit me front and center as something you might like to know.  A couple of these books may make their way into one of the book reviews featured on this blog. The links to Amazon are associate links.

The Joyful Christian by C. S. Lewis

This book is a compilation of 127 short readings taken from other C.S. Lewis books. I read an entry when I am in the mood for another one, usually late at night. Many of his books are familiar to me, and I recognize their text, but I like rehashing their content in my mind. I enjoy their wit, insight, and diversity.  The Joyful Christian

 

You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith

This is a self-examination book on looking at what you do and why you do it. The author likens our routines and pleasures to liturgies we perform on a frequent basis. His emphasis is on worship of God. The reader is taken to task about their own practices and loves in a thoughtful way. This is an interesting read that will make you think. You Are What You Love

 

God’s Work in Satan’s Playground by Dick Buck

I’m reading a chapter per day through this book. It is written by veteran missionary Dick Buck. My sister spent one summer with the Bucks in the ’70s, which is how I came to know of them. Dick and Mavis are of retirement age, and have “retired” but still live and serve in Bahia, Brazil. This is the story of their life’s work. Dick Buck’s sense of humor is evident on each page, and his care and service speak volumes. He was a journalist before he became a missionary. I had a visit with the two of them in 2017, and their energy and enthusiasm for their work and life is remarkable. God’s Work in Satan’s Playground

 

The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel

This is a short book that can be read in one sitting. Strobel explores the reasoning and proofs to support the resurrection of Christ. He meets some of the debaters, who, with biblical apologetics, defend and explain how, with certainty, Jesus’ death and resurrection can be substantiated by historical, biblical, and intellectual, evidence and rational. It is an informative read, written to explore Strobel’s own questions and skeptical thinking prior to his conversion. I was challenged by its content and eager to know more about apologists he mentioned like William Lee Craig and Gary Habermas.

As an aside, I intend to listen to some of their debates, like Bill Craig’s debate with Christopher Hitchens, the avowed atheist and author of God is not Great, a book that challenged my thinking as I contemplated defense of my faith. You might want to read that one; it will shake you up. He’s convincing in his arguments and has little respect for Christian belief and makes it all sound rather silly and ridiculous. That is why believing people are helped by books that defend the faith like The Case for Easter.

 

Churches That Abuse by Ronald M. Enroth

Churches that abuse come in every stripe and color. This book has been around awhile but it applies to most cults and congregations that are led by a minister/spiritual leader who uses power and control to manipulate and isolate his/her members from family, outsiders, and those outside their ranks. Abuse comes in many forms such as mind control, relational controls, financial control, sexual, physical, mental and emotional control. These leaders assume a god-like supremacy over their followers, unsuspecting followers who are willing or forced into compliance. The book’s true stories are sobering and heartbreaking. The book sounds a warning, to be wary, to be careful before you join; if you aren’t careful you could be misled (many professionals are taken in), it may be a cult, and it may well destroy your family unit, your faith in humanity, and your belief in a loving God. Churches That Abuse

 

Be Still and Listen by Amos Smith

Amos Smith contacted me to review his new book,, a book released a couple of days ago. I thoroughly enjoyed, absorbed, this book. It speaks to the need for a quiet joining with God in the quiet of meditation and contemplation. This book seeks to wrap the reader in the warm embrace of a loving God. The book’s purpose and message resounds deeply with me.  It is not written from an evangelical perspective, I wouldn’t want to mislead you, but its core message is universal, for all true believers in God. Religious people will be challenged to do something about their spiritual lethargy when it comes to interactive time spent with God. Be Still and Listen

 

A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

This is the second book in Jan Karon’s Mitford series, a group of fictional tales that act like an antidote to big-city living. Here we follow an Episcopal priest in a series of events in this “little town with the big heart.” My Book Lunch ladies are reading the first two books in this series. Philosophy comes in as it is interwoven throughout the story arc. This is fun reading.  A Light in the Window.

 

10 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren W. Wiersbe

I’ve always enjoyed Warren Wiersbe. I heard him speak when I was in college. He is joyful.  This book is a summary of ten of the greats: M. Henry, J. Edwards, J.H. Newman, J.B. Lightfoot, J. H. Taylor, C. H. Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, A. Carmichael, O. Chambers,and  A. W. Tozer. This little book is like a resource book. Warren tells what he appreciates about their ministry, what they added to the Christian conversation, then he gives a list of further reading one can access. He also mentions where he differs from them, but in a factual, kind way. Wiersbe also has a book of 50 Christians every Christian should know. 10 Christians Every Christian Should Know

Of all these books, only one did I purchase, as amazing as that sounds. I had the distinct privilege of selecting what I wanted from my former pastor’s personal library when he retired. What an opportunity! He gave me first crack at it. I was modest in my choices knowing this was an offer he had extended to one other as well. I had to think of where I would shelve them, too. Thank you, Pastor Pete. Two of these books came to me via that route. One book is on loan to me from my present pastor. We’re going to discuss it at a later date. Life is interesting.

So there you have it, what I do in my spare time.  Summer is a great time to read. Grab an iced tea, pull out the patio lounge chair, and dig in. Happy reading.

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The book dinner list will be posted next week.