What Happens When You Help?

Most people who want the concert experience spring for the expensive backstage passes, the meet & greet tickets, and the front row seats. Me? I have to admit, I didn’t show up at the Winter Jam show with any of that in mind. In fact, my only goal was to visit an out of state friend who was running one of the merch booths.

After a few minutes of loitering beside her table, she asked: “Wanna just be my volunteer?” “Sure, why not?” I replied, putting on one of the red crew shirts. Heck, she had gotten me into the show for free. Of course, I would help her out! As it turned out, I still got to take breaks and enjoy the best parts of the show. On top of that, however, the other staff members appreciated my willingness to help out so much that they let me tag along into places that the average showgoer or volunteer would never end up.

Looking back, it was one big line of positive chain reactions. I was willing to drive for two hours and pay to go to a show so I could visit my friend. She snagged me a free ticket to make it easier. I was excited to be there and was more than happy to help her and the crew out. The crew was excited to have my assistance, so they didn’t mind me tagging along for dinner and loading the tour bus.

None of us had high expectations of what the others could or would do for us. We were all simply willing to do things for each other. This is how good things happen.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,

   and one who waters will himself be watered.

-Proverbs 11:25

Seeing The Light When Your Glasses Are Filthy

"Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25 says. That's the truth. It's hard to find hope you can see when all you have to stare at is a desert and you can barely look through your dirt-encrusted sunglasses. But do I wait with patience? That's hard. Patience is a fruit of the spirit that I often lack. Looking back at that verse, I'll be honest, patience isn't the only thing here that is lacking: it's hard to hope for what I don't see. It's easy to give up when the horizon looks empty.

So where can we go from here? What happens when all you can see is a dead horizon through your crusty dirty glasses?

Romans 8 continues in verses 26-27, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Pray, my friend. Pray. It's all we can do, and even that isn't done entirely on our own accord.

Our Daily Provision

For the longest time, I had been obsessed with lists. Every single weekend I would write down all the things I needed to get done, including a long string of projects that I had in mind to do in the future, just in case I had time to work on anything related to them. The list was as big as my forearm, and at the end of my two days off, I would mentally berate myself for not having accomplished much. Hey, we are called to be good stewards of our time. I rationalized.

As time went on, I became more worn out and more stressed. Then I stumbled upon a piece of writing having to do with the Lord's prayer. It pointed out the part that says "give us each day our daily bread", expounding on the fact that it says daily. Not meals for a year, a month, or even a week. But simply sustenance for a day. Whether that means a meager serving of oatmeal or an extravagant feast, who can know- but we will be provided for.

Planning ahead can be important and useful, sure. But when it comes to our day-to-day life, one day's worth of provisions will carry us through to the next day, and then the next day's provisions will carry us to the one after that, and so on. We don't need to worry about accomplishing a million little things that are unnecessary for today. God will give us the strength and time necessary to do exactly what He intends us to do today, however much or little that is. 

Our job is to do what He equips us for with diligence, and trust Him when He allows distractions or down periods to hit. We can make all the lists we want, but in the end, He is sovereign over each day.



“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

- Luke 11:2-4

Burning Christmas Trees & Bearing Fruit

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. - Matthew 7:18-19
My pastor was recently going over this passage, which likens the produce of trees to the producing of spiritual fruit in the life of the Christian. Suddenly, an ironic thought struck me: at the end of the year, millions of Christmas trees get burned up. 
For many, these trees get put up for decoration in homes as part of the celebration of Christ's birth. They are pretty, enjoyed by many, and make for a festive atmosphere. They seem great for a time, but they yield no fruit. When their short season is over, they are completely useless and are cast into bonfires for disposal. 
If we continue reading Matthew 7, the passage on fruitfulness is followed up with this:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ - Matthew 7:21-23
The lives of these trees are given up, supposedly to celebrate Christ (at least, in many Christian homes). In the end, they were nothing more than a temporary decoration, there for people to enjoy. Despite all appearances, they were never truly there for the sake of Christ.
Pray to the Lord that your life may be like that of a heavily-producing fruit tree rather than the celebrated but fruitless existence of the Christmas tree that is for Him by name only.

Burning the Idols

"The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God." - Deuteronomy 7:25

While we aren’t ancient Israel, the principal here is still an important one. It essentially breaks down to this: “Do not keep even little pieces of what is detestable to God in your life.” This can be easier said than done.

It is one thing to obliterate an idol made of wood or metal. Giving up an object like that can be done quickly, all at once. But what about the idols that we have in our lives? Our idols tend to reside in our hearts and minds- things such as obsessing over sports and celebrities, making money too high of a priority, or habitually lusting after someone or something. Anything that is either displeasing to God or elevated to a place in our life where we deep down want it more than we want Him is an idol.

False gods such as these are harder to rip from our lives. We can pray and confess to God the sins we’ve committed against Him, yet if we don't completely cease that action and destroy the idols, shards of them can remain in our lives and draw us away from the Lord and back to themselves.

Stop and think: are there parts of idols still tucked away in the corners of your heart?

Love Songs

Why are there so many love songs? Because musicians and songwriters often compose about what they know. It's only natural that the things and people we know and experience the most deeply will influence the ways we express ourselves. What influences your thoughts, writings, and what you sing of the most? Are those things worth your time and brainpower?

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

- Psalm 100

Thoughts From The Ditch

Not many people would be laughing at themselves in my position. Currently I am sitting in the ditch with my emergency flashers going, waiting for a tow truck to arrive and get me out of a snow bank. Not that it's hilarious that I am stuck here, but the fact of the matter is I am fine, my car is fine, and I just feel a little silly. Why? Because all winter long I've been rolling my eyes at people who can't drive in the snow. But I’ve got this, I say to myself, as I confidently maneuver my little all-wheel-drive through the streets.

This morning I was reading my Bible and noting God’s high view of humility. Heh, little did I consider just how prideful I've been about my winter driving skills and my vehicle’s abilities… Well, until now. At any rate, God is good. Really really good- I didn't hit the other car that was in the ditch, I didn't hit anything that could damage my car, and no injuries were incurred, aside to my pride (but apparently I needed that!).

What did I learn tonight? Black ice is startling and you don't know it's there until you're on top of it. I also learned that sliding into the ditch can happen to anyone, no matter how good their car is or how skilled they are at winter driving. Most importantly though, I learned that sometimes we need God to let us hit a little adversity to show us where we need to improve.

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18

Finding Beauty

It was a weird Christmas for me and my family. Grandma was (still is, actually- keep her in prayer, if you would) in the hospital, it was our first Christmas without Grandpa, our usual festivities involving extended family got cancelled due to weather, I was sick to my stomach half the weekend, and my parents, bro, and I ended up split between two apartments at Grandma's retirement community due to us being given a key for a smaller apartment than intended. It seemed a rather woebegone weekend.

As I was getting ready for bed, feeling a little down, I glanced out my window and saw fresh snow being lit by the gazebo below. There it was- a little spark of hope and beauty. The reminder I needed: that God puts good things into our lives, even when times aren't what we'd like them to be. We just have to be looking for them.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. - James 1:17

Ranting of Weather

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ... "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? "Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?"

- Job 38:1, 22-29

The weather can be a great instant jumping point for conversation when one doesn't know what else to say, especially if it has been unusual. Lately at work I have heard a lot of comments about the shockingly high volume of snowfall where I live. Who knew the weather could become such a controversial matter! Half the people are grumbling that they cannot wait for it to go, and others (like myself) are next thing to bouncing with excitement over how white our wold has turned.

The one thing we often lose sight of is that the weather is more than just the result of a bunch of atmospheric pressure. Stop and think: what causes the conditions that cause the weather? It all goes back to God. Many of us find ourselves praying that the weather will be favorable to our whims, but in the moments of actually experiencing it, are we still thinking of God? Do we thank Him when we experience weather we enjoy? What about when we hate the current weather conditions?

Whatever it is doing out there, remember Who is causing it all, and let that drive your response. If you love the weather, give credit to God for His great blessing! If you despise the conditions, remember that it is still God who brought them on, and pray that He will help you be content no matter what comes at you from the sky.

Be Thankful For Everything?

It’s November, and as Thanksgiving draws nearer, I’ve begun to notice people online trying to be more aware of the blessings they have experienced over the past year and focus on the good in their lives. But what if we have had a hard year? Do we just try to tune out most of the events of the past months and go into a tunnel-vision focus on particular things that we enjoyed? Or is there something deeper we ought to consider as we wander through these dimly lit portions of life?

Recently, I encountered this verse in Thessalonians; “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That's tough. In ALL circumstances? Really? Yep, really. It's not any easier for me than it is for you, believe me. But it's the truth, and on top of that it is a command from God. But how can we do this? Certainly not by our own power.

We must pray that God would help increase in our trust in Him, and remember what the Bible says of His character:

"The LORD is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds." (Psalm 145:17), 

"The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all." (Psalm 103:19). 

While we may not be thankful for the specific undesirable circumstances we end up in, we can still give thanks to God that He is using those events as part of His plan, and that whatever it is, in following with his character, it will end well and allow us to in some way glorify Him.

The Gift of Ability

"The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you." - Exodus 31:1-6

I have been reading Exodus lately and recently got to the part about making the tabernacle and ceremonial attire/accessories. At first glance, those chapters looks like just a lot of instructions, but there are even lessons to be noted within passages such as this if you look for them. 

Notice that the people God called to be the official artists of the endeavor were not noted as being brilliantly creative. Rather, God called them and then He gave them the ability to do this great service for Him and their fellow people. While folks such as ourselves may not be in charge of creating a grand place of worship, this tidbit can still be greatly encouraging: God gives His people the ability to follow His commands. 

Whether we are called into something big like traveling missions work or simply just to live the layman's life and gain a more Christlike state of existence, He gives us the ability- we just need to consciously strive to do it, and do it for His glory.

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

There is a Veggie Tales silly-song that is well known among Christians who either had or were children in the early 2000's:

"We are the pirates who don't do anything

We just stay at home and lay around

And if you ask us to do anything...

We'll just tell you...

We don't do anything!"

Considering the fact that pirates are known to pillage and plunder and be an all-out horrible bunch, the idea of a band of pirates who sit around being lazy all day every day is a rather comical thought. It left me wondering something: could one really be a pirate without doing anything? Isn't piracy action-based? It is centered around robbing people, after all. It then occurred to me, "...A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven." (John 3:27). This includes our time. 

Now, granted, every minute we have here on earth is given to us by God. We can't exactly steal what is given as a gift. We can, however, waste it, which is nearly as bad. We are told that, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24). If we are expected to use the time given to us to serve and glorify God, would it be fair to assume that it is near-piracy to steal away precious minutes from our true calling and waste them on useless endeavors?

Describing God

I was thinking about adjectives the other day. What words do we use to describe things? Then I flipped to the back of my Bible and started searching out which adjectives were used to describe God. I ended up with a much larger list than I anticipated- but should that really be a surprise? Probably not, because God will always be far more amazing than we will ever be able to comprehend or describe.

All of the verses referenced here are in the ESV translation - if you're using something different, the adjectives could vary. I encourage you to consider what each of these words mean, both in definition and how they relate to God and in turn what that means for your relationship with Him. When you stop and think about the way God describes Himself to us through His word, He continues to become even greater to contemplate.

Almighty (Job 40:2)
Alpha  & Omega (Rev. 1:8)
Awesome (Psalm 111:9)
Blessed (Psalm 89:52)
Builder (Heb 11:10)
Compassionate (James 5:11)
Creator (1 Peter 4:19)
Crucified (1 Cor. 1:23)
Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
Everlasting (Is. 9:6)
Exalted (Psalm 108:5)
Faithful (Psalm 145:13)
Father (Is. 9:6)
Forgiving (Psalm 86:5)
God of Glory (Acts 7:2)
Good (Nahum 1:7)
Gracious (Psalm 116:5)
Great (Psalm 145:3)
Helper (Heb. 13:6)
Immortal (1 Tim. 1:17)
Jealous (Ex. 20:5)
Judge (Psalm 7:11)
Just (Psalm 111:7)
Kind (Psalm 145:13)
King (Psalm 29:10)
Lamb (John 1:29)
Light (Psalm 27:1)
Lord (Lev. 19:2)
Love (1 John 4:16)
Majesty (Job 37:22)
Maker (Psalm 95:6)
Merciful (Neh. 9:31)
Powerful (Psalm 29:4)
Propitiation (1 John 2:2)
Pure (Psalm 12:6)
Redeemer (Job 19:25)
Refuge (Psalm 46:1)
Resurrection (John 11:25)
Righteous (Psalm 11:7)
Rock (Psalm 18:2)
Salvation (Psalm 27:1)
Savior (Titus 2:13)
Shines (Psalm 50:2)
Slow to anger (Nahum 1:3)
Sovereign (Rev. 6:10)
Spirit (John 4:24)
Splendor (Psalm 104:1)
Steadfast (Psalm 86:13)
Strong (Proverbs 18:10)
Stronghold (Psalm 9:9)
Teacher (John 13:14)
Trustworthy (Psalm 111:7)
Truth (John 14:6)
Unchangeable (Job 23:13)
Unsearchable (Eph 3:8)
Upright (Psalm 33:4)
[the] Way (John 14:6)
Wonderful (Is. 9:6)
[the] Word (John 1:1)
Worthy [of praise] (Psalm 18:3)

Slipping to the Spiderwebs.

Tip: If your hands are shaky or you are in a place of precarious balance, shoot using low aperture numbers (f/4 or below) and a high shutter speed to help compensate for camera shake.

Earlier this week I was taking a walk through the park and noticed the gorgeous fall colors beginning to show up a tad early along the river. My lens could zoom a little, but not quite as far as I wanted for the shot I was trying to get, so I strayed from the walking path and began to venture down toward the water. The entire time, I was shifting my gaze between my camera's view finder and the island I was trying to photograph. As would happen in such a circumstance, I started to lose my footing on the incline- fortunately, I caught myself. Looking up, it came to my attention that I would have ended up in the web of this massive spider, and on top of that, fallen into a blackberry bush, had I kept going!

Just as it is important to keep an eye on our physical footing, we ought to remember to be constantly aware of our spiritual footing as well. Stray too far in that regard and you will be far worse off than being covered in berries, scrapes, and having a large spider on your head! As 1 Corinthians says, "examine yourself!" Where are you headed? My high school youth group leader had this saying: "If it isn't bringing you closer to God, it is leading you away from Him." It may be nearly impossible to see  at the start, but every move you make (or even don't make!) takes you somewhere. Consider where you are heading.


"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" - 1 Corinthians 13:5


"Does not he see my ways and number all my steps? If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit, let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!" - Job 31:4-6