Moments

 It is easy to see that Faith is like a muscle to be utilized, exercised, and sometimes challenged.    When things are going well, it is easy to let that go think we are in control, and let faith atrophy.  However, the underdeveloped faith muscles are weak against challenges to our lives that are bound to come and to our faith itself.  Fear, can take over when all the confidence we had in being in control of ourselves is powerless.     It can seem we are adrift without an oar, on a fast-moving stream, headed for a waterfall.   So what do we do?  I like what Peter said to Jesus as Peter was walking on water and took his eyes off Jesus.   "Lord save me!"  And Jesus said. "Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt?"  He took his eyes off Jesus.  He saw the waves, not the master of the waves. However, God has made provision. We can build little muscles, and we can build a little faith.  God sometimes sends u...

  I have an old Bible that I really feel comfortable with.  It is greatly weathered, old, used-up looking.  It has been my Bible for 45 years, and it shows the wear. The old Bible is a marvel for some when I take it in public.  Many are quite impressed that I would use a Bible up that much.  Surely, I must be a super-Christian, right?  Who else would have a Bible used up like that?  I must confess, there is a certain pride when I hear those statements, but it came to me; that's the problem.  It's about me, and how holy, holy, I am with my broken-down Bible.  It's not about Him and the timeless message of hope contained in any Bible in any condition. The Gospel is the same.   In all I have been through health wise this last month and a half, I have had a lot of time to get close to God and pray a lot.  In all this, it has been impressed upon me that I often call myself doing things for God, so to speak, in order to bring attenti...

We know its out there, but we cover death up with bus,y with entertainment and comfort.  We watch the news about the world coming to an end, then blame some politicians or political parties and excuse the awareness of our own greatest vulnerability:  sooner or later, we are going to die.   Do we really have the time and effort to expend on this fear facade that the media portrays to the world to be like?   In our denial, we sometimes work hard and long at something as if we can push death back with our notions that if we are doing something really important and world-saving, death or the thought of it can be put off.  And we are so busy.  We must be doing something terribly important and earth-shattering to be so busy.  Surely, death will leave us alone until all our tasks are completed?   But the truth is that death is right here, moving among us daily, moment by moment, actually. But the stark realization of death makes life more ...