When Life Disappears

Friday, July 21, 2023

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  James 1:2

Phrases such as troubles of any kind, and opportunity for great joy hardly seem to mesh.  Some words strung together take you by surprise; they can be unnerving, and gnaw at your mind for days, weeks, or a lifetime.  You’re hearing it for the first time, yet you’re amazed at how common the thought is to many other people.  It’s something akin to that strange thing that happens when you buy a new car and suddenly notice how many of the same kind are now on the road; did you never notice, or is there a new virus making people buy that brand?

The words that took me by storm were:  an unbroken heart is sterile.  Since reading that thought I’ve seen it in a number of unrelated quotes…and a lot more quotes, courtesy of Google, most of which were connected with the approaching darkening and disappearance of the mind…Alzheimer’s.[1]  A disclaimer about searching that topic…you will not have an unbroken heart when you’re done.  Your heart will be pulled apart at the seams, and what leaks out will be every last shred of defense against a compassion-less life; you’ll need to get involved!

My bride, Elizabeth, and I binge-watched the third season of The Chosen this week.  It is the most powerfully-stirring presentation of the Gospel accounts I’ve ever seen.  It faithfully retells the events of Jesus’ ministry, and the effect it had on those who experienced it firsthand.  More than just words on a book’s page, you are drawn as a participant in the presence of the God-man, Heaven come down to dwell among us. 

In one of the episodes a man possessed by a demon[2] is healed by Jesus.  By definition, to be possessed by an evil spirit is to lose one’s mind, and therefore any control over your actions, or even thought life.  This pretty much describes the downward spiral of Alzheimers…a slow-death by disappearance.  In healing the man Jesus restores his memory, his thoughts, and returns joy, the great joy Apostle James mentions.  The demon was thought to be unconquerable; that is, until it was introduced to He who has power over the darkness of evil and death.

I have had some brush with the effects of the disappearing mind.  In 2007 my Mom and Dad came to live with us.  In the early stages of dementia, Mom was still a sweet, quiet person.  But she was troubled with very disturbing dreams, and struggling at times to have even simple conversations.  I did not fully realize or admit to myself that we were losing her slowly, until one time she answered my knock at the door with a puzzled look that confirmed she did not recognize me.  She had known me for 60 years…and we were starting to say “goodbye”.

James tells us that troubles of any kind are opportunities of great joy.  It’s hard to frame that in any positive way to:

·       those who have had to repeat their names to family…often

·       or those who have no recollection, or explanation why they cannot see, or speak, or hear, or breathe well…or who this one is sleeping next to her

·       or those who stand helpless on the sidelines watching their loved one suffering, disappearing one forgotten word at a time

·       or those who have nowhere to sleep tonight, no food to eat this week

For You Today 

You may be on that list somewhere, hurting in the wake of life’s inevitable and unavoidable losses.  To you, James’ words may sound like Ronald Reagan’s favorite cartoon of a cowboy digging in a huge pile of manure.  The caption has the cowboy thinking:  There must be a pony in here somewhere.  The “pony” in all of life’s troubles is the opportunity to know the great Giver of all joy.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO (read by author)

There are about 2,600 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road Devotions library.  

 

Title Image:  via Pixabay.com   Images without citation are in public domain.   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©  

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[1] See a representative article:  An Unbroken Heart Is a Lifeless Thing: An Alzheimer Odyssey Nears Its End

[2] If you have some time read Matthew’s Gospel, chapters 4-17 which are filled with such healings

 

Getting the BIG Picture

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer.  Listen, O God of Jacob.   (Interlude)  O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield!  Show favor to the one you have anointed.  A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!  I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.  For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.  Psalm 84:8-12

The enigmatic nature of God’s “plans” for my life, and your life, and the lives of each person on earth, and all of God’s created universe, have always intrigued me.  The Psalmist declares God withholds nothing “good” from those who do “right”.  That brings to mind two questions….always:

#1.  What does He mean by good?  

#2.  What does He mean by right?

The second question is (for any theologically-minded sort) a no-brainer;  doing right is simply a matter of obedience to God’s leading; we must obey, and not act like a jerk.  Right?  Well…it’s at least somewhat like that.

In the narrow focus of my life, and what I think, good comes down to stuff (a new Mustang, enough cash flow to have someone else do my yard work, and, of course, peanut butter chocolate-chip cookies, surrounded by Rocky Road ice cream); these are good things…I’ll take a second portion, please.

The rub in “goodness” and “rightness” always comes when I begin to define the boundaries in which God can move to supply what I think is good, and how much of the “right” living qualifies me to rake it all in. 

Then, just as certainly as the sun will rise in the morning, as soon as I begin to imagine all the good stuff I’m due, something terrible happens…a bill I hadn’t expected…a sickness that blows my plans out of the water…dreaming about playing third base for the Yankees (and then waking up to the reality that nobody in the eighth-decade of life has ever played in the major-leagues).

All of this is quite understandable, because we’ve all experienced some of it, to some degree.  So, how do we understand what’s good, and what’s right?  Again, as surely as I begin to answer that question, God is likely to highlight my flaws.  However, here’s (at least) a working hypothesis:

Measuring right living is a matter of how much of you that you’re willing to let go, in order to embrace Him.  It’s a matter of control; who controls your life? Measuring good things is a matter of the wider picture, determined by the answer to the first question about right living.  The synergy, or interaction of living right by surrendering to the will of God, and receiving good things, is in viewing all things that come your way as God’s good gifts by faith.  That means treasuring your life, and all the so-called good, bad, or ugly, even if it doesn’t seem so, with the understanding that God will sort it out in the long run according to His good plans for your life.  In short, measuring how right you have to live to receive good things at the hand of God, is a matter of NOT-measuring anything…it’s a matter of letting go, and trusting God.

For You Today

So, the next time that TV preacher tells you you’re gonna get a blessing if you send him $100 and pray a certain prayer with your hand resting on the TV screen, remember what the Psalmist said about bending your will towards God…then trust Him, and walk confidently through whatever the day brings!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO (read by author)

There are about 2,000 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road Devotions library.  To dig deeper on today’s topic, explore some of these: 

       Lenten Walk - Part 13   and   Cross Perspectives

[1] Images:  Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©   

Why Marriages Turn Into Wars

Monday, August 1, 2022

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.  Colossians 3:18-19

As a precautionary measure, let me say up front:  this might get ugly.  Also allow me to mention that I’ve been in trouble before, because I wrote, preached, and counseled in favor of Biblical marriage.  That being said, let me introduce you to my dear friend, the Apostle Paul, also no stranger to being in trouble.  With one word Paul stirred two millennia of arguments over marriage; that word:  submit!

The problem is a matter of understanding the banquet table of perspective Paul spread out for those contemplating living together as God intended.  It is often said that you cannot build an entire theology of living on one passage of Scripture.  (It’s said mostly by preachers who want to survive being employed while telling the truth).  What that means is too many people assume the worst before they truly understand the perspective.  I say that to (at least) gain a hearing for these five minutes.  After that you can take me to the hangman if you’re so-inclined.

Paul’s troublesome word “submit” is abhorrent in today’s culture, especially in a time when equality police are everywhere.  The problem is many people don’t wait for the context, or perspective.  Submitting is not subservience, or admission of a woman being weaker than a man.  Rather, in context, and in light of all the other stuff Paul wrote about women and men, it is a matter of entrusting common sense to the woman.  It isn’t a lower respect for women’s ability, intellect, or place…it’s recognition that mutual respect must start somewhere.  Paul understands that men are less likely to begin there.  But if you’re having trouble wrapping your mind around anything Paul writes as being less than sexist, or antiquated gender-bashing, let his signature sentence to the Galatian believers roll around your perspective indicator for just a moment:

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female[1].  For you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28

So, why (begging the question of today’s topic) do many marriages turn into war?  The answer is both a male and female failure to live together fulfilling their role, rather than trying to protect their turf.  Imagine a man winning the affection of a woman.  Then, after successfully convincing her to marry him (making all his dreams come true), tries to live as independently as the bachelor…while still claiming his “status” as a husband.  Imagine the woman planning and pulling-off the elaborate dream wedding (putting every strain possible on the credit score).  She then starts working on arranging the rest of their lives according to what that romantic moment looked like when she was the center of attention under that veil.  This Mars vs. Venus approach is the perfect storm setting for winding-up in divorce court, where the only benefit is to the 401K of the lawyers.

Rearrange the thinking to a man and a woman who listen to Apostle Paul’s Godly advice.  The man, moving heaven and earth to love his wife (read that:  do that which will support her in being the strongest, most excellent woman possible).  That kind of man will trust, help, comfort, console when down, cheer when accomplishing…and you’ve got that picture.  And, for the submit issue?  There isn’t an issue when a woman’s got a man like that!

For You Today

Love begins not with a kiss, and the short-path to the bedroom, as seen on most of Hollywood’s theological porn.  Love begins when there is mutual submission to God’s ways.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO (read by author)

There are about 2,000 devotional posts in the Rocky Road Devotions library. 

To dig deeper on today’s topic read:  The Strength of a Marriage  and  Two Rings

[1] Images:  Pixabay.com and Pixabay  and Pixabay  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©  

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[1] Emphasis added

Worn-Out...or Broken-In?

 

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.  Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me.  But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest.  I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”  Acts 26:20-23

Paul was on trial, and this defense of his actions was pled before King Agrippa.  As usual, Paul was not as concerned for his life, welfare, or reputation, nearly as much as concern that the message God had given him continue spreading.  The apostle was proclaiming to the King’s court the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that all persons are sinful and must repent.  There must be a clean sweep, turning their backs on all forms of evil, in order to be forgiven by God.  Without it there can be no peace in this world, nor escape from the tribulation of the next. 

The idea of a “clean sweep” is not a new concept.  How that is achieved is the crux of every generation’s struggle for identity.  In Ancient Jerusalem it meant national repentance, the whole nation bowing in lockstep.  In 2022 that idea runs counter-cultural to the rugged individualism of figures, such as John Wayne.  In modern times we bow only to personal choice.  The woke culture hears no voice, save its own.  All that is valued is change.  What used to be valued is now obsolete, worthless.  Virtually everything is turned on its ear.  Whatever was is now to be changed into the new…conform to this non-conformance with the past, or be left in the dust.

A proverb found in many cultures is:  a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners.  The wisdom of this proverb is the balance between the energy of newly-minted movements (new brooms), and the experience of the old brooms that have already travelled down the road of practice. 

While the struggle between the last generation’s ways, and the new generation’s ideas is legendary and ongoing, the wisdom of that ancient proverb is a guide that is venerable.  Energy and experience are both valued, because experience is where wisdom can put energy to its best use.  Energy (the new broom of change) will also inform the old, worn-out eyes of experience with fresh perspective, and envisioning the pain of not changing.

Change is inevitable.  But people never change intentionality until the pain of the consequences of not changing exceeds the fear of changing. 

The Biblical record, as Paul laid out to Agrippa, tells us the only change that takes you through the narrow gate to your Creator’s strong love is repentance of sin.  That is where we find the open arms of acceptance and joy.

For You Today

We don’t want to be too conflicted by which way to turn.  When you’re sitting on the railroad track and hear the train whistle blowing, it’s not the time to do a survey or study on whether to move to the left or right; if you don’t move, you’re going to get flattened.

The only thing that matters when you’re faced with changing times, energy, or demand for wisdom, is what (and whom) you’ve decided to trust.  Like Joshua told Israel when they were getting ready to cross the river into the Promised Land, Choose, THIS day, whom you will serve[1].

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road with Jesus; have a blessed day!  

[1] Images:  Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©  

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[1] Read Joshua 24

Moving Shadows

 

Monday, March 21, 2022

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.  I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”  But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse.  The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:  “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.  You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.  My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.  And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?  My only hope is in you.  Rescue me from my rebellion.  Do not let fools mock me.  I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you.  But please stop striking me!  I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.  When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us.  Each of us is but a breath. Interlude

Hear my prayer, O Lord!  Listen to my cries for help!  Don’t ignore my tears.  For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.  Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.  Psalm 39:1-13

A shadow has little substance.  Now that is  more than an obvious truth; it opens a host of cans of worms for us humans.  Our shadow is a subtle reminder of where we go, and what we do.  And when the track of the shadow moves away from God, or without connected relevance to God, it is rebellion unmasked; our deeds give us away.  When we prefer the shadows we give traction to what Apostle John wrote about the incarnation of Godly substance:

And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  John 3:19

The Psalmist admitted this well before John wrote about it:

 Darkness is my closest friend.  Psalm 88:18b

Both the Old Testament Psalmist, and New Testament Apostle give rise to the shadow David wrote about in the beloved 23^rd Psalm, a valley of shadows, announcing death like a foreboding spectre.

The point of bringing the shadows into the light for our examination is not a morose elevation of gloom, but rather the warning intended by Scripture’s overwhelming juxtaposition of light and darkness.  God’s Word shows us the difference between rebellion’s darkness, and the purpose of God’s light of truth.  God’s desire is to bring us out of the darkness, into His marvellous light.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people.  You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.  As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  1 Peter 2:9

For You Today

We understand darkness because we are fallen creatures, living in a fallen, twisted, rebellious-towards-God-world.  But we cannot come up with one sound reason as to why we are fascinated-by, and pulled towards the darkness.

But we also understand the call of God (as C.S. Lewis put it) to leave the Shadowlands of darkness behind.  We are called to walk in His light; there is no blind stumbling there.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title image: Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©    

Entitlement Mythology 101

 

Thursday, February 24, 2022

“Listen, O Israel!  Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you.  They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky!  The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants.  You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’  But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them.  He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.  “After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’  No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way.  It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Deuteronomy 9:1-5

Perched on the eve of conquering Palestine, the fledgling Israelite nation was warned by God to keep perspective on the source of the greatness they were about to experience.  God told them to not get puffed-up like a proud peacock over their supposed goodness, or integrity; their victory was a gift.

Many nations and many people have written their own brand of history.  It is said the winners of wars will tell the story of their own greatness, while truth goes begging.  Whether we like it or not, truth writes its own story, without regard to any other version. 

Scripture warns in many ways against pride.  Solomon’s words tell it plainly: 

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.  Proverbs 16:18

Claiming personal greatness is a symptom of the pride that goes before a fall.  Pride is a bulldozer paving the way down the slope of disaster.  The history of God’s special people is written over and again, with alarmingly similar results:

·       First stamp:  God’s great hand of favor clears the path for their success.

·       Second stamp:  Within a few generations (sometimes less), the truth is forgotten, and God’s greatness is claimed for the pride of a new leader. 

·       Third stamp:  God takes Israel to the woodshed (captivity, plagues, etc.).

·       Fourth stamp:  Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.

American history bears unmistakeable parallels to Israel, of the way God blesses a nation.  That much is hardly questioned to my mind.  The troubling part of that statement, is, that we also bear the marks of the rubber stamp history of Israel. 

There is a sense of entitlement in the land today which smacks of the pride of privilege.  It’s not just white privilege that plagues, it is the endemic arrogance of any privilege.  Ethnic privilege, perceived greatness, dominant history, and any other sense of entitled platform is a house of cards awaiting collapse.  To borrow from James Russell Lowell’s thinking about truth ever being led to the scaffold, and wrong enthroned, in America, it seems, humility has been beaten with the shame brush, and pride lifted to the throne.  We are living in a false myth!

For You Today

Matthew Henry wrote a commentary on the entire Bible.  When it came to the Proverbs’ warning about pride, he gave us a Humility-101 kind of last word in this simple sentence:

Therefore let us not fear the pride of others, but greatly fear pride in ourselves.[1]

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title image:  Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©   

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[1] Matthew Henry Commentary on Proverbs 16:18