Encourage to Faith Blog
INSPIRATIONS, MOTIVATIONS, AND ENCOURAGEMENTS FOR YOUR WALK WITH JESUS.
Memories Imperishable
My cousin recently sent me a text: The Grandparents’ house is gone! He included a picture of a vacant lot where their house used to be. They passed away years ago, and now the home of our most cherished childhood memories was also gone—the home where we were showered with affection; where we played in the big sand pile, then…
The Late Great USA
No country is lastingly great apart from the will of God. Once, and for a good while, our country was great. For a time it stood upon the durable principles that our Founding Fathers spelled out in the Constitution. They were meant to be durable anyway.
The Aged, The Wrinkled, The Blessed
Yesterday I got to my car and realized I forgot my keys. So I went back inside to my bedroom, but when I got there I forgot why I was in the bedroom, so I went back out to the car and realized I forgot my keys. The good news is I only went through that process twice. Short of death or rapture, there is no escape—I am aging.
Honest Prayers
There are many times when I begin to pray from an earnest place of deep-felt need, only to find that the words bloat into superficial adornments meant to sway God to my point of view. What a low view I take when I try to flower my petitions and thanksgivings with phony panache. When God speaks, creations result. When I do, I fairly run out of breath.
The Teeth Of The Night
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
In the teeth of the night, when I’m down, way down, that verse is tough to accept. I know it’s true. It just doesn’t feel true at the time. And that’s my signal that deep inside I’m running from something again.
The Late Great USA
No country is lastingly great apart from the will of God. Once, and for a good while, our country was great. For a time it stood upon the durable principals that our Founding Fathers spelled out in the Constitution. They were meant to be durable anyway. They were the reasoned consequence of the moral precepts found in the Bible. Man was made to be free, and these brave men created a masterpiece to see that through. In the Bible, the Greek word for masterpiece is poiema, from where we get the word poem. It refers to a work of sublime beauty and craftsmanship. The Constitution was indeed a poem.
Something We Can Believe In
A Love Most Inseparable
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Those times in life when I’m not actively thinking, I love You, God, I don’t love Him any less than when I bow down to speak adorations in the privacy of my room.
The Three
I looked up to see what bird was sounding such chitter. As I did, the river birch framed a crescent moon, in broad daylight. The three drew me in and made themselves known. A daytime trinity of sorts enfolded me–a perfect harmony of beauty, serenity, and comfort. They seemed to enjoy the union and I felt invited to do the same.
No Substitute For a Friend
”Knowledge by acquaintance is always better than knowledge by description.” While this certainly applies to all relationships, in this particular passage he is referring to the sad state of affairs in Christendom whereby we have traded a living, experiential relationship with God for simply knowing about Him instead.
The Electrician
There once was a humble electrician who loved God and who had a profound effect on my life. His name was Uncle Jack. Married to Aunt Joy, my mother’s older sister, Uncle Jack spoke few words. His actions spoke the Library of Congress.
Of Arachnids and Christians
When you think about it, being called a “man of the world” is quite the put down.
The diving bell spider, or argyroneta aquatica (but you already knew that), lives its life at the bottom of the pond. It manages this feat by breathing air bubbles that cling to the hairs on its legs, and in such manner spends its days very much in the water, even though it is not really of it. For without the oxygen supply from above, it would quickly die.
If I Had to Guess
The media loves to enlighten us each year with strategically-timed pronouncements that some brainy scientist has discovered yet another Earth-like planet suitable for life in a galaxy far, far away. Ho-hum, yawn, and pardon me if I don’t click my heels.
Dust and Bones
If all that exists is matter–atoms and molecules–what room for love? If everyone eventually turns to dust and bones, no more consciousness, just nothingness, then right and wrong are only figments of our imagination. And if this is so, all our actions are ultimately devoid of any real purpose.
The Mirror of Paradise
I can’t get enough of nature: silver-gold sunrises from green mountain tops, irrepressible seas with moon-powered tides, shady oak trees and striped dragonflies. Shall I go on? Not just yet. We’d be here awhile.
The Pearl Inside
People tend to act out of their perceived identities. As Christians, our identity is that of a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). We stand fully reconciled, holy, and blameless before our loving Father (Col 1:21-22). Yet so often we look at our sinful thoughts and actions and come to the conclusion that our identities are those of Sinners with a capital S, of outcasts even, deserving of condemnation from a just God. And since that’s who we think we are, we turn around and try to prove it over and over again. A vicious cycle persists. But that is not how God sees us at all.
It’s All Good
Goodness gracious and for goodness’ sake! This sure is good news!
Surely one of the most overlooked fruits of the spirit is–you guessed it–goodness. Perhaps that’s because, surrounded by such brokenness, we often have a hard time seeing, and moreover, feeling the constancy of God’s own goodness. Don’t worry, lightning won’t strike me for saying that; God is too good for that.
The Greatest Show in Heaven
From out of the holiday bedlam a self-promoting world throws its annual tantrum toward those vocal heralds known as evangelists: “The audacity of those proselytizers always talking about God and Jesus and salvation. They need to keep it to themselves!” To some minds, apparently, the mere mention of “Jesus loves you” conjures images of pushy street vendors banging pots and pans to sell their wares.
Who Me?
Many moons ago, my son was ten and his soccer coach announced he would not be returning to coach the team the next season. As the other parents stood shoulder to shoulder listening to the coach’s words, apparently I was doing the standing part, but not the listening part, and so missed the most essential portion of his address: “Which one of you is willing to step up and coach this team next fall?” It seems that while I watched distant cloud formations, the more attentive parents (everyone else) responded to the coach’s query by taking one understated, albeit important, step backwards. Unwittingly, I had just volunteered.
A Path Made Just for Me
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
I remember as a young boy hoping I would find a million dollars. Wherever I walked I’d imagine looking under some nearby object and finding a hidden treasure, envisioning all the while what my life could be. I was happy as I walked a meandering path made just for me.
In the Wooze
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. -Proverbs 12:15
A few weeks ago I had a dental procedure which involved general anesthesia. All went well, and I got home in a state of relative comfort, took a brief nap, then arose feeling surprisingly robust. “Honey,” I announced to the other room, “I’m feeling just fine. I was expecting to write the day off, but I think I’m actually going to get some things done today.” She didn’t see it that way and kindly pointed out that I was still visibly woozy and it was best not to push it.
Nice to Meet You!
Humility is a good thing. It teaches one his ultimate position relative to God.
Well into my business career, I went with a new colleague to call on a particular company (forever nameless). We were out and about that day meeting folks and trying to build new business; and I, being the veteran, was showing this bright, young lad the ropes–or so I intended.
The Greatest Book Ever Written
Origin, meaning, and destiny. Of all the earth’s creatures, humans stand alone in grappling with these abstractions. When put in question form, they look like this: “Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” It seems incomprehensible that anyone would choose to go through life without pausing to contemplate these issues.
The Miracle Leap
One of my all-time favorite sporting moments was the Bob Beamon “Miracle Leap.”
In the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico City, 22-year-old Bob Beamon astounded the world when he soared 29 feet 2 1/2 inches in the long jump, nearly two feet farther than any man had ever jumped before. That record, which stood for almost 23 years, is one of the most extraordinary accomplishments in the history of sports.
The Waterfall Smooths the Stone
Old habits are hard to break, nigh impossible. Please dear God, I can’t make it. Take this from me. I am weak! For those of us tired of fighting and losing, these are the desperate cries from out of the depths of our souls. Over time we learn that we are called to these deep broken places by God Himself–a loving Father who understands and who waits for us to concede we are powerless, already defeated, and utterly incapable of doing anything about it.
Are We Not Men?
All men, duty-bound, onward must wend–even if trepidatiously. Momentarily, you will see why.
In most marriages there are times when frustrations build and quarrels are sparked. In the heat of such moments considerable energy is expended affixing blame; he said-she said, woulda-coulda-shoulda, and all the rest of that petty fuss. Petty, I say, for who did or didn’t do something ultimately misses the point. For there is more to this play than two actors (husband and wife) upon a stage.
The Sun Goes ‘Round and ‘Round
The sun goes ‘round and ‘round and so do I. I rush to the east to meet the sun as it rises, to fulfill obligations and check off what is expected of me. But no matter how hard I try, I can never get there in time. The sun always beats me to the spot. So I follow its arc and charge to the west, clinging to other men’s dreams, not mine. Then I watch it all vanish, as the sun turns to fumes on a faraway hill.
The Story of God’s Love
When I was a new follower of Jesus, exploring the Bible was one of the highlights of my day. Reading the Bible was a brand new adventure, and the ensuing growth trajectory was off the charts. But things began to change over the next several years.
And That’s the Truth (Relatively Speaking)
The following dizzying ride through that brewery known as contemporary English doublespeak is not for the faint-hearted. Fasten your seat belts. You’ve been forewarned.
These days we’re scared to death to speak the truth for fear that we might offend somebody and be summarily branded as “intolerant.” Even more troubling, many things that once were morally reprehensible are now called “good,” or at best, are simply shrugged off with an air of indifference. Dare to point out another man’s poor behavior and you are likely to hear the increasingly common retort, “It is what it is.”
Let’s Fish Already!
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19b)
In the year 2014, three men were standing by the shore, deep in discussion. They could be heard arguing over the matter of fishing. One man debated whether it was better to fish in deep waters or in shallow ones; another wrangled over the best time of day to catch fish; and the third man carried on about the correct bait one should use.
When God Speaks, His Children Listen
When we say God speaks to us through a particular song, movie, or painting, we don’t mean to infer He is the one actually creating the music, acting the role, or generating the image. We recognize these are the works of poets, performers, and artists, who may or may not be inspired by God as they work. What we do mean is, at these moments, we are experiencing the beautiful voice of our Lord calling specifically to us in ways that reverberate deep within our souls.
A Farmer’s Tale
Once upon a time, there was a farmer who loved God. He was satisfied to have a small plot of land, some chickens scurrying about, a milk cow in the barn, and warmth in his home, wherein resided his loving family. The farmer spent his days with his hands in the dirt. He loved farming and he was good at it. Not everything in his life was a bed of roses: money was often in short supply, and there were many challenges. There always are. But still, he was content in every way.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Not long ago, I found myself to be in what can best be described as a spiritual slumber.
In the film, Awakenings, Robin Williams gives a brilliant portrayal of Malcolm Sawyer, an American neurologist who discovers the benefits of a new drug, L-Dopa. He discovers that by administering precise amounts of this drug to a group of catatonic patients, they soon begin to “awaken” from their slumber.
Tribute to a Face in the Crowd
The saying “behind every face, there’s a story” is, at its core, an invitation.
I noticed a little girl at the airport recently who, by the intensity of her focus, stood out among the crowd. The events that soon unfolded were so tender and affecting that I was moved to write the following narrative, which, though fictional, is based upon the spirit of the actual events.
Leaps and Doubts
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
When it comes to where I will spend eternity, sometimes I have doubts. A surprising confession, perhaps. But I have another confession which is bound to confuse the issue: when it comes to where I will spend eternity, I have complete and unrelenting faith. These two statements may sound hopelessly muddled, but all is not what it seems. The solution to this seeming conundrum is found within the nature of the human will.
No Time for Self-Pity for the Beloved
Self-pity is a ruinous thing. Pride hides therein, cloaked in excuses, each one contending undue hardship. But behind the facade of deprivation, the illogic and pretense of self-pity are easily exposed. Consider: God says He loves us. Thus, we are beloved. And to be beloved by our Maker leaves no room for self-pity. After all, who are we to reject God’s assessment and replace it with our own?
Looking for God in a Box
Solomon opens Ecclesiastes with a dismal pronouncement: “Everything is meaningless!” (Eccles. 1:2) After spending much of his life in pursuit of monuments, fortunes, and pleasures, his all-out effort to fabricate meaning out of his own existence failed. Fast-forward to the final chapter and Solomon has grown wise, as he now refashions his formerly grim supposition into a more promising thesis: “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: Fear God and keep his commandments.” (Eccles. 12:13) In the end, Solomon’s soliloquy on the search for meaning led straight to God.
2013 Year End Update
“I pray You, show me your glory.” These are the plaintive words of Moses in Exodus 33:18. These words have also been my prayer in 2013, and God has wonderfully shown His glory in so many ways.
This past year for Encourage to Faith Ministries (E2F) was a full one. Much of my time was spent reaching out to others through personal, one-on-one meetings; serving as a workplace chaplain; co-leading a men’s retreat for a local church; facilitating “faith at work” group meetings; writing the E2F blog to encourage private reflection; and praying daily for all involved.
There is a Wall
There is a wall that we all build. We think it protects us. “Tear it down.” The wall was begun when we were a child. We were scared. We were unsure. We were selfish. So we built. “Tear it down.” We accepted Christ, but the wall remained. And we tried to look over the wall, but it was too tall. It kept us safe from the world–or so we thought. “Tear it down.”
Cat Days
Our country is in trouble. No two ways about it. Morality is in decline, self-absorption is on the rise, and the precepts of the Bible are being redefined or ignored altogether. It’s easy to become discouraged.
We Are the Sheep
We are the sheep. He is the Shepherd. We are His. We can boldly go out into the pastures of the world knowing we will be kept from harm. We know that we will be well-fed, for He always provides the nourishment we need. We don’t know how He will do it. But He knows.
Let’s Ride!
The axiom “old habits die hard” is maddeningly accurate. We earnestly desire to do better, yet stumble over the same issues time and again. With each successive failure, the frustration level rises, and not surprisingly, a medley of recurring notions begins to surface: “If I truly loved Jesus, I wouldn’t behave this way.” “It feels like God is always angry with me.” “It’s hopeless. I’ll never overcome (pick your poison).” Common thoughts for many, but all untrue.
On Encouraging Others
When I read Hebrews 10:24-25, I hear God saying, “You are participating in a divine journey that I have called you to. And everyone you meet is a divine appointment–an opportunity to shine the love that I put in your heart and reflect My true nature to them.
The Divine Healthcare Plan
There is a point in time when a person with a faulty heart realizes that his only cure is to surrender to heart surgery. There is nothing left for him to do but to allow himself to be put on the operating table, and let the skilled hands of a surgeon mend his wounds.
It’s Not Rocket Science
No art curator would be so naive as to think the Mona Lisa created itself. We know that its exquisite design, form, and beauty all point to a creator–in this case, Leonardo da Vinci. Similarly, given the complexity, grandeur, and design of the universe, how is it even remotely possible to believe that the universe created itself?
Beyond the Cross
In his essay, Meditations in a Toolshed, C.S. Lewis describes an experience that greatly affected him: “I was standing today in the dark toolshed. The sun was shining outside and through the crack at the top of the door there came a sunbeam. From where I stood that beam of light, with the specks of dust floating in it, was the most striking thing in the place.
See You Hank
Most of us appreciate a good conversation with a close friend and the nourishment these talks provide. The opportunity to share what’s going on in our lives, to express our thoughts and feelings, and of course to have a laugh or two, is precious indeed. But have you ever considered visiting with a friend and spending that time together in total silence?
Phantoms, Rabbit Trails, and Whispers
The world tells me that he who dies with the most toys wins. Wrong. He who dies with the most toys dies. The world lies. The world tells me to tune into myself, become self-actualized, and lift myself up by my own bootstraps. Tried it. Can’t be done. The world lies.
Fewer Words. More Meaning.
There’s an old anecdote about a college student who wrote home, “Dear Dad, No mun. No fun. Your son”; to which his father replied, “Dear Son, Too bad. So sad. Your Dad.”
A Time to Run
Years ago, when my family first began attending a local church, the associate pastor invited me to have lunch later in the week. As a new Christian, I was still self-conscious about praying in front of anyone and somehow sensed he might ask me to open up in prayer before our meal.
The Splendor of the Ordinary
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of modern life, the myriad of choices available to us, and the creature comforts we have amassed, why do we so often feel bored?
Love My Neighbor or Me First?
When you walk into a room full of people, do you say to yourself, “Well here I am,” or instead, “How are they”? Do you open a door for someone and say, “Aren't I thoughtful?” or “I hope this helps them”?
More Water Please!
“Do your own thing.” No doubt, this relatively modern catchphrase has had its share of variations since the dawn of mankind. If spoken to express the idea that we have freedom to make choices through God's gift of free will, this saying can convey a modicum of truth. However, these days it is usually meant in an entirely different way–
You Are a Natural-Born Poet
Remember as a young child, discovering the magic of words and getting lost in reading Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, or delighting in the zaniness of a Dr. Seuss book? No, it wasn’t Shakespeare. It was just good old-fashioned, creative fun.
The Origin of Beauty
After a tough day of being ensnarled in rush-hour traffic, there’s nothing like settling into a favorite chair and immersing your soul in a good book. A few weeks ago, I found solace in an old favorite, The Evidential Power of Beauty by Thomas Dubay. The premise of the book is that beauty in all its variety bears witness to the matchless imagination of the Creator of the universe.
On Suffering and Time
The tragic events of the past week painfully remind us that we live in a broken world and that suffering is an all too common recurrence. This is nothing new. From the beginning, the instigator of suffering, the devil, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He thinks he has us debilitated, robbed of our peace, and right where he wants us. He is mistaken.
Be Careful Who You Follow
A man was on his way to Morgantown, West Virginia during a snowstorm and decided to stop at a shopping mall just before closing time to pick up some needed supplies.
The Virtue of Slowing Down
• I often drive ten mph faster than I should in an effort to shave a mere five minutes off my commute. Is it really worth the stress?
• Have so-called labor saving devices (car, computer, iPhone) actually given us more margin in our schedules, or are we now busier than ever?
If Only I Had a Kia
Envy rears its ugly head at the most unexpected times. Recently, I was watching “Shark Tank,” a TV show featuring very wealthy people. The basic premise revolves around a panel of business moguls who evaluate the merits of various business ventures being pitched. The show begins with a montage of several super-rich business tycoons traveling in their private planes and chauffeured limousines.
To Pray is to Dance
It’s all too easy to look at prayer as a chore. But when you think about it, it’s actually an opportunity to participate in a dance. A dance where God leads and we follow.
We Live Life Homesick
Do you have moments when even in the midst of the most wonderful times–enjoying the holidays, relaxing on the beach with your family, sharing a good meal among friends–an unsettled feeling sometimes creeps in? Do you have moments when there is a gnawing sense that “things just aren’t what they’re supposed to be?”
A Few Words on Freedom
In one of my favorite movies, The Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman, playing the prison “lifer”, Red, says to Andy, the new inmate, played by Tim Robbins, “These walls are kind of funny. First you hate ‘em, then you get used to ‘em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them.”
Welcome Friend!
I’m not sure when my idea of writing changed from being akin to a chore I had to accomplish if I ever wanted a passing grade in English, to becoming something I do for sheer enjoyment, and on some days, even with outright passion.
A Change of Heart
The other day I was in the drive-thru line at my favorite fast-food restaurant when I noticed, sitting across the way, a homeless man and his dog. My first thought was the same as it had been for years, “This man is too lazy to work and wants to freeload off of the patrons of this restaurant. Well, I’m not going to be the fool who gives him money so he can go buy his booze.”