hballingerLeave a comment

A Bold Claim

It wasn’t always this way for me, but I can genuinely tell you that Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is Lord.

I realize that it is a bold claim that this man that actually appeared in history (and split out calendar in two) has the full power, authority, and majesty of Almighty God. Regardless of how shocking, bold, reckless, foolish, or offensive this claim may seem to those who do not (yet) agree, it IS TRUE.

I also believe fully in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, as miraculous proof and confirmation of the promises the Word of God has made that we will be saved by His atoning Blood, that we will be made right weigh God,  that we will be in relationship with God, and that by the power of the very superior of God feeling with us (and in us) that we will be made new and whole and will live in God’s will.

I know that I am not perfect, and that I still make mistakes. I am still tempted to listen to my selfish desires, but I am no longer blind or powerless to be ruled by them. The areas in my life where I am still weak at times,  I can give God the glory for His mercy and grace towards me. And the areas where I can recognize that I have been strengthened, delivered and brought through addictions, depression, anxiety, greed, selfishness, and lust, I can give God the glory for making a way for me where there once was no way for me to overcome these giants that stole from my life.

Life as a believer still comes with its challenges,  and God is no genie that simply grants me my wishes when I ask. He is the wise heavenly Father who teaches me and guides me in what is best when I am willing to listen and walk with Him. And He loves me enough to discipline and correct me (in His patience and gentle kindness) when I have foolishly chosen a way that puts me in danger. Prayer can be a request for help after I’ve played the prodigal son who turned his back on wisdom to pursue foolishness, but it is much more effective as an ongoing friendship and conversation where He and I are walking together through this life of mine.

As I continue to know God more personally, I am challenged (and I am changed) by my appreciation for the purity of His character and nature. He is not like so many men who might consider themselves “righteous” or “powerful” (but who have no real righteousness or power,  just an overtaking of pride and ego). He is not looking down from on high hoping for an opportunity to oppress or crush or demand from us, but He is making wisdom available to those of us folks who are willing to come and see that there is a better Way.

As I reflect on the recent passing of my Uncle Jerry Ford, who was a wonderful man of God — I remember what I sent to my coworkers in our “PigOut BBQ Thursdays” chat group on Microsoft Teams as I headed to the funeral:

Uncle Jerry boldly proclaimed Jesus with his whole life — and when necessary,  he used words to do so. You may have heard the statement “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” that is often incorrectly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. There is a great warning in this statement against hypocrisy,  but it also can foster a false dichotomy between “speaking” and “doing”. For the believer and follower of The Way, there shouldn’t be “one or the other” but it should be “both”. We should be no less eager to love and serve our fellow man for the glory of God,  and we should be no less eager to speak boldly of our faith and of the glory of God.

Sadly, I can forget this sometimes, but I have loving men of God like my Uncle Jerry and so many others that pray for me and that stir me and encourage me to see this race to the end.

Thank you to each and every one of you who pray for me,  encourage me, and love and serve me (and my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ). May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may God’s face always shine upon you — in favor and goodness and mercy and power. Amen.

hballinger1 Comment

Truly Blessed, Beautiful People

People who are content, grateful and appreciative are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who recognize, love and compliment the best in others are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who hold out hope against all odds and know that life greatest challenges teach us and make us stronger are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who are patient with others because they know that everyone has struggles, challenges, pains and trauma (that we may not know about) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who offer love and forgiveness because they see “we” (neighbors and friends and “fellow man”) rather than “they” (enemies or divisions) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who appreciate thoughts, opinions and perspectives different from their own as valuable (rather than threatening) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who are willing to quietly (even anonymously and secretly) defend and protect those who can’t protect themselves (or can’t escape injustice on their own) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who are kind and gentle with others (with no agenda or thoughts of reward) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who can be joyful for all of their many blessings (even in the face of great challenges) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who can grieve alongside others (because they have known great pain themselves) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

People who know that we all make mistakes and freely forgive others (and even themselves) are truly blessed, beautiful people.

Thank you for being truly blessed, beautiful people, my friends!

Thank you Jesus, for teaching me The Way. Amen.

Matthew 5:1-12 AMP
[1] When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. [2] Then He began to teach them, saying, [3] “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. [4] “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. [5] “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. [6] “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. [7] “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. [8] “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. [9] “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. [10] “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. [11] “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. [12] Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.5.1-12.AMP

hballingerLeave a comment

Is there a “Hypocrite Tongue”?

Why do I never hear people talking in “Olde English” in real life situations, yet some insist on switching over to it when it’s time to show off how religious we can be?

Is it some kind of hypocrite flag/warning so others can tell that it’s time for the “religiously justified hatred/judgement/condemnation” poison to be released?

Is it disingenuous to be our authentic selves 90% of the time,  but shift into religious dogma, language, and ritual for the 10% we think we need to act religious?

Looking back at my own past posts, etc. I can see this type of “virtue signaling” that I’ve participated in myself. But I don’t need to white wash my language so that all of the “good Christians” know that I’m probably referencing scripture.

No, I need my heart washed white as snow — so that my words and actions are overflowing with, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness,  gentleness and self-control — so that they might encounter the Holy Spirit through me, and so they might have their own encounter with the Jesus that I love and worship.

I’m sorry,  my friends, if at times I seem more religious than loving, more of a hypocrite than a good neighbor, more of a zealot than a loving friend. Lord, help my heart yearn for showing mercy, not for demanding sacrifice. Amen and Amen.

Matthew 12:7 NLT
[7] But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.12.7.NLT

Matthew 9:11-13 NLT
[11] But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” [12] When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” [13] Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.9.11-13.NLT

Hosea 6:6 NLT
[6] I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

https://bible.com/bible/116/hos.6.6.NLT

Matthew 23:2-13, 15 NLT
[2] “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. [3] So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. [4] They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. [5] “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. [6] And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. [7] They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ [8] “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. [9] And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. [10] And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. [11] The greatest among you must be a servant. [12] But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [13] “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
[15] “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.23.2-15.NLT

hballingerLeave a comment

Contentment

Today, you’re going to appreciate the joy in all the little things, see all of the blessings, and trust that even the challenges have a purpose in stretching and molding you into the person you are capable of being.

Thank you my friend.

This week while we have been on vacation, several challenges have distracted us from fully appreciating this joyful time together. Things change so much in life,  and before you know it,  another season of life is just memories that we’re appreciating from afar. Let’s appreciate them up close today.

Even if a storm comes and knocks out our power and sets our yard on fire while we are far away and can’t do anything about it ourselves — let’s trust that God knows what he’s doing,  that we have others we can rely on and aren’t alone in this, and that even THIS has a purpose. When unexpected explosions break out (whether metaphorical or actual) and scare us and those around us,  let’s be the voice and example of calm, and give each other room to recover, and let’s deescalate and help each other rather than go to war against our friend and family. There is nothing that overcomes fear and anxiety like contentment.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11–13: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I found a great blog here on Contentment that encouraged me: https://blog.truthforlife.org/10-bible-verses-on-contentment

Lord, we have no reason to doubt you,  yet we sadly do far too often. You see us running around frantically like a scared puppy wanting to get away from the loud explosions, not knowing that we are meant to look up at these times — in order to see the beautiful fireworks — and that we can shield our ears from the necessary sound that produces them. Calm us in your loving embrace, and let us know that we are protected. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

How is Iron Sharpened? How are People Tested? And How are Fools Separated from their Foolishness?

“Iron Sharpening Iron” isn’t giving others unsolicited advice/criticism, it isn’t judging/shaming others, and it isn’t sparring/debating back and forth using religious/theological concepts and apologetics against each other.

Proverbs 27:17-22 NLT
[17] As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. [18] As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. [19] As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. [20] Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. [21] Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. [22] You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

In religious circles, Psalm 27 verse 17 is quoted loudly by many who see themselves as great warriors for Jesus — sharpening their swords for battle against others,  competing to see who is strongest and who deserves the seat closest to Jesus. Even Jesus’s disciples when he walked this Earth fell into this prideful trap of the enemy.

Luke 22:24-30
The disciples argued over who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus interrupted their argument, saying that the greatest among them should be like the youngest, and the leader should act like a servant. He also said, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table?'”. Jesus responded, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves”.

Matthew 18:1-6
The disciples asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” . Jesus called a child to him, set him in the middle of them, and said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven”. He continued, “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”.

We see in scripture that Jesus halted their egos with His humility.

In Proverbs 27, we see multiple verses in a parallel format together with verse 17 that (just like Jesus’s respose to the error of his disciples) should halt any egos that begin to inflate when reading verse 17.

Let’s see what the following parallel verses declare.

Verse 18 isn’t about battling or sparring or debating — it is about “tending” and “protecting” being what brings reward. Pay attention to the “tone” of this whole section.

Verses 19, 20 and 21 lay out how the heart and its desires reveal the real person — by what they desire — and that all men desire to be praised. But it talks about being tested — tested by praise. In fact, it compares the purifying process for precious metals to the use of praise to purify and test men.

So “Iron Sharpening Iron” as described in verse 17, is clarified in verse 21 as a process that involves “praise” being used to test and purify — not criticism,  not judgement,  not debate — but praise.

And just to bring the point home, verse 22 assures you that criticism, judgement and debate (grinding a fool like grain in a mortar and pestle) will not separate them from their foolishness. The Word of God clearly tells us that applying pressure by way of men’s effort is not the way that this works.

The error in most of our thinking when our egos lead the way (mine included has led me wrong on this before) on this subject is that when they hear Iron Sharpens Iron, they imagine two swordsmen fighting one another — and they imagine themselves as the swordsmen instead of the sword. The scripture does not say that two swordsmen sharpen one another,  it says that “iron sharpens iron”. In this analogy “as it is written”, the sword doesn’t itself do anything amazing or heroic to sharpen itself against another sword. No! It is the work of the master swordsman that does the work at his wheel sharpening and readying the sword for battle. In fact, knocking two swords forcibly against each other only serves to dull the blades, not sharpen them.

Do we seek praise for any good work the Lord is doing to sharpen us, or do we give it to God?

Do we criticize, condemn or debate against others — internally giving praise to our own egos in contrast to what we are giving to them — instead of giving all praise to the only one who is worthy of praise?

What if we did praise others instead of offering unsolicited advice, instead of criticizing,  instead of judging,  instead of debating — might our humility and gentleness and kindness leave room for God to do His purifying work?

Isn’t this why “friend sharpens friend”?

Some might say “we’re good enough friends that we can hurt each others feelings with truth in love” or “we’re good enough friends that we can hold each other accountable and criticize each other with truth in love”. But if someone is being foolish,  this is not how these verses — especially not verse 22 — tells us to effectively remove them from their foolishness,  purify them,  tend to them, or sharpen them.

I’m not saying this to be contrary to anyone else’s sermon or study or approach to this verse. In fact, I praise so many who have encouraged each other and called each other to live more holy and dependent upon God with verse 17 as a rallying cry. Maybe this is what God needs for me to hear right now and right here,  and it is valuable daily bread just for me right now at this very moment.

So what do I need to hear?

When someone gives me unsolicited advice,  criticism, etc. — I need to not let my ego be so upset that it wasn’t stroked or inflated instead. My expectation shouldn’t be that I’m worthy of people’s praise.

And even if someone else is pouring out vinegar on me,  I need to realize that is the state of their heart at the moment. They may need some praise and encouragement. If they aren’t close enough to the spirit of God that their cup is overflowing abundantly with the fruit of the Holy Spirit straight from the source, maybe they need a friend in me since Christ lives in me. Maybe I need to bring Christ close to them,  like the friends who cut open a roof to get their friend to Jesus.

This is humbling,  but the only hope I have of getting sharper myself (or them getting sharper) is for us to be in the hands of the master.

I need to completely forgive them for their behavior towards me,  lay down my foolish claims of “they started it”, ask them to forgive me for my petty reactions when I got offended by their words and actions,  and praise them for so many things that are awesome about them.  I need to repent and let God do the purifying work that needs to be done to my heart. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Mistakes and Failure

Once a mistake or failure is past you, move on. Focus on the next task at hand, and at giving it your absolute best. Consider what you might have learned for how you might improve and grow, so that your direction is looking forward not just looking back. Real life and real living comes with risks, challenges and momentary failures — but these are expected along the path to victory.

Life has taught me that my victory is assured — I just need to keep pressing forward instead of letting the past distract me. There is no victory in sitting still and looking back — we may do that on our dying day, and we should consider that a motivation to make today count. The victory is in refusing defeat in THIS moment, and pressing on.

Yesterday, I sat by myself at Ricky’s drive thru eating my hotdogs, deep in thought over the million choices and responsibilities that were running through my head. A young man approached me and asked if I could help him, and I checked my wallet almost mindlessly and saw that I had no money to give him. In fact, I began my reply to him without even coming out of my dazed condition — but I awoke from my daydreaming to see the opportunity to give him kindness and love. We went to the counter together and ordered him some food, exchanged names and I found out that he has a Muslim friend with a similar name as me. We laughed and shook hands and after a while went out own ways. I hope that I might get to talk with Floyd again sometime soon — his moment of need meeting with my ability to show him kindness was a special blessing that pulled me out of a lot of internal thinking to consider what I could actually DO at that moment to make a difference.

I share this because I can get stuck in a mindset that produces a lot of thinking, or even a lot of talking — but the DOING is what matters. Floyd and I were both facing challenges before our encounter, but he ACTED on asking for help, and I ACTED on what I could do. Together, we both helped each other in a wonderful way. He could have seen differences in my skin, clothes, etc. and assumed me an enemy (or I could have done the same), and we both would have missed out. We could have seen each other as opponents, trying to “get something” from each other — and we would have both missed it.

I wonder who I will get to play alongside in life’s tennis match today? I wonder how we will each get to enjoy points won (and points lost) as a part of that great victory we are living through. I wonder how many useless worries about challenges or failure will fall away to be replaced by a faith that victory is inevitable.

Psalms 37:23-40 NLT
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.
Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.
For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.
The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.
The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.
They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.
The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them.
But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.
Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.
But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them!
Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. [38] But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.
The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.
The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.

hballingerLeave a comment

I have Good News!

From dope dealer — to hope dealer.
From foolish youth — to following truth.
From selfish thief — to generous provider.
From defeated victim mindset — to grateful receiver of victory.
From mad at life not going my way — to grateful for the even the challenges, suffering and loss.
From afraid of the possibilities — to in awe of the reality.
From a finger pointed at “they” — to outstretched arms welcoming “all of us”.
From chasing the next desire — to being surrounded by the most precious treasures of life.
From valuing what is worthless and harmful in this world — to appreciating every truly good gift that comes from God.
From hating God — to loving Him so dearly.

Yes, the Saviour of the World has been here, and His Kingdom is marching forward in power.

Can you open your ears to hear us praising the name of Jesus?

Can you look past the imperfections to see us beginning to come alive and live and love in a beautiful, selfless way?

Have you felt the warmth of a stranger who was a kind good neighbor to you?

Have you reached out wanting to taste for yourself the living water and know that God is good?

Today, I will seek Him out like a good bloodhound on a trail in mountains — will you seek Him today?

May we find what we need — not just get what we want. Amen.

‭Isaiah 61:1-11 NLT‬
[1] The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. [2] He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. [3] To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. [5] Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. [6] You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. [7] Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. [8] “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” [10] I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. [11] The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.61.1-11.NLT

hballinger1 Comment

Why do I pray?

I have to say that it’s very challenging knowing the hurt and pain and struggle that some are going through and have gone through. It’s hard wanting to make sense of the “why” behind a lovely and kind person ending up with alzheimers and dementia, or a parent losing a child, or a young child with a painful chronic disease, or a brutal and senseless murder, or ongoing child/domestic abuse, a beloved spouse getting a scary diagnosis, etc.

This world can be so ugly and painful in ways where I have no ability to fix it or make sense of it personally. But He encourages me to pray constantly (1 Thess 5:17), and in every situation (Phil 4:6). Jesus modeled intentional prayer for us (Mark 1:35), and promises that the Father gives good gifts to those who ask (Matt 7:11). The best gifts are not shallow or selfish, like money or fulfilled desires — but are things like unexplainable peace that washes over someone in deep turmoil and grief, patience to endure burdens heavier than we could bear on our own, kindness to see others in pain and seek how we might lighten their load or encourage them, faithfulness to hold out hope even when we can’t yet see the victory, self-discipline to stick to it even when it feels like it’s useless and meaningless.

I used to not think much about anybody other than myself (in fact, I’m still like that when I let myself run on “default settings”). But I have made this miraculous claim (that I fully believe, and that I believe my life over time begins to reveal more and more) — that Christ lives in me, and that I am being conformed more and more into His image.

It is such a miraculous claim that seems so egotistical and absurd (that the God of all time and creation would even know of me, care about me, and choose to save and use me) that you would think that I would have to be the biggest narcissist and judgemental religious bigot to make such a wild claim — yet, it instead humbles me horribly.

When I see someone living cleaner than me that makes no such claim of being powered by the Holy Spirit of the Living God — it leads me to deep repentance where I must rely on God as my strength to wash me and to heal yet another part of my heart (that has been working against myself and against yall and against His beautiful will). When I see someone making the same foolish mistakes I have made myself, it inspires me to not just see an enemy who had hurt me or others, but to remember that through the cross and risen Savior I am seeing the same victory that they too need — that we are not at different levels of need or of worthiness or of glory — that we have all fallen short of the glory of God.

Thank you so much when you encourage me, my friends. I just have to say 100% that you seeing any good in me doesn’t make me feel better about me, it just puts me in more awe of how the Father will turn ashes into beauty, mourning into gladness, despair into praise (Isaiah 61:3).

We all need to be prayed for, and we all need the act of prayer to do its work within us — to draw us closer to the Father and to His will. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Fixable? Figure-out-able? Or Surrender-able?

A friend at work is just beginning the journey of caring for her father who is diagnosed with Alzheimers and Dementia. We spoke yesterday through a wonderful mix of tears, shared pain and encouragement as the work  continued to buzz around us. I shared how my family dealt with it, some of the things we learned, some of the very difficult things, and some of the hours and blessings. I even admitted how it is still a source of wrestling in my prayers with the Lord, that I’m sometimes ashamed of the times that it was too much for me to handle emotionally at times and I had to distance myself from the situation, and how it challenged my faith in difficult yet beautiful ways.

This morning’s YouVersion Bible app Daily Verse is very applicable:

For context:

‭Philippians 4:4-7 NLT‬
[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.4-7.NLT

A cousin posted this morning, “Im trying to be strong, just don’t know how much longer it’s gonna last….” and I was reminded of the story of a young boy struggling with all his might while his father stood by watching.

https://kimberlyjoyauthor.com/using-all-your-strength/

I let him know that this story was helpful to me and I shared the link: https://kimberlyjoyauthor.com/using-all-your-strength/

So many times, I’ve thought too myself, “It’s okay. Everything is fixable.” Or “It’s okay. Everything is ‘figureoutable’.” But there are times where it isn’t. There are times when it is too much for me. There are times where it is too much for a good therapist or even a good support system to help me through. I need these times to truly reveal that I am not self-sufficient, that I am not without need for God to play His role in my life. As hard as those moments are and have been, they are also sweet and precious.

Sometimes we get past “fixable” or “figure-outable” to moments that are truly only “surrender-able”.

Lord, I’m sorry that sometimes I’ve kept you at a distance, living my life trying to figure out and fix everything on my own. But please don’t let my shame of not including you let me think that you’ve been far away. You’ve been there the whole time, watching me learn, and letting me grow, waiting patiently alongside even when my focus was fully on my task at hand (or distracted). Help me to not cry over my weakness but to instead be in awe at your strength and faithfulness and love to be by my side through it all. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

True Friends and Family

Throughout my life, I’ve used “my friend” and “cuz” as terms of endearment. They aren’t just empty phrases, I try to mean it and live it.

You don’t have to hang out with me every weekend to be “my friend” — and if you go back far enough in history, we’re all distant “cousins” at some point.

If you or your family are from Pacolet, SC or surrounding areas — or if some of your family tree rubbed somewhere alongside my family tree, I’ve probably called you “cuz”. Once a judge even overheard me saying this to an officer of the court and it caused some confusion because the question came up of whether or not we were truly related. Lol.

What does being a “friend” even look like as an adult? It’s no longer whose door you knock on to ask to come outside and play. It’s not even who is on your list of social media connections.

It’s who you’re willing to “lose something for” in order that they might “gain something”. It’s those people who you aren’t just in a transactional “this for that” type of exchange. If you’re only loving someone for what you get out of them, that isn’t love, it is trade. I give and provide for a wife, because that is love. If I was only doing “fair trade” with her, she would have a very different title. And friendship isn’t just the people you’ve figured out how to “fair trade” with either.

Building friends can take time and can be messy.

I’m not going to enable every request that comes to me for cash handouts, nor am I going to let every possible threat to my family move in and live with us. I won’t bail every one of you out of jail for your repeated foolishness, and only some of you would I be willing to dig a hole with in the middle of the night. Healthy boundaries exist as guardrails, but not as impenetrable walls between us.

I got to spend time turning wrenches with a friend recently one night, and I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time doing concrete work here at the house alongside “my favorite people who call me Daddy”. I work every day alongside friends who care about each other and about the work that we do. I have family that checks in on me and that I get to remember the good old days with. So I know that I’m blessed with all of “my friends” and all of my “cuz”.

What does the wise Word of God teach us about “true friendship”?

Friends encourage us to our highest good (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Friends forgive each other and help each other in difficulties (Colossians 3:13; Ecclesiastes 4:10).

Friends do not gossip or listen to gossip, allowing it to hurt the friendship (Proverbs 16:28)

Friends stick around even when things get difficult, being reliable (Proverbs 18:24).

Friends give pleasant, sincere advice, seeking our highest good (Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 12:26)

Friends honor each other above themselves (Romans 12:10).

Friends love each other the same way Christ loves us (John 15:12-13)

Friends challenge each other to meet the highest good (Proverbs 27:17).

Friends are not bad-tempered (Proverbs 22:24-25);

Friends never withhold kindness and mercy (Job 6:14).

The wise Word of God also teaches us about “true family” — about a family rooted in Love that goes beyond the blood of our relatives and that runs deeper than the roots of our ancestry. Jesus alludes to this wonderful truth in the book of Mark:

‭Mark 3:31-35 ESV‬
[31] And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. [32] And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” [33] And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” [34] And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [35] For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

So, my friends, (who love honor, serve and encourage each other) and my family, (who love, honor, serve and do the will of God), I’m looking forward to what today has in store for us! May His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

Love you, my friends! Love you, cuz!