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Someone asked, “What is the difference between a righteous and a wicked man?”

If we were only of this world, we might be tempted to talk about measuring our own sin. We might make the discussion about ourselves.

But as a Christian, the answer is ONLY FOUND IN THE GOSPEL.

Righteous = Washed by the Blood of the Lamb.

I have no righteousness of my own because even my best is filthy rags. As a born again, abiding in Christ, follower walking in The Way — any actual good is Christ at work in and through me, not my own striving harder to appear or be seen as good.

The Holy Spirit of God grows in me like a seed taking root in fertile soil and bears the fruit of God’s character and nature. So I can’t boast or take credit or compare myself to others — because it’s isn’t my work. It isn’t something that mere men or women are capable of doing in their own but is a miracle only possible by the hand of God.

This is the gospel — that He has saved us who were not worthy of being saved, and He did it by living the life that we could not, and now we die daily to ourselves as vessels carrying the Holy Spirit that does in and through it what we could not do apart from the power of God at work. If His hand is not doing it, the most white washed, law keeping, pious on the outside is still dead and wicked on the inside, regardless of outward appearance, show and pretense.

He invited even the thief on the cross to come, believe and be made white as snow. He invites even me, and even you to humble yourself and not rely on our own works but to trust in Him alone to do the true work of making us righteous for His name sake and for His own glory — not ours.

Even any decision to surrender, believe, follow and obey is a reaction of gratitude for what He has done for me — something He stirred and wooed and called me into. Thank you Jesus!

Supporting Scripture:

‭Isaiah 64:6 NLT‬
[6] We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.64.6.NLT

‭1 Corinthians 15:3 NLT‬
[3] I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.15.3.NLT

‭John 3:16-17 NLT‬
[16] “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [17] God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.3.16.NLT

‭Colossians 1:26-29 NLT‬
[26] This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. [27] For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. [28] So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. [29] That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

https://bible.com/bible/116/col.1.26.NLT

‭Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT‬
[8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.2.8.NLT

‭John 20:19-23 NLT‬
[19] That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. [20] As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! [21] Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [22] Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.20.19.NLT

‭Acts of the Apostles 19:2-6 NLT‬
[2] “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [3] “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” [4] Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” [5] As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.

https://bible.com/bible/116/act.19.2.NLT

‭Galatians 3:19-27 NLT‬
[19] Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. [20] Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham. [21] Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. [22] But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. [23] Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. [24] Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. [25] And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. [26] For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.3.19.NLT

‭2 Timothy 1:9-10 NLT‬
[9] For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. [10] And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.1.9.NLT

‭Luke 18:9-14 NLT‬
[9] Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: [10] “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ [13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.18.9.NLT

‭Matthew 25:34-46 NLT‬
[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. [36] I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ [37] “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? [39] When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ [41] “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. [42] For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ [44] “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ [45] “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ [46] “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.25.34.NLT

‭Revelation 7:13-17 NLT‬
[13] Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” [14] And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. [15] “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. [16] They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. [17] For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.7.13.NLT

Thank you Shane Vaughn for passing this wonderful question on Facebook for discussion and sharpening with fellow believers!

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What is expected?

On a hike with a bunch of ex-military guys from church, the question came up of “What is expected of us as men?” My heart remembered an Old Testament verse that included “what is expected/required of you”, so I looked it up on my phone right there and shared it:

‭No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 NLT‬

What is expected of us?

1) Be Just

2) Love mercy

3) Walk humbly

We might look at the Ten Commandments or the list of laws and all the teachings of the prophets to find that they are teaching us these simple things about God’s person and nature. They are preparing us to be “Holy as He is Holy” — not to be some dead religious rule keeper — but a wise, just, merciful, loving being that is alive with the fire of life —  like our creator God who is Father and Friend.

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What a waste!

Imagine someone who lived ruthlessly building up wealth and possessions but who never took the time to enjoy them before having a heart attack and dying from all of the stress.

Imagine a child who sees his parent’s wealth, and who begrudgingly dotes on them (expecting an inheritance), yet they outlive him.

Imagine someone who grumbles about everything around them, and never takes the time to see and celebrate what is good and beautiful around them — and even worse, never takes any action towards improving the source of their own complaints.

Imagine someone who is so confident in what they believe personally that they are unwilling to examine it critically, to test their beliefs, to learn, to change and to grow.

Imagine a race horse with champion’s blood flowing through its veins that he up on a pig farm where he only knew to mimic those animals who lay around in the mud, eating and getting fat.

We can imagine stories like this and possibly think to ourselves “how foolish”, or “how silly”, or “what a waste!”

But how many times do we let ambition, or envy, or negativity, or pride, or distraction, or our own personal choice of thief — steal from what would be best?

If we found out right now that today would be our last day alive, what would fall off our calendar and off of our list of concerns — and what would be revealed as what is truly important?

It’s easy to hear this and nod our heads, acting as is it is good advice — but what if we actually walk through the exercise as if we believed it was good and helpful?

What on my priorities list needs to shift?

What have I allowed to set up shop in my mind as a focus that needs to be spot out of the way for what is truly important?

What changes should I be making to set my direction on what is best rather than allowing in what is familiar, comfortable, or is good enough?

I believe (and life has repeatedly taught me) that God wants the best for His children. For a long time, I misunderstood His wise advice and guidance as strict rules to either live up to or to fall short of — to either prove myself worthy or unworthy of His love. But that IS NOT the gospel of Jesus Christ — nor is it the wise and best way to approach a relationship and understanding of our relationship with God.

As a father, I don’t want to just be a lecturer, a rule maker, and a disciplinarian to my daughter. But if I refuse to share wisdom, if I refuse to challenge her, I’d I refuse to offer her boundaries and correction, she will not know the difference between what is foolish and wise until so much has been wasted and stolen from her. I know this from the hard lessons life has taught this stubborn old man.

‭Luke‬ ‭12:13‭-‬21‬ ‭NLT‬
[13] Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” [14] Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” [15] Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” [16] Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. [17] He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ [18] Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. [19] And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ [20] “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ [21] “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.12.13.NLT

Lord, you see past all of the stumbling blocks and distractions to what is truly best. You have good in store for us and not evil. Help us to trust, to listen, to hear, to see, to follow, to walk with you. Show us how even what seemed like a waste has a purpose in leading us forward. Help us give up and lay down any foolishness that would hinder us running out race today. Amen.

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Patient Endurance

The month of January pulls at my heart in painful ways.  It hasn’t been very long since my grandparents passed – Nana just 2 years ago ( https://www.floydmortuary.com/obituaries/thelma-edge ) and Bill just 5 years ago ( https://www.floydmortuary.com/obituaries/billy-edge ).

They are so sweet and special to me that it does me some painful good to see their pictures and read back through their obituaries this time of year. And having a wife and friends who will “sit in the mud with me” during this time is such a blessing.

As my emotions rise and tears surprisingly stream down my cheeks, today’s verse on the YouVersion Bible app reminds me of my own weakness being an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do His work:

‭Romans‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭NLT‬
[26] And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.8.26.NLT

And I’m also encouraged by my broadcast from a year ago today on patiently enduring:

Whatever you are going through today, my friends — I’m grateful for the opportunity to sit in the mud together. In fact, I’m about to head out on a nature hike in the rain if you want to combine the analogy with the reality. Much love, hugs, tears, encouragement and prayers — for Him seeing us through it. Amen.

Thelma “Nana” Edge

Thelma Edge

January 4, 1934 — January 18, 2022

Thelma Mae Brackins Edge, 88, wife of the late Billy Gene Edge, passed on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at her home in Campobello.  Born in Spartanburg County on January 4, 1934, a daughter of the late Edward Curtis and Alice Sprouse Brackins.

Mrs. Edge was a lifelong resident of Pacolet Mills until moving to Campobello in 2018.  She was a 55 plus year member of Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church.  She was involved in feeding the youth, volunteering in the nursery at church and socializing with Young at Heart.  She enjoyed cooking for her family.

Survivors are a daughter, Jean Ballinger (Jim) of Spartanburg; siblings, Bertha Harrold of Central Pacolet and Betty Hutt of Union; and a grandson, Harold Ballinger (Mandee) and great granddaughter, Mia Ballinger of Campobello.  Numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by sisters, Ethel Morgan, Virginia Crawford, and Nancy Brock; a brother, Jimmy Brackins.

Visitation will be 1:00-3:00 PM, Monday, January 24, 2022, at Floyd’s Pacolet Chapel.  Funeral Services will follow in the chapel at 3:00 PM.  Burial will be in Pacolet Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 396, Pacolet Mills, SC, 29373.

Billy Edge

August 17, 1934 — January 26, 2019

Good Servant, Billy Gene Edge, 84, of Pacolet Mills, SC, went home to be with his Heavenly Father Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Born August 17, 1934 in Cherokee County, SC, he was the son of the late Troy Webster and Bessie Norah Barner Edge. He was the husband of Thelma Brackins Edge for 67 years. Billy started his lifelong career as a carpenter with Fiske-Carter Construction Company for 40 years, then ending it with Roebuck Buildings Co. Inc.

He was a member of Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and worked with the youth. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. Survivors include his loving wife, Thelma Brackins Edge of the home; a daughter, Jean Ballinger (Jim) of Spartanburg, SC; a grandson, Harold Ballinger (Mandee) of Campobello, SC; a great granddaughter, Mia Ballinger; and sisters, Patra Ford (The Rev. Jerry Ford) of Union, SC and Pamela Easler of Spartanburg, SC; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Roy Edge, Clyde Edge, and Hugh Edge.

Visitation will be at 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Floyd’s Pacolet Chapel, 141 Memorial Drive, Pacolet, SC 29372. Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church, 350 Green Street, Pacolet, SC 29373, conducted by The Rev. Ralph Jett and The Rev. Jerry Ford. Burial will follow in Pacolet Memorial Gardens, 141 Memorial Drive, Pacolet, SC 29372.

The family will be at the home of Harold and Mandee Ballinger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 396, Pacolet Mills, SC 29373.

The family would like to give a thank you for the special care given by Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

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Talking to, at, about, or “with God”

As a child, I fell into praying by just repeating what I saw people doing around me. Before we ate a meal, someone would listen to “the man of the house” as he would “say grace” for us. When we were in church, at the expected pauses or transitions on the church bulletin, we would bow our heads and listen to “the man behind the podium” as he would “pray” for us. When we went to bed, we might recite a known poem about God watching over us while we “lay me down to sleep”.

As I grew up, I found myself at crossroads in my life where instead of just tradition or ritual — I found myself in a position where I realized my own need and the needs of others that were beyond my ability — and that need that kind of “God if you really exist, and if you really care, we really need your help on this” kind of attention and touch daily.

What is really wonderful is that I didn’t need Him any less when I was a little child listening and reciting. And even when I get distracted as an adult and I’ve gotten too busy to care enough about being serious about prayer time — His door is still open every time that I open my eyes to realize the need and the value of time spent together with Him.

Sometimes I need a reminder that prayer isn’t about a ritual or tradition, and that it isn’t about an obligatory “did I say my prayers”. Sometimes I need a reminder about the things Jesus had to teach us about prayer. I need a reminder that prayer isn’t a perfect recitation but a pattern of recognizing some key things about ourselves and our need for regular communication with God — in order to stay healthy and avoid foolishness.

‭Matthew‬ ‭6:9‭-‬13‬ ‭NLT‬
[9] Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. [10] May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today the food we need, [12] and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. [13] And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.9.NLT

Lord God Almighty, you are creator of the Heavens and the Earth, your ways are far too high for me to fully comprehend — yet you have made a way for the unholy and the imperfect like me to seek you — and to even abide in you and walk with you. This is amazing the way that your Kingdom invades and overtakes the darkness through the example you have given us in Christ Jesus and by the ambassadors we are each called to be a your representatives walking through this land on our way back home to you. We want ourselves, and our brothers and sisters who are blind to various foolishness that falls short of what is best — to be healed and freed from traps that we’ve sometimes become too comfortable and familiar with in our lives. Teach us and lead us in what is best, disciplining us gently when necessary to keep us on the narrow path, so that your will can be seen clearly as the best path. Be our strength and our provider so that we can be a blessing to those around us and will give freely as you give to us. You are the example of ultimate forgiveness and love, so we are inspired and convicted to forgive and love even those our foolish pride might fight initial consider excluding — yet remind us that we have no forgiveness available to us if we do not see the depths of our own need or refuse to forgive others. Your Love overcomes and your Word guides us in Truth that will deliver us from foolishness into wisdom and that will reveal your victory in and through the testimony of our lives — proving that the time of foolishness, of wickedness, of oppression, of injustice, of atrocities, of wars, and of all evil is coming to an end. Amen.

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When no water reveals a flood of blessings…

Yesterday morning, we woke up to no water in the house. We discovered that our deep freeze had died some time ago (ruining all of the food in it) and that it had tripped the GFCI. That circuit also powers the heat wrap for our well, so we also found out that our well had frozen outside and the pipes/tank had burst.

So I put a call in to the well company and tried to figure out how I could work dealing with the well repair person and getting this freezer and ruined food to the dump in the middle of a horribly busy day.

But thankfully, I was working from home today, and I have an amazing team that I work with who are all trustworthy, hardworking, and who are supportive whenever something comes up in our “real lives” for any team member. I just let them know what was going on and that I might be AFK (away from my keyboard) a few times throughout the day dealing with everything. Mia and Mandee were also very understanding and used bottled water for getting ready for school and work.

The well ended up being really costly repairs, but we are now better prepared for the future, and the unsightly shack we had built around it is now replaced with a less noticeable fake rock. And the money that was left over from the insurance paying for my stolen truck (along with funds from our Dave Ramsey inspired “Emergency Fund”) helped us cover the expenses. No doubt, it will have implications on our budget for a year or so, but my wife and I remembered earlier times in our marriage where we would have been looking to help from others or paying high interest to cover our emergencies — and we had an opportunity to thank God together. And we got to share with so many how the unexpected situation of a stolen truck ended up being a blessing in the end.

And I was able to load up my trailer and make it to the dump literally as the last person they were letting in. I got everything unloaded and even had employees at the dump driving out right behind me to leave for the end of their day! And I made it home in time for time with family before covering a long night of scheduled maintenance work for my team that helped cover for me during the day.

Several times, as I hit what seemed like roadblocks, I just humbly prayed, “Lord, I could really use some help with ____” and thanked Him — and my wife and I had a great conversation about how amazing it is how heartfelt, surrendered prayer when we are beyond what we can control have a miraculous way of being answered time and time again. What a wonderfully exhausting and grateful sleep I had after such a crazy day!

Then, this morning I woke up to Facebook reminding me of this graphic that I created 7 years ago:

What a great reminder to do be JUST, be MERCIFUL, and be HUMBLE in everything we do.

If there is something worth making a resolution for this year, it’s that my life will better reflect these three — and I need the power of Love, the power of the Holy Spirit, of Christ in me, to fuel this into who I am at my core.

We have so much to be grateful for that even the emergencies, even the unexpected expenses, even the unexpected inconveniences have the handprints of God’s justice, His mercy, and His willingness to humble Himself to be a part of “our little lives” daily.

Thank you Jesus!

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Time to Fight

My wife and I had a great fight last night. We had both been bristling a bit with each other and last night as we got into bed, you could have cut through the tension with a knife. I tried to playfully put myself in her way so she couldn’t lay down in bed (forcing her to engage with me) and so that she’d have to talk with me — and she tried her best to ignore me. But I want giving up that easily. Eventually, it erupted into the finger pointing, accusations, biting words, voiced frustrations, and tears that seem to be a rare but necessary part of our long-term wedded bliss. We voiced things that had been running around inside each of our individual heads, but that hasn’t been brought out into to light of our discussion together as one. Both of us were braced for the familiar tune of conflict — it starts out like the rumbling drums of an approaching storm, there are the pre-emptive sounds of the pokes and prods that test each other’s defense and mood, then the explosion of sound as the first bomb drops, the sound of active warfare and artillery fire as active warfare breaks out from both sides attacking, and at some point an olive branch is extended with a genuine and humble “What are some practical things that I can do to make that better for you?”

It isn’t said sarcastically, but acknowledges that I’m part of the problem and that I’m willing, able, and committed to resolving at least some of her complaints. The one statement doesn’t immediately cease all gunfire, but it begins to train the gunfire onto the issues we are encountering — rather than focusing on mutual annihilation. In the end, we are talking about the challenges, laughing at our misunderstandings, realizing that all of those whispers inside our heads accusing each other was just that enemy (the liar) trying to distract us from the love that we have for each other. We end up having one of our great discussions where things are brought into the light and we can address them as a unified team interested in battling the challenge, not just battling each other.

It things me that there is a need for warfare. There is a need for conflict and food good fights, because there is a battle — but it isn’t against each other — we learn to recognize and destroy the false arguments and distractions to see the real enemy:

‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3‭-‬4‬ ‭NLT‬
[3] We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. [4] We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.10.3.NLT

The Word of God even prescribes for us the armor that we should wear in order to victorious (not over each other but over the challenge):

‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10‭-‬18‬ ‭NLT‬
[10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.10.NLT

There is an enemy — but for the wife, it is not her husband — and for the husband, it is not his wife:

‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‭-‬9‬ ‭NLT‬
[8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.8.NLT

The Word of God wisely reminds us of this battle that lies beneath what we see in front of us, so we cling to wisdom and praise our Teacher and Savior:

‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‭-‬16‬ ‭NLT‬
[11] I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. [12] I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. [13] I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. [14] I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. [15] I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. [16] I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.11.NLT

Thank you, Jesus, for your victory. Thank you for your example of winning the battle without even lifting a sword and by even healing any ears that have been cut off. You are our example, and we love how you are making us more like you. Amen.

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It’s Good to Celebrate

Yesterday, in the middle of Facebook posts about loss, about sickness, about bad news, about political differences — I posted a muted hallelujah about finding a replacement for my stolen truck. There was even initial guilt that came from people who are clearly dealing with difficult challenges congratulating me for my joyful moment. The enemy tried to whisper that I shouldn’t celebrate or praise the Lord too loudly because it would be like salt in the wound of those hurting around me. But when the enemy speaks, it is usually a bit of truth that has been twisted and corrupted into a thief’s manipulative lie.

It would be bad if I made an idol out of this vehicle. If I showed IT off like it was the solution, like it was the thing worth celebrating. But if I used this opportunity to see the blessings that the people around me have been and honor them — and if I used this opportunity to praise God and celebrate His faithfulness, it could be an encouragement instead of a source for envy, jealousy, or pain.

Even though she was dealing with a difficult challenge, my cousin (Hillary Brackins) encouraged me by saying that “sharing in others’ joy brings me joy and takes my mind off things.”

Lord, help us to celebrate by giving you thanks and telling everyone about the wonderful things you have done and about the people through whom we have seen your love and your favor shown to us. Help us to see past even the wonderful blessings and not let the blessings distract from our giving thanks to “the one from whom all blessings flow”. Help us to be a blessing to others and for our rejoicing to not be an annoying noise to others but an encouragement. Help us love each other well. Amen.

‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:8‭-‬24‬ ‭NLT‬
[8] Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. [9] Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. [10] Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. [11] Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. [12] Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, [13] you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. [14] He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. [15] Remember his covenant forever— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. [16] This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. [17] He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant: [18] “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.” [19] He said this when you were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan. [20] They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. [21] Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf: [22] “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.” [23] Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. [24] Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1ch.16.8.NLT

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A Mother’s Flowers

I read this story from Readers Digest recently:

When the supermarket clerk tallied up my groceries, it was $12 over what I had on me. I began to remove items from the bags when another shopper handed me a $20 bill. “Please don’t put yourself out,” I told him. “Let me tell you a story,” he said. “My mother is in the hospital with cancer. I visit her every day and bring her flowers. I went this morning, and she got mad at me for spending my money on more flowers. She demanded that I do something else with that money. So, here, please accept this. It is my mother’s flowers.”

Leslie Wagner, Peel, Arkansas, Readers Digest “30 Stories About the Touching Kindness of Strangers That’ll Make You Tear Up”

Today, my wife is letting me use her car to take my daughter on a promised shopping trip to Charlotte, NC (as part of my daughter’s birthday celebration). My father in law, Larry Fowler, is going to help us out by picking up Mandee from work and bringing her home (probably a solid 1.5 hours out of the way for him). My parents, Jean and Jim Ballinger, are in Myrtle Beach, SC (about 4 hours from us) and have been working with Carmax there last night and today to test drive and help us purchase a replacement vehicle for my stolen truck — which my mom is going to drive to us when everything is finalized. I’ve had several friends at work (John Cooper, John Robitaille, Austin Bruce) encourage me by driving me to and buying me lunch while we’re dealing with this. And I’ve had so many friends that we see at work (Jim Blaine, Traci Hill, Jennifer Mason, Brianna Smith, Tricia Brown, Travis Bowers, Donnie Williams, Ken Marler, Jessica Bonds, Julie Coates, +more) , at church (Andrew Smith, Austin Barnett, +more), online (Tom & Christy Pierce, Susan Cope, Dakota Milton, Michael Mcleymore, Matt Elder, Hillary Brackins Anderson, Eddie Pat Glance, Jay Horton, Allison Uhler, Daniel Hutchins, +more) etc. that have been especially encouraging and helpful through this whole process.

Sometimes, it is easy to overlook the many small kindnesses around us. But when we are able to slow down and recognize them, it sure is inspiring. It makes me want to look for opportunities to do the same thing for others! And when I look at how kind and loving the Lord has been (and continues to be) towards me and my family, it inspires me to see more clearly the many ways He shows us love — through them and through the precious Blood of the Lamb.

Maybe today I will get to carry that gift of love and deliver it to others? I really hope that I won’t miss an opportunity to show kindness! We never know when our small act of kindness is part of the story that keeps someone else’s heart warmed against some of the harsh and cold realities of this life’s challenges.

Someone might look at me writing stories regularly about Jesus, love and hope — and mistakenly believe that it is natural, or easy for me to remain hopeful, to not hurt, to not doubt, or to be positive — but I’ve dealt with deep depression, suicide attempts, hopelessness and overwhelming anxiety and grief too. But I can truly say that I was blind to see the loving kindness that was around me, and I was only looking into the darkness. I have turned and gone another way (towards the light), and I see your kindness now — and I want to be that kindness now.

Thank you each for your loving kindness towards me, and towards whoever you’ll encounter today. Thank you Jesus for revealing your love powerfully like light breaking through the darkness. Amen.

‭John‬ ‭13:35‬ ‭ESV‬
[35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.13.35.ESV

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All the Ingredients for a Heartwarming Story

For the past few weeks, we’ve been dealing with the challenge and uncertainty that comes with having a vehicle stolen. Looking around at the many people around us dealing with bigger and more challenging issues like loss/grief, health issues, etc. has really helped us keep things in perspective. There is a lot about the situation that is uncomfortable and challenging — the inconvenience of only having one vehicle, the time required to deal with the situation (police investigation, insurance claim, shopping for a vehicle, coordinating transportation), the added expense of purchasing another vehicle, and the stress to our budget during the month of December (our daughter’s birthday, Christmas, and additional giving commitments).

Yesterday was probably the hardest day of all for me to stay positive and to trust that God is doing good in all of this. Earlier in the week I had taken a day off of work so that dad and I could make a special trip to Columbia, SC to shop for a vehicle at the Carmax wholesale auction lot. And we had found a vehicle that I let myself get excited about purchasing. But late yesterday, we find out that the vehicle had a slipping transmission that would have required significant time and money for repairs. So while I’m very glad that we found this out before buying the vehicle — it also crushed the images I already had already played out in my head about this vehicle. So I was disappointed — both that the expectation I had set in my mind was not going to be met, and the realization that I now had to start shopping all over again.

Hopefully, we will hear back from our insurance company this weekend on what they are offering to cover my stolen truck. Hopefully it will be fair and reasonable — that’s the expectation that I’ve set in my mind. But that imagination could be crushed if whatever they offer isn’t in line with the research we’ve done ourselves. And we may set our eyes on another vehicle that we become interested in and get let down again. Just because we worship Jesus and we try to make reasonable decisions doesn’t mean that life will not throw us some curve balls with regards to “what we want” versus what reality presents us.

I have to remember that I didn’t expect to have any insurance coverage at all, but that the Lord had blessed my wife with a wise advisor in our insurance agent who had convinced her to carry additional coverage that I would have declined. I have to remember that we have multiple friends who have showed us the power of God’s love and faithfulness by offering to help us out while we are down to one vehicle. I have to remember that we’ve received what we’ve needed just in time to keep us afloat this month. I have to remember that much of the inconvenience caused by this situation is humbling us about just how blessed we truly are. I have to remember that a certain vehicle or expectation that I’ve set in my head is not an idol that I can put ahead of my trusting in God.

I’ve had so many people share with me how they have been encouraged by how we are dealing with this situation. And like a fool, I had overlooked that extremely valuable point.

Yesterday, I watched a Chevy Christmas commercial about a grandma with dementia. I wept and hurt deeply for at least 20 or 30 minutes after watching it — but it was so positive and moving that I had to share it. Then I commented to my friends and shared it with them, mentioning how I miss those heartwarming Christmas commercials that more companies used to put out.

Later on, I watched commentary about Ted Talks where the person speaking became emotional because of how personal and real the subject was to them — and how it impacted their audience in a positive way. Maybe this challenge is “my Christmas commercial” — being transparent and honest about how it is hard at times to stay positive, yet we still have a reason to hold out hope. I’m not here to manipulate your emotions so you might buy something, or visit my page, or build my followers. But I’ve found in Jesus someone worth worshipping even in the midst of the storms of my life — ESPECIALLY in those challenging times.

This Christmas, I hope we will get to spend time talking about the awesome wonders of God — like I got to do at our company Christmas party this week, like I get to share with friends through these posts, like we share daily with those we love life alongside. I hope that we’ll remember the hope, the joy and the celebration that this season is really about — and we’ll see past the distractions of any presents under the tree or in the driveway– to see the greatest gift we’ve ever received, a baby Jesus in a manger. Amen.

What is your heartwarming story this Christmas? Please share it!

‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12‭-‬17‬ ‭ESV‬
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

https://bible.com/bible/59/col.3.12.ESV