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Living in Harmony

My friends, even when we disagree, my goal is to be patient with you, to encourage you, to love you, and to respect you.

I have many things that I still need to learn (and to practice well) when it comes to living in harmony with others. I am looking to the example of Jesus Christ and learning from Him, but I apologize for so often not being the example of Christ’s love that you might expect or hope for. The good news is that He’s still working on me.

Whether we agree or disagree on so many other things, I hope you will agree with me that we could be more patient, encouraging, loving and respectful towards each other?

Lord, you are gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and overflowing in lovingkindness. Lord you are good to all, and your tender mercies can be seen across the entirety of everything you have created. Help us to be more aligned with your Way. Walk with us today and teach us so that our life bears the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness and self- control that is a blessing to all those around us. Let the way that we live in harmony with others be how we give thanks to You and praise You. Lord, let this be how the world can truly see and know that your godly ones bless You. Help us surrender every demand and unreasonable expectation that we might set in our minds against others or against you and humble ourselves to love and serve others, to lay down our egos and our pride, to be washed by your example of mercy and sacrifice, and to be clothed in the compassion and loving kindness that is who You are. Amen.

Today’s verse: Romans 16:5

Prayer based on: Psalm 145:8-10 & John 13:34-35 & Romans 12:1

Romans 15:5 NLT
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

Psalms 145:8-10 NLT
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.

John 13:34-35 NLT
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Romans 12:1 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

He’s clearly David’s Rock, but what about little ol’ me?

Every single time that I have humbled myself, cried out to God, and been willing to listen,  He has proven to be a place of safety and powerful to save me.

But how does me telling you about what God is to ME — affect YOU, my friend? This is an important question, indeed.

Psalms 18:2 NLT
[2] The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.18.2.NLT

In this Psalm, David doesn’t say that God will be a genie granting our every wish or desire,  and God isn’t just a mental escape where we put the brakes on our troubles through meditation or reflection. God isn’t a powerful weapon for us to wield for our own benefit and glory. Neither is He a powerless concept or religious superstition that provides no true benefit or change.

David doesn’t even say in this one verse (when taken solely out of context) anything directly about what God is for you or for me.

Yet, I can today confidently say that, “He is the power that saves me. He is alive.  He is real. He is far beyond just a ‘belief’ or a ‘blind hope’ that He ‘might be out there’.”

I also realize that may not be true for you — and hasn’t always true for me.

Admittedly,  this is hard for me to fully appreciate and to truly live as a reality in my life daily (even after “accepting Christ into my heart as Lord and Savior” as a child — and even after falling deeply in awe and wonder and recommitment to Him as an adult believer).

So if you read this scripture and you just aren’t sure, you’re not alone. If mere words that I quoted to you from the Bible didn’t just take hold of your heart and convince you to accept that they are a promise TO YOU THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON — I get it.

If you read this Psalm and know that it is attributed to King David, who is often called “a man after God’s own heart” and think to yourself, “Well of course David could say these things about God, but what right do I have to claim his words about God, or to expect that this is also about me?” This, my friend is such a fair, reasonable and wise question for anyone who might be choosing to begin the journey of “fearing the Lord”.

Why should God love ME?

Why would God love ME?

Why would He be MY rock, MY fortress, MY Savior, MY shield, MY power, and MY safe place — not just these things that David claimed for himself?

David doesn’t say in this kind of scripture “He is your rock,  Harold Ballinger” or use the name of each individual reader who might stumble upon this website. So am I reading too much into this scripture,  my friend?

I enviable you to read the whole Psalm and hear David pleading with his personal testimony of what God has done for David.

Even though most of this whole Psalm is David crying out with his personal testimony,  over and over again of everything the Lord has done for David, in verse 30, he tells us something we can latch hold of personally:

Psalms 18:30 NLT
[30] God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.18.30.NLT

Have you and I looked to Him for protection today, my friends?

Or have we kept it comfortable and academic and meditative — considering how we might protect ourselves by our own strength?

Are we waiting until we are almost utterly crushed under the heavy weight of a rock of troubles falling upon us,  rather than falling down upon that Rock of Ages to seek His protection even in the smallest things (and surely in the heavier matters as well)!

Lord, I can be so prideful and so stupid trying to make my own way, leaving my safe place without shield or power sufficient on my own for what lies ahead if I go my own way. Thank you for your loving kindness and your patience towards me. You always welcome me back into your arms. Thank you for showing us The Way that is perfect and true, that exists when we walk with you.  Amen.

Unity on Voting Day?

Come and see for yourself how good and how pleasant it is when we live together united and not divided!

On a morning when people in these United States of America will gather at poles and vote for a next president, it isn’t lost on me that Psalm 133 verse 1 speaks of unity and harmony instead of divisiveness and isolation.

If the Word of God speaks so highly of unity and says that we should “behold”, that we should “come and see for ourselves” how good and how pleasant something is — it shouldn’t be that difficult for us to understand that there is a contrasting alternative. In fact, in this call to “come”, we are being urged our of the darkness of the alternative and coaxed into the light.

It should not be surprising that we are easier to defeat and easier to control when we are divided rather than united. It should not be surprising that those selling power and honor for themselves in this world would make careers of dividing and conquering people by setting them up to see enemies around them instead of neighbors and friends.

I tell you, my friends, that there is no peace in making enemies and making war, but there is sound rest in a life that serves well and loves well.

Regardless of which candidate someone selects or which news propaganda they choose to listen to, we will not be divided into these foolish tribes of donkeys and elephants. We are children of God and our King is a roaring Lion. Do you not see Him on the throne?

Lord, it is you who rules over nations, not the clowns that we see playing political games and selling division and wickedness and hatred. When we choose our nation’s figurehead today, let us remember that you are our only hope. Amen.

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Psalms 133:1-3 NLT
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.

Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.133.1-3.NLT

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I especially enjoy what C. H Spurgeon has to share on this verse (from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps133.cfm):

EXPOSITION

Verse 1. “Behold.” It is a wonder seldom seen, therefore behold it! It may be seen, for it is the characteristic of real saints,—therefore fail not to inspect it! It is well worthy of admiration; pause and gaze upon it! It will charm you into imitation, therefore note it well! God looks on with approval, therefore consider it with attention. “How good and holy pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” No one can tell the exceeding excellence of such a condition; and so the Psalm ist uses the word “how” twice;—Behold how good! and how pleasant! He does not attempt to measure either the good or the pleasure, but invites us to behold for ourselves. The combination of the two adjectives “good” and “pleasant,” is more remarkable than the conjunction of two stars of the first magnitude: for a thing to be “good” is good, but for it also to be pleasant is better. All men love pleasant things, and yet it frequently happens that the pleasure is evil; but here the condition is as good as it is pleasant, as pleasant as it is good, for the same “how” is set before each qualifying word.

For brethren according to the flesh to dwell together is not always wise; for experience teaches that they are better a little apart, and it is shameful for them to dwell together in disunion. They had much better part in peace like Abraham and Lot, than dwell together in envy like Joseph’s brothers. When brethren can and do dwell together in unity, then is their communion worthy to be gazed upon and sung of in holy Psalm ody. Such sights ought often to be seen among those who are near of kin, for they are brethren, and therefore should be united in heart and aim; they dwell together, and it is for their mutual comfort that there should be no strife; and yet how many families are rent by fierce feuds, and exhibit a spectacle which is neither good nor pleasant!

As to brethren in spirit, they ought to dwell together in church fellowship, and in that fellowship one essential matter is unity. We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity: oneness of life, truth, and way; oneness in Christ Jesus; oneness of object and spirit—these we must have, or our assemblies will be synagogues of contention rather than churches of Christ. The closer the unity the better; for the more of the good and the pleasant there will be. Since we are imperfect beings, somewhat of the evil and the unpleasant is sure to intrude; but this will readily be neutralized and easily ejected by the true love of the saints, if it really exists. Christian unity is good in itself, good for ourselves, good for the brethren, good for our converts, good for the outside world; and for certain it is pleasant; for a loving heart must have pleasure and give pleasure in associating with others of like nature. A church united for years m earnest service of the Lord is a well of goodness and joy to all those who dwell round about it.”

Revenge

When someone does me wrong, I want to see them pay. I want to see them suffer. I might even plot against them in my mind considering how I might get them back. But…

Life has taught me that revenge is never as sweet in reality as my mind seems to promise me it would be. It always extends my own suffering to hold a grudge. And retaliation wastes so much unnecessary time and resources — that could be better allocated to recovering, forgiving, and moving on enjoy my day.

Like so much other wisdom, I didn’t have to learn it the hard way by making all those mistakes myself (and by withholding forgiveness just hurting my own mental health, not the other person). The Word of God has been warning me the whole time, if I would have just listened — and not chosen to let my emotions and desires rule over me.

Lord, thank you for teaching us another Way that is so much better. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.15.NLT

Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.43-48.NLT

Romans 12:17-21 NLT
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.17-21.NLT

1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.8-12.NLT

Pastors

If there is anything that we see proven time and time again,
it is that mere men and women will always fail —
while God never fails.
To expect a man of God to be perfect
and without fault or blame
before we will listen to them is foolish —
we should be good Bereans
who test everything they say,
and we should pray earnestly for them,
and we should encourage
and support them.

We should seek a repentant heart,
And a boldness that is still humble,
Not a tomb that looks polished.

For any man who has chosen to walk in The Way
and to serve others in the example we have been given
by the disciples who followed Christ —
we can expect to fail at times,
and to even be mocked, ridiculed,
and spoken of as horribly wicked
with bad intentions and motives.
In part, it is true that in our flesh,
that is who we were
and is who we are being redeemed out of.
But even if it is complete lies being spread about us,
isn’t this what Christ himself endured,
and shouldn’t it be an honor to share in this with Him
so we might understand the beauty of The Cross even more intimately?

We should get our perspectives corrected,
quit pointing out specks to each other,
begin loving and supporting each other,
and believe what Jesus teaches in the sermon on the mount
as the promise of what we truly will “endure yet appreciate”,
What is truly “blessed not cursed”
What is walking forth as His Kingdom Come,
His Will Being Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven. Amen.

“Special” Treats

I get more excited over eating hamburger helper in my own bed than 95% of the “fancier things” I get to occasionally enjoy. The things that “mean more” definitely don’t have to “cost more”.

What “simple treat” means a lot to you?

What do you think makes it so “special” to you?

I remember eating a lot of my meals with my grandparents when I was growing up. I can remember Bill sitting at the table with the window open beside him, and meals of mashed potatoes, biscuits, gravy, and maybe some mac and cheese on the table. Or maybe some tomato soup with macaroni noodles or okra in it. Or maybe chicken stew with saltine crackers. These were the staple meals of my life growing up “on the mill hill” in Pacolet Mills, SC in the late 1900s with my grandparents. There wasn’t anything out of a box or nuked in a microwave, and we didn’t “grab snacks” back then (in contrast to my bad habits these days).

So I never remember Nana and Bill (my grandparents) fixing anything like Hamburger Helper when I reminisce about “the good old days”. But I do remember my mom and I on what feels to me like very special occasions having Hamburger Helper in that little basement apartment below Nana and Bill just for the two of us. Just me and my mommy.

My mom probably thinks back on this very same occasion and is overly critical of herself. She might wish she had done this or that different. Or she might wish that she had been able to take me to fancier places or been wise about pricing me with healthier food choices. But there are so many precious memories we made just the two of us, in that little basement apartment. My first Hamburger Helper was something my mommy made me that was a special treat. It was completely different than the normal, day to day stuff that I was more accustomed to — do it could have probably been anything she made. Yet it was Hamburger Helper,  and it was special because SHE made it for me.

Today, it is my wife that makes this special treat for me. And it isn’t nearly as good if I try to make it for myself. She may think that I’m trying to get out of cooking when I say that. But LOVE truly is the best seasoning that can be added to any food.

Just as my mom’s and wife’s cooking for me are seasoned with Love, I want my life to be seasoned with grace and love towards them and all around me,  Lord. Help me to remember how precious and valuable each and every person around me is to you, Lord. It isn’t what we do,  or what our last name is,  or how much we make,  or even how much we try to earn your love. Your love penetrates even the hardest of hearts and your wisdom humbles even the proudest of us — like a well marinated and tenderized meat. Even when we might look at someone and consider them simple,  or unremarkable,  or problematic,  or common — remind us just how special they are to you.  And just how special we are to you,  even with all of our own flaws. Jesus, your presence is so much sweeter even than my favorite “special treats”. Thank you for however I might be special in your Kingdom as well. Amen.

Hope

“Hope” isn’t meant to be “there’s a slight chance this might happen”.

Hope does it’s real work when it’s CONFIDENT.

Hope is when we are patient while in the middle of our trouble…

when we keep on talking with God and listening to Him even when we don’t understand the why, the how, or the when YET.

Don’t lose Hope, my friends.

Today’s verse:

Romans 12:12 NLT
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.12.NLT

What are we hungry and thirsty for?

When I was a newborn baby,  I hungered and thirsted for a mother’s milk, a clean diaper, the warmth of a mothers arms,  and the sound of her heartbeat.

When I was a child,  I  hungered and thirsted for foods that tasted good to my tongue, toys and friends to play with, and adults to do everything for me.

When I was a teenager, I hungered and thirsted for foods, entertainment and activities that could be enjoyed socially with friends, time away from adults,  and a cities time when I could “be an adult and do adult stuff”.

When I was a foolish young adult,  I hungered and thirsted for the opposite sex, whatever might get me closest to them, and whatever might catch their attention.

As I’ve grown and matured into less of a child and less of a fool,  I’ve learned to hunger and thirsty for things that aren’t necessarily “of this world”.

The Word of God tells us this about what we “hunger and thirst for”:

Matthew 5:6 AMP
[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.

https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.5.6.AMP

This study ponders the biblical account of David as an example of a man who hungered and thirsted for righteousness,  and is worth a read of you have the time: https://www.learningladyhood.com/blog/davids-hunger-and-thirst-for-righteousness

The author of Learning Ladyhood states:

“When I think of a person in Scripture who exemplified this idea of hungering and thirsting after righteousness, I think of David. Although he was not at all perfect, he nevertheless displayed a heart that longed to do things right: that was willing to fight for righteousness, literally and figuratively, and that mourned when he failed to live out the righteousness he knew God expected of him.”

Isn’t it wonderful that the Word of God offers this satisfaction to those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” rather than “those who think themselves righteous”?

The biblical account of David’s life is treacherous and far from perfect — yet He longed for and sought God with passion and boldness. This is a great encouragement to me, because I seem to myself to have far more in common with the foolish mistakes I see David and other mere men of the Bible making than the perfection of God and Christ Jesus’ life example. Yet,  I have something else in common with these “fellow fools and sinners” — I long for God and for righteousness. I recognize that I get in my own way, and that I need something beyond my own fleshly desires that crave fulfillment from things in this world.

There is a part of us that we Christians can grab hold of that is “not of this world”. It is why we can say boldly that we are just a traveler in this land, but it is not our home. It is why, even as our flesh screams out at us to fulfill our desires by following the temptation to sin,  we can boldly stand firm against it to walk in a different Way.

If you still only know how to hunger and thirst for the desires of your flesh and of this world, have you seen yet that there is a high price to every “free gift” the enemy offers you?

Have you found that even though sin feels good for a season, it always loses its taste and costs more than it is worth in the end?

Do you need a new type hunger for a type of bread and water that is truly life sustaining?

His name is Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, and He takes us a different Way where we are blessed and we are satisfied in ways this world can never fulfill by itself.

In fact, the world with all of its treasures turn into traps and poison when we try to close our fist around them. But with Him, they become blessing that goes abundantly more than enough for us to live open handedly as a blessing to the nations. That would be a bold claim for a mere man to make, but it is a solid, reliable promise from God that you will find in His Word. Amen.

So Many Broken Hearts

It hurts when our heart is broken. When the first girl I thought I really loved snubbed me for another boy in my teens,  I was brokenhearted. When I was away at boot camp and found out that my long time girlfriend cheated on me,  I was brokenhearted. When I made a costly mistake and it seemed like there was nowhere to turn and the depression convinced me that everyone was better off without me around,  I was brokenhearted. When a company I loved being a part of was carved up and sold off to become a completely different environment,  I was brokenhearted. When a beloved pet became sick and there was nothing we could do to fix it,  I was brokenhearted. When I watched the movie The Passion of The Christ the first time,  I was brokenhearted. When I watched the person I loved and admired most in this life be overcome and taken away from me by cancer,  I was brokenhearted. Seeing friends lose loved ones (especially children), I have been brokenhearted alongside their deep grief and brokenheartedness.

If you live even just a little while on this earth, your heart will get broken. This you can count on.

For some,  it seems they have learned to brace themselves,  to harden their hearts, and thicken their skin so that pain doesn’t cut them as deeply. But I’ve never learned this skill. I still cry at sad movies, love songs,  beautiful stories,  and convicting sermons. And don’t get me started on those advertisements with the sad animals or starving children encouraging (or manipulating) us to send money.  Brokenheartedness seems to not just occasionally chase me down,  but to be always just under the surface each day.

There was a powerful moment of brokenheartedness in my life just after my daughter was first born. After worrying for way too long in advance that I might be a bad father, my daughter’s first grab of my finger latched hold off my heart in an indescribable way. At one point in the hospital,  someone needed to go by our house to check on our animals and to bring some extra supplies. But my heart and mind couldn’t even process the possibility of leaving the side of my wife and newborn daughter. I completely broke down right there in the hospital room, devastated at even the thought of it. I was brokenhearted in such a special and lovely way that day.

So I know what it means to be brokenhearted.

But I am still here. I am not crushed. I am not defeated. And neither are you.

I love this verse from the Psalms:

Psalms 34:18 NLT
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.34.18.NLT

In those moments of pain, our feelings seem to scream, telling us to avoid the pain of brokenheartedness, begging us to never let this happen again. It actually can feel emotionally like we are being crushed under the weight of a great burden when this happens. Everything in our flesh screams,  “Make it stop! Make it go away! This is TOO MUCH!”

But we can look back now on those times in the past, and see them more clearly. We survived it. And it wasn’t because there was no real threat to our hearts or no real pain. The pain was real, and it may have truly been more than we could handle.

Scripture tells us that in those moments of brokenheartedness,  we are not alone. It doesn’t even add “if you remember to call on me” or “if your faith is strong enough”. No, at those times of brokenheartedness,  there is no strength left in us. He draws closer to us,  not because of anything we’ve done to deserve His love. He draws near to us when our hearts are well tenderized — because that’s when we are closest to the likeness of God.

I watch my daughter go through this life just like my parents and grandparents watched me grow up. When she makes mistakes or decisions that I know may have negative consequences,  it hurts that I can’t just “fix it for her” like I did when she was a child. But she is a teenager and will soon be a young adult,  and I must allow her room to make mistakes and learn lessons. We can academically teach others what is wise versus what is foolish, but life is where the lessons are tested and proven.

I don’t want my daughter to be heartbroken,  but I intellectually know that it is a necessary part of life — even for her. Now,  I take that and multiply my heart towards my daughter and consider how an Almighty Heavenly Father who has all wisdom and understanding must feel watching all of humanity stumble it’s way through heartbreak and lesson, time after time.

I’m reminded of a favorite song for when I’m overwhelmed emotionally:

And it includes a wonderful quote from the John Piper sermon:

As many have been in the path of Hurricanes or wars or other emotional devastation lately, it encourages me that there is this promise from the Word of God that we aren’t alone,  and that it isn’t meaningless.

I love you my friends,  and if you are going through a dark time and need prayer or encouragement,  I can’t fix it,  but we can sit in the mud together,  reminding each other that we are not alone,  and that this too is working in our hearts something that we may not fully understand or appreciate right now.

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.