Simple Steps - He Said

"Naaman's servants went to him and said, 'My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed.' So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy." 2 Kings 5:13-14

Listen to Simple Steps

Often, the simple steps are the hardest to take. Stepping aside to let another take your place. Walking away from a fight. Saying, "I'm sorry."

I'm allergic to apologies. Can't hardly give one without shaking all over. Makes my cheeks go flush, my voice quiver. I'd rather have a tooth filled than say, "I'm sorry."

I hate to lose. Drives me crazy to back off and let someone else have their way. Especially when I know I'm right. Takes both hands over my mouth to keep me from getting in the first and last words, plus the ones in between.

And don't even think about cutting in on me. I can ride the rear of the car in front so close that, to the cars in the other lane, it looks like I'm bump-drafting.

You see, I suffer from leprosy of the soul. Naaman suffered from leprosy of the skin but, as is often the case in Scripture, his condition pointed to a spiritual affliction, too.

Leprosy begins when the bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae, multiplies. Muscles become weak, especially in the hands, feet and eyes. As the skin hardens, the victim loses feeling in his fingers and toes. He becomes blind. Severe pain grips his body. There is no cure.

Leprosy of the soul begins with one misstep away from God. Like the bacteria, it spreads throughout our lives, weakening our resolve to do what is right. We become numb to its effects, blind to the hurt we cause others and hardened to the consequences of our actions. There is no cure…save one.

Naaman sought to spend his way to a healing, but God's man refused his money. Naaman thought his position would curry favor, but God's man turned him away. Naaman thought some grand and great effort would save him, but God's man offered a simple solution. "Go wash in the river Jordan and you will be cleansed."

The cure for our leprosy is similar. Repent, and be cleansed in the name of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, the simple steps can make all the difference in the world… and, the world to come.

Too Good To Be True - He Said

"Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed. But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage." - 2 Kings 5:8-10 (NIV)


Listen to Too Good To Be True

In the spring of 1997 the phone rang just as we sat down to dinner. The fast-talking man with a Yankee accent said he was with a job placement agency. "Can you be at IBM's main facility tomorrow morning? They need a web-developer."

I hung up thinking, "Is this guy kidding? Why would a company like IBM want to hire a guy like me? I can't even spell HTML, much less code it."

I arrived at the appointment certain that the job interview was a scam-that this yahoo from New York was just trying to extort a placement fee from me. The man I was supposed to meet arrived late and stayed on the phone for most of the interview. Finally he gave me a sheet of HTML code and asked me what a few of the tags meant. "Table, row, hyperlink," I answered, picking out the three I knew.

"Thanks for coming in," he said, ushering me to the door.

I left the interview discouraged. I sensed I'd been added to the list in order to demonstrate that the company was willing to interview outside candidates and that the job had already been promised to another employee within the company.

Naaman left his interview in a rage. He'd arrived with horses, chariots and high expectations, but God's man sent a low-level subordinate to dismiss Naaman. Elisha's message to Naaman was clear. "You stink and your attitude stinks. Now go wash yourself."

Too often we think our wealth, knowledge and position will open doors, but God works on a different realm of influence. He seeks those who are obedient in small matters and who'll remain faithful even when the repetition of the daily tasks seems, well… stupid.

Seven days after that job interview I resigned my position as a toilet paper salesman and went to work for IBM. Turns out God was so committed to finding me gainful employment that he created the world wide web just so I'd have a job.

The solution to our problems is simple, really. It's Christ. We want to add to the formula by boasting of our pedigree, good works and knowledge, but God says, "You're filthy. Your sins are an affront to me. Go wash yourself in the river and be baptized in the name of my Son."

Sometimes, when the solution seems too good to be true, it's God.

Reaching Out In Unity- He Said

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me ­ so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:22-23 (NIV)

Listen to Reaching Out In Unity

A former neighbor called this week. Turns out my friends Kim and Beth aren't speaking to each other… again. For the past several years they've argued over Kim's loud music, Beth's complaints to the town board, Kim's kids playing in Beth's front yard, the government's role in health care, abortion rights, immigration and on and on. Whatever the issue, I always know where Kim and Beth stand-on opposite sides of the fence.

This time their disagreement was over money. Beth claimed Kim owed her $230. Kim was sure she'd paid the bill. She had. She'd paid me $230 for work I'd done months ago on a project initiated by Beth.

I hung up thinking; I ought to just pay Beth the $230 out of my own pocket. Maybe then they'd stop fighting. But would they? Even if I settled the accounts for them, would it matter?

Christ claimed our unity, love and forgiveness would be a sign to others that we were His-that the sacrifice of His Son for us mattered to us. But does it?

A few hours later I met with another friend, Suzie. She's a missionary in Romania. Suzie told me of all the miracles she's seen, the healing of broken bones, deaf ears opened, the sudden disappearance of cancerous tumors. Then she said, "But you know, even in my city, despite God's outpouring of love, we're divided. There are other churches that won't speak to us because of doctrinal differences. Imagine how confusing it is to those outside the Church when those of us inside the Church are arguing like this."

"No need to imagine," I told her. "I see it every Sunday."

I sent Beth a check for the full amount, asking that she respect our friendship enough to allow me to pay the debt of my other friend and her neighbor. Now it's up to them to resolve their differences. I pray that they will. I pray I haven't wasted my money.

I pray God hasn't wasted the life of His Son, either.

The Wealth of Health- He Said

"Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 'By all means, go,' the king of Aram replied. 'I will send a letter to the king of Israel.' So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, 'Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!'" - 2 Kings 5:4-7 (NIV)

Listen to The Wealth of Health

"Say a prayer for Dan," my friend said. "He has cancer and they sent him home to die." I did.

"Your uncle was admitted to the hospital yesterday with dehydration and low blood pressure. Now your cousin has to stay with your aunt. Aren't you glad your mother is doing as well as she is?" Yes.

"Dr. called. He's scheduled a 2nd ultrasound on my thyroid. Hope they don't find anything." Me too.

A few months back I was in a restaurant where butcher paper served as the table covering. A box of crayons leaned against the saltshaker. While those at my table discussed editors' appointments and pending book deals, I listed the things I was thankful for on the paper. A blue sky so clear I could see stars light-years away. The golden rays of sunshine that had warmed my face on the mountaintop. Friends and family who were, that night, at least, healthy.

Our family says a blessing when we eat out, but a casual glance at other tables leads me to believe that giving thanks for our daily bread… and every breath seems to be a dying tradition.

The wealth of health is huge. Without it little else matters. When Naaman sought healing for his leprosy he carried with him 750 pounds of silver. In effect, Naaman was buying back his life nine times over.

Like Naaman, we spend large amounts to be healed, cured and repaired: Even if it bankrupts us. And yet, we're too busy or embarrassed to say thanks to God for the bread before us and the breath within us.

The next time you're tempted to skip the praise of provision and health, remember: Christ spent much more than Naaman to save us from sin and death. The least we can do is say "thanks."

Call The Man- He Said

"Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, 'If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.'" - 2 Kings 5:2-3 (NIV)

Listen to Call The Man

We have a running joke in my house regarding my lack of home repair skills and the punch line usually ends with, "Call the man."

Andy Griffith fans may recall this phrase from the episode where Diamond Jim opens a new butcher shop in Mayberry. Aunt Bee, always on the hunt for a bargain, walks out with a side of beef to put in her bargain-purchased freezer. The freezer dies, Aunt Bee panics, and in the next scene, we see Aunt Bee rolling a red wagon of ribs, rump roasts and chuck round steak down the sidewalks of Mayberry. Andy hears dogs barking, peeks out the window and hurries across the street to see what all the fuss is about.

"Aunt Bee, what's going on? What's in there?"

"The meat, Andy. Mr. Foley's offered to store it for me."

"Aunt Bee, I'm not gonna let you do that. I'm not gonna have Mr. Foley putting himself out for our mistake. Now, you better get that meat back home."

"But Mr. Foley said-"

"I don't care what Mr. Foley said, it's not fair. We'll call the man from Mt. Pilot to come over first thing in the morning and fix the freezer. It's what we should've done to start with. Now, get the meat back in the freezer."

"But Andy-"

"Call the man, Aunt Bee. Just call the man."

Pride. Stubbornness. Arrogance. We all suffer from blind spots. Entrenched beliefs. Intolerance. Social snobbery. Our refusal to consider other's options and differing points of view keep us enslaved to old perceptions, patterns of thinking and prejudices.

When Naaman's leprosy became the topic of household conversation a slave girl offered hope. "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

What's striking about this passage is how it points to the life of Christ. The message of hope coming from a Jew-the healing coming from a prophet.

We are all slaves to sin and captive to our thoughts, but we don't have to remain imprisoned. The call to "come and see," and "be cured," is for us as it was for Naaman. Our healing lies with the Prophet if only we will call on Him.

Today, if you find your little red wagon overflowing with problems, sickness, unpaid bills and sins you can't kick, call the man. Put your pride and aside and just call the man.

Pesky Typos - He Said

"Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy." 2 Kings 5:1

Listen to Pesky Typos

I hate typos and, yet, I plant them in my devotions and novels. They sprout and grow, turning a section of “perfect text” into a “perfect test” for our copy editor. I’m not alone, however. In books, blogs and on billboards, typos abound. Here are a few of my favorites.

“Naomi sat on the hot, dusty earth eating rice from a rough wooden bowel.” (Hey, waiter can I get a dish of small intestine to go?)

“Every girl dreams of the perfect weeding. Let Contour Lighting make your moment shine.” (Wonder if they color roots, too?)

“The academic scholarship I earned came with a plague.” (March Madness, this time of the year.)

“Most of my experience has been as a blue-color worker.” (From the resume of a sad and cold employee.)

“As part of the city maintenance crew, I repaired bad roads and defective brides.” (Aren’t they all, after a few days with their new husband?)

“My career goal is to shave my talents with a growing company.” ( No McDreamy stubble with this guy.)

“My hobbies include raising long-eared rabbis as pets.” (Torah training extra!)

I laugh because my life is one long string of typos. During my senior year in college, I received an F on a journalism project because I misspelled the Attorney General’s name. My professor (who was also my adviser) loved the article. “But,” he said, stabbing the first paragraph of the story, “You misspelled the guy’s name. The least you could have done was to look at his name plate on the desk and copy it down correctly.”

No matter how good we think we are, our blemishes go before us, marring our reputation and turning an effective ministry or career into a public sham.

Naaman was a great leader, valiant soldier, and respected general. But, his accolades could not save him from public shame. His leprosy, left untreated, would push him to the edges of society, leaving him an outcast.

Our sin is our leprosy. It leaves us outside the Kingdom of God and beyond the bounds of Eden, because God demands perfection. He cannot tolerate typos, not even one. (See next week’s devotion for how we achieve perfection and eliminate typos.)

Writers have critique groups, friends who proof their work. Within the body of Christ, we have fellow believers who hold us accountable. Paul calls on us to confess our sins and carry each other’s burdens. Today, ask a friend to critique your life and find the typos in your testimony.

High Anxiety- He Said

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." - Psalm 94:19

Listen to High Anxiety

My plane left an hour late and arrived twenty minutes before my connecting flight. The group of seventeen flying to LA was sure the airline would hold their connection. I knew better. An airline employee in a call center explained she could get me on another flight in the morning. "But you're responsible for your overnight stay," she explained.

I hung up and went looking for a rental. The drive from Atlanta to Raleigh would put me home well after midnight. Then a small voice whispered, "Sit. Take a load off. What's the hurry?"

I sat. Passengers jogged through the terminal, scanned the board for arriving and departing flights, cursed, complained, shouted and cried. I opened my Bible and began to read.

"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything...the peace of God will guard your hearts." "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." "They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them."

My list of Bible promises was long but that small voice had told me to rest so I read, relaxed and reviewed my travel options. The longer I watched, the more I saw the people around me the way God sees us-frightened and harried, frantically searching for a way out. But I knew God was aware of my circumstances. He'd known my plane would land late. He was in the moment.

That familiar voice asked, "What do you want?"

To catch a flight to DC, I thought, so I can get drive home.

"No, what do you really want?"

I thought about it. What I really wanted was to catch a flight to Raleigh. I could get my car from Regan National, later.

My eyes fell upon another verse: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him."

So I asked. I wrote a petition in my prayer journal. I thanked God he'd kept me safe in my travels. Then I walked to the service desk and asked if there were any available seats on the next flight to Raleigh. A couple of hours later I flew home. The next week a friend visiting DC drove my van back.

Here's the thing. God isn't a genie. He doesn't grant wishes or deal in whimsical wants. But He does hear our prayers and meet us in our point of need. All that He asks in return is that we trust Him, obey His voice and follow His leading. If we can't trust God for the small things, like a plane ride, how will we ever trust Him with our lives?

Passing Grades - He Said

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 NIV

Listen to Passing Grades

George broke his ankle last Saturday. He went to get his neighbor's paper, slipped on the ice in the driveway, got up, took a few more steps and fell again, snapping a bone. George can be hardheaded. Kind hearted, but hardheaded.

My aunt broke her hip during the same snowstorm. When my mom called to give me the news, I thought she said my aunt "fell off a sled." I never think of my aunt as being old, even though she did need a hand crank to start her first car. Still, it seemed odd that my aunt, a grandmother of two on Medicare, would be out sledding in the snow. Turns out she fell off a "bed."

(Mom called on a cell phone which, as you know, is a portable electronic device used for taking pictures, sending pictures, surfing the web, playing video games, sending email, reading books, and listening to music. Occasionally people will also try to talk to other people with a cell phone, which my mom did, but I generally prefer that you write me a letter, since it's cheaper, faster and easier to understand.)

The same day George and my aunt fell, my friend, Cindy, fell-not in the snow, but to her knees. Here's a portion of the prayer she sent me.

"Lord, forgive me when I fail you. I pray so hard, but is it not enough? Is it wrong? Lord, I don't want to disappoint you, yet I know at times I do. So I pray that you will forgive me when I fail."

I wanted to push her down in the snow. "How can you fail God?" I asked. "He's God and we're just itty-bitty beings. We can fall, sure, but fail? Never."

If Christ is your teacher then failure is not a possibility, though we may feel that way because the "Accuser of the Brethren" stands ready to bring false charges against us. He wants to weaken our resolve and beat us down. The Father of Lies is our prosecutor, charging us with violations of God's law, demanding that we be punished.

But God's grace delivers not retribution, but redemption. How can you fail God when His Son has taken the test for you?

Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God and, thank God we do. Otherwise we might think we deserve the passing marks. But we don't. Christ does. And God bless Him, He never fails.

God Is Good, God Is Great, God Is Slow, But Never Late - He Said

"When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.' Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." - John 11:4-6 (NIV)

Listen to God Is Good, God Is Great, God Is Slow, But Never Late

"Back so soon?" my wife said.

"Was hungry. What's for dinner?"

"Did you drop the key off like I asked?"

I ripped open a bag of chips. "Put it under the pot, just like you said."

"And the prayer shawl?"

"Hung it on the latch. You started supper, yet?"

"Hold it. You hung what on the latch?"

"The prayer shawl."

"You took it out of the package? Why?"

"Package? Never saw any package. Just the white shawl on the passenger seat"

"That was my scarf! Don't tell me you gave Ernie my scarf!"

"Ok, I won't."

"How could you be so stupid?"

"Lots of practice," I said. "What's for supper?"

"Whatever you pick up for yourself on your way back from getting my scarf."

A few minutes later I delivered Ernie's prayer shawl and retrieved my wife's scarf, but the ordeal got me to thinking about how we should pray for those who are sick. After all, I'd mistakenly delivered the wrong stole. What if my prayers were wrong, too?

When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He delayed. Why, I don't know. Jesus loved Lazarus. Loved him so much that he wept at the news of his death. So why wait? Why let him die? Why let any of us die?

Christ took His time. His time. Perhaps that's the point of the passage. Our time is borrowed, a gift on loan from God. But it's never really ours.

"This sickness will not end in death," Christ said. But it did. And then it didn't. Lazarus rose, walked, and lived again.

What do we make of life when the dead don't stay dead? How do we relate to a God who seems to ignore our prayers? Where do we turn when we have no hope? Perhaps the answer lies in the knowledge that God good, great, and sometimes slow, but never late.

Not even when we think He is.

Take a Chance… Advance! - He Said

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!" - Ephesians 5:11-16 (The Message)

Listen to Take a Chance… Advance!

When did "work" become a four-letter word? When did God's first command become a burden? Perhaps it began when we exchanged God's gift of enjoyment through employment for the fleeting security of career entitlement. As the resource officer waits for us to clear out our desk, we cry, "You can't do this to me! I've been here since…" Work was meant for more than provision, position and posturing. When we labor "heartily as unto the Lord," it becomes an act of worship.

I'm writing from the mountains today. We're preparing for our second Writer's Advance Event. I've attended other writer's retreats, but the idea of giving ground and falling back doesn't fit our calling. So, over the next few days, we'll discuss, prepare and advance toward the next big thing God has planned. There's snow on the ground, ice on the parking lot and fire in our bones.

How about you? Are you burned-out instead of on fire for a cause, craft or ministry? Do you fear you've missed your chance to "make" a difference? Don't worry. Our God is the Lord of second and third chances. His eyes roam the earth seeking those who will open the door when He knocks. Will you respond to his banging?

Here are four tips for how you can "make the most of every chance you get."

Find a problem and fix it. Opportunities are often disguised as problems. These challenges force us to explore other options, examine the resources we have, and push on. When faced with a dead end, listen for God to say, "This way." A closed door is only a dead end when you don't follow the detour signs.

Move with urgency. Open doors do not remain open forever. New opportunities are time-sensitive. Ground floors become foundations for tall buildings, so seize the moment. Don't wait, ponder, pray and procrastinate. By the time you act, it may be too late. If the chance to do something different, untried and frightening excites you, then step through the open door.

Expect resistance. Often we mistake hardships for God's disapproval when, in fact, the rocks, weeds and ruts are just confirmation that we're plowing new territory. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, "A great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries." The fastest point of sail is when the wind is against and slightly ahead of the boat, not blowing from behind. The gusts buffeting your cheeks could be God's breath cooling you down and keeping you refreshed.

Face down your fears. Don't let your fear of the unknown stop you from doing the thing that excites you. Wake up. Climb out. Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. Christ will show you the light.

These are desperate times. The world needs pioneers who are willing to put aside the slothful acts of darkness and step boldly into the future. Today, if you feel God calling you to a new challenge, don't hesitate. Advance!

From Pit to Prominence – He Said

"So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there." Genesis 39:22

Listen to From Pit to Prominence

In his thirties he led an e-business technology team from a start-up company to its public stock offering. They went big, made a splash in the press and then went looking for a new and younger manager.

Suddenly retired, he helped found a new business. The job took him to Asia where he met with top executives in the semi-conductor industry. Modeling the successful strategy of his previous job, he positioned the firm to go public. But days before their announcement, the global economy burped; investors pulled back, the firm floundered. For two years he watched as one angel investor after another waltzed by his office, but none came bearing good news and gifts. The firm folded.

In order to pay the bills, he began restoring homes, adding decks, and refinishing rooms. Of course, business thrived. He hired additional help, rebuilt his savings and discovered he enjoyed working with his hands, going to bed tired and waking up in better shape than the day before. He dropped pounds, added muscle, plus a few more clients. Over coffee one morning, a customer commented on his leadership skills. "Would you like to have a job with an office, benefits and stock options?" his friend asked.

"Only if it presents a challenge."

Soon his unit led the company in growth, profits and efficiency. He was tapped to head a new division. The promotion would double his salary and vastly increase his responsibility. Then, on the eve of the announcement, he was fired. He learned later his knowledge, experience and wisdom had posed a threat to the owner. But none of that mattered on his drive home from work. With his wife recently retired, a new set of grand babies due and a suspicious mass on his spine, life's circumstances dumped him in the pit, again.

Joseph suffered betrayal, mistreatment and misfortune, too. Told by God that he would become a grand leader, Joseph struggled with the mantle of greatness. "Listen to the dream I had," said Joseph. "I had another dream… No one is greater in this house than I am…When all goes well with you, remember me… show me kindness… mention me… I have done nothing to deserve being put in a pit." His arrogant attitude bred jealousy and resentment, leading others to forget and forsake him.

God has made each of us responsible for someone and some thing. Whether we're serving time in prison, serving soup to the homeless, or serving on the board of a fortune 500 company, our attitude toward others reflects our heart for God.

When my friend arrived home that final evening, he hugged his wife, held her hand and prayed for God to see them through the crisis-just as they'd done in times past. I have no doubt he'll rise, again, from pit to prominence. That's what men of God do.

If you feel imprisoned, don't despair. God's promises, power and protection will set you free if you will trust, work and wait upon Him.

Have Work Your Way At Bigger King- He Said

"Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." - Psalm 103:2-6 NIV

Listen to Have Work Your Way At Bigger King

In these tough economic times when companies are downsizing, outsourcing and capsizing, it's hard to find the perfect job and, by "perfect job," I mean any job that comes with benefits…like a paycheck. That's why I suggest you apply to Bigger King, whose motto is: Have Work Your Way.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Great, another start-up company that's gonna go under after three months." Trust me, Bigger King isn't going anywhere but up. They've been servicing customers for centuries. Here are a few reasons you should consider going to work for Bigger King.

He forgives all your sins: If you mess up, don't worry. Our boss at Bigger King isn't a screamer. He expects perfection, but gives you plenty of time to grow into the job. We had this one employee, Paul, who, no matter how hard he tried, couldn't do the right thing. Even said as much in his letters. The boss promoted him anyway. Moved him from a small territory in Asia to the regional office in Rome. This gives you some idea of what a great guy our boss is.

Heals all your diseases: We have a great medical plan at Bigger King. If you get sick or injured, don't worry. Our boss will take care of you. Even if you get deathly ill and can't work, he'll stay right by your bed, encouraging you to get better, reminding you that you're loved, missed, and that your work is important to him.

Redeems your life from the pit: If you think your last job was the pits, you'll love working here. You can do any work you want. Seriously. Even if you stink at it. Our boss provides all the training and education you'll need. He places a lot of emphasis on heart, so if you think you can, with him, you can.

Crowns you with love: The boss remembers your birthday, name, your kid's names, and anything that's important to you. Plus, if you need a hug, shoulder to cry on or ear to bend, he's there. His door is always open.

Crowns you with compassion: He knows how you feel and understands how hard life can be sometimes. Even though he owns the company, he once pretended to be a common laborer and took a job in his own company as a carpenter. Before long, he was right back at the top, leading, teaching and helping others. When the boss man says, "I know how you feel," he really knows you feel.

Satisfies your desires with good things: You don't have to "settle" for any old job. The boss man wants you to have a good job. That's part of Bigger King's mission statement. "I came to give you abundant life."

Your youth is renewed: We have a great fitness and wellness program. It's called work. No one gets laid off, takes a "package," or retires. Work with us and you'll die with a smile on your face doing what you love doing.

There you are. The basic package at Bigger King. Don't ask what it pays. Your needs will be covered. Ask instead, "where do I sign up?"

Making a Dollar Go A Long Way - He Said

"Give generously to them [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." - Deuteronomy 15:10 NIV

Listen to Making a Dollar Go A Long Way

A few weeks ago I found a dollar lying on the sidewalk. Occasionally during my walks I'll find a penny or nickel or a nickel-plated hubcap, but seldom cash. I stuffed the bill in my pocket and continued on, thinking as I walked, how I'd spend the money. Of course, first I'd tithe this unexpected blessing; give the dime to some charity. But that would leave me a few cents short of a ninety-nine cents menu item at our local fast food restaurant. Maybe I could just owe God the ten cents, I thought. Pay Him back on Sunday.

Then I decided the free dollar was a pop quiz, God's way of testing me to see if I could be trusted with a small amount. I got excited. Pass this, and it could be, he'll give me lots of dollars. But I also knew you couldn't buy God's favor with false motives. Still, it was just a dollar. And it wasn't like I had to have it to eat.

We came to an intersection. The dog began barking at a paper bag rolling across the grass the way she does every time trash, cats and squirrels refuse to cower at her threats. The light changed. We walked on.

The middle-class men of Israel walked on, too. Hording their wealth, cheating their neighbor. Acting with contempt toward the foreigners living on their land. So God warned them, "…do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother…There should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you."

Just like He's blessed us, I thought.

Centuries later He sent His Son, warning them again. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

The least of these... The poor, the immigrant, the ignorant, the illegal.

These were my thoughts as I walked through my upper-middle class neighborhood clutching my dollar. I looked upon the large homes with manicured lawns and I recalled how, after we'd moved into the neighborhood, the taco truck would park across the street. There, construction crews gathered, eating and laughing and listening to the sounds of mariachi bands on the radio. Now those sounds were gone. So, too, were the men.

A block from my house I passed a brother and sister selling lemonade. They'd erected their stand at the base of a sidewalk leading to the apartment complex where the gangs live. Their skin had the coco tint of the Aztec, the large brown eyes and hesitant smile of the fearful.

"Limonada?"

"No, but here's a dollar, anyway," I said. "It's the least I can do."

The least I can do… The least of these...

When we give graciously, a dollar can go a long way. It can change a child, change a future, change a culture. Perhaps, it can even go so far as to change our hearts.

“Hey, Dad, Someone’s Calling For You” - He Said

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” - Romans 8:30

Listen to Hey, Dad, Someone’s Calling For You

Everyone has the power to excel, live with passion and work with purpose. The trick is, finding your unique gift.

Years ago I applied to work for a paper salesman. With an impressive sales record and strong ties within the industry, I assumed they would hire me on the spot. They called two years later, offering me a job.

When I grew tired of selling single-ply, recycled toilet paper, I decided to pursue my love of writing. With a degree in English and Journalism, I figured I’d have little trouble landing a job as a technical writer. Almost a year later IBM called offering me a job as an “html editor.” At least “editor” sounded better than “potty paper salesman.”

As the web evolved, my work dissolved and soon I was looking for work again. I remained in my areas of competence, afraid to jump full time into the fickle world of freelance writing, even though I knew I’d been called to write.

Then last spring at a writers conference, a friend asked when I was going to quit my day job and work full time for God.

“I guess that would be now,” I said, acknowledging in public the call I felt in my heart.

Paul says those God predestines, He calls. As a people shaped in His image, we’re designed for success, wired to work at the thing God calls us to do. There’s a popular quotation among Christians that reads; “God doesn’t called the equipped. He equips the called.” I pray that’s true.
A few weeks ago a ministry called, offering to hire me as their ghost writer. That’s when I learned an important lesson about following God’s leading. When you start moving to the sound of His voice, He opens doors.

Do you feel bored, burned out and burdened with a nagging sense that you’re meant for something more than a dull job in which you’re competent but not committed? It just may be that God is calling you to a greater field—His field—a field where you’ll be justified, glorified and gratified. If you hear his voice calling, say “yes.”

It’ll be the best career move you’ll ever make.

Hasten Home, Son - He Said

"Your children hasten back… Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride." - Isaiah 49:17-18 NIV

Listen to Hasten Home, Son

We started a new tradition this Christmas that I hope never to repeat. It's called, "Where's Mason?"

My youngest asked if he could work in the Keys over his winter break. We wanted him home. He needed the money. His college debt won out.

He arrived in Florida a week before Christmas just ahead of rain, a cold front and a management shake up that left him bussing tables instead of taking tips. Here would be the perfect place to compare my son's quest to that of the prodigal boy who squandered his dad's inheritance, but I won't.

Oh, okay, maybe I will just a little.

Both boys left home and journeyed to a far away country. (The unofficial motto of Key West is, "Welcome to The Conch Republic. We seceded where others failed.") Both fell in with a fast crowd. (You ever driven in South Florida? Scary.) Both ended up working in less than desirable jobs. (One fed pigs. The other had to endure boorish behavior.) You get the picture.

My son called Christmas Eve to say he'd made a mistake. He wanted to come home. Being the wise, loving, and understanding dad that I am, I told him, "Too bad! You're the one who wanted to go down there. You're the one who broke your mom's heart, ditched Ralphie, skipped out on the Griswolds' Christmas Vacation, shunned the reading of the Polar Express and ruined Christmas morning, day and dinner for everyone. This was all your idea. Deal with it."

Just kidding. I didn't really say all that. I would have, but my wife yanked the phone away. She's better at expressing the spirit of Christmas than I am. And what is the spirit of Christmas? It's forgiveness, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The sort of attributes I should model, but don't.

I missed Mason this Christmas and take comfort in the promise that he'll return home. But he's also hanging out with us on the tree this year.

Each day I pause to look at his ornaments. A soccer ball with his name on it. A hand made craft project with his face glued to the front. Sailing reminders and snowboard figurines, school emblems and Popsicle sticks shaped like a reindeer. "You will wear them all as ornaments," Isaiah promised.

I'm glad Mason's safe, thankful that he's motivated to work. But I'm also mindful of the other sons, husbands and fathers who aren't working in the Keys this Christmas but are stationed, instead, on the front lines, risking their lives that my family might remain safe this Christmas. "Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather."

I pray it will be so. Hurry home, Son. We miss you.

Standing Up For Christ - Eddie Jones

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever…. KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!" - Revelation 19:15-16

When he was nine years old, George Frideric Handel played an organ postlude at the conclusion of a worship service. A duke in attendance heard the young boy's performance and demanded his father provide formal music training for his son. By the time Handel was twelve he was so proficient on the organ that he would occasionally substitute for his teacher.

But on April 8, 1741, at the age of fifty-six, Handel gave what he thought would be his farewell performance. Having fallen out of favor with another king and tired of competing for the hearts of a fickle audience, he retired, leaving the public stage, broke, despondent and destined for debtor's prison. A stunning and anti-climatic ending for a child prodigy.

Then a wealthy friend gave Handel a libretto, a synopsis of the life of Christ, taken entirely from the Bible. He also received a commission from a Dublin charity to compose a score for a benefit performance.

Within days Handel began to write, working so intently in his house on Brook Street in London that he stopped only to eat. Six days later he'd completed the first part of his project. Another 24 days, he had composed all 260 pages. Later, as Handel tried to explain what he'd experienced during his burst of creativity, he quoted the Apostle Paul, saying "whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it I know not."

A little over a year after he left the stage a broken man, Handel returned and introduced the world to The Messiah. First presented as a charitable event, the performance raised 400 pounds and freed 142 men from debtor's prison.

Some time later, Handel performed The Messiah in London in the presence of the King of England. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the King stood. Following the royal protocol, the entire audience rose to their feet, initiating a tradition that remains today.

In the days to come, as you stuff the remains of Christmas wrapping paper in the garbage, dump Christmas diner leftovers into the disposal, and haul dead trees to the street, remember that Christmas is never over if Christ reigns in your heart.

What talent, gift or cause has Christ placed in you? Rise to the challenge for the one who laid down His life for you. It may be, in serving him, you create a masterpiece.

G.I. Joe - He Said

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 1:20

Listen to G.I. Joe

"What I want for Christmas is…"

When I was a boy the Sears catalog sat on the corner of the hearth in our den with dog-eared pages and pictures circled in red ink. At least once each Christmas my dad would say, "Son, you already have a G. I. Joe. Several, in fact."

"Yeah, but not enough for a platoon."

The soldiers from the Sears "Wish Book" became my make-believe comrades. I'd dress them out, arrange their weapons and bring them to life… and death. G. I. Joe was a soldier, after all, a warrior in waiting.

When God dreamed of Christmas morning he sought a warrior in waiting, too - an action figure that would survive the battle.

God's Joe, like my Joes, came alive in dreams and visions. He advanced on the news of the heavenly herald, took courage in the command to be brave, reaffirmed his commitment to Mary and accepted his mission without wavering. In the same way my G. I. Joe brought joy to me Christmas morning, Joseph, son of David, brought a smile to God when he said "yes" to the call. God still calls. He calls us to large, life-changing moments that challenge our character, defy our plans and break the action-figure persona we present to others.

Joseph went to bed a fiancée. He awoke destined to become a step-father to a son born in wedlock but not of his flock. His call to action was a blessing and burden, a dream and nightmare. That's the trouble with warriors in waiting. They become wounded.

What dream has God placed in your heart? What Christmas morning wish remains buried under the fear of saying "yes" to God? Do not disregard the impact of a "Wish Book" action figure. It may be God is calling you to come alive.

A Legacy to Live For - He Said

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." - Psalm 23:6

Listen to A Legacy to Live For

Howard was born on the cusp of the Great Depression. At the age of five his father brought Howard into the business, placed him on a stack of empty drink crates and showed him how to feed paper into the Heidelberg letter press. Howard never left his station or forgot that hard work and frugality were the secrets to success.

When his wife wanted a new car, Howard bought her a used truck with low miles. When his daughter asked for time off to give birth, Howard gave her two weeks of unpaid leave. When the Salvation Army bell ringers set up their kettle in front of his shop, he claimed they were a nuisance and had them removed.

In time, Howard brought his grandson into the business. Young Howie took his place on his granddad's monument of empty drink crates. The boy mimicked his granddad's swagger and scowl. Over time he embraced the old man's business philosophy, such that he eventually bought the business. (Howard wasn't about to "will" anything to anybody.) In fact, young Howie became such a good disciple that soon everyone came to view the old man as generous and fair compared to his grandson.

Then one Sunday morning while setting hot lead on the Linotype machine, Howard dropped dead. Young Howie offered a local pastor five hundred dollars to perform the ceremony. The pastor refused, explaining that Howard had once threatened to have the choir arrested for singing Christmas Carols in front of his building. Howie doubled the sum, adding this warning, "You'll perform the service and say something nice about my granddad or I'll have you and the whole congregation audited by the IRS."

Howie's threats ensured the church was full on the day of the funeral. The pastor stepped to the podium, looked at Howie on the front row, his granddad in the cheap pine box and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the man before you needs no introduction. You've suffered under his tight-fisted, ungrateful, cold-hearted business practices for seven decades. He's evicted widows from his apartment buildings, refused to give to the orphanage, fenced off his parking lot to keep the homeless out of the dumpster. The man was a blight on this town, a menace to our community. But compared to that tight-fisted, cold-hearted, womanizing grandson of his, Howard was a Saint!"

What will your legacy be? Goodness and mercy, or greed and malice?

The Psalmist says those lead by the Good Shepherd will inherit a legacy of love, grace and mercy-that our deeds of compassion will follow us beyond the grave. This is not a reputation to be earned, but received. When we've been forced to our knees in green pastures, led to peaceful waters, refreshed with hope, convicted by God's law, ushered through the valley of fear, anointed with His Spirit and seated at our Lord's table, then we can rest assured that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and that we will dwell in His house forever.

A life lived for Christ lingers after the casket is closed.

Coming Home - He Said

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” - Psalm 23:5

Listen to Coming Home

The boy returned home with a drug habit. He’d spent the money—all of it. Even the little he’d embezzled from his last employer. The walk from the bus terminal left him chilled. Of course, he hadn’t arrived by bus. That cost money. No, he’d told the trucker to drop him off outside the station in case some of his old friends still hung out across the road in the vacant lot. Maybe they’d give him a ride to the house. But that was gone, too. Now, a new parking deck, shimmering black in the rain, covered the ground where he’d smoked his first joint.

Fourteen. Not old enough to buy beer but tall enough for Sylvia Gunter. He hadn’t waited around to find out if the child was his. Wouldn’t have mattered. He wasn’t “dad” material. Couldn’t even stand his own. That’s why he’d raided his trust fund.

He’d bounced around Memphis until he grew tired of the club scene. Took a river boat to New Orleans, ran with the “gay” crowd because they asked fewer questions and took more chances, then hopped a flight to Vegas. There he hit his stride. Turned out he was a natural at the table, making marks for the house and passing tips along to the pit boss.

Then his night vices became a habit. He talked too much when he was high, a near fatal flaw. Then last week he awoke in a dumpster with his mouth caved in and one eye swollen shut. Even now he couldn’t read the street signs of his old neighborhood.

But he still remembered the way home. He turned left at the end of the block.

The porch light was on. A yellow ribbon, damp from the rain, draped the mail box post. He stood at the end of the driveway for a long time. He wished he had a coat, or a shirt. But jeans and a pair of high tops he’d stolen from a drunk made up his wardrobe. Twenty-feet- plus separated him from the life he’d left. A three point jump shot. He toed the mark in the driveway and thought of all the times he’d shot the ball over his dad. He’d been younger, then. And wiser.

He rang the door bell.

Footsteps echoed from inside the hallway. He stepped back. The door opened.

“He’s in the dining room,” the woman said.

A new girlfriend, maybe. Or an old one recycled. He started down the hall.
The smell of turkey and warm rolls filled the house. He paused, shoved his hands in his pockets and hung his head. He’d been practicing the speech.

“Screwed up, I know,” he’d say. “You were right. Should’ve listened to you. I’m sorry, Dad.”

Before he could turn the corner, his father burst into the hall and hugged him, his cheeks stained from tears. He could see the others, now. A room full of family, friends he’d lied to. A banner hung on one wall. WELCOME HOME, SON.

He sat without remembering how he reached the table. In one moment all was forgiven.

But not forgotten. His enemies sat on a shelf in the corner. The evidence of his sins. An empty vile bottle, the silver spoon he’d used to smoke crack. The clear bag of pot he’d kept under the hamster cage. Bounced checks marking his travels away from home.

His Dad sat next to him, now, pulled the young man close and anointed his head with tears. He was home, again, and that's all that mattered.

*

Prodigal Son, Saving Shepherd. The labels matter less than our actions. Whatever separates you from the ones who love you becomes your enemy. Turn back, ask for God’s forgiveness…and theirs. Then pray for Him to restore the broken relationships. That’s a request God always honors.

The Hot Rod of God - He Said

“…your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4b

Listen to The Hot Rod of God

In first grade Mrs. Swartz spanked me for drawing on the floor during nap time. I don’t recall if the principal paddled me, too. He probably did. I was a habitual offender when it came to school rules. So you can understand why, as I child, I wasn’t “comforted” by God’s hot rod.

Step out of line, whack. Break a commandment, smack. Chew gum, choke. In my mind, God taught first grade and wore glasses, a frown and hair spray that smelled like paint remover.

Then a friend introduced me to God’s Good News and I began to see that God spent more time saving, restoring and comforting his children than He did correcting them. The wrath of God was real, but so too, was His love.

When His children reached a “dead end” on the shores of the Red Sea, Moses lifted God’s rod and the waters separated. When His people faced the Amalekites, Moses raised God’s rod and Israel defeated their enemies. Later, as they wandered the desert in search of water, shade, and a decent Chinese restaurant, Moses used God’s rod to strike a rock. Water gushed out creating the first desert fountain around which God’s people built the Bellagio resort.

So yes, God’s rod corrects us, but it also provides deliverance, strength and provision.

What dead end confronts you today? What enemy threatens to overwhelm you? What need leaves your soul parched? Ask the Good Shepherd to lift His rod on your behalf, pull you close with His staff and cradle you in His arms.

We serve a powerful God. Let us call on Him to fight for us.

Dog Gone It! – He Said

“He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” - Psalm 23:3

Listen to Dog Gone It!

A few weeks ago I retuned home from a writers conference and asked my wife how the dog behaved while I was gone.

“Not good. She ran off.”

“Did she have her collar on?”

“Of course. I’m the only one who makes her wear the silly thing.”

“Not true. One day this year I made her wear it, too.” I studied the wireless collar. “She really ran off?”

“What’d I just say?”

I tested the collar. No beep. No light flashing. Just a dead collar. That’s when I noticed the power was off on the transmitter. I flipped it on.

My wife looked up from her book. “Didn’t I ask you to check that before you left?”

I shrugged and tested the collar again. Still nothing. “Batteries must be dead.”

“Thought you just replaced them?”

“I did, honey. What can I say? Nothing lasts forever.”

“You got that right.”

I removed the battery cover and, showing her the empty case, said, “Guess I forgot to put them in.” I slid two fresh batteries into the small receiving unit and saw the light flash red, heard the collar begin to beep.

“She won’t run off, now,” I said.

“Don’t bet on it.”

I wouldn’t dare. Not with this dog.

She knows the collar shocks her when she steps over the line. But when I’m not around, when she senses the voltage is weak, she sneaks off, getting into who-knows-what.

I’m no different than my dog. When I sense God’s not watching, when I think the consequences won’t shock me, I sneak off to the swamp of sin, too. But God finds me and calls, leading me back onto the path of “righteousness” - the righteousness that protects the powerless, renders justice for the oppressed, and offers help for the needy. This is the essence of who God is, the heart of His soul.

What sin tempts you to sneak off the compound and escape the green pastures of God’s kingdom, remember, - His commands, boundaries and precepts are for our protection and freedom, not punishment.

He Makes Me Lie Down - He Said

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” - Psalm 23:2

Listen to He Makes Me Lie Down

I spent a year one night in an Atlanta airport.

I’d flown one of those airlines whose motto seemed to be: “Maybe if we ignore the customer he’ll stop bothering us.” A faulty light had delayed my flight causing me to arrive too late for my connecting flight. I was left to wander the concourse in search of a pay phone and food. (My cell was in the glove compartment of my car four states away and all I’d eaten since lunch was a pack of Pop Tarts.)

Broke, alone and under dressed for the arctic blast of Hartsfield’s central A/C, I worried I’d spend the night and most of the next day on the soiled carpet next to my departing gate with nothing more than my tooth brush and novel for comfort. Finally, after twenty minutes of dialing and redialing, I reached the desk clerk of a local hotel.

“We’re full, but if you call back in ten minutes something may be available.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in a hotel whose vacancy status changed on the hour but, as long as the other guests didn’t shoot through the walls or bang the headboards too loudly, I’d take whatever they had.

The shuttle dropped me off. I checked in and started toward the restaurant just as the night manager locked the doors. A KFC anchored the busy intersection across the street, so I walked over, bought a box of chicken tenders and returned to the hotel, taking the elevator to my room.

Once inside and the drapes were closed, I fell to my knees and thanked God for a bed. I’d never been so glad to have a place to lay my head.

The terror of a sudden disturbance of abrupt disruption to our routine, can leave us shaken, confused and scared.

I suppose David had days like this. Days where lions and bear, rival herdsman and harsh weather, threatened his life, ruined his day and scattered his sheep. It must be hard to stand watch at night, alone on a hill, listening to the call of the jackal rustling in the bushes. Did David worry like me? Did he fret and fear for his safety? Or did he, in times of turmoil, recite the promises of God, claim His provision and turn the matter of border security over to God’s hedge of angels?

At two A.M. I awoke with this verse in my head. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”

He makes me.

When I needed protection and rest, God knocked me down. I learned the next day that my missed connection was a blessing, though it hadn’t seemed that way at the time. That night he taught me to trust Him and listen to His voice, a skill I would need for the week ahead.

Has God knocked you to your knees? Has a financial setback, sudden health issue or family situation forced your face to the dirt? Don’t resist. Rest, study His word and pray. It may be that God is preparing you for a greater work, a work that will require you to be rested and refreshed. And depending on Him.

Just A Sheep - He Said

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be want.” - Psalm 23: 1

Listen to Just A Sheep

Agnes stood proud in the back of the red pickup. And why not? She’d just won 3rd prize at the county fair. Now, after months of sharing a weed infested field with her smelly sisters, Agnes had a new home. A home with a red pickup and a young couple with a tiny baby wedged between them. That night Agnes dreamed of green pastures.

The man’s cold hands on her udder startled her. She blinked away sleep. Through the slats of the barn she saw the deep gray of dawn, heard the tinkle of her milk hitting the bottom of the bucket. Then he was gone, leaving her alone. For a moment she missed her mom and sisters. Then she remembered the fertile field she’d seen in the headlights of the truck as they’d arrived the night before. No, she’d be fine.

The day her new owner came with the sheers Agnes didn’t mind. It had been a warm spring. She welcomed the shave. Back home they’d still have snow in the meadow. She stood still, watching as her pewter locks fell beside her hooves. The cold snap that followed caused her to sneeze, made her nose drip, but Agnes didn’t care. “The baby needs a blanket,” her owner had whispered. Besides, Agnes could grow more fur. The baby couldn’t even grow hair on its head.

The heat of summer left her tired. Cockle berries caused her fur to clump. She seldom saw her owner, now. Only in the mornings for milking. She’d heard his wife begging him to get a second job, to do something to bring in more money. Agnes ate more grass, hoping to produce extra milk, but it hadn’t worked. Each morning the bucket sounded hollow, like the beating of her heart. She’d give anything to help but she was just a sheep.

Then one evening, while sleet pelted the tin roof, he came in the dark, squeezing and pulling until it hurt. She’d only produced a trickle. The man’s wife stood in the doorway, clutching her baby. Agnes was surprised at how frail the woman looked. Baby, too. Even wrapped in the wool blanket the child seemed sluggish and weak.

What more can I do? I gave them the coat off my back; he’s milked me dry. There’s nothing left to give.

When the man wrestled Agnes to the ground his wife hurried from the barn, sobbing. Don’t cry for me, Agnes thought. I’ll be fine.

But she wasn’t fine. She was scared. The blade of the knife nicked her neck. Agnes stiffened. I’m a sheep. This is what happens to sheep. They are sacrificed.

A trunk horn honked. The collar fell from her neck. A white-haired man walked in the barn and handed her owner a roll of bills. Then he led Agnes out of the barn, up a ramp and into the bed of a truck filled with hay. On the side of the door were the words, THE GOOD SHEPHERD PETTING ZOO.

“Anything you want?” he asked, slamming the tailgate shut.

“No,” she thought. “If you’re the Good Shepherd who’s paid the price for my life then what more would I ever want or need."

Oh Deer God – He Said

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

Hope, it’s a powerful force. Hope heals where fear hurts. Hope builds where doubt destroys. Hope sees where…

I wandered along the path in the Prayer Garden, taking short hesitant steps in the darkness of dawn. Wet leaves clung to my shoes. Mist rose from the creek. A wooden bench sat vacant among rhododendrons, its legs scarred where some animal, a bear perhaps, had scratched an itch.

Through the trees and up the hill, the trail took a turn. Unsure of what crouched around the bend, I opened my Bible. The black letters on white pages formed gray shapes so I struggled to read from memory. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Substance, evidence. I needed some of both. In my oh-too-small faith, I wanted tangible proof God was real, good, and that He would care for me.

The heavy padding of an animal ripping through the underbrush interrupted my thoughts. It bolted down the ravine, paused on the other side of the creek and, lifting its head, looked at me. I stopped breathing. I’d never seen one up close. Not that close, anyway.

The deer studied me, straining its neck as if trying to decide if I was foe or just part of the forest furniture. Finally, with her thirst quenched, she trotted behind my bench, up the trail, and into darkness.

I’d asked to see a bear. I got a deer, instead. I’d asked for proof of God’s goodness. I got a reminder of how ungrateful I’d been. “As the deer pants for streams of water,” the Psalmist says, “so my soul pants for you, O God.” I had not longed for God like that in a very long time.

Either God is or He isn’t, and if He is, then He deserves our trust, faith and worship.

I cannot prove God is. I can only see the evidence of His handprints on the bark of a tree, along the scalloped slope of a hill, and in the boundless energy of a young buck. Was it by chance that deer came to stand next to my bench? I don’t think so. I think he came to give me hope and testify to God's glory.

Hope, it’s a powerful force. Hope cures where fear curses. Hope encourages where doubt ridicules. Hope sees where… despair closes its eyes and cowers.

“Oh dear God, I’m sorry I doubt you. Please help my small faith find the hope to believe in your goodness and see the glory of your love.”

I’m A Loafer – He Said

“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’” - Mark 8 14

Listen to I’m A Loafer

I owned a boat once. Or, rather, the boat owned me. The word BOAT as you may know stands for: Break Out Another Thousand.

To my knowledge Jesus didn’t own a boat but he did take to the water several times. Once when He set sail and calmed the storm. Another time when He stepped into a boat to preach to the crowds. Again when He walked past the boat in the night and scared the bejeebers out of His disciples. Then later after he’d fed the crowds, he sailed to Magadan. It was there on his return trip across the lake that his disciples forgot to bring enough bread.

What’s striking about this sea story is the ease of the voyage. There was no great miracle, no stunning revelation of Jesus’ power. Just His advice to be wary of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. So what was it in His crew’s conversation that prompted Jesus to scold them for their lack of understanding?

“They discussed this with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand?’”

I do not… understand, I mean. I see my physical needs and wonder how I’ll get by. Christ sees my heart and wonders why I doubt. The disciples saw the one loaf and worried they wouldn’t have enough food for the trip. Jesus saw how easily they were swayed by the words of the powerful and popular and worried they would forget the Bread of Life sitting next to them.

“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? ‘Twelve,’ they replied. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? They answered, ‘Seven.’

The Pharisees demanded a sign from heaven. Christ gave them crumbs from a picnic. The Sadducees asked for a miracle. Christ gave them His back and got in a boat.

Thirteen men set sail in a small boat to cross a large lake with but one loaf of bread among them. They’d seen how the captain had provided in the past. Did they really think He’d let them starve now, with Him in their midst? Do you?

I don’t know how much bread you have in your pantry or wallet. One loaf, one thousand. Regardless of the amount, if you have the Bread of Life, you have enough.

Note: Today I stepped out in faith and said goodbye to the last of my old clients. I'm "loafing" as a writer for God.

Prosthetic Message - He Said

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” - 1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)

Listen to Prosthetic Message

God speaks to me in wonderful but strange ways. For example, the other day while I was sitting under the willow tree I read Paul’s letter to Timothy but, instead of the traditional NIV version, this is what I read: “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prosthetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”

That’s right. “Prosthetic” message. At first I thought it was just a case of poor eyesight, my inability to both correctly spell and read words. But then I considered the spiritual implications of my reading mistake. “Prosthetic message… Elders laid their hands on…” Suddenly I saw the verse in a new way.

More on that in a moment.

Some years ago I attended an event where a close friend received an award. At the end of the ceremony I suggested we invite him to join our club since he was obviously gifted. “Oh, he’s not ready,” one of our members said. “I mean, I’m glad he won and all but he’s just not… you know, that good yet.”

I walked away determined to help him become not only “that good” but better than good. Since then he’s improved greatly. He’s embraced his gift, for any talent we have is a gift from God, and won other awards and praise.

My point? For us to excel, to reach our potential, we need others pushing us forward, demanding we polish our craft, and prove trustworthy of the talent we’ve received.

When I read of the elders laying their “prosthetic” hands on Timothy, I picture his supporters cheering, “You can do it, Timothy! Come on!” I’m also reminded that we all need close friends who believe in us, who see our gift… even when we can’t. Friends who long to help us succeed. Friends who are there not just to give us a round of applause but a hand up when we fall.

Who do you know that lacks confidence in their gifts, talents and dreams? Place your hands together, clap and, if that doesn’t work, consider stronger measures. Sometimes a boot in the backside is just the sort of nudge we need to get serious about the business of God.

Note: To the men and women in uniform who've sacrificed so much in order that we may remain free I say thank you. Yours are the hands and feet of freedom and the gift of liberty.