Teresa and I took a road trip to Greenville, Texas, this past week. We stayed with some friends whose home was almost dead center in the path of the solar eclipse – over four minutes of totality.

Before you roll your eyes and heap scorn on me (I’m impervious, so save your breath), understand that this was a bucket list event for me. I’ve seen plenty of partial eclipses, and my takeaway was “wow, that’s cool,” and I’d get on with my day. But after hearing my son attempt to explain what a total eclipse was like, I resolved that I simply had to witness this, because, as they say, pictures don’t do it justice. What I realized was that people who viewed the event as “no big deal” had obviously never experienced a total eclipse. There is a world of difference between totality and even 95%. It’s indescribable.

The day started out overcast. I was bummed. I did sort of make peace with the situation – I’d be content with whatever I could experience. I knew it would get dark even if I couldn’t see the sun.

I decided to pray for clear skies. That felt trivial. More on that in a minute.

The skies did clear. There were some clouds scudding over the sun, but it was more than clear enough.

Words can be so feeble and futile. This was one of those times.

The lighting change prior to the eclipse. Everything took on a sepia tone. Shadows cast by leaves on trees looked odd and sort of distorted. I noticed that the temperature was dropping.

When the sun was totally obscured, birds stopped chirping. There was an ethereal quiet, except for the neighbors spontaneously shouting in awe. Teresa said I hollered. I don’t remember doing that. What I do remember was seeing Bailey’s beads, that chain of light along the rim of the sun, but most awe-inspiring was the diamond ring effect. It was like the blaze of a thousand suns right on the edge of darkness. For a moment, the whole world was alight.

This was very emotional and spiritual for me. I was struck with the wonder of primal creation and thought of my God who orders the universe like clockwork and orchestrates a cosmic dance like this.

Afterwards, I got to thinking: “Was my prayer for good weather trivial? After all, we would’ve had clear skies even if I hadn’t prayed, right?”

Photo credit: Storyteller Photography: Images by Rebecca

Let’s dive deep into what might seem like the shallow end of our spiritual pool: “shallow prayers.” The term itself might evoke a bit of self-consciousness or even guilt. After all, is there such a thing as a shallow prayer, or are all our prayers valuable to God?

Let’s unpack this, shall we?

At first glance, shallow prayers might seem like those quick, on-the-go requests we shoot up to God – “Please let there be no traffic,” “I hope it doesn’t rain during my vacation,” or “Let this cup of coffee work its magic today.” They’re the kind of prayers that, in the grand scheme of things, don’t seem to carry the weight or gravity of prayers for health, guidance, or provision.

But here’s a thought – doesn’t the very act of praying, no matter the subject, signify a connection with God? It’s like texting a friend about the little things in your day, not just the life-changing events. It keeps the relationship dynamic and alive. Could it be that there’s no prayer too small, too trivial, or too “shallow” for God?

The biblical perspective is pretty clear that God invites us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Notice it doesn’t say to cast only the big, life-altering cares; it says all our cares. That inclusivity is comforting, implying that God is interested in the details of our lives, even those that might seem insignificant.

But here’s where it gets interesting. What about when our prayers, shallow or deep, aren’t answered in the way we expect? Maybe you prayed earnestly for that promotion, and it went to someone else. Or perhaps you prayed against all odds for that rain to hold off during your outdoor event, but it poured anyway. It’s moments like these where we might wonder if our prayers are indeed valuable or if they’re just getting lost in the ether.

It’s crucial to remember that God’s responsiveness to our prayers isn’t always about granting wishes like a celestial genie. Sometimes, it’s about the relationship that’s built and strengthened through our reliance on Him. Our “unanswered” prayers, whether about life’s big battles or the small hiccups, give us a chance to trust in God’s bigger plan, to find peace in uncertainty, and to seek joy in unexpected places. They teach us resilience, patience, and sometimes, even lead us to the answers we didn’t know we were looking for.

So, should we pray about everything, even the minor things? Absolutely. Philippians 4:6 nudges us to not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. It’s a gentle reminder that nothing is too small or too large to bring before God. Our seemingly shallow prayers might just be the thing that keeps our line of communication with Him open and our hearts aligned with His.

And here’s a comforting thought: God cares, deeply and profoundly, about you. Whether your prayers are about the mountains or the molehills in your life, each one is precious to Him because you are precious to Him. The depth of your prayers doesn’t define the depth of His love for you. In fact, it’s in those moments when our prayers aren’t answered as we hoped that we might just find the most profound evidence of God’s love, guiding us toward what we need rather than what we want.

There’s no such thing as a shallow prayer. Every whisper, every thought, every sigh lifted to God is valuable. It’s the heart behind the prayer that matters – a heart seeking connection, guidance, and presence. So yes, pray about everything. The big, the small, and everything in between. Because in the tapestry of our lives, every thread counts, and God is in the details, weaving together something more beautiful than we could ever imagine on our own.

Keep the faith, keep praying, and remember – no prayer is too small for a God so great.

Cheers to strengthening our spiritual connection, one “shallow” prayer at a time.

I should know better when on social media. I’ll read a post from someone I know and care for, and think, “Are you even listening to yourself? You’re a believer. And if I were to take what you’re sharing at face value, I’d say you’re moving close to despair. How cynical can you get?”  

It’s like a drowning man who not only won’t reach for a lifesaver but isn’t content until they drown someone else along with them.

In a world that often seems overwhelmed by negativity and cynicism, it’s easy to wonder where we, as Christians, fit into the grand scheme of things. We’re bombarded with news that paints a less-than-hopeful picture of humanity and the future. It’s in these moments, however, that our faith is not just a belief but a beacon—a source of perpetual hope and unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty.

The idea that “you can’t be cynical and a Christian” might seem bold at first glance. After all, isn’t it human to feel disheartened by the seemingly endless cycle of bad news? Yet, this statement isn’t about denying our emotions or ignoring reality. It’s about recognizing that, as Christians, we are called to view the world differently. We are called to hope.

Hope, in the Christian sense, is not blind optimism. It’s a confident expectation based on the character and promises of God. Despite the chaos, despite the brokenness, we stand firm in the belief that God is always glorified in all things. This isn’t a passive hope; it’s active and alive, compelling us to engage with the world in a way that reflects God’s love and redemption.

Don’t let your familiarity with Romans 8:28 dilute its truthfulness. Paul reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse isn’t a platitude; it’s a cornerstone of our faith. It assures us that, no matter the circumstances, God is at work. He’s weaving every thread, even those tarnished by sin and sorrow, into a tapestry that glorifies Him and fulfills His divine plan.

When we look at others or the world around us, it’s crucial to remember that there’s no person or situation beyond God’s redemption. To think otherwise is to limit the infinite power of our Creator, the one who spoke the universe into existence. How, then, can we doubt His ability to transform lives and circumstances?

Embracing this perspective shifts our focus from despair to action. It challenges us to be agents of hope and vessels of God’s love. Instead of being overwhelmed by the darkness, we’re inspired to shine our light brighter, to reach out with compassion, and to partake in God’s redemptive work in the world.

“God’s got this” might sound like a casual affirmation, but it’s a profound declaration of faith. It’s an acknowledgment of God’s omnipotence and a commitment to trust Him, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. This trust isn’t naive; it’s rooted in a deep understanding of who God is and His promises to us.

So, as we navigate through life, let’s challenge ourselves to shed any cynicism that dims our light. Let’s replace it with a hope that is as unshakeable as it is contagious. Let’s be so filled with God’s love and trust in His plan that others can’t help but be drawn to the hope that lives within us.

As you reflect on these words, I encourage you to evaluate your own heart. Are there areas of your life where cynicism has taken root? How can you actively replace that cynicism with hope? Remember, it’s a journey we’re all on together, supporting one another, as we strive to live out our faith in a world that desperately needs the hope only God can give.

Let’s not just be hearers of this message but doers. Let’s live out our hope in such a way that it provokes others to seek the source of our hope, the very heart of God. Because, in the end, hope is not just what we have; it’s what we are called to share.

Imagine you’re on a journey, a long winding path with tall trees on both sides, obscuring your view of what lies ahead. Every turn, every rise, and dip of the ground brings a tinge of uncertainty. If you had a guide leading the way, someone who knows every twist and turn of that path, wouldn’t you feel more assured?

Our journey through life is much like this winding path, filled with uncertainties at every corner. But as believers, we are blessed to have Jesus as our guide. The question then isn’t whether we have a guide, but rather how we position Him in our journey. Is He leading us, or have we relegated Him to a mere porter carrying our burdens?

Jesus Leading the Way

When Jesus leads the way, we walk with a certain assurance, even amidst the chaos and unpredictability of life. It doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of fear or doubt, but it does mean that our immediate response to uncertainty is to look ahead, to Him.

Having Jesus lead means that our vision shifts from the immediate problem to the eternal promise. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” we start asking, “What are you teaching me through this, Lord?” It’s a position of trust and proactive faith, where we allow Jesus to chart our course, trusting that He has our best interests at heart.

Jesus as Our Porter

On the other hand, when Jesus is behind us, bearing our burdens, it might seem like a noble gesture. We acknowledge Him, we recognize that He’s there, and we rely on Him to carry our troubles. But, there’s a subtle difference – we’re not letting Him lead. Instead of looking to Him for direction, we’re navigating life based on our understanding, our plans. We’re making Him reactive to our decisions rather than the other way around.

There’s an inherent danger in this. It means that when faced with uncertainty, our first response might be panic, stress, or even despair. We scramble to find solutions, often forgetting to consult with the very one carrying our burdens.

Repositioning Jesus in Our Lives

So how do we ensure Jesus is leading us rather than merely following? It starts with surrender. It’s acknowledging that while we have our plans, God’s plans for us are always better. It’s daily picking up our cross and saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Surrender doesn’t mean inaction. It means actively seeking His will in every decision, every uncertainty. It’s a proactive stance of prayer, seeking wisdom, and being attuned to the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Next, it involves reading and meditating on the Word. The Bible isn’t just a historical document; it’s a living testament, a guide for our journey. By immersing ourselves in it, we get to understand God’s character, His promises, and His directives for us.

Lastly, it involves community. Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can offer godly counsel, pray with and for us, and hold us accountable in our walk with Christ.

Wrapping Up

Uncertainty is a given in our human experience, but our reaction to it speaks volumes about our relationship with Jesus. Letting Him lead doesn’t guarantee a life free from troubles, but it promises a life where every challenge is faced with divine assurance and hope.

So, as we journey through life, let’s evaluate where Jesus is positioned. Is He leading, or is He merely following? And if we find that He’s been behind us for a while, let’s reposition Him where He rightfully belongs – right ahead, leading the way.

Talk later!

Hey there. This particular blog is pretty subtle. Lean in.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you find yourself caught up in the grandiosity of the world? Where you might feel, just for a second, a tad bit tiny in the grand scheme of things? We all have, and it’s utterly human to feel dwarfed by the sprawling cosmos and the enigmatic expanse that surrounds us.

But here’s a gentle reminder, right from the heart of Christianity, echoing through the ages and reverberating in the soul of every believer. Picture this: amidst this quiet contemplation, you hear a whisper, clear and comforting, God’s voice reaching out to you, “Stand up, I chose you.” It’s not a shout, but a whisper – a personal, intimate call that reaches deep into your heart, acknowledging your worth and potential in the grand narrative penned by the Creator Himself.

You see, when God places His hands upon us, something extraordinary happens. The earth beneath us seems to recognize this divine touch, resonating with a gentle tremor of joy, echoing the heartbeat of a Father who lovingly crafted it.

So, what’s in this divine nudge, this celestial encouragement that makes everything different? It’s a call to step into the role crafted just for you, to embrace the journey set before you with courage, grace, and a heart brimming with God’s love. It’s an invitation to step beyond the ordinary and into the remarkable adventure that God has in store for us.

Being chosen by God doesn’t mean a pathway strewn with roses, free from trials. Rather, it’s a rallying cry to rise above, to bear witness to His love in action, to be His hands and feet in a world craving kindness and compassion. In Christian belief, it’s being filled with the Spirit, a role filled with purpose, joy, and boundless opportunities to reflect Christ’s love to others.

But remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Just as Jesus walked with His disciples, teaching and nurturing them, God walks alongside you. Guiding, supporting, and encouraging you, infusing your journey with a sense of purpose and joy that transcends earthly understanding.

As you rise, as you stand up under God’s gentle command, let’s do so with hearts wide open, ready to embrace the beauty and complexity of this divinely orchestrated life. Let’s move forward with a spirit that’s upbeat, positive, and ready to dive into the wonders that God unfolds before us each day.

Imagine the tremendous impact we can make in this world, showcasing Jesus’ love, mercy, and grace in actions big and small. For when we stand tall, embraced and empowered by His love, we become living testaments to His goodness, radiant beacons of hope in a world longing for light.

So, here’s to stepping up, to answering that divine call with a smile that’s genuine and a heart that’s eager to love, serve, and embrace the journey ahead. In God’s grand design, you are not insignificant; you are treasured, vital, and uniquely equipped to make a mark that lasts for eternity.

As you navigate this remarkable journey, remember, with God by your side, you’re prepared to make waves of positivity, joy, and God’s love reverberate across the earth, showcasing the radiant light of Christ that dwells within you, ready to illuminate the world.

Stay blessed, and keep shining your divine light. Jesus saves.

For those of us in the States, the time is here again for our midsummer’s patriotic respite.

For many, the Fourth of July means parades and picnics, hot dogs and Coca-Cola, ice cream and apple pie, baseball and bombs bursting in air. In God’s good providence, the adoption of Jefferson’s Declaration in 1776 happened during one of the best weather weeks of the year in this hemisphere. And so for 247 years now, the significance and seasonal timing of the day have conspired to make it a deeply rooted annual occasion in the American psyche.

It’s good to pause to ask whether there’s anything that makes the day different for an American follower of Jesus. Does being born again affect how we view the Fourth of July? Here are four layers of perspective for the Christian in contemplating the Fourth specifically, and human government in general.

1 – Where Our Fundamental Identity Lies

First, let’s be clear about where the Christian’s deepest identity lies. If we are in Christ, joined to him by faith, all other pledges of allegiance have been relativized, whatever our nation of origin or naturalization. We still have our loyalties — they may even multiply — but none goes this deep. No man can ultimately serve both God and country. In Jesus, we have one final allegiance, and thus in this world we will always be, in some real sense, pilgrims, strangers and aliens, sojourners and exiles (1 Peter 2:11).

For the Christian, our citizenship in any nation aims to be “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27), not merely worthy of that political state. At the most basic level, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” who will do for us what no political entity in this world will ever do — “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself”(Philippians 3:20–21).

At the end of the day, we are sons of God, not sons of Uncle Sam. Our fundamental identity is in God, not country.

Which means that as we Americans sing the anthem together and pledge allegiance side by side, and enjoy the parades and fireworks shoulder to shoulder, we create and strengthen ties that only go so far. The blood of Jesus runs deeper than the blood that flows in defining or defending any nation. Our fellows in political liberty are important, but not as significant as our fellows in Jesus from every tribe and tongue. Yes, we seek to do good to our fellow Americans, but especially to those who are of the worldwide household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

2 – Embracing God’s Goodness in the Fatherland

Second, though our embrace of fatherland is relativized by our embrace of Jesus and his Father, it is good and healthy to have real affection for the nation we call our own. It is right for the Christian to be patriotic and reserve a special kind of love for city and country. In fact, it’s a sign that something may be amiss spiritually if the Christian doesn’t have some tempered but tangible sense of belonging to his fatherland. It’s not only okay for American Christians to enjoy being American on the Fourth; it’s commended.

God means for us to be appropriately enmeshed in this world (as Jesus prays in John 17, not of the world, but sent into it). Christ and country aren’t irreconcilable. In Jesus’s perfect arithmetic, there is space not only to render God our everything, but render to Caesar his share as well (Matthew 22:21–22).

Christians render respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed (Romans 13:7). We acknowledge God’s common goodness when our nation is manifestly “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4) and the authorities are “ministers of God” (Romans 13:6). “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

3 – Genuine Gratitude for the Goodness

Third, it follows that as God’s common goodness is manifested in our political state, we should be genuinely grateful. We give thanks when thanks is owed.

Perhaps we balk at being “proud to be an American” — and would prefer to be “humbled” by it. That’s wise and good. And we need not make any such alteration to the call to be thankful.

Given the fallen condition of our world because of human sin, we should be amazed how much common goodness God continues to create and uphold in nations good and even bad. In the same breath Paul instructs Christians to be good citizens — “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2) — he also reminds us about our native condition:

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy . . . . (Titus 3:3–5)

Given our depravity, and the diabolical desires that have a foothold in humanity for now, it is extraordinary mercy not only that any are saved at all, but also that any of our nations aren’t in worse shape than they are. We betray the far-reaching effects of God’s kindness when we’re so consumed with frustrations about our homeland that we can’t see many good things to be grateful for.

4 – Taking Others to the True Country

Finally, for now, it continues to be legal to speak the gospel in public in these United States, and even to press for repentance and faith. This is a glorious liberty. Let’s make the most of it while we can, remembering that we Christians have a true country, which will satisfy our inconsolable longing like no nation in the present can. And let’s double our joy by bringing as many others with us as we can. It’s hard to say it any better than C.S. Lewis:

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage.

I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same. (Mere Christianity)

If such a perspective would fly as the star-spangled banner over our Independence Day celebrations with family and friends, we might find them richer than ever.

Let’s be profoundly grateful for the freedom we have in this country to recruit for the true one, and let’s be unashamed to seize upon our fellow Americans’ desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and show them in whom such joy is truly found.

Note: I found this in my folder of “idea” files. I genuinely don’t know who provided the original thoughts. I’ve tweaked them some and added some. If I could give due credit to the original author, I would. 

When Disaster Strikes. Sounds like a PSA, doesn’t it? It is, sort of.

We live in a fallen world, and it’s never more evident than when we view disasters – both physical and personal. We stand by helplessly and see cataclysmic forces of nature wreaking havoc – as a Mississippian, I’m way too familiar with tornados and hurricanes alike. I’d also put the implosion of the Titan submersible as a natural disaster, even though the wisdom of even getting on that thing is debatable. Personal disasters? Illness, loss, heartbreak? For sure. We all face trials that test our resolve and faith. 

But how should Christians respond when disaster strikes?

The Bible, that timeless beacon of our faith, gives us guidance. This passage has always been one I’m not comfortable with – rejoicing in sufferings? Really? It’s in there, though: Romans 5:3-5 tells us:

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.

As Christians, our first response to personal disasters should be to stand firm in faith. Disclaimer: That ain’t always easy.  This faith doesn’t  deny the pain or the suffering we experience but allows us to see beyond the immediacy of our circumstances, recognizing them as part of our earthly journey. Remember, we’re pilgrims and sojourners, and life is a real journey, fraught with peril. 

Consider the story of Job, a man known for his patience amidst suffering. I can’t get away from this guy. Job’s life was stricken with disaster – he lost his children, wealth, and health in quick succession. Think you got it tough?  Yet Job 1:20-21 records his response:

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.’

His resilience in the face of such tremendous personal disaster sets an example for all Christians. And before you put Job up on some kind of pedestal reserved for superheroes, don’t forget – he’s a human, just like you and me. 

Secondly, we are reminded to seek comfort in God’s presence and promise. I’ve used this scripture several times at a graveside funeral service, but it’s always appropriate when dealing with hard times.  Psalm 46:1-2 proclaims:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

When disaster looms, we must remember to lean on God, drawing strength from His enduring love and unwavering presence.

Here’s another, and if you’re a control freak, this one hurts. We must acknowledge our human limitations and surrender control to God. Proverbs 3:5-6, a passage worth memorizing, says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Personal disasters often leave us grappling for control, but as Christians, we find solace in the sovereignty of God, knowing that our lives are in His capable hands.

Finally, we are called to love and serve one another, especially in times of disaster. Galatians 6:2 instructs:

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Christians should respond to personal disasters by extending hands of help, offering prayers, and providing comfort to those in need. Read that again: we are servants. Don’t forget it. 

Take the example of the early Christian community, as depicted in the book of Acts. When a great famine struck the entire Roman world, the believers in Antioch chose to send relief to their brothers living in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). Their collective, compassionate response provides a blueprint for us today, teaching us that disaster response is not just about personal resilience but also about communal solidarity. We need each other. 

Personal disasters, whether physical or personal, can be profound opportunities for spiritual growth and community building. As Christians, we are invited to respond with faith, hope, and love – looking beyond the immediacy of our trials, seeking comfort in God’s presence, acknowledging His sovereignty, and bearing one another’s burdens. In the face of life’s storms, these responses not only sustain us but also fulfill our higher calling as followers of Christ.

There’s your bottom line, right there. Be well. Talk later!

I am struck this morning by how many people are living in fear.

Negative self-talk? You prone to that? Let’s work on it.

As Christians, we believe that we are created in the image of God and that God loves us unconditionally. However, sometimes we forget this truth and allow negative self-talk to take over our minds. This is a pretty nasty deal. Negative self-talk can be incredibly destructive, holding us back from pursuing our dreams, preventing us from taking risks, and robbing us of our joy and peace.

But here’s the good news: we don’t have to live with negative self-talk. By recognizing when negative thoughts are taking over our minds, replacing them with positive ones, and trusting in God’s promises, we can get rid of negative self-talk and live the joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling lives that God intended for us.

Recognizing Negative Self-Talk

The first step in getting rid of negative self-talk is recognizing when it’s taking over our minds. Negative self-talk can take many forms, such as telling ourselves we’re not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough. It can also take the form of a nagging feeling that we’ll never measure up to our own or other people’s expectations. Whatever form it takes, negative self-talk can be incredibly destructive.

One way to recognize negative self-talk is to pay attention to the thoughts we have throughout the day. When we notice a negative thought, we can pause and ask ourselves if it’s true. Often, we’ll find that the negative thought is based on a lie, rather than on reality. You’ll have to come up with your own list of triggers, but it’s easy to lie to yourself and believe what you’re saying.

Keeping It Positive

Once we recognize negative self-talk, we can take steps to replace it with positive thoughts that align with God’s truth. Notice I’m talking about God’s truth and not “truth” from another source. I’m an absolute truth kind of guy … truth, by its nature, can’t contradict itself. I’m talking about truth with no mixture of error, and that’s from God alone. We can do this by finding Bible verses or positive affirmations that counteract the negative thought. Here are a few examples:

If we’re struggling with the belief that we’re unlovable, we can remind ourselves of the truth in Romans 8:38-39, which says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we’re feeling like we’re not good enough, we can remind ourselves of the truth in Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

And if we’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious, we can remind ourselves of the truth in Matthew 6:34, which says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Practicing Positive Self-Talk

Replacing negative self-talk with positive thoughts is just the first step. The next step is to practice positive self-talk consistently. This means intentionally choosing to speak and think positively about ourselves, even when it’s hard. We can do this by creating a list of positive affirmations and Bible verses that we can turn to whenever negative self-talk creeps in. Here are a few examples – some of God’s greatest hits, if you will:

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
• I am a child of God (John 1:12).
• I am more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37).
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
• I am loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Trusting in God’s Promises

Finally, we can trust in God’s promises as we work to get rid of negative self-talk. We can pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance, knowing that God is with us.

Chances are that I haven’t shared a single thing that you didn’t know. The goal, I’d say, is to close that gap between what you believe and actually do. You can’t wait until you feel like taking action to end what’s hurting you. Act first. Your feelings will catch up.

I hope these helped. You are harder on yourself than anyone else is. Embrace what God has done and what He thinks about you. His opinion matters. Yours doesn’t.

Thankfulness is what Thanksgiving is all about, right?

And yet, when thinking about thankfulness, I’m seeing that we have to live with a certain amount of tension, of what are apparently conflicting thoughts.

Thankfulness is an attitude we should grasp and hold onto. Countering that, though, is the pervasive presence of evil. How do we reconcile that?

Here’s some ancient script, from Ephesians 5:15 – 20a.

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Good ol’ Paul nails it again. When talking about thankfulness, he isn’t naive. He knows that he (and we) live in a pretty awful world.

He said “Christ gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present age” (Galatians 1:4). In one of the great mysteries of God, He has given Satan a lot of leeway to do his evil, to the extent of him being called “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Why does God have Satan on a leash, and yet give him some freedom to do his wickedness?

Beats me. But when talking about thankfulness, I am thankful that we do have a choice in who we follow. Maybe that has something to do with free will.

Fact is, God is allowing wickedness and sin in the human heart to go wild, at least for now. You might want to argue that, and some of a more cynical bent might say, “Well, He’s not that much of a God if He doesn’t have any more power to restrain than that.”

This age is evil because there is so much suffering and catastrophes in this world, and it affects good folks and bad folks alike. I don’t get it either, but I do trust in God, Who has a much broader vantage point than I do.  That’s some reason for thankfulness right there.

If Paul embraced thankfulness – and he did – it came from some firsthand experiences.

He dealt with his own sin. Romans 7 – check it out.

He was stoned, beaten, thrown in prison, shipwrecked, snakebit, and went without food, clothes and shelter. He never knew when someone might flat-out kill him. His walk with God wasn’t exactly the proverbial bed of roses.

Still, Paul knew how to experience thankfulness, because he was able to see to some extent what God was up to with him. Christ told Paul that His power was made perfect in his weakness, and dang, do I ever take comfort in that!

Verse 20 is one of those verses that God slips in the Bible when I’m not looking. I read this earlier and said, “Whaaa…?”

Paul is telling us to do something quite extraordinary: Be thankful for everything. It does not say be thankful in everything. See the difference?

Thankfulness doesn’t, then, grow from a sense of knowing God is going to use circumstances to make us better. He does that, sure. But He says something really, really challenging – be thankful for everything. Everything. Ev-ree-thing.

I don’t think that means we should lead cheers at the graveside of our grandmother. God isn’t saying that we shouldn’t cry if our child has cancer. He doesn’t say we can’t be angry about sin, injustice, poverty, or anything else like that.

It’s complicated, this thankfulness thing. God said it, and I’m just sharing.

I’m trying to be helpful here without diving too deep into theology I can’t grasp. Here’s what I do know, though:

• When the angel appeared to Mary to tell her she’d have a son without a husband, he only told her what she needed to know – “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you … with God nothing will be impossible.” That’s a good word for us.
• Verse 18 talks about an exchange – don’t get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit. That may be the key, right there – swapping out worldly things and thoughts for the power of the Spirit that lives in us.
• That Spirit? He searches everything. He wants us to experience thankfulness. Trusting Him for that means that we can accept His total control over us and all creation. He can take the evils of this world and make them work for our eternal good. That doesn’t mean that life here won’t be hard. There is, though, that eternal promise, and we should remember – again – that we are pilgrims and sojourners here, and this world isn’t our home.

God wants to teach us that lesson, and it isn’t easy, now is it? I’m still wrestling with it.

Here’s where my thankfulness has landed: The days are evil, but I can give thanks always to God the Father. He’s up to something – lots of somethings. He is wise and sovereign and good.

Once I grasp that, thankfulness comes easily.

Be well. Let me hear from you.

Uncertain times. Would you consider the days we live in uncertain times?

I watch the news, sometimes … if you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I encourage you in uncertain times to back away from that 24-hour news cycle. It will work on you. It will diminish your soul.

These may be uncertain times but, like the author of  Ecclesiastes said, there is nothing new under the sun. Things are bad. They’ve been bad before. Are things the worst they’ve ever been? Immerse yourself in current media, and yep, you’ll be persuaded that these days are ushering us toward the Apocalypse. Maybe, maybe not. Every generation in Christian history feels like it’s the last.

So what can you do to guard your heart in uncertain times? How can you keep from gradually losing your mind? I mean – you have responsibilities to your family, your classmates, your co-workers, your church to stay sane. You aren’t done here yet.

Still – when the media keeps using terms like “historic,” “unprecedented,” “never before seen,” then you start to believe it.

I’m tempted to go through a little history lesson. I’m a history geek, and I’m wary of inflicting that on others who aren’t as fascinated as I am, so I have to curb my enthusiasm. I will, though, touch on something from World War II – actually, it’s just a quote from the great C.S. Lewis, written in 1939. Check this out:

The war creates no absolutely new situation: it simply aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it.

I mean.

This is quite the thought. What is happening in these days isn’t really all that different from what happened a month ago, a year ago, a hundred years ago, or a thousand years ago. People have been the same all these years – flawed, struggling, and messed-up in general. So, our world has those same traits.

I don’t mind using Lewis’ quote because it’s timeless and true. It’s tempting to think that today’s world is unique, and in many ways it is. But the universal thread running through these uncertain times is that every generation, every people group, is in needs of God’s mercy.

Here’s some ancient script, from James 2:13:

… because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

We all, no matter what is going on in our lives internally or externally, are in need of the mercy of God. There are times when we can cruise through life and not give much thought to this. Then there are those times when we are absolutely laid low and have to confront just how puny and frail we are.

When we look at the needs around us in uncertain times, we are even more aware of the need for mercy for all. God offers that to everyone – but we can’t just wish it on others. They have to ask for it.

What this kind of divine mercy does is that it brings about amazing change. It’s transformational. It moves the frightened to a place of strength. It gives hope to the hopeless. And it moves us from being selfish little clods to a place of sacrificial giving. Cool.

If you’re afraid, then, and face those moments of overwhelm, here’s some good stuff.

This courage I’m talking about – that courage that is so needed in uncertain times – is available. You do have to ask, of course. The trick, I think, comes in our willingness to step outside our miserable little selves and do something for someone else.

If all you do is look out for yourself; if you immerse yourself in your own needs to the neglect of others – you are going to continue to cower in fear and be messed up in general. I’m not saying I’m immune to this. I kinda like me. I’m pretty special to myself. But I view that as a sign of personal immaturity.

When you start letting these uncertain times keep your from thinking about the needs of your neighbor, you’ll be even that more uncertain because you are trapped in your bubble. Maybe it’s time to think of the good of others and the needs of those who are hurting. Not at the total sacrifice of your own self-care, obviously – you just can’t make it all about you all the time.

Believer, that’s what we signed up for.

Here’s some action points. Take ’em or leave ’em. I’m preaching to myself; I’m just letting you listen in.

• Your bank account looking grim? Give generously to your church.
• Afraid of getting sick? Spend some time helping some vulnerable people around you. I just bet there’s someone in the nursing home who’d love a visit.
• The news got you down and depressed? Shut yourself off from it for a season, and instead read or watch something wholesome and encouraging. Your Bible might not be a bad choice.
• Do you have negative friends who try your soul? Love ’em, but don’t submit yourself to their whining and complaining. Never, ever, ever let them bring you down.
• You know that friend on social media who posts stuff and you think “are you nuts?” Again, guard yourself. Keep scrolling. You won’t change their minds with your brilliance and research. Your experts can probably beat up their experts, anyway. It genuinely isn’t worth it.
• Finally, cultivate a life of wisdom. That doesn’t mean just being smart. It means you are going to seek God first and ask Him for that wisdom. In this season, you’re going to need it. I’m not seeing much wisdom being deployed. Pretend like sharing wisdom is all up to y0u.

Uncertain times call for those who can be certain of God. It’s a daily dependence on Him for all things, big and little. Be certain for the sake of others. People need to see that your anchor holds.

Be an agent of His love.

Talk later!

I ran across this quote from E.B. White (you read Charlotte’s Web, right?) and it is haunting me, because it has to do with being compassionate and upright. I want to tease this one out.

“As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time.”

I’m not sure why White added the adjectives he did – upright man and compassionate woman – when women can be upright and men can be compassionate too. But I’ll go with that.

So what are the traits of an upright man?

• Standing tall. I’ve heard people referred to as “straight up.” I like that. 
• Unbowed. You can’t be upright and bowed at the same time. Bowing is an appropriate response to Deity, but facing opposition with determination – that’s being unbowed. Or it’s simply being brave.
• Honest. Like not ducking your head when you’re ashamed of something you’ve said or done. Owning up to error.
• Having integrity. That’s your yes being yes and your no being no. Folks should be able to interact with you without fear of you doing something underhanded.
• Transparent. What you see is what you get. No ambivalence. 

And a compassionate woman?

• Caring. Not just a surface “doing the right thing.” It’s a matter of investing your heart in someone or something else.
• Sacrificial. While you certainly must look after yourself – you can’t draw water from an empty well – at times it’s appropriate and necessary to give beyond yourself.
• Tenderhearted. This is a desired trait for everyone, naturally, but my thought is that to be tenderhearted is to let your guard down and empathize with someone else’s need. Which means you might even share in their feelings.
• Creative. You ever thought about how you can show you care? Words are okay, but sometimes feeble. Sometimes “doing” is good, if it means helping in a tangible way. But sometimes just being – offering presence – is what is called for.
• Unwavering. This means loving until the end. This is tricky; sometimes you can love someone and realize you can’t be what they need you to be, and have to distance yourself to some degree. Still, love is non-negotiable. It’s not selective.

I am encouraged when I have the opportunity to be around upright men and compassionate women. Here are four truths:

For one thing, it keeps me from feeling alone. You may have moments of thinking that you are the only one who “gets it.” You are frustrated and hurt because others don’t see the same needs you do. Upright men and compassionate women inspire me to be more in the moment, to unleash my heart, and to genuinely strive to make a difference in my little world.

Secondly, White said that the “contagion may spread.” Can being upright and compassionate take on viral traits? I’d like to think so.

There have been times when I’ve sought to take the high road in a contentious debate. I’ve wanted to be a peacemaker. Problem is, some people thrive in a good fight, and I’m not talking about the kind of disagreements that lead to an aimable solution to a problem. I’m talking about fighting because of pure meanness. 

When people aren’t living their very best lives, they sometimes resort to commiseration through competitive yelling. 

I want to do my little part to banish that – at least from my life, and from the lives of others who would give kindness a chance. Listening to each other, for starters. Spreading that seems to me to be a noble endeavor.

Third, what do you do with a desolate scene? It’s hard not to think about Ukraine when invoking that phrase.

Check this out. This is Ukrainian navy musicians performing in front of a barricade made of sandbags near the opera theater in central Odessa, Ukraine, March 8, 2022. (REUTERS/Iryna Nazarchuk)

How can hope thrive in the midst of chaos and desolation? Well, by golly, it obviously can. It brings to mind the legendary Phoenix, rising from the ashes. 

Ukraine is teaching all of us a lot about being upright and compassionate. I’m seeing those virtues being played out in real time. It gives me hope.

Finally, there is this: Hope is the thing left to us.

I’ll ride this horse until it drops. You are aware of the name of this website, right? Because, in the deepest parts of my bone marrow, I can not find any reason for hopelessness, especially for the believer. 

When you say “it’s hopeless,” what you are saying is that you are psychic, that you can foresee the future, and you know there is no chance for things to get better. 

How can you know that? The circumstances you find yourself in are transient. Yesterday was different from today, and tomorrow will be, in like fashion, different too. 

It may be that you’ve perceived yourself to be tossed about on the waves of fate, unable to control what is happening around you. In some measure, that’s true. But there is a whole lot you can do to have hope, the main thing being to have faith in God. I promise He is not staying up all night fretting over the state of His Creation and wondering how He’s to fix this mess. He has plans and divine intent, and He is in no fashion obligated to let us in on His designs. 

Make no mistake. This is a bad time. A very bad time, and certainly the worst I’ve seen in my years here. And yet, for me to say that betrays my short-sightedness. The best I can manage is a temporal view of things, which consists of the here and now and whatever my memory can resurrect from days gone by. 

There is this: There is always hope. Always. It is the gift of a benevolent and gracious Giver. And we need to learn to accept that gift without question. It sustains us in the dark days we are experiencing even now, and have been experiencing for some time.

O be joyful.

Talk later!

Worried about Ukraine?

I am watching the horrific tragedy of Russia invading Ukraine in real time. History buff that I am, I’m getting WWII vibes here.

I could go on about Putin being psychotic, about how the Ukrainians are showing steely resolve, and how we as the United States should engage. I also think that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be a future member of the Avengers. That’s not what this blog is about.

Because, if you’re worried about Ukraine, then I want to share some ways you can maybe break that cycle of worry.

Actually, I’ll broaden this out to dealing with anxiety in general.

I’ve dealt with worry and anxiety plenty of times in my blog. My sense, though, is that mental health issues like anxiety don’t need to be ignored … there is always someone wanting a fresh word of encouragement.

Anxiety and worry – sort of the same thing, perhaps – about Ukraine or anything else can paralyze you. It is a demon. There seems to be a progression in worry. (Note: This isn’t all original to me, but I’ll be dogged if I can find or remember the original sources. I’m pretty bad about just scribbling stuff in my journal and not identifying where it came from.)

Anyway … here are five steps to anxiety. If you want to worry about Ukraine, here’s how to worry effectively. (Tongue in cheek here, of course. I know my humor doesn’t always travel well. I had someone on Instagram light me up because she thought I was making light of the situation over there, just because I’d reposted something from The Babylon Bee. Mea culpa.)

1. Worry first rears its head because of some sort of pressure. It may be you were expecting something and your expectations were unmet. For instance, you might’ve expected a good report from your doctor and didn’t get it. You may feel like “the government” is forcing you to do something you’re against. The point is that pressure – from without or within – can cause anxiety.
2. Worry lives rent-free in your mind. Whatever that thing is that is causing you anxiety – Ukraine or whatever – is metastasizing like a cancer. It’s eating you up from the inside. It is taking on way too much influence than it should.
3. Worry changes your behavior. Often, men just default to radio silence. They keep it bottled up, because they’re afraid it’ll show up as some sort of weakness. Maybe that’s a sexist impression, since women may be more expressive in their worry. Either way, anxiety impacts how you act. 
4. Worry changes the way you think. If you’re worried about Ukraine, then your thought life can become focused in an unhealthy way. It’s a bit like point 2 above, but this is a matter of focus. Maybe even an obsession. I’ve seen this on social media a lot … I can predict what someone’s Facebook or Instagram post is going to be about even before I read it. It’s being single-minded in all the wrong ways.
5. Worry unchecked takes you to one of the worst places imaginable – it makes you feel like a loser. You think you’ve failed because you can’t seem to shake your anxiety. Or, it may even be that you worry because you worry. Isn’t that an awful state?

This all culminates in a self-fulfilling prophecy. The very things you don’t want to happen happen anyway because you’ve become obsessed. Covid is another great example … people are anxious because of possible mandates, or anxious because not enough people have gotten vaccinated, or anxious because they worry they’ll fall in that miniscule percentage of folks who get really sick.

Obviously, worrying about Ukraine isn’t helpful, because chances are you can not directly influence what is happening on the ground over there. (You can help, though – there are plenty of legitimate ways to get aid to those Ukrainians who desperately need it.)

I’ll share a little personal experience.

Several years ago I worked for a parachurch organization in metro Atlanta. It was a dream job – to this day I don’t think I’ve ever served in any capacity in any role that was better suited for me. It was how I was hardwired. It was a gift.

Problem was, though, I had to raise my own support. My livelihood was dependent on me going to basically everyone I knew and say something like, “Hey, will you send me $30 a month for the rest of your natural life so I can buy some groceries?”

I was unspeakably lousy at it. To ask for money, to engage on what felt like such a needy level … ack. 

The result was that we barely scratched by. Some months were worse than others. There were times when I’d get all spiritual and say things like “the Lord will take care of our needs.” I believed that.

Then I’d look at the checkbook and realize I had to pay the electric bill.

Was I anxious about that? You bet. I experienced every one of those five points I shared earlier. It put relational pressure on my family, on my friends, on everybody. I wasn’t much fun to be around.

Worry had got the upper hand. It affected my personality. It made me come across (in my eyes) as a failure, a loser. 

I got some advice, though. Here it is: “Don’t worry.”

Can you imagine how unhelpful that is? It made me want to punch the advice-giver in the head. 

However, there is a glimmer of hope in a solution. If you’re worried about Ukraine, or Covid, or global warming or anything else, here’s what I’m learning. God knows I’m not there yet.

If you change the way you behave, then you change the outcome.

Remember Jesus’ admonition to “turn the other cheek?” Talk about counterintuitive. Someone slaps you, and you offer up the other side of your face so you can be slapped again. 

This isn’t about just being a wimp. The normal response is to hit back, and harder. But when you take a hit and don’t hit back, you’ve disrupted a cycle. You’ve changed the outcome of where the exchange was going. Two things have happened: you have controlled your response, and the other person – whether they hit you again or not – has at least been given the opportunity to question their behavior. 

In the case of worry, there’s a similar strategy.

• If every time you worry about something, do something to help someone else. It shifts the focus from yourself to the needs of others. It breaks the cycle. 
• If you get anxious because of what you’re seeing on the news, change channels. The Andy Griffin show is always on somewhere. 
• If something on social media upsets you, keep scrolling. You can absolutely control what goes in your head. You don’t have to respond to everyone, even when they’re wrong. 
• If you are dealing with a health issue, go to the best doctor you can find, do what he or she says, and keep praying. Worrying isn’t going to add a single minute to your lifespan.
• Finally, say with conviction “God’s got this” Because He does.

One more thing. If anxiety is at critical mass in your life, there is absolutely no harm – only benefit – in getting some help. My own story in dealing with depression is a combination of counseling, good meds, a wise neurologist and other medical professionals. Plus having folks around me that love me, support me, and try to understand me.

You can’t do a whole lot about what’s happening in Ukraine. But you can give God the freedom to heal your mind, heart, and emotions. 

Talk later!