Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum

 

Crisis Mode - A Communal Conundrum 

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

 “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. (Acts 9:10-19 NLT)

Being back in Texas to spend some time with Mom for a few days has reminded me of three things:

1. I loathe big cities…

2. I loathe traffic…

3. I loathe the “Mix Master.” 

Now, if you’ve never seen or driven through the mix master in DFW (and the spider web of cloverleaf exchanges the different roads offer) well, let me tell you - when you first experience it you will say within your heart - “There is no way out of this!”

It is much the same with us during our everyday lives. We encounter moments in our lives - sometimes daily - when we don’t see a way out.

“How am I going to pay this bill?”

“I wonder what news the doctor will give me?”

“They are probably going to fire me for that…”

“Why does God not answer my prayers?”

“Will people ever love me for me?”

We are human. Our thoughts are human. Our feelings are human. Our perspectives are human. 

We can only react as we have been created to react.

 And often, we react as if we are stuck on the mix master and don’t know how in the world we are going to get off or make it out. 

This had to be similar to the feelings that both Saul and Ananias had some 2000 years ago.

Saul, who was on his way to continue to disrupt and destroy the “Way” is struck blind and has to be led to the home of a stranger. Ananias is hiding to keep from being arrested and imprisoned by Saul…and yet, God commands him through a vision to go to the home where Saul is staying and pray for him so he will be able to see again.

Wow.

So, let’s break this conundrum down.

First, there is a crisis. 

Everyone of us encounters crisis moments. Sometimes, multiple crises at once. Some minor, some major. Some easy to handle - others life altering. Often, we find ourselves in full blown crisis mode.

Second, there is confusion.

We don’t know which way to go. We can’t figure out what is the first step. No one seems to understand. We are stuck - because our crisis has caused confusion.

Third, there is commitment. 

We make a decision. We become resolute in what we are going to do. We’ve determined to do what needs to be done.

Fourth, there is a conclusion. 

The crisis has come. Even in the midst of confusion, of what to do, you become committed to a way of dealing with it. Thus, the matter is concluded…

The only thing left? 

Living with the consequences.

In our story from the Acts of the Apostles we have Saul and Ananias. Both are experiencing a crisis. Both are confused as to what to do within their respective crises. Both make a commitment to do the next thing. This brings about the conclusion of the matter: God sends Ananias to bring Saul’s sight back; then God sends Saul to open the eyes of the world to the good news of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Speaking of consequences - both of these seemingly random crises, consequently lead to the gospel of Jesus Christ being proclaimed and shared throughout every part of the world.

If you are reading this - these two crises and their resolutions are the reason that you are even remotely interested in what we have to write. They are the reason you have purpose today. They are the reason your past does not dictate your future.

What about you? What crisis are you in right now? Know this - you are not alone. And, your crisis and its resolution may be what somebody else needs to hear about in order for them to make it through their crisis. 

After all, that’s why they call it “testimony.” 

The question? Will you stand up and testify?

The Gaza Strip and Peace - An Infidel's Thoughts

 

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other,” Mother Theresa

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid,” Jesus of Nazareth

Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest…They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin…All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark. Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace…For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened or interceded  to help the oppressed… 

(Isaiah 59 selected verses)

Of course, as you read this, you know full well the violence and hostility which is occurring in the Middle East. Some are, of course, overreacting and spouting apocalyptic rhetoric. “It is a sign of the end times!” 

It is, without a doubt, a sign…but one we don’t want to see. 

It is a sign of the state of humanity. It is a sign of the self-centeredness which pollutes the whole world. It is a sign of sin. It is a sign of evil. It is a sign that peace still evades most of the world.

To quote one of my favorite authors (and human beings) “Peace is such a precious jewel, that I would give anything for it but truth,” Matthew Henry. 

Peace is the one thing we need in the Middle East. The only problem is that the peace we want is the absence of conflict. The lack of war. The end of human suffering.

But, that is called a utopia…and as far as we know that does not exist, at least not yet.

And the Gaza Strip is clear evidence of that. A small and narrow 25-mile stretch of land pressed against the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza lies between Israel and Egypt. Going back over half a century when Israel was established in 1948, many Palestinian refugees were forced to move to the tiny strip of Gaza. Some years later, in 1967, Israel gained control of Gaza after its victory in the Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Fast forward to the Palestinian uprising in 2000 and a new and brutal wave of hostilities and violence erupted between the Israelis and Palestinians. In 2005, Israel officially decided to leave Gaza. It withdrew its forces and removed the Jewish settlers living there. 

Over the years since then, pockets of protests, random acts of violence, and brutal and painful words have been exchanged between two peoples - both communities created in the image of God …both marred by sin…both in need of the mercy and grace of God. Both needing peace.

In Isaiah’s verses today, from chapter 59, all of the calamity, tragedy and terrible things happening to the Jews were all a direct result of their sins. And sin? It leads to these harsh and unforgiving words in verse 8: They don’t know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace. 

The world, social media, the news, everyone has something to say about the events unfolding between Israel and Palestine…but as Solomon once said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” 

Is it prophecy being fulfilled? Who knows? 

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Who’s to blame? Who shot first? Why didn’t one side see the other side coming? How bad will it get? What are the real numbers? 

To some questions there is no answer.

But, to one question - the most important question - the question of Why there is an answer.

Sin. 

And there is only one answer to sin.

Grace.

The Middle East needs grace. He needs grace. She needs grace. They need grace. You need grace. 

We all need grace.

And God has sent grace into the world. God sent it to all the world. And grace has a Name : Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but will have everlasting life. For, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved,” John 3:16-17.

So, do you really need to go to the internet, turn on the tv or radio and find the answers? The answers they want you to know? 

Or, will you spend just a few minutes and read Isaiah 59 again…and then maybe move over to Psalm 51…and understand the real answer to what is happening in the Gaza Strip - and what is happening in our hearts. There is sin. But, there is also grace. And grace is greater than all of our sin…and that grace will bring peace.

Lord, have mercy on us.

That's Some High Quality H2O!

 

Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

John 4:6-15 (NLT)

So, we received this news this week in our little community of Fairhope…

Fairhope is mandating customers of its water utility cease all irrigation as the city faces a severe water shortage…The city mobilized Phase 3 of its water conservation ordinance today at an emergency city council meeting. Under Phase 3, anyone caught watering their lawn could be required to appear in municipal court and face a fine of up to $500…“The third phase is when you reach 100% capacity,” Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan told the city council. “And we are teetering right there on the 100% capacity.” Sullivan cited the recent high temperatures and dry conditions. She said the system’s capacity is 9 million gallons, and usage is close to 8.7-8.9 million gallons…Fairhope declares water emergency, residents face $500 fines for watering lawns (msn.com).

Water. It’s important. Nations have fought over it.  People die daily without it.

Water is life. Water refreshes. Water quenches. Water cools. Water hydrates. Water is life.

We understand there are quite a few things which make water necessary for life. The human body is made up of more than 50% of water. It aids in digestion and improves concentration. The world’s greatest athletes know that proper hydration is fundamental to performance. 

Yes, water is life.

Which is why Jesus’ statement, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life,” is so powerful.

Jesus is saying, and very plainly we might add, “What I can give you is life. And this life cannot be duplicated by anything else. It will never be stale. It will never lose its efficacy. It will be just as fresh and life-giving all the way from beginning to end. The life I give you will never end.”

Pretty astounding statements. 

The world will make rational and simple promises to you all the time. Promises they think/believe they can keep. We are sure the city of Fairhope (which is on Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico) never thought there would be a fresh water shortage! As one writer put it, “Water, water, everywhere! And not a drop to drink…”

Thanks be to God, His “water” will never run out.  It can never run dry. 

And, it’s not a question of us being thirsty. We are all thirsty. Our problem is we seek to “quench that thirst” with a multitude of human remedies. All of which seem right in the beginning but end up poisoning us and taking our very lives. Our very souls. 

So, the question is, which water do you want to drink? The waters which are bitter and cause death or the pure, undefiled and unpolluted water of life which flows from the very heart of the Son of God? The former brings death but the latter grants life. 

Let us drink freely and deeply from the One who gives us the water of life. Let us drink by reading God’s word; let us drink by praying to the One who alone can quench our thirst; let us spend time in devotions each day to hydrate our souls. 

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to “not” go and water our lawn…

Breathe. Just Breathe...

 

Breathe, Just Breathe…

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”

So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. (Ezekiel 37:4-10 (NLT)

Breathe: To inhale and exhale air using the lungs. To inhale air or another gas. To exhale air or another gas.

This week has been a struggle. Ain’t gonna lie.

People with asthma know how much the atmosphere and other uncontrollable variables can dictate whether you are taking deep breaths and “living your best life now” or staying tired with only small, shallow ones.

Yeah, the struggle is real.

But that pales in comparison with those who truly do not have “the breath of life” in them. 

They are the “walking dead." The ones who aimlessly wander through life - trying to find profound purpose in physical activities, accumulation of things, increased wealth, or tan lines and altered hair color. 

Yet, for all of their “pursuit of life and happiness” they do not truly live. 

They do not have the “breath of life” in them. 

They do not have God.

Like the valley of dry bones in our text from Ezekiel they are a great band of possibilities. They are a mighty army buried beneath the dirt. They are an unequaled number of people who have never experienced new life…a resurrected life. They are dead.

They do not have the breath of God.

    They do not have the Spirit of God.

        They do not have life.

And neither do you unless God places breath (Spirit) within you and consequently gives you life. “Then Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit,’” (John 20:22). 

Remember our asthmatic family and friends? Many have a rescue inhaler. It can save their life when their own breath stops. When they can only exhale but cannot inhale it alone can bring the necessary breath we need to live.

God certainly is not a rescue inhaler but the analogy stands. And, if you are going through life and find that you are tired and out of breath…well, we think you know where you need to draw your next one from. That rescusitating, resurrecting breath of life.

Breathe deep our friends. Breathe deep. Why? Because, the Psalmist told us: “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD! Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 150:6)

Don't Forget to Say, "I Love You"

 

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment… - Hebrews 9:27

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." - Genesis 3:19

…a time to be born and a time to die… - Ecclesiastes 3:2a

“We’ll meet again. Don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day.” —Vera Lynn

Last October, I (Steve) had flown back to Texas to be with my family. “Pop” - my Dad - was at the end of his life, hospice had been called in, and it was time for me to say “Goodbye.”

Saturday, November 5, 2022, Pop ceased breathing in the middle of the night. His journey had ended. God had ultimately healed him from cancer. Goodbye.

I was not there with him when he passed. My Mom and brother were. But, at least I got to tell him that I loved him…that it was ok to go on and we would see him again - “some sunny day.”

Over the last couple of years we have had to say “Goodbye” to more people than we like to admit. How about you? It isn’t easy is it?

Whether it is “Goodbye” because someone gets a new job; moves away; goes to a new school; or, when someone dies, saying “Goodbye” is difficult and often painful. 

But something that we have become more and more aware of is this simple fact: everything in this life has an expiration date.

We don’t mean this to be all “gloom and doom” - it is just a fact. Everything has an expiration date. Including you and I.

All the more reason to spend ourselves tirelessly…completely obeying the command of Christ to “Love God and love our neighbor.” As John the Apostle puts it: “Let us not just love in word or speech, but in deed and truth,” (1 John 3:18).

Love one another.

A few years back - don’t ask us as it will make us feel old - Stevie Wonder had a great song titled, “I Just Called to Say, ‘I Love You.’”  Now that we are older, the power of that song means a lot more. 

We never know exactly how much time we have with those we love. We never know how much time we have to make things right with someone we have been fighting with. We never know how much time we have to make things right with someone we have hurt. We never know how much time we have to forgive someone who has hurt us. We never know how much time we have. Period. 

As I have been reflecting on saying goodbye, the scriptures above - along with a lot of others - came to mind. Now, at first glance, they appear rather gloomy and doomy. Kind of a downer, if you will. But, we should rather look at them as loving reminders of what is approaching for all of us.  Death.

And what better way to prepare for death than living today? Living. Loving.

As Pop used to joke with me: “Live everyday like it’s your last…one day you’ll be right!” 

It’s in more reflective moments such as this that I recall one of my favorite songs of all time. The group Allies (with lead singer Bob Carlisle of “Butterfly Kisses” fame) wrote a song on their “Man with a Mission” album. It was simply titled: “Heaven.”

And as we say goodbye to those we love - it is all the more reason to remember we have the God-given opportunity to see them again. In Heaven.

So, goodbye for now. Adios amigos! May the good Lord take a liking to you! Happy trails to you! And, if we don’t see you again here we pray we see you there…

Oh, and remember, “We love you.”

Heaven - Allies (HQ)

Until we meet again,

Missy and Steve

Peace is Only Peace When There is a Storm

             

(Photo by Pecos Hank: Storm Crossing - Pecos Hank)

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)

If you have any knowledge of me you know that I (Steve) am a storm freak. I love watching YouTube videos of storms - especially tornadoes. I also, may or may not, just listen to NOAA Weather Radio even when the sun is shining…

I am actually watching and listening to a compilation video right now on the Moore EF5 2013 tornado  (yes it was a 5 and not a 3) while writing this.

I blame it on my Uncle Jimmy Patterson. As a very young boy he bought for me an incredible radio for my birthday. This radio was just unbelievable. Two different FM settings, an AM setting, a local TV station setting and, of course, NOAA Weather Radio. 

It was the latter that I would listen to all day, every day, while playing in the garage with my trains, playing baseball in the field, or when going to sleep at night.

What a dork.

But, it was what happened when I was five that triggered this fascination and love of all things tornadic - I saw twins just a few miles from our house while playing in the front yard.

I was hooked. 

I watched the local weather reports each day - just hoping for another event like the one I witnessed to occur again. RIP Harold Taft…(Harold Taft - Wikipedia).

Fast forward a few decades (ugh) and I still love storms and tornadoes. I may or may not have a meteorological addiction…and some of my favorite guys to follow now are Dr. Reed Timmer, WeatherBeat with Demko/Farrar, Ryan Hall, Mitch West, Midwest Storm Chasing, Daniel Shaw, Tanner Charles, Vince Waelti, Brandon Copic, Brad Arnold, and Pecos Hank.

Pecos Hank may be my personal favorite. Home - Pecos Hank.

Why? His total calmness and ability to keep his cool when everything around him is coming undone and there is no control of the disaster that is occuring. 

While other videos have people going total bonkers and hyperventilating - it is Hank’s videos that show the majesty, power, and possible disastrous consequences of tornadoes (all while remaining quiet and in control of his emotions) which mesmerize you.

Peace in the storm.

Kind of makes sense when you consider our text from Mark’s gospel. It is an odd reference by both Mark and Matthew. It makes the disciples look silly and foolish. As if they didn’t trust that things were going to work out. The story presents those intimate followers of Jesus as lacking faith.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

We who believe in Jesus as the Son of God…we who follow Jesus as the King of kings…we who serve Jesus as the risen Savior…WE are often the ones with the least amount of faith.

Oh, sure, we can spell faith. However, we read in Hebrews 10:38: “But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him."

Ouch.

So, what do we do when the storms surround us? What do we do when the boat begins to fill with water? What can we do when Jesus is asleep? 

Well, we usually first and foremost ask God to remove the situation from us or us from the situation. We beg God to “Save us! Do you not care that we are perishing!?”  

But, it is not the storm Jesus needs to deliver us from.

It is ourselves. 

You see, peace doesn’t come from outside us. Rather, it is already within us.

Jesus says in Luke 17:21 - “the kingdom of God is inside you.” And that kingdom? Is a kingdom of peace…Romans 14:17.

Look, we all lose our cool. We all get out of control. We all let our emotions take over us at times. We say things we regret. We feel things we have remorse over.

And, it’s not that we don’t have peace - for the King of peace and the kingdom of peace are within us. The fact is, we do not act on the peace we already have. 

“My peace I give to you…”

So stop. Take a deep breath. Activate your faith. Activate your peace. Rest assured that although Jesus may seem to be “resting” he is not. 

After all, isn’t Psalm 121 true?

I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

never slumbers or sleeps.

The LORD himself watches over you!

The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon at night.

The LORD keeps you from all harm

and watches over your life.

The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever.

Peace be unto you…