“Deliver me in or righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.” (Psalm 71:2)

As I neared the end of a road trip, I found myself driving a long, straight country road.  The sun shone brightly through the windshield and bathed by face in its relaxing glow. Serene farm scenes surrounded me and the grass on the side of the highway waved lazily with the subtle breeze. I met few cars, and my mind drifted away from the mechanics of driving while my motor skills shifted to autopilot. Suddenly, all of the serenity was replaced with a start as my heart raced and every muscle stiffened. I had fallen asleep, and the gravel on the side of the road alerted me to danger as my car drifted.

Keenly aware of the disaster that had been barely avoided, I prayed, thanking God. Was it because of His watchful eye that my children still have a father? Did His providence help me avoid a fiery end? I cannot say for certain, but I believe that He was watching out for me.

How often in this life had God intervened for our benefit? Is the promise of Philippians 4:14 (that He works all things together for our good) only applicable on rare occasions, or does God work in our lives daily? If we look back and catalog the close encounters, near disasters, and bad choices that turn out for good, it would be more than reasonable to see God’s ever-present hand in our daily lives. 

What a blessing to know that we have an unseen advocate always working for our good!

Kerry

“Lord, You give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure.” (Psalm 16:5 NET)

I grew up mostly in semi-rural communities, while my wife was raised in a major metropolis.  These differences manifest themselves in a variety of ways.  She drives much more aggressively than I do.  I prefer “country cooking” while she is accustomed to “city fare.”  But the most noticeable difference is the way we view locks.  She ALWAYS locks her doors, while I seldom do.  My wife feels great comfort in knowing that every window and door is bolted down.  She will check them all before bed or whenever we leave the house.  Why does she go to such great lengths?  She wants to feel SECURE in an INSECURE world?

She is right about one thing, this world is insecure, and not just physically.  The Bible tells us that the Devil is the “Prince of this world,” who roams about, “Seeking whom he may devour.”  Poverty, sickness, suffering, and death are constant realities and seem to wait around every corner.  However, in spite of the very real dangers, Christians need not tremble in fear.  Our lives are protected.  In Jesus, God has “locked the door” of death and despair, SECURING us in His love.  Therefore, we can say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6).

-Kerry

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”  Phil 3:17

Whenever a person or animal walks through the woods, tracks are left behind.  Sometimes the trail is clear and other times it is very subtle, but if a person knows what to look for, there is always some evidence that someone or something has passed by.  In a very real sense, our “walk through life” leaves tracks in much the same way.

Some people leave nothing but misery in their wake.  The “path of destruction” trailing their lives might include broken relationships, wounded hearts, or even dysfunctionality.  Others leave behind good things: kindness, love, and warm memories.  These “tracks” become the legacy of a person’s life and define forever how they will be remembered.

But there is another function of “tracks”- they provide a path for others to follow.  As we walk through life, are others following in our very footsteps?  Would we want others to walk life’s road down the same path we have trod?  These questions are sobering and of eternal significance.  Our personal virtue or vice will ALWAYS affect more than just ourselves.  This can be a powerful motivation to live right and prioritize our lives, as we ask ourselves, “What kind of trail am I leaving behind?” 

Kerry

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

As I held my son for the first time, my world spun in dazed excitement.  My wife and I had been told by the doctors that he, our third and last child, would be born a girl.  We already had two beautiful daughters, and although we had initially hoped for a son, we had accepted and become excited about the coming addition of another sweet daughter.  Yet there I stood, holding 10 pounds, 2 ounces of proof that God was still in control of all things.

That day illustrated for us one of the beautiful truths of God.  He makes all things new, and in the process, provides us with the wondrous and unexpected!  As the writer of Lamentations said, “His compassions fail not, they are new every morning!”  (Lamentations 3:22-23)  With God, every new circumstance, every new life, and every new day are all filled with the glorious promise of possibility!

So what does that say for us?  We have all been “born again” in Christ.  We have been “made new.”   Shouldn’t we lay aside the despair that often clouds our minds and see life as a glorious road filled with grand adventure and beauty?  With this mindset we can face any obstacle and ask with anticipation, “I wonder what good things God has in store for me tomorrow?” 

Kerry

“…Woe to me,” I cried.  “I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, The LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5, NIV).

Weakness is something we would all like to live without.  We try to live good and righteous lives, to reject temptation, and follow the Bible every day.  Yet, no matter how hard we try or how much improvement we make, we still fall and sin.

It is in these moments that despair can overtake us.  It feels like no matter how much effort we expend, that we will never be rid of the sin completely.  The most discouraging aspect of all is that this sickening feeling is absolutely true.  The Word tells us that although we might move closer toward perfection, we will never fully achieve it.  John makes this perfectly clear when he writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

My source of encouragement when forced to admit my own weakness is the fact that I am in good company.  In truth, every great servant of God who ever lived, from Moses to Paul, all struggled with sin.  Isaiah, who was arguably the most righteous man of his day, falls on his face before the splendor of God and confesses, “I am a man of unclean lips.”  He was.  In the same way that Moses was, and David was, and Daniel was, and Paul was, and I am- Isaiah was a sinner.  Our weaknesses are all exposed in the light of His greatness.

But isn’t it grand that God still uses the weak for His glory?  Immediately following Isaiah’s brokenhearted confession, God states that He is searching for someone to be His man.  Isaiah boldly cries out, “Here am I, SEND ME” (Isaiah 6:8), and the rest is history!

Kerry

In today’s postmodern culture there are few things as despised as “co-dependency.”  The term is generally used to describe a pitiful individual who cannot survive without the support of another person, who usually mistreats them for their trouble.  The TV talk shows are overcrowded with these sad stories and the self-proclaimed hosts/part-time psychiatrists who tell them that their problem is that they are not independent enough- that that rely upon others and should only ever rely upon themselves.

Certainly we feel for people who are trapped in such situations.  But is the problem really their total reliance upon another, or is it WHO they have become reliant upon?  In scripture we are told that we CANNOT do it all on our own- that we must give up our pride and humbly place our TOTAL trust in God.  We must become reliant- DEPENDANT- upon Him!

This message really doesn’t sit well with our American individualism.  The only person we want to need is ourselves.  It just seems so weak to total depend upon someone else.  But we must.  We have to come to the sobering realization that we cannot do it alone, that “Without HIM I would be NOTHING…”

Kerry

As I neared the end of a recent road trip, I found myself driving a long, straight country road.  The sun shone brightly through the windshield, and bathed by face in its relaxing glow.  Serene farm scenes surrounded me, and the grass on the side of the highway waved lazily with the subtle breeze.  I met few cars, and my mind drifted away from the mechanics of driving while my motor skills shifted to autopilot.  Suddenly, all of the serenity was replaced with a start as my heart raced and every muscle stiffened.  I had fallen asleep, and the gravel on the side of the road alerted me to danger as my car drifted.

Keenly aware of the disaster that had been barely avoided, I prayed, thanking God.  Was it because of His watchful eye that my children still have a father?  Did His providence help me avoid a fiery end?  I cannot say for certain, but I believe that He was watching out for me.

How often in this life has God intervened for our benefit?  Is the promise of Philippians 4:14 (that He works all things together for our good) only applicable on rare occasions, or does God work in our lives daily?  If we look back and catalog the close encounters, near disasters, and bad choices that turn out for good, it would be more than reasonable to see God’s ever-present hand in our daily lives. 

What a blessing to know that we have an unseen advocate, always working for our good!

“Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.” (Psalm 71:2, NKJV)

Kerry

The holidays are a wonderful time.  I have always adored this time of year.  I love to see my children so excited about their gifts and Lenora so thrilled about decorating the tree.  For us, this time has been all about seeing family, eating a LOT of good food, high school basketball, a flurry of church activities, College football Bowl games, shopping, movies, and candy that Lenora only makes once a year.  It is all very magical.

To be honest, we have never really gotten into what religious folks are always calling, “the true reason for the season.”  Most people would think that is strange… me being a minister and all.  But I grew up in the days when the Church avoided the religious aspects of the holidays for many reasons- some doctrinal and some were simple rooted in our religious traditions.   In recent years, I have become more comfortable with the religious theme of the holiday.  I think it is good that people honor Jesus, even if it is only once a year.  I think it is good that people remember his incarnation, even if they forget his death and resurrection.  Simply put, a little Jesus is better than no Jesus at all!

Then why do we still focus on presents and decorations?  Why is my family still so very “shallow?”  Are we?  I refuse to feel guilty!  I don’t think it is “shallow” to enjoy your family.  I don’t think it’s “carnal” to give to the people you love.  I don’t think it’s “immature” to fellowship in joy with God’s people.  What is wrong with simply enjoying a holiday that is all about family and joy, even if a person doesn’t give it all the same emphasis as someone else?  Nothing… Nothing at all!

Kerry

Waiting is an unfortunate and challenging reality of life.  Everyday we are all forced to wait.  We wait at stoplights, in doctor’s offices, for computer’s to load, and for slow waiters to bring the check!  Much of the time, life is filled with as much waiting as it is DOING.

Some waiting is far worse than others.  It is most difficult when we are afraid, when some threat is looming over us and we do not yet know the outcome.  These are the moments when FAITH is tested.  To trust God when everything is going well is not faith. To trust Him when the outcome seems uncertain IS.

When we are waiting for God’s promises to become blessings, focus become an effective tool.  We focus in prayer and we focus on study, particularly upon the passages that tell of God’s promises.  Then, we focus upon living without being paralyzed by fear.  We “push on,” and when doubts enter our minds, we must push them aside with the memory of His promises and faith that they WILL come true.

Kerry

Sometimes the hardest things to believe are the good things.  No one knows us like we know ourselves.  Whatever “masks” we wear for others or parts we choose to act out, the person in the mirror always knows the true us.  Sometimes we ignore it, other times we try to explain it away, but the truth is that we are all burdened by our own weaknesses.  Therefore, it is easy to feel unlovable, because sometimes we find it hard to love ourselves.  The very idea that someone could know the real us, and yet still be in love with us, is almost inconceivable.

Yet that is exactly the kind of love that the Bible attributes to God.  He knows our every secret.  He knows our every thought.  He knows our every shame.  He knows it all, and He LOVES US ANYWAY.  How can we possibly understand such love?  In truth, we can’t.  Perhaps that is why we are often quick to re-characterize God in a more hateful way?  Perhaps it is why we don’t pursue deeper relationship with Him, believing that He is always disappointed in us?

But that is not who our God is.  He IS love, and He ALWAYS loves us!

Kerry