19 posts tagged “god”

Over the years I have felt the hand of God on my life in many ways. Those who do not believe in God might consider some of those times as mere coincidences.

For example, there was the time I had a flat tire on a hot summer day with a van load of kids and a man with a hydraulic jack stopped to help me. Come to find out the only reason he stopped was he wanted to pass along a favor because he had a flat tire the night before and a man and woman had stopped to help him. What was the “coincidence”? It was my own brother and his wife who stopped to help him.

Another example was when our stove was broke and we didn’t have the money to replace it. The “coincidence”? Out of the blue we get a call from a family member who does manicures and pedicures telling us that one of her customers is redecorating her kitchen and is giving her stove away. Would we happen to know anyone who needs it? 

There have been things like that throughout my life and it would be easy to let them pass as coincidences, but I know that God is real and I know that he takes care of his children.

There was one thing God did; however, that no one will ever be able to convince me wasn’t an all out miracle.

My daughter was around thirteen and she was riding her horse, Eagle. I hated that horse and still do because he scares me to death. Let’s just say that I never really trusted him. Anyway, she was thrown off and we had to rush her to the hospital. Once there, since she hit her head, they ran a CAT scan. The doctor saw something on her CAT scan that he didn’t like.

We were referred to a hospital in Gainesville that specialized in this type of thing and the doctor confirmed that Amanda had a spot on her brain. It was actually resting above her brain and underneath the skull and was about the size of a golf ball (only flattened out). More tests proved that it wasn’t cancerous, but the fact that it was just sitting there was unnerving. We were given two options. Surgery, or leave it and keep an eye on it. If it didn’t grow then he wouldn’t mess with it, but if it started to change size then he would remove it. 

We went home heavy hearted. That night, while my wife and I were discussing what to do, Amanda came into the room crying. With tears streaming down her face she said, “I don’t want this thing on my brain Daddy.” It was heart breaking, but it made our decision easy. No doubt, as long as that spot was there she would worry about it. So, we made the call and a date for surgery was set up.

Friends visited and cards came for her. Everyone knew that she was going to have brain surgery and it was a nervous time for all of us. The Sunday before the surgery the pastor asked if he could pray for her in front of the church. Of course we said yes and she was led to the front where loving hands were placed on her and a petition was put forth to God for her healing.

The day before the surgery I had to work, so my wife and mother-in-law took Amanda to the hospital for some preliminary testing. They were to scan her again and get a good location and size of the spot for the surgery.

I’ll never forget the phone call I got that day. My wife was on the other end of the line so excited that I could hardly understand her. She kept saying, “It’s gone! It’s gone!” After finally getting her calmed down I learned that the CAT scan showed absolutely no signs of the spot on her brain. Even the doctor couldn’t believe it.

I have no doubts that God reached down and healed my daughter. We were so happy. Instead of taking the next day off of work for Amanda’s surgery, I took her to play putt putt golf instead. I think I had a grin on my face for a month.

We definitely saw a miracle that day and every time I think back on it I thank God for healing my daughter. Unfortunately, sometimes I get so wrapped up in this crazy life that I fail to recognize all of the small miracles that happen every single day. The fact that I still have a job, food to eat and a roof over my head should be cause enough to send my on my knees in thanksgiving.

Thank you Lord for helping me see that today.  

I received an e-mail a few months back while George Bush was still the president. The e-mail claimed that David Letterman wrote the article that I have posted below. Having listened to David Letterman espouse some of his political views, I find it hard to believe that he actually wrote it, but I guess it is possible. The fact is, it doesn't matter who put the pen to the paper, this is a good article and one worth reading.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek  magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe.  It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of  the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So, being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time  and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the  Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.
 
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
 
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and  pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it.......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
 
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig. So, why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J.. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way.......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek and use the NewYork Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"  

The only sport that I really get excited about is Florida Gator football. I don't watch any other college games and I could care less about professional ball of any kind whether it is football, baseball, basketball, etc... When the Gators end their season I stop watching sports, it is as simple as that.

Although they were winning games, I didn't think the team looked very good at the beginning of the season. Then came the Ole Miss game where they lost 31-30. After that heartbreaking loss, the quarterback, Tim Tebow, gave a short, emotional speech and promised the fans that the team would work harder than it ever has. I have to say, he has come through with that promise. 

After a decisive 42-14 victory over Vanderbilt last night the Gators clenched the SEC East and now they are set to play Alabama for the SEC title game. If they win that one, there is a possiblility of going to the BCS title game. 

What is it that has turned this team into a force to be reckoned with? Some could say it is the determination and coaching skills of Urban Meyer and his staff. I believe that has a lot to do with it, but I think that promise made by TIm Tebow is an even bigger factor. 

I have no doubt that Tebow is one of the most influential members on the team and it isn't hard to see that the other players respect him. He is a confessed Christian. His parents are missionaries and Tebow himself went on at least two short term mission trips over the summer. Even more impressive is the fact that Tebow talked Urban Meyer to go on one of the trips as well. He even took his wife and kids.

I'm not saying that God is pulling for the Gators to win the BCS title, but I firmly believe that he is giving the strength to Tebow to lead them in that direction. How can I say something like that? Just take a look at Tebow during one of the games. He wears the black sun blockers (I don't know the correct name of them) underneath his eyes every single game, whether it is a night or day game. Written across the one under the right eye is the word PHIL. Written across the one under the left eye are the numbers 4:13. That is a scripture from the Bible, Philippians 4:13 and this is what it says:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

You can take from that what you will. Me, I take it as a young man who is trusting God to strengthen him and lead him through adversity. I personally find it inspiring to know that God is willing to help us in our individual lives, even during football games, if we just put him first and try to lead a life that honors him.

So, with that said... Go Gators!   

This is one of my favorite hymns but, unfortunately, it isn't sung a lot any more. Nowadays hymns are "out of style". I know there are still a lot of churches that have hymn books, but quite a few churches are going to big screens and praise songs. Although I like the praise songs, I like the hymns too.

What has happened in our modern world is that churches are getting away from singing about "sin" and "blood" because the words make people uncomfortable. It is believed by some that we should come to church and feel good, not hear words that might actually put us under conviction.

What a joke! The whole idea behind Christianity is that Christ died for our sins and that he shed his blood to do so. When a church takes that out of their teaching then they have become nothing more than a social club. What good is Christianity if if doesn't teach about the blood of Jesus?

Anyway, with that in mind, here are the words to THERE IS A FOUNTAIN. As you can see, William Cowper was not afraid to write about the blood.

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.

The following information is from cyberhymnal.com.  It tells the amazing story of what William Cowper went through before he wrote the hymn THERE IS A FOUNTAIN in the late 1700's. The story in itself is amazing and it is a reminder of how God can use even the worst times in our lives to bring about good. It's a little difficult to read because it uses words that are no longer part of our vocabulary, but it is well worth the read. You can go to the web site and read the words to the song, or wait until I post them tomorrow.   

"This is one of the first hymns Cow­per wrote af­ter his first at­tack of tem­po­ra­ry mad­ness. Cow­per had been prom­ised a post as Clerk of the Jour­nal to the House of Lords, but was dis­mayed up­on learn­ing he would have to un­der­go a pub­lic ex­am­in­a­tion in the House be­fore be­gin­ning his du­ties. The fol­low­ing ar­ti­cle from the North Amer­i­can Re­view, Jan­u­a­ry, 1834, de­scribes his di­lem­ma, and how God pre­vent­ed him from de­stroy­ing him­self:

As the time drew nigh, his agony became more and more in­tense; he hoped and be­lieved that mad­ness would come to relieve him; he attempted also to make up his mind to commit su­i­cide, though his conscience bore stern testimony against it; he could not by any argument per­suade himself that it was right, but this des­per­a­tion pre­vailed, and he pro­cured from an apothecary the means of self-destruction. On the day before his public appearance was to be made, he happened to notice a letter in the newspaper, which to his dis­or­dered mind seemed like a ma­lig­nant li­bel on himself. He im­med­i­ate­ly threw down the pa­per and rushed into the fields, de­ter­mined to die in a ditch, but the thought struck him that he might es­cape from the count­ry. With the same vi­o­lence he pro­ceed­ed to make hasty prep­ar­a­tions for his flight; but while he was en­gaged in pack­ing his port­man­teau his mind changed, and he threw him­self into a coach, or­der­ing the man to drive to the Tower wharf, in­tend­ing to throw him­self in­to the ri­ver, and not re­flect­ing that it would be im­poss­i­ble to ac­comp­lish his pur­pose in that pub­lic spot. On ap­proach­ing the wa­ter, he found a por­ter seated upon some goods: he then re­turned to the coach and was con­veyed to his lodg­ings at the Temple. On the way he at­tempt­ed to drink the laud­a­num, but as oft­en as he raised it, a con­vuls­ive agi­ta­tion of his frame pre­vent­ed it from reach­ing his lips; and thus, re­gret­ting the loss of the op­por­tun­i­ty, but un­a­ble to avail him­self of it, he ar­rived, half dead with an­guish, at his apart­ment. He then shut the doors and threw him­self upon the bed with the laud­a­num near him, try­ing to lash himself up to the deed; but a voice within seemed con­stant­ly to for­bid it, and as of­ten as he ex­tend­ed his hand to the poi­son, his fing­ers were con­tract­ed and held back by spasms.

At this time one of the in­mates of the place came in, but he con­cealed his ag­i­ta­tion, and as soon as he was left alone, a change came over him, and so de­test­a­ble did the deed ap­pear, that he threw away the laud­a­num and dashed the vial to pieces. The rest of the day was spent in heavy insensibility, and at night he slept as usual; but on waking at three in the morning, he took his penknife and lay with his weight upon it, the point toward his heart. It was brok­en and would not pen­e­trate. At day break he arose, and pas­sing a strong gar­ter around his neck, fast­ened it to the frame of his bed: this gave way with his weight, but on securing it to the door, he was more successful, and remained suspended till he had lost all consciousness of existence. After a time the garter broke and he fell to the floor, so that his life was saved.; but the conflict had been greater than his reason could endure. He felt for himself a contempt not to be expressed or imagined; whenever he went into the street, it seemed as if every eye flashed upon him with indignation and scorn; he felt as if he had offended God so deep­ly that his guilt could ne­ver be for­giv­en, and his whole heart was filled with tu­mult­u­ous pangs of despair. Mad­ness was not far off, or rather mad­ness was al­ready come.

Af­ter re­cov­er­ing, Cow­per came to real­ize how God can erase the stain of any sin."

Tomorrow morning, I will be preaching a message at a local church. The scripture that I feel God directed me to was Isaiah 53:1-12. I want to post the scriptures on VOX. I could post the message that I have prepared, but anything that I have written could never compare with the infallible Word of God. I will go so far as to say that I am focusing on the life, death, burial, resurrection and eternal reign of Jesus Christ as found in these scriptures. Read them for yourself and see how God speaks to you.

  Isaiah 53:1-12, (NASB)

Camel Spider

I was given some false information about the camel spiders, or sun spiders, that were prevalent in the desert of Jordan when I was there on a temporary duty in 1996. I was told that the male spider would climb on camels, or soldiers, in the middle of the night and use an anesthetic like venom to deaden the skin and then make an incision. After that, the female would crawl up and lay eggs inside of the incision. The wound would heal and the baby spiders would grow under the skin until they were old enough to eat their way out.

ANALOGY OF A CAMEL SPIDER

Our church is having Vacation Bible School this week under the beach theme of Outrigger Island. My wife and I can help out in the Youth Department since it runs from 6-8:30 pm. We didn't do as much to help this year as we have done in year's past. We decorated the main room (I say we, but it was mostly my wife and her creative genius) and I am teaching the Thursday night lesson.

The lesson is from Jeremiah chapter 36 and I would dare say it is a story that most kids have never heard. It tells about how God instructed Jeremiah to write out his prophecies against Israel and Judah and then present them to the people in hopes that they would repent of their evil ways and return to God. This was done with the help of his scribe, Baruch.

There were some people who believed, but when the message was presented to King Jehoaikim, he took the scroll that the prophecy was written on, burned it and commanded his men to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch. However, Jeremiah and Baruch had been hidden away so they weren't arrested. Instead, God instructed Jeremiah to write everything down again, this time with words of judgment against the king.

I was having a hard time trying to figure out how to present this lesson and then I hit upon the idea of making it into a short play. After reading through it a couple of times, I came to the conclusion that I could break it down into four acts. Kids like to act things out and I think there are enough budding thespians in our youth group to help me out with this. I think the kids will have a good time with it and it will help me get the point across without having to talk for forty minutes.

ACT I

Jeremiah 36:1-4
God Inspired the Men Who Wrote It

CHARACTERS:
Narrator
God
Jeremiah
Baruch

(Jeremiah is kneeling on the stage in prayer, facing the right side of the stage. Baruch and God are off stage to the left).

NARRATOR: Josiah had been a good king. He took the throne when he was only eight years old and when he was 16, he turned to the one true God. He did a lot to reform the country and turn the people back to God. When he was about 26 years old, the book of the law was found by workmen cleaning out the temple. Josiah summoned the people together, read the law to them and entered into a renewal of the covenant with God. Years later, King Josiah was killed in battle. After his death, Josiah’s sons ruled over the kingdom, but they did not follow God’s ways. Our story takes place when Josiah’s son, Jehoiakim, was the king. It was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign that God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah.

GOD: (Enters and stands behind Jeremiah) Jeremiah!

JEREMIAH: (Continues to kneel, but looks up to heaven) Yes, Lord.

GOD: I want to you take a scroll and write down everything that I have spoken to you about Israel and Judah.

JEREMIAH: Do you want me to write down everything?

GOD: I want you to write down everything that I have told you from the time of Josiah until now. Maybe if the people hear the bad things that are going to happen to them, then they will turn from their evil ways and I will forgive them of their sins.

JEREMIAH: Yes Lord, I will do as you say. I will call someone to help me write it down. (God leaves the stage and Jeremiah stands up. Jeremiah turns to face the left side of the stage) Baruch, come here please!

BARUCH: (Baruch enters and the two men stand face to face) Yes, Jeremiah, what is it?

JEREMIAH: I need you to go with me to find a scroll and something to write with. I’m afraid we have a lot of work ahead of us.

BARUCH: Of course, what is going on?

The two men walk off stage, Jeremiah pretending to explain everything to Baruch with much excitement (making visible hand movements).

ACT II

Jeremiah 36:5-19
Some People Believe

CHARACTERS:

Narrator
Baruch
Maciah
Elishama
3-8 officials
Jehudi

(Baruch and Maciah are not on the stage, but are standing to the right of it. Maciah is in the very front row, sitting with the other VBS students. He is intently listening as Baruch stands in front of him, pretending to be speaking (using big arm and hand movements). All of the other characters are on the center of the stage, milling around, pretending to speak to one another).

Narrator: The story doesn’t pick up until the fifth year of Jehoiakim’s reign as king, so it obviously took quite a while to write down everything that God had told Jeremiah. When they were finally finished, Jeremiah instructed Baruch to take the scroll and read it in the temple. The Bible is not clear about why Jeremiah could not do this himself, but Baruch was obedient in completing his task. He entered the temple during a time that the people were fasting and read the words of God that had been passed down by Jeremiah.

BARUCH: … (Loudly) thus says the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah, “Turn from your evil ways!” (Baruch walks off and goes into the last classroom on the left, leaving Maciah sitting there).

MACIAH: (Stands up quickly and runs to the others who are on stage). Guys! Guys! Listen up! I just heard a message in the temple. The man who was speaking says that our country needs to repent of its evil ways and turn to God!

ELISHAMA: Who is this man? How do we know he isn’t some kind of a nut?

MACIAH: He’s not a nut. He is a scribe for the prophet Jeremiah. I think we should listen to what he has to say.

(Everyone gathers close together and quietly discusses what to do. After a few seconds, Elishama speaks up).

ELISHAMA : (Loudly) Jehudi, go and find this scribe and ask him to bring his scroll and read to us!

(Jehudi goes to the classroom and brings Baruch back with him).

BARUCH: What can I do for you gentlemen?

MACIAH: I was in the temple today when you read the scroll, but my friends were not. They were wondering if you would read it to them.

BARUCH: Of course I will.

(Maciah pretends to read out of the scroll as the narrator speaks).

NARRATOR: The men listening to Baruch were not just any men. In fact, they were scribes and officials from the king’s own court. As Baruch read to them, their hearts burned inside of their chests and they knew that they were hearing the truth. When the reading of the scroll was over…

BARUCH: … (Loudly) thus says the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah, “Turn from your evil ways!”

MACIAH: Tell us Baruch. How did you know what to write on this scroll?

BARUCH: God spoke to Jeremiah, and I wrote down everything that he told me to write.

MACIAH: Then we can be certain that it is the truth?

BARUCH: Yes!

ELISHAMA: We have to report these things to the king. He will want to know that his country is in danger. (Speaking directly to Baruch) I don’t know how the king will take this news. You and Jeremiah should both go into hiding until you hear that it is safe. Do you understand?

BARUCH: Yes, I will do as you say.

(Everyone walks off the stage quietly).

ACT III

Jeremiah 36:20-26
The King Rejects It

CHARACTERS:
Narrator
Jehoiakim
Jehudi
5-8 extras to sit around the king

(The king is sitting on a stool and everyone else is either standing or sitting on the floor around him. Jehudi is standing in front of the king, pretending to read the scroll. Leave room for the audience to see the king. You will need one of the tike torches to be lit).

NARRATOR: All of the men from the previous scene went to the king and told him of the scroll and how they thought it would be a good idea for him to hear its words. The king was willing to hear what was written on the scroll and called out for Jehudi to get it and read it to him. He had only read part of the scroll when the king spoke to Jehudi…

JEHOIAKIM: (In an authoritative voice) Give me the scroll Jehudi.

(Jehudi gives the scroll to the king, bowing his head in reverence as the king removes it from his hands).

JEHOIAKIM: I cannot listen to this! (The king tears off two or three pages and pretends to burn them over the tiki torch).

JEHUDI: I plead with you O King, do not burn the scroll. The words came from Almighty God himself.

JEHOIAKIM: I am not afraid of God and I do not believe what is written on this scroll. This is clearly a plan to take my country from me.

(The king puts the whole scroll over the fire and pretends to burn the whole thing. Everyone that is around him claps as they watch it burn. Finally, everything quiets down and the king speaks again…)

JEHOIAKIM: (Points at the people surrounding him) I want Baruch and Jeremiah captured and thrown in prison! They will not be allowed to get away with this.

(Everyone, except for the king and Jehudi, runs off stage making loud noises and hand movements as they go to search for Baruch and Jeremiah. After they are gone, Jehudi walks off stage quietly, shaking his head. After that, Jehoiakim places his hands behind his back and walks off stage with a big smile on his face).

ACT IV

Jeremiah 36:27-32
Nothing Can Destroy God’s Word
CHARACTERS:
God
Jeremiah
Baruch

(Jeremiah is kneeling on the stage in prayer, facing the right side of the stage. Baruch and God are off stage to the left).

GOD: (Enters and stands behind Jeremiah) Jeremiah!

JEREMIAH: (Continues to kneel, but looks up to heaven) Yes, Lord.

GOD: I want to you take another scroll and write down everything that I have spoken to you about Israel and Judah.

JEREMIAH: You mean… you want me to… to write it again Lord?

GOD: Yes, but this time I want you to add something else. I want you to write this: “King Jehoiakim, you burned the first scroll and did not take heed to the words that were on it. Because of this, you will have no one to sit on the throne and your dead body will be cast out in the heat of the day and the frost of the night.” Also, let him know that I will punish him and his descendants and his servants for their sins because they did not listen. Do you understand Jeremiah?

JEREMIAH: Yes Lord, I will do as you say. I will call Baruch to help me again. (God leaves the stage and Jeremiah stands up. Jeremiah turns to face the left side of the stage) Baruch, come here please!

BARUCH: (Baruch enters and the two men stand face to face) Yes, Jeremiah, what is it?

JEREMIAH: I need you to go with me to find a scroll and something to write with. I’m afraid we have to start all over again.

BARUCH: (Loudly, and with a look of disbelief) What! What are you talking about? It took us almost a year the first time.

JEREMIAH: I know, and this time it might even take longer.

(The two men walk off stage, Jeremiah pretending to explain everything to Baruch with much excitement (making visible hand movements). Baruch shakes his head and throws his hands in the air).

In July, my wife, son and five other people from our church are going on trip to Romania with a group called International World Changers. I am not going myself, but I am helping my wife get everything together.

To go on this trip, the group is required to perform a local mission activity, so we did ours today. A local flea market donated a booth to us and we set up three different stations: face painting, balloon animals and blood pressure checks. We also brought along flyers to promote our Vacation Bible School which starts on June 9^th. 

The Team

Everyone has an evangelism puzzle box called an EVANGECUBE and our goal was to get as much practice with it as possible. A lot of people stopped by our booth and every person on our team had the opportunity to share the Gospel a number of times. Not only that, they got to practice making balloon animals and face painting as well; something that they might get to do when they are in Romania.

My son using the Evangecube

It was great to see the team working together and sharing the love of Christ. What is sad is that people in the United States are far less receptive than anyone I ever met on one of my mission trips overseas. When you take God’s Word to other countries there is a hunger there that isn’t in our own country. What is it going to take to change that? 

I wrote the following message back in May of 2005 and got the opportunity to deliver it to a local church. I wish that I could say all has been great for me spiritually since then, but it has definitely been a bumpy road. I want to share it now because I believe there are a lot of Christians who have "crashed down" and haven't quite been able to pull themselves back up. We live in a world that kicks us when we are down and it is especially true for the Christian. 

INTRODUCTION

I was on a spiritual high when I was stationed in Valdosta, Georgia with the U.S Air Force. I was in a Bible believing, Bible teaching church and my relationship with Christ was at a peak. In 1998, I got out of the Air Force and moved my family back to Florida. My spiritual life flourished for a while and I actually got the opportunity to help start a new church, filling in as interim pastor for almost a year. But in the year 2002, I came crashing down from the top in a hard way. Almost overnight my relationship with God seemed to become a thing of the past. As a result, my spiritual life fell to an all time low. I am ashamed to admit it, but there were times that I didn’t want to go to church at all. If it wasn’t for my wife and children I probably would have left the church completely. I fell under a dark cloud of spiritual depression that I just couldn’t seem to get out from under. I started doubting God and his direction in my life. I even questioned if God had anything to do with the direction of my life. In a nutshell, I was miserable.

It has taken a long time, but the wounds have finally started to heal. I feel as if I am making my way back up the mountain, be it ever so slowly. I firmly believe that God allowed me to crash to the bottom so that I can take what I have learned and not only apply it to my own life, but share it with others as well. He has shown me that there are multitudes of people who know Jesus, yet have fallen away because of something that happened to make them grow angry, bitter or even depressed. In most cases, they know their relationship with God is suffering, but the pain runs so deep that they can’t even make themselves care.

How about you? Do you fall into this category? Do you feel as if God has deserted you and left you to fend for yourself in a cruel world? Does your heart ache so much that you wonder if the pain will ever stop? Then please listen to this message and allow God to heal your broken spirit.

I.                    WHAT CAUSES US TO CRASH TO THE BOTTOM? (this is not an exhaustive list)

A.     Getting hurt by the actions of others.

1.      Betrayal – Nothing cuts deeper than being betrayed by a friend. Unfortunately, it happens all too often between Christians and non-Christians alike. 

2.      Lies – Sometimes it comes from a friend, sometimes it comes from an unknown source. Wherever it begins, when someone tells a lie about us it hurts. What makes it worse is when those we know and love hear it and believe it. In my own life, this is what sent me on a downward spiral.

3.      Hypocrisy – Who hasn’t heard the old expression about too many hypocrites being in the church? For some people, watching church members willingly commit sin and then file in on Sunday to worship God is too much to handle. Even long time Christians sometimes find it difficult to cope with the hypocrisy that permeates the church of today.

4.      Church Politics

i.                     Preaching – It’s easy to pick apart a pastor and the way he preaches or leads the church. To some, it becomes a favorite pastime. To others, it is a reason to leave the church and never come back.

ii.                   Music – This is probably one of the most controversial subjects in the church today, and a medium that Satan uses to hurt and injure Christians on a weekly basis.   

B.     Getting hurt by the actions of God.  Is it sacrilegious to say that we have been hurt by the actions of God? It certainly sounds like something we shouldn’t allow to come from our lips, but it still happens nonetheless. A lot of times people blame God when bad things happen to them. A prime example would be the hurricanes or other natural disasters. But I’m not only talking about natural disasters. Christians sometimes have an extremely hard time when God doesn’t answer their plea for help during times of distress. It’s definitely a true statement that we can get our feelings hurt when God doesn’t do what we think he should have done. The following is a list of seemingly unanswered prayers that can turn a person’s life inside out (this is not an exhaustive list).

1.      The death of a loved one.

2.      The diagnosis of a life threatening disease.

3.      Unbearable physical suffering.

4.      Wayward children.

C.     Getting hurt by the actions of ourselves.

1.      Sin – sometimes our pain is self inflicted.

i.                     Open sin.

ii.                   Secret sin.

D.     Other actions that hurt us.

1.      Divorce.

2.      Mental, physical or sexual abuse.

3.      Church split.

4.      Financial distress.

I.                 WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THE FALL? (This is not an exhaustive list)

A.     The desire to read the Bible and pray is hard to find or doesn’t exist.

B.     Going to church becomes a chore, slows down dramatically or ceases completely.

C.     There is no yearning to be around other Christians.

D.     Compassion towards others begins to fade away.

E.      Old sins start to creep back in.

III.               WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET BACK TO THE TOP?

I wish I could lay out a simple plan that would make getting back to the top as easy as turning on a light switch. The truth of the matter is that even though getting to the bottom can be very sudden; finally getting back to the top of the mountain can take weeks, months, or even sometimes years. What we have to do is learn to look at our current situation through the eyes of God. We have to keep our eyes and hearts focused on him and his Word and trust him to help us out. At the same time we should rest assured in the fact that he understands what we are going through.

A.     Recognize that falls are inevitable – 1 Peter 1:6

1.      “Though now for a season” – God tells us here that there are some tough times coming. But he reassures us that they are only for a season. He doesn’t expect us to stay there for the rest of our lives. But how long is a season? I think that depends on the person and how they handle their circumstances. In order to move on we have to be willing to deal with some of our own feelings:

i.                     Bitterness

ii.                   Hate

iii.                  Forgiveness

·        We must forgive others

·         We must believe that God will forgive us

2.      “If need be” – God will allow us to go through hard times if he sees a need for it.

3.      “Ye are in heaviness” – It is OK to be in heaviness or to feel down about something. Some Christians think that they have to be jolly and happy all the time. That’s just not true. This entire verse teaches us that we just might end up in heaviness. The best part about it is that it will only be for a “season”.

B.     Don’t be surprised when the fall comes– 1 Peter 4:12

God says that we shouldn’t think it as some strange thing when adversity finds us. A lot of people don’t like to hear it, but there is a reason for the suffering that takes place in our lives.

ILLUSTRATION

The U.S. Navy has a Special Forces team called the SEALS. It takes a lot to become part of this elite group. One of the many physical challenges that SEALS in training must complete is called “surf torture”.  It all stems from the fact that a frogman must be intimately familiar with the water. During training the student is wet and sandy for most of the six months. Even the classroom sessions include a trip or two to the surf zone to facilitate an alert posture during the class. Periodically, the instructors include a little cold water conditioning in the training schedule. Basically the entire class must wade into the surf zone to their waist line and then sit down with arms linked. The whole time they are there the waves crash into them, hence the term “surf torture”.  The water coming in from the Pacific never gets above 68 degrees during summer months and 58 degrees during winter. Soon the biting cold sucks out all of the body's warmth and the entire class shivers in unison as the waves crash over their heads. The plan calls for submersion to the brink of hypothermia, then the trainees get pulled out for some calisthenics to warm up - then back in the surf for more conditioning. The training session lasts for about an hour. It's been proven to be a very successful way to teach prospective SEALS how to mentally fend off the effects of hypothermia.

I’m quite sure the trainees don’t enjoy the surf torture and all of the physical agony that comes along with it. However, recognizing the onset of hypothermia and knowing how the body reacts under such extreme conditions may one day be the difference between life and death. That is exactly what God is doing with us. By putting us through his own version of “surf torture”, he is preparing us for something that may come along in the future. We might not like what we are going through, but there will come a day when we will have to take what we have learned and apply it to our lives or the life of someone else.

C.     Allow God to take the lead – 1 Peter 5:10

Too often we try to figure out a way to get out of our current situation; by doing so we fail to allow God to work it out. If you are under spiritual depression today, if you hurt so deeply that you wonder if you have any feelings left, then please stop trying to do it your way and allow God to work in your life.

The first part of this verse reminds us again that we don’t have to stay on this road forever. It says, “After that ye have suffered a while”. But God doesn’t just leave us hanging from the gallows with no hope of rescue. He continues on by telling us what he will do for us.

1.      GOD PREPARES US. He will “make you perfect”.  This literally means that he will “make you what you ought to be”. Isn’t it comforting to know that even when God is shaping us into what he wants us to be that he is still holding us in his loving hands?

2.      GOD HELPS US STAND OUR GROUND. He will “establish” you. Roman soldiers used to have spikes on the back of their boots so they could literally dig in their heels and stand their ground during battle. If we allow him to, God will help us dig in for battle and stand our ground when difficulties arise.

3.      GOD STRENGTHENS US. He will “strengthen” you. The Greek word, sthenoo, is only found in this verse and it means “to strengthen”. There just isn’t any other way to say it.

4.      GOD PUTS US ON A FIRM FOUNDATION. He will “settle” you. This means he will “put you on a firm foundation”. There is no stronger foundation than Jesus Christ and when we stand on him we know that we are standing on solid ground. 

CONCLUSION

Are you tired of feeling like a dark cloud is over your head?

Do you long to feel the way you used to feel about your relationship with God?

Are you willing to forgive and allow God to work in your life?

Are you willing to accept forgiveness from God?

Are you willing to stop trying to figure things out and let God take control?  

If so, you are ready to allow God to:

PREPARE YOU

HELP YOU STAND YOUR GROUND

STRENGTHEN YOU

PUT YOU ON A FIRM FOUNDATION

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  Psalm 51:17