Grab a coffee with Caffee and read along…

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

“That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:17

Divine Connections—I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. A divine connection is someone that God has placed on your journey to help you accomplish the task He has given you. This person(s) in your life might be there to help you meet your goal, might be an encouragement, might have the gift of discernment or might cause you to grow in areas that are lacking. I am still working on the fact that people come in and out of your life. It’s a difficult concept. There are many people that have wandered in and wandered out. It’s life. However, I’m learning that they may have accomplish their task that God has sent them for. Sometimes we don’t even understand why someone is in our lives til much later. I heard a famous theologian say, “We live life forward, but we understand it backwards.” How true that is. Jesus even said this to His disciples when He was washing their feet “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7) I have met people in my life that at the time I didn’t understand their purpose, but looking back on it, now I do. That’s how God works. He sees the bigger picture before we do. Utilize God’s wisdom to see if some people are truly in your life for a purpose from God or maybe they’re on a assignment that is not from God. Such was the case in the Acts of the Apostles when people were trying to jail those speaking in Jesus’ Name and the authorities were going to jail Peter and the other apostles. Gamaliel, a Pharisee, actually came to their rescue and said, “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39) Great advice. Trust in God’s plan, His timing and His purpose. Utilize God’s wisdom in prayer and in His Word.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” - Romans 2:4

When I was a kid I remember thinking “Oh, I’ll just do this and apologize later.” We’ve all done it. We’ve all done things that maybe weren’t in our best interest, but we thought we would just worry about the consequences later. I understand that thought, but is it causing us to be mature people? People of integrity? I get it. I was the same person who didn’t worry about what I was eating and then cried about being 80 pounds overweight. I was the same person who did things and then wondered why things weren’t working out for me. I was the same person who didn’t put the work in and wondered why my goals weren’t being reached. God is kind. I’m sure at times it doesn’t seem like it, but He is. What kind of a Dad would He be if He just gave us whatever we wanted whenever we wanted even if it was going to cause us harm in the future? See, God is a Good Father. God is so patient with us. He wants us to follow His way, but He knows we are stubborn and want to follow our way first sometimes. However, God’s kindness is supposed to lead us to draw closer to Him. His kindness is supposed to cause us to think “God really loves me and I don’t want to do this thing where it hurts Him.” God’s love does not give us a license to sin, but it provides for us the nixing of feelings of shame and guilt when we do mess up. The saying nowadays is “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” This saying irritates me because even the devil is spiritual. Follow Christ’s way. Follow His thinking (Philippians 2:5). God really loves you and wants the best for you even when you don’t choose it yourself.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

“Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” - Psalm 62:2

It’s been a while since I have written or made any podcast. There has been a lot going on as far as my grandma passing, sickness on my end and my busy time of the year. Nevertheless, I come to you today to bring you some thoughts.

Can I give you a comforting word? You are not the Savior of the World and you are not the “be all, end all”. “Phil, how is that comforting?” Well, it is because you don’t have to be those things. That title has already been taken! We can relax and just do our part in the Kingdom of God. The weight of the world was never meant to be on us. It is on one person and His name is Jesus. Why am I telling you this? I’m going through a test in my ministry and life and I am learning this very thing.

A number of events have come up in the past year where I cannot make my ministry duties. Does it make me feel like I’m skipping out of my job? Yes. Is that my intention? No. Then the feeling comes to me that if I am not there then everything is gone awry. “Did anyone die?” No. That’s what I ask myself when things don’t go the way I had planned or left them to go. AND THAT’S OKAY! God is still on the throne!

I have hit 30 years old this year and it has been a whirlwind of emotions. Comparison is the thief of joy they say. Very true. It’s also a trick of the enemy to make you think it’s over for you or that you’ll never accomplish a goal. All lies. See, I thought by now I would be off changing the world one note at a time. My wife often tells me that it’s never too late and reminds me that life is not over. This is true. As long as God gives me breath then I have a purpose. Who knows what my purpose is except God Almighty? He has given me 30 years and hopefully more to change lives and change the world, but maybe it occurs one person at a time.

I am also in the midst of learning that God is sovereign over all - big words…
God is in control. I am not. I am in control of what I think, say and do, but I am not in charge of the world. Thank God for that! Whatever may come my way, God is one step ahead. Whatever goes on here on earth is not my fault or in my hands to change. I can pray and be a light. If something comes in my lap that I can try to make a difference doing then so be it. See, I think my generation has been taught that we’re supposed to change the world. While that is wonderful to say and a noble task and charge, it often can leave us defeated when things don’t go our way. We can only do what God ordains us to do. We can only do what we are capable of. God will do the rest. Kind of leaves the pressure off of us, right?

I’ve been in the “classroom of life” lately where learning never ends!

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” - Psalm 32:8

Recently, I’ve decided to take counsel in my fitness journey in a very trusted friend. Being someone that doesn’t usually like to ask for help this is a big step. While I got pretty far in my journey just imitating what I saw fitness influencers do and following trusted dietary advice, I realized that everyone needs accountability. Someone to keep you on track, encourage you and guide you to the next step. While you can go far on your own, you may not reach your fullest potential or may become stagnant. This is what was happening to me. I realized there was more for me to do. It’s a life-long journey, not a destination. However, I realized in the last 7 months, nothing has really changed in my body. I’ve followed a few things here and there, but I decided if I wanted to reach a higher goal then I need to trust someone who has more knowledge than me on the subject and have accountability to push me toward a higher goal. It’s not easy for me to just have someone guide me. I’m pretty self-driven if want to do something. However, I know that God wants to continue to chisel at me in order for me to become all that He has created me to be.

Where do you need to ask for accountability in your life?
Where are you stagnant?
Where do you know you could grow more?

Seek out trusted people you know that might help you in the process. If no one comes to mind, God will lead you to the right people at the right place and time.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” - Ecclesiastes 2:11

I wanted to write today instead of doing a podcast.

Priorities - When Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, he was giving us wisdom from his experience. Solomon asked God to make him the wisest people on earth and so He did. That alone tells you about Solomon’s priorities—that in this life Solomon only wanted to use his intellect for the betterment of mankind. Solomon’s priority should be one of our top priorities. We should be seeking the wisdom of God always.

I wanted to write about priorities because it’s something I struggle with. I have the correct priorities in check, but I lose balance quickly. I’m someone who gives their all into something or things I’m passionate about, but I tend to take things to the extreme. I think of myself as a pendulum. I go all the way to the right or left but then I do find equilibrium. For instance, I’m not good at taking time off of work. Why? I put my heart and soul into what I do and I don’t not want to do it. I’m not good at taking rest days from working out. Why? Because I want to see my best self. These are great things, but even God rested! (Genesis 2:2-3) Jesus even tells "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27) Nevertheless, balance is difficult. I’m someone who thrives under parameters. So, when there’s structure in place I tend to be doing well.

God wants us to be centered on Him. If we’re not centered on Him then we’re going to run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) The first priority we should always commit to is seeking God—not the job, not the physique, not the spouse, not the kids, not the deals, not the newest thing, not the promotion, but God. Where do you need balance today?

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Listen to this weeks podcast in the links below.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/CJv3j7Ht0Qs

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/1172024---Holiness-of-God-e2ejkp4

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

For today’s inspiration check out one of the following links and share with a friend!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/zj91EAHttvo

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Listen to this weeks podcast here:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/JwfmK4kyh-o

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

For today’s podcast check out one of the following links:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mBEy9Px2Udo

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

For today’s podcast, check out one of the following links. Enjoy!

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/1262023---Forgiveness-of-Your-Past-e2csm4j

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0R8uhHf7_30

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8

I wanted to make a podcast today, but my voice is a bit raspy so I’ll write for today.

Last night as I was praying, I began to list my requests to God, but then it occurred to me, “Is there anything I can do as I lay my requests before God in prayer?” I began to wonder if sometimes the answer to the prayer is that we are supposed to do something instead of just taking care of it in an instant. I began to think about people in my life that I know need special guidance. I thought, “Am I providing that in a subtle way?” “Have I done anything to steer them in the Lord’s direction?” “Have I asked the Holy Spirit how I can be used in the situation?” We tend to focus on the first part of this verse where it says, “Ask and it will be given to you”, but I wanted to focus on the “seek and you will find” part. One of my favorite theologians said, "We need to seek God’s face not just His hand.” I love that because if I were to only seek my friends out for favors instead of spending time with them then what kind of a relationship would that be? It certainly would feel one sided. God wants a relationship with us. Prayer is just talking to God. Yes, He is God, but He is also someone we can ALWAYS call and He will answer. If it’s a relationship, maybe it’s not just laying requests before God and walking away? Maybe it’s asking God, “What do you want me to do in this situation?” “How do you want to use me in this prayer request if at all?” Once I thought like that, creativity began to flow of how I could be help to people I was praying for. There are times we just need to leave the situation in God’s hands and walk away, but there are times that we are to be partners with God in quest for the answer to that prayer. St. Paul puts it this way, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Ask God in your prayer time how you can be of service to Him to help bring peace, love and joy to others and bring about God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

For this weeks Wisdom Wednesday Podcasts - click one of the following links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn6jf3OIhas&feature=youtu.be

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/11222023---Why-Do-We-Rush-So-Quickly-Towards-Christmas-e2ca4rr

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Listen to either Spotify or YouTube for this weeks inspiration.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/QTpHaZkqNv0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oBObnFJX3PILcB44swysy?si=-pr0LJ_aTcq9kyku1EDxZw

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Listen in to today’s podcast for some inspiration. Click either the Spotify or YouTube link.

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/1182023---Everything-is-Permissible--But-Not-Everything-is-Beneficial-e2bme6e/a-aaj989q

YouTube: https://youtu.be/foylECW_0w4

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

“It is good and pleasant when God’s people live together in peace!” - Psalm 133:1

I just thought it was cliché when people used to say, “We need each other”, “We’re better together” or “We can do this together.” It wasn’t until Natalia and I had Emilia that I quickly learned we needed all the help we can get. It is time consuming, exhausting, taxing and anxiety provoking to be a part. It is also rewarding, beautiful, hysterical and humbling. There have been days Emilia and I laugh and there are days I want to run away. However, I could not do any of this without the people around me that care. Whether it be to pick her up from school, take her out to events, spend time with her or just someone to talk to for me it all points to the fact that “we need each other.” I used to think “I got this”, “I don’t need help” or “I’ll prove to them I can do this.” While the eagerness is admirable, there is also a component where we are human, not machines. I’m learning this right now because my schedule is so stretched that I have to remind myself, “I’m not a machine.” Even when God created humans, He didn’t leave Adam alone, He created Eve. We all exist to please God and love our neighbor. We’re not meant to do life on our own. Jesus could have done it alone, but He also chose 12 good friends to partner with Him in His journey and ministry. This was an excellent model for us. If you’re in need of people to help you on the journey, check out the local church, ask friends to help you, ask trusted people you know to talk to, help you or listen to you. We truly are all in this together. If you’re out there trying to do it all on your own, it’s going to get exhausting. Let Jesus carry the load for you. You don’t need to do this alone.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Listen to one of the following links from YouTube or Spotify for today’s Wisdom Wednesday. Like and share with a friend!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/CcEVeLqy-qU

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/10252023---Pasta-is-Not-the-Enemy-e2b1aug/a-aah7obe

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Listen to one of the following links from YouTube or Spotify for today’s Wisdom Wednesday. Like and share with a friend!

YouTube: https://youtu.be/x7O2g4aGjco

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/10182023---Share-Your-Story-e2ankes

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Listen to one of the following links from YouTube or Spotify for today’s Wisdom Wednesday. Like and share with a friend!

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/philcaffee/episodes/10112023---Christ-Has-No-Body-Now-But-Yours-e2ae3fm

YouTube: https://youtu.be/fLS5jYliEFs

Only audio blog/podcast this week - October 4, 2023. Listen in to one of the links below:

Spotify: https://anchor.fm/philcaffee/episodes/1042023---Focus-Above-e2a4s42

YouTube: https://youtu.be/nf5QHwQOBzA

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” - Matthew 16:24

Yield - this sign on the road is oftentimes not regarded, but if not obeyed it could cause damage to you, others and your vehicle. If we do not yield in life, we could do the same. When we yield, we surrender. We’re saying we need to pause, look around us and then see if we should proceed. There are many things in my life that I’m learning that I just must yield to God. I cannot control every circumstance around me therefore I must yield and tell God, “This is yours and I’m trusting that you’ll guide, protect and lead me.” God is bigger than any situation, circumstance, trial, hurricane, disease, war, famine, political structure, leader, family dynamic or dysfunction. I think we often underestimate God’s size. You see—He is everywhere, always present and always available. Not only should that direct our steps, but it should give us comfort that He is with us no matter what we’re going through. The scripture I chose today for this blog is telling me that no matter the circumstance, situation or thing that is ailing us that we should seek Jesus, deny our fears and surrender the issue to Him. I’m not saying to deny yourself from being human. We’re allowed to feeling our feelings, but we shouldn’t live in them. It won’t do us any good to dwell on something that we can’t change. I heard a podcaster say, “If it’s not going to matter to us in 5 years then it shouldn’t be dwelt on for more than 5 minutes.” Give it to God. Tell God, “You’re bigger this issue, I’ll let you take care of it. I can’t control it, but you will lead and guide me.” After that, we move on and proceed to the route. What do you need to surrender to God today?

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

“…Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me…” - John 11:41b-42a

Last week I took off from writing. Starting the new school year with lots of changes in our household caught up with me and I needed to take a rest.

Over the past several months, I’ve been trying to be more intentional in my prayer life. I’ve been trying to pray for specific persons and for their specific needs. However, I noticed after a few months of doing this, it became rote. I realized I was doing it to “check the box” that I prayed and it became monotonous. I don’t deny that God still heard these prayers, but it didn’t feel like I was communicating. It felt like I rattled off my list and moved on. I think oftentimes we just go to God with our needs and move on. Instead, we should be communicating with God with what’s on our heart. There is still a need for intentional prayer for people and things, but God wants us to be His friend. When you call a friend do you just tell them what you want to tell them and hang up? No! You communicate with them, check in, tell them how things are going or something that’s weighing on you or something that went well. This is prayer. St. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Never stop praying.” We should always be in communication with our Heavenly Father. He is as close as the mention of His Name. If we’re just rattling off things to God how can we leave room for anything He wants to say? He wants us to carry out a special mission in this world and we need to hear it! He has creative ideas to impart to us! He has encouragement to impart to us, wisdom and His words of hope, peace and love. We need to quiet our minds sometimes and just listen. I’m reminded of the song by James Taylor with these words:

“You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend”

I think that God speaks these words to us and wants us to call out His Holy Name. He will be there.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” - Psalm 94:19

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

With all the chaos going on in the world and in our lives, I think it’s pertinent to talk about a form of peace—letting things go! This is super tough for me. I like to know there is a solution to every problem. It’s so tough even when you know the solution and you can do nothing about it too. See, I’m someone who likes to control and I’m learning through situations in my life and having a child that I am not in control. This is a tough reality because I like to know how things are going to end. I’ll never know until I get there and neither will you. I can’t arrive at the result sooner than I’d like because that’s not how life works. However, I know where to go. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Where are we ever going to find rest than in His presence? Yes, God dwells all around us, but there’s something special and some place that’s special and serene to go to. God dwells among His people especially in His House—the Church. The people are the Church, but the building is a peaceful component where God’s people meet and are in community together. I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful faith community for over 15 years. I can say that if someone is in need, they are there. My wife and I have had all our milestones and some occasional tough times in our lives while we have been part of this community and they have been there to support us in all ways. I don’t know of another place than the local church where you can find such support. God dwells among His people. There is peace in His presence. Many times in my life I’ve sat in the quiet to collect my thoughts or pray and when I do this in the church, I feel immense peace and how everything is going to be okay. It is in the hallowed space, a consecrated space, a sanctuary where God meets with His people collectively in community. What a beautiful thing! If you’re not part of a local church, give it a try. I’ve heard it all before: “What’s so special about a building?”, “Why does God need my time?”, “They’re all nuts.”, “Why should I listen to someone talk who isn’t perfect?” Well, here’s the thing—God needs nothing and we all need Him. When we don’t choose Him or put Him first then we will not have peace in our lives. We will search all over for it, but we won’t find it, but in His presence. Letting your problems go at His altar in His presence is a great practice and a great way to obtain His peace. Will you try this week?

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” - John 15:4-7

Yesterday my daughter wasn’t feeling the best and so she was very “needy”. With this comes the need for more attention than usual. When we came home from school, she wanted to relax and watch a movie. I put on a movie that she wanted and I proceeded to make us lunch. While attempting to make lunch she kept shouting “Daddy, watch!”, “Daddy, come here!”, “Daddy, watch this part!” With excitement of each call, it became a timely project to make our lunch while having to run to each scene. However, reflecting on this, all she did was want to spend time with me. She wanted to share something she found amusing and give me joy. While it was slightly inconvenient, I annoyingly appreciated that I was wanted to share a joyful moment with.

The same goes for God. He wants us to share all our joyous moments with Him. He wants to spend time with us. He wants to show us that glimpse of joy. Why? Because He loves us, we are His masterpiece and He longs to spend time with His Creation. Jesus tells us in today’s passage to “abide” in me. The more we spend time with God and hang out on the vine, the more we become fruitful. This fruit may not always be activity, but it may be a ripening for us to grow in the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Whether we are sharing our joyful moments with God or He wants to show us something means time is spent time with our Dad. Will you share a moment with Him today?

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. - John 15:16

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. - Isaiah 42:16

Over the past few months, but especially lately in my life I’ve been learning that we all grow in uncomfortable situations. We have a choice when we’re uncomfortable to either sulk in it or thrive. I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. Tomorrow, I start a new position being a music teacher. This is something I’ve always wanted to. The thought of it makes me nervous in a good way. This situation will cause me to think differently, be creative in different realms and to give myself more structure. By doing this, I’m allowing myself to possibly grow in a different capacity and learn new things and perhaps embark on new opportunities.

If you’ve read my blogs for the past few months you know that another way I’ve been uncomfortable is through fitness. I’ve come to enjoy fitness. Pushing myself in the midst of not always wanting to or to exert strength in the midst of being uncomfortable. These are great things! How can we know the limits of the human body if we never tried to reach them? I say this within reason. Of course, we shouldn’t put ourselves in deaths way, but rather push ourselves to become all that we can be!

Another comfort zone pusher is forgiveness. I think a lot of us struggle with how to forgive or the desire to want to forgive. In our society that wants to cancel everything and make it pure, we fail to even attempt to forgive or see a different perspective. Sometimes we don’t want to forgive because we think by doing so that person is “harmed” by us harboring unforgiveness. We don’t harm anyone, but ourselves when we choose not to forgive. To forgive pushes us to grow in an uncomfortable situation. This doesn’t mean we condone behavior in another person, but it means that we are choosing to look beyond the fault and choose to love the person anyway because after all, they are still one of God’s Creation. To forgive sets us free to grow in the love of God and to realize how much God loves us.

Jesus calls us to go bear fruit. We bear fruit when we’re put in uncomfortable situations. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and watch yourself soar.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. - Revelation 22:5

Emilia and I were watching the hit movie “Moana.” It’s not the first time either of us have seen it, but there was a particular scene where Emilia said to me, “Turn it off, I don’t like this part.” It was the part where the glamorous crustacean was attempting to harm Maui and Moana. I said to Emilia, “You know how this story ends, don’t worry.” The same goes for us, friends. For us believers, the story that God has ordained for His people has a bright ending. It certainly does not have a glimmering middle, but there are rays of hope throughout. We know at the end of the book, we win and there is beauty, solace and restoration. I want to encourage you today—wherever you are in God’s movie of your life trust that it will end beautifully. People say, “Well, if it ended wonderfully why did they still die?” or “Why did this horrible event happen?” Well, the fascinating thing about it is what St. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians and Philippians. He said in Philippians 1:23, “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.” and then in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” This earthly realm only offers so much, but in Heaven we are restored, made perfect and are with God forevermore. So, whatever trial, difficulty or issue is at hand today or is to come, remember that God wins, we win and to trust in His Son, Jesus to continue to save us which was won by His Cross and glorious Resurrection from the dead. Where else can you find a marvelous ending?

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” - Lamentations 3:25

“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” - Psalm 33:20-22

In an age of instant gratification why would we ever need to wait again? We have microwaves to cook food in seconds. We have cell phones to call or even video people on demand. We have streaming services where you can watch movies and shows on demand. We even have streaming services where we can listen to any song we want at any time. We have countless luxury items at our exposure. At one point, these were luxury items and now we take them as modern day needs. We no longer have to wait. I remember having to listen to the radio to hear the song I wanted or to sit through commercials to get to the show I was watching. In an age where we snap our fingers and it is done, we’ve lost the art of waiting. I’ve come to notice this especially with me in my fitness journey. I want to be a certain weight and appearance and I want it now. There’s nothing wrong with wanting these things, but to want it in an instant is unrealistic. A wise person at church said to me recently that it will happen, but it comes with waiting. Waiting can be exhausting and draining or we can do what Jeremiah says in Lamentations or the Psalmist says and seek God, have hope and a glad heart. If we’re doing everything we can in the mean time, then we know that God will take care of the rest. God does not operate on our time schedule. I have learned that what I want out of life most of the time does not come in an instant. I think about when Natalia was pregnant with Emilia— we had to wait 9 months before she was born. We had all the preparations to make before she came. We had all the showers, the name picking, the items to buy, the prayers to say and the list goes on. Had she been born right away we would not have been prepared! God knew what He was doing when He made the female human body have to carry the baby for 9 months. It’s the right amount of time. In the midst of our waiting, we have to have joy, be prepared and do the right thing. God is not worried, why should we be?

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes…” - Malachi 3:2

Have you ever had your identity stolen? Have you ever had someone make purchases on your account that you did not make? Or sell things in your name that you weren’t selling? Or use your name to defame your character? We’ve all had some form of identity theft or have come close to falling prey to a tactic that was going to lead us astray. This is the enemy at work. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” However, I want to tell you today that if you’ve had a setback then it’s just paving the way for a comeback! That’s inspiring! In today’s passage, Malachi uses the image of metal in a furnace. In order to shape the metal or purify a gold, it has to go through extreme temperatures. When the metal comes out or the gold is finished being purified, it comes out more beautiful than how it went in. I had someone at my church recently tell me that sometimes God allows us to go through trials to make us sharper. What she was saying is that sometimes God allows us to go through things to give us new creativity, more wisdom or a new direction. While it may be painful to go through, God uses that situation and redeems it for His purpose. Trust the Refiner in the midst of the fire.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

“You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” - John 16:24

Lately, I have needed to “choose joy.” Sometimes life is difficult, results don’t come as quick as we’d like or people don’t respond how we’d like them to. In all of this we need to choose joy. It is a choice contrary to the popular belief that our culture tells us we just need to “go with how we feel.” This is dangerous. If we went by how we feel with everything I’m sure a vast majority of our enemies would be in prison and we would eat everything in sight! Maybe these just my aspirations. I digress. It’s a choice to choose joy. It’s a choice to think “better days are still ahead.” It’s a choice to love. There’s an old kid’s Bible song that says, “I’ve got the joy, joy joy down in my heart.” God has given us joy already in the fruits of the Holy Spirit that have been instilled in us (Galatians 5:22-23). We just need to bring that gift forward in us by choosing it. Sometimes it’s easier to choose to be negative, but it’s more life-giving to choose joy. What do I mean by this? I mean to have an attitude that no matter what goes on around you, choose to look at the bright side of it all. No matter what goes on around you, choose to dream how God can put it all back together. St. Paul gives us three commands in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) This is the recipe for a life of authentic joy. Will you join me in trying it out today?

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

“And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:4-5

Hope is one of those words that we use so flippantly in today’s society. “I hope to do this”, “I hope this happens” or “I hope it all works out”. Do we know what it means? To hope means to have a confident expectation. Hope means that while we’re waiting for the possibility of something happening, we are waiting with joy. Why is this important? Hope activates faith. If we are waiting in faith for something, we are patiently, but excitedly yearning for something. St. Paul puts it this way, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Faith, hope and love are coupled together! For faith to be activated you need hope. Faith and hope show their action through love. As Christians, what good does our faith do if we’re not excited about it? If we’re not excited in our waiting then are we really excited for what we say we’re excited for? Some of you might be afraid to hope because the circumstance you want to occur might not occur and I understand that. But, let me ask you, wouldn’t it be better to wait in excitement and live with a good attitude anyway? Wouldn’t that joy be infectious to all around you? The world needs more authentic joy today. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) once said, “Joy is the net of love in which you can catch souls.” Mother Teresa lived a life of poverty and witnessed such destitution and yet she said this! Why? Because she had the hope that one day the country that she lived in would not be filled with such poverty. One little act at a time she created that reality. As Christians, we should be filled with hope because one day Jesus will return and all will be made well—everything will be made right! God is a God of justice. Isn’t that wonderful? Live in hope today. It will change the world.

The following three music videos exemplify “hope” to me.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” - Romans 8:37

Who are you? Ever think about that? Ever think about what your name carries? Ever think about what your name means? In the Bible, God chose names for people for a specific meaning. For instance, Sarah’s name meant princess. Moses name meant to pull or draw out. Joshua’s name meant God is deliverance. Jeremiah meant the Lord exalts. Jesus means to deliver or rescue. Why do I tell you this? Because regardless of your name God has called you specific things. In the above passage today, God tells us we are more than conquerors. In several other passages He tells us that we are loved (John 3:16), a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), the head and not the tail and blessed (Deuteronomy 28) and so much more! Amazing! God sees you so dearly. He even says in Psalm 139:17 that God has precious thoughts about us. Of course He does! We are His children to those who believe in Him! I think we all need this reminder from time to time that we are loved and God has out best interests at heart even when we don’t understand. What are you calling yourself? Does it align with who God is calling you? Start declaring God’s adjectives of who you are in your life and believe them.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Today I had such an inconvenient thing happen to me that really got to me—-my Facebook was hacked. They changed all my account information to the point where I could not get in. This bothered me after I have had almost 3,000 friends that I could reach and almost 2,000 followers on my Facebook page. Well, all that has ceased. Hopefully, my account can come back, but you never know. At any rate, this got me thinking about identity theft. Someone was pretending to be me and asking people for information from them on Facebook. This is terrible to try and use somebody’s identity for your own selfish gain. However, I was thinking about our identity in Christ. Yes, this sounds like flowery language, but what does it really mean? Who we are through Christ, as we believe in Him and trust Him, are His children, loved eternally, forgiven, blessed, redeemed, safe in His arms and we gain a friend to walk through for all ages. This sounds great, but do we rest in that? Things can be taken away from us. How do we respond? In anguish? In peril? I’m sure we do, but do we stay there? I hope not. I hope that if something happens to us, we eventually move on and think “I am God’s child and in Him all things work together for my good because I love and trust Him.” Whatever comes our way in our lives I hope we think “God’s got me and no weapon formed against me will prosper.” We are not our Facebook pages, our likes on Instagram, our followers on TikTok, our views on Youtube. Our identity lies in that we are Children of God and loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus lives in our hearts. Our identity is that we are freed, loved, forgiven and blessed. Do we believe this? This is our identity. Things may come and go, but there’s someone you should know so may I present Jesus to you?

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” After everyone denied touching him, Peter said, “Teacher, the people are crowding you and pressing against you.” Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know power has gone out of me.” The woman saw that she couldn’t hide. Trembling, she quickly bowed in front of him. There, in front of all the people, she told why she touched him and how she was cured at once. - Luke 8:45-47

Do you have a picture in your mind of what you want to see? Do you have a goal in mind you’d like to accomplish? In this passage, Jesus is swarmed by people, but the mere touch of one woman of faith in the midst of many really stood out to him. Why? Because of her faith. She knew she wanted healing. She had the firm faith that Jesus would heal her. She knew that God wanted her to be healed and that the Healer was in her midst. What is your goal? Are you setting out in faith to accomplish it? Are you partnering with God to see it through? Is it in God’s plan? Does your desire align with God’s will and His Word? For instance, when I Youth Minister and I was on mission trips with my youth groups, we knew that the end goal was to either refurbish a house or build a house. Either way, we had a clear goal of what needed to occur. We also had leaders along the way showing us what to nail, what to paint, what to build and how to build. The vision was there. Like this woman, she knew what she was supposed to have. May your faith stand out to others and to God so that God’s plan for your life can be released.

Friday, June 23, 2023

For the Lord disciplines those he loves… - Hebrews 12:6a

I’m delayed in my Wisdom Wednesday this week due to traveling so you’ll have to pardon me and allow me to give you Fantastic Friday.

Letting go—over the past week we’ve made the transition to nix the pacifier for Emilia. It needed to occur. However, it has come with great sorrow for her. It is her loss right now, but it will be a future gain. The more it gets used it will not be good for her. The more we wait to take it away the harder it will be. Nevertheless, while I hate to see her cry, I know it is for her best. God does this with us. He can move a situation around that we think was for our harm, but He will use it for our good. He also disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). This is never easy for the giver or receiver of the discipline. As a father, watching my daughter cry is so difficult, but I know this is the best thing for her. How many times have we had to give up something, walk away from something or move on from something even though it gave us great pain? This pain is used for our gain. In the Kingdom of God, nothing is ever wasted—only redeemed.

Wednesday, June 13, 2023

“Listen to me; listen, and pay close attention.” - Isaiah 28:23

This past week I lost my voice. For me, that is a ticket to depression! I love to talk, state my opinion and SING. I’m never at a loss for noise. Of course, this huge inconvenience has caused me to ruminate in my thoughts over it. I know realistically, I probably either caught something and combined with a stressful few weeks, that was the outcome. Nevertheless, not being able to talk has made me let my words be few because it hurt to talk and I needed the strength to talk. It got me to thinking about several things. How often do we let our words be idle words? How often when we speak, it’s just to talk and has no meaning. The other thought I had was—how often do we brood in our thoughts without ever discussing it with someone because we’re too embarrassed or ashamed of what our thoughts are? We all need that trusted someone that we can vent to. We can always vent to God, but there’s also that person that we find that God uses for us to vent to—divine connections. Do you have divine connections? A divine connection is someone who points you to God, points you to being your best self and points you to grow. It’s important that this person can be a person of integrity and honesty because what they should be “practicing what they preach” and they should be utterly transparent with you - telling what you NEED to hear instead of what you’d like to hear. This is important and this is what causes us to grow. A person that is open to correction is a successful person. Nevertheless, thoughts for the week—let your words be few and intentional, find a trusted person to talk to so you don’t ruminate in your thoughts too long and surround yourself with people that cause you to soar. Just a few thoughts for the week!

Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

“But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes!” - Deuteronomy 11:7

“Mem'ries,
Light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were”

These lyrics to “The Way We Were” were sung by Barbara Streisand, but they’re pertinent to the scripture verse of the day. God constantly reminded the Israelites to not forget the works of the past. He was constantly reminding them to recall the events of the past and trust that God can do it again. I do believe we shouldn’t “live” in the past. Living in the past means we have not moved on from the situation and we still wish we were there. God calls us to live in the moment while remembering the times of yore and recalling that He is able to do the mighty works He did once more.

Why would God tell the Israelites this? Because they were going to get caught up in the worldly matters all around them. They were going to want to veer away from what God has done and try it their own way. Another angle is they may have gotten discouraged at some point, trying and trying and nothing occurring or at least not in their time frame. I know what it’s like to be discouraged and not see the scale move, or not have good traction on sales or to work hard on something and no fruit comes out of it. However, God tells us that nothing is wasted (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). God has His own timing for things and it’s right on time. But to keep us from being discouraged, He tells us to not forget His works from the past. May the memories of God’s wonderful works light the corners of your mind today and refresh your soul.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” - Proverbs 10:17

Discipline means to train or to adhere to a rule or code of behavior to correct a disobedience. This sounds harsh, but oh so necessary. I am one of the last people to talk about discipline, but I am trying to implement it in my own life. I have been asked over the last few months, “How did you lose your weight?” “What’s your secret?” “What are you doing?!” The answer is simple—discipline. In a culture where anything goes, I think it’s time we get back to discipline. Our society was safer, kinder, more patient and had a better work ethic when people had more established discipline in their life. There are days I don’t feel like exercising, but I do it. There are days I would like to eat a box of cookies, but I have 3. There are days I would like to not work at all, but I do. Why? Because not only do I want to look good, but I know that if I don’t establish the discipline of doing the “hard things” then I will regret it later and likely to fall into old habits of gluttony and lack of caring for my temple. Our society holds fast to ones own code of discipline—a discipline that is fickle, malleable and left for oneself to change. How dangerous. …Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) Need I say more? Self denial! There is something to be said about suffering. Our society doesn’t like to suffer. Our society would rather do “what feels good.” This only leads to destruction. It’s lead to broken homes, debt, disease due to gluttony, lack of faith and violence. We can change this!

Another word may come to mind when seeing the word discipline. Disciple! These 2 words go hand in hand. They actually come from the same root word. A disciple means a student or a follower or something. A student is always learning from their master. Who is leading you? Is it yourself? If so, switch seats and let the one who even wind and waves obey take charge (Mark 4:41). Being a student is difficult especially when the assignment is difficult, but the proper teacher will lead and guide and be there each step of the way. “The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.” (Hebrews 12:6) Discipline happens to those whom God loves. He knows the way and the path that leads to life. Are you on this path? Are you a disciple of His discipline?

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” - Exodus 15:26

I was at the store the other day just to buy a card. I was in the section of the cards where it’s the whimsical things like “thinking of you”, “just to say hello” or “just because”. Then, I stumbled into the “get well” section and saw a card that said, “sending positive thoughts your way.” I immediately thought, “Why don’t you just send something that works like prayer!” I’ve always been leery when people post on social media about a life update that brings about the responses of “I’m praying for you”, “you’re in my prayers”, but then there’s one that has been becoming common place which is “sending good vibes your way.” As Christians, we need to be careful of this “new age” vernacular and getting caught up in sending “vibes” or “thoughts”. God reminded the Israelites in the above scripture that He is the God that heals them. It wasn’t the fellow Israelites “good vibes” or “nice thoughts”. Why are we doing this? Is it too much to try out prayer? It’s great to think positively about a situation or to hope for the best for someone, but it’s another thing to pray. You might ask “Why even bother praying? Doesn’t God have this all planned out anyway?” We pray to align our will with God’s. I think we all want the violence to cease all around us. Isn't that God’s desire too? Wouldn’t that be something God wants? Maybe He wants us to ask and align ourselves with this will—perhaps to become peacemakers ourselves? “But, I prayed for Eddie and he didn’t get well, in fact, he died.” Perhaps prayer in this this situation is to understand the will of God in this or to change the way we see things. Theologian Tim Geddert states it this way that God sometimes uses our prayer to either change the situation, our character or our priority. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus tells us, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” God knows exactly what we need when we need it, but the key is to pray so we know what God’s will is and to align our will with His. I don’t believe “sending vibes” or “positive thoughts” are what God asks of us. He asks us to pray. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” - Hebrews 6:10-12

Anything you have a passion for in life or a goal you have can be exhausting. I know this is to be true in ministry, in my fitness endeavors and so much more. I have heard “Why are you doing that?” “You would probably more successful if…” “No one is going to come.” I’m not going to lie—those are excellent points and valid reasons to not do what I do, but I keep going. Sometimes it would be easier to give up, but I know God has put something in me to do something. What has God put in you? What is the zealous passion that God has placed in you? I want to encourage you today to give your all to your causes or your goals. See the bigger picture and know that God is with you even when it would seem easier to give up. Know that Rome wasn’t built over night. Know that a tiny seed takes a while to germinate and then sprout. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 27, “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.”

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12

I’ll be one of the first people to tell you that I have wasted a lot of time in my life. When I had the time, I didn’t use the time and now that I am a father and husband I feel like I squeeze in more than I should. I feel now I use my time better than I ever did before. Maybe it’s because I know now that time is valuable. I envy the days that I used to have where I had more time to get things done, but such is life. But this stage in my life has caused me to think about how we spend our time in general. Is our time spent doing things that are beneficial? Helpful? With God? Quality time with others? Learning? Or is our time spent scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and the host of other applications that exist to capture our attention? I will admit I am guilty of having moments where I would scroll on one of my socials for almost an hour and then complain I didn’t have time. I didn’t manage or prioritize my life well. Anyway, how do we make good use of the time we have? How do we use our time for the glory of God? The Psalmist prays for God to teach us to number our days. Let’s face it, our time on earth is such a short time compared to eternity. If we think spending an hour a week in church with God is too much, can you imagine eternity? If we think spending a half hour a day in prayer and reading Scripture is too much, can we imagine 24/7? Let’s make our time on earth count. Let’s take stock at what we spend our time doing. Numbering our days gives us wisdom. It helps us prioritize better and helps us truly value the people around us more and putting more of an emphasis on growing God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

“Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them,…” - Numbers 20:6

As I have been going along in my attempt to read the Bible in a year, I am currently in the Book of Numbers. In Numbers 20, the Israelites are complaining to Moses and Aaron about their conditions. While they aren’t exactly living in a grand resort, all their needs have been met by Almighty God. Something to ponder in our own lives. Nevertheless, at this particular time, The Israelites were really giving Moses and Aaron the business and isn’t the first time they regretted their decision to leave Egypt behind. They complained and complained and Moses and Aaron did something that is borderline miraculous instead of slapping these people. They turned their faces to God’s House and the Presence of God and prayed and God met them there. They didn't scold the people. They didn’t use violence and they didn’t forsake their people. They just sought God’s presence. How much would we benefit the same if in the midst of strife or a disagreement, we just stopped for a few minutes and turned our face toward God and had a meeting? I think we’d say a lot less in the heat of the moment. I think we would be gentler people. I think we would have more beneficial and productive conversation. I’m guilty of this too and sometimes don’t think about what I will say next might not be what should come out of my mouth. In the Epistle James, he writes, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19) and the Psalmist writes this, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) These are beautiful passages to commit to memory when facing a need for conflict resolution. The Lord did tell Moses and Aaron how to proceed and gave them wisdom in the situation. The lesson for us when our feathers are ruffled is to turn our face towards God, seek His presence and set a guard over our mouths til we are given wisdom on how to proceed. Let’s change the world one conversation at a time.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” - Romans 5:3-4

Before writing this I had excruciating pain in my back. Once in a blue moon, I seem to get spasms in my lower back that really change the course of the day. It made me think about others who are in pain and how it not only changes they way they do things, but also shades their way of thinking. Up until my back pain was relieved, I was so focused on it and anxious about tomorrow’s tasks. I couldn’t enjoy the wonderful day around me. When the pain was relieved by doing a few stretches and exercises it was like a cloud was lifted from me. How many others around us are “clouded” with pain? People we pass on the streets or in the grocery store may have trauma, physical pain or are in need that they cannot think about anything else. How are we merciful to them? I love the old adage that goes something to the effect of “be kind to everyone you meet for everyone is fighting some sort of battle.”

While on the subject of healing, this past week, I saw a post by a prominent theologian that said the word “salvation” is an ancient word that most nearly means “health” and “safety.” I was in shock by this! Does believing in Christ always bring physical healing? Not always. Does it make it more tolerable? Yes. However, God does bring us to spiritual health and safety. He always uses our pain for a purpose. Sometimes it’s to teach us something and or sometimes it’s to bring about understanding for another. St. Paul tells us that in the Body of Christ we are to feel one another’s pain and rejoice when they rejoice (Romans 12:15, Romans 8:28-31). The salvation God provides gives peace of mind, strength for fear and beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:1-3). God saves us always—it may not be in the manner in which we’d like, but He always comes to our aid and right on time.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.  Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” - Luke 12:2-3

“Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the covenant law—over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it.” - Numbers 1:50

I’m going to share two verses that I read yesterday and I’ll share my personal connection with it. When reading this yesterday, I immediately thought the idle things we say. I thought how sometimes I say things flippantly or just fill in the gaps with idle talk. When we do this sometimes we end up saying things we shouldn't or just end up gossiping. But, how differently would we live if we just remember that the Lord’s Presence is with us wherever we go? Whenever the Israelites would go to battle in a new place they would take the Lord’s Presence with them in the Tabernacle for protection. They even had a special group called the Levites to bring it along! What if we brought the Lord’s Presence with us each time we go into conversation with another? What if we were to bring kindness, understanding and gentleness with us when we encounter someone who wants to gossip? What are we bringing with us into our conversations? Let’s change the world for the better with each conversation we have and not let our words be idle. Let’s make sure we remember the Lord is with us wherever we go.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” - Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the car with a demanding toddler who is vying for attention so I’ll keep this brief. Natalia suggested I write on patience—Ha!

As some of you know the past year, I have been trying to be disciplined in my fitness journey. I have grown to love it and have grown to endure it even when there were times I did not feel like it or did not have a ton of time. I’ve learned, in these moments, consistency matters. Where there is no discipline, there is hardly success. However, with discipline, there needs to be patience. God has given us all the fruits of the Holy Spirit to live out discipline. In Galatians 5:22, Apostle Paul notes the fruit of the spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. A lot of these go hand in hand. Ultimately, if we choose God’s love, the rest will follow—we will be joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, fidelity and exercise self-control. So, while sometimes working out isn’t what I want to do, I see the bigger picture and value my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Even though sometimes Emilia drives me crazy, I need to remember children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). May God give us this day our daily bread and sometimes that bread is strength (Matthew 6:11).

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

“And you shall speak to all who have ability, whom I have endowed with skill, that they make Aaron’s vestments to consecrate him for my priesthood.” - Exodus 28:3

A friend and I have made it a goal to read the Bible by the end of the year. I just finished the Book of Exodus and as I got toward the end of it I was inundated with the amount of detail that went into each item, building or cloth that was made. While I felt like I was reading an instruction manual from Ikea, I also thought of the immense care for detail that God cares about. God cares about even the tiniest detail of our life. He wants to be so intertwined with our lives that He encapsulates every fabric of our being. He made us and it’s His that we are (Psalm 100:3). It should give us pause to think that all of us are created by God and each person and thing is created by God. While I know there are workers that create tables, chairs and cars, but God gives them the skill to do so. God gives each person special skills in order to glorify Him. All our work should point to God. God cares about all the details, even when we think He doesn’t.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:9-21

These are beautiful words from St. Paul to the Romans. The other day the words “love sincerely” came to mind. Oftentimes in our society, before we do something nice for someone, we think about whether or not they’re deserving of it. Who are we to decide whether or not they’re deserving of it? If it’s on your mind to reach out to a friend and check in, don’t think about whether or not they’ve reached out to you. If you wanted to give someone a compliment, we don’t need to think about whether or not they would be willing to do the same. I’m not saying we need to be doormats, but I’m saying we need to love sincerely. If it’s on our hearts to congratulate a person then maybe God is trying to use us to spread His love to that person. Not for one single second before Jesus chose to die on the Cross for us did He think, “I don’t think they’ll even care” or “They wouldn’t do this for me.” Instead, He stretched out His hands and chose to love us despite the cost. Love requires sacrifice. If we’re going to change the world, we need to be willing to love sincerely. Not do things out of obligation or fake, empty words and actions, but out of sincere love for God and others. How is God calling you to love?

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. - Philippians 4:8, NLT

It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but I thought I’d hop back in and give a thought.

Speaking of giving a thought— do we ever think about what we’re thinking about? Thoughts—we all have them—some we want and some we don’t. The ones we don’t are called intrusive thoughts. For most of my life, I’ve battled with anxiety. Intrusive thoughts have been the dominant part of the anxiety issue. This is something I have worked on and continue to work on. Our thoughts are so powerful and we give power to them the more we dwell on them. We’ve all had good thoughts and bad thoughts, but what do we do with them? Apostle Paul says to us “to take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) We don’t have to think every thought that pops into our head. What freedom! Like I said, our thoughts have power if we dwell on them. Let’s give life to wonderful things! Apostle Paul also gives us a litany of things to think about if we’re stuck in a situation. He says in Philippians 4:8, NIV, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” I could tell you to bust out a pen and paper to write down a thought to replace another, but when you’re in a state of anxiety, you might not have that opportunity or might be really stuck. Challenge yourself to quickly think about something else.

I took Emilia to an open in gym for preschoolers the other day that I found about. It was really cool how they set up the gym with mazes and different equipment—balancing beams, trampolines and various kid friendly accessories. Emilia was on one of the mazes where you hop from one soft cube mat to the other. She was on one cube and wanted to go to the next and it was not at the same height and she looked at it and said “I can’t!” I said “You can!” Did she right away? No, but after awhile she gained confidence where I didn't need to hold her hand for every move. She gained confidence and different thought pattern. I want to encourage you today that YOU CAN think positively, YOU CAN stop that intrusive thought in its tracks, YOU CAN overcome your obstacles, but not alone. You NEED Jesus.

I have been working out a lot lately and there have been times that I have been tired of doing it. There have been times I have been discouraged and I ask Jesus to help me to get to the next level or to give me strength to keep going in this journey and you know what? He does! Invite Jesus into your difficult situations and He will help you change your thoughts which will in turn change your life.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” - Colossians 1:17

I’ve been hearing a lot of reports and commentary about how the world is not at its best shape in terms of fresh water, temperature, droughts and along with various issues. The moral decline is moving quickly and it seems as though the respect for live at all stages is not held in high regard. The world is shifting and changing, but our God isn’t (Hebrews 13:8). I need to constantly remind myself of this amid the turmoil of the world. When the world seems like it is falling apart it is important to remember that God is still holding everything together. If He wanted to, He could end it all right now, but He is still on the throne and in control. Oftentimes, I think we try to be in control and “play God” so that we can control the outcome. This is where anxiety comes into play. When we try to be God or try to understand God’s mind, things become chaotic. God is not a God of disorder, but a God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Trust that God has the whole world in His hands because He does.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” - Hebrews 12:1-3

In my recent fitness journey there are days when I don’t feel like putting in the work. There are days I miss binge eating and not doing what I want, but I push through and remember there is a greater prize. Accountability has been a great part of that. I try to hold myself accountable when I slip up, but it also helps that I have wonderful friends that will push me to persevere in this journey. Proverbs 27:17 puts it this way, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This is so true because exhorters and encouragers help us become all that we can be. Need help in accomplishing your goals? Look around you and see who is celebrating, encouraging and exhorting you. I’m certain Jesus didn’t want to go through with His mission on the Cross. In fact, the night before He took on the Cross it says, “…he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39). He was essentially praying “If I don’t have to go through this then God, please take it away.” But God knew the greater prize ahead. In no way am I saying that our sufferings are comparable to the sufferings of Jesus. They are not even a fraction of His pain, but you see my point. The final prize for Jesus was taking away our sins and then rising from the dead. So, run your race and persevere. It’s not easy, but consistency and perseverance are key to accomplishing your goal.

Monday, June 13, 2022

“He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him.” - Psalm 105:17-19

I have not written in a while so it’s nice to return back to blogging. I have taken more focus into my physical fitness journey. I have earnestly trying to make this a new habit of mine instead of a hit or miss activity. Not only do I want to look good, but I also want to be strong, not be out of breath when doing menial tasks and be the best version of myself. Something I’ve noticed as I have been working out is that I feel “like a man.” Throughout my life I’ve never felt really comfortable in my own skin. It’s not that I never knew I was a man, I just didn’t feel the qualities that resembled manhood. I didn’t know the power of physical strength, endurance, consistency and perseverance. I knew knowledge of these attributes, but didn’t know what they felt like. I feel as though the “iron” of the weights has entered my soul. In the Scripture I quoted above it says, that Joseph was “laid in irons.” In its original language, it most nearly means that the iron entered his soul. While Joseph was treated harshly by his brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into jail and betrayed by the rulers wife I truly believe the iron entered his soul. The “iron” of these situations made him the strong man that he was and able to endure great pain. All the while, he still praised God and thanked God for his situation. What “iron” in your life makes you stronger? What are you going through that you know once you make it through you will be stronger? It’s ironic that iron can be used to produce great pain, but also makes one stronger if applied correctly. What do I mean by that? If the iron I use to work out with just sat there or I didn’t pick it up or exercise with it correctly it wouldn’t do be the most good it can do, but with the proper form and using it consistently I am becoming stronger. Use the situations you are in to make you stronger. Don’t just let a situation let you drift away from God or bring you down, but rather learn from it, grow from it, let it make you stronger so that whatever life throws at you, it can be said by you that “God’s got me through this.”

Monday, April 11, 2022

When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” - Luke 23:47

After hearing the Passion of Jesus Death yesterday in church a line struck me—”When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”” (Luke 23:47) I know it's not a surprise, but truly Jesus had no criminal offense, the people who spoke loudest just didn’t like what He had to say so they labeled Him bad and wanted him gone. How many times do we speak louder than the truth because of our own agenda? How many times have we put others down because what they said convicted us so we need to be vindictive? How many times have we wanted to be right that we would be willing to silence anyone that spoke out against us? We all have done these things. Each and every one of us has a sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. It was the same sin of the executioners—pride. A wonderful homilist that spoke at my church said it best yesterday, “Shed your ego; embrace the faith.” I think all of us are guilty of wanting to get something done that God didn’t want us to do and if you haven’t, your day is coming. Then when we realize we did it and He didn’t want us to do it then we must shed our ego and apologize to God and repent. It takes a shedding of our ego to apologize, but an even greater shedding to repent. What do I mean by this? We can say we’re sorry, but to willingly try to do not do it again is an even bigger task and requires more sacrifice. There’s always forgiveness for every fault. Even when He was being nailed to the Cross Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a) Jesus wanted to forgive all these people that hurt Him and killed Him that He rose from the dead three days later proving that there’s always a second chance. Celebrate what God wants you to be. Shed your ego and embrace His will for your life—not your own, but His.

Monday, March 28, 2022

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20

Something that has been weighing on me lately is my personal “change of life.” Since having Emilia life has greatly changed. I love her to pieces and wouldn’t trade her for the world. However, being a parent and being married changes an entire person. Things you would just get up and do can no longer be done without thinking of another. Quiet “minutes” can now be treasured where I used to have quiet “hours.” Having a 2 year old is not quite the same as a 2 month old. More attention is required, more activities to keep her busy are required, more creativity is required, more energy is required. I don’t say any of this in a complaining fashion, but it truly makes one step outside of oneself. I have to constantly remind myself that life is changed not ended. It’s difficult to remember this because I am grieving a life I once had for the life I have now. However, this is all a “dying to self.” I don’t mean this in a masochistic way, but rather it is a constant thinking of what is best for the other person. Dying to self can be a beautiful thing if seen with a positive perspective. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he is trying to appeal to those who have accepted Christ to abandon their old ways of life and seek the ways of Jesus. He was also saying to them that he too had to do this in order to live his best life. Jesus perfectly represented this because in order for Him to show us the beauty and triumph of the Resurrection, He had to die and it wasn’t a desired death. To see something beautiful oftentimes means there was a lot of work, pain and growth to get there. We too have to “die to self” in order to experience the new life, the new chapter that Jesus has prepared for us.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” - Hebrews 10:30

This weekend at church, one of the homilies I heard was about how we don’t know when the end of the world will be. It was said the events of the world right now do not necessarily indicate that the end is now as Jesus has said it will happen when we least expect it (Luke 12:40). It was also said that various rulers of the world will have to answer to Almighty God. While I know this is true, it didn’t hit me like it did at church this weekend. Often I think about this for myself or people I know, but it didn’t truly reckon with me that even rulers of the world will have this same event happen to them. Nevertheless, I began to ponder about how many arguments, disagreements or even wars could be avoided if we just remembered that God will have the final say on the actions of all people. I know there is “just war theory” and plausible reasons at times, but I wonder how many “wars” within our relationships or neighborhoods could be avoided if we just remember that God will have the final say. Why do we always have to be right? Why do we always have to get even? As we read in the main verse above, that’s God’s job, not ours. Let God, be God.

Friday, March 11, 2022

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” - Jeremiah 31:3

Lately, my daughter, Emilia has learned how to be more independent which is wonderful, but along with that comes a slight attitude. Many times I have thought, “I hope I didn’t act this way!” Yesterday upon picking up our toys, I simply asked Emilia if she could put her blocks away. Her deepest desire was to move on to the next thing. Well, with independence comes responsibility and part of that responsibility is learning to pick up after oneself. This was not a responsibility that was desired of her. At any rate, the journey of picking up the toys yesterday was a taxing one. While the end result was the toys being picked up, a few tears were shed and many lessons were learned by all. While Emilia is gaining a ‘personality’ it has taught me that even when she does something that I don’t like or I am at my wits end with irritation, I still love her very much. Being a father has taught me a great deal on how God sees me and how much He must love me. I can’t help but to love her even when I'm annoyed or milk spills. Her cuteness helps, but certainly that’s not why I love her. I just do. This is exactly what God thinks of us. He loves us no matter what we’ve done. This doesn’t mean He approves of everything we do, but it means He will unconditionally care for us always. You are God’s Child.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” - Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“Now choose life…” - In this life we have the freedom to choose many things and God gives us that great gift to choose. He freely allows us to choose knowing that we have the freedom to not choose Him. That is love. Love does not coerce a relationship, but will actively be in pursuit. With that being said, the choices we make for the most part determine the trajectory of our life and even this very day. Recently, I attended a meeting where it was not as upbeat and positive and many lamented the state of the world to where it has ended up from 2 years ago. Dwelling on this for an hour, made me leave the meeting less than happy. I felt drained. However, I had the opportunity to choose to keep dwelling on that or to choose joy. I have spent many days dwelling on what didn’t go well or what was or didn’t happen that I miss out on the very moment right in front of me. In Nehemiah 8, the people had lamented all they had been through and what had happened in their land, but Nehemiah told them to look beyond that and celebrate what today has because by doing that the joy that God gives will be your strength for the coming days (Nehemiah 8:10). How true this is! Joy will strengthen you. Notice that the lack of joy from attending the meeting really drained me, but shifting my focus made all the difference. The people in Nehemiah could have forever dwelled on the destruction that overtook their land and the ruin that was around them or they could have rejoiced in the fact they were still given another day. It’s never too late to shift your focus and it’s never too late to choose joy. What choice will you make?

Thursday, February 10, 2022

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18

Fear is something we’ve all had come in contact with over the past 2-1/2 years. We’ve quarantined with it, we’ve coexisted with it and we’ve even let it consume some of our thoughts. Fear is contagious. It almost has become a virus in and of itself. These past 2-1/2 years have really put some peoples faith under pressure. It caused many to question the validity of God, what they’ve been taught, His presence and His goodness. I was not exempt from this. It has been a trying time. Over the past few months, I have reminded myself of the above Bible verse. Remembering that God loves me has driven out anxieties and fears. We all know that love is not something that comes easy and is certainly not always reciprocated by others. Putting love out there releases ones vulnerabilities and gives way of the opportunity to get hurt. Why do I mention this? God loves us very much. He sent His Son, Jesus to show us love - love that took away all our fears, anxieties, sin and shame on the Cross (John 3:16). For God, love required pain, but He knew what that pain brought about. After Jesus went through such anguish, pain and death on the Cross, that same love was so powerful, that same love who is God, couldn’t stay dead—it rose triumphantly. That same love drove out the fear of death forever. If the same love conquered death, how much more can it do to conquer your fear? I want to remind you and myself of what Apostle Paul said to us in his letter to the Romans: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.” (Romans 8:37-39) As a society, we’ve made love into something it’s not—entitlement, materialism or fulfillment of selfish needs. True love as Jesus has shown us is sacrifice. Pain is attached to love, but His love is stronger than the fear and any pain in this world.

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

Today while I was putting Emilia down for a nap, she was quite restless so, I thought it might be best to hold her hand. When I thought it was time to let go so I could let her rest and I could get a few things done, she got very irritated and still wanted to hold my hand. Of course, I didn’t get to leave yet. So, I continued to hold her hand. This moment gave me the thought about that’s how we ought to be, but with God. We should never cease to hold His hand so He can lead us along the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Does this make us weak? No, it makes us wise. Why would we ever want to wander aimlessly hoping to make the right decision? Leaning on God’s understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) as opposed to ours gives us a sense of peace and trust that “my Daddy’s got me.” As it says in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. If God leads us, He will surely see us through. Have faith and hold on to His hand.

Friday, August 27, 2021

“…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:32

We live in a day in age where everyone is a “proprietor” of truth. We live in a day in age where if someone says they heard “so and so” say something then it must be true. We live in a day in age where the people in charge of things aren’t necessarily out for our best interest. We live in a day in age where you can call yourself the latest hit pop star and so you are. This is so frightening especially for those seeking the truth. If there are so many lies told then no one knows what to believe. There is such an immediate transfer of information that once someone's opinion is blasted on social media then it can be shared in the matter of seconds. Just a few decades ago our opinion probably only went as far as the next door neighbor or our circle of friends and if it reached someone not in our sphere of influence then it probably was within a few days or weeks. Now, we know about information literally within seconds of it happening or someone posting it. The problem is when someone posts something that isn’t the truth and it gains traction. This is what is going on our world and it has caused people go insane. We have created a people that don’t know who or what to trust. Jesus told us in John 14:6 that He is the Truth. There isn’t “your truth” or “their truth” there is THE Truth. What it boils down to is whether or not we accept THE Truth. If we don’t accept truth then it doesn’t become something else that is true, it is called a lie. Truth is not relative to you and there is absolute truth. The more we necessitate this notion that there are many truths, the more we do damage to future generations.
2,000 years ago someone claimed to be THE Truth and He has yet to fail any of us. It hasn’t turned out to be fake news. It hasn’t turned out to be farce, but instead this Truth has changed the lives of many, restored the broken and set the captives free. May I present Jesus to you?

Saturday, August 21, 2021

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…” - Matthew 18:3

My daughter has been teaching me quite a bit. Who knew that a 1 year old would teach you so much about your faith and life. As of late, Emilia gets so excited about Jesus. Mind you, Natalia and I have not really taken the time to talk to her about who Jesus is or what He has done. All we do is take her to church on Sundays. Every time she sees something that resembles a cross she shouts, “JeJe” meaning Jesus. Even when she sees the lowercase letter “t” she shouts “JeJe”. Natalia and I are both in awe. One day Natalia told me to Google the name “Jesus” and see if any pictures come up to see if Emilia would recognize the man in the picture. I did just that and sure enough she points at the picture and shouts “JeJe!” We were in awe. This all got me thinking about a few things:
1) We should all see the world and the things around us as if Christ was showing them to us. Perhaps He is? We should get excited every time we think of His love for us. We should get excited every time we see God’s goodness around us. He is here and maybe God is using this situation to tell me that He is here among us and in my presence.

2) To see the world through the eyes of a child. Even Jesus wanted His disciples to do just that. Why? Because to see the world like a child is to have a joy and trust that God has everything under control. In this crazy world right now, I can’t think of a better feeling to have despite the calamity around us.

So perhaps I need to think like my daughter and try to see Jesus and His presence in all situations and places around me. Maybe if we all did this, the world would be a better place.

Saturday, July 3, 2021

But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted…” - Matthew 15:13

The Root of the Problem—

While I was cutting my grass today I noticed a few weeds growing in my grass. I mowed over them cutting off their mere appearance. However, I know without taking out the root they will come back. If I just continue to mow over them, sure it goes away, but under the grass are the roots of these weeds. Without getting rid of the root, the problem doesn’t go away. I often believe that unless people get to the root of their problems that they won’t full be healed. A famous preacher once said, “Hurting people, hurt people.” I find this to be so true. You can have all the answers and know the problem, but unless you get to the root of the issue and resolve it, process it or work through it then you will only deal with the surface problems and then problems will continue to come back in the future. May God continue to prune us till we look more and more like His Son, Jesus.

Friday, June 18, 2021

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” - Ephesians 1:4

I read this verse today and it resonated with me. Most of us in this world want to accomplish great things or at least do great things. Some of us want to change the world in a grand way, some of us want to change the block we live on. Those are all great things. When Paul wrote the above verse to the Ephesians, he was exhorting them to understand that they were a chosen people. Now, not just the Ephesians were a chosen people, but you and I are too. You might be thinking, “Phil, how do I know I am one of God’s chosen?” Well, you have life and breath and you’re here on this earth. All that God asks in return is you to live for Him. He brought you into this world and He can take you out. We were all chosen to do something good. We were all given time, talents or treasure. We can use it for God or we can use it for destruction. It says in the above verse that God chose us to be holy and blameless in His sight. What does this mean? We all want the best for our kids. I know I want the best for my daughter. Most of all I want her to make the best decisions in life. Now I know she’s not always going to make the best decisions, but that doesn’t mean I won’t love her nor does that mean she won’t do great things beyond that. Some of the most effective leaders, influencers or role models that changed the world for the good didn’t have a great past, but we admire them for moving past that to become the best versions of themselves that God has called them to be. What is God calling you to leave behind in order to change the world for the good? Ultimately to change the world to look more like Christ.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,…” - Colossians 2:2

Many people have come in and out of my life. I firmly believe that people are in our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime. This is tough to accept sometimes. I am a relational person and so to allow people to leave when it’s their time to leave is quite difficult. However, I want to focus on divine connections. These are people you meet who have truly added something to your life or taught you a life lesson, built you up or been there for you when you needed it the most. You just know these people were sent from God to make your life better or guide you closer to the Lord. A variety of people have come into my life and some were the most unlikely of characters. I have often wondered why. I still don’t know why. I just trust that God uses these connections for His glory and to build up the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, we should never adopt negative behavior from these persons, but rather how to build each other up. I often hear people throw around the Bible verse that Jesus ate with tax collectors and various sinners. While this is true, Jesus did not embrace their sin. After these persons dined together the people always left wanting to get closer to Jesus and leave their ungodly lifestyles behind. I want to close with the following questions:
1. Does our presence lead others closer to Jesus?
2. How do we build each other up?
3. Are there people God has placed in your life to lead you closer to Him?
4. Are there people God has placed in your life to bring them closer to Him?
Celebrate these connections, but let us always make sure we are leading each other closer to Jesus.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
 he has compassion on all he has made.” - Psalm 145:8-9

Yesterday I wrote about how impatient I am, but I want to take this a step further. Today, I was fixing a lock in my garage. I am trying to learn to be more handy. I got the lock on my garage door, but it wouldn’t lock. I thought I did everything correctly. I even tried different ways to screw it in and still nothing. I was getting so frustrated. I even began to think “I’m really trying my best lately to be handy, but nothing is working out!” Later on, my father-in-law came by and he told me I didn’t do anything wrong and that the hole for the lock needed to be chiseled out. As men, we often want to do things well and then stand back and feel accomplished. When things don’t go this way, we become discouraged. Men often put their ‘who’ into their ‘do’ and then when the ‘do’ doesn’t work out as well, we blame the ‘who.’ We are not defined by what we do. The above verse came up in my devotional tonight and I thought, “If God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love, why shouldn’t we be that way with ourselves?” If we are definitely trying our best I truly think God sees that and honors that. We need to be patient with ourselves. Not that we should become complacent and stop trying! But, we should continue to grow and try. However, when it doesn’t work out, then we shouldn’t get down on ourselves, but instead “grow with the flow.” May we all learn to be compassionate and patient with ourselves and with others.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

“Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” - Hebrews‬ ‭6:15

I’m not a fan of waiting. Anyone who knows me knows I like things done fast and well. However, that’s not always how God works. For instance, we just moved and for me it gets under my skin that we still aren’t finished being unpacked. It’s just part of the process. It will get done in due time. My wife has taught me that I need to enjoy the journey on the way to where I’m going. I’ve thought about it and once we reach the final goal then what? We’re always going to want something more if we continue to think like that. Perhaps in whatever endeavor you’re seeking, try to enjoy the journey on the way to where you’re going. It’ll make the journey much more enjoyable.

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:1-14

As I played music for a graduation tonight, when the principal got up to speak she took off her mask and said, “I get to take off my mask—that feels good.” While most of us in the past 15 months have never wanted to wear masks, I think they signify something else. For a while now, I thought about how these masks might signify inauthenticity. We all love to be around authentic people. I don’t know about you, but being around someone who is superficial or just speaks pacifying words makes me feel uneasy. It makes me feel like they are trying to hide something and question the validity of what they’re saying. When we take our “masks” off who are we really? My wife joked around with me tonight and told me one of her coworkers said, “We’re really gonna see how ugly some people are when we are able to take these masks off.” I chuckled. God knows what’s “behind our mask.” We’re not fooling God when we hide things from Him. When we’re real with God we then can be real with others.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Luke 12:34

It has been a long weekend moving and making our new home feel like home. As we arrived in our new home, we discovered the many things we’ve accumulated over the past few years. We even wondered where we put them! It’s amazing all the little things we’ve treasured that might seem useless to others, but has meaning to us. While we were cleaning up our old home for the next buyer, I found a box of random items that I kept. I noticed notes and pictures. Some of the notes I couldn’t bring myself to throw away because of the words on them. Isn’t that a treasure though? Proverbs 16:24 says, Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Food for thought. Another item that I treasured so dearly that I hadn’t had in my home in 4 years was my piano! I know this is shocking that I didn’t have a piano in my home. My upright piano was kept at my parents home til I got a bigger home. It is a treasure to me. The other night I was able to sit at the piano and play some old hymns. It was soothing to my soul at least for a few minutes. It’s interested what we treasure. It tells a lot about us and it tells us where are priorities lie. What are your treasures?

Thursday, May 27, 2021

“Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,…” - Psalm 105:5

I have been in a nostalgic mood all week remembering the memories in my home and remembering my life events that occurred while living here. I remember moving in and feeling so nervous to be on my own and all the many things I learned about taking care of a home and handling finances. I remember getting ready to get married before Natalia moved in and feeling nervous about that. I remember before we brought Emilia home we wondered how in the world we were entrusted with such a gift. In all these things, God helped me and Natalia through. We learned a lot along the way. New chapters bring new things to learn. Anyway, I think we often forget how we get through things. I’m impressed by the Psalms, because they creatively tell the story of salvation history of how God’s people got through things with His help. It was the job of the parents to continue to pass on the story of how God brought them through the land of Egypt and out of bondage. They were mandated to tell these stories so that for generations to come God’s people would never forget the faithfulness of God. Perhaps when starting something new and we’re nervous, we can recall the faithfulness of God in those situations. Why should we expect anything different as long as we’re following God’s will? Jesus even wanted us to remember Him--”He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”” (Luke 22:19) He wanted us to remember that He gave Himself up for us. He wanted us to remember that when we felt unloved that He loves us beyond telling. He wanted us to remember that when we’re hungering for something more that we have the Bread of Life that satiates all hunger. Growing up I always wondered why every Sunday we had to have Communion and go through the same prayers, but it’s because we are never to forget all that Christ has to offer. We are to never forget the story that brought our ancestors through with God’s help. We are to cling to these stories because when we face them in our own lives then we can recall the story of ones gone before us. Always remember and never forget to tell the story that God has done in your life.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,…” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

As I begin to look at the things on the walls of our home disappear as we pack to move I can’t help, but think of the memories made in this home. Tonight I was recalling with Natalia the first day I moved in. I remember all my friends moving me and my belongings. I remember waking up to a new home and it felt strange. I remember the many laughs made here, the gatherings, the time we brought Emilia home and the many beautiful meals. But, as Ecclesiastes says, “a time to uproot…” In my experience with gardening, sometimes it’s better to uproot a plant so that it has more space to grow. If it it is in the same pot, you might not have as bountiful of a plant or harvest. In order to have a bountiful harvest or a big beautiful plant, then one must uproot and prune the dead away. If you know me well, you now I don’t like to throw things away and I don’t like to waste, but I am learning that there is joy in giving things to others for their enjoyment or sometimes it just does no good to save something because you’ll waste more time, money and energy trying to salvage it. For instance, we are throwing out a printer because it would cost more money to fix it than it is to purchase another one. At any rate, this is pruning and part of uprooting. I’m convinced plants teach us a lot more than we give them credit it for. What in our lives needs to be pruned? Bad attitudes? Negativity? Slothfulness? Worry? Control? In order to grow and have a bountiful harvest, we too, need to prune and uproot.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

"a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" - Mark 1:3

Prepare - it’s something we all do. In order to make dinner, you need to prepare the food. In order go out with friends, you prepare where you’re going to go and what you’re going to do. In order to go on vacation, you make prepare your plane tickets, hotel room or rent a car. All of this takes preparation. My family and I are moving in a few days and the amount of preparation it is taking is immense! The amount of paperwork for a new home, the amount of boxes, getting rid of items, preparing to turn on the electric at the next location, preparing to have water turned on at the next home. The list goes on. We constantly need to prepare for something. In the most recent couple years, I have learned the importance of becoming prepared. Something can’t go smoothly without being prepared. If it does, you’re lucky. Anyway, with added life responsibilities I’ve had to learn to plan ahead either to get my work done, arrange baby sitting, plan appointments or plan times with friends. I used to not like to prepare because it seemed like such a waste of time, but I now I see the fruit of it. I want to ask each one of us this question: “Are you prepared for Christ’s coming?” We can’t just wait for Him to show up and have done nothing with our lives. We need to prepare our hearts by loving others, being a peaceful person, but most of all—imitating Christ! We want Jesus to say, "…'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'“ (Matthew 25:21)

Monday, May 24, 2021

“I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.” - Psalm 34:1

Well, clearly David, the psalmist who penned this, didn’t live in 2021, have a messy house, incessant tiredness or demands coming at him from all sides. While he may not have had these problems, he sure had other issues such as having an affair, facing a giant, people out to kill him and murder. Those sound much worse! Anyway, David still managed to write this. While many of us have so much to do and so little time, we can still praise God with our lips. James 3:10 says this, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” We have a choice how we can respond to each situation—we can either praise God or curse it with negativity. What’s better? I certainly know what’s easier, but what’s better for us?

Sunday, May 23, 2021

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” - Proverbs 13:12

I used to think the word hope was a frilly word without much meaning. I was sitting in church today and thinking about how hope gives life. Hope gives that sense of expectation for something good to happen. Even if the good outcome doesn’t happen wasn’t the happy trail along the way a good way to go? Anyway, hope is infectious. When we have the hope that something good is going to happen or the hope for a brighter tomorrow then that feeling catches on. The 3 theological virtues of faith, hope and love all go hand in hand. If we have the faith in something, we will have hope that something good will happen and we will have the love or charity to do well to those along the way. When we are hope-less then the above Scripture verse rings true—it makes the heart sick. Wouldn’t we want to live a healthy life, a positive life, a joy-filled life? Then, try hope. Believe that something good is coming.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:1-3

If you’re human like me, you may have encountered many arguments, disagreements, spats or tiffs in your life. One such of mine was recently when a friend of mine and I had a disagreement. Instead of responding immediately in a knee jerk reaction to my internal screams, I sat on it for a few days. By doing this, I was able to approach the situation in love thoughtfully explaining my feelings. Now, I’ve had my fair share of tiffs where I spew at the mouth and say what I feel. This isn’t always healthy and things get said that are unpleasant. Anyway, we both noticed at the end of the conversation that we were able to solve the tiff maturely, but most of all in a manner that was peaceful and direct, but got the point across. How much different would our world be if we followed this method? How much different would society be if we waited to respond? How different would our communities be if we responded peacefully? The old song says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

“so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” - Romans 12:5

The Family of God—something that I’ve grown to know over the years. Today in my community of faith, we lost one of our own. She was a great witness of faith and resilience. I was pondering about how deeply her passing touched me. Would I have had this connection outside of the family of God? The Family of God, the Church, is made up of many parts, but we are one body. Each person has a different gift to bring to the table. It’s really a beautiful thing when you think about it. I don’t see church as a bunch of people assembling to pray and moving on, but I see it as a family that grows together in the bonds of Christ. There are times the Family of God has deeply enriched my soul more than my earthly family could—and that’s okay! During the past year when churches couldn't meet in person, my soul longed to see my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. There’s something that in-person togetherness can do that Zoom and virtuality cannot. When our church reassembled this past summer and I heard the congregation praise God in one voice, my soul rejoiced. I love the Family of God. There are times when the family does not get a long, there’s disagreement or there’s rudeness, but such is the case in all families. The goal is: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) and the Psalmist puts it this way, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) Are you connected to the Family of God? If not, what’s holding you back? If you’ve left the Family of God, I want to give you this quote someone once told me, “Don’t leave Jesus because of Judas.” I understand there’s pain and sorrow in families, but to try and reconcile is the goal. Being part of the Family of God affords us with some of the deepest, wisest and comforting connections we might ever have.

Monday, May 17, 2021

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

What is your greatest fear? Now, tell me the worst thing that could come out of it.
Someone did this exercise with me and it helped me greatly. Ultimately, the worst humanly thing that could happen is we die, but spiritually, we meet Jesus! St. Paul says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Truly, there is nothing that we should fear. God has our backs! I’m talking to myself included. I need to hear this as much as any of you. Right now, in our world, in most of our lives, the world is full of change. I don’t know about you, but that brings about angst in my spirit. Can I tell you something? Even before a beautiful garden is made, the soil has to be moved around. The same with you and I—for the beautiful garden of our souls to flourish, the soil must be dug up, patted down or replanted. Don’t let fear take root in your garden.

Sunday, May 16, 2021

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6

If you know me, you know that I am not okay with less than quality work or something that I know that could have been really well turn out less than its best. Today was a day of mistakes. I made many a mistake while playing piano at church—there was a miscommunication with myself and a few instrumentalists about a key we were playing in and the song didn't sound up to its fullest potential, I stumbled over words and I messed up my bell chimers music. In my head, I was all over the place with how disheveled everything was. I began to worry if people were unhappy how it sounded, if I seemed unprepared, etc. I had to talk myself into “I’m allowed to be human”, “Humans make mistakes” and “No one is perfect.” While this isn’t the standard I choose to live by, these are good reminders. We’re never going to be perfect on this side of heaven, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn't try. If we trust God to lead us, He does promise that He will continue to make us better and better. When I asked my wife about how bad it was that I stumbled over some words, she said, “I didn't even notice.” Natalia pays attention to everything and isn’t one to sugarcoat anything so, I know she was telling the truth. I think sometimes it seems like a bigger deal in our head especially if we’re trying to do our best and it doesn’t come out quite right how we rehearsed it in our head. God isn’t done with any of us yet, but all we can do is our best and leave all the consequences to God.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” - Isaiah 32:18

Today Natalia and my sister-in-law began packing our home so we could move. While I know it’s a tough thing to move, I know change is sometimes necessary. I despise packing. I despise going through things and seeing if they’re necessary or not. I’d rather just keep everything and then think about it later, but I suppose getting rid of things is good for us. I suppose sorting through our belongings is a good idea. What items in our lives do we need to leave behind? What items can we move forward without? What is the unnecessary baggage in our lives? What do we need to take inventory of? We all have things in our lives that hinder us from being the best versions of ourselves. We all have things in our lives that prohibit growth in a certain department. When the disciples were heading out on mission Jesus left these instructions—“He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money.” (Mark 6:8) Jesus knew that if the disciples took those other things that they would be distracted from their mission. Jesus knew if the disciples clung to worldly items that they couldn’t cling to God as tightly as they did. What mission is God calling us to and how can we be prepared?

Friday, May 14, 2021

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation….” - Mark 16:15

Tonight I tried a new local ice cream shop and I thought it was wonderful. I enjoy promoting small businesses and writing positive reviews so, I wrote them a review on our towns Facebook pages. It immediately got great responses of people saying how wonderful the place is or how they will go try it. I thought for a second about this—we have the power to share good news or bad news. The word ‘gospel’ literally means good news. We have the power to share good news around us and change the atmosphere with joy, peace and goodness or we can share bad news and spread fear or disappointment. I’m not saying anything needs to be sugarcoated or that we shouldn’t share the truth about sin by any means, but shouldn’t we share the good things that are happening around us? Shouldn’t we share the wonderful things God is doing in our lives and in the world? We should! I’ve never met one effective witness of the Gospel of Christ that was a negative and only shared bad news. Psalm 105:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” There are good things happening around us, but we need to see with the eyes of faith and put on the lenses of God. What’s something that God is doing in your life or in your community? How can you continue to share the good news?

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

Today was a sunny day, I fixed my electrical outlets and I prayed the luminous mysteries of the rosary. Why do I mention this things? Well, I didn’t think they related till I sat down to write tonight.

-I always feel better when the sun is out. I think most do. When the sun is out, there is also sunshine in my soul—usually.
-It was part of our inspection report that came back that we were to fix some of our outlets to be GCFI outlets where there may be water present.
-having felt the need to pray the rosary tonight, I remembered that on Thursdays it is recommended to pray the luminous mysteries of the rosary. I don’t usually pray the rosary often, but I find it a way to sit back and reflect on the life of Christ and how it relates to me.

These 3 things all have to do with light. I was thinking about how bleak our days have been this past year and how any glimpse of light makes us full of joy. Shouldn't that always be? Shouldn’t the simple things bring us joy? My daughter, Emilia drives home that point to me often. She gets so excited about the smallest things and they bring her great joy. Why should we have lost the same child-like joy? I know we have to grow up, but shouldn’t we find joy in the simplest of things? St. Therese of the Little Flower points this out to us by the way she lived her life—by doing small things to bring joy to others. Mother Theresa said this too, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” What’s something small that happened in your day that brought you great joy?

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” - Psalm 119:18

Today I was asked to go to a nearby church, St. Walter, and play music for their All School Mass. As the pastor gave the homily he pointed out something in the church that I had never noticed. I have been ministering music at this church many times since I was a junior in high school, so about 12 years. I had never noticed the beauty in the stained glass windows. I had noticed them and they had pretty designs, but I never noticed what they had in them or made the connection to their meaning. He pointed out that they were the joyful and the glorious mysteries of the rosary. As I looked at the pictures in the windows, they were filled with symbolism and detail that pointed to this fact. I always passed by the windows when I was there and never even gave it another thought. I always thought the windows were beautiful, but the fact that they had meaning and symbolism behind it made it all the more beautiful. How many times do we pass by things and not recognize their full beauty? How many times do we pass by things or dismiss things without understanding why they’re there? Do the things around us want to point us to God? I know I take for granted the beauty around me. I know I get in such a rush that I don’t take the time to notice the beauty that’s around me. Perhaps we need to take some time and just ponder the beauty that is around us and be in wonder and awe of what God has placed right in our midst.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17

Today Natalia and I were preparing to get our documents ready for the loan officer before we move to our new home and we were shocked by a few things and were unsure as to what they meant on some of the things we were signing. We seemed puzzled, but also dismayed because the information on the paper didn’t match what we originally calculated for nor was it the same information that we were told. We were both in such disarray (I, of course couldn’t show that I was disarray. It was my turn to be the strong one) so, we called our loan officer and he settled us down and talked us through everything and said that everything was going to be okay for us. How comforting are those words each time you hear them? How many times do we need that reminder? We even asked our loan officer many times if we were going to be okay. A natural worry wart like me seems to need these words often. Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” The first sentence should immediately calm us down in times of worry— “The Lord your God is with you.” What stronger being do you want on your side!? The next line, “He is mighty to save.” He will deliver us from pain—maybe not right away, but He will do it, but on His time table. “He will take great delight in you”—no matter the situation God always delights in His children. Even when Emilia drives me crazy, I still delight in her. “He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing”—If I remember that God loves me, I am loved and will always be loved then all the noise and clamor should cease. If I fail to remember this then I will be able to hear His beautiful song as He rejoices over me. I don’t know about you, but when I hear beautiful music it serves as a sweet balm to my soul. May God in His infinite wisdom continue to use times of angst to bring me closer to the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Monday, May 10, 2021

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?" - Matthew 21:16

Tonight Natalia and I met up with some friends of ours who are expecting to have a baby this upcoming Fall. We’re so excited for them as they embark on this journey. Natalia and I were reflecting on how much God has taught us in just a year of having Emilia. It’s not been easy—challenging at best, but rewarding beyond all telling. Our friends were asking us what items they needed to put on their registry and any helpful tips and it made me reflect that over a year ago I was a nervous wreck because I had never been around small children or helped care for one as a sibling, but God worked through that. God has taught us so much as new parents and has definitely challenged us, but how do we grow lest we’re challenged? Emilia is generally an angel, but there are times I wish anyone at anytime would volunteer to take her for the day. It is amazing to watch Emilia grow and how much she also has learned in the past year. Watching a human life learn and grow is amazing. Watching this process and reflecting on it truly makes me value human life even more. It’s beyond amazing how much children can teach us. Emilia is so quick to share, greets everyone with a sweet “hi!”, waves at everyone and quickly moves on from an issue. It’s true what Jesus says, "'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?" While we teach children, I suppose we can’t be so quick to think we can’t learn from them. “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3) We’re never too old to keep learning!

Sunday, May 9, 2021

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” - Proverbs 31:30

I find this to be the perfect verse for Mother’s Day. When I was searching for a wife, I would remember this verse. Truth of the matter is while looks are wonderful, it’s what’s in the heart that matters most. I wanted to find a God loving woman, a kind person and a woman with a good heart. Looks were always secondary to me. I got both! I’m a lucky man. I think as a society we’ve become too wrapped up with exterior appearances and forget to unwrap the hearts of people. It is in getting to know a person’s heart that we can truly see how beautiful a person is. Jesus even tells us, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” (Luke 6:45) Once you understand the heart of a person it changes your perspective on them.
I’ve been thinking lately about the word “compassion" which most nearly means to feel one another’s pain or to come from a place of understanding. While we may disagree with the persons views, we can try to come from a place of understanding and get to know their heart. I truly think that if we were to listen to people instead of stating our immediate opinion then the world would change. I’m guilty of not thinking before giving out my opinion too. We don’t have to agree with each other, but understanding the heart of each person will help each other grow.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11

I love my daughter very much. I let her get away with most things, but there are times when something she is doing or about to do seems dangerous and I have to stop her and tell her “no.” Climbing on top of the coffee table and standing in the dishwasher seem like fun ideas, but ultimately are not best for Emilia. Does she like when I correct her? No, of course not. In fact, sometimes she’s in tears, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t correct her. Same thing with God. We have it in our heads that we know what’s best for us, when it’s best for us and how. It may even seem fun, but God doesn’t always agree because He sees the final outcome. When He disciplines us we don’t care for it and sometimes it brings us to tears, but ultimately it was the best decision. Discipline comes from the word disciple which means to learn. We can’t grow and be the best possible person we can be if we fail to learn. How has God disciplined you in your life? Take some time to thank Him for the times that could have led to destruction, but He led you in a different direction.

Friday, May 7, 2021

“Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.” - Psalm 98:1

The other night I did something I haven’t done in a while—SING!
I can hear you say, “What does that even mean? Don’t you sing as your job?” That’s just it. Anyone who works or ministers in church will tell you it’s not the same as experience as going to church. It’s very rare I am in the pew. At any rate, I pulled out an old hymn book and just sang for the fun of it. Immediately, my chest felt less tight and I felt at peace. I was doing what I loved because I wanted to not because I was requested or had to, but because I wanted to. I needed to get away by myself and worship. I needed a “sanctuary” if you will. I have often found God at the piano bench where I feel His peace or I’m filled with His ideas and visions. The songs I sang that night then became prayers because I sang them in praise and adoration to God. How many times do the things we love to do become something we have to do not something we want to do? Don’t let what you love to do become just another task. Do it with passion, do it as a prayer, do it for God.

Saturday, March 13, 2021

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

Justice, mercy and humbleness—

A year ago today little did we know that the world would change. I was notified that church services would be suspended until further notice. We were given fearful news about a pandemic that no one knew what to expect, how to react or what to do. We were were told everything will be okay in 2-3 weeks and then life would proceed back to normalcy.
We all know this didn’t happen and instead this entire year for everyone spiraled into chaos of body, soul and mind between a riddling pandemic, social tensions, social isolation, faith crises, political uprisings, fake news, real news—something new every time you turned around. It seemed like every aspect of this past year absolutely shook our hearts, minds and bodies. We’ve seen the absolute best and worst in people and it made us want to forget 2020 in general.
But, what I want to address today is the 3 words I mentioned before I started writing—justice, mercy and humbleness. This year these 3 words really came into play for all of us.

In my Catholic tradition, I’m reminded of what is said before the priest consecrates the bread and wine into becoming Body and Blood of Jesus—
Priest: ”Lift up your hearts”
People: “We lift them up to the Lord”
Priest: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God”
People: “It is right and just”
Priest: “It is truly right and just always and everywhere to give you thanks Lord our God…”

I want to ask us today, “What is right and just?” This year, we were told a variety of things were right and just. Some were and some were not. Quite frankly it made life confusing and puzzling on what to believe. We began to filter everything through a lens of what WE thought to be true with no clear conclusion as to what is really true left only with an opinion and stirring unprocessed thoughts. What I can say is I know what God thinks is “right and just.” In our current society, we have absolutely twisted God’s words and reinterpreted them in order to satiate our own opinion. In my mind, this breaks the second commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7) When we twist and mince words to accommodate our dysfunctional ways “in the name of Christ” then we take the name of the Lord our God in vain. Not everything WE consider “right and just” is. Not everything WE don’t consider “right and just” isn’t. I want to challenge us today to trust God, dive into His Word and study it and truly understand what God considers to be “right and just.” We have so muddled the words justice, mercy and humbleness that they mean the complete opposite of what God means them to be. While God is a God of Love—He doesn’t love everything the world loves and not everytime love is expressed is it a healthy form of affection. While God is a God of justice, there are some things the world considers “right” that is actually wrong in the eyes of God. While God is a God of humbleness, holding up dysfunctional thought patterns or lifestyles isn’t exactly a license for a pedestal for being brave and meek. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20) While we might be turning the corner on the Covid-19 pandemic, the pandemic I am concerned about is the illness of twisting God’s Word—the illness of justifying dysfunction in the name of Christ. I want to challenge us today to take the vaccine of God’s Word and truly understand what it means to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. I say all this today because there is hope—hope that if we truly allow God’s Word to pierce our hearts that we will live in a world of true joy and peace. Don’t you want that too?

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” - John 12:24

If you know me, you know how much I enjoy plants. I enjoy watching them grow, bud and sprout. However, no vibrant plant came without first being a seed. If you’ve planted an herb garden or some flowers, you’ve sometimes gotten a bag of seeds from the store for a pence. Those seeds came from another plant or flower that will hopefully become a fruitful harvest. They will only become a fruitful harvest under the right temperature, humidity or water it is given. In other words, the seed will likely take root in the right environment. I say this in the season of Lent, because we are called to tend the soil of our hearts. We are called nurture our hearts and become more like Christ.

What Jesus said in the above scripture verse is profound, but yet much needed. In essence what Jesus is saying is “something must die in order to bear much fruit.” Pride, anger, resentment, self-centeredness, etc. must die in order to live a vibrant life. No good ever came from pride, anger, resentment, self-centeredness, etc. Instead, it only cultivates a hardened heart in which nothing can grow. God wants us to have hearts of flesh, not of stone (Ezekiel 36:26). Nothing can grow in stone! Even in sidewalks where does a weed find growth? In the cracks where no stone resides. A vibrant plant can only thrive in the right environment, is not the same true for you?

Jesus had to die to give us new life. Jesus had to die to resurrect! He couldn’t show himself to over 500 people risen from the dead had He not died and then rose from the dead! (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). He had to die in order for this to happen. We too are called to life this same path of Jesus. What must we nail to the Cross with Him in order to have a new and vibrant life on Easter? What weeds—habits, attitudes, addictions or unhealthy mindsets have taken root in you that need to die in order for you to live life to the full? (John 10:10)

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Interruptions -

Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” - Mark 5:22-34

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. - Luke 1:26-31

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-20

Interruptions - some are welcomed; some are not. Naturally, I am a person of routine and order. I like it, I do well with it. However, when something comes up or intervenes that changes this order I don’t handle it the best way.

There are certain interruptions I gladly welcome: spontaneous lunch plans, drop by visit by a friend, 20 minute phone calls from a friend or a kind word

There are certain interruptions I don’t necessarily appreciate: coronavirus, car accidents, commercials, toy bins spread throughout the house, interruptions in conversations or arguments.

However, the Bible is painted with interruptions. As we can see above some changed the life of the world or some changed the life of a few. Interruptions are not always welcome, but they serve as a teaching moment. A teaching moment that says, “He has made everything appropriate in its time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) or “My times are in your hands…” (Psalm 31:15).

How do you react to interruptions? None of us is perfect and may not react the best, but do we ponder the teaching moment? I can’t imagine that Mary, Peter or Andrew were expecting these interruptions. I can’t imagine they thought, “Oh, how convenient!” I imagine it thwarted their current agenda. However, they went along with what God was willing to do with them or teach them.

There is one more interruption I want to mention
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” - Mark 13:32-33
This will be the greatest welcomed interruption. Are we prepared? At least for this interruption, we have been warned. This is an interruption in which all will be brought to justice, all will be made well, ill will be made well, weak will be made strong and mourning will turn into dancing.

Interruptions - what has intervened that has changed and what can we learn from it?

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” - Mark 1:25

There’s been too much noise lately. Too much clamor. I use the word clamor because this is what it means, “a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting vehemently.” It’s a noise people want to escape. It’s a noise that people are not gravitated to. In the passage above today from Mark 1:21-28, Jesus was quick to silence an evil spirit. It was making an obtrusive clamor in God’s House. What do we need to silence in our own lives? What do we need to tune out? What’s being a distraction to God’s plan or God’s Word for us? Notice after Jesus silenced the evil, the people were amazed. I think people would be amazed if we used the same authority from Jesus to silence the evil around us. God desires for His people to be at peace. “In the mighty Name of Jesus, I command all evil and clamor to be quiet. Amen.”

Thursday, August 27, 2020

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” - John‬ ‭14:27‬

I’ve read this verse many times. Often, us Christians read Bible verses and we skim over them because we’ve read them many times. I pondered this verse tonight and I thought it was pertinent not only because it’s about peace, but Jesus is telling us that the world will not offer peace. We’re seeing this all over the place that people are using the guise of unity, love, camaraderie and justice to bring about peace. Is it doing it? Jesus offers lasting peace—shalom, wholeness. In this world of brokenness, I really think we should try the peace of Christ, not the peace the world is offering, but the peace that brings about wholeness. This “peace” the world is offering is troubling hearts and minds. Notice that the peace of Christ, brings peace to the storms of mind and heart. We sing the lyric, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” then, let’s try the peace from the Prince of Peace. What could it hurt? If the Prince of Peace is reigning in us then think of what the world would be like if we actually brought about His peace, not the “peace” the world is offering. It’s clearly not working.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people...” - Luke 2:10

I don’t know about you, but I sure could go for some good news. We hear of all kinds of news in today’s world. We hear of real news, fake news, breaking news, morning news or evening news. They all think they’re going to tell us something that’s “new.” News of all kinds thrives off ratings. News companies know if they hit us with “breaking news” we’re going to tune in to see what’s happening. Oftentimes, it’s another story of something negative that occurred in the world. Wouldn’t it be nice if “Breaking News” that occurred was good news? Upon doing a quick search on the internet for the world “Gospel”, I noticed a graph that stated that the world “Gospel” has been on a decline since the 1850’s with a very minute uptick in the 2000’s. The very word Gospel is translated as “good news” or “good story.” Perhaps this word has been on the decline because it is an old world and there’s other words to describe the story of Christ. However, I want to challenge us to spread “good news.” In addition to the Gospel of Christ, we also should be sharing good news with one another. St. Paul tells us as Christians and beacons of light in this world, we are called to “encourage one another and build one another up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

In the above passage when the angel greets the shepherds to tell them there is good news happening in Bethlehem, it wasn’t all that great of circumstances for Mary and Joseph. They were fleeing the “death of the first born” plagued by Herod, they rode on camel to Bethlehem only to find out there was no room for Mary to have Jesus so they found a cave for Him to be born in. They then had to flee to Egypt to continue to avoid Herod. Truly, circumstances for them didn’t sound like good news, but it was. I imagine they were tempted to see their circumstances as horrid and anxiety-ridden, especially having to tend to a child that is God! But, I think they were thrilled to be in the company of their Savior and they knew they were following God’s plan. God’s plan isn’t always smooth sailing, it’s sometimes a rocky road—and that’s okay! The road that Jesus walked wasn’t always easy either, but there was good news to be shared. In addition to the Gospel of Christ, what good news do you have to share? Does good news challenge you to live a life that reflects more on gratitude? In the midst of our world right now, it doesn’t always seem like there’s good news, but there is. God is working in His people to bring about His plan of salvation to all even right now.

You might be asking, “Why doesn’t God always provide good news?” “Why does God allow the bad news to occur?” Friend, if we never saw the bad, would we be able to appreciate the goodness? If we never saw the bad, would we need God, would we still run to His presence? If we never had pain, how would we know the glory and victory of healing? Even in the midst of the bad, we see that it can be turned around for good (Genesis 50:20). There’s always good news to be shared even when it seems like there isn’t one ounce of hope left. The first good news is always that Jesus knows what it’s like to have pain and suffering, but He also knows that at the end there is victory. The second good news is that God is using what is meant for evil in your life to turn it for good so you can relate to someone else and help them. Your pain and suffering are never in vain and that indeed is good news!

Friday, July 24, 2020

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

As I was reading this verse I was thinking about the lights people can be. I was also thinking the light a simple candle brings. If you were in a pitch dark room and lit one candle it would instantly illuminate the entire room. When my cell phone goes off in our bedroom at night, it lights up the pitch dark room. It’s interesting that it only takes one light, one candle or one flame. How can you be a light in this world? Who are people that have served as lights to you and have pointed you closer to Christ?

It only takes one rotten fruit to ruin a whole basket. We all need to be careful of those who come across as good or are lights, but are actually a light to a wrong path. There are many mantras and events going on in today’s world that are disguised as pure and act as lights leading people down wrong paths. Jesus said, “…You will know them by their fruits.” (John 7:16a) It’s important to not just follow wherever the wind leads because then we come across as fickle and we just go with what sounds good.

Spend time with Christ who said “I am the Light of the World.” In these summer months, I’m quickly reminded of sun tans. The more we spend time in the sun, we tend to show it by how we look. Our faces glow with the rays of summer. The more we spend time with the SON we will get a SON TAN and we will begin to reflect Christ to the world.

Go—be a pure light. It only takes one person, one candle, one flame to light up an entire room. Think about how you can be a light in this dark world. Just as a lighthouse guides ships in to shore, be a light that guides people to Jesus.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

“Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man…” - Matthew 1:19a

During my recent voyage of fatherhood, I have begun to think about Joseph, Jesus’ foster and earthly father. Nothing much is said of him in the scriptures, but one can infer a great deal. The mere fact that he obeyed God and the voice of an angel in a dream truly shows he was a man of God. In times when I am frustrated, feeling impatient or at a loss of how to tend to my crying daughter, it helps me to think about Joseph. Joseph’s character of fleeing town with a pregnant, virgin wife and allowing his son, who is God, to be born in a cave really must have tested him, but he still managed to obey God. I wonder how it must have felt being Joseph teaching his son, Jesus who is God, how to be a carpenter. I wonder how Joseph must have felt teaching the Word made flesh how to talk. I wonder how Joseph must have felt teaching the One who would walk on water how to walk. I would have felt silly, but I’m sure he did it anyway. I would have felt so low to have lost Jesus, God who is omnipotent, in the temple for three days only to be told He had to be about His Father’s (God, His Heavenly Father’s) business” (Luke 2:49). I can honestly say I’m glad I wasn’t in Joseph’s place. I do know that when I feel unqualified, I do know that Joseph was probably no more qualified than I am to take care of God in the Flesh. God gives us strength to what we’re called to. Right now, I am called to be a father, husband, son, music minister, friend, writer and more. Sometimes these job titles are not easy, but God always comes through and gives us strength. When I can’t figure out the cries of my daughter I sometimes get sad and feel unqualified, but I know I have to disregard my feelings and remember that God has called me to this and He obviously thinks I’m more than capable to do this. God is not concerned if you feel unqualified, He has already anointed you for the task He has called you to. I think sometimes we’re in our feelings too much. Feelings are fickle. God calls us to be confident in Him. We start to feel unqualified if we think we’re alone in this and have the strength to do this. We don’t, but God does! I bet it was comforting to remember that Mary birthed not only his son, but Emmanuel which means “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) That’s not a message or a name of God that we should leave during Advent and Christmastime, but it’s a name of God we should always remember--especially when we feel unqualified or alone. God is always with us and will see us through. 

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required…” - Luke 12:48

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” - James 1:5

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

Monday, May 4, 2020

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” - John 10:4-5

Contrary to some ways of thinking, sheep are intelligent creatures. Sheep are known to express emotion, have great memory and cognition skills, travel in packs called herds, build friendships easily, stick up for their fellow sheep when in a fight and are upset when their fellow comrades are led to slaughter. Despite being intelligent creatures, they still need to be guided. A shepherd is to watch out for the sheep and keep an eye out for poisonous plants that might harm them, leading them to good places to forage and keep them safe. While sheep may be bright animals, they do not know everything. In fact, God calls us to have dominion over the animals and says we are smarter than the animals (Genesis 1:26, Psalm 32:9). None of us know everything. We like to think we do and we like to think we know the future too. Nevertheless, what Jesus is trying to get at is that the sheep know their shepherd. They know their shepherd's voice. I want to ask you, “How do you know the voice of God?” “How do you know which voice is God and which is the enemy?” “What voices are determining how you’re living out your life?” “Are the voices you’re listening to working out for you?” God may not speak to us in the ways that humans speak to each other. Certainly, He can and certainly people have heard an audible voice. Oftentimes, God speaks to us through His Word, godly counsel and prayer just to name a few. A silent whisper or a nudging is another common way God speaks. All in all, we need to get to know our Shepherd before we are led to other pastures.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

“The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
    What a wonderful inheritance!” - Psalm 16:6

Inheritance—provision, legacy, estate. When reading the other day, the word “inheritance” stuck out to me. I began to think about what we’ve inherited through God. Because of Christ’s dying and rising we now have unlimited access to the throne of God. We now have an inheritance to everything God has for us. I began to ponder the question, “What are we doing with our inheritance?” You may recall a story in Luke 15 about a man who wanted his share of his father’s inheritance for him. It was an insult for him to ask for this before his father’s death. It made it seem like all he wanted was his money and didn’t care about a relationship with his father. At any rate, the son received his inheritance and went out into the world and squandered it. When he then hit the lowest of the low he returned to his father. I began to think, “Are we utilizing all God has given us or are we squandering it?” “What are we doing with our inheritance?” “Are we fully enjoying relationship with God or only coming to Him in time of need?” Psalm 16:5 says, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” It is God who is our portion—nothing else. He is our most prized possession. By being in relationship with God we have an inheritance of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) These are the “fruits” of relationship with God—the Fruits of God’s Holy Spirit. God said to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) We are blessed to be a blessing. What we have, we have been given to share. God’s economy does not work like our economy—praise Him for that! Jesus showed us a different type of inheritance:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - Matthew 5:3-12

When we are TRULY blessed which means happy or to be envied, this is our inheritance. These are His promises. His inheritance never runs dry, but are we using it the right way?

Friday, May 1, 2020

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4

We all go through tests—math tests, blood tests, driving tests. There’s also times that we test things—test drive a car, taste test food, test a product. There are times that we’ve been put to the test—a situation that puts us under immense stress or duress. I despise tests of all kinds. I always feel queasy before taking a test—except taste testing food…Yum!

Have you ever taken a test and felt good about it and thought you studied and prepared well? As you well know, most of us have been put to the test. These are tests we can’t have a trial size, or a trial run or prepare by—or can we? For life’s tests, we are called to respond in certain ways. James, the cousin of Jesus, tells us that we should “count it all joy.” Wow! Thanks a lot, James… However, James was speaking from life experience. If he wasn’t in direct contact with Jesus, he at least knew people that knew Jesus. And what did they know? They knew what happened after the Crucifixion of Jesus. They knew from their experience that death was not the end. They knew that evil doesn’t win. A famous preacher Tony Campolo once said, “Sunday’s coming!” In order to get to Sunday, we have to go through Friday. In order for Jesus to show His disciples the Resurrection, He had to suffer first. While I don’t believe God causes pain, I do believe He uses it so that we can be made stronger and experience a “peace that passes beyond understanding” (Philippains 4:7). Then when troubles arise in the future, we then can say what one of my favorite pastors, Dr. Charles Stanley said, “Trust God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

There once was a man who penned these words:

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
'It is well, it is well, with my soul.’”

This is a man who underwent traumatic events in his life. Loss of a 4 year old son, Great Chicago Fire, financial ruin during the economic downturn of 1873 and loss of all four daughters in a shipwreck. While I don’t think Horatio Spafford counted it all joy to be in these trials, he knew upon reflecting that God had a bigger plan to use his pain for. Little did Horatio know that his hymn would still be sung in churches across the world today and inspire many. Horatio was put in a position where he lost everything and the only thing left to count on was God. I think sometimes God allows us to go through tests and trails to see if we still even need Him. Again, I’m not saying God causes them, but He certainly turns tests into testimonies.

Can we prepare for these tests? We never know when these tests are coming, but we can prepare by spending time in the presence of Christ and spend time in His Word. The Author and Prince of Peace will then guide us in perfect peace when handling these tests. The more we marinate in His presence, the more we become like Him and we too can sing, “It is well with my soul.”

Monday, April 27, 2020

“Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12

Someone once said to me that the most valuable gift someone can ever give you is time. Time is something that can never be replaced or gained back. This Psalm is a prayer of Moses. Moses was a man who led and wandered around the desert with the Israelites for 40 years. Scholars have said the trip from Egypt to the Promised Land is 11 days on foot. The two numbers don’t quite match up. It seemed like someone asked for the wrong directions or they didn’t know their north from south. I bet they feel like they wasted time. I’ve heard people say when something doesn’t work out quite right “Well, this was a waste of time.” I bet there’s many people during our shelter-in-place mandates that think this is a “waste of time.” I want to challenge that statement. I have been one of these people. I don’t believe that any of our experiences are a waste of time. I believe they’re all learning experiences. The Psalmist is praying, “Teach us to number our days.” Why? So, that we will be wise with our time. None of us knows how much time God has granted us, but were asked to “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5:16) I imagine we all can use our time more wisely, myself included. i’ve spent many days dwelling in the past and the future instead of making the most of the time I’m given right now. It’s not wrong to plan ahead, but it shouldn't be all consuming. The past is gone and we can’t fix it. When I dwell too much in the past or the future, I get very anxious. I believe I get anxious because God wants us to be in this very moment and because I'm trying to dictate what the future should be. He is here and among us and He will be there in the future. Many of the things I’m living out now we’re not how I had planned them years ago. Why? Because God is in control. “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Where is your mind? What are you dwelling on too much?

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Friday, April 24, 2020

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

In light of current events we sometimes wonder where God is. We ponder His existence; we wonder that if He is real, why doesn’t He act? Then we play the “why me?” game in our head. Sometime in the middle of questioning God and asking “why me?” we begin to blame people for the issue at hand even if there’s no culprit. We somehow think we’re exempt from issues.

Something struck me yesterday when I encountered the above Bible verse. “In this world you will have trouble.” No where in the Bible does it say that once you confess Christ as your Savior that life will be spent frolicking through fields and have incessant laughter. That’s not real life and that’s certainly not how we grow.

This morning I was up early and sitting with my coffee and reading Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In chapter 1 verses 12-26, Paul comments that because he was chained in jail that it has caused people to preach and be bold in proclaiming the Gospel. He also talks about how it is a blessing that he is in jail. What!? Who says things like that? I understand what Paul is talking about. While I was in quarantine recovering from Covid-19, I had a lot of time to think, I had a lot of time to reflect and I had a lot of time to learn. God did a work in me and used this time to teach me. few things. In spite of that, I felt as almost I was in the wilderness or in jail like Paul. I love to be out and about and be around people. Because quarantine is so contrary to who I am, I felt alone and very anxious. But, isn’t that where God meets us? With all the noise and distraction around us are we able to hear? It seems as though with this virus, all that has been stripped away. We’re locked in our homes and we’re able to enjoy peace and quiet. After Jesus rose from the dead, He even appeared to His fearful disciples in a locked room and greets them saying “Shalom”—peace, wholeness (John 20:19). Hasn’t God been trying to meet us in our homes with quiet time and church online while we’re locked away and in fear? Jesus is trying to greet you with peace saying all is well. This morning as I pondered Paul’s journey and Jesus’ statement from John, I thought, “What if your struggle is not about you?” Our stories and journeys are not always about us. Haven’t you ever encountered someone with a struggle the same as yours and you felt compassion for them and you knew what to say to them? God set that up! God led Jesus in the desert just before His public ministry. God allowed Paul to go to prison and from there He was able to advance the message of Christ from there. God wants to use your story not only to free you, but to free someone else. John 8:36 says it this way, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” As I pondered John 16:33, the words “you will have trouble” struck me. All of us are going to have troubles and trials. From my understanding of John 16:33, it doesn’t sound like it might occur or never will occur - it says “you will have trouble.” No one is exempt. In no way, shape or form do I believe that God causes trouble. I believe that what the enemy meant for evil God turns it around for good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). James, cousin to Jesus, penned this, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Let me close with these words that Apostle Paul wrote while he was still in jail.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven…” - Matthew 18:3

Since becoming a father I have learned a lot of things. Who knew that a 3 month old could teach one such valuable life lessons? In the above scripture verse Jesus was cautioning His disciples to not become haughty and think of themselves as lofty people. He wasn’t telling them to have low self-esteem, but rather be humble enough to learn from others and to have faith as simple as a child. A child is so innocent. When I look at my dear Emilia she is so sweet and doesn’t know the scandal of the world. Faith equals trust. Emilia trusts us implicitly. She doesn’t question Natalia and I as parents she just trusts us. That’s what God is asking us to do with Him.

Another life lesson Emilia has been teaching is to relax. Sounds simple, right? No. I learned that she won’t respond well if I feel stressed or upset. How profound! If we are stressed and upset around people then they will respond to that. What Emilia is saying and she doesn’t know she’s saying is, “Love me right now. Forget about your work, forget about your worries and just enjoy me right now.” Isn’t that what God is saying to us right now? “Leave your worries, cares and anxiety at my feet and enjoy ME right now.” Who knew that such a small child could teach this? Jesus said, “‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2).

Reflecting on my time of quarantine from the Covid-19 virus, I was a wreck being by myself. I’m such an extroverted people person. I love people and constantly being connected. I learned after the fact that I need to enjoy the reality that is right now. I need to enjoy or find the good in whatever situation I’m in no matter what it looks like. Apostle Paul says it this way, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) It sounds nice to hear right now, but when in the midst of a trial, it’s difficult to remember this. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with godly friends, read Scripture and pray. God knows what we need and guides us through each situation. I needed this situation to understand that I need to enjoy the reality that is - not worrying what is to come or what has been, but enjoy and or find peace in what is right now. God is here right now, enjoy His presence. Many of us are in our homes and are going crazy. I hear you! I’m a mover and a shaker and have to be doing something. What if God is saying to all of us western civilized people, “You’re too busy and you need to enjoy my presence”? Whatever is going on in your life, I want to challenge you to slow down and enjoy God’s presence. Pray about what God is teaching you. We must always be like children. We are always students and children of the Great Teacher, our Risen Lord.

Saturday, April 11, 2020 (Holy Saturday)

“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

I’ve never thought about this scripture in light of the time in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This morning during my time of quarantine, I had the imagery this morning of being a caged bird. I long to soar and do the very things God has willed me to do. However, what if what I’m supposed to do is what I’m doing right now? What if God wants me to sit and ponder anew? We can’t dismiss the notion of a caged bird in light of Holy Saturday. Today Jesus laid in a borrowed grave, but while His body was there, His soul went to the underworld and took back the keys to death from the enemy and now holds power over death (Revelation 1:18, 1 Peter 4:6). Tomorrow we celebrate the fact that death has no more reign and that Jesus took back death and it stings no more (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Matthew 28:6). There is indeed an appropriate time for everything as the above passage from Ecclesiastes says. We don’t like appointed times for negative things, but without the negative things, how can we have or know the positive. Without death, how can we know life? In my own adaptation from Ecclesiastes, “there’s a time to be caged and a time to soar” Don’t forget there’s a lot that can come from the time of contemplation and “the entombed”. Look at all that Jesus did! You were made for such a time as this (Esther 4:14), what are you going to do with it?

Sunday, March 22, 2020

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” - Matthew 6:26

A few months ago, I put up a bird feeder in my living room window. Last Summer I also put up a hummingbird feeder. I do enjoy watching the birds. It is interesting how they obtain their food and live their lives. We can learn a ton of things from the birds. When is the last time you heard of a bird panicking because they didn’t know if there would be food tomorrow for them? When is the last time that you heard or saw a bird be concerned about the affairs of the future? They don’t. I’m not saying that we’re similar to birds, but there has to be a reason that Jesus told us to consider the birds. They don’t seem to be worried. Why? Because their Heavenly Father takes care of them. Recently in our world, we’ve been made to worry with a pandemic and pestilence being at the door. Due to government mandates, churches have suspended worship, people have not been working, children have not been going to school and a whole host of upsets in our normal whereabouts. People were panic stricken and immediately went to stores and gathered food to probably feed a small army. Were the birds considered? Jesus told us to look at them. What did we notice? Their Heavenly Father always comes through for them. If Jesus told us to look at them as an example, would our Heavenly Father not also take care of us? If God can take care of a small creature like a bird, won’t He provide for you? Jesus even said we are more valuable than the birds! I must admit I was one of these panic stricken people. I admire the people that worrying is a fleeting thought to them. I was reminded to quit worrying and to trust that God will provide if anything were to occur. I’m not saying that we are to be reckless and wander around like birds searching for worms or seed, but I am saying that God will provide for us. He told us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Each day He has promised He would provide for us. An old song says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” If God cares for the birds, He cares for you.

Saturday, March 21, 2020

“But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” - Psalm 131:2

This is one of the shortest Psalms in the Bible. However, in my opinion, it’s one of the most profound. If you know me, recently I’ve had the great privilege of becoming a father. This is still mind-boggling to grasp. It’s shocking to me that the hospital sends you home with a child and then you are to simply figure it out from there. When you get a drivers’ license, they take you through lessons and etc., but for a child they just let you figure out parenthood as if it were second nature. My daughter, Emilia, is one of the cutest, smartest and sweetest little girls to roam the earth. Nevertheless, I haven’t written much lately, but I figured with our recent global virus fiasco, I’d attempt to inspire a few people.

The above Bible verse kept coming to mind over the past few weeks of becoming a father. Most of us don’t have a clue what it was like to be an infant. Our minds can’t recall the moments we had when we were just weeks old. As I attempt to parent Emilia, I watch her actions, emotions and behaviors. I can’t help but think this is how our Heavenly Father expects us to behave. I’m not saying that He expects us to scream and cry when were hungry or went to the bathroom. However, He does expect us to lean on Him as our sole provider and caretaker. While smart, my daughter does need me and is not independent. Emilia needs me to feed her, change her, calm her down, hold her and tend to her. How does she let me know this? She cries out to me. She may not know how to express words as we know them, but she as she expresses her piercing cries she lets me know she needs me.

We absolutely need our Heavenly Father. In our recent global virus fiasco, many of us went into panic not knowing when or how this will end. Some are still in the midst of anxiety and not knowing where to turn. Our Heavenly Father is expecting us to cry out to Him and be sheltered safe in His arms. Sometimes Emilia just needs me to me to hold her and quiet her down. She needs to know I'm holding her and she is secure with me. Why do we not think this is how our Heavenly Father wants us to be with Him? Psalm 68:5 says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” He is not just God He is our daddy, Abba Father (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6). Call out to Him today. He is waiting to calm your fears, waiting to hold you, waiting for you to run into His presence.

Friday, December 20, 2019

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” - Luke 2:13-14

Christ by highest Heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"

-Charles Wesley - “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity.” - The other day as I was going over this song with my Children’s Choir they asked me, “What does this mean?” This was one of these moments where we sing the words, but never ponder them. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs because of the rich theology in it. Charles Wesley who wrote over 6,000 hymns carefully penned these words and I’d like to take some time now to ponder them with you. This second verse of “Hark! The herald Angels Sing” has such meaning to us. God, who created the heavens, the earth and all we see around us became flesh. Christianity is the only religion in all the world where God became a human being. God became one of us! Why would we ever want to serve a God that never knew what it was like to be a human or never went through what we went through? If you believe in Jesus Christ I can tell you that you do indeed serve a God that was both God and man at once. You might be thinking, “Okay Phil, this is nice, but what does it have to do with me in 2019?” This is the heart of being a Christian. Christ’s example to us was to become one of us and to go through what we went through. We are to be the “Incarnate Christ” to others. We are to be Jesus to one another. We are to serve as “God in the flesh.” We aren’t God and we will never be God, but are to try to imitate Him in all that we do (Ephesians 5:1). We can also take this a step further and think about Jesus’ mother, Mary. She had Jesus in her womb. God was dwelling inside her so much so that when she encountered her cousin, Elizabeth, her son, John in her womb, knew that Christ was in Mary that he leapt for joy (Luke 1:41). We, like Mary, are to bear Christ and bring Christ to one another so that when others encounter us they leap for joy because the Author of All Joy lives in us. Why did the angels sing? Because Christ became one of us and came to earth to dwell. How are you bringing Christ to others today? How can you be a Christ-bearer?

Thursday, December 19, 2019

“How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony!” - Psalm 133:1

“Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind 
In one the hearts of all mankind; 
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, 
And be yourself our King of Peace. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!”

-O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (12th Century Carol - John Neale)

“Oh, bid our sad divisions cease.” - Have you ever been in a quarrel with someone? Of course you have. Oftentimes the fight is about something that is dividing us between us and that person. Have you also had a fight and then you can’t remember what you’re fighting about? God desires that we not have divisions among us that are not needed. “Unpeaceful” divisions are sad. If we truly think about the cause for the division at hand, it is sad and probably unnecessary. Advent is a time of reconciliation and making things “at peace.” Advent is a time for the wolf to be guest of the lamb and the calf and the lion to lie down (Isaiah 11:6). Note that the lyrics to this song say, “and be Yourself our King of Peace”. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33a). Where there is peace and godly harmony, then that is where God is. God does not author confusion, division, disillusionment or evil. God desires that if possible, we live peaceably with one another (Romans 12:18). Then we can proclaim, “Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel” because our strife is over. Do you need to let sad divisions cease today?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him!” - Habakkuk 2:20

“Silent night, holy night,
All is calm all is bright,
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.”

“All is calm, all is bright.” Does this sound like your version of Christmas? Oftentimes, this is not the case. We sing these sweet lullabies at the Christmas season, but do we apply them to our lives? From my experience working in the church, all is not calm and we hope that it will be bright for our congregants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Many times we do the motions without including God. Do we take God along on our Christmas shopping trips? Do we end up buying meaningless gifts because we didn’t pray or thoughtfully consider what to buy the person? Do we take God to our Christmas parties or are they just some events to check off the list? I, too am guilty of this. However, I believe if we take God through the Christmas season with us then “all will be calm and it will seem bright.” When God shows up, there is organized chaos. I’ll give you an example. If you know my wife you’ll know she’s a Type A personality and she knows it and she enjoys being that way. However, on our wedding day everything was anything but calm and bright to everyone else, but to us because God was included, in the midst of chaos, everything was peaceful and bright in the midst of a crazy day. I’m not saying that including God will make everything joyous, but it will make the journey tranquil in the midst of chaos and noise. I believe that everything on that First Christmas was anything but “calm and bright”, but because God was in the midst of the picture, in a messy and inconvenient situation, it was indeed “calm and bright.” Want things to be calm and bright? Take God with you on the journey this Christmas season.

Monday, December 16, 2019

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” - Luke 2:10

“God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy”

“Tidings of comfort and joy” - The unknown author of this English carol from the 15th century pens these words. Clearly the author was not living in the consumeristic and commercialized Christmas season of the 21st century of North America where comfort and joy are proclaimed to another by purchasing endless gifts to prove to others how much we love them—thus providing temporal joy. However, this author was giving us words not only to live by for this season, but words to cling to for all the year long. You and me can get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season that we forget to cling to the Comforter and the Source of All Joy. This song written in a minor key with such joyful words provide a symbol of who Isaiah, the prophet, was talking about, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) Why then should we have comfort and joy? Christ, our Savior gave us a pathway out of despair and hopelessness which is one of satan’s attempted powers. The enemy wants to get us down, he wants us to live joyless lives so that we are not beacons of light. We celebrate on Christmas the humble and tiny baby that came to us, to live among us, to model for us how to live in the light. He saved us from the hopelessness and despair that the enemy wants to give us by telling us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God desires that we have great joy. This certainly does not mean that He gives us everything we want, but it does mean that we can live with joy knowing that we have all we need. We celebrate the fact that Jesus came into this world to take away evil. Through Jesus we know that death, sin, darkness, joylessness and hopelessness does not have the last word. We know that the same Christ who rose from the dead conquers all things and through Him we can rejoice and have great comfort and joy.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

“Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed.” - Psalm 6:2

I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about the words to Christmas carols. We sing these songs each season and hardly ponder the words within the rich melodies. One of the songs they were speaking about was the French carol “O Holy Night” which I’m sure all of you are well aware of. A caller phoned in and commented on the lyric “in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” They honed in on the word pining. It was said the word “pining” most nearly means a mournful longing. We all seem to be longing for something, but what are we mournfully longing for? What do our souls cry out for? What do you think the world is “pining” for? I like how in this carol it states that the world was pining “till He appeared.” Take note that before Christ appeared, God’s chosen people were in a yearning to be free from slavery, captivity, sin, incessant wanderings in the desert, turmoil, war, clamor and much more. Does this sound like today? In this season of Advent we cry out Maranatha, “Come, Lord Jesus” because deep in the heart of the Christian, we know that when He comes all our sad divisions, strife, anguish, peril, tribulation will be no more. Two weeks ago at my church the words of Isaiah were proclaimed, “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.” (Isaiah‬ ‭11:6-9‬) To us, this sounds like folklore as one of my pastors said, but it is the reality in which God wants us to dwell and desires for us on earth. We are ever “pining” for peace, harmony, painless days, anxieties to be terminated and all that is well. If you, like me, are “pining” for these things then like Jesus let’s continue to pray, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:10‬)

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16

Take a look at the address of this passage. Peter wrote this to the early church. If you know anything about Peter’s life you’ll say, “What a hypocrite!” “This is the same guy that denied Jesus and had had little faith.” Yes—that is true. Keep in mind, God uses you too and you’re not perfect. We’re all sinners in need of God’s grace. God loves “cracked pots” because it’s His glory that shines through them. I digress. In the early church, the Christians were a controversial group—promoting ideals that were contrary to the culture of the time. Sounds familiar? They had such fervor and zeal to not cave in to the tide of the culture. How is today any different? Peter is reiterating the command from Jesus and Leviticus, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Let’s take a look at the word, “holy.” We say this word a lot, but give it very little thought. The Strong’s Greek Dictionary says holy means to be set apart, different from the world, sacred, likeness of nature with God. Titus 3:2-5a reminds us, “They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us…” Christians, we are to live peaceably. If people disagree with us, we are not to slander them, but tell them in a gentle manner that we disagree and why then move on. Both Peter and Paul’s letter to Titus reminds us we shouldn’t give into our desires or lustful pleasures. No matter how much we want to be like the world or cave in and compromise on our principles, we must be “holy”—set apart and different. When we’re gentle and loving even though we disagree, then we really make people wonder what Jesus is like. If we cave in and compromise then how are we different? How then are we sacred or set apart? Let’s keep going on the journey till Jesus comes!

Friday, November 8, 2019

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:10

“On earth as it is in heaven.” Heaven on earth? Have you ever had a slice of pie, enjoyed a nice talk with a friend, read a good book or watched the waves roar through the ocean? If the answer is, “yes" then you’ve enjoyed heaven on earth.

Do you ever just say “The Lord’s Prayer” and rush through it? I know I have. However, when you can’t seem to find the words to pray, sometimes saying this prayer helps. It has everything we need to ask in it. Yesterday when I had a few moments I took some time to pray and sit in silence. I couldn’t find the words to pray so in my mind I began reciting “The Lord’s Prayer.” I recited it slowly because I had a few moments and didn’t want to rush. I decided to really think about each phrase of the prayer and I became stuck on “on earth as it is in heaven.” My mind immediately wondered what that meant. I feel bad, but I know I’m guilty of this—I’ve thought, “when we die, what are we going to do all the time? Won’t it be boring? What about getting into mischief?” I then began to think about the world and the political turmoil, dysfunction, overstressed, over-caffeinated society we’re in. I then began to think about the actual words of “The Lord’s Prayer”— “on earth as it is in heaven.” I thought, “Wow! What if what heaven was like was reflected here on earth? What if there was no need to be stressed, over-caffeinated, dysfunctional or be in the midst of political turmoil?” The Good News is: we don’t have to! Jesus came to this earth to establish a new reign and a new kingdom—the Kingdom of God. We can live heaven on earth each day! How? Be in His presence. You might say, “Sounds nice to say, Phil, but I don’t have time for all that.” Each action you choose or moment you live can be time in His presence. Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite friar, suggested that we “practice the presence of God.” How? Everything you do, you do for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23). Why not include God on the journey? Why not make the ordinary EXTRAordinary? God can do that when you invite Him in your life and into everyday wanderings. The more we “practice the presence of God” the more we can reflect Christ—the True Heaven on Earth. The more we “be still and know He is God” (Psalm 46:10), the more we can be aware of Christ in those around us and aware of Christ active in the world. Want “heaven on earth” then you can be the change. Have a heavenly day!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

“I am the Lord, and I do not change.” - Malachi 3:6a

In Hebrew another word for change is “to alter, revision, variation” and host of other words. For this blog, I would like to substitute “change” for “alter.” “I am the Lord, and I do not alter.” - Malachi 3:5a (emphasis mine). I want to pose a question for you and I today, “What are we altering to put on our altar?” “What are we changing God to be or say in order to worship Him?” In an age of relativism, we’re constantly hearing, “Well, if it’s true for them then it must be true” or “If they think it’s okay then so it is.” Friends, if Jesus declared Himself to be God and the Truth (John 14:6) and we just read from the prophet, Malachi that God does not change or alter, what does that mean for us? Why are we “altering” what God says or who He is to set Him on our “altar?” Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy rebranding things or changing things up in order to keep things fresh. However, while God is always up to something new (Isaiah 43:19), I don’t believe that alters who He is. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” There are many theologians currently that are trying to come up with notions, new morals, new ways of life that alter God’s Word. This is in order to alter God for their altar. The problem is when we do this we make an idol—we make God in our own images (Exodus 20:1-4). When we get in the way and begin constructing idols then we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to work. We can’t allow sin to be the new normal. We can’t allow dysfunction to be tolerated. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33). When we allow dysfunction and sin to run rampant, then we allow disorder. Look in lives, homes or cities that let sin and dysfunction have a stronghold. Are they functional? Are they peaceful? However, there is hope! The prophet, Isaiah tells us Jesus is, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6b). Later on in Malachi 3 it says, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Malachi 3:16-18) It’s okay to be in the minority and not go with the social mores. After all Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Paul told the Romans, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2). If the battle for the Lord is narrow and you’re on that team, remember you’re on the winning side. God does not change and in the end God wins (Revelation 20:8-10).

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” - John 15:2

If you know me well, you’ll know that as of 3 years ago, I have taken up a new found love of gardening. I enjoy plants and watching them grow. To someone who doesn’t enjoy plants, this will sound boring to them. However, with now the gardener that I am, I dream of what each plant can be if it’s properly tended to. A few months ago, a friend of mine was sitting in my office at work and I turned to one of my succulents and I said, “What do you think about this plant?” I wasn’t sure I was properly tending to it. He said, “That plant looks great, but you have to cut off the dead parts or it won’t grow to its fullest potential because too much energy is being expelled trying to keep the dead leaves living.” This stuck with me and taught me something. How often do we continue to tend to something that isn’t life-giving? How often do we continue to water something that doesn’t cause us to live up to our potential? Oftentimes, when we cut off the dead things, we will blossom. When I tend and prune to the flowers on my balcony, they look beautiful. Why? Because I cut off the dead leaves and flowers that no longer have blossoms that have dried up. God likes living things hence why Jesus couldn't stay dead. Jesus’ empty grave proves to me that death does not have the last word. In order for our sin, our “dead things”, to be taken away, we needed a Savior. Sometimes, as a consequence of our sin or something we did, we have something that still holds on to us and we can’t “cut it off”. God promises us that what was meant for evil, He will work it out for our good (Genesis 50:20). God will restore life to you and make you bloom like never before. He will take what you learned and use it as a lesson for somebody else. He took away our “dead things” so that we might fully blossom. So, what “dead things” are keeping you from living to your fullest potential? How can you bloom today?

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

“His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.” - Psalm 97:4

Do you know anyone who sees really well in the dark? If they do, they’re not seeing 100%. I heard a song recently by Mosaic MSC called “Tremble”. In that song there’s a lyric that says, “Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble.” Take note that Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When we’re in darkness, we can’t see the way out or how to get to the other side. Jesus promises us that if we walk with Him we will have light for our lives. There are many behaviors, activities, habits and sins that the world qualifies as normal and acceptable while in God’s Kingdom they’re not. For instance, the world sees one has having lots of money something to be obtained. God does not mind if we have money, but as long as we bless others with it. We’re blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). I’m reminded of the story in Mark 10, where the rich young man approaches Jesus and says he’s obeyed all the commandments, follows all the rules and asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21). Jesus was calling the rich young man to be generous—the light was meeting the dark. Those who are stingy don’t like to hear words about being a generous giver, people who are lying don’t like to be confronted with the truth and people who are living in sin don’t like to be called to change. People use the excuse, “Well, it’s 2019, it’s okay. God understands.” The problem is the Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” (Romans 12:2a). When we conform to the patterns of this world this is what happens, “…people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not obey their parents or be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not love others, will refuse to forgive, will gossip, and will not control themselves. They will be cruel, will hate what is good, will turn against their friends, and will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2-4) Does any of this sound remotely familiar to you? Let’s go back to the dark room image. When you’ve been in a dark room for a long time and someone turns on the light, what happens? Your eyes hurt, they even sometimes sting. If one continues in the dark room, the situation may become chaotic. They may run into things, they may trip—you get the point. However, when our darkness is confronted with the light of Christ and His truth, it hurts and it stings because we don’t want to change and we’re comfortable living just the way we are. God calls us higher, God calls us to be better, God calls us to be people of the light. Do we really like the way our world is right now? Why don’t we go out and be a light in this dark world? Even just one light, one person can change the world.

Monday, August 26, 2019

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me…” - John 14:1

As a Music Minister, I’ve heard the above verse hundreds of times at myriads of funerals. After a while, it can become monotonous. However, every once in a while I need to hear that. How many times have you caught yourself trying to save the world? Well, know the job title for “Savior of the World” has already been taken. Last night, I was worried about something. I thought for a second, “Why don’t I just place this in God’s hands and go to sleep?” Guess what?! I really did fall asleep and I had a deep sleep. Whatever you’re worried about right now, whatever you think you can control, just put it in God’s hands and let it rest there. Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). What Jesus said rings true. Have you ever added anything to your life by worrying? Has it ever changed anything? No. Notice in the verse above from John that Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Notice you have control over that. It is a command Jesus gives us—”Do not let..” In John 14, Jesus talks about our final resting place—Heaven for those who trust in Him. I think if we are to keep our minds on the prize of Heaven, then we will have less worry. Apostle Paul puts it this way, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2) While Louis Armstrong sang to us “What a Wonderful World”, sometimes this world has proven to be not so wonderful. However, if we fix out eyes on the things above, we’ll realize what the old hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” says “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” The temporal things of earth won’t matter so much when we think about the eternal things of Heaven. So, whatever you’re worried about tonight, lay in God’s hands. Get some sleep.

Monday, August 19, 2019

“Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.” - James 4:17

I had a few conversations with a few friends lately that have been on my mind. These fellow friends were saying, “I should do this, I should do that.” They knew the right thing to do. They knew and even said what they should be doing, but refuse because it’s not comfortable to them. However, God calls us out of our comfort zones. If God nudges us to do something or we know we’re doing something that isn’t quite right, then why are we doing it? Why are we setting ourselves up for failure? James puts it this way, “Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?” (James 4:1). I throughly enjoy buffets. I enjoy picking and choosing what I’d like on the buffet line and I appreciate the many varieties presented to me. However, God’s Word cannot be a buffet. The Bible tells us things we should do, things we shouldn’t do, things to avoid, people to avoid and yet we still treat it like a buffet. Why? We think we know better, we think our minds our better than God’s. I fall to this temptation as well. I just think us Christians are giving in too much to our flesh rather than what is in God’s Word. How will we ever change the world if we choose to leave God out of the picture? How will we ever change the world if we obey one thing He says and not the others because they’re not convenient for us? We won’t. We tend to think, “Well, I’m ‘good enough’” or “God won’t mind” or “I follow most of the ‘Top 10’”. God isn’t calling you to just be ‘good enough’ and He doesn’t call you to just obey a few commands. God call us to be more than conquerers and to shine brightly (Romans 8:37, Philippians 2:12-18) so that we can bring people to know Him. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” I do honestly believe that some of us are truly seeking God, but are we seeking His righteousness? Are we seeking what is true, honorable, lovely, excellent? (Philippians 4:8). Again, I am guilty of this too, but I truly want to see a better world. Don’t you? Then let’s do what God says is right. Many theologians today are coming up with ideas that are contrary to God’s Word. Friends, God’s Word doesn’t change. Our minds are not better than God’s. His Word has been with us for thousands of years. In a world of constant change, we can count on one thing. God says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God’s Word also says, “For I am the LORD; I change not…” (Malachi 3:16). We need to continually seek the Lord and His righteousness and then and only then will we see a difference in the world.

Monday, May 20 2019

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” - Psalm 62:1

If you work in the church or are a school teacher or any occupation that winds down for the summer, you know that after Easter, May is a busy month filled with last minute things before the resting period comes in. However, in the midst of this busyness, we tend to forget to rest in it. This morning, I was reflecting on the above Bible verse and just repeating the phrase in my mind, “Rest in God alone, O my soul.” As I was doing this, I kept thinking about the laundry I needed to put in the dryer or the things I have to do at work or running to the store before work. I kept telling myself rest NOW. Oftentimes, we think rest is something that occurs later and something we work towards. Being in cooperation with the Holy Spirit means to rest in the Holy Spirit and walk with the Spirit. God is a God of peace not disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). As I kept saying, “Rest NOW”, I also kept thinking about the past as well as the future, but God wants us to rest NOW. It was as if I was being told, “I have something in store for you for the future, but you need to rest right now.” I don’t do well with the quiet. I tend to lose focus and tend to think about all that needs to be done, but God speaks to us in the whispers and in the stillness.

Another form of rest that I have been learning is being content and resting in what I have. If we’re always striving for something else how can we enjoy what we already have? Yes, we always need to be improving, but what about enjoying the fruits of what God has provided right now. God has not given tomorrows bread to us, that’s why we pray, “Give us THIS day our DAILY bread” (Matthew 6:11). If God were to give us all we wanted right now, we wouldn’t need Him or to seek Him. Would any of our friends be pleased with us if we only sought them out one time for what we need? No, our friends want us to spend time with them and journey with them. The same goes with God, we are to journey with Him and seek His daily bread for our lives and be content with what He has given us today.

Finally, I want to address just resting in God. I am a people person. I am shy, but I also enjoy being around people and constantly being in community. I can oftentimes put my rest in being around people. However, people are fickle and change. If we place our “rest” in people then our “rest” will also change. Later on in Psalm 62, the Psalmist points out that God is our rock and fortress. Rocks don’t move much, they’re sturdy and unchanging for the most part. If God compares Himself to and unchanging rock and I long for stability, then I certainly want to place my trust in the Rock—not Dwayne Johnson, but Jesus Christ, our Ultimate Solid Rock.

“Rest in God alone, O my soul.”

Monday, April 15, 2019

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death…” - Philippians 3:10

There is an old Spiritual titled, “Were You There?” The text of the song says:

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”

Have you ever thought the words to the song, “Were You There?” were odd? If you’re like me, you have. Why would one think I would have been there unless I was 2,000 years old? I recently heard a talk by world renown speaker, Dr. Mark Nimo. He was speaking about this very song and the profoundness of it. I now believe this song is asking questions of us that truly make us ponder our relationship with Christ. In the above verse from Philippians, Paul is telling us that he longs to know Christ and that He wants to suffer and rise from the dead with Him. Two questions are raised in my mind after reading that verse: 1) Why would anyone want to suffer and die just to rise again? 2) How can one do this?

People have often said to me, “Oh Phil, why do you spend so much time in that Jesus thing?” or “That’s your hobby, I have mine.” or “I’m not changing my life around for some faith.” I can tell you when you have had an encounter with the Living Christ then it’s no longer a hobby, but a way of life for the better. Here’s the only way I can explain it to you: When I first started dating my wife, Natalia, we connected and I wanted to hang out with her all the time. I wanted to get to know her because I had a profound encounter with her. I found someone who loves me for me and not who they want me to be, but rather someone who calls me to be the best version of myself and vice versa. With any relationship or friendship, you adapt, but it’s for the better if they are the right person and have your best interest in mind. In having this encounter I decided to marry Natalia and thus walk this road of life with her even if that meant to suffer and die. This is what Christ wants for you. He longs to have this encounter with you and longs for you to get to know Him. He longs to be the lover of your soul. When you walk that road with Him, then you will be able to say, “I was there when they crucified my Lord”, “I was there when they nailed Him to the tree”, “I was there when they pierced Him in the side.” and in walking the road with Jesus you will “tremble” at His immense love He has for you. If you’ve had a bad experience with the faith, the Church or in your walk with Christ, I am sorry for you but I want to give you encouragement to try again. The Church is Christ’s vessel on earth, but it is made up of humans and from what I’ve learned, humans aren’t perfect. Christ wants you to walk this road with Him and eventually reach the glory of His Resurrection. We are not meant to walk this life alone—walk with Jesus. He has your best interest in mind.

You might be asking, “How can I walk the road with Jesus?”, “How can I say I was there?” Jesus is alive and active. Because of His Resurrection, He lives forevermore. Invite Him into your daily life. Talk to Him as you would a friend. Share your sorrows, joys, circumstances and daily whereabouts with Him. He has walked the road your on. He was betrayed, abused, beaten, threatened, mocked and scorned, but He suffered it all for you. He went through it so He could relate to you. Why would anyone want to serve a God that they cannot relate to? If you have already made a decision to invite Christ in your life, know it’s not a “one time thing.” This is a daily thing. Just as marriage isn’t a one day event, it’s the rest of your life, so is your walk with Christ. He loves you and wants to do life with you. He loves you and is calling you—today. Will you walk with Him?

Thursday, January 24, 2019

“…The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” - Matthew 3:10-12

“Separating the wheat from the chaff”—While this passage is about preparing the way for Christ, I think it’s pertinent to our lives in many ways. Lately the phrase, “separating the wheat from the chaff” has been racing through my mind. I decided to take a look at it in its context. Before we dive in I want to give you the difference between wheat and chaff. A city boy like me had no idea what chaff was. We all know we need wheat to make beautiful breads, beautiful noodles for the Italian food I love, biscuits and many more foods. However, chaff is defined as the husks of corn or scaly protective casings generally separated by winnowing or threshing. In this passage, John the Baptist was telling those around him as well as the Pharisees and Sadducees of that day they needed to repent, change their lives and bear good fruit. As I’m reflecting on this passage, I am inquiring of my life and yours, “What or who is bearing good fruit in your life?” “Who or what is helping mold you into the best version of yourself?” “Who or what is invested in your life?” In studying this passage, I found reading Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers that the harvester will clear the harvest and keep the wheat in the middle of the field while separating the chaff to the outskirts of the field with a strong current of air from the winnowing fan. Notice they’re all on the field, but one of them is given more credence and one of them will later be burned up. Nevertheless, we need to do this in our own lives. Who or what are you giving more credence to? I am not giving you permission to be unkind or burn up your neighbor. I am giving you permission to be a harvester. I am telling you to evaluate your life so you can become all that God wants you to be. Who or what in your life is “wheat” and who or what in your life is “chaff?” Who or what is promoting life? Wheat gives life to beautiful food and chaff is of no purpose. 

Before I close, I want to give you another angle to look at this passage. In our world of turmoil, don't be discouraged. Notice John the Baptist said it is Jesus who is going to separate the wheat from the chaff. I believe this true when Jesus comes back for us. Jesus is going to separate those who are bearing good fruit for Him and the world from the chaff who are doing deeds for selfish desires. The wheat has such purpose while chaff is discarded. In our upside-down world, we’ve sometimes mistaken wheat for chaff and chaff for wheat. You might ask, “How can we know the difference?” Questions to ask yourself in your discernment are: “Is it promoting life or death?” “Is it in alignment with God’s Word?” Romans 2:8 says, “But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.” Have hope, friends. in a world of turmoil, God is still in control and still on the throne and He will have the last word. 

Go out and be a harvester!

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” - Psalm 138:8

“His love endures forever”—I love my wife, I love food, I love my family, I love my friends, I love my job, I love coffee and the list could go on. However, none of these things or persons love for me “endures forever.” I think it’s interesting how when things or persons don't measure up to the expectations we set upon them then we move on to something else as if the next thing or person’s love will “endure forever.” During our perusal, we find ourselves empty, lonely, unsatisfied and looking for more. Do you think we’ll ever find it? Johnny Lee tells us he was “looking for love in all the wrong places.” I think we do too sometimes. Nothing in this life will ever satiate our hearts like the love of God. There is no love like the love displayed by Jesus dying on the Cross at Calvary to pay for our sins. God’s love for us never changes. WE may change, but He never changes—Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God has never gone a day without loving you. Imagine that? How many times have you messed up? How many times have you not made Him first? How many times have we not trusted Him? All of us probably answered that saying, “Many times.” Still, God loves us anyway and His love for us endures forever. We may not sense this love because we have sin in our lives, but that’s why we’re called to repent, ask for forgiveness and receive His love. His love is never far away. It’s as near as the mention of His Name. Receive His love today and don’t go one more day feeling empty. A lot of us have heard God loves us, but how many of us actually believe it? I think if we honestly believed that God loves us then this world would be a different place. We can’t give what we don’t have away. How can we love others if we don’t know what true love is? The world has defined love in an entirely different way than what the Bible has said. Know God’s love and know peace. This I promise you—His love for you is true, satisfying, fulfilling and endures forever. 

Thursday, December 6, 2018

“The Lord is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.” - Psalm 25:14

“The Lord is the friend…”—it occurred to me in this Christmas season that many people tend to either feel full of friends that surround them or some feel like they’re surrounded by those who have a lot of friends. There are also those who are invited to gatherings full of people in order to feel like they’re alone. The holidays can bring out immense joy or immense joylessness. In the first week of Advent, the Psalm reading says, “The Lord is the friend…” In a time where all of of us our more connected now more than ever through social media, FaceTime, Skype, texting and cell phones, we live in such a time of isolation. Why? Because it’s not real interaction. Due to going to college with many people from all over the country, we tend to FaceTime a lot because there’s more that can be said over face to face interaction than through a phone call. However, it’s still not the same as real interaction. I’m a person who needs interaction with people. I get fueled up from being around people. However, there are people that certainly drain your fuel, but that’s a whole different blog post. At any rate, the holidays can make us feel lonely, but Proverbs 18:24b reminds us, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Who is this friend? It is Jesus. He is “Emmanuel”—God with us. In this Advent season, He is longing to be your friend, He is longing for you to prepare your heart room for Him. When friendships around you may fail there is a friend that is never far away. He can’t get much closer than in your heart. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). The only thing that can separate us from Him is our sin. Prepare your heart this Advent and never feel alone. Now, I bet some of you have looked at the words after what I have emphasized on and said, “But, what about those who have obeyed God? Why do they do the right things, but still feel lonely?” I can tell you following the ways of God are not always the most populated of paths, but I can tell you that God didn’t leave your side. I can tell you that He is as near as the mention of His Name. “But Phil, that sounds nice, but I don’t feel that!” I know what you’re saying and I’ve been there. What I can tell you is that sometimes we’re in the dirt underneath the ground because we’ve been planted and we will eventually bloom. Do not use that as a quote because I didn’t make that up. It was a Facebook post I saw this past week. However, I think there’s merit to that. Sometimes we follow the will of God and still feel in the dark. We’re called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and trust that He is near—near to all those who call upon Him in sincerity (Psalm 145:18). He is a friend and He promised He will be with us always till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). In times of loneliness, remember He is Emmanuel. He will not leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” - Matthew 9:36

Who is leading you? In my quiet time this morning, this verse came to me and I thought about who is leading us. I thought about the many pastors who are “unpastored”, I thought about the many leaders who go “unled”. While some of these figures might not have physical people leading them, they are lead by something. So many of us in this world are guided by something whether it be social media, faith, friends, spiritual leaders, our passions or our desires. These are not harmful things if they’re in alignment with God’s Word and His plan. When I think about the above verse, I love the illustration Matthew’s Gospel uses comparing people to sheep. When you take a look at a sheep, they are very malleable, gullible and easily swayed by their leader. So, when the text said, “they were like sheep without a shepherd” I can imagine chaos. In this world right now, we have chaos, we have a lot of obtrusive candor and we’re lead by our own desires. We are living the above words out in this point in time. Immediately, the next verse I thought of was Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd.” If the Lord was our Shepherd would we have chaos right now? Would we have chaos in our relationships? Would we have chaos in our families? Would we have chaos in our minds? I’m not saying following the leadership of Jesus doesn’t cause strife because it does, but following His leadership leads you to still waters and goodness and mercy follow you (Psalm 23:2, 6). How do we know His leadership? Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16). What are you listening to? How are you being “shepherded”? I want to encourage you today to be led by Jesus, not the media, not the news, not the social mores of this world, but by the Good Shepherd Himself. 

Monday, November 5, 2018

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” - Matthew 16:21-23

Agendas - how many of you have set out on a day with your agenda hoping to accomplish all that is on your list? I think we all have. Whether it’s written as a list or in our heads. We all have something we want to see and something that we want to accomplish. How many times do we consult God about our agendas though? I’m not saying having an agenda is bad, but is it what God wants? I am a very impulsive person and if there’s something that strikes me sometimes I immediately have to do it. That doesn’t mean it’s always a bad thing, but maybe I should have waited or maybe God wanted me to do it a different way or not at all. Consulting God first is always best. In the above passage, although Peter was upset to lose Jesus, he let his own desires get in the way instead of the agenda of God. Peter didn’t see the bigger picture that Jesus had to do this in order to take our sins away and restore us from death to life. All Peter saw was His best friend being taken away. Jesus rebukes Peter and tells him to have the concerns of God instead of the concerns of his own. How many times do we need to hear this? How many times do we promote our own concerns as opposed to the concerns of the Gospel? How many times do we not see the bigger picture? It truly is all about perspective. There’s a story about a husband and a wife that were trying to watch their finances and not spend much. While the husband was at work, the wife went to a local retailer and saw a beautiful red dress. She just had to have it at the sight of it. She tried it on flirting with temptation and she even said, “Oh Dave won’t mind that I spent money on this dress once he sees it on me.” So, she bought it and hung it up behind the door at home. When Dave got home he saw the dress behind the door and called his wife in the room. He said, “Why did you buy a dress? Didn’t we agree to not buy frivolous things?” She said, “Yes, but it’s so beautiful!” He said, “Why didn't you practice what you learned at church and say, “Get behind me, Satan!” She said, “I did, but he said it looked good from there too.” I love this funny story, but it’s all about perspective. She gave into her own desires not thinking that maybe they might need the funds for something more important. None of us are perfect, but we’re trying to be. We’re trying to be like Jesus, but we need to promote Him instead of us. In John 3:30, John the Baptist tells us how we should live in reference to Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John’s whole left was spent pointing people to Jesus who was to come. That’s how we must live. We need to be constantly pointing to Jesus—for He is the One who is to come back to us. Who's agenda are you promoting? Are you promoting the Kingdom of God or your own Kingdom?

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Gone Fishing…

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

I was reflecting on the first word of this verse. “Cast”—my mind immediately went to fishing. I like how when one fishes they cast their line out into the water. They’re not in control of what happens from there. They simply trust that they’ll catch something and if they don’t there’s nothing they can do about it. I love that image because truly what can we control by worrying about anything? Not one single thing. Jesus put it best when He said in Luke 12:25, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” Jesus is saying we benefit nothing from worrying. In fact, we waste time worrying and harm our health when we worry. While reflecting on the word, “cast” I also thought about how in a play there is a “cast” and each person is given a role. In the play of your life, why not give God the task to “worry” for you. God never worries, but give Him that job of fighting your battles for you (2 Chronicles 20:15). God does not want us to be weighed down by worries or cares. He wants to be there with you during troubled times and trust Him to lead you. God never promised He’d take problems away, but He did promise to care for you and wants you to trust Him that He is in control. Cast your line out to Him today and worry no more. 

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” - Psalm 33:20

Waiting—This is tough to write about. I hate waiting. Heating up anything in the microwave drives me nuts. The whole idea of a microwave is to heat it up quicker than the oven anyway and I still think it’s too long. However, I don’t like when others are impatient with me. For instance, is it just me or have people become even more impatient at traffic lights? I get beeped at right when the light turns green! What is that?! In a society where we can have everything right now, beeping at traffic lights instantly when the light turns green is not a surprise to me. We have everything at our exposure. Everything we want to know is at our fingertips with smartphones, but we still want things quicker. However, I’m reminded of a Greek word, “kairos”, which means “God’s time.” This word has made its way as the name of many retreats where one can experience no time frame, just God’s time frame. Have you ever noticed that God does not get in a hurry? When we pray sometimes we might not get the answer we want immediately and then later His answer comes and it was at just the right time. Every prayer is answered, just not in the way we always want nor in the time frame we want. When we rush things we become stressed and it doesn’t turn out how it should. God knows the appropriate time for everything. He even says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything.” David even mentions in the Psalm 90:4, “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” God is not in a hurry, instead trust that He is an “On-Time God.” God knows what we need at just the right time. When we rush things we’re saying that we want to be in charge and that we want to play the role of God. I completely understand it’s difficult to trust what you can’t see, but when you put your faith and trust in God hasn’t always worked out how it was supposed to in some way, shape or form? It says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Trust God today and wait on Him. He knows what He’s doing. 

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” - John 14:6

The Truth—what a scary and a refreshing thing. A couple weeks ago, I made coffee and being in a rush I spilled sugar on the floor. I just said, “I have to go, I’ll get it later.” Well, my wife came home after grocery shopping and set down the groceries and to her surprise there was a parade of ants all across our home. They blended in with the countertop and were coming from our balcony of our home. They must have been hungry and smelled the sweetness of my sugar pile. Nevertheless, my wife called me and said, “Can you pick up ant spray and ant traps on your way home?” I said, “Sure, why?” She said, “Because we have an infestation of ants!” She also asked, “Did you spill sugar this morning?” I replied, “What sugar are you referring to?” She said, “The sugar in the pantry.” To which I replied, “Oh, the ants are probably coming in because it’s getting colder.” Notice, I never admitted it although she knew it was me and because of the absurdity of that comment. My wife was not happy with me not because of the sugar, but because I didn’t just say, “I did it.” Can you blame her? I’m a horrible liar which is why I knew she would know, but I just didn’t want to say anything. Why? Because then I would be vulnerable and admitting I was wrong. Jesus put it this way, “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” (Luke 8:17) The truth is always the way to go. I think when Jesus said He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, He knew those three words went together. If we follow His way, we will confess the truth and live the life. In a world where everyone’s opinion is the truth, we need to know what is the absolute truth and that is Christ. He is the only sure-footed thing this ever changing world. I love what Jesus said in John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” If we know Him and confess the Truth then we will be free. If we continue to tell lie after lie then we create a prison of our own making. It sounds so simple, but it bears repeating: It’s always good to tell the truth. If we tell the truth then we can live The Way and The Life. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift…” - Matthew 5:23-24

How many of you have ever had to dine with someone you had an issue with? How many of us have ever gathered at table with people that have hurt us, but we have to be there? We all have. It doesn’t make for a happy meal. I believe these situations are “divine privileges.” I know you’re thinking, “Okay Phil, you’re nuts”, but I truly feel that these are situations ordained by God. The Psalmist even says, “You have prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies…” (Psalm 23:5). I can’t help, but think God orchestrates these events to maintain “Shalom” or peace and wholeness among His people. There’s an “F word” that we tend to not use in today’s culture and it’s “forgive.” “Well, Phil, how can I forgive them? Do you know what they did?” No, but God does. He sees each tear and bottles them up (Psalm 56:8). God knows what you’ve been through, but calls you and I to a higher standard. He calls us Christians to be merciful, for we will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). This is something we tend to not do because it makes us vulnerable and it makes us feel uncomfortable. We would rather write them off and never hear from them again. I am certainly tempted of this as well. God asks us to cultivate an attitude of forgiveness. Even on the Cross, Jesus spoke about forgiving His abusers saying, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Does this mean we have to return to toxic environments or people? Certainly not. Sometimes it’s best to maintain distance so as to not get hurt, but sometimes we do welcome the friendship back as long as their behavior changes. Two things from prominent teachers I want to share with you are that: Hurting people, hurt people. The behavior you have received might have been a “pay it forward” that you never asked for. Secondly, Go where you’re celebrated, welcomed and cared for. I have been in some situations where I am made to feel unwelcome by things that have been done or said, or where it was made difficult for me to be there and I have left instead of subjecting myself to negativity. These are not places to be. These are toxic environments. Jesus even said to His disciples that, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” (Mark 6:4). Some of us might return because it’s familiar or convenient, but that’s settling for less than our best. Christ never called us to do what is convenient, He asks us to do what’s right. There is a lot of evil in this world. It has crept into our churches, our homes and our relationships. Christ never promised that it would be an easy world, but He did promise us He’d be with us each step of the way. 

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42    

I love parties. I love having people over and hosting. I love gathering people around a table and watching what happens. Bringing people together is one of my favorite things. However, as many of you know, preparations are the main thing to any gathering. One has to prepare a guest list, a meal plan, decorations, table set up and so on, but if that’s your gift then it’s not something you have to do, but rather something you get to do! In this above verse, Martha and Mary were having Jesus and His disciples over. Can you imagine preparing a meal for Jesus? I tend to side with Martha. I would be a wreck. I would be trying to prepare the best of meals for the King of Kings. However, Martha’s sister, Mary, is not the least bit concerned about what’s going on in the kitchen. She's more concerned about just sitting at Jesus’ feet—which is nice, but things have to get done! If I were Martha, I’d be making sure a lot of clamor was going on in the kitchen and pots and pans hitting each other, storming the kitchen and stomping my feet so Jesus would say to Mary, “Would you go help your sister?” Jesus didn’t do that, instead He told Martha to calm down—I am here. As someone who really enjoys parties, sometimes I get so wrapped up in the preparing rather than enjoying who I’m entertaining. Jesus is not condemning Martha for preparing a meal, but rather telling her to enjoy the Guest too. Some preachers have asked the question, “How can we be a Mary in a Martha world?” That’s a good question, but I think one of the best things we can do is just be. Nothing in this world is perfect and as long as we’re here on earth we will never be perfect. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t try our best at everything we do, but I think sometimes we over try and then when it’s not perfect we condemn ourselves. We set false expectations for ourselves. I’m sure Martha was thinking she needed to have the best party that Jesus ever went to. I’m sure Mary was thinking, “Wow! He’s here and that’s all that matters.” At the time, I would have thought Mary was nuts, but in hindsight, I think Mary knew that nothing is perfect, but Perfection was sitting right in front of her and that’s all that matters. I’m going to ask you the same questions I need to ask myself too. What really matters? Am I so concerned about being the best that I miss what life is all about? Am I enjoying the Guest that wishes to dine with me each and every day? Have I made time to just sit at His feet? He promises this is the better option. Yes, things need to be done, but He doesn’t want us to forget the part that matters most. Martha was so concerned about her meal that she forgot that Jesus is The Bread of Life (John 6:35) and it’s His table we’re invited to. Jesus gives us this invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Will you accept His invitation?

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” - Psalm 34:8

I really enjoy food. If you know me really well, you know that I don’t just eat just to eat. You know that I really enjoy a good meal. Every meal should be fabulous and each bite ought to be savored. If you ask me what my favorite meal is I’ll tell you chicken tetrazzini. If you ask me for a list of my favorite foods I’ll give you a litany of favored items from all around the globe. I think it was God’s design for us to really enjoy food. I think fast food is convenient, but its taught us to hustle and bustle and never savor food or life for that matter. Everything around us moves at such a quick pace that we can never really enjoy anything to its fullest. We want results and want them quickly. A wise person once taught me to do a few things and do them really well rather than doing a million things and doing a horrible job at them. We need to first taste and then see rather than taste and move on. I think about a well-trained chef and how they might make sauce. I don’t imagine them throwing all the ingredients in a pot and hoping for the best. I imagine them tasting and then seeing if it’s just right. Even God said that He would feed His people with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). He wouldn’t use anything ordinary, but the finest. Chefs take their time, with the utmost care so that the consumer might enjoy the finest of meals. They don’t just make a meal, they make it with love and with the consumer in mind. My grandpa used to say, “You can call me anything you want, just don’t call me late for supper!” God is calling us to His table. All are invited. The banquet is ready. He has YOU in mind and He invites us to taste and see and He promises that He is good. During Jesus’ life, He made many statements that “He is” something. In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus didn’t say to come to Him and you might be satiated, but He promised that you would be satisfied. In our focus verse today, the Psalmist says, “Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” God promises that if you dine with Him, you will have much joy. I don’t know about you, but after a good meal, I have much joy. Don’t just “drive-thru” with Jesus, have a “sit-down” meal with Him. He is calling you to His table. Are you hungry? Only He will satisfy.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…” - John 18:36a

This seems like such a strange thing for Jesus to say. When I read this, I bet the people of His time thought He was nuts. How could you rule somewhere other than earth? When I think of kingdom I think of prestigious throne and elaborate grandeur. I also think of someone reigning and ruling. Throughout Jesus’ life, He often told stories and parables saying, “This is what the Kingdom of God is like…” (Mark 4:26) suggesting that it was a place that we could go to or see. He gave us pictures telling us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed or hidden treasure. He often said that the Kingdom of God is near (Mark 1:15). I don’t know about you, but I’ve never vacationed to a place called “Kingdom.” But, what if the Kingdom of God is an actual place we can go to and is an actual place we can see? What if I told you in the words of Buzz Lightyear that you can experience the Kingdom of God for “infinity and beyond?” What if God wants to use us to see His Kingdom? Teresa of Avila said it this way, “Christ has no body now but yours.” But, what if we don’t allow ourselves to be instruments? Do we say like Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace?” Each time we choose God’s desires rather than our own, we are witnessing the Kingdom of God. Each time we extend a hand and help a friend or stranger, we are witnessing the Kingdom of God. God wants to use us to show His Kingdom to the world. His Kingdom is here and in the hereafter. We only catch glimpses of what Heaven is like when we allow God to use us. I must admit, while being in ministry, there have been times I have tried to walk the journey without consulting God and I have tried to do it on my own. There have been times I thought that I have it all together to make the Kingdom of God present to others. Can I tell you something? No one has it all together. Those who think they do are lying. None of us have it all together, but God does. When we partner with Him, then we have all we need to have it all together. After being exhausted thinking I was in control, I then realized who “was, is and ever shall be” in control. When I am in control, I make my own Kingdom. When I am in control, I think I have all the power in the world and I play the role of God. That job is already taken and will not be posted anytime soon. While Jesus didn’t present Himself as a worldly king, He is asking to take the prestigious throne of your heart. He is asking to be made first in your life and every decision including Him. God wants to use YOU to make Himself known. Yes, He makes Himself known in the beautiful things around us, but some of the most profound ways I’ve met God was through the words and actions of another person. The band Casting Crowns said it this way, “just to know Him and to make Him known.” That’s what we’re called to do. We’re called to know Him and make Him first in our lives and make Him known and be used to bring about His Kingdom “here on earth as it is in Heaven.” 

Give me daily bread and strength to do Your will, Lord. Amen.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27

Peace—in a world of turmoil and strife I can’t help but think of the old song by Sy Miller, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” This song has been sung for decades, but there’s a line that says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” That strikes me. In a world crying out that love needs to reach to the other side and in a world where we love everything from God to ice cream hasn't the world “love” lost it’s true meaning? I think what we need to focus on is peace. In the Hebrew language, the word Shalom means peace, but it has a deeper meaning than that. It means to have completeness or wholeness. The word “Shalom” was said to give the current state of affairs in conflicts, wars or between individuals. In Hebrew culture, “shalom” was one of things valued most and the thing most people wished to obtain. What if the things we are consuming or “loving” in this world aren't bringing us to completeness or wholeness? What if the strife is truly within us? “Let peace begin with me, let this be my moment now…” I think Sy Miller was on to something. If we have completeness or wholeness within us won’t we want to share that with others? The question is, “How do we obtain such a peace?” I want to invite you to invite the Prince of Peace into your life. Sy Miller penned the words, “Let peace begin with me…” I think that sounds like an invitation to allow the Prince of Peace to reign in us. Jesus says, “I do not give to you as the world gives.” The world cannot offer this peace or wholeness. It tries to and it tries to trick us into thinking we need the latest iPhone or if we had just enough money, or if we had one more drink, or if we gave into temptations or our desires we’d have peace. Those are lies. We’ll only want those things till the next new thing comes out or till we find out that we can make more money or find out we can feel that way again if we give into our desires or have one more drink. Those things leave us wanting more. Psalm 37:4 says it this way, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The more we spend time with God, the more we’ll want the things He wants. He does not give as the world gives. I love what Jesus says after this. He says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Don’t allow yourself to be consumed by those things. Jesus wants you to be consumed with Him. He wants to make you complete, He wants to make you whole. Will we ever achieve world peace? Only if each person accepts the Prince of Peace.