"How Do I Get There From Here?"

Recently, I was in Ft. Worth, TX officiating a wedding for a friend. Though Jackie and I lived there while attending seminary, I struggled finding my way around. Much had changed in the thirty-plus years since we called it home. Once familiar landmarks were no longer existed, new roads had been built, and the city had expanded in size and traffic. A place that I once commuted about with ease, now required map. In fact, during that weekend, I got lost three times and on one occasion, I had to follow my friend's vehicle just to assure my arrival at the my desired destination. I am seriously considering the purchase of GPS device. There were times that I needed to know things like: "Where Am I?" and "How do I get there from here?."

Have you ever been there, in the search of God's will for your life? For many believers I have known, the pursuit of God's will has been a struggle.

Some have wished that they had one of those maps like those at the mall, that says "You are here," and as you look a the mall diagram of the all stores, you can choose your own path to get to your desired destination.

Others feel the search for God's will is like a game of connect the dots. If I do this, then this will happen. If I do this next, then God will reveal the clue to the next step in the journey. Eventually, if you are successful in connecting all the dots, then you will win the prize of knowing God's will for your life.

I really don't think God desires to play "Hide and Seek" with us nor does He want us to become frustrated in our pursuit of His will for our lives. In fact, He desires that we experience life in the center of His will. That's why He provides us with these words found in Jeremiah 29:11-13.

"I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

I consider this "God's Positioning System." If you want to know where you are and where you are going as a child of God, this passage helps you along the journey.

God Has a Plan for Your Life...and it's Good! Not always easy, not without challenges but always good for us. Joseph in the Old Testament had many years of difficulty, but eventually he had a life that only God could have dreamed for him. God's will for our lives is life at its best. Fulfilling. Purposeful. Productive.

Don't Seek the Destination, Seek the Driver. The most common mistake we make in the pursuit of God's will is seeking God's will, instead of seeking God. It is human nature to want the map with the marked destination. That way we can make our plans on how we want to get there. We will look for shortcuts to get us there quicker, or be tempted to take side trips along the way. We are,also, more likely to get stressed out trying to keep up with the traffic while searching for the signs to stay on course.
It is God's desire for us to leave the driving to Him. He knows the destination and the best way to get there. He is there with us to handle any hardships. Most important of all, we can enjoy our fellowship with Him and the journey, as well.

Climb into the Back Seat. In Henry Blackaby's book, Experiencing God, I have learned that a relationship with God is developed by first, getting to know Him... which leads to our believing Him... which leads us to trusting Him... which leads us to obeying Him... which in turn leads to our experiencing Him as we pursue His will in our lives. Start by getting to know God through time in His Word and in prayer. As your relationship with Him develops, you will be more willing to simply climb in the backseat and say "OK, Lord, I'm ready to go." Just leave the driving to Him.

A Promise for the Hard Times

When I was eight years old, we moved from the place of my birth, Houston, to Wichita Falls, TX, to live. We left the house that I called home, the school I attended and all my friends. I remember we didn't leave Houston in Dad's new '57 Chevy BelAir, but in an older car. I remember being sad about leaving, but I remember my dad and mom being sad for a long time before and after that day. At eight years of age, you don't understand things like lay-offs, a poor economy, repossessions, and foreclosures. Fortunately, my uncle Don was willing to hire my dad in his business, so we moved to Wichita Falls.

That was a difficult time for our family. Dad and mom were just trying to make a living and provide for my brother and me. After the move, my brother and I saw this as simply the beginning of a new adventure. We made new friends, went to new schools, lived down the road from Mr. Harris who had horses, and in the winter it snowed there. For my parents, it was all just surviving.

Sometimes life on this planet can be very hard. The loss of a job; the loss of a loved one; the failure of a marriage; the failure of a dream; the betrayal of a friend; the betrayal of an aging body; the fear of the unknown; the fear of the known...all can be devastating. We normally don't look at these, as new adventures...we often go into survival mode. Sometimes we never get over it.

How do we deal with these times in life? How do we cope when everything is coming apart at the seams? For the person who trusts is the Lord, there is a wonderful promise located in the book of Lamentations in the Bible.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They ae new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him;" Lamentations 3:22-25

The prophet Jeremiah, who penned these words, was an eyewitness to the fall of the city of Jerusalem, many, many years ago at the hand of a hostile pagan nation. He knew people whose children were taken into captivity as slaves. He saw the Temple of God desecrated and destroyed and the gates of the city burned. He was up close and personal with God's judgment on His own people for their continued sin. And though he, personally, had been faithful to God, he was not spared the agony of experiencing life at it's worse.

Yet in the midnight of those dark days, God promises to deliver fresh every single morning, His compassion on those who trust in Him. He always delivers...because great is His faithfulness.

I know these words to be true by my own experiences.
In the those times when I fear the worse; He is faithful to reveal His best.
When I feel betrayed; He is faithful to be at my side.
When I grieve the loss of something I love, He is faithful to comfort me with His great love.
When I am filled with anger; He reminds me of the healing of forgiveness.
When I am at the end of my rope; His hand lifts me up.
When I am uncertain of the future; He tells me He knows it and it's good.
When the messes of my life are of my own making; He lovingly cleanses me of my sin and sets me on the right path.

He has been faithful in this promise to me and He will be found faithful to you and all who trust in Him.

Why? Because He loves us and He is faithful to keep His promises to His children. With "childlike" faith, we can look beyond the darkness to a brand new day with the assurance of God's love and faithfulness. He delivers.... fresh daily!

"Moonlighting"

It was a dream come true for the 25 year old ballplayer from North Carolina, Archibald Wright "Moonlight" Graham. He was called up after three years in the minor leagues to join the major league New York Giants on May 23, 1905. He sat on the bench in the major leagues for over a month before he was inserted into a game on June 29 against the Brooklyn Superbas. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Graham was sent in to play right field, replacing George Brown. In the top of the ninth, Graham was on deck when his teammate Claude Elliott flied out resulting in the third and final out. Graham played the bottom of the ninth in right field but never came to bat.

That turned out to be "Moonlight" Graham's only appearance in the major leagues. His is not an isolated story, of the more than 16,000 players in major league history, they're also are 900-plus guys in the Elias Sports Bureau Registry who got only into only one game.

"Moonlight" Graham stands out because W.P. Kinsella, chose him from the "The Baseball Encyclopedia" to be a character in his novel, "Shoeless Joe," and the subsequent film, "Field of Dreams." While reading "The Baseball Encyclopedia," he had received as a gift, he noted the colorful nickname and the very abbreviated career. This writer of fiction researched Graham's life following his one game major league career. Graham played a few more years of minor league baseball while he pursued his medical degree. He obtained his license to practice medicine and went on to serve the people of Chisolm, Minnesota from 1915-1959 as a doctor.

Moonlight Graham's story could have been different. He could have stepped up to the plate and hit the game winning homerun, which could have launched a Hall of Fame career. If, that had happened thousands of people in Chisolm, Minnesota would never known the healing of touch of their beloved "Doc" Graham.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

Sometimes our lives don't turn out as we planned. Yet, when you trust your life into God's hands, it will turn out better than you ever dreamed.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Sources: Wikipedia, Moonlight Graham
Pittsburg Post-Gazette. June 25, 2005 by Ben Walker, The Associated Press

What Are These Stones?

Our lives are most often chronicled by birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. They are times that we celebrate and reflect upon as special moments. We call them milestones. But these are not the only milestones that we anticipate or savor in our life’s journey.

As a child, we anticipate the first day of school; loosing our first tooth; learning to ride a bike, and remember with fondness our first boyfriend/girlfriend. As we get older, we look forward to getting our driver’s license, the prom, and high school graduation and have memories of our friends, teachers and big football games in the days of our youth.

The milestones of adulthood include getting that first job; getting married; our children’s births; buying our first house; the big promotion; our children getting married and then grandchildren; death of parents; and retirement. In the midst of life are a host of events and experiences to remember. These milestones mark life.

There are also, spiritual markers for those who are believers in Christ Jesus. In the Old Testament, we read of the people having experiences with God and then building an altar or a monument of stones as a reminder. Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Moses, and the Israelites after they crossed into the promised land left spiritual markers so that they and others would never forget that God was in this place.

Our spiritual markers include experiences such as our receiving Christ as Savior and our baptism; memorized Scriptures; insights gained from God’s word; and times in prayer. Yet, there are more experiences such as taking that step of faith and finding God faithful. Experiencing that unbearably painful experience where you discovered the warmth of God’s comfort. Being overwhelmed with guilt and shame of a sin, only to discover that God really does forgive and sets you free. Being overwhelmed by love that you don’t deserve. Enjoying His presence as you worship. Experiencing the joy of leading someone to Christ. In our hearts God has placed these spiritual markers as reminders of our experience with Him.

We are to remember how God worked in our lives at that moment and use them as encouragement to remain faithful to God throughout our life’s journey.

“What do these stones mean? …He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)

Renovation Reality

If you are a fan of HGTV (Home and Garden Television), then you may be familiar with a program called "Renovation Realities." The premise of the program is to allow the viewer to watch as real "do-it-yourself" homeowners take on major home renovation projects. Typically, in their desire to save money, it cost them more. In their hopes to finish on schedule, they miss their deadline. As viewers, we see the drama of frustration when things don't go as expected; homeowners at each others throats, an occasional injury or collateral damage and a reality check. Sometimes it is better to let the "experts" handle the job.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain they rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves." Psalm 127:1-2

When God inspired Solomon to pen these words, He was not talking about pouring a slab or remodeling a kitchen. He was sharing an insight that is necessary for building a life and a home. God is the chief architect who designed you and me. He, also desires to be the construction manager for your life and home. When we trust our lives and families to Him, He has the power to make all the renovations necessary throughout our lives.

"Do-it-yourself-ers" often don't have the expertise nor the tools to do the job. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes can do more damage than good. "Do-it-yourself-ers" sometimes do just enough to get by and never finish the job completely. That's why the scripture says, that we labor in vain when don't let the Lord be involved. He has the expertise and the resources to finish the job, if we will turn the job over to Him.

As a "do-it-yourself" person myself, I have discovered when it comes to things like home renovation projects, auto maintenance, and computer technology, I need help. The same is also true with my life in general. There are times when we all struggle with relationships, self image, personal fulfillment, anxiety, and purpose in life.

Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and that you may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Why not trust in the one who designed you from the beginning to handle any make-overs that you need. He is the "expert."

The Draft

Remember those days in the neighborhood, when the guys got together to play touch football. Captains were selected and they began to choose up teams. Were you ever anxious, if you were one of the last ones picked? Well, just imagine how it must have been for many college football players who waited to receive the call that they had been picked in the 2009 NFL Draft. There were 256 who received calls, the rest didn't.

One of those who didn't get a call was Graham Harrell, the 2008 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Trophy for being the best quarterback in college football. Why wasn't he selected as one of the 256 players in the 2009 NFL Draft? Wasn't he good enough?

Harrell's outstanding career at Texas Tech University included setting NCAA records in most touchdown passes in a career, most 300 yard (32) and 400 yard (20) passing games; and surpassing 5,000 yards passing in two consecutive seasons. This year, he finished fourth in the votes for the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best college football player each year. Despite all his accomplishments, he was not chosen. To his credit, his rejection was not because of moral, legal or attitude issues, he just didn't fit the profile for being an NFL quarterback.

Rejection is a very humbling experience. Not just for aspiring football players; for all of us. You apply for a job, but don't get it. You ask someone out on a date, and they turn you down. After ten years of marriage, your spouse says they want a divorce. Your parents split up, and you feel left behind. You do your very best, yet someone else beats you out. You try your very best, but your performance is never good enough. Maybe you have felt the sting of rejection.

Well, so did Christ. He came to be the Savior to the world, yet he was rejected by those he came to save. He didn't fit into their profile of a Savior. He wasn't of royal descent, nor a mighty warrior, he came into the world as a carpenter's son and teacher. Many didn't realize that He was God's Son wrapped in human flesh. Most didn't accept that He was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. Some did believe and accept Him.

"He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all that received Him, to those who believed in His name , He gave the right to become the children of God." John 1:11-12

He was rejected and nailed to a cross, so that you might be accepted. Because sin, you were alienated from God. But because of Jesus, you can be a child of God. Jesus died a sacrificial death, so that you could have eternal life. Haven't you realized it? God loved you so much that He made YOU: His number one pick.

Oops! Spellcheck, please.

Last Friday, April 17, 2009 in Washington D.C., the home team dressed in the locker room, yet the players didn't notice. As they were introduced on the field, no one noticed it. When the team was in the dugout, no one caught the mistake. Not until the sports announcers on the TV broadcast and the people in the stands saw it on the giant TV screen, did the mistake become known. Two of their star players, Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman had on jerseys that had the team name misspelled. It read, "NATINALS," instead of "NATIONALS." The "O" was missing.

Someone who was sewing the name on the jersey, in their rush to get the job done,left the "O" off. Maybe they were out of "O's." Regardless, they just messed up. But they were not the only one. Whoever inspected the job missed it, too. It wasn't caught by the person that packed it in the delivery box. The equipment manager that hung it in the locker of the players, didn't catch the mistake either. It went unnoticed until it was revealed on the Big Screen in high definition for all the world to see.

No one would have ever known had the miscue been dealt with earlier. Instead, the mistake became an embarrassment to the team, the organization, the owner and the fans. Though the mistake was corrected during the game, the mockery continued as the story spread throughout the sports media network.

Mistakes, miscues, goof-ups and sin happens. Too all of us. But usually most of ours don't end up on a "Jumbo-tron." Imagine if the last impure thought you had, made its way to YouTube. Consider that "juicy bit of gossip" you shared with a friend was broadcast on the evening news quoting you as the source. What if you went to a movie theater, and your past week's sins were the preview to the movie. Talk about embarrassing.

I think many of us, even as Christians, think that our sins done in secret, stay a secret. In reality, they are not secret at all. Every thought, word, attitude and action, including our sinful ones are played out before the eyes of our all-knowing, holy Heavenly Father.
"O Lord, you have searched me 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 know it completely, O Lord." (Psalm 139:1-4)

It is only by His grace and mercy that doesn't make our sin known to others. Yet be assured that though God is patient, He will not be mocked. As the Israelites discovered "your sins will find you out." (Exodus 32:23) If we persist in our rebellion against God and continue in our sin. He will allow our sin and its impact on our lives to come out for others to see.

Even as followers of Christ, we will stumble and fall into sin. But God desires that as His Holy Spirit convicts and convinces us of our sinfulness, that we get right with Him. The psalmist, David prayed, "Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

When we do sin, if we will confess and repent of our sin right then, He forgives us and it goes no further. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)