Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10b

The story of Daniel is one of my favorite.  You will remember that Darius decreed a law prohibiting anyone praying for 30 except to him; a law which Daniel determined he could not obey.  We celebrate Daniel’s disobedience of the law.  However, it is important to know that when Daniel prayed it was not be defiant or make a statement.  He was in his room; on his knees praying and could not have been seen by anyone, except those who actually chose to violate his privacy. Daniel’s action was not about himself.  Not one time in this story is Daniel defiant toward the King.  This was not about the king; this was not about Daniel and his self-aggrandizement. This is about Daniel’s non-compromising dedication to God. You see, God is not interested in people grandstanding on his behalf.

We see people every day who seem to be making a statements for God.  You name the issue and someone is always willing to take a stand, to make a statement, or write a post.  I often ask myself, are they doing this for God or is it actually more for themselves and their reputation? Many people take pride in being non-conformists or rebels for a cause; my generation has been especially good at it.  But again, are they making the statement for God or are they doing so just to make a statement, to be seen or heard?  We certainly need people like Daniel in the world today; people who are not willing to compromise their faith.  But we need people, who like Daniel, when being obedient to the Father do so in a way that does not bring attention to themselves, but glory to God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

I love the story of the Prodigal Son, especially the often overlooked conversation between the father and he elder brother. The son was upset because his brother received something he did not deserve, thus making him feel robbed.  The father tried to explain his actions, but his words fell on deaf ears.  He tried to explain grace; the elder son was only focused on what he thought he deserved.

I often flounder with grace; while I love to receive it, I often struggle to give it. I sometimes think that some people simply do not deserve grace, but isn’t that the point? Grace is only really given when it is not earned. In fact, unless I actually acknowledge that I am undeserving, I can never recognize or truly receive grace.

Being as flawed as I am, I find grace liberating. Receiving grace does not excuse my shortcomings, however, it fills the gap between where I am and where I should be.  Grace makes me want to be a better person. Giving grace to others allows me to not be ridged or distant; it teaches me to see the individual.  Grace promotes cohesive teams; it acknowledges that we need each other, and by working together we are far better than the sum total of our individual talents and abilities.

Grace is not blind nor does it ignore sin, but it simply does not condemn. None of us are exempt from the need of grace; my prayer is that I will be quick to give it to others.  

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12

I love to run; in fact, I have logged over 2700 miles on my Nike running app.  I have the best gear, including great shoes, dri-fit shirts, shorts and hats, and of course my gps watch (need to log those miles for bragging rights). I enter monthly challenges in order to show those much younger than me that I’ve still got it (whatever the “it” is). 

My running has many parallels with my Christian walk; I have logged a lot of years, have the best Bible translations, software programs, and I still look not so bad in the uniform.  Many people will look at me and see that I’ve still got it (whatever “it” is). 

Not too long ago I was running along one of my favorite beach paths in Long Beach.  I was making great time (at least great time for me).  The skies were blue, a gentle breeze at my back, and the end of the run was in sight.  One moment I was running, the next I found myself laying on the path; I never saw the crack in the pavement.  People hurried over to see if I was alright; which I was other than some scrapes on my arms and legs, and a much bruised ego.

It is usually not the “big things” that trip me up in my faith-walk; rather those least likely things like envy of the attention another is getting, thinking that I may not be getting the recognition I deserve, or others not following my "very good" advice. Before I know it, I have been tripped up, laying on the floor. Thankfully, it is the Father who comes over to me; looking compassionately at me with a helping hand up.  His gentle Holy Spirit reminding me why I follow him; for His glory, not mine.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Are you worried about anything?  Worried about your job? Your relationships? How the presidential election will turn out in November? Jesus asked a simple question, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) There are verses in scripture that we read, memorize, and study, however, we seldom think about how they play out in our everyday life.  In this passage Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those people who have His Spirit dwelling in them. He urges us to keep our minds filled with the concept of God’s control over everything, which means that we should maintain an attitude and belief in Him in all of lives situations. So, whoever is elected this November; whether you get the job or not; regardless of how the relationship turns out, God is in control.  Do you believe that?  If so, live it. 

Faith is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead. – Oswald Chambers

It is easy to have an intellectual or a theoretical faith, especially for those of us who have professed a belief in Christ for many years or been “faithful” church goers and know all the right phraseology.  Tough times come, I know the words, especially if those times are for someone else.  However, to have faith in all my actions and in all my thoughts, I think that is a more difficult thing.  Are the emotions and feelings I have toward others in alignment with my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ?  Are the words that I speak in alignment with my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ? Are my actions, even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant ones, in alignment to my commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ?  Is it any wonder that grace is needed every day? 

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” Romans 1:22-23

Blaise Pascal said, “God made man in his image ... and man returned the favor.” Such a created god is impossible to please.  Try as hard as you can, and you are never good enough, someone is always better; you can never be smart enough, someone is always smarter; you can never be pretty enough, someone will always be prettier; you can never give enough, someone will always give more.  Do all you can and you still come up short.  So in order to compensate for our self-determined shortcomings we begin to make rules to set us apart; to make us special…then we link God to these rules.  The result is that we have a god that is known for what he is against, rather than what he is for.

While God’s holiness is beyond question, the Easter season must remind us that “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  He did this with full knowledge of our sin, our conditions, our shortcomings, all of our fears, and anxieties.  Such a God is easily pleased, is very proud of those who call him Father, and the best news of all, he himself has made us good enough. 

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I am not sure about others, however, I tend to classify sins.  There are the big bold ones; then there are the little ones that I can easily excuse as mistakes; writing them off by saying things like, “everyone does that” or “it really doesn’t mean anything.”  Interestingly, Jesus never compared one person’s sin to another; rather all people’s sin to a holy God.  To that standard, we all fall short (Romans 3:23). Paul equated a quarrelsome spirit as carnality; and that a God sanctified person will exhibit no trace of that kind of behavior, by saying, “…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” Galatians 5:16.  If honest, I do not usually classify the sins I struggle with as the big ones; those are other people’s issues.  However, I must be careful, as Jesus challenged me to remove the log in my own eye; and only then will I be able to see clearly enough to help another.  

A close friend of mine lost one of her children this past week; my heart breaks for her.  I called her, halfway hoping the call would go to voicemail; I didn’t know what to say.  When she answered my mind was at an absolute loss of what to say; so I told her so and that I was so very sorry for her loss. Praise God, her son knew Jesus, and his eternity is assured; but for the mom, wife, and children who are left behind; the pain is immeasurable.

I don’t think parents are wired for the loss of a child. I always knew that I would one day bury my parents.  The thought of losing my wife is painful, but I know it is a real possibility that will someday happen.  But, the loss of one of my two children; I cannot even think of such a thing. So, when I think about my friend and what she is going through, I can only fall on my knees and ask the Father to grant her grace beyond measure and peace that passes understanding.

Horatio Spafford suffered the loss of four of his children in a tragic event at sea.  He visited the approximate site where the ship sank; grief beyond description.  Later he penned the words, which are also my prayer for my friend and her dear family:

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.

It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord haste the day, when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Lord, we need your grace

“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” Hebrews 12:1

Yesterday I ran another half marathon.  As usual I experience various emotions throughout the race.  There is always a rush of adrenalin at the beginning, and if I am not too careful, I begin too fast; which I will surely pay for later in the race.  The last few miles are not bad, as the finish line is in sight and I know that I will finish.  But, oh those middle miles; I find them rather boring.  My body begins to tire, my feet hurt, my pace slows; I begin to think that I may not finish.  Questions like, “Why did I do this?” come to mind.  Sometimes I feel like an elderly person with a walker will soon pass me.  It is important that I begin to think right thoughts during those difficult middle miles; I must actually tell myself that I have trained for this, I have done such races many times, and most importantly that the negative things I am currently experiencing will pass…if I keep running.

Our walk with God is not much different.  Paul tells us to “run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.”  We will face challenges and difficulties; there will be times that we feel like giving up.  The Lord tells us that it is important to begin to think right.  Romans 12:2, “…be transformed by the renewing of our minds.”  The Lord has marked out our paths, he was empowered us by his spirit, his word tells us that we are “overwhelmingly conquerors” if we continue to walk the walk of faith.  In those challenging times, when the finish line seems an eternity away, keep walking; don’t give up.  The exuberant feeling at the end of a half marathon is nothing compared to the words of our Lord, “well done, good a faithful servant.”

“A faithful person will be richly blessed…” Proverbs 28:20

I recently saw a Facebook posting about an individual’s personal heroes of the faith.  While I do not know this person very well, I knew just about everyone on their list, and I certainly can understand why each person was there; they were worldwide leaders who have impacted our movement in very positive ways. 

Each of us have individuals who have touched our lives and inspired us to be the best we can be. Some people impact our lives from positions of leadership and authority; others by simply being there, often going almost unnoticed.  The latter will seldom receive accolades or praises of the masses;  they will never show up on organization’s walls of esteemed leaders of the past.  These people humbly walk through life being faithful; offering their lives to both God and the people they serve.  I thank God for the silent faithful, while they may never receive many honors here; I think maybe they are close to the top of God’s list of heroes. 

Life can get rather mundane; to some degree all of us get into routines (or even ruts).  Think that is not so, try to drive to work using a different route than you usually do; or try to put your pants on with the opposite leg than you usually do first.  Because of routines, our actions become rather rote.  However, Paul reminds us that “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31. God calls us to do our best for His glory.  So, Lord I give you my routine; may I actually listen so that I actually think about ways to glorify you in all I do.  

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him…” John 6:66.  Most people who turn back from Jesus do not do so because of blatant sin, but because of subtle shifts in priorities or non-attention to their souls.   As believers, our struggles are usually not between good and evil; but rather between good and best.  Paul states in his prayer (Philippians 1:10) that we “may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless.”

Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you; protect me from competing priorities so that I may only accept the best you have for me.  Everything in me tends to focus on myself; I need your grace to help to keep my eyes on you.

I like being a Facebook stalker, especially during election campaigns.  This year there is one candidate that is drawing more attention than any of the others.  Postings about this person often use words such as obnoxious, self-righteous, racist, insensitive, etc. Looking from afar, I can see the basis of those kinds of harsh words. It does make me think; as people look at my life I certainly hope those kinds of descriptors do not come to mind.  However, if I am honest with myself, some of those very things manifest themselves in me.  This weekend my wife and I watched the movie Race; the story about Jesse Owens.  I was repulsed by the things he had to endure, both in Germany at the Olympics and also here in the United States.  I wondered how people could be that cruel, so hateful, and mean.  As we left the theater I noticed that Sharron and I were the only white people in the theater.  It grieved my heart; not that we were the only whites, but that I noticed.  I asked God for forgiveness.  I have so far to go.  God help me see people as you do.

…Then there was grace.