In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. Ps 118:5

Sharing personal challenges in a public forum is far from a favorite activity. It’s more than an ordeal to choose the right words to accurately describe an ongoing battle, especially one riddled with despairing feelings.  The competition between the threat of being too vulnerable, and the benefit of being relieved clouds the matter.  After all that, how can I rally to get back up and break free, and if fitting, bring you with me?  Hang in there, please – here goes…

I turned 77 years old a few months ago.  I bring that up because, in general, though the world around me is in a constant and threatening flux, I can be guilty of being set in my ways.  A new knee and hip, and other body parts that negatively speak up, play a contributing role.  Challenging relationships and the fast-paced erosion of traditional values add to the mix.  If left unguarded, the dire drudge of local and world news bums me out.  Throw in some nasty weather, rising grocery and gas prices, costly home and auto repairs, annoying telemarketers and shifty politicians, and it adds up to a formula for doom and gloom.  In summary, that’s the “down and dirty” of my confession, and why I’ve been feeling almost trapped.

Now for the “getting up and breaking free” part.  On our own, we can do nothing but be a victim. Appealing to the Lord and His Word, however, is where victory comes. Though we can never capture all of God’s protective and recovering grace, the solution is the guidance and resistance God has already given us to stay strong in the midst of whatever devilish storms or mishaps come our way. May I share what I believe is His general guidance for you and me for such a time as this.  It comes in a four-part harmony. 

1. When we turn the light on the gift of life, we see beyond this flawed temporal one.  We’re blessed to see the divine hope of an everlasting life as well.  That focus makes us want to jump for joy and put mere happy or sad in its unelected place.

2. There’s nothing like a divine appointment or an opportunity to share with someone else the hope of God’s eternal glory.  It’s a supernatural high with only positive side-effects.

3. How about God choosing us?  A personal relationship with the Master and Creator.  To be called as a son or daughter of the Living God Father is almost too wonderful to fathom.  Being part of His family with other followers of Christ is the ultimate privilege.

4. There’s nothing more maturing and assuring than to know the Holy Spirit is guiding, guarding, and governing our actions and reminding us of our being God’s temple; knowing we’re not our own and one day we will be judged.  God’s boundary regarding all behavior is what matters most.  

So family and friends, wherever you are in your walk, especially if you sense a negative gravity playing havoc in your midst, please feast on the encouragement in this message, and let’s celebrate getting up and breaking free together!

1 Cor 16:13-14; Phil 4:13; 1 Cor Romans 8:2; 1 Cor 6:12; John 3:16; John 15:16; Jame 4:7; Rom 5:1-5

“In well done my good and faithful servant, the Lord assesses our journey, not our destiny.”  Temple Ministry

When one thinks out loud or writes the thoughts on paper, there are risks—especially if the focus is on what God has to say.  In today’s message, I wish to share what is stirring around in me relative to Matt 25:21 (Amp Bible).  His master said to him, “Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much.  Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.”

If you are like me, passing tests, entrance exams, or winning personal, marital, family, social, economic, medical or physical challenges are all worth accomplishing.  If God is real and He is, then passing into His joy forever must stand alone as our ultimate Spiritual assessment.  Sadly, many of us fail to give this point of Truth’s judgment the critical weight it commands.

We encourage you to take time on your own to meditate on the gravity of what is being said here, what it means, and how it applies to each of us, especially you.  As a loving prompt, please consider our little snapshot of this profound transition.  May you hear God’s voice, respond to it, and share it as well.

In God’s graciousness, He knows our efforts will never be perfect like His.  “Well done” is being a cut above the rest.  It describes an inspired and produced excellence, not a faultless performance.  “My” is His right to our ownership and the personal relationship He’s designed for us in Him. “Good” are those called and anointed by Him and one He’s counted on for Kingdom purposes.  “Faithful” and trustworthy over a little suggests one following Solomon’s simple conclusion of reverencing God and obeying His commandments.  Finally, because we pass our short lived and preliminary earth tests of responsibility and accountability in Him as His “servants,” God will glorify us into His full holy presence and labor of love like Adam and Eve enjoyed prior to their disobedience.

Family and friends, our journey is what God is watching, encouraging, protecting, and desiring to enrich. With our determined permission, our character, attitudes, hopes, potential, and final breath is His to establish and perfect.  If we do that, then His Book is open, the answers are right and true, the risks are gone and in humble boldness we can say, write, and one day expect to joyfully hear, “Well done……

1 Thes 5:18; Rom 8:28; Acts 20:24; Heb 9:27; John 15:11; Neh 8:10; Ps 119:133

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thes. 5:24

Whenever we find ourselves imprisoned or limited in our circumstances, such as the troubling time we are now living, that’s a divine sign for us to stop and reassess.  Freedom and wholesome limitlessness is always rediscovered in the One who lives around and in us to show the way.

Sometimes we can find insight and value in what may seem on the surface to be a hopelessly done deal. In today’s message, may we share some things that we believe paints a picture to fit that category.

Did you know that if you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner?  The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet.  Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

An elephant had already been conditioned by large chains around their ankle area to convince him that roaming freely is impossible. Even after the training chains were removed, the elephant we once observed at the circus, marched around in a circle as if they were still there.

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out.  It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, there are lots of us acting like the buzzard, elephant, and the bumblebee. We’re frustrated in what seems to be unsolvable problems and ambiguous challenges. We’re trapped in false beliefs, and imprisoned by old ineffective thoughts, habits, and traditions. The advantage we have that none of these other creations have, however, is the choice to look up to the awesome God who created us; the One who loves us so much he sent His Son into the world to die and free us from our sinful natures.

God declares that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps 139:14).  He says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Phil 4:13).  He’s promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Heb 13:5).  His Word further declares that we can renew our mind and have His knowledge, wisdom, power and presence to be overcomers and victorious in life.

Family and friends, the Bible says we are chosen by God and crowns of His creation.  If we find ourselves bound in life’s frustrations, let’s talk (Pray) to Him about it today.  We’ll see—it will become far more promising than a done deal!

John 8:31-32; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Cor 3:17; John 15:16

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24

“One day at a time” is a popular phrase many of us have spoken.  I dare say it’s used most frequently when we are in tough challenges or gripped by overwhelming types of situations.  In the famous Biblical account of Job, he experienced loss of material possessions, endured family and friend betrayal, suffered great physical maladies, and was critically jolted by the death of his ten children.  Until the story ends in his full restoration by the grace of God, he too must have resorted to a type of brow-wiping “One day at a time” saying—hoping to minimize and control the painful duration of his continuous hardships.

The reality of life’s horrific pain, tribulation, disappointments and the upsetting conditions we’re experiencing these days are not to be minimized or denied.  What we’d like to suggest or bring to light, however, is another attitude in the “One Day at a Time” perspective.  We believe God’s idea of time, events, and purpose is what we all need to deploy in order to stand in faithful confidence, no matter what viral pandemic, and political or social unrest comes our way.

First of all, the Bible says that God is our everlasting, loving Creator/Father who knows everything.  His thoughts and ways are not like our thoughts and ways, He is not a man, and He never lies. His idea of a day is a thousand years. (2 Pet 3:8) So, if there were ever to be a professor of time, ultimate direction, and problem-solving ability, then it wouldn’t be you, me, or any other human or group of humans… It would be Him.  If we look in His manual (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), there are innumerable study guides that give us the mind to think peacefully and creatively in our circumstances, and the wings to fly above the turbulence of this world’s air currents.

May I offer you a scriptural one-two punch that an inmate relied upon and once shared with me several years ago.  It was during a prison ministry visit at the Dartmouth Jail and House of Correction. In the midst of an atmosphere of doom and gloom, this muscular, tattoo-covered guy sat there with an inner peace that only the Spirit of God could produce. Please take time, read and meditate on Isaiah 32:17 (”And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever”) and Ecclesiastes 4:6 (”Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit”).

So family and friends, an intimate oneness with God is what we need injected in the use of our “One Day at a Time” response.  In the midst of our most challenging day, we still have time to thank Him for what He’s done, do whatever we can to honor Him, and to have faith, joy, and patience that all things are working together for our good because we still love Him.  Not only was He the correct answer for old Job and a current inmate in the most trying and despairing circumstances of their day, He also is the right choice for you and me!

Phil 4:13; Rom 8:28; Ps 37:2; Ps 46:10; Heb 11:6; Heb 13:5

Editor’s Note: By the way, this does not warrant an edit, but it is interesting to note that the real end of Job’s story was not when he had everything restored to him, but it was when he finished his race on planet earth many years after that restoration. Job 42:16-17. He enjoyed many more good years in his life than the period of time where it all fell apart. Our Father is so wonderful and kind!!

He will lift you up.  James 4:10

The beauty of reading from the Bible and what we believe to be God’s Word is the spiritual life and encompassing encouragement that it contains. The scriptural wisdom and thinking promises a personal touch, a focus for others, a proper motivation and a never-ending hope.

In Matthew 5:13, as an example, Jesus was speaking to His loyal disciples and said, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” He used salt as a way for them to understand what He was saying to them. In effect, He was declaring they were chosen with a unique identity and responsibility to appropriately influence the tasteless, rotting, and depressing world surrounding them. There are at least four beneficial characteristics of salt found here that help bring us definition and depth to His inspiring message.With a correct dose, salt brings flavor. It comes to the rescue of a bland or tasteless food. In the right amount, salt preserves. With no refrigeration at the time, salt was used as a valuable preservative. Salt can also prompt a thirst.  Most amazingly, salt in calculated measure is uplifting. This more subtle quality of salt was experienced by my wife Cynthia and me when we traveled to Israel and went “swimming” in the Dead Sea. Normally we both sink like rocks. Because of the extremely high salt density and buoyancy of the Dead Sea, rather than sink like rocks, we both floated effortlessly (See photos).

Let our God-awareness be heightened. Let’s receive and activate Christ’s words of power and act more salty this week. Let’s purpose to be appropriate in bringing a little flavor to what we find tasteless, preserving and prompting to those wandering from the truth, and uplifting to those we find sinking in the dead seas of their lives.

The confidence and comfort in Psalm 3:3 speak out in truth. It says, God is our glory and the lifter of our heads. As our Divine lifter, we can be sure that everything about us is affected—our attitudes, our hopes, our moods, our thinking, our hands, and our hearts – yes, all of us! So family and friends, as His chosen spices of life, let’s enjoy our influence in the week ahead. As a result, our personal life, our home, neighborhood, greater community, church or wherever we live, move and have our being will be shaken with the salting influence of God.

Prov 11:1; Mk 9:23; Acts 20:32;Jer 29:11;Prov 34:8

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.  Gal 6:7

A while back, (when no one, except God, was looking) I took time to watch old re-runs of the black and white TV series, The Lone Ranger, “The Cisco Kid”, and “Lassie.” (see photos)  I just needed a heavy dose of good old fashion simplicity, the kind where the good guys (even if it’s a dog) are clearly good, and the bad guys are clearly bad. Back then, the law wasn’t just good advice; in these episodes it was actually applied. The good guys (even a four legged one) upheld the law and they always won.  The bad guys broke the law and they always lost.  Here’s the old format:  There were opposing positions, competing conditions, and predictably satisfying results.

The vast difference between then and now is the ongoing movement of a cultural revolution that seems to be successfully turning our past and trusted virtues on their head. “Short term,” “relative,” and “expendable” are in.  “Absolute” or “simply black or white” are out.  Watch a current movie or TV show, read a paper or magazine, watch TV, listen to music or the radio, click on the internet, or in some places just smell the air and you’ll know something is happening that’s not only different but also very disturbing.  Joseph Stowell, in his book, Eternity Reclaiming a Passion for What Endures, says we have traded truth for tolerance, grace for greed, love for self-centeredness, servanthood for significance, self-control for sensualism, justice for oppression and humility for haughtiness.

So here we are, challenged to live our lives today and this week, not as old-time actors or some heroic pet in a simple plot, but as people—a living and acting “you and me.”   It’s our choice to get dizzy in this confusing spin or stand and maintain our good balance to move forward this week (in spite of it).  Without going back to the old Wild West, let’s visit the older and wilder Middle East for a hopeful moment.

While times were similarly confusing in their culture, one of the religious leaders of the day asked Jesus of Nazareth, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first great commandment.  The second is like it and says, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets.”  How’s that for an absolute, black and white response?

Admittedly, there was nothing in the episodes and old format of “The Lone Ranger,” “The Cisco Kid,” or “Lassie” that I could recommend to sustain us this week.  Our hopeful balance lies in how we choose to engage the opposition.  Will we go it on our own merits/ways or will we abide and energize in God’s moral law of loving Him with all we’ve got and loving our neighbor as ourselves? Do we rely on our own strengths and abilities or believe in God’s goodness and His eternity to win? Tragically, many will think it better to consider the words of Jesus (who, in rightful authority, claimed to be God) as only good advice; or worse, ignore them altogether. Eternal consequences are at stake.

Living our roles in God’s absolute, black and white, two command script this week is an incredible challenging privilege.  Not only will others be appreciative, God or Wisdom Himself will be looking! That, my friend, weighs far beyond just good advice and leads to predictably satisfying results.

Matt 22:36-40

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. Ps 24:1

Hopefully, the picture of us standing on the shoreline of Bubble Lake at Acadia National Park in Maine whets your appetite to read on. Before that…..

There’s a story of a young boy who asked his dad to buy him a TV.  The good dad responded and treated his son to a state-of-the-art television set.  Sadly, his son “treated” him back with a solid dedication to watching the TV rather than tending, guarding, and honoring the father-son relationship they once had. 

So we’ve found the same deceptive lure to be present in the case of our tours of God’s special playgrounds called National Parks. My wife’s passion for visiting all of our 63 National State Parks has been so consistent for so many years that it’s become contagious for me too.  Up to this point we’ve visited 42 of the 63 National Parks in the United States.  We’re truly blessed to have had the time, health, desire and ability to visit these, and even more planned for next year.  In the midst of it all, however, it’s been easy to get caught up in the grandeur and the stunning scenery, and not pause to thank God for His creative genius in making it all available.  

In today’s message, may I share our heart’s desire in the challenge of our future visits.  Collecting memories as we appreciate the magnificent mountain ranges, breathtaking canyons, striking coastlines, picturesque plains, and the lush forests that come with them will remain a must. 

More vital than that, however, will be our renewed commitment to recognize and applaud God’s Creative hand in the Parks we visit.  Our rededicated purpose will be to remind ourselves and others of the precious heart of our Creator who had us in mind as beneficiaries of His playground genius. There’s nothing more rewarding than walking in His divine will; the One that sheds light, gets personal results, and pleases our Father in Heaven.  

Col 1:16; Gen 1:1-2; John 1:1-3; Rev 4:11; Heb 11:3; Rom 1:20; Jer 32:17

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken…begging bread. Psalm 37:25

If we believe that we can have a relationship with God and can be temples of His Holy Spirit like the Bible says (1 Cor 6:19), then — Where can we go without Him?  Some time ago, prior to pandemic mask wearing, even during my grocery- shopping duties at the local Market Basket, lo and behold, He was obviously on site. In our message today, may we share a couple of situations as evidence to prove that my shopping experience was not mine alone.

Picture my grocery basket partially full as I’m moving along one of the main aisles.  Heading toward me is a woman I recognize because I sold her a home a number of years ago.  We stopped to cordially greet, and then she said, “Did you hear what just happened to me.?”  “No”, I said.  Then she told me she was recently on vacation in Florida and blacked out with a blood clot on her brain.  She was hospitalized and almost died.  She felt “lucky” to be alive.

At first, all I could say was…WOW.  The Spirit of God, however, responded beautifully and inspired seeding these scriptural truths with her through me:  I empathized with her in the joy and excitement of another chance, and how her close encounter must have helped her to value life more clearly. What a blessing to get a second prospect to live, and the glaring opportunity to be graciously thankful and to get right with her Creator.  This time not in a religious, philosophical, or superstitous way — but His way!  Being “lucky” may be a handy description, but finger crossing was man-made.  Repenting of her sins and getting right before the One who she is sure to meet for real some day (and died on a cross) was God’s idea or His good news.  A wholesome hug and we departed.

After this first situation, I moved to an inner aisle and overheard the end of a conversation between an employee of the Market Basket and a customer.  The employee said, “You know what “they” say, you’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”.  As I walked by, what seemed to be an innocent cliché, riled my inner man to a point of alarm. I actually went around the next aisle and returned to share with these guys what was bubbling inside me. Unfortunately, the two gentlemen were gone and I was too late. However, my inner stewing kept on.

The cashier got to hear what brewed in me and I pray you’ll catch it here too.  I shared with her what I heard and proceeded to identify who the “they” are who say such things.  They are the nay-sayers, the doom and gloomers, or the crowd majoring in hopelessness.  I asked her if she ever wanted to be influenced or counseled by such negative characters and she said….Absolutely not!  All a satisfied me could then say was…Amen!

The never-ending Word of God and the loving hope He brings to cherish and nourish us is in God’s shopping aisle. So, whatever we do and whatever we say, expect to do it to the glory and Good News of the Holy Spirit within, not in Mr. Lucky or because of the frustrated “They” out there somewhere.  In that, we’re not damned, but blessed forever if we do! That family and friends is the supernatural grocery in His Market Basket!!

1 Cor 2:9; Matt 6:33; Phil 4:19; Ps 23:1; Rom 8:32; James 1:17

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

In my life time, the Spirit and focus on Christmas has never been as disrupted as it has these past few years.  The winds and residuals of a viral pandemic, ongoing military conflict, political and racial unrest, and a godless cultural trend contribute at hurricane levels.  To be sure, even at the height of this Christmas season, truly honoring the unmatched gift of Christ proves illusive. Sure, we can appear to come close via extraordinary word choices, art work, or in song in hallowing His Creativity, His Name, and His redeeming purpose.  My best effort to pay honest tribute to the One we traditionally celebrate at this time of the year, is always reduced to the same simple question. What is the Greatest Story Ever Told?

For me, there are several elements worth considering. First, the greatest story should affect the most people; it should be extremely creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging; it has to have integrity and completeness; it must pack unparalleled power and life to change its readers for the better, and finally, for something to be the greatest story ever told, IT MUST BE A TRUE STORY!

I don’t know about you, but a particular story comes immediately to mind. It is the account of Jesus Christ—the One who supernaturally came to earth as a man to bear witness of the truth. Of all the books ever written, I’m quite certain that few if any boast a main character as unique and impacting as Jesus Christ. This figure was sent as the highest gift of God to save mankind from sin by shedding His blood and dying on the Cross. His was a legacy filled with supernatural ability, wisdom in the fullness of Father God, ultimate authority obtained via humility, love, and victory over all things evil, including death. His life is depicted in an epic novel that was written over 1,500 years through 40 or so hands, consists of 66 books, and stands as the all-time bestseller by many millions of copies. If there is another tale as affecting… if there is another work as creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging… if there is another author as capable of capturing integrity and completeness… if there is another piece of literature that packs such power and life to restore its reader, then I’d be very interested in getting my hands on it.

In the midst of our current challenging atmosphere, may the Spirit of the Living God comfort us to settle down and to focus on the truth of the answer to my simple question.  The “greatest story ever told” is quite a concept. Only one title is worthy. And while there are many in the offing, I’m convinced it’s the narrative that upholds the abundant life found in the honest effort of following Christ. I mean, just listen to the beauty of the prose that goes way beyond a mere Christmas season in Luke 2:10-11: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” How great is that?

John 14:6; Rom 10:9-10; John 18:37; John 10:10;

The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior He will stir up His zeal; with a shout He shall prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42:13

What a privilege to be a nephew to my late Uncle, Fred Carvalho.  He lived not only as my favorite uncle, but as a true friend, and wonderful father-figure.  When the word Champion is used – his picture immediately comes to my mind.  His life of confidence, discipline, mental strength, work ethic, sacrifice, courage, faithfulness, and physical giftedness separated him from just any champion to being My Champion.    

His recent passing reminded me of a powerful life lesson that time and events are never the same.  A goodbye to a loved one at an airport, for example, demands a far more serious focus than some casual send off. 

That brings me to the last couple of days before my special uncle and father figure, Fred Carvalho passed on.  Knowing his time for living was short, my message to him on his next to last day on earth was… “Hi Uncle Fred, I’m glad to get to see you. You are my champion.  You were yesterday and you are today.  I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”  My natural heart cries at this time, because for my Champion Uncle Fred, an earthly tomorrow never came. 

Today’s message of hope points upward to the King of kings, Lord of lords and Champion of champions, Jesus Christ; who I believe my Uncle made peace with before he died.  No human, including you, me or my dear Uncle Fred have the credentials of the World’s greatest Champion, the One with the Loving Heart that never fails.  Because of His sacrifice on the Cross, overcoming sin, death, and the works of evil, we have the opportunity to celebrate the hope that I will see my Uncle Fred in God’s idea of tomorrow – not on earth but where all His devoted Champions meet — in Heaven!

Deut 7:6; Hebrews 2:14-16; John 14:1-2; Romans 8:37; 1 Cor 15; Luke 10:19