Friday Prayer Thoughts: Boldness

Think of the saints through history who lived during times of distress. Puritans, dedicated in their faith, endured a hard trip across the Atlantic and harsh winters and lack of food in this new land. But those Pilgrims were resolute in their faith in God.

Think of those who lived sometime in the two hundred years of persecution during the Roman Empire. Think of those who were painted with tar and set on fire, thrown to wild animals, or crucified. Think of their families and friends who witnessed it.

Think of the early church who faced threats and imprisonment and martyrdom. But they asked God for boldness to speak and He answered. We can almost imagine the troubles, hardship, and persecution of the prophets.

One of the good things about history is that we can take courage from people like us who lived during different times, remained firm, and were bold. It is something we desire for ourselves. It is something the world needs to see in us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We’re living in a mess right now. But You are bigger than all of it. Like Hezekiah, who laid out the threatening letter from Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, before You and called on Your Name for deliverance, we do the same. Here it is:

Threats and violence are everyday occurrences in our country and around the world. We are facing restrictions that don’t belong in a free country. We see places like Australia who are essentially under house arrest with even children being removed from homes for highly questionable reasons. People in restricted nations are taking to the streets in protest of socialist rules or communist leaders. Many people are living in fear, a fear generated by lying voices that change reports and numbers and rules at will, and, in so doing, keep the fearful unsteady. Free thought is censored so that even if someone wants to hear another view, it takes work to uncover it. Churches have shut down and reopened to far fewer numbers than they saw before. Christians are discouraged. And there is more – The UN, big pharma, the Davos group, worldwide trafficking, to name a few. Lucifer, that great deceiver, is behind this.

So we ask for boldness. The kind of boldness that ignores the assumptions and judgments of others. The kind of boldness that stands tall in a storm. We ask for boldness to strip every deception from our own minds and fix our eyes on You and Your Word. To acknowledge truth regardless of its source. We ask for boldness to speak truth and stand with others who do so. We are determined to not fear the terror of the night nor the arrows that fly by day.

We are Yours and we stand on Your side. We are watching Your hand. We plead with You to move in our nation and in us to reveal evil, to crush evil, to raise up righteousness, and to affect Your will on earth as it is in heaven. And we stand with You to do so.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.; Isaiah 37:14-20; Psalm 91:5; Image: Pexels, Alexas Fotos

Friday Prayer Thoughts: Purity

Back in the day, my Grandpa would, from time to time, include the phrase, “Keep yourself puuure” in his sermons. Considering some of those sermons were directed to college students, we can guess what one of the implications of that sentence was or, at least, how it might have been interpreted.

Yet purity is multifaceted. Pure often refers to a physical state. We all want clean clothes, clean air and water; some people even practice clean eating (now where’s my donut?). But we also know that if something is pure, it is free of additives. If only everything we add to our lives was for good. I think we can acknowledge that our spiritual life as well as social behavior might benefit from a some sorting, throwing out, and scrubbing – a good cleaning.

The reason we do something merits significance in the same way as what we do. In regard to a pure life, for instance, our efforts to do what is right are best done without thought of personal gain or attention. Our encouragement of others is purest when we think solely of the one encouraged, not whether they will think well of us or even remember us. Time spent in private prayer is rewarded most.1 Ditto fasting.2 Ditto giving.3 (Virtual signaling selfies, anyone?)

As we maneuver this time in history, let’s attend to keeping ourselves puuure. Pollution isn’t something anyone wants.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We repent of mixed motives. The thought of the filthy rags we wear compared with Your brilliance disgusts us. We desire purity. Make us pure, for you are the only One who can completely cleanse us. We consider again the beauty of the cross because of Christ’s sacrifice and Your forgiveness, and turn away now from all that doesn’t belong. And we know that the fire of Your Holy Spirit will continue to purify us as we look at the cross and its terrible price. We aspire to live our Christianity not for the good impression of others, but with You as our only audience. We desire a pure inner life regardless of our surroundings. Dearest Father, make us pure so that we might see You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

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References: Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ; Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ; Matthew 6:3-4 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ; Image: goodfreephotos

Friday Prayer Thoughts: Faith

What happened to our faith? No, really. What has happened to the kind of faith that speaks life when those around are speaking death? The kind of faith that believes, truly believes, there is nothing – NOTHING – God cannot do. People sing those words. I’ve heard them sung and many of you have, too. But those same people are wearing a mask in their car. They stay away from things and people they love all for fear. I don’t get it. I really don’t.

Jesus made blind folks see and crippled folks walk. Some of them even jumped and ran! He raised Lazarus from the dead! He doesn’t care what people think. Maybe that’s what the vast majority of us need healing from. Or from a fear exacerbated by arbitrary numbers and rules that defy logic.

Oh I know we’ve all prayed for something that didn’t materialize or for someone who didn’t get well. But allowing a result we don’t fully understand decide our present and future actions is like quitting a baseball game after a strike or remaining sprawled on the racetrack after a fall. And who knows what came of those prayers that didn’t result in answers we sought. Perhaps other things happened because of them, and we just didn’t see it. Some of you might remember a miracle we shared just a few years ago due to faith-filled prayer.

https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2016/07/25/a-camp-a-forecast-and-another-day-in-heaven/

We have many voices claiming many different things. We are looking at a virus. We are looking at an insurgency to take over our country. We are looking at troubles of many kinds in many places. We, my friends, are here to manage things as God instructed in Genesis. There are a lot of things that need changing, help, and God’s intervention. There are millions of people who need to know Jesus. We’re just getting started. Time to lean in.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Our weakness has been exposed to us. As your remnant, we’re supposed to be bold, and we pray for boldness just as those first disciples did. We pray for courage. But we know now that our faith is weaker than we realized and more pitiful than we want to admit – even to ourselves. So we pray for faith.

We pray for good memories. Memories of how You freed the Israelites from captivity in Egypt. Of how you parted the Red Sea and helped them across. And then how you engulfed their captors in the same waters. We pray to remember Jesus’ many miracles. And we pray to recall times in our own lives when You’ve intervened and given us a miracle even if we didn’t call it that.

We know You in part and You know us fully. We pray, oh dear Lord, we pray for faith to move that mountain. We pray for faith in the face of a storm. We pray for faith to heal the sick just as the disciples did and to walk on water – even just a little bit. Strengthen us. We ask for FAITH.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen

God’s Face

I wonder if history has seen a time when II Chronicles 7:14 has been quoted more than it is now. We’re not very good at humility, and social media works against it, but maybe the pandemic urges us more closely toward the “humble themselves” part of the verse. Many of us have spent time giving serious thought to our sin and those of our nation, in order to “turn from our wicked ways”. Now all that’s left is for God to hear and forgive and heal, right?

There’s one more thing for us to do: “seek His face”. Do we think about God’s face? We think about who He is in history or what He gives or can give us or His creation. But seeking His face . . . Hmmm.

Scripture tells us no one can see God and live. I believe it. And to my way of thinking you don’t have to read much more than that to feel a huge amount of humility. And we know that Jesus is God incarnate, so to look on Jesus is to see God’s face. Of course others will say they see the face of God in His creation: nature, people in every walk of life, etc. Still others will say God doesn’t have a face because He is Spirit. I can’t disagree with any of it.

Still, this verse says, “seek My face”. I’ve just been thinking about finding what is beyond the usual answers. Is someone’s face the essence of their feeling and thought? Do we wear our history; our suffering and joy on our face? Can others see what we think of them when they look at our face? Do we fall in love the longer we spend gazing at someone’s face?

I think we will each come to a better conclusion if we work on this individually just now, not read what some blogger writes. If you come up with something by all means share it with the rest of us! For now, enjoy seeking God’s face. Spend time in His presence. Dwell there. See what happens. And I’ll see you when I see you – face and all.

Scripture source: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Stop Worrying. You’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.

There is a small room in my grandparents’ basement, built by two brothers. My mom’s two cousins needed housing while they attended Dunwoody Institute the year of the Armistice Day Blizzard. That November 11th day in 1940 was unseasonably warm, but ended with a two-day snowstorm that caught many off guard, even freezing some to death. As the storm hit, the two brothers walked approximately five and a half miles from school to home. By the time they walked through the back door of the house, the ear of one was frozen and covered with snow.

Later on that little room served various uses, but what I remember about it is that it had a small framed statement, maybe 6 x 8 inches, that said, Stop Worrying. You’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.

I loved that sign. It brought a wry smile to my face the first time I saw it and every time afterward. From time to time that admonition has returned to me with its whimsical truth. It certainly echos these days in which our country is facing not one, but three (or more) challenges.

As we continue to endure the corona virus pandemic and shut down, some feel great concern over what could happen when folks begin to venture again into normal life. They are worried about catching this virus and what it can do to their health or the health of a loved one. We hear concerns about it mutating, though a highly respected doctor asserts the parts of it that mutate don’t affect the parts that respond to treatment. We have treatment for it, but not everyone agrees whether hydroxochloroquine + azithromycin (+ zinc) is effective. There are even disagreements about why people agree or don’t agree with its effectiveness. We have unanswered questions: do or did I have it and not know it, if people get it and have some or no symptoms how can they avoid giving it to someone else, what if I get it and am one of the few who suffer and die? Scott Kesterson wrote something that gave me pause: Reflect. Our time on earth is finite. When we die is unknown. What is certain is that we will die. Some will die tonight. I hope it’s not a new thing for people to think about their own death, but maybe it is. Some US citizens these days are only for the first time facing a mortal challenge.

Others feel great concern over their rights being taken away. Shouldn’t there have at least been a war before someone dropped the hammer and decided when and where citizens can go, who they can visit, and what they are allowed to purchase? Those with power are revealing who they are: concerned and focused or controlling and oppressive. Even Hollywood stars are getting into the act by parroting whatever script they are given. Not all of them, but some. (Those some, I would add, have probably been bought by someone unseen and powerful. It’s very sad to think someone gained fame and fortune at such a steep price.) Those who know the history of communism and those who only think they do have opposing perspectives.

The majority of us are probably somewhere in between; caring about public health, yet also caring about freedom; caring about the vulnerable, yet also caring about restricting government orders and the destabilizing nature of an economy in its death throes.

Yes, we have a load of trouble on our hands. We have pestilence. We have threats of war. And thirdly, we have the kingdom of darkness right here. We are only now waking up to the widespread practice of satanism among the wealthy and powerful. It walked into our house and poured its black, evil, vile presence all over the place. And whether we’re ready or not, we must fight it. We must banish it from our home and vanquish it as well as we can. And we must do so whether we’re scared or worried or weak.

These are worrisome times, but we have a God whose mighty hand can part seas, heal those who are sick, fight battles, and calm storms. That hand can even raise the dead! Why do we dismiss His power so easily? We are walking through our own Armistice Day blizzard of sorts. It took us by surprise! It’s difficult to see the path in front of us! Yet we know we must persevere in order to get to a place of safety and warmth.

Finally, let’s bring to mind not just worrisome things, but lovely things, too; because they are part of what strengthens us. As we walk this beautiful, weary world, it will do more good to let go of the things that weigh our journey down: hate, past troubles, worry, than to carry their sorry carcasses on our backs. There’s a lot to love and appreciate. Always. Even during troubled times.

Stop worrying. You’ll never get out of this world alive.

Bards of War, Scott Kesterson, https://www.Youtube.com/channel/UCOtB_qcFywPqu0uVwf6RPpw; Image: pexels.com; https://www.facebook.com/TippingPointonOAN/videos/282333452762416/?t=3

Rest, Reset, and the Sabbath

This morning we sympathized with Hoda Kotb, as she tried and failed to cover her feelings after she interviewed Drew Brees on the Morning Show. He made a five million dollar donation to NOLA, and it touched her especially because she once lived there. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hoda+kotb&view=detail&mid=8540FE5E71F40EDFE7798540FE5E71F40EDFE779&FORM=VIRE

We’ve watched some folks from the entertainment business post strange videos on Instagram and Twitter, wondering what in the world they’re trying to communicate or what feelings they’re attempting to elicit.

Slowly masks are being peeled back during this time of pandemic. Truth is showing itself. We’ve watched this reveal, if you will, for awhile as some reporters seemed more hateful and biased and politicians more divided. Now we see entertainers crumbling. At least it appears that way, but with actors you can never tell. We hear things out of the Vatican that in the past we would never have dreamed of hearing. But we also see businesses stepping into the gap and citizens doing the necessary thing, the kind thing.

I think we might view this as a Sabbath rest. We didn’t ask for it. Boy, did we not ask for this. And some in the medical community or those who find themselves figuring out new ways to do their jobs or those who are battling illness don’t feel rested at all. But many of us are at home more. Together more. Without the distraction of extra things. It is unfamiliar territory, but there are good things peeking out from behind the curtain of our usually busy lives.

Around four or five months ago, I began celebrating the Sabbath. No, I am not Jewish and I don’t do the things our Jewish friends do for their Shabbat. I was raised to regard Sunday as the Sabbath and did so all of my life. Except church responsibilities made it a bit busy. So now I have a day every week – the original day God set aside in the Ten Commandments – to rest. This is what I have found:

In order to get everything done before Friday sundown, I hurry up and do the things I used to put off. I get grocery shopping done, the gas tank filled, the house cleaned, laundry done, the bills paid, meals and desserts cooked, my usual writing work attended to, piano practiced, Sunday School lesson studied, and yard work done on another day.

It was hard at first and I still have slip-ups from time to time. But I have found a new sense of order in my life. I’ve found that I get more done. It’s true! With a Sabbath deadline, it’s amazing what you can accomplish ahead of time. My life gets a weekly reset! Saturday is my mini vacation every week now. I have more time to read, to pray, to enjoy nature, and to do nothing. The week as a whole has an extra bit of peace injected into it.

While I fully intended to write a blog on the wonders of the Sabbath, I’m led just now to post this little bit because our dear world needs comfort and peace (stat!); and that’s one of the gifts of the Sabbath rest.

When placed in God’s hands, every bad, hard, and evil thing in this world can be flipped. In fact, Joseph said: You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved. While we are collectively shut down all over this world, we might just take the opportunity to gain a new understanding of what a slower pace adds to life. By subtracting, we find more! I wish you a peaceful Sabbath rest.

Kotb: Today.com; Genesis 50:20 (CJB); image: Pexels.com

Invisible Armor

We’ve heard that we are fighting an invisible enemy. We certainly can’t see the Corona virus with which the world is contending. Who knows what else around us needs our alertness, our discernment, our will to fight? Maybe the personal things that pester us need more than a glance from us. Maybe troubles in this world that call silently need more than our helpless hope that someday things will be different. There are other things, people, and forces that have been invisible to us throughout history, as well. I alluded to it in the post https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2017/05/17/living-in-our-time/ .

So as we face something new to us and old to the world, let’s recall again words given to us many years ago.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

We fight an invisible enemy suited, ourselves, with invisible armor. We fight an invisible enemy by being unyielding in our stand against it. We persevere. And the very best way to fight – the most powerful way to fight – is with constant contact with our Supreme Commander, Jesus. Amor up and fight on!

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18. For further reading: https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2016/11/08/a-seat-of-power/ ; https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2019/03/14/would-the-real-captain-america-please-stand-up/ ; https://www.myfiresidechat.com/2015/11/16/one-thing/

Time For A Speech

On June 6th of 1944 175,000 soldiers heard or read a speech from the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was the eve of the invasion of Normandy Beach in France. The assault was code-named Operation Overlord.

Boys, some barely past high school and all who had their whole lives ahead of them, jumped into the unknown to save ordinary people from unspeakable evil.

We’ve seen a lot of wickedness, ourselves, of late. The more we find out, the darker it becomes. If you’re confused about that statement, you need to start doing some research in your spare time. Mainstream reporters won’t tell you. They have become untrustworthy and contribute to the problem. They will lie to you as smoothly as a crooning lothario. It’s time for you to take responsibility for your own knowledge.

And now we’re facing a panic over a type of flu. The virus spreads easily and unnoticeably and, though most people recover just fine, people with compromised immune systems are a bit more at risk for trouble. It’s always that way with the flu, by the way. What’s a puzzle is the panic. I’ll admit, early videos from China were very unsettling. They were awful not because of the sickness, but because of the way it was handled. But now schools, businesses, and churches are shutting down. This predictably affects the world economy. Yes, panic is affecting the world economy.

Don’t let words scare you. The word pandemic comes from the Greek pandemos, meaning “pertaining to all people”. Pan means “all” and Demos means “people.” Pandemic simply means the flu isn’t limited to one nation, but has traveled; in this case, worldwide. We might expect this because travel is very accessible these days.

No, getting sick is no reason for fear. But we are watching what we might call pandemonium. Would you like another lesson in etymology? You already know what pan means. Actually, Milton coined the term when he wrote Paradise Lost. He wanted to illustrate a place that was Satan’s Capitol, and he called it Pandaemonium. So pandemonium is literally the place of all demons. And that’s what you get when you allow chaos, confusion, and turmoil to fill up your world.

We have some idea of the people who are spreading the fear and can hypothesize some reasons for it. But it’s a strange state of affairs. And I believe that there is more behind this pandemonium than concern for health.

We have a choice. We can hide and quake and buy obnoxious amounts of whatever we believe we need to survive a long period of time. Or we can do our best to behave rationally, think logically, and live righteously.

Perhaps, should we be facing something yet unknown and just a little scary, we can read Eisenhower’s speech. C’mon now. If those young soldiers could act bravely, so can you. The eyes of the world are upon you.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The 
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. 
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! 

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.


                                            SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower
[photograph: General Eisenhower 'Ike' D-Day message handed out to D-Day troops. Courtesy: Gary Ames.

Source: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2018/06; https://armyofgodspeech.wixsite.com/dday

Spit

Last week we saw clips of the Congressional Prayer Breakfast. What most of us didn’t see were the remarks in context and in their entirety. As with snatches of incomplete news that are so prevalent these days, it led to people calling our President to the carpet for holding up a newspaper telling of the Senate’s vote and saying he didn’t like it when someone used their religion as an excuse to do something they know is wrong or who said, “I’m praying for you” when they really aren’t doing any such thing. Someone claimed the President’s words were a “missed opportunity”.

Arthur Brooks spoke before him with a theme of Jesus teaching us to love our enemies. He noted that marriages can be saved but for one thing: contempt by one partner. I refer you to the last State Of The Union Address.

President Trump, a relatively new Christian, remarked, I don’t know if I agree with you. . . I’m sorry. I apologize. I’m trying to learn. It’s not easy. When they impeach you for nothing and then you’re suppose to actually like them? I don’t think it’s that easy, folks. I’m doing my best. I find such honesty refreshing! For tucked into his honesty is confrontation of wrong.

That’s what we, as Christians, have been stumbling over for nearly half a century now. Keeping our mouths shut, thinking it’s better to ignore evil. (Perhaps if we don’t say anything the other person will realize the error of their ways on their own.) Thinking evil will be overcome with silence. (No harm, no foul.) Closing our eyes and saying love wins. I agree. Love wins, but, to borrow from Inigo Montoya, You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. It certainly doesn’t mean sidling up to workers of evil and pretending all is well. Thank heavens there’s finally a leader who calls out hypocrisy no matter where it lies. I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they (don’t). Is it possible the new Christian in the White House is doing what the rest of us should have been doing all along and haven’t? I don’t know about you, but it puts me to shame. Blame for the moral mess of our nation lies at the feet of the church.

And instead of encouraging this courageous man, some Christians find it easier to back bite him. Maybe, they think, if I criticize something, it will show I’m fair-minded. It relieves them of having his six. Of doing their best to fight for this country on the brink. All in the name of . . . what? When you’re in a battle is not the time to find fault with the guy fighting next to you.

The U.S.Army Creed says: I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

We might not all be soldiers, but we must be warriors of another kind or this country will continue to descend into a hell the likes of which none of us has imagined. Is that the Christian’s job? You bet your salt and light it is.

Today’s political left doesn’t stand on scripture, it exploits it. It uses scripture to promote a twisted sort of love that accepts evil. And over the years, some Christians have not only not said anything, they’ve encouraged it. Jeremiah 23 has something to say about that. Read it if you dare, and weep if you must.

Christians who don’t recognize the difference between good and evil, can’t draw the important line at hypocrisy. Evil isn’t something to love, but to expose. Jesus looks for repentance from sin. (Not to continue sinning that grace may abound. – Romans 6:1) Scripture confronts us with this question: What communion does light have with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14)

We also read in the scriptures of how God commanded kings to completely annihilate the enemy. When I was young, that seemed pretty extreme to me. Then I learned about things like cancer.

In fact, we bear witness to plenty of situations during the early life of Israel where things get pretty brutal. I think of the time Gideon told his son, Jether, to kill the two kings who were in front of them. They had killed much of Gideon’s family. But Jether was only a boy and was afraid, so Gideon carried out the judgment. You can read about it in Judges 8.

Is it possible (gasp) that God’s love does not tolerate evil?

Besides telling us to be forgiving and loving, Jesus also says, So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:16) That’s right. If we don’t stand on the side of truth and righteousness we’re as good as spit.

The President of our nation has been bullied for over three years without even one day off. Over. Three. Years. That wounds.

Maybe the new Christian in our midst, the one people love to hate and criticize because he defends what is good and fights like a street-fighter, has something to teach the rest of us.

A Cold Cup of Coffee

I recall a discussion I had with some friends years ago about how we thought we should offer a guest something to eat or drink when they walked into our home. Being young and just getting our feet under us, most of us didn’t have much. I remember someone saying something about cinnamon toast. People laughed, but I loved that, because I like cinnamon toast and would gladly eat it at someone’s house. No one has ever offered it, though. Maybe it seems too ordinary.

A persistent little ping on my spirit leads me to write this entry. I’ve got nothing. I’m pretty empty just now as I’ve been insisting to the Lord daily, but the ping is like a knock on the door that is hard to ignore. That same ping led me to write my first musical. I’ll tell you about it sometime. Anyway, I feel a bit like someone who has very little to offer, but is offering it anyway. I’m sitting here with a cold cup of coffee. Lucky you. Yet I think just now that’s what the Lord is asking of all of us. What does each of us have to offer? Let whatever it is that you can offer be your cinnamon toast. Let it be your cold cup of coffee. Do that, because we have a year coming up that will be one for the record books if I don’t miss my guess.

Smoke from the new year’s starter pistol is still drifting upward and already we’ve seen so much that it makes our heads spin. I started listing it all, but it just got depressing, so I deleted it. Were it that simple. Let me just say this. Despite the natural phenomena, newsworthy trouble and personal struggle; despite the news we believe and the news that we shake our heads at, despite everything, we need to address all of it not with more sound, but with silence. Our own. By ourselves. In our own little corner in our own little chair.

What we need just now even more than news or pictures or podcasts or blogs is a time of quiet. Just quiet. And that’s all I really want to say today. We’re all witnessing a mess and it’s going to get messier. But if you read a Bible, you know how to get through this stuff.

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) That’s it. Find time every day – even if it’s just ten minutes – and be still. Turn off every noise. And think about how good God is. How powerful and loving. How merciful. And listen. You might feel a ping or maybe something will come to you that God is gracious enough to put in your thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, that’s what He’s been waiting for all along.

And when you get up from your chair, offer someone your version of cinnamon toast.