The Usefulness of Brokenness

Came across this thought provoking observation from a devotional by Evangelical Covenant Church president Gary Walter:

There actually is a distinction in the types of brokenness - not all brokenness is the same. Yes, there is brokenness that leads to disuse - the car breaks and can’t be used, or the plumbing, the computer, the toaster. When they are broken, they are of no use.

But there are other things that have no usefulness until they are broken.
• A horse is no good until . . . it is broken
• A baseball mitt is no good until . . . it is broken in
• In case of emergency, break glass
• And what does it say on your medicine? Break this seal.

The spiritual reality is that God uses broken things. In fact, our entire faith is built on this statement of Jesus about his sacrifice on the cross: this is my body, broken for you. And what does King David say is an acceptable offering to God? A broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Yes, in God’s upside down system of values, broken things are the most valuable. Brokenness does not inevitably lead to uselessness. Brokenness in God’s design is precisely the way to even greater usefulness.

That Hurts My Feelings

The other day I was spraying weed killer on my mostly weed lawn when my wife and kids returned home from shopping.

My five year old son came running toward me in his bare feet and asked, "What are you doing dad?" I replied, "Don't step on the grass. I'm spraying poison to kill the weeds." A few moments later, my son was ignoring my command and walking on a section of grass I had just sprayed. So, I yelled at him and told him, "Get out of the grass, right now!" Then he started crying and wailed, "You're hurting my feelings!"

Isn't that our complaint to God when it comes to His commands? They hurt our feelings?

The Lord gives us His commands, but we don't listen to them because we want what we want because that makes us feel good and besides, we know what we're doing.

O that we would learn that God's commands are given for our protection and provision. His commands are life to us.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." --Psalm 119:32

Idols (Part Two)

Someone in the Old Testament who was serious about getting rid of idols was Josiah.

Josiah was King of Judah-- the southern portion of Israel after its civil war in 931 B.C. Josiah took over in 640 B.C. when he was only eight years old. He was the last good King of Judah during a time when the spiritual life of God's people was seriously declining.

At age 16, Josiah started seeking the Lord. Then at 20 years old, 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 tells us he "began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of its high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images."

Notice all the verbs that follow in 2 Chronicles-- that describe the removal of idols:

Tore down (2x)

Cut to pieces (2x)

Smashed

Broke to pieces

Scattered

Burned

Crushed to powder

Do you think Josiah was serious about cleaning house and getting rid of idols?

How serious are you about getting rid of your idols?

Idols (Part One)

Once there was a man who worked hard all his life and got very rich.

When he was about to die, he told his wife, "Bury me with all my money." At his funeral, the wife dutifully complied.

Later, the new widow and a friend got together for coffee. The friend said, "You didn't really bury him with all his money." The widow replied, "How could I deny his final wish? When his casket was closed for the final time, I made sure all his money was with him."

The friend was quiet. She couldn't believe it. And the widow added: "Yes, I buried him with all his money. And I did it by writing him a check."

Sometimes, people try to hang onto things that can't help them. For the living, that often takes the form of idols-- things that rob the rightful place of God.

In Old Testament days, idols were obvious to spot. They were figured statues carved out of stone or wood. In our day, idols are tougher to detect, yet they're plentiful in number-- power, fame, money, sex. And things more benign-- kids, gardens, cars, etc.

One reason idols can be hard to detect is they often are things that God has rightly given us to enjoy. For example, everyone needs food. And good food, delightfully prepared, is fun to eat. But if I continually gorge on food to make me feel better when life gets too stressful, food becomes an idol.

When I cease to rely on God for my happiness, security, and provision and replace God with something or someone that isn't intended to take God's rightful place in my life, I create an idol.

Lately, I've seen the need to examine myself and clean house.

What's dwelling in your house? Anything need cleaning out?

"White Knuckle" Spirituality

The ladies at our church are studying Beth Moore's excellent series, Breaking Free.

Yesterday in the video, Moore said:

"We must not only come under the authority of Christ, we must learn to enjoy that authority over us."

Her point is that believers must come to the place where we relish God's sovereignty and protection over our lives and in turn joyfully submit ourselves to the Lord again and again.

The remark reminded me of something a friend once told me. He said a lot of alcoholics resist drinking by "white knuckling" it. These folks are depending on their own strength. They don't seek the help and power of God. Consequently, they're clenching tight their fists-- desperately trying on their own to not drink.

I think Christians can believe they've given their life to Christ, but often "white knuckle" it because they don't enjoy or relish God's authority over them. The opposite I think is being "filled by the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)-- where you want to the Lord's strength and actively seek it.

How are your knuckles?

How God Uses Our Longings

Yesterday in the first worship service of the New Year, I asked the congregation to cup their hands together. Imagine that your greatest longing lays in your palms. Present them to the Lord as an act of trust and worship.

Why does God give us burdens in the first place? Here's what I've learned:

• The Lord gives us longings to remind us our weakness. We are needy. We are not self-sufficient, try as we may.
  

• God uses our longings to remind us of our greater need for God himself. When we forget God, He sends problems our way to drive us back to Him.
  

• God uses our longings to show us His greatness and power. Through our struggle, God works, and in a very real way, we see that God is alive.

• Sometimes, our longings need revising. Either we want the wrong things, want it for the wrong reasons, or at the wrong time. Trusting God with our desires means that we're willing to let God reshape our wants.

What need or longing is in your hands? Bring it before the Lord. In doing so, you live out this word:

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

R.I.P. 2007

Ingar Bergman, Benazir Bhutto, Art Buchwald, Liz Claiborne, Jerry Falwell, Dan Folgelberg, Ernest Gallo, Robert Goulet, Ruth Bell Graham, Merv Griffin, Johnny Hart, Leona Helmsley, Don Ho, Molly Ivans, Lady Bird Johnson, D. James Kennedy, Evel Knievel, Norman Mailer, Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, Benny Parsons, Luciano Pavarotti, Oscar Petersen, Eddie Robinson, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Beverly Sills, Anna Nicole Smith, Tom Synder, Hank Thompson, Ike Turner, Kurt Vonnegut, Porter Wagoner, Bill Walsh, Jane Wyman, and Boris Yeltsin.

All these people achieved fame, fortune, and success. All of them died in 2007.

No measure of accomplishment will save us from the grave. Not you. Not me. Not them.

"Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24)

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).

Getting Ready for Christmas

People are getting ready for Christmas.

Putting up the Christmas tree. Hanging up lights. Buying presents.

But how do you get your heart ready for Christmas?

Usually, people skip over the birth story of John the Baptist in Luke 1 in order to get to the birth story of Jesus. But John's parents-- Zechariah and Elizabeth-- have much to teach us.

As the story opens, Luke tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth are Jews par excellence. Zechariah is a priest in the Jerusalem Temple. Elizabeth's family background is the priestly line of Aaron. "Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly," Luke tells us in 1:6. Everything about their lives outstanding, except for one thing. They have no children, which at that time was a social disgrace. Imagine, they were "well off" in so many ways, richly blessed by God, yet they had their own unrelenting burden.

But God acts to fill their lives. When Zechariah gets the privilege of offering incenses to God in a private room inside the sanctuary, he gets an incredible surprise. An angel appears to him and announces that his wife will have a son and this child will help prepare the way for the coming of Messiah.

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." Apparently, his question was full of doubt. The angel mildly rebukes Zechariah and renders him speechless until the time that his son is born. Meanwhile, when Elizabeth does become pregnant, Luke quotes her saying, "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

How do we get our hearts ready for Christmas?

By being open. Be open to God's activity.

Zechariah was an upright man who fulfilled all of God's commands. And yet, when God announced that he would have a son who would get Israel ready for the Lord's coming, Zechariah was unable or unwilling to receive the news. Though godly, he wasn't open, and thus wasn't ready when God acted. On the other hand, Elizabeth was open and ready. Though she was beyond child bearing years, God enabled her pregnancy, and she rejoices in God's activity, declaring the Lord has shown her favor and taking away her shame.

How can we be open to God's activity? Be open to serve. Be open to love. Be open to share. We may not realize it, but God's Spirit is moving. Today. Now. People need a Savior. You who know Jesus are God's exclusive vessel in the world. Be God's light. Be open. And be ready.

You never know what God might do.

Memory-- Long Lost, Long Remembered

Yesterday I went to our local nursing home to do visitation. Over two hours, I sat and spoke to about eight people.

When you get old, your memory isn't what it used to be. You can't carry on much of a conversation. Sometimes too, you just don't have the energy to say much. Then, it can get compounded when the annoying preacher stops by, so he can tell the church he's doing his job.

Many of the people I visit I've known for years. I knew them when they lived in their own homes, came to church each week, and carried on engaging conversations. These dear people are incredibly interesting and full of fascinating accomplishments.

But now their memories are largely gone. My 100 year old friend doesn't remember my name anymore. My long time member doesn't know what day it is. Another spends most of the day sitting in a chair fidgeting.

So I come by and I start talking-- about the weather outside, about the yard work I just completed, or something funny my children did. In response, my old friends give a smile, a chuckle or two, or a short verbal response. They're listening, but it's me carrying the conversation.

But yesterday I was particularly struck by what my friends still remember. When I read Psalm 23, I saw lips repeating the words. When I said the Lord's prayer, another voice joined in. When I sang "Amazing Grace," a face grinned ear-to-ear. Much has been forgotten, but much is still there.

I went home wondering, "If I make it to their age, what will I remember?"

I'm sure I'll forget a lot.

But I pray I'll remember the One who promises never to forget me.

The Mist of Technology

I have a new computer at church!

It's a Dell Inspiron laptop. It comes with Windows Vista. I got a docking station for it. This new computer has all the bell and whistles. It's pretty sleek. I'm excited to have it.

The new computer replaces the old one that crashed. Nine years ago, that old computer was the hot new technology. Dell desktop. Windows 98. 15" monitor. Long ago, it was the latest and greatest. Now, it's all forgotten. It's destiny is the junk bin.

In our quest to get the latest and greatest technology, how many of us see that the shelf life of today's technology is a metaphor for our own shelf life?

James 4:14 asks, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

I'm glad I have the Lord and the Lord has me.

Because I want to last longer than my new computer.

The Message Among the Noise

The other day I was at the nursing home reading Scripture to a resident.

We were in the lobby and there was noise everywhere-- the front door opening and closing, the receptionist greeting people, the telephone ringing, other people in the lobby talking, the TV booming. As I read, my voice got progressively louder trying to compete with the noise.

There's an analogy here. The Gospel of Jesus is one voice among the many in the world. Its message competes with all the others being made in the world.

And yet, God doesn't turn up the noise to get Himself heard. God speaks through ordinary means-- through His people, through pages of His Word, through His creation, and through His Spirit.

God speaks in hushed tones. Yet His message is undeniable.

Climbing the Rock

Sunday after church was my family's 2nd annual Labor Day weekend camp out at Kanopolis Lake.

We don't have a lot of camping gear and that's one reason we don't camp out much. It also makes our experience a little rougher. My gang slept soundly in the pup tent. Meanwhile, I was awake nearly all night in the minivan. But aside from me getting no sleep, we had lots of fun swimming, grilling, and hanging out together.

On Monday we traveled a few miles north of the lake to check out a unique Kansas site-- Mushroom State Park. There, you'll discover some of the strangest rocks you've ever seen.

The kids had a great time climbing the rocks-- especially David, my four-year-old son. Every time he reached the top of a rock, he acted just like Tarzan, beating his bare chest and yelling, "Ahhaaaahaaa!"

On one rock (pictured above in the foreground), I lifted David off the ground and was about to set him on top of the rock. There was no way he could climb it himself. But as soon as his feet touched the top, he started crying. He said, "I wanna climb it!" So I set him down and then held him secure as climbed his way up.

Afterwards I got to thinking: I could learn something from my son. He didn't want to simply be on top of the rock. He wanted the adventure and satisfaction of climbing it. Only then was reaching the top rewarding. How many people want the glory of "being on top," but aren't willing to put in the effort? Like basketball coach Bob Knight once said-- people love playing the game, but nobody likes to practice. But when you do the hard work, the rewards are that much more satisfying.

This week, go climb your rock.

A "Hidden" Gem in Scripture

On September 11, Max Lucado will release his newest book-- 3:16 The Numbers of Hope. From what Tim Challies writes in his review, today's most famous Christian author will encourage millions to ponder the Bible's most famous verse-- John 3:16.

A couple years ago, Bruce Wilkinson turned an obscure verse in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 4:9-10, into the best selling "The Prayer of Jabez." Besides demonstrating the power of hyperventilated marketing, the book showed that if you venture off the beaten path of familiar Bible verses, treasures await to be discovered.

Yesterday I was reading 1 Corinthians and came across a gem of a verse. It doesn't get as much attention as other "famous" Bible passages-- like Psalm 23, but it's worthy of reflection. It's 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV):

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God— that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

There's so much said in so few words:

• It is due solely to the goodness of God the Father that people may enjoy a personal relationship with his son, Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is the embodiment of God's wisdom. Want to know God? Want to know true wisdom? Seek to know Jesus.
• Jesus-- his perfect life, his sacrificial death, his resurrection-- is the sole basis of the believer's:
• Right standing with God-- no guilt or shame (our righteousness)
• Strength and ability to live out on earth a holy life-- one that reflects God's character (holiness)
• Freedom from sin's bondage, releasing us to be conformed into God's image-- a day released in eternity when our desires and actions perfectly reflect God's character (redemption)
  

1 Corinthians 1:30 isn't a famous Bible verse, but it's a "hidden" gem worthy of reflection.

When School Starts, So Do the Tears

Today is the first day of school in our community and throughout much of Kansas. This article was originally published in the Little River Monitor-Journal on August 23, 2001.

This past Monday morning, August 20, was a big day for picture taking and tears. All over town, Moms were weeping and Dads were snapping photos. What was all the common about? It was the first day of school!

Many kids were probably wondering why Mom and Dad were acting so weird, while humoring requests to stand still for one more snapshot. But if the truth were known, the kids were nervous too. Usually when emotions run high, kids cry and parents stay calm. But on the first day of school, the roles reverse!

So on Monday, I conducted an informal survey with parents. "Did you cry today when you sent your kid(s) to school?" Several said, "Yes." They cry every year on the first day of school. One parent, who cried last year, said she didn't do so this year. But then she added, "But I did cry last night." A veteran parent said her crying stopped around 8th grade, but welled up again at high school graduation. Not everyone cries. I saw one couple enjoying a special day in Hutchinson. They said, "We're not crying. We're celebrating!"

The beginning of school certainly is an exciting time. Little minds get their imaginations stirred. Bigger kids ponder future careers. Football and volleyball athletes dream of making big plays. The beginning of school makes us realize that in the midst of routine, everyday living, our kids really are changing. In fact, they're moving toward a place in life where we adults stand today.

Scripture tells us that growing is something that even Jesus did-- "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Did you notice the four growth areas of the greatest person who ever lived? Jesus grew intellectually ("in wisdom"), physically ("in stature"), spiritually ("in favor with God"), and socially/emotionally ("in favor with men"). Reaching our potential demands that we emphasize not just one, but all four developmental areas.

Think of your maturity in each of these areas-- how are you doing? How are you kids doing? As author and teacher Howard Hendricks writes, significant life change requires that some of our values and habits be retained, refined, rejuvenated, or just plain rejected. Certainly in the spiritual realm, the churches of Little River-Windom-Andover are eager to help you know God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

During the summer, everyone scatters out in their own direction-- vacations, camps, and reunions. But in the fall, we resume familiar pathways-- milo harvest, football games, church attendance, and school. In the midst of it all, our life is slowly turning. When you notice the change-- celebrate the moment. Shed a tear, take a picture, and seize the chance to grow.

We Forget, But God Does Not

One thing is for sure about the past-- it's easy to forget.

Earlier this summer I enjoyed a wonderful reunion with a childhood friend who grew up next door to me in Ohio. We hadn't seen each other since high school. I marveled at all that he remembered: The street hockey games we played, the names of neighbors in our cul-de-sac, funny incidents from our high school days. Those memories were stored in my brain and ready for recall-- but I had forgot.

Not long ago, my daughter was doing dog training at 4-H and I was talking to another parent. The adult said, "You probably don't remember, but when my 16-year-old daughter was 6, she tried really hard to convert you when we were attending your church's auction." A six-year-old girl evangelizing a pastor. That is a funny scene-- but I had forgot.

A month ago, I ran into a young lady who occasionally attended our church during her high school days. Now in her 20's, she's married with kids. After leaving our community, she and her family are now living here. As we talked she asked, "Do you remember writing me a note a few years ago?" I had to confess that I didn't-- I forgot.

So the other day this dear young lady in the Lord stopped by our home. And she brought along something to show me and my wife-- the note. It was handwritten and on the church's card stationary. I had composed it four years ago. But she saved the note because the words spoke truth in love to her heart.

There are some things about our past we'd like to forget-- and do. But there's some things about the past we'd like to remember. I can recall many good things, however I certainly can't remember them all.

But I'm glad the Lord does.

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." --Hebrews 6:10

Deerest Thanks to God

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. --Psalm 121:8

Last night's 40 minute drive home from Hutchinson was quite an experience.

First, I witnessed one of the most incredible lightning storms of my life. White streaks of light that spread through the sky-- like the way a spider crack spreads through a car's windshield. And then, dozens of bolts of lightning that struck the ground. There were moments where the light and darkness was flickering so quickly, it looked like a stage effect from a rock concert. Then, after driving out from the middle of the storm, I watched the storm from the distance and saw incredible displays of exploding light. Just amazing.

It was hard keeping an eye on the road-- the entertainment in the sky was so intriguing. Suddenly, an adult deer in the left roadside came into view. "Oh no," I thought, "that stupid deer is going to run right into me." I was motoring along at 60 mph. If that deer kept moving toward the road, there was no way I could safely get out of its way. I would have hit it head on.

It's incredible what the mind can think of in the snap of a moment. I thought of the horror of hearing the deer hit my car, the airbags exploding, the mangled front end of my car, the time it would take to call the sheriff, get estimates for the car, and finally getting it fixed.

And then, instead of continuing toward me and the road, the deer simply stopped and turned back the other way. I zoomed on by. Nothing happened. I was safe. And I said, "Lord, thank you so much."

After that short prayer, a thought occurred to me. "You said that word of thanks to God. Well and good. But soon, you'll forget ever saying that prayer. Meanwhile, if that deer really did hit you, you'd be dealing with the mess of that accident for months. God in his kindness spared you of all that. You'll probably forget all this blessing later, so I just wanted to remind you of it now."

So knowing that three months from now, I won't be getting a call from the body shop saying, "You're car is done," let me say this now while I still remember-- thank you, "deerest" Lord!

A Funny DDA Prayer

Last week I served as a counselor to developmentally disabled adults at White Memorial Camp in Council Grove, Kansas. The theme for the week was, "On the Way." Pictures of this special camp are available here.

When you spend time with DDA campers, you always experience a few surprises, which once prompted a fellow counselor to say, "I love coming here because I'm reminded that what they've got, I've got." This year was no different.

Tuesday night our entire group of 49 played Bible Bingo. It's like regular Bingo, except instead of finding "N-23" on your card, you look to match a Bible picture. My job was to announce the picture. Glenda, our camp director, said, "I'll be your Vanna White and walk around the room with the picture card."

That Vanna remark gave me an idea.

Before the game started, Glenda and I left the room and I had a fellow counselor introduce us to the campers saying, "It's Bible Bingo at White Memorial Camp! Please welcome your special hosts. From the Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White! And from the Price is Right, Bob Barker!"

Stoking everyone's imagination always make activities a little more fun. When "Vanna" and "Bob" entered the room, we received a hero's welcome.

So I announced the Bible bingo cards and kept announcing them for an hour until everyone in the room won a prize. By the end, the once quiet room was now abuzz as half the participants were mingling at the prize table.

The game was over, but one of the campers, a guy name Jerick, came up to me and frantically said, "Bob, Bob, you didn't say what you always say at the end of your show!" There wasn't time for a sign-off I explained. The room was too noisy. Half the people were out of their chairs. Apparently, only Jerick was expecting a "closing" to the "show."

After an evening snack, our whole group--campers and counselors--went out to Inspiration Point for evening Vespers. We sang some songs, heard a brief Bible story, said a prayer, and closed with a song.

Right after Vespers, it's tradition that the campers stand up and give a testimony or offer a prayer. Some use the chance to shine the spotlight on themselves by talking endlessly. Others use it to say their parent died ten years ago. And some like to tell how much they enjoy camp.

On this night, Jerick immediately stood up at testimony time. He talked about God, camp, his Mom, the food, sin, and the cross. Then he said, "OK everybody, bow your heads and I'm going to say for us a prayer."

And here's the prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for camp. I like swimming. I want to go swimming tomorrow. And oh yeah, Ted forgot to say this, "Bob Barker reminding you to have your pet sprayed or neutered. Goodbye, everybody!" Amen.

On the Way--Day 3 at DDA Camp

Last week I served as a counselor to developmentally disabled adults at White Memorial Camp in Council Grove, Kansas. The theme for the week was, "On the Way." Pictures of this special camp are available here.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him (Mark 1:9-13).

You can be sure of this—If you are determined to follow Jesus on the way, Satan will tempt you to stray off the way.

The Devil uses all sorts of tricks to get God’s people off track and off the way

With Jesus, Satan used the bait of pride—turn these stones to bread—jump off this ledge and let the angels catch you—if you really are the Son of God.

With you and me, Satan appeals to our greed, our lust, our want of power, our desire for the good life, our impatience—anything to lead us off the way.

On Monday and Tuesday, one of my campers participated in every activity and was having a good time. On Wednesday, he claimed he was sick. Strange, I never felt a cooler forehead. He stayed in bed all day Wednesday. Didn’t even eat. On Thursday, I told him if he got up and ate, I’d take him to the camp's Lookout Tower. He did and ended up having a good camp experience until the end on Friday.

Jesus calls you to follow Him on the way. By relying on His Holy Spirit, we can be faithful.

But beware—the Devil plots to lead you off the way.

On the Way--Day 2 at DDA Camp

Last week I served as a counselor to developmentally disabled adults at White Memorial Camp in Council Grove, Kansas. The theme for the week was, "On the Way." Pictures of this special camp are available here.

Loyalty is a rare word these days. Coaches climb the success ladder by leaving teams and schools for bigger and better opportunities. Marriages crumble when one person decides they can't take it anymore.

On Glenn Beck's television show, I watched a story of a soldier who lost both his legs in Iraq. The devotion of the soldier's wife and their mutual determination to overcome their obstacles was inspiring.

The story of Ruth in the Old Testament echoes that story of loyalty.

Ruth lived in Moab with her mother-in-law Naomi and sister-in-law Orpah. But after each of their husbands died, Naomi encouraged Ruth and Orpah leave her and go back to their homeland.

Ruth was free to leave Naomi and go back to her home country. If she left her mother-in-law, Ruth would not have done anything wrong.

But Ruth decided to stay on the way:

Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth stayed with Naomi because she was loyal. She embodied hesed--the Hebrew word for loving kindness.

If you go to a DDA camp, you’ll find that campers show lots of loyalty.

Ann the counselor is tall and thin. Jule the camper is short and round. But for the entire week, Jule was devoted to Ann. To her, Ann was “Mom.” And Jule did things out of love for Ann—wanting to please her. She walked all over the campgrounds where in past years she would sit and fuss. She stood up one night at Vespers and declared her love for God and her love for Ann.

The Good News of the Gospel is that God is loyal.

In Christ, God shows us His loving kindness. In Christ, we have the forgiveness of our sins, the gift of eternal life, and the never-ending presence of the Holy Spirit.

When God redeems your soul, He will forever stay with you—on the way.

On The Way--Day 1 at DDA Camp

Last week I served as a counselor to developmentally disabled adults at White Memorial Camp in Council Grove, Kansas. The theme for the week was, "On the Way." Pictures of this special camp are available here.

In Genesis 12, God chose Abram and gave him a wonderful promise: "I will make you into a great nation and bless you." But to receive the blessing, Abram was told to leave the comfortable surroundings of his homeland and go the land where God would direct him.

Sometimes, in order to experience God's blessings, you have to leave and go.

Leave behind your comfortable bed at home. Go sleep on a 6" plastic camp mattress for the week.

Leave behind your comfort zone. Go out on that limb and put yourself in a place where you have to trust God.

Leave behind the excuses. Go attempt something great in the Savior's name.

The Lord is calling. The blessings await.

But to start on the way, you have to take that first step--and go.