The Soil of the Heart: A Reflection on Growth and Spiritual Life

Last spring, I undertook a simple lawn project that would teach me an unexpected lesson about spiritual growth. I planted grass seeds in two different areas of my yard. For the first patch, I prepared the ground by adding nutrient-rich topsoil to the naturally lower terrain. For the second, I simply loosened the existing earth and scattered the seeds.

Over the following weeks, I maintained both areas with equal care—watering regularly and watching expectantly for signs of new life. The results, however, were strikingly different. The first section, enriched with additional soil, soon displayed vibrant green shoots pushing through the earth. Week after week, this area flourished with thick, healthy grass. The second patch lagged significantly behind, eventually producing sparse, weaker blades that never quite matched the vitality of their counterparts.

The difference, I realized, lay not in my efforts but in the foundation I had provided. The topsoil's promised nutrients—which I had initially dismissed as marketing claims—had genuinely enhanced the growing conditions. Superior soil had yielded superior results.

This gardening experience brought to mind one of Christ's most enduring parables about seeds and soil found in Matthew 13. Jesus described how the same seeds of divine truth produce vastly different outcomes depending on the condition of the hearts where they're planted. His teachings about abundant life, peace, joy, and love take root and flourish in some lives while struggling to survive in others.

The key factor isn't the quality of the seed—God's truth remains constant and powerful. Rather, it's the receptivity and preparedness of our hearts that determines the harvest. Some believers seem to overflow with the fruits of faith—demonstrating remarkable patience, genuine kindness, unshakeable hope, and deep contentment. Others, though equally sincere in their faith, appear to struggle with anxiety, bitterness, or spiritual stagnation.

What creates this difference? How can we prepare the soil of our hearts to receive the fullness of what God offers?

Cultivating Heart Soil

Just as my lawn benefited from enriched topsoil, our spiritual lives require intentional preparation and ongoing cultivation. Consider these essential nutrients for the soul:

Humility serves as the foundation of all spiritual growth. A humble heart remains teachable, welcoming instruction and correction rather than defensively rejecting them. When we approach life with the understanding that we have much to learn, we position ourselves to receive wisdom from Scripture, from mature believers, and even from difficult circumstances. Pride creates hard, impenetrable soil where truth cannot take root. Humility creates soft, receptive ground where God's word can penetrate deeply.

Confession acts as a cleansing agent, removing the debris that blocks healthy growth. We all stumble and make mistakes—this is part of the human condition. The question isn't whether we'll fail, but how we'll respond to our failures. Denial and rationalization create toxic conditions that poison spiritual growth. Honest confession, however, clears away the obstacles and creates space for grace to work. When we acknowledge our shortcomings before God and others, we experience the liberation of forgiveness and the opportunity for genuine transformation.

Confidence in our identity as God's beloved children provides the stability necessary for sustained growth. This isn't self-confidence based on our own abilities or achievements, but rather a deep assurance rooted in God's love and purposes for our lives. Understanding that we are created in His image, indwelt by His Spirit, and called to reflect His character gives us the courage to pursue growth and the patience to endure the process. This confidence prevents us from being overwhelmed by temporary setbacks or discouraged by slow progress.

The Divine Gardener at Work

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this analogy is recognizing that we're not gardening alone. God Himself serves as the master gardener, working in and through us to produce the fruits of His kingdom. Even the most barren heart can become a flourishing garden under His care.

The question for each of us remains: What kind of soil are we providing for the seeds of God's truth? Are we cultivating hearts that are humble, honest, and confident in His love? Are we creating conditions where His abundant life can take root and flourish?

The difference between spiritual abundance and spiritual struggle often comes down to this fundamental question of soil preparation. With intentional cultivation and God's faithful tending, every heart can become fertile ground for His transforming work.

Solomon: A Lesson in Divine Wisdom

I am currently preaching through the life of Israel’s third king, Solomon. As the primary author of Proverbs, he is perhaps best-known for his insight and wisdom. His acquisition of this wisdom is a fascinating and instructive story.

Near the beginning of his reign, Solomon fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, the Lord appeared with an extraordinary proposition: "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Imagine that moment—a divine blank check, an opportunity to request anything the heart desires.

Many would have seized this chance for personal gain—wealth beyond measure, long life, victory over enemies. Yet Solomon's response revealed his true character. "I am only a little child," he confessed, acknowledging his inadequacy for the task at hand. "Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong"

God was pleased. Not only did He grant Solomon unparalleled wisdom, but He also added what Solomon didn't request—wealth, honor, and the promise of long life if he remained obedient.

This story invites us to honest self-reflection. If God appeared to us tonight with the same offer, what would we ask for? Would our requests reveal hearts aligned with God's purposes or preoccupied with our comfort and advancement?

Solomon understood what many of us miss—that wisdom is the foundation for everything else in life. But how do we acquire such wisdom?

Solomon's story reveals four essential principles. First, we must ask for it deliberately. Wisdom doesn't come accidentally; it must be sought with intention. As James would later write, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault."

Second, we must recognize God as wisdom's generous source. Many mistakenly view God as reluctant to give, but Solomon knew differently. He had witnessed God's kindness to his father David and understood that God delights in giving good gifts to His children. Scripture consistently describes God as a God who wants to give.

Third, we must approach God with humble acknowledgment of our need. Solomon called himself "a little child" despite being a grown man. This childlike humility—this recognition of our limitations—creates the space for wisdom to enter.

Finally, we must value wisdom appropriately. Solomon would later write that wisdom is "more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold... more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."

In another of his Proverbs Solomon reveals the ultimate source of wisdom, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." True wisdom isn't merely intellectual prowess or practical know-how. It's the alignment of our hearts and minds with God's, allowing His perspective to transform our decisions and actions. When we pursue this kind of wisdom, our lives usher in peace, hope, and joy to both ourselves and to the world around us.

In a culture obsessed with wealth, power, and pleasure, Solomon's choice stands as a timeless reminder of what matters most. Perhaps today, we too need to reconsider what we're asking for.

If you’re not a fan, take off the hat

Spring is here and with spring comes baseball season. Opening day is on the same level as a national holiday for me. From my youth I have been a huge baseball fan, and having grown up near Boston, I have forever been and will forever be a Red Sox fan. Yet living in Texas, I don't have a lot of fellow BoSox fans to celebrate with or commiserate with, but when I do meet one, I sense this instant bond. I love chatting with other like-minded fans, talking about their favorite players, fond memories, and how this season will play out. I'm always on the lookout for someone wearing a Red Sox hat or jersey and initiating a good baseball conversation.

But sometimes it doesn't always work out the way I would hope.

On more than one occasion I have encountered someone wearing Red Sox regalia and begun my spiel only to be interrupted with a response something like this: "Oh, I'm not a Red Sox fan. I just picked up this hat real cheap at a garage sale." As the disappointment sets in, I think to myself, "If you're not a fan, take off the hat!" I don't want to see someone ostensibly being a Red Sox fan and then find them cheering on the Rangers or even worse, the Yankees! In my warped fanatical mind, your clothes should match your heart. What people see and what you really believe ought to match.

That may or may not be true with our sports allegiances, but it is undoubtedly true for those of us who call ourselves Christians. As we wear the name Christian, it is important that our lives validate our conviction. We all know the damage that is done when a spiritual leader is caught in a moral failure. It seems to happen much too often, and when it does, it wreaks havoc to the cause of Christianity. But that's not true only of church leaders. It's true for everyone who bears the name Christian. If you wear the hat, your heart should follow.

The New Testament urges us to live holy and honorable lives, knowing that the strength of our witness is to some degree tied to our behavior. The apostle Peter writes to believers and encourages them to, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12, NIV) Jesus himself tells us to, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV)

As the saying goes, "You may be the only Bible some people will read, you may be the only Jesus some people will see." As disciples of Jesus, we don't just want to speak all the right words (although we do need to verbalize our faith) or wear Christian regalia (and I have a closet full of Christian t-shirts). We want our lives to confirm the message that we serve a holy God that gives true joy, real hope, and abiding peace.

Out of the shade and into the light

It’s been cold outside! Last week I walked into the office and commented that it's not fair that we have to suffer through the hot Texoma summers AND these sub-freezing temperatures. But here in Texas the snow and ice quickly melt away—except not in some places.

On my commute to church there is still a small patch of ice at one particular corner. It's odd that just about everywhere else the snow has seeped into the ground and the patches of ice have been transformed into puddles of water, but not there. And it doesn't take a meteorologist to figure out why. That little used intersection never sees direct sunlight. The trees above block the sun from shining on it and while the ice has melted all around it remains in this small patch of road that never feels the warmth of the sun.

We all go through cold and frigid seasons when our souls grow weary. Storms settle in and our hearts can grow cold. But thanks be to God the sun always comes out to thaw even the most frozen of hearts.

Even so, some remain cold because they never feel the warmth of God’s love. But unlike that shaded intersection we have a choice—a choice to move ourselves into the light and experience the ice-thawing joy of our Creator’s care.

This morning, I pray you feel it. Through our songs may the sunshine of the lyrics and the warmth of the melodies brighten your soul. In our prayers may the words we lift to God melt away doubts and concerns. May the Lord’s Supper chip away the ice of despair that can easily capture our souls. May the word proclaimed be a warm breeze driving away the chill of indifference. May the fellowship of believers defrost the biting cold of loneliness.

Thank you God for this gathering. Melt away the ice in our hearts and lead us into the glorious warmth of your presence.

Two Days After Christmas

It’s two days after Christmas. The celebrations are over. The presents have been put up. Another Christmas in the books. Christmas 2024 will now take its place among all the Christmases passed.

I wonder what Mary was thinking two days after the first Christmas. It’s been quite a ride. How could she possibly have imagined a year ago that she would be a new mother. Let’s recap the last nine months of Mary’s life.

It all started with the appearance of the angel Gabriel who announces to her that even though she was an unmarried virgin she was going to have a child. And not just any child, but the promised Messiah who would save the world from their sins. I can imagine her saying to Gabriel, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

And then, some time later, Joseph tells pregnant Mary the distressing news that Rome has called for a census and they will have to take an impromptu trip from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem.  I can imagine her saying to Joseph, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

And then they arrive in Bethlehem and Joseph has some more upsetting news – there is no room in the guest house and they will have to spend the night in the animals’ quarters. I can imagine her saying to Joseph again, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

And then, perhaps that night, Mary awakes in labor. She rouses Joseph and tells him the baby is coming and he will have to deliver him.  I can imagine Joseph saying to Mary, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

And then, the baby is born and they finally get him to sleep and, wanting some rest, Mary and Joseph look for a place to lay the infant down and all they can find is a manger, a feeding trough, and they place the baby there. As they lay the baby down, I can imagine Mary muttering under her breathe, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

Nothing has gone as expected these last nine months and Mary has to be wondering why? But I don’t believe all these surprises were accidents. I believe all these events – the virgin birth, the trip to Bethlehem, the no vacancy sign at the inn, the manger as a crib – all these events were intentional teaching us something about who Jesus is and what kind of kingdom he came to build. Jesus came as a humble king, not as a privileged ruler, to show us how much he loves us and to assure us that we can truly believe that he understands us in all our confusion. He understands us when we have those moments that leave us muttering to him, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

Haven’t we all asked God that question - “You’ve got to be kidding me?” Haven’t we all wondered why our lives have not played out as we expected? But maybe all those unexpected surprises are not accidents. Maybe they are intentional - teaching us something about who God is. And maybe, just maybe, it’s in those “You’ve got to be kidding me?” moments that we really begin to trust in God.

And I think Mary got that. And I can imagine two days after that first Christmas her looking down in that manger at the sleeping Messiah and being in awe that God loves us so much that he came as a humble baby. And I can hear her in her amazement whispering, “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

I’m not kidding you. God became man in the person of Jesus to save us from our sins and one day by faith we will be able to thank him face to face. And on that day we will be awed by his love and overwhelmed at the eternal glorious home he has prepared for us. And in our amazement we will say, “You’ve got to be kidding me?"

Smart Phone Theology

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video screen shots, can tell me my geographical location and altitude, can scan documents, is a flashlight, is a voice recorder, and so much more. If you only use your phone to call and text hand it over to a teenager and let them loose. They’ll show you things your smart phone can do that will blow your mind. For most of us, we barely tap into the capabilities of this technology.

The same can be said of our smart televisions, our tablets, and even our automobiles. There is so much potential that is never realized. If this is true of our technology maybe it’s true of our spiritual lives as well.  I suspect it is.

I hear Christians say that there are some things they simply cannot do. “I’m an angry person,” someone might say to defend their outbursts of rage.  Or “I guess I’ll always struggle with lust,” someone might say resigning themselves to never overcoming that sin. Or “I’m too shy to talk to someone about my faith,” someone might say to excuse themselves of any attempt of evangelizing. Or “I could never teach a class or lead a small group,” someone might say to rationalize declining every request from a church leader.  And the list goes on.

And I know this to be true because I have done the same thing. We are all guilty of underestimating what the Spirit of God can do in our lives. We may not be gifted in every area but we limit ourselves so much by refusing to believe in the transforming power of the Gospel. Many Christians are like smart phone owners who only use their phones as phones. There is so much wasted potential.

I know there are Scriptures that can be abused and misunderstood, so read these verses and discuss them with other spiritual people, but hear these and start to imagine how much untapped potential there is in you as a Spirit-filled child of God:

• Philippians 4:13 (NIV) — I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
• Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV) — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) — And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) — No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The Bible is full of reminders that with God on our side we can do so much more than we think we can do. The Bible also tells us so many stories of people who were unqualified and outmatched but did amazing things for the Lord.

There is so much potential in you, in all of us, that is never realized. For most of us, we barely tap into the power of God within us!

Mirror, Mirror

You probably at some time today have looked in a mirror. They’re helpful little devices, aren’t they?

I can think of two reasons why we use them. One is to admire ourselves. This may seem a little vain but haven’t we all stopped and caught a reflection of ourselves and felt pretty good. We go along our merry way ready to face the world.

A second reason is to see if there are any adjustments we need to make. Our hair may be out of place. An article of clothing may need to be straightened out. We may have something in our teeth that needs to be removed. We more or less inspect ourselves prepared to make any changes to look the best we can.

Mirrors can help us see things that we can’t see without them.

I’m preaching through a little letter in the New Testament attributed to James, the brother of Jesus. One of his goals in writing this letter is to help followers of Jesus be the best they can be. And that entails being willing and even eager to see things about themselves that they are not able to see on their own. Things that need to be adjusted.  He uses a mirror to make his point. Here’s what he says:

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23–25, CSB)

James seems to be saying that God’s Word, what we call the Bible, acts like a mirror. It can help us see things about ourselves that we can’t see on our own.

Sometimes we read the Bible and come away feeling pretty good about ourselves. We’ve been loving and kind. We’ve been strong in resisting temptation. We go along our merry way ready to face the world.

But other times (and I find this much more common) we read the Bible and we see some things about ourselves that are not very attractive. We haven’t loved others as we should. We haven’t responded to needs. We’ve been weak and given in to more temptations than we have resisted.  We see things that need to be adjusted.

This second scenario is the one James is apparently concerned about. And his concern is that we do indeed see those things that need to be changed but as soon as we put down the Bible we forget! We walk away with our hair still disheveled, our clothes still out of order, and big pieces of food still in our teeth.

James refers to this person as a hearer but not a doer. And hearing without doing really has no value for James.

Are you a hearer and a doer? Are you listening to the Word of God and eager to respond? Or do you sit through sermons, Bible classes, and devotional readings only just to put them aside and walk away without any thought about how to respond?   Are you willing to see yourself for who you really are and ready to make changes?

I don’t know of many days I haven’t looked in a mirror. And, more often than not, I find myself making some type of change. Shouldn’t the same be true with the Bible? It’s a clear mirror than can help us be the people we want to be.

If you haven’t already today, you ought to pick one up and take a look. It’s a helpful little device

Joy in Trials?

I’m starting a series of sermons this week from the New Testament book of James. It’s a book I have always been drawn to. This short letter seems to speak to so many things I experience and struggle with day in and day out. Anger, wisdom, harsh language, prejudice, pride, and money are all topics James touches on as he leads believers into a faith that demonstrates itself through the everyday living of life. Our faith, if genuine, must make a difference in how we live and how we navigate all the complexities of being human.

James begins his letter addressing one of life’s most pressing struggles - struggles itself. After a brief greeting, this is what James writes - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  (James 1:2–3, NIV)

No doubt James had seen his fair share of troubles as had most followers of Christ living in a world that was not too accepting of this relatively new belief system. It is believed that confession of Jesus as Lord could lead to social isolation, economic struggles, and perhaps even physical retaliation. Becoming a Christian almost certainly meant inviting trials into your life. I tend to believe that’s not just true of James’s original audience. Trials are not a matter of “if”, they are more a matter of “when.” To think that a life of discipleship comes with a life-long exemption from struggles is a considerable misinterpretation of Scripture.

Trials are an inevitable part of living and, as with all matters of living, Scripture speaks to how we can respond to the turbulence of life as people of faith. And James suggests what seems to be a rather mystifying response to trials – joy!

That’s not my first response. It usually isn’t my second or third either. Anger, complaining, resentment, protest, despair – those are my default reactions to trials. Yet James calls us all to modify our response to one of joy, and then he gives us the rationale. These trials are tests that actually refine us, and when we can face trials with hope and the prospect of growth we can actually find real joy when those troubles come. Note, it’s not the trials that bring us joy but the fruit of those trials.

This response is hard. Joy has still not replaced my default responses, but I’m trying. Perhaps the most important word in his advice is “consider.” James realizes that our initial response to trials may not be joy, so he calls us to “consider.” Instead of simply letting our emotions control us, he urges us to engage our minds and think through the trial. Ask ourselves questions like, “How can this trial make me stronger?” or “How can this difficulty prepare me to serve others?” Look past the trial and see the potential positive outcomes. And with God, there is no trial that does not have a potential positive outcome.

Paul speaks to this truth as he writes to a group of believers who are likewise experiencing suffering associated with their commitment to Christ. He confidently declares, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

“Consider” your trials with this in mind and maybe, just maybe, joy will bubble up through your suffering.

 

This Life is Just a Rental

In the last few years when our family travels instead of booking a hotel we have used an Airbnb or a Vrbo. If you’re not familiar with this concept it’s basically people renting out their homes to tourists. It’s especially convenient if we have a lot of family to house. We can all stay together, eat meals together, play games together, and generally make someone else’s home ours for a few days.

They have normally served us well and even though they are generally decorated nicely I don’t always agree with their selection of furniture or their choices of paint colors. Sometimes I notice that something might be broken or not working quite right. It’s a little frustrating but one thing I have never done at one of these vacation rentals is redecorate, repaint, or make repairs.   I don’t get very upset if things don’t match or appliances don’t work. Since I’m only going to be there a few days I just live with it. No sense investing worry, money, effort, and time in a place that is so temporary.

I tend to get overinvested in my stuff. Maybe you do too. When something at our house breaks, I get all worried. When my car breaks down, I begin to fret. When the walls begin to crack and the furniture wears out, I start to panic. Naturally I do the maintenance, make the repairs, and buy the replacements, but shouldn’t my response be more like when similar things happen at that vacation rental? Afterall, even the home I’ve lived in for 15 years and hope to live in for many more is temporary. Why do I invest so much worry, money, effort, and time in something that inevitably will fall apart and wear out?

Seems like Jesus was making this same point when he said this:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19–20, ESV)

Sounds like Jesus is trying to remind us that we are all living in vacation rentals. They serve a purpose but they are all short-term. Instead of being overinvested in our homes, cars, clothes and other stuff that will all fall apart we ought to be more concerned with those things that will endure. We ought to be investing in our spiritual selves. That’s what will last forever!

“How am I preparing for heaven?” should be more on our mind than “Does my lawn look perfect?” “How am I serving other people?” should be more important than “Do I have an impressive car or house?” “Am I ready to meet God?” should be more pressing than “Am I the talk of the town?”

I guess it comes down to what you think is really important. That’s where your heart will be and if your heart is devoted to this world you are in for a big disappointment. But if your heart is on heaven you are in for the most spectacular surprise – a home that will last forever!

You’ve Been Summoned

A couple of years ago I had the honor of serving on a jury. It was by no means a noteworthy trial but it was important to the people involved. I felt a great deal of responsibility as the jury deliberated and eventually arrived at a verdict. We all wanted to make the right, fair and just decision and I believe we did. To make that decision we relied on the evidence presented to us by the witnesses. That’s what witnesses do. They help people arrive at a decision.

That word “witness” is used several times in the New Testament to describe the evangelistic work of the early believers. Jesus actually uses that very term as he commissions his disciples to spread the word about him. After his resurrection he flat out told the believers, “You are my witnesses.” It was their lives and their words that Jesus was counting on to convince other people that he is the Son of God and that eternal life is available through Him.

As they were witnesses for Jesus, we too serve the same function. Every believer in a sense has been called to the witness stand. It is our lives and our words that Jesus is counting on to convince those around us that Jesus is who he says he is. So, are you a convincing witness?

The witnesses who were most convincing to me had these qualities – they were confident and they were clear. When they told their recollection of the event in question they didn’t waver on their account. They presented their testimony with certainty and conviction. They also presented it clearly; in a way I could understand. There was no need for technical or complex jargon to help me understand the events.

I’m thinking that if we want to be convincing witnesses for Jesus, perhaps we need to display those same qualities – confidence and clarity.  If we expect others to believe that Jesus is the Son of God then we need to firmly believe ourselves and act like it.

Are we confident and are we clear?

Do people see in you and me a strong conviction that we believe? Do our lives demonstrate a sense of joy knowing we are saved? Do those around us see how much our lives have been changed for the better because we know Jesus? Do people see us living a life of faithful obedience?

Or are we sending confusing and mixed messages by claiming to believe but not really acting like it? Do we remain silent about our faith rather than speak up? Do we waver in our commitment consequently compromising our testimony?

What kind of witness am I? What kind of witness are you?

As a believer, we have been summoned. We are all witnesses and the world around us is the jury. May we be faithful and convincing. Let’s do all we can to help people arrive at the decision that Jesus is Lord.

You will be with me in paradise

Luke 23:32, 39–43 (NIV)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What an interesting exchange we have here. Three men on a cross. All of them probably gasping for breath but still able to speak. One insults Jesus. One sees his innocence. One taunts him. One begs for mercy.

That’s what the cross does – it either turns you into a cynical skeptic or a penitent believer. It’s just like Paul says:  1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) — 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

So today, Good Friday, we are come to the cross. What is our reaction? What is your reaction? Is the cross foolishness or power? Do you mock Jesus or do you come in penitence? What is your reaction? Because our reaction to the cross makes all the difference in the world. We can get what we deserve or we can beg for mercy and find forgiveness.

I find it quite amazing that Jesus says anything at this point. When I am in pain I just want to be left alone. I don’t want to talk to people. I especially don’t want to mediate a dispute between people. I probably would have just remained silent or told them both to just be quiet. If I said anything it might have been something like, “Can’t you see I’m dying here. Leave me alone.”

But isn’t this just like Jesus. He never ignores the genuine cry of mercy. When the leper called out to be healed, Jesus responded. When the apostles cried out in the storm, Jesus calmed the sea. When the hemorrhaging woman touched the hem of his garment, Jesus stopped. Jesus never ignores a cry of mercy.

What is your cry? He hears. He cares. He responds.

And isn’t his response so beautiful – Today you will be with me in paradise.

Paradise. Even on the cross paradise is on Jesus’s mind. I think it was always on Jesus’s mind. And that thought, the thought of Paradise powered him through difficult times. "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame." (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus was obsessed with Paradise even in the pain. Am I? Are you? Is paradise always on our mind?

You see, Jesus doesn’t miraculously free the criminal from the cross but he urges him to look forward. All your pain, all your guilt, all your worry, all your fear, all your unmet needs will soon be a distant memory because you will be with me in paradise.

What is your cry? He hears. He cares. He responds. Hear him say to you today, from the cross and because of the cross – you will be with me in paradise.

The pain may not go away but the promise of paradise – it is more than we deserve and it is more than we can imagine.

Jesus says the same to you as he said to the penitent thief – you will be with me in paradise!

A Good Start Matters

I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was my sixth-grade field day when all the elementary schools gathered for a series of track and field events at the town’s high school track. It was a sunny New England spring morning and I was representing Glen Forest Elementary School in the 50-yard dash. There were several preliminary heats before the final and only the top finishers would move on to the next round. In one of my proudest athletic accomplishments of my young life I went on to win that preliminary round. I can still remember breaking the tape at the finish line and being congratulated by my classmates. It was pure joy. I had advanced to the finals.

After a short break, the qualifiers lined up for the finals. We waited for the gun to sound to start the race. Visions of glory swept through my mind when I heard the firing of the gun and the race began. But tragedy struck! As I began my acceleration, instead of my feet propelling me forward, my shoes kicked up gravel from the track and I found myself face first on the ground as the others sped forward to the finish line. As quickly as possible, I got to my feet and enthusiastically tried to catch up, but my poor start had doomed me to a last place finish.

No one can know how I would have done had I not slipped, but one thing I learned from that experience is how important it is to get off to a good start.

Every day is a 50-yard dash of sorts. We have people to see, tasks to accomplish, calls to make. Add to that the unexpected events that will pop up along the way. How we handle our day can largely depend on how we start our day.  If we get off to a bad start, try as we might, we could very well find ourselves coming in last. If we get off to a good start, we undoubtedly will increase our probability of success.

If we want our interactions with people to be constructive; if we want to accomplish our tasks with gracefulness and proficiency; if we want to leave behind a trail of joy and peace wherever we go it is vital to start the day well.

Here are some ideas:

1. Wake up each day realizing that today is a gift from God that will never come again. Once today is gone, you can never relive it.
2. Commit your day to the Lord. You are only here because God has created you to be here. The day is His, not yours.
3. Pray for the specific tasks you have that day and the specific people you will interact with. Begin the day by intentionally bringing goodness and optimism into every task and every interaction you will have. Pray that you can gracefully handle those unexpected tasks and encounters.
4. Spend at least a little time in the Word. Allow God to speak truth to you as you live is a world that too often lies.

Start your day well and increase your chance of victory!

 

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Easier said than done.

Do you ever find it hard to be happy for people when good things happen to them? I do.

Someone gets a promotion and instead of being happy for them I’m envious. A friend’s child gets an award and jealousy is my first reaction instead of joy.

Why can’t I just be happy when good things happen to people?  Why can’t I just “rejoice with those who rejoice?” Why do these feelings of resentment set in? It seems to happen a lot to me, and I don’t like it. I wish I could find an answer, and a recent experience may have provided one.

I am a huge baseball fan. I grew up near Boston and, even though I’ve lived in Texas for over 30 years, my heart has always been with the Boston Red Sox. They didn’t do well this past year at all. In fact, they finished in last place.

The Texas Rangers won the World Series this year for the very first time. I’m not a Rangers fan but I found myself rejoicing with my friends who are. On the night they won the Series I was texting my Ranger fan friends congratulating them. I went on social media and messaged more congratulations to my online Ranger fan friends. I was rejoicing with those who rejoice. And I wondered why. Normally I would be resentful. Normally I would be jealous. What was happening to me?

And a thought dawned on me.

My beloved Red Sox have won 4 World Series since they broke an 86-year championship drought in 2004. More than that, the first 20 years of this century have provided a glut of championships for Boston sports fans. The Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots – all my favorites – have brought more sport’s joy in those two decades than a city deserves. As a Boston sport’s fan “my cup runneth over.”  

Maybe I was able to rejoice with those Ranger fans because I have been so blessed.

Maybe that’s my problem. Maybe that’s why sometimes I have a hard time “rejoicing with those who rejoice.” Maybe I’m not as aware of my blessings as I would like to think I am. And maybe if I could just be more thankful, I could be more happy for the good fortune of others. Maybe that’s the secret. If that’s true for baseball, shouldn’t it be true always?

As a forgiven child of God in line to inherit eternal life you would think I would be protected from resentment, envy, and jealousy. And I believe it will. So, I’m learning to rejoice in my salvation more and more knowing that as I bask in the joy of grace I will be free from those life-stealing vices and become a person who can genuinely celebrate when the other person gets a win.

God has showered me with a glut of forgiveness, mercy, and grace – far more than I deserve. “My cup runneth over” and when that becomes my focus I can’t help but rejoice.

Another Big Fish Story

Can you believe it? Another year is in the books. I don’t know about you, but as magical and wonderful this time of year is, it is exhausting. I’m tired!

And the fact is that it’s not just this time of year. I find myself getting weary and tired often. Life is like that. It can wear you down. Life is hard work and hard work makes you tired.  And what’s strange is that you would think faith would exempt us from tiredness. Shouldn’t Christians be something like the energizer bunny always buzzing around doing good deeds with perpetual smiles on our faces? Sometimes I may feel that special energy but for the most part I find myself grinding through life.

Add to the daily struggles of life, the Bible talks about an evil force that is working against us making life even more wearisome. The devil seems to delight in our exhaustion and leverages that tiredness against us tempting us just to give up. “Stop resisting the temptation and just give in,” he whispers to us. “You’ve done enough good. Let someone else step up this time,” he seductively says. “You’re tired. Take a break,” says the tempter.

Being tired is hard, but is giving up the answer?

Recently I went fishing with my son. It was at one of those stocked ponds where you are guaranteed to catch fish. And catch fish we did. Big fish. Heavy fish.

After just a short wait I hooked one and got all excited. I began reeling and reeling and reeling. This was taking me way more time and energy than I expected. This fish was not giving up easily. After a while I called out to my younger, stronger, and more experienced son and asked him to take over. I was tired. Expecting him to come to my rescue, he refused! He said, “Dad, I know you’re tired but the fish is getting tired too. Don’t give up before he does."

You may be getting tired fighting that temptation. You may be weary doing good. But that evil force working in your life - wearing you out urging you to give up - is getting tired too.

Jesus got tired of fighting him, but he didn’t give up and after a while Satan wore out. One of the most beautiful and reassuring scriptures that helps me in my battle is after Jesus withstood those temptations of the evil one and the Bible records, “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”  (Matthew 4:11) The devil got tired and relief came in the form of divinely sent angels.

In the letter of James, we are reminded of same truth: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  (James 4:7) The devil is persistent but he is not tireless. Don’t give up before he does.

Heeding my son’s advice, I kept after that fish, and sure enough he wore out. We netted him and pulled him out of the water. I had won the battle.

This year may have been more than you bargained for. You may be tired. You may be thinking of giving up the faith and giving in to evil. You may be thinking of just giving up. But don’t. Don’t give up before he does and someday, hopefully soon, the devil will wear out and those refreshing angels will arrive.

A Beginners Guide to Giving Thanks

You would think giving thanks would come easily and naturally but, for me and I suppose others, it often times doesn’t. So, with the season of Thanksgiving upon us I thought I’d write this little guide for my benefit and hopefully for yours.

Give thanks for the good things

This is the easy one. Even the most callous person feels at least a twinge of gratitude when something good happens. Nevertheless, let this be a reminder that we need to pause and give thanks for the good things in life like the new job, the financial windfall, the new baby, the fabulous vacation, the mended relationship, the restored health, and all the special joys and victories that give life that extra sense of joy and happiness.

Give thanks for the ordinary things

This is a little more difficult, but it would be a shame not to recognize all the simple beauties of life. Give thanks for those things that we often take for granted. Those small gifts that sometimes get overlooked. Things like a beautiful fall day, a sunrise or sunset, good meals, steady friendships, warm houses, good health, reliable jobs, and all the common and familiar joys that show up day after day.

Give thanks for the hard times

This is certainly difficult, but not impossible. We often dismiss hard times as simply curses and misfortunes. Not to minimize the hurt and pain caused by these hard times, but it is in troubling circumstances that we sometimes experience growth and maturity that would elude us if not for them. Wisdom, endurance, and strength are often the byproducts of tragedy but only if we seek them. Giving thanks for the hard times may take time and should not be forced upon those in the throes of grief, but with the passing of time perhaps we can see how the hard times in life have actually formed us and shaped us into better human beings.

Give thanks for the past

Whether the present is good or bad we can always reach back into our memories and be thankful for the times that were. Memory is such a wonderful capacity we have to relive the good times of years gone by. Sometimes good memories can be even better than the actual event. It’s like a good stew which is good on the first day but seems to be even more delicious the day after. I find that memories can bring both laughter and tears, but somehow those tears bring a sense of gratitude of what was and gives me hope of what can be.

Give thanks for the future

For this one to work we need two other ingredients – faith and hope. I suppose these can be found for even the atheist and agnostic, but the real power is for those who believe in a loving God who has a good plan and powerful God who can make it happen. I believe that someday people of hope and faith will one day experience a joy that far surpasses any we have experienced in this life. We call it heaven and, even though the specifics of its wonder and glory are beyond human language, one thing we know for sure. It will be a place of endless and uninterrupted thanksgiving!

Father, we give you thanks for the special blessings of this life. We thank you also for the simple joys we experience all around us every day. Father, we thank you for preserving us through the hard times and may we in time be even thankful for how you used those to bring unexpected blessing to our lives. Father, we thank you for all the days gone by and memories of family, friends, and joys. And we give you thanks for the great hope we have of one day thanking you face to face as for eternity we shall bask in your goodness and love.

Black Eye Theology

With football season in full swing, I often think of my high school football days. I wasn’t very good at all but, as the saying goes, the older I get the better I was. One of my few highlights from those days was a kickoff return. You may be thinking that my story is about a game winning return but it isn’t. Actually, the return was nothing to speak of. It was how I was tackled that I remember.

As I was being brought down the defender reached into my face mask and poked me in the eye. There was no serious damage but I figured this was going to give me a black eye and, sure enough, after the game when I checked it out I had the worst shiner I had ever had. And boy, was I proud!

We played our games on Saturday mornings and I couldn’t wait to go to church the next day and then to school the next Monday to show off my injury. I was anxious to let everyone know that I risked my life for our high school football team (I may have been a little overdramatic). I was privileged to wear this “badge of courage” as it identified me with this sport that I so much loved. I considered it an honor to suffer for such a worthy cause.

In some ways Christianity has been given a black eye. It seems from the very beginning believers were subject to ridicule and persecution. In the early days of the church Luke in the book of Acts paints a picture of Christians being threatened to stop talking their nonsense or there will be harsh repercussions. And there were. And we’re talking way more than a black eye. Some were imprisoned. Others were even killed.

Yet, amid all the threats and intimidations, those first believers had the same response as high school me. They were proud! This is how Luke describes it:

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41, NIV)

Years later the apostle Peter, who is thought to have been crucified upside down because of his faith, wrote these words to Christians who were being poked in the eye:

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:16, NIV)

Football can be a dangerous game. When you put on the pads and the helmet you expect to be hit. It comes as no surprise when your rival throws you to the ground and the opposing crowd taunts you. But when you’re proud of your team and focused on victory you take those hits and nurse those injuries with joy knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

Faith can be a dangerous proposition. When you take on the name of Christ you should expect to be hit. It should come as no surprise when the enemy mocks you. Insults and injuries are part of the game. But we bear those with joy knowing that even our Captain was insulted and mocked. We proudly bear the marks of faith knowing those black eyes mean that we are in a battle worth fighting. We are part of a team destined for victory!

The Bible Study Bible: Review

The Bible Study Bible is exactly what its name suggests – this is a Bible designed for small group or personal Bible study. You might ask, “Don’t we already have plenty of those?” We do, but what sets this Bible apart is that it provides a series of questions for EVERY CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE! I’ve used similar Bibles, but none that provides study resources for every chapter. This Bible is ideal for a small group of people reading through the Bible or reading through a book of the Bible. All you need to lead a small group is right there. It even includes in the introduction some helpful tips on how to lead groups. I will keep this volume handy for personal reflection and, as a church leader, I will certainly use this as a resource for small group leaders in my church. If you are a small group leader, this Bible certainly needs to be considered for your group.

As always, you need to know what this Bible is not. Although it provides introductions to each book of the Bible, a concordance and set of maps there are no study notes, textual notes, or cross references in the text. This is not a Study Bible in the sense of digging deep into the text, but there are (as noted above) plenty of good Study Bibles. 

This Bible is the New King James Version which is not my first choice for a translation. That is not a distraction for me, but a detail you should know. I’m hoping that it will be adapted to other English translations.

This Bible is worthy of being included in your library for your personal reading and especially if you are or hope to be a small group leader. Get a few friends together and start reading and discussing. This is the vision behind this volume as stated by the study resource compiler Sam O’Neal in the introduction.

This Bible can be purchased at FaithGateway Store or on Amazon. More details on this Bible is available on the Thomas Nelson webpage.

I received this Bible for free as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (#Bible GatewayPartner) in agreement to writing this review.  

An Epiphany on Generosity

I recently drove my adult son to the airport for a trip he was taking with some friends. He lives in Arkansas but was flying out of DFW, so he drove to our home in Denison to spend a little time with us. While he was gone I drove his car a few times just to make sure it was running well. I guess that’s what a dad does even with grown sons.

His car had actually been given to him by my wife and me when he was in college and, as I was driving his car, the thought occurred to me how generous I was to have given him this car that is still running so well. I was thinking pretty highly of myself and figuratively patting myself on the back for being such a benevolent father.  

Then I remembered.

Several years back my wife’s uncle called me. Age had crept up on him and his health was failing and he and his wife, our aunt, had gotten to the point where they had no need for a car. I suppose they could have sold it and pocketed the cash, but they had talked it over and decided to offer the car to me and my wife. That’s right, they were giving the car to us. In time, we gave that very car to our son. The very car I was now driving praising myself for my generosity.

Shortly after I went through the “how generous am I” self-speech I remembered where that car came from. I had simply given away something that had been given to me. I was struck with a sense of guilt and then a sense of clarity. What I had learned is true with every act of generosity.

Somehow, we have convinced ourselves that everything we have we have earned. Somehow, we have come to believe that any ability we have to make money is of our own devices. And somehow, we pridefully congratulate ourselves when we give even a little of it away. And many times, we fail to be generous as we selfishly clutch onto everything we have earned never realizing that “every good and perfect gift comes from God.” That’s right, everything we give has been given to us by the benevolent Father.

That epiphany driving my son’s car was a stark reminder that I am not an owner, I am just a steward. I’m not as generous as I should be, but that divine insight has dared me to be better.  And the journey to being more generous perhaps begins with the realization that everything I give away was really never mine in the first place.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Glory of Springtime

Don’t you just love spring? It’s simply glorious. Trees blooming. Plants blossoming. It’s all so beautiful. Unless of course you were looking at my front yard earlier this year.

Last summer we bought three bushes that looked so promising. The leaves were supposed to turn all kinds of spectacular colors as the seasons progressed. We were so hopeful. But this spring all we had left were barren sticks.

Two of the plants seemed utterly hopeless, but one had a few vestiges of leaves.  I uprooted all three plants and tossed aside two of them but decided to give the barely alive plant a second chance.

So, I took the lone survivor and replanted it in my back yard. Maybe a new location where it could get more sun would make a difference. With little hope for a recovery, I dug the hole, placed the plant in it, watered it, and waited to see what would happen.

The first week there was little improvement. The next week a little more. And the jury is still out on whether it will live into its potential, but, as of today, many of the once barren branches have given life to green leaves that show a hint of those spectacular colors we once hoped for.

I’ve felt like that struggling bush at times in my life. And maybe you have too. There have been times when much of what I once hoped for never seemed to blossom. Dreams were just dreams. Hopes were never realized. Life seemed to be waning. I think it happens to most everyone. We experience hard seasons in our life where we don’t get enough sun or water. Or maybe we get too much sun and too much water. Life can be harsh and we sometimes find ourselves looking and feeling like barren sticks.

But like that little bush that is now blooming, I’ve seen the same thing in my life and the lives of so many others. Sometimes a second chance is all it takes.

Today, if you are feeling like that little bush, I want you to know that God has not given up on you. He has an amazing ability to see even the smallest signs of life in people and he sees that in you. He gives second and third and fourth chances to those who refuse to give up.

Today, if you are feeling like that little bush, maybe what you need is a new location.  Maybe you’ve been deprived of the light of God’s love. Maybe you’ve been deprived of the water of supportive relationships. Maybe you’re planted in foul dirt of this world rather than the rich soil of God’s Word.

Today, if you are feeling like that little bush don’t give up the hope that there are spectacular colors in you. The transformation may be slow and challenging, but one day, by God’s grace, you will exhibit all the glory of springtime.

Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

Isaiah 35:6–7 (NIV)

Hearing your name called

This week is the National Football League Draft, a day that thousands of young men have been anticipating for years. I love to watch as the player hears his name called. The smiles. The hugs. Going to the platform and being congratulated by the commissioner. And then donning the jersey and cap of his new NFL team.

The incomparable joy of hearing your name called.

I imagine that all the hard work that led to that day races through their minds. The path to the draft is filled with many joys, but also with many trials. And with those trials there must have been times when they wanted to quit. Times when the dream seemed out of reach. Times when discouragement nearly outweighed the will to go on. But hearing their name called makes everything worth it.

• The first time they put on the helmet and shoulder pads and breathlessly ran sprints. Worth it!
• The two-a-day practices in high school. Worth it!
• The losing seasons and determining to stick with the game they love. Worth it!
• The rehab from injuries. Worth it!

Hearing your name called makes everything worth it.

Christian, the path is filled with many joys but also with many trials. There will be times when you want to quit. There will be times when discouragement nearly outweighs the will to go on.  At times you will feel breathless, exhausted, defeated, and injured. You will wonder if it is all worth it.

It is!

Someday you will hear your name called. Someday the hugs will replace insults. Smiles will replace grimaces. Congratulations will replace condemnations.  Someday you will be called to the podium and someday you will be presented the crown of life. And on that someday you will be able to look back on the sometimes-difficult path and, without hesitation or doubt, joyfully cry out, “Worth it!”

You will experience the incomparable joy of hearing your name called.

The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us.

Romans 8:18 (NCV)