Focus

As I was reading Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God tonight, these words leapt out at me:

“We must know before we can love. In order to know God we must often think of Him.”

That brought to mind a passage from Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

It occurs to me that Paul is telling us, in essence, to think about God and His ways. When we are carrying some great burden, we need to focus our thoughts on God. When we are tempted, we need to focus our thoughts on God. When we are going through our everyday routines, we need to focus our thoughts on God. Worry, fear, sin… these are not God thoughts, but a focus aimed away from God.

The more we think on God, the more we consider His wonderful ways – the depth of His love, the delight of His grace, the freedom of His mercy – the more we find His love and guidance. The more we focus on the Lord and His ways, the deeper we love God, and the better equipped we are to reach out and love others in His name.

Joy and Peace for Today - and Tomorrow

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.”

You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:6-8 (NIV)

When we are in need, we go to the Lord – as well we should. However, there is something far better that God give us who believe in Him – greater than any tangible, physical blessing He can bestow. God gives us joy, peace and security. We can step out in confidence each day, knowing the Lord is with us and in control.

No matter what we’re facing today, we have God – our loving, heavenly Father, Who not only loves us but is Himself love (1 John 4:16). And, as John pointed out, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18, ESV). It is this perfect love that emboldens us with the knowledge that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, ESV).

Today, let me encourage you to shuck off whatever is weighing you down. Grasp tightly to God through Jesus, resting easy in His love, grace and peace. Know that He is with you always, regardless of how things may seem.

Standing For or Against?

I've been reading Acts 19:21-41, and a couple of thoughts come to mind.

First... why don't Christians today have the same impact they had during Paul's time? There were only a handful of Christians back then. Today, there are over 2,000,000 (estimated) Christians around the world. What's stopping us?

Second... I love verses 35-41. A crowd had risen up against Paul and was ready to riot. Did Paul quell the angry mob? No. The local town clerk did, because he recognized something. Paul spoke of what he stood for. But... he didn't attack the enemy. He didn't bad-mouth the god of these Ephesians.

Paul didn't have to. Why? Paul's God - our God - is the Great I AM. Simply, the Creator does not have to defend Himself to His Creation. This is so important when we consider our approach to apologetics. Apologetics is not having to say we're sorry for what we believe. Apologetics, boiled down, is "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you... with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame" (1 Peter 3:15-16, ESV).

In other words... we must know what we stand for. We need to be ready to explain not only what we believe, but why. It is far better to stand for what we believe in than to stand against someone else's faith. But along with having a defense for our faith, we have to live it. We have to be walking, talking, living, breathing examples of our faith - of Christ. Otherwise, we're hypocrites, and our actions will betray us, ruining our credibility.

If we live following the example of Christ, then we will have the impact we need to lead the world to Christ and away from the glitter of false idols.

Time for Resolutions

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

Here we are, the first day of the new year. Many of us make resolutions today to make many personal improvements - to lose weight, to get organized, to manage resources better, to write that book or fulfill some personal dream...

Before you settle on a resolution, may I make a suggestion? I urge you to develop a deeper walk with Christ. Read Scripture and spend time in prayer every day. Every day.

Every day.

And love. That is how we put our faith in action, by loving. Love is not a feeling. It isn't an emotion. Expressing love requires action. Yes, heart is a huge part of it. But... love is not a warm fuzzy. True love motivates us to action. Dare I say sacrificial action. True love reaches out. True love says "I love you" without ever having to utter the words.

Today, let me encourage you to love. Serve one another. Don't get hung up on the stuff that divides us. Reach out in love. Be creative - use the gifts and abilities God gave you to bless somebody. Let people see Christ in you.

Resolve today to be purposeful about reaching out and loving others on a daily basis, in ways both big and small. Don't do it for glory. Do it out of love for Jesus and others.

Step out. Be bold. Love.

Happy New Year!

Trust

“But Moses said, ‘Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD'S arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” – Numbers 11:21-23 (NIV)

There comes a point when, no matter what we face in life, we have to trust God. The sooner get there, the better. I truly believe God has a plan for each of us. When we fret and worry over outcomes and circumstances, we’re doing nothing but spinning our wheels. You’ll probably never hear anyone say, “I would have overcome that situation if only I had worried more. If I had been just a little more anxious, I would have solved that problem.”

Instead of getting caught up in “what ifs” and “if onlys,” our answer is simple: trust God. Follow the Lord and His Word, believe – trust – and let God take care of the results. After all, do you think the hand of God – the Creator of Heaven and Earth and All Existence for All Eternity – is too short to reach you?

Perspective

On the way to work this morning, one of the local Christian radio stations was playing an old interview with Bill Bright, who was talking about the unimaginable majesty of Heaven, and the unshakable certainty of our place there as believers.

As I was running errands during lunch, I listened to James Dobson interviewing Steven Curtis Chapman. They were discussing the death of his five year old daughter year ago, and his assurance that she is in Heaven.

Dr. Dobson hammered this all home for me when he commented that many Christians are so so so focused on the here and now, when really eternity should be our focus. The day is going to come when all this world will fade away: the pains, the worries, the doubts, the fears... What is going to matter is eternity. Not the bills. Not the kids. Not whatever we strive for on this earth. Heaven is what matters.

Ponder that. It should put our troubles and anxieties into perspective. Focus on the vital, and ask God to handle it all.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." - John 14:1-3 (NIV)

THE PREEMINENCE OF LOVE

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

I have a challenge for you. Grab a notebook or journal and your favorite Bible. Take a few minutes to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Love is patient, love is kind... but love is also the mark of the mature Christian (see 13:11-12). As you read these passages, prayerfully ponder this question: what does a Christ-centered life look like? How would my life look like if it were more Christ-centered? Where would my focus be? What would be important? Write down your reflections.

Tomorrow, do it again.

And the next day.

And the next.

For one week.

Drop me a line (or comment) and let me know what you learn. I'd love to hear!

You Are Go For Launch!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

When Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders flew on Apollo 8 in December 1968, they could not see where they were going. Even after leaving Earth's gravitation field for that of the moon, the lunar surface was out of sight for them. As the spacecraft rotated, they could see where they had been. As time went on and they sped further away, the details of Earth grew fuzzier. But they had a better view of the bigger picture.

Still, their destination remained out of sight until they actually arrived. Smudged and defective windows hindered their ability to see anything. Not only that, they had no sense of speed or direction in the zero-gravity vacuum of space. All the astronauts could do was trust Mission Control (some 200,000 miles away) to get them there.

Yet arrive they did. The Apollo 8 astronauts orbited the moon for some 20 hours before returning home, taking pictures and scouting landing sights that would enable men to actually land on the moon nearly seven months later, and Ron Howard to one day make a great movie starring Tom Hanks.

Here's my point: a lot of things can stop people from doing great things. And I believe God has placed within each of us the ability to do great things for others, great things to further His kingdom. We have ideas, plans, thoughts, visions. But when we can't see where we're going - when we feel like we're going nowhere ad have no sense of acomplishment or even direction - we can get discouraged and stop (if we even tuly started down the path at all).

Let me encourage you today to forge onward with whatever good plan God has put on your heart. Don't worry about the results. God takes care of that end of the deal. He will get you there. You just have to go.

And, who knows, maybe one day Ron Howard will make a movie about you. Not that I would set that as a goal.

Think About It...

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

We are bombarded with messages that drag us down. Everyday, we see commercials on television and hear ads on radio that make us feel somehow inferior. If I would only use the shampoo they're advertising, my hair would be soft and radiant and wave just right in the wind. If I drove a particular automobile, I would have the freedom I've always wanted. If I change my deodorant, I'd get the beauiful model I think I want. If I sign up for this business "opportunity," I'll be rich beyond my wildest dreams!! Their message: you are inadequate. But, for only twelve easy payments of $--.--, we can give you the life you deserve, the ie you always dreamed of, a way out of your dreary existence...

Baloney.

Much of what is crammed down our throats by the media is designed to make us feel inadequate. If we feel bad enough about ourselves, perhaps buying what they're selling will make us feel better.

Spending hard earned money on goodies to make us feel better may give us a temporary boost (like the heady buzz from cappasnappacinalatte grande with whip). But, in the end, it won't satisfy. If you want to "feel better," ponder what is good in life. Be thankful for what God has done. Put down the phone and the credit card and grab your Bible. Read - better yet, absorb - God's promises for your life. Soak in the richness of His grace and mercy and love. Don't get tripped up by your perceived failures or short-falls. Ponder what is true, good and beautiful. See yourself as Christ sees you, not as some ad agency says you should look like.

Forgiveness: There's No Time Like The Present

“…forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:11-15 (ESV)

I remember reading somewhere that true forgiveness can only be granted if the transgressor asks for it. Can we be blunt here? That’s baloney. The decision to forgive does not lie in the once who has wronged, but the one who has been wronged. And – again, being blunt – it we allow bitterness to reign in our hearts toward someone who has hurt us, cheated us or just plain offended us, they win.

Read these words from Luke carefully:

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:37-38, ESV).

We like to concentrate on verse 38 (“give and it will be given to you…”) more than verse 37, don’t we? The simple fact is, these two passages make it clear that forgiveness is not conditional. It isn’t an effect caused only when someone says, “I’m sorry.” Let’s face it, some people just won’t ever apologize (or feel the need to). In fact, they may continue to heap offense and hurt on you. But that does not negate our duty – our command – to forgive. The power of Christ must be stronger within us than the power of someone else to anger, hurt or disappoint us.

Notice again Matthew 6:15 and Luke 6:38. If we opt not to forgive unconditionally, we endanger our forgiveness from God – and that’s not good. However, if we offer forgiveness – freely, without grudge, without reminder, without bitterness – the same will be given back to us in return.

Some people are just very hard to forgive. In fact, some people may not deserve our forgiveness. But, here’s the thing: none of us deserves God’s forgiveness. Every time we sin, no matter how small, it is an offense against God. But remember, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).

So… let me ask you. Who do you need to forgive? Against whom do you hold a grudge? Who do you feel bitterness toward? Is it a friend who has wronged you? A spouse who has lied to you? A co-worker who misrepresented you? Someone who belittled you or stole from you or simply called you “ugly” or “dumb”? Whoever it is, forgive them. It doesn’t mean you buddy up to someone who mistreats you. It means you let go of the offense and allow yourself the inner peace that comes with releasing bitterness. And, if you can’t forgive that person, ask God to help you. He will. When you start dwelling on your anger or bitterness, stop. Ask God to help. Think about Christ and what He has done for you. Consider the forgiveness you have received. And thank Him for the unfailing, unending, immeasurable love and grace God heaps upon you.

© 2009 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved.

Want to share this message? Please do! But do so in its entirety, without editing or altering the content. And please share our website: http://contemplativeencourager.blogspot.com/

Things We Sometimes Forget #2: God is Sovereign

from Webster's Dictionary (1828):

SOVEREIGN, a. suv'eran.
1. Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe.
2. Supreme; superior to all others; chief. God is the sovereign good of all who love and obey him.
3. Supremely efficacious; superior to all others; predominant; effectual; as a sovereign remedy.
4. Supreme; pertaining to the first magistrate of a nation; as sovereign authority.

SOVEREIGN, n. suv'eran.
1. A supreme lord or ruler; one who possesses the highest authority without control. Some earthly princes, kings and emperors are sovereigns in their dominions.

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

What does it mean to say God is sovereign? It means He rules and reigns. It means God is in control. No matter how lousy life may appear. No matter how out of control the world seems to be spinning. In good times and bad, lean times and prosperous, sorrow and joy, clarity and confusion... God is in control.

Always.

This can be one of the tougher truths to wrap our minds around. When things are good, it is easy to say, "God has surely blessed me!" Yet when trouble comes (and into every life, at one time or another, trouble comes), it isn't so easy. We must remember the very first thing James related to believers in his epistle:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I think the root of the problem for we humans comes in finding our joy in circumstances. Rather than allowing our lot in life define our joy (or lack thereof), we should find our joy in God Himself through Jesus Christ. God is sovereign over all! He loves us, bathes us in His goodness and pours His grace upon us. This is why Paul had the confidence to write, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (! Thess. 5:16-18, NIV).

Paul understood that God is sovereign, He is in control, and His will is going to be done. And, for those of us who belong to Him, that is far greater news than we could ever receive on this earth!!

Things We Sometimes Forget #1: Let God

I've been thinking long and hard for some time now about how to proceed with E-ncouragement and The View From Down Here... I knew it had to be personal, heartfelt and relative. All that thinking has produced a lot of inactivity, a fair amount of frustration and one or two false starts.

Here's the conclusion all that thinking has produced: just do it. Just be me, pray, trust God to speak through these words and let Him bring the results in the hearts of those who read. Don't sit and stew about "what if" or "maybe I should" or "who will." Just do it. Just write. Just trust God.

Its easy to forget the "trust God" aspect, isn't it? When life gets busy and we're trying to achieve our goals and the results aren't forthcoming, we tend to want to seize control and do what we feel needs done ourselves. "It's OK, God... I know you're busy. Let me handle this one."

How amazingly - stupefyingly - arrogant! I say this from experience, because I have that tendency. "God, you're just not working fast enough. I want results now! Let me do this one..."

Of course, every time I try to take over what I once turned over to God, the results end up a disaster.

And I eventually find myself on my knees, crying out to God to clean up the mess.

Sometimes we forget that we need to do our best, but leave the results to God. We need to plan, but - far more importantly - we need to pray. We need to trust Him to direct our paths and cover our mistakes (He is perfectly omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, after all!). We need to wait when God says, "Wait." We need to go when He says, "Go."

We need to - gulp! - yield. Oh, man, what an unpopular notion in our "You Have The Power Within You To Do Anything!" society. We need to remember these words from Paul:

"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." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) (italics added for emphasis).

Amen indeed!

Does God Really Expect Us To Sit On Our Hands and Wait?

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Let me put a little spin on the phrase "wait for the LORD." I've always understood it to mean, "Sit around, pray and just wait for God to move."

In both Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31, the Hebrew word is קוה (qâvâh), which is better defined as "expect" (or, as the NIV renders it in Isaiah 40:31, "hope"). In other words, EXPECT the Lord! Be strong, be courageous, and expect God! Go do what He has called you to do, and know that He is with you. After all, God is our "ever-present help" when trouble comes (Ps. 46:1).

There is a time to wait for God to move. "I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him" (Isaiah 8:17, NIV). However, I do not personally believe the Lord is "hiding His face."

So... what is it God is calling you to do? Whatever service He has designed for you, go and do it, knowing He is right there with you the whole way.

Psalm 42:8

Today, I saw these words, and they just lifted my spirit:

By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. - Psalm 42:8 (NIV)

I was struck by the beauty of the simple message. God directs His love ("commands His lovingkindness" as the KJV renders the verse) and cares for / carries me through the daylight, and His song - His promises, His protection, His guidance - sees me through the hours of darkness. He gives me the reason to praise Him, and makes my life a prayer to Him!

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. - Psalm 42:11 (KJV)

Hallelujiah!!

The Word for the Day is Covet (or Gee, What A Nice Ox You Have)

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. " - Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

Coveting. We've all been there. And it's not a good thing. The Bible warns against coveting a lot of stuff. For example, your neighbor's house (easy for me - we live in a townhouse, my neighbor's homes all look like mine). Your neighbor's wife, servants, ox and donkey. (I have no use for an ox or donkey, nor any room to store them.) Don't covet false idols, or even the precious metals they are made of. Don't covet anyone's fields or silver or clothing or finery. In Romans 13:9, Paul reduces Exodus 20:17 down to three simple words: "Do not covet."

So what exactly is coveting? Basically, it is the step beyond admiration. It is "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does" (1 John 2:16, NIV). It's when "that's a nice bike you have" becomes "I just gotta have that bike! Or one just like it! Or one even better!!"

Coveting leads to a lot of bad places: envy, lust, general unhappiness with one's station in life. Coveting goes beyond mere real estate, spouses, precious metals and oxen. We can covet someone else's position. Do you remember the TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Would anyone have ever watched that show had it been about Joe Average and his ordinary family, living in their three-bedroom rambler on Maple Avenue? (Perhaps... if someone in a two-bedroom house were really coveting a three-bedroom rambler.)

Coveting is just bad news. Remember that God blesses all of us, and to some He gives certain gifts He doesn't bestow on others. While we are not all equally gifted (meaning what he gives to you may not be what he gives to me, and vice versa), we are each uniquely gifted, which is much more meaningful. Likewise we are also not all equally burdened. (Look at the Hollywood starlets whose antics fill our news. They look fabulous, they live in fabulous homes, they drive fabulous cars, their dogs have fabulous collars... but would you honestly, for one minute, want their troubles?)

When we are striving for a particular career, it is easy to covet those who have already "succeeded." When we can't afford what the Joneses have, we feel cruddy about what we "possess." However, God has a plan for each of us. The career heights we hope to achieve may not be in God's plan (or perhaps just not yet). And it just may be that the Joneses really can't afford all that nice stuff they have, either. As Paul wrote, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).

The stuff of this world - possessions, status, oxen - is all temporary. The one thing that lasts is God. When we have Jesus, what else matters? "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:6-10, NIV).

'Nuff said.

By the way... that sure is a nice ox you have.

Quiet Down and Loosen Up

I find myself often praying for answers. "God, why this?" "God, why not that?" "Lord, please, show me the path..." As I was praying this morning, the Lord reminded me of Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God..."

The word still comes from the Hebrew "râphâh" (רפה), which means to rest, relax, quiet oneself or, more literally, to loosen up. This comes from the same psalm that opens, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." (Psalm 46:1-2a, NIV).

Perhaps God is trying to teach us something here. Maybe it's time to ease up on trying to be in control of every little facet of life and let Him have the reigns. Maybe instead of fretting about the future, we should live in the here and now and leave what lies ahead to God.

Maybe this is the answer to all the worries that plague us.

When we (or someone we know) gets bad news from the doctor...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

When life isn't going quite as planned...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

When the job market isn't what we hoped for...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

When the month outlasts the money...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

When the family (or friends or co-workers) are giving you grief...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

When the kids are giving you grief...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Whenever anything goes sour or awry or circumstances become difficult if not near-impossible to bear...
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Stillness is vital, because when we let go of the worries and stresses in life, we are unblocked and better able to hear from God. In stillness with God, we find we don't necessarily need the answers, we just need the Lord.

© 2008 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved. Please share this message with someone today, and visit our website: http://contemplativeencourager.blogspot.com/

Rich Toward God

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes." - Luke 12:18-23 (NIV)



Pondering today: am I truly rich toward God? Am I trusting Him enough? What's more important - doing what He has called me to do or maintaining my barns?

Trust and Turbulence

“I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)

“That’s the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies.” Jay, our traveling companion, was pointing out the window at about 30,000 feet. Besides that, all we could see were grey clouds.

All the way to Japan.

We couldn’t make out any other landmarks. We flew over Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Alaska… majestic scenery beneath, to be sure. But with the exception of one sight of the very tops of the Rocky Mountain range, all we could see for the entire eleven hour trip was cloud cover.

Yet, we knew where we were (roughly). We knew where we were going (Japan, then China). And we felt very confident that we would arrive at our destinations safely.

When we trust in God, life is a bit like that flight to Japan. There were moments of discomfort on board that 747. There were bumps and turbulence during the flight. There was boredom. There was frustration. There were the 3’x3’ toilets.

But there was also adventure. There were moments I’ll never forget. There was Jay, a perfect stranger seated beside us who was a delight to get to know (and, having once lived in southeast Asia, a God-send of information and advice).

Life, too, is filled with all these things. Bumps and turbulence. Frustration. Boredom. 3’x3’ toilets. But these are not what we should concentrate on. Think about the adventure, the people God puts in our lives, the destination ahead. Ponder all the wonder God has in-store for you. It is often cloaked in stressful situations. But once we peel away the trouble, we realize that, despite the grey clouds that obscure our view, we know there is beauty and wonder in our lives at any given time. We just have to look for it.

© 2008 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved.

If you know someone who might be blessed by this message, please share it! And please visit our blog: http://contemplativeencourager.blogspot.com/

Time to begin again...

THE VIEW FROM DOWN HERE…
Wednesday, 13 August 2008

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Back in the summer of 1999, I was facing a major life change. We were preparing to move from Chicago to Minneapolis. I was leaving the company where I had been employed for a decade. I had said “yes” to God’s call to ministry. It was in the midst of all this turbulence and turmoil that I began E-ncouragement.

Life got quite busy. New job. School. Adoption. School. Teaching adult ed at our church. School.

In all the busyness of life (and, trust me, there are some weeks I think I may go mad with all the busy busy busy – way too busy - of life!), I have forgotten some things.

Important things.

Basic things.

Things I wrote about for almost nine years in E-ncouragement.

This summer, I have faced another set of major life changes. Traveling to China. Becoming first-time parents to an incredible toddler. Changing the emphasis in my master’s degree studies. Brett Favre flip-flopping between Green Bay, Tampa Bay and New York.

The stress of life has hit a fever pitch. Feels like 1999 on steroids.

It feels like the time is right to refocus. Now that the life decisions have been made and the course (somewhat, though certainly not entirely) set, it feels right to strip life down to the important aspects and focus on what I had lost sight of in all my goal-reaching and planning.

Seems like a good time to start writing again. A time to expand in teaching and ministering. A time to grow, and help others grow. There will still be stress, and very stressful times. There will still be busyness. But I need to learn how to stop and rest in the Lord. I need to not worry about the results, but only the task at hand.

And I believe I’m not the only one.

So… today, I pick up where I left off quite some months ago.

I pray you will join me on this journey as well. I won’t blog every day, but I will write on a consistent basis. It may be a struggle at first. But I pray and believe it will be a blessing.


© 2008 by Chris Courtney. All rights reserved.

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The Substance of Faith

I've had quite a lot on my mind these days. And I find myself pondering life more than usual (which is considerable, considering the fact that, over the years, I have honed the craft of inward navel-gazing to a fine art - I am a self-taught master).

One of the subjects I've been thinking about is faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1, ESV). I actually prefer the King James rendering of this verse better: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The reason is this: I really like that word substance.

Why do I like substance so much? Because it is a weightier word than assurance. Don't misunderstand me, I need the assurance that faith brings. But the meaning is much deeper, much more real, when we consider faith to be substance.

When I consider faith as substance, that tells me faith is real, tangible... not just a hope or a pipe dream, but reality. The substance of faith gives the ability to rise from the grave, to heal the sick, to walk on water. The substance of faith puts pay to the promises of God. The substance of faith means my life goes far beyond what I can comprehend with my cognitive abilities (limited as they are).

The substance of faith means, simply, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, ESV), for "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26, NIV). And I don't know about you, but I really need that substantial assurance.