Jesus Warned Me About This

I should have known better.  The signs were everywhere.  How could I be so blind?  Maybe it's because I'm human and all of us are fallen.  Our fallen nature leads to everlasting challenges.  As I look in the rear view mirror I see all the times in my life when Jesus was there.  His track record is absolutely perfect.  Look at his promises.  I challenge you to find one time when he said he was going to do something and he didn't.  In spite of his impeccable record of healing the blind, casting out demons, and raising others including himself from the dead, I hesitated to trust him with my finances.  I tried to do it my way.  This put enormous stress on me, my wife, and my family.  There was a better way.  I didn't pay attention until I reached the end of my rope.

Jesus warned me what would happen if I tried to act on my own.  Why did I wait until I was on the edge of bankruptcy to turn my finances over to the one who makes all things new?  God knows why.  He allowed me to flail until I came to my senses and let him be fully in charge of every area of my life including the finances.  Turning liabilities into assets doesn't rank up there with rising from the dead but it sure changed my thinking about letting go.  Letting go is not failure.  Letting go is trusting that God knows what's best.  I may be a slow learner but I'm 100% on board with Jesus.  I'm about to be a free man.  Thank you Jesus.  You get all the credit.  You get all the glory.  You really do make all things new.  I promise to listen to you and heed every one of your warnings.  My prayer for you is that you hear his voice and follow Jesus.  Have a great day.

Dear Mr. Putin

Dear Mr. Putin,

This letter is difficult for me to write.  I don't know if you will ever read it.  I'm not writing for political reasons because that's not my area.  I'm writing regarding your soul.  You have made some great speeches from the orthodox churches in your country about the importance of Christianity.  Recently I watched in awe when you made the sign of the cross in front of Mary, the Mother of God.  That's why I'm so troubled now.  Mary is the intercessor.  She is the one who visits when her children are in distress.  Her son allows this because He loves her deeply.  Your actions regarding Ukraine are against a brother country who worships the same God you worship.  You are allowing innocent people to die.  Your soul is in grave danger as a consequence of your actions.

Mr. Putin, I urge you to return to prayer.  Visit Mary in silence when the cameras are turned off and ask her what her son, Jesus, thinks about your attacks on the people of Ukraine.  There is time for you to be a man of God.  That is where the real power is.  This world is temporary.  God can forgive you for all the wrongs.  You have time to come back to Jesus.  Give God the glory.  I ask you to do this in Jesus name.  I'm praying for you, for Russia, for Ukraine, and for the world.  Have a great day.

signed,

A believer in the United States

What Lesson is in Exodus 40?

If you're struggling with deadlines, delays, or any other issues involving time, I know exactly how you feel.  I often wonder why so many road blocks keep showing up in my life.  I feel like I'm a type A trapped in an episode of the Outer Limits, a TV show that aired when my concept of time was forming in my young brain.  As much as I want to control time, I realize that's impossible.  The solution is found in Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.  Chapter 40 teaches us how to trust God with anything related to time.  Warning.  This is a rather challenging lesson, especially for the type A's of the world.

The Chosen Ones had no clue when they were going to reach their destination.  Most didn't because they disobeyed God.  The 40 years of wandering is a consequence of not following God's plan.  God decided to keep it simple with the clock.  He told Moses to set up camp in the desert.  Once the camp was set up, God  sent a cloud to the tabernacle in the center of the camp to show he was with his people.  When the cloud was present, the Chosen Ones stayed in place.  When the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle it was time to go.  Can you imagine how frustrating that must have been for those in a hurry to get to the promised land?  I feel the same way with my book writing.  I have this need to advance while the cloud from Heaven remains in a fixed position.  The last 40 years of my life have been a time of wandering in my own personal desert.  I need to pay close attention to Exodus 40 if I'm ever going to find my way, trusting in God to lead me according to his perfect timing.  Refer to the Bible for more great lessons like the story in Exodus and see if this helps you find your way.  Have a great day.

Call 411

 Are you having contentment issues during these trying times?  One of my favorite Gospel writers, Paul, had issues of his own, often writing letters of encouragement while in prison.  I wear a wristband given to me by one of my teammates that reminds me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  That verse (Philippians 4:12) is from a prison cell letter to Paul's buddies he met while sharing the Good News prior to his incarceration.  The verse prior to my wristband message is the focus of today's blog because I believe all of us could use some inspiring words about our own contentment during a constant bombardment of bad news in our country and in the world.  Here it is.  Call 411.  It's more powerful than 911 because it has to do with what's going on spiritually.  It's worth memorizing this verse and reciting it every time you need a boost:

"I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  Philippians 4:11.

There are many more morsels just like these sprinkled throughout the Bible.  These are the words I relied upon during all my trials.  Never let your circumstances dictate your contentment.  Have a great day.

Preparing for Final Approach

The runway is in sight.  Three weeks until touchdown.  This is the closest I've ever been to financial freedom.  The world is in turmoil.  The financial markets are shaky.  My prayers go out to the innocent who are now involved in war.  With the exception of prayers, there is not much I can do except focus on my own challenges and do my best to reach financial independence three weeks from today on St. Patrick's Day.

Yes, the world is a scary place.  It's even scarier when your own household is out of control financially speaking.  Our sacrifices have been great.  I'm looking forward to sharing more about our journey.  Have a great day.

Spiritual Playbooks

There are two playbooks in play during the epic war between Heaven and Hell that started long before we were born.  One side wants to share the playbook while the other prefers to hide theirs.  Spectators can be enlightened when they see inside Heaven's playbook.  The same spectators can also be confused when the dark side is on offense.  If you want the reader's digest version of the outcome, Heaven wins.  It's in the playbook, a.k.a. the Bible.

I've been listening to Heaven's playbook on a daily podcast for over fifty consecutive days.  The Old Testament refers to the beginning of the world, Noah's Ark, and many stories about God's Chosen Ones.  The daily commentary helps me understand that this playbook isn't just for the Chosen Ones as there are many hidden secrets in the playbook that are for our benefit in these modern times.  

Be wary of the dark side's playbook.  It's meant to distract, divide, and confuse us.  There is nothing in writing like Heaven's playbook.  Instead, the dark side prefers to use it's minions to get inside our heads with messages such as, "You really don't need to read Leviticus, it's old news and there's nothing there for you." or, "You can look at the Bible tomorrow when you have more time, maybe tomorrow."  Another favorite mind game goes like this, "Why bother praying?  God doesn't have time for your petty problems."

Keep in mind how the fight started.  One player on the God's team decided he was better than God.  He wanted to be in charge of the playbook.  God told his player if he wanted to be in charge he would have to leave the team.  Surprisingly, one third of the team followed the disgruntled player.  We humans have our own free will and we can decide to follow God's playbook or abandon ship.  The Evil One wants you to falsely believe his drowning is good and reining in Hell is better than serving in Heaven.   The truth is the Evil One can't stand to be around we humans.  Maybe the Evil One hates us because we are a reflection of our Creator.  Don't let the Evil One use his trick plays to deceive you.  Follow God's playbook.  Memorize the plays.  Become intimate with the quarterback who enters the game at halftime.  He gave his life so you can get the ultimate prize, eternity with our Creator.  Have a great day.

Deuces are Wild Today

It's 2/22/22 today.  It's doubly odd because Mother Nature is doing something rather annoying outside.  She's dropping snow from a high elevation that's turning to rain as it passes through a warm layer of air and then returns to snow as it hits the ground at below freezing temps.  That's double trouble for commuters due to the icy road conditions.  I already ventured out early this morning to drop off our daughter at the airport.  All I can say about my experience is I'm glad she trusted me with the driving and that all of us our safe.  To all my Iowa friends and family, be safe on the roads.  The deuces may be wild but today is not a good day to gamble with Mother Nature.  Have a great day.