Author Archives: kensummers

The Wait is Over

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 Last night the Hill family, our neighbors and fellow Timberline Church members, came over to pick some strawberries. Carolyn and Becka picked strawberries with Debbie, Harlan helped me figure out some settings on my sprinkler clock and I quizzed David on his memorization of Romans Chapter 1. Great example of “division of labor.” Working with David brought back memories of my own teen years in Bible Quiz and then later as a coach and District Bible Quiz Coordinator. It is always great to see teens making a commitment to study and memorize God’s Word.

This morning was my weekly therapy session at Northern Colorado Rehab. The morning time and sessions were a bit of a challenge even though I am usually up by about 6:30 a.m. It was a good work out with another session in the therapy pool and my elliptical work and lifting some weights during my OT time.

This afternoon, after a recovery nap, I did some work out in our garden. It looks like we still have a good crop of strawberries if they all ripen.

Bible Verse for Today…  “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”    Psalm 40:1-3

The last few days I have been sharing about “waiting on the Lord” and our “trust in the Lord” having confidence in His intervention in our lives in His time and in His ways. In Psalm 40 we find the words of David sounding a resounding report of the Lord responding and coming to his rescue.

What we see is clearly that God does hear. Even when we don’t think He does. God responds and creates a turn around in our situation. David describes it as going from a “slimy pit…” to “a solid rock…a firm place to stand.”

The change in circumstance due to God’s intervention results in praise to God. He changes our circumstances and He changes our hearts. “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” (Psalm 40:16)

However, it is not all about us and God’s help extended to our situation, we are made aware that others are watching. “Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”

What we see is that the Lord is not just concerned about the work He is doing in our lives, He is concerned about the work He is doing through our lives.

Blessings for the Forgiven

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Last night I got out and attended the “Allies” men group at Timberline Church. I was one of 120 men joining to listen to Pastor Dick Foth and begin a study of Mark Batterson’s book, “All In.” 

Today Debbie was able to come home before noon and was home the rest of the day. This provided us the opportunity to run some errands and have lunch together. We picked up some paving stones to place in the garden to keep from getting stuck in the strawberry patch. This was the first time that I drove with Debbie along. As fate would have it all the driving issues that I criticized Debbie for while I was eager to drive, I committed in one outing! Ouch.

I began to reflect on our days in Strasburg many years ago. During a special occasion (probably Pastor appreciation day ironically) the youth group in a skit lampooned my church van driving skills. They then presented me with an “Official Backseat Drivers License.” I’m trying to remember if they were “laughing with me, or at me!

(For those not following me on FaceBook, above is a picture from Sunday and my first sermon in well over a year.)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.Many are the woes of the wicked,  but the Lord’s unfailing love  surrounds the one who trusts in him.Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”  Psalm 32:7-11

I entitled this blog as “blessings for the forgiven” because David begins this Psalm with the words, “Blessed is the one
 whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1,2)

A new life in Christ begins with turning to Him in repentance and receiving the forgiveness of sin, but that new life is lived out each day was we place our trust and confidence in the Lord.

David says of the Lord, “He will protect..surround…instruct…teach…counsel..surround with unfailing love…”  He doesn’t do those things because we earn them or deserve them, but because we trust in Him; because we reject our natural tendencies to “do our own thing.”

You see trusting in the Lord takes on meaning when we understand what we place our trust in instead of the Lord. We are use to trusting in ourselves, our own strength, our own wisdom, perhaps the wisdom of the world, fate…..the list could go on. Trusting in the Lord is the confidence that we place in Him regardless of what is happening in our lives and the timing of what we want to see happen.

Trust is a decision we make. If we can trust the Lord to forgive our sins, we can grow in our trust in Him as the One who knows how to protect, guide and provide for us all that we need.

 

Waiting

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After some work in my office today, and my afternoon nap, I went outside to do some work in the garden. I was successful in getting the mower out to cut down some of the grass and weeds, but in the process of getting the rototiller out into the garden, I got my wheelchair high centered on the landscaping timber that borders the garden.

I realize that my attempts to free myself were all in vain. Finally our neighbor girl came home and I flagged her down. She and her friend tried to help and then she was able to get a neighbor who was home to come and finally get me out of my jam.

It was late enough in the day that I knew Pastor Steve was coming to pick some strawberries, so if nothing else, if I just stayed put he would show up eventually. Of all things, that was the first time that I did not have me cell phone or alert device with me.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13,14

Psalm 27 is written by David when he is fleeing the hot pursuit of his enemies. He asserts his confidence in the Lord in the early verses by saying, The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

The Psalm ends with David’s expression of confidence that he will see the Lord’s deliverance in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s way, but it will come. When life is pressing in and the struggle is intense, is when it is time to be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.

As I referenced a few days ago, Abraham found himself in difficult situations when he became weary in waiting for the Lord to fulfill His promise and tried to help God out.

As I was reading about Isaac and Rebekah, the scripture says that  “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.” (Genesis 25:21)

I believe I took note for the first time that this was after 20 years of marriage and no children. This was the Abraham’s son and heir and seed through which the promise of God would be fulfilled and no son after 20 years! I am glad to read that Isaac prayed to the Lord and trust in the Lord to provide instead of looking for a human solution.

Waiting is difficult. I don’t like lines, I don’t like to wait. I still remember a few years ago when I was taking Riley to his class at church to be checked in. He turn and look up to me and said, “we have to wait our turn grandpa.” I am sure that was a lesson he was learning, but I always wondered if he sensed my anxiety.

When I was high centered on the edge of the garden this afternoon, I was contemplating my options. Do I wait? Do I try to crawl to the back door? (probably would have haven a good idea). Do I just keep working, knowing my efforts will prove futile?

Waiting requires spiritual strength and courage. We may face hardship, we may face the challenges that will make life miserable but as we keep our focus on the Lord we can be confident that our waiting on Him is not in vain. We must continually seek Him and realize that “those wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”  (Isaiah 40:31) We will see the goodness of the Lord, not just in our heavenly home, but in the “land of the living.”

 

 

Laughing

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We just returned home from our trip to Lakewood. It was enjoyable to be with Pastor Jim and Gina Brummett and the congregation of Southwest Assembly. If is always fulfilling to share God’s Word with those who are committed to Christ. I have been pleased with the strength and energy I have had today considering I missed my routine nap yesterday.

After enjoying lunch with the  Brummett’s  we were able to visit with Christian and Bridget and then make a trip over to Englewood to see my mom. She had some friends over to her house for lunch. At 89 she is convinced she needs to be able to prepare a meal for guests. She seemed to be doing well and was in good spirits. My mom has two other sisters older than her, one pushing 100 and the other in her early 90’s and four others who follow behind her in birth order.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Genesis 21:6,7

As I have read the account of Abraham and Sarah, I have taken note of the references to laughter. Laughter is one of those outward responses that can have different meanings depending on the circumstances and who is doing the laughing!

1 – Laughing in disbelief

So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’  Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:12,13

When Sarah heard this news her laughter may not have been an unusual response. After all, this was an outrageous event that was going to happen. It had never happened before. But when confronted about her laughter in disbelief she in her embarrassment denied it.  But the Lord was going to show Himself as the One who is faithful to His Word and that for Him nothing is too difficult, nothing is beyond the realm of possibility.

2 – Laughing with joy  

When Sarah had a son she laughed again. This time with joy, this time in the wonder of God’s faithfulness to His promise. She invited and others to join with her in laughing with joy over God’s provision of a son. Remember, Isaac means “laughter.” Some one once described this turn of events as, “Sarah laughed, God didn’t laugh but God had the last laugh.”

3 – Laughing with scorn

Hagar was not among those women who “laughed with Sarah” over the news of son born to her. “And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.”  Genesis 21:8,9 (ESV)

It is hard to know of the interaction if any between Sarah and Hagar, these two women who had borne sons to Abraham. But when a great feast was thrown for Isaac marking a significant event in his life, Sarah observed Hagar laughing in mockery.

You know that moment when you share something personal or even embarrassing and your friend laughs? They often say, “I’m not laughing at you, I am laughing with you.” I usually say, “I wasn’t laughing!” If on this occasion Sarah was laughing with joy, Hagar was not, and Sarah knew it.  Sarah in her anger demanded of Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.”  Gen. 21:10 Can you say, “awkward!”

I am thankful that we serve a God who allows us to express our lives through laughter. Yes, sometimes it is in disbelief, sometime we laugh with others and at times we are guilty of “laughing at” others.  (Like the time a friend had the bottom of his six pack of beer break and smash the entire contents. I wanted to say, “apparently God doesn’t want you to have those bottles of beer. I wasn’t sure whether to feel sorry for him or laugh. So I laughed; but at a distance!) Yet when God is the One who brings the joy of laughter into our lives, it is something different and special.

Consider:

Psalms 126:1-3  When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Yes there is a laughter that comes from the human heart, but the joy that comes from the Lord that brings a response of laughter is something entirely different. Sarah experienced that and we can experience it in our lives today.

 

 

 

 

 

Helping God Out

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 Debbie has been on call today, so it has been pretty quite on the home front as I and dog have worked to “hold down the fort.” I did some house cleaning to try to help out which is always good therapy. After lunch I made a quick trip to the neighborhood pool to get in some exercise before getting ready for our church service tonight.

The therapy and exercise that I am doing has been going well and I believe I can tell my strength is slowly recovering. If there is one area of specific prayer, it is for strength in my right leg. This is the leg I recall having some problems with even when hospitalized. My muscle deterioration exposed some of the nerves which created discomfort when I slept or was laying in a certain position. It was also the leg that I just could not move for the longest time lying in bed. At this point if the strength in my right leg matched my left I would be ready for the next level of rehab. It seems patience continues to be part of the plan. I try to remain thankful for where I am and patient with what is still in process.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He [God] took him [Abraham] outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  Genesis 15:5

As I am reading through Genesis once again and the life of Abraham, I have been reminding myself that Abraham did not have “the story of Abraham” to help encourage his faith and confidence in God. How fortunate we are to have the record of those God called and used in His plan. Individuals of courage and faith and trust. Yet even with that, we often have difficulty trusting God and taking Him at His Word and will try to “help Him out.”

God called Abraham; Abraham followed; Abraham believed God and God “counted his faith as righteousness.” Yet in the midst of it all Abraham just we do today, tried to figure out how God was going to do what He had said. As a result we see him trying to help God out.

God made His promise to Abraham and Abraham’s reply was “I don’t have children and that means my servant Eliezer will be my heir…” God had to say, “no, not your servant, a son of your own flesh and blood.” (Gen. 15:4)

Later Sarah was becoming worried and impatient; so she thought she would help God out and give her servant Hagar to Abraham to have children. Perhaps she reasoned, “God said the child would be Abraham’s flesh and blood but didn’t say anything about me!” We don’t know her reasoning other than being very much aware of her own aging body and trying to comprehend how this would all happen.

Years later we see the Angel visitors coming to Abraham and telling him, “at this time next year your wife will have a son.” Did Sarah rejoice in God’s promise coming true? No, she laughed. (Gen. 18:10-15)

God was demonstrating Himself to Abraham and Sarah as the God who does the impossible. God’s purposes are not accomplished through human means. Trusting God is believing that what He says will happen even though we don’t know when or how. If we knew the “when and how” it may seem so impossible it would make us laugh in unbelief.

Later when Isaac was born and God tested Abraham’s faith on Mount Moriah, we see Abraham obeying even when it did not make sense that God was asking him to offer the promised son as a sacrifice. Hebrews says, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (11:17-19)

We see Abraham begins seeing the future from a divine perspective and not one of human reasoning. When things happen that I don’t understand, I am learning to rely on the One who does understand, and resist the temptation to help God out. How about you?

Life Through God’s Instruction

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Debbie was able to come home early on a Friday afternoon. She arrived early enough to find me getting up from my afternoon nap. She actually ran into some hail on the west side of Fort Collins. So right now is it overcast with dark clouds on the horizon.

The last few days we have had another four-legged visitor at our home. “Little Dog” (there’s a name for you – very practical!) was Debbie’s mom’s companion, after being our dog for five years, she now lives with Sue and Sam and will probably never die because she is already experiencing “dog heaven.” She and Andy have done well together, mostly by avoiding each other. Perhaps there is a lesson in there somewhere for all of us in certain relationships.

Last night we finally made it out to our strawberry patch to gather some of the abundant supply in our garden. If you live close by and want to come help yourself, you are welcome to them.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “They [decrees of the Lord] are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned;  in keeping them there is great reward.”  Psalms 19:10,11

Psalms 19 is another one of those “classic Psalms.” It is reminiscent of Psalms 119, in that most of its verses communicated the value of God’s guidance through His Word. God’s Word is referred to as “the law of the Lord” the “statutes of the Lord” the “precepts of the Lord” the “commands of the Lord” and “the decrees of the Lord.”

The effect of God’s Word is described as “refreshing the soul” “making wise” “giving joy to the heart” and “giving light to the eyes.” That is a far cry from how God’s Word is viewed and described by many. It can be view as “out of date” “onerous” “a burden” “a joy sucker.”

The value of God’s Word is seen in the words, “perfect” “trustworthy” “right” “radiant” “righteous” “precious”  “pure” and “sweet.”

Now that my analysis has destroyed the beauty of the poetic form of the Psalm, I will remind you finally of the impact of God’s  Word on our life – “…by them your servant is warned, in keeping them there is great reward.”

We can observe that “the road of life is dangerous, so pay attention to the warning signs.” God’s Word provides the warnings that we need to successfully navigate life.

Great reward comes to those who “keep” God’s Word. Just as Jesus said that those who build their house in the rock are those who “hear the Word and put it into practice.” (Matthew 7:24-27) Those who receive great reward are not just those who know God’s Word, but those who keep God’s Word.

This Psalm ends with the familiar benediction, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14) When we put God’s Word in the forefront of our life and meditate on its our words, thoughts and actions will be pleasing to Him.

 

 

BFF

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I have been working at my computer for most of this afternoon. This Sunday I will speak at Southwest Assembly in Lakewood. This may be a dangerous assignment. I haven’t been “in the pulpit” for some time and with the events of this last year it can either be challenging in regards to the topic and trying to stay focused with so much to share.

My massage today was a welcome event after my therapy session yesterday. As I was out and about this morning I was able to see some of the left over impact of the storm we had a couple of days ago. There were till mounds of hail and water in retention ponds and leaves that had been stripped off of trees. I believe we  avoided some of the damage that took place just less than a mile north of us.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”…You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalms 16:2,11

I have been reading through the Psalms. As I read Psalms 16 this morning I found it rich in the words of each verse. It is difficult to select a verse (or two) for special attention and comment. As I read the words of the Psalmist the acronym BFF (Best Friends Forever) came to my mind.

In our life we need to know who we can count on. The tragedies of life often show betrayal, disappointment, hurt and maybe even something worse. Relationships constantly provide an opportunity to practice patience, forgiveness and other aspects of the fruit of the Holy Spirit and God’s nature through our lives.

However, there are those relationships that seem to reflect the Proverb, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) During my hospital stay I was blessed by those who constantly encouraged, prayed, helped at our house and stayed with me through the night to provide assistance and comfort. It is humbling to receive that type of support.

Even the best human friendships change, ebb and flow and come to an end. That is what makes a relationship with Christ and His presence in our life so significant. “Apart from Him we have not good thing.” He is the one who directs our life and provides the guidance and wisdom we need. He fills our life with peace and joy and has plans for all that to continue in eternity.

Jesus is really the only one who fulfills the “forever” aspect of a “best friend.”

Noah – Man of Favor

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I enjoyed being at the Primary Election Night reception for Ken Buck. As I arrived Ken and Perry were just arriving, so I took the opportunity to get a quick picture. It was good to meet some new people and to see some people that I know and had not seen for some time. State Senator Greg Brophy and Former State Senator Scott Penry were two individuals I had served with while I was in the State House. It was also good to see Jake Zambrano. Jake is a lobbyist that I worked with me during my legislative tenure.

I invited my friend David Holden to accompany me only to find out his sister Joann works for Ken Buck in the Weld County District Attorney’s office. Ken will be a good congressman for Colorado’s 4th District.

My therapy session today went well and was a good workout. I started today with the OT session on a floor mat working on some core and shoulder exercises. During my PT session I was in the therapy pool and did run through some exercises that I had not thought of. I think I will rest tonight and may be be a little sore tomorrow.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”  Genesis 6:8

I read through the chapters during my Bible time about Noah. A few months ago the “Noah” movie was released to a great deal of criticism and controversy. It was interesting in reading some of the commentary, by even professing Christians, questions about whether Noah was a mythical figure or an historic figure.

The Bible seems as clear as for any other individual it mentions. The genealogy of God’s people is traced back to Noah (1 Chronicles 1:4); Isaiah the prophet mentions Noah (Isaiah 54:9); Ezekiel the prophet mentions Noah along with Daniel and Job as men of righteousness (Ezekiel 14:14) Jesus references the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37); Noah is included with others as individuals of great faith in Hebrews 11:7; In each of his letters the Apostle Peter makes reference to Noah (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5)

Noah found favor or grace in the eyes of the Lord. What can we observe and learn from his life?

1 – Noah maintained righteous character in an evil world. (Genesis 6:9)

He is described as righteous, blameless  in his generation. Noah walked with God. There is only one other person that I know of that is described as “walking with God” and that is Enoch. Enoch experience a translation to heaven. (Genesis 5:24)

Noah’s life should challenge us today. If Noah lived a life dedicated to God in a world that was so evil God had to destroy it, we should be able to live a life of commitment to Christ in our world today. As a matter of fact Jesus said that “as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the day of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26)

2 – Noah was a man of obedience (Genesis 6:22)

I am sure what God was telling Noah was hard for him to comprehend. But God gave the detailed instructions and Noah obeyed. He did what God told him to even when he didn’t understand, even when it didn’t make sense, even when God was going to do something that had never happened (like rain from the sky). And that obedience demonstrated the faith for which Noah was commended. (Hebrews 11:7)

3 – Noah’s spiritual leadership saved his family  (Hebrews 11:7)

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”               

Only Noah’s family was saved through the flood that covered the earth…eight people…four couples. We don’t know anything about Noah’s family other than the name of his sons. There character is not referred to like Noah’s. They may have been as committed to the Lord as Noah. We at least know that they followed their father’s leadership, even though I am sure they were old enough to tell him he was too crazy for them and walk away.

In all the arenas of life where we hear the call for “leadership” none is more important than the family. And no one is more important than the godly influence of men. That is why in our Teen Challenge men’s program we say if we rescue a man we rescue a family. We have seen several men successfully deal with their addiction issues and become the godly husbands and fathers God has intended them to be.

There is obviously a lot about Noah and the flood that we don’t know. But if we focus on the questions we may have and all the “whys and hows and wherefores” we miss the main message that God wants us to see.