I am glad for the arrival of the first day of spring!Today was certainly a good spring day. It even looks like the rose bushes need to be trimmed back and some of the spring flowers are beginning to grow.

My physical therapy session involved a surprise, my first attempt at some stairs. I did pretty good going down, but trying to get up was a different matter. I still need some leg strength to be able to push up to navigate the height of the stair. I worked with my therapist on a set schedule for each day for arms, shoulders and legs. Gaining strength and endurance will be key to gaining my goal of walking on my own some day.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

“To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”    Psalms 22:5

When I read the words of this verse I think of the stories that I have read recently where individuals in their distress cried out to the Lord and were saved. Saved from certain death, physically, emotionally,and spiritually.

This makes me stand in awe of the Lord’s mercy in the lives of people. The situations that I am referring to are not necessarlily people of strong faith. Many were the opposite. But when a dead end of even death was facing them they knew they needed help from a power greater than themselves. Not all ended up embracing a biblical faith or understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus. But many are still on that journey.

I have been reading Andy Peterson’s book “Saved Twice.” Andy in 1998 was attackedby a mountain lion and miraculously survived. He grew up in a broken home and even at a young age dabbled in drugs and struggled with coping and finding himself in life.

As Andy was wrestling with a mountain lion on Carpenter’s Peak in South Jefferson County he cried to the Lord, “God help me!…I’m sorry God! Please! I want to be remembered better. God please save me! I need you now!”

Andy was able to free himself literally from the jaws of the lion and run down a steep narrow trail to receive the emergency medical treatment needed to save his life.

Here are the words of others…in finding freedom from addictions

“I go down on my knees and I asked for this thing to be removed and it was…That thing that I was absolutely powerless over, that had vanquished me for seventeen years, was lifted out of my life. And it hasn’t come back since…”  Christopher Kennedy Lawford

“I don’t want to put you on the spot God. But if I shouldn’t be doing this You better do something, because if it is up to me, I am going to use. I’m turning it over to you! …The minute I finished that prayer, it was like a switch went off…the need to use was gone, miraculously!” David Black, writer for Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Law & Order

“I look back…and I believe God saved me. I believe that. I absolutely believe that. I have no idea how nor do I know why…He lead me to a point where I surrendered to Him…Faith is a mystery..Faith really sustains me.”  Larry Kudlow, host of CNBC Kudlow & Company

“I…desperately pleaded with God. I cannot do it any longer. I give up. Please help me! Suddenly something happened. The giant boulder I was carrying rolled off my shoulders. The heavy burden was gone..”  Rudy Tomjanovich, former NBA star 1970-1981

Perhaps these words provide a succinct conclusion…

“Why not just believe in something greater than ourselves? I mean, there’s got to be more than just spinning around the universe. There’s something bigger, bigger and better. That’s God, bigger and better.”   Richard Lewis, Actor and Author           (His words to the audience at end of his act)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8,9

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”                Matthew 11:28-30

The past couple of days have been pretty uneventful. I’m glad that we have returned to some spring weather, it helps to be able to get outside. My physical therapist comes for a visit tomorrow. Next week the schedule picks up a little with some doctor appointments and other commitments.

My shoulders are becoming the priority in my rehab workouts. My legs are slowly getting stronger, and my arms are getting stronger, but my shoulder muscles are lagging behind development. My ability to lift my arms up is about what is was when I left the hospital in December. I do have a follow up appointment with my neurologist in April and next week I will have some nerve testing on my left shoulder.

Around the house I am trying to take time to use the walker to transfer from my wheelchair the recliner. This provides some intermittent exercise outside of dedicated workout time.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

If you fear the Lord, trust the Lord.  He is your helper and your shield. The Lord, who is always thinking about us, will bless us. Psalms 115:11,12

This Psalm was part of my Bible reading this morning. I liked the direct, powerful and encouraging words.

Trusting the Lord is a natural response to living in the “fear of the Lord.” The fear of the Lord is not a dreadful and oppressive fear. It is not like the little boy who was sitting in the corner after being disciplined by his father. The boy said, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside.” The reverential respect that involves the fear of the Lord is understanding His great power and the importance of honoring Him, but it is in the context of understanding His love for us.

“He is our helper and shield.” For those who lived in a day when military conflict that threatened your life was as regular as Sunday football, having a God who is helper and shield has significant meaning.

God told Abraham, “I am your shield. Your reward will be very great.” Genesis 15:1

David exclaimed, “God’s way is perfect! The promise of the Lord has proven to be true. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.” Psalms18:30

“But you, O Lord, are a shield that surrounds me. You are my glory. You hold my head high.” Psalms 3:3

The Psalmist reminds us that God is not a superhero showing up in the nick of time and otherwise disconnected with our lives. He says, the Lord is, “…always thinking about us…”

When difficulties come it is easy, almost natural to wonder where God is, or if He is near. During those moments it is important to remember this verse and to cling onto the assurance of God’s presence and awareness of our need and His promise to bless.

Our response to this great assurance is reflected in the final verse of Psalms 115…

“But we will thank the Lord now and forever. Hallelujah!”

Please pray for…

• Progress in therapy
• Shoulder strength
• Improvement in blood work

 As I have been reading through 1 Samuel, I have found myself paying closer attention to the events than I have before. Over a period of 40 years Saul established the monarchy for the nation of Israel as their first King.

He started out as a meek individual feeling unworthy to be chosen for this job and ended holding on to power even though the Lord made it clear that his reign would come to an end.

The first indictment comes in 1 Samuel 13:14 “…your kingdom will not last. The Lord has searched for a man after his own heart. The Lord has appointed him as ruler of his people, because you didn’t follow the command of the Lord.”

 When Saul “obeyed” in his own way God instructions concerning the Amalekites, he made excuses and finally admitted…

 “I have sinned by not following the Lord’s command or your instructions. I was afraid of the people and listened to them.  Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.” Samuel told Saul, “I will not go back with you because you rejected what the Lord told you. So the Lord rejects you as king of Israel.” When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.  Samuel told him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today.”  1 Samuel 15:26-28

Saul is described as being “head and shoulders” above other men. So he was an imposing figure and stood out in a crowd. However, when David was anointed by Samuel as the next King of Israel it was clear what God’s priorities were in a leader. David as King became known as “the man after God’s own heart”

“Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

As David enters into Saul’s life, Saul epitomizes the saying, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Saul’s response to David was one of jealousy even though it was becoming obvious that David had God’s anointing on his life. He defeated Goliath, he was victorious in battles, and he was winning the hearts of the people. He became the Saul’s son-in-law even though Saul thought he had a plan that would result in David being killed in battle. (1 Samuel 18:24-29) The more successful David was the more paranoid, jealous and angry Saul became.

Facing the consequences of disobedience can demonstrate rebellion or contrition

If he were a prophet today Samuel would probably say something to Saul like, “which part of, ‘I have rejected you as king’ don’t you understand?” The Lord’s message was clear to Saul yet when God’s presence was not directing his life we see human responses of jealousy, envy and insecurity. What God had granted to Saul as a divine call he was now trying to hold on to with human effort.

I remember Pastor Mark Batterson in a conversation with Pastor’s some years ago talking about Saul and making the statement, “there is a little of Saul in all of us.”

When Samuel anointed Saul as King, God gave him “a new heart” (1 Samuel 10:9) When Saul disobeyed the instructions of the Lord God’s presence left Saul and he “was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.” (1 Samuel 18:12)

I think of Moses who disobeyed the instructions of the Lord and was not allowed to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Yet he continued to faithfully seek the Lord and prepare Joshua as the next leader of God’s people.

Even when Samuel as a boy received his first message from the Lord and it was a judgment on the house and leadership of Eli, Eli responded with the words, “He is the Lord. May he do what he thinks is right.” (1Samuel 3:18)

There are times in the Bible when we see contrition as a response to God’s judgment resulting in a demonstration of God’s mercy. What if…that would have been Saul’s response? What if…Saul would have recognized and affirmed the anointing on David and used his own life as a call to the nation for obedience to God?

As Saul was trying to kill David we see David faithful to the Lord in showing respect and honor to Saul as long as he was in the position of “God’s anointed one” regardless of Saul’s actions. Many of the Psalms were written as a result of this trying and dangerous time for David. We see him looking to the Lord for protection, wisdom and guidance. The Lord anointed David as King and David had to wait patiently for the final fulfillment of that anointed position to become a reality in his life.

Bottom line….

Humility and turning to God is always the best response to disobedience to God

Failures don’t have to be fatal, even in the midst of consequences

How you finish will be remembered more than any other part of your life

When falsely accused, when all is against you, God is working and shaping your heart for His purposes

God’s calling (anointing) His plans and purpose on a life will come to pass in His time

Today was a fairly laid back day; I got another “walk” outside and an afternoon walk. In some ways it is hard to believe it has been three weeks since my last infection and health crisis. I am glad that I have bounced back as well as I have. One of the side benefits of surviving this crisis is resetting my occupation and physical therapy assistance. .

I am working on a couple of projects for Teen Challenge and Rocky Mountain Energy Forum. I am recruiting runners for the Colfax 5K on May 17 to run or walk and get sponsors to support alcohol and drug recovery (www.tcrm.us) I am also working on an educational webinar related to Energy in Colorado and specifically the issue of hydraulic fracturing.This will be Thursday, March 27.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…

Therefore,I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1,2

I have been reading in 1 Samuel in the Old Testament and recently read chapter 8 where Israel asks Samuel the prophet for a King. When I think of critical points in Israel’s history this is one of those shifts with significant ramifications. As we look at what leads up this request we can observe an interesting progression and some consistent failings.

I just glanced at an email blast from a friend of mine running for Governor. He pointed out the importance of leadership. Leadership for our hearts and for a nation is what we see in the desire of Israel for a King to rule over them

1 – A failure of consistent spiritual leadership

The story of Samuel is unique. He was raised in the house of Eli the priest. Eli was ineffective as a spiritual leader and judge over Israel and his sons Hophni and Phinehas were wicked and dishonest. While Samuel served as a faithful prophet to the Lord he had two sons that were more like Hophni and Phinehas than himself. When Samuel was coming to the end of his life the people of Israel sensed this spiritual void. As a result they asked for a King to lead them.

During the time of the Judges the tribes of Israel were to move into the land promised by God and to trust God to help them in their conquest. The Judges were special individuals used by God as a result of the turmoil of God’s people and in response to their cries to God for help against their enemies. They provided critical leadership and military victories but held no special office, outside of their divine calling and activity.

2– A failure to trust and obey

God planned on His people being a unique nation. One God, not many, serving and trusting and obeying fully a God who could not be seen but demonstrated His power and faithfulness to them. When Israel asked for a King the Lord told Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”          (1 Samuel 8:7)

3– A desire to be like other nations

It is interesting that prior to Israel asking for a King there was a time of turning to the Lord and getting rid of their idols. Samuel instructed the people: “… return to the Lord with all your hearts…put away the foreign gods…from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only…”  (1 Samu

It seemed that in spite of the victories God won for His people they were constantly falling into idolatry and accepting the practices of the (“world”) other nations around them.

Now they demand a King to rule them and here is what they say, “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:20)

This response was after Samuel warned the people how hard a human King would be on them. In addition God didn’t want His people to be like the other nations. As a matter of fact He was using His chosen people to judge the people of the land for their idolatry, wickedness and immorality.

The Challenge of the Ages

It seems throughout the ages God’s people have had to face the challenge and temptation of submitting to the leadership of the Lord to reign supreme in their life. Solomon recognized it.

 “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” (Prov.23:17)

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company.  (Prov..24:1)

Paul the Apostle said, “ Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.”             (Rom. 12:2 TLB)

John the Apostle said, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”  (1 John 2:15)

The Bible says, Christians have a responsibility to be salt and light for God in the world and “ambassadors” for Christ. But too often instead of the church (God’s people) being a force for God in the world,we find the world and its attitudes and priorities captivating the hearts and minds of the church.

We need to be aware of this tendency and make sure that our hearts are fully set on serving and trusting in the Lord as the sure foundation for our lives. We should not take our acceptance from God through His grace and mercy to be over ridden by any desire to be accepted by the standards and behaviors of the “world” .