Our snowy weather continues, but not as bad as the Denver area. I had a good hour and a half workout today at the fitness center. It was my fourth workout this week, which is good for me. After over 30 minutes on the exercise bike, I did my five minutes on the treadmill. I also, picked up a pair of “Canadian” crutches, to give me some options on my mobility assistance. I Look forward to continue progress in my recovery.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

As I was reading the context of these familiar verses, I took note that they come at at time when Matthew is describing all of the challenges to Jesus ministry. He is accused of breaking the Sabbath. John the Baptist facing certain death and sends disciples to ask Jesus, “are you the One or do we look for another?” There are towns that see incredible miracles, yet continue in their sin. Jesus faces rejection in his own home town. If this was me, I would be looking for a refuge from discouragement, a place of rest and someone to help carry my burden

Yet Jesus looks at the disciples and reassures them, that I am the place you need to come when all these types of trails and challenges of life are getting you down. “Don’t run from me, run to me!” In contrast to the “way of the transgressor” that is is hard (Proverbs 13:15) being yoked with Jesus is easy. In contrast to how people were responding to Jesus, Jesus is the One who accepts instead of rejects; He is a shelter, not a task master. He is a place of rest, not one of who demands more.

As I reflect on this invitation of Jesus, that is so reflective of Isiah 55, (http://biblehub.com/isaiah/55-1.htm) I’m feel good and positive about life and my future. That caused me to reflect on a message of Pastor Brady Boyd, from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Brady said something like this, “when thing are going well, we need to determine what we believe about Jesus and where to go when life gets rough. Because when the trials come, our response needs to be automatic.”

It is like basic training for life. It is like a fire drill. You practice for the battle, your prepare for the fire ahead of time so when it happens your know what to do, where to go. Too many people allow the circumstances of life to throw them off guard and when that happens, they flounder, doubt or make decisions that only complicate their life.

So the time to decide you need to run to Jesus is before the battle become intense, the fatigue sets in and the burden of life gets you down. Then when those times come, you run to Jesus, stay close to Him and find the place of strength, refuge and rest that you need.

I had a good day at my outpatient therapy session today. I have benefited as much as possible on the Occupational Therapy side of my recovery. So, they will discharge me and I will continue to work on my arm and shoulder strength and range of motion issues with the exercises that I have learned. I practiced using some arm crutches today, during my Physical Therapy session, as an option for my mobility. That may be the next step in my independence as far as walking.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “They stopped worshiping the Lord…Every time they would go into battle, the Lord was against them, just as he had said he would be. They were in great distress…Then the Lord gave the Israelites leaders who saved them from the raiders. But the Israelites paid no attention to their leaders….Whenever the Lord gave Israel a leader, the Lord would help that leader and would save the people from their enemies as long as that leader lived..But when the leader died, the people would return to the old ways and behave worse than the previous generation.”  Judges 2:16-19

“Every nation is one generation away from moral decline.” We certainly see that in the history of God’s people as they enter into the promised land. We can also observe how important leadership is for people to stay committed and focused.

Proverbs 29:18 says it well, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.“

While the Lord desired to be the leader of His people through the prophets and priests, the people just could not keep their focus and commitment to the Lord and His ways. It started when they entered into their possession and against the Lord’s instructions made treaties with the people of the land. Then they intermarried with the people of the land. Then they adopted the idols of the people of the land as their god. Then they cast off all restraint.

Judges 2, is a prelude to the Book of Judges. Before going into the specific history, the stage is set for the pattern that will be followed for several hundreds of years. The people forsake the Lord. They suffer the consequences of their disobedience by being defeated by enemies around. They cry out to God. God sends a “leader, a judge” to rescue them. They enjoy peace for 40 years (as many as 80) and then when that leader is gone, when a new generation arose, they reverted back to disobeying the Lord and falling captive to their enemies.

This cycle can be observed during the time of the judges and through the reign of the kings of Israel. Finally the Lord said, “enough” and He allowed them to be taken captive and removed from their land.

Some random thoughts and observations as I reflect on this history…

1 – The downward inertia of the human condition – Left to our own devices, we can not be right, do right, regardless of “what we know.” That is why through Christ we have God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness extend to us on a continual basis. This is what enables us to break our own downward cycle of destruction.

2 – Leadership is a human need – An trainer of leaders once told his audience, “if people could get the place where they need to be in their lives and as a group on their own they would not need you.” The reality is they can’t and won’t and we need those who will speak into our lives and to guide and direct our lives. Good leaders see good result, poor leaders, corrupt leaders, see the fruit of their efforts too.

3 – Guarding the future generations – God’s people were not able to “keep their act together” for more than a generation or two. Much of that had to do with God’s people not being able to keep their obedience to God in the midst of a corrupt world. While Christ followers are called to be a light to darkness, there is a risk of being overwhelmed and giving into the darkness around. That is why Peter challenged believers to be “vigilant and alert.” The old adage of “being in the world, but not of the world” still applies; perhaps more than ever.

4 – The Mercy of God –  The Lord in His mercy would respond to the cry of His people. His answer was through raising up leaders, divine intervention and eventually divine judgment. But even in the judgement is when the Lord gave the reassurance, “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.“ (Jeremiah 29:11)

I am thankful the Bible is so open in the struggles and failures of God’s people throughout history. That gives us insight into God’s character and hope for our own lives and future. But let’s be wise and learn and live so the cycle of the past doesn’t have to be repeated in us and future generations.

After my morning prayer meeting with some pastors and leaders, I had my final appointment with my fitness trainer. I feel like I have made enough progress and have enough routines to be on my own for the next month or two. Tomorrow I return to Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital for an outpatient appointment.

I continue to feel like I am making gradual progress and am thankful for each day that I can get out and carry on more of a normal life and schedule of activity. I also was able to wrap up my federal tax return today, which is nice to get completed.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock.…you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:7,8,10

I was thinking of these verses when I went to my Tuesday morning prayer time. During our devotional Pastor Dan Nygaard was observing that “while we know we serve a God of unlimited resources, our access to those resources is limited.” This does present a challenge to our trust and faith in times of need.

But we see Jesus the one who tells us that, “asking, seeking and knocking” is the key to receiving, finding and doors being opened. The biblical text carries the meaning of “ask and keep asking… seek and keep seeking… knock and keep knocking…”

While Jesus uses the analogy of parents to children, unlike parents the Lord doesn’t get tired of our persistence. As a matter of fact, He invites it! As a parent who gives good and desires good for their children so the Lord does for us. Sometimes that insight to our lives brings a quick response of yes, other times the Lord answers our prayers by not giving us what we want, but helping us to grow as we face our need.

As we view these verses we tend to focus on the “ask” part, more than “seeking” and “knocking.” Perhaps our faith would be well focused to seek the Lord and His wisdom. To knock on doors of opportunity or opposition and see the Lord respond.

So, let us continue to be bold and persistent in our asking. Trusting the Lord who know us better than we know ourselves and be assured of His continual presence. But let us also remember that seeking and knocking are equally important in our lives.

These can be challenging situations for us. But we can always rest assured of the Lord’s care for our lives and His presence where-ever we are and whatever we face.

One year ago today, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital in septic shock. This is the time that Debbie says, she was watching my life gradually drift away. I am thankful for the training the staff at Poudre Valley Hospital had just completed on treating septic shock. I believe I was the first “almost alive” patient on which they were able to put into practice their training. I returned home after six days in the hospital and ten days at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital.

Today, I helped Debbie lead the Grief Share group at church. I did share with the men I was meeting with about this anniversary. I said, “but for God’s intervention, Debbie may have been here participating as a widow.”

Instead, I was outside early this morning clearing the driveway of snow pushing the snow shovel in my power wheelchair. It was nice to return home and find some neighbors had finished the job for us.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “…those who are far from You will perish…But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:27,28

 ^“The people of Reuben and Gad said, “This altar is a witness to all of us that the Lord is God.” Joshua 22:34

As the Children of Israel moved into the promised land, there were cities east of the Jordan river that were conquered and occupied by the tribes of Ruben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. The agreement was that the fighting men of those tribes would cross over the Jordan and fight with the rest of the tribes in conquering the land. When the initial battles were won and the tribes of Israel were assigned their boundaries, these tribes east of the Jordan were allowed to return to their cities.

As they returned, they built an altar that was a replica of the altar in front of the “Tent of the Lord’s Presence.”  This was perceived as an act of rebellion by the other tribes and they were preparing for war, when the eastern tribes explained that the altar was not for sacrifices, but for a sign for generations to come that these tribes were part of the inheritance God promised to Abraham. There declaration was “we will continue to serve the Lord God.”

When we fast forward in history we see that these tribes, like those even closer to Jerusalem, did not remain loyal the to the Lord. They were taken captive by the Assyrians as part of God’s judgment. When we read the gospels we find Jesus coming to the area of the “Gadarenes” (Luke 8:26-29). It is there he casts out a “legion” of demons from a man and sends them into the pigs who run off a cliff and are drown in the sea.

When we were touring Israel in the year 2000, we made a trip to the location of this miracle. Our Jewish guide was was an excellent historian with a chronic horse voice, and agnostic when it came to faith. He made a comment on this occasion that I still remember to this day. He said something like this, “when you distance yourself from the center of the presence of God, rebellion and spiritual darkness eventually take over.”

I thought this was challenging spiritual insight from someone who questioned God’s existence and continuing involvement in the lives of His people. However, the words are important ones to remember. When the Lord established the camping order for the tribes of Israel in the wilderness, everything was oriented to the “Tabernacle” that was in the center of the camp. This was a significant reminder that God’s presence is to be the center of our lives and the “north star” for our journey.

This was a change from the early days of the exodus when the “tent of the meeting” was outside the camp and Moses would go and meet with God and return to the people with God’s instructions.

Too many today view God as the one who is “over there” opposed to “right here.” Paul asks the Corinthians, “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?”         (1 Corinthians 6:19)

When people distance themselves from God’s community and fellowship with God, they begin a journey in the wrong direction. That is not usually their intent. I’ve heard people say, “I am not ‘going the church’ but I haven’t ‘given up on God.” But it in time they find themselves “giving up on God”.

That is why the psalmist says, “it is good for me to be near to God.” That doesn’t mean life is always easy and trouble free. But life will only become more difficult and challenging when we distance ourselves from the Lord’s presence.

The winter storm is coming, but not as vigorous as anticipated, at least at this point. Before being out and about and running some errands today, Debbie and I had breakfast with Sue and Sam Schmidt (Debbie’s sister and her husband)  Cheryl and Mike Pierson (Debbie’s cousin and her husband) We enjoyed our breakfast and time to reconnect. It brought back memories because Sue and Cheryl were at house on July 20, just two days before my hospitalization for breakfast on the patio. They both recalled how I wasn’t feeling good that day, but had no idea (like me) that I would end up in the hospital and begin a long and serious health challenge.

Tomorrow morning I will help Debbie in leading the Grief Share class at Timberline Church. We are looking forward to connecting with this important group who are moving forward through a variety of grief experiences.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “So the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he had solemnly promised their ancestors he would give them. When they had taken possession of it, they settled down there. The Lord gave them peace throughout the land, just as he had promised their ancestors. Not one of all their enemies had been able to stand against them, because the Lord gave the Israelites the victory over all their enemies.  The Lord kept every one of the promises that he had made to the people of Israel.”  Joshua 21:43-45

Joshua was the leader who succeeded Moses and led the Children of Israel to possess the promise land. Joshua was one of the surviving men from Egypt, who had been Moses aide during the experienced exodus and wanderings in the wilderness. He along with Caleb spied out the promise land with 10 others. Only Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report about the land.

Now Joshua after winning key battles and conquering key areas of the land of Canaan, is old and ready to die. Instead of another single leader, the land is divided among the remaining tribes of Israel and they are charged with going forward to take the possession promised by the Lord.

As the people move into their possession Joshua reminds them of the Lord’s faithfulness and charges them to remember some foundational truths…

1 –God Speaks to You – Joshua reminds them to obey all that is written in the Law. This is the guide to success and their lifeline to victory. They also could be confident that as they sought the Lord, He would provide through His Priests and Prophets specific instructions and messages.

2 – God Fights for You – “The Lord your God has been fighting for you.… The Lord your God will make them retreat from you, and he will drive them away as you advance.” (Joshua 23:3,5) What they had seen the Lord do for them, He would continue to do. The battle belonged to the Lord. As they would remain faithful, the Lord would honor their efforts with success. It is easy to try to fight our own battles. Sometimes we need to stop and trust God to bring victory in the struggle of life that confront us.

3 – God Keeps His Promises to You – “The Lord kept every one of the promises that he had made to the people of Israel.” (Joshua 21:45) We can count on the faithfulness and reliability of the promises of God. What he said, He will do, what He has promised, will come to pass. Any degree of uncertainty is due to human failures, not God’s faithfulness.

4 – God Disciplines You –  ^“If you do not keep the covenant which the Lord your God commanded you to keep and….he will punish you, and soon none of you will be left in this good land that he has given you.” (Joshua 23:16)

We have seen this warning throughout the pages of the journey too the promise land. But we see that God’s discipline is not a vindictive action, it is correction. It is training. It is warning. It is intended to get the attention of God’s people that they may come to Him and find mercy and forgiveness.

These foundational truths are ones that are good for us to remember in our life today. They serve as guidelines for us to possess the “promise land” the Lord has given to us. While for God’s people it was territory, for us it may be a realm of “spiritual territory” or an area of our life where we need some “victory” and to defeat enemies that have confronted us and kept us from experiencing the fullness of the life God has for us.

In our lives today, we can be confident of the Lord’s direction, His protection, His faithfulness and His work in our lives bringing us to the place we need to be in our life with Him.

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The Foundational Truths above, I borrowed from the introduction of a message shared by my friend and pastor in Littleton, Bill Oudemolen. You can listen to his entire message entitled, “Casual Christian or Captive Christian” at the link below:

http://foothillsbiblechurch.org/sermons/casual-christian-or-captive-christian/

After a full day yesterday and a good night of sleep, I was pleased to be fresh and alert this morning. This is certainly a good sign and show some improvement in my level of endurance and stamina. With a winter storm forecast for this weekend, I got in a earlier-than-usual workout at the fitness center.

I am continuing a process of adjusting down on the few prescriptions that I have been taking. This will take several weeks, but is another sign of improvement for which I am thankful.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”  (Matthew 25:23) “I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 1:6)

These two verse are ones that come to mind and set the backdrop for a couple of interesting connections that I have made the last two days. When you meet someone, who in sharing their story, challenges you, it gets your attention. When it happens again in close proximity it really gets your attention.

I have had that happen in less than 24 hours. Late yesterday afternoon I dropped off our van for some service work. The dealership shuttle driver gave me a ride back to my mother’s house where I left my car. David is 75, and works 55 plus hours a week at his job. He has a professional background as a developer and a forensic accountant.

He was sharing how that in his neighborhood there are a number of men 65 and older that need connection and community. David is a follower of Christ and he shared a little of his spiritual journey. For many years he, “walked away from his faith” before recommitting his life to Christ. He made a great statement in sharing his story. He said, “I know what sin is, but I know much more what grace is.”

David shared with me his dream, if the Lord provides the funds, of acquiring a vacant building and turning it into a place where men can come and connect through games, activities and friendship. He also has some ideas on how to meet other practical needs that he has become aware of.

I couldn’t help but think, “here is a guy in his mid seventies with a vision of using God-given resources to meet the needs of others.” That challenged me, because recently my goal in life was just to “make it to 75!”

Today during my workout at 24 Hour Fitness I found myself in a conversation with Ben. When I made a reference to having been a pastor, Ben shared his spiritual journey with me. One that included a “religious” background but then coming to a powerful encounter with the Lord’s presence and a surrender of His life to Christ.

Ben shared how he knew what it was to struggle in life, especially financially. One day he was on his knees cleaning a tile floor on a job and felt the Lord speak to hm, “if you will be faithful to me, I will bless others through you.”

Ben is now the owner of a successful janitorial service specializing in cleaning medical facilities. His next step is to franchise his business model and empower others to achieve the success that his has attained. The word the Lord spoke into his heart is coming true.

So many look at others and think, “how can this person help me be successful?” Ben is one who looks at others and asks, “how can I help this person achieve the success, with which I have been blessed?”

Both these men in sharing their stories and their heart challenged me to remain faithful and as I grow older; not to view the greatest years of impact as behind me. Before the common era of text messages and codes there was a phrase connected with the letters, “PBPGINFWMY” A father explained to his daughter those letters stood for, “Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet.” She was pleased to be in on the code and when someone asked her what those letters meant she proudly said, “Please be patient, God is not finished with my daddy yet!”

We all need to be patient with God’s ongoing work in our lives. That is why Paul reminded the Philippians that “what God starts, He finishes.” We can be confident and encouraged by that. What I am reminded of today is that God is not finished working in us, and He is not finished working through us until the day of His return.