Today, Debbie and I started out the day trying to overcome our mutual technology deficit in getting some issues addressed on email, computers and I-pad. I’m not sure sure if we really understood how we were making it work, but in the end we got all of our issues resolved. I am frequently made aware that technology has long passed my ability to take full advantage of what is has to offer. You know the “I didn’t know I (or it) could to that!” moment. I told someone that it was little disconcerting watching my almost 23 month old granddaughter playing with her mom’s I-phone when they were with us earlier this month.

After surviving the technology challenges and some of our normal morning routines, we went to Loveland for a nice later lunch. Of course that created the need for a nap, at least for me, while Debbie ran some errands. That means I will do some “at home” exercises instead of going to the fitness center.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  Matthew 6:26

What we value impacts our life greatly. It establishes priorities and it is a source of joy and sometimes sorrow. Who values us has an even greater impact on our life. The need to be loved and valued by others is a basic human need. We need to know that others care about us and that in the phrase of today, “that they have our back.”

One of the greatest challenges in our world today is when people for a myriad of reasons do not feel valued. I recall one person making the simple statement about her life, “I know what’s like to not to be wanted.” As we enter the Christmas season we are reminded of our value to God. God’s love for us and value for us as His creation compelled Christ to come as that baby in Bethlehem manager. The express purpose of the next 33 years would be for Christ to identify with people and to lay down His life for them.

Two verses from John’s gospel reveal God’s value for our life. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son….” and John 14:2 “…I go to prepare a place for you….that where I am there you may be also.” No greater value can be seen than Jesus laying down His life for us and then preparing a place for us to be with Him for all eternity.

I would point out that when we are valued….

1 – It instills confidence  ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  (Matthew 7:7-8)

“…if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ”  (Matthew 6:30)

2 – It builds our sense of trust   “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

3 – It frees us to value others in open relationships  “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…” (Matthew 7:12)  When we have security in our value, it enables us to value and serve others. I recall Dick Foth pointing out that before Jesus washed the disciples feet in the upper room that scripture states that, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God…”  (John 13:3) Jesus had a sense of security from who He was and where He was going and it released Him to fully serve others, even in His greatest hour of need. The same is true in our life. When we understand the value of our lives we are freed to love and serve others.

I recently caught part of a story about a Baylor University football player who was struggling in his role as a player and his view of himself. A pastor who was his mentor encourage him to remember that, “playing football is what I do, it is not who I am.” When our value is found in “whose we are” not what we do, it can radically change our life and free us to love and serve and value others.

This morning I enjoyed connecting with my friend Jim Szakmeister when I went to pick up a men’s ministry shirt at church today. I have known Jim for a number of years and I always enjoy my time with him. Before heading to our Saturday evening church service I did have a good fitness center workout with some exercise bike time and swimming some laps. During some of these times, I reflect back on a year ago and remember where I was, and feel grateful for the progress that I am making.

Tonight after church we met Ted and Murlene Grizzel’s granddaughter, Rachel who is living in Canyon City and is a student of world view studies in a program designed for high school students preparing for college. This type of instruction is of great value to our youth as they arm themselves for future impact on their world. We were pleased to find an acquaintance of ours from over 30 years ago is the director or the school. http://www.worldviewbridgeyear.com/

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.“ 1 Samuel 15:22,23

I ended my reading through the Bible and have been reading “The Book of God” “The Bible as a Novel” I have been reading the story of Saul becoming Israel’s first King and a couple of concepts jumped out at me that I had not focused on in the past.

In the beginning Saul was a “reluctant king.” Like Gideon he viewed himself as the least of his father’s family and the least of Israel’s tribe. Yet as he was anointed by the prophet Samuel, God changed his heart and he became the political and military leader over the tribes of Israel.

In the course of time two events led to Saul’s downfall as a leader. Both of these had a basis in the “sin of presumption.” A fitting definition of presumption in these situations is “behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.”

The first was when he was preparing for a battle against the Philistines and Samuel did not show up when Saul expected. Saul saw the restlessness in the people and took matters into his own hands and in presumption offered the sacrifice that was only the right of priests to call on God’s favor for the victory in battle.

Samuel arrived before the sacrifice was completed and rebuked Saul saying…

…“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever…” 1 Samuel 13:13

The presumption of Saul in this situation was created by impatience. When we become impatient with God, we tend to take things into our own hands and the outcome is worse than if we would have waited just a little longer. What we see in Samuel’s  rebuke of Saul is that impatience leads to missing out not only on God’s provision, but on God’s promise for a better future than what we can secure in our own strength and wisdom.

The next situation arose when the Lord instructed Saul to take revenge on the Amalekites. God’s instructions to Saul were these, “Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destructionall that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’” 1 Samuel 15:3

These are harsh and in our day hard to understand instructions. But the Lord like the city of Jericho had determined that these people should be destroyed because of their past battles with Israel and they ungodly lifestyle. When something is “devoted to the Lord” that means the normal “rules of engagement” are called off. No bounty for the troops, no taking captive the enemy king. But Saul in his presumption modified the instructions and took the King captive and spared some of the “best” of the flocks for sacrifice.

I have usually focused on obedience in Samuel’s rebuke, but I believe it is more important to focus on, “…presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.” When we take things into our own hands, when we place our preferences over the Lord’s we act in arrogance and beyond the limits of what we are permitted. That at least is sin and at most is idolatry because we place ourselves and our views and ideas above God’s.

Then I notice that Saul said to Samuel, “I spared the best of the livestock for sacrifice to the Lord your God.”  I’m not sure if he was trying to get sympathy by saying, “I did this for you!” or if he did not honor the Lord as his God. In the Old Testament we see the need for each generation to not only obey and honor the Lord, but to embrace the Lord as their God. It is one thing to recognize the Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Or the God of the prophet or priest or my parents. It is another to declare, “the Lord is my God.”

When we have a personal relationship with Lord, it will have an impact on the value we place on obedience and the power that is available to keep us from presumptive sins. Perhaps the prayer of David is more important to us than we realize, “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!”  Psalm 19:13

This “day after…” was a laid back one for me and Debbie was able to come home early. Today is Debbie’s birthday and we were able to get out early and enjoy a meal at Red Robin. This was my first time to return to the restaurant since last February when I went into septic shock after being there. Not that they were responsible, but the identification as to the timing has been challenging to overcome.

I did manage to get in a good workout today. I had my longest workout on an exercise bike and it felt good to be able to sustain a higher heart rate and a  better time then I have in the past. I am thankful for the small steps of progress that I can see at times.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.”           Matthew 27:45

The day after Thanksgiving is the official start of the Christmas season and is also called, “Black Friday.” The name is connected to the surge of shopping and in spite of bargain prices that retailers will have a bottom line profit and end the season and year in the “black.”

While we are not big shoppers let alone on the day after Thanksgiving, I did think of another “black Friday.” It was the day when Jesus was crucified and for a period of several hours darkness covered all the land. This was just one of the signs, but one of the more dramatic signs of the events of the crucifixion. Everyone would have been aware of this remarkable sign and it would have brought fear among many.

When Jesus began his ministry the words of the prophet Isaiah were being fulfilled that said,

“…the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light…” (Matthew 4:16) And now the light of the world was being taken from them and darkness was covering the land.

It is interesting that one of the plagues in Revelation involves darkness. Revelation 16:10 says, “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.”  One aspect of our daily lives we take for granted is the sunrise that greets us each morning. It is that part of the day we anticipated and look forward to. As God’s judgments come upon the earth and specifically “the best” we see darkness covers the world. It is a dramatic display of God’s power and a wake up call as to the true existence of all those on the earth.

Throughout the Bible darkness is used as a metaphor for sin. One of the greatest contrasts using darkness and light is seen in Ephesian 5:8 “…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…” We realize that when Paul uses the word “walk” that it means “live” and some translations use that word. However, when I think about it I gain a greater appreciation for the word “walk.”

In Paul’s day walking was still the most common form of transportation. The terrain was varied, the foot wear minimal and the opportunity to turn an ankle, or step on something that could do harm or be bitten by a snake was a constant threat. When Paul warns believers to be “careful how you walk” and then goes on and says, “walk as children of the light” the metaphor comes to life. When you walk in the light you do so with greater confidence and safety. And that is what we need to remind ourselves.

I’m not sure how your “Black Friday” in 2014 went, but a “black Friday” 2000 years ago made it possible  for you to “walk” in the light spiritually and one day the Lord of the light will bring us to a place where there is no darkness.

I just returned home from a full day in Englewood with my mother. We ran some errands, had lunch and made a trip to Lakewood to see the grandkids and great-grandkids. The trip down went better than expected and the trip back to Fort Collins at the end of the day went slower than anticipated. All in all I still feel pretty good at the end of a long day. I managed to navigate around with my walker and for the most part that went well, as long as I had places to rest when I needed to.

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am grateful for my faith and my family. I recall my doctor in the acute care hospital even mentioned the strength of my faith that made a difference in my recovery. I am certainly grateful for the answers to the prayers of many and for those who had faith for me when I was not even aware of the condition that I was in. My “family of faith” was very evident in my time of greatest need.

During my hospitalization the staff from nurses to housekeepers observed Debbie’s faithful attention and positive attitude. She is missed more by the staff and I am. Stephanie made many trips from Atlanta and Christian and Bridget were “regulars” along with the kids making visits and providing support as much as possible. Many staff members took note and some even made comments about their concern as to if they would have “that kind of support” if they experienced a similar situation.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”                  1 Thessalonians 5:18

We often hear the expression, “an attitude of gratitude.” That expression speaks of a general outlook or demeanor in life. Perhaps the contrast to this is “an entitlement attitude.”  This would be an outlook on life that says, “I deserve or am owed a certain quality of life, or treatment or ??? “ When we are thankful for something, it almost implies that we are thankful to someone.

It is certainly appropriate for us to be thankful to those who have made a difference in our lives: family, friends, mentors, pastors, employers, co-workers. But we realize that the greatest expression of gratitude is that which is addressed toward the our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. We recognize that He is the One who we owe so much to that our expression of thanks can at times feel hollow and inadequate. I think of a worship chorus of some years back that contained the words, “I’m forever grateful to you…”

We are a blessed people and have much to be thankful for. Yet Paul stretches the bounds of our gratitude when he says, “give thanks in all circumstances.” Really?! All circumstances? Paul is not one speaking from some kind of sheltered, protected lifestyle or history. Look again at some of his “circumstances”.…

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure….”  2 Corinthians 11:24-27

Paul then goes on to talk about his “thorn in the flesh” which we know was a constants source of pain.

But I do notice that Paul says “give thanks in…” not necessarily for all circumstances. The key is that we can be thankful in the circumstances of life if we keep our eyes on the Lord who is above our circumstances instead of focusing on our circumstances. I believe that is what Paul would want us to know, because in responding to the Lord’s assurance of His grace that gives strength in weakness, he says, “…when I am weak then am I strong.” (2 Cor 12:10) Paul also said that he learned the secret of contentment in the situations of life whether good or bad,  “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

My take away…. If Paul could be thankful to the Lord in his circumstances, then I can be in mine.

As we move through this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for all those who have provided support to Debbie and me over the time of my illness and recovery. Your prayers, financial support and encouragement has made all the difference in our lives. I am looking forward to great strides taking place in the coming year and am looking forward to what the future holds. Your continued prayers for not only my on going rehabilitation, but future plans that the Lord may have for me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Mark 4:38 (NLT)

I have been considering lately what we think, what we feel at times when challenges come our way. It may be the terminal diagnosis, it may be the debilitation condition, it may be that need we have prayed and sought the Lord about. Whatever the issue that seems to “rock our boat” the temptation is the same and that is to look at the Lord and not doubt that He is there or that He hears our prayer; the temptation is to believe that He doesn’t care. That it doesn’t matter to Him what we are going through.

That is exactly where the disciples were as they faced a storm on the sea of Galilee. Many of these were experienced fishermen. They knew the lake and they knew storms. They knew what was serious and what was not. As they did their best to control the ship as they bobbed like a cork on the tossing waves, they found Jesus asleep! There frantic cry was not just they were getting ready to die, but the sense of frustration that Jesus didn’t seem to care. The disciples already had determined what their fate was and didn’t want Jesus to be sleeping while it took place.

Jesus got up, rebuked the winds and the waves; as the wind stopped and seas calmed, He rebuked His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

I would just challenge you that if you are going through a storm, make sure that Jesus is in your corner! I believe we can say that peace without Jesus is more dangerous than a storm with Jesus with us. Then remember fear is the enemy of faith. Fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear for our family or our life. Jesus love comes into our lives to drive out fear.

Remember the words of 1 Peter 5:7  “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT) You matter to God and He cares for you and what you are facing. Keep trusting and confident that His presence will empower you to make it through the storm.