A picture with my mom, brother and sister and their spouses the last time we were together for my mom’s 90th birthday.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ESV

The last week or so has been the longest break in my blog posts. Since my mother died on September 6th the days have been filled with planning her memorial service and tending to things at her house in Englewood. We have enjoyed family time together in reflection, work and discovering the “hidden treasures” she had tuck away in the midst of the clutter of her home.

At her graveside service this past Tuesday, I shared from the passage above. My mother’s given name was “Martha” and it seemed to fit her well. She was a hard worker and was a woman given to hospitality and opening her home to others. She loved her family and her Lord, but showed it in ways that always didn’t connect with others as she intended.

Like Martha in the gospel’s my mother was one who could be “worried and upset about many things.” Even though her final days were peaceful, that aspect would “pop out” once in a while even then. She was also one whose expectations of others were often judged by her own priorities.

She was a woman committed to serving the Lord throughout her life and her faith remained strong to the end. Even as she prepared to leave the hospital she prayed with my niece and her husband and expressed confidence in the Lord’s healing power, regardless of the medical outlook.

But now that she is in the presence of the Lord, she finds herself, like Mary, at His “feet.” The work of life and the worries of life have come to an end. As the old hymn says, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” That is the future for all who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

As I reflected on my mother’s life and this passage of scripture, I had to admit there is some “Martha” in me. It is far too easy to “do” for the Lord, than to be “with” the Lord. The things that I believe are important and that can captivate my thoughts and concerns, may not be what the Lord would say are a priority. I the past I can recall being “judgmental” of those whose priorities and values were more balanced than mine.

Serving the Lord is good, being at His feet is better. Both are important, but only one will last forever. So, I want to be more like Mary in this life, because I have come to realize that is my eternal destiny. I might as well learn to spend more time at Jesus “feet” now to be more prepared for heaven.

Prayer for today….. Lord thank You for this peek into the lives of these sisters. Help us to learn to choose that “which is better.” Remind us that heaven is about being in Your presence and at rest. 

My siblings and I spent yesterday making final arrangements for my mothers memorial services. The celebration of her life will be next Tuesday, (September 12) at the First Baptist Church in Englewood. We have been dealing with her house and as anticipated it has been a challenge. The issue with the “depression-era” generation is not in their propensity to hold to things, but what and how much they decide to hold on to. We are just thankful that while she held on to “things” she held firmly in her faith in the Lord anticipating the “end.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven….And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world.” Luke 21:11,25-26 ESV

The news of natural disasters has captivated the airwaves, internet and new outlets. A 1,000 year hurricane in Houston, Texas, a great hurricane off the coast of Florida, an historic earthquake in Mexico. All within weeks of each other.

Some view these as “normal” or “abnormal” weather patterns or events. Some view them as the consequences of global warming. Some view them as “acts of God” or “signs” of the times.

I was thinking earlier today as I was out for an earlier morning meeting about “signs.” They are certainly much more prevalent and a part of our lives today, than 2,000 years ago. There are signs outside of businesses. There are all kinds of traffic signs. There are street signs to help us find a location. In our communities signs abound and we take them for granted.

Spiritual signs or signs of the coming of the Lord are much more difficult to “read.” It is easy to panic and have the emotional reaction to when were have misread a street sign and ask our self the question, “where am I at?!” In the midst of everything it is easy to get caught up in what we don’t know and to forget the clear message of Jesus as to what we do know and how we are to focus our hearts and our minds.

Jesus as He tells His disciples about His coming communicates the signs. In short, there will be disruption in the political and natural order. Those disruptions will become more frequent and severe. There will be false “messiah’s” and those who attempt to exert undue influence over people and their lives.

What is important is to understand our reaction. Jesus says,  ^“And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” (Luke 21:9 ESV) While events around may get our attention and create questions, they are not to create fear and panic. Disorientation, confusion and fear is a tool of Satan. I have found in my personal and public life that no good decisions are made in an overly reactive mode.

Even when God is blamed and believers are viewed as the “enemy” Jesus says, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.” (Luke 21:13 ESV)

We are to keep our focus and have confidence in the God who is in control and can be trusted with what we don’t know or understand. “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28 ESV)

Regardless of what God “causes” and what God “allows” there are always opportunities to demonstrate in word and deed a “clear headed” calm in the midst of the storm.

Prayer for today….. Lord, our days require us to have Your mind and heart to know how to live and how to be people of hope and peace in a world of turmoil. Bless those who serve, guide our efforts and our words so that Your name is honored as we live in challenging times.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “….I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. And now the prize awaits me…”  2 Timothy 4:7 ESV; 2 Timothy 4:8 NLT

My mother died at 9:15 a.m. this morning. It was last Thursday that I made my final trip to Englewood to visit with my mother. We had a good time together and had lunch at the senior center where she ate every day. It was that night after working outside, she began experiencing some severe pain, was hospitalized and ended at our home in hospice care.

As I prayed with her this morning just minutes before her final breath, I made reference to her being on her final “leg” of her life’s journey. She was one in the midst of her mental struggles in these final years and months held firmly to the reality that she had “heaven to gain.” I have been telling people that her attitude, as we consulted with the surgeon on Friday afternoon, when told if she didn’t have surgery she would die was, “…. and what’s the bad news!?”

To the end she held to her firm faith that God was able to heal and she would rather trust the Lord, anticipate heaven and live at peace. She did keep her faith. She always reflected on her early years in life when “bell’s palsy” twisted her face and made her shake to the point of having difficulty eating. Those years had an impact on her self-esteem that last throughout her life. However, she would often hold out her hands (even like she did last Friday in pre-op) and say, “look at me! See how steady my hands are at 92! God is able to do anything!” 

It was only about 10 minutes after my prayer, that my brother came to get me and Debbie to tell us that mom had taken her last breath. She had finished her race.

The metaphor of “finishing a race” takes on some significance runners. First of all, a runner knows that when the finish line is in view, there is one last spurt of effort and energy. That is so often what we observe in the final stages leading to death. There may be a temporary “rally” time. (Mom experienced that on Monday night) and then there is the “work” of dying.

But crossing the finish line gives a great sense of relief and satisfaction. The striving is over, there is the reward of finishing and finishing well and anticipating rest.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13 NIV)

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return….” (2 Timothy 4:8 ESV)

Those two words, “and now….” point us to the reality that the end is not the end. There is something coming after finishing. The end for those who place their faith in Christ and “finish the race” is the beginning of eternity in the presence of our Lord. The Bible refers to it as, “entering the joy of the Lord.”

That is a reward that makes “finishing the race” worth it. “It shall be worth it all when we see Jesus….one glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

The past 48 hours have sent life in a new direction for my mother. After spending several hours with her on Thursday during the day, she ended up in the hospital with severe pain on Thursday night. It was found that she had a very rare hernia in her pelvic region, causing a bowel blockage. Debbie and I went to Denver yesterday anticipating a surgery for my mother but she dug in her heel and refused to “be cut on.” After some lengthy conversation with the surgeon and among my siblings we “got on the same page with mom.”

That means she has come to our house in Fort Collins and has been admitted into hospice care. We will take coming days, one at a time and see what the future holds. She has talked about her desire to be in heaven and at this points this turn in her physical health status may be that ticket. (picture: leaving hospital with Debbie and niece Kate Martin)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 ESV

I recall a saying that goes, “If we can miss the point, we certainly will!” I believe that saying applies to understanding what God requires and what people, even God’s people, believe He requires. Perhaps it not so much a “requirement” but understanding God’s priorities, God’s desires.

Micah 6:8 is a verse known by many. It speaks to God’s desire for His people to “do” justice to “love” kindness and to “walk” humbly with God. These priorities speak to our actions, our values and how we live. The contrast to these can be seen in the verses that precede this one.

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” (Micah 6:6,7 ESV)

These verses show the human perspective of what would please the Lord. Each posit grows more dramatic from prized year-old calves to a firstborn child. (What is of interest is that some Canaanite gods were worshiped with child sacrifice.) With each of these questions comes a sense that God can’t be pleased; that what pleases Him and how to worship Him is either impractical or extreme. Such was the case with the false gods that the people endeared themselves to. The problem was they confused what the Lord God was like opposed to the human gods.

The response to the questions comes with the initial words, “I have told you…” The Lord God has not hidden Himself and His desires and His priorities. It is His people that were not paying attention. As I read these verses, it strikes me like God is saying, “let’s go over it once again!” Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. We make it hard, God makes is clear and simple. At least simple to understand, perhaps challenging for us to do. It is a challenge because justice, mercy and humility can run contrary to our fallen human nature.

But as I read and re-read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, I come to a greater appreciation of the Lord’s mercy, patience and loving kindness. Not only that, but He promises that if we “yoke” with Him, we find that His “burden” is light. (Matthew 11:30)

Our challenge is to stay on the same page with God. When we do that and focus on not only His priorities, but His strength to fulfill them, we stay on the right path.

Prayer for today…. Lord, we can make it complicated, You make it simple. Following You, doing life with You is much easier, than doing life for You.  Keep us from our own ideas and enable us to focus on what Your Word instructs and reminds.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 ESV

You can count on it, you can observe it. Those who are good examples, have had good examples to follow. Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica is described in Acts 17. There were many Jews and Greeks who turned to Christ, but those who were jealous of Paul and his companions created an uproar in the city. Paul commends these faithful followers of Christ for embracing the gospel.

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4,5 ESV)

Those who turned to Christ needed to be grounded and established in their faith. As a result, they learned from Paul and his companions how to serve Christ and be true to Him. First of all, Paul through the example of his life proved himself to be a trustworthy example.

I recall the saying, “you can impress people from a distance, but you impact them up close.” I believe the Thessalonian believers had an opportunity to see how the Holy Spirit used Paul and also to be impacted through relationship with him. This wasn’t just a “run into town, preach and leave” and hope those who responded to the gospel “figure it out for themselves.”

There was adequate time and relationship for the Thessalonian believers to follow the example and teaching of Paul and his companions. The result of that was through their steadfast faith and perseverance, they became examples for others in the region.

We see this was done in “word” and in “deed.” “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere…” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV)

The believers in Thessalonica became examples to others, because they learned from the example of others. I believe this demonstrates that the impact of our lives is not based on “what” we know, but “who” we know; and who has been an influence on us.

We can observe this in many arenas in life. You may want to stop and consider who has served as a “role model” as an “example” in your faith and perhaps even in your profession. I believe that you will observe what we see in these reflections of scripture; the impact that we have on others, is because of those who have had an impact on us. That ripple effect can be seen in multiple ways and down through the generations.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You for those who made an impact on us and have served as examples of faith and faithfulness. Allow our lives to be lived in such a way as to be an example to others. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Daniel 6:16 ESV

When Daniel’s jealous advisers set him up for failure, they unwittingly created a dilemma for the King. They appealed to the King’s pride in issuing an order that no one could pray to any deity except the King. In legislative speak the “unintended consequence” was that this irrevocable order painted both the King and Daniel into a corner.

As we read the story it seems that the King was in greater turmoil, than Daniel. As Daniel faces the irreversible fate of being thrown into a den of lions, the King offers his simple prayer. Not just “good luck” or “nice knowing you” but recognizes the true deity that his own order had forbidden to be recognized.

As Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, the King became his unsuspecting “intercessor.” “Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting;no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.” (Daniel 6:18 ESV)

As the dawn broke the King rushes to the den and calls for Daniel. That fact alone seems to indicate he believed that it was possible for the Lord God to save Daniel. He heard Daniel’s voice from the pit, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” (Daniel 6:21,22 ESV)

The King then had those who had accused Daniel thrown in the den of lions along with their families. They were devoured before they hit the bottom of the pit. King Cyrus then issued another edict,

 ^“I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26,27 ESV)

As God’s people are experiencing their captivity in a foreign land filled with pagan gods, we see the Lord God demonstrating His power and might to Kings so that they would recognize the Lord God as the true Sovereign Lord of the universe.

As I reflect on these events it becomes clear that even when God’s people are not at their best, that God is still at work, revealing Himself to even those in positions of power. We see the Lord using those who are faithful to Him even in a pagan kingdom, filled with ruthless leaders to give them influence and to use them for His purpose. The Lord is able to turn the hearts of leaders and to thwart the plans of those who oppose God’s people. In this situation the Lord used the prayers of a pagan King to rescue Daniel from certain death.

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that even when the situation looks impossible, we can see You at work. Help us to believe for You to do in our day what You have done in these stories that we read in the Bible.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And you…..Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven.” Daniel 5:22,23 ESV

During this year’s grandcamp our guest speaker shared, “the wise learn from their mistakes, those who are wiser, learn from the mistakes of others.” Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar is an example of failing to understand this lesson.

Nebuchadnezzar was the “King of the World” of his day. He was the “head of gold” of the statute in his famous dream. But he had another dream that came true one year after he learned the interpretation and received Daniel’s warning. The Lord allowed this great king to become insane and be like an animal until he recognized the Lord God as the true Sovereign over all. (Daniel 4)

His son knew of all this. Yet when he became King, we find him throwing an extravagant party and praising the gods of gold, silver and precious stones as he and all his guests drank from goblets taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. A hand appears and writes on the wall.

Daniel comes in, spurns the Kings offer of gifts and proceeds to interpret the words, “You have been weighed in the scales and have been found wanting. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.” (Daniel 5:27,28 ESV) Those are sobering words for any king, even a drunk one!

Unlike his father, there was no delay in the words of the interpretation of the handwriting coming true. That very night the King was killed and Darius the Mede began his rule.

The statement about the difference between being “wise” and “wiser” reminds of the saying, “those who fail to remember the past, are doomed to repeat it.” For some reason, it seems to be in us that we need to learn from our own experiences in life. We can observe the failings and sufferings of others, but often taken a “it-won’t-happen-to-me” approach. Often we can find what we don’t think will happen, happens. We find that we are not the exception but the norm when it comes to the cause and effect of certain actions or attitudes or decisions.

Paul writes to New Testament believers and reminds them of Old Testament lessons that are to be learned. “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were….. We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did….” (1 Corinthians 10:5-8 ESV)

Paul’s desire was for the Corinthians to be not wise, but “wiser.” I am reminded of Paul’s words, “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:19 NIV)

One of our Teen Challenge girls made a comment that has stayed with me, “I wondered what it would be like to be high on Meth, and now I which I had never known.”  She couldn’t learn from the wrong decisions of others, so she was left to travel a road she never intended.

Let’s seek not only to be “wise” but those who are “wiser.”

Prayer for today…. Lord, give us the strength to keep our eyes upon You and not to be lured into that which will only bring heartache and pain. Thank You for the joy that there is on the path of wisdom.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…..  “Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries….” Daniel 2:27,28 ESV

Have you ever had a dream that seemed to leave an impact but you couldn’t remember what it was? That seems to have been the case with King Nebuchadnezzar. He had a disturbing dream and wanted to know the meaning, but couldn’t remember the dream.

He made the impossible request of his “wise” men and enchanters. “Tell me the dream or heads will roll!” This story has a problem that only a great God could solve. The Babylonian advisers told the king,  “…There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter …” (Daniel 2:10 ESV) Not only is there no man on earth who can respond to such a request, no king in history of the earth has made such a ridiculous request.

Daniel in response made a big request to the Lord. But he called on his three Hebrew friends in the king’s palace to “agree” with him in prayer. The Lord gave Daniel a dream of the king’s dream and the meaning of it. Daniel’s response was an anthem of praise to the Lord. Daniel recognizes God’s all powerful, all wise nature and then declares,  “I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you…” (Daniel 2:23 ESV) 

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is one of significance that captivates the minds and hearts of Bible scholars today. Daniel’s interpretation of the dream reveals that all earthly kingdoms serve a purpose and eventually come to an end. But there is a coming kingdom of the King of Kings that will one day come and it will never come to an end.

Isaiah prophesied about this king, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isaiah 9:7 NIV) The words of the angel to Mary reveal the One who is the fulfillment of those words, “…he [Jesus] will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33 NIV)

In all of this I observe that Daniel reveals a humble spirit that is focused on giving God the glory. We see it in his praise response to the Lord’s revelation and we see it in his final words to the king, “A great God has made known to the king what shall be….” (Daniel 2:45 ESV)

He also was loyal to his friends. He sought their support and he helped secure their influence.  ^“Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:49 ESV)

When we give glory to the Lord and look out for others, God takes carer of us, “….the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon…” (Daniel 2:48 ESV)

Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You know the end from the beginning. You reveal to us what we need to know and when. We can relax and trust Your sovereign control over the affairs of the world knowing that Your kingdom is the one that will endure forever.