COURAGE FOR TODAY

Walls Don't Have To Be Barriers

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:5

I never cared for Physical Education classes when I was in High School.  I loved to play baseball and basketball, but I was not what you would consider athletic by any stretch of the imagination.  I think because P.E. wasn't "fun" to me.  We were constantly running, jumping, or exercising of some type.  I really thought it was a waste of my time.  I spent most of my time during those classes day dreaming about other things and wishing I was somewhere else at the time.  Perhaps if I had been a star High School Football or Basketball Player things might have been different, but there was never any danger of that happening so it was agony for me each day of P.E. class.

I remember one particular class we were scheduled to be visited by a "special exercise guest."  You just can't get much more exciting than that.  I just knew that we were finally going to do something fun or meet some famous athlete.  We made our way from the P.E. Locker room and arrived out on the ball field only to be greeted by a local ROTC Drill Sergeant standing in front of a wooden wall with a rope hanging from the top.  You've seen them in movies involving soldiers and their training.  The goal is to run towards the wall; grab the rope; and pull yourself and climb up the wall and over.  My excitement turned to horror.  I knew my turn was coming and I would have to attempt the wall but, at that moment, I would have rather gone to the Dentist.  I knew I couldn't climb that wall.  I could barely do pull-ups on the high bar, much less climb a wall while holding a rope.  Sure enough, my turn came.  I ran.  I pulled.  I climbed.  I fell.  Just as predicted.

The Best Path For The New Year

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Psalm 16: 11 (NIV)

It's that time of year again when we all start agonizing over our New Year's Resolutions.  There's just something about the starting of a New Year that seems to motivate us to start a new exercise program; or begin a new weight loss program; or, perhaps, make a different career decision.  It's almost as if starting "fresh" in the New Year makes us forget about the past and become more determined than ever to succeed at our new goal, whatever that may be.

I was spending some time today thinking about what might be the next path in my own life and where life's journey may take me over the next few months or year or even several years.  I have a lot of things swirling around in my mind, but I don't yet have peace about any major decisions at this point. 

No Room At The Inn

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2: 7 (NIV)

It's been quite a stressful few weeks for our family.  My daughter; son-in-law; and their three children have been making travel arrangements to return home for Christmas, from their Mission Home in China.  This trip was going to be especially trying because their third child was just born in November.  Before they could travel, they had to obtain their new daughter's U.S. Passport and travel documents.  Once that was in hand, it was off to Beijing; then a flight to Tokyo; then on to the U.S.  I've spared you a lot of details, but suffice it to say that the journey from their small China town to our home town in the U.S.; in time for Christmas, was nothing short of a miracle.  God's hand was truly on them during their journey.  What an exciting, tearful reunion it was this past Friday when they finally arrived at the airport. 

UnEducated and UnTrained

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13 (NIV)

I've been fortunate in life to cross paths with many, many different types of people and personalities.  I've met Presidents and CEO's of Major Corporations.  I've met famous politicians.  I've even met popular sports figures.  All in all, I guess you could say that I've been able to meet a lot of individuals that are held in fairly high esteem by the World's standards.

The World would look at these people and come to the conclusion that they were at the top of their respective fields.  Afterall, the Presidents and CEO's certainly must have advanced degrees and education.  The politicians certainly must have education plus all the "people" skills necessary to influence others.  And, of course, the sports personalities surely must devote their energy to hours upon hours of dedication and practice.  I think all of these things are probably true for the most part, but somehow that just doesn't impress me. 

Now and Later

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough of its own.  Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

I don't know about you, but its so hard sometimes to NOT worry about what may be coming down the pipeline.  Let's face it and be honest with each other:  we all worry.  It may be about our health.  It may be about our families.  It may be about our finances or job situations.  Whatever the circumstances, we all worry in this journey we call life.

I've read and heard this verse many, many times but, to me at least, its so difficult to follow.  I do believe we should plan and make prudent God-directed decisions to protect our future and I do believe there's a difference between taking common-sense steps to prevent disaster versus worrying about events that may or may not even materialize.

The Puzzle of Faith

 And without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.  Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Faith is one of those concepts that has always been hard for me to grasp.  Not only that, but I would just get downright mad at others who would sometimes just tell me to "have faith."  I already knew that I should have faith, but I spent many years wondering how?  I wanted someone to tell me how.  These well-meaning friends that were telling me to "just have faith" didn't ever tell me HOW to have Faith or what exactly to do.  I know there isn't some magic formula, but there had to be something to grab on to.  It was just an abstract concept to me and I struggled with how to attach some "meat" or a real meaning to this thing we call Faith.