He Knows.

I know it's been quite a while since my last post (o.k., over a MONTH!), but I've struggled with what to share. These past couple of months have been challenging and busy with ministry, family and national office responsibilities. The seasons seem to be ready to change and trying to discern God's will in all of it has been a full time focus.

With that said, it was interesting that I got a call from a dear friend, about to turn 80, who said that they just felt so impressed to call and pray for me! How encouraging to get a phone call from half way around the world by someone you respect, who just felt impressed to call and encourage you. I was overwhelmed to say the least and quite humbled by it all. I'm always open to the prayers and encouragement of others, so we had a great time of visiting about the past and future - then culminated our conversation with prayer for each other.

When I hug up the phone, I just sat still for a moment and pondered the goodness of God. Some folks don't believe in God and I respect their views - but obviously and respectfully disagree. I look around this old planet with all the intricacies of life and the precise balance in it all and ask - how can there not be a God? Scientists have looked all throughout the universe as far as they have been able to see and cannot find life like we have on earth. The human body itself is quite an amazing creation - especially when everything is working the way it was designed.

The Holy Bible, or the "Scriptures" as they are sometimes called, tells us in Psalm 19 verse 1 that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 139 verse 14 shares that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and to think that God even knows when we need someone to encourage us is quite amazing. But that's the God who longs to know each of us better, helping us see that we can trust him in every situation - it every area of our lives. Thanks God...for being such an awesome creator, who actually cares so much about your creation, that you get involved in our everyday lives.

The Gutenberg!

Today I had the opportunity to see a copy of the 42-line Gutenberg Bible. The Gutenberg Bible was printed by the first movable printing press developed in Germany by…who else…Mr. Gutenberg. Thus, the name of the press – the “Gutenberg” press. A bit obvious but I just wanted to be clear about it all. There was also a 36-line version but it appears that all of the complete Gutenberg’s today are of the 42-line version.

We were told that the librarians turn one page of the Bible every day so that the light does not affect one page more than another. It takes two large volumes to bind the complete Bible, and only 40-some copies exist today. Although there are older Bibles written in Hebrew, Greek, and other ancient near eastern languages – to stand in front of this Bible was quite an experience.

As I walked away I began to think about how much it meant to me that I did not have to come to a certain place during certain times in order to communicate with God. God so loved the whole world He created that He made provision for all of us to have a special relationship with Him. His son, Jesus Christ, paid a great price in order for us to enjoy a special relationship with God and communicate with Him in prayer. Prayer is just communicating with God with a faith (or belief) that He does indeed ear what we say.

Although I couldn’t read the Latin words contained in the Gutenberg Bible, I can read the English words of the Bible I have. And I can also share my burdens and delights with a God who cares deeply about me. That same God cares deeply about me – and you as well. Have you ever thought about trying to communicate with the God our Bible talks about? He really does love and care about you and longs to show Himself strong in your behalf. Check out 2 Chronicles 16:9 (that is chapter 16, verse 9 in the Bible’s 2nd book of Chronicles) to see for yourself!

Burned-over Ground.

I recently had the opportunity to witness a small forest fire that had apparently gotten a bit out of hand. Although the fire was only about 200 to 300 yards wide, it was growing and coming my way! I called a neighbor who called the fire department and slowly but surely the rural fire department began to assembly to put the fire out. The conservation bulldozer was even called out to carve a firebreak path around the fire. Everyone worked together to contain the fire so that damage remained minimal.

The next day I walked back down to the area where the fire had burned. Some logs, and even standing dead timbers, still smoldered in the aftermath of that fire. Everything looked dead and lifeless. A bleak picture remained of the charming wooded landscape that had graced that part of the country only hours before. But one of the volunteer fire fighters said something interesting after fighting the fire the night before. He said, "you're going to have the greenest patch of grass down there this summer." The fire had served a valid purpose in burning up much of the "deadness" in the forest, allowing a new start to begin.

And how true, that even in our own lives we often don't realize that the fires which burn up the trash and dead stuff actually lead to a healthier place in the long run. I must admit, that when I'm putting out my own spiritual fires, I don't feel very excited about the "greenest grass" awaiting me in the future. As a matter of fact, I'm more likely to be fighting bitterness, or hurt, or some other not very pleasant feeling. And even though God does not always remove our battles, he does, in fact, allow all these thing to "work for the good" (Romans 8:28).

It is nice to know that the God who made heaven and earth, sent his only son, Jesus Christ, who knows how we feel, to provide an opportunity for each of us to have a right relationship with God. I'm glad that I have a friend in Jesus Christ who helps me along life's path, and is able to sympathize with my weaknesses; one "who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin." (Hebrew 4:15). A friend who knows how to intercede for me, and sustain me while burning up the trash, so I can have a fresh start every single day.