Blessings In The Battles

For all my life, I have misunderstood what true humility looks like.  Humility is almost universally taught as the being self-effacing and making yourself lower than others.   True humility is about finding the proper balance between arrogance and self-effacement. The goal of Humility practice is to find the proper balance between your needs and the needs of others. Too Little Humility:  Arrogance Too Much Humility:  Self effacement/doormat-like behavior Spectrum of Humility Mantra No more than my space, no less than my place.” –  Alan Morinis,   Everyday Holiness  Action If you tend towards too little Humility,  speak out less and focus on listening. If you tend towards too much Humility,  speak out more and let your voice be heard . You don’t need to do anything dramatic – just take a small step outside of your comfort zone.

In the battles of life when there doesn't seem like there is an end or a way out, God can defy all logic and all the laws of nature.  He can do something differently that what normally happens in this world naturally.  He can do something supernatural to bring victory.  Are you facing a seemingly impossible situation? Does what you’re asking God for seem unlikely to come to pass?  Perhaps, you feel completely trapped, hedged in and overwhelmed, with no solution in sight.  Or maybe, your heart is heavy with doubt as you can’t figure out what to do next, for there appears to be nothing you can do about what you now face. These seemingly , impossible situations aren’t the end if you believe in the God of the Bible.  They are the platforms upon which God steps up and does a something supernatural!    In the battle of Gibeon five countries combined forces to attack the people of Israel, a seemingly impossible battle for the Israelite...

When times become difficult or chaotic, it’s easy to lose focus.  Life's battles can consume us, distracting us from the state of our hearts, the focus of our souls, and the actions we should be taking. Before we know it, we are likely in serious need of a spiritual "purifying" — a cleansing, or re-calibrating. The Bible uses the metaphoric picturing of pure refined gold to describe the heart, soul and actions of God’s people. In ancient Israel, God wanted everything in the tabernacle (and later the temple) to be purified so it could be used for His purposes. The ark of the covenant was overlaid with pure gold. The staffs to carry it were covered in gold, as were the mercy seat and the cherubim that covered it. The table for the shew bread was covered in gold. The dishes, spoons and bowls used in the temple service were pure gold. The candlesticks, the tongs, the lamp cups—all made of gold. If something was to be in God’s presence, it was going to have be made...

An effective battle plan is not about fighting all the time, day and night, until the war is won.  An effective battle plan is about strategy and waiting for the right time to attack, but  sometimes it is difficult to be patient.  We just can’t understand why we have to wait for things in a spiritual battle like a family member coming to faith, or a loved one being healed.  We can quickly feel our bank of patience depleting as we seem to be walking in circles. In Joshua Chapter 6 the army of Israel was in a battle for the town of Jericho but instead of attacking the city and crashing the walls the Lord instructed the Israelites to have patients for 6 days and to do nothing except walk silently in circles around the city walls.  Israel was ready to attack, but God told them to wait.   Blessing in this Battle:  God Blesses us with Patience Seeking patience is in many senses a battle in and of itself.   The promise we can lean o...

None of us are exempt from the battles of life. Nothing has made that more clear than this fight for our lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.  On top of that, I know many people are facing other very real battles on top of this one.  Battles of lost jobs, lost loved ones, wayward children, health and relationship issues; battles that you don’t fully understand.  I don't know why these battles occur, but with this series of blogs I want to share the good news; that you don't have to wait until the battle is over to have a better day.  The divinely given gifts and benefits of an ever present Father don't cease to exist during the most difficult times in life.  No matter the battles we face, there are always blessings hidden somewhere in the battle.  We just need a new vantage point to see them. Exodus 17:8-15-The Amalekites came and attacked  the Israelites at Rephidim.  Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amale...

As I write this blog, I think about our oldest daughter who recently started middle school and finished her "Human Growth Unit" last year. Although they have covered the physical mechanics of sexual reproduction in school her mom and I, as her parents, want to provide the moral context for the practice of the physical act of sex.  I know many people are passionate about removing "sex ed" from schools  BUT... the answer is not removing educational classes from school or simply saying to your kids "wait until you are married to have sex."  Although great advice, it isn't really going to satify the always questioning ever curious mind of a middle school student charged up on hormones.  Show your kids why sexual relationships should be kept in the context of a giving, sacrificial and binding marriage relationship like we see on the wedding day of Solomon and his bride in the 4th chapter of the book of Song of Solomon in the Bible. The message we get ...