She Moves in Mysterious Ways

I got some great advice a number of years ago,

“Dave, Anne is not a problem to be solved, she is a mystery to be delighted in.”

Chew on that for little while…not a problem to be solved, a mystery to be delighted in… If every man could just understand that, we would be way ahead of the game – and I think women would be as well.

Men are oftentimes fixers. We like to fix things. Sometimes we even like to fix thing that aren’t broken, and that’s how we can actually make something good even better. We like to tinker as well. Nothing is really wrong with whatever the piece of equipment or machinery we have, but we just want to do a little tinkering. I tinker with my boat – I call it my “tinker time”. It’s therapy.

This ability to fix things and to tinker is great when applied to things, but not so great when it’s applied to our spouses. I have discovered Anne does not want to be fixed, she wants to be listened to, to be heard, to be enjoyed regardless of what she may be experiencing. She doesn’t want my solutions, she wants my heart.

And, she doesn’t want to have to give me reasons for everything. I will often ask her what her thoughts are on a certain topic, or issue we need to address. She will give me her perspective. Then, in an attempt to understand why she sees things that way I will ask, “Why do you think that?”

This is where the problems begin…

No matter how clearly she thinks she is answering me, it’s not quite what I need to understand her. There often seems to be “mystery” surrounding her reason. I have not yet learned very well how to simply enjoy the mystery. I keep pushing for more clarity and… well, let’s just say that Anne doesn’t appreciate that.

As we know, females are created in the image of God. As are men, but females bear the image of God uniquely from men. There is a beauty, a tenderness, a strength, a vulnerability, a desire to nurture and nourish, a desire to be pursued, and a mystery women carry as part of the image of God that is very different from men.

Scripture tells us that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to seek it out. No one can deny that God is mysterious. He cannot be understood entirely. All we know about Him is what He has chosen to reveal to us. He is infinite. If we are truly to know God, we must be content with mystery.

Similarly with women, if we are to truly know our spouse, we must be content with mystery. We must be willing to put aside our desire to understand, order, fix and align, and replace it with a desire to pursue, discover and delight in. Scripture tells us that God wants us to pursue Him – He is worth our wholehearted efforts. He is a wonderful mystery to be explored and delighted in.

Your wife bears this same aspect of the image of God: she wants to be pursued; she wants your wholehearted effort to discover and delight in the mystery that she is. She wants to be heard, more than to be understood. She wants your empathy, not your strategy. She wants your delight, not your disappointment. She wants your companionship, your fellowship, your partnership, your courtship and your servant leadership, not your ownership and your dictatorship.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said there are a few things he simply couldn’t understand, and one of them was the “way of a man with a maiden”. I’m pretty sure he was not talking about the male side of that equation, but the mystery of the profound and powerful effect a woman has on a man.

In order to truly know and delight in God we must become comfortable with mystery. Likewise with women, you will not truly know and delight in your wife if you do not become comfortable with her mysterious ways.

As Bono said, “She moves in mysterious ways.”

Genesis 1:27

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Proverbs 30:18, 19

“There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.”

Proverbs 25:2

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

Jeremiah 29:13

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Feb 15, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on She Moves in Mysterious Ways

No Spoon Feeding

Here comes the plane…it’s getting closer…open up the hanger and let it in…

The sound of the plane engine was whining in the background as the plane got closer and closer. Nobody wanted a crash. This plane had to make it into the hanger safely. However, the success of this entire mission rested, of course, with the hanger manager – he had to open up the door to the hanger at just the right time.

The plane was a spoon full of food, the engine sound was a fairly decent replica created by myself, and the hanger was the mouth of the hanger manager – my infant son. Do you remember those days of spoon feeding your kids? Perhaps you are still there? Maybe you are spoon feeding your grandkids now?

Those were great days, but I am glad they are over. It was totally appropriate to spoon feed our kids when they were infants, but once they learned to feed themselves it became inappropriate to spoon feed them anymore.

Our oldest son is now living independently with 2 roommates on the other side of Canada. He is learning what is really involved in feeding himself. He lived at home while he got his university degree and my wife Anne ensured that he was well fed. Sure, he learned how to feed himself to a certain degree, but it’s a whole new ball game now.

He has to now plan his meals. He has to buy groceries in order to make those meals. He has to set aside the time in his schedule to do all of that as well as the time necessary to make those meals. It is proving to be a bit of an adjustment for him. However, this is all part of being an independent man.

He must now be proactive, not simply reactive.

Ok, a bit of a confession here: Anne and I got married right after university. I lived at home during university so my mom kept me well fed. Since we got married, Anne has done a wonderful job of nourishing me. I am learning to cook – encouraged by many of my more gastronomically gifted guy friends. However, Anne does the heavy lifting here. If I had to do it myself I am sure I would flounder greatly.

Regardless of your ability to cook and sustain yourself physically, every mature man needs to be able to nourish himself spiritually. We cannot be men and be spoon fed. Picture your wife sitting you down at the dinner table, putting a bib around your neck and spooning your food into your mouth. It’s ludicrous right?!

However, many men seem to take that attitude into their spiritual food. We want someone to spoon feed us truth so we don’t have to work so hard to extract the nourishment we need to grow. If we are going to grow into strong, mature men of God we must know how to feed ourselves on the Word of God.

We must know how to feed on the meat of deeper Truths and not sip on the milk of elementary Truths. Sure, we need the input of others, but we must be self-motivated to chew into the deeper transformational Truths of scripture.

We must be proactive, not simply reactive.

So how hungry are you to feed on the meat of scripture? How adept are you at feeding yourself? How can you feed those who look to you for leadership if you don’t know how to feed yourself? How proactive are you?

Like my son is learning in the physical, we must learn in the spiritual how to plan and execute an effective spiritual meal plan to ensure we are healthy and grow strong in faith. Book the time into your schedule to study scripture, to follow a devotional plan. Participate in small group Bible studies when you can. Bring your bible and a notebook to your church service and take notes. Go through your notes later on in the week. Train yourself in righteousness.

You will not grow strong in faith by being spoon fed – proactively chew into Truth.

Hebrews 5:12-14

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Isaiah 43:22

“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.”

1 Timothy 4:6-8

“If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Feb 08, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on No Spoon Feeding

The Niggle and Nudge of God

I sat there starting at the blank page in my journal,

“Ok, this is it. Here I go, I’m going to start…”

And then came the opposition…

“Who do I think I am? What do I have to give? What difference can I possibly make? I’ve never done this before. I can’t do this. I won’t be able to keep going. I will ultimately fail, so why bother even starting?”

Do you have inner doubts like that too? I have a sneaking suspicion that you know what I’m talking about. I don’t know about you, but the Whisper Campaign of lies sent from the enemy often comes in the ‘first person’, not the ‘third person’. They come across as thoughts I am having about myself. And the thoughts I was now having about myself were not encouraging thoughts.

I had felt the “niggle” of the Holy Spirit. I had sensed the “nudge” of God. I believed that he wanted me to do something I had not done before. Sure, I had faith to step out, but I also felt insecure. I felt intimidated. I felt afraid.

What was the niggle of the Holy Spirit about? What was the essence of the nudge of God? What did I sense the Lord was asking me to do?

Write.

I believed that the Lord wanted me to write bite-sized bits of Truth to encourage men. He caught my attention with Ephesians 1:18-20:

“I pray that the Lord will open the eyes of your heart that you might see the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incredibly great power that is at work in you.”

The Lord was nudging me to write short e-visionals to help open the eyes of men’s heart – to adjust their “Viz” to see the bigger picture. To encourage them and envision them in the Truth.

But I had not done anything like this before. Was I going to be able to do it? How do I do it?

I went away on a bit of a personal retreat, prayed, and began to write. I asked the Lord to help me find His heart, to discover what He wanted me to say. I had a niggle for the format: Tell a real life story. Draw out the lesson. Present the application. Apply scripture.

Ok, I could do that.

I wrote a list of 70 topics (stories) that I thought I could work with, and began to write. My BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) was to be able to write 1 “How’s the Viz?” every week for 7 years. If I could do that then I would have 1 e-visional for every day of the year. However, I really couldn’t imagine doing that. I was simply going to commit to writing 1 How’s The Viz? every week and see how long I could go.

Well, you know what? This is my 365^th How’s The Viz?. It’s hard to believe. I have written every week for 7 years. That’s over a quarter of a million words. It’s over 1,000 Bible verses. It’s over 1,000 pages.

Wow – it’s hard to believe.

So, do I tell you this so somehow say I’m awesome?

No.

I tell you this to say that if I can step out into the niggle and nudge of God you can too. It’s been said that the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

What is the niggle you are sensing? What is the Lord nudging you to do? What step do need you to take?

Take it.

Step out. Listen to the niggle of the Lord. Respond to His nudge. Enlist the help of your allies to help you and to keep you focused.

Then do it.

Commit yourself to keep moving forward. Take one step at a time. You can do that. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Don’t let the Whisper Campaign of the enemy take you out. The Lord will provide the grace you need to do the good work He has for you to do.

The lives of many are impacted by the courage of a few. Take courage.

So, how will you respond to the niggle and nudge of God?

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Philippians 2:13

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Feb 01, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Niggle and Nudge of God

He’s Gone And It’s Good

I knew it was coming. I thought I was prepared, but it still hit me.

For 23 years he has lived in our home. He has been part of everything we have experienced as a family for over 2 decades. Sure, he went away for a number of extended periods for work or for school, but he was always home after no more than 4 months.

It’s different this time. This time he’s gone for good, or at least for a very long time…

Our oldest son David graduated from university in December and landed a plumb job in Ottawa. He is the Executive Assistant for a very well-respected Member of Parliament. He is living the dream.

He secured his first apartment with 2 other young men from his church. He has the suits, the shoes, the shirts, the ties, the coats and the briefcase to do what he needs to do. His office is in East Block on the Hill – just above where John A. MacDonald’s office was. He keeps pinching himself that he is actually there doing what he is doing.

He is journeying with Jesus in the epic adventure He has for David. He is definitely “exhilified” – exhilarated and terrified – but he knows he is where God has called him to be. He is following Jesus in the plan for his life.

All good right?

Wrong. I’m a bit of a mess.

All you guys who have had a son or daughter leave the house, move to another city or country, and begin to live their life know what I am experiencing. Somehow there is a hole in our home and in my heart. Sure, we talk just about every day, but he is not at home any more.

Hey, don’t get me wrong, I am delighted for him, but it hurts a little too. For 23 years he brought a unique essence of the heart of God to our family and to those our family touched. It has been a thrill to experience all the different aspects of boyhood and young manhood together.

David and I had breakfast together every second week for over 10 years and we worked our way through the 5 seasons of his life staring at 10 years of age until he was over 20: Wilderness, Wildlife, Weapons, Women, Work. And now he has jumped into the Work God has for him. I will miss our late night conversations, our times in the boat, our hikes, our skiing, our movies, our meals, and just hanging out.

It’s super, but sad. Awesome, but awful. Delightful, but depressing.

He is now decisively journeying with Jesus in the adventure of God’s Kingdom in him and through him in a whole new fashion. He is his own man, walking with God and serving others. Sure, I miss him, but my loss is Ottawa’s gain. I am still his dad, but he has shifted to our Father’s house in a new way.

What I find amazing is how the Lord has led him, guided him, counseled him and watched over him. It was delightful to watch him learning to trust his Father and entrust to His Father the desires of his heart. He wasn’t sure if he would end up doing what he really wanted to do at this stage in his life. He wasn’t sure if he could trust God with his heart.

He has experienced the extravagance of God is a tangible fashion. His faith is deepening as he steps out and steps up. God is indeed faithful.

We can indeed trust God. And, we can indeed trust God with our children. The same promises God has given us, He has given to our children.

God has no grandchildren – only children.

Men, we can trust God to lead us and guide us. We can trust God to provide for us. And, we can trust God to do the same for our children. Things may not always go the way that we think they should go, but our God has promised to be with us.

At some point our children step out of our homes on their own journey of faith, and it’s good.

Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Isaiah 43:1-6

“’Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you…Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’”

Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Jan 25, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on He’s Gone And It’s Good

Attitude Determines Altitude

Could things get much worse?

He was alone. He was in prison. And, he had an indefinite sentence.

How did it come to this?

He used to have a fabulous life, but that was all a very long ways away now. Gone was his freedom. Gone was an abundance of comfort. Gone was connection with family and friends. Gone was connection to his people, to his country of origin – he was imprisoned in a foreign country.

His life had completely fallen apart. His brothers hated him – they were consumed with jealousy. He had been abused and abandoned by his brothers. He was sold as a slave to a foreign country. He had been falsely accused of sexual assault by his new master. He was now rotting in prison.

He is, of course, Joseph.

“What happened to the dream of my brothers bowing down to me? What happened to the dream of my father and mother bowing down to me? Where is the goodness of God? Where is God in all of this? Why have I been abandoned and forgotten?”, were questions that must have crossed his mind a number of times.

However, he was not abandoned and forgotten.

Where was God in the midst of all of this? He was right in the middle of it all…

“…because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

What? You call this success – Joseph is in prison.

And here is where the lesson is found. Joseph has two lenses through which he could see his situation: he could look at what is, or he could look at what isn’t. He could look at what he has, or what he hasn’t. He could look at the glass as half empty, or half full.

He could choose his attitude.

The fact is, according to scripture, the Lord was with Joseph and was giving him success and favour. Joseph could have been consumed with anger, resentment, bitterness, pride, self-centeredness, self-pity and the like, but it appears he was not.

He chose to conduct himself righteously, he chose to maintain his character, he chose to remain faithful

Joseph chose an attitude of surrender, and faithfulness to God.

Like Zig Ziglar said, “Attitude determines altitude.”

Joseph’s attitude was to see beyond his circumstance, to somehow by faith see what he had instead of what he had lost. Sure, I have no doubt he had times of deep sorrow and doubt in the midst of his distress, but it appears he didn’t waiver in his faithfulness to God.

And God was with Joseph giving him favour and success even though his brothers were consumed by jealousy and hated him; even though they abducted him and sold him into slavery; even though he was falsely accused of sexual assault, even though he was in prison…

God was with him, even though…

What will your attitude be in your situation?

Will you look at “God with you” or will you look at the “even thoughs”? Will you remain faithful in the midst of the trials and the testing, or will you abandon your beliefs, character and right actions in the midst of difficulties? Will you choose faith and gratitude, or will you choose anger, resentment and bitterness?

Will we choose to humble ourselves, or will we stand alone in arrogance? Will we choose self-pity and feel sorry for ourselves, blaming others for our condition and situation, or will we surrender our hopes, dreams, expectations and shortcomings to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords?

What will we choose?

The Lord is more concerned about our courage, character, conviction and calling than our comfort and convenience. The Lord sees who He has created, crafted and called us to be and has invited us into the epic adventure of the Kingdom of God in us and through us. He loves us enough to refine us like gold.

However, in the midst of His purposes He has given us the free will to choose our attitude. Will we align with the plans and purposes of God, or be at odds with the plans and purposes of God? We can choose.

Our attitude determines our altitude.

Genesis 39: 2-6

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes…the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had…”

Genesis 39: 20-23

“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

Joshua 24:15

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Jan 18, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Attitude Determines Altitude

The Change Train

What would life look like without emotion? Not very good. No happiness, no surprise, no sadness, no anger, no fear, no disgust, and no contempt.

Emotions are powerful and profound gifts from God. Emotion is part of what makes us human. To be truly human is to be able to experience a full range of emotions.

Have you seen the movie Inside Out? Though it is an animated movie written for children it is a profound analysis of the human emotional psyche. We are taken on a journey into the mind and heart of a 10 year old girl and the impact decisions have on her emotions and the impact emotions have on her decisions. Joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger are the main characters in this incredible story.

Our own emotions, though a significant aspect of our everyday life experience, can be an aspect of ourselves we little understand. We all struggle with emotions in different ways: some men struggle to experience emotions, while others struggle to keep their emotions in control. If we were to look at a spectrum of emotions we would see at one end being controlled by emotion, with the other end being more or less “robotic” or emotionless.

I believe neither end of the spectrum is how God has created us to function. We are not designed to be controlled by our emotions, nor are we designed to live without emotion. I learned recently that we need to be able to perceive, understand, use and manage our emotions.

We need to be able to perceive what is going on with our and with others’ emotions; we then need to be able to understand what has led to this particular emotional state; then use those valid emotions to move us forward; while managing our emotions in a way that does not negate their reality, nor allow them to rage unabated in our hearts without the reigns of Truth to manage them.

I discovered much to my chagrin that I tend to jump from perceiving emotions to managing them. Take anger for example, if one of our sons – or even my wife – was angry, I would perceive it, then move right to managing it without validating the emotion, what was causing it and how it can be a motivator for change. My goal was to stop the anger.

Shameful really. Continuing in that emotional strategy creates robots – and alienates relationships. No room to be human. No room to safely share emotion.

Not good.

I was recently speaking with a young man who is very emotionally driven. We talked about how his emotions are a gift from God. His open and tender heart enables him to experience emotion in a profound way. Although, he does not necessarily see this as a blessing. He feels like his emotions control him more than he controls his emotions.

And therein lies the quandary: How do we control our emotions without denying them, yet also not letting them control us? How do we create change in our lives in the midst of emotions that may not necessarily be conducive to facilitating that change? I want to change, but I don’t feel like it…

I pictured a train in my mind. As you know, with trains all the cars are in line – there is a sequence and an order to them. I believe creating change is similar to a train: there are certain cars we need to put in order if we are going to change behavior. I call this the Change Train:

Beliefs – Thoughts – Actions – Feelings

Beliefs are the locomotive driving the train, followed by thoughts, then actions, with feelings the caboose. Feelings are a key part of the train, but they can’t drive it. The Change Train is driven by what we believe. We bring our thoughts in line with what we believe, our action changes based on what we believe and what we think about, and our feelings come in line with our actions.

Creating change starts with addressing our beliefs. What we choose to believe informs our thoughts, actions and feelings.

Feelings are a wonderful gift from God and have their rightful place in the Change Train.

Hebrews 3:19

“So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”

Proverbs 29:11

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”

Proverbs 14:15

“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

Mark 9:23, 24

“‘If you can’?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”

Jan 11, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Change Train

Stoke Some Fires

Click to watch “Set a Fire” worship song

Do you like fires? I love fires.

There is something very soothing about basking in the warmth of a fire. The sound of the crackling wood, the scent of smoke, the power of the fire contained in such a way that it brings life and not destruction…all very compelling.

I’ve noticed something about guys: we can sit for ages in front of a campfire just hanging out, talking about nothing and poking at the fire. There is something magical about fire – it’s almost hypnotic.

It’s alive.

We have an older home so we have the pleasure of having two wood-burning fireplaces: one in the living room and one in our man cave. It’s tough to beat sitting beside the fireplace reading a book on a cold winter’s day while watching snow fall outside.

It’s magical.

This Christmas holiday was perfect for doing just that. Lots of snow fell and we had lots of down time to enjoy the fireplace. Chillin’ by the fire – which is a bit of an oxymoron I guess. But you know what I mean. It’s just relaxing to sit beside a fire.

But here’s what I think is most compelling about fires: you can interact with them. You play with them. You tinker with them. You build them. You mess around with them. The best part about a fire is shifting the wood around to keep it burning; adding wood to ensure the fire keeps going; engineering the fire the way you want it to burn. That’s what makes for good fire time.

Sure, it’s good just sitting beside a great fire, but you take things to another level when you are the architect of the flame: when you are master of the blaze. The real fun is stoking the fire. There is a primal pride involved in making a fire. It’s a manly sense of accomplishment.

So, as I sat by my fire reveling in primal pride, savoring my mastery of the blaze, I learned something simple yet very profound…

Left unattended, fires go out.

There are 2 critical stages to a good fire: 1. Starting, 2. Stoking. By “stoking” I mean “keeping it ablaze”. Sure, starting a fire is a feat all of us need to master. However, stoking the fire requires ongoing effort and perseverance. If you want a fire to keep burning you need to keep feeding it. You need to keep stoking it.

What do I mean by stoking the fire? Simple, shift the wood around to ensure the pieces are close enough together to feed on each other’s heat and flame, and put more fuel on the fire (wood) when the burning wood has been mostly consumed by the fire.

Playing with the fire I began to ask myself,

“Am I stoking the fires in my life that need to be stoked, or am I letting them go out?”

How about you?

What are you doing to stoke the fire of your commitment to the Lord? How are you feeding the fire for your love of Truth – God’s Word? How are you feeding the fire of love for your wife? What are you doing to ensure the fire of passion for fathering your children does not go out? How hot is your commitment to serving others burning?

These are some of the questions we need to answer.

There are a few things we can do to stoke the fires of passion, commitment, conviction, and courage in our lives: We can ask the Lord to set a fire in our hearts – to fill us with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Worship. Pray. Fast. Give. Serve.

We can get closer to other men who are “on fire”. We can choose to dive into opportunities to learn from others at conferences, through books and podcasts, sermons on Sunday, bible studies in house group, breakfast meetings with other men, creating a community of allies with whom we do life…

Bottom line: Get closer to God. Get closer to others.

Our passion, commitment, conviction and courage are like fires, if we don’t stoke them, they will go out. We must add fuel to our fires to keep them burning brilliantly.

Let’s stoke some fires in 2016.

Luke 3:16

“John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'”

Acts 2:3

“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

2 Timothy 1:6

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

Hebrews 6:12

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

Jan 04, 2016 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Stoke Some Fires

The Landing

The troops were ready. This was it. The time had come. The fulfilling of the ages was upon us.

This would be the largest invasion the world had ever seen. Never before in the annuls of human history had a force of this magnitude been assembled. It had been meticulously planned out – every detail of this massive endeavor was precisely calculated. The stakes were high: the freedom of mankind lay in the balance.

Heaven was ready to hit the beaches of human history.

The hosts of heaven were poised to invade enemy occupied territory. Sure, for millennia there had been war in the spirit realm on planet earth, but this mission was designed to be a decisive blow to defeat the enemy of mankind – to break the curse of sin and the legal title Satan had on the sons and daughters of God.

The key to this plan was God Himself. God would become a man to demonstrate the government of God – the way humans were designed to live. Jesus, God’s Son, would come to earth as wholly God and wholly man to show us the way home to our Father; to show us the family rules – the true nature of the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus mission was far more than being a good example for mankind. He did not simply come to show us how to live. No, His mission was far greater than that.

The sons and daughters of God has been duped by the one who was evicted from Heaven due to his pride, jealousy and hatred. For too long Satan had meted out his jealousy, hatred and rage on the children of God. Too long mankind had been held hostage by sin in the kingdom of darkness on earth.   Satan held legal title to the hearts of men and women.

It was time for Divine Liberation. It was time for a Divine Rescue Mission.

This was the announcement given by the initial Angelic invasion force:

“’Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”

Great news: a Savior is here to rescue us. Peace on earth.

Do you know why that was the announcement? Because mankind were prisoners of war.

The General of the Hosts of Heaven – Jesus, God’s own Son – would become a man. He would grow to become the Divine Warrior who defied the empire of darkness. He would pay the blood price for the redemption of God’s children. He would set the captives free.

A Hero would rise.

The true Hero is risen – He is risen indeed!

It is the resurrection that sealed the deal. On the cross Jesus shattered the power of our legal indebtedness to sin, and triumphed over our enemy by His death and resurrection. His resurrection from the dead secured all authority in His name over the enemy or our soul. Jesus completed His rescue mission by rising from the dead, setting free the prisoners of war.

Jesus resurrection broke the chains of sin over mankind. He took the keys to sin and death from the enemy. He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth. He has conquered the enemy of mankind. The enemy of our soul has been defeated.

The prisoners of war are all free if we so choose to follow the Savior. Or, we can choose to stay captive to sin, imprisoned by the enemy of God who is committed to steal, kill and destroy all the good news of great joy that is ours in Jesus.

Do not surrender your life through sin to the enemy of your soul and become a prisoner of war. You have been divinely liberated. The Landing was the fulfilling of the ages when Heaven hit the beaches of human history to set the captives free. Let us choose to follow the Saviour of our souls into the freedom, joy, hope, peace and favour God has for us.

Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Colossians 1:13, 14

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 2:13-15

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

1 Peter 1:3

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Dec 29, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Landing

The Fullness of Time

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the earth
The world did not know, it was the eve of His birth.
Many hoped and prayed for the salvation of man
For the promised deliverance of God’s holy plan.
The world for centuries have been bound by a curse
The burden known as sin from Genesis three sixth verse.

Adam & Eve had eaten from the forbidden tree
Now the world knew not what it was to be free.
The chains of sin bound all of creation
Mankind’s great need was for divine liberation.
How the Devil laughed now that man lay in his power
But God promised that Satan would know of an hour
When God’s mighty deliverer to the serpent’s great dread
Would free all humanity by crushing his head.

Yes how Satan loves to steal, kill & destroy
But God’s plan for life began with a boy.
You see, humanity needed an atonement for sin
So a relationship with God we could begin.
How the Father loves & adores His creation
But the curse of sin caused a huge separation.

God required a sacrifice to cover man’s fall
To free man from sin once and for all
There weren’t many solutions, there was really just one
God would choose to sacrifice His only Son
Yes Jesus, God’s Son, would become as a man
He would represent God, be His glorious plan.

Yes He was God, but wholly man out and in
And though tempted in all ways, would never know sin
He would suffer and die, then rise from the dead
He would pay for man’s sin, suffer in man’s stead.
With God’s glorious plan Satan could hardly contend
By Jesus’ glorious sacrifice man’s captivity would end.

Now this is no fable, no nursery rhyme!
This is the glory of God’s plan, in the fullness of time!

All heaven was abuzz with the incredible news
To become a man, the Son of God would choose
The angels’ excitement was incredibly contagious
The Child to be born was the fulfilling of the ages.
The angels were amazed, “God made lower than us?”
No wonder there was such an incredible fuss.

They could hardly contain the joys yet untold
For in the Christ child God’s plan would unfold
Gabriel, Michael and all the heavenly host,
Could barely hold back their glorious boast.
They would shout and sing to make sure they’d be heard!
Oh how hard it was to wait for God’s Word!

Then finally it came, God said “Go with good speed
Shout forth with joy – Oh yes indeed!”
The angels were surprised to whom they should speak
To shepherds with their flocks, lowly and meek.
Gabriel took charge & told the shepherds not to fear
But to rejoice for God has come near!

Gabriel announced, “Good news to all men
The Savior, the Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
“A baby in a manger can surely be found”.
Gabriel said, as the Lord’s glory shone around
Then suddenly there appeared the angelic crowd
Singing praises to God, with such beauty – and loud!

Oh what a time of praise they had
They could not remember when they’d been more glad!
They loved to shout, dance and sing
For the earth was now receiving her King
The joy and exuberance from heaven above
Was being expressed in God’s gift of love.

A son was given a child was born
That humanity need no longer mourn.
Eternal Father our Prince of Peace
There will be no end to His governments’ increase
What an occasion, join the celebrations!
For Christ Jesus has come to free all the nations!
Joy to the world we have been given a King
Now let both heaven and nature sing.

Jesus, God’s son, came as man Christmas day
A tiny baby boy, precious in every way.
At this time we remember the child Christ Jesus
Let it also be known He’s the Lord who frees us!
He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
To Him all praise and majesty rings.

He is God come to us to show us the way
That right-living, peace and joy we could know every day
We can have abundant life that none does deserve
By making a choice Christ Jesus to serve.

So on Christmas day let’s remember God’s plan
That by sending His Son God was reconciling man
And by choosing to follow Jesus, who came from above
We can all know the abundance of God’s holy love!

Isaiah 9:6, 7 (The Message)

“For a child has been born-for us! The gift of a son-for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.”

Dec 19, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Fullness of Time

Don’t Shrink Back

“If everything seems under control you’re just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti

Do you know why Mario Andretti was one of the winningest race car drivers?

I’ll tell you why…

Well, I’ll tell you one of the things that contributed to his success. I have no doubt there are myriad reasons far beyond my comprehension that made him such a celebrated driver, but I learned something about him that many are not aware of.

An associate of mine had the privilege of interviewing him after he had retired from racing. He asked Mr. Andretti why he won so many races. His reply was astonishing:

“When there was a crash on the track I trained myself to accelerate instead of braking. One of two things would happen: I’d crash or I would pass some cars. I passed cars more often than crash, and I won more races that way.”

Basically Mario Andretti taught himself not to shrink back. When something happened that could very easily cause fear, insecurity, caution, timidity, doubt or passivity, he chose to press on, to press forward, to accelerate.

I thought of this story recently when I read Hebrews 10:39:

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”

So, what does it mean to shrink back? It seems to simply mean to not believe.

The consequences of shrinking back are dire, but the rewards of believing are exactly the opposite. Believing can lead to life, while shrinking back can lead to death.

We can’t afford to shrink back.

And yet, we often do don’t we? We can shrink back from believing the Truth. We can shrink back from trusting what God says is true. We can shrink back from marinating in the Word of God. We can give in to fear, insecurity, caution, timidity, doubt and passivity.

We can take our foot off the accelerator and hit the brakes of our faith.

If we hit the brakes of our faith we will crash every time. If we choose to not press on in faith we lose. If we continue to press on in faith amidst the many obstacles in our path, we win.

We are encouraged throughout scripture to believe, to press on, to persevere, to draw near to God. Why? Because the tide set against us is designed to keep us from believing – to kill our faith. The very essence of our life in God is one of faith. The righteous live by faith.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Faith is not so much belief without proof, but trust without reservation.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

It is by believing we are saved: believing the Truth of who Jesus is, what He has done for us, and who we are in Him.

So is there somewhere you are shrinking back? If there somewhere you are not trusting God? Is there somewhere you are not believing the Truth? Have you become passive, cautious, fearful, insecure, timid and full of doubt?

We can’t afford to do that. Those we love who look to us for leadership can’t afford to have us do that. Shrinking back leads to destruction. Shrinking back from believing, trusting and walking in the Truth does not end well.

We all have a choice: will be believe what God says is true, or will we believe the whisper campaign of enemy lies?

Don’t shrink back – believe the Truth. Hit the accelerator of your faith. Marinate in the Word of God. Live in community with other believers. Draw near to God, receive His encouragement and the encouragement of others.

Let’s learn from Mario Andretti and hit the accelerator of our faith in the midst of opposition. When we encounter those things in life that can intimidate us and cause fear, let’s hold on to the hope we profess and press on into God’s heart for us and through us to others.

God is real and He rewards those who seek Him. Press on – don’t shrink back.

Philippians 3:14

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 10:35

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

Hebrews 10:22, 23

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Dec 14, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Don’t Shrink Back

The Power of Kindness

“Hey, where’s Chris?” I inquired.

“He’s in the hospital. But he’s coming…” was the reply.

What? And then the story unfolded…

My good friend Chris had been teaching his college class when his heart began doing some funny things. These feelings were not new however. He had had these strange irregularities before. He excused himself and went to the campus medical clinic. They did an initial assessment then loaded him into an ambulance bound for the hospital.

Upon his arrival, where he rendezvoused with his wife, they sedated him into unconsciousness and jolted his heart back into a normal rhythm. When he woke from his nap he asked if everything had worked out ok with his heart. Yes indeed it had.

He then suggested to his wife that she leave for my father’s memorial service, where he would shortly join her. She relayed this remarkable story to me when she arrived at the service. Then a short time later, true to his word, Chris wandered into the service just before it started – having come straight from getting his heart jump-started at the hospital.

“What are you doing here? I asked incredulously.

“Hey, you’re my friend, I wouldn’t miss this. I’m here to support you.” was his simple reply.

His kindness overwhelmed me.

What was more overwhelming was the number of other people whose kindness, like Chris’s, powerfully touched me when they heard of my father’s transition from this life to his next in heaven. Texts, emails, skype messages, flowers, in person communications – all manner of mechanisms were used by scores of people to simply say that they cared.

Kindness is powerful.

The type of kindness I experienced recently was simply someone expressing to me their condolences for my grief, that they cared for me, and that they wanted to support me.

Simple, yet profound.

Kindness can come in many packages though. Kindness can be expressed in word and in deed. You may have heard of Random Acts of Kindness: selfless acts performed by a person or group wishing to either assist or to cheer up an individual. A Random Act of Kindness can be any act designed to contribute to the well-being of another person.

I experienced Intentional Words of Kindness. People who I knew well, acquaintances and even people I have never met, all gave me Intentional Words of Kindness. Many didn’t really know what to say, but they knew the sentiments they wanted to communicate:

I am sorry for your pain. I care that you are hurting. I care for you.

Wow. To receive a simple note expressing care really touched my heart.

It can be difficult in the midst of the demands of our busy lives to even notice the needs of others, let alone choosing to do something about it. A kind word or a kind deed in the midst of an everyday or extraordinary situation can truly touch someone’s heart. For some people, a kind deed offered by a stranger can even restore their faith in humanity.

Jesus said that a cup of water offered to someone who is thirsty is a powerful act of love. That is something we can all do. Simple kindnesses offered in the midst of everyday life can be that warming ray of sunshine bursting through the dark clouds of a stormy day.

All of us have the power to offer a kind word or a kind deed. When we do, we can be assured it will have an impact – even if the person on the receiving end shows no indication of such. The very act of offering a selfless kindness impacts us as well. Anytime we can step out of our own little world to notice the needs of another, then do something about it, makes us a richer human being.

And being rich in kindness is a far better investment than many other types of “riches”.

So who can you be kind to? Pick someone, anyone. Then perform an Intentional Act of Kindness and throw in an Intentional Word of Kindness just for good measure. I guarantee you will be richer for it, and so will the recipient of your kindness.

Yes, kindness is indeed powerful. I know because I have experienced yours – thank you.

Matthew 10:42

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Colossians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Proverb 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Dec 07, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Power of Kindness

See You Later Dad

At 6:48 pm on November 26, 2015 my dad died.

Dec 01, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on See You Later Dad

A New Operating System

Nov 23, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on A New Operating System

I Don’t Belong

Everyone was there. She was much loved. She had actually won “Miss Congeniality” at the Miss America pageant, so she had a natural ability to make friends. She endeared herself to many people; many had come to pay their respects and to mourn her passing.

Family and friends has gathered to remember the life of Georgina MacLean. She was far too young to die. A mother in her early forties, her children were 20, 19 and 9 years old. I was the 9 year old. I didn’t understand what was going on. All I knew was that the person I loved most in the entire world, was now gone and never coming back.

Everyone was at her funeral, everyone that is, except me. In an attempt to shield me from the grief of this tragedy my father thought it best I not attend the service. Why? Perhaps out of fear that my emotions would coming busting out in such a force that none of us would know how to deal with it? Perhaps something else? All I know was that while my entire family was united in grief, I was at the neighbour’s.

I remember jumping off my neighbour’s Volkswagen van onto stacks of tire tubes – oblivious to the life altering events engulfing me and my family. I knew they were somewhere together, but I was not with them – I was alone.

Somehow in the midst of the valiant attempt to shield me from grief, sorrow and despair, they all found their target anyway: they all found my heart. And in the midst of this wounding, in the midst of the aloneness, a simple diabolical lie of the enemy was planted in my tender heart:

“You don’t belong.”

That’s right, I don’t belong. How can I belong? Everyone I know and love in the entire world is together somewhere, doing something that somehow involves my mom, or at least her memory, but I am not there.

I don’t belong.

And so I grew up believing at the depth of my being that I did not belong. No matter where I was, no matter what group, team, class, club, company, or church I belonged to, I didn’t really belong. I was always a little separate, a little different.

It wasn’t until decades later that the Lord helped me recognize this lie of the enemy – this Spiritual Strangler Fig – that had taken root in my heart and was strangling the life out of me. I had dealt with many lies of the enemy over the years and fought into freedom, but this one stayed hidden. It wasn’t until this past summer that God by His great goodness and good greatness helped me to unpack this memory.

As I began to recognize what the enemy had sowed into my heart over 40 years ago I walked through the 5 Tools of Truth to get free: Repent – Renounce – Rebuke – Receive – Rejoice.

And then I asked the Lord if He could show me where He was in the midst of all of this. I began to relive the picture in my mind’s eye of me jumping off the van onto the tire tubes, but this time I bounced into the arms of Jesus – where he held me tight, and I heard the words of Brian Doerksen’s song Arms of Love:

“I sing a simple song of love

To my Savior, to my Jesus.

I’m grateful for the things you’ve done

My loving Savior, my precious Jesus.

My heart is glad that you’ve called me your own,

There’s no place I’d rather be

Than in your arms of love

In your arms of love

Holding me still

Holding me near

In your arms of love”

And now, I am free.

The lies of the enemy are sent to destroy who you have been created to be. No matter what wounds you have endured, and the accompanying lies that have been sown into your heart, you can be set free and healed. However, you have to be willing to do some emotional heavy lifting.

The Lord has more life for you, but you need to fight for it. Your freedom is worth your effort.

You belong to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8

^“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

John 15:19

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Nov 16, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on I Don’t Belong

Have You Grown Complacent?

Complacent: “Smug, unbothered, untroubled; pleased with your own merits, situation and advantages without awareness of a potential danger or defect.”

Perhaps a more colloquial definition of complacency would simply be: “fat, lazy, unconcerned, disengaged, conceited, self-righteous, stagnant and apathetic.”

Whichever way you slice it, being complacent is not a good thing. Complacency is settling for a substandard situation and being unwilling or disinterested to make things better. Complacency is not the same as being satisfied. Being complacent infers an element of being stagnant and apathetic.

Being complacent is an attitude that says, “This is good enough. I don’t see the need to change. Things are fine the way they are. I am unwilling to do what is necessary to improve things. This is as good as it gets.”

Complacency leads to being stagnant: “A state characterized by a lack of development, advancement, or progress; being inactive, sluggish and dull.”

It is easy to grow complacent isn’t it?

I know I can easily grow complacent in a wide variety of areas in my life: marriage, parenting, finances, vocation, my relationship with God, my role in the church, local and global issues, volunteering, giving, mentoring, friendships, etc.

There are so many different areas of life that demand our engagement it can be difficult to be wholehearted and passionate in everything. In fact, it can be downright exhausting can’t it?

There is, however, one area of our lives we can never afford to become complacent; one area of our lives that impacts our ability to be diligent and dedicated in every other area….It is, of course, our relationship with God.

I recently read a scripture that jumped off the page at me. It was a bit of a spiritual slap in the face.

Have you ever watched a boxing match, or perhaps a boxing movie, when the fighter is slumped down on his stool in the corner between rounds? He is dopey from the beating he’s taking so they put some smelling salts under his nose to “wake him up”. I have no idea what that smells like, but it’s some kind of olfactory defibrillator to jump start his awareness and focus.

That’s a little bit of what this scripture was like…

Zephaniah 1:12

“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’”

The verse speaks about men who have no belief or faith that God is actually involved or engaged in our lives. He is distant, disengaged and disinterested. He will not do anything good in our lives, nor will be do anything bad. He does not reward righteousness. He does not punish wickedness.

Complacency in this case is defined as someone who doesn’t believe God is active in our lives and the lives of others. “Whatever will happen will happen – what I do doesn’t matter.” Or perhaps, “I can’t trust God to be good, to move on my behalf – It’s all up to me.” Or maybe, “I really don’t have to deal with this sin in my life, nothing is going to change.”

It would appear that the first step out of complacency is to recognize that God is alive, He is near, He is interested, He is engaged in our lives, and how we live matters. The Lord wants us to know He means what He says and the choices we make have consequences – whether we make the choice or not.

Because, as you know, not making a decision is making a decision. By refusing to make a decision you have made your decision.

So, are there decisions you need to make, actions you must take in order to break out of complacency? God is alive and active in your life. What you do matters. He is looking for men who are not content with complacency, but who choose to believe that God cares. The Lord is looking for men who fight complacency by committing their hearts fully to Him.

So, have you grown complacent? He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Proverbs 1:32

“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;”

2 Chronicles 16:9

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Nov 09, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Have You Grown Complacent?

The Meaning of Life

Have you ever asked yourself the Big 3 questions?

The Big 3 are those key life questions that most human beings ponder at some point in time. One could argue that the questions themselves may very well have been planted in our hearts by God to create a longing to find the answers in Him. The Big 3 are as follows:

1. Who am I?
2. Why and I here?
3. Where am I going?

Sure there are many other significant life questions worthy of intent investigation, but these 3 encompass so much of humanity’s shared journey. The meaning of life is really represented by the second of the Big 3, “Why am I here?”. In other words, “What is the meaning of life?”

It was this very question we discussed over dinner the other night. There is an event being held at our sons’ university bringing together 5 different spiritual world views to discuss this question. Students on campus were polled to find out the key life questions they would like to see answered. “What is the meaning of life?” came out on top.

In light of this event we discussed our belief about the meaning of life. We definitely had consensus around the table. We could summarize our thoughts in 2 words: To love. We each went to the question posed to Jesus in Mark 12:28-31: “What is the greatest commandment?”

Jesus basically said, “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And, love your neighbour as yourself.”

Simple right? Well, not so simple if you are a selfish, self-centered, sinful person – which we all are. And that explains why God Himself came to change our spiritual DNA so we can love God and love others. We can only love because God first loved us:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Love is actually the very essence of God:

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16b

So what then is love? Well, love is action:

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

So how do we love God?

“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15

So, we love God by obeying His commands, and a new commandment Jesus gave us is to love one another:  

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34, 35

And, as explained in 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient, kind, humble, selfless, polite and not easily angered. Love doesn’t envy, boast or delight in evil. Love protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, forgives, never fails and rejoices in the Truth.  These qualities are to mark our actions toward others.

So what is the meaning of life?

To love God and love people.

The only way we can do that is through the transformational love of God who first loved us. God is love and God in us enables us to love Him and to love others. That love is demonstrated in deed, not just in word.

Love is a verb; it is an action word. Love in action is marked by patience, kindness, humility, selflessness, politeness, peace, contentedness, modesty, goodness, trustworthiness, hopefulness, forgiveness, protection, perseverance, and fortitude. And all the while we rejoice in the Truth – particularly the Truth that we are loved by God.

We are beloved children of God!

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

It’s all about love. Loving God and each another, because God first loved us.

So how can you further step into the meaning of your life? How will you choose to love God and love others?

Nov 02, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Meaning of Life

What Is A Man?

Have you ever asked yourself that question: “What is a man?” It’s a big question. It’s also a question we don’t ask very often. And, perhaps in light of that, we find it difficult to answer.

If we are going to be good men, we need to be able to answer this question for ourselves. And clearly, if we’re going to raise sons to be good men it’s important that we have an answer to this question. Entire books have been written to answer this question, but I think we also need a simple definition we can remind ourselves of every day.

Many years ago when working through what I wanted to teach my sons about what it means to be a man, I put together a definition of a man. The definition I came up with was the result of input from many different sources, and included my person beliefs about what it means to be a man.

I would like to share this definition with you, but we need to have a little understanding first. Firstly, this is my definition and it does not need to be yours. Perhaps it will get your thinking about what you believe about masculinity and can act as a catalyst for your own definition. Great. My hope is that sharing this will help you chew through the issue.

Secondly, I hope this does help you to “chew” through the question. This is something you need to own for yourself. It has to go to your core. You need to spend time digging deeply into this. Read, study, listen, discuss, and mull it over until you develop conviction in regard to your definition.

So are we agreed? This is not the definition to end all definitions of manhood – it’s merely what I came up with. And, you will use this as a catalyst to develop your own definition. Yes?

Ok, here we go…

It’s an acronym: T.R.A.P.S.S. Life has many ‘TRAPSS’ that can captivate and hinder men from apprehending all that for which Jesus has apprehended us. This list is an action plan to enable you to avoid these traps and to be the man you have been created, crafted and called to be.

You were born a male, but you must choose to be a man – choose well!

Real men…

T – Take courage & initiative.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” I Corinthians 16:13, 14

R – Resist passivity.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

A – Accept responsibility.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:21

P – Press on toward the goal of God’s Kingdom in them and through them.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

S – Seek and love God with their heart, mind, soul and strength.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37

S – Serve and love others with their time, talent and treasure.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39

There is a lot of character represented in those 6 axioms: initiative, courage, responsibility, perseverance, hard work, dedication, commitment, conviction, fortitude, strength, love, service, sacrifice, worship, humility, passion, purpose and much more.

So what is a man? Someone who takes courage and initiative; resists passivity; accepts responsibility; presses on toward God’s Kingdom in him and through him; seeks and loves God; and who serves and loves others.

Real men determine to demonstrate these traits. Because manhood is best demonstrated, not merely deliberated.

Oct 26, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on What Is A Man?

Having a Bad Day?

Have you had a bad day recently? I am not talking something tragic, which I know many have suffered. I am referring to a simple bad day. A day when more things seem to go wrong than right.

It can be difficult in the midst of day to day difficulties to maintain levity of heart. We can all too often and all too easily slip into self-pity and discouragement. I want to offer to you an antidote for this. Two choices you can make that will act as a capable defense against discouragement:

Gratitude and humour.

Thanksgiving and laughter are powerful weapons. I will let this humourous story about a commercial diver convey my sentiments. It is from a brother to his sister…

“Hi sis,

Just another note from your bottom-dwelling brother. Last week I had a bad day at the office. I know you’ve been feeling down lately at work, so I thought I would share my dilemma with you to make you realize it’s not so bad after all.
Before I can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you with a few technicalities of my job. As you know, my office lies at the bottom of the sea. I wear a suit to the office. It’s a wet suit.

This time of year the water is quite cool. So what we do to keep warm is this: we have a diesel powered industrial water heater. This $20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose, which is taped to the air hose.

Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I’ve used it several times with no complaints. What I do, when I get to the bottom and start working, is take the hose and stuff it down the back of my wet suit. This floods my whole suit with warm water. It’s like working in a Jacuzzi.

Everything was going well until all of a sudden, my butt started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only made things worse. Within a few seconds my butt started to burn. I pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage was done. In agony I realized what had happened.

The hot water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. Now, since I don’t have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn’t stick to it, however, the crack of my butt was not as fortunate. When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I was actually grinding the jellyfish into the crack of my butt.

I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact that he, along with five other divers, were all laughing hysterically.

Needless to say, I aborted the dive.

I was instructed to make three agonizing in-water decompression stops totaling thirty-five minutes before I could reach the surface to begin my chamber dry decompression. When I arrived at the surface, I was wearing nothing but my brass helmet.

As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream and told me to rub it on my butt as soon as I got in the chamber. The cream put the fire out, but I couldn’t go to the bathroom for two days because my butt was swollen shut.

So, the next time you’re having a bad day at work, think about how much worse it would be if you had a jellyfish shoved up your butt. Now repeat to yourself, ‘I love my job, I love my job, I love my job.’

Whenever you have a bad day, ask yourself, is this a Jellyfish Bad Day? May you NEVER have a Jellyfish Bad Day!

Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

I must say, I have never experienced a Jelly Fish bad day, but I love the way this man maintained his sense of humour and gratitude.

May we do the same.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Proverbs 17:22

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Oct 19, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Having a Bad Day?

When You’re Not Chosen

Everyone was there. Today was the day that a number of us were going to be promoted. I could barely contain my excitement.

The anticipation of this moment had been building since we heard that there was going to be a number of us taken aside and given special authority and favor. But who would be chosen?

Would I be one of the ones chosen?

I was confident I would be one of the privileged few. I had worked really hard. I had made this work a top priority. I was passionate about the cause. I had even brought a number of other people on board. I worked well with the other people on the team. And, I’m pretty confident our leader liked me. I had gone out of my way to connect with him and do little things to get his attention.

In addition, I had a good educational pedigree and I came from a good family. My brother was a leader in the same organization so I was confident that would bode well for me as well. Yet I was still extremely nervous as we all stood waiting for the announcement. I felt like a boy on the school yard play ground waiting to be picked for the team…

He gave the motivational speech, which I didn’t really listen to because I was just listening for my name. Then he began: name after name was announced, yet still not mine. After what felt like an eternity he was down to the last position to be filled. It had to be me. I was leaning forward in anticipation that at the sound of my name I would experience the rush of relief, hope, joy and pride as I walked to the front with the others.

But I wasn’t called – I wasn’t chosen – and my world began to collapse around me…

This is how I imagine someone, or many, may have felt the day Jesus chose the 12 disciples. Twelve were chosen to be apostles, but dozens were not.

How would you respond if you were not chosen?

You only have 2 choices: get bitter, or get better.

How about the story of Justice and Mathias in Acts. The disciples needed to fill Judas’ spot so they spoke to both Justice and Mathias to determine who to best fill the spot. Who was God calling to be an apostle? The lot fell to Mathias. Mathias was chosen, Justice was rejected.

Ouch! How would you feel if you were Justice? He missed the first cut when Jesus chose the 12. He had remained faithful and now was his second opportunity to be chosen, only to be rejected again.

How have you reacted when you have not been chosen? We’ve all experienced rejection in all manner of arenas in life: work, relationships, school, sports, church, etc. And, we all have the same choice to make in the midst of the rejection: we can get angry and bitter, or use this to get better.

The easiest choice to make in the face of rejection is to get angry, resentful and bitter. This kind of reaction leads only to further grief. The foundation of this reaction is a lack of understanding of and commitment to the sovereignty of God. It is rooted in a lack of trust in God. It’s a belief that you have to be in control and make things happen according to your plan and desires.

The first emotion we experience in rejection is sorrow. We are hurt and disappointed. Shifting into anger from there comes from our attempt to protect ourselves and lash out at the person who hurt us. However, we can choose by the grace of God to shift not into anger, but into surrender to the Lord’s sovereignty and grace. We must believe that God is big enough in the midst of this situation – we can trust him.

Our disappointment can become His appointment.

By surrendering to and trusting in the greatness and grace of God, we can extend forgiveness and grace to those who reject us, and avoid bitterness to become better. The reality is, God has chosen us.

What have you chosen?

1 Peter 5:6, 7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Hebrews 12:15

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

John 15:16

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Colossians 3:13

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Oct 12, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on When You’re Not Chosen

Big Leaves, But No Fruit

Autumn is an awesome season. The changing colors of the leaves on the trees is spectacular. The accompanying fragrance coupled with the crisp, cool, clean air is invigorating.

We have a very large maple tree in our yard. We actually have two maple trees, but one of them is of significant size. Its canopy is magnificent, spreading out over a massive area towering fifty feet above the ground.

One sunny fall day I was across the lake from our house looking through some binoculars to see if I could spot our home tucked away on the lush, evergreen covered mountainside. From a distance of close to 6 kilometres or 3.5 miles I was scanning the mountainside for a clue to where our house was, when I saw a massive golden globe of color amidst the lush greenery. It was our maple tree standing proudly as a glorious autumn beacon of color surrounded by ponderosa pines and douglas firs.

The maple tree’s large leaves, now dressed in their incredible fall colors, were commanding attention in an outstanding fashion that was difficult to ignore. It was brilliant, radiant and resplendent.

Maple trees are beautiful, but they don’t produce fruit. We are not called to be like Maple Trees. We are called to produce fruit. It doesn’t matter how glorious, how together, or how attractive we may look on the outside, if we are not bearing fruit we are not walking with God.

Our goal cannot be to just look good on the outside – we must produce fruit in keeping with our faith. We cannot have big leaves, with not fruit. Our temptation can be to look the part of the outside, to look like we are a “good Christian”, but really not have any substance.

Real faith produces fruit. Real faith is not simply about believing, it’s also about doing. Faith is only faith if it is in action. Faith in action produces fruit. Scripture tells us that faith without action is actually dead.

The Pharisees were condemned by Jesus because they sought to justify themselves in the eyes of men – to look good on the outside – but God knew what was in their hearts. He knew what the fruit of their lives was.

They had big leaves, but no fruit.

How about you? Do you have big leaves with little or no fruit?

Jesus said that pruning makes us fruitful. What does that mean? What things need to be pruned from our lives to make us fruitful? And what does ‘fruit’ in our lives look like anyway?

Well, we are told that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That’s good fruit. How about generosity, serving others, sacrificial giving, hospitality, and the like? That’s good fruit too.

Do you produce that kind of fruit? If you don’t, then it may be time for some pruning.

What do we need to prune to become more fruitful? I think there are 4 areas of our lives we can prune in order to bear more fruit:

1. Unhealthy habits
2. Sin
3. Busyness
4. Unhealthy relationship

Let’s ask the Lord about this, “Lord, are there unhealthy habits I need to prune off that hinder me from walking in faith in action? What sin have I chosen or allowed to infiltrate my life that inhibits fruitfulness? Am I hiding in busyness and, therefore, not investing my time in what is truly valuable? What relationships am I holding onto that are pulling me away from you?”

We live in a culture that emphasizes the outward appearance at the expense of the true character of a man. Character determines fruit. A man’s character is reflected in the fruit of his life. We are created, crafted and called by God to be men of character who live fruitful lives for the benefit of others.

Jesus created, crafted and called us that we might produce fruit, fruit that remains and that has eternal significance. Take some time this week to ask the Lord to show you how you can increase your fruitfulness.

Let’s not have big leaves with no fruit. Only faith in action is true faith. What is the action the Lord is asking you to take?

Matthew 7:19, 20

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

John 15:16, 17

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”

James 2:17

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Oct 05, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Big Leaves, But No Fruit

Gotta Serve Somebody

Click to watch Gotta Serve Somebody

“You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you may like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody,

Yes indeed, you’re gonna have to serve somebody,
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” © Bob Dylan 1979

Do you know the song?

Bob Dylan gave his life to Christ and in 1979 came out with an album called, Slow Train Comin’. What a great album.  Gotta Serve Somebody was certainly one of the hits on the album. The message is very simply – No matter who you are you have to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

I thought of this song recently when I read Luke 4 about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan. I have been asking the Lord to help me see a pattern in this encounter – higher level issues we can identify with in our lives. The obvious lesson we need to take away from Jesus’ interaction with His enemy was the fact that Jesus refuted every temptation of the enemy with scriptural Truth.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Three enticements, three truths with which Jesus responded to the enemy’s temptation.

So, are there 3 key temptations that we similarly face? Yes, I think there are…

It all has to do with who you’re gonna serve – because you gotta serve somebody.

The first temptation is to use the gifts God has given us to serve ourselves. Satan was tempting Jesus to use His gifts and abilities to serve Himself. “Turn these stones into bread.” No, I am not going to use my talents and gifts to feed myself. I am going to feed on the Word of God was His reply.

All of us have that same temptation: Will you use your gifts and abilities to feed yourself? Will you use what God has given you to get the approval, the affirmation, the validation, the encouragement, the support, the love that you long for? Or, will you find your life only in God, in His words of life? Will you believe what He says is true, or will you look for the approval of others?

Will you use your gifts to serve yourself, or to serve others?

The second temptation is to serve the enemy, not God. Will you use all that you are and all that you have to build God’s Kingdom, or the enemy’s Kingdom? Do you want the fame and fortune this world/the ruler of this world has to offer at the expense of the life God has for us and for others through us? What does it profit a man to gain the world, but lose his soul?

Are you serving the enemy by pursuing the things of this world?

The third temptation is very subtle: it’s to get God to serve us. Do you expect God to do what you think He should do? Do you expect that if you do certain things then God should do certain things? A+B=C? Hey God, I have done this and this and this, you should be doing this for me – you owe me! That is expecting God to serve you.

Do you expect God to serve you?

We can choose to serve ourselves. We can choose to serve the enemy. We can choose to expect God to serve us. But none of those leads to life. Only one road leads to life, and that is choosing to serve God.

As Bob Dylan so eloquently stated, you’re gonna have to serve somebody. The devil wants you to serve him, serve yourself or expect God to serve you, but life is only found in serving God. Serving God is that for which we have been created.

Gotta serve somebody: let’s serve the One who gives life.

John 12:25, 26

“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

John 14:23

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”

Luke 4:8

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’””

Sep 28, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Gotta Serve Somebody

Pray For Our Government

Sep 21, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Pray For Our Government

Eat for Flavour or for Fuel?

How do you eat? Do you eat for flavour or for fuel?

I know, it’s really not simply a matter of one or the other, it is always a combination of the two. However, we tend to have a propensity in how we eat. Do you feed yourself what tastes good, or what is good fuel? Do eat based on the flavour you are craving, or do you eat based on what your body needs to be fueled up?

I realized last year that I primarily ate for flavour. Sure, I tried to eat a fairly balanced diet. At least for dinners Anne ensured I ate a balance meal. But when I was left to my own devices – or perhaps more aptly stated as, “my own vices” – I did not fuel my body well. Oftentimes my food choices were simply based on the flavours that I wanted to enjoy.

If I didn’t feel like eating, or didn’t have time to eat, I wouldn’t. Sometimes all I would eat during the day was a tall, skinny, free-pour caramel macchiato with a toasted bagel and butter. Or, I would skip breakfast and eat a large restaurant bought lunch.

I never really considered what I needed to ingest to fuel my body well, to feed this miraculous mechanism we call the human body. I ate for flavour not for fuel. And, the effect on my body was obvious. I was fat, out of shape, ran out of energy in the afternoon, and didn’t have the stamina to do life energized at a fast pace.

That all changed when I began to eat to fuel my body and started saying no to some of the flavours I was desiring. I now try to eat the same thing for breakfast every morning: it’s a specially designed shake rich in fruit, grains, nuts, matcha and protein powder. This, combined with regular exercise and better food choices, has resulted in weight loss, greater energy, no more downer afternoons, and an ability to do life at a fast pace.

I have begun to recognize that we can approach scripture the same way we approach food. We can either ingest scripture for flavour or for fuel. We can nibble on scripture to see how it tastes. If it ‘tastes good’, if it is alive and encouraging, we will eat a little more. However, if it is tedious and not particularly alive we don’t really eat much.

If we don’t fuel our spirits on scripture we experience even greater effects than what we see in our bodies when we don’t fuel it well. If we are really negligent in fueling our bodies we get sick and die. Fueling our spirits is no different.

If we do not fuel our spirits with scripture we begin to lose hope, faith, strength, courage, freedom and life. We grow spiritually sick and begin to live day to day simply hanging on hoping things will get better, and not really filled with all the life the Lord has for us.

Scripture is alive. We need to ingest the Truth regularly or we will not be truly alive. We will not be spiritually energized. Eating scripture regularly to fuel our spirits leads to good spiritual health, while nibbling on scripture irregularly leads to poor spiritual health.

Bottom line: the Word of God fuels us. We need to determine to fuel our spirits well by ingesting scripture regularly. By ingesting it I mean reading, memorizing, meditating on, or studying it. Initially committing to do this can feel more like duty than delight. However, as we commit to fuel ourselves on the Truth, the Spirit of God shifts our hearts.

As we feed on the Word of God our tastes change. Initially it may not taste like what you are hungry for, but as you choose to fuel your spirit on God’s Word you will shift from duty to delight. Choosing to feed yourself on scripture to fuel your spirit will create the healthy spiritual growth you desire.

Let’s feed on the Word for fuel, not just for flavour. Let’s fuel up on Truth and not just look for what tastes good.

Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Joshua 1:8

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

James 1:22

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Matthew 24:35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Sep 07, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Eat for Flavour or for Fuel?

Demonic Divide and Conquer Strategy

That’s it! I see it now! It is so simple, yet so diabolically effective.

I had been asking the Lord for insight into the strategy of the enemy in our lives. He has already given me insight into the lies of the enemy, but I was looking for the next level of revelation.

Months ago I had the great privilege of skyping with a well-known author about my book, The Lies That Bind. He had offered to give me some feedback to help me improve my writing. He gave me some very helpful input into how I organized my thoughts in the book. Good book, but not a great book. He suggested that I need to organize the book differently.

One of the nuggets of wisdom he gave me was to try to categorize the lies of the enemy. In the book I share my “Book of Lies”, which is simply a long list of the lies that the enemy has whispered into my heart over the years. These are lies that we can all empathize with because we have all heard them. The enemy’s whisper campaign of lies is his primary strategy to steal, kill and destroy the Truth the Lord has for us.

Truth is the basis upon which our lives in God must be built. Jesus said it is the Truth that sets us free. He also said that He is the Truth. And, He told us that He will send the Spirit of Truth to guide us in all Truth. Appropriating the Truth is imperative for us to live the life Jesus has purchased for us.

Our life in God is found in the Truth, so our enemy – the Father of Lies – has implemented a whisper campaign of lies to keep us from getting hold of the Truth. His overall strategy is the whisper campaign of lies, but I was wondering if there are categories of lies that could give me insight into his tactics.

Yes there are.

I have been asking the Lord about this, and musing over it, for months. And then, the light bulb went on…

Divide and Conquer.

The enemy’s lying tactics are to divide us and conquer us.

The dividing tactic in the whisper campaign of lies is to alienate and isolate you:

“You don’t belong. No one cares. No one wants you around. You are all alone. You don’t need anyone. You can’t trust anyone. You can’t trust God.”, etc. These lies are meant to alienate and isolate you from Christian community.   They are designed to get you living life alone – away from the input of others; away from the input of people who can help bring Truth into your situation.

Dividing lies separate you from Christian community which makes you even more vulnerable to Conquering lies. Like Clint Eastwood said, “A man alone is easy prey.”

The first tactic in destroying you and your faith is to get you alienated and isolated.

The conquering tactic in the whisper campaign of lies is to demean and diminish you:

“You are not good enough. You are not smart enough. You are not talented enough. You don’t have what it takes. You will ultimately fail. You have nothing to offer. You are a loser. You are a failure. You are trapped. You are a bad leader. You are weak and small. You are insignificant.”, etc.

These lies destroy your faith, hope, courage, strength, and freedom – your very life. Your spiritual enemy’s ultimate objective is to destroy you. That is very tough to do if you are walking in community with other people who believe the Truth and are walking with Jesus filled with the Spirit of Truth. The input of others counteracts the lies of the enemy.

However, when you start walking alone feeling alienated and isolated, you will begin to swallow hook, line and sinker the lies sent to demean and diminish you. Soon you have no faith, hope or strength left, and you will have been conquered.

We must recognize the tactics of the demonic whisper campaign to divide and conquer. We must walk together as allies in Christian community encouraging each other daily in the Truth that sets us free.

Hebrews 3:12, 13

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

3 John 3, 4

“It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Aug 31, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Comments Off on Demonic Divide and Conquer Strategy