If you haven’t seen any Europeans praising American hot dogs, free refills, or gas stations on Instagram, Twitter, or Tik Tok recently, you have either been without your phone or are wise enough not to have any social media at all. But I would guess most of us have at least heard about it.

Some visitors from Europe, here for the FIFA World Cup tournament, have discovered Buc-ee’s. Others are amazed by our use of ice and the ability to get free drink refills. Some are delighted with the safety they feel, some with our friendliness, and some are just fascinated by the variety of choices at Walmart.

It sometimes seems funny to us because, well, yeah, of course we have that.

And honestly, that is probably the point.

Most of us don’t think much about convenience stores. We stop, use the restroom, buy a drink, and leave. We don’t stand there marveling at the snack choices, the ice machine, or the fact that we can drive hundreds of miles across the country on good roads and find another gas station every few miles.

We are used to it. The things we see every day rarely seem remarkable.

And as I have watched World Cup visitors react to life in America while our country prepares to celebrate its 250^th anniversary, I have been thinking about that. Not so much about the hot dogs but about the things we have stopped noticing.

We have inherited a country that has provided freedoms, opportunities, and stability that much of the world has spent centuries seeking. Because we have always lived with those things, it is easy to assume they are normal.

But they are not normal. There literally is no other country on earth that provides the stability and freedom that America offers.

And those things were given to and preserved for us by earlier generations of people that we for the most part will never meet. We inherited roads we did not build. Schools we did not establish. Communities we did not create. We inherited the freedom to worship openly, speak freely, vote, own property, start businesses, gather together, and pursue opportunities that the rest of the world only dreams about.

Not everything we have is perfect, but it is valuable. Most of us have never known what it is like to be unable to speak openly about our beliefs. Most of us have never known what it is like to need government permission to attend church. Most of us have never experienced war on our own soil. We have grown up with freedoms that seem normal simply because they have always been there.

But they did not appear by accident.

Someone built them. Someone protected them. Someone sacrificed for them.

Receiving an inheritance usually comes with responsibility. If someone leaves you a family Bible, you don’t just toss it in the trash. If they leave you a family farm, you do not immediately pave it over and forget about why it mattered.

You take care of it.

And eventually, you pass it on.

The same is true of a country. The Europeans making videos about gas stations is a good reminder to recognize the other things we take for granted. When we recognize something’s value, we don’t just celebrate it – we talk about it, we teach it, we refuse to take it for granted, and we preserve it so we can pass it along to others.  

As America 250 celebrations happen across the country – and even beyond – remind yourself of the blessings we have. Help teach the next generation not only what America is but how it got here.

Because one day this country will no longer be our inheritance.

It will be theirs.

And the question we should ask is not just whether we appreciate what we have been given but whether we are doing a good job passing it on.

The post An Inheritance 250 Years in the Making appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Mary Magdalene had just come with astonishing news: The stone had been rolled away, and the body of Jesus was gone.

The Race to the Empty Tomb

Peter and John immediately set out to see for themselves.

John, who wrote the account in his Gospel, includes an interesting detail:

So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.

(John 20:4)

It is such a small note that it almost feels humorous. John makes sure the reader knows he got there first.

For centuries readers have smiled at that line. Even in the middle of the most important morning in history, a little bit of friendly rivalry seems to appear between the two men.

John was probably younger, and he outran Peter.

But when he reached the tomb, he stopped. He stooped down and looked inside, seeing the linen burial cloths lying there, yet he did not go in.

Moments later Peter arrived.

And Peter did what Peter often did.

He charged straight inside.

John records it simply:

Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.

(John 20:6)

It is a scene that perfectly reflects the personalities we see throughout the Gospels. Peter was bold and impulsive. He was often the first to speak, the first to act, and sometimes the first to make a mistake. When he arrived at the tomb, hesitation did not seem to occur to him.

John, by contrast, appears more observant and reflective. He noticed details. He paused.

So the morning unfolds exactly as we might expect.

John runs faster. Peter walks straight in.

Yet the differences between the two disciples were about more than personality.

They also seem to have come from somewhat different social circles.

John appears to have had connections that Peter did not. Earlier in the Gospel accounts, when Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house, John was known there and was able to enter the courtyard. Peter could not even get inside until John spoke to the servant girl at the door and brought him in (John 18:15-16).

They were different men – different temperaments, different backgrounds, perhaps even different social standing.

Yet on that morning, both of them stood in the same place.

The empty tomb of Jesus.

After Peter entered, John finally stepped inside as well.

Then he writes something simple and remarkable:

Then the other disciple . . . also went in. And he saw and believed.

(John 20:8)

That line is striking. John does not describe thunder or lightning. There is no dramatic speech. There are only the linen cloths lying where the body had been. Yet somehow in that moment, the truth began to dawn.

The tomb was empty.

And both of these very different men were beginning to believe.

The Easter resurrection story includes many dramatic moments, but it also includes small human ones like this.

Two friends running. A little rivalry along the way. Different personalities, different backgrounds.

Yet both of them standing together at the same empty tomb, slowly realizing that everything had changed.

These and the other witnesses to the first Easter were ordinary men and women with their own strengths, weaknesses, and differences.

But when they encountered the risen Christ, those differences did not matter at all compared to the truth they had come to see.

The tomb was empty.

And that truth is big enough for everyone to believe.

The post Why John Stopped at the Empty Tomb appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

This is a lot of cash spent in the process of exchanging the notion of love. So often the actual sentiment of love during the month of February is either philia (deep friendship), storge (family), ludus (playful), or eros (passionate/romantic).

The ultimate love is agape (selfless, spiritual, God love). As Christians we strive to duplicate, but fall far short. Because of our dwarfed mortal capacity of understanding, we do not truly grasp the depth of God’s love.

Hopefully this acrostic narrative poem will shed a glimpse into God’s AGAPE LOVE.

L

Loyal (Covenant Keeping)

Before we knew how to choose Him, He chose us.

Through wandering hearts, broken promises, and seasons of forgetting,

God remained — faithful when we were faithless,

Steadfast when the road bent away from Him.

His love does not flicker with our obedience;

It stands, sealed by covenant, written not in ink but in blood and mercy.

Scripture:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful because he cannot be untrue to himself.

(2 Timothy 2:13)

O

Omnipotent and Omnipresent

There is no depth where His love cannot reach,

No height where His voice cannot call us home.

He speaks galaxies into being,

Yet whispers comfort to the weary soul.

His power holds the universe together, and His presence sits beside us in the waiting,

Proving that love this vast is never distant.

Scripture:

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

(Psalm 139:7-10)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(Matthew 19:26)

V

Victorious

Agape love does not retreat in the face of darkness — it advances.

On a cross meant for shame, love won.

Sin was silenced, death was defeated, and hope stepped out of a borrowed tomb.

This love conquers fear, breaks chains, and declares that nothing —

Nothing has the final word but God.

Scripture:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:37)

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:57)

E

Eternal

Before time began, His love existed.

When time fades, His love will remain.

It does not age, weaken, or expire.

It waits for prodigals, holds generations, and stretches beyond the grave.

This is a love with no ending — only invitation.

Scripture:

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

(Jeremiah 31:3)

Love never fails.

(1 Corinthians 13:8a)

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We live in a time of constant commentary. Opinions are everywhere – on the news, on social media, in podcasts, group chats, and even at the coffee shop or grocery store. We are encouraged to have a take on everything and to share it quickly. Silence is often mistaken for indifference, and restraint can look like weakness.

It’s no surprise that many people feel mentally tired. The exhaustion doesn’t come from thinking deeply but from being pulled into reaction again and again. In a world overflowing with opinions, what many of us long for is wisdom.

The Difference between Opinions and Wisdom

Opinions are easy to form. Wisdom is not. Opinions tend to be fast, emotional, and responsive to the moment. Wisdom, by contrast, is slow. It requires listening, reflection, humility, and time. Scripture often draws this distinction. The book of Proverbs reminds us that the one who has knowledge restrains his words (Proverbs 17:27), not because words are unimportant but because discernment matters.

Not everything requires a response. One of the subtle pressures of our time is that we must weigh in on every issue, express every thought, and react publicly to every event. But biblical wisdom does not equate constant speaking with faithfulness. In fact, James warns us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). That kind of restraint feels countercultural in an age of instant opinions.

Why Wisdom Grows Best in Listening

Wisdom grows best in listening. Wise people ask questions before making declarations. They seek understanding before judgment. They are willing to say, “I don’t know enough yet” or “This really isn’t my concern.” Choosing to listen carefully is one of the wisest things you can do.

Another difference between opinions and wisdom is volume. Opinions tend to be loud. Wisdom is often quiet. It doesn’t demand attention. Scripture describes wisdom as something we are to seek diligently, like treasure, not something we display for applause. Wisdom often shows itself not in arguments won, but in lives lived in patience, kindness, and self-control.

What Jesus Teaches Us about Discernment

Discernment in everyday life doesn’t mean disengaging from the world or caring less. It means caring more wisely. Jesus Himself modeled this. He did not respond to every accusation, answer every challenge, or explain Himself to every critic. Sometimes He spoke directly. Other times He withdrew. Wisdom includes knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Wisdom Shows Up in How We Live

Wisdom also reveals itself in how we live, not just in what we say. It shows up in giving others the benefit of the doubt, in kind responses, and in choosing peace over provocation. In a time when opinions are plentiful and outrage is rewarded, choosing wisdom may look unimpressive, but it is deeply profound.

We do not need fewer thoughts, but we do need to not give in to the demand to react. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom does not come from our opinions but from humility before God.

When we slow down, listen more than we speak, and resist the pressure to weigh in on everything, wisdom can grow – often in ways that shape us far more deeply than our opinions ever could.

The post Why We Need Fewer Opinions and More Wisdom appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

S.A.D. Contributing Factors

• Reduced sunlight exposure
• Drop in serotonin levels (mood regulation)
• Disruption in melatonin balance (affects sleep and mood)

S.A.D Statistics

• 5% of U.S. adults experience S.A.D.
• Women are 4 times more likely to experience S.A.D.
• 9-10% of people in northern and cooler climates experience S.A.D. as compared to 1-2% of people in southern and warmer climates
• S.A.D. symptoms last about 4-5 months (October to March)

S.A.D Symptoms

• Persistent low mood, sadness, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Low energy, fatigue, or feeling of “slowing down”
• Oversleeping
• Craving carbohydrates and weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Social withdrawal (hibernation tendency)

God created the sun, moon, and stars on the 4th Day of Creation to regulate seasons, days, and years (Genesis 1:14-19). Possibly our modern-day, fast-paced, electronic-driven life-style has caused a disconnect from living in God’s rhythm. God’s design was to wake up with the daylight and to go to bed not long after dark. Our modern lights have caused us to burn our candles at both ends. We are more tired and out of rhythm than we are probably aware.

Summer gives us heat and light that lasts up to 15-hours in some places. Plenty of time to get up and run, play, and work. Outdoors is the place.

Fall/Autumn brings crisp morning and evening air with a continuation of heavy heat in the mid-day to keep us wanting to be outdoors, but the time of light is growing shorter.

Winter for many is the hardest season of all. While winter brings skiing, sledding, and hot chocolate and family gatherings…it brings with it “Doldrums of the Darkness.”

What happens in nature that we as humans could take as antidotes and not fall into S.A.D. as deeply. Winter is a time of rest. Trees, flowers, and even animals have a hibernation from the work of summer and fall. Winter is a time of silence and solitude that allows you to step outside on a crisp cold winter morning, and hear the silence. No leaves blowing, no birds chirping. Winter is a time of anticipating Spring.

Spring is the bursting forth of new life, longer days, fresh smells, and sounds of joy.

Let’s look at some strategies of rest, silence and solitude, and anticipation that can boost our morale and carry us through the “Doldrums of the Darkness.”

Rest

Remember you are created to experience rest. We are created in God’s image and Genesis 2:2 states, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work.”

Remember, our modern day life may have pushed us further from rest than we think. Allowing our bodies to be regulated by the morning light and evening light can benefit our health. Once it is daylight, open the curtains, go outside to breathe in the crisp air. Oftentimes during the doldrums, it may seem you can’t shake that sleepy, groggy feeling.

Keep moving. However, if during mid-day you just can’t do one more thing, treat yourself to a nap and do so without guilt. 10-minutes can be just enough. You’ll find what is best for you. Repeat the exposure to light when you wake from your nap.

Exercise and keep moving during the light of day. Rest, other than your quick nap, should wait for darkness when you have completed your work; then you can rest.

Resting also includes reduction of body metabolism. Therefore, there is a need to reduce calories particularly sugar, carbs, caffeine, and alcohol.

The light rhythm that God created and nature adheres to is viewed in hibernation. We as humans often become gluttons for the comfort foods, holiday spreads, and uncontrollable boredom snacking during winter. This is the perpetual 10-20 pounds each person tries to shed before summer, not quite making it and repeating this winter process again and again.

Bears, squirrels, and other hibernating animals put on weight by stuffing themselves for the long winter nap. It is that excess, high calorie food that sustains and is slowly burned off to maintain the basic life functions as they sleep. By spring, the food has been metabolized and the animals wake up ravenously hungry. As humans we NEVER stop eating and the food can’t fully metabolize as we eat 3-meals a day and snacks, 7-days a week.

The Rest routine may vary and need adjusting depending on your phase of life (parenting small children, parenting teenagers, being in the sandwich generation between young adult children and aging parents, final working years’ push, or retired). Rest will look different in each phase…but remember:

1. Sun up, sun down, complete your work while it is day
2. Take extra rest when needed without guilt
3. Keep moving and soak in sun and air as often as possible
4. Reduce calories or foods that trigger boosts of energy that ultimately results in an energy crash

Silence and Solitude

What’s the difference between rest and silence and solitude? Rest is a shutting down of your body, while silence and solitude is a shutting down of your mind and your thoughts.

The symptoms of S.A.D. can lead to increased mental thoughts and mind gymnastics. Your body is experiencing less than energetic power to cope and sort through less than positive imaginations.

While rest is manifested by physical interventions, silence and solitude is captured by spiritual routine.

Step #1 is taking every thought captive. If left to our own, thoughts tend to take a downward spiral. If not captured early in their development, thoughts take the path of least resistance and can tail-spin into the worst case scenario.

Antidote to capture thoughts:

2 Corinthians 10:5

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.

Step #2 is establishing the plumb line to which these thoughts will line up…”the knowledge of the One True God.” There are many philosophies and self help books that will steer you to their “answer” to your problem.

Antidote to establish the plumb line for your thoughts:

John 14:1

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

Read your Bible and Pray everyday. Start in the Psalms and Proverbs. Read the book of John.

Step #3 is to nurture hope. Hope is achieved with the same antidote as Step #2. Read your Bible and Pray everyday. Hope is only found in “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Anticipation

Anticipation is the embodiment of hope. We can thank God that He doesn’t allow any season to last too long. Each season has its benefits in the scheme of creation. But, left to being only one season contributes to pitfalls and dangers.

Spring is assuredly coming because we have seen it and can count on it. Just like the sun rises each morning, we can count on it, because we have seen it.

We can count on God making all things new in our lives as we walk through the darkness to the other side. Jeremiah 29:11 states God’s intention for His children: “‘For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Rest your body.

Feed your spirit.

Anticipate that God as ALWAYS will provide the warm sunshine you need.

The post Doldrums of the Darkness (Seasonal Affective Disorder) appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

He was finishing the long process of moving into his first home and he decided to mark the occasion by mounting one of his most prized possessions in a prominent place in the living room. It was his masterpiece, one that had taken months to finish and had required all his training, skill and natural talent to complete. It was a unique combination of his two loves, painting and design. He slowly exhaled as he stood back and gazed at his magnum opus. Now, he sighed, this feels like home.

When the call came from mom that her and dad would like to come and see his new place, he had a flood of emotions, but the two most prominent were pride in all he had accomplished, and fear. That old fear of rejection. It had apparently not gone away, but still lay dormant in his mind from childhood. Jason wasn’t sure that either emotion prevailed, but at the end of the day, it was common courtesy that made him agree to having them over.

His emotions were all over the map leading up to that day. It was a good thing their visit was just a week away, he wasn’t sure he could have waited much longer.

When the evening finally came, he made sure everything in the house was in place and perfect. Trying to prove yourself, comes with a lot of pressure. When the doorbell rang, he took a deep breath, went to the door and let his parents in.

After hugging his mom and shaking his dad’s hand, (dad was never a hugger), she commented on how lovely the small home was and went on and on about the life her son had made for himself. Dad was nodding his head in agreement, until that fateful moment when the painting in the living room caught his eye. He stopped and stared at it briefly. It seemed like time stood still. Dad broke the silence with a slight chuckle as he proclaimed, whoever painted that, better not give up their day job!

It was a sucker punch to Jason’s gut. All those childhood memories of not being enough, began to wash over him. He tried not to react. He had a fleeting thought that he would tell his dad who created the painting, but then decided it would do no

good. The rest of the night was a blur and after his folks left, Jason collapsed on his couch and the dam broke. His tears, that he had held back from earlier that evening, mixed with something pent up for years and all he could do was sob uncontrollably.

His dad was a high school football coach, passionate about the game. Though Jason played football a couple of years, it wasn’t his passion. He was pretty good, but it just was not life-giving to him. That was something his dad had never understood, and when he chose a career in art and design, the rejection was palpable.

When you read this story, what was your reaction? Anger toward the father for not accepting his son as he was created to be? Were you thinking, what a travesty, I would never act that way? That was my reaction at first, but then it hit me, I’m guilty of responding this way on a regular basis. Hopefully not toward others, but definitely toward myself. Like, when I look in the mirror and am disappointed in the reflection looking back at me. Like, hating how I look, how I blow opportunities and mess up pretty regularly. I rarely think of it this way, but when I disparage myself for my shortcomings, I’m speaking ill of the one who made me in His image!

King David wrote in Psalm 139: You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well.

Then in Romans chapter 9, the apostle Paul writes: But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me like this?

The world screams at us day in and day out that we need to be like everyone else, but The Creator didn’t make another person like you. He wants you to embrace your unique mix of gifts and experiences and be all He intended you to be.

Whether it’s from someone in your life or from you, it is dangerous to accept a false identity. Only God can reveal your true identity, and when you live in that identity, it is life-giving. And it’s then, you can reach your full potential.

If you don’t know what your true identity is, ask the Lord, your Creator, to reveal that to you. As He does, embrace it and live it out. When you do, you and the Lord together, become unstoppable!

The post Who Are You? appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

When I was cleaning up the mess after it happened just the other day, my son said, “Mom, if you put a wooden spoon over the top of the pot, it won’t boil over.” Of course, I have heard that many times, but why? Why a wooden spoon? Why does pasta water boil over at all when many other things do not?

The reason pasta and things like rice and potatoes boil over is that those foods release starch and protein into the water. Those substances coat the bubbles produced by boiling. This makes them more resistant to bursting. So, they create a foamy layer on the surface. The foam then acts like a lid and traps the steam that is produced during boiling until the bubbles accumulate and expand so much that they overflow the pot.  

Boiling water alone usually does not overflow. So, for a minute, put yourself into that pot. We all face the heat of life. But we do not boil over until something inside of us comes out. It could be the pressure of hidden fears, bitterness you can’t let go of, unspoken expectations, or the need to please or prove yourself. We don’t boil over just because life is hot but because something inside of us reacts to the heat.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

Pressure builds silently until – boom – overflow. Then comes the anger, the tears, snapping at your spouse or your kids, a coworker. Perhaps you shut down emotionally and spiritually, leaving everyone out.

But just as the steam under the foam needs a way out, we need to provide a way to release the pressure building up in us. I am not proposing we yell every time something is frustrating or hard. That might feel good for a second, but it is never a long-term help. But you can “yell” to God.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

He is the One person who can take all our emotions and fears and frustrations and turn them for our good. When you give Him your problems, you stop trying to hold everything together yourself. You are trusting that He can hear you and help you. Just having someone to talk to honestly and without reservation takes away so much of the pressure we are trying so hard to keep in.

Putting a wooden spoon on the pot of pasta works because the wood stays cooler than metal so bubbles pop when they touch the spoon. You can also put a little oil or butter in the water because it reduces the surface tension so bubbles can pop easier, keeping so many from accumulating at the surface.

But you can also just turn down the heat. God sometimes does that for us. He may put something on pause or close a door. What we may see as a setback could be an act of mercy. God always wants us to turn back to Him.

When pressure is building beneath the surface, release it by talking to and trusting God. He can handle it all. He can keep you from boiling over and instead overflow with His grace.

The post Why Does Pasta Water Boil Over? (And What It Can Teach You about Your Heart) appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Much of the world has lived under the regulatory system of the Gregorian calendar since October 1582, and was preceded by the Julian calendar that was introduced in 45 BCE. However, the Eastern Orthodox and some Eastern Catholic Churches still follow the Julian calendar. Both the Gregorian and the Julian calendars are based upon the Sun’s solar cycle.

Comparison Between Georgian and Julian Calendars

The adoption of the Gregorian calendar reduced the calendar drift that was associated with the Julian calendar. The calendar drift was most evident in the Julian calendar as related to the lack of standardization of the equinoxes and solstices because of one day added every 100 years because of the 11 extra minutes per year. The Gregorian calendar adds one day every 3,300 years. Currently the Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.

There are numerous other calendars being used around the world other than the Julian or Gregorian. Each of the other calendars are used for various reasons that match the needs of those who embrace the calendar’s nuances. Some of those calendars include the following:

• ISO calendar is used in logistics, finance, and software
• Hijri is the legal civil calendar in Iran and Afghanistan
• Hebrew/Jewish calendar incorporates the festivals found within the Bible
• Chinese calendar recognized by mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore
• Korean calendar recognized in both North and South Korea (ancestral rights and festivals)

Another calendar comparison is between a solar, a lunar, and a lunisolar calendar.

Which calendar do you believe would be a better fit for you? Are you better suited to live by the passing of the sun or the moon? Does a liturgical calendar full of festivals and celebrations seem appealing? Whichever calendar regulates your life, we need to remember that God is the “Master of the Universe” and scripture describes how He holds within His hands the times in which we live.

It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!

Daniel 2:21

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

My terms are in Your hands; Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who pursue and persecute me.

Psalm 31:15

We must release our anxiety that often is created by trying to live within a limited amount of time with an overload of activities. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 AMP).

If you want to know more about how to have God be the Director of your life, let us know!

The post Calendars appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Each one of these names are mothers mentioned in the Bible. And there are even more (lesser known) mothers that stood in the gap for the health and well-being of their children in both the Old and New Testaments.

Every one of us are here on Earth because we were born of a mother. Each person’s relationship with their mother is unique. I hope that your relationship
with your mother is a cause for joy. But for some, thinking about your relationship with your mom might evoke moments of sadness or even anger. When we step into the Family of God, we need to allow the Word of God to guide our hearts and minds to understand the importance of mothers in our lives.

A Call to Honor Mothers
We begin with God’s command to value our mothers with love and respect.
● Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the
Lord your God is giving you.”
● Ephesians 6:1–3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and
mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”

A Portrait of a Godly Mother
Scripture praises the strength, wisdom, and dignity of a mother who walks with God.
● Proverbs 31:25–28
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She
speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue… Her children arise
and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
● Proverbs 1:8–9
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s
teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

A Mother’s Comfort and Devotion
The tender love and sacrificial devotion of a mother reflects God’s own heart.
● Isaiah 66:13
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted
over Jerusalem.”
● John 16:21
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when
her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born
into the world.”

A Legacy of Faith
Mothers pass on faith and wisdom, shaping future generations.
● 2 Timothy 1:5
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

Mary: The Blessed Mother
Mary’s example reminds us that a mother’s faith, humility, and sacrifice are deeply honored by God.
● Luke 1:46–48
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on
all generations will call me blessed.'”
● John 19:26–27
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing
nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is
your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

Closing Reflection:
Mothers who interact within our lives can come in various forms. We may have mothers we acknowledge because they are a biological, spiritual, or adoptive mom. We are blessed, honored, and strengthened by the love, wisdom, and grace of God demonstrated by these mothers. May we be filled with an awe-inspiring mandate to reflect these same Godly qualities to those around us. Whether you are a mother with your own offspring or whether you stand in the gap as a spiritual or adoptive mom, you have a great opportunity to influence individuals who are needing the loving embrace of a Godly mother.

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However, did you know we most likely grew up not learning a foreign language that has hindered us from speaking it fluently and the ability to immerse ourselves in that culture? Of what language am I speaking? I’m speaking of the Christian Biblical Worldview. Many of us say that is our frame of reference. However, recently I have been challenged to dig deeper into what IS the Christian Biblical Worldview.

The following is an abbreviated explanation of my research on a Christian Biblical Worldview:

Every person has a “worldview“—a lens through which they interpret life, reality, and their purpose. It’s shaped by experiences, education, culture, and beliefs. A Worldview answers big questions like:

• Where did we come from?
• Why are we here?
• What is right and wrong?
• What happens after we die?

A Biblical Worldview is one that interprets all of life through the teachings of the Bible. It hinges on the existence of God, that He created everything, and that the Bible is His authoritative truth.

1. God is the Ultimate Authority

• Biblical View: There is one sovereign God who created and sustains the universe (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17).
• Other Views: Some believe in multiple gods (polytheism), an impersonal force (pantheism), or no god at all (atheism).

2. Absolute Truth Exists

• Biblical View: Truth is defined by God and revealed in Scripture (John 17:17).
• Other Views: Truth is often seen as relative or shaped by personal experiences (postmodernism).

3. Humanity is Created in God’s Image

• Biblical View: Humans have inherent value and purpose, created to reflect God’s nature (Genesis 1:26-27).
• Other Views: Some see humans as purely biological accidents (naturalism) or deny any higher purpose.

4. Sin and the Need for Redemption

• Biblical View: Humanity is fallen due to sin, which separates us from God, and only Jesus Christ provides salvation (Romans 3:23, John 14:6).
• Other Views: Some deny sin altogether, believe people are inherently good, or seek salvation through personal effort or enlightenment.

5. Moral Standards Come from God

• Biblical View: Right and wrong are based on God’s nature and commands (Exodus 20:1-17).
• Other Views: Morality is often subjective, based on societal norms or individual preferences.

6. Purpose of Life: To Glorify God

• Biblical View: Our ultimate purpose is to know God, love Him, and serve Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• Other Views: Purpose is often defined by personal happiness, success, or social progress.

7. Eternal Perspective: Heaven and Hell

• Biblical View: Life doesn’t end at death; there is eternal life for believers in Christ and judgment for those who reject Him (John 3:16, Revelation 20:15).
• Other Views: Some believe in reincarnation, annihilation, or that there is no afterlife at all.

In contrast to secular or non-biblical Worldviews, a Biblical Worldview is centered on God rather than human reasoning or cultural trends. It shapes how Christians think, make decisions, and interact with the world.

What is the benefit of living a Biblical Worldview immersed lifestyle? I just made a Grandma Video for my grandsons to explain in their language what a Biblical Worldview is. I told them that God loves us more than we know as a perfect Father. A perfect father is absolutely good and never wants to harm his children. A perfect father always wants to bless his children with an environment that is nourishing and supportive. There are family rules that act as a guideline to live within a safe environment. I went on to tell them our choices can take us out of that loving home environment and protection of our father. Our father’s love never changes based upon our “poor choices,” but there can be consequences that we must face.

When we step outside of living based upon a Biblical Worldview, we often open ourselves up to the attack of satan. Satan’s mode of operation is to steal, kill, and destroy. God didn’t send the consequences, it was our choice to live outside the safety of our Father’s protection and that opens us up to the attack of satan. I also explained to them that Jesus said we would always have trouble in this world, but be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. I told them about this, because there are times we are living a Biblical Worldview life and bad things can happen to us. However, those bad things aren’t caused by God, but someone else’s poor choices outside of God’s safe environment.

Much of our world does not acknowledge God or the Bible as the source of absolute truth. Therefore, a Biblical Worldview is like a foreign language to the masses within society. The Biblical Worldview may be the language many Christians speak, but they may not have a full immersion into the living and breathing aspect of how the Biblical Worldview can and should impact their daily lives.

Just like my experience in Belize with knowing Spanish that procured a successful outcome, we as Christians need to make sure we know our Biblical Worldview language and immerse ourselves in a daily practice of its principles so that we will live in a greater protection by our Father and reflect the TRUTH to those around us that are unfamiliar with the language of God.

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But it doesn’t happen all at once. The calendar saying “spring” doesn’t make winter disappear overnight. There are still gray skies, chilly mornings, and unexpected storms. We want the warmth and light of spring and summer, but it seems as if it will never come.

Our lives sometimes feel like that. We know God is always working, but we feel stuck waiting for Him to answer our prayers, waiting for a situation to be resolved, waiting for a new chapter to begin. So let’s take a look at nature to see what it can teach us about God.

The seasons always change in God’s perfect timing. No matter how long winter lasts, spring will come. The Bible says there is a season for everything and a time for every event that happens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When we feel that we have been waiting for such a long winter season, remember that God has been working the whole time. The trees and flowers do not panic. They rest in waiting, knowing God will bring growth at the right time.

Growth happens below the surface. In the spring, we do not always see growth. Flowers haven’t bloomed, and the trees are still bare. But growth is happening beneath the ground, and roots are growing deeper.

We may not see any growth in our lives either, but in our patient waiting, God is strengthening us and deepening our trust and dependence on Him. The waiting isn’t wasted time; it is when most spiritual growth occurs. We do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Storms come before blooms. Spring in Ohio means rainstorms (sometimes snowstorms!) and unpredictable weather. But when that is over, we will have flowers, green grass, and new life. Our lives often work the same way. In the storms of life, God is doing amazing things. The storms are not meant to hurt us but to nourish us, to feed us, and prepare us to bloom. When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:2-3).

God’s plan is always greater than we imagine. Despite the dreariness of March, we see hints of encouragement – a robin in the lawn, daffodils pushing up through the ground, and buds on the trees. These give us hope for what is coming.

Even if you haven’t yet received what you are waiting for, look for the small signs of God’s grace, goodness, and faithfulness in your life. God is working, and what He does is always bigger than we can even imagine. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

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We as Christians need to begin to see that God does not leave us hanging out to dry in an effort to test us and see if we will make wise decisions to better our lot in life. The wisest choice is to “seek God and His righteousness, and all the things we need will be added unto us” (Matthew 6:33). These “things” don’t have to be material items that can sidetrack us from the true needs within our lives.

Our true needs that might send us over the edge of despair are our needs for safety, health, and peace of mind. The Bible is FULL of encouragement to lead us to the source of hope, as well as the power to provide us with what we need.

Psalm 91 is a vivid picture of God’s provision of hope through many dangers. God rescues us from the snare of the fowler. God protects us under His wings. God fights our enemies. God provides energy for us to keep going forward. All of this provision is because of our trust and dwelling in His presence; not our own efforts.

We need to have a mind shift to trust in God, the unseen, more than we trust in the seen. So many say that is foolish. But Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the mighty things.”

The many Bible stories and Bible verses we have learned over our lifetime, need to now be put into demonstrated power actions that reveal we have our faith in God who is our rock and fortress (Psalm 18:2), and not in the temporal things of this Earth…even though God will provide things we need…homes, jobs, transportation, food, etc. “Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but I trust in the Lord my God” (Psalm 20:7).

That kind of abandoned faith causes us to say, as the words of the song, “I Surrender All.”

Surrendering to God restores us with His authority and power living in us as “Christ the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27). His power moves mountains (obstacles). His power is creative and demonstrated throughout the Bible with examples of providing out of nothing: manna, quail, and water. His power demonstrated the parting of the Red Sea and everyone crossing over on dry ground while moments later drowning Pharaoh and his army. In the New Testament, Paul was saved from death: shipwreck, beating, and snake bite. God says, “Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). We say God is the same yesterday, today, and forever…therefore we should have that God kind of faith to believe He will use His power to provide us hope. Hope in His love that was so strong, He gave His only son so that we would be brought into His family to dwell (John 3:16).

As we become part of His family, we need to move away from the idea of doing life on our own efforts to the realization that “I can’t do it myself.” We MUST live only through God’s power moving in and through us. That is when we become the Kings and Priests God intended to step out in His Name to do great exploits (Daniel 11:32) to win the lost and to disciple the nations toward His Glory covering the Earth as the water covers the sea (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Habakkuk 2:14).

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The older I get the more I wonder, “What is God saying through nature?” I used to think it was a crazy idea that God spoke from the heavens because Disney videos portrayed the sounds from heaven as gods or imaginary characters playing 10-Pin in heaven, and I knew that wasn’t true.

God started telling us the heavens and stars were important in Genesis 1:1 when “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.” Later in verses 3-5 God says, “Let there be light” that separated the light from the darkness and created the first day. This was not the ending of God’s creation of lights. In verses 14-19 on the fourth day God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years…And God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.”

Now let’s return to Psalm 19. Verses 2-4 tell us what is occurring all around us, but because of our human nature we are so woefully unaware.

V. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

V. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

V. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

I ask the question again, “What is God saying all around us that we cannot currently understand?” I find myself listening to the wind blowing through the trees, listening more intently to the rumbles of thunder in the distance, and viewing the clouds, the leaves, and the change of weather with a spoken statement to the heavens, “God, what are you saying?”

In the Bible there are several references of God speaking and those in hearing thought it was thunder or didn’t understand what they experienced.

Matthew 3:13-17: At Jesus’ baptism “as soon as he was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

John 12:27-29: Jesus was telling of his coming death and resurrection to his disciples. Jesus said, “‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered, others said an angel had spoken to him.”

Matthew 27:32-56: Jesus’ crucifixion records the following nature reactions to his death. “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)…And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.”

Acts 9:1-7: Saul, a murderer of Christians had a conversion to Paul, becoming the anchor of God’s New Testament. Saul had a life-changing heaven encounter from God. “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul said. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’ he replied. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anything.”

What is God saying to us through His nature that surrounds us today? Realize that it is possible that no one else may hear or see what God is telling you. Maybe God’s words to us may be through the reading of the Bible or an encounter with a person giving us encouragement. However, in each of the Biblical examples above, the people who encountered God’s breakthrough from Heaven to Earth were forever changed, and their change impacted the people and world around them. I encourage all of us to ask God, “What are you saying?”

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I’m more of a task-oriented person, so if you give me a job and a deadline, I will usually push to get it done, but I found that after a while, I was reading the words of Scripture as just words to get through. Now, I still think it is a good idea to read the Bible all the way through. God left us one book that tells us about Him and that He wants us to read, and I think I’d feel kind of stupid standing in front of Him some day with Him knowing I never even read it.

But this year I tried something different – I have been reading an archaeological study Bible. If you are imagining boring measurements from a dig site, it is not like that, but there are hundreds of photographs of artifacts and places. You will get an idea of what some ancient tools, seals, and pots looked like and learn how they demonstrate that the stories of the Bible actually took place. Pictures of ancient buildings and fields and mountains near where events occurred bring context to your reading.

Who, Where, Why, and When

But the archaeological Bible does more than explain the archaeology. It helps out with geography, history, and culture too. Maps illustrate the relation of one event to another, often answering the question why something took place where it did. The notes will give you a more complete look at history. It tells you what else was going on in the world at the same time Bible events were happening. And the many footnotes and side articles give insights to the people both of the Bible and their neighbors. Their culture is not ours, and the articles point out what was going on at the time God was speaking to them.

Ancient writers are quoted. These quotes have been found on monuments, carvings, and scrolls – poets writing about kings or regular people discussing regular people. One insert I recently read was text on a tablet from a Sumerian scribal school in which an older student mockingly criticized the work of a younger student – makes even the really ancient people sound just like us!

Slow Down

If you chose to make a more academic study of things, you could. There are notes, concordances, and charts. I don’t; I just use it for my personal reading. The most valuable part of all is that it slows you down. You won’t feel the same pull to rush through to get so many chapters read, but your understanding will grow.

Some examples of archaeological Bibles and similar cultural background Bibles you might want to check out are:

1. Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV and NKJV) (sampler)
2. ESV Archaeology Study Bible from Crossway (sampler)
3. Archaeological Study Bible (NIV and KJV) This is the one I use, but unfortunately, it is now out of print. There is a digital version, and there are still copies available on places like eBay. (a helpful personal review found on youtube)

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Realizing this darkness is often hard for us to know because we are so engulfed in the world as we know it. However, Isaiah 60:2 describes the world as it is, “Darkness now covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples.” However, God has ALWAYS determined to rescue His creation from the grips of satan and his effort to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). The second half of verse 10 has Jesus again declaring darkness to light saying, “I have come that they (creation who believes) may have life, and have it to the full.”

Isaiah 60:1 tells of God’s speaking of light into darkness. God through the prophet Isaiah states, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” While this is a reference to the coming Messiah, we as Christians are the body of Christ to distribute the light of God to a dark and hurting world.

The first verse of the Christmas carol “O Holy Night” describes the world at Jesus’ birth, but also mirrors the world of today.

Oh, holy night,
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night
Of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world,
In sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn.

The key line that jumps out to me is “till he (Jesus) appeared and the soul felt its worth.” As I said earlier, we often don’t realize that we are in a dark world without the light of God. Our hope is in our “soul” finding the light of God, not the acquisition of wealth and things.

God never leaves us in the dark. God ALWAYS introjects light into the darkness. God’s light is the good news of Jesus coming as the Savior of all Mankind. Isaiah 61:1-3 declares:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning
and a garment of praise
Instead of a spirit of despair.

This is the “Good News” that God has commissioned us as His children to declare to a dark and dying world. Light penetrates through darkness. Light attracts those who want warmth and direction. Light generates hope of a breakthrough of the darkness that so enslaves us as humanity. Jesus’ light in our life is the true FREEDOM of the “soul finding its worth”. Let us take the torch of Jesus and hold the “Good News” high to draw those who are still in darkness into the light and warmth of God’s eternal plan of salvation. This is the ultimate darkness to light that God provided through His son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

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Surprisingly, there’s a story in I Samuel that talks about hemorrhoids. You may already be familiar with it. Toward the end of the time of the judges, the Philistines attacked the Israelites at a city about twenty-five miles from Shiloh, the home of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant at the time. The first day of the battle, the Israelites were soundly defeated. When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders had the idea to send men to Shiloh and bring the ark of the covenant to the battle site so that “it” would save them from their enemies.

When the ark arrived, the Israelites shouted so loud, the ground shook. The Philistines heard the shouting and wondered what the noise was all about. When they learned the ark of Yahweh was there, the Philistines were afraid. And they had reason to be. They believed a god had actually come into the camp – one of the gods who had earlier “struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert.”

But they knew they had to win or be slaves, so they fought hard and defeated the Israelites – killing 30,000 – and what was more, captured the ark of God. They took it back to Ashdod and put it in the temple of their god Dagon, until their god broke falling down before the ark. God not only judged their god, but their people as well. The author said the Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and He brought devastation and afflicted them with hemorrhoids. The Philistines recognized the punishment was from the God of Israel, so they sent the ark on to another city. The same death and affliction happened there and wherever they moved the ark, so that after seven months, the Philistines called all their priests and diviners and asked what to do with the ark.

They told them to send it back to the Israelites – with gifts – but they also warned their fellow countrymen to not “harden their hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did.” Send the ark back now before we get nine more rounds of hemorrhoids and worse. What I want you to notice is that the Philistines knew and were afraid of the power of the God of Israel. They knew and believed the stories of the plagues on Egypt – that had happened in a different country 400 years earlier! The Israelites, apparently not impressed by their own God, had not asked for His help but dragged around the ark of the covenant like a good luck charm.

When I see the sin and craziness going on around us now, I am fascinated by how hard the world, like the Philistines, fights against God, as if they know how powerful He is and need to fight as hard as they possibly can. They go all out and sometimes even throw up their fists in victory, seemingly unaware that God has already won. Let the strength and hope of that knowledge give you peace but also inspire you to bring those fighting so futilely to the winning side.

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You know our children often ask us, “Are we there yet?”  They ask us how high is the sky or ask us how deep is the ocean?  Those questions actually do have answers even though they may be much larger than a small child could comprehend.  We as adults usually know that an answer is available for our children’s questions, but know explaining the answer to the young inquiring minds will be difficult for them to understand because of their lack of experience and knowledge.

However, when we ask the question “How big is God?”, we really can’t conceive that answer for ourselves.  We have to realize that compared to God, we are the young inquiring minds that lack experience and knowledge.  When we read the Bible it says that God is the Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning, and the End.  How do you measure anything that has no beginning or end?

One of my previous pastors, focused our congregation on praying and realizing we have so often view God as having limits, therefore putting Him in a box. The congregational focus was to meet in small groups and pray that God would reveal Himself outside of the box.  We were to look around us in nature and our every experience to notice where God was.  We learned that so often we miss the greatness of God because we might not be looking.  Our expectation is that God is far away and doesn’t take interest in our daily lives.

I’ve been reflecting again on how big IS God?  I was reminded of a song, “How Big is God?” that encouraged me when I was a child.  It was written by Stuart Hamblen.  (A side note: look Stuart Hamblen up and read his biography, it is a very encouraging life story).  The song lyrics push us to focus on God’s perspective of His greatness.  When we remember that His GREAT LOVE sent Jesus to rescue us as His children and to restore the family relationship He intended from the beginning of creation, we continue to fathom, “How Big is God?”

Song Lyrics:

Though men may strive to go beyond the reach of space

To crawl beyond the distant shining stars

This world’s a room so small within my Master’s house

The open sky’s but a portion of his yard.

Chorus:

How big is God? How big and wide is His vast domain?

To try to tell these lips can only start

He’s big enough to rule His mighty universe

Yet small enough to live within my heart.

As winter chill may cause the tiny seed to fall

To lie asleep till waked by summer’s rain

The heart grown cold will warm and trod with life anew

The Master’s touch will bring the glow again.

Science and the Size of God

Now let me blow your mind of how big God IS!  In my contemplation of this question I became aware of a statistic.  With this statistic I truly feel like the little child that lacks the experience and knowledge to grasp the greatness of God’s greatness.  Remember, I am a science geek.

The electromagnetic spectrum is 0.005 of what exists in the universe.  That includes: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays.  0.005 is five-hundred thousandths…that is a SMALL amount of what exists in the universe.  The light that we can see is visible light and is considered a “smear” within that spectrum.  So, if we are judging God’s bigness on what we can see, we are only seeing a smear, not even a fraction of how big God IS!

I started to think about the scriptures like:

He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.

Psalm 18:11

He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.

2 Samuel 22:12

There is MORE of what we can’t see, even beyond the electromagnetic spectrum.  Have we unwittingly put God in the box of only what we know or can see?  How big is God?  God is bigger than the universe and bigger than our minds’ can conceive.

I challenge you and me to trust God like our children trust us when we can’t give them the specific answer they are wanting.  We may be asking the wrong question.  The real question may be, “How can I experience you God, in my everyday life in both the big and the small issues?”  This is what my former pastor was challenging us to do.

A minister I listen to exhorts us to know that “God is ABSOLUTELY Good!”  Knowing that God is absolutely good can allow our hearts and minds to be settled that no matter what we see around us, only good comes from God.  Let’s cling to James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  Also Matthew 7:11, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who seek him.”

Let’s stop asking as the children do, “Are we there yet?” and just enjoy the ride with God as our Heavenly Father and seek to know him and experience the adventure He has laid out before us.  Remember He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

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Within that trek for success, individuals are also looking for that perfect spouse, the perfect house, and the perfect everything to fulfill their dreams.  However, I want to distinguish the concept of purpose.  Purpose is different from career or any token of success we may gather along the way.

Purpose is an inward longing that can only be fulfilled by letting it out.  But, how do you find that purpose?  Many individuals may live a lifetime and NEVER find their purpose.  Not having a purpose can lead to a life characterized by chasing after something and everything in an effort to satisfy a deep inner emptiness.

So much of our world today is on “speed-dial” and we miss the quiet moments to reflect on who we are and for what we have been created.  During the time our world was locked and sequestered away I spent much of my time reading, writing, and praying.  I found that the more time I spent seeking God rather than seeking the purpose, my purpose became apparent.  I reflected on my journey from childhood to adulthood and the opportunities and trials that I encountered.  I spent quite a bit of time looking at the path that God had guided me through.  That reflection revealed talents and tendencies that God planted within me before the foundation of the world.

The Bible states in Jeremiah 29:11 (God speaking), “I know the plans that I have for you.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

What I am learning is that God isn’t into always telling us the full plan up front.  If He did that, we wouldn’t need God.  We also might get impatient as children and ask, “Are we there yet?”  God gives us an adventure.  As we seek more of Him, He reveals more of us to ourselves.  I know that sounds weird, but God is a good God and He is a loving father.

Do you remember having the opportunity to play “Hide-n-Seek” or “Scavenger Hunt”?  Do you remember that whether you were the one hiding or the one seeking in either of those games, you were watching the faces of those with whom you were playing?  Everyone was thrilled for the unknown.

Have we ever thought about God as our Heavenly Father wanting to reveal to us our hidden treasure as we spend more and more time in His presence?  In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).  Our number one purpose is to “LOVE God with ALL our HEART, and lean NOT to our own understanding, and in all our ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct our path” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Path of God leads to purpose.  Our purpose is to become more like Jesus every day.  As we become “Christ-like” (Christians), then our purpose is to let our lives become a reflection of God Himself.  Our purpose is able to be fulfilled in whatever career we choose.  Whether we are a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a nurse, or a parent…our ultimate success is found in the outward expression of LOVE to the people we encounter every day.

Don’t get caught in thinking you have missed your purpose because you didn’t get the right job, finish the degree, or acquire the house with a picket fence and 2.5 kids.  Purpose is more than what you do as a profession; purpose is who you are as a person and how you “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Some of you will find that your purpose is demonstrated in acts of generosity.  Others will find your purpose in being a listening ear.  Purpose of God includes “seed planters” sharing the Good News and “harvesters” to usher in new believers to God’s Kingdom.  Purpose is more often found in the little nudges that are triggered in your heart after spending time with God.  The best way for you to really find your purpose is to ask God to reveal the purpose He had in mind for you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.  The Bible states in Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message Bible):

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

You formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

You know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

How I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

All the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

The Bible tells us that when we call upon God He hears us and is faithful to answer us.  However, remember, you probably won’t get a loud thunder clap…but a still small voice.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

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Psalm 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”.  This is a parallel to Deuteronomy 30:15, 19; “Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction…I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses.  Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.”

The creative power of words goes back to Genesis 1:3 when God said, “Let there be light!”  That began the precedent of speaking into existence things that are, out of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1-3).  What have we become accustomed to speaking without thinking?  Have we become like the song in Hee Haw, “Gloom, despair, and agony on me?” or the sayings of Job, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25).

We as God’s children have been given the Holy Spirit as a deposit in our souls (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5).  The Holy Spirit becomes our teacher and guide to grow in the grace that Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice afforded for us (The Great Exchange).

Paul tells us to throw off every weight that so easily besets (distracts) us from running the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1-3).  Are our words one of those weights that so easily distracts us from the life giving power of God’s Holy Words?  We go back to Psalms 18:21 and Deuteronomy 30:15, 19.  God through the Prophets have instructed that we need to choose life.  Life not only of salvation, but life of the fruit of our tongue.

Every word we speak is a seed.  What type of seeds are we planting with our speech?  Seeds of life or seeds of death.  So often we may not realize the significance and the power our words have on ourself and on others.  Sometimes we just blow it off and say, “I’m only joking.”  Have we ever considered that every word we speak becomes a seed that either God or Satan can take to bring about life or death?

God is absolutely good and provides only perfect gifts of life.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Jesus tells us about Satan, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Jesus lived and taught many of His parables in a farming community.  He often talked about the seed or the crop.  We need to take seriously that the words we speak are creating a crop…a crop of life or a crop of death.  Don’t be discouraged if to this point the majority of your seeds have been less than life.  That is why Jesus came and bought back (redeemed) our relationship to God the Father.  That is why Holy Spirit came to be alongside us every step of the way…because in and of ourselves…we can’t make the change.

It isn’t a “mind over matter” or a “I can do better” effort.  James Chapter 3 expresses that the tongue is a fire and “is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).  The only way we have a chance to plant better life crops is to turn our lives over to the care of God who loves us so much He gave His only son (Jesus), so that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Begin planting seeds of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) and watch and wait expectantly like the farmers for a yet unseen crop to come to harvest as long as they (we) don’t get weary in well doing and not faint in their (our) planting and watering (Galatians 6:9).  Water those life giving word seeds with the scripture, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing and acceptable unto you O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

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                But there is a well-known story in the Bible that takes place after Jesus’s death and resurrection in which His disciples were at one point “overjoyed,” but it seems that was not enough to conquer their fear and doubt. The story is the one we refer to as “Doubting Thomas.” On the evening of the day Jesus rose from the dead, most of His disciples were together in a locked room. The doors were locked because they were afraid the Jews would find them and take them away as they did Jesus. But that night, Jesus came in the room and showed them His hands and side, which filled the disciples with joy. Their teacher was alive!

                But the next week, the disciples were again gathered together in a locked room, apparently still afraid. This time Thomas was with them. He got his nickname because when the disciples who had been at the first meeting told him that they had seen Jesus, Thomas, perhaps thinking they had seen a ghost, said he would not believe until he put his finger where the nails were and his hand into Jesus’s side.

                As you probably know, Jesus again came into the locked room, told them to be at peace, and then spoke directly to Thomas: Put your finger in My hands and your hand in My side. Stop doubting and believe.

He Got It

Thomas no longer needed to touch Jesus. He immediately said, My Lord and my God! Yes, their teacher was no longer dead, but now the disciples, at least Thomas, saw that Jesus was not just a teacher, their rabbi, but God Himself. He was known as a doubter, but he was apparently the first person to understand that Jesus was deity. He was God.

The disciples had thought Jesus was bringing the kingdom, but He had been killed instead. Now they had seen the risen Jesus – they had joy but not hope. They were confused and scared. They had seen Him alive again, but He still wasn’t challenging the Romans. Who was this man they had followed for years? Did His resurrection make any difference to them?

But Doubting Thomas got it. Jesus was God, and that changed things. The disciples no longer needed to be afraid of the Jews or anyone else. In just a few weeks, instead of hiding in a locked room, they were all speaking in public to thousands, preaching to the very people who had killed Jesus. Almost all the apostles would eventually be beaten, jailed, and murdered for the name of Jesus. Back in the locked room, Jesus replied to Thomas, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. That’s us, you and me. We’re blessed because we have the joy and the hope. We would have doubted too, but we have the Bible which put it all together for us and the Spirit, whom Jesus sent when He returned to the Father. Knowing who Jesus is and that we will be resurrected too, changes us. We no longer need to hide in a locked room but can live and speak without fear, with joy and hope, just as the disciples did.

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