• ” . . . scared the devil out of me!” (whenever somebody got really frightened)

• ” . . . the devil whippin’ his wife” (whenever rain and sun were present at the same time)

• “The devil got into him.” (whenever one succumbed to the temptations of the evil one)

Scripture teaches us that the battles we wage as believers really are largely battles of good versus evil. Too often we let evil have victory in our lives — in the so-called ‘little things’ that perhaps don’t make much difference. Or so we say.

The truth is that Satan, while extremely shrewd, is also limited. There are only so many tricks he has up his sleeve. The sad thing is that even though we can spot his arsenal pretty much anywhere, we still let him have his way far too often without so much as a whimper, let alone a fight.

For those who are in Christ, the best hope the devil has is to discourage our hearts, distract us from our mission, and define us by our past. He knows that Christ has already won the victory, and the pages of history are just playing out according to God’s perfect plan. Therefore, Satan focuses on us with laser-like precision in a battle for our minds. You see, if he can get us in a mental tug-of-war, we’ll never be effective for the Kingdom of God.

HERE ARE THREE LIES SATAN CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO BELIEVE:

1. “You don’t really belong to God.” With this lie Satan aims at the very heart of our faith. He challenges us to doubt our salvation experience — and pulls out lots of ‘evidence’ from our emotional pile of dirty laundry. “If you belonged to God,  you wouldn’t do these sinful things,” he whispers. Reality Check: Not all doubts are necessarily from Satan. However, while salvation is a point of decision/acceptance of God’s gift to us through Jesus Christ, personal discipleship is a process that will not reach completion until we meet Jesus face to face

2. “God doesn’t really care about you.” This is a real manipulative power play that has only one goal: confusion. In this mode, Satan brings all our problems to the forefront of our mind: debt, health issues, relationship and intimacy problems, dissatisfaction with work, etc. I think some of Satan’s chief channels for communicating this ridiculous message are the proponents of the ‘health and prosperity gospel.’ That’s not to say that those individuals are not believers — but to point out that Satan can use even believers to bring about confusion. We live in a fallen world. Problems come. People die — which in most cases involves developing some sort of health issue — no matter how faithful they are to the Lord.

3. “This is as good as it gets.” Every now and then, Satan tries to convince us that the Bible is just one big fairytale. He tells us there’s no God, no heaven, no abundant life. In this line of attack, the devil strives to drive daggers in our very hope. If we begin to think there’s no hope, then we’ll certainly not be sharing the Good News with others.

I believe that everyone has doubts from time to time; otherwise, there would be no need for faith. However, when those doubts arise, the only proper response is to confess them to God (He already knows what you’re thinking and feeling), challenge them with Scripture, and command in Jesus’ name that Satan have no power over your mind.

And always hold on to the powerful truth of Scripture:

“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:2-4, NIV [emphasis mine]

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some other lies that Satan tells you? How do you handle those times when doubts arise?

Did you like this post? If so, you might also be interested in these previous posts:

• God is in control

• It’s time to get serious!

• The process of becoming

Those were the closing words of last Thursday’s episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” And while I wouldn’t describe myself as a regular watcher of that TV drama, I couldn’t help but consider the profound truth of that statement — and the many people who, through anguish and tears, can testify to that. The journey of life does not come with a universal early warning system. Sometimes life can go from perfectly sunny to dark, stormy, and chaotic in just a split second.

There are, in fact, millions of stories — all of which represent actual people — that bear evidence of sudden impact. Just in the past year or so, you and I have witnessed a number of them in our own lives or the lives of someone we love. Many things can cause sudden impact, including: auto accidents, plane crashes, storms, earthquakes, fires, health issues, unanticipated deaths, miscarriages, loss of jobs, murders, suicides . . . The list goes on and on.

During my time in ministry I have walked with many people through ‘sudden impact’ situations.

The shock.

The horror.

The grief.

The devastation.

The despair.

And sometimes, the long road to recovery.

The truth is that if we live long enough, we’ll experience our share of sudden impacts. There are three key principles that are helpful to remember:

1. God is God, and we are not. He is sovereign and in control. He is never caught off-guard. While the things of this life often leave us shocked, dismayed, and disheartened, God sees the bigger picture. What’s difficult at times for us to accept is that we may not be able to glimpse much of that bigger picture this side of heaven.

2. God can be trusted to provide strength and comfort to the broken-hearted. It’s often in those moments when time seems to stand still that His presence can most be felt. Scripture tells us that His grace is sufficient for all our needs. What I’ve come to realize through the years is that He gives us more grace at the time we need it most — not necessarily before then.

3. God is always worthy of praise and thanksgiving. No matter what struggles we face or how deep our heartache, God’s indescribable gift of forgiveness and atonement through His Son, Jesus Christ, makes Him absolutely and forever deserving of glory and honor and praise — regardless of what this life throws our way. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Thessalonica, penned these words:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

Perhaps you stumbled upon this post by chance today. I choose to believe that nothing in this life happens by chance, but rather, that God in His omniscience knits things together according to a perfect plan that only He can fully understand. Whether you’re recovering from a sudden impact in your own life — or perhaps about to experience one — God alone is the One on whom we can cast our cares, because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

IT’S YOUR TURN!
How have you experienced the grace of God in your own times of sudden impact? What other traits of God can you testify to during times of difficulty?

Did you like this post? If so, you might also enjoy these previous posts:

• Fear Not!

• Nine years later: Where are you now?

• 4 keys to a Christ-centered ‘doomsday’ response

In an open letter posted to his website several years ago, Swindoll wrote:

The most recent studies available suggest that one out of every two people — that’s 50% — of the people sitting in our pews, are looking at and/or could be addicted to internet pornography. Stop and imagine the ugly but very real possibility of some of your own elders and deacons leaving your meeting and going home to surf porn. Think about youth leaders viewing it one minute, and leading a small group with your kids thirty minutes later. It’s ruining marriages, destroying relationships, harming youth, and hurting the body of Christ. . . . My friend, it’s time to do something about it. In fact, we need to start today. Making a difference requires action . . . . Our churches are in trouble. This is not the time to simply wait and pray.”

I have fought — and to a large extent still fight daily — the battle against pornography in my own life. It’s not a fun thing to talk about. It’s certainly not something that most people want to think about, especially as it relates to Christians and ministry leaders. However, not acknowledging and not talking about it is precisely why pornography is considered a silent epidemic that impacts far more men and women than you’d like to know. Sexual temptation really can be thought of as every man’s battle — or, for that matter, every person’s battle. Many studies and surveys have been conducted regarding sexual thoughts and behaviors. While the statistics do not always match, they do almost universally sound major alarms about the severity of the problem. Consider for a moment these statistics:

GENERAL STATISTICS

• 12% of internet websites are pornographic. That’s 24,644,172 sites! (United Families International)
• Every second $3,075.64 is spent on pornography — and 28,258 people are viewing porn. (UFI)
• Total porn industry revenue for 2006: $13.3 billion in the US; $97 billion worldwide.
• 40 million Americans are regular visitors to porn sites. (UFI)
• 29% of born-again adults in the US feel that it is morally acceptable to view movies with explicit sexual behavior. (Barna Group)
• 42% of adults believe it is “morally acceptable” to have a sexual relationship with someone of the opposite sex to whom they are not married.
• The least popular day of the year for viewing porn is Thanksgiving. (UFI)
• The most popular day of the week for viewing porn is Sunday. (UFI)

REGARDING CLERGY

• 51% of pastors say cyber-pornography is a possible temptation; 37% say it is a current struggle. (Christianity Today, Leadership Survey, December 2001)
• 20% of all the calls received on the Focus on the Family Pastoral Care Line are for help with issues such as pornography and compulsive sexual behavior.
• 33% of clergy admitted to having visited a sexually explicit website. Of those who had visited a pornographic site, 53% had visited such sites “a few times” in the past year, and 18% visit sexually explicit sites between a couple times a month and more than once a week.
• 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation. (Christians and Sex Leadership Journal Survey, March 2005)

REGARDING MEN

• 70% of men from age 18-24 visit a pornographic site in a typical month. (UFI)
• 67% of 18-26-year-old men believe viewing pornography is acceptable.
• 66% of men in their 20′s and 30′s admit to being regular users of pornography.
• 20% of men admit to accessing pornography at work. (UFI)
• Half of unmarried men ages 20-29 said they would have sex without any interest in marriage.

REGARDING WOMEN

• 28% of those admitted to sexual addiction are women.
• 34% of female readers of Today’s Christian Woman‘s online newsletter admitted to intentionally accessing internet pornography — and 1 out of every 6 women, including Christians, struggles with an addiction to pornography.
• 49% of 18-26-year-old women believe viewing pornography is acceptable.
• 13% of women admit to accessing pornography at work. (UFI)

REGARDING FAMILIES

• 47% of Christian families said pornography is a problem in their home. (Focus on the Family, October 2003)
• The internet was a significant factor is 2 out of 3 divorces. (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2003)
• 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the internet, in most cases unintentionally. (London School of Economics, January 2002)
• Average age of first internet exposure to pornography: 11 (InternetFilterReview.com and UFI)
• Largest consumer of internet pornography: 12-17-year olds (various sources as of 2007)
• 1 in 7 children who use the internet have been sexually solicited. (InternetFilerReview.com 2005)
• 80% of 15-17-year-olds have had multiple hard-core exposures.

Over the last ten years there have been a number of positive attempts to proactively lift the veil from this dirty little secret. These include efforts by Promise Keepers, XXX Church, Every Man’s Battle, and Freedom Begins Here. I remain convinced, however, that we have much work left to do. It starts with me; it starts with you. I encourage you to take the following steps with regard to this issue:

1. Get your head out of the sand and acknowledge the reality of pornography’s influence in our sex-saturated society.
2. Examine your own life, and honestly assess your risk. Here’s a helpful tool for self-evaluation.
3. Purchase a filtering program for your computer, particularly any computers shared by your children — even occasionally.
4. If you struggle with sexually compulsive thoughts and/or behaviors, admit this truth to a same-sex friend who can help hold you accountable.  In fact, I urge you to have a set of friends to help keep you honest with yourself and with them. Here’s a great list of men’s accountability questions that can be customized as you see fit. Here are other accountability questions specific to men, women, couples, and teens. I strongly advise you to use an internet monitoring service that reports your internet activity to one or more accountability partners. I have used Covenant Eyes for years and highly recommend it.
5. Educate your children about the dangers of the internet (including smart phones and apps). I want my kids to learn about sex from me and my wife — not some online stranger. Don’t be afraid to start talking with them about it ‘too early.’ Chances are good that they already know more than you think.
6. Educate yourself about the ways kids can circumvent filtering.
7. Don’t let the enemy convince you that there’s nothing to worry about.

As I said in my dissertation, it’s the silence that fuels the shame that feeds the addiction. Commit to learn some things during this week of awareness. I challenge you to do  your own internet searches — but do so very carefully because you just might stumble upon something you don’t really want or need to see. David Platt, pastor of the Church at Brook Hills and author of Radical, will be addressing this issue and a variety of related topics during the Secret Church Simulcast this Friday, November 4. Click here to find a host site near you.

I pray that God will continue to use my own struggles to help other people. To Him alone be the glory!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are some additional online resources you might find helpful:

• Full-page flyer explaining this awareness week and offering a number of helpful online resources
• Here’s one of the best articles I’ve ever read regarding sexual brokenness.
• Covenant Eyes – Internet monitoring and filtering services
• Breaking Free – blog of Covenant Eyes
• Great general information about the facts regarding pornography as well as resources to help you guide your children.
• Informative article about pornography’s effects on the brain, written by a neurosurgeon
• Blazing Grace – online resources for sexual addiction
• Knight’s Quest Ministries – online resources regarding internet safety; workshops and seminars for schools, churches, and organizations
• Bethesda Workshops – online resources, healing workshops for sexual addiction and co-addiction with Marnie Ferree
• Faithful and True Ministries – training, counseling, and workshops with Mark and Debbie Laaser
• The Harms of Pornography – from United Families International

Related prior posts:

• A Beer on the Bookshelf
• Reading Between the Lines
• Our Society’s #1 Problem

*Unspecified statistics come from the Archdiocese of Kansas City. For an updated and very detailed statistical report from Covenant Eyes, click here. Even more statistical data provided by Internet Filter Review can be found here — and by Pure Hope by clicking here.

1. National Security. Israel is a small, narrow country that finds itself under threat from a myriad of Arab nations. The tension is more than an undercurrent of discontent. Rather, it grows out of the widely-held view that Israel as a nation has no right to exist. Iranian President Makmoud Ahmadinejad has vowed to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. He reaffirms that vow at every opportunity. With Iran now bringing a nuclear power plant online, the threats from the nominally democratic regime strike an increasingly sober tone with Israeli residents. Political uprisings in the Middle East have underscored the very real threats and animosity which have come to characterize this intensely volatile situation. Add to that the constant misinformation regarding Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities and the very real possibility of an Egypt run by the Muslim Brotherhood, the key ingredients are coming together in a recipe for disaster.

2. Ambivalent Allies. Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek was considered an ally of Israel — not so much because of his friendship as his tolerance. During the course of his rule, Mubarek honored the terms of the 1979 peace accord with Israel, and the two nations co-existed with few incidents between them. The United States has long been considered Israel’s chief ally, providing military assistance, technology, and support for the Jewish state. Perhaps more than anything else, the US gave ear to the concerns of Israel, thereby giving legitimacy to her interests on the international stage. Since taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have sent mixed messages to the Israeli government — and have at times been openly critical of them. A statement by the President back in May left little room for misinterpretation. Obama called for renewed peace talks that would be dependent up Israel reverting to its pre-1967 borders, which an angry Netanyahu deemed ‘indefensible.’ Indeed, with a majority of Israeli citizens living in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the practicality of such an ambitious expectation proves nothing short of idealistic.

3. Left-wing Israelis. That’s right. The US is not the only nation with a sharply-divided populus. During my time in Israel I spent a few nights exploring the city of Jerusalem. I was somewhat startled to learn that during my stay in the Holy City, Palestinians on the West Bank had begun firing rockets into Beersheba, some 45 miles to the south. I don’t know about you, but 45 miles seems awfully close. But for the Israeli people, who live under constant threat of attack, such hostilities hardly draw their attention. One Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. — after Shabbat — I had the opportunity to see the city come alive, as shops and businesses opened, and people began to enjoy some time outdoors. Near the city center, a large crowd had assembled, and they were making lots of noise. As I came to discover, the rally, complete with banners and megaphones, was being held by young Israelis — most of them appearing to be between 18-30. They were protesting a recent shooting of a couple of Palestinians by an Israeli. These citizens were coming together to share their message — that Israel give all its land to the Palestinians, even if that meant losing their own homes.

As you can see, Israel has no shortage of enemies, both foreign and domestic. In light of the increasingly likely United Nations vote this week that, barring divine intervention, will almost certainly recognize a Palestinian state, the prospects for lasting peace in this region will only become more dim. Left to fend for itself amid a pool of viciously hateful enemies and an unsupportive American government, the stage will be set for an extremely uphill battle — but a battle that I believe Israel will ultimately win. Throughout its history the Jewish people have found themselves in seemingly impossible scenarios. Through a number of mighty wars, the Nazi-led holocaust, and almost daily terror attacks, Israel remains a strong people. That’s because they are still God’s people. Through the pages of time, God has demonstrated his great affection for the people of Israel. The challenges to its sovereignty may be worrisome to many, but I hold fast to the words of Scripture — and the reality that God will protect and restore His people yet again.

I urge you to join me in praying for Israel in these important next several days. Prayer is one of the best weapons in what is increasingly becoming an existential crisis for this nation. I’d rather stand beside Israel and be embarrassed for a while than betray her and be cursed forever.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Realizing that we all come at this subject from a little different perspective, I’m curious: How do you see the Arabs push for a recognized Palestinian state?

On that Tuesday morning I had been in my office at a residential children’s facility for about an hour when the phone rang. The voice on the other end belonged to my wife, Michelle . . . yet there was a timbre in her tone that instantly conveyed the message that all was not well. Immediately my thoughts rushed to my then eight-month-old son, Jackson, who was in the house with her. But before I could ask about him, Michelle interrupted and asked, “Have you seen the news?”

“No,” I replied, puzzled. I quickly clicked onto a news website and saw ‘BREAKING NEWS’ in bright red.

“A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center,” she said, her voice shaking. “It’s bad, Garrick.”

I quickly headed to the TV room to turn on the news. Of course, finding the news wouldn’t be a problem, since it seemed to be on every channel. Within a matter of minutes, I, along with the rest of the waiting world, would soon discover that this was no accident. When the second plane hit the South Tower at three minutes past the hour, I remember my heart just sinking. Those of us gathered around stood speechless, in total disbelief of what our eyes were telling our brains.

In those moments the world as we knew it changed forever. Freedom turned to fear and anxiety to agony as the full scope of this attack on America unfolded in what seemed like slow motion. Within the hour another plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Reporters on the ground struggled to explain what was happening. They couldn’t quite wrap their minds around it all either.

By the time United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, I remember thinking to myself, “When will it end? What’s next?!”

Of course, my job didn’t really afford me the luxury of becoming a shell-shocked couch potato, as much as I wanted to be just that. As the manager of that residential program, I was responsible for the emotional and physical well-being of a number of children, ranging in age from five to twelve years. As the houseparents received word that the schools were dismissing children, we all began to shift into survival mode. The kids would have questions. We all did. But the one thing none of us could afford to do was let the kids know we were upset.

I met quickly with our morning shift workers and discussed our action plan for dealing with the kids and their families. Above all, the plan involved channeling our adrenaline into positive thoughts and actions. Somehow on 9/11 the world seemed a whole lot smaller . . . a lot more connected . . . and a lot more caring.

As I went to the store that day, I couldn’t help but notice that every single person I encountered — from the customers in the parking lot to the cashier behind the register — was feeling much the same as me. I couldn’t wait to go to bed that night. I think something inside of me thought that maybe if I could just get to sleep, then when I woke up I’d realize that the chaos of that day had been nothing more than a bad dream. As I would find out on Wednesday morning, it was an absolute nightmare — a national one with far-reaching implications for every person on the planet: Evil is real, and there’s no way to escape its influence in our lives.

Now ten years later, I look back on 9/11 and feel things much the same that I felt on that very day. As I reflect on that dark time in our nation’s history, one thing stands out perhaps more than any other. In the few days following 9/11, people were nicer . . . friendlier . . . more grateful for the little things. In those times people turned to the church for comfort, for solace, and for answers to questions the world couldn’t seem to explain.

Like a person who suddenly lost a neighbor or friend, the whole country was made fully aware of the fragility of life, the uncertainty of tomorrow, the amazing lack of control we have over so many things. As we remember 9/11 and pray for those whose lives were irrevocably changed due to the evil plans of a few, wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow recapture that appreciation for life we all had once the fires were extinguished and the dust began to settle?

Perhaps the very best tribute we could offer on this day of remembrance would be to again hug our families tightly, do something kind for a neighbor, and thank God for the many blessings we each enjoy. The heroes who died bravely striving to save lives on that day wouldn’t want us to wallow in self-pity. They’d want us to fully embrace the wonder of this gift of life . . . to treasure each moment with family and friends . . . and to fight passionately to keep the freedom that still makes America a beacon of light today.

Surely we can muster the courage to do that. Surely.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What 9/11 memories most stand out in your mind? What do you see as the enduring lessons from this page in our nation’s history?

While the mainstream media toggles between fostering hope and invoking gloom, the number of individuals and families impacted by this crippled economy continues to climb. Of course, the 9.1% unemployment rate is disheartening . . . but when you factor in those who are long-term unemployed (they’re not actually counted in the numbers from the Labor Department, you know) and the under-employed, the number is staggering indeed. In recent months I have noticed an increase in the average age of the servers who wait on me in restaurants and the employees who work in retail stores. So many people are now doing work for which they are grossly over-qualified because they simply cannot find a more lucrative employment option.

While the partisans in Washington and the talking heads on cable TV duke it out about where to place blame for the current situation, the cause, I believe, is more foundational than systemic. Back in 2008 when the stock market tanked and the era of the bail-outs was born, there was a lot of talk about certain corporations being ‘too big to fail.’ The reality is that nothing in this world is too big to fail.

The major problem with the US economy lies not with the chronically, hopelessly inept politicians but with the pride of our citizens. In times of relative peace and prosperity, Americans began to believe they were exceptional — by definition, meaning the exception to most rules of conventional wisdom. It seems to me that many confused the concepts of exception and exemption. Since the 80′s and 90′s were characterized by economic growth and upward mobility, Americans began to believe they were exempt from the kind of reason, morality, and common sense that were at the very foundation of our nation’s vibrancy.

Now, years later, we have begun to realize that the principle of planting and harvesting is true for us too: You reap what you sow.

Signs of the times are all around us. From the empty storefronts to the foreclosed homes to the jam-packed job fairs, America has been radically transformed into a nation in desperate need. And I’m not just talking about need of jobs either. I’m speaking of the need for spiritual renewal. Of course, in a country where 700 Christians can’t prevent a mosque from being built at Ground Zero — but one atheist can keep a cross from being displayed on a soldier’s tombstone — we are a perfect picture of a nation run amuck. Through moral relativism, religious plurality, and self-determinism, America has become a spiritually anemic society.

Please don’t mishear me. I’m not trying to say that this is the end of America as we know it; there are plenty of other people out there delivering that sobering prediction. Perhaps our greatest days are ahead of us . . . but not unless we recognize and repair the colossal cracks in our foundation. And such hope for a brighter future is entirely dependent upon returning to God.

This Labor Day, if you are blessed enough to have a job, thank God for it. If you are one of the millions of Americans who is unemployed or under-employed, know that God is real, and He cares for you. In times like these we learn painfully difficult but necessary lessons. My prayer is that the challenges of this present time will not defeat us but humble us — and ultimately make us stronger.

Don’t ever believe that America is too big to fail. We must remain hopeful, vigilant, and faithful to the One from whom all blessings flow. In the words of John Adams, Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.

As you celebrate a holiday weekend with family and friends, let’s not forget those who labor for our freedom. Our military men and women and their families deserve our prayers, our respect, and our gratitude.

(Click here for a previous post that offers tips for helping those who are unemployed.)

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What do you think about our country’s current situation? What will it take for our nation to return to God?

Michelle really enjoys watching almost anything on HGTV. She has a love for houses — and a keen eye for interior design. Every now and then we encounter a house that has a history. An obviously bad history. Sometimes the damage seems only slight — perhaps needing fresh paint, new carpet, or just a deep cleaning. Other times the damage is absolutely overwhelming. We’ve seen homes with faulty plumbing (and subsequent water damage), buckled floors, trashed walls, broken windows — and that’s just in the first half of the house.

Sometimes the problems are due entirely to neglect. In others, a very different story is told. In one particular case, it was clear that the previous occupants had lived together during a nasty divorce. If walls could talk . . . well, the holes in them did.

The question for the prospective buyer is a big one indeed: Where in the world does one begin to repair the damage? The options are seemingly endless, and the amount of time and money required are hard to conceive.

The same is true for ourselves — on a spiritual level. There are times when we get off track. The slide begins with a lack of attention to daily time with God (usually paired with a rationalization of recurring sin), and it proceeds to sporadic church attendance and almost non-existent personal worship. One day we wake up and realize that we are completely disconnected from the community of faithful believers that once was so vital to spiritual health and growth. A similar question begins to emerge: How does one begin to repair the damage?

The answer is perhaps not as hard as you might think. I suggest a four-step approach:

1. Be honest with yourself — and with God. Take some time to think through the reasons for your getting out of sync spiritually. Incidentally, this may require a serious evaluation of your true spiritual condition. If you’re trying to be a ‘good Christian’ in your own power, then you’re way off base. Remember, we’re saved by faith alone — but our actions bear witness to His transforming work in us.
2. Commit to begin again. Everybody needs a fresh start every now and then. Fortunately, the Lord’s mercies are new each morning. He constantly pursues a love relationship with us, and He will gladly help you as you re-engage by doing the things you know you should be doing. Identifying past barriers and obstacles to your spiritual growth can help prevent another such slide.
3. Find someone to help you. I absolutely can’t emphasize this one strongly enough. While your relationship with Christ is a personal thing, you need to realize the necessity of having others to help you. I encourage you to find a couple of solid Christian friends (same-sex, if you’re married) to hold you accountable, particularly in the areas where you’re prone to struggle most. And by all means, make sure you’re involved in a Bible study class or small group that provides an opportunity for fellowship with other believers.
4. Follow through. Realize that nothing you think about doing will be helpful until you actually do it. So many times it’s easy to identify trouble spots — even obvious solutions — and then get distracted by something else. And to be quite frank, Satan is counting on you not following through — or being sidetracked by things of the world. The reality is that only you can decide whether your relationship with Christ is really priority in your life. I happen to believe the old saying is still true: “Jesus has no place in your life unless He has first place in your life.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some other things that help you get back on track when you falter in your spiritual life?

Indeed the first one-third of this year has been full of trials for many all over the world. From the political uprisings in the Middle East, to the earthquakes and tsunamis in various places, to the violent and deadly storms just this week, the news reads like a dramatic screenplay of Matthew 24.

In times like these I often ask the question, “How do people who have no faith in God make sense of the trials of this life?” I don’t necessarily know the answer to that question, but I do know that He has placed believers in this world to be the hands and feet of Christ to a world that very much needs to know He is real.

It’s easy in a world populated by some six billion people to have a diminished sense of responsibility. How often have you thought — or even said — to yourself, “Someone else will do it?” Friends, what if we are that someone? Now is not the time to roll over and say, “Woe is me.” Now is the time to stand up to the challenges at hand, with full confidence and faith in Christ that He will work through us to help usher in His Kingdom on earth.

In his book Missional Small Groups, author M. Scott Boren writes:

I find it interesting that Jesus told His disciples, “You are salt, . . . light . . . a city on a hill.” He did not say, “You should be . . . ,” “You would be if . . . ,” or “You could be if . . . .” He declared who they were and equipped them to live in a way that fit this declaration.

Jesus never promised His followers that this life would be easy; quite the contrary. His words in John 16:33 are clear: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Thankfully He doesn’t stop there. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He will walk with us through the storms of life, and that brings me great comfort.

I also love this reminder from Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (ESV)

No matter what happens in this world, we can be assured that God is still fully in control.

Whatever trial or trouble you may be facing today, know that if you belong to Christ, then you need not worry about the things of this life because we have the promise of ultimate victory in Him. Just know that the trials we face often provide us with a context in which to connect others to the redemptive message of the Gospel. Let’s be diligent to not squander such opportunities.

I’m mindful today of the words of this familiar chorus:

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

(Phillip J. McHugh & Greg Nelson, 1983)

I’ve always been a real fan of fall. I love the colors and the transition from hot temperatures to cooler, more bearable weather. However, the older I get, the more I love springtime. Having grown up in the deep South, the return of spring was hailed by frolicking wildlife seemingly celebrating the end of the hunker-down season. I remember watching squirrels at play, almost overnight shedding their poofy winter coats for something a little more tailored. The red robins do a similar change of wardrobe that I’ve always found fascinating.

Having returned to the real South from Texas (which I dearly love) nearly two years ago, I’ve again fallen in love with the sights and sounds of spring. Just in the past few weeks, the hills of Arkansas have come alive with flowering trees and shrubs, beautifully brilliant daffodils and tulips (my wife’s favorite), and mysteriously majestic dogwood trees, all of which announce the end of winter. I absolutely love my backyard because of the dogwood that for a period of just a couple weeks transforms the landscape with its bright white blossoms.

Not everything is so cheery in life. If you’re anything like me, you’ve largely given up on finding any good news on TV. In fact, too much time with that can make me quite depressed. I’ve found though that while man is destined to disappoint, God is faithful to do just what He says He will do. Just as his eye is on the sparrow, we can be assured that He is watching over His children. My recent visit to Israel was filled with so many amazing sights. I think my personal favorites were the lilies of the field (seen at left). Jesus himself said that “even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matt. 6:29, ESV) As you can see, judging from this photo, who could argue that?

In a world filled with so much hurt, pain, sickness, calamity, brokenness, grief, and loss, it helps me to look around and again “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8, ESV). When you feel all alone and begin to  think all hope is lost, lift up your head and cast your eyes on the evidence of our Creator — and know that He cares for you. If you’re reading this and don’t know what it’s like to have peace in the midst of the storm, I encourage you to contact me, and let me help you discover new life today. Whatever you may be going through, God can give you just what you need to persevere.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What is your favorite thing about spring? How do you stay focused on good in a world full of evil?

• I grew up in the deep South but couldn’t care less about hunting or fishing.
    
• I’m only marginally interested in most major sports (although I enjoy the summer and winter olympics — and every two years seems to meet my need).
   
• I’m one of those who watches the glitz and glamour of professional sports and entertainment and silently wonders how much difference could be made if all that money were spent on sharing the gospel and meeting the needs of those less fortunate.
    
• I’m more verbal and more emotional than most guys (which totally messes up the application of all those books on marriage and relationships — you know, the ones whose authors manage to polarize the non-conformists by consistently stereotyping).
      
• I’m not a big movie person (mainly because I have a strong dislike for many of the big-name stars and the values they endorse). And I rarely watch R-rated movies, which definitely limits my options.
      
• I like to read — but only those things that are real-life and deemed relevant to my personal growth (i.e., the Bible, biographies, leadership books). No sci-fi for me, thank you very much.

I could go on, but you probably get the picture. Some of those things are merely personal preferences; others involve the power of choice. As a kid growing up, I often believed what others said about me — basically that I was ‘weird,’ ‘boring,’ and ‘out-of-step.’ However, in my years since high school I’ve come to appreciate the things that set me apart from the majority. I guess you could say that I’m more ‘comfortable in my own skin’ than I’ve ever been.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus said that his followers should be in the world and not of it.  That doesn’t mean that there’s anything inherently wrong with any of the things I mentioned above, but it does mean that when the world looks at believers, they should see something different. Very different. And chances are pretty good that those differences may well find you misunderstood and even hated. Listen to these words of Christ:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” – John 15:18-20a, NIV

Scripture is filled with examples of people who went against the current. I think of Noah, who everyone probably thought was a nut-case. He never had the opportunity to tell them, ‘I told you so,’ because they had washed away by then. I think of Joseph, who in today’s culture would likely have encouraged Mary to abort her unborn baby — a decision that would today draw cheers and applause from irresponsible men all over the world. And I think of Stephen who boldly stood his ground and stuck to his beliefs even though it would cost him his life.

Salmon swim upstream in the ocean waters, sometimes hundreds of miles, to return to the rivers or streams where they were born. They go with a definite purpose — to spawn. As believers we must remember that swimming upstream in this world requires us to stay focused on our purpose — to be salt and light in the world, sharing the Good News, and spiritually reproducing by making new disciples of Christ.

As you go through your week, I encourage you to take time to evaluate your life. Are you running with the crowd and blending right in, or are you swimming against the current of this world and seeking to point others in the right direction?

It has long been said that ministry and leadership can be very lonely, but I’d rather be lonely and with God than loved by the world and living without Him.

Yes, there is a definite upside to swimming upstream:

 ”Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matt. 7:13-14, NIV

Whenever you feel truly alone, take a look around and you’ll find others like you. And there is strength in numbers.

Just watch out for the bears.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
If you swim upstream in this life, in what ways do you find yourself feeling lonely, isolated, or misunderstood? How does swimming upstream impact your relationship with God? With others?