Self-evident. Really? These familiar words from our Declaration of Independence seem to hold less merit with each passing year.

Today Southern Baptists across this nation recognize ‘Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.’ A national day to acknowledge the value of human life was first set aside in a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. That, of course, was eleven years after the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. The principal decision repealed all state laws prohibiting abortion.

Now, some 39 years after Roe v. Wade — and more than 50 million abortions later — many in the Christian community continue to pray for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Of course, with an increasingly liberal set of supreme court justices, such an ambitious goal seems unlikely in the near future. Still many individuals, churches, and pro-life groups continue to wage war on behalf of the unborn.

Perhaps no one more deeply regrets the high court’s decision than Norma McCorvey, better known as “Jane Roe,” the plaintiff in the case. In her book Won by Love, McCorvey explained her changed view on the issue of abortion:

“I was sitting in O.R.’s offices when I noticed a fetal development poster. The progression was so obvious, the eyes were so sweet. It hurt my heart, just looking at them. I ran outside and finally, it dawned on me. ‘Norma’, I said to myself, ‘They’re right’. I had worked with pregnant women for years. I had been through three pregnancies and deliveries myself. I should have known. Yet something in that poster made me lose my breath. I kept seeing the picture of that tiny, 10-week-old embryo, and I said to myself, that’s a baby! It’s as if blinders just fell off my eyes and I suddenly understood the truth — that’s a baby!

I felt crushed under the truth of this realization. I had to face up to the awful reality. Abortion wasn’t about ‘products of conception’. It wasn’t about ‘missed periods’. It was about children being killed in their mother’s wombs. All those years I was wrong. Signing that affidavit, I was wrong. Working in an abortion clinic, I was wrong. No more of this first trimester, second trimester, third trimester stuff. Abortion — at any point — was wrong. It was so clear. Painfully clear.”

McCorvey, now 64, has since been re-confirmed as a member in the Catholic Church. She is an ardent supporter of the pro-life cause.

Having served as a licensed therapist for a number of years, I have personally witnessed the damage that abortion does — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Increasingly, there is concern in the medical community about physical harm as well, including a possible link between abortion and breast cancer.

Of course, only God knows the full scope of the impact of abortion. However, in my therapeutic and ministerial counseling with women, I have seen first-hand the anguish, torment, and far-reaching effects of abortion on family relationships. I only know that what many Americans want to view as a choice is altogether inconsistent with both the words of Scripture in Psalm 139:13-16, and the Judeo-Christian values that our nation’s founding fathers sought to serve as the cornerstone of our republic. Consider these words from President Reagan:

“Make no mistake, abortion-on-demand is not a right granted by the Constitution. No serious scholar, including one disposed to agree with the Court’s result, has argued that the framers of the Constitution intended to create such a right.”

Reagan argued that it is impossible “to diminish the value of one category of human life — the unborn — without diminishing the value of all human life.”

Perhaps the most amazing thing about God is His ability to forgive the sin of those who call upon the name of Jesus. If you have had an abortion, you can still find forgiveness in Him. If you are considering abortion, please reach out to a local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Their staff can help you find solutions that preserve both the life of your baby and the integrity of your emotional self. (Click here to find a center near you.)

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

• Pray for those who may be considering abortion.
• Find a way to volunteer or otherwise contribute to a Christian family ministry or local Crisis Pregnancy Center. (Diapers, formula, baby clothes, and bedding are always in demand.)
• Consider adopting a child or serving as a foster parent or respite care worker.
• Become involved in your local or state pro-life movement, and be a voice for the unborn.
• Pray for an end to legalized abortion in America.

On this Sanctity of Human Life Day, let’s pray and work together for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be equal rights for both the born and the unborn.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Does your church participate or somehow acknowledge Sanctity of Human Life Day? If so, how? Do you have other thoughts or comments to share on this subject?

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

• Doubly Grateful

• Under the Microscope

• Tonight’s ‘Secret Church’: highly relevant

• ” . . . 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

I have missionary friends in literally every part of the world. These are people who sacrifice much for the sake of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who need to know Him as Lord and Savior. Today I’d like you to take a moment right where you are to pray for our international missionaries. Pray for their safety, their obedience, and their families. Most of all, pray that God would use them in incredible ways to impact the Kingdom.

From the comfort of our own homes, it can be difficult to really relate to what many international missionaries endure for the sake of the call. I’ve had the privilege already this month of meeting several new missionary families in person. Their call is evident. Their passion is contagious. Their commitment is clear. Whether here in the United States or around the world, the commission of Christ-followers is to go and share the love and message of Christ at every opportunity. I am immensely grateful for these missionaries who leave their families to go and serve in places where most of us probably wouldn’t desire to go.

If I’ve learned anything at all from my missionary friends, it’s that the love of Christ knows no boundaries and no limits. I invite you to take six minutes of your time right now to watch this beautiful video, put to the world edition of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God.” I think you’ll be blessed as your heart is drawn to the unreached people all over the world.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17 (ESV)

That’s the essence of Christmas. God loves us so much that He gave the perfect gift by sending Jesus to be our Redeemer. “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Is there any particular people group or region of the world that your heart is drawn to pray for?

A number of churches and small groups across the country will join this event live where they are, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Platt has held ‘Secret Church‘ for several years, and it has now become part of the disciple-making DNA of this local church. Held twice each year, Secret Church continues to draw people from all over the country — so much so that overflow seating is necessary on-site. This in-depth time of Bible study, worship, and prayer is intended to help us identify with the many Christ-followers who meet in secret all over the world — not so much out of fear of persecution as devotion to Christ.

As was the case on Good Friday of this year, LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Platt’s mission organization, Disciple-Making International, to make this experience available on a whole new level. Platt had originally planned to speak on the subject of ‘Heaven, Hell, and the End of the World.’ And that is a topic of great interest and certainly worthy of discussion. However, Platt decided to shift the focus for this session to ‘Family, Marriage, Sex, and the Gospel.’ He says that this change was made in response to many of the issues showing up in major ways throughout American society today. As a pastor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I must say that I am absolutely thrilled to see someone willing to take on topics such as marriage, divorce, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, singleness, adoption, abortion, and pornography — just to name a few. During six hours of intense study, Secret Church participants will receive biblical teaching and instruction regarding issues that, quite frankly, many pastors — even in evangelical churches — are afraid to tackle for fear of offending others. I am reminded over and over that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and should be offensive, because we are all sinners standing in need of God’s mercy and grace.

Now I understand that Friday nights in the fall are full of lots of possibilities for activities and entertainment. High school football is still king, especially in the deep South, and many school systems are also enjoying a few days for ‘fall break.’ However, I’m going to challenge you to shift your focus for this one Friday night. We have lots of people sitting in our pews every Sunday who honestly have no real clue about what the Bible has to say about some of these specific issues that are plaguing our culture today, bearing constant evidence of the steady and accelerating decay of Christian values. It was just yesterday that someone said to me, “How do we know homosexuality is wrong? Aren’t people just born that way? The Bible seems to contradict itself.”

Friends, we not only need to know what we believe; we also need to know why we believe it — and how to communicate the truths of Scripture to those in our circles of influence. I’m convinced that it’s only when each individual believer decides for him- or herself to be the salt and light Christ calls us to be, that we will ever see spiritual renewal in our land.

In a recent interview with Trevin Wax, Platt recounted this powerful quote from author Daniel Heimbauch:

“The stakes in the current conflict over sex are more critical, more central, and more essential than in any controversy the church has ever known. This is a momentous statement, but I make it soberly, without exaggeration. Conflict over sex these days is not just challenging tradition, orthodoxy, and respect for authority in areas such as ordination, marriage, and gender roles. And it does not just affect critically important doctrines like the sanctity of human life, the authority and trustworthiness of scripture, the Trinity, and the incarnation of Christ. Rather, war over sex among Christians is now raging over absolutely essential matters of faith without which no one can truly be a Christian in the first place—matters such as sin, salvation, the gospel, and the identify of God himself.”

In his sermon series, Attachment: The Gospel and Our Families, David Platt said,

“There is no question that the picture of a Christ-centered family in our culture is under attack. And there’s no question that the things the Bible teaches us will set us, in many ways, against the culture in which we live. We’ve got to decide from the very beginning whether or not we want to be molded into what our culture says is right, or if we want to be molded into what God says is right. This is not about cultural convenience.”

I couldn’t agree more. All that said, let me share a few comments from respected Christian leaders that help shed light on the fundamental importance of tonight’s topic of study:

ON DIVORCE

“There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage. Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life.” – GEORGE BARNA, The Barna Group [Full Article Here]

ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

“Our authority to speak to the needs of our nation today is the Scripture. The Scriptures teach that there are absolutes and that there is such a thing as right and wrong. Truth is never tolerant of a lie. The real battleground around this debate on homosexual marriage begins with the question: Who is your authority? We believe that the timeless truth of Holy Scripture gives us the authoritative blueprints for life. We respect those who wish to deny the truth of Scripture. We would ask for a mutual respect in return.” – DENNIS RAINEY and BOB LEPINE, FamilyLife Ministries [Full Article Here]

ON PORNOGRAPHY

“The reality is that pornography is the most abused ‘drug’ in our country and sexual addiction is the addiction of choice among Christians. Based on surveys conducted by Christianity Today, 47 percent say porn is a ‘major problem’ in their homes and 51 percent of ministers say it’s their biggest temptation. For 37 percent, it’s a current struggle.” – MARNIE FERREE, Recovering Sex Addict, Marriage Therapist, and Speaker [Full Article Here]

As the above statements indicate, barring divine intervention, the moral collapse of our culture is imminent. We can and we must do a better job of studying God’s Word, applying God’s Word to our daily lives, and communicating the truth of God’s Word at every opportunity. I have no doubt that your participation in tonight’s session of Secret Church will help equip you to do just that.

The Secret Church Simulcast is scheduled for tonight from 6:00 p.m. to midnight (CST). Click here to find a host site near you.

Watch the brief promotional video:

Don’t you just love it when God speaks to you through the most seemingly insignificant and every-day, run-of-the-mill stuff of life? I do — regardless of whether it’s a message I really want to hear. Something about those revelations just speaks to my heart as if to say, “Garrick, you belong to Me, and I care enough about you that I don’t want you to miss this!” The God of the universe in just a matter of a few seconds delivers a generous helping of knowledge that one can’t help but be a bit blown away.

I don’t know about you, but there are certain tasks around the house that I enjoy more than others. If I’m completely honest, I tend to let a lot of little things slide — especially when I’m consumed by the details of major projects at the church. One of the tasks I find myself ignoring is that of replacing light bulbs. For some reason our cars and our house love to eat light bulbs. Whether it’s tail lights, headlights, incandescent lights or fluorescent ones, we get plenty of opportunities to change bulbs in this household.

Well, one day last week I came in to find that not only was one of the long fluorescent bulbs out, it was also broken. This happened to be a fixture that I quite honestly know very little about. Michelle and I looked at it for a while but couldn’t figure it out. Not all that consciously, I kind of put that little project on hold — you know, waiting for just the right time when the moon and stars align and the family and work calendars are completely in sync. Like that ever happens. As a result of that decision — a.k.a., bad choice — we had to leave the kitchen light off all weekend. It wasn’t too big of a deal. We just used the light over the eating area as our sole source of light. I guess you could say that there was ambient lighting in the actual kitchen, but I’m not sure a Vent-A-Hood light and that wimpy little light on the fridge qualify for mood lighting.

Fast forward to Tuesday. I came in from the office, knowing I’d have just enough time to watch a little news and enjoy dinner with the family before heading out to puppy training class with Maggie. When I entered from the garage and stepped into the house, I was nearly blinded by the light in the kitchen. It seems that while I was slaving away at the office, the ‘light bulb fairy’ paid a visit. She apparently found a do-it-yourself video on YouTube to guide her through the process of fixing the broken light and installing the new bulbs.

Now you know how it is when you replace a bulb. It always seems brighter because you get used to it being a little more dim. But when I came in on Tuesday afternoon, the kitchen was lit up like the sun at high noon! I told Michelle that our kitchen now has better lighting than the operating room during my last surgery. You see, not only had we become used to the lesser light from the broken bulb, but we had also failed to notice that another part of the light was burned out.

As I thought about this today, I just kept feeling God say to me, “This is how your life is when you leave Me out . . . when you put Me on hold. You just get so accustomed to the dimly-lit room that you fail to notice the crumbs, the stains, the debris from the chaos of your busy life.”

I’ve never really felt convicted by a light fixture before — and I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly the source of my conviction now. But God used this little every-day matter to grab my attention. Several life applications come to mind. Failure to take immediate action when we realize there’s a disconnect between us and God can have profound consequences:

• We risk minimizing rather than resolving the problem. This is a trap that comes in the form of rationalizing the problem or pretending that it will just magically take care of itself with no energy or effort from us required. The truth is that in time our kitchen was only going to get darker, making everything more difficult.
• We risk adapting to rather than responding to the situation. Such passive adaptation can be purely the result of indifference. However, left unchecked, it can prove dangerous and costly. Things could easily go from misreading a spice bottle to severely cutting a hand.
• We risk settling for less rather than expecting His best. So many of the ways God blesses us are directly related to the way we prepare our hearts. In the case of a poorly lit kitchen, it wouldn’t take long to experience a really bad-tasting dish, all because we misread the recipe.

Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (ESV) God wants us to have light both physically and spiritually.

Whatever is causing poor visibility in your spiritual life, let this be a reminder to do whatever it takes to get back on track now so you won’t have to pay a much higher price later. God has given us the Word to illumine our path — and has put the light of Christ in our hearts. May we never ever get comfortable living in darkness when He has called us to shine with His marvelous light.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s Brandon Heath’s very cool video of his song, “The Light In Me.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What is God teaching you lately through the ordinary things of life?

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?

“Where is God?” is a question that people often ask.
Its answer may surprise you, even take your faith to task.

We find God in the moments in between the ticks of time.
We find Him in the melody of every church-bell chime.
We find Him in the company of friends both far and near.
We find Him in the presence of mem’ries we hold dear.

We find Him in the shadows of every darkened room.
We find Him in the stale and coldness of the empty tomb.
We find Him in those trials when it seems all hope is lost.
We find Him in the times when life presents its highest cost.

We see His hand in circumstances outside our control.
We feel His presence in the prayers of men both young and old.
We sense His spirit leading in times of great despair.
We hear His voice in children playing in the open air.

Wherever you experience the presence of the Lord,
You’re bound to find Him holding to the promise of His Word.
He brings new life where He is found; this we surely know.
When you find Him, hold on tight, for He wants you to grow.

So, ask the question all day long, if you really dare.
“Where is God?” is best answered with “God is everywhere.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
At what times in life have you wrestled with this universal question?

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?