April 11, 2022

What Is Truth?

In our world today with so much division and controversy, even with our own genders, many consider truth to be an opinion. God doesn’t make mistakes, especially how we are formed. 

I dated a guy several years ago who I heard telling his friends a totally different story about how he and I met. Later when I asked him about it, he said “that’s my truth.” 

Friends, absolute Truth exists. Just like a compass tells the exact direction we are going. The Bible is our moral compass for Truth. 

In this Holy Week, in reading through the Gospels, I find it fascinating that the Governor Pontius Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38,  “What is truth?”  To set up the scene, Jesus had been betrayed, then arrested, and was on trial, all in mere hours, not due process. 

“Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”  Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”–John 18:35-39 ESV

Sadly, much like today,  Pilate caved to public opinion and yelling. So many of the same people only four days early on Palm Sunday who cried out “Hosanna,” were the same ones who yellow “Crucify him” on Good Friday. 

Four chapters before in the Gospel of John is when Jesus said to Doubting Thomas one of the most important verses in the Bible, ‘Jesus said to him, ‘ I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

That is the Truth. 

Friends, now or in 100 years from now, just as it has been for all of history, when an archaeologist discovers a skeleton, that archaeologist will be able to determine if it was a man or woman by skeletal remains and DNA.  Our souls and spirits will be either in heaven or hell. No pronouns of how that person “identified” himself or herself will remain. That is the Truth. 

May we continue to tell the Truth and nothing but the Truth, so help us God. 

What issues are you struggling with today with revealing the Truth?

Have you made the decision to go to heaven, to accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior? If so, Message me and I’ll be honored to send you a free gift to encourage your new faith journey.

 

March 9, 2022

Struggling with Being Whole-Hearted or Hole-Hearted

It has happened to me and I am guessing you have or you are experiencing it. I had said yes and over-committed myself with too many activities, too many volunteer opportunities—Boards, church groups, community committees, etc.  They all seem worthwhile. None of them were bad. Isn’t it my best yes, though, to have more margin in my life?

Why do we do it? Why do we say yes with our heart and mouth when our mind is trying to clearly say no?

It seems like everywhere I turn in the Bible I find more and more verses on being wholehearted versus half-hearted. Ouch.

Do we fulfill some kind of hole in our heart with these activities? Are we hole-hearted?

Here are only a few:

  • “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” –Deuteronomy 30:6
  • “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”—1 Chronicles 28:9
  • “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deed.” –Psalm 9:1
  • “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.” –Psalm 119:2
  • “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” –Jeremiah 29:13
  • “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” –Mark 12:30

So how do we know when we are not giving it our all, when we are half-hearted or hole-hearted?

Here are signs that you might be half-hearted or hole-hearted::

  1. Dreading the next meeting with a particular group.
  2. Being snippy or kurt with your loved ones.
  3. Neglecting quiet time and prayer because you’re too busy
  4. Neglecting to eat properly and exercise—taking care of mind, body, soul, spirit well—because you’re “too busy”
  5. Preparing for the activity/meeting at the last minute and/or minimally
  6. Working solely out of our flesh and not feeling the need to rely on God
  7. Taking credit for all the success and blaming others for any losses or setbacks

Now ask yourself these questions:

  • Why do I participate if I am responding in these ways?
  • Is it value, acceptance, need for belonging I am seeking?
  • What are my pure motives for saying yes?

Spend some quiet time to reflect on your “why.” As we evaluate how we spend our 168 hours in a week, may we be careful not to let our feelings guide our faith. Some days are not stellar, which is no reason to quit or give up.

“Do the things that interest you and do them all your heart. Don’t be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren’t paying attention to you.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

So how we are all in with our whole heart?

  1. It makes our eyes sparkle
  2. We get nervous because we know some of it is outside our comfort zone, our gifts and talents
  3. We are relying on God’s help.
  4. We can’t wait to tell our family and others about the people we are experiencing and what we are learning.
  5. We are learning healthy life lessons
  6. We are empowering others to continue the legacy
  7. We are resting well and taking care of our mind, body, soul and spirit with healthy margin.

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” –Francis of Assisi

One of my favorite life passages is this:

“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

In the last few years I have been circling the word “ALL” anytime I see it in my Bible. In every translation “All” means “All.” This is one of those life verses. Trust with ALL your heart…in ALL your ways acknowledge Him…

May we be authentic as we seek to live life with ALL our heart, our whole heart.

December 31, 2021

Happy New Year–The Windshield is Bigger Than the Rearview For a Reason

Perspective.  At this last sunset of 2021, I am reminded of how much I love sunrises and sunsets. I am in awe of their beauty. They come every day, whether we are ready or not.

As we finish 2021 and we embark on a brand new, shiny 2022, may we reflect on the good of 2021 and look forward to an even brighter 2022.

May we remember the windshield is much bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason.

 

Let’s give ourselves some grace.

We have so much to look forward to.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” —Isaiah 43:19

Be encouraged, friend.
Happy New Year!!!

What are your looking forward to in 2022?

What New Year’s Revelations are you making?
—sunset photo I took at the Grand Canyon May 2017

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