Does Heaven Have Caller ID?

When I was a child, it was exciting to answer the phone, because I wanted to see who it was. I would run to the phone and wonder who it was and why they were calling. Something happened over the years and that exhilaration changed. Caller ID came out and I started to screen calls to see if I wanted to answer it… don’t judge me. Since you have done that too, why do we do that? We often think, “I do not have time right now” or “This is not a conversation I am ready to have.” What about when we see a number we do not recognize? Most of the time we let it go to voicemail to see who it is since we are all sick of being asked about our “Extended car warranty” that does not exist. 

It reminds me of a boy who received a call multiple times and did not recognize the caller. It was a boy named Samuel, who was serving the Lord under the supervision of Eli. One night “The Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me (1 Samuel 3:4-5). This happened a couple of times and the Bible reveals, that Samuel, “did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him,” which is why he did not know the Lord’s voice (1 Samuel 3:7). Eli, realizing it was God calling Samuel, he wisely told the boy to answer God’s call the next time. Thankfully for Samuel, “The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). 

I believe God will call you, but will you answer? I have found it is easier to recognize God’s voice when anticipating His call. 

The art of asking Questions

A few decades ago, interview shows were some of the most popular programming on television. I think the draw to many of these shows was that people did not have any other way to have personal access to famous people. These shows would ask professional and personal questions to John Lennon, Malcolm X, Princess Diana, and so many more. The interviewer's skill was in how they asked questions to allow the guests to talk about their lives. There is something about asking good questions. 

Jesus is thought of as preaching sermons and speaking the truth, which He did. It might surprise you that Jesus asked more questions than he gave direct answers. Jesus asked over 300 questions and he only answered about three questions directly. I wonder if Jesus was teaching us something. Of course, Jesus came as God in the flesh, but he asked a lot of questions. 

We often make more assumptions in the form of answers than we ask questions. I have noticed that I am often wrong when I lead with answers, but I find understanding when I lead with questions. Jesus got to the heart of this when He said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye (Matthew 7:3)?” 

Maybe there is a situation that you have the answer for, but what could happen if you lead with genuine questions?

Getting rid of the "what ifs"

Everyone loves comeback stories. There is something in us that root for the person who seemingly has no chance. A person that comes to mind was a former professional basketball player named Muggsy Bogues. Muggsy is one of those people who seem to have no chance. It is extremely rare for anyone to make it to the NBA and to play for 14 years. The most unique thing about Muggsy is that he was the shortest player in NBA history standing tall at 5 foot 3 inches.

“I just took advantage of what God gave me and learned how to use the body I have to the best of my ability. If God would’ve made 6-feet, I would’ve taken advantage of that height as well. I don’t think anything would’ve changed in terms of my approach to the game, but I probably would’ve been a little more dominant! But that’s neither here nor there. I never get caught up in the “what ifs.” I just worked with what God gave me, and I always felt good about my size and who I was. I never had any hang-ups about it” (Muggsy Bogues).

He said his secret was to use what God gave him and not get caught up in the “what ifs.” That is an important thing for all of us to remember. We all have some aspect of our lives or our bodies that we are tempted to think, “what if” that was different. Having this mindset is to walk in the peace God gives.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Run Right in 2024

Coming into the new year it feels like things will slow down. Unknowingly, we all seem to speed up and cram everything in our schedule right before the year ends. It is also the time many of us reprioritize and refocus because we know it is exhausting. 

It is almost like a sprint at the end of the year, and then at the beginning of the new year, we want to sit down and plan out life so that does not happen again. Thinking of a race, sprinting is the fastest way to get somewhere, but it is by nature unsustainable. It would be nice if we could do a long walk for the race, but the problem is we could never keep up. What if there was another way?

The Christian life is not meant to be an individual sprint or a marathon, but it is a relay race. A relay race is a sprint over a longer distance. How is that possible? Passing the baton to your teammate is the only way to sprint for long distances. The author of Hebrews says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). Everyone runs, but we all have part of the track marked out for us! I hope you find your team and run your race this year!

God saves the best for last

As we just celebrated the birth of Jesus, giving and receiving gifts are part of it. There are so many mixed emotions with gifts around Christmas time. Most of us get tired of the commercialization around Christmas and our hearts want to get to a simpler version to remember Jesus. On the other hand, we also love to give someone a gift and see their reaction. This year my son had the best reaction after receiving a gift he did not think he would get. 

Do you know that is how God is with us? He loves giving good gifts and he is saving the best for last. Even in heaven, God will give us a gift and I am sure God is looking forward to our reaction. The Bible says, “I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17). God is going to give us a specialized gift of a good name! I cannot wait for that day to finally see what that name is. 

I do not know what the name will be, but I am confident it won’t look like the names people have for us or the names that come up for us (stupid, ugly, fat, bad, worthless, or junk). God will give you the best gift of a good name in heaven, but He also will give good gifts now. Matthew 7:11 says, “Your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask him!” I hope you keep asking for good gifts so you can draw closer to Him.

Home Alone?

Let me know if this story sounds familiar?

It is Christmas time, and a large dysfunctional family is busy trying to get what they need. One boy in the family consistently feels overlooked, undervalued, and blamed far too much. Christmas time is often a time for family to come together, but this boy just wants to be left alone. The last straw breaks for the boy when an older sibling gets into a fight and the young boy is blamed. After being sent to his room, the young boy just wants to get out of the family, and he makes a wish to be left alone. 

The next morning the boy wakes up to realize he is home alone. For a few hours, the boy does all the things he could never do. Behind a mountain of ice cream and toppings, the boy proclaims, “Guys, I’m eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me.” A few hours pass, and loneliness sets in from getting what he thought he wanted. 

Unbeknownst to the boy, a few burglars had been watching the house until it was vulnerable so that they could plunder it. The boy is in the fight of his life to stop the burglars, and ultimately the little boy defeats two full-grown criminals… likely due to the PG rating. 

Yes, this is the plot of the Christmas movie classic, Home Alone. However, this also has elements of truth for many of us. Often, we get offended and just want to be alone. We experience a short-term feeling of freedom, but it also leaves us vulnerable to the real enemy. Jesus never gave his followers the option on if they should forgive or not. Jesus commanded forgiveness.

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:14-15).

Paul reaffirms the same thing Jesus said, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).

Myths about forgiveness:

1.       It says what they did was okay.

2.       The pain will go away if I really forgive.

3.       The relationship will be the same.

4.       You should let people mistreat you.

There is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation:

Forgiveness is a recognition, in both word and deed, that you are also guilty before God, and you choose to release bitterness towards the other person. 

Reconciliation is an agreement between both parties to restore the relationship to a healthier one.


Who should you forgive?

A Good Soldier… Marine of Jesus

We are coming up to Veterans Day, but we have something very important to US Marines before that. November 10th is known as the Marine Corps birthday. The Marine Corps will be 248 years old. It was during the American Revolution that the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create two battalions of Marines to serve as a land force for the recently created Navy. In 1775, before the United States was formed the colonies decided they wanted Marines. In other words, before the full realization of the land of the free, active representatives were willing to die for what they had never seen.

I hope we all live like that. Christians are called for the same idea to deny their short-term desires for the sake of a coming kingdom, a government that will last forever. 

The Apostle Paul sends his disciple to live that way as he said, “as a good soldier of Jesus Christ . . . be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim. 2:3,24-25).

If you honor a veteran, good, but also use it as an opportunity to remember you are called for something even greater! 

What's That Below The Surface?

On one of my properties, I noticed some damage that could be caused by termites. I have owned many homes and have always had them treated for termites but no major issues. I assumed the same with this house. The pest control guy inspected the home to see if anything was active. He said there were no active termites in the home, just as it was a year ago when he last inspected. However, he said there was something else going on that caused some damage. I questioned why he had not noticed this damage before. The pest control man said it is not termites, but there is evidence of some powderpost beetles. Thinking I did not get an answer to my previous question, again, I asked why he had not noticed this before and why did the previous treatment not get them. He explained the powderpost beetle lays eggs in the wood and once the larvae grow into a beetle it bores out of the wood to the surface. In the beetle’s wake, it cuts through the wood leaving fine powder and potentially damaging the structure of the wood. The beetles lay dormant for several years with no sign of it until one day they bore through revealing themselves. To treat this kind of beetle, any covering or finish on the wood must be removed so the chemical treatment can penetrate the wood. 

We all live our daily lives, but one day seemingly out of nowhere something comes to the surface threatening our foundation. It could be a person who did not treat us right, a situation that did not play out the way we expected, or countless other unforeseen issues. The result of the issue reveals the hidden bitterness that was kept dormant.

The author of Hebrews warns of this very thing and describes it as a “root of bitterness.” The full verse reads, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). 

Hebrews chapter 12 does not speak of the grace for salvation, which is complete with Jesus’ finished work on the cross, but the passage is talking about the grace to live out your faith. There could be something right now or maybe it is still below the surface threatening that grace. Do you have bitterness towards someone who is left untreated? I bet there is a temptation to let it fester in hopes the other person feels the punishment you believe they deserve. 

God speaks through Paul to mention the danger of bitterness, but he explains how to treat it. 

“Get rid of all bitterness…along with every form of malice” [Then he explains how] “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Your Season is about to Change

I hope God speaks to you in the way you need it through this devotional. 

I have only lived in the Shenandoah Valley for a few years, but this year the colors of the leaves are incredible.  Have you ever wondered why the leaves change from green to vibrant yellows, reds, or oranges? I think the simple answer is because God makes beautiful things. The scientific answer is that the leaves are green because of chlorophyll they use to absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis. The energy converts into sugar that feeds the tree. With the colder temperatures and less sunlight, due to shorter days the leaves’ chlorophyll breaks down. 

It seems that the leaves change color, but the colorful pigments were always there but the colors were not visible in the warmer months.

What about you? I want to let you know, there is more in you than you think. One of my favorite things is encouraging people to believe what God says about them before that next season comes. 

In God’s Word, Paul saw something special in the Colossian church and he could not stop praying for them because of it. He wrote, “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col 1:9)

The next season of your life can seem scary. Just like leaves lost chlorophyll must be lost to reveal new colors, might need to lose something to reveal the faith that is in you. 

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

Maybe our desire to win is a human thing, but it is certainly an American thing! We love winning. Even when we can’t play, we cheer on teams that do win. There is something about winning that tells us we are on the right track and failure tells us we are on the wrong track. The question to consider is it all about winning, or is it more about fearing failure?

The great philosopher, Sylvester Stallone in Rocky Balboa said, “It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.” Rocky sounds like he is saying, we think of winning in terms of each successful hit, but winning is found in the adversity we overcome and not in avoiding hits.

With the same sentiment, the basketball player Giannis Antetokoumpo, said something profound about winning and losing. It was just after Giannis’ team; the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated early from the playoffs. A reporter asked, “Do you view this season as a failure?”

Giannis fired back, “You are asking the wrong question… do you get a promotion every year, in your job, no you don’t.” He continued, “So every year you work is steps to a goal… its not a failure, its steps to success.”

Finally, Giannis delivered a line that went viral, “Why do you ask me that question… there is no failure in sports.”

I think we think about not failing. God showed me this morning in His Word in the book of Romans. Paul wrote, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” (Romans 5:3 NIV)

The things that you thought were colossal failures and those nagging failures, God will develop us through them. To the Romans, they were in the middle of suffering, but this was not an indication of failure, but it was them winning as they had faith in Jesus through it. There is no failure in faith.

Stop flying against the wind

The bird that can fly for the longest time is the Albatross. An albatross can fly long distances over the sea, which is where they hunt for fish. They spend most of their lives on the sea. In fact, the albatross can fly 10,000 miles without touching land. This bird is certainly not the most powerful, but they have a trick they use to their advantage.

The Albatross can fly longer than any other bird because of their nostrils. You read that correctly. They use their nostrils to sense wind currents. The fly in a vertical zig zag pattern, using the wind current to pull them to higher elevation and when they are at the peak, they use the momentum to their advantage. They rarely flap their wings, but they use the wind. Their method of flying is called dynamic soaring. If they tried to fly in the opposite direction of the wind current, they could only fly a short distance.

Have you ever felt like you were flying against the wind? What if I told you, God designed you to fly with the wind. We cannot fly, but we can walk, so God’s Word tells us “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

Like the albatross, we are at our best when we are in rhythm. We need to incorporate spiritual rhythms. The only way to do this is develop your sense for where the Spirit is leading. Try this… in the morning ask “God, where are you leading me today?”

Is the Tipping Point coming?

A few years ago, a book came out called “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. In the book he describes how “The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire (Gladwell). He explains that even when water is placed in freezing temperature, there is a tipping point when the water turns into ice. This is even true with social trends. We love learning about tipping points because we all secretly, or not so secretly, want things to start tipping in our favor. We hope if we just keep going and keep doing it, whatever that is, then something will work out… it must work out… it must. Eventually, if we do not get a big break, we think it will never happen. The appreciation we longed for isn’t coming from the one person we hoped for. It could be the relationship could have turned around, but it didn’t. Not many of us experience what we would consider a tipping point, but we all will experience a breaking point. If the tipping point is that magic moment things just come together, then the breaking point is that tragic moment things fall apart.

Sometimes the breaking point comes because we were running hard and fast away from God. In other cases, we added the things of God to our load, but all of it was still too much. Sometimes we were going in God’s direction and someone else did something causing the breaking point. In any case, I want to assure you, IT IS NEVER WASTED. God will teach you something about his love you never would have known before the breaking point.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Willpower to increase your joy

It is interesting to see someone with great willpower. The Cambridge Dictionary defines “Will” as used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or things that are planned.

John Rambling was an engineer in the late 1800s and his will was misguided, according to the experts. He had a plan to build a bridge connecting New York and Long Island. John Rambling was ridiculed for a ridiculous idea because it had never done before. John’s son, Washington, was on board with the project. However, after construction was underway, Rohn Rambling died on the site. Washington was in severe shock and was left unable to work for some time and became crippled.

Washington’s will to finish the project started by his dad became so great he had to continue. Although crippled, Washington figured out how to communicate by waving his figure to his wife. For the following 13 years Washington gave instructions by pointing his finger at his wife… we can all dream 😊. From all this work and will of a man carrying out the vision of his father, the famous Brooklyn Bridge was completed.

God’s Word tells us, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12). Just as the story of the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, Washington lost his joy but regained it when his will to complete his purpose reemerged. I believe God has given our church a mission that is bigger than any one person. However, each person can gain joy by finding their will to work toward God’s mission for us.

Tag, You're It!

Tonight, my son put on a show I have never heard about. It is called World Chase Tag. It is exactly what you think, they are playing “Tag.” Yes, that’s a sport. It really is impressive the amount of athleticism these men have. There is a team, but only two people face off at one time. One person is “It” and the other person chases for 20 seconds at the most. If “It” lasts 20 seconds, then he wins the round. 

I couldn’t help but think of how God chases us. It is a striking visual to think of us running away, dodging obstacles, and diving to do our own thing. Of course, that sounds silly, and we don’t think we run away from God. 

Jesus told people three parables making it clear that we are “It” running away. The first parable is about a sheep that wandered off, likely because it just lost sight of the shepherd (Luke 15:3-7). The second parable is missing a coin that could have fallen through the cracks (Luke 15:8-10). The final parable makes it clear that Jesus is talking about people with the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

In all cases the lost item gets disconnected from the community before it realizes it was wandering from the father. How could you reconnect with community in this season?

The parables tells us God looks for us and He is overjoyed when He finds us!

Are you a domesticated Christian?

Back in 2005 DreamWorks created an animated movie called Madagascar. The movie opens in New York City’s Central Park Zoo. The main characters are Alex the lion, who is the star attraction known as the "King of New York", and spends time with his friends, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippopotamus and Marty the zebra. Marty the zebra has grown weary of his daily routine and desires to experience a day in the wild and wonders what it could be like in the habitat he was designed for.

After a series of events the group of animals, who only know of a life in the zoo, are shipped to a wildlife preserve in Kenya only to never reach that destination and end up in Madagascar. Who do you identify with? Is it to remain like Alex, who is content with being successful at performing, or do you long to live in the habitat you were designed for like Marty?

As silly as the story of Madagascar is, there are a lot of similarities with our lives. If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are a new creation, designed to live a certain way fulfilling your purpose. The apostle Paul reminds some Christians of the same thing as he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor 5:17). First God tells you who you are, then He tells you what you were designed to do. Paul explains, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20).

If you are tired of performing in captivity, it is time to experience life in your natural habitat. God places a deep desire to live for Him but you are not sure yet how to live in the wild. Let me know if you want to share anything God has placed on your heart, and I will help guide you to it!

When Animals Attack

A few years ago, there was a TV show “When animals attack.” Often the show would depict wild animals attacking, such as a shark biting a surfer or if someone falls into a tiger’s cage at a zoo. However, the stories that are the most interesting are when pets turn on their owners. All Things Interesting cited a few examples.

One example is that a man, Marius Els, had a pet hippopotamus. Of course, this is a strange animal to have as a pet, but the man adopted the hippo at 5-months-old and named it Humphrey.

Marius once said, “It’s a little bit dangerous, but I trust him with my heart that he will not harm anybody,” Els said. “I can swim with him. I go in the water. He allows me to get on his back, and I ride him like a horse. He swims with me.”

In November 2011, Els’ body was discovered submerged in the river where Humphrey had first been rescued in a flood years earlier.

Unfortunately, this story is not different than something we do from time to time. I doubt many of you have a wild animal as a pet, but it is analogous to our relationship to a favorite pet sin. Maybe there is a sin you participate in, and you have kept it under control for a while. Maybe you have had the same sentiment as Marius, “It’s a little bit dangerous, but I trust it will my heart and it will not harm me.”

Instead of thinking of that thing as something to manage, God’s Word tells us it is an enemy trying to kill us. In fact, 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

What thing are you managing and enjoying that is waiting to kill you?

Love is Boundaries

The Lilidorei Park at Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, UK is home of the largest playground in the world. This playground is themed around nine mythical clans celebrating Christmas. Children go all through the villages and scale the massive castle tower in complete freedom. The freedom and fun experienced within the playground do not only come from the characters and structures. The other part of the fun is from something that is not considered fun at all, it’s the massive wall surrounding the playground. The boundary around the playground heightens the experience of fun and freedom by the children by keeping the fun in and the evil out. 

There is a misconception that says love, fun, and pleasure come from removing barriers. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The popular mantra for the day says, “Love is love” or “Love has no boundaries.” God’s Word consistently holds the idea that “Love is boundaries.” 

The Corinthian church had a big problem understanding the concept that love necessarily has boundaries. In fact, Paul tells the Corinthians, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14-15). Paul lays out a very clear boundary. He does not give this difficult boundary to limit them, but to allow them to experience real love and freedom. Paul is not keeping the Corinthians from loving, being kind, or sharing the good news of Jesus with unbelievers, but he is saying to guard your heart. Paul proves this by telling them, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.  We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us” a few verses before (2 Cor 11-12). 

Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is remind someone of a boundary that will help them. Are you allowing some evil to have access to your heart in the name of love? Remember, love is boundaries.

What are you planting?

Many states in the south are well acquainted with the Japanese plant Kudzu. It was introduced to the United States in 1876 and kudzu’s popularity grew from the 1930s to the 1950s as a soil erosion control. It worked to control erosion, but it would not go away. Kudzu spreads quickly and the growth overtakes everything in its path. This vine grows about one foot per day and as long as 100 feet. Kudzu outcompetes all the native plants. 

The Southerners in the early to mid-1900s were likely surprised at the growth of kudzu. They learned the simple principle, “Whatever you plant, it grows.” So what are you planting? No, I am not concerned with your latest garden, but our actions are like planting a seed. Whatever you plant, it grows. I think this is one of the reasons Paul instructs the Ephesian church to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Eph 4:31). 

It is not as if we “just got mad” or “that just slipped out,” but we are planting something. Just like kudzu, our hurtful actions are often out of our desire to control a situation, not realizing we are growing something that will eventually control us. 

The good news is the following verse gives us the right seed to grow the right things, as Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:32).