Bud Lamb Talks where with resources and stories we hope to encourage men and the women who love them - to know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus. As you listen the podcast you may also be interested in Bud's most recent book Chasing the Sage: What Men Want; Finding Purpose and Passion at Every Stage. Bud serves as an American Missionary to Men and Pastors with InFaith. What does he do? Forging strong relationships with men and pastors he works 1-ON-1 virtually and face to face, leading high adventure retreats in a way similar to that of Jesus, Paul, and a long line of men who practice the lost art of the handcrafting of disciples in partnership with God. To the surprise of many he's been an ordained pastor for 20 years. He and his wife, Lea Ann, and live in Corralitos, CA - a tiny unincorporated community in foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As for education, he has no degrees. He's a life-long learner, a voracious reader, and a mentor who has learned not to hide his humanity. His credentials can be found in all of the men who have invited him into their lives and those who have been open to the message of Jesus. For fun, Bud runs, hikes, and kayaks in the high country in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Oregon Cascades, the Flat Tops of Colorado, and the Big Horn of Wyoming. What drives his passion and purpose is to know and enjoy God, to love as Jesus does, and to inspire others to the same. budlamb.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Unopened gifts are often tucked behind the tree, undiscovered at the back of the mailbox, or arrive a few days or weeks after the Christmas morning frenzy.The ultimate gift of Jesus' life delivers four gifts that often go unopened.Peace with GodSince we have been made right in God's sight by faith in Jesus Christ, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 NLTNo more running or hiding. God isn't out to spank you or abandon you or withhold his love from you. He offers a fresh start with no regrets. Are you willing to accept the gift of Jesus, as payment for all your poor choices?Peace of GodJesus tells us, I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLTThe peace of God is within you in the person of the Holy Spirit and fills us with hope, courage, and wisdom.Have you misplaced this gift?Begin again your journey of following Jesus. Peace with SelfAnd the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NASBNo more self-loathing or self-sabotage. No more acting out because you feel bad about being bad. Jesus' peace brings truth into our hearts and minds and sets us free.Peace with Others...as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 CSBAs we experience Jesus extending peace to ourselves we begin to offer it freely to others. Freely we received -- freely we give. As best we can we choose forgiveness, not payback, as did Jesus.ReflectWhich of these have you not yet opened? Have you opened it before and stashed it away in the closet?PrayAs You came the first Christmas as baby Jesus, I choose You now as the kind, just, the forgiving man Jesus. I'm opening all of these gifts, God, as I open or reopen my heart to You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
…You led Your people through the wilderness…Psalm 68:7The pillar of smoke by day and fire by night guided our spiritual ancestors through the wilderness. We read in Exodus chapters 13 and 14 it was a symbol of God's presence. When the pillar of smoke or fire moved the people moved.As it slowed so too did they.When it stopped they stopped. I imagine they learned to wait and listen.How fast did the pillar move? I doubt it raced across the wilderness and waited for hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children to catch up.Most likely it moved at a pedestrian pace.Emmanuel, through this Advent season, leads us through this present wilderness.Go slow this Christmas and savor the moments.Let every heart prepare Him room.The Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the world is coming, again.ReflectLight a candle tonight and read Matthew chapters 1 and 2.PrayI see Your smoke moving across this present wilderness and I am taking small steps of faith. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many of Jesus' followers listened with rapt attention to His simple teachings found in Matthew 5-7; if someone slaps you on the cheek, turn to him the other - don't retaliate, love your enemy, be generous, go out of your way to help the undeserving, keep your wedding vows, seek the Kingdom.They listened but after a while, said to themselves, This is too hard to live like that! They went on professing to be followers of Jesus, but in their hearts and practice, they were swimming in the shallow end of the pool. Jesus turned to His disciples asking, Do you want to go away too? Simon Peter answered, Where else would we go? You are the only One. God can be depended upon; He wants us to be as decided, reliable, and stable.God is looking for men on whom He can put the weight of all His love and faithful promises.Today, you may hear Jesus calling you to step out, as my friend Jesse calls it, into a new level of obedience.ReflectI went past the field of a sluggard,past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;thorns had come up everywhere,the ground was covered with weeds,and the stone wall was in ruins.I applied my heart to what I observedand learned a lesson from what I saw:A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thiefand scarcity like an armed man.~ Proverbs 24:30-34 NIVPrayAgain. I hear You knocking. I choose Your way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 NASBWhat ground have you lost, dream have you given up on, habit or character defect have you been feeding into?What stands in the way of the best of you, as a man, spouse, follower of Jesus!Where do you need to take a stand?To get it back you'll have to fight for it. You don't fight alone. Remember, every day Jesus sends us out saying, Go. I am sending you out and I am going with you. Luke 10:3Eleazar was one of David's Mighty Men. He stood his ground in the middle of the field, and the Lord blessed him with a great victory. 2 Samuel 23:10I love this guy Eleazar. He was fighting for his life, his king, and his family. He stood his ground. With a sword in his hand, he stood his ground and advanced on his enemy. Legend has it that he fought so long and so hard that by the end of the battle, his sword was welded to his hand.You are that man. You are Eleazar in your marriage, family, and circle of influence in the world. No one can take your place.God trains our hands for battle and gives us armor and a weapon we're expected to use.The battle is not against your wife, your family, or any other person.The battle is against the spiritual forces of darkness.Resist with prayer the urge to cut and run.Fight hard and fight long.Take a stand. Some fights are over in a few minutes while some persist with us like a siege. Call it out. Become prepared for a long one. Organize a strategy. Invite a spiritual friend to stand with you. Declare and take a stand for what you will fight for this year.In the middle of the field, you will not be alone.Resist.Fight hard.Take a stand.You can do this. Go fight for what's important.ReflectWhat stands in the way of the best of you, as a man, spouse, follower of Jesus!Where do you need to take a stand?Pray Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sooner or later it's time to take out the trash.Perhaps for you today is trash day.Paul, put it this way…Let there be no sex sin, impurity, or greed among you…no dirty stories, foul talk, coarse jokes - this is the kind of trash that can accumulate in your soul. Ephesians 5:3-4 paraphraseThis is a short list of the garbage you may find in your soul right now.Some are obvious. Most are subtle…with allure, drift, forbidden fruit, and BAM we find ourselves deceived.A few verses later Paul writes with the passion and urgency of a train hammering down the rails: “WAKE UP!”Brother, crawl out of the cave and step into the light!Get back to following Jesus with your heart, mind, body, and soul.ReflectIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)PrayCreate in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Apostle Paul referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord. He reminds us with forceful language to step out into the unknown of each day and treat others like Jesus would reflect His goodness to everyone, to forgive and not judge, to rebuke lewd thoughts, and live an integrated life where who you are in private mirrors who you are in public - to expand Jesus' Kingdom. Ephesians 4:1 paraphraseJesus looked up before He stepped out.The miracles of raising Lazarus from the dead, turning a few loaves and fishes into a feast for thousands, and His “near the end of His life” prayer in John 17 were all preceded by Jesus looking up.He looked up to remind Himself of the truth - that He truly was God's Son, that the source of His ability emanated from the Father, and that the Spirit filled Him and resourced Him to do what he was about to do.We need to look up.People are watching to see if we are authentic.The heavens are watching.All the while, demons whisper, lilt, and tempt with getting even when put down, responding to a harsh accusation, or doing the wrong thing.Yes. I need to look up out because in the moment I often take the low road. Inviting You into the situation by pausing and looking up I become attuned to Your wisdom.Begin today to acquire the habit Jesus employed -- look up -- to God, Shepherd, and Guardian of your soul.ReflectWhat unguarded moments will you encounter today? How will you respond?PrayO God, help me learn to pause and look up before I put my foot in my mouth today. Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NIVThis verse invites regular Jesus-following people to dream big, pray long, and step out of the comfortable and into the unknown of advancing the Gospel.Did you get that?Now speaks of the time following Jesus' resurrection when the rule of payback was replaced by the rule of love. Payback speaks of rule-keeping and we call rule-keeping the Old Covenant. The rule of love – what Jesus taught and lived – calls us to turn the other cheek and extend forgiveness quickly. This is called the New Covenant and governs the way everything works in this world and beyond.Note the writer is honoring God as he points us to the source of our ability to advance. It is God's mighty power not our own.Truly, this verse invites us -- perhaps compels or challenges us – to step out of the comfortable, as did Jesus.Step into advancing this now that governs our lives by dreaming big into your family relationships, or praying long about next steps, or stepping out of a casual relationship with God and going for it.The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a NLTYour Maker is inviting you to join Him.ReflectHow will you respond to this invitation?PrayOur Father, who is in heaven, I want to honor Your Name, and so I pray that Your Kingdom will come, and that Your will be done in my life as I advance into this day with You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Writing to you, followers of Jesus, the Apostle Paul reminds us what's true…It wasn't long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant way of life. Ephesians 2:1Today, through your faith in Jesus, you've been gifted with a fresh new life. Ephesians 2:8No longer an alien, orphan, or stranger - but a true irrevocable child of God - loved beyond measure with no strings attached. Ephesians 2:13Imagine!Take it in!Soak in it.The truth about you - a beloved child of God on whom His favor rests.Choose today to live out of what is true about you - no longer an alien, orphan, or stranger - extend the grace given you by God to all you meet today.Reflect…you were formerly far off and have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13PrayGod, today, help me live out of what is true about me (and You). To be as kind, patient, and quick to forgive others, as You are with me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We are all doing our best to live as best we can - and each of us is fighting great battles and needs someone to pray for us.Paul, the writer of the book of Ephesians, sends this letter to his friends. He writes to remind them of what is true about following Jesus' Way and inspire them to take their faith seriously.Begin your day with a simple prayer for those you love…I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:18-19 The MessagePrayWho needs you to pray as Paul prayed for his friends? Thank God, by name, for your kids, spouse, and friends. Ask God to bless their……body with health, purity, and stamina.…labor with wisdom and favor at work or school.…emotional life with joy, health, and healing.…social life with growing friendships, fidelity in marriage, and courageous parenting.…spiritual life with a breakthrough in knowing You today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know love, and enjoy God, follow Him with your heart, and love like Jesus.This concludes six episodes looking at what the Bible says about how we can weather unavoidable headwinds and hardship.In this final episode, we will explore how headwinds and hardship test our faith.Without headwinds, our faith is untested.Why is that?We need to learn to wait.We have a need for endurance. Sharp sudden hardship is easily endured. When it drags on in its long and weary way year after monotonous year, returning day after day with the same dull routine of hopeless agony, the heart loses its strength. Streams in the DesertIt is IN the wind where endurance tests and proves our faith. These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it. 1 Peter 1:7 TLBIt is with the eyes of faith that we come to know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God. Romans 8:28 TLBHeadwinds and hardship:…stretch us by taking us out of our comfort zone.…make us limber as we learn to go with the flow. …expand our reach when we step out by faith.…increases our capacity to endure.Why is faith so important? It is the certainty that Who we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.Without faith it is impossible to know love and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 paraphraseLean into the headwind you are facing today.PrayWhat small steps of faith have You planned for me today Lord? Help me with eyes of faith to recognize them. With the feet of faith that I would take that first step and another and another. With faith in my heart trusting You precede me I go into this day. Thank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus.For six episodes we are looking at what the Bible says about how we can weather unavoidable headwinds and hardship.In this episode, we learn the greatest things are always hedged about by the hardest things.Over forty years ago I underlined this verse in my well-worn Bible.…the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong. Joshua 17:18 NASBThis is what I call my “life verse”: a Bible verse that has become prophetic, encouraging, and inspiring.With almost every setback, betrayal, or self-inflicted gunshot wound God has guided me with this verse.It points me to follow Jesus with my heart and to adopt His ways come hell or high water.The hill country speaks of headwinds and hardships I've encountered and continue to strive against. They are heavily defended and resistant yet, the verse inspires hope.In my old worn copy of Streams in the Desert are these words inspired by Joshua 17:18.The greatest things are always hedged about the hardest things, and we too shall find mountains and forests and chariots of iron…The very hardships that you are enduring in your life today are given by the Master for the explicit purpose of enabling you to win your crown.Do not wait for some ideal situation, some romantic difficulty, some far-away emergency; but rise to meet the actual conditions which the providence of God has placed around you today.Your crown of glory lies embedded in the very heart of these things - those hardships and trials that are pressing you this very hour, week, and month of your life.Go with God. He goes with you!PrayerThank You, God, that hardship need not be something to avoid at all costs, but an opportunity to grow in my devotion and follow-through as a follower of Jesus. You are with me always! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus.For six episodes we are looking at what the Bible says about how we can weather unavoidable headwinds and hardship. In this episode, we learn about deep water.It's not uncommon that Jesus invites us to put out into the deep water and let our nets down for a catch of fish. Luke 5:4b paraphrasePeter and his friends got blanked the night before. Jesus knows where the fish are. Testing their patience, He asks them to go out again, to deep water, and let the heavy nets out again.What is Jesus asking you to go out again to do?If it's not fish what is it? It may be unfinished promises or projects, poorly executed promises, half-hearted commitments to family, friends, or co-workers.Listen to that tap on your shoulder -- that one thing that nags and lingers whispering “unfinished” in your heart.Name it and then ask, “Jesus, what would you have me do?”What work is involved in the depths of deep water?It may involve detoxing from old habits, untangling the mess by slowing down or declaring a season of study, meditation, or service.What are your modern-day heavy nets?Most likely these are the nuts and bolts of your life. Perhaps it's your morning private time with God, time with your wife and kids? Maybe it's following through on the pace of your life, health, or finances?For a few days, take these three questions to God. Ask Him to help you answer them. Only God, your best friend, sees the pickle you are in and can help you. Sit with Him as you pray, listen, and take notes.You must stay close to Jesus.Listen deeply every morning, afternoon, and evening. Remember, He not only knows the depths you are navigating and the weight of the burdens you are carrying… But He also knows where the fish are.PrayerWhere else can I go God but to you? Some things are going well for me while in other areas I am drifting or playing in the shallow end of the pool. I am willing to go out again, into deep water, and do the heavy net work so long as You go with me. Thank You! Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus. For the next six weeks, we will look at what the Bible says about how we can weather headwinds and hardship. Jesus will teach us how we too can be overcomers!One of our spiritual ancestors, Elijah, found himself in deep trouble and had to run for his life.He ran himself into exhaustion until he came to a cave where he stayed for 40 days. Sometimes we need to Sit & ListenSit & listen isn't what Elijah had been doing and yet when he became ready to really hear from God, it was sitting not running that was the hot ticket. Listen to what the Bible says…The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.And after the fire came a gentle whisper.When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13 TLBSit & ListenIt's so counter to how we want to respond. If you're like me or Elijah we want to run from it, avoid it, or pretend it's not there.Sometimes we need to listen to the wind rather than fix the problem.Perhaps, after sitting with it for an hour, a day, a season - holding the situation in a sacred space of calm sitting with God we can begin to whisper, “God, what would You have me do (if anything)?”PrayerIn many ways, I'm a runner Lord - from my problems, consequences, from You and the last thing I'm comfortable doing is sitting and listening to You! Yet, it seems my way rarely really fixes things. Help me slow down, sit, and listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus. For six weeks we are looking at what the Bible says about how we can weather headwinds and hardship. In this episode, we are learning from Peter and how he was able to weather wind and waves…A fierce storm attacked the disciples made their way across the lake. About 3 am Jesus came to them walking on water in the middle of a fierce stormPeter, the impulsive one, called to Jesus, “Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.” Jesus replied, “All right, come.”Peter jumped out of the boat and, eyes fixed on Jesus, walked toward Jesus!Peter heard the wind saw the waves became afraid and began to sink. Peter then eyes locked on Jesus cried out “ Jesus, save me!” Jesus reached out and steadied Peter and they both git back into the boat. Matthew 14:28-32 paraphrasePerhaps you have been walking on water with Jesus with your taxes, or your spouse just had a stroke, or an unforeseen issue with your car, kids, or marriage and you too hear the wind, see the waves, and are beginning to sink!Notice Peter's response. “Jesus save me!”Yes, we too can begin to sink, to try harder, to scramble back into the comfort of the boat and it's illusion of perfect safety.How can we avoid headwinds & hardship? We can't.How can we stop sinking?Refocus on looking at the situation and fixing our eyes on Jesus.“Jesus, save me!” affirms that He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are fixed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)Jesus is growing us up.At every age and stage, God seeks to develop ever-increasing situational trust in us. Lean into the lesson of the Wind and WavesGrow an intimate moment-to-moment reliance and awareness that in the boat or on the water you are not alone, He is always near, He will help with just a whisper.Do not be surprised that later today Jesus invites you to get out of the boat onto the water with Him. It could be when you get a letter from the IRS or Social Security Administration saying they are making changes to your account. It could mean death comes to the door of another close friend. It could be at night when fears are racing.PrayLord, Jesus Christ, I don't like headwinds or hardship. I want to avoid them altogether, or at least to stop sinking as quickly as possible. Help me learn to simply cry out. “Jesus, save me!” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Breathe Meditation for the week. Written and produced to help you know, love, and enjoy God, to follow Him with your heart, and to love like Jesus. For the next six weeks, we will look at what the Bible says about how we can weather headwinds and hardship. Jesus will teach us how we too can be overcomers!Jesus tells us that “in the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 AMPYears ago I was sitting in a recovery meeting reciting the Serenity Prayer with 60 or 70 other men and women, who like me, were confronting the stiff headwind of recovery.The phrases “...accepting hardship as a pathway to peace” and “taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is” stopped me dead in my tracks.Out loud to myself, I said “I DON'T WANT HARDSHIP!!! I WANT IT EASY.”You see, I, like many – if not most – of us don't like hardship. We want to avoid it altogether, or at least to get out of it as quickly as possible. And, we don't want to take this broken world as it is… We want to fix people, places, and things.A headwind can come out of the north with a bitter cold brought on by holding on to some addicting habit that sucks the warmth from your soul. Or out of the east like hope staggering to rise like Lazarus from the dead, years of chronic pain, or becoming more and more familiar with grief as we grow older. The fast west wind of youth when you are stalled or drifting in your faith or your career, your fidelity, or putting out into deep water learning to stay close to Jesus. Headwinds racing out of the south can be a form of God calling us up and out – a burning bush experience, a Goliath standing in the way of duty, a betrayal, or even a self-inflicted wound. Yet it is the Headwinds that help us soar.They are the lift facet of the Holy Spirit. Headwinds develop holy resistance that forms the muscles of a spiritual endurance runner, the Force that forges endurance. It is a friend, not a foe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The day Jesus was crucified and died may have ended with a long dark sleepless night for His disciples. That first Easter was greeted by the dawn of a new age.__________Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone was rolled aside from the entrance.Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.That evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! After greeting them, he showed them his hands and side. And how wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord!He spoke to them again and said, As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. Then he breathed on them and told them, Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:1, 18-22 (TLB)He told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18__________Imagine Can you imagine the shock and confusion that rocked Jesus' disciples when Jesus walked into the room? Action How would you respond?Ask Jesus How would you have me continue on with Your mission Jesus? What “next step” do you want me to take? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jesus' longest day. His life was draining out of Him. His breathing was hard and heavy. He pushed up with His feet nailed to the cross in order to simply take another breath. Distraught family and friends looked on with horror, grief, and confusion, wondering How much longer can Jesus live?__________That afternoon, the whole earth was covered with darkness for three hours, from noon until three o'clock.About three o'clock, Jesus shouted, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine and put it on a stick and held it up to him to drink. But the rest said, “Leave him alone. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save him.” Matthew 27:45 TLBThe light from the sun was gone—and suddenly the thick veil hanging in the Temple split apart. Luke 23:45When Jesus had tasted it, he said, It is finished, and bowed his head and dismissed his spirit. John 19: 30Then Jesus shouted, Father, I commit my spirit to you, and with those words, he died.When the captain of the Roman military unit handling the executions saw what had happened, he was stricken with awe before God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”And when the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw that Jesus was dead, they went home in deep sorrow. Meanwhile, Jesus' friends, including the women who had followed him down from Galilee, stood in the distance watching. Luke 23:46 - 49 When evening came, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, one of Jesus' followers, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, placed it in his own new rock-hewn tomb, and rolled a great stone across the entrance as he left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching. Matthew 27:57-61 __________Imagine You have followed Jesus in the crowd up the hill, watched Him drop the cross then climb onto it as they nailed Him to it. Hear the ring of the hammer on the nails as the people grow silent. What runs through your mind?Ask Jesus Help me whisper Father, I commit my spirit to you each time I find myself exhausted and at wit's end.Action As I close my eyes, help me meditate on the truth that I will never be separated from God again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISEJesus is crucified on a hill in between two thieves who, I imagine, were screaming with pain, asking for mercy, and watching how Jesus responded to the slander of bystanders. How Jesus carried Himself spoke to the heart of one of the thieves.Slowly read and reflect on what follows…__________Two others, criminals, were led out to be executed with him at a place called “The Skull.” There all three were crucified—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.And the soldiers gambled for his clothing, throwing dice for each piece. The crowd watched. And the Jewish leaders laughed and scoffed. “He was so good at helping others,” they said, “let's see him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah.”The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink—of sour wine. And they called to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself !”A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you're at it!”But the other criminal protested. “Don't you even fear God when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done one thing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”And Jesus replied, Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise. Luke 23:32-43 (TLB)__________ Imagine See yourself as one of the two thieves watching Jesus as life oozes out of you. What regrets would haunt you? Do you identify with either of them? The one that taunts Jesus to do something…or the one who asks Jesus to remember him...Action Take a moment to thank Jesus for His grace to the thief, recognizing that same grace is extended to you now.Ask Jesus Where am I experiencing the consequences of my own bad decisions? How would You speak into my pain? Let me experience Your kindness the way you replied to the second thief's awareness of who You are. Show me Your kingdom -- the place of Your rule and authority in my life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many know facts about Jesus. Though all are loved and welcome few know Jesus as their Saviour. Soldiers and betrayers approached Him in the Garden of Gethsemane as He was about to be betrayed, beaten, and crucified the next day.Slowly read and reflect on what follows.____________________Jesus asked a deep brooding question, “Whom do you seek?”John 18:7A short time later Jesus was taken in chains to meet with Pontius Pilot, the Roman Governor. He asks Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Perhaps Pilot too felt the hole in his heart and was curious enough perhaps to move from curious to a devoted follower.How about you? Curious? Aware of a deep unfilled longing in your heart? What, or who are you looking for? Are you weary? The One you seek has come for you.Jesus is the One you have been searching for.____________________Imagine If your spouse or child had inoperable brain cancer what lengths would you go to find a cure? Would you consider unorthodox treatment not recommended by Western medicine? Would you travel the world to find a doctor who has found success with a new medication?This is the story with all of us. We all have a terminal disease called “humanity.” Only One can rescue us from the abyss of the unknown.Action If you knew you would die today would you be certain of what lies ahead for you? You can have the assurance of heaven. The Bible tells us is available to all who come to believe in Jesus and accept Him as their Saviour. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12Ask Jesus Will you be my Lord and Saviour? I believe You are the One.Begin attending a church. Tell someone you have become a follower of Jesus. Drop me a note at budlamb@infaith.org or give me a call at 831-566-4131____________________ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Early in His ministry, Jesus spoke sobering words concerning how it would go for His followers.The day He was crucified His cryptic words likened Himself to “the green tree.” It causes us to pause to consider how Jesus uses suffering in our lives.Slowly read and reflect on what follows.____________________I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be arrested and tried, and whipped in the synagogues.Yes, and you must stand trial before governors and kings for my sake. This will give you the opportunity to tell them about me, yes, to witness to the world.Near His crucifixion, beaten and bloody carrying His cross, Jesus stumbles, turns to onlookers, and says these few cryptic and prophetic words, For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?Luke 21:31____________________Years, after Jesus was raised from the dead His tiny band of brothers and sisters, overcame many obstacles but were successful in continuing on in Jesus Way. Today, the Living Word of God reminds you and me saying “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 NASB____________________Imagine You are in the crowd as Jesus slowly crawls toward His crucifixion. He IS the green tree and in essence, He says to us “If they do this to Me, what may happen to you?” Action Reflect on Jesus' Passion: betrayal, beatings, harsh words, fatigue, hunger, and thirst, at the hands of fellow humans. Are you ready to follow Jesus in this way?Are you hearing Jesus's invitation to go deeper?Ask Jesus Grow a deep soul in me! Help me become a more devoted follower. Take me. Break me. Make me. Mold me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jesus' final words often probe with open questions designed to reveal hidden motives, deep desires, and hunger for hope. We may hunger from a distance or dare to come closer.Slowly read and reflect on what follows.____________________As Jesus and the disciples left the city of Jericho, a vast crowd surged along behind.Two blind men were sitting beside the road, and when they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, Sir, King David's Son, have mercy on us!The crowd told them to be quiet, but they only yelled louder.When Jesus came to the place where they were, he stopped in the road and called, What do you want me to do for you?Sir, they said, we want to see!Jesus was moved with pity for them and touched their eyes. And instantly they could see and followed him.Matthew 20:29-34 TLB____________________Imagine With your eyes closed...What would your life be like if you could not see? How would you get around or connect with that someone who is now your spouse? Would you be an optimistic blind person or prone to discouragement? How high on your bucket list would sight be?Action Metaphorically vision can be an imagined plan for the future. How has your life waned with personal vision? What would you change if you could see better, further, or with new eyes? What choices would you have made differently? Ask Jesus Give me eyes to see what I cannot see, Lord! I want a vision for my life - large or small - but a vision that is fulfilling. I want to see my family, friends, and what's next with new eyes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It has been said that we all have abandonment issues to one degree or another. Today, Jesus pushes that button, telling His disciples that He is going away only a few days after He washes their feet. Slowly read and reflect on what follows.____________________"Dear, dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me, you cannot come to me—just as I told the Jewish leaders."Simon Peter said, "Master, where are you going?"And Jesus replied, "You can't go with me now, but you will follow me later.Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming.When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there."“No, we don't,” Thomas said. “We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”Jesus told him, "I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me."If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, for it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, for he lives with you now and someday shall be in you.No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you.In just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present with you. For I will live again—and you will too. When I come back to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives.So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you—I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now, I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.I don't have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will freely do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let's be going."John 13:33; 14:1-30 TLB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It was near the end of Jesus' time, as He set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem, His cross, His Passion, that Jesus impressed on His tiny band of followers perhaps the most important lesson they needed to learn…Slowly read and reflect on what follows.____________________It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.“You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."John 13:1-15 NIV____________________Imagine You are having a meal with Jesus and your best friends. Suddenly, Jesus gets up from the table and begins to pour warm water into a large basin -- something you've never seen Him do before.Jesus is standing in front of you offering to wash your feet -- symbolic of the most soiled parts of you What goes through your mind as Jesus washes and dries your feet?Hear Jesus, “You don't understand now why I am doing it; someday you will.” Action Reflect on those things that you need to let go of – to make available for Jesus to wash away and forgive. Ask Jesus What is it in me that's holding me back? How do I let You in to wash these most private of wounds? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
God is observant of those who, with self-assured hubris, act like they can handle what life slings at them.Rather, be on the alert, the enemy of love prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Note: the enemy is as a roaring lion -- in TRUTH the enemy is a powerful yet futile foe.As you take a stand against the seductive lies of the enemy he is bound to cut and run.Resist him, cemented in your faith…and yes, after you have suffered taking your stand against the pus pocket, your faithful love consumed Father God will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5: 5, 7-10 paraphraseYou see, love stands. It takes a stand when we want to run.Love stands up for virtue, truth, and promises -- like in “I pledge allegiance to the United States of America” or “I Bud, take you Lea Ann to be my wedded wife” or a pledge implied to a newly conceived human -- it is implied that we devote our lives to helping that new human learn Jesus' way of life.Love stands up for the sick, weak, alone, lost, confused, angry, aggressively militant, addicted, and the well-intended but often tragically confused politicians.Love stands waiting for your spouse, friend, boss, pastor, to come around to see you, not just tolerating you.Yes, love stands waiting while injustice seems to prevail.It stands while all hell is breaking loose and trusting that God will make all things right as we surrender.A stand seems so feeble in our times of aggression and automatic weapons. Even so - it is our simple stand, turning the other cheek, that is the spirit in the truth that power is perfected in weakness.We learn that love stands when everything inside screams DEFEND YOURSELF!!! HIT BACK -- HARDER. NO MERCY. REFUSE TO FORGIVE. MY WAY IS RIGHT!!!Eleazar, the son of Dodo, a mighty warrior, stood his ground in the middle of a battlefield and the Lord gave him a great victory.Jesus stood His ground in the wilderness as He was tempted by the enemy to compromise His purpose. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A1-13&version=NIVThough Peter denied Jesus three times, according to church tradition, he was crucified in Rome upside down during the later reign of Roman emperor Nero around the year 64 AD. Peter felt he was unworthy to be crucified as his Lord was.Don't be surprised when you hear the whisper to be on the alert -- in your heart cry out Lord help me in full assurance that He will.Where do you need to take a stand? What is holding you back? Why not invite God into the situation asking Him to help learn the way of Jesus where love stands?PrayI long to love like Jesus. Open my eyes to where I need to take a stand and take it with confidence that You will infuse my heart's desire to love with determination, my actions with heavenly strength, and my willingness to take a stand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We continue to walk through the small book of 1 Peter learning from one of the most intimate of Jesus' friends. Peter observed how Jesus lived. He listened over and over to Jesus' teaching, and he watched up close as Jesus suffered many sufferings.These sufferings tend to come upon us like a storm, as a bitter disappointment, a crushing defeat, or a betrayal at the hands of a close friend. Yet it is in the storm that God equips us for service. When God wants to make a man He puts us into some storm. The history of manhood is always rough and rugged. No man is made until he has been out into the surge of the storm and found the sublime fulfillment of the prayer: “O God, take me, break me, make me.”Every man who is pre-eminent for his ability was first pre-eminent for suffering.The beauties of nature come after the storm. The rugged beauty of the mountain is born in a storm, and the heroes of life are the storm-swept and the battle scarred. Excerpts from Streams in the Desert - January 16 (2022) by L.B. CowmanMany years after Peter denied Jesus publicly three times, he writes to us from the deep well of suffering turned to wisdom. Peter writes, Don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you for the testing of your faith. 1 Peter 4:12 We learn the Law of Love by suffering through broken dreams and promises, experiencing the loss of dignity when slapped on the cheek, or when our spouse refuses to forgive.Suffering in these ways, we learn how to receive suffering as Jesus did – and to extend love through it as Jesus did.This is the suffering Peter is speaking of here in chapter 4. A message he expects us to heed.We suffer from a divine purpose that we most often cannot see. Yet with the eyes of our heart, we can be assured the purpose is clear.Peter, most likely, was influenced by Paul's writing on this matter.We have this treasure in an earthen vessel that the surpassing greatness may be of God and not ourselves; we are afflicted in many ways, but not crushed, perplexed, but not despairing, persecuted, but not destroyed; always carrying in our bodies the dying of Jesus, that the life love of Jesus would leak out of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 paraphraseAnd, so, beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you for it is the way we learn to extend and receive love.PraySurely there must be another way God. If that was so, Jesus would have taken it. This is very sobering Lord. Help me let go of my 5th-grade view of love, pick up my cross, and quit complaining or taking the low road to avoid or minimize pain. O God, take me, break me, make me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Love ServePeter continues to break down how to love like Jesus in his little book 1 Peter chapter 3. Once again Peter filters what he writes (surely inspired by the Holy Spirit) through his personal circuitous journey.Remember, Peter was impulsive, get it done, no-nonsense guy. I imagine his marriage was like many men you know who run their home with a “my way or the highway” fist - or abdicate spiritual leadership to their wives. Their faith is something they dabble with not something they are consumed with.Well, Peter became consumed with his faith in Jesus, and it was a long painful process of suffering and transformation. He had a lot of rough edges.So, another love lesson from the anvil of a man we now refer to as Saint Peter.Where Love BeginsPeter must have been listening closely when Jesus was asked, which is the great commandment in the Law? Matthew 22:36.Jesus responded with you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.Peter learned this law of love as Jesus extended patience, forgiveness, and compassion.Peter slowly learned to receive and be heart-changed by Jesus' patience, forgiveness, and compassion.Peter (I can only imagine) painfully after repeated failures and do-overs began to learn to extend patience, forgiveness, and compassion to himself. Isn't it true we seem be unwilling to extend love in this way insisting we crucify ourselves over again?Peter began to extend love to his wife as he learned to live with his wives in an understanding way…1 Peter 3:7Do you see the progression?We learn to receive God's love.We learn to accept ourselves and our humanity.We learn to extend this love first to our spouse.Love others in an understanding way. Why is this such a hard thing to do?If we cannot love our wives like Jesus we do not know love.We live with others in an understanding way because God lives with us in an understanding way.Living with someone in an understanding way means:You accept them as they are. Not tolerate - full acceptance - embrace their difference. Remember your wedding vows” For better or worse I take you to be my beloved. And I In the name of God, I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. This is my solemn vow.Remember it's a partnership - not a benevolent dictatorship.Submit to one anotherWe learn this law of love when we learn to receive love completely. We next learn to extend love AND receive love. You see don't you that without God extending love to you you would not have the opportunity to learn to receive. You see by learning to extend it to ourselves we know the muscle movement required to extend it to others. And so, we learn to love as we love God in return for loving us as we are not as we should be.We learn to love ourselves, by extending forgiveness quickly and being patient with our progress or lack of it.We learn to love others only if we have learned to love God and ourselves.We are the aroma of Christ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 Peter 2Set AsideDo you realize how kind the Lord has been to you? If so, then put away your impatience with your wife and kids, stop being lazy about your spiritual life, turn off the secret stuff. Grow up into the fullness of your salvation. Come to Jesus again and begin afresh where you are! 1 Peter 2:2 paraphraseLike you and me, Peter came to grips with being stalled in his faith. On the outside, he still talked the talk, but without the fire -- his faith was shallow.Peter writes to people who have stalled or drifted and have lost the fire. He writes to inspire us to remember what is true about you and about God.We can always come backYou see, Jesus' law of love reaches where you are now. You can begin again again. No questions asked – well, other than the same three questions Jesus asked Peter in John 21:15-17 - Do you love Me?Regardless of Peter's behavior, he was a son of God. Same with you and me. Like the prodigal in Luke 15, we are forever His son. He welcomes us back without condemnation. The Apostle Paul piles on to confirms it: “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NASBWe are God's chosenPeter reminds you and me that we have been chosen by God Himself - you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God's very own. 1 Peter 2:9a TLBFriend, sit with this.We are God's chosen…and, we are set aside, not ordinary, but set aside as God's special kids so that we can show others how God called us out of the darkness and into His wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9b TLBWe are visitors hereSpiritual amnesia, social media, and our culture fight to frame our view of what's true. We seem to think our street address or our job description defines our citizenship.Not so.Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God – not this world. We are merely passing through.Our real home is out of this world.So what does this all mean?Your heart is hungry for the fire to return – your heart to beat with His heart; to live this one time on the planet with integrity.The heart of God sees where you are. His love is calling you home.Tell God right out loud, “I'm coming back to You God!” Then take a tiny step of faith by telling your spouse, a friend -- heck, email or call me!Follow this up by getting your Bible out and slowly reading Matthew 5-7 for the next few weeks.Get yourself and your family back to going to church regularly.You are not alone.Jesus personally carried the load of our sins in His own body when He died on the cross so that we can be finished with sin and have a good life from now on. For His wounds have healed ours! Like sheep, you wandered away from God, but now you have returned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls who keeps you safe from all attacks. 1 Peter 2:24-25 paraphrasePrayGod, sometimes I feel like You've forgotten me. Or when I act out it's as though I've forgotten You. I don't feel “set aside” as one of Your chosen. So, going forward, help me build my life, my relationships, dreams and goals on the truth of Jesus' way of love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jesus knows all about you and me.He has had His eyes on each of us from our inception and His posture toward us is loving. Not the love we learned as kids, reinforced on tv and in movies, the smarmy heads in the sand puppy love that sets up soon-to-be discarded marriage vows.Jesus sought out Peter as He did you and me. Peter was an everyman, who came to the true place of faith as a fisherman. He was somewhere in his 30's, desperate to “make it” at his trade, his marriage, and however he defined spirituality.Like many, he really wasn't making it – but if you asked him he'd insist he was, though the evidence was beginning to break into his denial.It was in this condition that Jesus walked into Peter's life. Jesus invited him to be one of His followers. Peter, with all his virgin enthusiasm, said yes without hesitation.It is Peter's quick “yes” to Jesus and his slow transformation which we can all relate to. Nearing the end of his life, Peter writes two small books, 1st, and 2nd Peter. In these writings, we find encouragement in this slow, painful process of becoming what we believe.Peter begins with “To aliens living in disbursed outposts, followers of Jesus, - learn Jesus' Law of Love.” 1 Peter 1:1 & 22 paraphraseTo you and me, Peter meets us where we are and how we are – spiritual aliens here on earth and followers of Jesus – and the first thing he has to say is to learn Jesus' law of love.Why would Peter lead off with that?A slow but steady learner, Peter learned first-hand from Jesus that love is the universal, preeminent, and primary law of life that guides all human interaction, all creation, and governs the connection between the infinite God and finite humans. The law of love is the root and supersedes all other ways things work.Peter learned Jesus' Law of Love living with Jesus for three years -- he was an apprentice.He saw and listened to Jesus talk love, show love, and live love to the good, the bad, and the ugly.Jesus' Law of Love exploded into Peter's heart after he denied Jesus the third time as Jesus turned and made eye contact with Peter.The Bible says “Peter remembered what Jesus had said.” Peter wept convulsing sobs like a man with dry heaves. It was a black day for Peter because he had no opportunity to talk to Jesus until after Jesus' crucifixion.The Love MotivationAfter Jesus was raised from the dead, He gathered His disciples at the beach for a fire and food. Can you imagine the dread in Peter's heart as Jesus asked him to take a walk with Him?Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me more than the approval of others?” Three times Peter responded, weeping “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”Jesus' quick, complete forgiveness – motivated by love – cauterized the open wound of Peter's heart.So 35 years later we find Peter writing to you and me – aliens living in disbursed outposts, followers of Jesus -- learn Jesus' Law of Love.What does Jesus' Law of Love look like?With your heart…Be patient, kind, and compassionate.Forgive any and every offense without reservation or hesitationDon't judge or criticize.Be slow to anger.Honor your marriage vows.Pay attention to Jesus' words to Peter, you, and me: “everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who builds his house on a rock.” Matthew 7:24 NASB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT 2022 can be your God-inspired BEST YEAR EVER with ONE WORD going forward, ONE VERSE to inspire, and a SIMPLE PLAN with micro-steps. Why is a SIMPLE PLAN important? Without a plan, you will drift and chase rabbit trails through 2022.Without a plan, you have no idea what is most important. Without a plan, you don't know where the finish line is. With a plan, you have a map with a destination.In this session, you can begin to craft your 2021 plan. BEGIN NOW Begin by reading over the My 2021 Life Plan to get familiar with the format. Read it but don't compare. I've been doing this for a long time. Begin where you are and be ok with it. THE BIG IDEA Take 20 minutes right now and fill in the blanks. Don't overthink or wordsmith. Hold yourself to this time frame and blast it out. If nothing comes to you in one key area, leave it blank. Then, tuck it in a safe place and get on with the rest of your day. THE NEXT BIG IDEA Tomorrow pull out your plan first thing in the morning and read it over -- making notes, edits and additions. You will find God uses this daily review to help you craft your plan as you go. God will use your SIMPLE PLAN to guide how you plan and schedule each day of the week. Understand that you cannot work on each key area all the time! Each week ask yourself “Which two or three areas are the most important for me this week?” and focus on them. In our next session, we will talk about KEEPING ON TRACK throughout the year. PRAY I'm new at this God! I've been drifting. I'm winning in some areas of my life but in areas like my marriage or work, I'm really missing the mark. Please help me craft a SIMPLE PLAN. Thank you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1Set this year up as your best year ever by making the decision to begin with one word. One word over the year can keep you focused.One word over the year will keep you moving when you want to quit.With one word over the year, God will meet you where you are, walk with you every day, and help you finish strong.Choose a word that fires you up, speaks to your soul, and inspires you to get out of the little boat you are in and walk on water with Jesus.Talk to God about your life, invite Him in to inspire you to love and good deeds. You can do this if you take a step of faith. Nothing happens without simple steps of faith repeated.Finding a word is as simple as making a list, looking at it for a few days, adding a word, deleting a word if it's not right, and asking God to inspire you with a word.Here are a few words from last year from a few of my friends:ListenCourageGuaranteePurposeDedicationFocusSeekTrustYou will know you've selected the right word if it feels a bit risky. It may not juice anybody else up and that doesn't matter -- if it does you, then you're set. I wear my word stamped onto a key made by the good people at The Giving Keys, an inspiring “pay it forward” company. It is a constant reminder that God is changing my heart and walking with me. So take a small step of faith - listen to God and pick a word - it begins a new beginning and that's how God began - by choosing a Word.Next week we will dig into a simple plan. Pray 2021 was a rough one for me. The idea that 2022 could be my best ever seems ridiculous. I've heard that with God all things are possible. So, I trust You will guide me as I begin my year with You. Thank You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jesus referred to in the Bible as The Prince of Peace, said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLTHow would you describe peace? The absence of conflict? Tranquility or calm? A moment away from three screaming kids?Jesus' peace satisfies the deepest longing of our soul, soothes loneliness, restores relationships, and overcomes the deepest betrayals we can imagine.This Christmas Jesus, Prince of Peace, brings peace in four gift-wrapped packages delivered to you today...Peace with God“Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith in Jesus Christ, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1 NLTNo more running or hiding. God isn't out to spank you or abandon you nor withhold his love from you. He offers a fresh start with no regrets if you are willing to accept the gift of His Son, Jesus, as payment for all your poor choices.Peace of GodJesus tells us, “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT The peace of God is within you in the person of the Holy Spirit and fills us with hope, courage, and wisdom. The peace of God can leak out of you to others in a similar way Jesus' peace flowed out of Him offering hope and friendship to the sick, lonely, and forgotten.Peace with Self“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NASBNo more self-loathing or self-sabotage. No more acting out because you feel bad about being bad. Jesus' peace brings truth into our hearts and minds and sets us free.Peace with Others....as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 CSBAs we experience Jesus extending peace to ourselves we begin to offer it freely to others. Freely we received - freely we give. As best we can we choose peace, not payback, as did Jesus.Which gift is most meaningful to you this year? Who do you know that needs these three gifts? Why not forward this to them now?PrayLord Jesus thank You that You are the Prince of Peace and can fill my life with peace. So, I'm thanking You for these four gifts; help me share them with my kids, spouse, friends, and those in my world who are sick, lonely, or forgotten. Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 My not vaccinated 10-week covid experience transformed my faith, refined my purpose, and helped me discover what matters most.It was an intervention on a massive scale, like having a dicey conversation with your spouse.I lost all sense of rhythm in my spiritual, physical, and relational life. I was barely alive and the momentum of my life was at a dead standstill. Those two questions that haunt all men - “Who am I? And What am I doing?” began to pester me.I felt I was starting over. Again.Moving from “reaction” to “action.”I moved from “reaction” to “action” as I started my days with God - reading a Psalm each day, making a shortlist of things I needed to do, and then getting after them with all I had - which wasn't much.I ate well, stayed hydrated, and talked each morning with Lea Ann about what was most important. It was a slow recovery, but I accepted things as they were rather than focusing on the past. I crawled my way into physical, relational, and spiritual fitness with micro-steps.Creating a beachhead.With a tiny bit of momentum, I began to encounter stiff resistance. It came when I got too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Trigger points for virtually any self-sabotage.So I talked with my friend John and he asked: “What's your plan?” I didn't have one at the time but I later talked with God and slowly assembled one. It began with a random watching of the movie “Saving Private Ryan' where I seized on the word “beachhead.” A beachhead is a defended position on a beach taken from the enemy from which an attack can be launched. Oxford DictionaryDid you get that? It is a defended position taken from the enemy.Getting my life back was in many ways a fight to “take back lost ground.”. Getting a toe hold was a dog fight yet I inched forward one day at a time. Not without setbacks, but always recovering and going forward.Resist. Fight. Take a stand.Three words became part of my morning reminder as I look into each day.Resist. Resist the pull to cling to victim thinking, the lies of the enemy, and the momentum of our culture.Fight. Fight for it. Resistance is fierce and the beach is heavily defended. Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, and be strong.Take a stand. Fear can creep in and if it gets an opening it can derail your progress. “Take a stand” means you refuse to yield, you call a trusted friend to pray with and for you, you fix your heart on Jesus and fight hard.You see, we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NASBGod is teaching and I am learning on this recovery road that there is a way things work. A beachhead hinges on God-inspired everyday decisions shaped by breakthrough moments. Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Drop a tennis ball and it falls to the ground. It's called “gravity.” When the ball hits the ground it bounces. That's called “kinetic energy.”We don't fight these two things - it's simply the way things work.In this session, we're going to look at “acceptance” of the way things work in a broken, fallen world.We are wise to invite God to help us. Consider the first line in the Serenity Prayer - “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”Acceptance is a word from the wilderness, the desert, and fierce landscapes where we face the fact that we have no control.Acceptance is like 5 card stud poker. Stud not draw. We have to do the best we can with what we have! The orphan hordes and hides. The boy folds. The man plays ‘em as best he can and doesn't whine about it.Acceptance is coming to terms and not getting stuck in the debilitating, life draining tar pit of “Why me??? anger, and resentment. Sometimes life isn't fair. Tires go flat. Jobs relocate or get phased out. Illnesses strike. Sometimes things just happen. Sometimes it's due to the poor choices of others that trap us in the backwash.Acceptance is about those things we cannot change. The things we have prayed about and gotten a clear answer of ‘no' from God.Acceptance is a choice. Most often we need to drop into acceptance when we are consumed with being right or having a specific outcome -- namely, our own!Acceptance of the way things really are, not as we'd like them to be.Acceptance of your limits. Knowing what you have control over and what you don't.Acceptance of other people's opinions. Letting go of needing to be “right.”Acceptance can be defined as letting go of my opinion or my assessment of things and taking hold of what is true.Acceptance of me by God. “My heart began to thaw as I became open to His unconditional acceptance of me as I am, not as I should be. He loves me whether in a state of grace or disgrace, whether I live up to the lofty expectations of His gospel or I don't. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am.” Brennan ManningWith acceptance, we trade good for great, angst for peace while everything inside seems to scream “NO!!!!!”Jesus tells the story of a Centurion, an officer in the Roman army. The officer asked Jesus for help with a sick soldier under his command. Here's how the conversation went...“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The Centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,' and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.” Matthew 8:5-13 NIVThe Centurion understood and accepted how things work in the natural, physical world. For example, he understood the devastating effects of terminal illness and he understood the chain of command.But more importantly, the Centurion understood the power of prayer (making a request of Jesus) and placed his hope and faith in Jesus. And Jesus is never bound by or limited to the way things (normally) work! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 paraphraseThis time of year some things speed up and others slow down. For many, it is a time to reflect and set a new course. If this is you, consider these simple ideas to prepare your heart for what's next.Create space to listenThis won't happen unless you put it on your calendar. Your good intentions will be overrun by other people's poor planning.Invite God INTalk with God about where you are stuck, waiting, confused, or raring to go. He is more than eager to help.Seek CounselGet together for coffee with someone you look up to and find out how they go about getting wind in their sails.Listen to your heartThree questions can prime the pump. “Who am I?, What am I doing?, and What's most important now?”Let go - take holdIf you take actions like those above you will become aware of new directions that fire you up and worn-out things that you need to let go of.If you take time now, the chances are very good that you will get off to a good start in 2022. If you don't take time now you can count on things being pretty much the same.PRAYYou know God where I am with my life - and the truth is, reading this I realize I can make some choices. Help me walk with You and others through this season of reflection.RESOURCEIf you have a copy of my book, Chasing the Sage, check out a short chapter that will help you with this daunting season of change starting on page 161. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
God uses all things for good for those who know and follow Him. Romans 8:28 BLTJesus shows us what gratitude really looks like. In John 8 we find the story of a woman (and a man) caught in adultery. The religious leaders following the rules of the Old Covenant demanded she be stoned. Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant, where grace-filled love is the new law extends mercy; i.e. not getting what we deserve.The woman's response to Jesus' mercy?Gratitude.Those aware they are beneficiaries of mercy can extend mercy. Those unaware are unable to extend mercy like Jesus.Every so often it does me good to fail in a BIG way. Oh, not that I do it intentionally, or take it lightly.Failure is compost from which the explosive cleansing of gratitude comes.Unaware, in denial, or blaming others for my massive (yet ultimately forgiven) debt, I act like a spoiled brat. I point out the minor faults in loved ones, and demand the maximum sentence instead of mercy.Only the habitual offender, in his right mind, weeps true tears of remorse when facing his victim, accuser, and the hanging judge.He no longer blames, he stands naked and exposed -- guilty with no defense, confessing with no blame or rationalization. He is fully aware of his heinous guilt.Our Judge only asks “What did you do?” and waits.All He asks is that we tell Him without blaming, justifying, or minimizing.What, then does He wait for? He waits for our gratitude and that we become like Him in this matter -- that we respond in like-kind to everyone in every offense with the same kind of mercy which we receive from Him.“Turn the other cheek” is how Jesus put it.ReflectThis Thanksgiving, recall a massive failure. Reflect on how complete God's forgiveness, and purpose in your heart to be like Jesus to others. Become grateful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
History shows us hard times breed discouragement. 75,000 of our spiritual ancestors found themselves in hard times in the book of Nehemiah. The wall surrounding their city had crumbled, one brick at a time, from the neglect of regular maintenance. It could no longer protect them. As a result, the entire city had fallen apart. With the wall a mess, roads, businesses, schools, and politics were in a mess.The wall is a symbol of spiritual health. The spiritual health was as sick as their city and for the same reason -- the neglect of regular maintenance.Times were really hard. Remember the pandemic winter of January 2020? That's what we're talking about.The people rallied behind the leadership of a regular guy named Nehemiah. He organized the people and got them working together. The people had a heart and mind to work!Discouragement sets in as the work reaches the halfway point.The media of the day conspired a smear campaign that demoralized the workers to the point the entire project was at risk of failing!The will to work evaporated as fear raced through the workers when the project was about to be overrun by mercenaries.Discouragement overcome!Nehemiah once again rallied the people with, “Don't be afraid of them, remember the LORD who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:15I can imagine hundreds of households returning to the spiritual practices of family prayer, of reading Bible stories to their children, and moms and dads praying for their kids, neighbors, and country.As the wall began to be repaired so too the spiritual fibre of the people.In his journal, Nehemia wrote, “The workers went at it with one hand on a shovel and the other hand on a sword.”Swords and Shovels for todaySWORDS Return to the basics of daily prayer as a desperate man. Read a chapter a day in your Bible. Get yourself and your family back to church. Focus more on our powerful God and less on the news and social media.Become aggressive with optimism anchored in hope.SHOVELS In your heart, home, and world figure out what needs your attention, a tune-up, or an overhaul and get after it with everything you've got.Craft a plan and work it together.Do the work -- one brick at a time.As I write I am reminded of the wise words attributed to Solomon:I walked by the field of a man, the vineyard of one lacking sense. I saw that it was overgrown with thorns. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like a robber. Proverbs 24:30-34Brother, hand me another brick.PrayHelp me get sick and tired of being sick and tired, of waking up with either an emotional or physical hangover. Help me get back the rhythm of saying “no” to those life sucking things I've been saying “yes” to. Help me rebuild what I've neglected. And as we do this -- one man at a time, we can rebuild the fabric of our churches and our country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the previous episode, we talked aboutThe unfolding of this present darkness which has been rumbling in the background of many of our heads and hearts -- and the high likelihood it will continue -- perhaps for years.Remember, Jesus promised to come back for us. His coming back will not be delayed much longer. Hebrews 10:37 TLB This has been the anticipation of Christians for over 2,000 years. In A.D. 34 it was “perhaps today.” The same is true now, “perhaps today.”As citizens of Jesus' Kingdom and the United States of America, we don't need to freak out about it, but it does beg the question, “What am I supposed to do?”Today we are going to explore...taking small steps of faith and look at how a guy was prompted by God to do something and how he got after it. Let's take a look at the story...Noah..trusted God. When he heard God's warning about the future, Noah believed him even though there was then no sign of a flood, and wasting no time, he built the ark and saved his family. Noah's belief in God was in direct contrast to the sin and disbelief of the rest of the world—which refused to obey—and because of his faith (in action) he became one of those whom God has accepted. Hebrews 11:7 TLBNoah didn't ignore the warnings about the future. He listened to what God wanted him to do and then he took action.Noah's actions saved his family.His children learned firsthand from their father how to be a person of faith.His wife must have felt cared for -- and surely she was proud to have Noah as her husband.With God as the General Contractor and Noah as a craftsman builder, their relationship must have been intimate, conversational, intense, and fun! Imagine literally working alongside God.That's what God has for you and me -- an invitation to survey the landscape, listen for instruction, get after it with small steps one day at a time... and do it with God.Noah was a man of faith. What is faith? It is (human action based on) the confident assurance that something is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1 TLBWhat are you hearing these days? What's really on the horizon?PrayHeavenly Father, please help us to ‘see' through the fog of our present circumstances to rest on the certainty of Your promises...and then act accordingly. AMEN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A while ago my friend Bob posed a question he heard while sitting in on board meeting of a very large media company. “All evidence points to this unprecedented global chaos continuing for many years; are people prepared for that likely eventuality?”God, speaking through Moses a few thousand years ago, spoke to the Jewish nation when they were in a hard place, a wilderness place, not unlike the chaotic in-between place we are in. Here's what He said...Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIVThese people were in the wilderness -- a land in between an apocalyptic life of slavery in Egypt and the promise of a land filled with milk and honey; i.e. the promised land.These people were instructed to repeat these words daily to help them remember what to do as their world was spinning out of control wilderness wandering for 40 years. 40 years!Perhaps like me, the unfolding of this present darkness has been rumbling in the background of your head and heart. Either you're looking at it like “I think we're getting back to business as usual” or “I believe things are getting worse” or you're not thinking about it at all.Jesus' words to followers like you and me paint a picture beyond the wilderness of this accelerating present darkness -- they tell us about our promised land.“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust Me...When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there. John 14:1-4 TLB [The Living Bible]Now don't get in a panic -- I'm not saying Jesus is coming back today. I'm just reminding us Jesus said He would come again. No one knows when. The big question I found myself thinking is “What am I supposed to do while in this land in between?”God is showing me very clearly;Love people, pray for those I disagree with, forgive quickly, keep trusting God.Read Bible stories to my granddaughter.Listen to the Spirit and do what He says.To His disciples, you and me, who barely understand what is truly unfolding, Jesus said, “I have told you all of this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 TLBPrayMore and more I'm feeling like those people in the wilderness -- in between. It does seem to be getting more chaotic. I'm concerned for my kids, my spouse, my job, and my country. Show me very clearly God what to do and how to be between the wilderness of today and the promised land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You have need for endurance. Hebrews 10:36In my head, I hear this verse a lot lately. Mostly when I'm trying to get something done and encountering resistance when the urge is to find an easier way or leave it half-finished. and add to the pile of stuff waiting for me in the corner.You do, we, I need to find the way of endurance.I hear it and so do you -- the pile of unfinished well-intended things tells us.The old sage Paul says it this way...the path is the way of endurance. 1 Corinthians 10:13 BLT [1]Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity of a marathon runner's endurance.Endurance is tested, or proven, or developed when everything inside you screams “I want out now!” and we stick to the task before us to the end.The strange thing is, we think we can endure in a hurry. The way of endurance is to go slow - as a style of living. Hurry, busyness, speed kill the will to endure.The undisciplined rush quickly to fantasy, the allure of stimulation, or to the fast burn of desire.Selfish impatience in a hurry turns love into a self-seeking activity.A mind out of control never sits still long enough to hear the voice of God.In dark times we frequently pursue frenzied quick fixes.And we are in dark times. What if this present darkness continues for ten or twenty years? Each year compounding the fear factor and the loss of personal freedoms."Go slow - or "go slower."“Go slow” implies action, personal responsibility, and engagement -- the opposite of passivity which prevails in many of our lives.Endurance is a “go slow” character trait -- we make a promise and keep it through to the end.Get your arms around living within your means, and seeing it all the way through -- day by day, rain or shine.Most any ordinary, mundane, everyday task calls us to endure; i.e. “do it” - in a complete and comprehensive way.God is calling me out -- and you out: we have need for endurance! He is calling our families, church, and our nation to pursue the Way of Endurance.It gets darker as winter comes upon us, as the media turns the screws, politics pursues agendas, our world spins more and more out of control -- dark times for sure.Yes, in dark times we frequently pursue frenzied quick fixes. Our families need us to be enduring men who hold the line, finish the task, and run long.If not now, when?PrayGod, I'm in such a hurry. I feel like I can't slow down! Help me at least to slow down to a sustainable pace. I'm tired of putting things off, leaving a legacy of unfinished projects, or giving in to the fast burn of desire. Help me follow the way of endurance and hold me to it - don't let me weasel out of it this time. Amen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Jesus was coming down the road with His followers and a great crowd of curious people, a shabby schemer - a desperate down and outer named Bartimaeus was sitting by the road. Mark 10:46A short summary of the story of Bartimaeus: He was a blind beggar and had one opportunity to tell Jesus what he wanted. As Jesus approached down the street, His disciples kept the screaming throngs from crushing Him. The noise was deafening.It was now or never for Bartimaeus.A friend said that Jesus was steps away. Bartimaeus let out a scream at the top of his voice. Jesus help me! Actually, it was more of a long loud moan -- a guttural bay like a dying dog howling in desperation -- a scream of the soul.The Bartimaeus HowlNo distrust made him waver.“Jesus. Help me!” the Bartimaeus Howl, the primal scream from the heart of faith and the whisper of the Jesus Prayer.Jesus stopped dead in His tracks. In His gaze, He heard the howl. “What do you want?” Jesus asked.“Help me! I want to see!!!”Right then and there Jesus opened Bartimaeus' eyes, circumcised his heart, and cauterized the wound with a flaming stick from Moses' burning bush. Perhaps it's now or never for you.Perhaps you are waiting. Jesus is near. Tell Him what you want. Ask big.Perhaps you are a friend. Hold up the Christ light of love for your Bartimaeus.PrayLord, these days, most of us are afraid of the dark, the unknown, the news. Come down our street, the hallway of our home, the inner place of soul blindness and help us! So that with hope, against hope we would believe…as we contemplate our life situation now as good as dead…yet with respect to the promise of God, we do not waver in unbelief, but grow strong on faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We often think there comes a point where it's too late. We've learned from fathers, mothers, friends, co-workers, and neighbors that, yes -- it's too late. You're overdrawn. We think that since people treat us this way, that's the way God works, too.That's not the way things work with infinite God toward us finite humans.Jesus demonstrates it's not too late.When most exhausted, beaten to a pulp, and about to die hanging on a cross with two other felons, one of the felons asked Jesus if it was too late for him. Jesus told him, “it's never too late.” Luke 23:40-43 (BLT)It's not too late…To start over and begin again.To change something or quit something.To come home (to yourself or others) -- again.To tell the truth or say “I'm sorry.”To forgive or to receive forgiveness.To be a friend, pursue a dream, start a fire, light a fuse.To risk big and make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss. (If, by Rudyard Kipling)This side of death we can come home, pursue a dream, start over with just about anything. But on the other hand it is true that time runs out to come home to God. When we die, what's next depends on how we respond to Jesus' offer just like the guy in Luke 23.Don't wait. Time is short. Come on home. PrayerFather, please give me the courage to recognize that it's not too late and to do something about it. Expose my excuses for what they are and enable me to take that daunting and long-overdue first step.PS If you have questions about coming home to God for the first time or hundredth time - give me a call anytime 831-566-4131. Bud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hey Guys - The title for this week is Stretching it Out - if you're a runner, athlete of any kind, or spend time in a gym I think you'll get it. It applies to spiritual fitness as much as it does physical fitness, The bible says.Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)The Apostle Paul uses running as an image for living and the idea of winning to illustrate following Jesus. I've been running for almost as long as I've been following Jesus -- 43 years. God has used this verse to inspire me to get up after I've been tripped up, to get going after a lazy layoff, and to begin again after an injury.It was 9 weeks after symptoms of the wicked respiratory bug appeared that I went for a run of one mile. One mile was all I was planning. One mile to begin again, to regain a lifestyle characterized by daily runs. One slow but steady mile, paying close attention to how my lungs were doing, to my energy, and to my stamina. As Jesse says “Listen to your body.” And I was.After a quarter of a mile, the hip flexor in my left hip began to tighten up and so I dropped to my knees and stretched it out. As I was stretching I realized I had not stretched before I started. After I worked it out I finished without it acting up. In a sense, it was a winning run in that my body responded well with today's short, slow but steady run.It's been like this in many areas of my life where I have been tripped up, lazy for a season, or wounded in body or soul that getting going again often meant I needed to stretch something out.This “stretching it out” can be something painful like working through an issue with your spouse, taking a look at your finances, or getting back to basics with God. When we feel these hip flexors acting up, we need to stop, drop, and stretch it out in order to get back to that one slow but steady walk with God which is called “today.”We can do this. You can do this.Listen to your body. Listen to your heart. Listen to the voice of the Father calling you home.PrayYes, God, I've been feeling some pain and hoping it will go away on it's own. I'm not sure how to stretch it out. Help me stop, drop, and pray - then get up and finish today strong. Thank You! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trust in God with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6Growing up, my family took road trips. Often we would return home at night. As an 8 year old, I never doubted that Dad had enough money to buy gas. I never doubted he knew where we were going.I had complete and total trust. Not a hint of doubt. Just simple trust that Dad had it handled.If we could free ourselves from insisting on answers from God, second-guessing the route He has chosen or being on hyperalert to make sense of these dark days, we would discover that the essence of biblical faith lies in trusting God.For many of us, we're on a road trip and it's dark... And either God is at the wheel or we think we are.“Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear (or doubt) of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father's active goodness and unrestricted love.” -- Brennan Manning in Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to God (Page 6)Ruthless Trust:It is ”When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says ‘Into Your hands, I commit my spirit' Luke 23:46. (Ibid Page 6) It “is the defining spirit of authentic discipleship” -- of being a follower of Jesus.” (Ibid Page 4)It is in the midst of tragic events that leave us bereft of understanding. Trust does not demand explanations, but turns to the One who promised, “I will not leave you as orphans.” (John 14:18a NASB)It is a decisive conversion from mistrust to trust which must be renewed daily -- moment by moment. It becomes an acquired lifestyle.Growing Trust:...this kind of trust is acquired only gradually and most often through a series of crises and trials” which is called “life.” (Ibid Page 9) “In order to grow in trust, we must allow God to love us precisely as we are (warts, secret sins, and all) (not as we want to be or were told we should be)”. (Ibid Page 16)Trust is the remedy for our addiction to clarity about what's next. The antidote for parent's fearful hearts for our kids., The elixir for whatever it is that keeps us awake at night.-------------------------------------------------------------Pray Help me learn to trust in You throughout the darkness of my illness, divorce, under or unemployment, aging body, shame, and regrets. God the list is seemingly endless.Help me trust You have it handled and resist pushing You out of the way so I can drive the car. Help me banish any and every thought of doubt. Teach me the way of ruthless trust. Break me of the habit of thinking it's all up to me. Help me know You better -- not simply know about You -- but know and enjoy You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When we admit to God we've wandered away in thought, deed, and lifestyle, He forgives the offense -- and more! He pursues us to clean us up over time and make us holy. 1 John 1:9 BLT [1]At one time I referred to this verse as the “get out of jail free” card from the board game Monopoly. And in a sense, it is. Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe for my debt that I couldn't pay.The way God goes about helping us get to “no regrets” cost Jesus His life. So it isn't cheap like Monopoly money. It's so opposite to how the world works. Consider His offer here: There is…- No solitary confinement- No “go to your room!” (with anger and negative emotion for emphasis)- No penalty box- No “show me the money!” as though you should be able to pay the penalty- No powering up demand - “What were you THINKING!???”- No “This is it! We're finished!”- No withdrawal of love, acceptance, or presence.When the prodigal son returns (Luke 15:11-24), it's all about homecoming, celebrating, and a fresh start.All it takes for us prodigal sons and daughters is to turn in the homeward direction, and say “I've messed up” honestly and without blame or rationalizing--and BAM! “God forgives!”ReflectionCreate in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me away from Your presence,And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit.~ Psalm 51:10-12 NASBPrayerI'm tired, God, of lugging this bag of regrets around God. (Take a moment and name them - or jot them on a napkin) Weary is a better word. They are what they are--things I did, thoughts I entertained, or words I said that are not fitting one of Your kids. Help me get back on the right track with things. And, thank You Jesus for paying the price I couldn't pay. Amen[1] Bud Lamb Translation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"…my soul gives credit to God alone, for God is the source of my anchored optimism." Psalm 35:9 BLT [Bud Lamb Translation]I often underestimate what Jesus faced in the wilderness of Luke chapter 4. Jesus experienced 40 days of starvation and dehydration before He faced off with satan. Certainly, Jesus is/was fully God - but/and fully human.His humanity must have crippled Him with a limp or crawl through those final days when the liar satan attempted to entice Him with an easy way out.I used to think Jesus rebuked satan with a thundering voice but I've changed my thinking. Emaciated with hunger and thirst, through parched lips, skin dry as a bone and His head baked to near hallucination I can imagine the best Jesus could do was a whisper.So too with my wilderness journey - every day my heart is assaulted with lies and offers of an easy way out. I would like to see myself as powerful in my faith, thunderous in my rebuke.The truth is I am weak, wavering in my faith, and the best I can do is whisper “I rebuke you in Jesus name! Jesus have mercy on me!”And with this whisper of a holy rebuke my soul gives credit to God alone, for God is the source of my anchored optimism.Grow an intimate moment-to-moment reliance and awareness that you are not alone, God is always near, He will help with just a whisper.---------------------------------------------------PrayerOh God, my help in time of need, help me not be surprised if later today the perfect storm presents itself. That I would be alert to lies and rebuke the enemy with a whisper calling out Jesus have mercy on me! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Next” Adapted from Chasing the Sage by Bud LambThe BIG IDEAChasing the Sage is about the slow, painful, magnificent process of the Fathering of men by God, Who offers us His blessing with no strings attached.Living out of the Sage for us mortals, we find is a long discipline in the same direction. We fall and get up again and again.Take pains with these things, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all…persevere in these things; for as you do this you will ensure salvation for yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:15-16 NASBOur progress is not linear. We find these movements to son, to man, and chasing the Sage are mystical as much as they are intellectual.This gives the journey the wonder of the unknown calling us into the mist while looking for scraps of the map to guide us forward.We find ourselves letting go of long embedded once useful ways which are now dead weight. As we let go we become open and available to new ways -- new wineskins in which the wine of a life well-lived is carried and given away.Our lives are a long uninterrupted line of squiggles, starts, and stops, dips, and divots, all kinds of weather, friendships that come and go. The only constant is ourselves and our God.Our progress is marked with struggle, with failure, along with the hard-fought fruits of endeavor.Chasing the Sage, we become what we believe in faith, and practice. We survive the journey as Proverbs 24:16 men who fall down and get up rain or shine. We become men who follow their hearts, learn to love like Jesus, and know God as a Friend.We emulate God as we become the imago dei as kings, warriors, holy men, and lovers equipped to carry our own cross and encourage others with theirs.Chasing the Sage we find purpose and passion as we become more and more comfortable living in our own skin, communing with God, and loving others.We find knowing and enjoying God to be the Pearl of great price which the merchant sold everything to acquire.Lock arms with a few trusted friends who share the journey. Dig into the Bible together, be authentic with your progress, and invite others to join you in expanding Jesus' presence in this world.Those haunting questions - Who am I and what am I doing? They answer themselves as we chase the Sage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“The Daily Core Four” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud LambThe BIG IDEAWhat got you here won't get you there.The habits and life tools that got us here won't get us where we want to go. We need to learn new habits and get new tools for life.These simple tools work...if you work them.…discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 1 Timothy 4:7-9 NASBI've found four tools in particular that God has used to help me chase the Sage for almost 40 years. These have become indispensable to me.Not a day passes without beginning with them. They place me in the soil where God grows a great soul; reminding me who I am and what I am doing here as He reminds me Who He is and What He is doing here.I believe Jesus practiced these tools daily to help Him keep on purpose and fueled with passion.Invite God into each element of the Core Four as a matter of conversation and inclusion.Do the Core Four each morning before you get going. It will take you about 20 minutes. In doing so, you will enter the day focused on the right things and inspired to be the man God created you to be.1. READ: Reading the Bible every day will expose you to timeless truth in a timely fashion.All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:162. RECORD: Keep a journal by recording your thoughts, your dreams, and your goals. Include scribbled notes on lessons you are learning, quotes that inspire you, and things you want to remember. Record what is going on in your heart.Michael Hayatt reminds us that what happens to us is not as important as the meaning we assign to it. Journaling helps sort this out.3. REFLECT: Reflect daily through meditation and prayer, remembering who you are and where you are going. Reflect on your dreams and goals; the events in your family, work, and world. Do this with God in a conversational manner. Few things have impacted me more as I chase the Sage than s l o w l y reflecting on the Serenity Prayer on a daily basis. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,The courage to change the things I can,And the wisdom to know the difference.Living one day at a time,Enjoying one moment at a time;Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is;Not as I would have it;Trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will;So that I may be reasonably happy in this lifeAnd supremely happy with You forever in the next.4. REVIEW: Daily go over the to-do's on your list. Put things in your calendar so you won't forget them. Review your calendar with God; your “to-do” list for family and work. Ask yourself “What's most important for me to do or be today/this week/this month?” By implementing the Daily Core Four, you will start each day focused, refreshed, and with a plan. You will come to know and enjoy God on a deep and enduring level. They can help you achieve your goals, and be a better husband, friend, and member of your community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Defining Moments” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud LambThe BIG IDEAGod is God, He can use any number of ways to create defining moments that catch our attention.As C.S. Lewis tells us, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” When the Lord saw that Moses had turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the (burning) bush, and said “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4Moses was chasing the Sage and, like us, didn't know it. I bet that after his burning bush experience and the intimate conversation with God that followed, Moses began to be open to something new.God called to Moses in the burning bush and Moses moved closer. The trajectory of his life changed in that defining moment.It is as though Moses was in the biggest poker game of his life and God was inviting him to push all his chips in on this one BIG hand and trust Him.I can relate to the story of Moses. Moses was minding his own business on the far side of the wilderness. He was alone. He was at an all-time low point in his life -- nothing was going right. He was starting over -- not at the top of the management rung, but at the bottom.It may be burning in you today -- right now! Something you've been dreaming, thinking, and praying about. Don't freak out! Our God knows our hearts and is working behind the scenes in us to advance His Presence.Look at it - the mystery of spontaneous combustion is the spontaneous Presence moving in your heart.Listen to it - the small voice you just heard in your gut whispering YES to a dead or dying dream.Lean into it - respond to it as Moses did: Not knowing where He will lead you -- just say ‘yes!'Linger in this look, listen, and lean into this season. Be wary of the temptation to quickly name it and move on or to share it with others too soon.PRAY - Father I hear You. I am stunned, shoeless on holy ground. The Thy Kingdom comes, in my life. Thy will be done. Here. Now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Monk's Retreat” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud LambThe BIG IDEAI went on retreat to the Little Portion Monastery and Hermitage deep in the woods of rural Arkansas.I felt God was calling me out to go deeper or to come closer and to make some changes and so I set off on a spiritual field trip -- to experience, observe, and discover how others practice their faith.I knew God would meet me on this adventure -- and He did!Why did I go?I had been hearing God calling me away from trying to multitask my spiritual life, to slow down, to go deeper, and to really enjoy God and others. I was captivated by the ideas of excelling still more, and having my ambition to be less hurried and yet to still be active in my work. (see 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11)I had been tinkering with my quiet time and wanted more. More intimate conversations with God, slowly soaking in His presence -- as compared to praying a dutiful, quick, albeit heartfelt prayer, and then moving on to “more important” stuff.In reading the parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46) I discovered that to me “the Pearl” is knowing and enjoying God.I came to realize I wanted more than anything to know and enjoy God, to love like Jesus, and to follow Him with all my heart.When I returned I found myself drawn to a more simple and deeper relationship with God -- I knew that unless I changed my style of living, the chances of getting something else in return was wishful thinking. I began to develop some ideas about my future lifestyle - that is, how I wanted to move through the day in a clear, well-defined style of relating to God, people, and my work.I returned willingly to pursue and be pursued by this Pearl of Great Price -- this God of all creation, one moment at a time. I began to slow down and do one thing at a time with a growing awareness that God is in me, with me, and for me. Yes, to let this soak in, and leak out.Over time I learned how to integrate prayer and work, reflection and relationships, rest and activity in a way that is sustainable and life-giving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Deep Discipleship” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud LambThe BIG IDEADeep discipleship -- our lifelong process of God conforming us into the image of His Son, leaching out all that needs to go, chiseling out character defects, refining all that remains, and healing our masculine soul. Man, it is a lifelong process!The Bible says...Husbands, love your wives… Ephesians 5:25 NASBTypically God uses marriage to get at those places in me -- those places I try, without success, to hide. This is God's agenda from the get-go, but he will not override our resistance.Sooner or later, when the pain of our disease becomes greater than our fear of the remedy,God begins this deep work in us. It truly is deep discipleship.As a husband, I've been a very slow learner.A year ago last summer, on a three-month road trip with my wife, I slammed into the truth. Yes, I mean the truth that I did not know how to love well. It was so painful, yet cleansing, to say it out loud to me and eventually to Lea Ann.The words I chose were I am having a hard time loving you. I didn't say, You are a hard person to love.The misunderstanding came out of the blue and created a hard few days or weeks until we both came to see that it was a statement about me and not her.The first thing I did was memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-11.Yes, memorizing this was painfully slow - it took me almost two months to get it down. It became my daily reading and reflection and over time my head became familiar with the rhythm and flow of what is commonly referred to as “The Love Chapter.”More importantly, my heart began to beat, yes, to beat to the rhythm of love.Over the next ten months, via daily reflection and pursuit of learning how to love like Jesus, I began to make micro-movements as I began to become patient, and kind…I came to understand Jesus' teaching on love truly was/is designed by Him to become our way. His Way is to become our way.Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40Jesus' Way is to work on my side of the street, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, extend forgiveness, see myself as a broken person in need of a Savior and all others the same way. Practice compassion as a style of living. Be generous.The funny thing about this way of navigating love is that loving like this is impossible for an orphan or a boy-man.Why?Because we orphans and boy-men are so preoccupied with hiding our wounds by busyness, medication, and blame.When we hit the wall of love and hear the voice of the Father inviting us to navigate toward His Way, then we have a chance to get it right.Chasing the Sage is learning to love like Jesus.Husbandship, loving our wives as Jesus loves us, is the final exam in the school of Sage. We can't move into Sage if we avoid the test of love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Reflect” Adapted from Chasing the Sage by Bud LambThe BIG IDEAChasing the Sage one begins to make sense out of chaos.Connecting media posts by one-dimensional politicians, mercenary pundits, and fear-based citizens, he searches to find the truth inside and underneath and behind the scenes -- the tolling of the bell, the sounding of the shofar, like Magi discerning ancient times and events.He looks to initiate young Samuels, the young up-and-coming holy men of the future. Ahh, this is such long, painful discipleship!The Bible says...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NASBTo reflect is one of the practices a Sage develops.It's a bit of paying attention and having a “go-to” place where reflections can be written down or sketched out and then collected in a journal of sorts. I call mine “Field Notes” as that's mostly what they are -- notes from being in the fields of spiritual soaring, alpine adventures by foot or kayak, or musing on the stuff of living in this fallen world.He who chases the Sage remains aware of his humanity, his propensity to hide, lie, to be impatient.He is forever either a prodigal son, a proud older son or a pharisee -- or man of growing integrity who falls often and continues to get up.He rushes to ask God's forgiveness for the thousandth time he has indulged his flesh; knowing it pleases the Father.He takes the finished work of Christ to have been terrifyingly painful, expensive, and sufficient for all things.Chasing the Sage, he prays for many of today's boy-men Pastors who minister like clanging cymbals.Many are deceived into thinking what they know and show is love, but is, in fact, nothing but turning the Holy Scripture into a cookbook. Their six-week sermon series about how to get your soul back is written and presented by pastor boys in men's bodies who think this is the way a holy man speaks for God Almighty.A man chasing the Sage weeps. He is often a forgotten man. He is keenly alert to the whisper of the Ancient of Days, the Three Men we admire most - the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.He listens in silence for words spoken between the inhale and exhale from eternity past. Words and groans from God, Who in the beginning, before the beginning, pre-existed in perfect harmony before anything else existed. Who is now and ever shall be.More than likely you will not find him on talk radio or as a commentator for Fox News. His writing will not be best sellers or his ideas neatly presented on a podcast. Chances are slim the boy-men pastors, who serve as the spiritual leaders of today, and I fear the future, will be interested.He who chases the Sage speaks softly around the fire after a long silence. Those with loud voices can't bear the silence. They speak loud and fast, gesticulating wisdom -- skimmed off the top or plagiarized -- which gives the appearance of wisdom but has no real power to heal. Draw a crowd? Yes. Inspire to holiness? Perhaps.The wise way is foolish to those who are posing. The wise one extends grand compassion in the purest sense to the well-intentioned heathen or fallen pastor turning follower because he knows by experience the furnace of transformation that awaits just a bit down the road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.