Walking -- One Foot in Front of the Other

(Begun a week ago)

Well, the season of shipping has come and gone, at least from a package handlers point of view. There was a definite increase in the workflow, though some days were heavier than others. One good thing; more work means more hours. More hours means bigger paychecks. Bigger paychecks means not much, as it seems that the evaporation process impacts both large and small checks, especially with everyone home around the holiday season.

And so here we stand at the conclusion of another year. How ever did we get here? Quite simply, by putting one foot in front of the other. One day follows the other [one box follows the previous -- or on shoe day, 500 follow the previous]. On to serious thoughts.

So often we pray and ask (1) God to guide us and/or (2) God to be with us or someone else. Stop and think for a moment. Is our issue God's guiding or our following? Is the problem that He is not with us or that we live as if we are independent from him. Of course He guides us and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. As we live day after day, we can rest assured that our great God is with us, guiding us all of the way.

David Jeremiah wrote a book titled, "A Bend in the Road" about navigating life when life doesn't go according to plan. It may be that we experience a life-changing event that we cannot understand or explain, but we can rest assured that God is there and that He will guide us even when we cannot see around the corner. Whether in good times or bad; whether life is according to plan or off course, our Heavenly Father is there with us to aid us, indeed to do even more than that. He delights in meeting our needs and in caring for us.

We live one day after another. Each day is a unit unto itself, and yet each day is part of a longer period of time. And then, each day is one small part of a life. The decisions made in a day impact not only that day, but the week, month, year, and life. That is why waiting on God is so important. We cannot see around the bend in the road, but God knows the beginning of our journey, our present location on the journey, and our final destination. Even when our destination is not where we had intended. Health issues, financial difficulties, relationship concerns, vocational problems -- any or all of these can throw a life "off course." How we handle life when that happens is of great importance. If God is present and he is guiding, are we willing to trust him and follow him even when we do not understand? We have a great and wonderful God and there is not one part of life with which he is not interested. He is not concerned with detachment, nor will he micromanage our lives. He cares and assists, but he allows us to navigate life. Life is full of twists and turns, some of which lead to what we view as positive outcomes and some which do not. And yet, we know that all things work together for good when we follow his leading.

As we end one year and begin another, let each of us commit to follow the leading of God and trust him through the challenges of life. 

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 4

Our fourth lesson in the Worldview series is entitled, "Paradise Lost." It looks at the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the effect that the Fall had on mankind.


Worldview 4 (audio)

Worldview 4 (notes)

Walking into Christmas

Genesis 1:26-27

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Romans 3:10, 23

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Christmas 2017 is here and there is so much for which we should be grateful, though we tend to reserve that for Thanksgiving. Though somewhat simplistic, we this season should especially be grateful for our faith and our families.

• The focus of Christmas should be on our savior, Jesus Christ. The day is intended to celebrate his coming to earth where he would love and die for us. When we stop to think on it, the fact that a holy God would love a sinner is utterly astounding, even more so when we realize how incredibly horrendous our sin is. Any sin, all sin is more than bad, it is exceeding sinful (Rom. 7:13). Yet, in spite of our exceeding sinful sin, at exactly the perfect time God sent his son to redeem us from our sin. The "Jesus is the reason" saying is quite trite as most folks fail to look beyond the baby in the manger. if they did, they would find the crucified savior. He is indeed the reason, but in a sense, mankind is the reason -- man's sin separated him from God. If not for that, the baby in the manger would not have been necessary. However, man did sin and God's love was demonstrated by giving of himself to give man a solution. Now, if only man would see the dire situation that his sin has left him in and then see the wonderful gift of God's love. Christmas is a fantastic time to reflect on our faith and all that it means. 

• During the holidays, we often have time to spend with family. Whether immediate or extended, family is a wonderful gift from God that is too often overlooked. In all of the hustle and bustle of the season, we need to be sure to let those closest to us know how important to us. Even those family members separated by distance should know that they are missed and loved. Just as God demonstrated his love to us, so we should show love to those we love. If God could love us in our exceeding sinful condition, then we can and should love our family members regardless of their idiosyncrasies and quirks. One of the greatest blessings that we have is the family that God has placed us in. Take advantage of family; love and cherish them.

Have a wonderful Christmas and rejoice in the Christian faith and rejoice with your family. Our incredible, wonderful God has graciously blessed us and now we get to reflect on/ponder/meditate on His rich blessings to us.

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 3

Here is the third installment of the Worldview Sunday School series. It is focused on creation and our creator.  We know that He is the creator, but we need to recognize His place and our place in relation to Him.

Worldview 3, notes

Worldview 3, audio

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 2

Here is the second installment of the Worldview Sunday School series. It is entitled, The Center of Everything. Indeed, our God is (to be) the enter of all. We know that He is the creator and the sustainer of life, but often we remove Him from His place as the focal point of our lives. I believe that we need a fresh look at God and the role that we allow Him to play in our lives, as He will not force His way in.

Worldview, 2 (notes)

Worldview, 2 (audio file)

Walking with a Christian Worldview, 1

For the next few weeks, I will be teaching a Sunday School class on worldviews. I thought that I would try something different and post the audio of the class and the related handout. Should you be interested, enjoy.

Worldviews, Lesson 1 Notes
Worldviews, Lesson 1  (audio file)