Basic Truths | Finding God in Everyday Life

  I got an E-mail the other day about my upcoming 50 year high school reunion. I’m not planning to go. I haven’t kept in touch with almost anyone from my high school class and I’m sure they have changed a lot in the intervening years (at least I hope so, in some cases!).   Our God is unchanging and everlasting. Think about it. The God you pray to today is the same God who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, who sent His Son to live and die for us, and who sent the Spirit to dwell within the apostles at Pentecost. His power has not lessened with time. He is able to care for you.   God’s love remains infinite and personal. He can remove the obstacles in front of you or help you find a way to overcome them.   His Spirit will be with you to guide and strengthen you each and every day. Finally, He promises that you will be with Him for eternity when your time on earth is over, when “…..He will wipe every tear from [your] eyes. There will be no more death or mo...

  We had a major water leak in our house while we were vacationing in France. The drain for our air conditioner clogged up and the water overflowed the drain pan in the attic and came through the ceiling and the floor upstairs and then through the living room ceiling downstairs. We had somebody come out and unclog the drain. He also installed a float so that the air conditioner would cut off if the water started backing up again. A few weeks later, the drain backed up again but this time we didn’t have any damage because the float kicked in and stopped the AC before things could get out of hand.   Paul was on his second missionary journey. He and his companions were “…kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” (Acts 16:6). Later, “they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (Acts 16:7). Soon afterwards, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man asking him to come an...

  I temporarily un-retired a few weeks ago. The clinic I used to work for suddenly had an urgent need for help at the same time I was looking to work a little to help with a family need. I’m confident that the Spirit brought us together at the proper time.   Even though I’m doing the same thing at the same place as I was before I retired, it feels different to me. I’m better able to cope with the stressors and problems that occur. I think it’s because I went back to work with a purpose, to help the clinic and my family.   We all woke up today, got out of bed, and started the day in our usual fashion. We made our plans for the day and set out on whatever journey was in store for us. The question is: Did we start out today with a purpose for our life or did we just head out on autopilot?   It is inevitable that we will encounter difficulties each day because that is the nature of life. Some may just be irritants; others may be life-altering. The way we deal with ...

      We also traveled to Mont Saint Michel while we were in France.  The abbey on the island just celebrated its 1,000 th anniversary! The tides are very high; there is a 50 foot difference between high and low tide. When the tide goes out, there is a large area around the island that is above water. You have to be very careful walking across it because there are areas of quicksand that can be dangerous to someone out on their own. Despite what you see in the movies and on TV, you won’t go down over your head in quicksand but you may get stuck and be caught when the tide comes back in. The secret is to relax and let yourself float over the sand; flailing about will just make you go in deeper. If you can’t float, try to take small steps, even though they require a lot of effort to do so. Let go of anything that is weighing you down. Raise your arms up out of the sand. Above all, you should have someone looking ou...

    We were vacationing in France last week. We visited the Normandy American Cemetery while we were there. It was a very moving experience. We walked from the visitor center, turned a corner, and there in front of us was a field with almost 9,400 plain white crosses and Stars of David, set in absolutely perfect alignment. Most of the crosses listed the soldier’s name, state, and military unit. Some were inscribed, “Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known only to God”.   I have seen pictures of the cemetery before but it doesn’t compare to being there in person. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of the tremendous sacrifice made by our troops in the defense of our country and our allies against the plans of evil men.   As we celebrate our Independence Day, let’s give thanks for all those who have sacrificed, whether in war or in peace, in military or other service, to give us the freedoms and ...