Not too long ago, having a glass of water was a simple choice. It was simple, you filled your glass with ice and then you either got the water from the kitchen faucet or you poured the water into your glass from a pitcher taken out of the refrigerator. Now fast forward to today. The available choices of water are almost endless. We can still drink tap water, but we also have bottled water. And not just bottled water, but how about artesian, distilled, mineral, purified, sparkling, filtered, spring, or flavored. My wife and I regularly drink purified water that is fruit-infused. Even some restaurants now ask what “type” of water you would like to drink.         

The discussion of which type of water is best for our health is not a new debate. The Bible talks about receiving nourishment for our body and souls by drinking water. Not just any water, but water that Scripture calls “living water.” The Bible calls God the fountain of life (Psalm 36:8-9), the source of life. And Jesus tells us that He is our spring of water, the sustainer of life. (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39). The apostle Paul tells us that among other things, Jesus is the glue that holds all things together (Colossians 1:15-19). 

Let’s turn to a verse of scripture from Jeremiah 2:13, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Water was a rare luxury in ancient days, and water from an underground spring, a never-ending source, was to be cherished. On the other hand, cisterns only hold rainwater. At best, they store stagnant water; and at worst, they are cracked and the water seeps back into the ground. So, the verse we just looked at tells us that the nation of Judah rejected God, they looked away from the “spring of living water” and by doing so they looked elsewhere for water (life), as this verse says, “they dug their own cisterns.” 

Isn’t that also true of us? We often look to a broken and leaky cistern to meet our daily needs, or in other words, to find sustenance, to find life. And if that one doesn’t work, we look for another broken and leaky cistern. And when that cistern runs dry, we move to the next one, on and on.

In John 7:37, Jesus invites “anyone who is thirsty to come to Me and drink.” And near the end of the Bible, in Revelation 22:17, we are invited to “drink freely from the water of life.”  

Today, when you are physically thirsty, get yourself a glass of cold water and drink from it. And when your soul is thirsty, I want to encourage you to draw from Jesus, your source of living water, and drink and drink and drink from His endless cool and refreshing spring. It is there that you will find lasting and fulfilling nourishment. Ask God to show you where you are searching for nourishment apart from Him.

How thirsty are you?

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.

One of my favorite flowers is the gerbera daisy. When I plant gerbera daisy seedlings in our garden, what do I expect to grow? Tulips? Roses?  Of course not. I expect to grow a plant with a large colorful flowering head. I want to reap what I sow.

Gerberas are native to South Africa and are in the Asteraceae family, related to marigolds and sunflowers. They come naturally in a wide range of colors, however, if you see them in blue or green, that is due to artificial coloring. While most other flowers absorb toxins and carbon dioxide during daytime hours, the gerbera daisy will do this at night. Thus, not only is it a very decorative and cheerful flower, but because of its ability to produce high levels of oxygen at night while removing harmful chemicals from the air, it is also a beneficial plant to have near your bed, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments. And since the gerbera daisy stem does not hollow out like other flowers, they have exceptional vase life, often lasting up to ten days.

Like all plants, in order for gerbera daisies to be healthy and grow, they need good soil and proper growing conditions. The same goes for us as human beings. In order for us to be healthy, we too need good soil and proper growing conditions.

If you sit around in the evenings regularly eating potato chips and bacon horseradish dip, what do you expect the results to be? You surely do not anticipate losing weight. And if the only exercise you get is walking from the couch to the refrigerator, that is not really an effective fitness program. But on the contrary, if you eat healthy and exercise regularly, you can expect to gain strength and flexibility, improve your mental and physical health, and probably even control your weight. You reap what you sow.

We understand the reaping and sowing principle when caring for our body (physical being), but we sometimes neglect that same principle when it comes to our spiritual being (soul). We need to regularly engage (sow) in spiritual practices in order to experience (reap) spiritual growth. We must actively cultivate and tend to the soil of our lives. We will reap what we sow.   

Galatians 5 contrasts acts of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. I encourage you to read both lists, found in Galatians 5:13-26. Engaging in the acts of the flesh (unhealthy soil) often produces a momentary burst of pleasure but ultimately leaves you dissatisfied and empty, whereas the fruit of the Spirit (healthy soil) produces growth and fruitfulness. The former brings death while the latter brings life.

One chapter later, in Galatians 6:7-9, we read this warning, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”     

Whereas good soil and proper growing conditions do not always guarantee healthy and beautiful gerbera daisies, God’s Word tells us that if we partner with the Holy Spirit (we cannot do it under our own power), the Spirit guides us into truth (John 16:13), gives us strength to resist temptation (John 16:8), gives us wisdom in our choices (1 Corinthians 2:12-14), all of which ultimately help us have healthy soil that produces beautiful and lasting results. Here is what we find in Psalm 92:12-15, “But the godly shall flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own garden and are under his personal care. Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green. This honors the Lord and exhibits his faithful care. He is my shelter. There is nothing but goodness in him!” (TLB).

So, are you carefully and regularly cultivating and tending to your garden? What you grow depends upon it. You reap what you sow.

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.

Have you ever walked down a street late at night? The sky is dark, there is a chill in the air, you can see your breath, the street lights are dimly lit, the businesses are all closed, and every sound seems to be magnified. Raindrops begin to fall from the sky. You’ve walked this street many a night, but for some reason tonight you sense that danger lurks at every corner. You feel very uneasy as you make your way down the sidewalk. You constantly glance over your shoulder to make sure no one is following you. You hear sirens in the distance and that just increases your anxiety. Was that gunfire I heard? That person looking out from that second floor window, are they checking you out?

Suddenly, someone steps out from between two buildings. It startles you and you stop dead in your tracks. They nonchalantly glance at you before heading in the other direction. You let out a big sigh of relief and your pace picks up, almost to a sprint. Soon you make it to your apartment building and quickly go inside, locking the door behind you before collapsing on the couch in exhaustion. Your nerves are shot. Your heart is beating, way too fast.      

Life is often that same way. We find ourselves in situations that make us uneasy and uncomfortable. Sometimes the threat to us is real, while other times it is just perceived. Regardless of what you are going through, or imagining that you are going through, you can rest assured that God is with you. Sometimes He will help you escape harm’s way while other times He sustains you through whatever it is that threatens you, walking stride for stride alongside you.

In Psalm 138:7-8 we read these words – “When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power. You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun” (GNT).

In these two verses it sure seems clear that not only did the psalmist trust in God’s power and protection, but also has confidence in the plans and purposes of the Father, despite the worrisome and disquieting current conditions.

So, today, if the street you walk down is dimly lit and you find yourself with an uneasy feeling about your surroundings, maybe even fearing the worst, allow yourself to be strengthened by the love and faithfulness of the One in whose image you were made (Genesis 1:26-27) and who created you to be who you are (Psalm 139:13-18).

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank

Are you the type of person who always wants to know the origin of something that others see and just take at face value? You like to dig below the surface into the “who, what, where, when, why.” Take for example the red carpet seen at tonight’s Academy Awards. Some people see the red carpet and don’t think any more about it while others see it and desire to know the origin of laying down a red carpet.  

The red carpet is associated with status and celebrity. Red carpet traditionally has been used to mark routes walked by heads of states or other dignitaries on formal or ceremonial occasions. . Its origin likely dates back to ancient Greece and the classical play “Agamemnon” written in 458 B.C. by Aeschylus. The main character in the play, King Agamemnon himself, returning after a ten-year absence, is greeted by his vengeful wife Clytemnestra, who lays down a crimson red and purple carpet for him to walk upon. In 1902 the New York Central Railroad used plush red carpets to direct passengers as they boarded the “20th Century Limited” trains, thus the origin of “red carpet treatment” was born. In 1961, a red carpet was laid down at the Oscars to guide celebrities from their cars to the theater. And finally, by the 1990s, the red carpet turned into the celebrity event it is today.

And continuing to dig, how the actual award itself got the nickname “Oscar” has very differing and disputed origins. One claim is that in 1931, Margaret Herrick, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Executive Director, said the statuette reminded her of “Uncle Oscar,” her nickname for her cousin Oscar Pierce. About that same time, actress Bette Davis, who was the Academy’s President, claimed she named it after her first husband, band leader Harmon Oscar Nelson. And gossip columnist Sidney Skolsky also claimed to have coined the name.

Sometimes it is fine to just look above the surface and other times it might be important to dig a little deeper. If you are truly interested in a particular topic, these days there are endless sources and methods to do research and find what you are looking for. Some of those sources are reliable, others not so much. It does take real discernment to know what is fact and what is fiction.

One area we often try to figure out, and always come up short, is trying to understand the ways of God. God works how God works and it is up to us to be faithful. If we knew all the answers to how and why God works, it wouldn’t really be faith now would it? And even if we knew those answers, we wouldn’t always understand.

At the end of the 11th Chapter in the Book of Romans we read this doxology, “Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (11:33-36).

Our role, as followers of Jesus, is simple. We are called to be obedient and trust God in all things, even when those things don’t make sense. Proverbs 3:5 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” That verse is the what and v.6 gives us the why, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

So, my challenge to all of us is this … focus less on trying to figure out the why’s and why nots of God and more on trusting that He is in control and that His plan is way greater than any plan we could ever dream up. 

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.

We all know people who are unavailable and often unapproachable. You know, those people who are seemingly too busy or too distracted to listen to you. For many people, you need to get written onto their calendar, usually in pencil so it can be changed, months in advance just to get a few minutes in the same room, or these days maybe video conferencing, with them.

My first academic advisor in college had office hours from six to seven in the morning, two days a week. And not just that, if I wanted to meet with him, I needed to make an appointment, by coming during those two hours he was in his office to schedule the meeting. There was no emailing or texting in those days. One time I did finally get a few minutes with him, and entire time he was grading papers while I was talking. So, the message he seemed to send – I am not really too interested in meeting with you.

On the other hand, my college head football coach had an open door policy. Anytime Coach was in the office, his door was open, he was available, and no matter how busy he was, if I sat down in front of his desk, I had Coach’s undivided attention.

When someone wishes to talk to me, I try hard to be available and give them my undistracted attentiveness, but I am sure there have been times when I too, like my first academic advisor, appeared as if I was either too busy or not really interested in what they had to say. I do not always get it right.

While it is often hard to get people to listen to you, let alone give you what you might be asking for, we have a God who is always open for business. Early in His ministry, Jesus was on a hillside teaching those who came to be taught, in what is called the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew Chapters 5-7. One of His many teachings that day was really an invitation to approach God with your needs. This went against the norm of that day; kings and rulers were not approachable without first being invited. In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.”

If you are a savvy Christian, then you probably are thinking, “Oh no no no, that ask-seek-knock, it comes with a lot of caveats” Yes, while it is true that we do not get everything we ask for and we can abuse or distort that invitation to ask-seek-knock, the thrust of Jesus’ message is that we have a God who is approachable and responsive. And yes, our requests do need to be in alignment with “let your will be done,” but again, the thrust of what Jesus is saying is that we have a God that invites us to commune with Him. Jesus is sitting on the hillside teaching the rule, not the exceptions.  

The three verses that follow the ones I just referenced tell us – “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (vv.9-11).

So, today, take Jesus up on His invitation to ask, seek, and knock. God invites you into His office every time you come! He always has an open door policy. And in the midst of that interaction between you and your Heavenly Father, let Him work out what is and isn’t in His will. Based upon my experience, I have confidence that you and He can sort it out.   

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.

There is just something about the ocean that is calming and peaceful, especially under a beautiful moonlit night sky. The quietness, the gentle breezes blowing through the sea grasses, the moon shining down upon the ocean’s water, the sound of the tides washing upon the beach.

But, if you have ever been to the ocean then you also know that it can be unpredictable, and often dangerous. The tide comes in and then it back goes out; it ebbs and flows. One minute the water is not even up to your knees and then all of a sudden it is over your head, you almost drown. One wave gently tosses you around and you are having fun. But the next wave, it is a really big one, and the force of the water flips you upside down, pounds you into the ocean floor and you come up wondering what just happened. You need to re-adjust your swimsuit; it is in places it shouldn’t be and not places it should be. That evening, as you shower, there is so much sand that you wonder if you have brought the beach with you. You’ve been there, right?

Life is the same way. One minute things are calm and peaceful and then without notice a big wave or two or three or four comes and turns you upside down. You lose your breath and find yourself disoriented from all the pounding you are taking. You just hope that you can find your way back to the shore.

The Bible tells us that when, from our vantage point, things seem out of control that God has things under control, and He can calm the waves in our lives. Psalm 89:9 tells us this, “You rule over the surging sea; when the waves mount up, you still them.”

We see a similar message in Psalm 107:29, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

The gospels of Matthew and Mark both tell the story of Jesus calming the seas. Herree is what we read in Matthew’s telling of the story, “Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (8:26b). If you ant to read those two stories – Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-41.

In offering hopeful words about God rejoicing over his saved people, the prophet Zephaniah says this, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (3:17).  

So, when you find yourself in turbulent waters, you can rest assured that sometimes God calms the waters while other times He calms you in the midst of those dangerous waters. Either way, you can always trust that God is not far away.   

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.