Author: Dave Garrett

The Three Tides of Life

The Three Tides of Life

When we lived in eastern North Carolina, one of the things we checked before heading off to the beach was the tide chart to determine when high and low tides would occur that day. You are probably thinking – does it really matter? We like to collect shells and the best time for shell collecting is usually about an hour before and after low tide, so knowing the tides gave us a plan for beachcombing. It helped us avoid something else as well.

If you have ever been to the beach, you have undoubtedly seen that family who has little clue about the tides, always wanting to be a little too close to the water, only to soon find their spot “invaded” by that one big wave that makes its way up the beach further than any others. We chuckled at the blame game that usually occurred as those folks begrudgingly moved their soaking wet belongings further away from the water. So, knowing the tides helped us not be those people. But if truth be known, we didn’t always get it right either; our stuff did sometimes get wet. 

While there is no set pattern to waves, did you know that oftentimes waves tend to group together in sets of usually three to ten waves. These sets occur when waves of differing speeds interact, making some waves bigger than the other surrounding waves. On any given beach, the majority of waves come from a similar source, so it is possible to “predict” which wave in any given set might be the biggest. If it was the third wave in the previous set, and assuming conditions have not dramatically changed, it could very well also the third wave in the next set. Not always, but fun to try and predict.      

The tides are caused by the gravitational attraction of the ocean’s water to the sun and the moon, and there are two tidal bulges every lunar day (the time it takes for the moon to make one full rotation on its axis) with two high tides and two low tides. Because a lunar day – 24 hours and 50 minutes – is longer than a solar day, the tides are not exactly 6 hours apart.

You might not be aware that there is a third tide, called a slack tide. This is the short period of time when there is no movement either way in the tidal stream, before the direction of the tide changes. The two phases of the tide are called ebb and flow, with the ebb being when the water drains way from the shore and the flow being when the water rises again. 
 
Just as it is with the tides, our faith journey also has ebbs and flows. Some days, weeks, or months it seems as if we are in sync with God and our faith is flowing, while at other periods of time we feel as it our faith is ebbing, draining away from God. And isn’t it also true that we have those “slack tide” periods too, when we just seem to be stuck in park.
 
While our faith constantly ebbs and flows, God never changes. He is continually working to carry out His plans and purposes, even when we don’t see it or feel it. Jesus, when questioned by Jewish leaders as to why He was doing things on the Sabbath replied this way, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). And elsewhere in the New Testament, in Romans 8:28, we find these familiar words, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.”   
 
So, today, regardless of whether you feel close to God or very distant, whether your tide is rising or falling, or somewhere in between, you can rest assured that God is at work, and He is in control and is calling you to simply be obedient by trusting in Him and His plans!

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Roots That Go Deep and Wide

Roots That Go Deep and Wide

How well do you know plants? Here is a quiz. Do all plants have leaves? Do all plants have flowers? Do all plants have roots?

If you answered yes to the question of whether all plants have leaves you would have been wrong. Leaves are defined as having veins, so plants such as ferns and algae that lack veins don’t technically have leaves.

If you said that all plants have flowers, you would have been wrong again. There are a number of non-flowering plants; plants such as horsetails, ferns, conifers, and mosses. These non-flowering plants reproduce by spores rather than by seeds or pollen from flowering plants.

And if you answered that all plants have roots, you would once again be incorrect. Single-celled plants that float on water, namely green algae and some varieties of seaweed, do not have roots and absorb water and minerals through all their parts rather than through roots.   

Other than water-floating plants, roots are critical for plant growth and survival. Roots serve several functions: anchor and support the plant, absorb and distribute water and minerals, storage of carbohydrates, sugars and proteins for winter survival of perennials, creating new plants, and helping to prevent soil erosion.

If you have ever tried to dig out a bush from your yard, you know that the root system usually seems to take up half the yard. But without this complex root system, the bush you are removing would not be a living plant – it would be an assortment of dead brush. 

Just as plants need energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water and minerals to be absorbed and distributed by their roots to thrive and survive, they also need the roots to support and anchor them in all kinds of weather conditions. We human beings also face all kinds of conditions that threaten our foundation. Life is filled with expected and unexpected twists and turns, periods of drought that leave us feeling dry and parched and seasons of endless rain that cause us to feel as if we are drowning.

Without roots to feed them, plants will die, and without roots to anchor them, they will not survive droughts or hurricanes. Without being firmly grounded in Jesus, we too will not find nourishment and strength to sustain us through life’s never-ending cycles of prolonged periods of either not enough or too much rainfall.

Scripture tells us that we need to be rooted in Jesus. And He in us. Here is what we find in Colossians – “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (2:6-7).

We find similar words in the Old Testament, a contrast between being rooted in (trusting in) man and manmade things or being rooted in God. Click here to read Jeremiah 17:5-8.

In the Parable of the Sower, we find what happens when Jesus cannot grow his roots deep within us. In this parable, one about the condition of our soil, the farmer scatters seeds, which fall in various places. When we are like the rocky places in this story, neither well suited for growing anything, here is what we read is the result – “But when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away” (Matthew 13:6). I encourage you to read both the parable (Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:1-9) and the explanation of the parable (Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:10-20). 

So, where do you find your nourishment and strength? How deep and how wide do your roots go in Jesus? Or maybe, I will ask it this way – Is your soil well-conditioned, allowing the roots of Jesus to go deep and wide in you?

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Let God Be Your Shade Today

Let God Be Your Shade Today

As the days become warmer and the sun brighter, we will begin to look for places to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Close your eyes and picture your go-to place. That perfect place for my wife and I is a crowded beach on a warm and sunny summer day, under our umbrella, good book in hand, snacks and drinks in our cooler, feeling the ocean water on our toes, smelling the salty air, taking in the sights and sounds of frolicking beachgoers.

For you, it could be sitting on your patio, a gentle breeze keeping you cool, your favorite music playing, sipping your favorite beverage, the smell of burgers wafting through the air, as you are entertained by the golfers on the golf course.

Or instead, maybe you picture yourself taking a much needed nap, lying in a hammock, under a tree on a quiet and peaceful afternoon, feeling the warmth of the sun, protected from its harmful rays.

Wherever it is you envision yourself, you are not out of God’s sight. Proverbs 15:3 tells us – “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

I offer this psalm to you as both reminder and encouragement, that regardless of where you are or what comes your way today, you can rest assured that God has you covered:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121).

Let God be your shade today!

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Be a Temple Not a Tent

Be a Temple Not a Tent

“I treat my body like a temple, you treat yours like a tent.” Those words are lyrics from the song “Fruitcakes” by Jimmy Buffett. While Buffett was a songwriter and not a theologian, he certainly, at least in this song, seemed to understand the importance of taking care of ourselves.

So often we get confused or mislead to think that God really only cares about the condition of our soul. And while God does care about what is on the inside, our soul, he also deeply cares about what is on the “outside,” our bodies. He cares about every fiber of us. God made us in His image, and He desires for us to take care of the body He has entrusted us with. We read in Genesis 1:27 these words, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.”

If you know anything about the Creation Story, you know that all of the plants, trees, flowers, animals, fish and birds were created “according to their kind.” (See Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25.) The Hebrew word used here for “kind” means the sorting out of objects into categories. There is a lot packed into those four words, “according to their kind,” but for the purposes of this post let’s just say that God’s laws of genetics were imposed upon the plant and animal kingdom, thus precluding any evolution into another kind (a horse can never produce a sparrow.) God did not intend for the plants and animals to be made in the image of anything else. It is only mankind that is made in the image of God, and thus we are His representatives here on earth.

Not only are we made in God’s image, we are also to offer ourselves, body and soul, as living sacrifices to God. In Romans 12:1 we read this, “Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” What that verse says is that our bodies are the vehicle through which we live out our desires and choices, and it is through our body that we worship God.

You are probably now asking, what does all that have to do with Jimmy Buffett’s lyrics, “I treat my body like a temple, you treat yours like a tent.” We are commanded by God to take care of the body He has entrusted us with, but so many of us neglect our bodies, and ultimately that affects our souls as well. We make poor choices of food and drink, we have poor sleeping habits, and we ingest all kinds of things that harm our bodies. On top of that, exercising is hard work. Many of us are poor images of God, and we fail to represent Him in a way brings honor and glory to Him.

Our bodies really are temples. Tents are for camping. If you do not believe Jimmy Buffett, then let’s turn to scripture. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us this, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

How are you feeling physically, four months into 2025? With summer just around the corner, now might be a good time to take inventory of your lifestyle, the things you eat and drink, your sleeping habits, and the amount of exercise you get, and then make an honest assessment of what you can change in order to change your body from a tent into a temple. Not only will you be bringing honor and glory to God by taking better care of yourself, but you will feel better in the process. And please, first consult with your doctor, fitness instructor, dietitian, etc. to ensure that any changes are done safely.

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Not a Peaceful Easy Feeling

Not a Peaceful Easy Feeling

Picture yourself walking alone on a sidewalk illuminated by pathway lights. The moon shines brightly. The night air is calm. The chirping of the crickets brings a sense of peace. You enjoy this quiet and serene walk and are in no hurry to go inside. In fact, you might just walk around the block a few more times, enjoying such a beautiful night. You feel safe even though it is dark all around you. No hurry to get inside.

Now let me slightly change the scene. You are still walking on that same sidewalk. However, instead of a moonlit sky, it is raining. You are thankful that you thought to bring your umbrella. Otherwise, by now, you would be soaking wet. Lightning flashes in the sky. Chirping sounds are replaced by cracks of thunder. The night sky seems exceptionally black. The pathway lights do not seem so very bright. The mist caused by the rain causes the air to be damp. It is hard to see. There is nothing calm or peaceful in you or around you. Your imagination begins to run wild with negative vibes. Uneasiness settles into your soul. Your nerves are on edge. Your heart is beating, way too fast. Your pace picks up, almost to a sprint. You cannot get inside quickly enough.

The Eagles sing about a peaceful easy feeling (click here for the song). The song’s narrator is attracted to a girl, one he hopes will fall in love with him, but feels that he will be okay, even if she does not. Maybe today, you have the opposite feeling, wondering if things will ever be okay again. Everywhere you look, some threat is breathing down your neck.

Sometimes the threat is real, while other times it is just perceived. You might have recently been diagnosed with cancer. Your spouse is nearing death, and you wonder if you can keep on keepin’ on once they are gone. Your finances are in shambles; the unpaid bills keep piling up. That family member’s addiction has wreaked havoc in just about everything. Or quite possibly, you continue finding yourself in the vortex of endless “what ifs.”    

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.

All through the psalms, David testified that God had been his fortress and refuge in times of trouble. He knew where to turn when stuff happened – “When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me” (Psalm 86:7).

God invites us to call upon him in times of trouble – “I am God Most High! The only sacrifice I want is for you to be thankful and to keep your word. Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:14-15).

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.

So, today, if the sidewalk you walk down has you devoid of a peaceful easy feeling, 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). And rest assured that the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18).  

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The Torn Veil Changes Everything

The Torn Veil Changes Everything

I repost this writing every Good Friday. For me, and I hope for you as well, it is a good reminder that because of what occurred on the cross, we have personal access to God.

These days, to get to the person we really want to talk to, it seems like we have to jump through hoops. If you have ever tried calling a company for service or warranty-related issues, you know what I mean. It is just one layer after another of computer-generated instruction. Press 1 for service followed by Press 1 for Internet problems or 2 for TV problems. On and on. Or stay on the line and the next technician will be with you shortly. And finally when we finally do talk to a live person, they are either the wrong person or there is a language problem. I have known business or community leaders who do not have open door policies. Instead, you need to go through their assistant to schedule a meeting. And even then, it was the assistant who actually delivered my message.

It is so often like the “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz – hidden behind the curtain, only heard, never seen. That is until Toto pulled back the curtain.       

Some 2,000 years ago, on what we today call Good Friday, Jesus cried out one last time, dying by crucifixion after being nailed to the Cross. Have you ever been by someone’s side when they died? Picture yourself on that hillside. What is running through your mind as you watch Jesus struggle and then breathe His last breath?

To read the gospel accounts of Jesus’s death – Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37.

One passage in the death of Jesus narrative often gets overlooked, and in my opinion, this passage really does change everything. Let’s look at it.

First, here is the context. We read in Exodus chapters 26 and 27 that in the Tabernacle the Most Holy Place (sometimes called the Holy of Holies), the innermost chamber of the temple, was separated from the Holy Place by a curtain (veil). God resided in the Most Holy Place. Any Israelite could come to the temple to pray or to bring an offering, but only priests could sacrifice the animals or burn incense in the Holy Place. And only the high priest could enter The Most Holy Place one day a year (Yom Kippur) to offer blood for his sins and the sins of the world.

What that meant is that in Old Testament days, people did not have personal access to God. We see this is Hebrews 9:7, “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” (I encourage you to read this in context in Hebrews 9.)

Okay, now let’s look at the passage that I think so often is glossed over. When Christ died on the Cross, we read these words in Matthew 27:50-51, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”

The curtain (veil) referred to in that passage is the curtain that separated the people from the presence of God. What does that mean for us here and now? Because of Christ’s death on the Cross, through His blood, we now have personal access to God. Jesus is now our High Priest and through Him we can come into God’s presence.

So, take some time right now to reflect upon what it means for you to be able to come into the presence of God, to be able to walk right in. Close your eyes and picture God saying to you right now, “Come on in!” It really does change everything!

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