During the course of any given day, we are inundated with sounds and noises. Our hearing system connects us to the soundscape of our environment and provides us with the tools to identify and interpret acoustic cues. Our brain then catalogs those sound patterns, allowing us recognize and process sounds in the future, both familiar and unfamiliar ones.

For many of us, there is an incessant need for constant noise. That noise helps us feel safe, because in our silence we are sometimes left to address and deal with our thoughts, thoughts that often scare us. Silence often forces us to deal with the soundtrack in our souls, a soundtrack that plays and replays worries, fears, failures, all the things that keep us up at night. It is in the silence that we most often find the rest and relaxation that our body and soul truly need. And it is in that silence that we also frequently can hear the “voice” of God.

In my opinion, one of the toughest things in our noisy world is to create enough space and silence so as to hear God’s “still, small voice”. But if we are to follow Jesus in a serious life-changing way, we must find regular time to be quiet and listen. Psalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Building this silence discipline into our lives requires work. It begins with a desire to carve out space. It requires giving up something, desiring to turn off the noise, and find stillness, find quietness, find stillness.

Timothy Leary, the Harvard clinical psychologist, and of hippie fame, encouraged young people in the Sixties to “turn on, tune in, drop out.” His countercultural phrase encouraged the usage of psychedelic drugs to find true consciousness. While that is certainly not my advice, I do think that if we “turn on” a sensitivity to God and His presence, if we “tune in” by listening, and if we regularly “drop out” of the noise around us, we will “find” God and be better able to hear, and be changed by, His “still, small voice.”

We find a reference to God’s still small voice, a gentle whisper, in 1 Kings 19:12. Elijah had just been victorious over all the prophets of Baal. He heard that Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab, wanted to kill him. So, Elijah ran into the wilderness to hide. God sent an angel with food and water, telling Elijah to go to Mount Horeb and wait. In that cave, Elijah voices his displeasure that all God’s prophets had been killed by Jezebel, all except him. God instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain and wait for His (God) presence. Elijah was likely expecting God’s to show up in a loud and powerful way. Yet, wind, an earthquake, and fire came and went, and no God. It is after those had passed that God spoke to Elijah, in a still, small voice. To read this story, click here.

It is important to note that God is not confined to speaking in a still small voice. He speaks to us in many ways. God spoke to Job out of a whirlwind (Job 38:1). In Psalm 104:7, God’s voice sounded like thunder. To Moses, God appeared as fire coming from a bush (Exodus 3:2). God is not limited to a single method of communicating with us. Regardless of how He chooses to speak, it is of utmost importance that we hear and recognize His voice. And at least for me, I am best suited to hear God when I carve out time and space, eliminating as many distractions as I can.       

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.” Job 6:24

So, take a page from the hippie playbook – turn on, tune in, drop out – and listen for God.

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All throughout life we seek direction. Your parents gave you directions and guidance from the moment they brought you home from the hospital, sometimes even well into adulthood. Teachers and coaches give direction. Bosses give direction. Pastors give direction. If you are traveling, you input your destination into your navigational app or device. Or if you are old school, you look at a roadmap.

There are an endless number of books that provide guidance on just about anything you need help with. I recently was at a local bookstore and right there on display, “Sex for Dummies, 4th Edition.” Really? We need a book for that? And does the 4th edition unveil newly discovered intimacy secrets that the previous three editions were unaware of??

Google any topic and you will probably find many websites claiming to offer insight and direction into just about any subject you can imagine. And we all know that if it is found on the Internet, then it is completely reliable.

Sometimes the direction and guidance we get is solicited, other times, we get it without even asking for it. Some people are just lifelong “advice-givers.” Know anyone like that? Are you one of those people?   

Regardless of the source of the direction or advice given to us, sometimes it is flawed, short-sided, done so with selfish motives, or just downright bad advice. Sometimes what appeared to be good advice ends up being not so good. There are also times we choose to ignore the advice of others. For good reason, these days we are suspicious of most advice, and we don’t always trust the advice we are given, even from reliable sources. 

On the other hand, when you go to God for His direction, you can trust the answer 100% of the time. In order for you to hear God’s direction, you need to surrender your heart to seeking His ways not your ways (James 4:3), you need ask according to His will (1 John 5:14-15), and often times, you simply need to wait for His answer (Isaiah 64:4).

Scripture is full of verses that make it clear that God desires to give us His plan, His direction for our lives. In Psalm 32:8 we find this – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Think of a time when someone did not heed your advice. Think of the consequences, knowing that things could have been different for them if only they had listened to you. When we turn our backs on God and ignore the plans He desires for us, we also often face consequences. The prophet Isaiah, speaking on behalf of the Lord, says this to disobedient Israel – “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea” (48:17b-18).

We find this in Isaiah 55:9-11 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.’”

God’s Word, His wisdom, is our unrivaled and unfailing roadmap for life.

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Throughout the years, it was often said, “If you read it in the newspaper or hear it on television, then it must be true.” Sadly, we know that to not always be the case today. There are many accurate well written and well thought out news stories across all types of media outlets, but there are also times when the journalist or reporter seems to have an agenda that shades the accuracy of the reporting. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference, so these days we tend to view all news reporting with skepticism. The same can be said of the ever-increasing number of books that line the shelves at any bookstore, whether the book hits the New York Times best seller list or heads straight to the bargain table.   

However, there is one book – the Bible – that is the biggest best seller of all time, translated into more languages and read by more people than any other single book. It is accurate, trustworthy, reliable, authoritative, and relevant in all situations and to all people.       

I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. By inspired I do not mean inspired in the way that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was inspired to compose one of his pieces of music. By inspired, I mean that the writing of the Bible was done by human hands under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In 2 Peter 1:20-21 we read these words, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus said these words to His disciples near the end of His life, “The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word in a divine act” (John 14:10b, MSG).

I also believe that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, meaning that it is more than a book of good ideas or helpful hints to guide us through life. It is my belief that the Bible has final authority over us for what we should believe (faith) and how we should live (practice).

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

In Hebrews 4:12 we see a similar message, “God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey” (MSG).

So, the next time you open your Bible, keep an ear tuned to God and allow Him to speak to you through the words on the page. Scripture is God’s Word to you, not simply human words about Him. Every word is inspired and hand crafted by God, perfect and true!

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Capitalism in its purest sense is an economic system in which there is private ownership, free market, profit motive. Individuals or businesses own the means of production, they hire laborers who are paid a wage, the goods and services are traded based upon supply and demand, there is a desire to make money. You have some product or service to sell. I want it. I have money. I buy it. An unforced and even exchange.   

Unlike what the rock band Led Zeppelin sings, she’s buying a stairway to Heaven, God’s economy is not like capitalism or any of the other world economic systems. We cannot buy our way into Heaven. We cannot earn our way into Heaven. We cannot barter or trade our way into Heaven.

Then, just how do we gain this eternal life? The answer: by putting faith and trust in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The world often uses words such as saved or born again to indicate someone’s eternal salvation. It is believing in the death and resurrection of Christ. The death of Christ was substitutionary, meaning He died in our place. Here is what we read in scripture: “For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

His bodily resurrection proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who profess faith in Christ Jesus, this atonement (reparation for our sin) assures us of our final victory over sin and death. Our righteousness (morally made right) comes through faith. None of us are righteous on our own – Romans 3:9-31. 

It is the reality that your salvation, my salvation, depends upon what Christ has done for us, not what we do or will do for Him. You might ask, how do I know this is true? In Romans 10:9 we read these words: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Jesus himself claims that He is the only way to God, who in His great compassion offers those who believe in Him abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life forever (John 3:16, 36). That would certainly be an arrogant statement if it was not true. When questioned by his disciple Thomas about not knowing the “way,” here is what Jesus answered: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

The alternative of coming to the Father? Separation from Him. Eternal damnation. Don’t believe me? It comes straight from Jesus: “Then they (the unsaved, the not born again) will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” Matthew 25:46.

So, unlike capitalism in which an even exchange occurs (goods/services exchanged for money), there is no buying a stairway that leads us to heaven, to eternal life. This peace with God begins by admitting you are a sinner (thus, you need a Savior), believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you, and then asking Jesus into your heart and life.

That asking is not some magic formula, there are no special words. It is something like this – Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. I give myself to you.

In one way, this asking for new life is like capitalism. There is an exchange. But unlike capitalism, this is not an even exchange. It is free (for the asking) for you and me, but it costs Jesus everything, including His life. Amen

You might be asking, what if this new life thing is not true? Won’t I look kinda foolish by believing something not true? I counter that good question with this – what if it is true, but you fail to believe that which is true? Which one would you rather be wrong about?

Let me end with these lyrics, also from the song “Stairway to Heaven” – Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run there’s still time to change the road you’re on.

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Have you ever had one of those moments when time seemed to stand still? In today’s increasingly fast-paced world, it seems like entire days, entire weeks, even entire months, fly by without us even noticing. One day blurs into the next, leaving us wondering where time has gone.

But occasionally, something really grabs our attention, and time seems to stand still. My wife and I love watching sunrises and sunsets. Time seems to slow down for us in those brief moments. Maybe for you it is a piece of music or artwork. I think back to seeing my soon-to-be-wife for the first time in her wedding dress. Time stood still in that moment.

How about this week’s total solar eclipse? If you were fortunate enough to be close to the path of 100% totality, this rare celestial event was a pretty awe-inspiring sight. Where I live, while it was mostly cloudy that day, we had about 92% blockage, and it was still pretty cool.

Awe-inspiring moments influence our perception of time. In essence, when we focus on the present, time gets sliced up into smaller segments, making each moment seem more expansive. Those moments tend to keep us from rushing off to the next thing. Time stands still.

We know that time does not really stand still. It just seems that way sometimes. However, many years ago, there was once a day when time did stand still. Actually, it was the Sun that stood still, probably making it seem as if time had stood still. Let me explain.

Earth rotates on its axis once a day and orbits the Sun once a year. The Sun appears to rise and set due to Earth’s rotation. So, does the Sun move too? While it appears to be stationary, the Sun does in fact move, rotating on its axis once every 27 days. And it takes approximately 225 million Earth years for the Sun to make one complete orbit around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. 

Now, the context for today’s writing. As found in the Old Testament book of Joshua, upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites conquered the cities of Jericho and Ai. Soon thereafter, they would engage in two more campaigns against the wicked nations of Canaan. The Israelites battled the five kings of the Amorites and their armies at Gibeon (Joshua 10:5).

Joshua needed more time to defeat the armies. Haven’t we all asked for more time at some point. Joshua needed more daylight. He needed the Sun to stand still. So, what did he do? He asked God for help. Do you ask God for what you need? Here is what we read – “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord … sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon” (Joshua 10:12).

And how did God respond? – “And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day” (v.13). The Book of Jashar is a collection of ancient Israelite poems quoted throughout the OT.

You can read the extended narrative in its context in Joshua chapters 9-12.

We are not told how God stopped the Sun any more than we are told how He miraculously fed thousands of people with only five fish and two loaves of bread. The book of Joshua is a historical book filled with real people, places, and events. It is not a book of poetry or prophecy, one that then would be filled with figurative language. I see nothing in this narrative that suggests we interpret the standing still of the sun as anything but literal.

Maybe right now, you need a miracle, an answer to prayer. Joshua prayed. God supernaturally provided the light needed to win the battle. Do you believe that God can answer your prayers? He can act in ways that you and I neither imagine nor understand. God can and does listen to the cries of His children when we pray according to His purposes (Psalm 145:18; Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14).

The sun and moon stood still for Joshua. God might just do the same for you!  

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William Shakespeare said, “The eyes are the window to your soul.” Assuming our eyes are functioning correctly, eyes do not lie. They see things as they really are. We might perceive or interpret what we see incorrectly, but the misinterpretation problem does not lie with our eyes. Our eyes see the truth, no matter what spin we try to put on that which we see. We can look into someone’s eyes to gauge so much about them. Think about someone with a glazed-over look or a wide-eyed look of astonishment. Or how about the person with tears in their eyes or that glare you get from someone who is not happy with you.

Much of the country will be treated to a solar eclipse today. The eclipse’s visibility is predicted to track through fifteen states. Solar eclipses happen about two times every year, but total solar eclipses are much rarer The last total solar eclipse in the US was back in 2017. Before that, the last one to cross North America was 1979. And before that, 1880. After today, the next total solar eclipse won’t be for another twenty years.

There are many events built around eclipse-watching parties. Back in 2017, we lived in New Bern, North Carolina, which then saw an eclipse with 92% coverage. My wife and I viewed the eclipse on a restaurant rooftop that included food and drinks. And of course, also the proper protective eyewear. It was a fun day. Today’s eclipse, for those lucky enough to be in its path, will be varying degrees of an eerie darkness. Our eyes will not be able to see much around us for those few moments. Or will they?

The Bible talks about our eyes being the window to seeing or not seeing God. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, his teaching on how to live a life full of love and grace, wisdom and discernment, a life dedicated and pleasing to God, says this – “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, hoe great is the darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23). I believe these two verses tell us that it is through our eyes that we find our way. Light comes into our body through our eyes, and we either are “see” light or we “see” darkness. Light illuminates God while darkness blinds us to God.   

Our fallen nature keeps us from seeing God fully. Our fallen nature lets darkness in, and we need the power of God’s Spirit to “see” God. We need ask God to guard our eyes from all that blinds us from seeing him. We need the revelation of God in order to grasp his goodness. The prophet Isaiah, when challenging people, whose vision had been darkened from continually looking onto the face of their idols, to look into the skies, said this – “Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great – not one of them is ever missing!” (Isaiah 40:26, GNT).

Psalm 119:18 gives us a similar message – “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your laws.” Here the Psalter is praying for a life of fellowship with God, in obedience to God’s divine revelations, so that he can “see” the wonderful things found in God’s instruction. Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, consisting of a section for each of the twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet. V.18 is in the third section Gimel, the third letter in that alphabet.

Today, what will you “see” when looking through your solar eclipse glasses? Will you let this rare alignment of the Sun, the moon, and the earth (all created by God to reveal His majesty) give you eyes to see the majesty of God in the eclipse?

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