We all like those places of safety. As a child, the first place you probably wanted to run to when you were afraid was into your parent’s arms. Those big arms wrapped around you offered a safe haven in the face of fear. As a young boy, my friends and I built hideouts out of plywood, dirt and tree branches, and without the secret password nobody could enter our fort. We were safe from our parents, and most of all, also from the neighborhood girls.

Most of us today consider our house a safe place. The metal, wood, brick, concrete, stone, and asphalt offer us a measure of safety that isn’t found in hideouts made by boys. We can regulate the thermostat to a comfortable temperature while outdoors it could be 100 degrees or below freezing. We are told that the safest place during extreme weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes is in the basement or an interior room without windows. Not only do our homes provide protection, most of us agree with Dorothy Gale, “There’s no place like home.”

But, while our homes do provide us with some measure of safety and security, we also know that they need regular upkeep and maintenance, along with the occasional major repair, in order to not start decaying, becoming unsafe. Even with proper upkeep, our homes at times let us down, they fail to be safe places. Have you ever seen a tree fall on a house? Did the roof or the tree win?     

On the contrary, in Jesus we have a safe place that will never let us down. The Bible calls Jesus our dwelling place, our safe shelter. Psalm 118:8 tells us, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.” Psalm 91 is a beautiful testimony to the security we have when we trust in God. I encourage you to read this psalm in its entirety; today I offer you just four verses:

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust’” (vv. 1-2).

In these two verses we see four different names for God – Elyon (Most High), El Shaddai (Almighty), YHWH/Yahweh/Jehovah (LORD), and Elohim (my God, plural, as in Father, Son, Holy Spirit). These names reveal to us that –

(1) God is elevated above all else, He is the sovereign ruler,

(2) He is the all-powerful One, our sufficiency,

(3) YHWH is God’s personal name, the self-existent One, first revealed to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3, and,

(4) He is the Creator, found in Genesis 1:1.

“If you say, ‘The LORD is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overcome you, no disaster will come near your tent” (vv.9-10).

To be clear, those verses do not say that bad things will never happen (read John 16:33), but rather, they do say that Jesus is our safe haven in both good times and in bad times.

And we find these hopeful words, Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”  

So, I ask you today, where are you putting your trust – in the decaying things of man or in the safe and secure permanent shelter of the Most High?

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Everywhere we turn these days, no matter the situation, someone says, “that is my right.” Or how about, “I am entitled to that.” Everything is about rights and entitlement. Even when it isn’t.

Where do our rights even come from? There is much debate and discord on this subject. Without desiring to stir up controversy, let me give a broad paint brush stroke of my understanding of where our rights come from. As United States citizens, we have both constitutional rights (sometimes called fundamental rights) and legal rights. Constitutional rights are protections and liberties granted to citizens of the U.S. by the Constitution, whereas legal rights are laws that protect people, both at the federal and state level. Constitutional rights differ from legal rights in that other laws cannot change constitutionally granted rights. Digging a bit deeper, human rights are universal decency rights that all human beings enjoy while civil rights occur when human rights become laws.

While our rights protect us and help us navigate life, what if rather than it always being “that is my right,” we instead, when appropriate, focused on “love my enemies.” What if we put the needs of others first? This is not an advocation for allowing ourselves to be walked on by someone else, but rather, a thought about walking with someone else. Humbling ourselves for the sake of others. This is not an original idea. We get this example from Jesus – “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ lengthiest explanation of how to live as His followers, recorded in Matthew 5-7, we find these words – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42).

In speaking those words, Jesus turned the law of retribution on its head. Mosaic law did teach an eye for an eye (Exodus 21:23-25). This Old Testament law was intended to prevent escalation. The penalty for a crime was to be equivalent to the offense. But here we see Jesus telling us not to exact revenge. Jesus is pushing back against the world’s system of justice. He is calling his disciples, and his followers today, to seek opportunities to serve those around us, even those who wronged us, even our enemies, rather than looking for ways to seek revenge under the letter of the law.

Imagine how different the world could be if instead of seeking to assert our rights, whatever those rights may be, we instead, give up our rights, as Jesus did, and look for opportunities to serve others. It’s not always about rights. Love trumps hate. Always!  

I do want to end with this – if you are being abused in any way, physically, emotionally, verbally, or otherwise, do NOT turn the other cheek. Get away from your abuser and seek protection.

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Albert Einstein said that “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Many of us fall into that same trap. We think that this time things will be different. But sadly, most times the result is the same, and it often causes harm to us and others. And soon we find ourselves doing and saying things that six months ago we would have said “no way” to. The line of what is acceptable gets moved little by little and soon we find ourselves in a deep hole wondering how we got there. It is often “death by inches.” I have at times in my own life fallen victim to that.

The poem below succinctly describes how to avoid death by inches.  

“Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” by Portia Nelson [1]

CHAPTER ONE

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost…I am helpless.

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER TWO

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend that I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in the same place.

But, it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER THREE

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk

I see it is there.

I still fall in…it’s a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault. I get out immediately.

CHAPTER FOUR

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

CHAPTER FIVE

I walk down a different street.

[1] There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery. Hillsboro, Ore.: Beyond Words Publishing, Inc., 1993

We need to avoid those streets that look safe and inviting but lead us straight into temptation and sin. In Proverbs 4:14-15 we read this warning: “Don’t take Wicked Bypass; don’t so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way (MSG).“

I encourage you to click here to read Proverbs 4 in its entirety. In this chapter, Solomon, in his old age, is speaking as a father, giving advice to his son (or daughter) about the importance of seeking God’s wisdom, knowing which streets to travel and which ones to avoid.  

Jesus, when speaking to his remaining eleven disciples in what is known as the Farewell Discourse (his “going away speech” in John chapters 14-17), promised that the Spirit of truth would guide them into all the truth (John 16:13). The Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, is our source of understanding and revelation of God’s truth.

So, I encourage you to take an honest assessment of the things you do, say, eat, think about, drink, ingest, and watch, and if any of those things continually cause you to trip and fall, then ask God to have the Spirit of Truth give you the wisdom and courage to chart a new course. It is never ever too late to take a different street. 

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Do you feel anxious today? Does it feel as if there is a gorilla sitting on your chest making it hard to breathe? Do you feel like you are being choked? Are there situations or circumstances in your life that are causing you to lie awake at night? Does whatever is burdening you lurk in the back of your mind all day long and no matter what you do or say it has a grip on you? No matter how big or small your worries are, you do not have to live with panic and anxiety.

The English word anxious comes from the Latin word anxius which means troubled or distressed. The Latin word anxius actually is derived from another Latin word – angere – which means “to choke, squeeze, strangle, or to press tight.”

Today I simply want to say that in those moments when you feel as if life is pressing tight in on you, and you feel as if there is no relief in sight, you can rest assured that God is nearby, ready to exchange your anxiety for His peace.

If you are looking for a verse in scripture to draw upon in those moments when you feel anxious, try memorizing Psalm 94:19 – “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul” (ESV). The NIV puts it this way – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation (comfort) brought joy to my soul.” And, in The Message – “When I was upset and beside myself, you clamed me down and cheered me up.”

In context, that verse is preceded by this – “Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, ‘I’m slipping, I’m falling,’ your love, God, took hold and held me fast” (vv.16-18, MSG).

You might be asking, why would God want me to dump my messes in His lap? The answer is simple; He loves you and cares for you. Don’t take my word for it, let’s turn to the Bible. 1 Peter 5:7 cuts right to the chase, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”    

Turning to Jesus helps you get that gorilla off your chest that is making it hard to breathe. Turning to Jesus helps to remove that squeezed feeling you have when anxiety takes over your daily life (Matthew 11:28-30). And regardless of whether God calms the storm around you or calms you in the midst of the storm, He offers you a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:4-7).

So, right now, kick the gorilla to the curb, ask Jesus for an exchange, and then allow His peace to ooze all over you like gooey warm chocolate sauce on ice cream!

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When we lived in eastern North Carolina we experienced numerous storms that caused flooding. The city we lived in was at ten feet of elevation, and on the confluence of two rivers, so the area was very susceptible to flooding from any sort of rain event. In preparation for those potential high rain events, particularly hurricanes, one of the important steps needed was to put everything in low lying places up on higher ground. Lawn furniture was either brought inside or put on raised decks. Due to the low elevation, homes do not have basements.

Therefore, to avoid water damage in first (ground) floor living areas, furniture was put up on blocks and items sitting on the floor put on countertops or shelves. You could say that anything in a low place was lifted up to some place higher. Things were safer and more secure in those higher places.

From time to time, in life, we find ourselves in low places, in a valley. All we see are the mountains all around us or the once lush riverbed that has all but dried up. In those low places we are more susceptible to being swept away by flood waters. If we are not swept away, we find ourselves standing in mud and muck. And mud, it is slippery, and it is sticky. If we fall into a pit where the walls and bottom are mud, it is difficult to climb out. You ever been there? I have.  

Let’s look at these words of King David, found in Psalm 40 – “I waited patiently for the LORD he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (vv.1-2).

I so often write about waiting on God. Waiting on Him is not a passive ho-hum kind of waiting. Instead, it is intently waiting, attuning your heart to Him. It is waiting expectantly.

Turned to me seems to imply that God purposefully bent down toward David, not just to listen but also to reach out His hand to lift David up out of his current low place (slimy pit, mud, mire) with the purpose of securing David’s footing (rock, firm place).     

Waiting on God is also trusting in Him completely – “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods [run after lies]” (vv.3-4).

Notice that sandwiched in the middle of those verses, we are told that David’s faith and patient waiting, along with God’s deliverance, is an effective testimony, inspiring others to see (perceive), fear (reverence) and trust (assurance) in the Lord.

If you are like me, when I find myself in the uncomfortable low places, in the pit, standing in the mud, you want out hurriedly. I am not a patient person. I want to quickly climb out, shower off, and run to the lush green pastures. (God leads us there as well; Psalm 23). But I’ve found when I cry out to God and wait upon Him, in my moments of deep distress, that He has lifted me up, given me a firm place to stand, time and time again. He will do the same for you!  

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Life in this country looked quite different back at the time of my birth (1958) and my early childhood than it does today. Cultural and societal norms have changed. I did not come home from the hospital in a car safety seat. Instead, I likely came home in my mother’s lap, as she smoked a cigarette. Child safety seats became available in the 1960s, but few parents used them, and it wasn’t until 1985 that federal child passenger safety laws were enacted, requiring children to be restrained in a safety seat. The safety seat we brought our oldest daughter home in back in 1987 looked and operated very differently than the child restraint systems in place today, ones you need an advanced engineering degree just to put in or take out of your car. 

Seatbelts did not become required in all designated seating areas of vehicles until 1968. In was commonplace to have passengers sit unrestrained anywhere in the vehicle. In fact, on long trips, my brothers and I used to alternate lying on the floor of our car’s back seat, using the middle hump as a pillow. This floor space also helped us avoid much of the smoke cloud that filled our car, as our parents puffed away. Today, New Hampshire is the only state without seat belt laws for drivers or passengers 18 years of age and older.

As a youngster, I remember my father and other neighborhood men taking their wives to the Playboy Club, because it had the “best steak in town.” And I suppose he subscribed to Hugh Hefner’s magazine simply for its literary excellence. I cannot imagine getting all dressed up and taking my wife to an establishment where the hostess and servers all wear skimpy outfits or white bunny tails.

In the sexually charged 60s, if a woman decided to go braless, she was likely making a political and cultural statement and was considered “liberated.” Today, going braless is often more for health or personal reasons than the freedom from patriarchal norms imposed upon women throughout history.

Clothing styles and trends come and go. Some thankfully so. Men, any of you still have a leisure suit and matching silk shirt in your closet? Not that long ago, men wore suits and ties, and women wore dresses and pearls, when going out of the house or being seen in public. For those of you old enough to remember the television show Leave It to Beaver, June Cleaver wore pearls to cook and clean the house. 

Cultural and societal norms change all the time. Century to century, generation to generation, decade to decade, year to year, sometimes even week by week. What was viewed as acceptable yesterday might no longer be acceptable today. As the world around us constantly changes, we have a good, good God who never changes. James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from our Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow due to change.” The writer of Hebrews says this, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8). God makes this promise in the opening words of Malachi 3:6, “For I the LORD do not change.”

Not only does God never change, but what He expects of those who call themselves Jesus-followers is to never change either. Here is what we find in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

So, in a world of never-ending and constant cultural and societal change, imagine the impact we could and would have if we simply remained unchanged in our desire to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our good, good Father. Now that is something to never goes out of style.

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