God's Time and Purpose

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

It's been a while since I posted anything on here. I've had a lot of things going on, not the least of which was finishing the publication process for my first book, Hazard at the Haunted House. Now that that particular task is finished, it seems that the time is right to get back to writing this blog, and I believe that book actually makes a good topic for a post.

You can read a little about the book and find purchasing links here if you're interested, but I won't spend too much time on that, because that's not the purpose of this post. Rather, I'd like to tell you a little bit about how the book came about and what it has meant in my personal life. You see, that book helped me to learn that there really is a time and a purpose for everything that happens in life.

"One day, I'm going to write a book." I can't tell you how many times I said that over a period of a decade or more. Let's just say that I wish I had a dollar for every time I said it. There were a couple of abortive attempts during that time, but I'm not sure how serious I really was about them. I think there were several reasons that it took so long before I decided to tackle the challenge. Honestly, I believe in one respect I was afraid of failure. That was a personal issue that I fought for a very long time, and have really only begun to overcome fairly recently. Be that as it may though, I think the primary reason was that, little known to me, it simply wasn't the right time.

I believe that the desire I had was a good one. I believe that there are few things in life that are worth more than a good book. I can relate to the Thomas Jefferson quote, "I cannot live without books." Books are an excellent way of sharing knowledge and understanding. However, I believe that for my book to be as edifying as it needed to be, there were some changes that had to be worked in my own heart.

I've spoken in the past on this blog of how I've experienced things that I never would have imagined I'd ever go through, and how those things have helped me more fully realize the grace and sufficiency of God. One of the things He used to bring me through the (so far) most devastating events of my life was writing. Just under two years ago, when I felt that I was near total despair, the idea of writing a book came back to my mind. This time, for better or worse, I was going to give it my best effort. It was finally time.

I say that it was time for two reasons. First, the time I begun my "career" as an author was the time that I needed it the most personally. At that time, it was edifying for me personally, and helped to rebuild my spirit from the pain it had recently suffered. Second, the trials that I was going through helped to turn my heart to the Lord in a way it had never done before. I was already saved, and had been for many years, but when I faced those trials, they drew me much closer to the Lord. A heart that is close to God is a heart much more able to do something edifying to others. And so it began. I started out with a very basic idea and started writing. Hazard at the Haunted House, a story about the importance of obedience and family, was the end result. Other books, which will hopefully be released in the future, followed.

That explains why I said that the book taught me about the timing of things, but briefly, I'd like to explain what it taught me about the purpose of things. If I had not gone through the heartbreak that I did two years ago, the book might have never been written, Now that it has been, it is my prayer that it will be a blessing in the lives of young people and that it will help them grow. If that happens, it will be something good that comes out of something very bad that happened.

You see, all things aren't necessarily good, but they work for good in the life of a child of God. If they draw that child closer to his Father's side, that's good. If they equip that child to better help and serve others, that's good. If my writing this book -- something that happened because of something bad happening -- helps others, that's good.

I certainly hope and pray that my book will help young people to learn something that will be good for them spiritually, but even if it doesn't, it has already taught its author a valuable lesson: God's timing is always right, and He has a purpose for everything.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

It goes without saying that I'm a big hockey fan, but like many other hockey fans, I don't at all like many of the changes that have been made to the NHL in recent years. One such change was made this year, when the All-Star Game was converted into a three-on-three tournament with a team from each division. When that announcement was made, I immediately lost all interest in the event.

Before long, however, something happened that made me start paying attention. Fans were allowed to vote on the league's website for the captain of each team. The highest vote-getter from each division was to win that honor for his team. Every player in the league was eligible, and the fans decided to have some fun with it. A campaign was started to elect John Scott -- then of the Arizona Coyotes -- as the captain of the Pacific Division team.

Before this season, many hockey fans would have responded by asking, "Who?" if someone mentioned Scott. Those who did recognize the name would likely have known of him only because at 6'8", he's one of the tallest players in NHL history. I don't mean to sound brutal, but Scott's on ice stats are far from attention grabbing. In 285 NHL games to date, he has merely five goals and six assists, for a total of 11 points.

Yet, somehow, the campaign took off, and it began to look like a real possibility that Scott would win the vote. Publicly, the league insisted that the fan vote would be honored, no matter the outcome, but it was no secret that the front office was not happy about what was happening. Some fans even charged that back-room deals were at play to keep Scott out of the game. First, he was traded from the Coyotes to the Montreal Canadiens, which the league suggested could affect his eligibility because he was in a new division, and then, he was demoted to the AHL, which was also suggested could make him ineligible.

Those ideas caused an uproar among the fans. In the weeks of the campaign, they had gotten to know John Scott better than some obscure enforcer. They started to get to know him as a funny, happy-go-lucky human being that just about anyone would enjoy hanging out with -- and they were not at all happy about what they thought the league was doing. The response was deafening, and in the end, the league allowed Scott to play.

This is where things start getting stranger than fiction (if they weren't already). Scott not only played, but he scored two goals in the game, and was chosen as MVP. and as a member of the winning team, earned a share of a million dollar bonus -- not a bad deal for a guy whose wife was expecting twins any day!

John Scott certainly appeared to have some pretty powerful enemies to his chance to play in the All-Star Game, and we have some powerful enemies that we battle in our spiritual lives. The world, the devil and his demons, and even our own flesh fight against us every day of our lives. Sometimes we feel like we're all alone, but the truth is, we're not. In John Scott's case, the outrage of the fans was more than enough to offset any plans the league might have had to keep him out of the All-Star Game, and we have forces much more powerful in our corner as we serve the Lord.

First and foremost, we have the Lord. He's far greater than anything the forces of evil can ever conjure up. If he can create a universe in just six days, certainly he's more than sufficient to give us strength in our every day battles. Second, we have the support of the heavenly angels. "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." While I do believe that the concept of guardian angels is greatly overblown in our society, there is some truth that underlies it. The heavenly host does look out for us as we serve the Lord. Thirdly, we have the watchful eye of the saints that have preceded us into Heaven cheering us on. They experienced the same things in their lives that we do, and in many cases, much, much more.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we serve the Lord, we have quite a cheering section behind us. I hope you'll remember that the next time you're tempted to give in or respond wrongly to the pressure of life. We all have those times, and we all know they're coming. If we continue to serve faithfully, we have much more waiting than a temporal MVP award and a monetary bonus. We'll receive eternal rewards that we can lay at our Saviour's feet in thanksgiving for what He has done for us. Remember: they're all cheering for you!

He's All I Need

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

I remember that when I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up. For a kid, there's an attraction to the concept of the additional "freedom" that comes with being an adult. If you're an adult, you no doubt understand why I but the word freedom in quotation marks. That freedom comes with a much higher level of responsibility, and a requirement that you face the world on your own. No longer is there another person that stands between you and the trials that life throws at you. Now, you must face them yourself.

Because of that, I look back at that desire to grow up so quickly and marvel at the innocence and naivete of it. Becoming an adult proved to be nothing like what I expected. With that knowledge now in hand, I'd encourage any teenager reading this to enjoy your youth as the blessing from God that it is Once it's gone, you can't get it back.

Those first two paragraphs seem to paint a pretty dark picture of life, I know. The reason is, life can be a very dark thing. Just when you think you have everything planned, something unforeseen, and certainly unplanned and unwanted often comes into the picture. Life often feels like a battle in which you can't win for losing. I've been at that point. I've seen my world and the worlds of those I love turned completely upside-down. All of that said, however, I've also learned that life isn't hopeless There's always strength to be found if you know where to look.

Despite the difficulties involved in the responsibilities of adulthood, however, I've learned a lesson that more than makes up for all of that: I've learned from experience about the sufficiency of the grace of God. In truth, if not for the struggles of life, that's a lesson I might not have ever learned. The song in the video above is one that really didn't mean a lot to me as a child, but now it means the world to me. Now, it's one of my favorite songs to sing.

The details might be different, but I have a feeling that the essence of my life's story is very much like that of many of you reading this. I've been through a few of those things that I never thought I'd see happen. I've been through battles that were much too big for me to fight alone. I've fought through emotions that I didn't understand. And through all of that, I've become a stronger person. That strength has nothing to do with me, but with the fact that Jesus Christ is all I need.

When many people think about God providing their needs, they think of their physical needs. That's certainly a part of it, but there's much more to it than that. Jesus is my comfort. He eases my pain. Every time I find myself desiring something more than what the world can give, He fills that need. As the song says, He's my soul's inspiration and my heart's consolation. In fact, Jesus isn't just enough to satisfy my needs. He's more than enough.

Not only have I never gone without something I needed, but I've had a lot of extras in my life. God has given me opportunities to do things and experience things that, while not necessities have enriched my life and brought me joy. Writing blogs and books isn't needed to make life livable, but I enjoy them, and God has given me the chance to do that. Attending and writing about sporting events isn't a need, but God has given me that chance as well, and I draw enjoyment from that. I'm sure all of you could tell similar stories.

Yes, youth is a gift of God that most of us don't appreciate until it's too late, but at the root of it all, even the struggles that we face when we grow up are gifts as well. They teach us that Jesus is all we need. They teach us that He supplies our necessities and more. They teach us that He's all we need, and so much more. If I know anything, at the top of the list is the fact that Jesus is all-sufficient. He's my everything, and He's all I need.

All That Thrills My Soul

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:27

The words above were spoken to Jesus Christ by a lawyer, seeking to justify himself. The occasion was not a rare one. Many times, throughout the text of the gospels, we find religious leaders and highly religious individuals tempt Jesus and try to trip Him up into acknowledging their righteousness. This attempt, like all of the others was centered around his works and a hope to show that they were sufficient to prove him a righteous man.

Jesus asked the man how he interpreted the law, since that was the foundation upon which he was trying to build his self-righteousness and he gave a concise, yet accurate answer, and Jesus recognized it as such. Then, in an attempt to show all around him how wonderful he was, the man asked Jesus who his neighbor was. Jesus then told the parable of the good Samaritan, and proved once and for all that no one can live up to the concept of "love thy neighbor as thyself."

I find it interesting though, that the man didn't try to tempt Jesus on the concept of loving God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind. I also think it's pretty obvious why he didn't: he knew that he'd fall flat on his face if he tried to go that route. It's easy to recognize that he, in his arrogance and pride, didn't come anywhere close to passing the first part of that test. In truth though, every one of us falls far short of passing.

Yesterday, there were countless individuals and even entire churches that proved that when they gave the Super Bowl priority over the worship of God. That said, let's not start preparing a pile of stones to throw. No, I didn't do that, and my church didn't do that, and it grieves me to think that so many did, but I can't plead complete innocence. Maybe you didn't skip church for the Super Bowl, and maybe your church didn't throw a Super Bowl party in place of a true church service, but you can't plead complete innocence either.

Have you ever allowed something to come between you and your time in prayer or in God's word? I have to admit that I have. Have you ever allowed your mind to wander while your pastor stood in the pulpit preaching? I have. It stings to admit that, but honesty demands that I must in this case. I'll even go so far as to say that I'd have a great deal of difficulty believing anyone that tries to claim that they've never done those things. This is a point that my pastor has brought out a couple of times recently, and it has been working on me last night and today.

I've dealt with this sort of thing in a couple of posts in the past. I've posted about why Jesus is Precious to the true believer and how we must be careful about Practical Idolatry when we allow other things to come in front of the Lord. Still, this is a little different. This time, it's not a generality. It's more than Jesus simply being of the greatest value, and being in first place in our lives. This time, it's about Him being our all in all at all times.

As long as we're in the flesh, we're never going to get there, and if we want to be all that we can be, we're going to have to face that. When we get to the point that we think we've arrived, no more growth can take place. Instead, this is a call to dedicate ourselves to the Lord every day. Every day, we should strive to do our duty toward God. Taking it one day at a time, we should strive to be fully His.

Does Jesus thrill your soul? If you want to love Him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, He'll have to. If not, if you're a Christian, it's a sign that you've left your first love and need to return to Him. If not and you're not a Christian, you need to confess your sin, call upon Him, and trust in Him to be your personal Saviour. The life of the individual whose soul is thrilled by Jesus isn't a perfect life, but it is one that's dedicated to Him.

Plenty of Time

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

"I'm going to live to be 100!" Many people have made that or similar brash statements when asked about their futures. Everyone knows that life can be cut short, but most seem to assume that it can't happen to them. The truth is far different. There are plenty of people in cemeteries all around the world that thought that same thing. Everyone thinks that they have plenty of time, but time has a way of slipping away from us.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated on a project or assignment at work or school can testify to that last sentence. What begins as seemingly more than enough time slowly, but surely, ticks down until the deadline seems to be breathing down one's neck. The decision to wait because there was "plenty of time" has been a thorn in the flesh of countless people.

When it comes to life, there's an added level of uncertainty. When dealing with an assignment at work or school, we deal with known deadlines. Life doesn't work that way. Not only do we not always know when things will happen, but often, we have no idea as to what will happen. Even when we have plans to do a certain thing at a certain time, the unexpected has a way of creeping in and forcing a change to those plans.

Sometimes the things that change on us don't have a big impact in the long run. It could be a simple visit to a friend or family member or a lunch meeting that has to be cancelled or rescheduled. In a case like that, the consequences are probably no more than a bit of disappointment. But, what if the plans in question are of a more serious nature? What if they deal with eternity?

Every day, people gamble with their souls. I'm not even talking about people who deny God and the Bible. I'm talking about people who do believe in God and believe that the Bible is true, but delay salvation because they want to "live life to the fullest." They want to have their fun while they have the opportunity, and plan to accept Jesus Christ later in life. But what if later never comes? They say, "I'll do it tomorrow," but what if there's no tomorrow?

Laying aside the fact that a life without Christ is not life to its fullest, there's an even bigger problem with that idea. People who wish to live out their lives and accept salvation on their deathbed fail to recognize the fact that they might not have a death bed. Death for many people comes entirely unexpectedly. I have a feeling that everyone reading this can think of someone he has known that has passed away without warning.

What about you? Are you waiting to make the "deathbed confession?" If so, what if an accident snuffs out your life before you reach that point? Some teach that there will be opportunities for repentance after death, but you won't find that idea in the word of God. It is true that eternity will give you plenty of time, but it won't be plenty of time to get saved; it will be plenty of time to wonder why you never did.

The Unbeatable Foe

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

It's considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history, and one of the greatest moments in American sports history. It was a huge shot in the arm to a nation mired in a period of malaise. Even with the long, illustrious career Al Michaels has, 36 years later this event is still his signature moment. By now, you've probably figured out that I'm talking about the "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. hockey team defeated the "Big Red Machine" of the Soviet Union.

That a bunch of college kids could beat the Soviet team of amateurs in name only was unthinkable. The Soviets had won five of the last six Olympic golds, and they dominated the world championships of the era. They had taken some of Canada's top professional players to the brink in the 1972 Summit Series and then beaten them handily in the 1974 rematch. Many of them were teammates on the club level with CSKA Moscow, as well, so they were a true team.

There really wasn't need for any proof that the Soviet team would likely destroy the American team, but we were given some in the run up to the Olympics. The Soviets went 5-3-1 in exhibition games against NHL teams and won the Challenge Cup by defeating the NHL all-stars 6-0. Plus, the American and Soviet teams squared off in a pre-Olympic exhibition match, and unsurprisingly, the USSR won 10-3. Since a stunning loss to the Americans in 1960, the Soviets had been on a tear in the Olympics, going 27-1-1, and they showed no signs of letting up.

There was no reason to believe that February 22, 1980 would be anything other than just another day at the office for the Soviets. There was no surprise when the Soviets struck first, but the the Americans answered. The Soviets scored again, and the Americans tied it again in the last second of the first period. The lone goal of the second period was scored by the Soviets, and going into the third, it appeared that the inevitable would happen, even if not by the margin expected.

Then, something amazing happened. The Americans tied the game on a power play. Then, halfway through the period, Mike Eruzione scored from the slot to give the Americans their first lead of the game, a 4-3 lead that they would hold on to.

The call is now familiar: "Do you believe in miracles?! YES!" As far as hockey was concerned, it was a miracle. The sports world couldn't possibly give more of a David over Goliath than that game did. It seemed impossible, but it wasn't; it happened.

In the Christian life, we will face tasks that seem impossible, and if we try to tackle them in our own strength, they are. If we tried to battle all of our trials ourselves, we'll find that we face steeper odds than the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. The truth is, however, that they are not impossible. We have a source of strength that will allow us to win every battle if we will tap into it.

In Matthew chapter four, Jesus was tempted by Satan, and He easily overcame it by quoting scripture. We as Christians have that same resource. We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, meaning that God Himself is with us at all times, and is there to help us. He has promised us a way to escape temptation. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

In a one-on-one battle with Satan, you're a huge underdog, and so am I. In fact, we're guaranteed losers. But, thanks be to God, through His strength, we have the chance to win every battle. That's more cause for celebration than the "Miracle on Ice." It's part of the miracle of salvation.