God is Good Archives -

“Worth Celebrating?”

Far away the Third World War may be brewing. Nearer to home, inflation has eaten what little we did have. In the home, tension and challenges keep mounting up… and it’s Christmas Time!

Do we max out our already maxed-out credit cards to keep up with past celebrations of Christmas, buying gifts to place under the tree…?

Or do we shut ourselves in and pull the proverbial blanket over our heads hoping all this is nothing but a bad dream?

Or do we dig down deep, trust the Lord to provide our “daily bread” as our cup surely will overflow with His goodness, and creatively celebrate Christmas?

Which do you choose?

Perhaps our faith, “—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — [is being] proved genuine [so that it] may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7 NIV84). As we engage these purifying trials during this Christmastime, I want to encourage you most sincerely that, “Yes, Christmas is worth celebrating!” The Lord is giving us ample opportunity to trust Him, especially during this celebration, challenging us to think in different ways, replacing the “old wineskins” (that are cracked and faded) with “new wineskins (that are soft and flexible).

We can join the prophet in rejoicing no matter what because, “God is Good All the Time No Matter What!”

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” — Habakkuk 3:17–18 (NIV84)

Join me in the Celebration because it is worth it,

Pastor Mike

“Thankful for Naming Our Rainbows?”

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thes. 5:18 (emphasis added, NIV84)

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Eph. 5:20 (emphasis added, NIV84)

Ah, yes, it is that time of year again to focus on being thankful. I am truly grateful for this time of year, as it calls us to reconsider and refocus on what we are truly grateful for. With thankfulness in mind, perhaps you have heard the above two verses, but never together? Perhaps you have heard it taught from 1 Thes. 5:18 that we are to be “thankful in all circumstances” but not for all circumstances. I heard it again about a year ago….

But if this is so, then how does Eph. 5:20 fit into the “thanksgiving” framework? As you can clearly see from the “emphasized” “for”, we are to be thankful for every “thing”, and this clearly is “everything”. We are to be thankful not just for our food, our clothes, and our families, etc., but we are to be thankful for our circumstances, too. “For” them….

Why do you suppose the Lord is teaching us this? Perhaps one suggestion is: “Since He is working all things out for the good, I can be thankful for this hard, unpleasant—and rather difficult—circumstance knowing that the Lord is working even this out for the Good”? What do you think? Is this a viable observation?

If so, then allow me to share a thought from Emily E. Ryan’s Devotion from September 3, 2023, in Mornings with Jesus. She writes this:

…I recently realized that I not only name my weather-related storms, but I also name the storms in my life. I’ve survived Hurricane Miscarriage, Tropical Storm Unemployment, and many others. But what if I stopped naming my storms and started naming my rainbows instead? The Bible Says that Jesus created the rainbow to be a reminder of His covenant with us. … Within that promise is also a reminder that the storms of life do not have the power to destroy us. They may cause damage but even in their destruction they leave room for Jesus to step in and provide, teach, comfort, or save. If I stay focused on Him, I will always find rainbows at the end of my storms.

Join me in naming our rainbows, even before the stormy circumstances are over, because I know I can always give “thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus.”

Join me in the Naming Process,

Pastor Mike

“The ‘New’ on My Terms”

If you’re like me, you like new things. In fact, we may go out and “comfort buy” to get something new in our lives to feel “good.” But of late I’ve been noticing that I seem to only like “new” when it is on my terms; when I can control the purchase, situation or event. When “the new” shows up unannounced or spontaneous, well, I appear to be less receptive, and sadly, sometimes even critical. …

As the Lord is transforming me to understand that He works all for the Good—even the unplanned, unannounced “new”—I need to receive these “new” as well. I do not need to feel out of control because He is in control, nor do I need to feel put out, left out or taken advantage of because He is allowing this new into my life for “the Good” which He may not have revealed to me yet.

How about you? Are you more comfortable with “the new”—even from the Lord—it is only on your terms?

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? — (Isaiah 43:19a NASB95)

Peace,

Pastor Mike

“Receiving the New”

The New! It is often unknown, unfamiliar, and hard to integrate into our daily lives. Kind of like getting a new device with the buttons in a different place…, or no buttons at all.

How do you incorporate the New? Is it welcomed? Or do you hesitate?

What if the Lord is doing something new this year? Do we let the past tarnish our view of the New? Or do we, by faith, receive the New?

Let us trust the Lord has good “things” in store for us. Let us yield to the Holy Spirit to re-tool our minds so we can receive the Newwith the Joy and Gratitude–as we should. Join me in embracing and celebrating the New.

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. ¹⁴I will be found by you,” declares the LORD (Jeremiah 29:11–14a NIV84)

Praying Blessings of Peace & Joy in this New Year,

Pastor Mike

Miracle of Miracles

July 25 was the one year anniversary of my wife’s severe stroke. We have not made this too public for various reasons, but I thought I would do a blog on this in honor of my wife’s miracle. Actually, miracle of miracles. As you can see in the before and after photos, there is literally no difference. The Lord completely removed any disfiguration, deficits or deficiencies.

Allow me to enumerate the other miracles that took place on that day. Please forgive me for numbering these or even labeling them as miracles as if some how I can quantify them or even grasp all of them let alone understand them. Again, I merely “stand in awe,” but here goes….

Reporting on this one year anniversary, allow me to say that in the Lord’s mercy, I was the recipient of a series of miracles. Even a year later, I am still in awe of them. The “largest” one is that I still have my wife (of 40 years). This in in light of how severe the stroke was. It measured 20 on a 24 scale. This means either death or permanent damage with noticeable markers.

But today (as you can see from the “After” picture), she has been given a clean bill of health. To repeat, there are no markers or deficiencies at all. In fact, one doctor reluctantly said, “This is a miracle.”

Now to enumerate these miracles:

The first miracle is that I was sent home to get some clothes for her stay in the hospital. As I was home gather her things, I get a call: “Your wife has just had a neurological episode. You need to come quickly,” the nurse clinically, but compassionately reported. “I will be there in 10.” (I actually got there in 8!) But when I got there, she was already “recovering” from the stroke. I bless the Lord that I did not see her in the stroke state. I’m told her entire right side went slough—deformed and shriveled…. I bless the Lord I do not have to have this image floating in my head. Miracle #1.
Miracle #2: By the Time they had brought her back from the CT scan (about 20-30 mins. later), she was alert, and though she couldn’t talk, she was able to follow us with her eyes. I’m told she went to a 4 on this 24 scale around this time.
Miracle #3: They couldn’t get in touch with any neuro-doctors—even the ones on call. This is a miracle because they would have attempted a high-risk invasive procedure. And I believe the Lord spared us this risk, since the blood clot was high in her left carotid arteries. (Include in this miracle is that they couldn’t get Skype to work with an off-site neurosurgeon.)
Miracle #4: They still wanted to send us to Denver for more specialized care. The plane was there, fueled and ready to go. Because of the weather, they disregarded any helicopter transportation.
Miracle #5: All the family and friend that were in her room praying for her were each using their own individual giftedness. It was beautiful to see the unity of the Body of Christ and the individual uniqueness of her members.
Miracle #6: Someone happened to have a rather large cash gift they slipped in my hands as we were leaving to go to the airplane. Bless Jesus. It helped cover much.
Miracle #7: Kathy is approaching 2 on the 24 scale as she is loaded onto the plane.
Miracle #8: The flight was supposed to go around a thunderstorm, and take about 1 hour to 1 hour & 15 minutes depending on the storm. But as we approached Denver, I witnessed the clouds part, and we were able to make a straight line to Denver. Oh, and in 45 minutes! (Included in this miracle is we even beat the local ambulance to the airport.)
Miracle #9: I am told that the neuro-Team at Swedish Medical Center is one of the best, if not the best, in the nation. They were ready for us as we arrived. Kathy was able to talk a little bit, but still could not say complete sentences…, and some funny time telling, too….
Miracle #10: The next morning when the Doctors were making their rounds, Kathy was up with the O.T. Nurse walking over objects on the floor and then actively engaging in the discussion regarding her episode and recovery.
Miracle #11: Our Oldest daughter and her husband started a prayer chain throughout their contacts. Our Middle Daughter and her husband saw us off from Grand Junciton, CO with prayer, hugs and Love—and the local prayer chain. And our Youngest Daughter was able to get off work, find a flight and fly in to Denver straightaway. (Included in this miracle is our youngest’s boss, let her go in the midst of a major project; she was able to stay with us for quite some time to assist in the recovery when we returned home.)
Miracle #12: We were able to stay with our middle daughter’s in-laws while in Denver. We left with the close on our backs, and the Lord even provided a brand new toothbrush, besides the clothes I was able to borrow.
Miracle #13: The insurance covered everything!
Miracle #14: The prayers and support of all in Denver and those at home, family, and friends welcoming us with joyful hugs of praise.

I am sure there are many more miracles, many of which I am still not aware, but there are those private, quiet miracles that we cherish deep in our hearts.

Thank you, for allowing me to share this brief episode in my journey with Jesus, and joining us in prayers and praise.

Peace,

Pastor Mike

“A Great Sleep Remedy”

Does this happen to you: You go through your simple routine as you prepare for sleep, but as soon as your head hits the pillow, instead of sleep, your mind starts racing—reviewing the days events? Your body twitches with each “Shoulda,’” “Coulda,” “Woulda” that slipstreams through your mind? I used to have this. And lately it has been slipping back.

Then I came across this great sleep remedy found in Psalm 4, and it has a lot to do what the worries and distressing events the day’s activities may have fomented.

As my mind begins racing, I review vv. 1-3 and remember the LORD will hear me when I plead to Him to stop my mind from racing. But He then shows me it is racing because of what I am focused on. I am focused on what I am not. He has set me apart. I am focused on myself and what I cannot do instead of on Him and what He can do.

Then He leads me to vv. 4 & 5 because now my frustration of a racing mind is morphing into anger…. “Be careful to not be care-filled,” I hear the LORD whisper to me. Instead, I am to simply, quietly, trust in Him to take care of these cares that are preoccupying my mind.

Vv. 6-8 then begin to quiet my soul as my trust falls upon the One Who can replace this slipstream of racing thoughts with Joy & Peace—that lead to sleep: “for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (v. 8).

And soon I drift asleep ….

Honestly, I wish I could say this has happened over night, but the truth is I need to practice this nightly as the worries, cares and concerns that preoccupy my pre-sleep mind slowly—but surely—evaporate and slip away….

Perhaps you have found yourself in the transition of this process, too? Your thoughts?

Main Text— Psalm 4:7–8 (NIV84)— ⁷ You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. ⁸I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

¹Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. ²How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah ³ Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. ⁴ In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah ⁵ Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. ⁶ Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. —Psalm 4:1–6 (NIV84)

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.—Isaiah 26:3–4 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, be my Peace as You. Flood my mind with the fullness of Your presence, as You, the Prince of Peace, driving out my worrisome, stress-filled thoughts. In Your Name, Amen

Pastor Mike

“Even When I’m Wrong”

Lord, You have been deeply impressing me on one of my deepest fears: Being wrong. Being a recovering perfectionist, this should not surprise me, but it did what You reveal how deep in my soul this is. Though You have transformed me significantly, I still am hesitant to step too far out of my comfort zone for fear of being wrong….

Then, this week You showed me You can resurrect and transform even when I am wrong. As the Resurrection and the Life, You cannot only take the big things—the evil things—and transform them into something beautiful and good, You can take my little, insignificant wrong decisions, wrong choices, wrong whatever, and transform them into something beautiful. Yes, I understand that sometimes the path to this good and beautiful may be hard and difficult, even leaving a scar or two; You will still make the scars look beautiful. (And You should know, right?)

So I am learning to rest in this truth: Because Your resurrection power can transform any “wrong” decision, etc., I can trust You even if these have led me into the valley of the shadow of death. Your rod and staff will comfort me and I will walk in Your presence—forever!

I do believe this!

Main Text— John 11:25–26 (NIV84)— ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶ and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.—Philippians 3:20–21 (NIV84)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.—Ephesians 1:18–20 (NIV84)

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.—Revelation 1:18 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I praise You that You are the Resurrection and the Life in my life. I yield to Your transforming power as You overcome this fear in my life of being wrong. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Seeing Him in Everything”

Okay, I get it, Lord. First this morning I read this in one devotion: “What we need, then, is to see God in everything, and to receive everything directly from His hands, with no intervention or second causes” (Hannah W. Smith, The Christian’s Secrets of a Happy Life, p.102). Then I read in another devotion: “See God in everything, and God will calm and color all thou dost see” (H.W. Smith, Sept. 17, in Streams in the Desert)! I am to see You in everything. In the highs and the lows; the plenty and the want; the “good” and the “bad;” the known and the unknown—everything.

Too many times, I must confess, I am more like Martha (in our main text below). I am distracted by too many things. These distractions prevent me from seeing You in the situation—in my Life. So I join her in crying out to You, “Lord, don’t you care that [they have] left me to do the work by myself? Tell [them] to help me!”

Lord, as the distractions begin to blur and move out of focus, let me clearly see You in my focus. Turn this dourness into Joy. Let me see the colors of Your presence in all the situations and people I encounter. May I not only see Your hand at work, but may I see Your face. Forgive me for the many times I have whined and completed—doubting that You care.

Oh, but You are so patient, so kind. You do not chide me nor do You abandon me. Instead, with a gentle touch from Your words, You draw my focus back to You. Through the blur of tears, I am seeing You as I make preparations for Your people.

Indeed, You are good all the time no matter what!

Main Text— Luke 10:40 (NIV84)— ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:6–7(NIV84)

O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.—Luke 12:28b-29 (NIV84)

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.—Psalm 18:2–3 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, lead me not into distractions, but keep my eyes fixed on You. Empower me to keep focused on You no matter what I am doing. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Celebrate With Your Whole Heart”

For some, today is a joyous occasion. The little ones come bounding in bouncing on the bed: “Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy! We made you breakfast!” The joy of the moment cannot be match as each year it grows deeper and more profound, and as Mary, the mother of Jesus, did, you treasure all these things in your heart.

But for some this is a very tortuous day. Their own mother has recently passed or they have lost a dear one through a miscarriage or death. Or they cannot have any children of their own. I cannot imagine the sorrow and grief that these events have brought, and to say to you to “Celebrate with your whole heart,” would seem like pouring vinegar on baking soda or scratching an old fashion blackboard with your nails or worse….

For you, I pray peace and comfort from the God of all Comfort and the Prince of Peace. Only He can mend your wounded heart. Flee to Him and find comfort and grace….

For all of us, let us celebrate motherhood with all our hearts. Celebrate the joys and the sorrows. Do not let the enemy rob you of this Joy you have in Jesus. Remember, we have a Loving Savior who was “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NKJV)—acquainted with your grief! And yet for the joy set before Him, He endure the pain of His Cross.

My dear sister in Jesus, endure the pain of your cross for the joy set before you—the Joy of seeing Jesus face to face, the Joy of knowing He is good all the time no matter what cross you are carrying on this side of the veil.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Main Text— Matthew 12:47–50 (NIV84)— ⁴⁷ Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” ⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is My mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.—(Hebrews 12:2–3 NIV84)

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.—John 16:22 (NIV84)

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.— Psalm 34:2–5 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, I seek You out in the joys and sorrows of my life. I draw close to You as infant to her mother. Lord Jesus Christ, be my Peace. As You mend my broken heart, I will yet once again hear laughter and rejoicing, for You are my God. I rejoice in Your Mercies and Grace doing so In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Whining through the Detours of Life”

As we walk out the door, out goes our daily checklist. Our day-timer is off a few minutes—hours? Our plans suddenly are no longer our plans. Maybe you didn’t need to leave the house, just getting out of bed. Maybe you were planning on getting up an hour earlier, but the “snooze” spasm got the best of you? …

Then there are the bigger “detours of life”. You know the kind when the car breaks down, or a sick child was up all night. These are situations and circumstance that were not only not in your plans, they have disrupted whatever plans you had had….

One big detour, indeed.

We could whine our way through the detours of life or we can rejoice that, “This, too, the Lord will use for the Good.” Not sure how, but by faith I know He will….

And this is way easier said than lived. So how do you prevent that whiny burp from erupting through your tightly pursed lips? Do you mumble a 911 prayer? Do you call a friend and complain? Do you journal? Or do you start yelling? What do you do?

As noted in our main text, our Lord took a major detour. Any respectable Rabbi would have avoided the half-breeds, those dirty Samaritans, but v. 4 tells us, “Now He had to go through Samaria” (emphasis added). This may not have been the “normal” plan; nor was it the disciples’ plan; but it was the Lord’s plan. Just like the detours in our lives. The Lord desires us to take the “detour,” and whining about it only questions His plan and His wisdom. Ouch!

So what do you do? What do I do on a detour? Lately, I have been using the phrase I noted above: “This, too, You can use for the Good.” Mind you, “lately”. Before this I was the archetype of whiners, and I hid it well, but as I learn to trust the Lord’s Goodness and wisdom, and knowing “Father knows best,” I am relaxing more in the detours—even when they are expensive. Oh, a “whine” burps out every now and again, but far less frequent than before. So, yes, I mumble a 911 prayer, and, yes, I journal a lot, but now I also relax and enjoy the journey a little more, too.

Perhaps you have other coping mechanisms for the detours the Lord sends you on? Care to share?

Main Text— John 4:4-6 (NIV84)— ⁴ Now He had to go through Samaria. ⁵ So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight—Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV84)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.—Proverbs 16:9 (NIV84)

But [Job] said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.— Job 2:10 (NKJV)

Lord Jesus Christ, allow me to see sooner than later that the detours of my life are not detours to You, but only to me. And may I receive them with joy and thanksgiving. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike