The Light of All Mankind

 

This morning while I was in the deer stand, I had a great view of the eastern sky.  It was amazing!  The sun was coming up and peeking through the treetops and the clouds.  Light was shining through the sky and across the water on the ground.  I couldn't help but think about the Scriptures. Genesis 1:3-5 says, "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.'"  God spoke a few words, and He shared His light upon the earth, and it was good!  John tell us in his letter, 1 John 1:5, "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: GOD IS LIGHT; in him there is no darkness at all."  Think about these truths for just a moment.  God is light, and He shares His light with us.  It is His presence with us!  John 1:1-5 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was THE LIGHT OF ALL MANKIND.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

As we celebrate Christmas, let's celebrate Jesus.  There is no Christmas without Jesus.  Jesus is the Light of the world; He is THE LIGHT OF ALL MANKIND!  Jesus came to us; He is God's presence with us; He is Immanuel - God with us!  Jesus is not just "a" light; He is "THE" light!  Jesus came to live a perfect life, to die a sacrificial death, and to rise up out of the grave; He came to defeat sin and death once and for all!  He is our life and our light!  Thank God for Jesus!  Thank God for Christmas, the start of something new (Isaiah 43:19) and the eternal life that Jesus gives us (John 10:27-28)!  Merry Christmas everyone!!!

The Lord Is My Strength and Shield!

In two days I will run my first full marathon after months of training and preparing. It is has been one of the most challenging endeavors in my life.  I would like to say that I've enjoyed the entire process, but I can say that I have.  There have been times that I've questioned myself...questioned motives, my sanity, my resolve, my strength.  There have been times that I wanted to quit, yet here I am two days away...Sunday, November 6th, at 7:30 AM...my first full marathon.

I have learned so much about running, but I have learned so much about God and about myself.  I have prayed.  Many others have prayed.  I have listened every step of the way to the Spirit speak to me.  I have looked at all the signs God has given me on this journey.  I have been tested in every way...physically, mentally, and spiritually.  And I must say, I have truly enjoyed the testing.  I know that a faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.  I love the Psalms, and I have been reading many of them along the way.  David says in Psalm 28:6-7, "Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him.  And He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."

David, carried along by the Holy Spirit, tells us some important truths about the God who loves us.  God hears us when we cry out to Him, especially for MERCY.  God is our STRENGTH and our SHIELD.  We can TRUST God with all of our heart.  God HELPS us whenever and wherever we are.  And in response to these truths, David gives us a proper response: "My heart leaps for JOY, and with my song I PRAISE Him."  Am I a little anxious about the marathon?  You bet I am!  Am I doubtful about crossing the line or meeting my personal goals?  You bet I am!  However, I turn to my God who loves me, who hears me, who strengthens me, who helps me!  I have never been alone, and I am not alone now.  I am JOYFUL, and I will sing the PRAISES of my great God!  I thank my God for allowing me this opportunity.  I thank my God for the people who have been with me over these past few months (putting up with me talking about it, but encouraging me anyway).  I thank God for my wife and for my kids (they even went out of their way to bring me water many times, and they have continued to believe in me and God's plan for me).  I thank God for my church family and the many, many prayers and encouraging words.  I thank God for doctors and chiropractors, who have been given the ability and the wisdom to help me physically and mentally when I was pushing my body to the limits!  And I thank God for this incredible starting line in front of me.  My daughter Hillary passed away on November 6th, 1996, of a brain tumor when she was just over five months old.  She would have turned 26 years old back on June 10th.  Had she lived, we would have more than likely been at St. Jude's for quite some time in recovery.  God's plans for us are perfect, and God's timing is perfect.  In two days, I will remember and honor my daughter Hillary by running 26 miles 26 years after her passing, and the funds raised in this marathon will go to St. Jude's.  Oh, how my heart leaps for JOY, and, oh, how I am praising God now and will continue to praise Him all of my days!

Happy Birthday, Marty!!!

Happy birthday, Marty!!!  We love you so very much!  Thank you for being an awesome wife, an amazing mother, and a godly woman.  You are God's "special possession," and we are so thankful He gifted us with you!  You are so beautiful...inside and out!  We hope you have the best day today celebrating your birthday.  

Jeff, Francie, Jacob, Katie, and Jonah

I Take Refuge in You, Lord!

Are you anxious right now?  What worries, concerns, or anxiousness do you carry day after day after day?  If you are like me, they could be many!  We were not created to carry the weight of anxiousness, concern, or worry day after day after day.  When we are carrying the weight of anxiousness, it is difficult, if not impossible, to be who God created us to be...in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and our communities.  So what do we do with these things that weigh us down?  We give them to God.  We trust God.  I love Psalm 31.  Listen to David's words in Psalm 31:1-8... 1 In you, Lord, I have taken REFUGE; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.  2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of REFUGE, a strong fortress to save me.  3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.  4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my REFUGE.  5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.  6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.  7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.  8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

David was weighed down by his "affliction" and the "anguish" in his soul.  What did he do?  He turned to God, and he trusted God!  God was David's REFUGE.  Three times David used the word "refuge" in these eight verses.  "Refuge," according to Merriam-Webster, means "a shelter or protection from danger or distress."  When you are anxious or worrisome, you can turn to God and trust God as your REFUGE.  He will be your shelter and your protection.  God can and will be your rock, your fortress, your REFUGE in times of affliction and anguish!  Turn to Him, and trust Him today!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Jacob!

Jacob, we are very proud of you!  You have filled our hearts and our home with so much joy and laughter!  We are excited to see how God continues to bless you and makes you a blessing to others.  Keep smiling big, young man, because that smile lights up the hearts of people around you!  And remember these words from Colossians that we have prayed over you for years.  Colossians 3:16-17... 16 Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We love you, and we hope you have a great day today!  Happy 22nd Birthday, Jacob!