When God is Silent, Part 2

  

  

Note: This post is two years in the making.  Some of the thoughts are since out-dated, but still relevant.  I will leave the first part I started two years ago, but add to it.  I got away from my blog for many reasons, but feeling God calling me back to post my thoughts once again.

I think I am like most people, I like to listen to music when I shower.  It also is a time to contemplate the day and think about life.  This particular morning I had two friends heavy on my heart.  One is struggling with an addiction, the other struggling with life in general.  Both Christians, both at their wits end and God is the farthest thing from their minds.  It was the lyrics of two particular songs that encourage me not only to reach out to both, but to also post here as the conclusion to my "When God is Silent".

   I know how easy one can turn from God when you feel He is not answering your prayers, requests or your cries.  It's not that you have given up on God, although some do, it's the idea that God is either not available or not listening.  He is basically  indifferent to what you are going through.  There are lots of Scripture that tells you God is never away from you or not listening; Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Zephaniah 3:17 are just a few.

  Let me get back to the point of where I was going, the songs.  The first song is from Blanca and is called Greater is He.

I face a giant
In over my head
Help me to look up
I take a deep breath
And take the next step
Though I may be weak
I know who is with me

CHORUS
And greater is He living in me
Than he who is in the world
Whatever may come, His strength is enough
My heart is at peace, for greater is He

Before I continue, isn't it amazing how you can listen to a song over and over, but one day something about the song speaks volumes to you?  Well I believe that God was giving me a message to pass onto my friends in need and to you.  It doesn't take a lot of thought to see where the lyrics are taking you.  You are facing a giant; addiction, life throwing you a curve, walls crashing in around you.  Yet, with the Spirit within you, you look up, realize where your strength will come from and take that next step forward!  Sounds simple, but for a lot of people who are far from God, that next step is a major one.  The step may be major, but with the strength of the Spirit within you, it is achievable.  I have witnessed many who have come from the valleys, in complete darkness to the mountain top, refreshed and renewed.

  The next song is from Josh Wilson - Before the Morning.

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you

If there's a God who loves you, where is He now

Maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending

Someday somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

I believe there are times in our lives that it seems God is not only silent, but he has abandoned you completely.  A tragedy happens, you find yourself in a pit that you can't climb out of, the enemy coming at you in all directions and you basically raise your arms in surrender.  The biggest question and scream that comes from you is "WHY?".  The lyrics that I posted challenges the believer to dare to believe that whatever is happening, whatever pain and emptiness your feeling, God continues to be beside you.  God is working through the darkness to bring you to the other side in the light.  It may seem that there is no hope, that the darkness will engulf you and drown you.  God would never let that happen.  You may walk through the valley, climb the mountain, but you will reach the top where the light shines the brightest.  During that whole journey, God walks with you.  You just have to remember He's there so talk to him.

I am going to finish up here with a couple of thoughts; and here they are.  
God is never not beside you.  It only seems that way when you ignore Him or stop communicating with Him.  
He's not going anywhere.  God wants nothing but a relationship with you and will continue to pursue you for the rest of your days.  

The final outcome to all of this relies on you.  You have to let God in, even when you are angry or sad.  You have to give whatever you are going through to God.  Finally, God knows you hurt and wants nothing more to comfort you.  Instead of pushing Him aside, let Him come closer.  As Josh Wilson wrote in his song, "Cause the pain that you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning".

Chappy

When God is Silent, Part 1

I have heard this statement many times from Christians, "God is silent." When I was a new Christian I didn't quite understand that statement, because I was hearing Him.  Yet as I matured and become complacent in my beliefs, it started to make sense, God is silent, but why?

So what has changed?  Why was it that I use to hear God, but now He seems to be silent.  The clue is hiding behind that word I used; complacent.  It's that point where we turn from focusing on Him to focusing on ourselves.  Let me share a story with you.

It has been about three years when I attended a wedding of a friend of mine.  She is a devoted Christian who finally found the man of her dreams.  Or should I say, God brought her a man, a life partner.  Now I know what some of you are thinking, how do we know this man was brought to her from God?  Let me take you back about a  couple of years before the wedding, to a point where this young lady was struggling with the sudden loss of a finance.  A man who turned his back on her and walked out of her life.  She felt betrayed, alone, bitter, you name it. It was during those struggles that I had to opportunity to come along side her and encourage her.  She had stopped listening to God, so I told her it was time to quiet her soul, calm her emotions and ask God for a soulmate; to listen for God.  Put her trust in God to bring her a partner.  Reluctant at first, she eventually surrendered herself to listening for an answer from God.  It was a year later that a young man entered her church one Sunday and well, the rest is history.

What is unfortunate, I did not take my own advice.  I stopped listening, and it was dark and lonely.  It actually took me going to her wedding and something that happened just before she walked down the isle that awoke me.  It was an outdoor wedding, beautiful surroundings when I took it upon myself to just....quiet my soul and listen.  A few minutes later a rumbling occurred in the mountains just in front of where we were sitting.  It wasn't a frighting rumble, but enough to get your attention.  I listened.  It happened again.  I felt myself smile because I knew; God was talking and I was hearing Him.  He was announcing his presence at an event He foresaw, He ordained. I felt my heart swell with love at the excitement of Hearing Him again.

Before you get all happy, I again fell into that trap of not listening and God became silent again.  Wait... wait God silent?  Something is wrong with that statement. It's not God being silent, it is us not listening. We get so wrapped up in life, or trouble befalls us and we stop listening.  God calls to us and we ignore Him.

So what have I learned?  God wants to have a relationship with us that requires us to sometimes find a quiet spot and just listen.  What will He say?  I can't answer that, because each of us hear God in a different way.  Some of us get feelings of peace, others actually hear a small voice in their head.  We all hear God differently and I believe He does that intentionally.  He wants to communicate with us on our level, at a place where we can truly hear Him.  In Revelations 3:20 God makes it clear that when He knocks and we answer (or listen) He will come and eat (spend time) with us.

My suggestion is start the New Year listening to God and all He has to say and reveal to you.  I believe that if you put aside some time for God, you will be surprised at all the wonders He will reveal to you.

A Smile from A Red Bird

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.”

Interesting facts about cardinals (sometimes called "red birds"), they do not migrate, but stay in the same area all year long. The males are very protective of their mate and defend their territory with vigor. They are also considered one of the most attractive song birds by birdwatchers. Biologist have even observed that some cardinal songs are sung with an accent.

Lydia loved red birds, her house was decorated everywhere with ornaments, statuettes and pictures of red birds.  She truly was a fan of this majestic bird.  It is no surprise that the red bird was her favorite, because she was much like the red bird. God was always first with Lydia, but family was next and friends not far behind.  She stayed close to her family, even taking care of her parents. Like the red bird she found comfort being surrounded by her family and friends, defending them at every turn.

Although Lydia did not sing, at least not in front of us, her smile could be considered her song.  It was her smile that attracted people, made them feel at peace and made them feel loved.  Like the red bird's song, Lydia's smile was beautiful and real.  I don't think I have ever heard a bird sing sadness, and I never saw Lydia without a smile.  She could see past a person's defenses and see their heart.  Her smile was contagious.

Lydia cared about people, especially children and adults who struggled.  She wanted to give love to those who felt no love, and she wanted to care for people who felt no one cared for them.  Lydia was definitely a servant of God.

Lydia passed away on October 9th of this year, a sad day for many of us.  A smile that was extinguished for us here on Earth; at least that was what I thought.  It was during her memorial service that the deacon said something that brought a smile to my face.  He said, we must be like Lydia, smile at one another, care for one another and love one another.  He was so right!  We couldn't let Lydia's smile be extinguished, but allow our smiles to be her's. Her smile was a reflection of the Christ-like love she had for people.  We too must have the same smile; a smile that tells people we care, we love them and we are here.

Philippians 2:3-5 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to each of you to the interest of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus"

I know that each time I see a red bird, I will think of Lydia and her beautiful smile.  I just hope that my smile can be as radiant as her's.  We love you Lydia and miss you, but look forward to that day when we can see you again, and see that smile.

Chappy

A Letter To My New Daughter-in-Law

"We love because He first loved us"

                                     1 John 4:19

Well you have gone and done it.  You have entered something far different then the Twilight Zone.  You have become a part of the family.  This family is not your typical family; far from it.  We don't allow many people into our circle, we tend to keep to ourselves and we find humor in the dumbest things.  

Getting nervous?

This family did not start on a foundation of God, in fact if you really wanted an idea of what this family started on, you would have to watch the movie Princess Bride, and the travels of Princess Buttercup and Westley through the Fire Swamp.  

Got that image in your head?

You married the eldest of four children, which puts you at the top.  The spotlight is on you, because there are two brothers behind who will monitor your every movement.  Your actions will determine what kind of women they will look for to wed. 

I'm sorry, does that sound like too much pressure?

So, all kidding aside.  Although this family struggled, fought to keep our heads above water, we did find solid ground.  That solidness was a foundation of God.

Whew!  do you feel some relief?

You see, although we may not be your typical family, we do know who is truly in charge.  We may not be the embodiment of angels, but we do understand what it means to love others and put others before ourselves.  We still struggle, we still fall, but now we have someone who has our back.  

We don't take life nonchalantly.  So with that all said, sit firmly in your seat, fasten your seat belt and get ready for the ride of your life.

Welcome to the family, my dearest daughter-in-love.

The Garage Sale

                         "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

                    

My wife and I will often take a Saturday morning and look for garage sales.  The fun is finding something you want at a bargain price.  The old saying "One's trash is another's treasure" sometimes holds true, but sometimes "One's trash is just trash".

We all know why we have garage sales, to get rid of stuff we no longer want.  Garage sales are intended to hopefully recoup some cash, and to have someone else haul our "trash" off.  Sounds easy enough, but there is a lot to putting on a garage sale.  Set up tables, price all the stuff you want to sell, put an add in the paper or internet and then running the garage sale.  You have all been there, you say 7am on Saturday and people show up at 5am banging on your door.  Then there is the haggling over prices.  All in all garage sales may get rid of your "trash", but they really are a hassle.  Is there an easier way to get rid of your "trash"?  Sure, pack it away, throw it away, or give it away.

As much as I would like the money, I would choose to give it away.  Giving it to a family in need provides them with stuff they could not afford; clothing, appliances and furniture.  If you take your stuff to a nonprofit, they can sell your stuff to raise money for a need and provide jobs. You relieve yourself of the clutter, but bless others with stuff they will need. Sounds like a win-win to me.

What do you do with your internal "trash" or burdens?  Do you try and deal with it yourself?  Like a garage sale, it takes a lot of work to deal with your own burdens.  A lot of the time you can't solve your problems, and they continue to linger.  You could pack them away.  Which means you will have to eventually deal with it.  They just don't go away on their own.  When you spend more time dealing with your burdens you take time away from things that are important.  You become a slave to your burdens.

How about giving your burdens always?  God wants your burdens, why not give it to Him?  You don't get cash, but you are relieved of your "trash".  What does God get?  He gets a servant who's life is not cluttered.  A servant who can do His will.

1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  Someone who cares enough to take all your "trash" so you can move forward....hmmm......sounds like a win-win to me.

Chappy

Man Up

When I was in my early teens and playing city league baseball, I had a friend who was a pitcher.  During one particular game a struck ball came back towards him, hitting him in the shoulder.  He went down like a sack of potatoes.  The game stopped and he was helped back to the dugout where I was sitting.  My friend was hurting bad and he was crying.  As he was holding an ice bag on his shoulder his dad came into the dugout.  His dad stood over him and told him to stop crying and to Man Up.  His dad never comforted him, nor sat down beside him.  His only words were Man Up.

I tell you this story because of a response I had to my last post.  The person who responded used the words Man Up.  Now I am not sure if the person truly didn't understand my post or his response was like that of my friend's dad.  Anytime you are hurting, you need to Man Up.  Sounds simple enough, but does manning up fit ever type of hurt?

Before I answer that last question, let me first give you my definition of manning up.  A man who takes responsibility for a child he conceived in a one night stand with a woman, is manning up.  A man who works more than two jobs to take care of his family, is manning up.  A father who takes his crying child into his arms and hugs them, is manning up.  You see, what my friend's father did was not being a man.  What he thought he was doing was trying to make his son a man, and not a sissy, by telling him not to cry and to Man Up.

So to answer my question, the answer is no.  You can't tell an alcoholic to Man Up.  You surely can't tell a person trying to beat a drug addiction to Man Up.  Most definitely you wouldn't tell someone who is dealing with depression to Man Up.  What about a person who has lost a loved-one to cancer?  "Hey your loved-one is dead, you can't bring them back. So Man Up!"  Don't get me started about some father telling his thirteen year old son to Man Up.  Can you imagine Jesus telling any of the hurt people He came into contact with to Man Up.  I seriously don't think Jesus would be as popular as He is today if he acted that way.

We come into contact with people everyday with different levels of hurt.  How we approach them, and how we act towards them can make all the difference.  People don't expect answers from you; they want arms to hold them, a shoulder to lean on and an ear that listens.  They surely don't need someone telling them to Man Up.

I have been lucky to have people around me who recognize when I am hurting and give me comfort.  They may do it by providing me a song, giving me a hug or just a few encouraging words.  I know it is God working through them, because it is just what He would do.

"You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again." Psalms 71:20-21

Lightning Crashes

Oh now I feel it comin' back again,

Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind.

Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again.

I can feel it...

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a serious passion for music.  I love listening to the way lyrics are sang; trying to feel and understand what the artist/writer was trying to convey to the listener. The lyrics that I posted above come from a song called Lightning Crashes by the group Live.  These lyrics perfectly describe my life over the past year.  Just when I think things are going good, I can feel it.  I can feel that sense of an impending obstacle, a crossroads, a hindrance to my path.  So today I throw myself a pity party and your invited.

So my pity party has been going on for sometime, but lately I have been bombarded by lyrics that really puts it all in perspective.  Basically the message that has come through is this:

When you were born, no one promised you an easy road in life.

Now I know, many of you are going to say, duh, but hear me out.  When you were born, your parents  told you they would protect you, and probably for the most part many of you had parents who did just that.  Some of you, unfortunately, had parents who made that statement above clear from day one.  Yet there came a time when you were on your own.  That is when it all started to fall apart.  Okay, that is a little dramatic, but things started to happen that you weren't expecting.  that obstacle, that hindrance, that crash of lightning.  Suddenly there are bumps in your road and as life progress they seem to be more often, sometimes bigger than normal.  Wow this sucks!

Yeah, it does suck, and I am not going to sit here and say I have an answer.  Remember?  I am having a pity party.  I struggle every day looking for an answer.  As a Christian I have prayer and God's Word, but let me be honest with you...I am no where near the type of Christian who can blow through an obstacle coming out the other end feeling stronger in their faith.  Right now I have kind of parked myself in from of my obstacles hoping they might just go away.  I have a fear that if I do somehow make it through the obstacle, there will be another, and another and another..........you get my point.  Like the lyrics say above: Oh now I feel it comin' back again.  Crap.

How are you enjoying the party?  I hate it.  I hate feeling this way.  I guess I shouldn't because no one promised me an easy road.  Heck, even the Bible says once you become a Christian it gets worse; before it gets better. WHAT?!  Maybe that is what I am going through right now, the worse.  Wow, that didn't make me feel any better.  So when do I get to feel better?

I have three saving graces that keep me from drowning in my pity party.  The first is always God.  No matter how deep a valley I am in, how dark it is around me, I know He is there.  Second is my family, they are my rocks. Thirdly, strange as it may seem, is a friend of mine who I wrote about in a previous blog, the gas attendant.  These are my life lines.

So what do you get out of my pity party?  Hopefully some clarity.   Your life path is not perfect, and it won't be, so stop trying!  Stuff is going to come at you from every direction, it's going to block you and hinder you.  How you deal with it will determine if you want to have a pity party, or you want to strengthen and grow.  I have my life lines, what are yours?  Are they helping you?  If not, maybe it's time to look for new life lines.

Well, this pity party is about over.  Thanks for coming and being a part of the party.  I hope I didn't bum you out, that wasn't my point.  I have been bummed out for sometime, and it has really taken a toll on me; mentally and physically.  You don't want to be where I have been.  I want all of you to understand that no matter what comes at you, what forces are pullin' at you, there is Hope at the other end.  It takes strength and courage to move through the mess, and you don't have to do it alone.  Surround yourself with life lines and fight the good fight.