COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken,” Psalm 62:2 ESV. I have lived through many small tremors, but only once did I experience a genuine earthquake. Having already lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years we had become so accustomed to small tremors that we didn’t even notice the BIG ONE until the ground began to truly heave. It is disorienting to discover that everything can be shaken at once and can last for such a long time. Frankly, we don’t expect the very ground on which we live to convulse, but sometimes it does. In those bewildering moments, on what will I stand? “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV. Lover of my Soul, You set my feet on solid rock. My life is safely nestled in Your Mighty Hands. In You, I safely rest. 

God loves me. Proverbs 3:12 proclaims: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives,” ESV. And in the New Testament, we read: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives,” Hebrews 12:6 ESV. With these passages in mind, I’m thinking that God loves me a whole lot! It seems that nothing I think or do misses His constant oversight in things both large and small and His instructive voice never ceases. So, I take heart in knowing both the severity and the goodness of God. Thankfully, He is loving and kind, being patient with my micro-changes and slow pace. But at times His rebuke is sharp and to the point. This too is the mercy, wisdom and love of God at work. Dear LORD and Father, though at times discouragement buffets my soul Your love lifts me to the heights and grants strength for the battle.

“Now, we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 (ESV). Sharon and I are sifting through piles of stuff gathered over many years. In the process of downsizing, we are discovering how much we possess that is useless to our current lives. We have also found things that could be precious and needed by others but sit uselessly. We needed to do a personal inventory. One of the roles of God’s Spirit is to cleanse our lives from useless things and help us understand what matters, turning dusty blessings into shiny new gifts for the benefit of others. It’s time to clean our spiritual closets, activate what is of value and bless others! Gracious God. May our stewardship never be left inactive or wasted. Use all that we have and all who we are for Your Glory. 

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble,” Matthew 6:34 ESV. Both dreaded doom and needed blessings always seem to be just ahead and coming my way. At times, one looks more imminent than the other, but doom or blessing always appears to be circling the landing strip and on final approach. As it turns out, neither has ever actually arrived exactly the way I had previously imagined nor had the impact I had envisioned. In fact, what appears as doom often comes laden with hidden blessings upon arrival, and “blessings” often contain unexpected complications. The lesson here? “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV. Father come what may, I am more than a conqueror because You love me and are working everything for my good.  

" Through Him, we have also   obtained access by faith   into this grace   in which we stand,” Romans 5:2 (ESV). In my work, I have been “waved through” many times into amazing places. I always feel privileged when I am and am very grateful for each experience. But these are merely human spaces. No privilege in this life rises to the greatness we each obtain as believers in Our Redeemer King; we have  access to His grace ! The heavenly hosts wave us through with no restrictions as God welcomes us into His Holy Presence as family. There, none of the shackles of sin may pass, there, every chain of darkness is broken, there, we are clothed in righteousness! Hebrews 4:16 proclaims: “ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. O LORD MY GOD, Your Mercy endures forever! 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up,” Galatians 6:9 (ESV). Frankly, I often resent the time it takes to accomplish things, but we are warned to: “not grow weary”. The “due season” is a God-ordained moment; it can’t be rushed, but it can be missed. Many years ago, while living in Costa Rica, we participated in a very unusual outreach. We hosted Tino and Olinka Wallenda as they performed an incredible stunt, walking between two of San Jose’s tallest buildings on a high-wire and sitting on a delicately balanced chair while preaching the gospel to thousands of amazed observers below. It took weeks of preparation to perform for just a few short minutes, but many came to salvation that day. LORD God, time is in Your hands. Forgive my impetuousness. Grant me the grace to accept Your choices and pace.

“Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they cannot pass over it,”  Jeremiah 5:22 (ESV).  Beholding an ocean scape is full of life lessons, so I will offer just a few. What you see on the surface tells very little of its true volume and hidden abundance. While significant activity can be seen on top, the real action is only discovered by going deeper. There is always much more over the horizon headed your way. Every wave leaves new treasures along the shoreline, but an effort must be made to uncover them. Eternal God and Maker of All things You made the seas as but a token of Your Mighty Wonders. You are the Well that Never Runs Dry, the Dawn that Never Dims and the depths of Your Love may never be exhausted. 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,” Ephesians 4:29 (ESV). I am by nature a talkative person and find it easy to strike up conversations with just about anybody. While I’ve become far more circumspect over a lifetime, I still hear myself say things I later regret. Giving voice to random thoughts often harms both the speaker and the hearer. Our mouths can be a fountain of blessing or an open sewer.  Also, I’ve learned how important it is to avoid those who habitually spread negative things about others, “For the ear tests words as the palate tastes food ,” Job 34:3 (ESV). So, both our mouth and ears need to be brought under God’s management through His Word and Spirit. LORD, I submit my hearing and speaking under Your divine guidance. 

“For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor,” Galatians 2:18 (ESV). The apostle Paul warns us, as he had his fellow apostles, that going back to former things to “fit in” is a slippery slope. Even Peter and Barnabas even got caught up in wanting to be accepted by those “under the Law”. As believers, we must be discerning about how we live and act, especially among non-believers. This is not really about cultural, societal or religious views or rules, it is about how we identify ourselves. Is my identity in Christ or am I still seeking to “fit in” so I will be accepted by others?  We are commanded in Ephesians 5:2, “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” In simple terms, let love and obedience guide your behaviors,  not the Law, not rules and attempts to fit in. LORD, guide me by love and truth as I navigate this world. Forward ever, backwards never!

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings,” Psalm 36:7 (ESV). Blessings come in many ways. While some are huge and obvious most blessings arrive without fanfare and in simple forms: a beautiful horizon, a memory of someone special, a baby’s smile, a wonderful taste, or a gentle touch. As I reflect on how often God works unannounced, it strikes me how utterly unpretentious He is. The LORD can work on any scale and is worthy of all glory, yet He stoops low to quietly craft a constant stream of blessings into our lives. He does not hold back for our lack of acknowledgement.  His unrequited love pours forth without restraint. Lord God, You are our Glorious Benefactor. Sin has dulled my senses and I am slow to see, but in this moment of reflective contrition, I glorify You and thank You for Your humble affection. Please make me more like You. 

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom,” Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV). I generally do better in a big crisis than when faced with relentless small annoyances. It seems that the size of a difficulty elicits different responses within me. In the case of giant problems, I quickly realize that I must turn them over to God. But with small problems I usually feel confident to handle them on my own. Bad decision. As the volume of issues increase, I soon find my boat overloaded, leaking and slowly sinking. A raging bull charging toward us is an obvious threat, but we are warned it is the “little foxes” that ruin the harvest God has for us. Lord, forgive my stubborn self-reliance and lethargic surrender. LORD, in Your Mercy, help me entrust all things both large and small into Your Mighty Hands, and to do it swiftly. 

Jesus’ first miracle turned 120 gallons of water into wine. “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’" John 2:5 (ESV). Profound advice! The typical water jar of that era held about twenty gallons. Six, 20-gallon jars filled with drinkable water...that’s a lot of trips to the town well! But Mary’s sound counsel was a key element of the miracle, as was the obedience and hard work of the servants. Miracles are often lying just behind a curtain of doubt, confusion or unwillingness to be blindly obedient. There were multiple people in this story, but each person’s willingness to obey was critical to the manifestation of the blessing. The miraculous life is not a singular event or moment, it is a daily walk of navigating unclear commands from the Commander of Our Souls. LORD, grant me fresh grace to face this day’s needed miracles with simple obedience to Your every Word. 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him,” James 1:12 (ESV). Over a lifetime I’ve received a few awards, earned a few titles and have been blessed with great opportunities. Most of them now live stacked in drawers and closets or only have meaning as a part of some story that comes up from time to time. In the end they have little enduring value. One of my spiritual fathers, Costa Deir, would say: “A great life can be summed up in one word: ‘others’”. This leads to the question of life that matter, “have I been a blessing to others.” Father, the only prize I now seek is to remain steadfast by helping, strengthening and lifting others. May my hands not be empty as I join the gathering before Your thrown in heaven and we joyfully cast our crowns at your feet. 

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit,” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV). Transformational change requires more than simply wishing for it. Ultimately, spiritual transformation is a work of God’s grace but we each play a vital role in the change process. I must learn to take direct, prompt action, yet remain willing to be halted at any moment by the One who commanded me to move ahead. “Wait for it”…“wait for it”…“okay, move now!”; this is the rhythm of the spirit-guided life. Like manna in the wilderness, lessons are present each day to be taken. And like manna, yesterday’s gathered provisions are not for today, they must be gathered each and every day afresh, no cheating allowed. Lord, I thank You for Your holy work in me. I do not resent Your pace nor do I doubt Your choices are the best path.

“So, we have come to  know  and to  believe  the love that God has for us,” 1 John 4:16 (ESV).     There is a huge distinction between “knowing” something is possible and “acting” upon that knowledge. Most people who believe in God think He loves them but are not sure enough to act upon that love toward Him or others. But like faith, true love requires actions, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” John 14:15 (ESV). The failure to act upon God’s love is what most often sets us back in our spiritual growth. For instance, to give something up we treasure or to offer help to someone else when we ourselves have needs both require BELIEVING God loves us and KNOWING God loves us; it means believing His love toward us is genuine and has endless supply. LORD thank You for pushing me deeper into acting upon Your love. Use me to be Your helping and comforting hand to those I encounter each day. 

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few,” Matthew 7:14 (ESV). Long before satellite navigation was possible in a car our family was traveling in the Smokey Mountains. After unfolding and studying a map, I took a road that looked like a good shortcut for us. As the road narrowed and became a curvy, steep plunge I doubted my decision and stopped to ask a man if the road we were on would lead to where I was trying to go. He answered “yep!” with a nod. Then he slowly surveyed our soccer mom van filled with four young children and said: “Mister, you don’t want to go that way.” We turned around and thankfully missed whatever peril he knew awaited us. Father keep me from taking perilous shortcuts as I journey this day. Guide me to what is best. May my choices please You and always lead to Your perfect will. 

The last part of 1 Peter 5:5 (ESV) states: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” At age thirteen I began driving boats, spending endless hours on a large lake. Those years of experience did little to prepare me for the complications of navigating tidal waters since lakes rarely require navigational buoys. On my first boating adventure as a young adult in unfamiliar tidal waters we headed to shore without paying attention to channel markers and ran aground at nearly full speed. No injuries thankfully, but we were seriously grounded on a sand bar until the tide rose. Thankfully, the only real harm was to my bruised ego. Father in Your mercy please grant me a teachable heart and awaken my discernment to the   navigation signals You place along my path. Deliver me from presumption and teach me to be alert to Your guidance and that of others wiser than I. 

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love,” 1 John 4:18 (ESV). The murky confusion of the black of night is instantly transfigured by the entry of even the smallest light. Many tremble at the onset of darkness in any form, but evil can be confronted without fear for we are bathed in our Savior and Redeemer’s vanquishing love. Demons flee in the presence of the King of Kings and destitute souls find deliverance, healing and peace. To bow the knee to the Lord of Hosts is to strike a deathblow to the enemies of the God-seeking. Yesterday’s grace and mercy are fully spent, but a fresh batch is prepared for all who seek You this new day. Father of Light, limitless dominion belongs to those who know You as LORD. You are our Strong Tower, our Refuge, our Provider, our Champion and our Deliverer. May Your Resplendent Glory fill me today and always. 

One thing about miracles is that they never look like miracles until they are finished. As the children of Israel were released from slavery in Egypt and headed back to the Promised Land, God guided them in a direction that trapped them between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian Army. But He did it with a greater purpose: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’   But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” Exodus 13:17-18 (ESV).     Yes, toward the Red Sea! It was God’s intent from the start to not simply   deliver them from their enemy , but to   destroy their enemy . Their steps of obedience led them to a miraculous victory. Holy Father. I get it. I must trust Your Heart even when I cannot understand Your Command. LORD, Your Ways, not mine. ...

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction,” Isaiah 48:10 (ESV). On a whim I signed up for metal shop in eighth grade. I learned that iron, a relatively soft metal, is turned into hardened steel by a purification process that includes, adding elements together, putting them under a lot of pressure and severe temperature changes. The iron is repeatedly heated red-hot, pounded and pressured, then placed in water to cool it quickly. This tempering process presses the ore’s molecules tightly together making it stronger than ever. Character is built the same way. No one enjoys the conflicts that forge us, yet it is the heat, pressure, pounding and cooling process that gives our character hardened steel strength. Lord God, I marvel at Your wisdom and power to transform. Make and mold me strong for the battles ahead. Refine my heart and shape my life to do Your will. 

“For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead,” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (ESV). Instead of becoming victims of a spirit of fear, Paul’s apostolic team was delivered from both present and future fears by reliance upon “God who raises the dead” instead of themselves. Good move. Too often we allow bad circumstances to cast doubt upon     God’s love and power, but the right response is to be fully delivered from self-dependence. “ For the eyes of the   Lord   run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those   whose heart is blameless toward him,” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV). Father deliver me from self-reliance and grant me grace and faith to take hold of Your resurrection power.

“ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ,” Colossians 1:28 (ESV). We too, are called to “Proclaim Him”. We proclaim Him in our choices. We proclaim Him in our scheduled priorities. We proclaim Him in our acts of kindness. We proclaim Him in our forgiveness of others. We proclaim Him in our attitudes at work, home, travel or play. We proclaim Him in our giving. We proclaim Him in our service to those in need. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father,” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT). LORD, grant me grace to do so.

“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit,” John 15:2 (ESV). The first time I saw a rose bush properly pruned it stunned me. I watched as a friend hacked away at a healthy-looking plant. By the time he was finished the pruned plant was a stick-like shadow of its former self; I thought it was ruined but I was wrong. As it turned out, it grew beautiful and productive later that spring, pruning had made it healthier and more dazzling than ever. The LORD is faithful to prune my life when it is necessary, and so He does again and again. While it is uncomfortable to face this process each time, springtime’s bounty always comes. Father, You are the Great and Mighty Gardener and I am the willing target of Your handiwork. I am thankful for the pruning You see fit and I welcome Your holy work in me. 

Though small children have plenty of time on their hands they still must learn to wait. Nothing seems to put their little souls to the test more than having to delay something they want right now. A long road trip is especially hard for them to get their minds around and is usually repeatedly peppered with the question: “Are we there yet?” Actually, we never quite seem to grow up in this regard; patience with God’s pace is still an issue for me. 2 Peter 3:8 states: “do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day  is  as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” His timing is perfect so I must learn to not bail out before arrival. I must also resist the temptation to interpret delay as a sign God doesn’t want me to do something. Heavenly Father teach me the difference between “No” and “Not Yet”. Grant me grace for the journey and help me not miss the lessons in the detours. 

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” Psalm 18:2 (ESV). It is perfectly normal to believe that if we gather enough fame, fortune, family and friends we will be protected from calamity. However, when life falls apart, there is no enduring safety for the self-dependent, unsurrendered heart. Only those with a biblical worldview, principled character and a missional life will withstand the onslaught life oftenbrings.   No one can be insulated from disaster, but the God-seeker knows where to turn and finds peace and prosperity within the tempest. As the great hymn proclaims: “A Mighty Fortress is our God! A Bulwark never failing.” O Lord My Strength and Deliverer, in Your Divine Care I run freely through the darkest valley. 

“The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple,” Ezekiel 43:5 (ESV). What a beautiful description of God’s lifting power! While living as missionaries in Quito, Ecuador our home was within easy view of a world-renowned location for hang gliding. We watched flyers riding rising warm air as it ascended up the steep cliffs about two thousand feet. No power is required because the thermals provide the needed lift for skilled pilots. My daily walk with God is actually no different, the key is to trust His lifting power. Like hang gliding, over time, skills are developed and improved to avoid dead air and steer only toward what lifts. Father You are High and Lifted Up! Transport me to the heights of Your Presence. Teach me to rely on Your Spirit-provided power and to skillfully navigate the opportunities you bring. 

“Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had    stood before the    Lord ,” Genesis 19:27 (ESV). I find that going to the place I stand before the LORD instead of thinking of what is ahead is the best way to begin my day. “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch,” Psalm 5:6 (ESV).  Each new day quickly fills with yesterday’s leftovers, today’s demands and tomorrow’s concerns, but David had learned by experience, God first, that’s it.  Why delay? Like a road trip, starting late means additional traffic. Prayerful meditations do not belong bumper to bumper on a crowded freeway, the cares of this world cutting into holy space. Other things can wait. Dear Shepherd and King of my soul, early will I seek You. Help me set aside encroaching thoughts and concerns that I may seek You first and always.