COFFEE ON THE DOCK

"This is what he showed me: behold, the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand,” Amos 7:7 ESV. A small weight suspended from a string provides a straight vertical line, the Law of Gravity assures the "plumb line's" accuracy. Family, friends, culture, and even sincere Christians around us are only relative measures. I may feel justified in my actions yet be completely off plumb in the eyes of God. What I need is a precise plumb line by which I can see if I measure up to God’s will and ways; personal opinions will not do. Only God’s Word enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God is an accurate enough plumb line to build a spiritual life that can stand the tests of storms. Lord of all Wisdom, Your Spirit, and Word accurately expose my pretenses and shortcomings. Deliver me from falsehood from any source and establish my steps according to Your ways.   

Life unveils the beauty of friendship: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” Proverbs 17:7 ESV and “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” Proverbs 18:24. I genuinely appreciate the depths of alliance and devotion that is formed while “under fire”. Relationships forged in the “furnace of much affliction” gain an inner strength like tempered metal. Surface disputes may remain, but inwardly, a code is formed, and covenant is knitted deeply into the heart. I never had the privilege to serve in the military, but I feel much more in common with those who climbed Normandy’s Cliffs, slogged through the Mekong Delta or bore the dust and heat in Desert Storm than with those who only accept convenient truths and shallow devotion. Lord, grant me a warrior’s heart. Free me from temporal entanglements and bind my heart to Kingdom Comrades. 

“One gives freely yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered,” Proverbs 11:24-25 ESV. God is mercifully generous, pouring out His blessings on both the deserving and undeserving. Giving activates a part of the divine nature imprinted on every human heart by its Creator that simply cannot be activated otherwise. Benevolence without authentic love is possible, but genuine love devoid of giving is utterly impossible. Generosity with strings attached is the earthly way, giving unconditionally is heavenly. Many of the issues of the heart are caused by selfish resistance to give, but generosity is a cure for many of our ills. Simply stated, open hands, open heart, closed hands, closed heart. Lord, teach me Your ways. Thank You for every opportunity to be more like You. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10 ESV. I’m a tool in the hand of God. He first crafted me so He could use me to craft other things. The immature believer thinks they are the final product to be shown on display. This thinking couldn’t be more wrong! A quick look into a well-used toolbox reveals worn hammers, scratched saws, and other battered tools. Never be concerned with being a “perfect looking Christian”; only a new Christian has no marks. We’re created to be used by the Master to craft others, not to show off our polished looks. Get out of the fancy superstore and into the harvest field! Yes, it means some battering, dust, and dirt, but I must remember, in God’s Holy Hands, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV. LORD, use me today for Your Glory. 

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:14 ESV. As a child, I spent much of my time pretending, creating elaborately detailed scenarios in my mind where I was the central character to everything that was happening. While these imagined adventures are  excellent  for children, as adults, pretending we are superheroes does us no good at all. Maturity requires humility; an overstated opinion of one’s importance is not only foolish, but it is also dangerous. Whenever I perilously crossed that line, God in His mercy provides a way for to be pulled back. Blessed Father, help me keep it real. Thank You for the honest mirror Scripture offers. Though I can do all things through Your strength, I can do nothing of eternal value absent Your constant guidance, nourishment, and remedy. 

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word,” Psalm 119:114 ESV. Pain is very personal, but every heart knows its own concealed agony. Smiles and laughter often mask inward grief. But to the one who truly knows God as Father, those times of veiled anguish actually become uniquely precious. For, in the same way, our deepest pain is very private; times of desperate intimacy with the Great Shepherd turns our sorrows into joy in ways that no one else can share. In those “hiding place” moments, mourning becomes dancing, grief becomes gladness, and pouting becomes praise! Just the mention of His name declared in bedrock belief shatters the darkness and opens the heavens! My Lord, my God, You are Awesome, Powerful, and Wonderful in all Your ways! All Glory and Majesty are Yours forever and ever amen! 

“This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:12-13 ESV. It is a common deception to fall in love with false images. In fact, modern advertising has become extremely adept at deception by exaggeration. We often imagine only the good about something, someplace or someone, only to subsequently discover we have successfully ignored the truth. Human love is delusional because it is selfish at its core; we naturally look for what makes us feel happy, not what challenges us, strengthens us, or makes us better people. Only a godly worldview can prepare us to properly love people, places, or things. Father in Heaven, You love the imperfect perfectly. Grant me Your brand of love and deliver me from my own. Let Your perfecting love in me shape the world around me. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing,” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV. I am not striving to live the most comfortable or easy life possible; I am contending to fight the good fight, to do God’s bidding , and to finish well. What a beautiful life I’ve already lived. When I consider all the fantastic people I’ve met and worked with around the world, the miraculous doors I’ve walked through, and the amazing opportunities I’ve been granted, I can gratefully say, “It is well!” At this point, my goal is finishing strong. I’m in no hurry to finish my race, it’s just that I want to run hard all the way to the ribbon! I want to please “The Audience of One ”. LORD, it is well, it is well, with my soul.

“When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever,” Proverbs 10:25 ESV. I have passed through a few hurricanes over a lifetime. As outer bands spew copious amounts of rain and trees swing wildly in the powerful winds, there is an eerie beauty and justifiable fear.  Palm trees, with their long, lanky trunks and floppy branches perched at the very top, appear somewhat fragile and vulnerable until these the wind really starts blowing.   The Palms seem destined for destruction to the inexperienced, as it turns out, they handle hurricane-force winds better than stately oaks or Giant cedars. While huge trees tear apart, the palms just dance through the storm. Father, I get it; what may appear as strength is not. You design each of us with unseen, inexplicable power. Help me stay firmly planted in You as I dance through the storm.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar,” Psalm 139:1-2 ESV. While my private thoughts may be hidden from others, all my thoughts, wishes, fears, motives, or aspirations are in full view of the Lord. He examines all my paths, not only those I have already taken, but even those I merely consider pursuing. This would be a moment by moment battle of wills if I were still of the impression that my life was my own, but this issue is settled; I must decrease, He must increase. Though at times, I forget to acknowledge His ever-present examinations, He never, ever loses track, not for the smallest measurement of time. This is sometimes disconcerting, but even my consternation is a sign of His “Wondrous Meddling”. Glorious Father, it is true, I am Yours. Have Your way in me in every way and at all times. 

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” Acts 16:25 ESV. Were they praising God so He would deliver them from jail or praising God for their inner freedom no matter the circumstances? I believe the latter. It seems clear from their following actions that they were already free within. When the shackles fell off and the doors opened, they stayed right where they were...the praise service was not over! Astonishingly, none of the other prisoners wanted to leave either! Such is the effect of praise flowing freely from a grateful, God-praising, fully surrendered heart! This is the promised “oil of Gladness” that comes when we are filled with the Joy of the Holy Spirit: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit,” Acts 13:52 ESV. LORD, You are great and greatly to be praised!

There is a divine tension for the child of God who wants to please Him. We are commanded to “Go into all the world,” in Mark 16:15 ESV, yet warned “Do not be conformed to this world”, in Romans 12:2 ESV. This leads to many extremes. On the one hand, some run away from the world and act as if they are afraid to be in it. Others turn to worldliness as a life pattern. So how can we be “ the   light  of  the   world” as stated in Matthew 5:14 ESV,  yet not be worldly ourselves? Proverbs 2:11 ESV reveals the answer: “discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you". Like a fireman’s hazmat suit, discretion can protect us within a hazardous environment while empowering us to enter danger zones to fulfill our duty to help others. LORD help me walk in the world but not walk like the world. Grant me good discernment, discretion, and deliverance from evil while “overcoming evil with good”. 

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” Psalm 20:7 ESV. King David’s song of praise reveals a powerful principle, though he himself was a famous warrior and victor in many battles, he reminds us that trust in human resources is a fool’s game. His words of praise are a clarion call to rise to a higher understanding of success. Another powerful King of Israel writes: “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV. I cannot simply add “in the name of the LORD” to my own ideas or actions. I must first seek His will, obey His commands, trust in Him throughout every battle and give praise to Him for every victory! O LORD My God and King, lead me in Your ways and deliver me from misplaced trust. 

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” 2 Timothy 4:6-7 ESV. What a way to go! The high price of gasoline is a strong motivation to try to arrive with the tank as empty as possible to a station with low prices. In the same manner, I have already determined the condition in which I want to arrive at the end of my life on earth, I want to die empty. I do not want any God-given potential to be unrealized and left discarded in the cemetery. Cemeteries are rich depositories of wasted potential.     With the world around me in such spiritual poverty, I cannot imagine retreating or retiring from the battlefield. Eternal God, may I faithfully expend every divinely bestowed gifting in my life. Enflame my heart and help me burn brightly until my very last breath on earth. 

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor,” Romans 12:10 ESV. I began my adulthood with a huge advantage in life. It was not the things most believe are necessary for success, we had little of those; our enormous advantage was embodied in several men and women that lived out the "Romans 12" model of life. They were spiritual giants. Humble, powerful, loving, honorable and very honoring of others. The full list is simply too exhaustive for this venue, but a short list would be: Costa & Ruth Deir, Russell & Barbara Linenkhol, Doug & Sue Fowler, Paul & Dee Goodwin, and there are many more! They were preachers, engineers, surgeons, missionaries, but more than all that, they were my spiritual fathers and mothers, counselors, instructors, models, friends. LORD, may my life pass forward the great treasures You have bestowed. 

“We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word,” Proverbs 16:1 CEV. There are many powerful forces in the universe. A violent storm on the high seas seems impossible to defeat, but the story of Jonah reveals that the LORD has the final word. The Egyptian Army was the most powerful of its day, but the story of God’s deliverance of the enslaved Jews again reveals, God has the final word. So, whatever you face, no matter how powerful the feared outcomes appear, no matter what others may say, never forget, the LORD has the final word! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV. LORD, I rest in Your love. 

“He must increase, but I must decrease,” John 3:30 ESV. Profound words from John the Baptist. He recognized that God had greatly used him for a time, but it was now time for him to decrease so Jesus could have full-stage. Sharon and I are again downsizing our home, a normal part of life as we age. The biggest surprise is how much stuff we continue to hold onto for no good reason. How much more this is true in our spiritual lives! We all hold on to unhealthy relationships, false dreams, old habits or even physical things that we keep around for inexplicable reasons. It’s time to dump the stuff! It’s time to give it away! It’s time to move into the future! “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,” John 12:24 ESV. LORD, grant me the grace to lay down what I must that You may be glorified in me.

“I pray 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 his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18 NIV. The invention of lenses, magnifying glasses, telescopes, and microscopes changed mankind’s perception of life on earth. We learned there is much more life present around us that had previously been unknown to us. Seeing something that was there all along, yet unseen can radically change our perspective. The promises of God contained in Scripture are a lens through which we can peer into the unseen, activating a divine perspective of life. Nothing can transform the ordinary into something truly remarkable like the eye of faith. Father of Light, I do not want spiritual eyes that cannot see. LORD, open my eyes to even the smallest details of Your Will.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom,” James 3:13 ESV. As Christians we expect unbelievers to admire us for our fine character, our family values or our somewhat lower number of vices. Instead, they immediately see beyond our words to our personal failings in friendships, at work, in the neighborhood or wherever else we are and consider our proclamation of faith as hypocrisy. So, what is the solution? Living out our faith in humble authenticity. Faith in Christ must be genuine, unwavering and most importantly, presented in contrite transparency. Our oversimplified presentation as “Jesus is LORD” or “All you need is Jesus” fails to address our own struggle to trust everything to Him, to love unconditionally or to forgive those who cause us harm. Lord, grant me grace for walking humbly before You and others. 

“…Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,” Psalm 23:4 ESV. These simple words of a shepherd spoken to his Shepherd Above reveal the “rod and staff” as sticks of love. Our Heavenly Shepherd deals lovingly with our many weaknesses, treating us as lambs requiring His discipline, yet bearing no grudges against our many failings. Though I stray from the boundaries of His Will, He never stops searching for his wandering lamb. When I fall onto perilous ledges, He finds and lifts me to safety with the hook of His staff instead of abandoning me as I deserve. When I scamper away from His Presence, He never turns away in disgust; instead, He chases me down. His rod of discipline is always used justly and delivered in perfect love. O Lord My Great Shepherd and Keeper, hallowed be Your Name! Deliver me from earthly obsessions and draw me near to Your side. 

A NEW THING...AGAIN “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV. The life of faith is not designed for stagnation. It is dynamic, always forcing us to pay attention and to be ready for whatever comes. Daily dips in prayer, the Word and servanthood keeps us prepared for each new day’s surprises. LORD, You’ve got this! I can do ALL THINGS through Your strength. It is well, it is well with my soul. 

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm,” Proverbs 13:20 ESV. Choosing the right companions in life is a primary element of success. While I prefer to be accompanied by those who make me  feel  better, to accomplish meaningful objectives, I must partner with those who challenge me to  perform  better. At the end of life’s journey, I will stand before God so great care must be taken in today’s choices. A true friend is one who strengthens my spiritual resolve, provokes me to draw closer to God and challenges me to fulfill my calling to the fullest. Heavenly Father lead me to relationships that honor You. Thank You for the blessed gift of comrades who put Your will ahead of all else. Help me be such a man for others. 

“And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the Lord, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them,” Ezekiel 10:19 ESV. The mighty works of God are beyond comprehension, measurement or explanation. My best attempts to give voice to His Greatness fall wildly short, being an inadequate introduction to mysteries far beyond human understanding. It is best, then to utilize words proclaimed in Holy Writ: “Lord You are great and greatly to be praised!” At the mention of His Goodness , my soul sings and my mind swirls as I catch a glimpse of His Majesty, Wisdom and Power. O Lord My Lord You have set Your glory in the heavens and Your Majesty in all the earth. Help me cast aside lessor things that I may see more of You. 

“If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,” 1 Peter 1:17 ESV. A sense of Christian duty drives much of what I do, so each day I dutifully recommit myself to do the right things. This seems fine on the surface but as a child of God, there is a more noble way. God seeks those who delight to do His will, even if they do it imperfectly. In Psalm 40:8 David prays, “I delight to do Your will,” yet later confessed, “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Still, God said of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” The LORD’s eyes move over the earth searching for those who with grateful, love-filled hearts are turned toward Him, not only as a sense of duty but out of delight in pleasing Him. Father, I desire to permanently join the ranks of those who move from duty to deli...

“Where   there is no prophetic vision the people   cast off restraint   but blessed is he who   keeps the law,” Proverbs 29:18 ESV. As God’s children, we are not designed to function without an internal guidance system. Job 32:8 ESV reveals: “ it is the   spirit   in   man ,  the breath   of   the Almighty , that makes him understand.” To navigate through life without the leading of God’s Word and Spirit is a journey of confusion, anxiety and mayhem. Without a “prophetic vision” of life, we blindly stumble down meaningless pathways and chase after empty pursuits. “ The  spirit   of   man  is the lamp  of  the  Lord , searching all his innermost parts,” Proverbs 20:27 ESV. Once our heart is set on the right path our feet will follow and our life priorities will align with our created purpose and the will of God. LORD, make it so. Protect me from foolish shortcuts and keep my feet on Your path.

“He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor . For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's and on them, he has set the world,” 1 Samuel 2:8 ESV. There seems to be no shortage of those willing to add weights to those struggling to stay afloat. Even the well-meaning comfort of friends and family is limited by human knowledge and often leaves us additionally burdened. When God speaks, even in discipline, there is the lifting of the soul. Every Word from the Almighty imparts life, blessing and hope; its sharpness surgical not blunt, its effect freedom not incarceration. Anxiety weighs down one’s soul, but things spoken by the Lord of Hope causes my heart to float above the storm. Gracious Father, Your Word pronounces ascent. My cup overflows, it is well with my soul.