COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you,” (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness is one of the principle characteristics of a spirit-controlled life. Kindness activates love, forgiveness, tenderheartedness, patience, and a host of other godly virtues. Generally speaking, I have grown much more patient through the years, but I am still far too easily irked. This is one of the sinister ways the kingdom of darkness attempts to maintain a foothold in my soul. When annoyances are permitted to hang around without constraint, they huddle together and increase in number. In this undisciplined condition of self-indulgence, problems seem huge, and God seems small; then, full-fledged a nger pops up like burnt toast! How foolish. Father forgive my imprudence and help me keep my bearings. I am aware of how annoying I must be to You, yet You are eternally patient and kind in spite of my deficiencies. Make me more like You, LORD.

“ The   Lord   is my   shepherd; I shall not   want…” Psalm 23:1 ESV. You know what follows, but this simple opening phrase says it all!    So, why give in to the convenience of discouragement? Despair offers no rewards, yet since it is so readily available it is easy to take its downhill path. The trail of trust is a much steeper climb, but trusting God grants previously unseen mountaintop vistas, still waters, and a restored soul. God never ceases His tender care, He is “ Yahweh Ro‘i  “, “The LORD My Shepherd”. Even when we drift away from the fold or run and hide from His care, "The Shepherd of Our Souls" never loses sight of His lambs, not even for a brief moment. Though at times we try, we simply cannot tread alone, for He will never, ever abandons one of His lambs. Blessed Father Almighty, from sinking sand, You lift me, With tender hand, You lift me. Truly, all is well today and forever on the trail of trust. 

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,”  Psalm 118:24 ESV. It is still dark outside, and yesterday’s light is long since gone. But daylight is quickly crawling over the face of the earth and is headed straight for me. Already, I prepare to step into the brightness of this new day the LORD has made. Isaiah proclaimed: “Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.” This new day comes front-loaded with potential for me to be further transformed into His image and to do His bidding on the earth. A new day is dawning, and I am already glad and rejoicing in it!   Fresh Manna is spread throughout it. New things,   greater  things await!  Lord God Almighty, thank You for a brand-new opportunity to know You better and to do Your bidding. My heart is prepared with joyful anticipation to take another walk in the light. 

“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess,” Deuteronomy 5:33 NIV. Modern culture is increasingly swinging many people of faith into the dangerous mindset of the “Me-First Generation”. A heart too tied to this world knows little of the exquisiteness of obedience to the One who rules both heaven and earth. To do the will of God in ways large and small uncaps a wellspring of joy within, releasing a sense of purpose that nothing else in this world can offer. Short-lived happy feelings may accompany bargain-basement choices, but joy eternal fills the hearts of those who learn to practice extravagant surrender and who willingly embrace God’s choices over their own. Lord of Unquenchable Peace, deliver me from the sorrows of my own making and calibrate my heart and will to Your own. 

“For who has despised the day of   small things?” Zechariah 4:10 NKJV. Actually, I have many times, but I’ve since learned that most really huge things begin very small; little seeds produce huge trees, huge buildings begin as tiny marker flags, a quick smile between two people can lead to a multi-generational family. Most importantly, I’ve learned that for God, nothing is too small, and nothing is too big. I’m more easily drawn into the big things, but I’ve learned that faithfulness in the small things leads to great results in the big picture.”   “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much,” Luke 16:10 ESV. Today’s small acts of faithfulness lead to great possibilities for tomorrow. Blessed Father, grant me the grace to be faithful in the small things and use me in whatever capacity that pleases You. 

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:26 ESV. The powerful Santa Ana Winds are what fuels the California wildfires each fall. A fire needs plenty of air to reach its full potential. If ventilation is cut off, the flames die out. The same can be said of anger. While quiet, seething anger is dangerous, venting our anger openly to others can lead to a raging inferno. Every emotion has a proper place in life but when anger is permitted to run free without the needed controls of God’s Word and Spirit, our rage becomes our destruction. We are warned: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice,” Ephesians 4:31 NIV. Spreading our anger to others does not get rid of it, it only makes it worse. My consternations must be surrendered to God. LORD, snuff out the embers of anger within my heart. Smother every flame within me that is displeasing to you. 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me,” Psalm 23:4 NKJV. This famous passage is jam-packed with powerful words! But my favorite is the word “through”. There are unseen blessings awaiting me at the end of every perilous journey. Though the trail to victory first descends into dark valleys full of frightening shadows of death, my feet shall again stand on the sacred ground of God’s holy mountain! To act with due caution is wise, but timidity is never a prudent course of action. Fear-governed thoughts and actions rarely lead us to the right conclusions; panic is not a reliable strategy. THE LORD is My Champion and My Victor, of whom will I be afraid? Fear of God delivers me from all other fears! Selah! LORD, thank You for leading me beside the still waters of Your Promises. In You, I peacefully rest.

My enormous advantage in life was initially embodied in parents who loved each other deeply, loved their five children, and genuinely loved God. My father passed away when I was twelve, but God provided me many men as “fathers”. Some were spiritual giants. All were powerful, loving, honorable, and very honoring of others. So today on this Father’s Day I’m particularly thankful for those who helped form me into the man I am. The full list is simply too exhaustive, but a shortlist would include my father, James Oliver Williams, my elder brothers, LaRue & Wayne, Costa Deir, Russell Linenkhol, Douglas Fowler, Paul Goodwin, and many more along the way. They were lawyers, teachers, apostles, pastors, prayer warriors, engineers, surgeons, missionaries…but more than all that, they were seasoned elders, spiritual fathers, counselors, instructors, role models, and friends. LORD, may my life pass forward the many treasures You have bestowed so abundantly upon me. And HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to...

“O God, You  are  my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water,” Psalm 63:1 ESV. Approaching the outskirts of Moscow in winter is a long train ride through a bitterly cold panorama of barren trees and snow-covered fields. It seems impossible that life can exist in these bitter conditions. On one such trip, I was invited to a simple greenhouse behind a friend’s home. There, in the dead of winter were summer green plants. Beautiful vegetables of many varieties thriving while surrounded by a completely frozen landscape! In like manner, worship and praise have a greenhouse effect in our souls, providing conditions for life in the midst of a spiritually barren environment. Lord of Life, I will praise You at all times! Faith springs alive in my heart, warmed by Your Glorious Presence and Resplendent Light in the midst of darkness. 

TODAY, JUNE 19TH, 2020 IS A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR ALL AMERICA. “Juneteenth” as it has been known since its beginning is a holiday that honors the end of slavery in the United States. For the past 155 years, It has been celebrated yearly by Black Americans and largely ignored by non-black Americans. For most of us non-blacks, our schooling focused on crediting President Abraham Lincoln with freeing slaves by signing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 and bringing the Civil War to a close. Yet it would actually be two more years before slavery was officially ended. Gen. Gordon Granger and a group of Union troops arrived in Galveston, TX to inform slaves of their freedom on June 19th, 1865. “Juneteenth”, is a blend word, combining “June” and “nineteenth” into one word. The holiday is known as “Freedom Day” or “Juneteenth Independence Day”, or just “Juneteenth”. Junteenth should, in fact, be a National Holiday for ALL Americans to celebrate. Slavery was wrong. Much of our prosperity as...

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful,” Proverbs 27:6 (ESV). Throughout my life, I have received a steady supply of both accolades and criticisms. Actually, these two forms of assessment by others are needed in life. The first granting encouragement and relief, the second bringing needed perspective and motivation to be better. In either case, it is wise to not breathe in too deeply when kudos or critiques are in the air. And since we are biblically warned: “man is always right in his own eyes”, it is far better to allow the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to filter commendations, condemnations, or anything in between. Lord Almighty, You speak in so many wonderful ways; through encouragement and discipline, in instruction and rebuke. Yet, Your Word and Wisdom always impart life and hope. Help me stay attuned to Your voice, no matter the source. 

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever,” Psalm 86:12 (ESV). God must be glorified in all we do. Honor is not merely acknowledging Him; it is offering Him our first, our best, and our all. The heart that recognizes the authority, wisdom, power, and goodness of the Great and Mighty One will have no trouble trusting Him through both storms and temptations. We waste our efforts storing up earthly things only to see them slip away on the tides of life, but he who learns to store God’s Word in his heart will never lack. Troubles come, but a storehouse of Truth nestled in the soul is a continuous wellspring of life and provides what we need for every occasion. Glorious El Shaddai, to breathe Your Name expunges my soul of all fear and releases unrelenting hope and assurance! To ponder and speak Your Word is an unending supply of manna in desert places. 

“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies,” Proverbs 14:5 ESV. Lying is one of the six things listed in Proverbs 6:8 “that the Lord hates.” Deceitfulness seems innocent, even comical, in a 3-year-old, but it becomes deadly to healthy relationships and true success later in life. Broken promises and sneaky behaviors are happiness killers. Honesty, combined with genuine kindness creates an environment of goodwill and trust that is the seedbed for true love, influence, and a prosperous life. A trustworthy person is loved by all while a deceitful person is resented, making his or her life secretly miserable. In Ephesians 4:15 we see the key to spiritual growth: “speaking   the   truth   in   love , we are to grow up  in  every way  in to him who is  the  head,  in to Christ.”   Father deliver me from all deceiving ways. Make truth my first love and speaking the truth in love my constant goal....

“ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.” Psalm 119:116. King David’s prayer reveals one of the golden keys to a happy life: Hope and sustainable joy are both promises God makes to His own. Modern-day marketing has transformed buying things we need or want into a necessary part of developing “healthy self-esteem”, but it doesn’t work. Filling our lives with more stuff makes us feel better for a while, but then we are forced to clean out drawers, closets, attics, garages and storage units just to make additional room for new things, which, in turn, fail to sustain happiness. King Solomon could acquire anything he wanted, and in fact, he did. He later stated: “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul”. Lord God, help me keep my head by giving You my whole heart. Make the wisdom of Your Word my daily bread and deliver me from the seductions of self-importance.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (ESV). While still wrapped in the black shroud of predawn, it is difficult to envision the brightness and power of the light that soon approaches. Though I’ve been here over and over, still the night can seem endless. But the glory of the new day dawning is far greater than night and soon the darkness will scamper away. So it is with inner darkness that attempts to trap my soul in fear. God’s unending love always approaches whether I can envision it or not, and soon, every fear will bow the knee to the Greater One. The LORD Himself will tear away the terror of night and the Glory of the LORD will appear. Great are You LORD and greatly to be praised! I now behold Your arrival in my mind’s eye, but soon will see Your deliverance face to face.

“ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, ” 1 John 2:1 (ESV). In the case of my standing with God I have both a great defense team and a righteous but merciful judge. The final authority in a legal dispute is the court. The judge can determine that the evidence presented can be sealed and never known to the public.  “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more,” Hebrews 8:12 ESV.  Jesus, my “Advocate” and “Wonderful Counselor” defends me, the Holy Spirit, comforts me throughout and the LORD my God and Father judges me according to His mercy, grace and goodness. Blessed Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your Redemption, Thank You for Your Mercy and thank You for Your Kindness. 

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him,” Psalm 126:6 ESV. I’ve never lived on a farm but as Christian, I’ve tilled a lot of soil and sown a lot of seeds. I have never been a rancher but as a follower of Jesus, I have rescued a lot of strays, chased off predators, and cared for a lot of sheep. Farmers and ranchers are often described as “salt of the earth” people; reliable, trustworthy, hard-working folks. Our lives as believers should be carried out in like manner. We don’t need a big stage to do our greatest work; it is in the trenches of daily sowing, caring, loving, and serving where our lives shine brightest. Times of national crisis can turn us into fearful hermits, but NOW is the time to creatively find ways to care for others. Glorious Caretaker of My Soul, make me a faithful instrument of Your work. Help me be salt and light.

“ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28 ESV. I really do loathe speed bumps. Understanding their purpose and safety value doesn’t seem to help my attitude toward them. Over time I have devised numerous workarounds to circumvent them or limit wheel contact. And it seems that commentary on their size, placement, justification, and frequency is a personal obligation. Slowing down when I’m ready to roll just bothers me, but I realize God places speed bumps throughout the whole of my life for my safety. His words: “be still” are for my benefit. Father, thank You for the necessary slowdowns of life. While I may never come to fully appreciate earthly speed bumps, I will not resent Your divine placement of required pauses. 

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,” Philippians 1:9 NKJV. Making well-informed, thought-through decisions is important for moving forward but there are no dependable substitutes for divinely guided discernment. We need good judgment to distinguish between inspired thoughts and selfish fantasies since they often appear the same at first glance. The immature soul, driven by personal desire and emotion can be easily confused. Imagination is a wonderful gift from God, but like everything else in this life, it must be deliberately brought under surrendered obedience to God through the Word and Spirit of God. There are no shortcuts to God’s highest and best. Lord of Creation teach me to truly submit my thoughts to You today. Help me calibrate my dreams, desires, and meditations to Your perfect path. 

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness,” John 12:46 ESV. I don’t think the world is actually getting darker; there is simply less light shining into it. As children of God, we are biblically chastened to “Let your light thus shine before men, so that they may see your upright works, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens,” Matthew 5:16 KJV. Simply stated, the light God has shined upon us must be displayed in our lives to the people around us. The good news is, the darker the environment, the more easily even the smallest light is seen. Sometimes we shade our lamp because of the embarrassment we feel for the flaws we still have, but our message is about His perfection, not our own. Father of Light and Love, blow away the clouds of doubt and shine within me and through me to the world around me today. 

“No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was,” Hebrews 4:4 ESV. Modern culture has substituted “celebrity” for “honor”. While technology has opened a universe of information to the average person, it has also become a means of popularity for the most outrageous behaviors and unworthy celebrities. The Bible teaches the value of honor and commands us to honor those “to whom honor is due,” but warns against the dangers of popularity and unwise aggrandizement of self or others. Giving honor in a biblical manner is life-lifting and ultimately leads us to worship of God, while the adulation of celebrity leads us into personal fantasies and self-centered idol worship. The need to honor is hard-wired into our souls, but we must guard our hearts against the foolishness of seeking or idolizing celebrity. Father, help me steer clear of idol worship. Show me the right path of honoring You as I honor others. 

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God,” 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV. I need not make a choice between being a blessing to others or being blessed myself. Choosing to refresh and help others opens the windows of heaven to both the receiver and the giver. Selfishness is a sure path to gnawing sadness and loss of purpose, but giving lifts us to a higher place.  The word “generous” migrated from Latin to Old French to English and means “of noble birth”. In sacrificial generosity of time, talent or treasure, we practice “Highborn Nobility”. The key to giving is not “What I have” but “Who I am”, since all that I have, even life itself, is a gift from God. Father, You love, You give, You reign; I want to be more like You. Teach me Your ways, and grant me an increased measure of Your Spirit of generosity. Help me walk as a man of highborn nobility. 

“To You, I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” Psalm 123:1 ESV. While on a morning walk, I scanned the bright blue sky above me and counted over thirty contrails slicing across the azure canopy. The wispy white streaks silently announced the passing of high-flying passenger planes filled with travelers and cargo. So much was happening above me, yet I would have missed it all if I did not lookup. How much in life do I miss for failure to follow King David’s example? So, what is my life lesson here? While keeping our noses to the grindstone on earth we must do so with our eyes and heart toward God’s throne above. Lord of Glory, You continually act within the heavenlies to enforce Your will in the earth whether I notice or not. I need a daily Eye Lift. LORD, point the way for me this day. To You, I lift up my eyes.

“This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24 (ESV). The table is set for a brand-new day. Only God knows exactly what is already prepared for my arrival in it. I must now leave behind days gone by and ready myself for new insight, a higher life, and greater things. Am I up for what today will bring? Only the day will tell, but the One who provides it will also carry me through it. One thing is sure; I will walk upon on sacred footprints since the Alpha and Omega has already trod this moment in advance, sprinkling blessings and divine opportunities throughout. I must pay attention, so I don’t miss a thing He has placed along the path. Lord God, Lover of My Soul, today is the day You have made; I am so good with that and already rejoicing in what is to unfold. Lift me in Your arms and carry me through with faith, joy, and purpose. 

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end,” Proverbs 29:11 NIV. We live in an increasingly enraged world, and it seems to be worsening. Outrage is now the “go-to” emotion that is intended to prove just how legitimate and serious whatever we want to actually is. Still, there is a real danger whenever anger is present and unchecked. Anger’s potential to harm families, friendships, businesses, churches, and nations is constant. Rage and bitterness have long since been expunged from my soul, but mild to spicy anger still pops up like burnt toast. Too much is damaged in my relationship with God and my witness as His child to cling to anger or unforgiveness. I must resist the convenience of rage and choose thoughtful, effective action embodied and practiced in love. Lord, deliver me from anger and grant me humble kindness to others, even when fighting for what is just and good. 

I would like to offer some needed perspective on what our nation is now experiencing. It appears to me we are in another cultural reset. Don't let that trouble you too much. Over a lifetime I've been through a few of these; wars, cultural conflicts, recessions, 9/11, and others. These are moments when we need to reevaluate our own personal convictions. If we are honest with ourselves and make a commitment to allow the process to work, we can become bet ter-informed, more-committed individuals and better citizens of this great nation. Our focus should be on POLICIES, not PERSONALITIES. Governmental Policies and Practices always need to be improved and these moments usually help speed that along. Remember to pray for ALL our leaders, spend some extra time in Scripture, research the issues that are most important to you and be kind toward those with whom you disagree. Be well-informed and of genuine conviction in your positions. Stay willing to learn and to make mid-course adjust...

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” Proverbs 24:3 NIV. The daily condition of my heart is critical, and it must be carefully managed. I’ve surrendered my heart to God hundreds and hundreds of times, and He has filled it over and over, so what is the problem? The problem is my heart leaks. It fills, then it leaks again. So, it is a daily battle. I must continually replenish my heart with truth and make it a tabernacle of praise. According to God’s Word, my heart must be searched, cleansed, inclined to hear, willing, contrite, broken, circumcised, turned from stone to flesh, thankful, freed from deceit, and must chase after God. As always, it sounds like my heart will have quite a workout today. Lord, cleanse my heart and fill it with those things that please You. Use me today to lift the hearts of others. 

“The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly,” Proverbs 15:2 (ESV). Sometimes I feel like an observer as I listen to myself speak. At times, words overloaded with emotion and selfishness tumble out, yet at other times, I hear God clearly talking to me or others. Our Creator placed a powerful instrument on the front of our faces. The mouth can be a massive fountain of blessing and encouragement or a giant, spirit-crushing hammer. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits,” Proverbs 18:21 (ESV). Considering it wields such enormous power, I must be circumspect how I use my mouth! “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger,” Proverbs 15:1 NKJV Blessed Father, help me speak only life, never death. Purify my heart and mind, so only truth-empowered love exits my lips. Holy Spirit, govern me, guide me, and use me.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:13 ESV. “For twenty years, This sailor has stood the watch, While some of us were in our bunks at night, This sailor stood the watch,” (from a poem “THE WATCH”). Quite a few times I have heard, and or read with tears this most moving poem called “The Watch”. I have never served in the U.S. military nor as a first responder, but I have a deep, lifelong love and respect for those who have. I’ve never patrolled a dark street in a rough neighborhood as a police officer, nor have I run into a burning building to save a stranger as our brave first responders do every day. Instead, I have stood the watch over the souls of tens of thousands of strangers throughout the world. God places each of us in this life with a mission of His design. It sometimes seems noble, at other times mundane, but in the end, we each must do our part. LORD, grant your grace to me this new day to finish the work to ...

“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him,” Proverbs 11:1 NIV. This verse is not about God’s hatred of inaccuracy, it is about His abhorrence of dishonesty. The Perfect One judges no one for imperfection since without Him nothing is perfect, nor can be. This passage is focused on our prideful and foolish attempts to set up intentionally false scales. Intentional falsehood elicits His wrath. He is merciful to the innocently uninformed, but when we as His children attempt to establish a new scale of truth to fit our own desires His anger is aroused. This attempt to establish a false scale was Satan’s evil act in The Garden of Eden. He lied to Adam as he said: “eat the forbidden fruit, it will make you like God”. He suggested Adam would be LIKE God, but without the need FOR God. Father forgive my dangerous attempts to redefine truth. You Alone are The True and Living God. In Your Mighty Power, please demolish every false scale within me.  ...