COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold,” Proverbs 3:13-14 ESV. My most consistent prayer throughout life has been one of seeking wisdom from God. Wisdom empowers more than treasures, fame or good fortune. In fact, success in earthly pursuits cannot guarantee happiness, love or safety, but wisdom supplies all we truly need. You could say wisdom is the perennially promised but rarely delivered “all in one special package”. Wisdom provides access to everything we truly need and protects us from things that harm us. “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding,” Proverbs 4:7 NKJV. Glorious God and Father, grant me a continual flow of wisdom, understanding, and discernment.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever,” Psalm 136:1 ESV. In this chapter, David states twenty-six times: “His love endures forever”, every single verse repeating this simple but profound truth. At times I really feel it, yet sometimes I lose awareness of His abiding and perfect love. But His love never diminishes, never grows cold, never, ever ends: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV. Our human view of God’s love is clouded by our own capacity to love without conditions or limitations. 1 John 4:8 ends with this simple phrase “God is love”. He does not “fall in love”, become “more loving”, or “less loving”; He IS love. Father, You made us in Your image, use me as an open channel of Your amazing love to all whom I encounter. 

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV). I have so many things to be thankful for that there are simply too many to recount.   I began my adulthood with a huge advantage in life. It was not the things most people believe are necessary for success, our family had little of those. My enormous advantage was embodied in parents who loved each other deeply and genuinely loved God. My father passed away when I was but twelve, but God provided for me several men and women that were spiritual giants. Humble, powerful, loving, honorable and very honoring of others. So today on this Thanksgiving I’m particularly thankful for those who helped form me into the man I am. The full list is simply too exhaustive for this venue, but a shortlist would be my Mother Nadjy, Costa & Ruth Deir, Russell & Barb...

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,” Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV. Having traveled the globe to many impoverished areas I have seen the amazing creativity and ability of mankind to repurpose things; recycling is nothing new among the very poor. I have also experienced firsthand the human ability to recycle guilt, condemnation, and hatred of others. Letting the past go is a critical step to grasping today’s opportunities. Single-minded trust in today’s provision opens heaven’s fresh blessings now, while longing for the past paralyzes us, keeping us from moving forward. LORD, infuse my soul with faith and help me let go of what is no longer useful so I may take hold of the manna You send for me this new day. 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God,” Colossians 3:16 ESV. The first word in this verse is the key to a transformed life, “Let”. God’s Word is powerful, but only in the heart of someone whose will is surrendered to it. How can I “teach and admonish” others when I do not let the Word “dwell richly” in my own life? The word “admonish” in this context is directly connected to the words “dwell richly” and speaks of admonishment by example, not by nitpicking other’s failures. Our freedom in worship and an attitude of thankfulness are the signs of the Word of Christ dwelling “richly” within us. Blessed Father, enrich my heart and entire life with Your Word. May my life exemplify Your Joy and Kindness and my Your praise ever adorn my lips. 

“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken,” Psalm 62:2 ESV. Small tremors a few times, but only once was I in a genuine earthquake. Having lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years we had become so accustomed to minor tremors that we didn’t even notice the BIG ONE until the ground began to heave and shake. WOW, it is disorienting to discover that everything can be shaken at once and can last for such a long time! We don’t expect the ground on which we live to convulse, but sometimes it does. In those bewildering moments, on what will I stand? “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28 (ESV) “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 ...

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,” Colossians 3:1-2 ESV. Here, the apostle Paul speaks to believers as if their ascension into heaven has already happened! It has! The moment we die to self and take Christ as LORD we immediately begin transitioning from this world being our life-source and start living out of Heaven’s resources and power! We may boldly believe and declare, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:18 ESV. To be clear, I can’t do just anything I   want, but I CAN do whatever God wants! So, the things He commands in His Word are not suggestions, they are marching orders! His heavenly provision back-up His plans for us! LORD, use me for Your Glory as You will.