I lay inverted on the emergency room gurney, ready to die. I was in hemorrhagic shock from a GI bleed–losing so many pints of blood that my heart couldn’t pump blood to my organs–and my organs were on the verge of shutting down. I was inverted so what little blood I had left in my body would go to my brain. My face was numb, I could no longer walk, and my vision was blurring.

I was used to figuring things out for myself, but God made it clear that this situation was not one I could think my way out of. This was a time for me to remember that He alone is in control.

I looked at ceiling as my body violently shook to try and warm itself as we all waited for the ambulance to arrive. I remember thinking that it might be my last night on earth, and that if it was God’s will, so be it.

But then, I also remembered how prayer can unlock life paths God only makes available to the prayerful. So I first asked Him, as I always do, to forgive me where my praise fell short, and thanked Him for His forgiveness. I then asked Him to bring me back from the brink of death so I could serve Him through my family and other circles. I asked Him to make Himself seen through my recovery so I could tell of His work. I left those pleas at His feet.

The ambulance took me to the intensive care unit at a nearby hospital, where a massive blood transfusion team snapped into action. After the doctors cut into my neck and installed a central line (catheter) into my left jugular vein, several pints of blood were restored to my body. I stabilized over the next couple of days, and after a few more procedures to make sure I was okay, I was released to go home and recover.

God answered my prayers. He made Himself seen through the hands of the medical teams who worked on me, and brought me back from the brink of death. He gave me another chance to serve Him.

He then asked me, “What will you do now? How will you serve me with this new opportunity?”

Every moment, breath, morning, hour, week, month, and year are new chances God gives us to do better for Him than we did before–or if we weren’t here at all. What will you do with them?

Today’s soundtrack

We the Kingdom’s “Holy Water” is a refreshing take on modern praise music, describing how God’s forgiveness refreshes and revitalizes us in our desert valleys.

But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. – Matthew 10:33 (ESV)

As part of the publicity blitz for the 2019 movie Toy Story 4, Tim Allen (voice of Buzz Lightyear, one of its main characters) answered a very interesting question from Parade magazine: Where would you go if you had a time machine?

He said:

I’d love to see any of the actual things that Jesus did. I would love to see the Sermon on the Mount, or the moment with his cousin John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

What an amazing way God used Tim Allen as an instrument to get the word out!

In 1999’s Toy Story 2, Mr. Potato Head saves three green alien toys from nearly flying out the window of a pizza delivery truck. Once rescued, they said in unison, “You saved our lives. We are eternally grateful!”

Likewise, Tim Allen publicly demonstrated his gratitude for the Jesus saving his soul from the pit. Let us do the same!

Today’s soundtrack

TobyMac’s “Me Without You” gives thanks to God for saving us from where we would be without Him. Thank You, Lord!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16 (NIV)

My son recently lamented that each school day was the same, and that he even had the same thing for lunch and snacks each day.

His complaints reminded me of some books and magazines I’d read as a child, where there would be two pictures side by side, and each picture was subtly different than the one next to it. If you studied each one carefully, you’d spot all the differences between the pictures.

Life can often be like that, where we get mired in routine, and forget to spot the meaningful differences, because we lose our focus on the One who provided all of it to us.

I did my best to help my son see God in the details: He made the very ingredients that made the food we eat. He made the people who grew and prepared the ingredients. He gave the jobs and all the blessings of having work to his teachers and principal. God uses teachers to prepare him to be an adult. And though every day may seem the same, the details of the work we’re assigned is different, and preparing us to handle bigger changes as we get older. And God even uses the structure of routine to help us learn to organize all the information coming at us each day!

But most of all, the biggest difference we have as believers is that we live a victorious life that was hard won by Jesus…and without it, we would not be in His presence once we leave this world. With that perspective, we can gratefully live every day, hour, and moment for Him.

We can choose to see everything but God, or see God in everything.

Today’s soundtrack

“Everything” by TobyMac reminds us that He’s in every little thing.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. -1 Chronicles 16:34 (NASB)

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I showed my son the 1964 movie Mary Poppins for the first time, and it was definitely just as eye-opening for me as an adult as it was for a little boy. It wasn’t just age, but also my reborn spirit, that God used to help me connect the dots for my son as I answered his questions about the film.

Q: Why did Mary Poppins arrive with a change in the wind, and then disappear when the wind changed again?

A: Mary Poppins came at a time when the kids needed their stubborn, hard-hearted father, and then she left when his heart was changed. Her job was done.

Q: Isn’t it unhealthy to have a spoonful of sugar with medicine?

A: The song isn’t really about sugar or medicine, but is saying that our perspective can make the things we need to do much easier to swallow.

And that song, “A Spoonful of Sugar,” was the perfect connector I needed to talk about having an attitude of gratitude, Thanksgiving or not. Giving thanks to the Lord in all things, especially to start the day, can set the tone for a great day or a lousy one. And as a result, a spoonful of sugar can sweeten our witness to a jaded, cynical, complaining world.

Just as Mary Poppins brought light and cheer and triggered a change of heart in the Banks family, we believers are called to do the same in this world.

Today’s soundtrack

“Counting Every Blessing” by Rend Collective. Enjoy.

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare. -Jer. 29:7 (NASB)

In the 2004 Disney/Pixar animated film The Incredibles, a former superhero (Mr. Incredible) is presently a dad trying to relive his glory days. Later in the film, he and his family are all in shackles as a result of his clandestine adventure-seeking. He comes to realize that while he was seeking adventure on his own, the real adventure was right under his nose all along: the family he was neglecting while he was chasing the adventure he wanted now.

In the opening chapters of Genesis, God makes a garden for Adam and Eve to tend. It’s part of a larger world where there is no disease or death or pain. But the serpent tempts them with the prospect of greater power and knowledge. He’s taking their sight off tending the garden—and everyday adventure—that’s right under their noses. Death, disease, and pain enter the world, which they’re now ushered into as they’re banished from the garden.

Pretty much the rest of the Bible chronicles all the different ways man continues in his disobedience and envy, while God patiently stays with them. At one of the many low points, Israel’s continued disobedience finally reaps punishment through the people’s exile to Babylon. And now, since they didn’t tend their garden, they live in someone else’s garden.

The prophet Jeremiah sends a letter to the exiles, which contains the much-loved verse:

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. -Jer. 29:11 (NASB)

But before that happens, God uses Jeremiah’s letter to tell His people that they must tend their current garden. Thrive there. Show Him they can still be grateful even when living out the consequences they’ve reaped. (Jer. 29:1-10)

How’s your garden?

Maybe the garden you’re in has some really stubborn weeds that need pulling. Maybe it’s been neglected, and needs the water of kindness, love, and quality time. What kinds of seeds are you sowing while you’re waiting to reap a better tomorrow?

God works through people—and that includes me and you—to be active participants in His plan for a better future and hope. Just ask Him to fill you with all the qualities you lack—and to let Him do so by dropping the pride, bitterness, and resentment that’s blocking Him—so He can use you to make the incredible garden right under your nose thrive to His glory.

When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. -Exodus 16:14-15 (NASB)

Every parent eventually faces the moment when their child looks quizzically with some aversion and disgust at a new food, and ask “what is it?”

It happened with my son, and so I told him about the wandering Israelites, whom God supplied them with manna, a food that tasted like bread with honey. “Manna” actually means, “what is it?” because that’s what the Israelites asked about it when they saw it. Like my son, they looked at something unfamiliar, and doubted it before even trying it.

But on Moses’ instruction, they gathered it and ate it, and it gave them the nourishment they needed. The key word there is needed.

The Israelites complained pretty much the whole 40 years they were in the wilderness (which they wandered because of their doubt that God would give them the Promised Land), so once their time of wandering was over, Moses reminded them of God’s provision during their wandering. That included the manna they had earlier.

So I explained that this is one of the reasons why we give thanks for the food we have before us, because it is provided by God. (In the case of our food, God used many people as His instruments before it ever reached our table!)

In contrast to this bread which the Jews thought Moses gave them, Jesus first tells them that it was God who provided it. Secondly, Jesus tells them (and us) that He is the bread of life, removing hunger and thirst for those who believe in and follow him (John 6:30-35).

So, we give thanks for the bread He gives us for our bodies, but even more for the bread of life in His Son for our souls!

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
If you’ve ever owned and driven an old car for an extended period of time, there are stark differences between it and all those newer cars on the road.

It seems like every other car is bigger, faster, shinier, more comfy, and problem-free. The temptation to trade up to a newer model eggs you on, and you might start thinking that a new car would make your life all better. But what if you looked at your old car through the lens God wants you to look through?

Maybe God wants you to learn something with the car you have. Be grateful for it. Take care of it as if it were the only car you would ever have. Don’t neglect it. Grow in patience and perseverance as you care for it, rather than enviously eyeing new prospects.

And so it is with relationships, isn’t it? My pastor likened old car ownership to marriage (treat your old car as if it were the only one you’d have your whole life), but it also applies to any relationship–especially those difficult people. Find and nurture the blessings right under your nose with the “old car” you have before you.

When you do that–and no one does it perfectly…I should know!–God is honored and made known. You’re trying your best for Him. If the old car falls apart, then you know you’ve done all you can to make it work. Or, if it’s in His will, God could miraculously make that old car run forever…and all you have to do is your part with regular TLC and maintenance.

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” -‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭(NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

It’s the day after Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, a day where families come together to commemorate the autumn feast held in 1621, but also to give thanks for every blessing in our lives.

My last post was about the journey we take to God’s glory, much as the pilgrims did who left religious persecution to start anew in the New World. And like them, after the Thanksgiving celebration, the journey continues.

And just like with the pilgrims and Native Americans, it most certainly wasn’t all good times in our lives. But just as those times were, right up to our lives today, God uses all things–even those meant for evil–for good, to His glory: Witness Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 50:20).

Our journey is sometimes smooth, and sometimes unimaginably rough. And how we traverse the path can be with an attitude of gratitude. We can give thanks to God in all times, and even in the toughest of seasons and valleys in our journeys through this world.

Thank you, Lord, for this journey…every leg of it. We know that even the toughest legs of the journey can be used to your glory as you strengthen us far more than we ever could on our own. We thank you for the perspective we may not be able to appreciate till we look back at how far you’ve taken us, and how high you’ve taken us: closer to you.

Today’s soundtrack

Building 429’s “Where I Belong” reminds us that we’re not home, but on our way there.

Did this song move you? You can buy it on Amazon Music!

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB)

Like many kids, my son doesn’t like school. He’d rather be at home! Each morning, he tells me how much he doesn’t want to go to school. He even said he wanted it to be yesterday again.

But what we do each day before rising is what I brought his attention to: we thank the Lord for the gift of the new day, and the opportunity to talk to Him first thing in the morning.

I told him that each day is a lot like a birthday or Christmas gift: a present to be unwrapped. What could be inside? We’ll have to find out!

Each day is wrapped in mystery till we open it and go through it, and just like real presents, sometimes the day could hold amazing highs or disappointing lows. But we can always be grateful recipients of His gift to us, and glorify Him in the way we receive and handle what it brings.

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. -Hebrews 11:7 (NASB)

As is often the case, God works on very different timelines that we do. And it’s not till long after the fact that we can say, “I see what you did there, Lord!”

Though I was baptized by a priest in 1999 and married in a Catholic wedding ceremony the following year, Christ was not in my heart. My heart did not see or hear or accept Him. I lived as an unbeliever, as I discovered when I awoke thirteen years later. In 2010, when my yet unborn son was on his way, it was time to choose a name.

What would his name be? For some reason, I wanted it to be biblical. There were actually some names I passed over, not knowing their biblical roots, like Nathan. But, when I saw the name “Noah,” it jumped off the page. I knew that would be his name. It was the only choice.

A few years later, the scales fell from my eyes and Jesus let me see the world for the first time. I was reborn! And I could see how I would need to live as a believer to model it for my son, named after the one man who walked with God before the flood.

So for this believer, God gave me a Christmas in July…a son whom God has gifted me (on loan) to model the journey to Christlikeness for–and to journey with. He and I are also the first and second links in a new generational chain of believers after centuries of idolatry. I’m far from perfect in my walk as a believer and parent, and I ask Him continually to help me better steward my gifts (including my Christmas in July gift), and know that there will only ever be one Jesus…but we believers live for Him, and Him through us, in the gift of the most glorious unfolding journey possible on this earth: one where Jesus guides us and is seen through us as we faithfully walk as followers of the one whose ultimate gift is for our salvation.