Beaver Nudges

It was an incredible performance!

The time was sunset with traces of reddish-orange colored cloud streaking across the sky. It was a glorious autumn evening. Concerned about a strained relationship between two people, I sat on a bench looking at the smooth placid waters of the river. I prayed, waited and stared at the waters of the river.

Suddenly there was a splash in the water! A long dark form appeared. Surely, it wasn’t an over-sized walleye – a common fish in that area. Then, a second long dark form appeared above the surface of the water. What was it, I thought? Breaking free of my previous thought pattern, I began to walk cautiously toward the edge of the river bank so that these “forms” would not be scared away. At last, the identity of these creatures became clear –they were beavers! A great Canadian symbol.

These two beavers played around in the river for a couple of minutes. Then, they would come together and nudge or touch each other. There was the pattern of a nudge and then separation and then another nudge. Why? Do beavers need regular touches or nudges of love, encouragement and affirmation?

One thing is certain. In our rhythm of rest, work and play, we all need to provide nudges of love and encouragement. All human beings have this need. Christians in the midst of a constant spiritual battle certainly need regular touches of love and affirmation — actions that say “I love you” or “I need you”. These words were written to Christians of the first century, A.D.:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God has forgiven you”. (Ephesians 4:32)

Be intentional in giving someone the “touch of love” today. Start with your marriage. Ruth Graham said that “marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” Read I Corinthians ch.13 and write each verse in your own words (a paraphrase). Then, list specific ways in which you can show the love of Christ to someone near you. Make a list of actions which you can do that says to each of your family that says “I love you”.

Then, enlarge your circle of influence to others in need.

Listen to the voice of our Lord Jesus who says: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another!” (John 13:34) Beaver nudges in Jesus’ name!

Kitchen Stress

A big dinner was planned and she certainly wanted to impress. Perhaps, she intended it to be a formal occasion for her guests – especially the special guest – that would so impress them that compliments would be showered on her. It could be worth all the fuss and hard work in the kitchen. The name of the woman in this event was Martha. Her special guest was Jesus. The Bible describes the dinner event in these words:

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came

to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.

Her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But

Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to

Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ (Luke10:38-40, NLT)

Martha was too focused on the dinner and not enough attention to her guests, especially Jesus. Yes, dinner was needed because the guests were surely hungry. But, she worried over so many details because she made the dinner to seem more important than connecting with Jesus. She was stressing our and getting upset with her sister, Mary. She wanted Mary to help her since, in Martha’s view, her sister seemed to be sitting there doing nothing.

It reminds me of the growing troubles in our world’s financial system as I write. News overload and mounting stress over economic and financial details are distracting many of us from the most important thing of all!

Worship comes before work and relationship building precedes a program.

Jesus answers Martha:

My dear Martha, you are so upset over these details! There is really only

one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it – and I

won’t take it away from her. (Luke 10: 41-42, NLT)

Martha would have experienced less stress and more peace and confidence if she had first taken a little time with Jesus. It is certain that Martha should have recognized that a modest meal made with love is better than an elaborate feast made in stress and worry.

As you cook in the kitchen or follow your investments in the world , don’t panic over the details – worship Jesus first and trust completely in the Lord to make your smallest work count for God – honoring God and connecting with people in need.

Let’s not be caught up in “kitchen stress” because the signs in the world remind us that Jesus, our Savior is coming again – soon. (Luke 21:27, 34-35)

Winning Over Your Invisible Enemy

On assignment in Afghanistan for the Edmonton Journal, Graham Thomson wrote a report in the August 16, 2008 edition entitled “FIGHTING AN INVISIBLE ENEMY”. It reminded me of the ultimate real enemy that seeks to destroy us and oppose the will of God for us. Yes, each person has a responsibility for the sin and evil which they commit. But, the Bible reminds us that behind all these evil words and actions of people is the unseen invisible rank of evil spirits, fallen angels who obey Satan and seek to lead us into all kinds of sin.

“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

“Rulers”, “authorities”, and “powers” refer to different ranks of evil beings. Therefore, I was very intrigued to read from another source about 3 ranks of enemy in the present war in Afghanistan. First there are the hard-core Taliban who are 100% dedicated to destroying our soldiers and anyone else who hinders the return of full Taliban rule. Second, there are the “civilian persons who hate foreigners, the present Afghan government, and authorities in general. They are easily recruited for specific destroying acts but are not totally supportive of the Taliban. Third, there are those from the regular population who are bribed into committing acts of violence but who easily and quickly retreat into regular civilian life and wear clothing of the common people. This last group has little or no commitment to the Taliban, However, our own soldiers and regular Afghan forces cannot always tell who they are fighting and where to find them until they suddenly commit a violent act. They are like an invisible enemy until it is sometimes too late — the damage has been done.

That is why the Bible also warns us to always be on spiritual alert and to fervently pray with the help of the Holy Spirit of God and by clothing ourselves with all of God’s “armor”. Even as I went on-line to check e-mail prior to typing this message, the invisible enemy was seeking to distract me with unsolicited advertisements. The dangers of this invisible enemy are everywhere in this world. But, through Jesus, our Savior, we can win in practice over everything that our Enemy and his evil assistants can throw at us!

I urge you to join me in closing spiritual ranks against this invisible enemy who will someday soon be banished by our God forever.

“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT

Lifeline: The Power of Music

The sound first resonated like a distant rumble. Then, it erupted into a loud roar. The whole building was collapsing around the three young boys. Everything grew very dark and still. They were alive but injured. There seemed no way for them to escape from the Chinese 2008 earthquake.

One of the boys, about nine years old, began to sing. Somehow singing became for him a cry of his soul. One Western commentator remarked how God was surely at work in this young boy. The other boys began to sing. The singing motivated his spirit and his determination to somehow escape from this forbidding prison of rock and rubble. The miracle is that the boy made his way to the surface. After receiving freedom, the boy expressed his gratitude by returning to help the other boys to get free.

Amazing! Singing from the heart to God has power to blast through all kinds of barriers.

It is a lifeline to God — the cry of one’s heart to God. Such singing crosses lines of culture, language, and nation. The Bible describes the dramatic picture of two men who were imprisoned for teaching others how to trust in and live for Jesus. Their enemies were furious. The authorities ordered Paul and Silas to be flogged. Beaten and bleeding, they were “thrown into prison” (Acts 16:23). Then, they were placed in a dark dungeon in the lowest part of the prison.

Faced with no light and no obvious way of escape, they could have grown bitter or cried out in self-pity and given up. But, Paul and Silas responded in the most amazing way. Like the boys in China, they began to sing with passion to God.

“…Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains of every prisoner flew off!”

(Acts 16:25-26, NLT)

The result was that the official in charge of the prison saw the work of God in all this and begged to know how to receive Jesus into His heart. The whole extended household of the prison guard became Christians transformed by the power of God. The word for household (oikos) refers also to relatives and servants of the prison official. Music of praise to God in Jesus’ name can set you free from the prison of drugs, addictions or resentment. When you are truly set free, waste no time in coming alongside of others who are also calling out for real freedom. Music of your heart to God can be truly powerful – a lifeline to those who are desperate for hope. Don’t wait to be in the mood for singing. In any circumstance, make the cry of your souls a “joyful symphony” to God (Psalm 98:6).