Digging Deeper

Have you ever seen a U-Haul following a hearse? That sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it? And yet we spend a large part of our waking hours either working to have the money to buy “stuff” or actually shopping at a store or online to buy said “stuff.” It must be the hunter-gatherer syndrome to a whole new level.

Lately in the 5^th and 6^th grade class I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time trying to answer the kid’s questions concerning “What happens to me when I die?” They are seriously looking for answers. In fact, they are so serious that we are looking at what is going to happen to all of mankind in the book of Revelations. I have been able to make the point that Darrel tries to make on a regular basis; none of us is guaranteed tomorrow here on earth. We can make all the plans we want, buy all the “stuff” we want, but in the end, we have absolutely no control over how and when we will pass from this life into eternity. What I find exciting is that these kids want to know what will happen. They aren’t running from it, they are trying to understand it as they move closer to God.

And interestingly, the Bible also tells us in Revelations what will happen to our “stuff.” It will all burn. Ashes. Dust. The ultimate fire-sale. A total loss. In my lifetime I have been blessed enough to acquire some physical belongings like most people in the U.S.

But I learned a long time ago that it is easy come, easy go. I grew up in a family where a lot of emphasis was placed on taking care of what you had; not destroying property, being a good steward of anything God blessed you with. My parents were born in and right after the depression. And they are so concerned about making sure when they die that everything they have is split up evenly. There’s just one issue with that; none of us kids care about that. None of us has waited around to get something when they die.

We all know that things aren’t the ultimate source of happiness- relationships are. Specifically, relationships with family and our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because nothing else will survive the heat. Only people will survive, and so the ultimate question becomes “what have you done with Jesus?” Until you can answer that, you aren’t ready to die. If you aren’t ready to die, you really can’t live life to its fullest as God has intended. So now I ask you; Are you ready to die today? There will be no U-Haul following your hearse. Don’t spend more time buying things for this life than you spend deciding where you’ll spend eternity. That would be the ultimate total loss.

Mark 8:36 “What good is it for a man to gain the whole worked, yet forfeit his soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

by Joe Middlestetter

Deuteronomy 32: 4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Regardless of what happens to us in this life we have the assurance that He will not change. The sense of this expression is a nautical one. Sailors who moored their boats along the shoreline were always looking for a “great rock” to not only gives them stability for their boats but also a landmark in the time of storm. One of the most famous “rocks” is the rock of Gibraltar stretching up out of the sea to be a beacon to sailors but also as a warning of impending danger. Life is a bit like sailing. Things are uncertain and even with a lot of experience, there is the occasional storm that threatens are very life. I remember watching the movie “The perfect storm” at a drive-in with my kids and as the guys set out on their fishing expedition, clouds and lightening began to roll in behind the screen. It was freaky! I digress. My boys, pretty much, grown men at this point started getting closer and cuddling up to me. Their “Rock”. Any of you who know me, know that I get so into a movie that I start seeing the situation through the characters eyes and usually wind up being more scared than the kids. God is not like that because he can see what has been left behind and what is lurking around the corner. He is not afraid. Conversely, He is in control. He is stable, he is perfect, he is just…He is “The Rock”. Got some stuff coming in your life that you don’t know how to handle? The Rock is already there working on your behalf. Relax and enjoy the ride. He is Life, Provider, Self-sufficient, Almighty, He is with his people….He is what He is. Your God and Savior.

Colossians 1: 19-20 “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross” (emphasis is mine)

Assignment: Every morning, breathe deep and thank God that He is in control.

Prayer: Father, I thank you that there is nothing going to happen today that you and I can’t handle together………..

by Rick Drake

“This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation”

- Exodus 3: 15b

When we think of God, what things do we remember? Do we remember all the bad things that have happened in our lives that possibly He could have prevented? Do we remember all the great things He has done for us that in no way could we have deserved or even anticipated? It is truly a matter of perspective. The people of Israel were used to serving many gods because of their captivity and accepting the faiths or their captors. God is a jealous god and demands our total devotion. He will not play second fiddle to lesser gods. You ask “What other gods?”. Money, job, recreation, sports teams, music, or anything else that comes between you and a great relationship with the God of the universe. In the verse above, Moses is asking who to tell the people God is. He is the God of all your forefathers and the God of all your children’s children’s children. In other words He is from beginning to end, everlasting to everlasting; He has always been and will always be. His name never changes. He has no aliases, no nicknames, He is who He is. Is that a comfort to you? By understanding that fact, I understand that my measly little problems, hurts and worries, pale in comparison to the eternal fact of the One who loves me best.

Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future”

Hey! He knows your name too! Have a great day!

by Rick Drake

The word “YHWH Zeba’ot” is what happens when we get together for worship. In the Greek it is “Immanuel”, God is with us. When we get together to worship it is more than just gathering to see our friends and sing some songs and get a few pearls of wisdom from Darrel or Rollie but God is literally with us. He comes in power, love, healing, and teaching. That is the reason we need to check the cares of the day or week, all the problems, all the concerns at the door. When we are preparing for worship remember that He loves on His kids and He is a very jealous parent and He insists on our complete consideration. According to the origins of the word(s), it was believed that God the Father, the people of God, and all the warring angels got together for fellowship on the Sabbath. Satan and all his cohorts need not enter. If we took worship that seriously, what would it look like? In early times God raised up leaders, did great miracles, brought the people together, re-built the stuff that had been destroyed, made a way when there was no way. You know stuff like that! Could we use anything like that? The English transliteration of Zeba’ot is Sabbaoth or Sabbath. The Lord’s Day, God is in the house, He is doing his thing, He is present and accounted for, the armies of God have gathered with the Commander and Chief and all the saints to worship together. Look for Him! The Israelites felt this so strongly, when they carried the Ark of the Covenant, that they were absolutely invincible. Jesus left his Spirit so that no matter what we were in the midst of the Lord of Hosts, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Caution!!!! When confronted with the holiness of God and He is in our midst, we are compelled to cleanup our act. Let’s look at someone in this very position, Isaiah. “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high and lifted up…..woe to me! I cried. I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6: 1-13) He compared his rightness against the obvious holiness of God and knew he didn’t have a prayer without God.

Read the whole chapter and see if you see worship differently.

by Rick Drake

“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”

-Psalm 89: 8

The name El Shaddai means many different meanings. As we used to say in school it has many faces that give us a glimpse of who God is and shadows of his character. Many of the words He is called talk about his attributes but not about who He is. El Shaddai is used more frequently than any of the other six names of God. The sense is that He can do anything, period. Literally it means destroyer or devastator but I think as humans it is difficult or impossible to understand and grasp the shear power that is God. The Israelites did not say his name because they believed it to be so holy that they would be struck dead immediately. At the mere sound of El Shaddai’s voice, the earth came into being. Mountains formed, the rivers flowed, the birds sang, the antelope ran, the trees grew and the earth was formed and populated by Him speaking. Then, from the dust of the ground He formed man and blew His eternal breath into him. That same breath, raised Jesus from the dead and we have life eternal. We serve a great God! Got stuff in your life that seems impossible? Talk to El Shaddai about it. In the last few years, I have been living the life of Job. I have virtually lost everything and am starting over in my life. Only when I take my eyes off of Him, do I feel things are hopeless. I want to leave you with this scripture: Romans 8: 11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus form the dead is living in you , he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” God is life! Be blessed today!

by Rick Drake

“In Him was life and that life was the light of men”

-John 1: 4

God’s name means life. In the first chapter of John, the apostle explains, nothing came into being without the name of God being spoken. Literally, God’s name means life. The word in Hebrew, YHWH means to breathe, to blow, to cause to grow, in essence to live. When we defame the name of God, we are entering into an area of dead stuff. I remember in the late 60’s and early 70’s the “God is Dead” campaign. During a baseball game I heard a noted church member use God’s name in a not very prayerful way. Knowing the pastor of the church I fully expected a tirade of his own toward the player. Instead, with tears streaming down his face he said “you have put Jesus on the cross again and denied who God is”. But Jesus is alive! How can we ever raise him to public ridicule again? Can we take two minutes to think about this bad habit we have and think about the one who gave all for those who had nothing? He came that we might have life and life more abundant. Why do we insist on putting Him on public display in an unflattering way? So how do we fix this? Our assignment this week is this: When you feel tempted to say His name in vain, share with someone that you are a Christ follower and that you don’t want to speak His name except in prayer. Yea, it’s that important.

In Exodus 3: 13-14 “Moses said to God , ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them ‘The God of our fathers has sent me and they ask me what is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, “ I am who I am” This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you’” In this context, He is just exactly who you are supposed to explain He is. “I AM” is the self existing, self sufficient, one who is life. Have a great God filled day!

We will look at the other six names of God in the next 4 days! Peace

by Rick Drake

“You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship You.”

-Nehemiah 9:6

There are times when God has tried to reveal Himself to this stubborn servant. And if my heart is receptive, I am able to feel Him working. If my spiritual eyes are open, I can see Him as He touches the world around me. When I feel my faith dwindling, can’t I remember the tranquil summer sunset on Lake Michigan? I could feel His breeze in my hair and His warm sand under my bare feet. Or how about that magical moment lying on a pier under the Wisconsin star filled night? I watched the full moon drift up over the forest glimmering on the black glass lake. Why doesn’t my heart remember and find comfort in the memory of standing at the vast ocean’s edge? I could see the great expanse of God’s creation with no opposite shoreline in sight.

How can I behold His greatness and not be comforted that this same God finds even me significant? Not only is He the Creator and the Keeper of the universe around me, He also tries to reveal Himself to me in a more personal way. But I get bogged down with the daily to do lists, and before I know it, I can’t even remember the last time I had a lengthy chat with my Father. Tomorrow when the sun comes up, I’m going to sincerely thank Him for His artistry. The next time it rains, I’ll make time to sit and watch it with Him.

Bible Reading: Acts 17:24-28

Please forgive me Father when I am self absorbed and live life with my eyes closed. You offer me blessings everyday…wake me up and slow me down enough to stand in awe of Your Holiness.

by Dianna Brisco

“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord.
“No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.

-Jeremiah 23:23-24

The day we drove into Yuma, it was 116˚. The Arizona sun was so hot it hurt to stand directly in it.The moisture on my lips evaporated the second I licked them. The desert was a totally different world from the lush green farmlands of Indiana. We found a hotel room we could use as a headquarters until we could find somewhere more permanent to live. Our new teaching jobs started in three weeks, so we would have to investigate quickly. We bought a local newspaper and drove around checking out rental possibilities. After a long day of unsuccessful searching, we stopped to eat some pizza at a local restaurant. We were beginning to feel very homesick and doubt our sanity in coming west.

As we began to eat the supreme pizza with extra cheese, we immediately felt better! Even though we were far away from everything and everyone that was familiar to us, the pizza tasted the same as back home! The same God who loved us in Indiana was right here now. With our stomachs full and our spirits refreshed, we left the restaurant ready to continue our search. As the sun was setting across the flat desert, we found our apartment we would call home. Our first desert sunset was spectacular! The colors seemed more intense and trees did not obscure the breathtaking scene. The hot sand glowed orange as the sun set below the horizon, outlining the saguaro cactus in our new home.

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Bible Reading: John 14:1-6

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No matter where I go, You are with me. When I look up at the moon hovering over the desert, it is the same moon rising over my parents’ farm. You were present yesterday, are present today, and will be present in an eternity of tomorrows.

by Dianna Brisco

“I took my troubles to the LORD;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”

- Psalm 120:1

Every square inch of our car was loaded for our move to Arizona. We took our hamster, Buffy, with us on this first adventure as husband and wife. She traveled well sleeping during the day as we traveled, and playing at a new hotel each night. Before driving into the desert to get to Yuma, we made sure we had a full tank of gasoline and plenty of drinking water. It would be a long drive before the next sign of any people.

About one hour into our drive the temperature outside hit 116˚, and our air conditioner started spitting out little crystals of ice. Soon the cool air turned warm and our car became stifling hot. I began fanning Buffy who was beginning to overheat with all her teddy bear fur. She turned onto her back inside her cage with her little legs sticking up. She was panting and I was afraid she was going to die of a heat stroke. We prayed a desperate prayer for her protection. We were praying for our hamster as if she were our child! We finally did make it out of the desert and thanked God for sparing Buffy’s life. The same God who created the vast solar system cared about an eight ounce little fur ball.

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Bible Reading: Psalm 66:16-20

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Almighty Heavenly Father, I can talk to You about everything that is on my heart and You will listen! I worship You and praise You alone. Thank You for loving me and a cute little hamster named Buffy.

by Dianna Brisco

“At the right time He will bring everything together.”
- Ephesians 1:10

As I was growing up, my mother’s friend moved from our hometown. We visited her as often as the distance between us allowed. This lady was also our beautician, so we continued to make the long drive to get our hair cut. In the beauty shop, my mother and I frequently visited with Granny. She was a sweet old lady who had such a gentle smile but strong spirit. She and her husband, Gramps, were raising two teenage grand daughters. I often heard about her trials and triumphs and listened carefully to the way she handled parenting for my future reference. I noticed she no longer could wear her wedding ring on her crooked fingers crippled from arthritis.

But despite the absence of the ring, I noticed how devoted Gramps and Granny were to each other. These dear people turned out to be my future husband’s grandparents! I hadn’t met my husband yet, but I was meeting members of his family, one by one! Gramps and Granny were my future Gramps and Granny! And Granny would secretly give her wedding ring to the first grandchild who got married. That first grandchild was Todd, my husband. One and half years later he would lovingly place Granny’s ring onto my finger as we exchanged wedding vows! And not only did I already know Todd’s grandparents, but also the beautician had a daughter who was best friends with this Todd’s sixth grade sister. I remember vividly the day the two girls got their ears pierced and rushed into the shop to show off their new earrings! But I was not aware one of these giggly girls was my future sister-in-law! I didn’t meet Todd until our freshman year at college, and yet God had so perfectly given us a past history together.

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Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11

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Heavenly Father, You are so awesome! Thank you for orchestrating events in my life for my good. Please forgive me when I forget to worship You.

by Dianna Brisco