Today is DAY 4 (May 6).
It is hard to imagine a flash flood in the desert.
I’ve had only a few flash floods (sudden crises) in my life.
But I have had the experience of being stuck in the mud.
Right now it feels as if I am slogging through this virus lockdown.
I can rationalize my way forward, but I am not feeling it.
I am quickly tired, and it is hard to motivate myself to do the next task.
Or even to know what the next task is.
I don’t hear the roar of the flood coming, but I am feeling stuck.
In times like these the Psalms do express well the cry of the heart.
‘Lord, I am stuck, I need help, set me up on a rock!’
The video gave me images to picture when I read psalms like these.
“My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:2)

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Today is DAY 3 (May 5).
I didn’t realize how barren and lifeless the wilderness was.
How can those trees survive such a barren wasteland?
And yet they become lessons for life in this world.
The rottem tree for shade and the acacia with roots reaching to the river.
The tamarisk planted in faith and the arar tree that deceives with empty fruit.
I’ve been reflecting on how God is revealed in creation.
This pandemic is leading many people to discover the outdoors again.
That is a good thing, because it brings us closer to our Creator.
He is always with us, but perhaps our walls are barriers to experiencing God.
If I look outside at the grass, or the trees, or the birds, what can I learn?
Is there a life lesson right in front of me, and I am not seeing it?
Do you see any life lessons around you, in the things of nature?

For more information about this virtual tour, click here.

Today is DAY 2 (May 4).
Two pictures stood out for me.
First, the path through the mountains, and seeing only a little way.
Not knowing how long this path will go, how long this desert will last.
In this COVID-19 desert path, we have no idea what the future holds.
But what shall we do, how will it help to worry or complain?
We just have to keep going on the path before us, trusting in God to be there.
Second, the shade provided for each day.
Somewhere, somehow, each day God provides just enough shade.
A gift, a call, a visit, a breakthrough, an insight, a friend…
Even something as small as a flower, or a bird song, or a cool breeze.
God does not give us a feast, but neither does He let us starve.
He gives us just enough – manna – for each day.
I can’t get myself out of this desert (self-reliance).
But I can choose to keep walking forward by faith.
And I can choose to look for the broom trees, the little gifts of shade.
Today, my shade experience was a refreshing, encouraging walk.
And the tulips blooming at our front window.
They brightened my soul.
How about for you, did you experience His shade today?

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Today is DAY 1 (May 3).
How appropriate this video message seemed. We are in a desert of sorts… we do not have control, we are not where we want to be, our situation is unpredictable, and we are learning what it means to rely on God. I like how he invited us along at the end, not to just watch them on their trek, but to walk through our own desert, and to learn that God makes the way through the desert possible. We will get to the other side of this.

I am finding for myself the difficulties in this (coronavirus) desert so far include:

1. The fogginess of my mind and my struggle for energy, motivation and direction.
2. How drained I am when I talk on the phone, or participate in ZOOM calls, or even sidewalk conversations.
3. Just wanting to hug my family.

What about for you?

In my message “On Earth as it is in Heaven” on Sunday, January 5, 2020, I touched upon a number of themes relating to what the bible says about ‘heaven and earth’. I welcomed feedback and questions, and received a number of questions, which I will respond to here.

The questions are:

1. What does it mean that Jesus ascended into heaven?
2. What happens when we die? Are we put in a holding pattern until the second coming and the new earth?
3. Where is hell?
4. There are many that say they have been to heaven and back (there are books and movies).  How is this possible? You hear before people die they see “the Light”, with the thinking of the new earth being heaven, how is this? What is this?

Continue reading ‘Questions on ‘heaven’’ »

I wonder if I am doing less inspiring, and more challenging.
Not just challenging people how they’re not dreaming, learning, doing, becoming more…
But to inspiring them positively, lighting the fire of their God-potential!
I want more and more to be this kind of leader!

“The devil will try to upset you by accusing you of being unworthy of the blessings that you have received. Simply remain cheerful and do your best to ignore the devil’s nagging. If need be even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Satan, the epitome of sin itself, accuses you of unworthiness! When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!”
(St. Teresa of Avila)