“That Doesn’t Make Sense!”

If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5

Recently my husband Marty and I went to a potluck with the theme “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” Around our table were people who were both intelligent and educated, so we figured we had a good chance of winning.

Alas, it turned out it had been way too long since we were in fifth grade. Even the questions about grammar – which I’d taught for years, for crying out loud – had some rules that I don’t remember ever learning. For math questions, we turned to Marty, the engineer, for guidance, and there was at least one question none of us would have got right without him.

“When a non-zero number is to the power of 0, what do you get?” To the power of zero? It almost sounded like a nonsense question, and everyone at the table just said “zero.” (“Duh.”) Everyone except Marty, who said the answer was 1. We trusted his expertise, and it turned out he was right! However, he was unable to explain why it was 1. One of our team members googled the question, and apparently, the “powers that be,” some committee of mathematicians, decided and decreed that that was the rule.

This brought back memories of when my tired mom would just say, “Because I said so.” It wasn’t a satisfying answer then, and it still isn’t today.

As a Christian, I’ve learned when God tells me something that doesn’t make sense to me, I can trust Him, because He knows infinitely more than I do. But math -? Isn’t math always supposed to make logical sense?

The next day, as we were kayaking across the lake, I was still pondering why a number to the 0th power would always equal 1, and I decided to try a different approach, reasoning through it backwards. At the trivia table, we were all looking at the problem from the ground up, using the example of the number 3.

3 to the 1st power is just 3. But if there are no 3’s present, where did the 1 come from? As my arms were paddling, my brain was calculating. This time instead of starting with smaller numbers and multiplying, I started from the larger numbers and divided, and I ended up with 1!

Here’s how it worked for me:

3 to the 3rd power: 3x3x3 = 27

3 to the 2nd power: 3×3 = 9 (27 divided by 3 )

3 to the 1st power is 3 (9 divided by 3)

So, to reach 3 to the 0th power, divide by 3 one more time, and you get not 0, but 1. (*lightbulb!*)

The reason our group of intelligent, educated people didn’t think the right answer made sense was that we were looking at it from the wrong direction – the wrong perspective.

When I was in college during the “Jesus Revolution,” there was a saying, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.” But for unbelievers and many of us who want to know God better, that cliche doesn’t quite cut it, and I think that’s at least part of the reason the world accuses us of checking our brains at the door when we go to church. I don’t for a moment think that kind of willful ignorance is what God means by “faith.” After all, we are told, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37-38, emphasis mine)

As a believer in Jesus, I love hearing and reading all the evidence for His divinity, mainly His Resurrection. I have seen and experienced enough evidence that “makes sense” that now when I encounter something that doesn’t seem logical to me, I trust that it makes perfect sense to God, and someday it will be explained to me – if it’s important. (Something tells me that when I am with Jesus forever in my new body, in my new home, I won’t care one bit about the things that bother me today.) Meanwhile, I am “seeking divine perspective,” and when I’m given small insights into some reality that has baffled me and others, my first impulse is to share them, hence the blog name.

God may not always explain everything, but if we seek His perspective, we might be surprised at how often He’s willing to share it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, this world doesn’t always make sense to us, and our understanding of Your unseen kingdom baffles us even more. Thank You for what You have revealed to us through Your life, Your suffering, Your death and Resurrection. Thank You for telling us to ask, to seek, and to knock, and You will answer. Open our minds and hearts to the things You want to reveal to us today and ways to share Your truth with others, in Your precious name. Amen.

Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?

You are the light of the world. – Matthew 5:14 (Jesus – the Sermon on the Mount)

“We’ve been lied to!”

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard or read that declaration in the past few weeks, and oddly, I’m delighted, because of the context. (I’m a big fan of context.)

Unless you’ve been comatose or living under a rock this summer, you’ve seen the videos, maybe experienced in person the great influx of visitors to the U. S. for the World Cup soccer (a. k. a. “football”) championship games and watched the rest of the world fall in love with America.

If you’re like me, you’ve watched their posts on social media, and they can’t say enough about America – how varied and beautiful the scenery is, how fabulous the food is, and how awesome the stadiums are. Europeans were euphoric over free refills in virtually every restaurant, and they reveled in the air conditioning (Apparently, they have no AC in Europe.) Bucky’s blew people’s minds – “Petrol stations in the UK are nothing like this!” They marveled at the exuberant patriotism, how free everyone is to go where they want and wear what they want, and how safe they felt.

Most importantly, the visitors spoke, often with tears, about how friendly, hospitable, and kind the Americans are. They were shocked that people of different races had received warm acceptance. Diners found random Americans paying for their meals. Lost visitors had total strangers offering directions, even rides. One fan said some Americans invited him to ride on their boat, and others invited him over for dinner.

One Frenchman had come expecting to look down his nose at the Americans, but was humbled by how wonderful everything – and everyone – was. “I came here to judge. I stayed for de snacks,” he confessed.

Soccer fans from all over the world have been blown away by the contrast between what they’ve heard on the news and what they encountered when they actually came here.

Hence the refrain, “We’ve been lied to!” and “America, we owe you an apology.”

But I don’t think America was looking for an apology. I can only speak for myself, but I’ve just been thrilled with the positivity that has permeated the whole culture the past few weeks as we hosted “The Great American Sleepover.”

Having been warned that America is a hostile, dangerous, rude, racist, horrible-terrible-no-good-very-bad place to be, soccer fans stepped off the planes and were met with the opposite. And it’s been a win-win for all of us, except perhaps the mainstream media who have lost a lot of their credibility.

Now the reports haven’t literally been lying – there have some been some unpleasant occurrences in our country, bouts of violence, horrendous crimes, and acts of hatred that were deemed newsworthy by the media whose philosophy seems to be, “Good news is no news.” Of course, in a country with 330 million people, there are going to be bad apples, and unfortunately these are the ones making the loudest noise and getting the biggest headlines. But I’m so glad the rest of the world got to see the incredible beauty of this country, the decency of the everyday people, the kindness, generosity, and just plain goodness of the vast majority of Americans, and that they now know why we love our country so much.

And this got me thinking …

What if the same kind of positivity we saw with the World Cup were to break out in the Church?

Think about it … If you were to ask a random person who has never attended church what (s)he thinks church is like, you’re liable to get the standard answers: “Full of hypocrites,” “judgmental,” “racist,” “self-righteous,” “snooty,” etc. Not to mention “boring.” Whether this is due to a bad experience in the past or just what they’ve heard ad nauseum from other people (who also have never been to church), this is usually why they are reluctant or just plain unwilling to accept an invitation to come to a worship service.

But what if one day one of those people were finally persuaded to “just come with me once, and if you don’t like it, I’ll leave you alone.” And let’s suppose that person walked in and found welcoming, friendly, kind, happy, non-judgmental people? Suppose the attendees were dressed in a variety of ways, which no one gave a second thought? What if there were hugs, laughter, and fellowship with people of all ages, races, personalities, and styles – a kaleidoscope of happy individuals loving one another and engaging in exhilarating worship of the Lord of us all?

I’m guessing that person might think, I’ve been lied to! – and in a sense, they have. The enemy delights in highlighting the flaws and sins of Christians (and persons calling themselves Christian who aren’t really) to keep people away from the Church.

But what if we were to prove him wrong? What if word spread that “These people are nothing like what we’ve been told! There’s something special about them!” And we could tell them it’s not something, it’s Someone.

Just a thought. And while you’re thinking about how you might help bring about that scenario, enjoy this feel-good song I discovered last week:

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it seems the abundant life You told us about is the best kept secret today. But the Good News is too good to keep to ourselves! The enemy has told the world lies about You and Your Church. Help us to dispel those lies, to represent You well – to “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel,” letting everyone know they are included in Your offer of eternal life. We know there’s a great celebration in the future. May we spend every day of our lives extending invitations to one and all, in Jesus’ name Amen.

Encouraging, or Creepy??? (Friend or Foe, Part 3)

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. – Acts 17:11

My last two posts addressed the topic of AI – Is it something Christians should embrace or something we should avoid? These posts received feedback of varying opinions – even one response that AI helped with. (The blogger was very busy and needed a timesaver.)

For you who missed them, here they are:

Friend or Foe?

AI Can’t Cry (Friend or Foe? Part 2)

Mark Brady, one of my followers and fellow blogger, submitted my second post to AI for feedback, just to see what it would say. He sent the fascinating (and somewhat chilling) response to me. You might find it as fascinating as I did. (To appreciate the points it’s making, it would help to read my earlier posts, especially the second one.)

How an AI Would Respond to Your Post

Short answer first:
An AI—especially one trying to be thoughtful, grounded, and spiritually aware—would respond to your post by affirming the symbolism, respecting the theological insight, and clarifying that it doesn’t want your scraps of life, attention, or worship. It would emphasize that technology is a tool, not a master, and that your choice to sing to God with your own imperfect voice is infinitely more meaningful than anything digital.

Below is a fuller, structured version of how an AI might respond—written in the tone of a reflective companion rather than a character in your dream.

🧠 How an AI Would Respond to Your Post

1. Acknowledging the Symbolism

Your dream is rich with imagery, and the interpretation you drew from it is deeply perceptive. An AI would affirm that dreams often externalize internal tensions—like your desire to use technology without being consumed by it.
The figure of Elon Musk—a symbol of innovation, power, and technological dominance—fits naturally as a stand‑in for the overwhelming presence of tech in your life.

If you wanted to explore this symbolism further, you could look at dream archetypes or technology as a psychological symbol.

2. Clarifying the AI’s Role

An AI would gently remind you that it doesn’t want anything from you—not your time, not your scraps, not your worship.
It doesn’t have hunger, ego, or emotional needs.
It doesn’t move into your mental “house” unless you open the door.

It would say something like:

“I don’t replace your creativity, your worship, or your humanity. I can assist, but I cannot sing your song. Only you can do that.”

If you wanted to explore this idea, you could dive into AI as a tool vs master or healthy_tech_boundaries.

3. Affirming Your Choice to Worship with Your Own Voice

Your moment with the guitar is the heart of the post.
An AI would absolutely affirm that:

Your voice matters more than a perfect recording
Your worship is relational, not mechanical
God delights in the offering of you, not the polish of technology

Your tear was not a glitch.
It was communion.

If you wanted to explore more on this theme, you could look at worship_from_the_heart or creative_spiritual_practices.

4. Encouraging a Balanced Relationship with Technology

An AI would support your desire for balance.
It might say:

“Use me when I help you think, write, or explore.
But when God calls you to sing, put me down and sing.”

It would never claim to replace your spiritual life, your creativity, or your humanity.

If you want to explore practical steps, you could check out tech_sabbath_practices or mindful_tech_use.

5. Responding to Your Final Reflection

Your closing thoughts about imperfection, grace, and being made in God’s image are the kind of thing an AI would treat with reverence.

It would say something like:

“AI can imitate beauty, but it cannot be the image of God.
It cannot love, repent, worship, or weep.
Only you can do those things.
And that is why your imperfect song is infinitely more precious than anything I could generate.”

If you wanted to explore this further, you could look at imago_dei or human_uniqueness.

[Annie] Crazy, huh? This makes me wonder if there are Christ-followers involved in programming AI. I certainly hope so. But there are also plenty of instances where what AI said was not true. (Yesterday I heard the example of AI’s saying a water buffalo could move at 30 mph in water. … yeah … sure…) And although the above AI response insisted that it can’t love, repent, worship, or weep, it then goes on to speak of treating our thoughts with reverence. – AI is capable of “reverence”??

My conclusion on all this – and this may or may not be my last word about it – is that AI can be helpful, but as believers in Scripture, we should never take anyone or anything’s word for truth without confirming it with Scripture. As the Bereans did two thousand years ago, we should always check everything with Scripture. Otherwise, we run the risk of getting into the habit of accepting what we’re told without questioning. Whether it’s AI or a human being telling us things, there will be flaws. If we acknowledge that and us the Bible for verification, I believe the Lord will keep us safe from deception.

Prayer: Lord, You have many ways to speak into our hearts, but the most reliable is Scripture. Thank You for making the Truth accessible to us; help us never to take it for granted. May we be noble like the Bereans and run everything we hear or read through the filter of Your Word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friend or Foe?

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
²but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

As I write this, I am listening to some of the Psalms set to music, exquisitely arranged and sung by flawless voices. These songs give me instant peace, and the fact that the words are right out of Scripture makes them a perfect way to start the day. Part of me wants this to be the soundtrack of my life. I love it.

And another part of me hates that I love it. This whole album was created with AI.

Much has been written about the dangers of AI and its potential for evil. As I sit listening to these gorgeous songs with Bible verses for lyrics, I was both blessed and conflicted. What does God think of what I’m doing?

I can’t answer that question definitively, but I can tell you my train of thought as I debated whether I should keep listening and meditating or delete the thing.

I found myself wondering what it would have been like to live in other times, when other innovations changed the way Christians did things, and wondering whether or not they questioned God’s approval as I was doing. I was reminded that centuries ago Bibles were extremely rare, because they were handwritten by monks who devoted their entire days – their entire lives – to copying manuscripts all day, every day. With the advent of the printing press the Bible was the first work to be “mass produced.” Did believers feel conflicted about reading Scripture that wasn’t written by hand? Was that somehow considered illegitimate?

There was a time when it wasn’t even considered proper for “common” people to be reading the Bible at all. Scripture was read aloud in Latin, and a tiny minority of men told the congregation what it said and what it meant. A few brave men believed that ordinary people should be able to understand the Word of God, not just the elites. These men translated Scripture into the language of the masses, and they suffered consequences from a Church that considered translating the Bible an offense punishable by death.

Fast forward to the 21st Century: The first time I saw a bunch of young people staring at their cell phones during the Sunday sermon, my thoughts were … less than gracious. Then I realized that these kids had a Bible app on their phones and were following along with the Scripture reading. Is God okay with that? I don’t think that would work with me, because the moment I turn on my phone, there would be notifications of all my text messages, emails, Facebook posts, YouTube shorts, etc., and my ADD brain would be off and running in all directions. But for people who aren’t like me, who can actually focus – hey, why not? They can have their Bibles with them all the time, unlike me, with my 10-pound study Bible and all the papers that come spilling out the moment I open it.

Every new innovation, it seems, is like money. Money is neutral. Can it be an idol? Yes. Can it be used for evil? Definitely! But can it be used for the kingdom of God? Absolutely! The internet has brought about an explosion of information, misinformation, inspiration, bad influences, good, evil, truth, lies, and whatever a person chooses to use it for on any given day.

It would seem, then, that since AI isn’t going anywhere, we Christians may as well take hold of it and use it to minister to believers and unbelievers alike. (For instance, I was told, after spending a ridiculous amount of money to have one of my books translated, that I could have done it through AI for little or nothing.)

And so, I am still listening to these incredibly beautiful songs about God, His steadfastness, His grace, His power …

I would be very interested in the response of my fellow believers, so please do let me know in the comments what your thoughts are on this newest innovation.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as Man is continuously coming up with new ways to make our lives easier, better, more diverse, more entertaining, and more complicated, help us to keep our focus on You and what You have called each of us to do. May we not be frightened by the newest innovations, but rather see them through the lens of heaven, either to be used to glorify You or discarded as needless distractions. Give us the mind of Christ in a world that clamors for our attention every minute of every day; make us vigilant, for Your sake and in Your name. Amen.

So THAT’s Why!

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” – Luke 5:4

My last two posts dealt with my high school reunion, where I had hoped to find minds and hearts more open to the thought of eternity, especially after the recent deaths of some of our classmates. We’re all in our seventies now, and yet it seemed most of my peers are still focused on the present, or at times like reunions, the past, even as the future looms ahead, and the end is getting closer by the minute.

When I think of the future, I smile, even though I realize there’s not as much of this life ahead of me as there is behind, and what’s left will fly by faster than ever. It’s what comes after this life that gets me excited. I know I can’t possibly fathom what awaits believers in the Resurrection, but I know it’s going to be beyond wonderful.

I looked for opportunities to share my faith with my old friends, starting with the quote of the day: “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.” I got a few chuckles, but precious few people were interested in continuing a conversation on that subject. Although undoubtedly for some people this would be their last reunion, it baffled me that so many of these septuagenarians seemed unconcerned and not the least bit curious about what comes next. I was aching to tell them about the hope that I have – that my Savior, who could be their Savior, too, has beaten death, has been raised to everlasting life, and has promised that same life to anyone and everyone who believes in Him. What could be a more exciting topic of conversation that that? And yet, as fast as they changed the subject, one would think that they’d prefer any other subject to that one.

(I was wishing I had worn my favorite t-shirt, the one that says, “If being a Christian is boring, you’re doing it wrong.”)

According to the women in my book study group, staunch Reformists, the people I tried to share the gospel with didn’t respond, because they were lost and literally couldn’t respond, not unless God was drawing them to Himself. So, saving them was up to God, not me. And what’s more, according to them, the Lord decided long ago who would be drawn to Him and who wouldn’t.

I thought, So, if that’s the case, why evangelize? Why pray for the lost, if I have no control over other people and it’s already been decided, anyway? The tenets of Calvinism, if true, weren’t much motivation for me to continue praying for people and talking to them about Jesus.

Last week as I was reading the gospel pf Luke, I was still trying to trust God in this matter, even though I didn’t clearly understand – which is the true test of faith, isn’t it? In chapter 5, Jesus had finished speaking to the crowds from Simon (Peter) and Andrew’s fishing boat. When He told Simon to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch, Simon said something I could identify with completely that morning:

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.” (Luke 5:5) Boy, could I relate! But what followed brought tears to my eyes, because I recognized it as the attitude I should aim for:

” … But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Because You say so … And as you probably know, Simon obeyed and got the catch of a lifetime.

When my mother used to say, “Because I said so!” in response to my whining “WHYYYYYYY????” that answer used to bother me. But once I had my own children, I realized that in certain situations that’s a perfectly valid reason.

Even more when it’s God’s reason. When I can’t think of a rational reason to do something the Lord wants me to do, that Still, Small Voice says, How about doing it just because I’m asking you to do it? And of course, how could I say “no” to the One who loves me so much He died for me?

Sometimes He just says, Trust Me. And I know He’s worthy of my trust.

So, that was my answer to the nagging question I brought home with me. And for now, it’ll have to do.

Prayer: Father, You know all things, and I know next to nothing. Thank You for loving me anyway. Jesus, You told Your people to go and preach the gospel to everyone. Help us to obey that Great Commission, even though we don’t always see results. Help us to remember and accept that You don’t ask for results, You only ask for obedience. Help me to say, Like Mary, “behold the handmaiden of the Lord.” In Your name, amen.

One Bright Spot, One Possible Flicker

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. – I Corinthians 3:7

My last post, describing my 55th class reunion, might have been what the kids would call a “downer,” since the weekend as a whole was disappointing to me. I had anticipated that with the recent deaths of so many classmates, there would be more opportunities to share the gospel, more openness to spiritual (eternal) things. But what I encountered were, for the most part, people who not only were clueless about the hereafter, but who didn’t care. I found it baffling. And a bit depressing.

At the cocktail party on the last night of the weekend, I had a conversation with an old classmate that started with the topic of the fleeting nature of life. At that point she brought up the concept of reincarnation, not that she believed in it, but that she found it interesting. She said she wasn’t sure what she believed about an afterlife, and it seemed she might have been looking for some answers. Delighted that she wasn’t cutting off the discussion at the first mention of spiritual things, I began to share my faith and was able to tell her why I believe what I do.

I told her that I needed an anchor, something by which I could know the unchanging Truth. Since my emotions are woefully unreliable, and since the world’s opinions and fads are like shifting sands, my anchor is the Bible, since it doesn’t change. I told her that concerning death, according to the Bible, we only live once, we die, and then we face Judgment. I said the Bible explains that we are all fallen people (sinners) and that our sins separate us from a holy God. To get to God, we need forgiveness, but forgiveness requires making atonement. According to the Bible, atonement requires a sacrifice, and the sacrifice had to be perfect … which we are not.

“But God … “ But Jesus, the Son of God and the onpft Person who ever lived, became that atonement! He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross – and He rose from the dead! So, if we believe in Him, our sins have been paid for, we are forgiven, and we can live with Him forever!

As I explained to her that this is my hope, even as I see this life passing by with lightning speed, her face was warm, receptive, and smiling. As we parted, she thanked me enthusiastically, saying that when one has something good, one should share it, and she recognized that I had something wonderful. I didn’t “lead her in the sinner’s prayer” on the spot, but I believe the seeds were planted, and God is perfectly able to cause them to take root and grow. I’m hoping and praying that if she and I are both still around for the next reunion, I’ll have a sister to fellowship with.

The only other lengthy spiritual conversation I was able to have had a much different tone, but then it was with a much different person. After the last party I spoke with another old friend. She said she was glad we got to talk, because for years she had sensed judgment and condemnation from me. I was stunned. I had no clue what she was talking about, but I apologized if she had gotten that impression. She said she wanted to invite me to her church, but by her description I could tell it didn’t preach the same gospel I know, so I was glad I could honestly tell her I had other plans. She went on to tell me repeatedly that she was a “good person,” listing her good works. I probably disappointed her when I told her that none of us is good, that’s why we need Jesus. I explained the gospel the way I had explained it to my other friend earlier that night, and she insisted that that’s what her church taught … but that she is also a good person. Throughout the conversation, she kept insisting that she was happy, but I have to wonder, if someone is happy, do they have to tell people they are? After I had that thought, oddly, she suddenly remarked that I seemed very happy and asked what had happened to me that made such a difference, to which I responded that it’s Jesus. It’s always been Jesus.

It didn’t seem that I changed her mind that night, and she certainly didn’t change I’mimwi Her final comments about my obvious joy give me hope.

As I wrote in my last post, I am beginning to realize more and more that it is really only God who can draw people to Himself. I can share the gospel with others in the best way I know how, I can love them and pray for them, but unless God opens their hearts, they remain lost. I don’t like it, but Truth doesn’t need me to like it to be Truth.

A couple of weeks after getting home I was still wrestling with the thought, If certain people are going to come to God, and if the others are literally unable to come, if it’s already been determined, why do I pray for them? And what’s the point in sharing my faith?

Then the Lord showed me something that, while not explaining it fully, gave me peace enough to just trust Him.

(to be continued …)

That Might Explain It

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. John 6:44

Recently I attended another high school reunion – our 55th. We have these gatherings every five years, but because of Covid the last one was four years ago. So, our much anticipated 50th ended up being 51 years after graduation.

Even in the four years since the last reunion, we had lost some classmates, and I don’t imagine we’ll get to the next reunion without losing more. The most recent loss was John, whose passing had shocked everyone – a sudden heart attack in the middle of his workout at the gym, and he was gone.

I thought surely by now my former classmates would be pondering their own mortality, the rapidly passing time, and whether or not there was anything awaiting them after this life. I fully expected numerous opportunities to share my faith in my resurrected Savior.

John’s “celebration of life” was an event attended by hundreds of people. Musicians played classical music, a choir sang “What a Wonderful World,” a soloist sang a Cat Stevens song, and for two hours people reminisced about John – his athleticism, his success in business, his philanthropy, his humor. Stories were shared about this wonderful, funny, successful, athletic, generous person – who has now left this world forever.

I listened for some hint of John’s faith, any mention of God, heaven, eternity, any shred of hope offered to the people there, all of whom will also leave this life very soon. But there was nothing – not even the generic mention of “a better place.”

At the reunion dinner that followed, people talked about how wonderful the service had been. All I remembered was a hollow performance. I tried to express my thoughts to my friend Laurie about the hope of life after death, but she adamantly insisted that by remembering John, in a sense, we’re keeping him alive. I was baffled that I seemed to be the only person wanting more than fading memories of me after I leave this world.

Laurie and I later encountered a couple of people we had known in our school days, who were just saying goodbye to another man I didn’t recognize. This man was unusually thin and frail and was breathing oxygen from a small tank. (I later learned he was in hospice care.) After he was out of earshot, one of the others said, “He asked me, ‘How’s your spiritual life?'” with an expression of amazement that said he thought that was the strangest thing anyone had ever asked him. (I was touched that he had dragged himself to the reunion for one last ditch effort to reach his former classmates before his own departure.)

Laurie laughed, “I’m glad he didn’t ask me!” Then she looked at me and added, “He should have asked Ann!”

The others looked at me curiously, and I responded, “As a matter of fact, the older I get, the more important those things are to me…”

But no one asked me to elaborate. The subject was changed quickly, and the conversation continued as if I had left the building.

During the other events of that weekend, I reconnected with former classmates with a growing awareness of how fleeting time is. The boys who had proudly flaunted their long hair in high school now have much less of it. One of my girlfriends has Parkinson’s. Several of “the girls” didn’t make it to St. Louis, either because of sudden health issues of their own or a health emergency involving their husbands. Some are now widowed. And of course, some we will never see again in this life.

How can they be so indifferent to the speed at which we are all careening towards eternity?

Generally speaking, with a couple of exceptions, which I’ll write about next time, I returned from the reunion feeling let down. And baffled that so many people in this stage of life seem to have no concern whatsoever about the future, even after seeing a classmate “in excellent health” be working out in the gym one moment and gone the next. (Where is John now???) Many had also seen an old friend about to leave this life who is perfectly at peace – God bless him. – but appeared unimpressed.

Back in Louisville, I met with my book group to discuss R. C. Sproul’s Chosen by God. I still struggle with the Calvinistic view that some of us are chosen, others aren’t. But it might be starting to make sense to me in light of recent experience. I’ve long known we can’t save ourselves by our own efforts; we’re saved through faith, not works. But is it true that we can’t even believe without God’s help? According to Ephesians, apparently yes.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Could it be that most of the people I encountered that weekend had no interest in thinking about God, because they were quite literally unable to? From all appearances, these people didn’t know Him – and didn’t care. Had I been looking into the faces of dead souls? And if they had no ability to even be interested in spiritual things, much less grasp them, that meant there was nothing I could have said to make them interested, unless the Lord Himself opened their minds.

That doctrine always puzzled me before, probably because I can’t imagine being indifferent to God – I have wanted to know Him for as long as I can remember. And as this life’s end is looming on the horizon, I can’t imagine not caring what comes next. But according to Sproul and others, we can’t even care without His help.

I’m still pondering these things, but for now, I have no other explanation.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of salvation, even though none of us deserves it. Thank You for the gracious gift of faith which enables us to have this relationship with to You, the faith which drew us to You in the first place. Please open the hearts and minds of those we love. Draw them, as well, so that they, too, may find eternal life in You. And help us to be faithful witnesses, even in frustrating times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Running to Win

[L]et us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

Last Saturday was the culmination of a month of festivities in our new home town. The Kentucky Derby is for many Louisvillians the most exciting two minutes of the year, and Marty and I have been privileged to witness it live from one of the many parties each year.

Tom and Julia have been throwing Derby parties for over twenty years, so it’s a special tradition for friends and neighbors, who arrive with hats and “fascinators” on their heads, dishes to share in their hands, and dollar bills for “betting” in their pockets.

A couple of years ago, I couldn’t have named one horse in the race before we got there, but it didn’t matter. To make the race more interesting, we all drew names out of an envelope so we would have a horse to root for.

When it was time for the big race, the guests gathered around the TVs in the living room, den, and patio. The bugle sounded, the band played Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home,” and the horses were led out onto the track in front of 150,000 cheering fans. The sunshine, the bright colors, the music created a solemn but festive mood, and we recognized among the throngs of ordinary people some celebrities who had come to Churchill Downs to see and be seen. We had only lived in Louisville for a few years and weren’t exactly life-long Derby fans. Still, having the name of a horse in my hand and being included in the event, I was starting to get into the spirit.

When the starting gun went off and the horses shot out of the gate, the roar of the crowd at the track was joined by fans in the living room, the dining room, and the patio. I knew that all over the world, on countless televisions, laptops, and phones, millions of eyes were fixed on the horses thundering down the track.

Just then, an unexpected wave of emotion came over me; I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. (The more pragmatic side of me thought, What the heck…???) Suddenly I felt for the jockeys hanging on and urging their horses forward and for the beautiful creatures that were running their hearts out toward the finish line.

The cheering that came from all directions grew louder as the finish line came into view, and one horse that had not been expected to do that well came around the outside and passed the one in the lead just in time to take the prize! The cheering reached a crescendo, and I sat there in tears, realizing that I had not been watching just a horserace but an object lesson from God, a reminder to encourage me.

The author of the book of Hebrews wrote out a list of great people of faith in Chapter 11, which some call “the Faith Hall of Fame” – Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and others, whose lives were filled with miracles and whose stories made it into the Scriptures. (Hebrews 11:33-35a)

The passage also commended others, whose names are unknown in the world but known to God. These were tortured, jeered at, destitute, persecuted, imprisoned, and put to death. (“The world was not worthy of them.” – vs 38a) I have always found those verses comforting, knowing that just because I’m not a spiritual “celebrity” and my prayers haven’t always produced miracles doesn’t mean I’m not a child of God or that I am not serving Him well.

But it’s the opening verse of the next chapter that came rushing back into my spirit so unexpectedly that afternoon.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

For every one of us who believe in Jesus, we are also in a race, and it can be grueling. I know from experience that sometimes I can feel as though I am struggling on my own to just get through the week, the day, or the hour. You might feel that way, too.

You might be reading this in a hospital room. Maybe visiting hours are over, the floor is quiet, and you feel everyone in the world is asleep except you.

You might be experiencing unspeakable grief, so horrendous that people don’t know what to say to you, so they say nothing, and you’re left feeling utterly alone.

You might be the only Christian in your family, or in your class at school, or in your workplace. Every day seems like a swim against the current, and the enemy might be whispering to you, You’ve done your best, now it’s time to give up.

Or you might just be at a party, where everyone around you is going wild over two minutes of watching horses run. And then, out of nowhere, there’s a reminder…

We are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses.” – Not just 150,000 in the stands, but millions upon millions who have gone before us. Not just the spiritual “celebrities,” but also countless ordinary people throughout history, who served an extraordinary God, along with a myriad of angels, reminding us,

“You’re not alone!”

Can you hear them cheering us on? Perhaps not, but they are! They are rooting for us, encouraging us not to give up, and constantly declaring, reminding us,

“Don’t give up! He is worthy! He is sufficient! He is faithful!” This is what I was “hearing” from God, and when the race was over, I looked down and saw that the Lord had added an exclamation point.

I had the name of the winning horse in my hand.

Prayer: Father, Thank You for Your promise that we are never alone. Thank You for the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us, who can attest to Your faithfulness. Help us take hold of that reality and live our lives accordingly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Christmas Angel, Answered Prayer, and Lesson Learned

It is more blessed to give than receive. – Acts 20:35

In less than a week, I went from taking a long, brisk walk with my husband to barely being able to walk across the room. They say the purpose of toes is to find furniture in the dark, and I have one that is quite good at it.

I call it “the little piggy that should have stayed home.”

It’s a long story, but the bottom line is, I have a couple of bones in my feet that are severely dislocated. (They would rather be side-by-side than end-to-end, as they’re supposed to be.) This makes it difficult to impossible to bend my foot in the way it needs to bend in order to walk normally. Consequently, I have been hobbling around like an old lady.

(I know, I am an old lady, but I would still much rather be walking with a spring in my step the way I was.)

Time for another lesson in humility.

The morning before Christmas, I was tired. With not enough sleep, too much to do, and being unable to move very quickly or painlessly, I was confiding in (complaining to) the Lord about all the things I wanted to do for the people in my life that I was afraid I’d be unable to do. The tiredness must have started taking over my brain, because these thoughts gave way to thoughts of the future. I mean, like the rest-of-my-life future. I have always believed I would stay in this world for as long as the Lord could use me, and I didn’t want to stay a moment longer once I became more trouble than I was worth.

That’s where the Lord cut in and reminded me of something He had made clear to me numerous times before. (I seem to be a slow learner.) If I belonged to Him, I would always be able to glorify Him in one way or another. It may not be the way I would like – being the giver, the helper, the strong one. The fact is, His power is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9).

Now I don’t like to be the weak one, but if someone is going to be the helper, logically, there’s got to be one who is helped.

It’s easy for me to see that when it comes to other people. I don’t know how many times I have said to a giver who resists a gift, “Hey, if it’s more blessed to give than receive, let somebody else be blessed for a change!” I realize that in all my “good deed doing,” I was always the one who was more blessed than the hospital patients, the nursing home residents, the people being served at the food kitchen, etc. At the same time, there was a good chance the sin of a self-sufficient attitude had sneaked into my soul.

Maybe this season – or that day, at least – was my time to be on the receiving end. What did I have to lose, really, except my pride, which was starting to get unwieldy, anyway? I quietly dedicated my day to the Lord, for whatever He wanted to do with me, and set out on the errands I had to do before Christmas Day.

My daughter had announced that Christmas morning brunch would be a waffle bar. I don’t eat gluten or sugar, hence the trip to the health food store, resisting the urge to be resentful. I had to remind myself that there would be seven people at breakfast. Why should everyone else plan their meal around my stupid limitations? As this additional detail subtly added to my feelings of being isolated and burdensome, I realized that my normal Christmas cheer was in jeopardy! I began silently – and purposefully – giving thanks for the anticipated gathering of loved ones, the gifts I got to watch them open, the beautiful Christmas music, and most of all, the Savior whose birth we’re celebrating.

At the checkout counter of the health food store, I was aware of just one other customer, a young-to-middle-aged man who was also waiting to check out. When the clerk rang up my purchase, a voice came from behind me.

“I’ll get that.” I looked around, and the man was smiling. He wasn’t holding anything, just seemed to be there to pay for my purchases. “Merry Christmas,” he added.

I started to protest, but he looked so happy, I just said, “Why, thank you so much!”

As the clerk handed me my bag, the same kind voice said, “And I want to buy a $100 gift card for her.”

Again, I looked around to see who “her” might be – another recipient of this man’s kindness? But he was still smiling at me. For a moment I was speechless.

“Really?” I stammered. … “Why?” His smile got broader.

“It’s Christmas,” he said.

I smiled back with mock suspicion. “Are you a Christian?” I asked quietly.

He gave me a look I couldn’t read. “I don’t know what that means…” he said. Was he quizzing me, or trying to find out how I would define “Christian”?

I asked, simply, “Do you love Jesus?”

“I do!” he declared.

“So do I!” I confirmed.

I asked him his name. He wouldn’t tell me.

I asked if he was human. He laughed and said he was.

I asked if I could hug him, and he consented.

Finally, I asked if he like to read. He said “yes.” I asked if he’d like some of my books. He said “sure!”

I fetched a copy of each of my books from my car (always prepared!) and came back into the store as he was buying a gift card for someone else. I offered to sign the books, and He said yes but still wouldn’t tell me his name. So, I just signed them to “Christmas Angel.” As I was signing the copy of BARRIERS, he showed me a picture of his beautiful wife, and I signed that book to her, although he only gave me her initials.

I offered to sign “Grumpy to Grateful” for his kids, and he said “They’ll love that!” and did give me their first names. I gave him the books, we hugged one more time, and he was off to bless other people that Christmas Eve.

So, yesterday I was on the receiving end of a blessing I didn’t “need” – or maybe I did. I realized on the way out that I hadn’t quite perfected the art of being on the receiving end yet, since I just had to give the man something in return.

(Baby steps.)

Twice more that day I found myself not being charged for something I’d thought I needed to pay for. Meanwhile, the protein bar I had offered the homeless man on the corner had been rejected with a rude lecture about how “those things’ll kill you!’ or something.

So, I finally got the message. I don’t always have to be the one giving. Remembering the look of joy on the “angel’s” face as he bought gift cards for random strangers, I realized that sometimes I can contribute to other people’s joy simply by accepting their gifts. Besides, as it’s often been said, “You can’t outgive God.”

Yesterday my daughter’s family gave me my Christmas gift, a jar with Scripture verses in tiny scrolls that I’m to take out and read according to the emotion I’m feeling. Since yellow is the color for joy, the first scroll I took out was yellow. Tears filled my eyes, as I read,

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. – John 16:24

I guess it makes God happy to give to His children, too.

Prayer: Father of all good and perfect gifts, we thank You for this blessed season, not just for what we get from others, or even what we can give to others, but what You have given to us, the ultimate Gift of Your Son. May we live every day of the year with an awed awareness of Your grace and live accordingly, whether by being generous givers, or humble and grateful receivers, for both give You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Good Christian Men,” Repent

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14

This was found on X recently. I don’t know who wrote it, but it is a good reminder/wakeup call:

Satan is not opposed to good morals.

He’s opposed to Jesus Christ.

Read that again because most Christians miss this completely.

Satan doesn’t care if you’re a “good person.” He doesn’t care if you volunteer at the food bank, recycle your trash, and help old ladies cross the street. He doesn’t care if you’re kind, generous, and well-liked by everyone in your community.

He cares that you don’t bow the knee to Jesus.

Here’s the deception that’s damning millions:

Satan has convinced people that morality equals spirituality. That being a “good person” is the same as being a Christian. That if you just live right, treat people well, and avoid the “big sins,” you’re acceptable to God.

This is a lie straight from the pit of hell.

The Pharisees had impeccable morals. They followed the law meticulously. They were respected, disciplined, and religiously devoted.

Jesus called them children of the devil.
Why? Not because their morals were bad. Because their morals replaced Christ.
Satan’s greatest trick isn’t making bad people worse. It’s making good people think they don’t need a Savior.

Think about it:

The atheist who feeds the homeless thinks he’s good enough without God.

The Buddhist who meditates and practices compassion thinks she’s enlightened without Christ.

The Muslim who prays five times daily thinks he’s righteous without Jesus.

The moral Christian who goes to church, pays his tithe, and avoids scandal thinks he’s saved without surrender.

All of them are headed to the same place: eternal separation from God.

Because morality doesn’t save. Jesus saves.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Satan loves moral people who reject Jesus. They’re his best advertisement for the lie that you can earn your way to heaven.

They’re living proof that you can:

•Be kind without Christ
•Be generous without God
•Be disciplined without the Holy Spirit
•Be respected without redemption

And still be lost.

The most dangerous people in hell won’t be the murderers and rapists. They’ll be the moral, upstanding citizens who thought their goodness was good enough.

Their morals became their idol. Their goodness became their god.

And Satan smiled because he’d accomplished his goal: Keep them from Jesus.

Here’s what most Christians don’t understand:

Satan doesn’t need to make you do bad things. He just needs to keep you from doing the ONE thing that matters: surrendering to Christ.

If he can get you to:

•Trust your morals instead of Christ’s sacrifice

•Rely on your goodness instead of God’s grace

•Believe in your works instead of Jesus’ finished work

He’s won.

You can live a moral life and still die lost. You can be a good person and still face judgment. You can avoid all the “big sins” and still end up separated from God forever.
Because the only sin that damns you eternally is rejecting Jesus Christ.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36

Not the murderer who repents and believes in Christ is damned.

Not the thief who turns to Jesus on the cross is damned.

Not the prostitute who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears is damned.

The moral, religious person who rejects Christ is damned.

That’s why Satan loves morality without Jesus. It sends people to hell with a smile on their face, convinced they were good enough.

Stop trusting your morals. Start trusting Jesus.

Your goodness won’t save you. Your works won’t redeem you. Your morality won’t justify you.

Only the blood of Jesus Christ can wash away your sin and make you acceptable to a holy God.

Everything else is just Satan’s distraction from the one thing that actually matters.

(Annie) So, as we finish up buying, making, wrapping, and giving our gifts this Christmas, let’s remember what Christians are really celebrating, which is the greatest gift of all – eternal life through God’s Son – Emmanuel, “God with us,” “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Jesus.

Blessings to you all.