Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT – Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

My backyard used to be the Olympic Mountains in the state of Washington where we often went backpacking. It was always exhilerating to hike through the woods or by a stream or over snow capped mountains. I will never forget camping in one of the passes that we’re on one of the trails. We had wanted to get over the mountain to a designated camp area but nightfall fell before we could reach our destination so the only option was to pitch our tent along the trail and wait for morning. It was very cold and wind night. Around dawn I began to hear some rustling noises outside of my tent thinking it could be a bear trying to hone in on our food and supplies. Carefully and quietly I tried to open the tent flap to see what was going on outside. To my surprise there we’re about 3 or 4 mountain goats chewing on our boots that we had left outside of the tent (for smell purposes). As I yelled at them to move on they all started to scatter up the mountain as one of the goats grabbed a boot as a souveneir. Before you know it they we’re halfway up the mountain with one of our boots. It was absolutely amazing to see them move so quickly and with so much grace. We eventually retrireved the boot but I learned a lot of lessons that day about hiking and about life. First – about hiking – don’t leave your boot outside – ever! It’s hard to walk without shoes. Second – just as those mountain goats we’re able to scamper up the mountain when they sensed danger – so God has enabled us to be like a surefooted deer when life is pushing us down. He gives us the means and the way to escape. He leads us and guides us to a place of safety. Today we need to rejoice in our Sovereign God and trust Him that he will always take care of us.

Philemon 1:7 NLT – I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

Last night was a very difficult night for me as I sat with a family from our church who was dealing with the fact that their dad/ husband was dying. It was unexpected and it was filled with a lot of pain and anguish. As the night moved on, it became apparent that he wasn’t going to make it and at 9:16 PM he finally went to be with Jesus. He and his wife had seven kids between the two of them (two that are still in their teens). Even though that was very difficult and painful and there we’re lots of tears – there we’re some “up” moments that I would like to talk about for a bit. The kindness of the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital was unbelieving. Doctors and nurses wept with us over this loss. They didn’t know this man or the family but we’re moved emotionally by the loss of this dad/ husband. They went the extra mile to keep him alive. The chaplains did what they could to bring hope and encouragement to the family. People from our church who we’re working there or we’re there for their own family members who we’re in the hospital came and grieved with us. The kindness of all these people refreshed us all. They brought much comfort and love. I know that there is a long journey for this family but I am encouraged today that there are loving friends and family who are willing to walk with them through this journey. Like Paul – “I have gained much joy and comfort from your love…”

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NLT – But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and cried out humbly to the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request for help. So the LORD let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Manasseh had finally realized that the LORD alone is God!

Most people don’t make changes in their life when things are going well – but when they are in much distess. We don’t change when we see the light – we change when we feel the heat. Manasseh is described in v.2 as a king who did much evil in the Lord’s sight. The next few verses go into depth of the depravity that he lived in and brought to the people of Israel – even to the point of killing his own sons in some cultic ritual. He did what he wanted to do in life with no restraints. He tried all sorts of things to bring happiness only to find that his life was miserable and full of guilt. The scripture tells us that while Manasseh was “in deep distress” that he finally sought God and truly repented. God heard his cry and his prayer and brought joy and happiness to Manessah. The rest of this chapter shows how Manasseh lived out his life – doing the things that we’re pleasing and acceptable to God. Perhaps you are like Mannessah today – doing and walking in your own ways. Perhaps you have tried to fill your heart with many things and have allowed sin to rule in your life. You have tried to find peace and happiness but only find yourself in misery and pain. The good news is that you can turn back to God today and repent of your sins. Manasseh prayed to God and God “listened to him and was moved by his request for help.” God is willing and ready to listen to your cry of help today – just humbly come to Him – He is waiting for you.

Psalms 107:29-30 NLT – He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!

For about four years of my life I lived in Costa Mesa, California and was only a short distance to the ocean in Newport Beach. On a regular basis I would ride my bicycle down to the beach or I would take my family down there to enjoy the ocean. One of my favorite places was a place called “The Wedge” in Newport Beach. It faced both south and west and was the place where opposing oceans would collide into each other and cause huge waves to develop making it a great place for surfers, body surfers and body boarders. It was a great place to sit and watch the waves and all the ocean enthusiasts. It wasn’t a place for the faint of heart. After a short season, I couldn’t remain a spectator any more and eventually purchased a body board and fins so I could be part of the actions. The waves we’re stronger than I ever thought and I was constantly being thrashed around by the power of the oceans strength. I thought I would never “get it” but I kept at it. I will never forget the day though when everything seemed to come together and I was able to catch the perfect wave. I started off at the the right time and was able to get into “the curl” (where the wave develops a space in the middle and covers you on all sides.) All of sudden – it wasn’t about the thrashing of the waves upon my body but a short moment (maybe around 5 seconds) of quiet and peace. It was amazing. That experience became the standard of what I would try to attain every time I tried to take a wave. Our Christian walk is in a lot of ways like those waves – thrashing and throwing us every direction. They beat you up and wear you out. But then there comes this moment of “getting into the curl” or getting into the arms of Jesus and you have this season of great peace. Once you’ve experienced that – nothing else will every truly satisfy you. We all face storms in our lives but God promises that He will keep and protect you and bring you safely into his harbor. If you are being thrown and thrashed around today – allow God to bring you up into His arms and accept the peace that He has for you today.

Isaiah 58:11-12 NLT – The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.

Water is such a necessity to live our life upon the earth and it is one of our most precious resources in life. Without water countries experience famine and disease and even war. Acccording to “The Water Project” (a non profit organization that brings clean water to people around the world – http://thewaterproject.org/about_us.asp ) nearly 1 billion people in the world don’t have water. They also state that a child dies every 15 seconds from a lack of clean water. A child will often walk miles every day to collect dirty water to drink. Without water we would all die. Water is also vital to spiritual side of us also. The water of God’s Word causes our lives to be full and vibrant and alive. It’s not hard to tell whose life is saturated with the water of God’s spirit and who isn’t. People who arn’t watered by God in their life tend to have small heart, are very critical and are very negative. They don’t give out in life but they only take in. The promise given to us from Isaiah is that as long as we keep seeking Him – we will be a well-watered garden giving out and helping others. A good test of whether you are a well-watered garden is this – What is in you should be reproduced in your kids. Is your life full of God today? That fullness is contagious to others around you and to your children. Allow the water of God’s Spirit to pour into your life today. You will feel better and others will feel better for having been around you.

Isaiah 54:11-12 NLT – “O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you on a foundation of sapphires and make the walls of your houses from precious jewels. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies and your gates and walls of shining gems.

My first pastorate was a huge learning curve for me in regards to all types of situations and circumstances of life. Every day was filled with new lessons about people, life and God. One of my first lessons was about God’s ability to restore something out of nothing. It would be a lesson that has lived on in my heart for all these years. The church was small – around 30 people. It had a building but no pastor had ever worked at the church full time. My wife and I decided that we we’re going to step out in faith and give the church 100%. We had a little apartment and we made approximately $60.00 a week (if they had it). I found a room at the church that was used for storage and decided to use it for an office. There was no desk or chair so I began the journey of looking for inexpensive furniture. One of the men in my church let me know that he had an older desk at his house. What he didn’t tell me became the lesson that God wanted me to learn. As I went to his house to pick up the desk – he had me follow him to a storage area about 100 feet from the house in the wooded area surrounding his house. We walked into a chicken pen (that still had chickens) and took me over to the corner where a desk was sitting – and a few chickens we’re on top of it also. It was completely covered with chicken poop – 2-3 inches thick! He looked at me and said – “with a little clean up – this should be a great desk.” I didn’t see what he was seeing. With no options in front of me I took the desk and with the help of a friend began to clean it up and refinish it. As we cleared off the chicken poop and then the two or three layers of paint – we found the most beautiful oak that you can imagine. We sanded it down and put an new coat of stain and varnish on the desk. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful desks that I have ever seen. I have often thought about that desk in regards to dealing with people and their broken and torn down lives. People come to me in the most horrible messes you can imagine. My eyes tell me that there is not a lot of hope but my spirit always reminds me about that desk and how bad off it was. You might feel like you’ve been abandoned by God or you might feel like there is no hope today. The reality is this – God is a God who restores and cleans up our messes. He takes the most terrible things and can turn them into good. He can restore and bring you back to a place that is better then you’ve ever experienced. God loves you so much today!

Psalms 92:10 NLT – But you have made me as strong as a wild bull. How refreshed I am by your power!

In any other situation – to be compared to a wild bull or ox would be offensive to us.  But in this setting it is a great compliment and a direct reflection of the power of God in us.  On both sides of this verse – David talks about his enemies and the vicious attacks they made against him.  He spoke with confidence of what would happen to them because of the promises and power of God. David declares in this verse that God also made him strong (very strong) in order to stand up to those who opposed him.  When I think of a bull or an ox I think of stubbornness, strength and resoluteness.  You can feel the connection that David has with God as he states, “How refreshed I am by your power!”  His renewable strength was not from his own doing but from his connection to God almighty.  He was able to look his problems in the eye and stand there resolutely like a stubborn ox.  The harder it got – the stronger he became!  Whatever you might be going through today – stand strong in the power of God’s might.  He will make you like and ox and you will get through whatever situation you might be in.  God is in control all the time!

Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT – … I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

One of the blessings of getting older (I didn’t say old but older) is that I have the privilege of looking back over the course of my life.  Most of my dreams as a child or as a young man have been fulfilled.  I have traveled to 33 countries and have been friends with some of the most amazing people.  I pastored four wonderful churches that have helped formed and shaped the man I am today.  I am one of the fortunate ones who married the right woman and have watched our daughters marry their “right ones” also.  My grandkids are the delight of my eye and I enjoy spending time with them every week.  But more than that – I am so blessed to have a tight relationship with God.  We talk together every day and I look to Him for guidance upon every part of my life.  I can honestly say as I look back that God has never failed me and He has always been there for me.  Yes, my hair is turning a little gray now and I am slowing down a little but I am so thankful that I serve a God has never and will never forsake me.  I love God with all my heart and am so thankful for the journey that He has brought me on and has carried me through.