Monthly Archives: January 2021

I admit it. I’m basically a coward. Oh, I’ve had a few courageous moments, even one or two episodes of borderline heroism, but for the most part I am a trembling coward.

It’s not even the big things I’m afraid of, either, the running into a burning building or the standing up to a bully. No, it’s the little things that terrify me, like meeting someone new or trying something I’ve never done. I’m afraid of conflict, of censure, of being judged. Fear saps my courage and leaves me paralized. If I let it, it will steal my future. And it will do the same to you.

Fear is one of the most destructive emotions humans experience. It keeps us from realizing our full potential, builds barriers between us, and destroys bridges linking us together. Fear is the root cause for most of the conflicts throughout this earth’s history.

Fear is the reason for much of what is wrong with our society – the injustice, racism, greed, and hatred which plague our planet. We fear those who think differently, act differently, or look differently than us, and in our fear we strike out in anger and despair.

We’ve seen this played out over-and-over in the last year. Whether it was the mob storming the Capital, the racial riots in our nation’s cities, or the panicked crowds fighting for the last roll of toilet paper in our stores, it was fear that was the driving force behind their actions.

Fear is a pathogen which spreads faster than the most virulent of viruses. It feeds our insecurities, causing hoarding, arguments, lethargy and despair. In its most insidious forms fear leads to authoritarianism, racism, violence, and destruction. Fear is a virus eating away at the very fabric of society.

There is but one one antidote for this destructive virus, one vaccine which will provide immunity against its effects – Love! But not just any love – God’s love.

1 John 4:16 tells us “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” And verse 18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…”

Fear doesn’t stand a chance when love takes the field. Conflict and strife flee from its presence. Love makes cowards into heroes, the greedy generous, and turns Saul’s into Paul’s (see Acts 9).

God’s love “drives out fear”, heals our wounds, gives us hope for the future. His love teaches us to “bless those who curse [us], pray for those who mistreat [us].” (Luke 6:28). It gives courage to face our fears and peace “which transcends all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7).

Are you afraid, my friend? Has fear left you paralyzed, unable to move forward, to step into your future? Do you look around you and “faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:26)? Then it’s time to turn, to turn from your fear and turn to God.

Invite God into your heart today and experience what it means to be truly loved. Let go of your fear and let love take the throne!

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!

As I have followed the tragic events of the last two weeks I, like many of you, have looked on with disbelief and despair. What has become of this nation we all hold dear? Where have we gone wrong? And what can be done?

As I’ve considered this I have become convinced that where we have erred, both as a nation and as individuals, is in forgetting where our hope comes from. We have put our faith in human beings, ignoring God’s warning that, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV)

Over and over in earth’s history we’ve seen the tragic results when we trust in a man or a system of government to save us. We so easily forget that “Salvation comes from the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9). That is why Psalm 146:2 tells us, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”

I have a newsflash for you – Donald Trump is not our Savior! Neither is Joe Biden! They are mere mortals and deeply flawed ones at that, just like you and I. Like us, “When their spirit departs, they [will] return to the ground; on that very day their plans [will] come to nothing.” (Psalm 146:4).

In spite of what they may tell you, no politician can save our nation. When they die “their plans come to nothing.” All their scheming, their rhetoric, their empty promises, will blow away with the winds of time, leaving their followers bereft, disillusioned, and lost. Why? Because they have trusted “in human beings, who cannot save.”

My friends, we have but one Savior, one who can be truly trusted, whose promises never fail. He is not a politician. He is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” His name is Jesus Christ and “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

So, what should we do? Pick up any quarter and you will find the answer. There, prominently displayed on the front, are these words, “In God We Trust.” For far too long we have given mere lip service to these words. It is time for us to start walking the talk, to start living as if we truly believe what we say.

In the coming week, and in the weeks and months to come, let us not put our “trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” They will only disappoint and lead us astray. Instead, “Trust in the Lord with all [our] heart(s)…” (Proverbs 3:5).

God is our only hope and the only hope for our nation and our world. From this day forward, let us declare with every word we say and with everything we do it is in God, and God alone, we trust!

A few Christmases ago we started a fun tradition in our family. It’s actually an Icelandic tradition called Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood”. At Thanksgiving we draw names and then on Christmas Eve we give a book and a bar of chocolate to the person whose name we drew. Then we all curl up with our books, munch on chocolate and read together into the night. For a family of bookworms like us, it’s the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve.

This year I was given the book, Burden of Proof, by one of my favorite authors, Davis Bunn.
In Burden of Proof, the main character, Ethan, is given the opportunity to go back in time and fix a terrible wrong, something many of us wish we could do.

Ethan soon discovers, however, starting over poses its own problems and he finds himself wondering how to plan for his future – the second time around. Ethan brings his problem to a surfing buddy, Hennie, who provides him with some sound advice. Hennie tells Ethan, in planning for the future, to always “…aim for the eternal.”

My sons, Andrew and Alex, knew what Hennie was talking about. When they were teaching me to shoot, they told me to look at my target, not at the gunsight. If I didn’t follow their advice and focused on the gunsight, I’d miss every time. They knew you only hit what you aim at.

The same is true in life. If we focus on our earthly problems or the things this world has to offer, we’ll always miss “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 KJV). If, however, we “aim for the eternal”, following Paul’s advice to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”, we’ll stay focused on what we’re aiming for – an eternity with Jesus. (Colossians 3:2 NIV).

So, this year, fix your eyes on Jesus and “…press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13, 14 NIV). In everything you do, always “aim for eternal” and you’ll hit the mark every time!

God bless and have a Happy New Year!