Power comment

Cowsbell (Gary from Montana) sets this "Power" study in a proper perspective as he writes a comment to yesterday's post.
"Yes, you are right on. God does not empower so we may attain and possess but rather that He may be manifest through us. We never lead Him but rather follow in the image of Jesus "...who for the joy set before Him endured the cross" that the Father's desire for us might be fulfilled. We lay down the desire to possess and God flows through us in our weakness.

Thanks Gary for summarizing so well our seven posts on God's empowerment of His believers.

God's Empowerment - 7

God’s “out of the box” power.
The sovereign God will at times demonstrate power through means totally out of the box portrayed in this study.
Samson – Judges 16:28-30
Burning Bush – Exodus 3:2
Balaam’s jackass – Numbers 22:28
Fiery furnace – Daniel 3:25
Pentecost – Acts 1:8;; 2:1-4
David – the lion, the bear and Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:36

Mission India, reports in their monthly periodical, "In response to prayer a person was raised from the dead. This happened not once, but three times in recent weeks in three different regions of India." Now wouldn't that be exciting for God to so empower one that he/she could pray resurrection over a dead body. Definitely out of the box power!

Thus, as we are available and yielded to follow in the ways of Jesus Christ, we can look forward to being empowered by Him rationally and possibly “out of the box” unexpectantly.

Could the ultimate expression of power be demonstrated by Jesus when He “got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:4-5

Some translations say that Jesus took off his garments (being naked) and wrapped a towel around his waist. Others say he took off his outer garment. In either case it was an act of humility – an act of menial service that would have been despised by both Jew and Greek. The Creator of the universe, the Source of all power, humbling Himself to wash feet.

“God, grant me the attitude of Christ so that I may be a clean empty conduit through which Your power flows – however and to whomever you choose - from washing feet to raising the dead.”

God's Empowerment - 6

I appreciated so much the comment from "Cowsbell" to my last post on God's Empowerment. She wrote, "Openness to God dwelling in us seems to come through brokenness and remaining available, not just to what we want to experience but also to what God wants to share with us. Not all experiences bring joy at the moment but Jesus brings joy as we passage through the experience with Him. We need to be constantly open and not be selective in our acceptance of His work in us. Being open to Him allows His full work within. God empowers those who learn to trust Him."

Thanks for your insightful and challenge words, "Cowsbell."

What are some blocks to power? Why might I not be experiencing more of God's empowerment?
N If it would lead to spiritual pride;
N if it would lead to an attitude of power control;
N other misguided motivation, i.e. an “I” focus;
N lack of knowledge to receive it;
N lack of faith to receive it;
N lazy, undisciplined;
N rebellious – resistant;
N a spirit of judgment and criticism;
N denial of sin in our life, preventing God’s grace and forgiveness to cleanse and empower;
N nurturing a discontent about life, leading to subtle resentment toward God;
N self sufficiency – self confidence, rather than Christ-confidence
N presumption instead of faith
N entitlement – God owes me
N not living “a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Any comments from you on "blocks to receiving God's empowerment" would be appreciated.

God's empowerment - 5

My pastor, Kent Conrad, the guy who picqued my interest in this study, shared his thoughts with me on God's empowerment.

V Living in the power and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit is both a privilege and a responsibility.

V The privilege of hungering and thirsting after the things of the Lord is the key to the power flowing to me and through me.

V I believe that many times the power is flowing most effectively when I am the least conscious of it.

V Brokenness and true humility provide a great opportunity for the Lord to come and take over.

V The only way that I know to live in the power is to stay connected with Jesus

I pondered what it means to stay connected with Jesus. Some thoughts:

* consistent time with Him, praying, reading Scripture, the celebration of discipline of getting to know Him.

* obedience.

* facing life's challenges with a grateful heart, knowing that though the present situation may be painful, He is working through it for my good, the good of others and for His glory.

I'm sure there is more. Any thoughts from you would be appreciated.

God's Empowerment - 4

The incredible, vast array of promises and purposes for God’s empowerment that the Scripture indicated in yesterday’s post is mind boggling to me. Why aren’t I experiencing more of that God-power? Am I meeting the conditions?

Condition for empowerment
Col.1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power …

Am I willing to accept my weaknesses as God’s tool to display His strength?

God’s power demonstrated through my weakness
2Cor.12: 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Do I have a form of godliness and deny the power?
Form of godliness but denied power- stay away from such folk
2Tim. 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
AS an athletic coach would say at halftime to his team that is down by 10, “It’s gut check time.”

Summarizing the purpose of God’s power in the believer
¯ to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children
¯ the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous
¯ to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
¯ to heal the sick
¯ to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
¯ to overcome all the power of the enemy;
¯ so that they may be one as we are one.
¯ will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." ¯ testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
¯ do great wonders and miraculous signs
¯ and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
¯ for the salvation of everyone who believes:
¯ display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
¯ God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
¯ signs and miracles,
¯ and my preaching a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
¯ the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory
¯ power to demolish strongholds and we take captive every thought
¯ strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
¯ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
¯ to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
¯ you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
¯ have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks
¯ everything we need for life and godliness .

Do you and I have a holy discontent - desiring to be empowered more by God? Am I - Are you meeting the conditions? "Father speak clearly to us.

God's Empowerment - 3

In our first two sessions on God’s empowerment of the believer, we’ve seen the challenge to tap into God’s supernatural power and its availability to us who follow Christ. I had a rather myopic view of power when I started the study. But today we’ll examine what power looks like – it’s purpose.

Luke 1: 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Luke 5:17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick

Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 10: 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

John 17: 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.

Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 4: 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Acts 6: 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

Acts 26: 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' (SATAN HAS POWER - THOUGH LIMITED.)

Rom.1: 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Rom.9: 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Rom.15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rom.15: 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

1Cor.2: 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

1Cor.15: 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Co.10: 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Eph.3: 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Col.1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks

2Pet.1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

There are conditions for receiving God's empowerment. We'll look at that tomorrow.

God's Empowerment - 2

In yesterday’s post we saw how the Bible challenges us to tap into God’s power and that that power is available to the follower of Christ. My pastor Kend Conrad encouraged us to avail ourselves to God's supernatural power, so, continuing with our Bible “power” study:

Demonstration of God’s Kingdom
1Cor.4: 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Christ the example
Luke 4: 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Power is released energy
Mark 5: 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

Power related to Scriptural knowledge
Matt. 22:29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

I'm hoping that this series on God's empowerment will stimulate in you and me to a "holy discontent" in our walk with Christ. Yes, we have eternal life with Him, but there is more. I believe you and I live far beneath our privleges as believers in Christ. Tomorrow we’ll examine the Scriptural purpose of God’s empowerment.

Personalizing God’s Power

Empowered for Action

“Vroooom Vroom,” my pastor Kent Conrad proclaimed from the pulpit a couple months ago. He was pretending to sit on a big Harley motorcycle, with all the power needed beneath him and challenged the listeners, “Most Christians are not riding their Harleys and expericing the power of the ride. We’re sitting on the bike, saying, 'vroom vroom' and going nowhere.”

Kent’s challenged us to tap into the power that God has availble for His children. Examples used were some of the reports from the Jesus Film teams in third world countries where amazing healings were taking place and even dead resurrected.

His sermon piqued my interest in a Biblical study of the word “power.” In the next few blogs I’ll share the results of that study.
Power, a directive
John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
2Tim.1: 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Eph.6: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Phil3: 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Eph.3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Power available
Eph.1: 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

In tomorrow’s post we’ll continue in the study of power. I must admit, when I began thinking of desiring God power it was for working healing in people’s lives – emotionally and physically. The study indicated that there was a lot more to God power than working miracles. Trek through this with me.

Kids Can Be Cruel

Kids are cruel. Stan Guthrie tells of his experience writing for this month’s Christianity Today magazine. He has a moderate case of cerebral palsy that causes an erratic gait. Stan relates how his eight-year-old son gets angry with peers who make fun of his daddy’s walk.

Stan writes: “Would I be happier without this physical disability? That’s like asking a kid if he would like to ride a bike, play Little League baseball, or be on the swim team – all activities that I was denied while growing up in an otherwise active family. The answer is obvious. But there’s a deeper question that our happinesss pursing society too often over looks. Would I be better off?

“I’d like to think that the disabled soften the sharp edges of society, teach us kindness and humility, force us to look upward, and pull us away – if only temporarily-from our besetting narcissim. I believe my kids are learning tolerance and mercy, not because of anything I say or do, but merely through my unsteady presence.

“I worry about our society’s desire to engineer trials out of existence. Sometimes, even we who decry the health and wealth gospel forget that the Chrsitian life was never meant to be a cakewalk, that discipleship requires suffering, and that spiritual victory presupposes struggle.

Stan wraps up his inspiring article with, “Only through suffering, disappointment, and death – and rude remarks of children – are we weaned from the love of this world. There’s more to life than happiness.”

Finally sober

Drinking beer began pre-school. In an atmosphere of love from parents, spoiled by grandparents, playing with kittens and horses, I found Dad’s cache of beer. His was an iron-working job that kept him away from home a lot and when he was there was either asleep or drinking beer – until that fateful night when he beat up Mom so badly her eyes were swollen shut and blood was running down her face. I saw it all and was terrified. While he slept, we ran. Didn’t see him for a year.

The next three years was tough living with a mother who was very dependent on valium and slept continuously. I stole cigarettes from her and from a store. When I was 10, Mom remarried an alcoholic who beat us. We moved in with Dad. Mom moved out of state and wouldn’t see her for 10 years.

After cigarettes and beer came marijuana, speed, hash and LSD. High school was a time to party – even with some of the teachers. I did poorly in school and no one seemed to care.

Dad had a successful salvage business. I had cars, motorcycles, drugs, alchohol, sex and no rules. A paradise of sin. However, beatings continued regularily. I got tough. Pain didn’t hurt. Alcohol and drugs helped anesthesize me. I quit school early.
Got married at 18. Had a child. Bought property with two houses. Had a half dozen hot rod cars, and a home with a white picket fence.

At the age of 24, Meth hit my diet. My wife left me. I became depressed. Sold everything I owned. Quit working. Needles injected the drugs into my blood stream. Trouble with the law: DUI’s, drug charges and aggravated battery. I lost eveything.

At age 33, I’d been in every jail in every town I visited. The 11th DUI put me in maximum security prison. I finally saw this was not the kind of life I wanted. Began to read the Bible and while studying the Gospels I invited Christ into my life. Boing! A light turned on and weights fell of my shoulders. Everything seemed new. I earned my GED. New life began.

A month later after release from prison I slipped back to the old ways. Another DUI sent me back to prison. I desperately sought the Lord. He blessed me with a new wife, a child, a good job, a Harley and a home with a picket fence.

Back to the old way. Alcohol and drugs lead to another divorce and loss of everything. Eleven more felonies for burglary, grand theft and drugs. I planned an escape. The plan was carried out and when I was about to hit the cop, I could not budge my arm. Like God was holding me back from digging a deeper pit.

At that point I surrendered to God. He intervened again. I went to court. All charges but two were dropped. Restitution was dropped from $75,000 to $2500. I was offered a rehab program, pay my fine, have three years of probation and I’d be a free man.

As I share my testimony, people cannot believe that I was the way I was. I’ve finally surrendered my life completely to God. I’ve been sober for 15 months. Been at the Lighthouse for 9 months. I am now a child of God and have the authority to do His will in the name of Jesus. I have victory in Jesus to be free from the bondage of sin. I like Proverbs 3:5-6, “I trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my path.

The value, the benefit of what I’ve been through is this: I’ve really grown in compassion to people who are hurting, who are hooked on drugs and alcohol. I’ll be a great friend and possibly counselor when I leave the Lighthouse.

Burton H

Joseph - loss before gain

They bruised his feet with shackles; his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. - Psalm 105:18-19

God spoke to Joseph as a young boy through a dream and vision regarding his future. He could not understand its complete meaning at the time, but he knew it had great significance. Joseph knew God had a destiny for his life.

However, the proving out of that word from God was filled with 13 years of waiting, rejection, pain, sorrow, and no doubt, questioning God's faithfulness. His life was all but a life of influence and impact as a prisoner and slave. No doubt he wondered whether that dream was simply some vain imagination.

David must have felt the same when he was anointed king over Israel as a young man only to spend years of fleeing from King Saul. God's preparation for greatness in His Kingdom is often filled with difficulty. God is more concerned about developing the inner life of his servant. That inner life can only be prepared by removing all self-confidence and replacing it with God-confidence. God-confidence is only developed in the furnace of life.

Is the Lord proving His word in your life? Perhaps He is using circumstances and events to move you into a place of patient waiting as He puts you in the place He desires for you. This is the place where the foundations of your soul mature. Let Him prove your faith.

Os Hillman

Family Bonding

Family reunions can bring out the best and the worst. Last week at Jellystone Park, near Estes Park in Colorado, Theresa and I had four of our five children plus 13 grandchildren living in close proximaty in rustic cabins. There was no “worst.” Some of our children and grandchildren hadn’t met before and bonding happened quickly and easily. Our prayers were answered. We had a great time in the kid-friendly setting.

RayII and his family came from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. Gretchen and hers came from Orlando. Theresa’s son, Fletcher came with his from Denver. His sister and hers joined us from Nampa. Amy is in France with her two children.

We’ll get back into the swing of “gain through loss” tomorrow.

Check back July 17

Will be away from the computer for a week plus. Thanks for journeying with me. ray

Harleys - my passion, my pulpit

Riding my Harley is my passion. My passion has become my pulpit – my ministry. I’m now president of Road Riders for Jesus, with nearly 120 in our group (in just one year) and am also coordinator of the Idaho state chapter of Road Riders. Our national organization is 1300 strong. I am on a course of study in preparation for the ministry.

Who would have ever thought this from one with a background of alcohol/drug abuse with a violent temper that as a younger man, I found myself in many fights. I went through three wives before I have the great woman I’m married to now. It is a miraculous story.

Life wasn’t pleasant as a child. Alcohol permeated our home. When dad was drunk you stayed clear to avoid arousing his combativeness. At the age of eight, I recall him beating up mom – pistol whipping her. It was the first time I wanted to murder. The scars began growing. All sorts of abuse took place – anything you can imagine. As a young teen drugs and alcohol became not only a party way of life but an escape from the pain.

I ended up dropping out of school. Went to Continuation High School. Graduated there and went back to my regular high school and finished up there also – two high school degrees! Then into the Air Force, where drugs and alcohol cost me that profession. My prejudice and hatred of other races didn’t help the matter. I shifted around from job to job, becoming a jack of all trades.

Life began to turn a different direction when my son was born. I felt like I had to become more responsible for him. A snag, though. My wife was having affairs with my friends. I came so close to murder. So close. We split, I kept my son. Lost my job. Car blew up. Son and I rode a bike to day care and to my new job. For several months lived very spartanly.

Three divorces. Chemical dependence. No money. Raising a boy. BUT, God! In His unfailing love and grace, He lured me into His net. My son wanted to go to Sunday school, having been influenced by a loving couple who invested in him. So I thought I better check out the church to make sure it was a good place for him. We were met by a greeter who made us feel welcome. Others followed suite. Then came Divorce Recovery class. Robbie took me under her wing in a singles class even though I scared her with all my rage. I met Laurie in Sunday school class. We dated. Married. What a blessing she is.

About this time I became a Christian. Got baptized. But it was a Promise Keepers message that grabbed my attention. A total commitment to God, because for the first time in my life I had a Father who was proud of me. God loved and accepted me just like I was. Ministry began to a small group of men. It was the precursor for Road Riders for Jesus.

I’m grateful for my rough past. I can meet a lot of men on their own turf. I understand what many of them have experienced. I’ve been a con artist. A fraud. A user. I know their pain. We connect quickly. I seek to lead them to the Source of Life – Jesus. I am one blessed man. My future is as bright as the promises of God.
Monroe Matthews.

Storm Clouds

At certain periods clouds cover the believers sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light. There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season; they have basked in the sunshine in the earlier states of their Christian career; they have walked along the “green pastures” by the side of “still waters,” but suddenly they find the sky is clouded. The best of God’s saints must drink the wormwood; the dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity.

Perhaps the Lord allotted you at first a smooth and unclouded path, because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind for the little lamb, but now that you are stronger in your spiritual life, you must enter into the rougher experince of God’s full-grown children. We needs winds and tempests to excecise our faith to to root us more firmly in Christ.

Our loss becomes gain as we walk through the storms, eyes on the hope that “All things work together for good to those who love God and are fitting into His purpose.” Psalm 84:5-7 LB is appropriate here: Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains. They will grow constantly in strength and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion.
Adapted from Charles Spurgeon

Rebel with a Cause

Charged with eight felonies, 70 misdemeanors, including armed robbery, possession of meth and other drugs with intent to sell, 15 petty thefts, drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property, numerous traffic tickets, in and out of jail since the age of 17, including time in prison and he’s only 25 years old.

Shawn describes his childhood as near perfect. Dad involved in his activities – Cub Scouts, football, baseball, bowling, soccer and church. Mom such a loving mom that it helps him understand God’s love. “They did all they could to get me into activities that would keep me out of trouble.”

“Cigarettes, liquor and drugs began at the age of 12. I managed to hide this from my parents all the way until my senior year in high school. The older I got the stupider I became. By this time I was addicted to multiple things. It didn’t matter if I was abusing drugs, speeding down the neighborhood or vandalizing something as long as I wasn’t supposed to do it. I did it and loved it. I enjoyed breaking the law.”

When I asked him why the destructive behavior, Shawn words were, “poor self image, wanted acceptance from friends and I was picked on a lot as a kid for being over weight.”

“I was a functional addict. I did well in school even receiving excellent grades as a freshman in college. One day I was on my way to school and decided to help my recently incarcerated friend’s girlfriend. She wore a wire, got the goods on me and instead of being in class that day, I was sitting in a little interrogation room with three felonies and a misdemeanor.

“The insanity didn’t stop. I bailed out for $10,000 three days later and didn’t waste any time in racking up several more misdemeanors and another felony possession. Meth had control of my life. It controlled everything I did, where I went, who I hung out with and even the way I talked. My life was falling apart. I started losing everything. College performance dissipated. I lost respect from my parents. They were devastated.

“I became scum, a loser. I stole from my parents, stole about 30 cars. Kicked people’s doors in at three o’clock in the morning. That was my idea of fun.

“After one stay at Cottonwood (minimum security prison) I was running from the cops and going 85 mph I hit a truck that was going 65 mph in the other direction. By the grace of God I lived, but found myself back in prison.

“This time there was a change. A spark within me, from God. I knew there was a God, but still didn’t care much to know Him. That was soon to change. Through the prayers of my Mom and Grammy a miracle happened. The judge granted me the option of a year long rehab in place of prison. I accepted. I came to Nampa’s Lighthouse Ministries. I was a reluctant participant in the program at first. But I started questioning and listening. The truth of the Gospel finally hit me and in January of this year, at a Lighthouse Chapel service, I gave my life to God – all my unwanted garbage, my whole life.

“I was rid of my things that haunted me for years. I haven’t had the urge to use drugs since. My dishonesty is now honesty. No more breaking things or stealing. The Lord is great and He is making me better day by day. I’m beginning to set tangible goals, beginning with going back to college after I’m finished at the Lighthouse in November.

“I had never lasted even 30 days in the many previous rehab programs. I’m succeeding here because of Christ in my life. I’m growing as a Christian and repairing family relationships. I’ve been sober 10 months.

“My challenge to all: you have nothing without the Lord. Don’t let the world blind you as long as it blinded me. It took me 24 years to find Jesus Christ, but I got a 24-year taste of what eternity in hell feels like.”

This attitude will probably be one of Shawn’s greatest “gains through loss.” His bubbly, positive spirit is contagious and he will have a dynamic effect on young people who will be tempted to go the down route he chose. He is already having a positive impact on the people he worships with every Sunday morning. I know. I’m one of them.

The molding of a person

When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man When God wants to mold a man to play the noblest part

When He yearns with all His heart to create so great and bold a man That all the world might be amazed - watch His methods, watch His ways

How He ruthlessly perfects whom He Royally elects How He hammers and hurts him and with mighty blows converts him Into trial shapes of clay that only God understands

While his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands How He bends but never breaks, when his good He undertakes.

How He uses whom He chooses, and with every purpose fuses him With mighty acts induces him to try His splendor out - God knows what He's about!

Ravi Zacharias quotes this poem which is very pertinent to the theme of this blog. Whether God causes or He allows our tough times, He promises to use them to mold us into stronger, godlier people. Gain through loss!

Joe: A Hidden Jewel

His 30-year-old mustache and neatly trimmed beard couldn’t hide the kindness exuding from him. Was the attractive full beard an endeavor of Joe’s to hide something? As we talked, Joe related a life of regret, pain (self and others induced) and anger. His pain had lead him to a life of growing reclusiveness. People were missing out on Joe’s kind and gentle spirit.

Joe’s loss? Four marriages. Four divorces. Job losses. Financial loss. Loss of fellowship with his children. Plus more.

Life began with a father who “killed me with the silent treatment. Very controlling and depracating of my lack of athletic ability.” Sexual addiction broke up his first marriage of 12 years. Multiple affairs indicated the little boy inside looking for male self esteem through conquering women. “If I could have sex with many women, that meant I was a real man. Vicki rightly didn’t put up with my shenanigans and divorced me."

" Though we had met in a bar, we had both been raised in the Nazarene church. The affairs and divorce were so against my upbringing. Shame drove me to withdrew from my immediate family. No one to look down at me. No expectations for me to meet.”

Joe admits to a life-long inconsistent walk with God. Going from a man who was significantly involved in the church to one now who hasn’t darkened the halls of church for years. Part of it is blameshifting, “those hypocrites who don’t walk their talk.” A pastor who broke confidence is a causal factor. However, a major contributor to Joe’s spiritual demise is his resentment toward God (and others.)

Our interview ended with my question, “what is the good that has come out of all your pain?” To which he responded, “the good is yet to come. Oh, I enjoy and have a tender heart toward the elderly and toward strangers. But, until I get some things straightened out, I’ll not experience all that God has created for me.”
Joe B