I mentioned yesterday that last week I spoke six times to the young staff of Spring Canyon, along with a few guests.

Something unusual happened after the Tuesday morning presentation. I was approached afterward by two different people, and this is approximately what they said:

I really appreciate what you said this morning about a balance between work and rest. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of “God-rest” – I tend to want to work all the time. – Female college student, summer Spring Canyon staff

I really needed this talk. I’m a workaholic by nature, and around here there’s always something to be done. You gave me permission to rest. – 45-year-old male, permanent Spring Canyon staff

What’s weird is that they both heard me say something about the importance of rest, and NOTHING in my talk came anywhere close to that! I was talking about the importance of work – something I write about often in the Ewellogy, for example, May 14, 2021.

I told them that they had better pay attention because they weren’t hearing from me, they were hearing from God!

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30.21, ESV)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16.13 – 14, ESV)

Last week I had the privilege of teaching mostly the young staff of the Spring Canyon Conference Center, operated by Officers’ Christian Fellowship. It was fun talking with young people! These were high school and college-age men and women I pray will get the vision for following Jesus and helping others do the same.

As I was preparing for our last session in which I was using the whiteboard to record their applications to the week’s teaching, I found what I always do in the tray of a whiteboard: an empty marker! I saved it and challenged them:

Do you all know the difference between using a whiteboard with markers and using a blackboard with chalk? Let me help you… If I have a blackboard with five pieces of chalk, how many pieces of chalk do I have? Right – five. If I have a whiteboard with five markers, how many markers do I have? Answer? We don’t know! [I held up two red markers] What’s the difference between these two red markers? We can’t tell by looking, but one of them is stone empty and should have been thrown away. [I threw it across the room.] Don’t be an empty marker!

Right after I said that, the sound man came running up to me and said that the batteries in my mike had gone dead. A perfect follow-on illustration that the kids got instantly:

Don’t be an empty battery either!

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.'” (Revelation 3.1, ESV)

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7.21, ESV)

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (John 15.5, 6, NIV)

John Ed Matthison’s piece on giving, not getting, that I mentioned last week, reminded me of another application, contrasting the Sea of Galilee with the Dead Sea.

I, too, have been to the Sea of Galilee, and there’s something striking as you approach it. Everyone knows that the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, about 1300 feet below sea level. Not everyone knows that the Sea of Galilee is also below sea level – about 600 feet – and there is a sign to that effect as you approach it.

So why is the Sea of Galilee throbbing with life while the Dead Sea is, well, dead? Simple, with the Sea of Galilee, water comes in, water goes out. What’s the lesson?

Give me more revelation so that I can live for you,
    for nothing is more pure and eternal than your truth. (Psalm 119.144, TPT)

The purpose of Bible study is that we can live for God, not that we become smarter or “Bible scholars” or “theologians.” We have to live it out – put another way, the living water of the Word has to flow through us in order to change us and refresh those around us. If we just “study” but don’t put it into practice, we can be smart but we will be dead. Or, as one writer said, “Those people are right. Dead. Right.”

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1.22, ESV)

How easily we get puffed up over our opinions! But love builds up the structure of our new life. If anyone thinks of himself as a know-it-all, he still has a lot to learn. But if a person passionately loves God, he will possess the knowledge of God. (1 Corinthians 8.1 – 3, TPT)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. (Psalm 1.1, 2, Living Bible)

My friend Mike Schmid, Navigator staff with NavMilitary and former B-52 pilot, said this at a workshop presentation we shared on disciple-making:

I like things simple. I’m a B-52 pilot: you pull up on the yoke, and the buildings get smaller. You push down on the yoke, and the buildings get larger. You push the little red button, and the buildings go away!

Mike has been battling cancer for about a year now, and via his CaringBridge site he reports his progress and asks for prayer as he goes through chemo.

Mike never complains. I present without further comment his latest newsletter, sent June 24, 2021:

“God has made me fruitful in the land of my sufferings.” – Gen 41:52.

We may be experiencing showers of sufferings and even a deluge of difficulties, but God can bring from it the flowering fruitfulness of transformed character in our lives by His Holy Spirit.  Springing up beneath the pounding rain of hardships are spiritual flowers and the fruit of the Spirit.  They are more beautiful and fragrant than those that ever grew before in our storm-less and suffering-free lives.

No, it is not raining afflictions on us, God is raining into our lives new tenderness, love, compassion, patience and a thousand other flowers and fruits of His Holy Spirit, transforming us into greater Christ-likeness.

This season of the showers of suffering can bring to your life and mine a spiritual enrichment that all the ease of this world could never produce in us.  It can produce in our lives a fruitfulness even in the “land of our sufferings” as we surrender to and trust in Christ Jesus.  Join me, as you may be suffering showers in your life,  in choosing to trust God to bring an abundant flowering of spiritual fruitfulness in and through our lives.

Thanks so much for the blessing of your love, your encouragement and prayers for both Lorelei and me during this season in our lives.  

Rejoicing in the Resurrection, 

Michael and Lorelei

It’s the 4th of July, and we need to pause and give thanks for a country that really is trying to “provide liberty and justice for all.”

Of late, some of us seem to have trouble celebrating America because we can’t get past the flaws. Columnist Peggy Noonan, writing in the Wall Street Journal, quoted Bill Maher on perspective. Here’s a bit of what Bill said:

If you think that America is more racist now than ever, more sexist than before women could vote, you have progressophobia. Look at the changes America has made…Even something like bullying. It still happens, but being outwardly cruel to people who are different is no longer acceptable. That’s progress. Acknowledging progress isn’t saying, “We’re done,” or, “We don’t need more.” And being gloomier doesn’t mean you’re a better person…Saying white power and privilege is at an all-time high is just ridiculous. Higher than a century ago, the year of the Tulsa race massacre? Higher than when the KKK rode unchecked and Jim Crow unchallenged? …Racism is unfortunately still with us and its legacy of injustice lingers. I understand best I can how racism singes a person’s soul so much they might see it everywhere. But seeing clearly is necessary for actually fixing problems, and clearly racism is no longer everywhere. It’s not in my home, and it’s probably not in yours if I read my audience right, and I think I do. For most of the country the most unhip thing you could ever be today is a racist. – Bill Maher, quoted by Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2021

Last January, I quoted Rodney Stevens, a black writer and life coach born and raised in South Carolina, where he still lives:

Racism still ex­ists but it is no longer sys­temic. Those who claim that racism is every­where to­day are delu­sional. – Rodney Stevens, Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2020

We won’t be done this side of the Second Coming, but can we work for change AND celebrate?

Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass…After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” (Joshua 21.43 – 45…Judges 1.1, ESV, in the land…but not finished.)

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2.1, 2, ESV, emphasis mine)

This is the last of our series on the desired characteristics of believers in Ephesians 4, especially those involving putting off and putting on:

• Don’t lie – speak truth (verse 25)
• Don’t steal – give (verse 28)
• Don’t be hurtful – encourage (verse 29)
• Don’t be bitter – be kind (verses 31, 32)

Today, let’s think about verses 31 and 32:

Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. (Ephesians 4.31, 32, TPT)

Verse 31 seems to continue yesterday’s theme of how not to talk. “Bitter words” as TPT has it comes from “bitterness,” which literally means “poison.” My Navigator hero Skip Gray likes to say:

Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other guy to die.

And the text gives us an alternative to bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, etc.: be kind.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. (Hebrews 12.14, 15, ESV)

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13.1, 2, ESV)

If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (Philippians 2.1 – 4, MSG)

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” (Romans 15.1, 2, MSG)

We’re working through some of the desired characteristics of believers in Ephesians 4, especially those involving putting off and putting on:

• Don’t lie – speak truth (verse 25)
• Don’t steal – give (verse 28)
• Don’t be hurtful – encourage (verse 29)
• Don’t be bitter – be kind (verses 31, 32)

Today, let’s think about verse 29:

And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. (Ephesians 4.29, TPT)

As I’ve written before (and often!), this trait is sadly lacking in our current culture where outrage has become “America’s most popular indoor sport.” Believers should be setting the pace in encouraging communication both in-person and online.

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night… (Philippians 2.14, 15, MSG)

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),… (Acts 4.36, NIV. There’s power in encouragement. Barnabas parted ways with Paul in order to encourage his nephew, John Mark, to get back into the game (see Acts 15.36 – 41). Later, Mark was useful to Paul as well (see 2 Timothy 4.11) and left us one of the four gospels.)

Continuing our series of how believers are supposed to live:

• Don’t lie – speak truth (verse 25)
• Don’t steal – give (verse 28)
• Don’t be hurtful – encourage (verse 29)
• Don’t be bitter – be kind (verses 31, 32)

Today we’re looking at verse 28 where we learn that the opposite of stealing isn’t not stealing: it’s giving!

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. (Ephesians 4.28, NKJV)

There are a lot of ways to steal: falsifying income tax returns or expense reports come to mind. But the text doesn’t let us off with stopping that kind of activity. We are encouraged to work so that we’ll have something to give.

John Ed Mathison wrote about this concept recently. Here’s his introduction, comparing giving and keeping to the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea:

“The greedy only wants to get, while the Godly only wants to give.”  (Proverbs 21:26) Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) This is demonstrated so clearly by two great bodies of water in Israel. I’ve visited there on several occasions and had the privilege of seeing first hand this principle.

One body of water is the Sea of Galilee. It’s very beautiful. Jesus spent much of his time teaching there. It has green foliage around the edges of the water. It is filled with fish. It has life. It depicts beauty and it pours itself out to fertilize the Jordan plain. It is always giving what it receives.

The other body of water is the Dead Sea. It’s dead because nothing lives around it or in it. It is so salty that you can literally wade out in the water and the saltiness will keep you afloat. I have done that!

The reason it’s dead is that it has no outlet. It keeps everything for itself. It is always getting and keeping, and that leads to death. – Dr. John Ed Mathison, June 23, 2021

I missed an opportunity a few years ago. I was in a hurry, but I made a “quick” stop at a grocery store to pick up a couple of things. I got into the Express line, but unfortunately, the lady in front of me was having trouble paying. She offered a credit card, which was declined. She tried to write a check, but it wouldn’t go through either. I was priding myself in not losing my temper and waiting patiently. (Remember, I was in a hurry.) Only after I got to my car did I think to myself, “You idiot! You should have just paid for the lady’s groceries.”

By contrast, I just read that Shaq O’Neal, the retired basketball superstar bought a couple of computers for a mother who couldn’t afford them.

So we shouldn’t say that God’s expectations are too high, that it’s unreasonable to have our antenna up to give rather than take. Sure, Shaq is wealthy, but so are many of us, compared to the vast majority of people in the world. And bless Shaq for managing his money – many superstar athletes (and others of us, too!) squander theirs.

When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow… (Deuteronomy 24.19, ESV)

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15.11, ESV)

And [Jesus] said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. (Mark 3.4, ESV, no middle ground)

We started yesterday looking at Ephesians 4.20 – 32, which is a short section on how we should live. It begins with introducing a process:

• Let go of the…old self-life, corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires
• Be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you (the purpose of time with God in the Word!)
• Be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within

Then some specifics follow. I’m struck by how many of them don’t just give a negative – a “thou shalt not” – but also a positive:

• Don’t lie – speak truth (verse 25)
• Don’t steal – give (verse 28)
• Don’t be hurtful – encourage (verse 29)
• Don’t be bitter – be kind (verses 31, 32)

Today, let’s consider verse 25:

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4.25, ESV)

This is a tough one, isn’t it? We’re told not to use ugly or hurtful speech in verse 29, but in verse 25, we’re supposed to tell the truth! Some of are good at one or the other. The old Navigators were good at truth telling: “Here’s what’s wrong with you!” But they didn’t always do it in an encouraging way. But verse 25 doesn’t give us the alternative to lie to people and tell them everything is fine if it’s not. You can’t teach mathematics that way, for example.

Perhaps the key is “for we are members one of another.” If we’re members of, say, the same team or the same musical ensemble, we need to be able to tell each other the truth about how to make corrections for the good of the unit.

I’d appreciate some comments on this one! How does it work out?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace AND truth. (John 1.14, NKJV, emphasis mine)

Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ. (Ephesians 4.15, NKJV)

Ephesians chapter 4.20 – 32 is a wonderful section on how believers are supposed to live. Here’s how it starts:

If you have really experienced the Anointed One, and heard his truth, it will be seen in your life; for we know that the ultimate reality is embodied in Jesus! And he has taught you to let go of the lifestyle of the ancient man, the old self-life, which was corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires that spring from delusions. Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. (Ephesians 4.21 – 24, TPT)

The Christian life is not a set of rules – it’s the outflow of a process:

• Let go of the…old self-life, corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires
• Be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you (the purpose of time with God in the Word!)
• Be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within

This picture looks a little like an end-of-the-day process:

• Take off your dirty clothes
• Take a shower
• Put on clean clothes

Tomorrow we’ll begin to explore some of the specifics the rest of the passage lists. But for now, let’s think transformation not trying.

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13.12 – 14, ESV)

Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! (Romans 13.14, MSG)