Rape, robbery, suicide, and the ravages of combat are just a few of the circumstances that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder. As pastors and concerned friends and family members, it is important to realize the stages these victims will experience and assist them on the road to healing. Obviously, PTSD victims need professional help to heal, if at all possible. But here are a few insights into what a person who has been “violated” might face. The Impact Stage This period occurs immediately after the traumatic event and is characterized by shock, denial and loneliness. A victim of a robbery will sometimes go through denial by stating that they possibly misplaced or lost the stolen items. They experience confusion and their defenses are weakened. They feel that their sense of control has been taken away. How to Help It is important that the caregiver “give back” some of this control by doing only what they give permission to do, and allowing them to do as much for themselves as they desire. The Recoil Stage The victim begins to come to terms with the loss during this stage. Their fragmented lives slowly come together as they continue to talk and bring some order to their daily existence. The victims begin to engage in recuperative rhythm as they deal with the crime/trauma and the emotions it aroused and then defending against them by denial. Mood swings-moving from controlled to raw emotions, especially fear and anger will be experienced, as well as anger with God because He “allowed” it to happen. The main question the victim is trying to answer at this stage is the reason this event occurred, or an attempt at making this pain go away. How to Help The victim will have to be assured that God has not abandoned them. They wonder why God allowed this to happen to them instead of another person. They need comfort, prayer and continuous ministry of scripture concerning God’s love and care. The Reorganization Stage During this stage, the victim has resolved their experiences and integrated them into their understanding of the world and themselves. The amount of time this takes is determined by several variables. First, the severity of the catastrophe. The more traumatic the experience, the longer it takes for them to heal. Secondly, the depth of the loss will be a factor. In the case of a robbery, the meaning attached to the articles stolen will be a factor. Try to understand this by asked about the items stolen. Thirdly, the life skills of the person must be taken into account. Some have not learned healthy coping skills. They have not learned how to deal with their emotions. Fourth, the responses from family members can be healing or detrimental to them in their recovery process. Sometimes family members will not be empathetic to the victims. They get advice to simply “get over it,” or other comments such as “the items will be replaced” or “life goes on.” How to Help Listening and patience as the victim processes is essential. Don’t minimize their pain. Recognize signs of PTSD and help the victim to discuss their feelings of vulnerability and anger. Learn as much as you can about post-traumatic stress so that you can be an informed friend or loved one. Help them find a counselor, especially a Christian counselor. Just as the Holy Spirit is the paraclete (One who comes alongside), come alongside the injured person. “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

How can my words deceive others? We can often speak untruths in the name of “etiquette” or “fearing what others think. Here are just a few ways we can compromise our integrity by speaking half-truths. 1. Exaggeration “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward [crooked] or perverse in them” (Prov. 8:8 KJV). • Do I exaggerate past accomplishments? • Am I exaggerating the results or fruits of my efforts in serving the Lord? • Am I overstating the truth by using words like “always” and “never?” • Do I make sweeping generalizations about people or situations? • Do I embellish details to make a story more humorous or interesting? • Am I overstating (or understating) the seriousness of a situation in order to make a point or for greater effect? 2. Flattery “Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception” (Ps. 12:2). (Flattery is saying things to others that you wouldn’t say behind their back. Slander is saying things about others that you wouldn’t say to their face.) • Do I give insincere praise? • Do I compliment another to enhance my own reputation in his or her eyes? 3. Lying “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful” (Prov. 12:22). • Am I slandering someone—spreading false reports with the intent to inflict hurt? • Am I answering direct questions with untruths in order to protect my reputation? • Do I falsify time cards, employment applications, expense reports, or tax returns for personal benefit? 4. Misleading “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men” (2 Cor. 8:21) . • Do I leave a false impression (even though my spoken words may be true)? • Do I communicate facts selectively to influence others for my own purposes? • Have I ever given misleading references to prospective employers? 5. Inaccuracy “We trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly” (Heb. 13:18 KJV). • Do I fail to verify the facts before repeating a story? • Am I careless with regard to factual details of stories? • Am I failing to speak precisely or to make sure that my words are literally true? 6. Deception “Deliver my soul, O Lord, . . . from a deceitful tongue” (Ps. 120:2 KJV). • Do I ever attempt to create a better impression of myself than is honestly true? • Am I allowing people to say things that are untrue about another person while implying consent by my silence? • Do I give the impression that I am more spiritually mature and committed than is actually true? • Am I allowing my mate to believe that I am morally pure and faithful, when I have failed morally? • Have I covered up sins of my past? 7. Hypocrisy “Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart” (Prov. 26:23). • Do I speak kindly to another while harboring hatred or bitterness in my heart? • Do I praise another to his face while criticizing him behind his back? 8. Inconsistency “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal. 3:6 KJV). • Am I flip-flopping on issues, depending on my “audience?” • Do I say what I know the other person wants to hear, rather than what I really believe? • Do I put a different spin on matters, depending on who I am talking to? 9. Guile “Blessed is the man . . . in whose spirit there is no guile” (Ps. 32:2, KJV). • Am I maintaining hidden agendas and ulterior motives when dealing with people? • Do I look for loopholes in a contract, rather than honoring the intent and spirit of the agreement? 10. Broken promises “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? . . . [He] who keeps his oath even when it hurts” (Psalm 15:1, 4). • Do I promise to pray for someone and then neglect to do so? • Do I agree to be somewhere at a certain time or to meet a need, but fail to do so? • Am I failing to fulfill a financial obligation? © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

My faith is grounded in history, supported by historical evidence. Therefore, my approach to history is critical. The modern approach precludes the possibility of the supernatural. I see that I must interpret history without prejudice, accepting God’s view as accurate, choosing to agree with God’s evaluation of the facts and refusing to believe my perspective as true. Evidence for my faith in Christ can be substantiated by the legal-historical method of proof. Many skeptics say, “This is an age of science, and I don’t accept anything unless it’s proven to me. Prove the resurrection to me scientifically! The biggest problem with religion is that its followers want us to believe without any proof. If you can’t prove scientifically what you’re saying, then it’s just not true. If you’re going to be dogmatic about Christianity, let’s have some proof!” The one who says, “I don’t accept anything until it’s proven to me scientifically,” faces a big problem. It would be very difficult (not to speak of inconvenient) to consistently live by that principle. The simplest things of life sometimes defy explanation. Fireflies, electricity, aging, digesting food, flying an airplane and even falling in love involve processes not altogether understood by even Pulitzer-prize-winning scientists! Those who insist that scientific proof is the only “true” proof are those who do not understand what scientific proof involved. I. Observe these two methods of proof. The two basic methods used to arrive at proof are the modern, scientific method (scientific proof) and the legal-historical methods (legal proof). We need to understand the difference so that we may discover the two of evidence that supports our faith in Christ. 1. The scientific method. Scientific proof is based upon demonstrating a fact by repeating an event in the presence of the person questioning the fact. It calls for duplicating the event over and over, noting and recording the results, before drawing a conclusion. “The scientific method, however, it is defined, is related to measurement of phenomena and experimentation or repeated observation” (The New Encyclopedia Britannica, Micropedia Vol. VIII, p. 985). The scientific method demands the use of a controlled environment (such as a laboratory) where: (1) observation can be made. (2) data is drawn. (3) a hypothesis is experimentally verified. The scientific method involves: * observation * gathering of data * theorizing * deduction * verification of facts by repeated experimentation. 2. The legal-historical method. Legal-historical proof is based upon showing that something is true beyond a reasonable doubt. That is, the truth of a matter is decided on the basis of the weight of the evidence. There must be no reasonable basis for doubt. The legal-historical method depends upon three types of testimony: (1) oral testimony (2) written testimony (3) physical testimony (exhibits). This is the same type of evidence that is valid in a court of law. The exhibits admissible in a court case would include a gun, a bullet or an article of clothing; written testimony could include a letter or handwritten instructions or deposition; and an eyewitness report would be an oral testimony. The jury reaches a verdict on the basis of the weight of the testimony presented. II. Limitations of proof 1. The scientific method. Because the scientific method is based upon experimentation, it is severely limited in proving past events, and is useful only in proving repeatable events. Science cannot answer questions about a person or an event in history. If the scientific method was the only legitimate method for proving something, you couldn’t prove that you went to work that morning or that you had your lunch today! There is no way you can repeat these events in a controlled situation. So the scientific method isn’t appropriate for answering questions that relate to past events. 2. The legal-historical method. While the legal-historical method can provide convincing proof about the resurrection, the reliability of the Bible or the actual facts of the Christian faith, it does have its limits. When the question is asked, “Can Christianity be proven with 100 percent certainty?” we must answer truthfully, “No.” But that doesn’t leave us without any proof. The decisive question in historical research is, “What is the most probable explanation for the evidence at hand?” One cannot establish 100 percent certainty through legal proof, but probability puts the matter beyond any reasonable doubt. This should not surprise us. We base nearly all our decisions on probability. A jury bases its verdict on the most logical explanation of the weight of the evidence. An auto accident or robbery cannot be repeated in a courtroom. No reasonable doubt must exist, but if the jury waited until it established 100 percent certainty before rendering a verdict, the case could not be settled! Based upon the application of the legal-historical method, frequently heard statements by non-believers are: “You can’t prove that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I won’t believe it until I have some proof.” “If God is real, why doesn’t He just come down, introduce Himself and shake hands with me? Then I’d believe Him.” “You can’t believe the Bible. Science has proven that miracles aren’t possible.” 1. Scientific proof. The evidence supporting the faith of a Christian is based in history. Therefore, the scientific method of proof is not applicable. The scientific method can be used only to prove repeatable events, and is therefore not appropriate for dealing with matters of history. 2. Legal-historical proof. The evidence for the faith of a Christian is based on the record of God’s acts in history and on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The legal-historical method of proof is designed to investigate matters of history. If we wished to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or other figures or history existed, we would apply the legal-historical method. Based upon this same method, the truth of Christianity can be established beyond any reasonable doubt. The weight of the evidence points overwhelmingly to the validity of Christ’s claims and the reliability of the Scripture. As you grow in your faith, pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I thank You for the written testimony of Your Word that has been so miraculously preserved for us and assures us of who we are and what You are. I’m grateful You have provided a way to be assured intellectually and spiritually of Your involvement in our world and in my life. You don’t leave us alone to guess but You provide adequate proof of Your individual love and concern for me. My faith is strengthened as I see You as a real person whom I can know better and better each day. Amen.” FOR FURTHER REFERENCE “Can Christianity be proved?” Read “Answers to Tough Questions”, pages 145-146. Read “What About Science?” chapter 3 of “More Than a Carpenter”, pages 36-40, for a concise explanation of the scientific and legal methods of proof. Note also the ineffectiveness of the scientific method in refuting the evidence for the resurrection in “The Resurrection Factor”, pages 21-22. Apply the legal-historical method to the resurrection by reading “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”, pages 189-195.

As I have studied the Scripture, observed others’ lives, and seen deeper glimpses of my own heart over the years, I have come to realize that no one—no matter how spiritual—is exempt from the potential of succumbing to moral temptation. I have also become convinced that any woman can bring about the moral downfall of any man—no matter how godly. This is one area of our lives where we can never afford to be less than vigilant. According to God’s Word, a vow is a serious, binding commitment to God and not to be made or taken lightly. I have only made a few vows to the Lord. One of those sacred commitments is the vow to be morally pure. This is such a serious matter to me, that I have asked the Lord to take my life before I would jeopardize a marriage or come between any man and his wife. I have often been in a position where it would have been possible to cultivate an inappropriate relationship with a married man—or at the very least to make incremental compromises that could have fueled sinful desires in my own heart or in someone else’s heart. Why Do We Need Personal “Hedges”? Over the years, the Lord has led me to develop a set of “hedges” (boundaries) in relation to the men that I have served with and related to in various settings. Those hedges have been a powerful safeguard and protection—for my own heart, for those men and their marriages, for my reputation, and most importantly, for the reputation of Christ. I have been blessed to serve alongside of many men who have strong hearts for God. But I never assume that I (or they) are beyond being tempted and falling. The Enemy eagerly looks for opportunities to cause God’s children to fall. Let me explain the concept of “hedges” a bit more clearly. By “hedges,” I mean boundaries we establish in our relationships with individuals of the opposite sex. (My focus in this piece is particularly on our relationships as women with married men.) Just as hedges surround our property to protect and surround what is ours, and define what is not ours, we also need hedges in our relationships. Once those hedges are in place, they need to be carefully maintained. Each woman needs to know her own areas of weakness and vulnerability—especially if she has not been morally pure in the past—and adjust her hedges as needed, for greater protection. My personal “hedges” have been developed as I have watched others—and myself, at times—deal with difficult or tempting circumstances in relationships with members of the opposite sex. Another word picture I have found helpful is the concept of “guardrails.” Anyone who has driven on a narrow mountain road knows how crucial a guardrail is for safety. Staying within the guardrails provides protection from falling off the edge of the mountain, but it represents more than that; it represents freedom. Guardrails do indeed “restrict” us, but they also free us to drive without fear. Restrictions or Protections? For those who may consider these principles “legalistic,” I would suggest that far from being restrictive, these “hedges” have allowed me to enjoy healthy, wholesome friendships with the men with whom I work and serve, as well as with their wives and children. Adhering to these practices has allowed me to have a part in strengthening marriages and family relationships. I am not suggesting that all of these “hedges” are biblical absolutes or that violating any of these would necessarily be sin. However, after seeing the anguish and heartbreak of broken marriage covenants brought about by the entrance of a “third party,” I have come to believe that these are wise parameters and that those who violate them do so at their own peril. Helpful Guidelines This is not an exhaustive list or a guarantee against infidelity. These are simply some of my personal “hedges”—principles that have served me well during many years of working alongside married men. It was never my intent to publish this list. However, as I have shared this concept of establishing personal “hedges,” I have often been asked if I would be willing to share mine. Further, I have watched enough naïve or foolish women (and men) act in inappropriate ways toward the opposite sex—and then been called upon to pick up the wreckage left behind—that I felt it would be helpful to share these specific examples . My “hedges” reflect my desire to be discreet and not to defraud the men around me—through my speech, actions, dress, or attitudes. To some who have been influenced by our permissive culture, these standards will probably seem excessive. To which I would simply ask: what’s it worth to you to avoid the devastating consequences of adultery? It’s hard to imagine how an adulterous relationship could develop if these precautions were maintained. For those who don’t know me personally, you might think this approach borders on being obsessive. However, I have found that as I hold to biblical convictions and keep specific practical “hedges” of this nature in place, I don’t have to “obsess” about guarding my heart or having pure relationships. I can trust God to work in and through me as I relate to men in godliness, purity, and wisdom. It is my prayer that God will lead you as you seek to establish effective “hedges” and “guardrails” for your own life, and that you will experience the freedom, joys, and blessings of “keeping your heart with all diligence.” Practical “Hedges” in working with married men Most of my contact with married men has been in the context of the workplace—working and serving together in ministry. A huge percentage of emotional and physical “affairs” begin in the workplace. The following “hedges” are specifically targeted toward relationships with married men in the workplace, but most could be applied more broadly to relationships in other settings, including the church, school, counseling situations, social or community groups, etc. These “hedges” are not necessarily a measurement of spirituality—it would be possible to abide by a list twice this long and still have an impure heart or be guilty of self-righteousness. No “list” can be a substitute for sincere love for Christ and a heart to please Him. This is not a comprehensive list; these are merely some practical guidelines that I have found to be helpful and would urge you to consider as you develop your own “hedges” for relationships and become accountable to God and others for maintaining them. As a rule, the closer the working relationship with a married colleague of the opposite sex, the higher and more “inflexible” the hedges need to be. Reduce Opportunities for Temptation or Accusation • If it is necessary to meet alone, keep the door ajar or meet in a room with a window. Don’t meet in private places; be sure others are in the vicinity. • Always have a third party if required to travel together. Don’t ride alone together in a vehicle. • When traveling for business or ministry, stay on different floors of the hotel, unless he is accompanied by his wife. • No meals together without a third party. (I realize that in many business settings, it is considered “standard practice” to meet, travel, or dine with members of the opposite sex. But I am convinced that is risky at best and foolish at worst. In our ministry, maintaining these particular hedges often requires inconvenience or additional expense. But it’s a small price to pay if you care about being above reproach morally, guarding your heart, protecting others’ marriages, and, above all, glorifying God.) • Don’t flirt! Be careful about even “innocent” playfulness and teasing—especially when you are alone with each other. (He should have more “fun” with his wife than with any other woman!) • Dress modestly. (Provocative clothing sends an invitation to a party you have no right to throw.) • Keep your hands to yourself. Don’t invite, receive, or initiate intimate forms of physical contact (i.e., embracing, kissing, caressing, stroking, etc.). Refuse to Participate in Conversations That May Damage Relationships • Don’t listen to him speak critically of his wife. Praise his wife to him and others. Never criticize her to him or to others. • Don’t provide a listening ear for him to share his marital difficulties or tensions at home. • Don’t confide personal or emotional concerns unless his wife or a third party is present. • Avoid expressing admiration for physical characteristics, clothing, etc. • Have a grateful spirit, but be discreet and restrained in offering verbal or written encouragement, even for godly characteristics. His need/desire for admiration should appropriately be fueled by his wife! • Be discreet and restrained in expressing admiration for him to others. • No secrets! Don’t communicate anything to him (verbally or in writing) that you would not be comfortable with him sharing with his wife (unless you’re planning a surprise birthday party for her!). Never ask that he refrain from sharing something with his wife. • In written and verbal communication, include references to his wife (e.g., “How is _______doing?” “Tell ______ I said ‘hello.’” “I am so grateful for you and ________.” “You and________ have been on my heart.”) Respect Co-workers’ Marriages and Family Relationships • Don’t establish a close working relationship, unless you know his wife and have a positive relationship with her. (I realize this may not be possible in some work environments. But I have found this an enormously helpful principle. The more closely you work with him, the more important this is.) • Copy his wife on any email communication that relates to personal matters (including spiritual issues). (I can’t emphasize this enough. Email can be an incredibly subtle avenue for inappropriate communication and cultivating “intimacy.”) • Don’t call him at home unnecessarily. Be considerate—if his wife or a child answers the phone, take time to connect with them before asking to speak with him. • Be sensitive to periods that he and his wife may not have had a lot of time together, and limit time spent working together accordingly. Exercise the same caution if you have reason to believe there may be tension or stress in his marriage. • When with the couple, include her in the conversation. If discussing work-related matters, explain what you’re talking about, so she doesn’t feel left out or “in the dark.” • Show genuine interest in his wife and look for opportunities to bless, serve, and encourage her—birthdays, special occasions, needs you can meet, etc. • Look for opportunities to minister to them as a couple (and family)—anniversaries, gifts for date nights, etc. • Be a genuine and loving friend to his wife and children. Show an interest in what interests them. • If his wife has any concerns or hesitations regarding his relationship with you, get out of the way! Request a transfer or quit your job if necessary. She may be overly-sensitive; she may be a “terrible wife.” There may be “nothing going on” between you and her husband. Regardless, it is your responsibility to do everything in your power to encourage and protect their marriage. Do not let yourself become a wedge in his relationship with his wife—for any reason. Respond to God’s Spirit for Maximum Protection • Don’t allow a mental, emotional, or spiritual bond between you that is more intimate than what he has with his wife. Ask the Lord to prompt you when you are getting too close. • Be accountable. Share your “hedges” with one or more close women friends who will commit to ask periodically whether you are maintaining them. • If you find yourself being tempted mentally or emotionally, share with a mature, female confidant, for purposes of accountability. Don’t wait until you’re in trouble to reach out for help! • If another believer expresses concern about your relationship with a married man, don’t dismiss their caution. The wise person listens to and heeds counsel! • Depend on the indwelling Spirit of God to guard your heart, direct your steps, and protect your relationships. Remember that these “hedges” are not intended to be a burden, but a blessing—not to put you in prison, but to help protect you and others. And remember that no list of “rules” can make you holy. Look to Christ—seek to love Him supremely. Be sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. Follow Him. Depend on His grace to guard your heart. He is the one who is able to “keep you from falling” (Jude 24). Making it Personal Write a prayer responding to what you have just read. • Express your commitment to be pure in your relationships with men (whether married or single). • Ask God to show you what practical “hedges” need to be in place in your life and to give you grace to maintain those safeguards. • If you are in a situation where you are vulnerable to temptation or have developed an inappropriate relationship with a man, record what steps you intend to take to obey God and be pleasing to Him in this matter. • Ask God to guard your heart, to make your life a reflection of the purity and love of Christ, and to help you be a blessing rather than a hindrance to the men around you and to their wives and children. My Personal “Hedges” Make a list of specific “hedges” that you believe need to be in place in your relationships with married men. (Over the years, I have added to and refined my own list. I am still growing and learning in this matter. As you grow, ask the Lord to make you aware of additional “hedges” that may be needed in your life.) Remember that these “hedges” are not intended to be a burden, but a blessing—not to put you in prison, but to help protect you and others. And remember that no list of “rules” can make you holy. Look to Christ—seek to love Him supremely. Be sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. Follow Him. Depend on His grace to guard your heart. He is the one who is able to “keep you from falling” (Jude 24). “I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. . . . By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:12, 14) © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

Seasons of adversity—economic or otherwise—do not catch God off guard. He knows everything that is going on in our world. He also knows what lies ahead. He is orchestrating all things to fulfill His eternal, redemptive purposes and to glorify Himself. God cares about how adverse circumstances affect the lives of His children. Those circumstances may be intense and painful at times, but they do not have to overwhelm us or steal our peace. In fact, in the ultimate sense, anything that makes us need God is a blessing! Crises can provide opportunities for God’s people to flourish spiritually and to point others to Christ who is our only Rock and hope—not only in this present time, but for all eternity. Many practical strategies and tools are available to help people weather financial crises. Here is some biblical counsel and perspective to help strengthen your heart in the midst of these uncertain times. Look upward, rather than outward or inward. Our response to turbulent times will be determined by our perspective and where we place our focus. People should be able to look at Christians and see a response to pressure that is distinctly different—“unexplainable”! (Phil. 2:14-15) Natural response Supernatural response Focus: outward (circumstances); inward (self) Focus: upward (God) Fear/insecurity Faith/confidence in the Lord Hoarding (hold on to what you have) Generosity (share what you have!) Depression/despair Joy/hope! Which of these responses best describes where you find yourself at this time? Tell God your needs. Ask Him for provision, wisdom, direction, and grace to persevere. Ask God to use this season of turmoil and uncertainty to bring about revival and spiritual awakening in our churches and in our country. (Luke 11:2-3; Phil. 4:5-6) Have you prayed about it? Are you asking Him to provide your “daily bread” and to show you what steps of action He may want you to take? Are you praying for revival? Learn the secret of contentment. Contentment flows out of believing that God has provided everything we need for the present moment and that He will provide all we need in the future. (Psalm 73:25; Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-8) Are any seeds of discontentment evident in your words or spirit—murmuring, complaining, fretting, expressing that what God has provided is not sufficient to meet your needs? Ask God to fulfill His purposes. God uses adversity to show us what is in our hearts, to purify us, and to deepen our dependence on Him. Seasons of leanness can prove to be times of great blessing, as people are stripped of self-reliance and their hearts are turned toward the Lord. (Deut. 8:3) Are you more focused on meeting your own needs and solving your problems or on seeing God’s redemptive purposes fulfilled in your life, in those around you, and in our world? Are you willing to suffer loss, and if necessary, to be materially poor, if that would result in God being glorified and His Kingdom being advanced? Allow God to purify your heart. Lean times can be a means of God’s chastening—both personally and corporately. Ask God what He is trying to say through these circumstances; let Him search your heart, and then respond in humility and obedience. (Psalm 139:23-24) Is there any sin you need to confess—e.g., living beyond your means, fear, greed, temporal values, bitterness, withholding your tithe from the Lord, lack of compassion for others in need? Allow God to reorder your priorities as needed. Times of economic hardship or loss expose what matters most to us and what we really love. They provide an opportunity to identify any tendency to accumulate “stuff” we don’t need, and to take steps to develop a more moderate lifestyle. (Luke 12:15, 31, 34) Do you need to redefine what your “needs” are? Do you need to make any adjustments in your spending, so as to be able to live within your means and/or to give more to meet the needs of others? Place your confidence in the Lord. He can be trusted. He loves you, He knows what you are facing, and He cares for you. These circumstances have not caught Him off guard. He is still on His throne and is accomplishing His purposes in your life and in the world. Trust Him to meet your needs—He will provide. Now is a time to see what God can do. ( 1 Kings 17:1-16; Matt. 6:25-34) Remember what God has done in the past. (Deut. 8:2) Rely on His character. (Psalm 36:5, 7) Rehearse His promises. (Joshua 23:14) Refuse to give in to fear or anxiety. ( Psalm 46:1-3; Isa. 54:10) Refrain from taking matters into your own hands. Don’t let fear drive you to places God doesn’t want you to go. (Gen. 12:10f; Ruth 1:1f) Are you relying on God to meet your needs, or on some other source? Does your response to adversity demonstrate faith or fear? Dependence on Him or self-reliance? Reach out to others. Be sensitive to those around you who may have even greater needs than your own, particularly those in the Body of Christ. Don’t just think about your own problems; put the needs of others ahead of your own. (Phil. 2:4) Pray for others in need. (2 Thess. 1:11-12) Look for ways to encourage those who may be struggling. (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13) Share with one another—help meet material needs, as the Lord has blessed you. This is an opportunity for Christians to demonstrate the gospel and compassion of Christ, so the world will say, “See how they love each other!” (Deut. 15:7, 14; Prov. 21:13; James 2:15-17) Who do you know who is struggling to make ends meet? How can you be an instrument of God’s grace to them?

Some time ago, a woman came to the microphone at a conference and told of how, 14 years earlier, her adult daughter had been stalked and then viciously murdered by a man. The woman turned to me, standing in front of the whole congregation, and began to pour out her heart. “I have hated this man for 14 years, and you say I have to forgive?” she asked. Brokenly she pleaded, “How can I forgive? How can I?”The details of each of our lives are different, but at one time or another we have all asked that question: How can I forgive? Let’s take a look at some biblical insights about the matter of forgiveness. Everyone gets hurt First, we need to realize that everyone will get hurt. It’s inevitable. Hurt cannot be avoided. You may have been hurt by a trusted friend who lied about you. You may have been hurt by a teacher or professor who embarrassed you in front of a classroom. You may have been hurt by a parent who was harsh or abusive or who did not know how to express love. You may have been hurt by someone who wounded your children. You may have been hurt by a child who has rebelled and turned on you. You may have been hurt by an employer who wronged you or your mate. You may have been hurt by someone who stole your moral innocence and used you sexually in a way that was sinful and inappropriate. You may have been hurt by a husband who broke his wedding vows and has not been faithful to you. The list of potential hurts could go on and on. In many cases, that pain comes out in anger. It’s been said that the most dangerous animal in the forest is the one that’s been wounded. I think that’s a good picture of what we’re seeing in our homes, in our communities, and in our schools today. People who have been wounded instinctively tend to wound others. Women talk today about how angry they are—angry with their husband, their children, their parents, their pastor, and, ultimately, with God. Those harbored hurts, that smoldering bitterness, has turned to anger, hatred, revenge, and, at times, to violence. Although we cannot avoid being hurt, the important thing to remember is that the outcome of our lives is not determined by what happens to us. Nothing that anyone has ever done to you or ever will do to you can determine who you become. What is done may affect your life, but it cannot determine the outcome of your life. The outcome of our lives is not determined by what happens to us, but rather by how we respond to what happens to us. Two ways to respond to hurt The first way to respond, and the way that most people choose, is what I call becoming a debt collector. The mentality of the debt collector is, “This person wronged me; she owes me, so I’m going to hold her hostage and put her in debtor’s prison until she pays me back.” This way of responding ultimately leads to resentment, bitterness, and anger—it is the way of retaliation. That is where most people live much of their lives today. The way of retaliation is a subtle, secret desire for revenge. We may not retaliate with guns, but we do it with looks, attitudes, and words. Ultimately, those seeds of bitterness and resentment are likely to grow up and produce a multiplied harvest, not only in your life, but also in your children and their children and the next generation. The second way to respond is to choose to release the offender from prison. We choose to forgive, not because the offender deserves to be forgiven or has even asked for forgiveness, but because of God’s grace that He has poured upon us, which we then are able to pour out upon others. This is the pathway of reconciliation. Our God is a reconciling God. He took the initiative to be reconciled to us. We were His enemies, we were estranged, we were sinners. We hated God. We were not seeking Him. We were not searching for God, but He came searching for us as the Hound of Heaven, pursuing our hearts, pursuing reconciliation. And He calls us in His name to initiate reconciliation in our relationships. What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a choice, an act of my will. If I waited until I felt like forgiving before I forgave, I might never forgive. We are not to wait for our emotions but rather to choose to obey God. Then, in time, God will cause our emotions to catch up to right choices. Second, God commands us to forgive, regardless of how we feel and regardless of what has been done to us. Jesus says in Mark 11:25, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (NIV). “If you hold anything against anyone”—that pretty much includes every offense, doesn’t it? When you come to offer up to God your prayers, before you pray, if you hold anything against anyone, there’s one step that you must make first: To forgive. Jesus says we must do this so that our Father in heaven may forgive us our sins. Third, forgive as God has forgiven us for the ways that we have sinned against Him? How did He forgive us for taking the life of His Son? Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.” He does not deal with us as our sins deserve; rather, He deals with us in mercy and kindness. His mercy toward us is infinite, unconditional, complete, and undeserved. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin. That’s how God forgives us. He didn’t wait until we deserved it to extend forgiveness. He didn’t wait until we realized our need for forgiveness. He forgave us before we had any thoughts of seeking Him. As infinite and unconditional and great is His forgiveness toward us, that is the measure of the forgiveness we can extend to others. The person who is not a Christian does not really have a capacity to forgive the person who has never experienced God’s love and forgiveness. But if you are a child of God, if you have been washed by the blood of Jesus, if you have experienced His forgiveness, then you can extend that same forgiveness to others. Fourth, forgiveness is a promise. It is a promise never to bring that sin up against the offender again—to God, to him, or to others. It is a promise to clear the record of the offender. I know just enough about computers to be dangerous. But one thing I’ve learned the hard way is the meaning of the “delete” key. I’ve had the unhappy experience of spending a lot of time working on a document and then pressing that delete key accidentally. What happens to that document? It’s gone. Forgiveness is pressing the delete key. It is clearing the record of the one who has sinned against us. Now that doesn’t mean the person never sinned. It just means you’re clearing the record so she no longer owes you for those sins. You’re promising never to hold it against that person again. How can we expect the world to believe that God’s grace is so wonderful and His forgiveness is so available if we, who claim to have been forgiven, refuse to forgive others? Our lack of forgiveness steals our credibility. It’s no wonder that people aren’t knocking down the doors to get into our churches. They know us. They work with us. They live next to us. They listen to the way we talk about those who wounded others and who have wounded us. They hear the bitterness, anger, and resentment that come out when those names or those situations come up. They don’t see in us the grace and the forgiveness of God. As a result, they have no interest in what we are offering. Without forgiveness, you and I are really not much different than the unbelieving world. I believe that when we begin to demonstrate biblical forgiveness, our message will finally become believable to our world.

Quaking in your boots? Perhaps you fear foreclosure on your house. Maybe you have a child headed in the wrong direction. Downsizing at your company causes you to shiver. A doctor’s report makes your stomach churn and your faith foundations rocked to the core. We all need assurance that God is our protector, and that nothing is out of His control and care. We take all kinds of precautions to be shielded from disaster and distress. Are we really “in good hands” with Allstate insurance? We certainly pay them an arm and a leg to keep safe life and limb. Is the security system in our house foolproof? Does our precious laptop have virus protection? Does the smoke alarm that beeps annoyingly when it’s out of batteries (usually at 2:00 a.m.) keep our home from being burned down to the ground? Yes, we spend much of our lives trying to avoid danger and loss. Psalm 123, the third poem in the Psalms of Ascents, promises that God is a sure foundation for our lives: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; It remains forever.” The Hebrew word for trust is batach, and has three meanings: to be sure, to be secure and to be confident. Every person instinctively needs confidence-and when God is the object of our faith, we have confidence in spades! Beth Moore, in Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascents, gives great insight into this verse. She writes, “Insecurity has remained one of my most consistent challenges. Jealousy, low self-worth, envy promiscuity, manipulation and unbelief are rooted in insecurity. Self-security drawn from our position as a child of God is an even bigger problem—even self-security drawn from our position as a child of God.” Psalm 30:6-7 says “When I was secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ LORD, when You showed Your favor, You make me stand like a strong mountain, when You hid Your face, I was terrified.” (HCSB) “Perhaps the psalmist grew a little overconfident…in God’s manifest favor. Notice how often the word “I” is used in these verses. David was the first to ascribe his prosperity to the Lord, but somewhere along the way He mistakenly placed his security in the blessing of God rather tan God Himself. We often know enough not to ascribe our security to carnal, worldly things. Our greater and slyer temptation is to place our security in the blessing we readily credit to the Lord. Even if our security is in something God has given us—our gifts…loved ones, church family, consistent victory, passion for His Word—our seemingly secure mountain ultimately will fall into the sea. God’s favor and His person are not synonymous. If our trust is in manifestations of God’s favor rather than God Himself, we will crumble like dry clay when He calls us to walk a distance of our journeys entirely by faith and not by sight. …God is with us and for us even when His face and His favor seem hidden. Mountain-like security only comes from trusting God, not what He’s done for us or given us, however glorious and eternal those things may be. The difference between trusting God and trusting what God has done is a fine line we easily can trip over, falling headlong into a pit just as David feared. Thankfully, he described what to do in the subsequent verses of Psalm 30. We can do likewise when we realize we have unknowingly let our security slip from god Himself to His manifest favor.”1 Read David’s conclusion to Psalm 30 in verses 8-12 and be encouraged: I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Beth Moore, Stepping Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascents. Nashville: Lifeway Publishing, 2007. pp. 68-69.

Share 0 Turf wars are inevitable between churches, countries and children. Whether we fight to sit in the same pew we’ve inhabited for eons or squabble over the line of demarcation drawn between countries, accommodating others is not our strong suit. The ideologies of servanthood and meekness elude us. Let me illustrate with a simple story with which we all can identify. You know you’ve seen it. You know you’ve been there… Yesterday I sat at the stoplight minding my own business, re-setting my iPod, scratching a mosquito bite, answering my cell phone and peeling off my sweat socks when I noticed a familiar scene in my rear-view mirror. Car Wars. A haggard mom in her well-stuffed checkered capris mooned me at the intersection of First and Main. Red-faced and precariously perched between the front and back seats, she was hollering at the top of her lungs. Two little buck-toothed boys smeared with Coppertone and dripping with pool water were beating each other senseless. The freckle-faced, tow-headed kid clobbered his little brother in the head with a model airplane. Older brother fired back with a knuckle sandwich followed by a head butt and a half-nelson hold. Fortunately, there were no vehicles behind us, so I sat through another red light to enjoy the show. The curly-headed baby in the car seat next to Mom peacefully sucked her binkie, oblivious to World War III behind her. Once “moon Mom” had peeled the two brothers apart, I assumed order was restored. But the fun was just beginning. Big brother, energized by the heat of battle, lobbed a Hostess Ding-Dong at Mom’s ponytail scrunchie. Enraged, Mom careened over the curb into the Walmart parking lot, ripped open the back door and tanned the hide of brother number one. I wanted to stay and watch the Mama drama, but a rickety truck filled with lawn mowers and week whackers pulled up behind me, the driver leaning on his horn. This “all too familiar” car war jogged my memory, taking me back to sister skirmishes of years gone by. Mattresses and back seats were hotbeds of conflict for Kathy and me. We drew the “invisible line” down the middle of the bed. If either sister poked a hairy toe across the line of demarcation, hair-pulling, finger-biting and jammie-ripping ensued. Road trips were the worst. Dad got so tired of the “my side,” “her side” quarrel that he pulled out the masking tape, measured the width of the back seat, and clarified the boundaries. This feeble attempt at preserving the peace lasted about fifteen minutes. Our rickety Rambler sedan was un-air-conditioned and the radio was broken. “Are we there yets?” started before we hit the city limits. It was a muggy June day, and we were baked and bored. Kathy and I had to entertain ourselves somehow. We started with an innocuous game of “Cracker Jack” basketball. Each player would alternate chucking a caramel popcorn piece into the open mouth of the opponent. If the candy corn hit the piehole target the pitcher got a point. After two turns, the “Cracker Jack” toss got ugly. The popcorn pelting turned aggressive and a full-out food fight was born. Dad screeched the Rambler to a halt, threatened us with an inch of our lives and re-stuffed us into the backseat. In a last-ditch effort at tranquility, the family engaged in a rousing rendition of “The People on the Bus Go Up and Down” and “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall” until we were too hoarse to croak. Harassment seemed to be the only activity that held any allure for us. The name-calling started first. “Pig Face.” “Blubber-Belly.” “Snot Nose.” “Son of a Snitch!” The names got meaner and our faces got redder. Mom whipped around and warned us of impending doom. Dad tried to divert our attention once more by playing the license plate game, but we were more interested in pinching. We could poke and pester quietly without arousing suspicion. Silently, surreptitiously, we tortured each other until one of us yelped in pain. Dad pulled into the 7-11, poured enough Benadryl down our throats to drug a horse, and we snored all the way to Galveston beach. Do you hold on white-knuckled and stubborn to your cherished opinions, never considering the thoughts and perspectives of others? Do you fight with other brothers and sisters in Christ, just like children skirmishing over toys? Do you relent or rebel? What keeps you from playing nicely with others? The “car wars” must stop! “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:10; 16-18 NIV

The Winter Olympics 2010 are upon us. Athletes across the globe long to skate like Ohno and ski like Mancuso. Even if they don’t win the gold, they hope to score a cushy endorsement deal with Swatch or Wheaties. Nike’s got a spot! Will Tiger leave a hole??? As Christians, most of us are keeping score in life. We know Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Yet something inside of us can’t accept the fact that we don’t earn our salvation. We still keep racking up brownie points for God in hopes that we can please Him on our own. Why can’t we receive God’s free gift of salvation in simple faith? Long-time Christians and pastors are suckers for legalism. We can be “good enough,” by golly! I began trying to get on God’s “nice” list at an early age. My third-grade year, it was my all-consuming desire to win the Sunday School perfect attendance pin. Practically perfect, the blue and silver shield had “perfect attendance” emblazoned upon the front like a banner from heaven. In order to receive the coveted award, I not only had to show up on time every Sunday without fail, I had to read the weekly Sunday School lesson and bring my offering envelope. On the Sunday before Labor Day, Mrs. Brumit marched Randy Phelps to the front of the classroom and announced he had won the coveted prize-the perfect attendance pin. He proudly stuck out his chest and Mrs. Brumit penned his award from Jesus to his freshly washed IZOD polo shirt. Applauding wildly, I had a revelation from the Almighty. When I looked at Randy’s bespectacled face, for one brief shining moment I thought I saw a halo encircling his blonde buzz cut. I determined that morning that the next year I would stand before God, the angels, and the cheering crowd sporting that silver emblem on my gingham dress. But “perfect attendance” wasn’t an easy feat to perform. Three Sundays in November I hacked and sneezed all over Sandy French because I wasn’t going to let the Asian flu keep me from my trophy. In April I puked twice in church after eating too many donut holes before the sermon started-or was I sick? I can’t be sure. After my breakfast preceded me, everyone looked a little green around the gills. Debbie McCoy and Vicky Palmer contracted the virulent strain of intestinal flu I so graciously shared with the class. Undaunted, I came week after week after week after week…… Twice I almost lost the competition because of an errant offering envelope. One windy March Sunday, it fell out of my pocket when I hopped out of our Pontiac and onto the pavement. Sweet Mrs. Bentley saw the little white square under the car and returned it to me in the nick of time. The second envelope fiasco came the Saturday night I decided to hide it in my Bible between Nahum and Habakkuk. I hoped the fiery minor prophets would hold it fast until I arrived at class. When Sunday School started, I frantically thumbed through the Bible pages hoping to locate my nickel for Jesus. Where did it go? I scoured all of the “ah” prophets: Isaiah, Hosea, Ezra, Jeremiah, Jonah, Nehemiah, Zephaniah and Zechariah.. My tithe was nowhere to be found. Suddenly I recalled a Lucky Strike commercial from the night before. The book had something to do with tobacco-no, it was Habakkuk. I found Habakkuk, placed my envelope in the offering plate and breathed a sigh of relief. After twelve months of hard work, I reached my lofty goal and wore my heavenly treasure, my Baptist banner, with pride. Be honest. I’m not the only Christian around who struggles with legalism. You’ve been there, too. But once I stopped trying to get into God’s good graces and start trusting Jesus for salvation, life just got a lot more fun. My walk with God is no longer a religion, but a relationship. Read or listen to “Spiritual Maturity Is Not Simply Legalism.”

Singing sensation Taylor Swift sold four million records last year. Among her best current songs are “You Belong with Me” and “Two is Better than One.” The Bible tells us we are created to need each other. So how do we truly care for the people God places in our life? In many ways, caring for one another is the foundational building block of all relationships, yet we struggle to be real and present with others as work, finances and time constraints take priority. In his writings to the churches at Rome, Corinth and Ephesus, Paul teaches us six truths about how the body of Christ demonstrates care to its members. (I Cor. 12:24-26) When one part of the body is in pain, it affects all the other parts. So when we hear that a friend’s wife has a terminal illness, we hurt for them. When one part of the body is cared for, all parts are affected. We are elated when a couple we know has conceived after 18 years of childlessness. Members of the body are meant to care for one another. It seems a natural response to call a friend whose long-time relationship with his girlfriend takes a different course. Care for one another should be mutual. We need to be givers and takers so there is reciprocity in the body of Christ. Care for one another should be equal. We should not show more care toward one person than we do another. Let’s take a mental inventory of our relationships. Are we encouraging some and neglecting others? Mutual care for one another is the key to unity. We can be aligned in our beliefs but estranged in our relationships if we haven’t demonstrated concern for one another. A generous dose of care is the best prescription for a fractured relationship or divisive church body. No one should ever have to experience the pain of being alone, including members of our own family. Here are some practical ways of caring for one another that have worked for me. Stay current with people’s lives. Caring for others is difficult if we aren’t aware of their struggles and joys. Keep in touch regularly. Concentrate on doing caring acts. We need to turn our caring attitudes into action: phone calls, notes and letters, items of personal interest. A friend’s collection of nativities inspired us to show her an article about another such collector, a gesture that showed we were aware of her interests. Take an interest in what other people are interested in. (Phil. 2:4) Our interests include physical and emotional needs, desires, hopes, fears and worries – the things we think about and are concerned about. A good way to get in the habit of caring for others is to take the issues that concern us and use them as a reminder that other people probably have similar concerns. Learn to enter into other people’s worlds – their physical, mental and emotional worlds. People feel blessed when we take the time to be physically with them, share their thinking and empathize with them emotionally. Recognize that caring for others can be a burden that God prepares us for and helps us to bear. We can experience sadness, disappointment and hardship. Caring can cost us in resources, mental anguish and emotional pain. Nevertheless, we should anticipate the inconveniences, the dying to self and the sacrifice that caring for others will demand. Look for unique and personal ways to express care for others. After a national football championship a few years ago, I called a friend to congratulate him on his school’s win. I wanted him to know that I cared for him and his history with that college. Have you ever felt like no one cares about you? It is a hopeless feeling, a sense of being terribly alone with our pain, fear and even joy. It is a feeling of being disconnected and without help, cut off, overlooked, ignored, anonymous. That’s why the Bible instructs us to care for one another. No one should ever have to experience the pain of being alone. Don McMinn, Ph.D. (with Kimberly Spring) Executive Director of theiPlace.org The 11th Commandment: More Insights into the One Anothers of Scripture

Share 0 “Jesus was…sleeping.” (Mark 4:38). Now there’s a scene. Jesus was sleeping in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples scream, Jesus dreams. Thunder roars, Jesus snores. He doesn’t doze, catnap, or rest. He slumbers. Who could sleep at a time like this? Could you? Could you snooze during a roller coaster loop-de-loop? In a wind tunnel? At a kettle drum concert? Jesus slept through all three, at once! Mark’s gospel adds two curious details. “[Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a pillow” (Mk. 4:38). In a stern, on a pillow. Why the first? From whence came the second? First-century fishermen used large, heavy seine nets for their work. They stored the net in a nook that was built into the stern for this purpose. Sleeping upon the stern deck was impractical. It provided no space or protection. The small compartment beneath the stern, however, provided both. It was the most enclosed and only protected part of the boat. So Christ, a bit dozy from the day’s activities, crawled beneath the deck to get some sleep. He rested his head, not on a fluffy feather pillow, but on a leather sandbag. A ballast bag. Mediterranean fishermen still use them. They weigh about a hundred pounds and are used to ballast, or stabilize, the boat. Did Jesus take the pillow to the stern so he could sleep, or sleep so soundly someone rustled him up the pillow? We don’t know. But this much we do. This is a premeditated slumber. He didn’t accidentally nod off. In full knowledge of the coming storm, Jesus decided it was siesta time, so he crawled into the corner, put his head on the pillow, and drifted into dreamland. His snooze troubled the disciples. Matthew and Mark record their response as three staccato Greek commands and one question. The commands: “Lord! Save! Dying!” (Mt. 8:25). The question: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk. 4:39). They do not ask about Jesus’ strength: “Can you still the storm?” His knowledge: “Are you aware of the storm?” Or his know-how: “Do you have any experience with storms?” But rather, they raise doubts about Jesus’ character. “Do you not care…?” Fear does this. Fear corrodes our confidence in God’s goodness. We begin to wonder if love lives in heaven. If God can sleep in my storms, if his eyes stay shut when my eyes grow wide, if he permits storms after I get on his boat, does he care? Fear unleashes a swarm of doubts, anger-stirring doubts. And it turns us into control freaks. “Do something about the storm!” is the implicit demand of the question. “Fix it, or…or…or, else!” Fear, at its center, is a perceived loss of control. When life spins wildly, we grab for a component of life we can manage: our diet, the tidiness of a house, the armrest of a plane, or, in many cases, people. The more insecure we feel, the meaner we become. We growl and bare our fangs. Why? Because we are bad? In part. But also because we feel cornered. Shouldn’t someone mention Jesus’ track record or review his resume? Do they remember the accomplishments of Christ? They may not. Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is. When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great? Can the risk-averse accomplish noble deeds? For God? For others? No. The fear-filled cannot love deeply; love is risky. They cannot give to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness. No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear. Christ’s most common command emerges from the “fear not” genre. The gospels list some 125 Christ-issued imperatives. Of these, twenty-one urge us to “not be afraid” or to “not fear” or to “have courage,” “take heart,” or “be of good cheer.” The second most common command appears on eight occasions. If quantity is any indicator, Jesus takes our fears seriously. The one statement he said more than any other was this: Don’t be afraid. “It’s all right. I am here! Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 NCV) “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me…. I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NLT) Fearless, Max Lucado, upwords.com .

What are the things that slow you up in life? You know, the gum that sticks to the bottom of your shoe, the spare tire you grew over the holidays…Do your worries weigh you down? Do relational hang-ups keep you from abundant living? When I was growing up on the baseball field ~ Coach used to yell a phrase to get us to run faster: “unhook your trailer“. Vince was the poor guy that heard this the most. I’m not saying he was slow around the bases, just pointing out that maple syrup might have a chance to outrun him… Unhook your trailer… All around us – we see them. Some carry horses, cargo, cars & more. They come attached to Semi trucks, big trucks with over-sized tires, cars & some even attached to bikes. Can they become attached to humans? What we all know – is that when we’re loaded down, it impedes our progress – we run slower. Physics dictates this reality. Unhook your trailer… The writer of Hebrews says something similar – way more eloquently – but just as truthful: 1Therefore, 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. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,… (Hebrews 12:1-3) As a follower of Christ – we’re called to unhook the trailer…to cast off those sins, poor decisions & habits that hinder our progress to being more & more like Christ. We’re to keep our focus on HIM. Now – easy to say, difficult to do at times. This isn’t just a matter of ‘will power’ – this is staying connected to HIS POWER. His grace is sufficient to forgive the past, empower for today and call us forward into tomorrow. What’s needed is our yieldedness – our acknowledgement of the weight/baggage we’re unnecessarily carrying around… So, are you weighed down today? Confession is good for the soul. The Scriptures continual call to us to return (search our hearts Psalm 139) and make sure that we’re relationally right with our Father. Stop – take a moment (if needed) to unhook your trailer ~ quiet your soul & confess… Afterwards…pick up the forgiveness, freedom & renewal that is yours in Christ. (1 John 1:9; Romans 8) Jesus said that his burden was light – He came to bring forgiveness & freedom. We all need reminded at times to unhook our trailer… ~Jack How does confession impact relationships? (post your thoughts )