Daniel 2:1-13

1Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 2Then the king gave orders to call in the magicians, the conjurers, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3The king said to them, “I had a dream and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.” 4Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.”

10The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter for the king, inasmuch as no great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any magician, conjurer or Chaldean. 11″Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.” 12Because of this the king became indignant and very furious and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill them.

When I look at King Nebuchadnezzar’s response to his troubling dream…I have to ask myself…how do I respond to trials and tribulation in my own life? What is my reaction when God is trying to get my attention?

When I examine Nebuchadnezzar’s response to trouble to that of Daniel…I find quite a contrast. While I’d like to say my approach is more like that of Daniel’s…there are times I react more like Nebuchadnezzar.

Nebuchadnezzar…the powerful king who had conquered the world…found himself plagued and troubled by a dream. A dream given him…by God himself. This was a wake up call…and indeed it had that effect as he spent sleepless nights asking himself, “What does this dream mean?”

But instead of turning to God and seeking His wisdom and understanding Nebuchadnezzar turned to the wise men of his day…the magicians, conjurers or astrologers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans.

Am I temped to do the same? Is my first instinct to run to people and tell them my troubles and seek their advice or wisdom? Do I run to the phone…instead of going to the thrown of God for answers?

Human wisdom is flawed, limited and at times motivated by a desire for personal gain or influenced by our sinful human experience. Whereas God’s wisdom is holy, righteous and comes from One who is all knowing. Part of the temptation in going to man and seeking advise…is that I don’t have to put much effort into getting advice from humans. Whereas with God…it will require time spent in his word, or in prayer or meditation. I may not get my answer instantaneously…it will require a listening ear and a desire to obey God.

Now there is nothing wrong with seeking advice from godly men and women, who know God and can give counsel from the Word of God. But shouldn’t my first stop be prayer to God? As a Christian…why would I seek council from someone who does not know God or His word?

Today God speaks to us through His completed, inspired, written Word of God. He has also given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells within all believers. If God chooses to speak to us by another means…it will always be in line with and in agreement the Word of God. The Word of God is eternal, perfect, holy and unchanging. When I have the Word of God as my standard, I can be assured that I will not be deceived or lead astray.

King Nebuchadnezzar was powerful…he had conquered the world. He, like Solomon, had everything he could need or want physically. But he lacked the peace of God. Do I have peace of mind and peace with God? Do I try to substitute peace with God by surrounding myself with possessions, fame or personal achievement? Do I feel impervious to trouble…until it touches me personally? Do I have a sensitive heart towards God? Is there some area in which God is trying to get my attention? How will I respond?

Only true believers in Christ can have peace with God. Like Daniel, in prior and upcoming trails, he maintains his peace. Why? Because he knew the Word of God believed it and applied it to his life. Daniel had that peace and it was proven time and time again in how he responded to trials and tribulation.

The king not only sought counsel from flawed, futile human sources…he was reacting out of emotion. While over the top in his threats and basically pretty whacked out…Nebuchadnezzar was still pretty sharp. He recognized his cabinet members were trying to deceive him…that they didn’t have the answers to his dream and were just trying to buy time. Their motivation…to avoid the deadly wrath of King Nebuchadnezzar and maintain their current status in his court.

When I’m facing trials…do I tend to overreact? Do I pitch a fit when I don’t get what I want, when I want it? Is that because I’m trying to work on my own power and wisdom instead of humbling myself and turning to God? Do I avoid God because of that sin or disobedience? Is this evidence of my lack of trust in God?

Nebuchadnezzar’s cabinet members recognized that they were in over their heads and that this demand of the king was impossible to answer. Now that didn’t stop them from trying to be manipulative and buy time. But even they as unbelievers knew the king’s request was impossible for man to answer. Their response sets the perfect stage for God to intervene through his faithful servant Daniel.

King Nebuchadnezzar became furious at the wise men’s inability to tell him the dream and its interpretation. As a result…all the wise men in Babylon will pay the price of the king’s fury. That includes Daniel and his friends. We as Christians may suffer along with the unrighteous. We must be mindful that “it rains on the just and the unjust alike”.

What will be my response when I am swept up in unjust actions? Will I respond with faith and confidence…and trust God? I’d better do my homework before the trial is upon me. Trusting God at such a time necessitates that I know God and His character. I can only know God through reading His Word…daily. I don’t know when that disaster, trial or temptation will strike. But if I’m filled with God’s Word…I will have the wisdom to draw upon when I need it.

When I’m prepared through a relationship with God and knowing the Word of God I can be an instrument of God and be used by Him to witness to a world in need. A world in need of a Savior…and peace with God.

What am I doing today to be prepared for such a time as this?

Devotional inspired by Chuck Obremski’s Bible study in the book of Daniel 2:1-13 – “What is this world coming to?”.

Notes taken from Chuck Obremski’s sermon on Daniel 2:1-13.

Mankind has always had a fascination with the future. There has and continues to be great curiosity about what lies ahead. There are even those that make a handsome living trying to predict future events as far as political changes, governmental changes around the world and what type of economic impact will be a result of these changes. The certainty of future events always has a tremendous application for present actions. If you were sure of what the future held…absolutely certain then you would take actions today that would be based on the certainty on the events of tomorrow.

Each one of us at one point or the other each one of us wonders about the future. Folks everywhere tend to ask the same old question “What’s this world coming to?”

As we continue in our study of the book of Daniel…that question is answered in no uncertain terms. In fact it is the focal point of our passage. The answer will either escalate your sense of fear and dread about what the future holds or it will affirm your comfort and assurance as to what to expect.

Daniel 2:1-13

1Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 2Then the king gave orders to call in the magicians, the conjurers, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3The king said to them, “I had a dream and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.” 4Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.”

5The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The command from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses will be made a rubbish heap. 6″But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.”

7They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 8The king replied, “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm, 9that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation.”

10The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter for the king, inasmuch as no great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any magician, conjurer or Chaldean. 11″Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.” 12Because of this the king became indignant and very furious and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill them.

Four points to call to your attention that relates to this question, what is this world coming to.

First point is the reaction of Nebuchadnezzar. In Vs. 1…his reaction to what’s going on is quite troubling. He was very concerned about what was going on. His reaction to these dreams was one of concerns or agitation. He was greatly concerned about what was taking place. This was no ordinary dream. This message was a direct dream from the thrown of God Himself. The purpose of the message was to get Nebuchadnezzar’s attention. God delivered a wake up call.

So we don’t have any confusion on how God communicates to people today…listen carefully. Everything that God wants believers to know today is found in the Bible. The complete canon of scripture. It’s important to recognize and understand how God speaks to us today.

Often time we hear in the news…and recently saw in the news…how the news can distort things. Example…God spoke to Reggie White about his football career. The news automatically wanted to make an issue of that. That God was speaking to Reggie White. What we need to recognize and understand is that God does speak to his people today. But he speaks to us differently than he did to those in the past. It’s important to recognize that.

Hebrews 1:1-4

1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

God would communicate with those, prior to our time or after the time of Jesus Christ or the completion of the canon of scripture, would speak to people in various portions and in various ways. He would give bits and pieces of information. He didn’t give an entire revelation. He often pieces of it and he would later reveal what was coming after that. He spoke a variety of means. God spoke directly to people.

We saw that at the baptism of Jesus Christ when a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” God spoke directly to people. He directly to Moses. Numbers 12:

“I’ll speak directly to my servant Moses.” As for you…those of you being critical of him…I will speak through visions and dreams and through the prophets. But as for my relationship with Moses, it’s going to be a relationship where I speak directly to him. So God spoke through his word at that particular time.

Daniel 9:2…tell us that there was God’s written word that the Jews used and looked at. That’s how Daniel knew the dietary laws. So God spoke through the spoken word, he spoke through dreams, visions, even through angels. Remember the story of Gabriel as he came to Mary…he told her she would bear a child.

The Bible clearly tells us in these last days…he has spoken to us in Son. The final message of God is the person and the work of Jesus Christ and the completed canon of scripture. It tells us everything that we need to know about the person and the work of God. Everything that he wants us to know about the past, present and the future he speaks to us through the Bible. That’s why it critical for us to understand that the Bible is the inspired God breathed Word of God. So in it, we may grow in respect to our salvation and understand the things of God.

In the case of Daniel…divine revelation came to Nebuchadnezzar through a dream. In fact what seems to be confusing at first it says Nebuchadnezzar had many dreams. Although he dreamed many dreams, he had only one reoccurring theme to the dream. When he asked for the interpretation…he didn’t say interpret all the dreams he had. He said, interpret the one dream that I’ve been having, even though I’ve been dreaming it on a regular basis.

Can you imagine how disturbed Nebuchadnezzar must have been? The Bible says his sleep left him…he became an insomniac. While he was protected on the outside by the guards and the fortresses in this new kingdom that he had, yet there was no peace in his heart. No peace in his life. He was basically marching back and forth in the bedrooms and the confinement of his bedroom…with no peace of heart at all. He was anxious…he was troubled.

The same word that Jesus used when he told his disciples that he would be leaving. “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God…believe also in me.”

The answer to anxiety today…in the lives of many people is a relationship with the God who created him. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t know that God. He was troubled by what was going on. There was great fear in his heart. There was great anxiety.

What’s amazing…is this man was king of the world. With all apologies to Leonardo DiCaprio…Nebuchadnezzar was king of the world. He didn’t just feel like he was, he was the king of the world. He had everything that this world had to offer. He had political power, fame, armies, protection, guards standing outside of his door, all the money that the world had to offer, all the material things you could ever want. But he did not have one thing…he didn’t have peace of mind. He didn’t have peace with God. He was anxious and he was troubled…and well he should be.

Jesus went on to say, “What would a man exchange for his soul?” “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but looses his soul?”

What does it profit you or me…if we gain everything that we set out to accomplish in life but have no peace of heart, no peace of mind, or peace with God? There are many of us who are in the same situation.

In Chuck’s work with professional athletes it didn’t take long to understand the insecurities that go along with such a profession. Men who sit around and wonder how long is my career going to last? What’s my world coming to? Not only is what is this world coming to…the big picture. But so often…we boil it down to the simplest denomination…and that’s “what my world coming to?”.

I’m not so concerned about what the rest of the world is coming to…unless it effects my world. We had guys who would sit around and wonder what’s going to happen to my career? Who’s my team going to draft? Who are they going to pick up? They are bringing in somebody who is trying out, who is in my position. Can you imagine working in such a place? Where your boss would bring in people to interview right in front of you while you still work there? And you would ask the question what is he here for? Actually they are here to see if we can hire them to take your job.

There is a certain amount of insecurity that goes along with that. Or we would have guys sitting around praying about who the team was going to draft or they were going to pick up. Then they would say…we just picked up this guy in the first round. They are going to pay him and eight million dollar signing bonus. He plays my position…who do you think is going to play?

Insecurity, fear, anxiety. Or they sit around and wonder is this ankle going to heal? Is my foot going to heal? Is my leg going to heal? Is it a three week, six weeks, six months, or two years? What’s the rehab going to be? How long is my world going to last as I know it?

Nebuchadnezzar wrestled with the same things that we do. The timeless truth of the word of God. He just conquered the world and he could get a good night sleep. A lot of irony to that.

Some of you are in the same position as that. How long is my business going to last? How long is the construction boom going to last? How long is the stock market going to keep going up? Is it going to go up long enough so we can cash out and then retire? How long is all this going to last? We become anxious and worrisome…and pace back and forth. Or we watch CNN so we can continually track what’s going on in the world around us. How long is all this going to last?

Nebuchadnezzar was no different than us…because there is nothing new under the sun. King Solomon had the same trouble. Everything he wanted in life, he had. His final conclusion was this, who can find enjoyment in life without knowing the God who created him? Who can have enjoyment without him? Nebuchadnezzar had a wake up call. God was trying to get his attention…and it was easy to do. He was looking at Nebuchadnezzar and saying you’ve accomplished everything that you set out to accomplish…and you don’t have any peace in your life. You can’t even get a good night’s sleep. What’s your world coming to, brother?

God was trying to get his attention…and he was doing it quite well actually. There is a principal of this verse that is important that we understand. Neither position of greatness, nor personal ability can provide mental peace and security.

True peace of mind is the monopoly of God’s people. As we know the word of God and believe what is says…and apply it in our life, God give us peace of mind.

Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. The Bible says be anxious for nothing. But in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Why? The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

It’s no coincidence that when you look at the world around you and you see people who seemingly have everything going for them, except one thing. They have no peace of mind. They are anxious of heart. And the world that has everything looks at people who have seemingly nothing, and are seemingly in the midst of adverse circumstances in life and yet they see God’s people with a peace that passes all understanding. And our hearts and minds are guarded by Christ Jesus. They look at us and ask why aren’t you worried? Why aren’t you troubled, why aren’t you anxious about what’s going on? The simple answer…because God has it all under control.

Isn’t that a fascinating truth as we look at the life of Daniel? Nebuchadnezzar was a man riddled with anxiety and worrisome activities in his heart. So much so that he couldn’t even sleep anymore. We will see a tremendous contracts between Nebuchadnezzar who can’t get a good night’s sleep, when everything in his life is going well and contrast it to a man who is about to be sentenced to death and he has no fear and trepidation at all.

Nebuchadnezzar is concerned and rightfully so. This dream, this wake-up call that God sent him got his attention. Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to call in the magicians, conjurers, the sorcerers, the Chaldeans to tell the kind his dreams. They came in and stood before the king.

What does he do? He issues a command. What’s the command? Let’s form a committee. When troubled in life…man typically wants to form a committee. We can understand what’s going on…lets form a committee.

Some committees actually accomplish things…but most have a habit of endlessly speculating as to what the cause of the problem is while never offering any solutions. This committee is pretty much that typical committee.

We need to form a committee. I need to know what’s going on. I’m going to call all these people in…and we’re going to form a committee and we’re going to try and figure out what’s going on. There is safety in a multitude of counselors. But the safety that is found in a multitude of counselors is only found when men and women think from God’s divine perspective. They have a clear understanding of the word of God and they are not hesitant to share what the word of God has to say. In order that they people who are struggling with the problem can see what the source is and also see what God’s solution is. There is safety in a multitude of counselors…but the counselors better be people that understand the things of God and not just giving words from their own perspective or own philosophy or opinion. So as you see out council…seek out council from those who understand God’s perspective of life and can share with you what God has to say. Because in the word we find truth. And the word always sets us free from the problems that we are struggling with.

So Nebuchadnezzar forms a committee. A committee of court officials, similar to the state department meeting. There is nothing new under the sun…the names are strange or new to us…but their role, task or function is similar to what happens in our world today.

The magicians…people who wrote things down and interpreted hieroglyphics. Kind of like the legal department. They were called in to see if there was any precedent that had already been set for the dream he was struggling with. Had anyone else had a similar dream?

The conjurers or astrologers which means to whisper or breath or blow. Mumbo jumbo people…kind of like the state department. The CIA of this administration. Their job…to figure out what was going on in the counties that surrounded them. What uprisings, what political powers were about to arise so they could feed the info to the king to act upon.

Sorcerers…like the PR people. Entertain the dignitaries of other nations invited to the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. The “spin doctors”. Make sure that the information got out to the public in a certain way so that was no unrest in the kingdom. Tell people what they wanted to hear.

The Chaldeans…their job was to manipulate others through religion. Held the masses in fear. Practiced witchcraft and idolatry.

The soothsayers…their job…to communicate with the gods. Once the gods spoke they would take action on which way to go in the future.

Nebuchadnezzar’s command: 3The king said to them, “I had a dream and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.” 4Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.”

This is an important transition in the language that was user. Aramaic…used by the common man.

The Chaldeans respond “Oh king, live forever.” Have you got anyone like that…who wants you to talk to him that way? A boss? This is kissing up in it’s truest form.

5The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The command from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses will be made a rubbish heap.

If you don’t tell me…kind of like a boss that’s gone nuts! This guy is loosing it. God has this man so afraid about what’s going to happen here that he’s about ready to slip over the edge. He’s saying…if you don’t tell me the dream and it’s interpretation…I’m going to have you torn apart…limb from limb. Then I’m going to have your house torn down. Then I’m going to throw your pieces upon where your house use to be and then…we’re going to turn your house site into a porta potty.

The king is driven by emotion…6″But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.”

Gifts has to do with money, rewards has to do with material possessions (new chariots, new palaces, whatever you want), great honor having a better parking place for their chariot in front of the palace.

Now we have the confusion of the wise men. They don’t know what to do, how to act or what to say…because they guy is nuts.

7They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.”

This was how they had done business up to this point. He would share the dream…and they would tell him whatever they thought he wanted to hear. Nebuchadnezzar is the sharpest tack in the box. He recognizes where these guys are coming from. They blew smoke at a lot of people…he had seen them and knew how they did business.

But Nebuchadnezzar was so frightened by this dream that he had to make sure that there was no question in his mind that the interpretation was the correct one…because it had to do with the future of his world. What was going to happen and where was this all going to end?

Kind of like the gun slingers in the old west…always keeping an eye out for who might be coming after them. Nebuchadnezzar had take the world by force, now he laid awake at night and wondered how long his kingdom was going last until the next powerful leader came into town.

The wise men get together and talk it over and again go back to the king, ask him to tell them the dream so they can interpret the dream. 8The king replied, “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm,

If you don’t tell me the dream and it’s interpretation…you are dead men. The wise men get together and they are concerned now as to what their world is coming to. We start out with one frightened man…and now the whole cabinet is scared.

They go back and huddle together and say…what are we going to do? This guy has flipped his lid…what are we going to say? Nebuchadnezzar knows this…he knows what makes these guys tick. He says…9that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation.”

He knew them…the character or lack of it. He knew they got together and came up with a game plan. They game plan was lets just keep buying time until this emotional outburst that he’s had goes away…he’s nuts.

They come back to the king and say…10The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter for the king, inasmuch as no great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any magician, conjurer or Chaldean. 11″Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.”

They are going back and forth…and Nebuchadnezzar has about had it. Up until this point the wise men were amazed at their own brilliance. They understood chemistry, math, and the laws of science. For the most part they were very impressive…and thought that of themselves. But now they have a major problem on the hands…and they don’t know what to do about it.

Nebuchadnezzar says “That’s enough…I don’t want to hear it again. You are just trying to buy time. You tell me my dream and you tell me the interpretation…or I’m going to kill you.”

They didn’t know what to do. The Chaldeans have an out…there isn’t any human being on earth that can do what you are asking me to do. It is absolutely impossible. There is no precedent. You are asking us to do something that no one has ever been asked to do. Sounds like a legal department…and some churches too. “We’ve never done that before.”

Just because it can’t be done…doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. Just because you can’t do it…doesn’t mean someone else can’t do it.

“No great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this.” What were they saying, “Hey if you are a great king then you wouldn’t ask this. Hey…you’re a great king. No great king would ever ask anything like this.” Implied was…but a whacko nut would. But they didn’t say that…not a wise thing to say.

“Only the gods could answer this.” This is just setting up the stage for the capability of God. God is setting the stage for what he is about to do.

Nebuchadnezzar’s slow burn finally explodes. 12Because of this the king became indignant and very furious and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill them.

Don’t miss this. It’s kind of like being at a new job…and a month after starting a job…there is a raid. The marshal comes in and arrests everyone because of some type of illegal operation. And you get hauled off to the slammer with everyone else.

Or like a coach friend that Chuck had. Hired as an assistant coach out of 100’s of people that applied. Two weeks later…the head coach and all of his assistants get fired.

Here’s what we typically say in a situation like that. “God…what’s up with this? I don’t understand this.” We begin to question the timing of God. We question…God is your hand really in this? We say…we prayed about this, you lead us into this position.

This is a great example of the principal that sometimes the innocent suffer with the guilty. That’s why it’s so important that we take a good look at who we associate with. Because if they are doing things that are wrong…we are going to be guilty by association.

A great example of this is a book by Harold Morris called “Twice Pardoned”. Harold was sitting in the car when his friends when into a 7/11, robbed it and killed a person who was in the store. They got back into the car and drove away. He never knew anything about it until a year later when the FBI came knocking on his door. They took him to prison…and he was sentenced to life in prison.

It’s a wonderful story about the dangers of who we associate with on a regular basis. Fortunately God was able to do a great work in his life in prison. He now goes around talking to high school kids about the importance of making sure your friends are the kind of people you want to spend time with.

Now here is Daniel…guilty by association. What’s interesting…Daniel never questioned God’s timing. He didn’t say to God, “why is this happening to me?” In almost ever chapter of the book of Daniel…he faces a crisis. The dietary incident in chapter one…was just a dry run for what he’s going through right now. Daniel and his friends…their life is on the line now.

We will see that Daniel and his friends…have confidence in God. They have confidence in God…because they have a heart and mind that is filled with the word of God. They know God, they know is character, they have a relationship with God. They know this about God that so many of us forget…God is in control of all things. Sometimes we mistakenly believe “God where are you” or “God didn’t you see what’s going on” or “how can you allow this to happen”.

We begin to question God’s timing. But Daniel never did…because he knew God. He knew God and his heart was filled with the word of God. It’s fascinating that God raise up this man in a time of crisis. We can see the pressure that he went through equips him to be able to handle the crisis. God uses him to address the question…of “what is this world coming to”.

Five things that God impressed upon Chuck as he studied and put this together:

1) Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. When we get to the point in life where we realize there is nothing that I can do…this is so far out of my ability to handle it…so far out of my realm to control it. It is beyond all the human resources I could gather together. I can’t do this! That extreme condition is God’s opportunity to get through to you and me.

Nebuchadnezzar had everything the world had to offer…but he didn’t have peace of mind. And the troubling dream that God sent to him would be God’s way of revealing himself to this man. And revealing this man’s need to come into a right relationship with the God who created him. Man’s extremity is always God’s opportunity to reveal himself. The stage is set.

2) Hard to listen to…and not politically correct…but human wisdom is futile. Human wisdom is futile when it comes to a divine viewpoint. The cabinet members that he had brought together…they knew math, science, and the stars. They knew it all from an earthly perspective. But they knew nothing when it came to knowing who God is and what he can do. They knew nothing. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Even in the great intellect in our education…we still don’t understand the depth and the comprehension of God. Human wisdom is futile. We need a divine viewpoint if we are going to be able to withstand the pressure in a crisis situation.

3) God always has a man for the crisis. The question to ask yourself…if would you be that person that God can use in a time of crisis? The reason he used Daniel…is because Daniel was prepared. Daniel was prepared because he ingested the word of God on a daily basis. He had constant fellowship with God. He knew where to turn for the answers. He continually had the word of God before him…in his heart so he wouldn’t sin against God. God always has a person ready in a time of crisis. The question is…who is that person going to be? If you are prepared knowing the word of God…God can use you. Daniel is not unique in history. God always uses people that are prepared. Daniel just happened to be one of those people at that time…that was prepared by knowing the word of God.

4) Great men are often the most frightened and miserable people that you will ever meet.

Biography of Richard Nixon. Nixon was talking with Chuck Colson and looking out over the rose garden at the masses of people coming to tour the White House. Nixon said, “Chuck the people want a President like Charles de Gaulle. Someone who is aloof from all the masses of people. They want someone they can separate and look up to. They don’t want to know everything about him. They don’t want to know their fears and insecurities. They need to keep him at a distance so they can feel comfortable and confident that this person is in control.”

But the interesting thing is…as you are exposed to people who seem to be great on the outside…those are the people in life with the greatest insecurities. Because they know they are not as great as people want them to be. They are also the people that panic and tend to push buttons when they don’t know what to do.

5) A crisis…any crisis…provides God people with maximum opportunities to be used to witness to a world that lives in fear. Any crisis will give you an opportunity to be used by God to testify of the greatness of God and that God is in control.

What is this world coming to? God wants you to know. Not only what your world is coming to…but also the world is coming to. And he clearly identifies the truth that will set us free.

For over three months now…my life as I’ve known it has been turned upside down. During this time…I knew that through this situation that God was making a change in my life. I even had some insight into why or what benefits were as a result of these changes.

But through this all…God has been relatively silent. At times it’s felt like my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling. The one and only message I believe God had given me was a verse of scripture…2 Chronicles 20:17.

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

Through it all…the hardest times have been when I’ve asked for clear, specific guidance from God on actions I should or shouldn’t take. I’ve asked, prayed and cried…but there is silence…only silence. So I’d go back to the one scripture verse that God has impressed upon me and asked, “What does this mean? Stand…for how long? What do you mean by deliverance?”

I guess maybe that last question summarizes my confusion or short sightedness. Perhaps my limited vision of “deliverance” meant that while there was a delay in getting the job I wanted or applied for that I would eventually get it. Well…six weeks after my third interview for the job…I’ve still not heard anything…and the job posting is still out there.

Now there are times I’m a little slow on the uptake…okay maybe a lot slow. But even I, at this point, am willing to admit…I don’t think I’ll get the job. In some respects I feel like a faith or prayer failure…that if I just had enough faith then by golly I would have had that job. But now I think it’s more than that.

I think that God’s idea of deliverance and my idea of deliverance are a little different. I was certain that deliverance included a wait time…and then victory. But God, thus far, has revealed a different plan. God’s deliverance for me being a new job…not necessarily one of my own choosing. But it was God’s choice for me at this time. For what exact purpose and plan…I’m not sure I know. Undoubtedly it will include spiritual growth…and that can be painful.

In some of the word faith teaching…they make you feel like if you express any doubt, any doubt at all…then it’s your fault if you don’t get what you want. Or you get cancer…and it’s your fault because you didn’t believe God for health. What they seem to leave out is the equation is that our plans, hopes and dreams may be different that which God has planned for our lives.

Since the company I interviewed with flew me out 3,000 miles to interview me…I took that as a good sign. One person mentioned to me…that if I had been what they wanted when they met me…they would have offered me the job on the spot. Perhaps…but then again, maybe not. After all I had two prior interviews; they had all my job information and resume. The reservations they’ve expressed about giving me the job were already there on paper before they met me in person. Maybe they just didn’t like me…Lord knows I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. After all…I can be a little too straightforward and like to use humor too help make life a little easier to swallow.

In my struggle to try and understand what God was doing and when I would receive deliverance…I did reach out to pursue the option of returning to the line of work I love…loss prevention. I pursued it with the caveat that if it was a job that I shouldn’t take…then I wanted God to block it and shut that door tightly. But God didn’t do that.

Instead I was given a test of my obedience to God. What is the one message that God has given me? Stand and see the deliverance of the Lord. Stand, not pursue, not seek after other things…but stand and see God’s deliverance. Not my hand of deliverance…but God’s.

While understandable from a human standpoint…from an obedience standpoint my taking that job would be disobedience to God because the one clear message he gave me at this time…stand. So on Monday…I will make the call and let the folks know that have offered me the loss prevention job…thank you but no thanks.

God in his mercy has given me some insights and warning signals…while subtle…I would be wise to heed.

While this has been a very stressful time…it has also been a time of blessing. I’m getting to know folks that I’ve only know at a distance…and finding them to be good people…Stephanie, Nancy, Christiana and Nancy W…not to mention the folks from the new company that acquired us. I’m also getting a new appreciation for another side and area of the business.

Like any job…it has it good points and bad points…and you just learn to work through them. I hate backing down from a challenge. Whether it be challenging work…or challenging people…I hate giving up and failing. So…I’m starting to get my fight back. I’m not going to back down…and I’m not going to quit. While I may not be at the top my game while I’m learning a new job and taking on new responsibilities…by golly I’m going to hang in there and make a go of it…and succeed.

And when I encounter difficult situations or people it will be something that requires prayer and God’s help and wisdom.

One of the benefits of this whole change is that I now have more time on my hands. Since September 11, 2001…I have not done much reading…other than Bible study reading. For a long time…I just did not have the ability to concentrate at all. In the mean time…my life was exceptionally busy…with work and issues/concerns with my mom…and a very busy unbalanced schedule.

Well now I’m finding that I have the time to read. While my concentration with all this stress has been not what it should be…nonetheless I’m reading again. It feels like I have been given a gift back. A gift that I had loved greatly and missing profoundly. It took God clearing my schedule to give it back to me.

A number of things made it difficult it to understand what exactly God was doing. I kept trying to “read the signs”…a big mistake. A clear decision was not made or communicated to me…God did not clearly shut the door to the job I wanted. Instead I was told…we’ll be making a decision sometime in July. While it may be a tool in the hands of God that he is using for good…the right thing to do is to communicate and not let people remain in limbo.

Also difficult…has been loosing the day to day relationships with people whom I’m love and care about. In some instances…it appears that a bridge has been burned…not that it can’t be rebuilt…but I’ll need to wait and follow God’s leading.

The brightest, shinning area of the whole fiasco has been the loving prayer support by members of Kindred Community Church, my sister Denise and fellow Christian friends. Without their support…I couldn’t have made it through these difficult times. Dear Ruth who always takes the time to e-mail me a prayer or respond to a desperate cry for help when I’m on the down side of the rollercoaster.

Her focus is always on God and His love and His ability to handle my situation. Confidence that He has a good purpose and plan in this…and that I need to trust God and praise Him daily. My words of thanks…are inadequate. You have no idea how much God used you during those dark and silent days.

I know that Kindred’s Prayer Warriors…are faithful in their prayers because they faithfully follow up each week. Last week I feel as if I was blessed and given a treasure to hold close to my heart. Patti and Bob…check with me each week and see how things are going. Not only with the job…but with my mom Gayle too. Last week Bob shared a scripture with me…that indeed has been a comfort and promise I’m clinging to…from Psalm 57.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

Thank you dear Kindred Prayer Warriors for being mature in your faith. Faith that trusts God above all…knowing that He is willing and able to handle all our circumstances in His unending ever faithful love for us. Thanks for not making me feel like a faith failure as I rode a faith roller coaster…and when God has answered my prayer differently than what I had hoped.

So even though I don’t know exactly where God is leading…and how this will all turn out…the limbo state is over. It’s over because I’m choosing to believe God and His word to me to “Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord”. It means I won’t be torn between staying where I’m currently at and trying to get back or force my way into a job I love. Instead I will choose to be obedient to the one message that God has given me…stand.

Last year in Bible Study Fellowship we studied the book of Genesis. Through the study…I felt as if God was preparing me for a change. Especially as I examined the life of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. God used it to minister to me…and help prepare me. I thank God for that time of preparation…because I have been able to draw from the lives of those who went before me to encourage me in my faith.

Now that this limbo time is over…I can get on with my life. Plans and decision I’ve put off because I was waiting to hear about my job. One of those bright spots…is I’ve registered to attend the 2006 God Blog Con at Biola, August 3rd thru the 5th. Last year I was still new in this blogging thing. But now with a year under my belt…I’m excited to attend this year’s conference. I can hardly wait…and know that I will come away excited and inspired to see God using today’s technology for his purposes…and of course to meet Christian fellow bloggers.

I may get a kitten…an orange kitten. My boy kitties Moss and Nate are 15 years old now…and I’ve learned that I don’t ever want to have just one pet…as they get older I face that prospect. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a kitten again? I wonder how my boys would react. One of these days…I may find out.

Of course there is Bible Study Fellowship starting up again in the fall…this year the book of Romans. I’m about half way through Chuck Obremski’s study in Romans…as good today as it was back then. This will be my second trip through Romans with BSF…and I look forward to seeing what God will do and teach me this year.

I’d better keep focused so I can complete Beth Moore’s online Bible study “Believing God”…while on summer break. And I’ve got a lot of miscellaneous incidentals to work on before my fall schedule heats up…like balancing check books, cleaning, organizing giving away and throwing away.

My gratitude to those who have stood with me during this difficult time…I am humbled and grateful for your prayers. Thank you to Jesus…who promised to never leave me, nor forsake me. While not always felt during these turbulent times…I can be certain from Your word…that You indeed are there with me and will remain.

There are times when I just hate having those “spiritual highs”…you know what I mean…those mountaintop experiences. The ones where I firmly know and feel God’s presence in my circumstance. Where I’m confident of God’s love for me and His power to work in my situation.

Now you may be saying “Are you crazy Susan? How can you hate that? Isn’t that what we all hope for and work towards?”

Well I love the experiences in the moment….and even as I reflect back after the fact. But almost always…like clockwork…shortly after that mountaintop comes the downside of the mountain.

Today was a “downside of the mountain” kind of day. The last couple of days were ones in which my faith was encouraged and strengthened. Through God’s Word and through His people…and through the Holy Spirit within me.

One thing I can bank on…is a spiritual attack by the enemy Satan. Mind you, he is a defeated foe…but still wreaking havoc whenever and wherever he can. His favorite instruments are doubt, unbelief, hardness of heart that leads to disobedience, and of course…one of his all time favorites is people.

I could have called today “Weepy Friday” because after my encounter with a rude person…I found it hard to concentrate and keep my focus…and found tears creeping into my eyes as I thought about the experience.

Now I know that it’s not wise to deal with people and situations based on my own wisdom. If I did that I would be yelling back, or talking about what happened with everyone, or be unforgiving. Like my posting from yesterday said…human wisdom is futile. Instead I need to forgive a wrong done to me. I can do that, only with the help of God. Even as Jesus forgave those who crucified him…so too I need to forgive…and I do.

I also know that this person is in need of prayer. A reputation precedes them…and I find I am not the sole recipient of rudeness. I normally take rumors about people with a grain of salt…knowing that there are all sorts of facts that are not conveyed during the course of a rumor. But I do believe in actions. What I don’t know is what motivates those actions or the reason behind them.

I think you can tell a lot about a person in how they treat people who are under them…or in a more lowly state. Almost everyone can treat a person of authority with respect…whether it’s due them or not. Most folks are going to be courteous to the police officer, or their parent, teacher or boss.

Where the rubber meets the road is how people treat people under them. Have you ever watched a parent be demeaning and degrading to their child but when an adult passes by they are polite and nice as can be. Or at a business luncheon…people friendly and jovial with one another. But when the waitress comes along…they are critical, dismissive and rude. They treat them as if they aren’t even fit to shine their shoes.

What I don’t understand is why that behavior is tolerated. Why would you make allowances and just accept that kind behavior as acceptable? I’m not taking about someone having a bad day…or an occasional outburst of frustration. But I’m taking a regular pattern of rudeness.

When you don’t address an issue like that…all you are doing is ensuring that the behavior will continue. Others will be the recipient as well….and they may not be in a position of responding back. Do you think the waitress who is working to keep a roof over her head and feed her children is going to risk responding back to the rude patron?

In the long run…when you don’t address the issue, you are doing a disservice to the person who acts rudely. People don’t like them…and they will talk about them behind their back. They won’t be respected. Sometime people are clueless as to how they are perceived by others. If you give them the benefit of the doubt and gently, with respect and in love address the issue…that may change the situation. But obviously…it’s a situation that needs prayer.

Now back to the downside of the mountain…who benefits when I have wobbly faith. Who wins when I doubt God? When I doubt that God loves and cares for me? When I doubt His ability to work in my situation and bring good from it? When I feel hurt and pull away from God…and don’t read His Word? When instead of walking in peace and confidence, I’m fearful, scared and lacking trust? When I’m unforgiving and grumpy…or just down right ugly? Who exactly win?

Well I can tell you…it sure ain’t me.

It’s Satan. Satan that wins that skirmish. But thank you Lord…he has not, nor will he ever win the war. Because Satan is a defeated foe.

Now I can choose to believe the lies he tells. I can choose to believe the lies he tells me about God, about others and about me.

Or I can be mindful of God’s Word…and remember that Jesus Christ has crushed the serpent’s head. While the body may still be squirming and trashing about…that is short lived. Before long…he will be thrown into the fiery pits of hell for eternity. Yippee Skippy!

And here on earth…for a brief period I may have to endure the attacks of the enemy. But in comparison to my eternity in heaven…it will seem like nothing. When I face those attacks armed with the Sword of the Spirit…I can have victory through God’s power, strength and wisdom. Amen, amen and amen!

As my state of limbo continues…I’ve had my faith strengthened as I study God’s Word. I’ve started an online Bible Study from Beth Moore called “Believing God”.

When I closely examine myself…I see that yes indeed I believe in God. But where the rubber meets the road…I all too often stop short of believing God. Believing that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do.

Oh…I know I’m a sinner in need of a Savior. That Jesus sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for my sins. But I’m not walking and living out that faith with absolute assurance that God is able to handle and bring me victoriously through my personal crisis and that He does indeed care for me.

With each dose of the Word of God…my faith grows…and I decided to get off the pity party band wagon, believe God and get on with the project that God has me working on…an ongoing devotional in the book of Daniel.

As I’ve been listening to Chuck Obremski’s sermon and taking notes…my faith continues to be strengthened by God’s Word. I’ll be finishing the devotional this weekend, Lord willing. But I just had to share some wonderful nuggets from the sermon, “What Is This World Coming To – Part I”:

1) Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. When I get to the point in life where I realize there is nothing that I can do…this is so far out of my ability to handle it…so far out of my realm to control it. That it is beyond all the human resources I could gather together. I can’t do this! That extreme condition is God’s opportunity to get through to you and me.

2) Human wisdom is futile. Human wisdom is futile when it comes to a divine viewpoint. We need a divine viewpoint if we are going to be able to withstand the pressure in a crisis situation.

3) God always has a man for the crisis. The reason he used Daniel…is because Daniel was prepared. Daniel was prepared because he ingested the Word of God on a daily basis. He had constant fellowship with God. He knew where to turn for the answers. He continually had the Word of God before him…in his heart so he wouldn’t sin against God. God always has a person ready in a time of crisis. The question to ask yourself…is would you be that person that God can use in a time of crisis?

4) Great men are often the most frightened and miserable people that you will ever meet.

5) A crisis…any crisis…provides God people with maximum opportunities to be used to witness to a world that lives in fear. Any crisis will give you an opportunity to be used by God to testify of the greatness of God and that God is in control.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Today I started the online Bible study of Beth Moore’s “Believing God”.

With Bible Study Fellowship on break for the summer…and since I’m in the middle of much ongoing stress…more than ever I need to keep my focus on God and his Word and his power in my life.

In the first study of “Believing God”…Beth uses the analogy of duck choosing a puddle verses a lake that’s just over the hill.

As of late…I can say…I’ve been living the puddle duck experience of Christianity. Time for a change…I need to fly over to that lake instead.

If you are interested in participating in this online study…you can click on LifeWay Bookstore and sign up for this online study.

With all the stress going on in my life at the present time…I find my mind is unfocused and my thoughts are numerous. Here area few thoughts from the week that was…

Ah ha…I had an epiphany…I think I see something that God may be teaching me during this time of limbo. The importance or praying for those with whom I work. God is able to enter in and change the situation…and me. Especially if the situation, people or times are difficult…prayer is never more important. I can only attribute the changes or ease in a difficult situation to God’s hand at work. Now if only I can focus my thoughts…and pray more specifically.

I’m so grateful to have the prayer support of my sister Denise…and the dear prayer warriors at Kindred. When my faith is failing me…they pick up the next leg of the race.

Every time I drive down Placentia Avenue…I think of Barbara. There is the house in which she died. The memories assail me from all the years I knew her. A wonderful, loving, motherly influence during those difficult teenage years. I can’t help but think back on all we did Kathy, Julie, Barbara and me. You were not just my friend’s mom…but my friend. I miss you Barbara…and look forward to seeing you once again in heaven. Good, sweet people like you should not have to be struck with such a devastating illness and die at such a young age.

24…Jack Bauer…boy oh boy…he sure does run into adverse, trying and deadly circumstances during the course of the day. And oh the fallout to those around him.

The preciousness of people…sometime I actually get it. Instead of running off to the thing next on my schedule…it’s a good thing to take time and talk. Even when you’re just talking about stuff. Nothing earth shaking or that will change the world…but just stuff. Oh those precious moments…and you never know when you will not have that opportunity again. When that will be taken from you and you won’t see them again this side of eternity. I need to take those moments more often.

Do you know how rare it is to have people really hear you and listen to you during your day? And rarer yet to care about you. So many people are off and running and barely take the time to say hi. Or worse…they give you the courtesy time…but they are not there in the moment, or even listening. Am I listening and caring for others?

There is a difference between involvement or participation…and being an observer.

I love humor…especially self deprecating humor. It helps take the stress out of a situation…makes it easier to acknowledge when I am wrong. Helps me to keep my perspective and not take the simple things, the unimportant in the scheme of things, too seriously.

Reading the Bible daily helps make it easier to obey God’s word…and to keep it in the forefront of my mind.

Reading this book “90 Minutes in Heaven” churns my imagination. Who will be there to greet me when I arrive in heaven? I think I know some of the people who will be there. Dear Pastor Chuck, Hugo and Neil too. Will my dad be there…I don’t know? I know that up until just a few weeks before he died…he didn’t know God or receive Jesus as his Savior. But did he in those last days before he died? I suppose Grandma and me will get along in heaven…instead of rubbing each other the wrong way.

Who won’t be there? Who just doesn’t get it…or won’t listen? Who thinks that they will be entering into heaven based on their own good works? Or who believes that they are not perfect…but better than the guy next door…so of course they will enter in to heaven?

It’s good to know that my last breath on earth…will be my first breath in heaven. My last moments on earth may be filled with pain, sickness or sorrow…but in heaven…that will all change. In contrast those who die without Christ…their last moments on earth may be ones of great fun and happiness…but all that will end with their last breath on earth. Do I care…and what am I doing to help make sure they hear that message of God’s love and provision for their sin?

How can you love someone so dearly…and they won’t even give you a second look? Will there ever come a day in which they will realize what they’ve missed?

It’s going to be a hot and humid summer. Time to buy a new big fan.

This getting up earlier and having to be to work an hour earlier while not top on my list forces me to get to bed earlier. I’m walking while it’s still cool early in the morning. But in the fall and winter…it will be dark during my walk time. Perhaps I need to invest in a good, small flashlight.

More than ever I understand why I love loss prevention…and can hardly wait until I get back to where I belong.

Pete…thanks for the Patriot’s picture. It’s filled with so many memories. Memories of the weeks and months proceeding and following that game. September 11th, the RIF and parting of too many people that had built our business…and of course Terry leaving our company. The picture reminds me of my “Boston Boys”…and how your enthusiasm turned me in to a Patriot’s fan. One day…I really must attend a game. But it must…absolutely must be a “snow game” at Gillette Stadium.

Speaking of Boston…one day I would love to attend a concert for the Boston Pop’s Orchestra. How about a nice trip in the fall to New England to see the trees turn color? Ahhh….now that is a trip I would like.

When I’m going through difficult times…I look more longingly toward heaven…and leaving behind the cares and concerns of this world.

The current job I’m in…I feel like a puzzle piece being shoved into the wrong area of the puzzle. Wrong size, wrong area, wrong way…and it hurts. I can hardly wait until God moves me to the correct area of the puzzle.

I can hardly wait until September 11th…when Bible Study Fellowship starts up again. I do miss it so. In the fall we study Romans.

With all the changes at work…and friends loosing their job…and with me still being in limbo…I find it’s the little things I miss.

Every morning coming up the stairs and being greeted by Dan’s smiling face. His office walls and cabinets displayed Angel’s memorabilia. Whether he’s was on the phone and offered a friendly wave…or he had time to say hello in his own inimitable style…it was a great way to start each day. I miss your smiling face Dan.

And Jun…we always found time to share about what God was doing in our lives. Usually on my way to lunch…or when heading home for the day…we’d chat. You radiate the love of God Jun. You have a gentle and loving spirit…and I thank you for the encouragement that you always gave and the wisdom that you shared from God’s word. Not only do you talk the talk…but you walk it, in love. Lord bless Jun…I thank God for bringing you into my life.

Of course there are the girls from Risk…Teri, Karen and Donna. You girls made every day fun…and holidays more special. You would think after dealing negative calls all day long it would wear on you…but not so with you. I thank you for your warmth, openness and sharing with everyone. I will miss seeing you everyday. And Karen if ever I get on live on QVC’s Saturday morning show…you can be certain that I will be giving you a Saturday morning shout out.

And then there was James…one who frequently worked late as he handled recruiting for South Africa. After everyone had gone home for the day…and the cleaning crew was still tidying up…you would pass by my desk…usually in your quest for some sweets. What I most enjoyed about you is your quirky sense of humor…and of course the geeky tech side of you.

I always enjoyed meeting Ken at copier. Whether it was talking what was happening with the business…or in his district…I enjoyed our chats. You and me and a few others were the ones that appreciated being able to get a boatload of work done after everyone had gone home for the day.

Working late usually meant that the phone calls were few and far between. That’s why the work time was productive. But on occasion a call would come in from a customer or a store…usually over a customer having problems writing a check. The phone would ring…and usually I’d pick up the line knowing full well that it would likely mean a disruption to my current project.

On the calls involving checks…there was always one person I could reach out for…Steve. What’s even more amazing is that Steve was in Chicago…two hours ahead of me. But most of the time…he was there. Always a wealth of knowledge…and he had access to just about everything…and either had the answers or could find the answers I needed. It was always accurate information…because Steve always strove for excellence in whatever he did. If the issue couldn’t be resolved then…I didn’t have to follow up repeatedly…because he would make sure he got an answer…or resolved the issue at hand. There are certain folks you can always count on in life…and Steve is one of them.

While each of us was working on our own spreadsheet or data…we’d take time to chat. Sometimes about business…sometimes catching up about family stuff. And Steve…to this day…that picture of the carp that you sent…was one of he ugliest things I’ve ever seen. Yuck! Perhaps 2006 will be the winning year for your beloved St. Louis Cardinals.

Another highlight of my day were the phone calls from Robert in transit. Sometimes to report about some absurd bumper sticker from some loony lib driving in front of him or to comment on latest about Ken and John were ranting and raving about. You have a little braggadocio in you Robert…okay, well maybe a lot. It particularly comes out when you have brag on your keen editing skills, always catching both big and small boo boos.

You are nothing short of cocky when you want to bet. It amazes me that folks still fall prey to your bets. When will they ever learn…that if you want to bet…they will likely loose. One of my favorite blog articles….was based on you, “To Post or Not to Post”.

Some of my favorite times…were text messaging you or e-mailing you a message set to arrive just as your plane arrived wishing you a safe landing. I’m sure glad you landed safe each time…I don’t think I’d want to be answering the Fed’s questions as to why I sent that message in the event you crashed and burned.

Louis…your middle initial should be I…I for instigator. You always have a joke to play on someone. You have a wee bit of the devil in you sir! I’ve known you for so long…that it was weird when I met your son again the other day. He’s all grown up…it was almost surreal. I think I remember when I first met you…and thanks to you…my love for loss prevention grew…until I was finally able to get a job that I would love. It seems very weird to not be working together after all these years.

And there were the many, many LPS’s over the years. I had the pleasure of watching them grow and develop in their careers and personal lives. Sometimes I felt like I was sole person beholding a treasure…because I would see what made each person special or unique. It was exciting to see each person advance in the career…as they were promoted or went on to better jobs with other companies. It was especially neat when someone would be faced with a challenge or obstacle…and step up to the plate rather than strike out or knuckle under.

In some respects while in the middle of all this daily stuff…there were many times that I knew that the people and times were very special. I feel like Mary…and pondered it in my heart…and each of you and many more will always hold a special place in my heart.

I thank God for having blessed me with so many people whom I grew to love and appreciate. To quote Lou Gehrig…I feel like the luckiest man (woman) alive. Thanks for being a special part of my life.

Dear Francoise,

I’ve waited to post your comments, in part because I wanted to digest them before I respond to you. I feel it’s necessary to respond on the off chance that another likeminded atheist comes along and says, “Here, here Francoise…you have presented your case well.” I don’t want your doubt and unbelief to be the last word.

However…it seems like a rather odd time for me talking about faith and trying to refute an atheist. For during the last few months…I’ve been going through a heck of a lot. My faith has been very wobbly at times during this roller coaster ride. Yet…one thing I know for certain…is that there is a God, that he is good and that he is the God of the Bible. He revealed himself to sinful man through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ willing went to the cross to pay the price for my sins. He died that day on the cross…but Francoise…Sunday was coming. And that day…my Lord and Savior gave proof and evidence that he was who he said he was. God incarnate. That is why I’m confident that when I die…not only will my spirit continue to live…but I will be in heaven…because Jesus Christ paid the price for my admission so that I could be forgiven and restored to fellowship with God the Father.

So Francoise…what do you say we get this show on the road?

“I am even more amazed at how many Christians don’t bother to read their own Bible.”

Francoise…on this point I agree with you. To any Christian who attends a church in which you can walk in, not bring your Bible or not crack it open during your Sunday service…run. Find yourself a church and pastor that is firmly rooted and grounded in the word of God. It’s amazing…people don’t realize the treasure they are holding in their hands when they hold their Bible. The very word of God, revealed unto man.

You say that “Shirley Phelps Roper is not inconsistent with Biblical teachings. That she and her crowd base their view of God on the capricious, psychopathic entity of the Old Testament. That is one scary God!”

Just for the record…God is not capricious. God is not impulsive, inconsistent or unpredictable. In fact far from it…God is the one stable being and force in the universe. In Hebrews 13:8 it tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. In fact God is the only person or thing in the universe that is immutable. He does not change.

By psychopathic…I presume you are referring to the passages in which God instructs his people to slay all the inhabitants of the land they are about to enter. The Bible tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. We are incapable of fully understanding God’s ways. But in this instance…it doesn’t take a lot to see the reason behind God’s direction.

The Israelites were entering into a land in which the people had rejected God and were living in all manner of evil and wickedness. God’s chosen people were the Israelites and he wanted to keep them holy and pure. To not enter into the land with people who had outwardly rejected God and were living a very wicked life. God knew if his people entered the land as is…they would be lead astray and slowly start to drift away from God.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people to bring God’s revealed word to sinful man. He needed them to remain pure and set apart. It was also through the Jews that God would enter into to the world in his earthly incarnation.

Did God wipe out people? During the flood all but eight people were destroyed. God had created man without sin…but he had given him that freedom of choice and Adam and Eve chose to reject God and his commands. From there it went downhill. So God wiped out all but a handful of humanity. If things were that evil up to the time of the flood…can you imagine what sin checked would have looked like in our sinful world today?

Francoise…you say “that is one scary God.” And you are right. God is all powerful, all knowing and perfect. He is sinless…and he can not dwell with sin. It is a wise man that in his sin still fears God. However I fear that you say that in a mocking way…not in a way that sincerely and rightly fears a holy, righteous, just God to whom you will give an account.

You point out the scripture that “tells believers that they are to hate their families to prove how much they love him. How egocentric is that?”

Francoise God tells us in his word that we are to love one another. That people will know we are Christians by our love. Throughout the Bible…God command us to love him and love each other. With that command in mind…do you think that perhaps you are not fully grasping what Jesus is saying?

What he means dear friend, is that in comparison to how much you love God…your love for others, family and friends will seem like hatred. It also means that your priority above all must be God and obeying him.

Next you go into Jesus’ teaching about “turning the other cheek”. You question on how that applied to real life. “Do you allow some thug to beat you to a pulp? Do you teach your children to be punching bags?”

Dear one…no that’s not what teaching is about. What it’s getting at the heart of the matter is forgiveness. When you choose to forgive and overlook an offence you can restore or build a relationship. May there come a time that God asks you to literally turn the other cheek after being physically assaulted or beat up? Yes…and indeed Jesus did that on the way to the cross. Do you think that if Jesus did that he might on occasion ask us to do the same? Either a physical or emotional slap?

In fact…even as I write this…I find the Holy Spirit convicting me. You see….I took offense at a person’s comments and actions toward me. My first reaction was to verbally fight back. My second reaction was to walk away…and never talk to them again. Left to my own devises…I might do that. But with God’s word instructing me…and the Holy Spirit dwelling within me…I am reminded that’s not an option as a Christian. My call is to forgive. That may mean that tomorrow I will be hurt again by that same person. Yet I’m called upon to forgive. I’m not called upon to be responsible for what they do to me. That’s up to God to work in that person’s life and character.

Remember when Peter was bellyaching about forgiving. He thought he was being magnanimous in throwing out the idea of forgiving someone seven times. Jesus responded that no…instead we are to forgive 70 times 7. Not meaning on number 491 now you can be unforgiving. No…it means you continue to forgive.

Just for theory sake…let pretend that God is real and he is the God of the Bible. Would you say you have sinned according to what God has revealed and commanded in his Bible? Would you like to receive forgiveness for your sins if that’s the case? Would you want God to turn the other cheek and forgive you? I surly do…because I can’t go a day without sinning. Sinning against God and against man. I’m grateful that Jesus turned the other cheek and endured the punishment of the cross so I might be forgiven.

Next you raise some points that God is mistaken because Jesus referred to the mustard seed as the smallest of all seeds. Then you claim that God is woefully ignorant about the basics of astronomy. Francoise…just between you and me…you come off as awfully cocky and arrogant. You think you are superior to God in your wisdom and knowledge.

I don’t think it’s too much of stretch to see that Jesus was gearing his words to his audience. The mustard seed would have been commonly seen and perhaps the one of the smallest seeds they encountered. So when he compared the mustard seed and the amount growth that even the smallest seed could produce…it was something that they could relate to. On the issue of the “stars falling” perhaps that is God dumbing down it down to a human perspective. To human being living on the face of the earth…long before technological advances…it appeared that the stars we indeed falling.

Your protest and depiction of God over these issues is not that of ignorance…it’s that one who is nitpicking at everything because he does not want to acknowledge there is a God…much less the God of the Bible. If it’s true…that would mean that you would have to choose. Continue to live your live as you choose and reap the consequences…or choose to obey God and change.

Next you refer to the passage in which Jesus tells us that this generation would not pass away until his second coming. Francoise the exact meaning of this has had many Bible scholars interested in what exactly Jesus meant when he said this. It’s not as clear as you make it out or interpret it. Some have theorized that “this generation” may be referring to the generation that is alive when the sign of Jesus second coming are starting.

Lastly…you bring your argument back to Shirley Phelps-Roper. You raise the issue that Shirley was a victim of horrific abuse.

Child abuse and sexual abuse is something that no one should ever have to endure Francoise. However…that doesn’t excuse her hateful and ugly actions that and that that her clan are perpetrating upon the families of dead soldiers. Nor does it excuse the hateful, arrogant, and condemning words to sinners….when in fact Ms. Ropers is just another sinner.

I do believe that people should be warned about the consequences of living a sinful life. But I also know that I am a sinner too. That while my sin may be different…I’m just as sinful as another person. My sin is just as ugly to God…and not receiving the provision for my sin…will land me in hell along with the others whose sin I consider so much greater than my own.

Bottom line Francoise…just because Ms. Roper may have had a wretched childhood does not excuse her current actions. It may give insight into why she is such a sick and troubled soul. But it doesn’t excuse it. Many, many people have endured unimaginable pain and suffering at the hands of a parent…but they grow up to be fine, decent, kind, caring people. So the one does not automatically lead or excuse the other.

If you are genuinely interested in the truth Francoise…if you truly want to know if the Bible is true or false…can I suggest that instead of reading the Bible to pick it apart you read it with an open mind and heart. Tell God that you don’t think he’s real and if he is, to reveal it to you in his written word the Bible.

Some of the best Biblical education I’ve received has been through Bible Study Fellowship. Why don’t you find a class in your area…they have classes all around the world. Commit to yourself that for nine months you will fully investigate the claims of Christ and of God as he has revealed in the Bible. This year…we’ll be studying the book of Romans…starting that first week after Labor Day in September.

Then…after studying the Bible for that time…and giving God a chance to reveal himself to you…if you want to remain in doubt and unbelief…you have your whole life ahead of you to do as you choose.

If what the Bible says is true….don’t you want to know that? Francoise…if you would like me to send you some CD’s in the book of Roman’s by my dear former Pastor, Chuck Obremski…it would be my privilege.

So what do you say Francoise? Are you more committed to the truth…or are you more committed to doubt and unbelief because you don’t want to be accountable to God or anyone else for that matter?

I hope and pray that you will make the right choice Francoise…as does God. But he is a gentleman and will give you that freedom to choose and believe him…or reject him.

Fellow Christians…I invite you to please read Francoise response to one of my articles on Shirley Phelps Roper. If you would like to respond to and can do so in a more effective manner…I would love to publish your comments. So please click on the comments or e-mail links below. Lord bless…Susan

Francoise said…I am an atheist (which means that I believe in one fewer god than you Christians do) and am constantly amazed at what religion does to people’s heads. I am even more amazed at how many Christians don’t bother to read their own Bible. As one who has read it, I can assure you that Shirley Phelps Roper is NOT inconsistent with Biblical teachings, particularly as she and her crowd base their view of “God” on the capricious, psychopathic entity of the Old Testament. Hoo-boy! That is one SCARY god!!!!

But to get back to Shirley. Before you’re tempted once more to judge and condemn her, I strongly suggest that you Google “Addicted to Hate”. Read her heart-rending story, and weep. Go down on your knees and thank your god that your life has (in all probability) been better than hers. Ask your god to forgive your hard hearts and judgmental thoughts. Ask yourselves how sane and pleasant YOU would have been had you grown up in the Phelps Psycho Compound. Shirley and her siblings grew up in a war zone, their days and nights filled with acute, relentless physical and emotional terror and pain. She was starved, beaten, threatened, compelled into forced marches and made to watch as her brothers and sisters were tortured and abused. She is a most unfortunate human being, and her actions in public are the expected consequences of the horrors she endured. Send out kind thoughts. Send her a bouquet of flowers, anonymously, via Interflora. If you meet her, spare her a kind word. If you can’t manage that, refrain from fighting with her. Shirley’s dad and the god of the Old Testament are pretty much the same in personality -vindictive, brutal and unjust. No wonder the poor woman is a screaming wreck! Lay off her, for pity’s sake, and concentrate on developing some sympathy for her appalling plight.

I think sometimes it may be easier…or at least safer…to feel anger rather than sadness.

Today…was a real down day…well actually the past couple of days were. I feel like so much of whom and what I love has been taken from me. In recent weeks…in particular…but more accurately over the past few years.

Today I found myself expressing anger and frustration over what feels like my inability to change a situation…or make a difference one way or the other. This morning it came out as anger…with tears close behind. But what was really going on in the background is that I’m profoundly sad over all that I feel like I’m loosing.

I know that time and perspective will change those feelings. I know in time…I will see God’s hand and purpose behind all that I’m going through. But right now…that perspective evades me.

Right now I feel sad. When it comes out as anger…I’m not a real pleasant person to be around. With anger…I at least feel like I deserve some of the stinky stuff that’s happening. After all…I’m being a stinkpot and don’t deserve anything good.

But after expressing my frustration…I was left with sadness. Right now that is the place I’m at. That’s okay for now. A year for now, no. But next week…that may be okay. Where’s the healthy balance. Not sure. But right now…I’ve lost a lot…and it’s okay to feel sad.

Perhaps when I feel like life is peachy keen…and I’m doing okay and in control…that is the real illusion. When in fact, if the truth be told…I have precious little control over anything in my life except how I react to it.

One of my favorite songs is Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Hold on to Jesus for Life”. I love that song…and from when I first heard it, the song resonated with me. Right now I feel like I’m clinging on to hope…my faith and trust in Jesus.

I’m still sad. But I’d be willing to bet that there were a few days there where even Jesus felt sad. Remember…he wept at Lazarus tomb. Jesus even knew that he would be raising him from the dead.

So what would Jesus do? I think he give me some Kleenex to blow my nose after I cried and wipe away my tears. And I think he’d give me a big hug…and I could sure use that right about now.

Between you and me…sometimes I feel like a faith failure when I feel this way. But I think that’s okay…because while man may not understand…God does.