Worthy Words

As things stand right now, related to your current condition, do you find yourself asking, “Where is God in all of this?” Well, you’re not alone. David had some of those same suppositions. “But he thought to himself, ‘One of these days, Saul is going to kill me.’” (1 Samuel 27:1 CEV) The giant slayer who was no stranger to danger, who killed lions and bears while protecting his father’s sheep fell victim to his feelings. He based his fear not on his faith but rather his emotions. From the time that Samuel anointed him for kingship there was not one event in which God’s mighty hand failed to deliver him. The thoughts of his heart during this time were bogus thoughts.   All that God had brought him through, God proved Himself over and over that He was his protector. The Lord had never forsaken him and he had no evidence to the contrary, yet he felt the need to flee. We are just like David in the way that we doubt— thinking “Where’s God in my turbulence?” Why do we think we...

Has there ever been a time in your life when God didn't show up at the right moment? Was there a time when you needed him, when you waited for him ... and ... nothing? It has happened to me and it has happened to people I know. I know people who prayed and prayed for God to save their marriage. They prayed, they waited, and the marriage failed. I know people who prayed and prayed for God to heal their loved one. They prayed, they waited, but the healing never came. I know people who prayed and prayed for a job, or a promotion, or a financial need, or an emotional need ... they prayed, they waited, but the right answer didn't arrive at what seemed to be the right time. How should you respond when that happens? Some people decide then and there to give up on Christianity. They say, in effect, "If God won't give me exactly what I want, how I want it, and when I want it, then I just won't believe in him." Most Christ-followers don't do that. Most Christ-follo...

“There’s not enough time to get it all done.” Do you ever feel this way? Time management books, people who lead seminars, even your co-workers and friends probably communicate a different message, namely, that there IS enough time to get it all done and the reason you can’t seem to make it work for you is that you are doing the wrong things.  I have spent most of my existence on a quest for how to make all of life work in a neat little package.  I want to be the best at everything that I do. If I’m not hitting on all cylinders, I feel defeated. I’ve been on this journey for how to make life work because I’ve firmly believed that I had to get it all done. I have come to realize this week that it is just not possible — and that’s okay. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, there is a story in the opening chapter that addresses these concerns.  The story speaks of four young men who have had their entire lives turned upside down.  They have been taken from their ...

Make no mistake about it, there are no mountains in Fort Worth. There are, however, some hills that usually go unnoticed. I was reminded of the beautiful vistas that surround the city the other night at my youngest daughter’s bridal shower. Out in the western suburbs, off of Team Ranch Road, we stood there that evening in the back yard of the host home overlooking in the distance Cowtown to the northeast. It was beautiful from this vantage point. We could have just as well been on a mountain because the visual results were the same. Stretching from here to there was seemingly endless carpet of green treetops filling the expanse. How remarkable it is that we lose site of the bigger picture when we spend so much time in the valleys. “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:3). Isaiah knew how extremely advantageous it was to climb above the evil of the world to catch a glimpse of something decent and good. Our souls need lifting up out of the cares and corruption t...