Category: Faith

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First We Have Coffee

This book is a favorite of mine. Some of the stories touch a personal chord since I was raised in the home of first-generation Norwegian Americans.

First We Have Coffee, a book by Margaret Jensen, describes her life in Canada in a Norwegian pastor’s home. I read this book many years ago and it intrigued me because she was Norwegian, and she was a pastor’s daughter. Being Norwegian, I found many of the things they did in their home very humorous and oh so familiar.

But the thing I liked most was that her parents built relationships with people before they felt they had a right to minister to them. The full title of this book is First We Have Coffee Then We Talk. What an example of Jesus this is. He found himself constantly developing relationships – helping fisherman who hadn’t caught any fish; rescuing a prostitute; having dinner with a tax collector; supplying wine at a wedding…on and on it goes.

Without relationship we really don’t have a right to bring a message. Folks need to know our heart, to know that they aren’t being “preached” at or being judged. Jesus didn’t judge – He loved unconditionally. Yes, He definitely had a message of salvation for all He met but He didn’t judge. He encouraged, corrected, cured and showed compassion but He didn’t judge.

When He was asked a trick question by an attorney – which is the greatest law, He wasn’t flustered or ashamed. His answer was clear.

“He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’ 37 Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40 ERV

When we love God the Father with our whole heart it changes us and we develop a sense of self-worth we can’t get any other way. God’s love elevates the way we think about ourselves because we begin to see ourselves the way He does – we have value, we were worth dying for.

And when we begin to accept the love God has for us, we can then see He has that same love for others that He has for us, and we begin to see they have value too. We can love them the way the Father has loved us, the way we love ourselves.

A few weeks back I had a wonderful conversation with a friend. She told me she had been tainted by preachers, you know, religious people. In her honesty, she said she had been skeptical of me. We both cried as she told me that she had judged me wrongly.

I had never felt anything but friendship and kindness from her, yet she had been holding back because of skepticism. She told me she realized I was genuine. That meant more than words can express.

This morning, I had my first cup of coffee with the Father and now I get to share one with you. Thank you for allowing me into your computer. Thank you for sharing your mornings with me. I appreciate the relationships that are being built.

Let’s have coffee again tomorrow and we’ll talk some more.

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A Good Place

I don’t know who you are and I really don’t expect that you will admit this openly but someone said, just last night, “I have come to the end of my rope and I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

Been there – said that! And so have many others. Let me show you just a few.

There was the professional fisherman who couldn’t manage the storm at sea.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Mark 4:37-38 KJV

Then there was a woman who spent every thing she had on doctor’s and only got worse.

“And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” Mark 5:26-27 KJV

What about the military leader whose servant was very ill?

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Matthew 8:5-6 KJV

Or the leper whose body was being eaten away?

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Matthew 8:2

And there was the man who was paralyzed, laying on a cot. He was literally at the end of the rope.

“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.” Mark 2:3-4

We can’t forget the rich tax collector who had everything but friends and peace.

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” Luke 19:3-4 KJV

I want you to notice that in every situation Jesus met the need of those who came to him. He didn’t lecture them and say “what took you so long”. Nor did he get offended that they had tried everything else and he was their last resort. Jesus met them where they were and took control over the situation.

He’s still that way today. Jesus isn’t a dictatorial tyrannt that comes in demanding allegiance and forcibly takes control; no, he waits for us to come and ask and then He moves with compassion to change the circumstances.

Don’t get discouraged. Wait on the Lord, watch Him change the circumstances. He is good.

“Are not two small birds sold for a very small piece of money? And yet not one of the birds falls to the earth without your Father knowing it. 30 God knows how many hairs you have on your head. 31 So do not be afraid. You are more important than many small birds.” Matthew 10:29-31 NLV

“17 The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord takes care of all who love Him.” Psalm 145:17-20 NLV

I’m not sure who you are or what you’re going through but I do know if you’ll call out to the Lord he’ll be there and he’ll take you through to victory. He’ll take you to a good place!

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Good Courage

None of us know what this year of 2025 has in store. There will be challenges, I’m sure of that. There will also be great blessings, I am also sure of that.

“ Praise the Lord because he is good! His faithful love will last forever!” Psalm 118:1 ERV

“Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.” Psalm 118:1 CEV

Same verse, different translations but the meaning is clear. We are to be thankful because God is always good; His love lasts forever.

So many times throughout the Bible God gives this instruction. Fear not – and it’s often followed by these words, “Be of good courage”.

Good courage. This is courage in God’s ability and not in our own. When we are trusting in His goodness we can face any situation with courage. This is the instruction Joshua received from Moses shortly before Moses died. Joshua had been selected as his successor in leading the Israelites into the promised land.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.” Deuteronomy 31:6-7 NKJV

Be strong – in faith. Knowing God’s word gives us that strength. We can trust Him, knowing He will keep His word. God doesn’t lie.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV (written by Moses)

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV (written by King David)

Both of these men faced some of life’s biggest obstacles and greatest challenges. God promised them His goodness and His strength. The promise made in Deuteronomy is used in Hebrews also.

“ Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.” Hebrews 13:5 NLV

We have a tendency to look at the financial economy of our lives instead of the spiritual. The writer of Hebrews wanted us to see that instead of putting our confidence in money we should be placing it in the One who has promised to never leave us or abandon us.

“ Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 7:31-33 CEV

Now that’s good courage!

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Filled with Wonder

This past summer it seems that the whole world was sharing a marvelous experience. For nights the sky was filled with the beauty of the aurora borealis.

The pictures of the northern lights saturated social media, local and national news reports and other media outlets. The lights in the summer night sky were gorgeous, awe-inspiring.

Now imagine if when you saw those lights they were accompanied by an angelic choir. Can you place yourself with the shepherds outside of Bethlehem? Sheep resting peacefully on the grassy plain, a warm fire burning and the quiet. Aahhh, the quiet.

“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9  All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”

13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:

14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

15 After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15 CEV

A Savior was born for you!

This story…this miraculous birth is one I have heard and told for many years. Does its familiarity and tradition dull our senses? Do we lose the wonder of that connection between God and man? Have our souls been calloused to the fact that Jesus, Immanuel (God with us) changed the course for all the world?

I hope not.

May our hearts always be stirred, may hope always rise, may faith always increase and may we always be filled with wonder!

Merry Christmas to all.

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Nothing Is Impossible

I want to tell you this morning that this may not be what you would consider a “Christmas” teaching, but it is exactly the message that Christ came to deliver. I know it will be an encouragement to many who need an answer from the Lord today.

Can you imagine what it was like to be Jesus? People live under the impression that since He was God in flesh that everything went well for Him. He was perfect, right? Yes, that’s true; He experienced everything that we do and He did it all without sin.

“Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the LORD. He wasn’t some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. 3 He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, ‘He is a nobody!’” Isaiah 53:2-3 CEV

Isaiah prophesied that He was common looking, unattractive and nothing special as far as physical traits. He wasn’t Charles Atlas; he wouldn’t have been the captain of the football team or even voted most likely to succeed. His own family and disciples didn’t understand Him.

One time He was holding a meeting and his mother and brothers were outside and sent a message to him.

“ Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to talk with you.” 48 answered, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Matthew 12:47-48 CEV

If they had truly believed Jesus was God’s Son, the Messiah, would they have interrupted his teaching? Or how about the disciples when they became upset with Jesus because the ship they were in was taking on water and about to sink?

“Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?” 39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.” Mark 4:38-39 CEV

If their faith had really been in Jesus as the Son of God, they should have approached it this way. “Hey, let’s wake Jesus up because He’ll have the answer to our problem. This storm isn’t a surprise to Him. He’ll know what to do.”

I find it encouraging that those who were closest to Jesus had to grow in faith to accept Him for who He said He was, who they knew Him to be. Just like us – when we cry out “Lord, don’t you care I’m about to go under; cancer is about to sink me, the waves of debt are flooding my boat, the storm of rebellious children or a typhoon with my mate is about to capsize me in this ocean? Don’t you care?”

Even when we come to Him in that kind of desperation and fear, He will speak to our storm and say “Peace, be still!” Then He takes time to teach us again – Come boldly to my throne and find help in your time of need.

But then He expects us to accept, by faith, that help is on the way!

In the old Westerns you could always hear the Cavalry bugle before you saw the soldiers. The invitation to come boldly or “to call on me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things” (Jeremiah 33:3) is the sound of the bugle. It’s then our responsibility to “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day” (Exodus 14:13)

Let God be God in your life today. Don’t limit Him by what you see. As the angel told Mary, “with God nothing is impossible”!

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Undone by Love

I’m sure you all have a favorite Christmas movie and/or book, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Did I list your favorite movie?

I have several Christmas books that have wonderful stories but one in particular stands out from the rest, “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde.

I first read this story 51 years ago. I remember the exact place. It was December 1973. We were living in a small trailer on West Van Buren Rd in Phoenix. It was our first Christmas as a married couple. The Arizona Highways Magazine published it in their December issue. Since that year, I have reread it many times and recounted the story to groups large and small.

The story in a nutshell – is a selfish giant walls his beautiful garden so that children can’t come in and play. As a result, the garden remains in a state of winter all year round and the giant becomes grumpier. Then one day in the corner of his garden he notices that the birds are singing, and the trees are green…the children found a break in the wall and came in to play. The giant is so glad to see them that he runs out to welcome them.

All the children see the giant running in their direction and scurry out of the garden. All except one little boy who doesn’t see the giant coming because his eyes are filled with tears. You see he is too small to climb up in the tree and it makes him so sad. The giant lifts the little boy into the tree and the little boy rewards him with a hug and kiss.

On that day, the giant broke down the wall and the children were welcome to play there again. The children came to play with the giant in the garden but the little boy whom the giant had loved was never seen again and no one really knew who he was or where he lived. Years passed, the seasons came and went, and the giant became old and feeble and each day he looked for the little boy.

One winter’s morning, in the far corner of the garden the giant saw a tree covered in blossoms and underneath it stood the little boy, the giant could barely believe it eyes. He ran to the boy and as he got close to him the giant’s face filled with anger. He could see that in the boy’s hands and feet were the prints of nails. “Who wounded you, I will slay them he shouted.” But the child told him “No, these are wounds of love”. Then the child told him “You let me play in your garden once and today you shall come with me to my garden, Paradise.”

The giant gave love freely to one small child and it changed his life forever. Christ gave His love freely and He changes our lives when we accept it.

Today, we can share God’s love with someone, and it will not only change their life but ours as well. God’s love is the undoing of a selfish heart.

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A Sincere Question

Today we look at another person in the Christmas story who had a question to ask, Mary.

Setting the scene, Mary is a young girl, probably early teens, who was about her normal daily routine. When…

“ Six months after Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a town in the country of Galilee. 27 He went to a woman who had never had a man. Her name was Mary. She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Joseph was of the family of David. 28 The angel came to her and said, “You are honored very much. You are a favored woman. The Lord is with you. *You are chosen from among many women.”

29 When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said. 30 The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. 31 See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. 33 He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.”

34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:26-35 NLV

There’s the question. “How will this happen?”

Very similar to the question Zacharias asked but with a world of difference. It was a matter of the heart. His question was one of unbelief, but her question was one of sincerity. She wanted to please God. She had kept His promises, she had kept herself pure.

When the angel answered her question her response was as pure as her question.

“ For God can do all things.” 38Then Mary said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel went away from her.” Luke 1:38 NLV

Her mind must have been racing once the angel left. More questions. How do I tell my parents, my fiancé, my friends? Will they believe me? Our customs say that the town religious leaders could have me stoned. I could be banned from my parents’ home. Joseph could be ridiculed by the town!

But her resolve remained strong – I am willing to be used by God.

Have you ever had a situation where you knew God was calling you to do something that the people who were close to you probably wouldn’t understand? You could lose friends, family and your reputation.

When questions arise remember this, “God can do all things”. He won’t abandon or fail you. When you follow His lead, you will never be deserted.

Ask your sincere questions and then say I am willing. It will be the most amazing adventure of your life.

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The Questions

If you’ve ever started out on a major adventure you know there are questions, lots of questions.

The circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ were no different. The next couple of days we are going to look at a few of those.

Our first question comes from Zacharias, the father of the baby who would grow to be John the Baptist.

It was a normal day at work in the Temple. He was going about his priestly duties of burning incense with the daily offerings when an angel appeared to him.

“ Zacharias was doing his work as a religious leader for God. 9 The religious leaders were given certain kinds of work to do. Zacharias was chosen to go to the house of God to burn special perfume. ” Luke 1:8-9 NLV

Just another regular day at the office until the angel appeared.

“Zacharias, do not be afraid. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son. You are to name him John. 14 You will be glad and have much joy.” vs 13-14 NLV

Since both he and Elizabeth were very old, (his words not mine), and had never conceived, Zacharias questioned the angel.

“ Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I know this for sure? I am old and my wife is old also.” 19 The angel said to him, “My name is Gabriel. I stand near God. He sent me to talk to you and bring to you this good news. 20 See! You will not be able to talk until the day this happens. It is because you did not believe my words. What I said will happen at the right time.” vs 18-20 NLV

It wasn’t the question that bothered the angel, it was the unbelief that the question was wrapped in. Here was a priest, a man of God, who knew the prophesy that Isaiah spoke over 400 years before about a man who would precede the Messiah, preparing the way for the Messiah’s ministry and he doubted God’s messenger.

Please note that the doubting, the unbelief, didn’t stop the message or the miracle that the angel came to deliver. God sent Gabriel to deliver good news and he did.

Zacharias had to watch the miracle unfold in silence. Do you think that was too harsh a consequence for him to endure? King Solomon said this about the words we speak.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NLV

God’s word is powerful. It changes circumstances, brings miracles, creates worlds, and gives new life. Zacharias got to be part of the adventure that was unfolding, he just needed to experience it in silence.

God doesn’t mind our questions, in fact, He tells us to come to Him and ask. But when we ask, we should always ask in faith.

Tomorrow we will look at a similar question to the one Zacharias asked but it was asked in faith.

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428 – The Unexpected

Yesterday was an adventure – truly in every sense of the word it was an adventure.

We had been planning a “Christmas Tree Cutting” outing with our oldest daughter and son-in-love for several months. This was something we did quite often when the kids were younger but the last time the four of us had been together cutting a tree was in 1994. 30 years ago, way too long.

As my daughter said, this was Christmas tree cutting without the down coats, snow boots, gloves and caps. We could have gone in t-shirts, and it would have been just fine. Started like all road trips should, with donuts.

A ninety-minute drive and hearts were merry and light. We headed to a location that none of us had ever been to before. We had a map, although it was not very useful, that was to lead us to the cutting areas. Finally, we found a road that was clearly marked on the map and set out to find the best Christmas tree ever.

Wrong!

We were on a dusty, rocky, bumpy, (did I say rocky), forest service road. We stopped once to get off the trail and look for a tree in the more wooded areas but there were none to be found. Back in the truck and on the road AGAIN. Our moods were far from jovial. We had no cell service so we could not determine how much longer we would be on this “wonderful adventure”.

Making it back to the highway, finally, we stopped for lunch. Our conversation was guarded. We were all thinking we should just go home. This was a bad idea. But our spirits lifted, and we decided to ask the waiter at the pie shop if he knew where we could cut a Christmas tree. He said he would find out. He came back and said, “you go up the road here and take forest service road 428”. We didn’t even let him finish, we all laughed. That’s where we just were!

That laughter was like taking a spoonful of much needed medicine.

“ Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:22 ERV

What could have been a ruined trip now returned to the fun adventure we had hoped for.

Back in the truck and down the road we went. Let’s take one more side road before we head down the hill for home. We turned off at a road that went past several campgrounds and would loop around to the highway. Eyes peeled for any side road that might have trees…and there it was.

We found several trees that would do but the two we cut were the best. Not perfect, but good. As we got them back to the truck I looked down and saw a rusty old horseshoe on the ground. Our daughter took it home with her. It was the perfect ending to a rocky start.

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. ” II Corinthians 4:8 ERV

I know this may seem like a silly and insignificant story but to the four of us it will be something we will always remember – our time on Road 428.

Whatever you face, simple or complex, don’t give up!

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Just As You Are

Yesterday Dave and I worked hard the entire day. We had planned to get together with friends in the evening but ended up staying home, feet propped up and watching a movie on tv.

It was a movie that made me cry. No, not a Hallmark movie. The movie title is “A Carpenter’s Prayer”. Very good, I recommend it.

The premise – a drunk, who has carpentry skills, helps a church who is building a new complex. They love him just the way he is. They help him with work, food, friendship and finding Jesus. I won’t tell you how it ends but at one place in the movie the man realizes that Jesus will accept him just the way he is.

I went to bed remembering my own experience and realization that Jesus loves me just the way I am and that I needed a Savior. I’m so thankful that we don’t need to be “good enough” to be saved.

“God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.

8 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.” Ephesians 2:7-9 ERV

We come to relationship with Christ just as we are.

We don’t wash our cars before we take them to the car wash. That would be silly. It isn’t our good deeds that get Christ to love us. His love is unconditional; His grace is unmerited; His sacrifice paid the price for everyone.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 ERV

I grew up hearing “I’m just an old sinner saved by grace” nearly every Sunday evening. But that’s not true. We WERE old sinners but once we are saved we are a new creation. We are now called saints; we have become a child of God.

“ All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” Romans 3:23-24 CEV

God doesn’t want us looking back to who we once were, that part of our life is dead. He wants us looking forward to who He created us to be.

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