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- Written by: Don Goulding
… though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move about and exist … (Acts 17:27-28)
I take my wife by the hand. “Will you dance with me?”
She tips her head to indicate, of course. With her hand on my shoulder, we draw close.
“I’ll meet you again in the left corner, next to the band,” she whispers, drops my hand, and meanders off.
I scratch my head as she chats with this couple, then that one, and finally makes her way to the designated meeting place. She shoots a look that says, I’m waiting.
I walk over and embrace her once again.
“North side, center square.” She walks away.
Anyone watching would say we are the worst dancers on the floor. There’s no joy in meeting at prearranged locations and then moving around as singles—no shared timing, no tender exchanges, nothing to daydream about later.
I often treat Jesus like that. Perhaps I meet with him in the morning and then I ignore him all day except for one or two prayer glances.
My actions say, I’ll see you in church or at the place of my next crisis, if it comes before Sunday. Then I waltz by myself.
I’m not meant to move through life without Jesus as my partner. My Father made elaborate plans for so much more. My waking, employment, and entertainment times can all be spent with the One who is closer than a friend.
I’m not abandoned in this frightening mystery called life. Instead, Jesus holds his arms open. He is swaying to heaven’s music and ready to teach me the art of real dancing.
Prayer: Holy Spirit of Jesus, may I follow your every move this day.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew … (Acts 4:4) (NIV)
As nearly 3,000 humans met their death in the Twin Towers on September 11th, 2001, there were jubilations from sewer breathed demons in the realm next-door. Then the heroes strode in—firefighters, rescue workers, and volunteers who sacrificed their assurance of living another day by sifting through unstable rubble. Public applause surrounded these selfless champions, but the media overlooked one bright and shining group.
In churches all around the world, pastors responded to the 9/11 attack with messages of hope. From Jim Cymbala in New York to Peter Blackburn in Queensland, preachers readied souls for more attacks by helping them believe in Jesus. This side of paradise, it’s impossible to know how many were snatched from the enemy, but the estimates are amazing. Most evangelical churches reported at least one conversion as a direct result of 9/11. The total number who found eternal salvation quickly surpassed 30,000, or ten times the number of lives taken by the terrorists.
From an eternal perspective—and that’s the important one—9/11 was a decisive victory for the kingdom of God.
I can hear the demons in their debriefing—
“Which one of you tail chasing dogs planned this debacle? This was supposed to result in thousands of unprepared humans swept down here.”
“Um, sir, we did bring new souls into hell.”
“Yes, you maggot filled idiot, but at what cost? You let their side claim ten times our take. Heads are going to roll for this infernal stupidity!”
Prayer: Omniscient Father, we celebrate your eternal victories.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God. (John 3:20-21)
Six-year-old Alexis ran giggling into her pastor’s arms, only to pinch her nose and say, “Pee yew, stinky breath.”
I was the pastor.
A three-year-old boy named Mateo was one of my best friends in Fiji, even though he often sat on my lap just so he could play with the waddle under my chin.
Children are painfully honest. They haven’t yet adopted our jaded and guarded worldview.
For us adults, the joy of living inside the bright circle of truth is only for the few who tenaciously pursue honesty. I must fully admit my past, present, and future mistakes. Sin left in the dark breeds a fungal power over my heart.
I must confess to myself first, and that with the brutal honesty of Alexis and Mateo. Second, I confess to God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9), because I need forgiveness more than I need my next breath. Finally, I go to a church shepherd, counselor, or partner who prays for my release from the secret’s bondage (James 5:16).
I’ve learned the hard way that blabbing my specific sins to everyone only gives the devil fodder for greater evil. But the fungus of shame will continue to plague me until the secret passes out of my mouth. So I must find a praying confidant and disclose every shred of guilt, nothing held back.
Honest living requires monumental work, but the reward is a return to the pure freedom of a child’s heart. And who wouldn’t want to live with the joy of Alexis and Mateo?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me live honestly in your light.