Fragile Economy Takes Toll?

I thought I knew how Rob would answer.

Rob and his wife Tabitha have a small shop which sells kitchen and bath cabinets. Right now they have at least three strikes against them.

The local economy just endured an 87 day strike by the city’s largest employer, building of new homes is near zero, and a new home supplies mega-store opened nearby. Too near.

And this is what I’ve read in the newspaper: “The collapse of the housing bubble is slowly sinking more and more sectors of the economy...Total (job) losses for the year to 438,000 ...The economy has entered a slow-motion recession."

Still I asked: “So Rob how’s business?”

“Business is great. We’re ahead of last year.” Rob said, “And I had a really good year last year.” Adding: “I attribute it all to God...He’s the one who got us into this business.”

The Bible says: “Be steadfast, immovable, always bounding in the work of the Lord; knowing that your labor is not in vain if it is in the Lord.” Sounds just like Rob and Tabitha.

Steadfast. This carries a weighty significance: loyal, dependable, firm belief, determination. Businesswise, the implication is a knowing-trust that the job will get done with excellence.
Attention to detail blended with a take-care-of-it-now attitude when problems arise.

Immovable. This is the ability to endure the inevitable adversities of owning a business. This attitude embraces: “If God got me in this business, I’m sticking it out until God wants me to exit.” Faith, faith, faith.

Bounding in works of the Lord. An engaging, energetic contributing and partnering with God’s work. Locally and around the planet. This defines Rob and Tabitha’s business.

Steadfast, immovable, and bounding has added up to “business is great.” The toll of the fragile economy has passed by Rob and Tabitha.

Expecting God’s Goodness

Are you expecting God to do good things for you? The Bible says, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

In this verse a choice was made: “I will.” This is true for each one of us. We decide what we expect. So I made a decision to expect to see more of God’s goodness.

And this is what happened.

I had just finished my banking when Ryan the manager noticed I was there. He asked me to drive to the back door to pick up some donations for my wife Nancy’s ministry—The Free Store.

Ryan’s very personable. And a Christian. He knew I was writing a book, previously asking about purchasing a copy when it was released. After loading the items into my car I said, “Just to let you know Ryan, my new book is now available.”

After talking briefly he said, “Why don’t you bring a few copies by, we’ll put a display up in the lobby.” Immediately I thought, “Wow, this is the goodness of God.” Have you ever seen a book promoted in a bank lobby? Especially a Christian one.

A couple days later when Nancy was doing her banking she took two books, business cards, and a couple of promo/info flyers. Ryan looked it over. He liked what he saw. Then he added: “Maybe the staff can read through the book during breaks…so we know what it’s about.”

“Wow, more goodness of God.”

Yes, arduous situations sometimes make God’s goodness seem very elusive.

But trusting God; having faith, is required when reaching beyond what we see. When we do, Psalm 23:6 can become a growing reality: “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life.”

Expect God’s goodness.

Hanging, Hanging, Hanging…In There

“I’m going to hang in there as long as the Good Lord lets me,” my neighbor Howard said.

Howard’s eighty-six. He still does his own yard work, plays golf regularly, and has a “lady friend,” He’s hanging in there really well.

Being new to the neighborhood, there’s a lot I don’t know about Howard. But here are some observations about why I believe he’s doing so well.

Howard’s always smiling. The Bible says, “A merry heart is good medicine.” That smile on his face likely is a reflection of his heart. Which coincided with the words which always come out of his mouth—kind and gentle. As the Scripture say, “From the mouth the heart speaks.”

This Bible verse also reveals some keys. The first part says: “For physical training is of some value.” Howard is consistently mining worthy value by utilizing his body’s capabilities.

Then the verse goes on to say: “But Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Howard’s connection to the Christian faith goes back decades. He’s even been attending the same church for around fifty years.

Here’s something scientists have discovered: “Research conducted partly at the University of Colorado at Boulder has found that regular churchgoers live longer than people who seldom or never attend worship services. For the first time, that extra lifespan has been quantified…those who go to church once or more each week can look forward to about seven more years than those who never attend.”

And finally; Howard knows without doubt that he will go to Heaven when death arrives.

Howard’s hang-in-there plan: a smile, some yard work and golf, a faithful commitment to church attendance, and a peaceful knowing that Heaven awaits. He’s got a great one.

Do you?

The Answer? The Question?

My kind of bumper sticker: “Jesus is the answer.” Then I noticed Cathy was sitting in the car.

We’ve had entry level God-conversations; consequently I was surprised to see her car sporting a Jesus-message. People change.

Was this a sign of a new Cathy?

Conversation time. “Cathy I saw your bumper sticker,”

I said, “What’s Jesus the answer to?” She laughed, “I don’t even know what the question is…my cousin put it on the car.” Then she quickly changed the subject.

But I was able to get one more line in: “If you ever need to know the question…or the answer, let me know.”

So what is the question?

What is Jesus the answer to?

Definitely the bumper sticker’s purpose was to jar thoughts toward our final destination. How do I spend eternity in Heaven? Jesus is the answer to this ultimate question.

Once you’ve correctly discovered that answer or as you edge closer on your journey to the Savior, you will need to know how to live every day.

The Bible says: “Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature.” This is telling us, when Jesus was a child He kept getting bigger—naturally. But even as a child it was noticeable, He continually increased in wisdom.

His wisdom translated into intelligent, correct, successful living each day. Jesus knew how to interact with people and with Father God. Jesus embodies and defines wisdom by the way He lived.

Do you need to know how to live better? We all do.

Learn from the life of Jesus. Read and re-read and study the Biblical accounts of His life. The Bible says as Jesus grew in wisdom; He equally increased in: “Favor with God and people.”

Choose to grow in Jesus-like-wisdom. And then expect growing favor with God and people.