Altars of Remembrance

"In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

Joshua 4:21b-24

I have a photo that I keep on my computer of a drawing that our cardiologist drew of my son’s heart that shows what it looked like before God’s healing touch and after God’s healing touch. From those photos you see what doctors agree is a miracle; a difference that only God could perform without surgery. I keep these pictures and the actual drawings at home as a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Those drawings have also served as “Altars of remembrance” for our family. When family and friends have looked at the drawings and asked, “What is that?” we are able to say, “Well, let us tell you about the great things that the Lord has done!”

Throughout scripture, we see stones laid, altars built, not to worship the stones or altars, but to worship the God who performed an act worth remembering from generation to generation.

Many years ago, I created an altar box. In this box there are keys, letters, copies of checks, envelopes, etc. that I will treasure forever. Over the years, I have returned to this box, especially in times of need, or discouragement and poured over its contents. As I do so, I am encouraged and reminded that God is able to do “exceeding, abundantly above all we are able to ask or think!” (Ephesians 3:20)

As you journey with the Lord and as He answers prayer, provides for your needs, surprises you with His goodness, write it down, save the “envelope” and put it in a container, a safe place and when you are in the desert of life, open it up and see the faithful hand of God in your life. In the harvest times, the good times when your children or your friends ask, “what is that”, take a moment and bring them to the “altar” and share with them what God has done for you.

Joseph Man Of Integrity

“…Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

Genesis 39:6b-12

That passage gives us one of the most vivid examples of integrity in scripture. Joseph understood that even though “no one” was there in the room that godly integrity has as its foundation who you are when no one else is looking.

This passage never gives the name of Potiphar’s wife. Today, I believe that she can be called “P.C.” (personal computer) If there is ever a temptation looming in the face of all of us, especially men, it is the opportunity to become involved in sinful activities on the computer. Chat rooms, video sites, texting, spam, pop-ups, googled images and more call out day by day, “Come to bed with me!”

The use and misuse of this “wonderful piece of technology” has and is utterly destroying family after family each and every day.

Men and possibly some of you women, none of us is exempt from the temptation, every time we get online we are in the path of “Potiphar’s wife” calling out to us. By God’s grace and because He is worthy of our obedience and loyalty let’s say together like Joseph “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sing against God?” And then…leave the mouse on the desk and RUN!

Consider these lyrics from the song, “Guard Your Heart”, by Steve Green

What appears to be harmless glance?

Can turn to romance and homes are divided.

Feelings that should never have been awakened

within tearing the heart in two listen, I beg of you!

Guard your heart, guard your heart.

Don’t trade it for treasure, don’t give it away.

Guard your heart guard your heart

as a payment for pleasure it’s high price to pay.

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear guard your Heart.

The human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed

at the hand of emotion.

You dare not leave the outcome to chance you must choose

in advance or live with the agony, Such needless tragedy!

Most Ask Question - Why?

Why? That is a question that as you read this is being asked by thousands of people across the globe and many perhaps sitting not too far from you. Why did my parents get washed away and killed by the tsunami? Why did my son die in a helicopter drill in Iraq? Why did he have to leave me after all of these years? Why did I get laid off? Why didn’t God stop that drunk driver before he hit my baby? Why do I have cancer? Why?

I’ve asked that question, and I’m sure you have too. During my journey with the Lord, however, I’ve yet for Him to give me a reason why. Most of the time there is seeming silence. I find comfort in God’s Word where we see “the reason” for individuals’ journey through the pain. We see Joseph’s journey though abandonment in order to set the stage for the movement of God’s children to Egypt. Then there’s Esther’s journey through pain “for such a time as this!” Later we see Daniel’s journey to and through the lion’s den so that God’s power might be shown. Then we see our Lord Jesus’ journey to the cross to provide our salvation.

But even though I see the end result of other’s pain and suffering, in the midst of mine, when I cannot see the end in sight, I still have the urge to ask why.

As a matter of fact, I just asked that question recently. Father God didn’t reach down and say, “because…”, rather He said ever so gently, “I Am”.

When Habakkuk saw the injustice and violence all around him he cried out and said, How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. (Hab 1:2,3 NIV) After asking the question why, Father told Him, "Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Hab 1:5 NIV)

My friend, as you are seeking to hear or see the “because”, do not be discouraged as the seeming silence is deafening, rather, ask Father to help you set your discouragement aside and rest in the powerful truth that “I AM” is right by your side in the midst of your circumstances.

Your Financial Portfolio

If your hope lies in your financial portfolio this past week was sure to make you break a sweat. We live in a world right not where “uncertainty” is the word of the day. One Scripture of the day could and should be Proverbs 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” How true is that? You go to bed one night and you are faced with Hurricane Ike and just around the corner the DOW drops 777 points and your 401k looks more like a 201k. But it’s not over yet, you just happen to work for DISD and you hear that there just happens to be an $84 million dollar budget shortfall this fiscal year and that approximately 1,209 positions, maybe yours might be eliminated.

I’m reminded of a hymn that we used to sing when I was a child, entitled, “In Times like These”. Listen and be challenged by these lyrics:

In times like these you need a Savior,

in time like theses you need an anchor;

Be very sure, be very sure your anchor

holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these you need the Bible,

In times like these o be not idle;

Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor

holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior,

in times like these I have an anchor;

I’m very sure, I’m very sure my anchor

holds and grips the Solid Rock

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One;

This Rock is Jesus, the only One!

Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

© 1944 Singspiration Music, text by Ruth Caye Jones

My friend, as you go about your day today, this uncertain day, take with you the certainty that God is still and always will be in control, no matter what your circumstances look like. And take His Word, His true, powerful loving Word to heart:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my

help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of

heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches

over you will not slumber.”

Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV)

Don't forget The Ugandan Choir on October 29