July 14

Sunday Rest


The Sabbath day was made to help people….

Mark 2:27b (NCV)


It was a beautiful, sunny day—mild and warm—the perfect time to lounge on the back patio or play some easy outdoor game with the boys, but I couldn’t. I didn’t have time, and I wouldn’t enjoy it. You see, it was Sunday, the end of one overbooked, over busy week and the beginning of another.

I’d been up at 5 a.m. putting the finishing touches on a Sunday school lesson. I’d found some time to pray, to ask God’s blessing on the day, and I’d taken time for breakfast as well. The church service was great, but my activity was starting to take it’s toll. I felt like taking one of those three-hour, power naps or maybe I'd just lie in the sun and enjoy that gentle, Central Oregon breeze. Unfortunately, with my busy schedule, I had neglected my small group Bible study. The group was meeting in a matter of hours.... So, this Sunday, like too many Sundays, was not a day of rest.

Maybe you were reared like me—with the thought Sundays were to be days of rest. Somehow, the busyness of my week was spilling over into my weekends. Well, I don’t know about you, but I'm beginning to get the picture. I need to remember my Lord’s words, “the Sabbath day was made to help people….” People like me. People like you.

This Sunday, I’m praising God … and taking that nap!


Lord, help me to work hard for You but to slow down and to rest as well. Remind me of Your words, Your example, and let my down time refresh me to serve You better. Amen.

July 13

Knit Together


My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.

Colossians 2:2a (NLT)


“Craig, it looks like we’re going to have a need for someone to head Adult Ministries at church. It’s only part-time, and it doesn’t pay much, but would you be interested?”

It was hard for me to say no to the man who had taught me, befriended me and prayed for me for almost three years … so, I said yes. But I have to confess, I feel somewhat inadequate for such an undertaking … until I realize God allowed this to happen.

I now understand. He calls me to serve and He wants to do good in and through my life. Yes, I understand. Somehow, someway, He will use me to impact my church.

So now I say, “Yes!” with a little more enthusiasm, and a lot more confidence that we as a church will grow together in Christ, that our adults “will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.”


Lord, lead us on Your pathway to maturity. Let us grow in love, encouraging one another, tied together in the best way—in serving You. Amen.

July 12

Managing Time—Step by Step


Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time….

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NAS)


I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.

1 Corinthians 9:26 (NLT)


Today, if I could ask God for any one ability, I would ask for His help in managing my time.

If you are anything like me then you struggle with distractions, those urgent “got to dos” that tug at your sleeve, or those alluring calls from computer and TV—news and entertainment sources, or maybe it’s just the full plate—an over commitment to worthy projects you don’t have time to do your best with.

The battle rages on, and as I look back at my race, I see too many places where I’ve gotten off-course, followed fun-looking rabbit trails, or tried my own short-cut only to get caught up and slowed down in some worldly jungle.

It’s taken a long time, but I now realize the only way to run this race effectively is to run with Jesus. With Christ by my side, I get the best advise, the best inspiration, the best results.

It is in keeping Him so close that I stay on course—day-by-day, minute-by-minute, step-by-step. As I pray and consider His desires, He allows me to walk by faith, on course, managing my time … His way.


Lord, be by my side. Help me put first things first. Show me Your way. Amen.

July 11

Two Responses


Jesus answered, “We should go to other towns around here so I can preach there too. That is why I came. … Jesus warned him strongly, “Don’t tell anyone about this….” But he began to tell everyone that Jesus had healed him, and so he spread the news about Jesus. As a result, Jesus could not enter a town if people saw him. He stayed in places where nobody lived, but people came to him from everywhere.

Mark 1:38, 43-45 (NCV)


… the man who was freed from demons begged to go with him. But Jesus would not let him. He said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you….” So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Towns about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

Mark 5:18-20 (NCV)


Two men—one a leper, the other demon possessed; two divine healings; and two different sets of instructions—the contrasts are both interesting and challenging.

Jesus tells one man to be silent and the other to preach, because He knew best how to reach the masses—both Jewish and Gentile. So Jesus commands these men in different ways.

Though both men would speak out boldly for Christ, their hearts were very different. The man once possessed by demons denied his own desire (to go with Jesus) and did what Jesus asked. He went back to the ten Gentile towns. The former leper, on the other hand, was beside himself—Jesus had cured the incurable. The reason for his disobedience is unimportant. The fact is, he did not obey our Lord’s command and it impacted Christ's ministry in a negative way.

The lesson is this: there will be times when we must declare God’s message boldly and there will be times when we must remain silent and do God’s will quietly. The key is listening to the Divine Word.

Has He spoken to your heart lately? If so, what will you do?


Lord, You have had mercy on all of us. Thank You for these reminders: You want our obedience most of all. Help us to listen and obey. Amen.

July 10

Breaking Out of Quiet


May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 19:14 (NLT)


“You know, I liked you better when you were quiet.”

These words startled me some years ago. Mind you, I’ve always been a quiet sort of person, but once I get comfortable with a person or a group, it is just too easy to let words fly without thought. Kidding, teasing, and sometimes even snide remarks seem to jump out without a thought. Too late do I consider others’ sensitivities, their feelings, or how these careless words might be interpreted.

It’s only when I stay close to God, when He fills my heart and His Spirit nudges me with ease that my thoughts and my words reflect His truth, His character, His love.

Being quiet isn’t necessarily good or bad, but knowing what to say, how to say it and when requires me to listen well—to others certainly, but to the One who fills my heart, most definitely!


Lord, guide my heart and my lips. May these be pleasing to You. Amen.

July 09

A Reminder to Use Our Gifts


Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it … desire the most helpful gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:27, 31 (NLT)


These last several weeks, I have busied myself planning and running a family reunion. I have been gone and, in spite of sharing pleasant memories and enjoying some great family relations, I have missed my Christian brothers and sisters at church.

As I prepare to reconnect with my small group and the larger church body, I find myself longing for John’s teaching, and those encouraging words from Jeff and Katie and Jim, and being under Andy’s leadership and connecting and sharing and enjoying all the others. They are valuable to me and so are their gifts. And so am I. I sometimes forget, I impact others too. People miss me. People enjoy the benefits of my gifts too.

As I think on this, I realize my need to double my effort to use what God has given me. My gifts are needed. They help others. And so do yours!


Lord, remind us of our gifts and abilities. Encourage us to live for You and to bless others with the blessings You have given. Amen.

July 08

Wrestling with Sharks


Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Proverbs 15:16 (NAS)


I’m sure some people would love to have my problems … like trying to figure out how to split all this land my father has left to me and my two sisters.

We spent all day Friday discussing dozens of properties and other assets. We spent the first two hours discussing just six pieces of land and we hardly scratched the surface!

I can see there is great potential … for turmoil! I also see the great value in down scaling, in simplifying, in finding breathing space for us all. I’m not saying owning property, or a business or having investments is bad … unless they consume me … or you.

Like most people swimming in this sea of life … I don’t want to be eaten! This week I caught another glimpse of what can become a horrible shark—great treasure. For some, wealth and treasure can prove to be good friends, but for too many of us, they are hard to tame. So ... I don’t know about others, but ... I’m swimming for shore….


Father, what I have, all that I have, is Yours. Help me to be a good steward. Help me to stay free from the monsters of greed and selfish indulgence. Amen.