Bus Driver's Bible Saves His Life

The Word of God can save you, literally, just ask a Dayton, OH bus driver!

How's Your Waiting?

In his classic, Knowing God, theologian J.I. Packer said “Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one-step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.”

The Type-A, driven, control freaks among us have already moved on to read something else. Waiting is not in their vocabulary and they don't know how to wrap their heads around the concept.  I know, I used to be one.  The busier I was the more productive I thought I was. And then I realized that I was missing a lot more than I was actually getting done.  Time has a funny way of teaching new lessons to old dogs if they are willing.  

I've learned (no I'm still learning) that waiting can be a great teacher.  You learn things about yourself, faith, people you love and life in general.  Most of my late 20's to 30's was about cramming as much into a day as I could without ever stopping to consider if my bag could hold it all, or if it should.  

Some of God's favorites had big lessons in waiting:  Moses (40 years in a desert); Joseph (prison); Hannah, Sarah and Rebekah (barren and waiting for a son); Elijah (for the still small voice of God); Ruth (to be redeemed by Boaz); David (for Saul's reign to come to an end) ; Mary & Martha (for Jesus to come to Lazarus); and Cornelius (for Peter to share the Good News).  And there are many, many more examples.  

And of course we can't leave Jesus out.  He knew his purpose and mission from day 1 and yet He had to wait three years for God's will to be fulfilled through His death, burial and resurrection.  But think about what happened during those three years: the disciples were mentored by the very Son of God so they would be prepared to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.  Not to mention the thousands of lives impacted by Jesus' ministry with skin-on and the disciples' eyewitness accounts would go on to challenge and change lives for centuries through their gospels.  The "waiting" for Jesus was an opportunity to teach us that life is in the living for God.  

We want God to "fix it" and now!  So many times our prayers are filled with words telling God what He needs to do to make this/that right in our life.  Instead of listening and waiting, we actually exercise the smallest of faith by pressing God for a quick response that may not even be part of His holy and perfect plan for us!  Tim Keller says, "God’s sense of timing will confound ours, no matter what culture we’re from-His grace rarely operates on our schedule.”

C.S. Lewis was right, we are far too easily pleased and willing to settle for so much less.  And before you "control/fixer" types accuse waiting of inactivity, or passivity, think again.  John Waller's signature song While I'm Waiting captures the essence of biblical waiting:

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord 


And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord 


Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait 



And I will move ahead bold and confident 


Taking every step in obedience 



While I'm waiting I will serve You 


While I'm waiting I will worship 


While I'm waiting I will not faint 


I'll be running the race even while I wait 



I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord 


And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord 


Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait 


Yes, I will wait 



And I will move ahead bold and confident 


Taking every step in obedience 



While I'm waiting I will serve You 


While I'm waiting I will worship 


While I'm waiting I will not faint 


I'll be running the race even while I wait 

I will move ahead bold and confident 


I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah 



While I'm waiting I will serve You 


While I'm waiting I will worship 


While I'm waiting I will not faint 



And I will serve You while I'm waiting 


I will worship while I'm waiting 


I will serve You while I'm waiting 


I will worship while I’m waiting on You Lord

Wait on the Lord!  It's okay.  Trust Him.  He really does know what’s best and when even if we don't understand it right now.   

Valentine's Day Not As Big As Feb. 13th

Valentine's Day has never been a huge day for us like it is for some couples.  We're not anti-Cupid and we aren't against couples that make a big deal over it.  There are a couple of reasons why it's not as big to us.  The first is that our anniversary is only 19 days after Valentine's Day and we make a big deal about that date.  The second reason is because Valentine's isn't as big to us as the day before, February 13th.   There are three big reasons why Feb. 13th is so important to us.  

The 13th is the day my mother; our son, Casey; and our granddaughter, Nolynn were all born!  It's a trifecta for our family.  Here are the three generations: 80, 29 and 2 yrs. old.

While Cupid packs a big midwinter punch in terms of retail sales, God packed an even bigger one in terms of blessing for our family on February 13th.  Each one of them fearfully and wonderfully made.  Each one bringing us joy, and especially for me, one of them literally brought me life.

So enjoy the flowers, candy, and intimate dinners with your Valentine!  Have a blast.  As for us, we've got three Valentine's that have captured our hearts and we are forever grateful!

  

A Big Prayer for a Little Thing

A midwinter weekend warm-up provided a serendipitous opportunity for my son and I to fish last Saturday.  The warm temp's offered the excuse to get out on the lake and shake down the motor.  Unfortunately a bad relay on the motor's hydraulics forced us to stay close to the ramp and rely on the trolling motor.  We didn't catch a thing.  In fishing terms we zeroed out!  Despite our "lack of a haul" we had a blast as usual.

As we headed home we decided to see if a nearby auto parts store had the relay we needed.  It was worth a shot.  This particular auto parts store is located in a very busy area of town where the sheriff frequently responds to various calls.  It's an area where I wouldn't want my wife to be alone at night.  

While my son was inside, I stayed with the boat and the truck parked along the side of the busy store.  Since we weren't on the water anymore I decided to take off my coveralls and put them in the back of the truck.   

The store didn't have exactly what we needed so we piled back into the truck and made the 30 minute trek back to his house.  I was getting my stuff out of the truck and boat to load into my car when I noticed that my wallet and fishing license holder weren't anywhere to be found.  We scoured the truck, boat, tackle boxes and clothes several times but still couldn't find them.  I panicked!

The thought of losing all that private information and having to cancel bank cards and get my license replaced was starting to weigh heavy.  I knew it was either at the boat ramp, or at the auto parts store. I got in the car and instead of going home made the trip back to the other side of town to look for my wallet.  While I was on the way m son called the auto parts store and they said no one turned anything in and they hadn't seen a thing.

As I drove (and yes I was speeding without a license in my car), I prayed out loud, "Lord, I know in the big scheme of global and local issues a lost wallet is hardly cause for concern and Your intervention.  But as you know, it's been a stressful season and if there is anyway you can see it within your will for me to find my wallet I would be sooooo grateful.  But Lord, even if it's lost, all glory to You!  I am asking that you hear my prayer and plea Lord.  Act as you see fit.  In the name of Jesus, Amen."

As I finished praying I was at the intersection where I needed to decide if I should continue another five miles to the boat ramp, or turn at the light and check the nearby auto parts store parking lot.  I made the turn and pulled up the hill to the auto store.  The sun long gone, it was dark and there were even more customer cars in the parking lot than when we stopped earlier.  There alongside the building prominently sitting in the middle of a parking space was my wallet and fishing wallet.  $40 cash was flapping in the wind with the edge of the bills just barely remaining under the money clip side of the wallet.  It appeared undisturbed and my fishing wallet was right next to it.  Both were sitting side by side as if someone had placed them and not as they had randomly fallen out of my pocket!

I started laughing and praising God as I got out of the car to pick them up.  Nearby customers were looking at me like I was nuts.  I laughed and laughed and just kept saying, "Thank you God!  Thank you God for hearing an unimportant prayer!  As I got back in the car before I opened the wallet, I said,  "I trust you Father!  I trust You in the little things and I trust You with the big ones too!  Thank you for reminding me that nothing escapes Your attention in prayer.  I praise your great Name regardless of what's here or not!"  I opened my wallet to find everything in its place and couldn't stop chuckling all the way home.

Hmmmmm:  Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray. (James 5:13a); Be joyful always; pray continually. (1 Thess. 5:17).  No prayer is beyond God's attention.  A little thing, to be sure, but how cool is it that we can cry out to Him over cancer as well as lost keys, lost children, and a major appliance purchase?  It's called doing life together!