Packed and Ready to Go!

In just a few weeks, our young man will pack his bags for a week of summer camp. As his mom, I will do everything in my power to make sure he has a great experience. I will do my best to anticipate his needs and his concerns. I will read and refer to the camp's publications again and again, passing the appropriate information on to him so he will be informed, but screening the flow of data so he will not be overwhelmed. I will take as much off his plate as I possibly can SO THAT he can go do what he is designed to do (at least, in this context): be a typical growing boy. This is not benevolence or parental responsibility exclusively: this is a way I can free him from the burden of the basics in order for him to reach his potential as a child.

God takes care of the basics, so we are freed up to do the work He has given us to do.

Have you ever thought of it that way? I know God is benevolent. I know He is our Father. I know that, by nature, He is Provider and Creator. As a parent loves on their child, wants to guide and guard them, provides for them and creates an environment in which they can thrive, God does those things perfectly.  

Jesus' words in Matthew 6 are an exercise in simplicity. First of all, He talks about giving and praying, doing those things we, as His followers are expected to do. Keep it simple, He says, just between you and Me. Give as you are led; speak what's on your heart. Then He gives us the framework for prayer. It's not miles long with lots of flowery language and theological gobbledygook. It's simple, to the point. Forgive, He continues. Fast simply and secretly. Commit to pursuing eternal things. Guard your intake and serve the One True God. Then, He talks about the basics: food, drink, clothing, that to-do list that never seems to get any shorter. Don't worry about any of that stuff, He says. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Scripture is chock-full of instructions; instructions that help us remain safe and steadfast, serve God and others, become more Christlike, entice others to want to become more Christlike, live at peace, conquer our old habits, and so much more. It's a lot! We are called to allow the fruit of the Spirit in us to overflow for the benefit of the Church and to the glory of God. Can you imagine being successful at a commission like that if each day was consumed with simply tending to the basics? Many of us can't, because being consumed with the basics is exactly what we are. Traveling around to three different stores just for our brand of mayonnaise. A bank account that's just as empty as the gas tank. Nothing "suitable" to wear to church. What would happen if we skipped the mayo or walked or went to church anyway? What if we weren't so consumed with the basics and allowed God to handle it? What sort of people would we become? What would that accomplish for the Church and to the glory of God? Will God provide the mayo? Will He fill our tank? Will He update our wardrobe? Maybe. Maybe not. But He will handle all those basics for our good and for His glory. If we believe that truth, we are free to do what we have been given to do: reach our potential in the body of Christ to the glory of God!  

Midweek: NKJV Personal Size Giant Print Bible

Thomas Nelson Bible has again given me the opportunity to examine and review a complimentary copy of their NKJV Personal Size Giant Print Bible. If you tend to read where there is insufficient lighting or at the end of the day, a Bible with large print may not be a bad idea. This one, in my opinion, does not disappoint.

Let me, first, say, this Bible has zero bells and whistles. In a time when most of us have access to smart phones and carry volumes of commentary and study tools in our pockets via the internet, that's not a terrible thing. Personally, I prefer minimal notes, as it forces me to really pay attention to the text, first and foremost, reread when necessary, pray What are You telling me in Your Word?, and then resort to Bible helps. Study Bibles, with notes and references nearby allow me to be inattentive and lazy.

So, the edition I received is black Leathersoft™ with gilded edges and a satin bookmark. It measures a comfortable 5" x 8" and is guaranteed for life. The words of Jesus are in red. The text is in a classic double-column layout, paragraph format, and 12-point Comfort Print®. Headings denote subject transitions. Behind the gold-stamped and carved cover is a presentation page, a title page, a short preface, and the table of contents. Seven color maps make up the entirety of the back matter. That's it. No book introductions, cross-references, or concordance.

If you are looking for a basic text with visually friendly type, this is a good choice. Details on the binding give it a classic appearance while the cover is lovely enough for gift-giving at a reasonable price. It typically retails for $49.99, but Christianbook.com is currently selling this edition for $32.99, and offering personalization. 

Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day. A time to remember and be grateful, and maybe, a bit sad. The vast majority of us have never experienced the loss of a service member --praise God. We have the luxury of observing the day as little more than an extension to our weekend, the beginning of the summer season, and a day for parades and picnics. But what if we took time to remember and be grateful --not just for service members who gave their lives --but used the time to remember and giving thanks for what it took, what it takes to make a nation strong, to make a people free? I don't mean in any way to detract from the significance of the day or the pain and sacrifice of the people, but sacrifice comes in all shapes and sizes. The greatest, of course, is to give one's life for another.

I look around today and see very few statesmen and a lot of politicians. I see very few public servants and a lot of public figures. What if we took some time today and looked back at the folks who made this country what it is. Were they perfect? Of course not, but they were dedicated; they had vision and intention, and they were willing to go to their graves, if necessary, bringing that vision to fruition. They did the heavy lifting and spoke the hard truth. And while today we have men and women in uniform willing to do the heavy lifting, to lay down their lives to preserve the vision of one nation under God, the people who are supposed to be protecting them, speaking the hard truth, seem to be deaf and dumb. They are winking at lascivious behaviors and their own indulgence in them. They have made personal prosperity the objective of their office. They divide and seek to conquer. They encourage the irresponsible conduct of medical and mental healthcare "professionals" for profit. They refuse to protect the weakest of society and, instead, advocate for exploitation and degradation. They serve themselves above all others. Not all of them, mind you, but in service to our country and its people, within a system of elected officials, one is too many.  

This day let's remember those who gave, who sacrificed and lost in many ways. And let us recommit ourselves to looking away from the comfortable and convenient and begin to hold our leadership accountable. Let us become a people worthy of the sacrifice of those we memorialize today.