Devotionals from my Bible app: Timeless Wisdom (Joshua 1:8)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8, NKJV

Back in 2022, I had previously embarked on reading through the Bible in one year and got stuck here in the Book of Joshua. One of the reasons (but by far not the only) that I didn't continue reading through the Bible was due to work ramping up at an incredible rate. Ironically, this happening was a call to live out today's focus verse, and I'm disappointed to say that I did not handle well the thought of being asked to do more than what I believed I was capable of. Even now, in 2024, this is once again being put in front of me, and this time the training wheels are off. I do see the fruit of God's work in me over the last couple years, but there's more room for improvement.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22, NIV

My wife and I are now in a new season of life for us both. We don't know what life will bring us, but we will have to walk it out regardless.

Timeless Wisdom

After being rescued from Egyptian slavery and wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, the Hebrew people finally stood at the edge of the land God had promised.

Though their long-time leader, Moses, had just died, God appointed Joshua to take his place. During this transition of authority, God gave Joshua some wise advice:

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Joshua 1:8 NIV

The “Book of the Law” refers to the first five books of the Bible—also known as the Torah (in Hebrew) or the Pentateuch (in Greek). Today, we have that and more—66 books of the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments.

God gave the Law to Israel through Moses. These instructions reveal God’s intentions, character, and heart.

And even though God was speaking directly to Joshua at that time, His advice holds timeless wisdom for us today…

Reading, listening to, and thinking deeply about God's story informs and shapes us.

God’s instructions are good, and His commandments are wise. They tell us who God is and who He’s created us to be. They show us where His people have been and where they are going.

When we meditate on His Word, study its contents, and understand its core message—everything changes.

We don’t have to live meaningless lives; we can step into the world purposefully. And even when we face battles, like Joshua did, it’s always best to be on God’s side.


https://bible.com/bible/59/jos.1.8.ESV

Prayer: God, You give us Scripture so that we can know You better. Your Word is not meant to be a list of instructions but a way of life that leads to You. The more time we spend in the bible, the more deeply we know Your character and nature. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in this way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Getting married near the end of time

 A quick check-in: my love and I are married and back from our honeymoon. As I write, I'm wolfing down a light meal in between crossing off from the list one batch of tasks and preparing to pursue the next batch of tasks. Today is/was move-in day at the new place, but because of lack of internet being set up there as of yet, my love and I are staying at an Extended Stay hotel near her workplace. Moreover, between the two of us, all of our possessions and belongings are scattered across five locations. Clearly, our goal is to have them all consolidated at one place - our place.

Then, one night, in the middle of the night, explosions were heard over Northeast Point. The Continent was at war…

I commented on the above statement a bit in my last post. I was uncomfortable with it for the reasons I gave. However, after watching some current Christian commentaries on YouTube regarding the Paris Olympics' Opening Night ceremonies blaspheming Jesus Christ and His last supper with His disciples before offering Himself on the cross for our sins (due to time, I cannot do exhaustive research of articles describing what happened, so I'll just link you to this source here (the source is Catholic, but it works as far as I'm concerned)).

The earth is indeed at war, just not in the "old school" way that I portrayed in the Faraway State of Mind series. It is instead at war in this way:

Psalm 2:1-3, NKJV
1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

I'm now circumstantially free from a lot of the challenges that specially marked the previous season of my life. But I've become even more and more aware not only how much I need Jesus Christ to be the King of my life, and for His healing and transformative power, but also how much we are getting closer and closer to His return. What has been happening at the Paris Olympics is sadly no longer shocking to me, considering this type of blasphemy has been happening in America for some time now. But what opened my eyes as I was following along in this commentary is that these depravities are no longer only confined to the corner of the world in which I live. The whole world saw it, from the United States to Argentina to Bali to Australia to Austria to Bangladesh to Namibia, and more.

Speaking of the end of time, my wife has yet to see our new apartment. I have things to get done not only for moving in but also considering that I return to work tomorrow after having had a week-and-a-half off. I'll be working remotely from the Extended Stay hotel room as we still don't have internet at the new place.

I'll close this post with a verse from the Book of Revelation, but I thought I would also go ahead and link you to this page which explains in further depth what Jesus is saying when He said "I am coming soon."

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:7, NKJV

A Faraway State of Mind 7 (wedding scene only)

During the school year of 2021-2022, I took an unexpected and unplanned break from school due to a hospitalization that had occurred over the summer of 2021, and due to advice I had received regarding taking time to recover. This meant that I had some extra time on my hands. Among other things, I had sketched out 2 ½ stories to be added to the existing “A Faraway State of Mind” collection (at the time only four stories), a series I had written as a young adult as a means of processing and trying to make sense of different struggles I had. I posted two of those stories here and here (the 5th and 6th installments, respectively). There was a third (to be the 7th installment), originally conceived as part of the second before realizing how much longer the story was getting to be. So I did what I’ve found myself doing with blog posts that get too long – I divided it up. And then the third story (still incomplete) went in different directions that I wasn’t prepared for, and honestly kind of scared me.

I ended the 6th installment of “A Faraway State of Mind” with the following line:

Then, one night, in the middle of the night, explosions were heard over Northeast Point. The Continent was at war…

I’m not sure I like ending this installment this way. But, as the author, I have to learn to live with it. I made my bed and now I have to sleep in it. The world is crazy to a point that, even ten years ago it still felt reasonably sane. Prior to the “A Faraway State of Mind” series, I wrote a few short stories regarding doomsday scenarios. I’ve even had dreams and visions about different such scenarios from time to time. Considering all this, the above line set the stage for what someday will be the 7th installment of this series. For now, though, here is an excerpt from what I feel comfortable enough to share:

Pastor Charlie Jarvis: Well, are you guys ready to get this started?

April Mae York: Absolutely!

Thomas More: [looking around] Might as well. No reason to wait any longer.

John More: Go ahead.

Pastor Charlie: All right, then. … Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to celebrate the union of April Mae York and Thomas More. Especially in this time, when the future of our Continent is uncertain, what is still certain is that we have a God who is still on the throne, and a God who still honors marriage, especially the marriages of those who honor Him.

Thomas: Amen!

Pastor Charlie: [winks at Thomas] So let us pray… [bows head, along with Thomas, April Mae, John, and Erin and Daniel York] … Heavenly Father, we gather here together because You have promised that wherever three or more are gathered in Your name, You will be in the midst of them. We ask for Your presence here, as we join April Mae and Thomas in marriage. We ask Your blessings over this ceremony as April Mae and Thomas make their vows to each other. Stand by them throughout their marriage and fill them with Your perfect love so that they may grow in their love for You and for each other throughout their marriage and their lives. We also ask You to protect them – and to protect all of us – in this unprecedented time in our Continent’s history, that You will strengthen them, and strengthen their marriage, no matter where they go. All of these things we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thomas / April Mae / John / Erin / Daniel: [almost in unison] Amen.

Pastor Charlie: All right. Our Scripture passage for today is one I know you’ve all heard countless times at weddings, and there’s a reason for it: it’s because it is a charge for how we need to choose to love, at all times, so as to keep the marriage strong, no matter what comes your way. The passage is from Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, in the thirteenth chapter:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

In this passage, we don’t get the mushy-gushy type of love, although that is certainly more than acceptable in a marriage. Apostle Paul, as I think you all know, was not a “mushy-gushy” type of guy, generally focusing more about faith and truth than love in his messages overall. But what we do get is how to love rightly. Love – patient, kind. Both Thomas and April Mae waited. Sure, it was hard…

[Thomas and April Mae exchange knowing glances at each other]

Pastor Charlie: … but they stayed true to God, waiting on Him first, and getting themselves prepared to receive one another. They were patient, so that when they met, they knew how to be kind to one another, no matter what issues that they had to face. … There are many things true love doesn’t do: it doesn’t boast, isn’t proud, doesn’t dishonor others, and isn’t self-seeking. … We can look to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins as a perfect example of this as well. Jesus never boasted in Himself, only in His heavenly Father. He never gave into temptation of pride. He honored his Father and He honored others. And even though Jesus had all the glory – for He is God the Son – He never sought glory for Himself, only for His Father in heaven. And it is through Jesus, and specifically His love for us that drove His obedience to everything He ever did in His life here on earth, that we can do the same.

I could go through all the bullet points from the rest of this passage and spend all day dissecting it, but in the interest of time, I’ll say just one last thing to April Mae and Thomas: God’s love will never fail, and it will never fail you. Tomorrow, who knows where you guys will be… But like the passage closes out: love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. God will do – and is doing – these things for you. Never lose your trust or your hope in God and for each other, and always persevere.

Thomas / April Mae: [mumbling, while still looking at each other, smiling] Amen.

Pastor Charlie: OK, now for the vows…

The story cuts away from the wedding scene to a rather tense and anxious conversation between Thomas More and his father, John More. As developments across the Continent ensue, the two men find themselves making opposite decisions based on contrasting information they’ve been provided about the situation and part from one another. Then the story cuts back to the wedding scene:

Pastor Charlie: …By the power vested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Thomas, you may now kiss your bride. [Thomas and April Mae kiss] And now, may I present to you this day, Thomas and April Mae More!

John, Erin and Daniel applauded and gave cheers. Thomas and April Mae said their thank-yous and embraced each of the family members present. After a few minutes of this, Pastor Charlie reminded Thomas and April Mae of the sensitivity of time, and the urgency for them to get on the road. The newly-wedded couple said their goodbyes to Pastor Charlie and their family members and began running off toward their car in the parking lot.

Pastor Charlie: [calling distantly as Thomas and April Mae leave] Maybe when this all blows over, we can have that reception!

Thomas and April Mae approached their getaway car and got in.

April Mae: I hope and pray that the others are able to make it back to where they’re staying.

Thomas: I hope so, too. [Turns on the car and starts driving]

April Mae: So, how soon do you think we can make it to Mount Prospect National Park?

Thomas: Oh, I don’t know… I guess about six or seven hours. It’s a long drive.

April Mae: [grimacing slightly] I know…

Thomas: But it is because we found a route that should… should… keep us safe while on the road.

April Mae: I’m praying for it! Believing for it!

Someday in the future when I have time on my hands, I’d love to recreate the map of the Continent. About 6 or 7 years ago I bought a very large sketching pad and began sketches on the city of Centropolis, where many of the main characters live. Centropolis has never really been drawn before, which makes for both an exciting and daunting prospect of creating a place to fit as many features as possible of the city as it pertains to all the stories I’ve written that have been set there.

There is however an existing, primitive sketch of the Continent that I drew when I was a child. Let me know if you notice anything missing:

Gratitude and a judgment notice

 As promised, I would dovetail off the previous post regarding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life and the relief and gratitude that I and so many others have that he's not only still alive but basically made it with only a scratch (proverbially).

As I was watching various videos of the Republican National Convention being held in Milwaukee this week, I was overcome with gratitude for the evident love that I see not just for President Trump but also for our people, our country. People singing patriotic songs of gratitude and resilience, chanting Trump's name, and chanting our country's name - it was all sweet, harmonious, and orderly. This is the kind of country and society that people should want.

I also think his pick for JD Vance as his running mate is a good one. One of the things that stood out to me about him is his platform to help build a country (economy, structure, etc) that will encourage American families to have more children. Although my love and I are currently in agreement about not having kids, that's more because 1.) of finances (due to the economy of the last 4 years), and 2.) our respective families of origin not only did not do anything to help teach us about being parents, but they also repeatedly sabotaged opportunities for us to learn. In an economic environment (and being reestablished in a position of strength around the world) conducive to having larger families, we would absolutely consider it. That said, philosophically I am all for American citizens (families specifically) having more kids. Better us than the majority of those that have cross over our borders proliferating our land over the last 4 years, largely consisting of military-age men from foreign countries specifically seeking to wreak havoc on our society.

When I was 18 I began identifying as a liberal. That was for two reasons: 1.) I was verbally attacked for my national identity in England by locals, just a few short months after we had invaded Iraq, and 2.) I was surrounded by liberals - my family, my friends, my church community. Between the personal attacks and "my people" being what they were, I quickly fell in line. It took years for me to move away from that to be where I am now, largely due to getting saved and coming to agreement with the Bible's stance on various topics (homosexuality, abortion, etc). 

But what was interesting was that I had already begun, prior to age 18, to forming my own view based on what I had been reading and studying in history class during middle school. Reading about the American Civil War and Reconstruction formed the early foundation of not just the rightness of what the United States stood for, but also what was to me a vague understanding of how God played a role. In our country's first 100 years, slavery of blacks was the big issue. Slavery is wrong, and it is a sin. We know that God hates sin and that He loves His creation, especially His people who choose to love Him back. What stood out to me was that it was the Republican Party (Abraham Lincoln, et al) who served as the vehicle for taking a major step in righting a wrong. That was huge for me.

Somehow I was later led to believe (I don't have a timeline as to when) that at some point after Reconstruction, it was the Democrats and not the Republicans who had assumed the moral responsibility of caring for the disadvantaged and the less fortunate. Y'know, the people that God really cares about:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27, NIV

As it turned out, that's simply not the case. In the case of immigration alone, and considering the case of the city of Chicago alone, Mayor Brandon Johnson (a Democrat) chose to "welcome the immigrants* with open arms." What did that mean, exactly? By evicting those immigrants and forcing the nearby suburbs to take them on? Or, how about giving away the programs and dollars promised to disadvantaged black folks in your city's rough neighborhoods who were counting on that -- to the immigrants instead?

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Isaiah 5:22-23, NIV

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. Isaiah 10:1-2, NIV

(*Never mind that the majority of the immigrants are not families like it's being purported in mainstream news media; rather, they are military-age men smuggling in drugs and weapons and murdering anyone who gets in their way. Laken Riley, anyone? If we're going to exalt the names of Travyon Martin and George Floyd, among others, then we must also recognize folks like Laken Riley, Kate Steinle, Jeremy Poou Caceres, Shannon Patricia Jungwirth, Jorge Alexander Reyes-Jungwirth, Alberto Trejo Estrada, among others.)

One bit of trepidation I personally regarding choosing the date that I chose for my wedding date was due to the higher chances of severe weather in our area during this time of year. In the last few years alone, including earlier this week (which I'll get to more in a moment), I've personally had to seek shelter during a tornado warning a total of 4 times. I didn't really try to keep track of previous instances, but I think I've only had to shelter maybe a couple other times previously. Last year, an EF-0 twister touched down maybe a mile from where I was, on July 12th. I'm grateful that it was only an EF-0, and that its track didn't last very long. It was still a scary moment though, and one that made me realize the risk of our wedding day being in the peak of the severe-weather season.

Which brings me to earlier this week. On Monday, my housemates and I had to seek shelter in the basement late in the evening. I haven't had a chance to find the exact track of any twisters yet, but a report came out regarding an EF-1 that came very close to downtown Chicago. The Democratic National Convention is set to meet here, in Chicago, at the United Center just west of downtown. That is, a mere few blocks from where I think (based on reported locations/intersections that got hit) that tornado track was. This week the Republicans had their convention, and it was so heartwarming to see the love for God and the love for one another (and not just for Trump but certainly including him) on full display. But they were in Milwaukee. The Democrats are coming here next month, and I'm confident that that kind of love for one another, let alone for God, will most definitely not be present. I believe it's because of God's mercy towards us that the United Center (where the DNC will convene) -- let alone the Daley Center (Chicago's City Hall) -- wasn't just outright demolished by one of those twisters.

I've been reading through the books of Isaiah, Micah, 2nd Kings, and 2nd Chronicles lately in my daily Bible reading, among other Biblical books. The nations of Israel and Judah have been forsaking God and their covenant with Him. A price has to be paid eventually. For the Israelites, it was the Assyrian army who took them out. For the Judahites, although the Assyrians attacked Jerusalem, it was the Babylonians who would take them out later. Most significantly, the high places of worship to all the false gods were destroyed, as well as the high places of worship to the One True God.

The Republican Party is honoring God. The Democrats refuse to even acknowledge Him, let alone honor Him. I'm grateful God has had mercy on my family and community despite our close proximity to the wickedness present in the city of Chicago, as well as the overwhelming wickedness that will soon descend on our land in just a few short weeks. But I also know that His Day is coming. He does want all to repent and receive Him as their God, but He will not wait forever.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9, NIV

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” Genesis 6:3, NIV

Sermons from Good News: focus on building faith.

FYI to the reader: I'll share a little more about the service after the sermon notes.

Church 7/13/2024

Offertory scripture:

Your giving to God is the result of entering into a relationship with Him.

John 14:5-6

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Sermon message:

Thesis: focus on building faith.

You need faith for every part of the Christian life.

1 John 5:4

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

One thing that builds our faith is us focusing on God.

Example: Mary when the angel told her she would have a baby.

Luke 1:37

For no word from God will ever fail.”

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Paul focused on God. It built his faith. We too can and must.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 6:10-11

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 17:24-27

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Jesus and Peter were ordered to pay the temple tax. Peter asked Jesus what to do:

Matthew 17:27

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Faith comes from the Word of God.


Point #1: Peter takes need to Jesus.

Take your needs to Jesus. He will then take it to the Father directly. Now we can go to God the Father and pray in Jesus’s name.

Be careful: others, including Christians, can make us worried.

Faith is knowing the situation and knowing that Jesus is the solution.

Faith is not denying the situation but instead declaring the answer in the face of the situation.


Point #2: Jesus tells Peter to do something.

Forgive and let God handle the situation.

What Jesus told Peter to do sounded ridiculous. But he did it anyway.


Point #3: Peter does what Jesus says.

It sounded ridiculous. But it was God and it was powerful. God comes through.

When you have a need, the Bible says: “give.”

God makes “ridiculous” beautiful and wonderful.


Point #4: Peter experienced the impossible.

It pays to do what God asks you to do, even when it may seem ridiculous.

Although I am a part of my church's band and play at (almost) every service at the beginning, on Saturdays (our Sunday service equivalent) I also lead the closing praise & worship song just by myself. I was set to do that again on this day. However, because sometimes God will intervene and redirect the end of the service, I may end up not doing this part. That happened this time, for two reasons:

1. My pastor wanted to publicly bless my love and me in front of our church ahead of our wedding which is now almost here. He appointed a couple people to lay hands on us and pray over us, which was wonderful. Afterward, he had us sit down. Presumably he was going to ask the entire church to extend a hand over us as he prayed. But instead...

2. During our church service, someone attempted an assassination over Donald Trump while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, PA. As a church we ended up praying for him, for his healing, and for his protection. Because it had just happened, we were not sure how critical of a condition he was in. We later found out that (thankfully) only his right ear had been grazed and that he was otherwise fine. But we spent the last few minutes of the service praying for him. It was heartwarming on Monday to see YouTube clips of him making an appearance at the Republican National Convention which is being held in Milwaukee this week. I will release another post in the next day or so dovetailing off this, but just want to declare, Praise God, President Trump is fine and will make a full recovery. Our nation needs him, and more and more people across the land are seeing that.

Devotionals from my Bible app: Following the Way of Jesus (Luke 9:23-24)

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24, NIV

Note before sharing the devotional: And there you have it. This is the way it's supposed to be done.

Following the Way of Jesus

Discipleship is at the center of the Christian life. To be a disciple means to be a learner. It means following after Jesus, and patterning our life after His.

Jesus tells us that the starting point of following Him is to deny ourselves. Denying ourselves means we choose to put Jesus’ desires above our own. This means that we must come to recognize that we do not have all the answers, or know the right way to go through life.

Discipleship is not something we do once or twice. It is a lifestyle that must be lived out each and every day. We will spend our entire lives becoming more like Jesus.

The way of life Jesus modeled was to suffer on the cross. When we deny ourselves, we choose to humbly follow Jesus. And as we become more like Jesus, we will also need to take up our cross. We will also suffer for doing good, and for denying things that seem enticing in the moment, but ultimately keep us from God. When we bear our suffering, we represent Christ to those around us.

The paradox of following Jesus is that when we give up our life for His sake, we receive eternal life in return. When we hold onto our life and keep it from Jesus, we don’t get to experience the abundant life that He promises.

Take some time today to consider how you’re living a life of discipleship. Take inventory on the ways you are denying yourself and living for Christ, or living selfishly for your own pleasure and gain. Commit to following Jesus no matter how hard the path gets. And pray for strength and endurance as you follow Him.

Prayer: God, self-denial can be so hard! I need Your strength and Your grace. I can't do it on my own. Thank You for teaching me how to deny and live for You. Show me how to carry my cross like Jesus carried His. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Devotionals from my Bible app: Stay Alert (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Stay Alert

Have you ever let your guard down when you shouldn’t have?

Maybe you got lazy. Maybe you got distracted. Maybe you cared too much about someone else’s opinions. Maybe you got tired of standing your ground.

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, would understand. He left everything to follow Jesus. He loved, trusted, and believed in Jesus. But when being associated with Jesus threatened His own security and reputation, Peter denied Him—three times.

Thankfully, Jesus forgave him, restored him, and even empowered him to preach at Pentecost—the day that 3,000 people were baptized and the early church began.

It was that Peter who wrote:

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT

If we’re going to resist the enemy, we must stay on both the offensive and defensive.

The Offensive: Stay alert. Stand firm. Be strong. Read God’s Word. Seek God-centered community. Fight for time and connection with God. Remind yourself that there are others fighting this battle with you.

The Defensive: If someone is twisting the truth, call it out. If you notice an injustice, do something to help. If your enemy the devil is wreaking havoc, have the courage to fight for good.

For the times that you’ve already let your guard down, don’t allow yourself to stay stuck in guilt or shame. We’ve all had moments where we’ve slipped. Ask for forgiveness and keep moving forward.

What did Jesus do after He was raised back to life? He found Peter. In fact, he cooked breakfast on the beach for Peter! He gave Peter another chance, and even established him as a leader.

So stay alert. And remember: God is also fighting for you.

Prayer: God, I desire to live my life for You. I need Your help staying alert throughout the day. Help me be aware of the things You want me to pay attention to. Give me the courage to step out in faith when You ask me to. Help me discern what is holy so that I can please You in all I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Devotionals from my Bible app: The Power of Life and Death (Proverbs 18:21)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21, NIV

Note before sharing the devotional: the first time I ever heard the highlighted passage for today's devotional, Proverbs 18:21, was in a Bible study at my former church in 2019, when I was handed an assignment by the small group leader to lead a sub-group through this verse and ask them to share what God revealed to them about. If I'm not mistaken, there's a good chance that on the same night as this group meeting (at least in the same season) I was handed a photocopy of the hymn shown below. I thought it would be good to combine the two for today's post and devotional.

The Power of Life and Death

Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of someone's hurtful words. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone speaking kindly to you.

Words matter. Your words matter. And, God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them.

Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or initiate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?

“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.

Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.

Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm … we don’t want to be unkind or critical. But, James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.

So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?

Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t get there on our own. We cannot, in our own power, control our tongues. But, we do have a part to play in the process: we need to stick close to Jesus.

When we read His Word, seek His face, and walk in His ways (no matter how many times we mess up and have to begin again), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to grow in our lives. The biblical term is abiding: staying, continuing, or remaining in Jesus’ presence.

As we abide with Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to guide the way we speak and change the way we act. When that happens, our words start to bring life and hope to the people around us.

Today, how will you use your words to bring healing and hope to people? How will you stick close to Jesus so that His power can equip you to speak life?


Prayer: God, I want to submit to You. Please fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and other people, so that way my words bring life and encouragement to everyone. Transform me into a new person by changing me from the inside out.

Devotionals from my Bible app: A Cup Overflowing with Blessings (Psalm 23:5-6)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:5-6, NKJV

A Cup Overflowing with Blessings

As Psalm 23 comes to a close, the psalmist paints a scene that is both dynamic and ironic: a lavish banquet is prepared right in front of his enemies.

Imagine God laying out a feast before you in the presence of adversity and fear. God gives abundantly in the middle of hardship. “You anoint my head with oil,” the psalmist adds, “my cup overflows.”

Anointing with oil demonstrates divine favor and strength. It's like a warrior receiving a blessing before battle. Every obstacle and doubt are met with God's presence. The psalmist’s cup isn’t just full, it’s running over! In God, we have blessings that joyfully spill over into the lives of others.

The psalmist concludes with wholehearted trust:

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6

God's goodness and love are our constant companions, following us everywhere we go. God’s goodness and love surround us and lead to the perfect presence of our Shepherd, forever. There, we will live "in the house of the Lord." Now and forever, we are always welcome in His presence.

As you go about your day today, let the imagery of this passage fill your imagination: a banquet set before you. Your head anointed with oil. Goodness and love following you all the days of your life.

Prayer: God, no matter what, there is something to praise You for today. Thank You for the man, many ways You should how much You love me. Open my eyes to see Your goodness. Teach me to dwell in Your presence with a heart that overflows in gratitude. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Devotionals from my Bible app: A God of Comfort (Psalm 23:4)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4, NKJV

A God of Comfort

In ancient Israel, the rod and staff of a shepherd protected and guided the sheep, and even reminded the sheep that the shepherd was there. Familiar with this, King David, a shepherd at one time, used the metaphor in Psalm 23:4 to convey this truth: God was his protector and guide.

King David faced death many times and had enemies bent on killing him. He also dealt with his own sin issues and personal mistakes. But in the midst of all this, he repeatedly turned his attention to the faithfulness of God and to the assurances of God.

Where did he find these assurances?

King David would have been a student of the Hebrew Scripture, the Torah—the first five books in our Bibles.

To a Hebrew, the Torah wasn’t just a story about God, it was the very Word of God. It was authority, promise, and guide. It was this Word that David based his life—and his psalms—upon. David could write about God’s character because:

1. He knew the Word of God.
2. He experienced the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that word.

We, too, have this—and more. We have the revealed Word of God from the ancient prophets in the Old Testament, the words of Jesus while on earth, and the revealed words of Jesus through the apostles and authors of the New Testament. In other words, we have what David had:

1. We have the Word of God.
2. We can experience the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that word.

Read what Jesus said to His disciples:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33, ESV

Like David, we don’t have anything to fear, because God is near—and He is our comfort. Knowing Scripture helps us confidently believe that God is and will be a faithful protector, guide, and presence to those who love Him. So today, determine to discover more of God's Word. It is in this source of truth that you will better know He who is the Good Shepherd.

Prayer: God, You are the foundation upon which I build my life. You are my source of protection and strength. You fight for me, protect me, and lead me through hard times. With You, I am never alone or abandoned. Thank You for being my source of strength and salvation. Thank You for crushing the devil's schemes and guiding me closer to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Along similar lines, Jesus invites us to find comfort in Him:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, NIV

Further, God's comfort is not just for ourselves to receive. We must give it out to others.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV

Devotionals from my Bible app: A Shepherd and His Flock (Psalm 23:1-3)

Note before sharing the devotional: Today's devotional post is going to be a sort of double-dip, as I believe the two themes can go together. I'll begin with the devotional first, as today's post plus the next two will cover the entire chapter, and thus share that common theme. After the prayer which usually comes last as part of the devotional, I'll proceed to share a God Shot reflection/observation from the Bible Recap that came in a recent reading. The common theme between the two is that we should trust God, no matter what. He promises rest, and He promises provision, but oftentimes it will come not in the way that we want or expect, oftentimes so that we will know that it came from Him rather than from another person or by some other means.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3, NKJV

A Shepherd and His Flock

The 23rd Psalm is a powerful declaration of trust and dependence on God. Today, we’ll look at how the first few words reveal a core belief that to accept God as our shepherd, we acknowledge that He is the One who provides for our every need. He is the ultimate source of comfort, guidance, and protection.

Just as a shepherd cares for his flock, tending to their every need and leading them to safe pastures, God also cares for us, His children.

The psalmist goes on to describe how God cares for His sheep. He makes us "lie down in green pastures," a metaphor for providing rest and security. He leads us "beside quiet waters," quenching our thirst and offering us peace. He "refreshes our soul," restoring our inner strength and well-being.

One of the most comforting promises in Psalm 23 is that God "guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Even when you are unsure of the way, you can trust that God will lead you in the right way (John 14:6). He will not allow you to wander into harm's way, for His name's sake.

How can knowing the Lord as your shepherd provide you with contentment when facing challenges? Repeat these words until they sink deep into your soul: The Lord is my shepherd, He will never leave me or forsake me. He will always provide for my needs and guide me on the right path.

Prayer: God, thank You for being my good Shepherd. There may be challenges but because of You, I lack nothing. I am refreshed. I am content. I can find safety and security in Your arms. Thank You for these powerful promises that bring peace. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Second reflection for today's post:

For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 2 Kings 3:17, NKJV

What was your God Shot today? Mine was just a little phrase in 2 Kings 3:17 [see above] where Elisha is prophesying to the kings about how they’ll defeat Moab. He says, “you shall not see wind or rain, but that stream bed shall be filled with water.” God was going to provide in such a way that was invisible to track. They wouldn’t be able to see any progress, just [the] results. This is the kind of thing that is always a trust-building exercise, when we can’t see how God is working but we just have to believe that He is. God does some of His best work in the dark. Just because it’s dark doesn’t mean he doesn’t have victory in store when the lights come on. Who knows what He’s up to? But even earthly losses still add up to eternal victories in God’s economy, so our hearts can be at peace. Regardless of whether your next battle is a victory or a setback, He’s where the joy is.
Tara-Leigh Cobble, The Bible Recap

Devotionals from my Bible app: There's More (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Note before sharing the devotional: here are a couple other Bible verses that come to mind:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV

I still struggle a lot with the above verse. But this is one that should be one of the top 25 foundational keystone verses of the Christian faith. God sees things we don't, and He sees things that we even cannot conceive, as He directly told Jeremiah at one point:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3, NIV

Further, God reminds us that not only can He see and know all things, but He can also do all things:

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27, NIV

Finally, below is an interesting visual from the perspective of a small plane (a Cessna 182) looking down at the highways from some 3,000 ft above:

 

The point being, God used this (and other views from 3,000 ft above) to illustrate to me the difference between my ways and what I see vs His ways and what He sees. With Him, there is indeed more.

There’s More

There are plenty of things we can see: trees, stars, mountains, oceans, people, penguins, our best friend's smile, elephants, skyscrapers, coffee beans, sunsets, and tulips, to name a few.

God created all those things. He made the natural world, as well as the laws that govern it.

But there are also things we cannot see: behind the breath of the wind, beyond the depths of the universe, beneath the foundations of love. Through Christ, all things were created—in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16).

And while our mortal eyes might not be able to see the wind or infrared light or the Spirit of God, we still experience their effects. Because there’s more than what meets the eye. There’s more beyond this life.

Paul’s friends, the Corinthians, were experiencing great hardship. They were being hunted and persecuted because of what they believed about Jesus—that He was the long-awaited Messiah. Some were even facing death. But Paul encouraged them to endure such fleeting trials with a hope that’s beyond this world. He wrote:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

Human eyes can only see so much. Human minds can only grasp so much. But we can trust God with all that we cannot see or comprehend.

God is real. We might not be able to see Him today, with our physical eyes, but we can experience the effects of His life. Jesus sacrificed Himself so that you might live, and an abundant life awaits you—both on earth and in heaven. There is more beyond the here and now.

So, will you fix your eyes on what’s seen or unseen? Will you trust your five senses, or turn your heart to trust in Him?



https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.4.18.ESV

Prayer: Jesus, I look to You right now. There's so much going on in my life, but I want You to be the center of everything. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You. Help me to see what You see and worship You in everything. Amen.

Sermons from Good News: True Freedom

Note before sharing the sermon: this is a message I can get behind (if you've been following other recent commentaries I have been sharing about my church's sermons) and in fact have been getting behind. Going back to the message comparing and contrasting the different types of faith -- Abraham-level faith vs. Thomas-level faith vs. John-level faith -- while I identify with Thomas in a lot of ways, I also have been connecting with what my pastor also said about John-level faith. God indeed does make a way for those who only have Thomas-level faith. It's why I've been working in earnest lately to get into God's Word each day and grow in knowledge of Him. And it's not just because my pastor says so; last decade I felt various different promptings by the Holy Spirit to get into His Word because, frankly, I wasn't. I came to worship band rehearsal at my former church one evening and saw a Bible (not mine) sitting on my music stand. To the untrained eye, it would appear as if someone had left it there and forgot it. However, spiritually a different message came across: you need to get back into reading this. And it was true; although I had gotten baptized and publicly declared my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior back on December 1, 2013, I then inexplicably stopped reading my Bible for an entire year after that. (Ironic as it came on the heels of my last successful read-through for an entire year!) Looking back, I had gotten off track, not just in not reading my Bible, but in a shifting of my faith off God and onto other things. I was in a season of incredible healing which He was leading me through, but I started attributing the good things in my life at the time not to the Lord but rather to the people and the blessings themselves.

In 2017, after I was going through a wave of intense trial and challenge, I felt prompted to read through the book of Proverbs and really get to know it. I did, but I didn't get very far (I think I dropped off about ten chapters in). I did soak up a couple key verses, which really showed themselves to be kind of mission statements in and of themselves for this endeavor:

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7, NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23, NIV

I also did have my concerns about King Solomon who had written most of these, as he ended up doing what was evil in God's eyes after starting so well. But the sense I had gotten was that, despite Solomon's multitudinous sins, the wisdom contained in the book of Proverbs was still valuable for my instruction. I read through the whole book a few weeks ago as part of my reading program this year with The Bible Recap. One piece of feedback that they provide for all participants of the Bible reading program is that these proverbs are general guidelines for right living based on the experiences of folks who were alive at the time, not commandments, and not promises. I thought that that was really encouraging, and interestingly, it drew me in further to the book of Proverbs vs. before.

Although merely reading and studying the Word of God will not bring you salvation -- you still have to make that conscious choice to publicly receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and publicly declare His Lordship over your life (and then make every effort to surrender your plans in favor of His) -- spending time in the Word is guaranteed to grow and develop the faith in Him that you already do have.

Church 6/29/2024

Offertory scripture:

Deuteronomy 28:12-13

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

Reminder: James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Sermon message:

Thesis: True Freedom

Faith is substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.

As great as our country is with the freedoms we have, no country can truly make you free, or take away your guilt or pain, etc.


Point #1: God’s Word brings freedom.

Numbers 23:19

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 17:17

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

The truth of the Word of God will make you free from guilt and fear, among other things.

2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Romans 5:5

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The more you get into the Word of God, the freer you’ll be.

The enemy will try to stop you from reading the Word of God for this very reason: God’s Word will keep you from being enslaved.


Point #2: Jesus Christ brings freedom.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Colossians 1:13–14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Jesus will free you from bondage, no matter what bondage.


Point #3: The Holy Spirit gives you freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus.

If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more does your Heavenly Father give you the Holy Spirit if you ask Him. (Matthew 7:11, NIV)

Devotionals from my Bible app: Heavy Weight Removed (Isaiah 53:6)

Note before sharing the devotional: The older I get (relatively speaking), and the more I know, the more aware I have become how I know the right thing to do and then don't do it. Sin is still sin, but it is worse to know the right thing to do and then not do it vs. not knowing the right thing to do and then sinning because of ignorance. This, I believe is a key part why I (and all of us who profess to believe) need to continue pleading for God's mercy. None of us can produce enough righteousness on our own to please God in order to, among other things, be granted entry into heaven upon dying. We need God's mercy, and the only way to receive that mercy is by receiving what God has already done for you and me: He sacrificed His Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross for our sins, and it was Jesus's blood that paid the requisite price for all sin, past, present and future. But it starts with us humbling ourselves. Ultimately, God will humble us if we don't.

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6, NKJV

Heavy Weight Removed

We’ve all done things that weigh us down and make us wonder, “Why do I do what I know is wrong?”

In Scripture, sin is used to describe actions that miss the target God has asked us to aim for: living a life centered around loving God and others. While there are universal actions that dishonor God, small acts of disobedience also pull us away from Him. The apostle James wrote that “it is a sin to know what the right thing to do is, and then not do it” (James 4:17).

In other words, if you know what God is asking you to do, yet you still decide to disobey Him—then you’re undermining God’s authority in your life. Sin entices us because it is self-gratifying, but it results in eternal separation from God and others.

For a long time, there was no way for most people to draw near to God because God cannot be a part of anything that undermines His perfect character.

But while we were controlled by sin, Jesus came and died for us. And because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now experience a life that isn’t ruled by our mistakes.

Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice and separation from God can lead to our reconciliation with Him. None of this is because we deserve it, but because God has always desired it.

While we might continue to struggle between doing right and wrong, we don’t have to face this struggle alone. And the great news is: God wants to help because He knows that we can’t overcome sin on our own.

So right now, take note of some of the things you are currently struggling with. Where do you need to give God control? Picture handing those things over to Jesus and allow Him to show you His love for you. He paid the price for your forgiveness. You only need to receive it.



https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.53.6.ESV

Prayer: God, thank You for making a way for me to leave the weight of my sins behind. Help me to remember that Your grace is always available because Your Son gave His life for me. You made a way for me to be forgiven! Thank You! In Jesus' name, Amen.

A retrospective: diagnosis of a guy I'm calling "Guitar Hero"

 This isn't an epitaph. But I'm also writing as if it might be one someday soon.

As I was finishing up writing yesterday's post, I was reminded of the reason my once-former band, Ring Shout, started getting together again: our drummer, Mark, unexpectedly passed away in February, and although we've been a few years removed from COVID and the associated shutdowns, the bands never quite coalesced the same. I know my "excuse": I met my love right before COVID took over the country, and part of us getting serious about someday being married is that I had to change my priorities. My career needed to change (it was already underway), but I needed to build toward something greater. That required going back to school, which I did until other interruptions came along. 

So, my band days were over. But, even with that, Ring Shout & Friends never quite re-formed. A new band, made up of a good chunk of Ring Shout & Friends "alums" started playing again (I think) sometime in 2021. Although I was asked about participating, I declined and instead gave my blessing for them to plug in another keyboardist in my place. But that band was more of a cover band, and from what I understand, their mission was to perform more at, let's say, politically-themed events. Yeah, I would have been out nonetheless if I hadn't already been proactive in stepping away to focus on building a new career and what was at the time a new blossoming relationship.

Just about all of the members from Ring Shout (now with the "& Friends" extension dropped) as well as this offshoot cover band attended Mark's funeral. It was indeed a catching up, and in some sense a realization of what was lost with his passing. Ironically, Mark was one of the other people not included in this cover band, but unlike me, it doesn't sound like they even invited him to participate. But he still jammed occasionally with other members of our community of musicians and was otherwise still active on the music scene with his other groups up until the time of his passing.

But the dinner after the funeral service was only one of two reasons Ring Shout (minus the "& Friends" extension) started getting together to jam on old tunes. The other was that the offshoot band started falling apart, due to apparently more reasons than I realize, but primarily (I think) because it was also revealed at the funeral that the ringleader who organized it had fallen ill. He's been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. He fell ill sometime last summer, and as of February he was already on the upswing. But as the few of us who had gathered in May to rehearse were packing up for the night, one of the guys informed the rest of us that "around now" he was set to undergo either surgery or another round of intensive chemo therapy. Or both.

Because he's still alive as of this post, I don't feel right sharing his real name. So I'm calling him "Guitar Hero," because that moniker perfectly fits his band persona. He is what I would call a "virtuoso guitarist" but he also has the "rizz" (borrowing a Gen Z term!) to fit said moniker.

Sadly, "Guitar Hero" was one of the individuals on a short list of people back in 2019 that I realized I needed to remove from my life. (As such, meeting my love and going through the COVID era with the accompanying shutdowns provided the perfect cover for me to remove him and a few others from my life.) The short version is, he falls under the category of what Apostle Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15:33 [Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (NIV)]. 

The longer version includes the knowledge that I believe his musical inspiration is demonic and that he actually has served the devil in his life. At a house party gig rehearsal in May 2019 he shared how a demon waking him up early one morning to tell him that he (the demon) was going to play "lucky games" with him that day inspired him to write a song with that as the title. Then we were spared from playing a different song (I believe that he had composed) at a gig that December because one of the other singers had caught a cold and declined to sing. That song's lyrics basically were from the perspective of the devil punishing someone "for their own good." I freaked out in rehearsal when this was added to the set list (it was introduced last-minute, at the last rehearsal, in fact), and relieved when it turned out we weren't going to do it at the gig.

The thing is, I had been deceived about Guitar Hero almost the entire time he and I had performed in bands together. When we first met some years prior, he was akin to the happy-go-lucky kid who just wanted to jump around, jam, and perform. At our very first gig together (a very loosey-goosey coffeeshop event where the crowd was essentially made of family and friends of the bandmembers) I started playing the intro to The Who's "Baba O'Riley" as a joke in between songs (I heard this song every day in homeroom my senior year in high school, so I basically had it memorized). Right as I was about to stop, he and the other bandmembers jumped in, and we played the song. It was fun. 

But that happy-go-lucky dude gradually turned into a sort of manipulative control freak, and I didn't notice a thing until 2018 when Guitar Hero abruptly pulled out of a gig (another coffeeshop event that had multiple moving parts and desperately needed his participation to put it all together). I remember seeing the email where he stated as such. Whatever the issues were, I could tell he was ticked even before opening it to read. After multiple fruitless reaching-out attempts by another bandmember and I, we did the gig but completely lost trust in the guy. The reasons he had given for being upset and pulling out were completely bogus, and to additionally refuse to be available for further discussion really threw me off. I did forgive him, although it took some time. 

But it was during this forgiveness process (and after I had completely forgiven him) that God revealed to me the truth about Guitar Hero: he was not only not "just on the cusp of salvation" (he clearly knew about Jesus Christ, and he believed in recovery and worked for several different organizations that had recovery and healing programs) but rather he was instead in outright rebellion against Him. All that "compassionate care" that he preached and appeared to practice turned out to be a lie in a lot of ways. The other bandmember who had gotten burned by Guitar Hero along with me in 2018 still didn't see it, and he inexplicably chose to trust him again after the initial heartbreak and betrayal pain had worn off.

Nonetheless, I was shocked in February when I found out Guitar Hero had been diagnosed with cancer, and that it was already at Stage 4. Even as I'm writing this, I'm still coming to grips with the very real possibility that he may not be long for this world. It's one thing to have boundaries and decide not to ever perform with him in any gig where original music is involved (which is what I've since decided). It's quite another when life and death are involved. He needs Jesus, and he needs to know that, contrary to what he's been taught, and contrary to what he's believed his entire adult life (and perhaps childhood as well), Jesus Christ still loves him and is willing to forgive everything, if he would only receive Him as Savior and put his trust in Him as the Lord of his life.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9, NIV

In October I believe I was handed a new (of sorts) job by God: to open people's hearts to Jesus. That may include Guitar Hero, and it may also include the other bandmembers mentioned in the previous post, including the one who slammed all "white Christian nationalists" for wanting to have more babies (I'm actually not offended at his comment; my reaction is more of a "scratching my head" / "shaking my head"). I haven't really had a whole lot of opportunities to pray / ask God about what He wants to with my life after marriage, but there's a good chance that the things that are in play now, even ahead of the wedding, will play a role in what is to come and/or be revealed.

Still, I cannot trust myself. I still try to, and it's terrible. I need God to do the work He wants, and for Him to have His way, and I still have a lot of work to do on just that alone.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10, NIV