I share an awful lot of personal experience on here, in an effort to be *transparent* (one of God's words of the year for me recently). This has been a challenge because there are sketchy people on the web, and they're just waiting to take advantage.

On the flipside, God has asked me to trust him in *all* things (Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 26:4, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 37:5, Jeremiah 17:7, to name a few verses). In fact, He says it many times in the Bible, which means it's important for me to not only understand, but to live it. I had something big I had to learn (again) to trust Him with recently. TBH, it was a relief to unburden myself from the "what if" and know that *if* something comes of it, the Lord will protect me. He may not make it go away, but He'll lead me through it. Ah, yesterday's sermon comes to fruition: things we've learned, we now have to learn again & be able to let go of the fear of the unknown, and 100% trust in God.

Okay, I'm trusting (and exhaling).

/1 HOW TO AVOID THE TITANIC MISTAKE
by Nicky Gumbel

James Cameron, director of the movie *Titanic,* describes the Titanic as a "metaphor" of life: "We are all living on… [the] Titanic." When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was declared to be "unsinkable" because it was constructed using a new technology. The ship’s hull was divided into sixteen watertight compartments. Up to four of these compartments could be damaged or even flooded, and still the ship would float.

Tragically, the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, at 2.20 am. 1,513 people lost their lives. At the time, it was thought that five of its watertight compartments had been ruptured in a collision with an iceberg. However, on September 1, 1985, when the wreck of the Titanic was found lying upright on the ocean floor, there was no sign of the long gash previously thought to have been ripped in the ship’s hull. What they discovered was that damage to one compartment affected all the rest. Many people make the Titanic mistake. They think they can divide their lives into different "compartments" and that what they do in one will not affect the rest. However, as Rick Warren (from whom I have taken this illustration) says, "*A life of integrity is one that is not divided into compartments.*"

David prayed for "*an undivided heart*" (Psalm 86:11). He led the people with "*integrity of heart*" (78:72). Supremely, Jesus was a "*man of integrity*" (Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14). How can you and I avoid the Titanic mistake and live lives of integrity?

/2

Woke up to a message, inviting me over for mimosas this weekend.

*sigh*

I keep forgetting: just because the last three months have been challenging and have changed me, doesn't mean people will understand that things are different now, probably forever. For the better, too, but that will also be lost on people.

Another thing I noticed, three longtime friends have seemingly used this time as an excuse to sever our relationship, mainly because of not understanding side effects of stroke, but I suspect it was the excuse they needed because of differences in faith & politics. I'd love to be wrong, but weekly phone calls have stopped (for about a month now), and I've got to say, it seems the human condition is more fractured now than ever, and to me, this is proof.

I looked up this phenomenon of losing friends over faith & polotics, and found an encouraging blog about one woman's experience. (This will be my prayer for the next few weeks, I suspect, to grow my faith as I release my hold on the things I once knew.)
(Blog and Bible study to follow):

/1 The woman's blog:



/2 goingbyfaith.com/losing-friends…

Thirteen years. I've had Buster Pawsy since he was a puppy, wandering the streets abandoned. The neighbor kids walked around the neighborhood asking if people knew who he belonged to. Everyone said no, but I told them if they didn't find the owners, I'd take him. One of the best impulse decisions of my life.

/1 HOW TO STOP WORRYING
by Nicky Gumbel

I can’t even remember his name and I didn’t think much of his talk. We were both eighteen years of age. He had just joined the army. As he stood up to give the talk, he produced his army boots as a visual aid. He called one of the boots "*trust*" and the other one "*obey*". He described them as the left and right boot of the Christian life. He only spoke for seven minutes, but his illustration hit home and I have never forgotten it. "*Trust*" and "*obey*" are, as he said, a very good summary of the Christian life. We see in the passages for today that they are the answer to trials, temptation, worry, anxiety, fear, failure and all the other struggles of life. In particular, Jesus shows us how to stop worrying and start living.

/2

I had an incredibly loving conversation with my event planning biz partner last night about stepping out of a partner role due to my health, but a continuing role in whatever capacity I felt up to. I would essentially do invoices & research & appointments, when the time comes (essentially what I'm doing now, but as an employee again, not actually a partner). The stress lifted from my shoulders after I hung up, knowing I wasn't letting her down, and giving me space to have a few less concerns right now. A real praise-the-Lord moment, to be sure. (Also may have figured out the lack of energy during the day - low blood pressure & magnesium. We'd upped my mgs of both bp meds & magnesium, and perhaps that needs adjusting when & how much again.)

/1 IT IS ALL YOURS
by Nicky Gumbel

The Chelsea Flower Show may well be the most famous flower show in the world. It attracts visitors from all continents. There are four grades of award presented, Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver and Bronze. As well as awards for gardens and flowers, the Knightian award is for exhibits of vegetables. I once heard a man being interviewed about the fact that he was retiring after winning the gold medal for his vegetables for ten years in a row. Asked for the secret of his success, he said, "*I aim for perfection. But I settle for excellence*." "Aim for perfection" (2 Corinthians 13:11), writes the apostle Paul. This is very different from "perfectionism". Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by striving for flawlessness. It leads to setting excessively high performance standards. Perfectionists are overly critical of themselves and constantly concerned about what others think of them. It leads to a fear of failure and making mistakes. It can lead to depression, anxiety and missed opportunities. God’s people have always been called to aim high (while avoiding the dangers of perfectionism). God gave to his people in the Old Testament a wonderful vision of their potential *inheritance*. It is all yours in Christ Jesus.

/2

I'm so excited. My friends @bboxrocks @pastebaby and @Ginger_Horns are going to be in town & coming to see me today.

Which means it's house cleaning day. My friend offered her house cleaner to help, but she never called back. My other friend also offered her house cleaner, so I should probably take her up on it because there are so many chores I can't do yet, and the house is slightly chaotic. Tomorrow is definitely my day of rest but today needs to get rolling. Groceries will be here within the next 3 hours. Glad I cleaned out the fridge yesterday.

/1
HOW TO BECOME WISE
by Nicky Gumbel

(Mush note: I believe this Bible study devotional was written many years ago, before certain people got hyper-partisan & political & showed their true colors. Am I being judgmental? Perhaps. But it always leads me to pray for my wisdom & people who I disagree with. Having said that, I present the Bible study in its entirety because the Lord's message contained within is the same today, yesterday & forever (Hebrews 13:8) Thanks for coming to my God, not TED, talk 😉)

On to today's devotional:
Oprah Winfrey says, "Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself." In other words, wisdom comes from within and is a kind of intuition. Since you are created in the image of God, there is truth in this. However, as we see in today’s passages, true wisdom comes from God and it is supremely acquired through your relationship with him. As we have seen, knowledge is horizontal. But wisdom is vertical. It comes down from above. You will grow in wisdom as you learn, reflect and live in relationship with God. We all desperately need wisdom. In the Old Testament there are several books of "Wisdom": Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. In addition, sprinkled throughout the Bible are various writings which might loosely be described as "Wisdom Literature," dealing with such diverse areas as the power of the tongue, the blessings of faithfulness, the dangers of adultery, the hazards of strong drink, the inequalities of life, the sufferings of the righteous, the skill of leadership and the art of parenting. This wisdom is a kind of sanctified common sense. It leads to greater self-understanding. It gives you the ability to cope in life and to steer through and master its challenges. It is the sort of legacy good parents want to hand on to their children. Ultimately, wisdom is found in Jesus Christ, who is the "wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).

/2

I had saved this video (in the next post) this weekend, thinking, "this is great for the kid's confidence, but even greater for the mom to know that her kid is gonna be okay in the world because he is being given a chance with responsibility." Then I saw my outdoor cats & realized at the beginning of my rehab journey, I was terrified bad things would happen to them because I wasnt able to do anything for them but throw down some food. Then I realized a couple months' in that they were savvy to predators and ultimately God, not me, would keep them safe. I must trust God with their well-being. And here they are, thriving, not because of my actions, but because of God's love for all his creation. And here I am, a helicopter cat *mom*, letting go of the things I can't control anyway, especially now. Perhaps that's part of what this recovery journey is all about. Hm?

/1 Video mentioned in post above:

/2

https://x.com/HouseoftheMuse_/status/1903911681031287271?t=Mmdry2w6mEzC0SjvBshzbw&s=19

I was sharing yesterday's Bible study intro & discussing the Holy Spirit with a friend, and she mentioned she doesn't attribute things to the Holy Spirit in case it's her own ego or opinion giving vent. I said I understood that, but I offered the defining criteria for me: if it's a correction, I believe that's the Holy Spirit & I can act on it immediately (for instance, if I'm unkind, I can without much hesitation apologize to the person I was unkind to). But if it's going forward with a plan or desire, I wait a little longer until I'm certain it is the Holy Spirit passing along God's will. How do I know? Usually with confirmation through prayer, Bible study, sermons and/or through other trusted friends or sources. This has become a little easier after years & years of doing things my own way and plunging into mistake after mistake. Frankly, listening to the Holy Spirit is the only way for me to live now because I'm too tired to keep making lifelong mistakes. It's God's way or no way. (But yes, I admit, I still make mistakes out of decades of bad habits.)

/1 YOUR HOTLINE TO GOD
by Nicky Gumbel

Until the more recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, the Cuban Missile Crisis was probably the closest we have come to World War III. In October 1962, there was a standoff between President Kennedy of the United States and Premier Khrushchev of the Soviet Union over planting missiles in Cuba. The crisis was averted because communication was established. It was decided to put one red telephone on the desk of the President of the United States, and another on the desk of the Premier of Soviet Russia. The communication link was called, as it still is, the ‘*hotline*’. Communication is vital to all relationships. Setting aside time to build and nurture communication is essential. Jesus has given you a "hotline" to God, but it is not just for emergency use – it is to be used all the time.

/2

I think I figured something out last night. I have been ripping off my cpap machine after 4 hours every night. Consequently, I was waking up grumpy & unrefreshed. But last night, I went to sleep without taking Zzzzquil Naturals. Slept the entire night with the cpap in place. Woke up in a much better mood. Could it have been as easy as that? They say Zzzzzquil is harmless & non-addictive, but is it? I can see taking it occasionally, but I was taking it every night. I can't wait to see how tonight goes. I really need my restorative sleep. A rested Mush is a happy Mush.

/1 SAVIOR
by Nicky Gumbel

The world is looking for a savior. The Canadian musician, Lights, expresses this in the lyrics of her song, "Saviour":
"The night is deafening, When the silence is listening, And I’m down on my knees, And I know that *something is missing*… Sooner than later, *I’ll need a saviour*, *I’ll need a saviour*...

Lecrae (Moore), is a rapper, entrepreneur, record-producer and actor. He speaks for many of us when he says, "I’m not a Christian because I’m strong and have it all together. I’m a Christian because I’m weak and admit *I need a savior*." The amazing truth of Christianity is that in Jesus *you* *do have a savior*. How should you respond to this extraordinary good news?

/2

Woke up with a mild case of vertigo today. The Lord thinks I'm strong enough to handle one more dizziness-inducing and unsteadying thing, I guess.

He's right, though. I will be on the couch, praising and praying all day on this *day of rest*. It simply means I will use the walker today for safety. I can deal with that.

It's kind of indicative of a life with the Lord. Some days, He equips you with the strength and knowledge to go out in faith; other days, He requires you to hold His hand through the storm for safety reasons. Got it. Today is a hand-holding *safety* day.

Today, in addition to praising & praying, I think I will catch up on correspondence (I am so old-fashioned) after I do Bible study & watch my church sermon. Perfect way to forget we've lost an hour overnight. Maybe that's why I have vertigo. Riiiiiight. I'm that in tune with the time change. Hope everybody finds their rest today ❤️

/1 WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART
by Nicky Gumbel

The Nobel Prize winner and most important Russian literary artist of the second half of the twentieth century, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918–2008), who was imprisoned for eight years for criticizing Stalin, wrote, "The line separating good and evil passes, not through states, nor through classes, nor through political parties... but right through every human heart – and through all human hearts." We are all created in the image of God. Human beings are capable of acts of great love, courage and heroism. Yet, not one of us (apart from Jesus) is without sin. Do you know what’s in your heart?

/2

Tried living with that work boundary yesterday ("it can wait til Monday when I'm on the clock again) but I tell ya, I felt something was off all day. I'm not used to doing something for work "later". I think the key is writing it down so I don't forget the specifics, especially now.

Anyway, today a day of rest cuz God says so, and I really only need a single day of rest. I can do as @bitmaelstrom suggested and up-charge for Saturdays. I think that's a very good idea. We used to do "6th days" in film production. Time and a half pay if you work a 6th day. No reason I can't continue with that, unless there's a day off M-F that would negate it being six straight days of work. Okay, it's settled then, will talk that over with my boss. Seems like a win/win, as long as a Sabbath day is still honored. I need that God time. I mean, I get to spend time with the Lord every day, but one set aside as a day of rest hits differently.

/1 A LOVING, ONGOING RELATIONSHIP by Nicky Gumbel

In one of his last songs, Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, asked the question: "Does anybody know what we are living for?" In spite of the fact that he had amassed *a huge fortune* and had attracted *thousands of fans*, Freddie Mercury admitted in an interview shortly before his death in 1991 that he was *desperately lonely*. He said, "You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man, and that is the most bitter type of loneliness. Success has brought me *world idolization* and *millions of pounds*, but it’s prevented me from having the one thing we all need – *a loving, ongoing relationship*."

There is only one relationship that is completely loving and ongoing, and for which we were created. Without that relationship there will always be a deep sense of aloneness and a lack of ultimate meaning and purpose.

At the heart of the Christian faith is this relationship with God where we find what we are living for. How can you and I have a relationship with the Creator of the universe? How in practice can we begin to communicate with God? What is the basis of this relationship?

/2

The devil is trying to get under my skin lately, and I'm falling for it. It's a conscious effort to rebuke him, and I must constantly ask for strength to do this. I have enough issues with physical strength right now without succumbing to the spiritual evils of this world. Must. Do. Better.

/1 MY EYES WERE OPENED
by Nicky Gumbel

It was as if I was blind. I must have heard many times that Jesus died for our sins. But I simply did not see it. I was spiritually blind. But when I understood the cross, my eyes were opened. Since then, I have noticed that as I have attempted to pass on the message of "Christ crucified", there are different responses. Sometimes very intelligent people simply cannot see it (see 1 Corinthians 1:23–25). On the other hand, I am often amazed at the understanding of others, including very young children. For all who see it, it is life changing: "to us who are being *saved* it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

I think it is fascinating that in today’s New Testament passage, after Jesus has explained his death, we have the story of blind Bartimaeus having his eyes opened (Mark 10:46–52). He says to Jesus, "I want to see" (v.51). Jesus replies, "'Go… your faith has *healed* you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus" (v.52). The word used for *healed* is the same Greek word as *saved* (*sozo*). Do you see it? The passages for today help us to see the significance of Jesus’ death.

/2

I think it might be time to start sharing my Ws, so people know that their prayers are working, and so I can get a grasp of how far I've come:

- I can walk most days with a cane, rather than a walker (I mostly use the walker when I first get up for safety reasons)
- I can roll over in bed by myself without grabbing onto the mattress and heaving myself
- I can wash, brush, braid & put my hair in a messy bun by myself (huge if you have long hair)
- I sometimes have the strength to stand at the stove & actually cook now (rather than push buttons on the microwave)
- I can put compression socks on if I need to (tough even if you haven't had a stroke!)
- I can clean the catbox by myself (my friends are very pleased with this)
- I can take the trash out & wash dishes (but still rely on neighbors to take the cans to the curb, which they faithfully do)
- I can carry a cup of coffee to the couch for my usual Bible study every morning without spilling a drop

While I used to take all of these things for granted, I no longer do and see them as big Ws in my rehab. There are still many Ls (Lost abilities: driving & shopping among my bigger Losses), but as long as I'm blessed with amazing friends, I can settle for the smaller Ws, for now, because each & every W points to God's mercy & glory.

/1 BETTER THAN FAME OR CELEBRITY
by Nicky Gumbel

In a survey of millennials, 50% of young adults said that a major life goal was to become famous. In the past, people wanted to be famous for *doing* something. Now, celebrity has become an end in itself. It has attained god-like characteristics. Not only do people want to be famous, they idolize those who have achieved celebrity status. This widespread interest in famous individuals has been described as "the cult of celebrity". Fame to the ambitious is like salt water to the thirsty. The more you get, the more you want. Madonna, who at one stage was probably the most famous woman on the planet, said, "I won’t be happy until I am as famous as God."
Celebrity and fame are only a pale reflection of true glory. "Glory" is used in the Bible to denote the manifestation of God’s presence. Glory is one of the most common words in the Bible. God’s glory means his importance, reputation, majesty and honor. Perhaps it is not surprising that as society moves away from worshipping *the glory of God*, it turns towards the worship of the "glory" of celebrity and fame. We are called to worship God’s glory and reflect it, however imperfectly, in our lives.

/2

I have literally spent hours counting my blessings surrounding this stroke (don't worry, I've had my share of grumbles, too). When I think of all the moments I *could* have had the stroke, I thank God that He spared me. Imagine trudging up 4 flights of stairs at an apartment building, delivering a flat of 32 bottled waters, and having a stroke mid-flight in the 100° heat, then tumbling down the stairs.

No, it happened in my sleep. Incredible.

Yup, I can see the blessings all over its timing. Makes you wonder the blessings surrounding your own struggles are, and how much worse it could be, huh? Seriously, counting your blessings in all circumstances is no joke and keeps you that much closer to the one who created you & loves you without end. This is when it especially is in our best interest to take hold of his righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

/1 HOW TO HEAR GOD
by Nicky Gumbel

When I saw him coming down the street, I would cross the road in order to avoid him. I'd met him in my first week at university. He had a shiny, smiley face. I had also met one or two others like him who had that same look on their face. It made me very suspicious!

A few months later, I encountered Jesus and realized that these people’s faces were shining because they had been spending time with Jesus, hearing God speak. Like Moses, when he came down from the mountain after *hearing God* speak to him, their faces were "radiant" (Exodus 34:29,35). Jesus said that "people do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Just as we need physical food, so we also need spiritual food. Spiritual food comes from *hearing the words of God*.

/2

It must have been your prayers, cuz the fever broke and I feel back to gained strength & no fatigue or aches. There is still minor chest congestion but I can handle that. Thank you again for your prayers & well-wishes. They are necessary for healing ❤️

And today's Bible study title shows exactly why prayer works.

/1 GOD WORKS FOR YOUR GOOD by Nicky Gumbel

Lord Radstock was staying in a hotel in Norway in the mid-nineteenth century. He heard a little child playing the piano downstairs in the hallway. She was making a terrible noise: ‘Plink... plonk... plink...’. It was driving him mad! A man came and sat beside her and began playing alongside her, filling in the gaps. The result was the most beautiful music. He later discovered that the man playing alongside was the girl’s father, Alexander Borodin, composer of the opera *Prince Igor*.

God calls you into a relationship that involves cooperation with him. The Christian faith is primarily about what has been done for you by God in Christ. However, we are not mere spectators. You are called to respond. God involves you in his plans. God comes and sits alongside you and "in all things... works for the good" (Romans 8:28). He takes our "plink… plonk... plink..." and makes something beautiful out of our lives.

/2

I watch a lot of home renovation shows, and only once did I see somebody safety minded for trip hazards in the design of her "forever home". She saw a future where her elderly parents might move in with her and planned accordingly. People don't think about these things enough, IMO. Now that I live in my parents' old house, I'm thankful for Dad's shower grab bars (esp now), even if they're ugly. There's nothing wrong with living safely. Some of my friends think I live in fear of the unknown, but there's a difference between living in fear & being safety-minded, as my PT says. There's also a huge difference between trusting God & throwing caution to the wind. I'll continue to trust God but use the common sense He gave me & be cautious. I can't avoid ALL hazards, but if I see a hazard potential, (like area rugs), I'll use my better judgment and remove the trip hazard, for now.

/1 HOW TO LIVE IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT
by Nicky Gumbel

Hundreds of thousands of Christians are among those who have fled Iraq and Syria in the midst of Islamic extremism and conflict. Christians face the threat of systematic torture and mass executions. Isis has declared Christianity as the number one enemy. Millions of Christians live in countries where they are persecuted for their faith. Many governments try to control the growth of the church. Even in traditionally Christian countries, sometimes there is hostility towards vibrant Christianity. Hostility to the people of God is not something new. People are often threatened by success, growth and large numbers. Perhaps you are facing hostility in your workplace or even in your family because of your faith. The passages today not only highlight the reality of living in a hostile environment, but they also point out how you can survive and thrive in the midst of such hostility.

/2

We all experience fear at some point in our lives. Today’s Bible study helps us understand and deal with it in a godly way.

NO FEAR
by Nicky Gumbel

At one level, fear is healthy. "Fear" is an emotion induced by a perceived threat. It is a natural human emotion. It is God-given. It is a basic survival mechanism. It keeps us alive. It protects us from danger.

However, there is also such a thing as unhealthy fear. The Greek word commonly used in the New Testament is *phobos* – from which we get the word "phobia". This is unhealthy fear. It is disproportionate to the danger posed. It is:
**F-alse
**E-vidence
**A-ppearing
**R-eal.

It is when I catastrophizse – overestimating the danger and underestimating my ability to cope. Common phobias include fears in relation to health, finances, failure, growing old, death, loneliness, rejection, messing up, public speaking, flying, heights, snakes and spiders.

They also include things such as, what is now called, FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out, the fear of not being special. In my own life, I have experienced many fears – from a fear of heights to panic attacks and other irrational fears, fears about preaching and a fear of doing anything that might bring dishonor to the name of Jesus.

Whereas the Spirit of God does not produce negative fear, there is a kind of healthy fear – the *fear of God*. This does not mean being frightened of God. In fact, it means the opposite. It is an understanding of who God is in relation to us. It means respect, reverence, awe, honor, adoration and worship; it could even be translated as *love for God*.

It recognizes the power, majesty and holiness of God Almighty. It leads to a healthy respect of God and is the antidote to all other fears and phobias we experience in life. Fear God and you need not fear anything else or anyone else.

It is no coincidence that as the fear of God has decreased in our society, all the other fears have increased. We need to return to a right relationship with God. The expression "*do not be afraid*" is one of the most frequent commands in the Bible. Four of the occurrences are in our passages for today.

/1 NO FEAR OF HARM
Proverbs 1:20–33

This passage gives you the key to avoiding "terror and panic" (v.26, AMP) and living "without fear or dread of evil" (v.33, AMP).

The idea of the "Fear of the Lord" is one of the key themes of Proverbs and appears twenty-one times throughout the book. It is a choice that you make. If you are wise, you will "choose to fear the Lord" (v.29) and "listen" to him. He promises that you "will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm" (v.33).

Wisdom is personified in the book of Proverbs (v.20). As we read it through the lens of the New Testament, we know that it is Jesus who is "the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24)

This passage (Proverbs 1:20–32) is a warning against ignoring the Lord’s voice and following a path of "waywardness" and "complacency" (v.32).

Instead, choose to fear God, listen to him and repent when he corrects you. If you do, God will reveal to you more than you could ever imagine. "I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you" (v.23a, AMP). He will reveal to you the hidden treasures of wisdom in his words. Choose this fear of God and you will be "in good hands" (v.33, MSG) and can be free from the fear of harm.

PRAYER:
Lord, I choose to fear you – to live a life in reverence and awe of your power, majesty and holiness. Help me to live life fearing you alone.

/2

Good morning, Bible study people!

I’ve had a few people lately ask me why I share so much of my life on Twitter-X, and there are a few answers to that.

One, I live alone, therefore, I think of you all as either my extended family (or a pesky younger sibling lol) or as my remote roommates with whom I would have a conversation either first thing in the a.m. or when I get home from work. I share the big moments and the inconsequential ones, and everything in between, hoping to make connections with shared experiences. I guess this is part of the new social *human condition*, and I’ve embraced it.

Secondly, and more importantly, I’m looking to make a difference in people’s faith in God. It has taken me six decades to understand my role and purpose in this life as God has given it: share His love and forgiveness and salvation with others who need to hear some good news (especially in today’s world). Again, I’m reaching out to make connections, but this time, they are ones with lasting implications. I share my life in order to open the door to the good news of Jesus Christ. When you realize nearly everything else is inconsequential, the resolve to share the gospel is ENORMOUSLY critical.

Lastly, I think everyone needs a little Buster, Auggie, Lunchie (RIP), Himmer, Mimiaow, Laverne & Shirley, and all of the other creatures that cross my path in their lives. 😉

/1


HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
by Nicky Gumbel

In an interview in Time Magazine, the great Swiss theologian Karl Barth recounted that he advised young theologians to "take your Bible and take your newspaper and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible."

When we read, watch or listen to the news it could be easy to get depressed. It sometimes seems that evil is triumphing over good. The plans of "the wicked" seem to succeed, while others are subject to the ravages of terrorism, war, poverty and injustice. This is why we desperately need to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and listen to the word of God.

As we study the Scriptures, we see the triumph of good over evil. In each of the passages for today we see that evil will *not* ultimately triumph. At the end of the day, good wins. Furthermore, in this struggle between good and evil, you *can* make a difference.

/2

Good morning, Bible study-ers!

Today's Bible study starts out with a look at the writer's balance. “Balance” was one of my God-words for 2024. At the beginning of 2024, I took it to mean that I needed to work on balancing my work life and my spiritual life. I was working 7 days a week and not taking days off, let alone a *Sabbath* day for spiritual rejuvenation and restoration.

As the weeks went on, though, I realized God had *physical* balance in the mix, as well. I remember tripping down a customer’s front sidewalk steps in Jan or Feb, and DOWN I went. Twisted my ankle, scraped my knees and elbows, and hit my temple on something that ended up breaking my glasses. My first thought after I jumped back up? “I hope no one saw that.” I looked around and didn’t see any neighbors outside, nor did my customer have a doorbell camera. WHEW.

Later, as I sat nursing my ankle with an ice pack, I had time to reflect. I had been more worried about my clumsiness causing embarrassment than I was about being hurt. Seems my lack of balance had a bit of a pride issue, as well. This led me to think about my spiritual life and how often I try to hide my sin not only from the rest of the world, but from God. Again, pride is center stage.

I can see how that one simple trip-and-fall was instrumental in my life, an “a-ha!” moment, if you will. Not only did I start to do balance training and stretching in my kitchen every morning as I waited for coffee to brew, but I also took a hard look at my schedule and made an attempt to balance my work life and my faith life.

Also, over the past year I’ve noticed that when I flub up (physically or spiritually), I don’t get embarrassed anymore. I get up, dust myself off, thank God for protecting me, and I move on. There’s a great peace in not carrying around the weight of embarrassment or pride. Maybe that comes with getting older, I don’t know. Either way, I’m thankful. And my balance training has kept me upright for many months now. Yay!

/1 FIND YOUR BALANCE
by Nicky Gumbel

My body is so inflexible. I was told once by a professional fitness trainer, who happened to notice the way I was walking, that I was one of the worst cases of stiffness he had ever come across. I am now trying to do more stretching!

I had considered myself reasonably fit (for my age!), as a result of still playing squash and biking everywhere. But in other ways, I realized I am not. Physical fitness is a balance of strength, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Some people are exceptionally strong but cannot even run to catch a bus. Others are aerobically fit (they could run a marathon), but they are not very strong.

However, spiritual fitness is far more important than physical fitness. It also involves balancing a number of areas of your life.

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Good morning, my friends ☀️! Happy Friday!

First off, a brief reminder that the *Beth & Kids Christmas* fundraiser is still going on. We went from 25% funded to over 45% funded in one day! In an effort to be completely transparent, my original goal was $2,000, so if you’re moved to help get the fundraiser to the goal line, DM me for payment app details! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please see my pinned tweet, then share as far and as wide as possible. I couldn’t do this without my community here (and with God’s help, of course). So thank you to all who have donated thus far, and to those contemplating helping Beth, a daughter of the King, less stressed this Christmas. ❤️🎄

And right in line with today's Advent devotional and the above intro, our Bible study is about finding God’s purpose in and for your life. I’ve said it recently, but I am never happier than when I am helping lift people up like my vet tech Beth and all of the recipients of the Thanksgiving baskets.

But it’s not about me; it’s about developing a community. The last few years have divided people so much, it’s disheartening, but when we all come together for a cause, it feels like nothing can stop us! And nothing can, when God is on our side, nudging us in the right direction to work for his kingdom and his glory.

Short little story here – I had something hurtful happen to me yesterday, and I was struggling with the best way to handle it. Usually I just blurt out the first things that come to mind, which, as you can imagine, are generally unkind words and puts people on the defensive immediately. I managed to get my point across at first, but I realized it wasn’t without a bit of remorse at my choice of phrasing. Later, I was able to smooth things over and explain myself more succinctly. It ended up with both of us on each others’ side again. Whew.

But as I was driving home, I heard the devil whispering nonsense in my ear, that I was selfish and self-centered toward this person and certainly not loving. I blurted out loud, “Not today, Satan. I know who is *providing for me here*. Get out.” (Actually, I blurted out a different phrase, but when I looked it up on the interwebz, it means something quite different and completely inappropriate! It was such a boomer moment lol)

Anyway, I’m always so thankful when the Holy Spirit intervenes in uncomfortable situations, and even more thankful when I heed the warnings and/or advice. But more than just that…I love when the Holy Spirit prompts me to be kind and generous to others. I believe that’s one of the first steps to loving your neighbor. And we are all each other’s neighbors. Let’s make this Christmas season one full of love and generosity and kindness (I’m preaching to myself here as I gear up to go shopping for parents who don’t want to dive into the toy departments themselves LOL).

/1 GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOU
by Nicky Gumbel

Purpose in life is far more important than property or possessions. Having more to live with is no substitute for having more to live for. "The two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why."

God has *a specific purpose* for you. In addition, God’s *general will* for all of us is revealed in the Bible. In the passages for today we see what God wants for you and for everyone.

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Going along with this morning’s Advent Day 2 post, today’s Bible study reflects on the goodness, the hope, and yes, the existence of God. There seems to be millions of people who deny the existence of God in today’s society, doesn’t there? But someday, perhaps soon, that will change. There will be a mighty shake-up in the world, and as it says in Philippians 2, “… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vv.10-11). Wooo! Can’t wait.

/1 THERE IS A GOD AND HE IS GREAT
by Nicky Gumbel

I studied and practiced law for nearly ten years. In every legal case, evidence is vital. Evidence matters to me. I could not be a Christian if I did not believe that our faith is based on compelling evidence. There is good evidence for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Over the years, there have been a spate of books by the "new atheists" suggesting that there is no evidence for God; that God is a "delusion" ("*The God Delusion*") and that "*God is Not Great*" (the title of another of these books).

While of course, the Bible does not try to provide a scientific proof for the existence of God, it does point to the evidence of "*eye-witnesses*" (2 Peter 1:16) and proclaims that "*there is a God in heaven*" (Daniel 2:28) and that "*the Lord is great*" (Psalm 135:5).

There is good reason to put your trust in God. You will grow in faith as you study the truth of God’s word and boldly proclaim that "there is a God" and "he is great".

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Good morning! Hope you all had a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! And to all you Black Friday revelers, may the odds be ever in your favor!

Seriously though, nothing epitomizes the commercialization of Jesus’ birth more than epic Pamplona-style running-with-the-bulls crowds trying to get the best deal on a big screen TV or gaming device. But now that they seem to start Black Friday sales in August, do they even do the early morning *big rush* through the store’s doors to buy big ticket items anymore?

All I know is that as a professional shopper, I’m not stepping foot inside a store today, just to be on the safe side (although I might do a couple of drive-up, pick-up-and-deliver jobs). Besides I’m more of a Cyber-Monday and Giving-Tuesday kind of person now: everything from the comfort of my own home, in my pajamas, even.

/1 HOW TO GROW UP SPIRITUALLY
by Nicky Gumbel

I remember that first night so well. Every time we heard the slightest sound, we leapt out of bed and picked him up. He was so tiny – not that much bigger than a hand. This was a new life. Our first child had been born. We were so proud. Three or four times a night, he would wake craving milk. Pippa would feed him regularly. Of course, he grew up.

Now as I look at him, almost twice the size of Pippa, it is hard to believe that he was once so small. *New birth* is an exciting moment. So is new spiritual birth. Jesus said, "No one can see the kingdom of God without being *born again*" (John 3:3).

In our passage for today, Peter writes about "*a new birth*" (1 Peter 1:3). "Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given *a brand-new life* and have everything to live for" (v.3, MSG). This spiritual birth is contrasted with natural birth, which led only to a "dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in" (v.18, MSG).

New birth means you can now call God your Father (v.17). In fact, the whole Trinity is involved: "*God the Father* has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the *work of the Spirit* to keep you obedient through the *sacrifice of Jesus*" (v.2, MSG).

Physical birth will one day end with physical death. But spiritual birth leads to eternal life – "a future in heaven – and the future starts now!" (v.3, MSG). Physical life is like grass that withers. But this brand new life is conceived by God himself and goes on and on forever (vv.23–25, MSG).

In today’s passages, we see the implications of this new birth, the various stages of spiritual growth as a son or daughter of God and how "you may grow up in your salvation" (2:2).

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