Southside's Blog

A former CASA young man three plus years ago was arrested for first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and three other felonies. JD and his friends went to Murfreesboro to buy drugs from dealers. JD’s version is the dealers pulled guns to rob them then his crew pulled guns. Everybody started shooting and as a result  one dealer was dead and the other one wounded. His public defender believed if convicted he was looking at fifty years in prison. To add to JD’s troubles he was also approached for sex and the family of the dead man promised to have him killed as soon as he hit the state prison system.  JD was seventeen at the time and had never faced a “giant” like the one he was now facing. After knowing him for eighteen months, I knew JD was capable of getting himself in trouble because of his history but never dreamed he was capable of murder. It’s now been determined that JD’s gun did not kill the man but the charges are unchanged.

JD needed encouragement and Max Lucado’s book Facing Your Giants seemed appropriate. The book was written about David’s life. Mr. Lucado granted permission to write a synopsis of his book. Once the document was completed, I attempted to deliver it to the jail to find out that’s not the way the jail mail works. It had to arrive via U.S. mail and the inmate does not receive the actual document. All correspondence is reviewed then scanned into a computer system and JD would read it on a kiosk. The jailer suggested the likelihood of the office scanning a 28-page document was somewhere around ZERO! The new plan was to mail one chapter per week to JD.

After several weeks of mailing chapters, I made a visit to JD. Yes, he had received the letter, but I could tell he really had no idea who David was and showed little interest in learning about him. After analyzing the situation, I realized a mistake, JD believed in God but had spent no time in church nor studying the Bible. He really had no understanding of why he needed a relationship with God. JD needed someone who could talk about the life of David. I’m still trying to work with JD. My hope is that Max Lucado’s book can help you to face your giants.

The following is the paraphrase. I’ll publish 2-3 chapters per week.

FACING YOUR GIANTS

BY MAX LUCADO

Max is the author of several books on spirituality and our personal relationship with God. He has both a unique and excellent way of expressing how to think about what the Bible has to say.

This book relates to the experiences in the life of David to our lives.  We face many of the same challenges as David.  Although we may not literally face a human giant, some of the events we encounter in our lives feel like a Goliath.

All scripture quotations are from the New King James version unless noted.

Chapter 1

In 1^st Samuel 17, God’s people, the Israelites, are facing war with the Philistines. The Philistines’ champion was a giant over nine feet tall named Goliath.  For forty days Goliath challenged the Israelites to send their champion to do battle.  All the Israelites were afraid and refused to face the giant until David, a mere boy, volunteered to go. 

Goliath was equipped with a helmet, body armor weighing 125 pounds and a spear with a 15-pound head.  David wore no armor but simply ran toward this GIANT carrying his shepherd’s staff and a slingshot with 5 stones.  Your impression might be that David was poorly equipped, but he had something Goliath did not, God. 

Max writes: “Your Goliath doesn’t carry sword or shield; he brandishes blades of unemployment, abandonment, sexual abuse, or depression. Your giant doesn’t parade up and down the hills; he prances through your office, your bedroom, your classroom.  He brings bills you can’t pay, grades you can’t make, people you can’t please, whiskey you can’t resist, pornography you can’t refuse, a career you can’t escape, a past you can’t shake and a future you can’t face.”

“First thought of the morning, last worry of the night – your Goliath dominates your day and infiltrates your joy. You’ve seen your Godzilla.  The question is, is he all you see?”  When taunted by Goliath, David’s response is, “I come against you in the name of the Lord God Almighty”.  When faced with his GIANT, David’s relationship and faith in God helped him win the battle.

Max encourages: “Giants. We must face them. Yet we need not face them alone. Focus first, and most on God. The times David did, giants fell. The days he didn’t David did.”

“Giants. We must face them.  Yet we need not face them alone.  Focus on giants-you stumble.  Focus on God-your giants tumble.”

Chapter 2

Max talks about disappointments we face in our youth: failing to make the baseball team, soccer team, or no call from that someone special, etc. He describes the rejections as “You know the pain of no call. We all do”!

Samuel, God’s chosen priest for the Israelites, anointed Saul as their king when the Israelites asked for one.  Overtime Saul’s characteristics become tiresome and God rejects him as king.  God sends Samuel to Bethlehem because he has chosen a new king, David.

David had seven older brothers who Samuel thought were perfect fits to be king, but God rejected them.  God told Samuel in Samuel 16:7, “God does not see the way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Max says this verse was offered because: “We are weary of society’s surface level system, of being graded according to the inches of our waist, the square footage of our house, the color of our skin, the make of our car, the label of our clothes, the size of our office, the presence of diplomas, the absence of pimples.  Don’t we weary of such games?”

Max closes this chapter with these thoughts: “God examines hearts.  When he finds one set on him, he calls it and claims it.  The story of young David assures us of this: your Father knows your heart, and because he does, he has a place reserved just for you.”

Facing Your Giants - Max Lucado - 2006 - Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

“If the Lord is the shepherd who leads the flock, goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs that guard the rear of the flock. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”  Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners in need of mercy. Not mercy alone, for we are fragile, in need of goodness. We need them both.”

“Goodness and mercy. If that duo doesn’t reinforce your faith, try this phrase: “all the days of my life.” What a huge statement. Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day. Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? God will be at your side. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me—not some, not most, not nearly all—but all the days of my life.”

Some days it feels like goodness and mercy are way behind me. It seems as if there is no goodness going on at all and mercy can’t catchup with me. The security I want, and need is not in sight. What to do?

F. LaGard Smith says in Meeting God in Quiet Places that we use  “Why not join with the psalmist in joyfully proclaiming. ‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust’? With God on our side, there is no terror too great, no illness that can’t be faced, no calamity that can’t be overcome. Gargoyles---whatever ours may be-----are empty and powerless. They cannot save. By sublime contrast, our God is alive, and in the shadow of His sheltering wings we can rest secure.”

When we have these feelings of insecurity, it’s time to stop, think about these psalms and then ask the Father to wrap His loving arms around you to get you through whatever is causing these feelings.

Thanks

Mike   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Max Lucado’s Daily Devotional

F. LaGard Smith – Meeting God in Quiet Places – 1992 - Harvest House Publishers – used by permission

We tend to hold the twelve apostles in high esteem. After all these men were handpicked by Jesus. God approved of them. Most of them deserve the esteem. If you dig deeper, you’ll find that they were no better or no worse than you and me. They were common men with faults and short comings.

Peter, a fisherman, was strong-willed and courageous man; however, at times he was quick to speak, impulsive, and impetuous. He denied Christ three times, when Christ told him to come to Him on the water Peter sank because of his lack of faith. He was long winded. (Many preachers are) Peter and Paul clashed at times over the best way to serve.

Andrew, the brother of Peter, was the first called by Jesus. He was a fisherman with no know outstanding characteristics but was a faithful preacher of the gospel of Christ.

James and John were brothers and also fishermen. They both had  stormy personalities. They were easily angered and quick to judge enemies of Christ. James and John were both very close to Christ. One commentator described them as Momma’s boys because of her request that one sit on the right hand and the other on the left-hand of Christ.

Phillip and Bartholomew are often mentioned together because they were close friends. It is believed that Phillip was slow to come to Christ but did influence Bartholomew once he was convinced of who Christ was.

Thomas was referred  as “doubting Thomas” because he was so slow to believe in Christ. He also needed to see the scared hands of Christ before he would believe He had arisen from the dead.

Matthew was a tax collector and not well thought of by the people. Tax collectors were considered filth. One commentator described Matthew as self-absorbed.

Very little is known of James, the son of Alphaeus.

There is not much recorded of Thaddeus.

The only recoding of Simon is his initial listing as one of the twelve called to be an apostle.

We all know who Judas was and his betrayal of Christ. He called Christ friend and betrayed Him with a kiss which was despicable.

Matthias was chosen to replace Judas but not much is recorded about him.

These ordinary men were those Christ chose to spread the word and make disciples. Overall not an impressive bunch to be entrusted with spreading the word. None of the twelve already held high office which could be used as a jumping off place. No writers like Max Lucado, no public speakers with the talent of Billy Graham just ordinary men who once they became believers were dedicated to their mission. Christ equipped them with what they needed.

These men may have been ordinary men but they a had a fierce will to serve God. They were willing to suffer for Him. Some were beaten and jailed for preaching the word. Some historians believe that several were martyred because of their service to God. Christ predicted Peter’s death in John 21, and many believe he was crucified upside down. In Acts 12:1-2, Herod had James put to death by the sword. Many believe he was beheaded. Some believe that Andrew, Phillip and Bartholomew were also crucified. John was exiled for his preaching.

Most of us are ordinary people and must work to make disciples of Christ. My excuse is that God did not give the talent to do this work. I lean towards 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV  “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” When I first went through sales training over forty years ago, this was described as “call reluctance”, you don’t feel comfortable with making contact.

Then I read Hebrews 13:21 ESV “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Southside is emphasizing evangelism with Win One In Twenty-one. As Jeff speaks about personal evangelism or making disciples, listen carefully. I have a decision to make. Am I going to use Hebrews or 1 Corinthians as my basis for decision. I need to pray. How about you?

Thanks

Mike    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Max Lucado with my thoughts added

“How did Jesus endure the terror of the crucifixion? He went first to the Father with his fears. He modeled the words of Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Do the same with yours. And be honest; do what Jesus did. Open your heart. And be specific; Jesus was. “Take this cup,” he prayed. Share the details. God has plenty of time, he has plenty of compassion, he doesn’t think your fears are foolish or silly. He knows how you feel, and he knows what you need.”

“In the case of Christ God did not take away the cross, but he took away the fear. Who’s to say he won’t take away your fear? Please, don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it. Hope is just a look away. Now, what were you looking at?”

I believe at times we expect God to take away the object of our fear. If he doesn’t, we do not consider Him to have given us a blessing. Think about what Max is saying. Pray that He will help us deal the fear. If he does not take away the object of our fear but helps us to deal with the fear, we may grow and learn to deal better with the next fear.

Focus on Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thanks

Mike    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Think about it: “Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.”

Daily Devotional by Max Lucado

“When tragedy strikes—whether personal, national, or global—people wonder how God could allow such things to happen. Is God really in control? Can we trust him to run the universe if he would allow this? It is important to recognize that God dwells in a different realm. God said to Isaiah, “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).”

“How vital, then, that we pray, armed with the knowledge that God is in heaven. And he has chosen to bend near toward earth to see our sorrow and hear our prayers. Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives.”

I understand and agree with what Max writes in his devotion! BUT at times it is difficult to understand and accept the tragedies we experience. What is the purpose of His plan for that child dying? People are struggling and dying every day from Covid. Through my work with CASA I see so many children neglected or abandoned by their parents. The cause is drug use. There are three former CASA boys and at least one father in jail. I greatly appreciate what God does for all of us but at times I have no understanding of His plan or purpose for these people. It takes every ounce of my faith and trust to hang on.

Kay was pregnant with our third child when she lost the baby early in the first trimester. After the physician performed the D&C, he informed us that something was definitely  wrong with the baby. Neither of us felt that we were equipped to take care of a special needs child. We were OK with God’s plan for that baby but …..

I worked for a company that lost 292 people on September 11, 2001. Employees were housed in both towers. Gary, from the Memphis office, was in a conference room where the first plane hit. The following February regional managers were brought to New York for meetings. One afternoon we had the opportunity to tour the spot where the towers once stood. We were then taken to a photographer’s studio where he displayed more than a thousand photos he had taken on 9/11. One of those pictures will always be with me. In time lapse photos, a man stood on the ledge crossed his arms over his chest and leaned forward until he fell off. The tour buses drove us by New York’s Bellevue Hospital where refrigerated trailers were end to end still trying to identify body parts. Why God? What possible purpose can You have for this?

God is on His throne. He allows life to happen. Even though we may not understand His mind, the only way to make it through life is to have faith and trust. If we can’t accept Isaiah 55 and go ahead then life will be even tougher. Pray for God’s help in finding peace in your life!

Thanks

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First, thanks Cameron for your thoughts on your post. They are great!

 When tragedy strikes—whether personal, national, or global—people wonder how God could allow such things to happen. Is God really in control? Can we trust him to run the universe if he would allow this? It is important to recognize that God dwells in a different realm. God said to Isaiah, “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

How vital, then, that we pray, armed with the knowledge that God is in heaven. And he has chosen to bend near toward earth to see our sorrow and hear our prayers. Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives.

We ask God, “Where are you taking me? Where is the path?” And he doesn’t tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, we’re unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself.

Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick. Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks. Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We need that reminder. We all need that reminder, for all of us need hope.

 God Bless!

Mike  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Now it's time to move on!! It does not matter who the governing authorities are. It does not matter if we agree or disagree with them or like what they may do. As Christians, we are to keep teaching and bringing more souls to Christ.

 

Don't worry! This world is not our home, we are only passing through.

 

The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose.....