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Posts Tagged ‘faith’

Unexpected Detours

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever been in a hurry and hit a detour? Recently, I had an early morning appointment and I headed off down the freeway only to get to my exit and an unexpected detour. Instead of being able to turn left, I was forced to turn right. Frustrated, I followed the detour until I could turn around and head in the direction I needed to go. As I approached the same area, now on a different freeway, I was again forced to detour onto the same freeway I had been on before all this started.

I will spare you the turn by turn outcome but the short of it was I had to travel eight miles out of the way to get to where I was headed. I was beyond frustrated but I still made it on time and no crisis ensued. But it reinforced a life lesson I learned years ago – always give yourself extra time to get to important engagements just in case life has other plans. Life is full of unexpected turns and interruptions – we can try and foresee them and plan accordingly but the reality is, we can never forecast every interruption. If we could, they would cease to be interruptions.

As I have thought about that experience, I have been reminded that detours, unexpected twists and turns and interruptions are going to happen. We cannot avoid them but we can try and let God work through them. Often, God allows these interruptions to get our attention and remind us to slow down and remember we are on His path – not our own. We like to think we can control every detail of our lives but it just is not so.

I encourage you to embrace detours and interruptions by stepping back and asking the question, “What can I learn from this experience?” I am not suggesting God causes the detours in life but do know that He will redeem each one when we let Him.

Detour Ahead – – are you ready?

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What To Do With All This Space

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

In continuing the idea of slowing down and making space for God to work in our lives, one question that always arises is, “What do I do during this time?” As I mentioned in the previous post, God grants the growth, but we must do our part. Our part is to create space in our schedules as well as our hearts. We must put ourselves in a position to be shaped by God.

So, as odd as it sounds as an answer to the question above, one of the first things you must do is nothing. Most of us have a hard time with doing nothing. The drive to produce and perform compels us to make the most of every minute of the day. A full calendar suggests we are winning. But we need to adjust the scorecard. Busyness is not necessarily productivity. Sometimes, the most productive time is the time spent in being still and simply reflecting on the goodness of God.

But moving beyond doing nothing, the use of the liminal space (the space between the now and not yet) we create when we set aside time and attention is best filled with spiritual practices. There are volumes written on spiritual disciplines – the ancient practices that connect us to God – practices like silence and solitude, prayer and scripture reading, fasting and serving. While the list is much more extensive, the point is to find those practices that fit you where you are.

So often we decide we are going to intentionally work at growing in our faith and overnight we strive to do it all. Then, in a few short days or weeks, we begin to slip and before we know it, we are back to where we started with the added element of guilt for not following through. My encouragement is to start small.

Set aside 15 minutes per day for four days of the week to practice one of the disciplines. Alternate those disciplines throughout the week. An example might be on Monday, spend time simply reading scripture and reflecting on it. Then on Wednesday, spend time in prayer – both talking and listening. On Friday, fast from something to remind yourself of your need for God. Or find ways to serve others in some capacity. On Sunday, spend time in community at church worshipping God and learning from His word.

These are just examples. The primary focus is being intentional about opening yourself to God. Consistency is also important. We often shy away from the word discipline, but that is exactly what it takes to be consistent.

Today, start small. Find 15 minutes in your schedule and slowly read Psalm 1. Reflect on it and then read it again. Pay specific attention to what God says to you. Then resolve to take what He says and act on it.

Leave a comment to let me know about your experience as we grow in faith together.

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Take Time To Be Still

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 14, 2025| 1 Comment »

Yesterday, my wife was not feeling well. When I wrapped up things after the services at church, I headed home. I stopped and picked up some lunch for the two of us along the way and continued my journey to the house. But along the way, I encountered the worst traffic I have encountered in quite some time. The interruption to my plan was frustrating. The normal 25 minute trip home became a 45 minute experience in waiting.

It was a reminder that I don’t like waiting. I am sure many of you share my disdain. But as I sat waiting to inch up in the line, I was reminded that so often, following Jesus requires waiting.

In the last post, we began thinking about the restoration of our souls. As I said in that post, we do not bring the restoration but we must do our part – we must make ourselves available. Often, waiting is a part of that. We must be intentional to take time to make moments with Jesus. This, more times than not, is facilitated by slowing down and being still.

What I find when I sit still, is that even though my body is inactive, my mind continues to race. Being still physically does not mean that we are being still before the Father. We need to learn to still our thoughts and minds. I have found the use of breath prayers to be helpful in this effort.

One such prayer has historically been called The Jesus Prayer. There are different variations of this prayer but most carry the same thought: “Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The practice involves repeating this prayer in rhythm with your breathing – praying the first half of the prayer as you breathe in and the second half of the prayer as you exhale.

What I have found is that taking time to focus my thoughts on Jesus and be still has led to more meaningful time in scripture reading, prayer and listening. I encourage you to give it a try.

Set aside 15 minutes today to simply be still and wait on the Lord. Even brief moments in time can be powerful tools for Jesus to do His work in you. I often say, we take moments to spend with Jesus and as we do this regularly, habits are formed. It is through these habits that Jesus shapes and forms us.

Take time to be still today.

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A Matter of the Soul

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

One of the struggles we all face in following Jesus is the loss of focus. Our attention is so easily diverted to other things. I often say we are distracted by shiny things. As a culture, with our move to being very technologically driven, our attention span has continued to get shorter and shorter. I think that is why it is such a struggle for most to slow down and just be still.

As I have reflected on my time with pastors this past weekend, and our focus on slowing down and truly listening, I have been faced with the reality that I need to practice what I preach more intently. As I do, what my mind continues to return to is the idea that my soul needs to be restored. Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

Do you hear the peacefulness and tranquility in those words? He restores my soul – sounds good doesn’t it? But how does one go about restoring or refreshing a soul? When our bodies are tired and sore, we can rest and regain our energy. When our minds are exhausted, we can take a break and focus on something else to regain some sanity. But how do you restore your soul?

The first thing we need to understand is that we can’t do it on our own. We have to do our part, but it is the Father that brings the restoration. Our part is making ourselves available for God to do His work. We do that by slowing down and spending time being still, focused in His word and listening for His voice. When we take time to make moments with God, He is faithful to shape and restore.

Over the next post or two, we will explore ways we can make ourselves available. But for now, take time today to simply be still and look intently for God’s presence in and around you. You might be surprised by what you see.

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A Beautiful Call Out

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on April 8, 2025| 2 Comments »

This past weekend, I had the absolute blessing to be with pastors and their wives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I am privileged to lead a ministry called The Strengthening Project (Proyecto Fortaleza en Español). This ministry exists to pour into pastors and their ministries by strengthening them spiritually and renewing their marriages. Given my field of study, I focus on the spiritual progression side of our ministry and we have others on the team that focus on the rest.

Our theme this past weekend was, The Love of God – Our True Foundation. I spent time reminding the couples that God truly loves them. As pastors, we know this truth in our minds and we certainly tell our people regularly, but often we do not slow down and listen with our hearts. I challenged them to use the retreat as a time to be still and deeply reflect on just how much God loves them. Our sessions were well received and the emphasis on slowing down and reflecting resonated with each of them.

After one of my sessions, one of the men there, a dear friend of mine who lives in the Domincan, asked me very directly, “How do YOU do what you have just shared with us.” Being a bit caught off guard by his question, I answered by saying I have many opportunities to attend conferences and retreats like the one we were leading – the difference is that there is a monetary cost when I do. That is why we offer our retreats to pastors and their wives at no cost to them – we know the people we are serving would not have an opportunity like what God provides through our ministry if we did not exist.

I could tell that my answer did not satisfy my friend. As I pondered his question, it dawned on me, he was not asking “how” I do it but “if” I do it. I looked at him and said, “In English we would say, ‘Do you practice what you preach,’ – is that what you are asking?” He smiled and said, “Yes, that is what I am asking.”

In that moment I felt conviction and a bit like a hypocrite. It is much easier to tell people about the importance of slowing down and spending time with the Father. But for a type A personality that is overly task oriented and time sensitive, it is much harder to practice than to tell other people to do so.

And so . . . one of the first places I knew I needed to get back to is a place of making time for being still and resting in God’s word as I listen to His voice.

The second is here – – this platform of Clay In the Hands has been, since its inception, a place I have shared how God is speaking to me, a place where I can encourage others to grow in faith, and a place to be authentic as we seek Jesus together.

Thank you Russell for calling me out graciously and with a smile. I now have a renewed commitment to spend time daily with the Father and to share my thoughts here. May we continue to walk in The Way together.

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Brokenness to Beauty

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on October 23, 2024| Leave a Comment »

God is truly the God of redemption. He is in the restoration and redeeming business. My experience shows that He does not go to work uninvited, but when we turn to Him in our brokenness, He is there. One of the most humbling aspects of grace is that no matter how many miles we wander away from a close relationship with Jesus, it only takes one step toward Him and He is there. The Psalmist described this beautiful idea in Psalm 139:7-12.

Where can I flee from your presence? What a powerful image of grace that should bring relief, peace and hope. God is always near – even when we don’t realize it. And He is always ready to bring about restoration and redemption when we ask.

Scripture reminds us that we are dead in our shortcomings and sin, but because of His great mercy, we are offered a new life – a restored life – a redeemed life in Christ. Jesus came, died and rose again to offer us that redemption. All we have to do is trust Him.

No matter how broken you may feel or how far you have wandered, turn to Jesus for His redemption and restoration. He is ready to create something beautiful from the pieces of your brokenness.

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What Is the Last Thing God Said To Me?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on October 15, 2024| 2 Comments »

Isn’t it interesting how fast life happens? As I sat down to put these words together, I realized how long it has been since I have offered any thoughts here. I get busy and priorities get bumped around like a pinball against the bumpers of an annoyingly loud pinball machine – if I allow. All of us get pressed into the rat race and we, once again, buy into the “do more, get more” mentality of the culture. Then a question comes along that stops us in our tracks – – “What is the last thing God said to me?”

Which immediately begs the question, “Does God still speak to us at all?” I believe that God does still speak – through His word, through others and through that still, quiet, inner voice. God is at work all around us each and every day. I have come to see that the issue of hearing from God is not that He is not communicating but rather that we are not paying attention.

When I slow down and consider what God is saying to me, it is intimidating. But it is an exercise that forces me to get serious about listening and reflecting on God’s interaction in my life. It should come as no surprise that as I have forced myself to pay attention and listen, what God has been saying to me for months now is, “Slow down! Breathe! Just trust me and be present with me.”

Even as I type these words, a mix of calm and peace and stress all swirl together. There is a true sense of relief and peace that comes when we slow down and become present with God. But, there is the constant nag of the pressure of getting things done that is incessantly calling for our attention. It takes effort on our part – discipline to slow down.

For me, I have committed to slowing down daily to listen. As you slow down and listen today, what is God saying to you?

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Wake Up Sleepy Head

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on May 1, 2024| 1 Comment »

I remember as a child hearing the words, “Wake up sleepy head.” That was my mom’s way of beginning the process, gently, of waking me up. The process became less gentle the longer I hesitated. Sometimes we drag a bit getting ourselves up in the morning. But today, we need to remember that it’s time to wake up.

One of my readings earlier this week has continued to stay with me and on my mind. I have been reading through the book of Romans for some time now. On Monday, I picked back up in chapter 13. In this chapter, the apostle Paul reminds us that we should do our best to love one another. In fact, his words echo the words of Jesus in that loving God and loving others is the heart of the law. So Paul emphasizes that we are to love others as part of following Jesus.

And then he says this in verse 11:

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

Understand the present time – the hour has come to wake up. Those words have resonated through my soul like never before. Is it possible that I have gone to sleep? I am afraid the answer to that question is yes – I have at least been dozing off. It is time to wrestle with what it means to really love others and do some soul searching to make sure I am actually doing it.

As I look at our world, I see a lot of sleep walkers. The alarm has been going off for a while. It’s time to wake up and be about doing what Jesus called us to do – the deeds of the light, as Paul goes on to say. May we live today with the full understanding of this present time and wake up to the reality that our world needs Jesus.

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Let Your Light Shine

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on January 29, 2024| 2 Comments »

I have been a bit under the weather for a few days. I think God often uses times like this in my life to help me slow down and, hopefully rest, but also give me time to reflect and pray. Yesterday, I had to preach by video (not wanting to share the joy of the flu with our church family), but I felt it was important to wrap up a series that we have been in since the beginning of January – Inside Out.

The text for yesterday’s sermon was Matthew 5:14-16. In these verses, Jesus reminds us that as His followers, we are “the light of the world.” This is a powerful and humbling statement full of significance. In John 8:12, Jesus called Himself the light of the world. This statement in John is one of seven “I Am” statements. So, for Jesus to include us, His followers, in this description is powerful. As Jesus followers we are invited into His redemption ministry and commanded to make a difference by making disciples.

Each of us has a purpose and that purpose is to glorify God in all we do so that others are shown the way to Jesus. Verse 16 of Matthew 5 reminds us that we are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds – our Godly lifestyle – and praise God. You are to be a reflection of the one true light and when you reflect Him well, others see, and their path to Jesus becomes a bit more illumined.

I shared a haunting question in my sermon that has been a point of tension for me for over a week: “Do the people who encounter me on a daily basis, see anything in me that prompts them to praise God?” 

Maybe that is a question you need to wrestle with today as well.

We are to strive to be light that points others to Jesus. Shine your light today.

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Who and What You Trust Makes All the Difference

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on December 5, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, one of my readings was in the book of Psalms. Psalm 146 begins with a reminder that we are to praise the Lord each and every day – “all of my life” and “as long as I live,” the psalmist says. God is truly worthy of our praise and this season is a reminder of why. Because of His great love, God stepped into time and space and took on humanity – the Creator became part of His creation. And so we praise Him. Our gratitude and relief should spur us to praise each day.

The psalm then moves to a reminder of the importance of where we place our trust. Verses 3 – 4 of this psalm are the words that have haunted me since yesterday.

3 Do not put you trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

“On that very day their plans come to nothing.” What a stark reminder of what matters in this life. We can easily fall into the trap of hustle to get more, to do more, to be more. We, in our humanity, are never satisfied with getting more and more. But at the end of our lives, none of that matters – it all ends in nothing.

There are two lessons I am processing from this verse. The first is as stated above, we need to make sure our striving is for what does not fade or rust nor for what thieves can break in and steal. Our striving should be for treasures laid up in heaven – striving to love Jesus and to show that love to others.

The second lesson is one of trust. Who do I trust? The “princes” of this world, we might use the word “influencers,” are not where we should place our trust. All human plans will come to nothing. All the scraping, working, striving and sweating will come to NOTHING. Placing our trust in people is trust that will always let us down.

The only one we can trust is Jesus. His love is trustworthy. His act of incarnation proves His love and the length to which He would go because of that love. Trust in Jesus is the only thing that will lead to all that matters.

So this Advent season, let your mind and heart move to a renewed focus on Jesus and the trustworthy love that He has for you. And let that focus result in praise.

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