I’ve been watching one of the pine trees in our yard die. It’s about 15 inches in diameter, standing about 40 or 50 feet tall, and makes a great looking tree in a yard that’s surrounded by flat pasture – except that it is dying. Slowly, the needles are turning brown and falling off, more each day. I don’t know what’s wrong. Nothing in its environment has changed this year. No disturbance of the ground around it. But it’s dying, and it doesn’t seem that there is anything I can do but watch.

I’m hopeful that something will change, that it will revive, survive. But right now, it’s not looking good.

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By David Phillips 

How do you know what to say? 

A four-year-old was in a surprisingly deep conversation with his grandmother on the subject of prayer, when he asked, “How do you know what to say when you pray?”  He elaborated further: “I prayed and asked God for something one time but He didn’t give it to me.”  When she asked him what he prayed for, he said, “I asked for wisdom, but nothing happened.  I didn’t feel anything.”

Three things in that precious conversation give us something to think about, regardless of our age.

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This particular word never shows up in the King James or American Standard Versions, except for in a couple of paragraph headings added by publishers. However, the concept is found many times, expressed in other words.

The dictionary defines the word, challenge as to confront or defy boldly, to arouse or stimulate as with expectations. There are a couple of places in the Old Testament where the concept of challenging someone or something comes out front and center.

• The first one is in 1 Samuel 17, in the story of David and Goliath. After Goliath instilled fear in the hearts of the army of Israel with his challenge to fight, David asked the question, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Sam.17:26). Indeed, Goliath challenged, or defied Saul’s army to do something about him. As you know, young David rose to the challenge, equipped with his staff, his sling and 5 smooth stones. These, added to his great faith in God, were all he needed, and Goliath soon lay dead on the battlefield.
• Another time the concept of challenging someone or something comes up is in the book of Job, in some of the conversations between Job as he suffered, and his three friends who came to supposedly comfort him. Particularly in chapter 9, Job takes up the defense of God, insisting that mortal man is in no position to defy or challenge God. If it is a matter of strength, He is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge Him? (Job 9:19 NIV)

God has high expectations for us, because He has furnished us with a vast array of tools and resources. Not the least of all, He has provided the privilege of opportunities. Let’s don’t squander them.

By David Phillips 

Midweek Review 

Number 40, that’s a big number.  I wouldn’t have thought the number would reach that high when we started out, but many aspects of this current COVID situation seem to have moved in to stay.  We all certainly need to be careful with our daily activities and especially when we assemble for worship and Bible Study, but we also need to remember that God is and has always been here to stay.  He’ll open doors, move obstacles, and generously provide, for He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…(Ephesians 3:20).

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By David Phillips 

No Surprises 

No doubt you’ve heard it variously stated – “…nothing surprises me anymore.”  “I’m not surprised by anything these days.”  “This is 2020, anything can happen.”  Granted, with more and more errant, wild and depraved behavior going around and regarded as normal by so many, we may tend to be a little nonplussed (unperturbed by an awkward situation).  And that may not be such a good thing.

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By David Phillips

We find this word several times in the New American Standard and English Standard translations. It comes from a Greek word that is rendered in the KJV as faithful. The official definition of this particular word is reliable, sure. It is used to refer to God and also to the Lord’s servants. The last eight times we find it in the NT, it refers to God’s word. The word also occurs several times in the negative, signifying something or someone who is untrustworthy; not worthy of confidence or belief.

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By David Phillips 

The HFTB Factor

That acronym stands for Hope For The Best.  What could be wrong with that, right?  Let’s dig a little deeper.  I’ve spent more than half of my life in and around the utility construction business, and at times, it can be risky work.  Some in that business are willing to flirt with greater risks, in order to accomplish a greater gain in the end.  Often, it is nothing more than just refusing to take a little extra time, or not going to a little bit more trouble to be careful, and hoping for the best.  The fact that it often works out without producing disaster makes some folks keep doing it over and over again.  A properly trained flagman who skillfully directs traffic through a dangerous construction zone is quite a bit more expensive than just having the lowest paid laborer step out and wave his arms occasionally when traffic gets really snarled.  The former is doing all he can to keep things safe.  The latter is making a slight effort, and hoping for the best.  There are plenty of other illustrations, from all industries across the board, but I think there’s a spiritual lesson to be seen here.

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By David Phillips

My supervisor at work likes to tell me that, as a frequently needed admonition. It’s not because I’m a bad driver, or because I’m always sticking my nose in other people’s business, but rather because I sometimes notice things that could be done, and try to take care of them, even though someone else should be responsible for them. Sometimes I wonder if his admonition stems from an attitude of, “You only get paid for doing just so much, so don’t do anything more.” If so, that really goes against my grain. Why not be as helpful as possible, when you can?

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By David Phillips 

My Father’s World

Depending on when, where, and how closely you look at it, this world in which we live can appear to be a really rough place.  I think this is due to a combination of a couple of things, namely, the real-time nature of media coverage, and the seeming desire to present a sensationally alarming picture.  Whether we are looking at reports on the COVID-19 virus or something like the current unrest, protests and riots stemming from the horrific death of George Floyd, it may be easy to get the impression that few to none of us can reasonably expect to survive the next few days.  As pretty much every state in the US has begun to “open back up” and allow some measure of normal travel, work and commerce, the headlines are dominated by warnings of the dangers of “reopening the economy despite coronavirus pandemic” (The Washington Post).  As protests against racially motivated police brutality make headlines, CNN declares this morning, “George Floyd protests spread nationwide”.  Also, social media will always be an inaccurate, inflaming and alarming avenue for current event reporting, as many of the participants have even less wisdom and restraint than media editorial boards.  But with the speed of communication these days, anyone can be instantly heard, by millions of people at a time.

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