A Weapon named Surrender

It’s a strange phrase when you first look at it, because to surrender means to lie down, give up, throw in the towel, submit, or relinquish something, doesn’t it? It's not something that comes naturally to many of us. Most of us have our fists clenched tightly when we're born, and then spend most of our lives hanging on to what we've got. But I hope I can show you in the next few paragraphs just how powerful surrender can be – especially if you want to be a friend of Jesus.

As a Christian, I believe there is a whole world that is invisible to my eyes. There are many movies and TV programs which have tried to capture this unseen world and show it to us: Supernatural; the Exorcist movies; Ghost Whisperer; Paranormal; The Ring; Final destination; and Phenomenon, just to name a few. It seems that most people are aware of an unseen world of activity; it’s just that it’s difficult to describe exactly what it looks like because no one can actually see it. 

I’m not pretending to be an expert on the subject, but there are some clues found in the Bible which make sense, at least to me, of some stuff I see going on around us in our world.

Throughout the Bible there are a few references* to an event that happened before we were created; namely, a rebellion in Heaven, where one of the head angels, Lucifer, became proud to the point that he wanted to take God's place as ruler. This was never going to succeed, of course; but pride and self-deceit does that to us - makes us think we are invincible, immortal, etc; and it seems that angels can be deceived as well because Lucifer believed that he could achieve this position as king of Heaven.
The Bible says that because of this attempted coup, Lucifer was ordered out of Heaven and thrown down to the earth, along with one third of the angels who rebelled with him (these become known as demons).

It's my belief that Satan (formally Lucifer) roams unseen throughout the earth with his demons looking for ways to destroy what God loves - US; you and me. Every hour of every day we are making choices; choices where there is a good option, and where there's a bad option. Unfortunately, God gets blamed for bad stuff that happens after we've made a string of bad choices. (Even Satan gets blamed for the same things). If we get wasted on drugs and alcohol, then get behind the wheel of our car and kill someone, how misguided is it to blame God or Satan? Some of us blame God for making us have to choose in the first place! (Can you imagine how much we would whinge if our power of choice was taken away)?

To put this simply, I believe that we are presented with choices, options, and temptations all the time. I believe that Satan and his demons tempt us to make wrong decisions, and I believe that God provides a way out of making wrong choices. Sometimes we make wrong choices because we think there is no other option. We don't make right decisions because we are scared to let go of what we're familiar with. We're scared of losing stuff that makes us feel good, not realising that it's the letting go that will eventually bring us real and lasting happiness. I think that for some, we like being in control of our lives, knowing our day to day decisions are wrong but unwilling to change because to let go is to relinguish control of our lives. Others think they are doomed, or fated to make bad decions because they are convinced they have no power to do otherwise. 
When the circus comes to town the elephants are kept in place by a stake in the ground. Apparently the elephant has been convinced or conditioned since it was a baby to think he can't pull the stake out. Of course, he could easily pull it out, but he just doesn't know it. I think we're a bit like this: life has been dealing us a bad hand for a long time, and we simply don't know there are other options available.
Jesus said, Come to me if you're weary and weighed down . . . and I'll give you rest for your soul. This is an option; you simply may not be aware of it. Just because you don't know it doesn't mean it isn't true. Just because you can't see Satan or Jesus, or the unseen realm, doesn't mean you're not affected by it's pressures.
So why do I think that surrender is a weapon? About 60 A.D. a man named James wrote:

        It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble". So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud NO to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.(James 4, The Message)


If there is just a small part of you that believes these words are true, and even if your faith seems to be just a small flickering candle, then say NO to the devil and yes to God. Surrender to him today.

Talk soon . . . dmd
* The Bible - Ezekiel 28; Revelation 12; Isaiah 14 

Patience . . . A Lost Virtue?

One definition of the word Patience says, "Patience is the ability to wait for something without getting angry or doing something you'll regret later". Ask anybody who is on the receiving end of someone else's continual impatience and they will tell you that it can be a very wearying thing that drains your strength.
A while ago I was parked in a busy city street in the outside lane, and there was an elderly lady in the middle lane turning across the flow of traffic into a side street. The man in the car behind her was getting impatient with her because she was being over-cautious making the turn, and holding everybody up behind her. He tooted the horn a couple of times to get her to move, and clearly this wasn't helping her at all, but making her more nervous. The man then got out of his car (in the middle of the road), went forward to her car and verbally abused her through her window, making some suggestions about how she could better serve humanity by getting across the intersection a little quicker. He was clearly aggravated, and was making wide sweeping hand gestures to her that he must have assumed were helpful. The poor lady was terrified. Fortunately, someone behind his car yelled out an unprintable name (rhymes with glass bowl) and told him to get back in his car and be patient and wait for her.
Now there's a novel thought: Just be patient with her. It may cost you 20 seconds of your life, but it will benefit her a great deal if, right now, you practice being patient.

Today, this situation describes what we call Road Rage. But when we boil it all down it could simply be called impatience. 'Road Rage' sounds like a disease that's difficult to treat, but impatience is something we can all tackle and work on to improve.
Impatience gone wrong must be responsible for so much human hurt and carnage throughout history. When we're impatient we act rashly, we speak harshly, we act selfishly. When world rulers are impatient they're prepared to start wars to get what they want. When people in authority are impatient they ride roughshod over those below them - whether they are their children, their employees, or simply in their way.
I'm not surprised that things like road rage are a problem in society because we don't practice patience. Our lives are filled with promotions and advertising that encourages us to buy what we can't afford, to own what we haven't worked for, and to experience what we haven't tried and tested. "Use now and pay later", is a common slogan today. I'm not surprised at the human suffering that litters our city streets late at night. When the alcohol and drugs have worn off, and the hangover is gone we are left with the fruit of our impatience. Relationships are damaged, the purse is empty, someone's pregnant or worried about disease, the licence is suspended, etc. I'm not surprised at the broken relationships, and broken families we see around us.
For those who don't believe the Bible has any relevance for us today, have a look at this section of a hard-hitting, straight-forward letter written in the 1st century A.D.


  What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?  You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. (Letter of James 4: 1-3)

How many of us have made bad decisions based on promises of warm fuzzy feelings, quick fixes, whiter teeth, better looks, the right partner, a sexual experience, a bigger TV, faster cars, etc?? We criticise politicians for making suspect promises before an election, and yet we fall for the same suspect lies from salesman and advertisements when we become impatient and obey our desires without thought for the future, or thought for those who are affected by our decisions. And all this because we are impatient. 
Here is a challenging thought: When was the last time you saw an advertisement or promotion that challenged you to become a more patient person? To wait for what you desire? To save your money and buy the item when you have enough money? To practice patience with other people? Now that's a rare thing, isn't it?
Food for thought . . . .
Talk soon . . . . dmd

Flying blind . . . .

I have this old friend who is blind. I didn't know he had lost his sight until we met again recently, after not seeing each other for many years. I've learned a few things from him about "flying blind". (I think that's the phrase pilots use when they can't see anything outside the plane, and have to depend on their instruments or radio to fly or land).
I think that 'flying blind' is actually fairly common amongst us humans; especially when you are a Christ-follower. The big thing about being a Christian is that the one who created us and loves us, and whom we love and serve in return, isn't visible with our eyes. And 'stuff' can happen that prevents us from seeing what he is doing in our lives. One of the church fathers, Peter, reminded some early Christians in a letter he wrote, saying, "You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him - with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation". (The Message 1 Peter 1: 8, 9) 
If ever there was a sentence that describes living by faith, this would be it.
I've found that there are a lot of things that can happen in life that are totally unexpected. A week ago my wife and I are sitting down to dinner, enjoying some alone time, when our daughter calls and says that she's sitting on the freeway and her car has stopped running. (Not a great place to park your car!!). Clearly, this isn't something she (or us) planned for.
No one gets up in the morning and decides to have an accident on the way to work. Not too many of us actually plan to destroy our family life, or get sacked from your work, or run out of money, or lose a loved one, etc. And these things can cause us to become disillusioned, or flying blind, not able to understand why they happen, or how to get out of them. And this, in turn, is a recipe for weariness.

Here is a few things that I've learned from my vision impaired friend about flying blind:
1. We need to become familiar with our surroundings. My friend knows where the things are around his house that he needs, and he can go straight to them without a lot of effort. Jesus promise was that he would never leave us, ever. If he is always with us then we need to get to know him. If God's love for me is an absolute certainty, then I need to become familiar with him, and what he says about me. 
2. Look out for sharp objects.  I got to my friends house one day and he had an egg on his head where he had forgotten where the edge of a cupboard was, bent over and smacked his head. In other words: pick your battles. Stay away from sharp objects, and the things you know will cause pain and heartache to yourself or others. There will be plenty of dramas that come along without creating our own on purpose.
3. We have to learn to trust others. My friend and I went for a walk the other day to trace the steps to a bus stop near his house. As we mapped out the steps and obstacles between his house and the bus stop, he had to put an amazing amount of faith in me. We had to cross a couple of busy streets, high gutters, up and down a steep hill, as well as find our way around an unnecessary fence - and remember, he can't see anything! Unfortunately, this will prove too much for some: we tend to draw a wide brush stroke with humanity and say, you just can't trust anybody. Well, you can't say that because it isn't fair on others, and it just simply isn't true. If that describes you then you may want to revisit the words to an old song by Simon and Garfunkel, I am a Rock. . . . (Especially the very last line). If you refuse to trust others, period, then you lose out on what the good people have to offer, and others lose out on the good you have to offer.
Flying blind isn't what any pilot would choose to do, but I can imagine that they would train for it anyway. Stuff will happen; curve balls happen; disillusionment will come from time to time. In these situations and circumstances, seeing isn't believing, sight isn't everything.

P.S. And here's a thought: Try laughing and singing anyway, whether you can see or not . . . 

Talk soon . . . . dmd

Overwhelmed . . .

I was watching the news from Japan last night where these workers were standing in front of mountains of rubbish. This "rubbish", of course, was people's homes, cars, lives, and belongings that were all standing and in order just a couple of weeks ago. They were devastated by an earthquake and then a tsunami that literally washed their lives away and turned their whole world upside down.

In the news story there was a group of workers in high visibility vests and safety hats standing in front of one of these piles of debris, and a couple of the workers had their hands on their hips. And it looked to me as if they were saying to each other, where do we start?

What a wonderful thing to witness the compassion and help that comes to us sometimes when tragedy strikes. Every now and then we see humanity at it's best when governments, friends, family, and neighbours rally to help us rebuild after our lives are messed up tragically.

These workers in Japan no doubt had a plan in mind to tackle the task ahead, but I couldn't help but think about how overwhelming it must be to look at hundreds of these piles of debris, and miles and miles of devastation. And then factor in the thousands of dead whose bodies are in amongst the debris and you have an overwhelming task in front of you.

Many of us have experienced this kind of helplessness at a personal level. We stand numb, devastated, unable to even begin to start to put the pieces back together. Our lives don't resemble what they did just a short time ago, and we think, where do I even start?

If this is you, the Scriptures record a prayer that seems to be very fitting. It's found in Psalm 61, and starts like this: O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies can't reach me (NLT).

We can't be certain what was going on in this man's life when he wrote the prayer, but it was probably one of these two events: The first was when he was serving in the palace as a musician for the king. The king was jealous of him and began to look for ways to have him killed. He was forced to not only leave his family and home, but to leave the country and live in caves and the forest for years until the king died. The other event that may have been happening was when, later in life when he himself was king, his own son turned the army and the people against him and once again forced him to leave his home, and the capital, and find shelter among a few faithful friends.

I like the first few words, O God, listen to my cry! It's like there aren't even any words to pray - just a cry for help. I don't think that our heavenly father is tied down to only answer certain words or sentences. I don't believe that God only responds to carefully spoken prayers that are all neat and tidy. Sometimes our lives get all messy, and our prayers (spoken or unspoken) resemble our circumstances.

Verse 2 says, . . . when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety. How good is that?? It's difficult for me to describe to someone else the personal connection I have with Jesus, but it's real! He's not a figment of my imagination (though some will insist that he is). I have never had my house leveled by a tsunami, but I have experienced depression, helplessness, and debilitating weariness; and I've also felt the towering rock of safety respond to me with invisible hands of comfort and support. His help may come in a number of different ways - through unexpected people, places, and events - but I have known that he is there. Money can't buy it; being clever won't help. Getting all religious won't help a scrap either, because God isn't religious. He loves people, and gets involved in their messes. He's not a formula, but a person. Just because you can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there. That's a silly assumption!

But it may cost you your pride; you may have to humble yourself in your heart to admit that you need help. The man who wrote this prayer, above, is the same man who killed a 9 foot giant earlier in his life. How much had his situation changed?

But he did humble himself, and cried out to God for help. The help you receive may not come exactly as you want it to, but that may not be a bad thing. Life is full of changes, and maybe a change of heart and attitude is a change for the better.

Talk soon . . . dmd

Is Sex Love . . . ?

The other morning at 6.00am, while in the city, I drove past a huge billboard sign for a night club. It read, "Get more love in one night". Then, about 20 metres away sitting on the gutter with her arms wrapped around her knees, was a young lady with tears streaming down her face and crying in anguish. Now, clearly I have no idea what was wrong with the young lady; she may have been upset for any number of reasons. But I thought about the old saying that says, A picture paints a thousand words. This woman's story of weariness could be repeated 1,000's of times over every day in any city, couldn't it?

As far as the nightclub sign goes, I am continually amazed at what we're told is good for us, and more specifically what LOVE is! To make the assumption that sex is love is preposterous and a crime against a vulnerable generation of young people.

I can personally vouch for the fact that sex is wonderful after 25 odd years of marriage; but it breaks my heart to think that some people are convinced that sex does in fact equal love.

Don Fransisco wrote,

It hurts to see you struggle

And try so hard to win

But trade your precious birthright

For candy-coated sin

It's a bit like fool's gold - might look like gold, might feel like gold, but it isn't gold. The chances are it's just some candy coated stuff that's gonna leave you disillusioned and hurt.

As people we are so precious and costly; but we settle for fool's gold when the real stuff is on offer elsewhere.

I won't say too much more now about this. I just wanted to put that picture that I saw into words before I forget about it. I will say this, though; that there is only one way I know to measure real love - How much is it prepared to sacrifice?

The song title for the above verse is, Give your heart a home. That's what we all need - a home for our feelings, emotions, struggles, fears, weaknesses, inadequacies, and weariness. Somewhere we can be honest, and get angry about some of the junk we've been told and sold.

Again, let me ask, How much is the one who loves you prepared to sacrifice for you?

In my last blog I said I would list some things that I've stumbled upon that may be some help to you in your journey to healing and wholeness. When I say 'stumbled', I really do mean it. Sometimes I feel like the guy with a broken leg learning to walk with crutches, desperately trying to keep his balance. He slips over, and gets angry with himself, until he sees a beautiful big diamond on the ground right in front of his nose. If he hadn't fell over he wouldn't have seen it!

Some of the most precious revelations about our Heavenly Dad have come from other peoples' gutter experiences. You'll probably have your own contributions to add, but here are some of mine:

In your journey with Jesus,

1. Say you're sorry for the wrongs you've done. Read thru Psalms 51. Here is a song (or prayer) that was written by a guy who completely stuffed things up for himself, and a few other people! Verse 1 says, "Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins". Remember this: God doesn't just forgive our sins so we'll be continually indebted to him; He forgives us because he loves us and wants to forgive us. He removes the stain of sin so there will be no more record of it, and there will be no barrier between him and us.

2. Stop trying to be happy. Happiness isn't the goal - peace with God is the goal; the knowledge that Jesus never leaves you is the goal. If you're pursuit is happiness then you need to mature some more. Happiness is defined by feelings and events. Peace with God, and contentment is the real goal. Remember this from Paul, in the Bible?

Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (Philippians 4:11-13 The Message)

Notice who the central figure is in this verse?: It's Jesus, "The One"

If you want to further challenge yourself in this read 2 Corinthians 11. But be prepared to have some of your ideas turned on their heads. God's idea of abundant life may be very different to yours!

3. Don't trust your own understanding. You would think this would go without saying, wouldn't you? Take the time to read Proverbs 3: 5 - 8 again.

Don't make the assumption that you're lost just because you feel lost! Don't fall into the trap of presuming you're on your own just because you feel like you're on your own. And don't assume that just because you can't see where you're going, that you're off the track and away from God's plan.

4. When Jesus knocks, open the door.

I have to confess that this is something that I can't teach you how to do. Throughout the Bible we see God turned up in people's lives in a whole bunch of ways. At times he came as an angel; he spoke from the middle of a bush; he spoke thru a donkey, and a prostitute; he appeared as a bright light, and a voice; told people what he wanted thru some strange rocks; thru lightning and thunder; a gentle whisper; he used the voices of ordinary men and women, little boys and girls; and the list goes on and on.

Jesus makes a big statement in John's Gospel chapter 10 verses 1-5. In short, he says, "My sheep will hear my voice". Go ahead and read it. Jesus seems to be fairly certain and confident that his sheep will hear his voice when he calls them (more confident than me, at times).

Unfortunately we are bombarded with doubts most of the time when it comes to this.

I don't know how he will speak to you, but I know that if you are his sheep then you will know. (Perhaps the doubt we experience is a sign that he's not speaking??).

In 1 Samuel 3, the boy Samuel hears God calling to him, but he thinks it's Eli his master and asks him what he wants. After this happens 3 times Eli gives Samuel the best advice ever; and it's something you and I can do every time we need to make a decision, or we're not sure the Lord is actually talking to us. Eli says, The next time you hear the voice, say, 'Speak to me, Lord; you're servant is listening'.

When he knocks, open the door. It may be the most rewarding thing you do; and every time you do you will get to know your Saviour a little better.

Talk soon . . . dmd

A few days ago my wife was out walking and came across a badly injured budgerigar just sitting in the grass beside the road. (They're a colourful, domestic bird that must have escaped it's owner's cage). It seems to have been attacked by a cat, or possibly another bird. So it's just sitting there, too injured and traumatized to fly away or run in fright. She brought it home and we put it in a box with some water and seed, hoping that it might recover. After an hour or so we gave it to a neighbour who keeps birds, and he put it in a separate cage to try and help it to get better.

I couldn't help but think that this bird is a lot like some of us; beaten up by life, injured so badly by circumstances and stuff we don't (or can't) fight back anymore. People pass us in the street, or in our offices, and either don't know how badly we're hurt, or don't really care, or simply don't know what to do with us. Weariness, depression, and loneliness become our constant companions. We hope and wait for the right person to come along to bring healing, support, or the right words, etc.

Jesus said, "If you're weary . . . come to me and I'll give you rest . . . " (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Well, that's great isn't it! Wonderful! But where is he? Is he round here some place where I can see him? Is there something I should be doing to get his attention? How long till he finds me?

These are all good questions, and I don't think Jesus is surprised or annoyed with us for asking.

Look at Psalms 103

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him . . . (13-17 NLT)

For the person who calls themselves a 'Christ-follower', or a Christian, these words can seem contradictory to our feelings. For example, the Lord says he is like a father who is tender and compassionate; but our feelings often tell us we are alone and unloved, lacking the knowledge of his tenderness. And this is a dilemma, because we are not supposed to live life dominated by our feelings.

It's my opinion that positive thinking can only take you so far. Reciting and repeating truths has merit and can help break bad habits in our thinking, but I believe there is another level of 'knowing' the Lord, and his ways, that is the true beginning to finding this promised rest from our weariness and loneliness. And I believe that only the individual who is suffering can grasp this for themselves, and do something about it.

In my next blog I'll take this further and lay out some things that I have stumbled on that may help you in your journey.

For now, let me say this; what a wonderful thought that God knows that I am weak, and that I'm like dust at times - blown away by the wind.

The budgerigar died after a few hours of struggling. When it was on the street, I wonder if it would have held on longer if it knew help was on the way?

I also wonder if we would hang on with more confidence if we knew someone was looking for us and watching over us even if we couldn't see them?

Talk soon . . . . dmd