More Thoughts on Simplicity (Acts 2:46&47)

We live in a confusing world. The church hasn’t escaped that confusion. I don’t think I’ve ever lived in more challenging times for the church and her people. Gimmicks and gurus who have all the answers litter the church landscape. We follow the fads and gimmicks at our peril.

A recurring thought walks regularly through my mind these days. It goes something like this. What if we just used the Bible as our standard? What if love became the preeminent quality in the church? What if we longed for and prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit on all our efforts? What if we just kept things very simple? What if we just loved people with the love of Jesus?

We don’t need new programs. I don’t think we need new methods. Quick fixes haven’t worked throughout the years, and they still won’t work. Let me tell you what I think will work.

LOVE will work. People flocked to Jesus because they knew He loved them. When we put Jesus’ love to work in our community, looking for ways to share it with those who don’t know Him, it will work!

SERVICE will work. If we really believe Jesus is our model, then we must serve. We must step outside the walls of our church buildings and look for new and fresh ways to serve our community. If we choose to quit demanding service and look for ways to serve in Jesus’ name, it will work!

PRAYER will work. We pray too much for ourselves and too little for those who need Jesus. We pray too much for our issues and not enough for the issues the keep people from Jesus. We pray too little for most everything. Choosing to make prayer a priority as an expression of our absolute dependence upon God will work.

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING will work. The early church had incredible influence in their pagan culture. That influence was Spirit-driven. Most of us know little of that kind of life. Again, we too often choose to live subnormal Christian lives. We live with so much clutter in our souls. We tolerate so much that hinders God’s work. We live so full of ourselves that God’s Spirit has no room. If we choose to pursue His fullness in our lives, we’ll experience “church” that works! — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 18; Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13

Think About This: “The Christian is a new creature, born and taught from above…and has renounced the confused, distant, uncomfortable notions he/she once formed of God…He/she sees God in Christ, reconciled, a Father, a Savior and a Friend, who has freely forgiven him/her all his/her sins and given him/her the spirit of adoption; he/she is now no longer a servant, much less a stranger, but a son/daughter; and because a son/daughter, an heir already interested in all the promises, admitted to the throne of grace, and assured expectant of eternal glory.” John Newton, Letters of John Newton, 1781

Pursuing Simplicity (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Many of us who walk with the Lord allow our lives to become more complicated than they need to be or ought to be. The more I read Scripture, the more I’m convinced that simplicity is a worthwhile goal for the Christian. It isn’t something our world urges us to pursue, but it seems to be a mark of those who have walked with the Lord.

Life seems increasingly complicated, and the twists and turns keep us from living simply. The complications of everyday life infect all of life. Before we know it, everything is complicated including walking with Jesus. How do we escape all the complicated hurdles that keep us from walking with the Lord? Again, as I read the Scriptures, I come to the conclusion that pursuing simplicity is simpler than we think. Moses gives us a path to simplicity in his recital of God’s expectations to the Israelites at their impending entrance to the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 10:12-22).

He sums up God’s expectations for His people in four words: fear, love, serve and keep. The expectations that go with the words are simple. They’ll help us avoid many of life’s complications if we’ll choose to live them out.

FEAR the Lord your God, is the first step to simplicity. God asks us to respect Him enough to never bring disrepute on His name. We want to hold Him in high reverence and do nothing to damage His reputation.

LOVE the Lord your God, is the second step in the pursuit of simplicity. God asks us to love Him more than anyone or anything else. To love God with all our hearts and souls is to give Him the place He deserves in our lives. That love for God will protect us from many of the complications our world can throw at us.

SERVE the Lord your God takes us another step toward simple living. When He has first place in our lives, serving is as natural as waking up every morning. It’s not complicated. We listen for direction and do what He asks of us. We serve Him because we have great reverence for Him and because we love Him. — John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU — Proverbs 17; Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12

Think About This: Grace is something you can never get but can only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about anymore than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks. A good night’s sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. — Frederick Buechner

He Is Worthy! (Part 2; Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31)

God is worthy of our complete devotion because He is God! We thought about that in last Sunday’s FF. That isn’t the only reason that He is worthy, however. The Scriptures teach us that God is also good. As we think about His goodness, we discover another reason to declare Him worthy of our love, labor and lives.

In Psalm 107, one verse is repeated four times. Each time it declares that God is good. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.” Let’s think about the goodness of God this morning. I pray that His goodness will move us to a deeper love for Him and commitment to Him.

Part of understanding God’s goodness is a theological issue. His goodness is part of His character. One writer says that His goodness is the summum bonum-the maximum good. Some words we’re familiar with describe His goodness. He is eternally good. He has always been good and always will be good. He is infinitely good. His goodness has no limitations, and He is completely good. No darkness exists in His character. (See 1 John 1:5) He is also uniquely good. No one else can claim goodness without the taint of sin. Only God is completely good.

I’ve thought of at least three ways we see the goodness of God in our lives. First, we see His goodness in creation. Read Genesis one and see how many times God says what He has done is good. The creation is a reflection of God’s goodness. Psalm 107 teaches us that God’s works display His goodness. When we take time to reflect on His goodness in our lives, we must agree with the psalmist. He has done wonderful works in our lives that declare His goodness. Finally, we see His goodness in the sending of His Son. Jesus’ arrival in our world is the supreme declaration of God’s goodness. God is worthy of our best because He’s good!

So, how do we respond to God’s goodness? Let me suggest two ways. First, we give Him our gratitude. Read Psalm 106:1. “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Reflecting on God’s goodness will always move us to gratitude. Another response, trust, is also appropriate. Confidence in God’s goodness empowers us to trust Him regardless of the circumstances that confront us. “The Lord is good, A strong-hold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
(Nahum 1:7) – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for you: Proverbs 16; Ezekiel 3-4; Hebrews 11:20-40

Think About This: Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your spirits with good works. You aren’t to deny your soul, which is going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going to die.– Anonymous

The Life of Faith (Habakkuk 2:4)

I am leaving on Saturday morning for an 8-day bus trip to Branson with
44 friends of America’s KESWICK. That is why you are getting two Freedom Fighters on Friday!!! Pastor John Strain will be sharing Freedom Fighters all week with you.

Have you read Habakkuk lately? It was part of my regular Bible reading schedule yesterday. Do you join me in amazement at God’s ability to schedule particular readings just when we need them? I experienced that amazement while spending time with Habakkuk yesterday. Think with me about what he says: “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.”

It’s easy these days to see darkness rather than light. The economy is in trouble. Our country is in trouble. Our world is in trouble. Most of us know churches that are in trouble. Much of life seems pretty dark. It was that way for Habakkuk, too. God called him to prophesy to the people of Judah during what my Bible (in the introductory notes to this book) call the “death throes” of the nation. He asked God to help him understand what was going on. God answered him, in part, with the words of vs. 4.

The situation Habakkuk faced in Judah was worse than our situation. I don’t know anyone who sees our country in “death throes.” We see hard times, but not death, on the horizon. How will we handle those difficulties? We do have choices. We can despair. We can doubt. We can complain. Or, we can live by faith. One of the men at First Baptist lost forty per cent of his retirement fund in one week of October. It would be easy to despair, doubt and complain. It’s better to live by faith. I believe that’s what my brother in Christ is doing, even though it’s hard.

God wanted Habakkuk, and us, to know that He will see all of us through whatever circumstances come our way. He doesn’t promise us that everything will be easy. He does assure us that we’re not alone. He does assure us that He does not forsake His own. God told Habakkuk to write “the just shall live by his faith.” Faith is the better option.
Doubt, despair and complaint won’t sustain us. Faith will.

How are you weathering the darkness that hovers over our world right now? Are you experiencing personal difficulties that make the world even darker? Hear God’s encouraging words to a discouraged prophet: “. . . the just shall live by his faith.” It was a good word for Habakkuk. It’s a good word for every Freedom Fighter. – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 15; Ezekiel 1-2; Hebrews 11:1-19

Think About This: “Our nature struggles fiercely against being saved without our works and tries to deceive us with a grand illusion of our own righteousness. So we may find ourselves attracted to a life that merely appears to be righteous. Or because we know we aren’t righteous, we may be frightened by death or sin. Therefore, we must learn that we should have nothing to do with any other way of becoming righteous, except through Christ alone.” Martin Luther

Coming soon: JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY – Simple Piano Styles by Bill Welte. 14 Hymns recorded on CD. Cost is $15. If you are interested, respond to this email for information

CONTENTED LIVING

“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” (Philippians 4:11)

Another one of my heroes of the faith is Dr. Gil Peterson, Chancellor of Lancaster Bible College. For the past 20+ years, Gil’s wife Delores has battled MS courageously and has demonstrated gratitude despite the challenges they have faced together. With the economic crisis looming over our heads, maybe contentment is an area that God is going to grow us in the days ahead. Here is Dr. Peterson’s perspective on contentment from our daily devotional, “REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE”:

“Contentment does not come automatically with conversion. There is no magic formula for it. We are instructed to be anxious for nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for anything (Philippians 4:6). Paul wrote with authority, for he had experienced flogging, being forsaken and even fiercely attacked by friends. He was confined in a prison and still wrote about joy, peace and contentment.

The late Dr. Lloyd Perry once said, “Paul had learned in experience that you travel third class with Christ present…Second class with Christ prominent…First class only when you have Christ preeminent.” Contented living is only possible through Christ Jesus. Even among Bible-believing Christians there are times of contention and strife. Paul was burdened for two women in the church at Philippi who were causing discord. Euodia (whose name means “sweet fragrance”) and Syntyche (whose name means “affable”) were not living up to their potential. They were instructed to rejoice in the Lord and live in harmony. In other words, to live contented lives!

Contentment comes not just from human resources, for Paul reminds the whole church that they can do these things only through Christ. He wrote a powerful instruction and example: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13). In one of the New Testament passages I love the most he stresses joy, grace, peace, clear thinking, and fervent positive action (4:4-9). This is a great checklist for us to evaluate our lives on a daily basis. Prepare a 3×5 card with these words on them, and carry it with you as a reminder of the standard that brings honor to God and blessing to others.

I love the poem by Ester Rusthoi that has become a favorite hymn. She
wrote:

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

How about it, brothers? Are you content this morning? Something to think about on this rainy Friday morning. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Think About This: Those alone labour effectively among men who impetuously fling themselves upward toward God. — Charles H. Brent

GOD IS FAITHFUL

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Sometimes we need reminders like this especially when things are going crazy. I shared this devotional in a Freedom Fighter in 2004 – almost hard to believe that we have been on this journey together for over 4 years!!!

“God never calls us to do anything without faithfully keeping HIS Word and enabling us to do it. We are not always faithful to do what God tells US, but HE remains faithful and stands by HIS Word to fulfill what HE has promised (Isaiah 46:11).

When the children of Israel reached the Red Sea, they might have concluded that God had abandoned His promise to them. The sea was barring their advance, and the murderous Egyptian army was racing to overtake them! Yet God proved then, as He has ever since, that HE IS ABSOLUTELY FAITHFUL to EVERY word He speaks to His children.

God may have spoken to you about something in particular – a ministry in your church, the way to raise your children, or what you should do in your job. You have obeyed Him, but now you face a RED SEA experience. It seems that what you thought GOD wanted to accomplish is not happening. Perhaps your ministry has not been well received, or your children are rebelling, or those at your workplace are criticizing your actions.

Trust in the character of God. It is His nature to be faithful. The testimony of His people through the ages is expressed by the Psalmist, who declared: ‘I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.’ (Psalm 37:25)

Regardless of how bleak your circumstances are, DO NOT LOSE HOPE. No one has ever experienced unfaithfulness on God’s part! Allow time for God to reveal HIS faithfulness to you. Someday you will reflect on what GOD has done and praise HIM for HIS absolute faithfulness to YOU!” – Dr. Henry Blackaby – Experiencing God – The Devotional

Good stuff? I needed to hear this today. I trust it will be an encouragement to you. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 13; Lamentation 1-2; Hebrews 10:1-18

Think About This: Happy are they…who shall learn…not to despair, but shall remember, that though the day is past, and their strength is wasted, there yet remains one effort to be made; that reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavours ever unassisted; that the wanderer may at length return after all his errors, and that he who implores strength and courage from above shall find danger and difficulty give way before him. — Samuel Johnson

Just one last reminder that tonight is our Men’s Fellowship Nite with Pastor John Helm. Dinner starts at 6:15 PM. Join us for a great evening. Please call for reservations: 732-350-1187

JESUS, I HEARD YOU HAD A BIG HOUSE

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would not have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 (New International Version)

Yesterday I shared my thoughts of what it must have been like for the Obama’s to finally have the “official” tour of their new home for the next four years. President-elect Barak was awe struck as he went into the Oval office for first time.

Can you imagine what it is going to be like his two girls the very first time the get to actually get inside their new home? For weeks they have talked about what it will be like. Most likely they have seen pictures. But what will it be like for them when they get to experience the REAL deal?

I think that is what heaven is going to be like. While we have little information about this place that has been prepared for us by Jesus, but imagine experiencing the real deal? Paul wrote: “No eye has seen, nor has ear heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him …” (1 Corinthians 2:6 – New International Version)

Bill and Gloria Gaither depicted what heaven might look like through the eyes of a child in their kid’s song, JESUS, I HEARD YOU HAD A BIG HOUSE:

Jesus, I heard you had a big house
Where I’d have a room of my own;
And, Jesus, I heard you had a big yard,
Big enough to let a kid roam.
I heard You had clothes in your closet
Just the right size that I wear;
And Jesus, I heard if I’d give You
My heart, you’d let me go there.

Jesus, I heard about mealtimes
When all of Your children come to eat;
I heard You’ve got a great big table
Where every kid can have a seat.
Jesus, I heard there’d be plenty
Of good things for children to share;
And Jesus, I just want to tell You
I sure would like to go there.

Jesus, I heard that in Your big house
There’s plenty of love to go ’round;
I heard there’s always singing and laughter To fill the place with happy sounds.
And I’ve been thinking that a friend who’s Plan to give me all that He’s got Before I even had met Him – Well, He sure must love me a lot!
Yes, He sure must love me a lot!
(Copyright 1975 by William J. Gaither. International copyright secured. All rights reserved)

I think that is so cool. But the big question is – have YOU given HIM your heart? You need not only an invitation to get into the White House, you need to accept the invitation! Jesus invites you to His House – but it is by invitation only! Have you accepted the invitation by asking Him to be YOUR Savior and Lord? If so, you can only imagine what He has in store for you when you get to HIS HOUSE! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

If you would like more information about having a personal relationship with God, please respond to this email and ask to receive our free booklet, “Steps to Peace With God.”

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 12; Jeremiah 51-52; Hebrews 9

Think about this: No indulgence of passion destroys the spiritual nature so much as respectable selfishness. — George Macdonald

Check out this week’s Stewardship Insight from George. It’s a good one: http://keswickgeorge.blogspot.com/

Have you registered for Men’s Fellowship Night? Thursday, November 13, 2008 with Pastor John Helm. Come and enjoy a great evening of plentiful man food, fellowship, inspiring testimonies and a practical challenge from God’s WORD. Call today for your reservation and bring a friend: 732-350-1187.

What Would You Do If Jesus Came to Your House?

“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must come to your house today.” Luke 19:5

Maybe it is my over active imagination that kicks in at times, but several thoughts have come to mind the past few days as I have contemplated what President and Mrs. Bush and President-elect and Mrs. Obama are thinking as the Obama’s are touring their new home. While from the outside the White House seems small, there is a total of 132 rooms in the White House. Of these, thirty-five are bathrooms; eleven are bedrooms; three kitchens; three dining rooms; one library; one bowling alley; and one movie theater. Twenty-eight rooms have fireplaces. Little house?

Just suppose that you received word today that you were going to have a guest come to your house. Suppose the guest was going to be President Bush. How would you react? What would you do to prepare your house for his arrival?I wonder what went through Zacchaeus mind when Jesus called him down from the tree and told him that he was coming to HIS house “today.” I wonder if he said, “Oh, no – my house isn’t clean!” Or, “I sure hope I can get home quick enough to hide …”

It’s one thing to have enough advanced warning to know a guest is coming – but what if the guest showed up unannounced?What if Jesus were to show up to YOUR house today? What would he find? Would we welcome him in to every room of our “heart house” with open arms? Would he have full access or would we be stuffing things in closets and drawers hoping He’d not see this or that?

Well guess what – He could show up at any time! The Bible tells us that His coming could happen at any time. Would you be ready for Him to appear if He came today?

In searching for some song lyrics that I will write about tomorrow, I came across these words:

“What would you do what would you do if Jesus came to spend some time with you?
If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you’d do
When you saw him comin’ would you meet him at the door
With arms outstretched and welcome to your heavenly visitor
Or would you need to change some things before you let him in
Like burn some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been
Oh I know that you’d give your nicest room to such an honored guest
And all the food you would serve to him would be the very best
And you’d keep assuring him that you were glad to have him thereT
hat serving him in your home was a joy beyond compare
But what about your family conversation would it keep up its normal pace
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace
Would you be glad to have him stay forever on and on
Or would you sigh of great relief when finally he had gone
You know it might be interesting to know the things you’d do
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you
What would you do what would you do if Jesus came to spend some time with you?”

So what would YOU do if Jesus came to YOUR house today? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 11; Jeremiah 50; Hebrews 8

Think About This: Come all crosses, welcome, welcome! so I may get my heart full of my Lord Jesus. — Samuel Rutherford

Come join us Thursday evening for our November Men’s Fellowship with Pastor John Helm. It’s going to be a great night. Call today for information: 732-350-1187.

NEW STRENGTH

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

I don’t know about you, brother, but lately I have felt like I have been on a roller coaster or a merry-go-round that just never seems to stop. At times I find myself overwhelmed, worn down, and even stretched beyond measure. I guess that is why today’s writing from Dr. Henry Blackaby resonated in my soul today. Maybe you need this today too?

“At times you may feel worn out and stressed not sure you can take another step. You may seem to spend all your time running from crisis to crisis and to constantly giving your time and energy to others. Your Lord wants to renew your strength and enable you to enjoy the abundant life He intends for you. The key is to WAIT up Him to do so.

Our generation does not enjoy waiting. We are harried by all the commitments we have made and the many responsibilities we hold. We rush through our lives without stopping to evaluate our activities. Sometimes in our haste to get on with our work, we race ahead of God. Part of God’s restorative process is to slow us down and make us listen to Him.

As we wait on Him, God will remind us of our utter dependence upon His strength. When we slow down and seek His will, He will reveal HIS plans.

Biblically , waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active. Waiting requires us to cease our own pursuits and give God our complete attention. We may have to give up some of the activities we have allowed to inundate our lives. We may need to take an entire day to sit quietly before the Lord. If we ask Him, God will show us the resources He has provided to help us with the Lord we have been attempting to do on our own. God may address feelings of guilt that have motivated us to do things that He has not asked us to do.

Jesus carried more responsibility than YOU do. More people needed HIM than will ever need you. Yet He was never overwhelmed or inadequate for the task. Now Christ offers to guide you so that you will fulfill your heavenly Father’s will and gain the strength necessary for each day . (Matthew 11:28) – Dr. Henry Blackaby – Experiencing God – The Devotional (Broadman/Holman)

Timely? Maybe not for you – but it sure was for me, brother. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK.

Join us this Thursday evening for our November Men’s Fellowship Night. Pastor John Helm will be our speaker. Dinner starts at 6:15 PM followed by a time of worship, testimony, and a challenge from the Word. Call today for your reservations. (732-350-1187)

God’s WORD for YOU: Proverbs 10; Jeremiah 48-49; Hebrews 7

Think About This: God has given us two ears, but one tongue, to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak. God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips, to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue. — Thomas Watson

He Is Worthy! (Deuteronomy 4:39)

Think with me about the greatness of our God this morning. J. B. Phillips wrote a book several years ago that he titled “Your God Is Too Small.” His premise was simple: humans try to “manage” God by bringing Him down to their level. It’s a mistake many of us will make if we don’t think carefully and regularly about our God’s greatness.

One way to reflect on God’s greatness and His worthiness is to think about His attributes. We do Him and ourselves a disservice if we forget those attributes. He is eternal. He is all-knowing. He is holy. He is wise. He is righteous. He is unlimited in power. He is unchanging. He is faithful. He is loving. He is everywhere present at the same time. Reflecting on His attributes will remind us that He is beyond our ability to manage. We don’t manage Him; we declare His glory!

We can also think about God’s names in Scripture. They reveal aspects of His character and His interaction with us. God is known in Scripture as “God Most High.” He is “God, My Peace.” He is “God, My Provider.” He is “God, My Banner (the One who goes before me). He is “God, My Healer.” He is “God, My Peace.” He is “God Who Sees.” He is “The Holy One of Israel.” He is “The Father of the Fatherless.” And that’s just a small list of names that identify Him as the majestic, good and wise God that He truly is. They tell us that our God is worthy of our devotion, praise and service.

We get another glimpse of God’s worthiness when we think about His works. Never forget the very first words of Scripture. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) He spoke simple words and our world came into existence. He is mighty, powerful and incredibly creative. He is also the sustainer of that creation. (See Acts 17:28) Not one second of time occurs without God’s powerful work in that second. Our world continues to exist because our worthy God sustains it. All of that should move us to declare Him worthy!

Finally, consider Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 4:39. “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” God is uniquely God. There is no other god. Anything else that presents itself as god is nothing more than an idol. Let that last line of Moses’ instruction resonate in our hearts this morning: “there is no other!”

The God of Scripture, He is God! There is no other! He alone is worthy of our praise, honor and love. He alone is worthy of our devotion and service. He alone is worthy of our trust and commitment. – John Strain is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Toms River

God’ WORD for YOU: Proverbs 9; Jeremiah 46-47; Hebrews 6

Think About This: The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don’t cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don’t turn up the TV and pretend they aren’t there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think. Max Lucado