As the World Turns by Dan McDonald

They say that money "makes the world go around." Obviously, by this they mean that without money everything would come to a stand still. This, more than likely, is true because of our love and worship of the green "stuff." Well, maybe, just maybe if we could take our focus off mammon (worldly wealth, riches, and pleasures) and put it on the One who made the "world turn," our worship to God would take on a whole meaning. Hosea prophesied to Israel that they were only interested in worship that would entertain them and give them self-satisfaction. The focus was NOT on God. Wow! Sounds a lot like today's worship, huh?! It's a controversy over sound, instrumentation, specific song usage, or just personal choice. If we could make honoring God a higher priority than our own preferences, I believe our worship would not only be more meaningful to the One who created it, but also to our Christian community as a whole. Psalm 51:17 says that God will NOT reject sacrifices (of praise) from hearts full of humility and contrition. Instead of standing by and watching the world revolve around the unimportant things, let's guard our hearts and magnify the ALL important One...for without a genuine change of heart, our outward acts of worship are simply meaningless!

Keep Pace With God

As a half-marathon runner, I find one of the hardest things to do is just to keep up the pace. There are times when I feel my chest is going to burst, and I just want to stop and puke! But I understand if I rest, making up the time I lost while stopping will be almost impossible. Therefore, no matter how bad my stomach hurts; no matter how bad I want to stop and "catch my breath"; no matter what other people around me are doing, I keep up my (not someone else's) pace and find that in doing so, I reach the finish line - tired, yes, but fulfilled, stronger, and triumphant!

The following is an excerpt from a familiar book. Maybe this will help shed some light on keeping in pace with God. Please enjoy it and...keep up the pace!

"God is a planner, a strategist. He is incredibly organized and has a definite pace. More like a marathon runner than a sprinter, He has our whole lives in mind, not just tomorrow. Remember God is never late. Never try to hurry God. "He that believeth shall not make haste," the Bible says in Isaiah 28:6. Urgent matters are seldom urgent. Pressure usually accompanies us when we are out of God's pace.

Proverbs 16:9 says, 'We should make plans, counting on God to direct us.' Proverbs 16:3 tells us, 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' Cowards never start, and the lukewarm die along the way. God is the original's hope and the copy's excuse. Is God your hope or your excuse?

Adopt the pace of God; His secret is patience. There is no time lost in waiting if you are waiting on the Lord. The road to success runs uphill, so don't expect to break any speed records. All great achievements require time. Happiness is a direction, not a destination.

Abraham Lincoln, during the darkest hours of the Civil War, said in response to the question whether he was sure God was on his side, 'I do not know: I have not thought about that. But I am very anxious to know whether we are on God's side.'

Walking in the pace of God helps establish us on the proper foundation. Nothing is permanent unless it is built on God's will and God's Word. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Ps. 127:1).

Every great person first learned how to obey, whom to obey, and when to obey. A famous anonymous poem says, 'The place I choose, or place I shun, my soul is satisfied with none; but when Thy will directs my way, 'tis equal joy to go or stay.'

God has your whole life in mind when He directs you..."

-John Mason, from the book, You're Born An Original Don't Die A Copy

"To Infinity...and Beyond!" by Dan McDonald

A popular children's Disney film starring some of our favorite actors and actresses introduces a super hero action figure who has supposedly come from outer space to rescue the world from its enemy...Zurg. Buzz Lightyear's most famous line is, "To infinity and beyond!" I'd never really stopped to examine the significance of this simple phrase that I have heard dozens of children repeat (even I have used it, while role playing with my boys) - not that it really needs examination. But today as I was thinking about this quip, I asked myself, what does this really mean or stand for? Now, please let me say in advance, I don't want to demean Disney for using such phrases, because I really enjoy a good Disney flick now and again. However, if we're not careful any role model and his/her famous quotes can distract us from the One True Hero - Jesus, and His sayings, the Bible. He (not Buzz) was always in "infinity," (eternity) and He came from "beyond," (heaven) or a place we could never imagine or dream. We as parents/teachers need to watch for clever phrases like these the media or movie industry inundates us with on a daily basis so we can teach our children Biblical truths that they will hold on to their entire lives. Anyway, let's get back to this exclamatory phrase Buzz Lightyear employs throughout the series, Toy Story. First, "to infinity": This obviously infers something endless, vast, or immeasurable. I can only think of eternity or the place where Christ has always existed, a place not bound by time. I have often tried to explain eternity/infinity only to end up with a brain fracture failing to elucidate the implications of an eternal/infinite state. Then, comes the next two words, "and Beyond": This, added to the already inconceivable thought about eternity, ultimately brings the reflecting brain to an abrupt halt! I mean, here's the concept of never-ending, and then, beyond that?! WOW! Well, here's what this phrase made me think of: the only thing that could possibly come close is Christ's return for His bride, and then sweeping us off into the "beyond," wherever that may be and whatever that will consist of - a place far "beyond" what are human eyes can see or hands grasp. So, imagine this, God the Father telling His Son, "It's time! Go get my sons and daughters!" Gabriel blows his trumpet, Jesus parts the clouds and shouts to His children, those in their graves first, "Come with me, to infinity and beyond!" Cool, huh?! Paul said in Thessalonians, "...comfort one another with these words." Well, maybe not these exact words...but the concept was to encourage each other because the Lord would be returning one day! So, let's all say that little phrase out loud and think of Christ...ready, set,..."To Infinity and Beyond!"

"Hello, Is Anyone Home?!"

I remember as a teen delivering newspapers and collecting the money the old fashioned way. I'd go up to a door, knock or ring the door bell. After thinking I'd heard someone, I'd call out, "Is anyone Home?!" Only to be disillusioned knowing I wouldn't get paid from them that week. After getting 5 or 6 "no homes" in a row, I'd often get discouraged, because I knew if I didn't collect the money, I wouldn't get paid. This scenario probably seems quite trivial compared to the situation the Israelites, David and King Saul were all facing in I Sam. 30 and 31. The Philistines were fighting against Israel and King Saul and pressing down "hard" on them. As a matter of fact, it was so bad King Saul saw little hope for his future, and so he fell on his sword, killing himself. His sons, including Jonathan, David's best friend, were already dead. Meanwhile, David and his army were in another part of the country and had just discovered that the Amalekites burned their city to the ground. Their wives and children were gone - the scriptures tell us they were taken captive, but, I'm sure by the way the men reacted, they didn't know that at the time. I Sam. 30:3,4 tells us that David and his men "cried aloud until there was NO strength to cry anymore." Pretty intense, huh? Well, I'm sure at this point David and his men were wondering if their God was anywhere to be found, you know, like "home?" To make matters worse, his men were talking about stoning David! I know we've had "low" points in our lives, and we've felt like we've had it bad, but imagine living in this situation. Talk about "throwing in the towel," this would have been a great time for it! However, although it may have seemed God's presence was no where to be found, the Bible tells us, "BUT David found strength in the Lord his God!" (30:6). David knocked on the door and found God "home," or rather, he realized God had been present the whole time........What about us? When it comes right down to you and me, do we remember how much God loves us and cares for us too much to leave us? If we call out to Him, we need not worry that He won't answer, for our God is ever present. So, you may be facing moments of darkness or insurmountable testing or temptation - turn to the trustworthiness of God's Word where Matthew shares with us, "...if we ask, seek, and knock, we will NOT be ignored," (7:7,8). OK, so what do we do now?...Well, go ahead and knock at the Lord's door, you won't have to scream, "IS ANYONE THERE?!" You'll always fin Him home!

"Get Out of the Nest!" by Dan McDonald

From the time an eagle is an embryo safe inside its egg to the time of its departure from home, the nest provides a place of love, security and freedom. The mother and father, mates for life by the way, nurture and guard their young until they know their baby is safe to take its first flight, usually around 10 - 13 weeks after birth. The eaglet often gets comfortable in the nest and would just stay there and let its parents keep feeding it. But the parents know unless their young (which now is the same size as they are) gets out on its own, it will not survive the brutality of the wild. So when the time comes, the adult eagles fly over the nest, hear their child call for food, but do not provide any for it. The eaglet grows thinner, and often pulls meat scraps from the "old" carcasses lying around in the nest. It may even capture a live bug or two - its first kill! It still does not venture outside the safety of the nest, however. So, many times, the mother will have to come and remove all the "soft" stuff from the nest exposing only sharp sticks making the nest an uncomfortable place to be. Stories have been told of mother eagles actually pushing their young out, forcing them to fly...or fall - not to worry, though; the FATHER is always close by to provide security in case the young is not strong enough on its first few flights. But eventually, usually six to nine weeks after it learns to fly and hunt its own food, the eaglet leaves the nest for good....... Our Father, God Jehovah provides comfortable places for us to live, dwell, learn, serve, exist for a while. Then, when it is time, He gently tells us to "Go. I have more for you to do besides sit, soak, and sour!" Well, we eventually get so comfortable in our little nests (church seats) that we forget about His call. So He must urge us in other ways, sometimes painful, much like the mother eagle and its little fledgling. As Christians we often lack faith on our part to "take flight." But, we must remember that the Father is ALWAYS near watching every move we make...ready to protect, keep, shelter, and help should his little ones need it. Comfort is good, but not at the expense of losing God's very best for us. So, spread those wings and fly - and for heaven's sake, get out of the nest!

In the "Nick of Time" by Dan McDonald

How many times have you heard or seen the phrase, "in the nick of time" in a movie or book, or maybe even experienced it yourself? We live in an extremely fast-paced society that has everything to us speedily...fast food, fast cash, speedy gas, express mail, high-speed internet, prompt service, and the list goes on. However, when these things fail, we often find ourselves in a quandary trying to gasp our next breath, because our pizza was delivered two minutes late, our internet has taken 30 seconds longer to respond, or our mail is a day late. Too many times, we throw up our hands in despair when confronted with these or similar circumstances. Perhaps you have situations in your life right now that tempt you to give up on God: a loved one who continues to reject God's Word; a difficult coworker who shows no sign of change; a child whose behavior takes you to your limits? You tell God, "I need your help, like, yesterday!!" Remember, we have a God who is in complete control and hears His children when they pray and cry out for help. He saves them repeatedly...often, "in the nick of time." Obviously, in God's frame of reference there is no "nick of time." His time is always ON TIME. Unfortunately, since our lives our governed by hours and minutes - even seconds, time is of the essence to us. Consequently, if something doesn't happen according to our "watch" we may often consider God to be late, and we fall into the trap of discouragement or frustration, most times the latter of the two. My mind my goes back to the story of when Saul first becomes the king of Israel, I Samuel 11. Just before he becomes king, the Israelites are confronted with Nahash the leader of the Ammonite army who has besieged Jabesh Gilead and is threatening to annihilate the whole city. The men of the Jabesh Gilead try and make a peace treaty with this tyrant, and in response Nahash gives them one condition, "that all the men pluck out their right eyes so that I can bring disgrace on the whole nation of Israel." Talk about being discouraged or frustrated!! They only have seven days to respond to his request. They scramble, fumble, and almost crumble until...God shows up - you guessed it - "in the nick of time." In short, God's spirit falls upon Saul and gives him the words to say to "encourage" the people to fight with him and allows Israel a huge victory. We could search the scriptures and find a plethora of examples of God's "nick of time" accomplishments. But, we have to remember - God's timing is never late or early it's always on time! So, take these situations that dishearten you and make you think God is not listening...allow Him to work His way, in His time.

To Be A Leader

Today there are many so-called "leaders." But, of those, which ones are TRUE leaders? We've heard that some people are "born" leaders. Well, this is true and consoling; especially if we understand the sovereignty of God. It is God who decides who will be the next leader - Think of the Old Testament and the many Kings Israel "went through." God didn't make a mistake by putting those people in charge...it was a all a part of His plan and purpose for the ages to come. Let's bring it on home to where we are today. God has already chosen who will be the next leader of country! You say, "No way! Dan, you've really gone off the deep end now!" Hang tight, I know this may be really baffling to some. However, remember who is Sovereign?! Now, I'm right there with you every night as we all watch the news and observe how the media pick apart each candidate, speculating who will be the next president and why. I just have to laugh inside as I watch them propose all the reasoning behind their assumptions. Then, I watch as, all of a sudden, something "unexpected" happens - and you know what I'm talking about...the twists and turns of this whole candidacy - and these experts scramble to figure out where they must have gone wrong. We, as Christians, must remember that God is in ultimate control and there are no "mistakes" or "oopsies" in His sovereign will. He uses ordinary men and women, boys and girls like you and me to fulfill His plan. So, don't lose hope when you see things seemingly fall apart. The same God who holds each atom in place is holding the stars, planets, and yes, even this present presidential race in His omniscient hands! I've often thought to myself over the past few months who I'd want to see be our next president from the nominees we have. "None!" is always my first response; however, at this point, "none" is not a viable option. Any and all of these candidates as a future president will only do this country more harm than good because their lives are so consumed with pride, deception and other sins that, I believe, will only desecrate our God-given land even more!...hmmmmm, the last time I checked, my life also had sin in it. And I'm a leader...well, I guess we all have a few options here: we can all just turn a "blind" eye to this whole drama, we can fall into deep despair and believe that even God can't fix this mess, or we can choose II Chronicles 7:14, which pleads, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." I choose option number 3. Don't turn away or give up hope - Pray and seek His face! Then you also will become the leader God wants YOU to be.