Archive for the ‘advice’ Category
21
Dec
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Easter, Faith, forgiveness, Freedom, Religion, Salvation, simplicity. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, religion, truth, Works. 1 comment
Watching the evening news these days can be seriously disturbing. It seems like every day there’s a new name or two on the list of politicians, Hollywood celebrities and officers of large corporations accused of sexual misbehavior of one type or another. It sometimes seems like it will never end.
It’s easy to become angry at these individuals—to wag an accusatory finger in their direction. If the truth be told, however, few of us would survive intact after having our lives laid bare before the court of public opinion. Virtually everyone has something in their past or present that they wouldn’t want exposed to public scrutiny, or even to a spouse or other loved one.
While some of us escape public scrutiny of our lives, it’s a sobering thought to know that everything we do is seen by God.
We are only what we are in the dark; all the rest is reputation. What God looks at is what we are in the dark—the imaginations of our minds; the thoughts of our heart; the habits of our bodies; these are the things that mark us in God’s sight. —Oswald Chambers
The Apostle Paul tells us, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, ESV). This begs the question, “Then who can be saved?” It’s important to understand Romans 3:23 in context, because it answers this worried question. Taken in context, we see:
… there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forth as propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:22b-25a
An act of propitiation is a redeeming sacrifice that atones for sin. In the Bible, this term always refers to an act of God, not a sacrifice offered by man to God.
In a just a few days we will celebrate the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. While we are taking joy in the celebration of the Lord’s birth, we must not forget that he was born for only one purpose—to redeem us from our sins and return us to a natural relationship with God. This return to the natural order as God originally planned it was made possible by Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. This redemption cannot be earned. It is offered as a free gift to all that place their faith in Jesus as savior. Through Him we are made blameless before God.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25
May God bless and keep us all during the coming Christmas season and New Year!
21
Nov
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, consumerism, Faith, Freedom, Freedom of Speech, Gifts, Religion, Simple Living, simplicity, Thanksgiving. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, government, life, politics, Prayer, religion. 1 comment
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
An Irish Blessing
Father Desmond O’Donnell, a Roman Catholic Priest in Northern Ireland, recently told the Belfast Telegraph newspaper that Christians should abandon the word “Christmas,” noting that the name has been “hijacked by Santa and reindeer” and commercialized to the point that it is virtually meaningless. “We’ve lost Christmas, just like we lost Easter, and should abandon the word completely,” O’Donnell said.
Just go to a mall today and see what he means. You’ll find Christmas on display everywhere, even though we’ve yet to celebrate Thanksgiving. Check your mailbox today and you’re apt to find a pile of Christmas sale catalogs and flyers. The Christmas theme is clear—buy, buy, buy!
Sadly, we can say the same thing about losing Thanksgiving. What was originally a day set aside for Americans to thank God for our many blessings is now often referred to as “Turkey Day,” a time to overeat, over indulge in alcohol, and watch football on television. Indeed, a number of Thanksgiving Day football matches across the country are referred to as the “Turkey Bowl.” Thanksgiving has become irreversibly connected with Black Friday, the day Christmas buyers literally battle one another in malls and big box stores to get super bargain prices on anything and everything. Some stores have even resorted to open at midnight on Thanksgiving to maximize the Black Friday “spend fest.”
For many Americans, it might appear that there isn’t too much to be thankful for. We see reports of multiple mass shootings; police officers are gunned down in our streets; there are dozens of reports of sexual misconduct by politicians and Hollywood celebrities; natural disasters hammer the land; and we have a government run by two feckless political parties that seemingly can’t even agree on when to hold the next meeting. Sometimes it seems as if our whole system, our entire way of life, could be swept away in an instant (and it can, but that’s the Book of Revelation, which I won’t go into today).
So what does America have to be thankful for? The answer is truly simple, although not necessarily obvious. What a pity more Americans don’t travel abroad to Third World countries and countries with oppressive regimes like Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea. In such places it takes very little time to recognize how truly blessed we are. I was blessed that my military career allowed me to see so much of the world. It changed me forever.
America isn’t perfect, but it is great enough that many people around the globe dream of coming here. If you take time to thank God this coming Thursday, thank Him for these simple blessings:
- We can go to the faucet and fill a glass with clear, clean water. In Somalia I watched people drink water drawn straight from the muddy Jubba River, where it was not uncommon to see the carcass of a hippopotamus or other large animal floating down the river. Diarrheic disease kills Somalis and other Third World citizens by the score.
- Our country is relatively free of deadly infectious diseases like plague, cholera, and malaria that devastate many other countries.
- We light our homes with the flip of a switch. Following the long civil war in the Former Yugoslavia, I was deployed to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most of the city was without electricity when I arrived, and much of it was still without when I returned home 13 months later.
- We are well-fed compared with much of the world. Even many people living below the poverty level in America are better fed than people in some Third World countries.
- One can travel freely in America. Oppressive regimes around the world control movement of the population. They use checkpoints with armed officials to prevent unrestricted movement about the country.
- Americans can speak freely without fear of reprisal by the government. Sure, sometimes there are bad consequences for speaking freely, such as libel suites, but we aren’t silenced by the government.
- While there is a problem with homelessness in America, most of us have a roof over our heads nevertheless. In Kuwait, Iraq, Somalia and Bosnia I saw thousands of people who had been violently forced from their homes or had their homes destroyed by war.
- We have the freedom to worship God in the way we choose. While many Christians grumble about losing religious freedom (and some rightfully so), we enjoy more religious liberty than most of the world.
Truly America has its problems, but our country is blessed in many ways. Despite its faults, it is still a place where many oppressed people dream of coming to. Take time to pause and thank God for blessing America. May he continue to do so in the coming year!
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.*
*Lyrics from “Simple Gifts,” a traditional Quaker Tune
31
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Faith, Holy Spirit, Islam, Judaism, Martin Luther, Prayer, Reformation, Religion, simplicity, Trinith, Uncategorized. Tagged: abortion, advice, body, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, gay, Islam, Judaism, life, love, marriage, Prayer, religion, truth. Leave a comment
Martin Luther by Ferdinand Pauwels
Tomorrow much of the world will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses, when a brave Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed a revolutionary document to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany (see http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html). The document, consisting of 95 parts, denounced his church’s practice of selling “indulgences” to absolve sin, which ran contrary to Luther’s Bible-based belief that that salvation could be attained through faith and by God’s grace alone. I call him brave, because Luther’s act put him at risk of excommunication and possibly even death.
When called before the Catholic Council (Reichstag) in the city of Worms and ordered to renounce the document, Luther refused, saying the famous words, “Hier stehe ich. Ich kann kein anders.” (Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise). Rather than renouncing his 95 Theses, Luther eventually renounced his monastic vows and married a former nun. His act of faith rocked the Catholic church and ultimately spawned what today is known as the Protestant Reformation.
What would you do if your Christian faith were challenged? What if someone asked you about your Christian beliefs? How would you reply? I’d like to think I’d be as brave as Luther, but in reality I probably wouldn’t. How many people are willing to risk everything for Christ? Recently, we’ve heard stories of Christians in Iraq and Syria identifying themselves to ISIS terrorists and being executed, rather than hide their Christian faith. How would you respond?
Have you ever really thought about what your Christian faith means to you? Sure, you might recite the Apostle’s Creed or Nicene Creed at church every week, but did you ever really stop to think what those words mean? I’m an Anglican. My denomination, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), subscribes to three creeds: the Nicene, Apostle’s, and Athanasian. Unless you’re a relatively new Christian, you’re probably familiar with the first two, which are worded very similarly. The Athanasian Creed is a bit harder to digest, as it clearly discuss the three persons comprising the Holy Trinity, one of the most controversial tenets of the Christian faith. It is accepted by many Western churches and often read at Trinity Sunday worship services in lieu of the Apostle’s or Nicene Creed.
I challenge you to set aside some quiet time and seriously consider the question, “What do I believe?” I can assure you that of the three great world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the average Christians is the least well-equipped to answer this question. Islam and Judaism emphasize reading and memorizing scriptures much more than does Christianity.
Here are a few things to consider if you accept the challenge.
- The Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19) – Do the words of the Bible or the Athanasian Creed’s take on the Trinity cause you to question your own beliefs?
- Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – Do you treat your body as if it is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (Think about what you put into it).
- Divorce (Matthew 19) – Do you accept Jesus teaching on divorce? He opposes it.
- Abortion (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5) – What are your beliefs about the early stages of life?
- Gay Marriage (Romans 1) – What are your beliefs on gay marriage?
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Mark 12:28-34) – Do you love God above everything else, or is something (addiction, idolatry) getting in the way?
- Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34) – Are you at peace with your neighbor?
- Sin (Romans 7:14-25) – What is sin? Are you a sinner?
This is a tough challenge—not something you can think through in a few minutes. Matthew 9 tells the story of a man who is imploring Jesus to heal his young son, who has an unclean spirit (demon) plaguing him. Jesus says to the man (ESV), “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” I submit that most Christians who take the challenge will find themselves crying, “Help my unbelief!”
“Today, many churches are taking God’s laws and saying, ‘These no longer are in effect.’ In Luther’s time the Church said, ‘You need to buy indulgences to be forgiven of your sin.’ Today, more than one church says, ‘Sin? What is sin?’”
Ken Klaus, Pastor Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour
Back to Scripture: The Protestant Reformation and the Five Solas https://www.christianheadlines.com/slideshows/back-to-scripture-the-protestant-reformation-and-the-five-solas.html
1
Aug
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Choices, Christianity, discipleship, discipline, ministry, Religion, simplicity, Uncategorized, Works. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, church, life, ministry, religion, truth. Leave a comment
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying; and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying. –Robert Herrick
Few would argue that making plans isn’t important. As an Army officer, I spent over a decade participating in various planning teams. It requires meticulous planning to move a mass of soldiers and their equipment from point A to point B, whether the end destination is a local training area or a battle somewhere in the Middle East. The old adage we lived by was, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!”
Hardly anyone would think of going on vacation without planning some sort of itinerary—where you’re going, when you’ll be there, overnight accommodation etc. Many people use financial planners to help them plan for the future—monthly income, a dwelling, health care, long term care, assisted living, etc. We are a planning society.
All planning aside, however, there’s only one place you can accomplish anything—that’s in the here and now. Too many people today are stuck in the realm of “if only.” If only I could (you fill in the blank), then I would be set. Unfortunately, many Christians take this approach, striving to achieve some unattainable goal of holiness or obedience before they believe they can be of use to God.
The truth is, God can use you where you are right now. Many Christians strive to reach a future destination, while God’s main goal for them is in the here and now. God is more about the process than our final destination. He teaches us to be calm and courageous in whatever situation we find ourselves; and he teaches us to serve others.
St. Paul tells us in Philippians 2, to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling. This “working out” is a process of sanctification that can last a lifetime–again, it is more about the process than the destination. The future is uncertain—it is only in your present situation that you can serve others. Don’t wait to take up the work of God. There will never be a better time than now to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.
Never allow the thought, “I am of no use where I am,” because you certainly can be of no use where you are not. Wherever God has dumped you down in circumstances, pray to Him all the time. –Oswald Chambers
29
Jun
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Bible, Christianity, Controversy, Freedom of Speech, Safe Space, trigger, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christianity, College, life, religion. 2 comments
Adversity introduces a man to himself. –Albert Einstein
The Urban Dictionary describes “trigger” as a topic, phrase or word that emotionally sets someone off. “Setting off” can refer to anger or reliving a traumatic experience. Some universities have gone so far as to establish so-called “safe spaces,” where those with delicate feelings can avoid triggering events. Some universities have resorted to publishing trigger warnings about certain campus events, so those who might feel uncomfortable hearing opinions differing from their own can avoid the events.
In some universities, even classrooms have been designated as safe spaces. This has led to charges of censorship, where freedom of speech, and hence rigorous intellectual discourse, is prohibited on campus.
Recently, there was a Chick-fil-A flap on the campus of Duquesne University. Some students oppose the planned opening on campus of a Christian-owned chicken restaurant whose owners espouse conservative values, for fear it will upset their “safe space.” This and a host of other triggering incidents, many associated with the harsh treatment of conservative speakers trying to make invited presentations on university campuses, got me thinking about how today’s children are not being equipped to deal with adversity.
Popular Christian author and apologist David C. McCasland has suggested, “Instead of trying to remove all obstacles and pave the way for the children in our life, we should instead equip them to deal with the difficulties they encounter on the road ahead.” McCasland’s suggestion isn’t rocket science, yet many in our society today simply can’t grasp this wisdom.
Trigger warnings and safe spaces are natural consequences of a society where every child playing sports gets a trophy—both winners and losers—so as to avoid any hurt feelings. They are also consequences of a society where Christianity and Christian-based principles are on the decline. If the truth be told, life is naturally full of adversity and controversy. What if we equipped our children to deal with these rather than avoiding them?
Most American children, age six and above, spend the better part of each weekday in school. Today, younger and younger children find themselves in school programs as more mothers take on full-time jobs. Most schools do an inadequate job of teaching life skills–that’s where parents come in. What if parents spent 30 minutes a day teaching their children to deal with the real world, instead of spending a lifetime trying to protect them and solve all their problems?
In John 16:33 (ESV), Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In John 17, Jesus’ prayer reminds us that his followers are not of this world, even as He is not of this world. We will all suffer at times during our lives, but we need look no farther than the cross to find peace amid life’s tribulations.
The Bible is the best source of wisdom about dealing with adversity and controversy. Just consider what might happen if you spent a mere 30 minutes each day sharing the Bible with your children. This amounts to one TV show you wouldn’t have to watch…a blessing in itself!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
–2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)
12
Mar
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, control, Education, Faith, Lent, marriage, Religion, simplicity, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, faith, life, Prayer, religion. Leave a comment
I thank God for my Lenten journey this year. I’ve learned so much already. It began with a total knee replacement surgery on February 28, which was Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the first Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It officially ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for the beginning of Lent.
The surgery went well, but there were complications that nearly landed me in the intensive care unit. Consequently, I suffered three days of migraines and severe nausea, which left me exhausted and unable to eat. My anticipated three-day hospital stay for surgery ended up being six days instead.
Among the lessons and reminders of my journey, it was comforting to see so many caring people on the hospital staff. It reassured me that there are still many good and loving people in our society, despite all the violence and hatred we see every evening on the news.
It has given me insight into the pain and suffering so many handicapped and elderly people endure every day. I have to use a walker and my physical therapy has, at times, been torturous.
I’ve been so happy and encouraged to see how concerned and eager to assist our eldest grandson (age 9) is. It’s a sure sign that the hard work of his parents is paying of.
It has reminded me how blessed I am to have a loving wife and a marriage that has endured 40 years. Marriage is a lot of work, but the rewards of persevering are tremendous.
It has helped me begin some very healthy lifestyle changes. I’m an active person who enjoys exercise. At present, I won’t be able to do any serious exercising for several more weeks. I’ve had to closely watch what I eat and drink while incapacitated–something I should have been doing all along.
But most of all, it’s reminded me that, no matter how much I try, I can’t handle everything by myself. How comforting it is to have a loving God to help me with every aspect of my life. We’re only 12 days into the 40 days of Lent and I pray the lessons will keep coming as I recover at home and dig deeper into the scriptures.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits․
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
Give ear to my words, O Lord;
give heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. Psalm 5:1-3
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. Psalm 119:103–105
28
Feb
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Daily Devotional, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Faith, Lent, simplicity, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, life, ministry, religion. Leave a comment
Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the season of Lent. For many Christians, Lent is little more than a period of 40 days on the church calendar. But for others, it is a solemn time of preparation and reflection looking forward to Easter, the most holy day of the Christian faith on which we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death and sin.
If you’re a Christian for whom Lent has no special significance, I challenge you to take a Lenten journey beginning tomorrow. The journey doesn’t have to be anything extravagant—I’m not suggesting that you give up coffee or chocolate for 40 days (although that might not be a bad idea). I recommend simply beginning each day during Lent by spending a half hour reading scripture, praying and reflecting (something I hope you’re already doing) on Christ’s final journey to the cross. You might begin by reading a brief Lenten Primer, which was written a few years ago. It’s located at this link: http://visitor.stcdio.org/primer-season/
After reading the Primer, I suggest using a Lenten devotional to guide you on your journey. The devotional will provide a reading for each day of Lent. There are many good ones available online at no cost. If you have trouble choosing one, here are a couple of suggestions. The Bible Gateway website is offering a Lenten devotional focusing on the writing of renowned German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because Bonhoeffer resisted the Nazi regime, he was incarcerated in a concentration camp. He was executed near the end of World War II. You can sign up at this link to have each daily devotion emailed to you:
https://www.biblegateway.com/landing/easter/?utm_source=bg&utm_medium=alert&utm_campaign=easter
The Lutheran Hour Ministries is also offering a Lenten devotional. You can find it online at this link beginning March 1. https://www.lhm.org/lent/dailydevotions.asp
Starting this year, let Lent become a special church season for you!
Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man
and giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
By following His example of suffering
and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.
6
Jan
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Choices, Christianity, Consequences, Daily Devotional, discipline, Faith, Gifts, New Year, New Year's Resolutions, Religion, Salvation, simplicity, Sin, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, faith, health, religion. Leave a comment
The New Year has arrived and for many it’s a time for making resolutions and new beginnings—trying to set aside bad habits and/or adopt new, beneficial routines. Unfortunately, for most people it’s nearly impossible to succeed in such endeavors.
A Forbes Magazine article published in January 2013 reported on a study conducted at the University of Scranton. It indicated that only about 8 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions achieve their goals. Looking at this a different way, 92 percent fail!
Despite the slim chance of succeeding, many will continue to make New Year’s resolutions year after year. I confess that I’m guilty. Last year I made a resolution to lose 10 pounds—I now have only have 15 pounds to go (sigh).
The Bible is full of promises and stories about new beginnings. (all citations ESV)
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
- Ezekiel 36:26 – “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
- Ephesians 4:22-24 – “…the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- 1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
- Revelation 21:5 – “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’.”
Fortunately for us all, God makes new beginnings and he never fails if we will simply let him do His work. His greatest new beginning was foretold in the Old Testament, described in the Gospels, and recounted in the Epistles. It was God’s gift of His son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Christ’s salvation of mankind was completed over 2,000 years ago through Jesus’ crucifixion. His resurrection from the dead on the third day is evidence of Jesus’ victory over Sin and Death.
Jesus died to cleanse all mankind from their sins. For those who don’t already know him, that salvation is like a beautifully wrapped present sitting beneath a Christmas tree. The present has no owner until someone opens it, takes what is inside, and makes it their own.
St. Paul describes how to do this in his epistle to the Romans. There is no long list of do’s and don’ts. God’s plan of salvation is beautiful in its simplicity, requiring only confession and sincere belief.
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Martin Luther wrote about what it means to be “justified” before god, saying that justification is a “… righteousness that God gives freely by His grace to people who don’t have righteousness of their own.” Even though those who have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation will continue to sin, because of Christ’s sacrifice they remain righteous in the eyes of God.
It is my hope that you have already received this free gift. If not, however, please consider making it your own today!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there
will be no end, on the throne of David and over his
kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time forth and
forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
24
Nov
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Faith, family, Freedom, love, marriage, Patience, Religion, simplicity, spiritual, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christianity, faith, Friends, life, Relationships, religion. 3 comments
Cornucopia, oil on canvas by Edvard Munch (1863-1944)
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. –Colossians 3: 15-17 (ESV)
Besides getting senior discounts in restaurants and AARP rates on hotel rooms, one of the benefits I’ve reaped by growing older is developing a clearer understanding of what really matters in my life. When I was young, most of my attention was focused inward, which I suppose if fairly normal.
As a new Army lieutenant, fresh out of college, I loved the excitement of living a soldier’s life. I liked going out and having fun with friends. I also enjoyed playing all kinds of sports and outdoor recreation like skiing and cycling. Sadly, there were many things I neglected during this phase of my life.
As I got a bit older, I began to pay more attention to the incredible woman I had married. I grew to realize that Linda’s physical beauty was exceeded by even greater inner beauty. I grew to admire her patience—especially with me and my antics—and her fortitude. When she sets her mind on something, it’s going to get done. I also began to comprehend how wise Linda is—blessed with more common sense than anyone I’ve ever known. She is also one of the humblest and most generous people I know!
Having our first child was a wake-up call greater than any drill instructor ever delivered to a barracks full of sleepy-eyed soldiers. It was one of those ‘blinding glimpse of the obvious’ moments when selfish me suddenly realized I’m responsible for more than just myself. While a wife is easily neglected, a screaming newborn is an entirely different matter. Sad that I didn’t figure this out earlier!
My newfound sense of responsibility led me back to the Church, something I’d managed to neglect since the time I entered college some seven years earlier. This sudden change of direction came as quite a surprise to my then, non-Christian wife. Thankfully, she was steered towards God. Sadly, it happened without much help on my part. Thank you Holy Spirit!
Over the course of my 24-year Army career there were many long deployments and other periods away from home. During these busy years Linda faithfully kept the home fires burning, managing a busy household and doing the lion’s share of parenting our two daughters. My military travels around the world helped me develop a deep appreciation for the blessings we enjoy as Americans—something that many of us simply don’t recognize.
Fast forward to the present and I can’t help but feel blessed every day. Linda and I are reaping the benefits of having honored our marriage vows for nearly 40 years. Our daughters are both grown and successful, we have a wonderful son-in-law, and we’ve been blessed with three adorable grandsons. We’re fortunate to be able to see our grandsons daily. We have loving, extended families in diverse locations around the world. We’ve made many lifelong friends along the way, all of whom have blessed and enriched our lives. Most of all, we’ve been blessed by a loving God who was willing to sacrifice His only Son to redeem our souls.
This is the day that many Americans pause to give thanks to God for the blessings in their lives. I urge everyone to take a few moments to consider your blessings and give thanks for your Faith, Family, Friends and Freedom—the things that truly matter in life.
30
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Daily Devotional, Freedom, Gifts, health, Health Care, Hope, Simple Living, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, Friends, health, life, religion. 2 comments
Count your many blessings, name them one by one.
—Johnson Oatman Jr.
Our Daily Bread is one of the daily devotionals I read regularly. A recent piece by David Roper titled Stage by Stage, focuses on the Old Testament book of Numbers 33. The chapter tells us God commanded Moses to write down the story of the Jews’ 40-year pilgrimage that began with escaping from slavery in Egypt and ultimately took them to the plains of Moab, a strip of land that today is part of Jordan.
Roper speculates that God’s reason for commanding Moses to document this pilgrimage was to allow the Jews to “…retrace that journey in their thoughts and record God’s faithfulness at each location.” The Seder meal the Jews celebrate to mark the beginning of Passover is closely tied to Numbers 33, which seems to support’s Roper’s argument. Each course of the Seder meal recalls an event in God’s liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, as told in the book of Exodus.
God is truly faithful and His faithfulness alone is blessing enough—but there are so many additional blessings in our lives if we will simply look for them. Focus determines attitude. I’m no spring chicken, so I’ve developed a few medical problems over the years, like having four root canals. What a blessing to have a root canal! What did people do a hundred years ago?
I could focus on other, more lingering medical problems and quickly become depressed as I grow older. Instead, I’ve tried to heed the lesson of St. Paul who says in Philippians 4:11 (NIV), “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Focus on the positives in life and you’ll find your blessings. For those of us fortunate enough to live in the United States and other developed countries in the West, it shouldn’t be difficult to compile a long list of blessings. Think about it!
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free… (From “Simple Gifts, a traditional Shaker tune by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., 1848)
During my military career I spent some time in Saudi Arabia. Unless you’ve been there, I could never begin to explain how lacking in personal freedom the average Saudi people are. Saudi Arabia reminds me how blessed we in the Western World are to simply be free.
Westerners can turn on a faucet and draw a drink of clear, clean water. This truly is a blessing that most people take for granted. Serving in Somalia when I was in the Army drove the point home, as I watched Somali workers building a bridge drawing water directly from the muddy Juba River and drinking without disinfecting it. I’m frequently reminded of this blessing when I take a drink of cold water.
Westerners can walk into a grocery store and find food in abundance that, 200 years ago, would have made the great kings of Europe envious. Here in my hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D., we even have a Christian ministry called The Banquet that serves free meals to anyone who walks in the door—no questions asked (https://thebanquetsf.org/).
My family and friends are all blessings to me. Proverbs 5:18 tells men to “rejoice in the wife of your youth” (NIV). I’ve been blessed with nearly 40 years of marriage to my wonderful wife who I met when I was 17 years old. We have both been blessed by children and grandchildren.
I have a good number of dear friends, some of whom I’ve known since high school. When I say dear friends, I’m talking about the ones I could easily trust with my money, my house keys, and caring for my children.
One such friend was recently involved in a head on collision. He was banged up pretty badly, but I’m blessed to still have him around. I have a couple of friends who have died. I was blessed to have had them in my life. I have another friend who has been blind for life; he taught me what a blessing it is to simply be able to see.
Comedian and actor Bill Murray recently received the Mark Twain Award for humor from the Kennedy Center. He grew quite emotional during his acceptance speech and closed by saying to the ceremony attendees: “Look at each other. Look at who we are. Look at how we are all together here right now. Alive! That’s pretty good, right?”
Bill Murray gets it! Do you?
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
–Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
Divine Simplicity 
Recent Comments