Life's Beautiful Rhythm #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Life's Beautiful Rhythm #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Life's Beautiful Rhythm

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." - Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

My friend shared something with me recently that hit me right between the eyes. She said, "Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful, it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary."

That got me thinking about how we need what I call a theology that's sturdy enough for the awful and stimulating enough for the ordinary, so we can make it back to that oh so satisfying amazing.

You know, I've been around long enough to see this rhythm play out in my own life and in the lives of countless people I've pastored over the years. Too soon old and too late smart, as they say, but I've learned that life really does come in seasons, just like Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes.

Let me tell you about a man named Horatio Spafford. In 1871, this successful Chicago lawyer lost almost everything in the Great Chicago Fire. Two years later, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him to Europe while he finished up some business. Their ship, the Ville du Havre, was struck by another vessel in the middle of the Atlantic. His wife survived, but all four of his precious daughters drowned in those dark, cold waters.

When Horatio received the telegram with just two words, "Saved alone," his world crumbled. This was awful beyond imagination. But as he sailed to meet his grieving wife, passing over the very spot where his children had died, he penned these words: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."

Now that's a theology sturdy enough for the awful.

But here's what I've learned in my years of walking with folks through their valleys and mountaintops: God doesn't just show up in the dramatic moments. He's there in the ordinary Tuesday morning when you're drinking your coffee and wondering what the point of it all is. He's there in the mundane moments when you're folding laundry for the hundredth time this month. He's there in the routine that sometimes feels like you're just going through the motions.

The apostle Paul knew something about this rhythm. He wrote, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:12-13).

See, Paul had a theology that worked in prison and in palaces, in shipwrecks and in success. He understood that the amazing seasons are gifts to be treasured, the awful seasons are classrooms for character, and the ordinary seasons are where we learn to find God in the everyday rhythms of life.

History is just HIS story, and we're all part of this beautiful, messy, amazing narrative that God is writing. Some chapters are breathtaking, some are heartbreaking, and some are just the steady, faithful plodding that gets us from one chapter to the next.

So today, wherever you find yourself in life's rhythm, remember that God is with you. If you're in an amazing season, breathe it in deep and give thanks. If you're holding on through something awful, know that this too shall pass and God's grace is sufficient. And if you're in one of those ordinary, routine stretches, look for God in the small moments, because He's there, preparing you for whatever comes next.

After all, we serve a God who turns water into wine, mourning into dancing, and ashes into beauty. And sometimes, He does His most important work in the quiet, ordinary moments when nobody's watching but Him.

Prayer: Lord, help us to trust You in every season of life. Give us eyes to see Your hand in the amazing times, strength to endure the awful times, and faith to find You in the ordinary times. Remind us that You are writing a beautiful story with our lives, even when we can't see the next chapter. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Friendship Factor

The Friendship Factor #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Friendship Factor

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

One of the most beautiful friendships in all of Scripture is the friendship between Jonathan and David. Here were two young men who should have been rivals. Jonathan was the king's son, next in line for the throne. David was the shepherd boy who had been secretly anointed as the future king. By all rights, they should have been enemies.

But instead, the Bible tells us that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." They made a covenant of friendship that lasted through some of the darkest days of David's life.

When Saul was trying to kill David, it was Jonathan who warned him. When David was hiding in caves, it was Jonathan who encouraged him. When David felt like giving up, it was Jonathan who "strengthened his hand in God." Now that's the kind of friend we all need.

I've been blessed with some Jonathan-type friends over the years. Friends who stuck with me when I made mistakes, who encouraged me when I was discouraged, who told me the truth even when it was hard to hear. These friendships didn't just happen overnight, they were built through shared experiences, through being there for each other in the good times and the bad.

You know, we live in a world that's more connected than ever, but somehow we're lonelier than ever. We have hundreds of friends on social media, but we struggle to find someone we can really trust with our hearts. We've substituted likes and comments for real conversation, and emojis for genuine empathy.

But God designed us for real friendship, for deep connection. He wants us to have people in our lives who know us, really know us, and love us anyway. People who will strengthen our hands in God when we're ready to give up.

Maybe you're thinking, "Pastor, I don't have friends like that." Well, here's something I've learned: if you want a friend, you have to be a friend. Jonathan didn't wait for David to prove himself, he took the initiative. He saw something in David and invested in that friendship.

Look around you today. Is there someone who needs encouragement? Someone who's going through a hard time? Someone who just needs to know that somebody cares? Be a Jonathan to them. Reach out, invest in that relationship, strengthen their hand in God.

Because at the end of the day, it's not about how many friends you have, it's about being the kind of friend that others can count on when life gets hard.

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Get A Clue #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Get A Clue #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Get A Clue

Scripture:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

You know, sometimes we get our English words from the most interesting places. Take the word "clue," for instance. Most folks use it every day without knowing where it came from, but it's got quite a story behind it.

Way back in ancient Greek mythology, there was a young hero named Theseus who had to face the Minotaur, a monster that was half-man, half-bull, trapped in a massive, twisting labyrinth. This wasn't just any maze, mind you. Nobody who went in ever came back out. The passages twisted and turned, doubled back on themselves, and led to dead ends that would leave you wandering in circles until you died.

But Theseus had something the others didn't have. A wise princess named Ariadne gave him a ball of yarn, called a "clewe" in those days. As he made his way deeper into the labyrinth, he unrolled that yarn behind him. After he defeated the monster, that simple thread became his lifeline back to safety and freedom.

Over the centuries, that Greek word "clewe" became our English word "clue," meaning evidence that guides us in the right direction.

Now, I've been walking with the Lord for enough years to know that life can feel like a labyrinth sometimes. We face situations where we can't see around the next corner, and we honestly don't know which way to go. Maybe it's a health scare, a broken relationship, or financial troubles that keep you awake at night.

But here's the beautiful thing about following Jesus: He's given us something better than a ball of yarn. He's given us His Word, His Spirit, and His promises to guide us through every maze life throws at us. When we "trust in the Lord with all thine heart," we're not wandering around in the dark, hoping we'll stumble onto the right path.

I've learned over the years that God's guidance isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's as simple as a verse that jumps off the page at just the right moment, or a sense of peace about one decision over another. The Lord leaves us clues everywhere if we'll just pay attention.

Unlike that ancient hero who had to fight alone, we don't have to face our battles by ourselves. Our God has already won the victory. He's not just giving us a thread to follow out of the maze, He's walking with us every step of the way.

So when life gets confusing and you feel like you're lost in your own labyrinth, remember: God has given you every clue you need. His Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Trust Him with all your heart, and He'll direct your steps safely home.

Prayer: Lord, when life feels like a maze and I can't see the way forward, help me to trust You completely. Give me eyes to see the clues You've placed in my path, and help me follow You faithfully through every twist and turn. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Power Of Self Talk #RTTBROS

The Voice In Your Head #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Voice in Your Head

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

You know, there's a voice that talks to you more than any other voice in your life. It's not your spouse, not your boss, not even your mother-in-law. It's that voice inside your own head, the one that never seems to take a break. The question is, what is that voice saying to you?

I heard about a study once where researchers found that the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Now that's a lot of chatter going on upstairs! But here's the kicker, they discovered that about 80% of those thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. That means most of us are like a broken record, playing the same discouraging tune over and over again.

I think about David in the Psalms. Here was a man who knew something about battling with his own thoughts. In Psalm 42, he's having a conversation with himself, asking "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?" But then he does something powerful, he preaches to himself: "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

You see, David understood that sometimes you've got to take charge of that voice in your head. Sometimes you've got to be your own preacher and remind yourself of what's true instead of what you're feeling.

I learned this lesson the hard way years ago when I was going through a particularly difficult season in ministry. Every morning I'd wake up and that voice would start in on me: "You're not cut out for this. You're failing these people. You should just quit." It was like having a bully living rent-free in my brain.

But then I started doing what David did. I began to talk back to those thoughts with Scripture. When the voice said "You're a failure," I'd counter with "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." When it whispered "Nobody cares about you," I'd remind myself that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."

The truth is, we all struggle with negative self-talk. Some of us are harder on ourselves than we'd ever dream of being on our worst enemy. We'd never let someone talk to our children the way we talk to ourselves. But here's what I've learned, too soon old and too late smart: you have more control over that inner voice than you think.

Paul gives us the game plan in Philippians 4:8. He doesn't say "try not to think negative thoughts." Instead, he tells us what to fill our minds with: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It's like changing the radio station from a talk show full of criticism to beautiful music.

Friend, that voice in your head doesn't have to be your enemy. With God's help and His Word, it can become your greatest encourager. Start today by asking yourself: what am I saying to me? Then choose to speak truth over your life, because history is just HIS story, and you're honored to be a part of it.

Prayer: Father, help me to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. When my inner voice speaks discouragement, remind me to speak Your truth instead. Fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and build me up according to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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The Power Of One Voice #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Power Of One Voice #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Power of One Voice

Based on the story of Fanny Crosby

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

When Fanny Crosby was just six weeks old, a doctor's mistake left her permanently blind. Her grandmother could have focused on what Fanny couldn't do, but instead she taught her to see the world through other senses. By age eight, Fanny was writing poetry. By her death in 1915, she had written over 8,000 hymns, including "Blessed Assurance" and "To God Be the Glory."

Here's what gets me about Fanny's story, she never saw her blindness as a limitation. She once said, "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation." Now that's a transformed mind right there.

You know, most of us spend our time focusing on what we can't do instead of what we can do. We look at our limitations, our circumstances, our past mistakes, and we let them define us. But God wants to transform our thinking. He wants us to see our lives through His eyes, not the world's eyes.

I've learned this the hard way over the years, too soon old and too late smart as they say. When I was younger in ministry, I thought I had to be perfect, had to have all the answers. But God has shown me that He often uses our weaknesses, our struggles, even our failures to reach others in ways our strengths never could.

Fanny Crosby couldn't see with her physical eyes, but she saw clearly with her spiritual eyes. She saw God's goodness, His faithfulness, His love. And because of her transformed perspective, millions of people have been blessed by her hymns for over a century.

What limitation in your life do you need to surrender to God today? What circumstance has you thinking you can't be used by Him? Remember, God isn't looking for perfect people, He's looking for willing people with transformed minds. He wants to take what the world sees as a disability and turn it into His ability working through you.

Don't let the world tell you who you are or what you can accomplish. Let God transform your thinking, and watch what He can do through a yielded life.

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Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

Listen to this beautiful and profound statement from Gordon Fee.

"The proper aim of all truth theology is doxology"

 It really captures something essential about the nature and purpose of theological inquiry, that all genuine study of God should ultimately lead us to worship and praise rather than mere intellectual exercise.Fee's insight reflects a deeply biblical understanding where knowledge of God isn't meant to puff up but to humble us and draw us into wonder. When we truly grasp who God is through careful theological reflection, the natural response isn't pride in our understanding but awe at God's character and works. It's the difference between studying God as an object to be mastered versus encountering God as the One who transforms us.This quote also speaks to the integration of heart and mind in faith. Theology without doxology becomes dry scholasticism, while worship without theological grounding can become shallow emotionalism. Fee suggests they belong together, . that rigorous thinking about God should fuel our praise, and our worship should be informed by truth.It reminds me of how the Psalms weave together deep theological truths with passionate worship, or how Paul's letters often break into spontaneous praise right in the middle of doctrinal exposition. The goal isn't just to know about God but to know God in a way that moves us to worship.

 

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The Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight 

The Eight-Cow Heart: When Love Transforms Worth

"We love him, because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

There's an old story that has stuck with me for years, one that cuts right to the heart of what it means to truly honor the people we love. It comes from a tale called "Johnny Lingo's Eight-Cow Wife," and every time I think about it, I'm reminded of just how powerful our love can be in transforming another person's life.The story goes like this: On a small Pacific island, there lived a young man named Johnny Lingo who was known throughout the region as a shrewd trader and successful businessman. When it came time for Johnny to choose a wife, everyone expected him to marry the most beautiful woman on the island. Instead, he chose Sarita, a plain, skinny, shy girl who kept her head down and barely spoke above a whisper.Now, on this island, it was customary for a man to pay the bride's father a dowry in cows. Most wives went for two or three cows, maybe four if she was particularly attractive or came from a good family. A five-cow wife was considered exceptional. But when Johnny Lingo approached Sarita's father, he offered something that left the entire village speechless: eight cows.Eight cows! People thought Johnny had lost his mind. Why would anyone pay such an extraordinary price for such an ordinary girl?Years later, a visitor to the island met Johnny and his wife, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Sarita had been transformed into one of the most beautiful, confident, graceful women he had ever seen. Her shoulders were straight, her chin held high, and there was a sparkle in her eyes that seemed to light up the entire room. When the visitor asked Johnny about his unusual choice, Johnny smiled and said something profound: "I wanted an eight-cow wife, and when I paid eight cows for her, she became one."You see, Johnny understood something that too many of us miss in our relationships. He knew that when you treat someone as invaluable, they begin to see themselves that way. When you love someone as if they're worth eight cows, they start carrying themselves like an eight-cow person.This reminds me of how God loves us. Scripture tells us "we love him, because he first loved us." Before we were lovable, before we had anything to offer, before we even knew we needed Him, God looked at us and said, "You're worth my Son." He paid the ultimate price, not eight cows, but the life of Jesus Christ, to demonstrate our value in His eyes.And just like Sarita, when we truly understand how much God values us, it changes everything about how we see ourselves and how we move through this world.But here's where it gets personal for all of us: How many cows do the people in your life feel they're worth?When your spouse makes a mistake, do they feel like they're worth eight cows to you, or do your words and actions make them feel like damaged goods? When your children struggle or fail, do they walk away from conversations with you feeling treasured and valued, or do they feel like they need to earn your love and approval?I've been married long enough to know that it's easy to start treating the people closest to us like we got them at a discount. We get comfortable, we take them for granted, and before we know it, we're making them feel like two-cow people when God designed them to be eight-cow treasures.I think about all the times in my own life when I've been too quick with criticism and too slow with affirmation. Too focused on what needed fixing and not focused enough on what was already beautiful. I've learned, too soon old and too late smart, as they say, that people tend to become what we consistently tell them they are.If you want to see transformation in your relationships, start treating the people you love like they're worth eight cows. Speak to them with honor. Look for opportunities to build them up rather than tear them down. Choose to see their potential rather than fixating on their problems.Because here's the beautiful truth: when we love people the way Johnny loved Sarita, when we love them the way God loves us, we're not just changing how they feel about themselves. We're participating in the kind of love that transforms lives from the inside out.After all, history is just His story, and sometimes we get to be the instruments He uses to remind someone of their true worth in His eyes.That's eight-cow love in action, and it's the kind of love that changes everything.

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