Raising Thinking Children – The Turning Points of Life

Transformative Scripture Part 2

The study of scripture has always been filled with new revelations that can transform our perspectives and understanding and even our character. I am presenting several of these scriptural texts that have been transformative for me. I have highlighted the words or phrases that caught my attention and inspired deliberation and growth.

I recently saw this on Facebook.

That’s what I find in my study of the Bible, new things to prompt more study. It’s quite thrilling to discover new things that pop out of scripture I read countless times before.

As a young minister in the 1970’s, I was blessed with two missions that thrilled me and were some of the most rewarding times I experienced. I was a Youth Leader and a Confirmation teacher. I would strive to teach these young people the value of the little turning points that would occur during their lifetime. I counselled them to take advantage of the blank pages at the back of their Confirmation Bible and record special moments in their life. And I particularly encouraged them to mark the scriptures at their Confirmation, Engagement, Wedding, and the birth of their children.

When I was about to retire, I went back to my Bible where I inserted my notes with special dates, occasions and the scripture that accompanied them.

At my Confirmation March 16, 1958, the scripture was Psalm 91:1-7.

Psalm 91:1-7 New King James Version

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.

When I read this again celebrating my 50th anniversary of my Confirmation Day, I just trembled. It was exactly 50 years to the date, March 16, 2008, and the words struck me deeply. I don’t recall how many times I read those words during those 50 years, but I suddenly realized how those words had shaped my life. Each phrase had it’s own unique revelation as they were experienced in fifty years of experiences. It occurred to me that even though I didn’t read them often, the essence of these words entered my soul and fulfilled the intention of the One who put them there.

With the experience with my Confirmation text fresh in my mind, I searched my Bible pages for my Wedding text, Psalm 1:1-3.

Psalms 1–41 New King James Version

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
²But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

When I read this, I saw how this was also one whose essence permeated our marriage and the spiritual serving we did in our marriage together. Our love for the Lord and our joy in serving brought countless blessings to us and our family.

It is evident to me that it is not necessary to memorize the scripture, but rather to allow its essence to permeate our soul. Then the Holy Spirit can do His work with it as we faithfully pursue our life.

At my retirement April 27, 2008 the text was Psalm 103: 2-4

Psalm 103:2-4 New King James Version

²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
³Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

This passage from scripture captured the very profound feelings within my soul at this turning point in my life. And as with so many other transformational verses, a poet penned the words to a song that perfectly aligned with the essence of the scripture. It was no different at my retirement with the following opening hymn “O That I Had A Thousand Voices”.

O, That I had a Thousand Voices

O, that I had a thousand voices,

a mouth to speak with thousand tongues!

Then, while my heart in Him rejoices,

would I pro-claim in grateful songs

To all, wherever I might be,

what things the Lord has done for me.

Dear Father, end-less praise I render

for soul and bod-y strangely joined.

I praise Thee, Guard-an kind and tender,

For all the noble joys I find

So richly giv’n on every side

and freely for my use supplied.

What equal praises can I offer,

dear Jesus, for Thy mercy shown?

What pangs, dear Saviour, didst Thou suffer

and thus for all my sins atone!

Thy death a-lone my soul could free

from Satan, to be blest by Thee!

Let all my praise, up to Thee reaching,

be Thine too, Spirit of all grace,

Whose holy pow’r and faithful teaching

give me among Thy saints a place.

What-e’er of good in me may shine

comes only from Thy light divine.

Accept, O Lord, I know implore Thee,

the meager praise I give below;

In heav’n I better will adore Thee

when I an angel’s strength shall know.

There would I join their sacred praise

and heav’nly hallelujahs raise!

My profound gratitude for God’s allowing me to serve His people found voice in the words of this hymn. So sweet the way our God joins the words of scripture and hymns together to work His plan for us.

Turning Point

I find that scripture contains words that reveal the eternal truths. And like a diamond, each time we read them they reveal a facet not seen in previous encounters. It’s like a flower unfolding revealing beauty previously hidden within its bud. Each revelation inspires the next exploration. And at times we can even see how that word has had its effect upon our hearts, souls and minds fulfilling its intended divine purpose. And how sweet when the lyrics to a hymn amplify the essence of the Word.

JOY

I have often discussed the joy that is fruit of the Holy Spirit. Though for some authentic joy may be elusive, I have found such joy comes easily to the grateful heart. Gratitude blossoms into true authentic and unshakeable JOY. My dear friend Joyce Williams Theilacker is a prolific writer with deep spiritual roots, and I find her posts on social media profoundly inspiring and thought provoking. Her two posts about joy I find worthy to share with my readers.

“Authentic Joy” . . . Joyce Williams Theilacker

Many grapple with the misconception that they must put on a facade of constant happiness to live out the Christian life, but the joy experienced by believers is not something we manufacture or pretend. It is a genuine, God-given gift that flows from the depths of our hearts. The Christian journey is undoubtedly marked by joy, as evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit. This joy does not eliminate the full spectrum of human emotions. In fact, the Bible itself reflects the entire range of human experiences, from sorrow and grief to rejoicing and celebration.

Genuine joy can coexist with various emotions. It doesn’t mean that we must suppress or hide our doubts, questions, or times of weariness. Rather, it means that even in moments of confusion, grief, or weariness, we can still possess the underlying joy that comes from our faith in Christ.

Consider the Psalms, where David, a man after God’s own heart, poured out his soul honestly before the Lord. He expressed times of discouragement, weariness, and lament, yet his trust in God remained steadfast. Joy is not the absence of other emotions but the presence of a deep, unwavering trust in the Lord.

Authentic joy is not a performance; it’s a reality apprehended by faith. It’s a choice we make to trust God despite our circumstances. It’s a decision to embrace His joy even when we don’t fully comprehend the complexities of life. It’s not about pretending to be happy but about seizing the joy available to us through faith in Christ.

In the church, it’s crucial to recognize that while emotions are a healthy and necessary part of our worship and expression of faith, they should never be forced. Each believer’s personality and temperament may lead them to express joy differently. Some may be exuberant and loud in their praise, while others may be more subdued and reflective. Neither expression is more valid than the other; both can be genuine reflections of the joy found in Christ.

Authentic joy is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it’s a deep, personal connection with God that finds its expression uniquely in each believer. It does not conform to external expectations but flows naturally from a heart captivated by the goodness and grace of our Lord.

As we embrace this truth, let us remember that joy is not something we need to put on for others or even for ourselves. It’s a gift from God that we simply receive and live out in our own distinctive way, reflecting the diverse beauty of the body of Christ.”

“Unshakable Joy” . . . Joyce Williams Theilacker

There is a joy that is unique to believers. This joy is not a mere fleeting happiness accessible to all, but a divine gift reserved for those transformed by faith in Christ. It’s a deep, abiding joy that we did not know before our hearts were awakened to Jesus.

Know that this divine joy prompts a crucial caution: the presence of joy does not inherently sanctify our inclinations or desires. The fact that something brings us happiness does not automatically align it with God’s will or make it beneficial for our spiritual well-being. In a world where happiness is often pursued at all costs, this distinction is essential. Many, driven by a skewed perception of joy, justify actions that stray far from biblical truths and make choices that lead them down paths of destruction.

The reasoning that “God desires my happiness; therefore I should pursue what makes me happy” is a dangerous oversimplification. It can excuse sin and lead us away from true fulfillment in Christ. The joy that Paul refers to is not akin to the ephemeral pleasures of this world but is a deep, enduring joy that arises from our union with Christ—a joy that can only be known through the transformative power of salvation.

Moses’ choice, as recounted in Hebrews, starkly illustrates this truth. He forsakes the temporary comforts and pleasures of Pharaoh’s palace for the afflictions associated with God’s people, valuing eternal joy over fleeting happiness. This decision underscores the profound difference between worldly pleasures and the joy of salvation. Only salvation offers lasting fulfillment and peace.

Believers are thus challenged to discern the nature of their joy: is it rooted in transient worldly pleasures or in the steadfast promise of God’s eternal joy? We must examine our hearts, finding our deepest happiness not in the fleeting delights of sin but in the enduring grace of walking in obedience to God.

As we navigate through life’s trials and temptations, this divine joy serves as our anchor, reminding us of the unshakable hope we have in Christ. It fortifies our resolve to live in accordance with God’s will, even when faced with choices that promise temporary happiness at the cost of spiritual integrity.

In embracing this joy of salvation, we find a treasure that far surpasses the world’s temporary pleasures. It fills our hearts even in the midst of trials, sustains our zeal for God’s service, and deepens our love for Christ and His people. This joy defines our identity as followers of Jesus, setting us apart in a world that seeks happiness in the perishable.”

Turning Point

Mastering the fruit of the Spirit is essential for the spiritual health and vitality of the soul. When we can feel the joy of the Spirit “it is well with my soul”. Discussions such as these help to keep awareness of the treasure that this fruit of joy brings to our life and keeps us in a state of profound gratitude.

Functional Faith

This notion of “functional faith” came to me as I lay in bed awaiting sleep to unfold. The thought caused me to imagine the consequences of functional faith to the believer. As an engineer, functional means that whatever it is that’s functional, it does what it’s supposed to do. It simply works. And functional faith is faith that successfully brings us through our failures and the adversity that we inevitably face. Faith has that purpose, to keep us in oneness with God to ensure our future with Him. The following scripture shed light on faith and what it means for us.

I begin with two passages in scripture where I believe Jesus is telling us why faith is so important,

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

⁷And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In these words from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

In these two passages Jesus makes clear the critical nature of our faith not only for our journey in this life, but for the life after Jesus’ return. There is another passage that offers some insight into our task with our stewardship of our faith.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

The “much” here is the faith that God has shed abroad in our hearts.

Romans 12:3 New King James Version

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 New Living Translation

³Because of the privilege and authority^[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

This faith that God has so generously given to us, in all its greatness, has imputed to us great responsibility. It is clear from the words of Jesus in these passages that faith is key to our future. He found it necessary in Peter’s case to pray that his faith would not fail him. We can extrapolate that the same love that Jesus had for Peter, He also has for us. Then He prays for you and me that our faith will not fail us. Best we take that to heart.

I find it interesting how the Message Bible offers some insight on how we can manage our stewardship of this precious gift of faith from God.

Romans 12:3 The Message

³I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

This last statement is like a compass for us as we navigate life and our journey. Let the gratitude for “what God is and by what he does for us” be the spirit that rules our vision and our character. Apostle Paul offers profound perspective on how we can be effective in prospering our God-given faith in Philippians.

Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul gives interesting insight into pitfalls and weapons we have for diligent protection over the gift of faith in Ephesians. The Message translation offers wording that is quite clear.

Ephesians 6:13-18 The Message

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

If we take these words to heart, we can experience how our faith will be strong, resilient, and profound.

Turning Point

The evolving guidance of the words of God as presented in scripture instill profound gratitude and inspiration to continue to grow in this faith that God has gifted to us. I hope my sharing these insights they will be a turning point for you my readers as they are for me.

Transformative Scripture

Part 1

Ezekiel 22:30 New English Translation

³⁰“I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

When I read this, I have the sense that God feels saddened that when He needed someone to step up to fulfill a desperate need, He found no one. This inspires me to say, “Lord, take me!” From my experiences, when I stood up to fulfill a need, even when I felt inadequate for the task, God provided whatever I lacked thereby allowing the task to be successfully fulfilled. The feeling that God is often let down by fearful and reluctant humans, inspires one to have the courage to step up and step in to fulfill a void.

Psalm 139:23-24 Living Bible

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

This scripture is the finale to one of the most inspiring Psalms. It speaks of the reality of the inescapable presence of God in our life. Whether we believe it or not, God has a deep interest in our life and His presence ought to create a profound gratitude the eludes description. The final words in verses 23 and 24 are the psalmist’s desire to take full advantage of God’s presence. He invites God to search his very being and seeks to know if he is brining any hint of sadness to the heart of God. This has inspired me to add this thought to my prayers for I would hate to God to become sad because of me and my sinful thoughts.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

When we are amazed as we realize how great we have been blessed by the God of Love and Grace and mercy and forgiveness, we understand our mission – to love one another as we have been so profoundly loved.

Matthew 5:41 New King James Version

⁴¹And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

The lesson of the second mile is significantly transformative as it opens doors for untold opportunities to growth. Making strangers into faithful friends.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

This scripture provides a comprehensive glimpse into the gifts the Holy Spirit can instill into one’s character. It takes the deliberate intention to develop each into a conduct and perspective on life.

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

In these word from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Here Jesus knowing the test that Simon Peter was on the brink of failing, Jesus prays for the one and only thing that will get Peter through the test unscathed, FAITH! From this I see that our most critical possession is the FAITH that our loving God has so graciously implanted into our soul. We must protect it and nurture it relentlessly and at all cost.

Let me draw your attention to the carefully worded message of Jesus to Peter (and us!) where He says “when” referring to His expected success of Peter. He didn’t use “if” which would imply Peter might fail. Such is the absolute confidence Jesus has in the success of His prayers for Peter and you and me!

Turning Point

Mother’s Prayers

My mother was a diligent teacher. She had a deep faith forged through her health issues she battled during her youth. For me, her most profound teaching for me was her prayers. She began praying with me when I was only three months old. Later at about a year old, before I went to bed each night and after my dad read me a story, I went to my crib and knelt down to pray. My mother coached me to pray every night prior to going to sleep and when I took a nap during the day. Fortunately, my mother took pictures to remind me of how my praying began.

The first prayer I learned was the traditional child’s prayer that went like this:

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

I probably didn’t fully understand this prayer when I first learned it, but I learned the concept of praying. It was ground work for a developing prayer life that continued to evolve as years went by.

Each experience in my life that was life changing and a turning point was indelibly integrated with praying. Prayer was an integral component before, during or after those turning points, even if I didn’t realize that they were at the time.

Prayer became a means for me to express my sincere gratitude and thanksgiving for the many blessings I experienced during my growth as a Christian. But prayer was much more than that, even as important as thanksgiving was for me.

As prayer experiences grew over time, more aspects of prayer’s benefits were realized.

I learned that prayer gave me an opportunity to discover new ways to express my deepest feelings toward God. I found new words and combinations of words to articulate thanksgiving, appreciation, hope, desires, and longings to my Father.

I discovered that how I prayed had a profound effect on my attitude and demeanor throughout the day. When I begin the day praying, “Dear God, I thank you for the light of another day” I find myself being grateful for life and am motivated to make the most of it.

Prayers I have found changed things and most importantly changed me.

When I prayed, “Lord, please give me a heart with skill to listen as I want to be able to hear even the soft whisper of your Holy Spirit when He seeks to guide my path into your perfect will for me today” I had a heightened awareness of the urging of the Spirit. I felt His guiding words and thoughts moving me into extraordinary life experiences throughout the day.

My prayer often included thoughts like, “Lord, I want so much to be able to express the feelings of thanksgiving that pulse in my heart and soul. But I can’t find the words to do it. Please look into my heart and see there the thanksgiving I cannot say in words.” Subsequently, I felt that my true thankfulness reached God, and I was content.

I found on social media the following that echoes these thoughts:

Praying for the souls that were precious to me in life but had passed on, gave me a means to express to them how much I loved them and appreciated their contribution to my life. In some cases, it enabled me to seek forgiveness from those I had hurt in life but never had the opportunity to seek forgiveness prior to their passing.

I found that praying for someone as an intercessor, gave me a more meaningful and effectual connection with them and hence enabled me to become a blessing for them. This was particularly evident when I sought to comfort those who had suffered the loss of a loved one.

Many times I prayed silently when I was in the midst of challenging circum-stances. Not knowing what was happening, understanding how to react or respond and what to say, I quietly prayed in thought, only then to experience just the right action or words to say flowing into me.

I discovered that when I prayed aloud in the presence of others, especially when I was praying as an intercession for them as they struggled with a situation, the fact that a prayer is a spiritual entity allowed them to sense that which was beyond just the words, but also the spirit prompting them. In these cases, most often I found the words coming to me not from my mind but from the Holy Spirit. They were designed by God to comfort and respond to the needs of the souls involved. I gained a sense of gratefulness for being used as an instrument of blessing for them.

In situations that were beyond me, I found that during deep and urgent prayers, I gained a knowledge that I had not understood before. It was the evidence for me that prayer was not a one way conversation but rather a dialogue. Not a traditional dialogue comprised of words going back and forth, but a communication of spiritual thoughts. The more I experienced this phenomenon, the more I became sensitive to it. I have stood in awe at times when serious questions were answered in these sweet hours engaged in prayer.

The consequences of prayers have changed me in ways beyond my ability to explain. Reading the prayers of men and women in the Bible has also provided new dimensions to my understanding of effectual prayer. Solomon’s prayer “give me a heart with skill to listen” and David’s prayer “Search my heart oh God and see if there is anything that makes you sad” have provided me with ways to touch the heart of God with humble supplications.

The most life changing aspect of prayer was those extraordinary moments when prayers were answered almost instantaneously. The answers received were so perfectly precise and effectual that there was no doubt of its reality. Sometimes, the meticulous nature of the answers that came in the form of my thoughts, words I spoke or the actions of others were so astounding that uncontrollable emotions erupted in me.

Certain answers to prayers provided new understanding of the heart of God and His perfect plan for me and others. The benefits I have experienced with praying are far beyond this effort to explain.

TURNING POINTS

The life of prayer that I have enjoyed has been a lifetime of turning points. My praying has given me comfort, strength, faith, trust and vision from my relationship with my God and Father, His Son and His Spirit. I find that the character of prayer that is independent of time, place and form allows it to be effectively engaged in the moment.

Adversity To The Rescue

Genesis 50:19-20 New King James Version

¹⁹Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Genesis 50:19-20 The Message

^19-20Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me, but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.

Adversity to the rescue.

I have experienced countless times when I have lived this very truth, God has the ability and desire to turn adversity into blessings. When facing problems, I trust the Lord who inevitably has “something up His sleeve” to surprise me as He reveals His solution in His perfect time.

I am reminded of the following story that illustrates this truth.

The Donkey in The Well

A farmer had an old dried up well on his farm. No matter what he did, he could not revive the well and so planned to fill it in. But alas he procrastinated.

One day his prized donkey wandered around the farm and came upon the well. Curious, the donkey edged closer and closer until standing at the brink the ground gave way and the donkey tumbled into the well.

Standing for hours trapped in the well, the donkey figured his time had come and he was about to die.

The farmer, noticing that his prized donkey was nowhere to be seen began to wander around in search of the wayward donkey. As he approached the well, he heard the wining brays of the donkey.

The donkey thought, “Aha, finally my master has arrived to rescue me!”

The farmer, upon gazing on the dilemma that now faced him wondered, “How am I going to get the donkey out of the depths of the well?”

Suddenly, an idea came to the famer’s troubled mind. Off he went to the barn running with purpose.

The donkey was now in a state of extreme dismay as he heard his master leaving. “What is this?” he mused, “I thought he was going to rescue me? I am doomed!”

Now the farmer quickly returned with a shovel and proceeded to vigorously shovel the dirt he had prepared to fill in the well. Shovelful after shovelful fell into the well each landing on the confused donkey. The farmer’s shoveling was relentless.

The donkey, standing at the bottom of the well was furious. “What in the world is my master doing? Trying to bury me? Has he given up on saving me? What am I going to do?”

The donkey had no other recourse than to shake off each shovelful as they landed on his back and then step up as the dirt piled up around his feet. Step by step, shovelful after shovelful, slowly the donkey rose until the well’s edge was in sight. Suddenly the donkey realized he was being saved.

The farmer soon had the donkey within a few feet of ground level and the donkey was finally stepped out of the well.

This story illustrates what happens when we are facing adversity in life and we become overwhelmed as there is no feasible answer readily known. We might tend to feel lost and with little or no hope of a positive resolution.

I wonder what went through Joseph’s mind before he realized “what God had up His sleeve” for him. After all, Jospeh experienced a long string of one adversity after another. But in the long run, he became the great blessing for multitudes of people that God intended.

Adversity is the crucible that transforms for the greatest good for so many. Is your current bout with the adversity you are facing today having the makings of transforming you into a blessing for many? What does God “have up His sleeve” for you?

A dear friend of mine once said, “When you are facing adversity, it’s God saying, ‘Do you trust Me’?” Trusting the Lord with genuine and authentic trust is critical. Just think of the donkey. How much grief could have been avoided if only he trusted his master. Even when understanding is lacking, true trust can and will get us through to the final solution.

(See my book, Solomon’s Recipe for more on the power of trusting the Lord. There is a post – March 2015 – on this blog of my turning point “Solomon’s Recipe“ that inspired the book. See www.allanemusterer.com for more information)

TURNING POINTS

The realization that God is good, and He has only good for me, is the turning point that allows me to trust Him with an authentic trust. This saves me from unnecessary worry and fear and frees me to keep an eye focused on what my Lord has “up His sleeve” for my blessed future.

Who do I Trust?

Nahum 1:7 New King James Version

⁷The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.

This is the question that we face when things have not gone our way. When we find ourselves steep in a dilemma that life has sprung on us unawares. Where do we go? Who do I trust to get me through for the most beneficial outcome?

I have traversed eight decades of life and the troubles of life never cease to challenge me. It’s always a range of things from the simple to the complex, from the familiar to the unknown. My book, Solomon’s Recipe, provides a tried-and-true solution that has brought me through countless challenges. The recipe begins with the requirement for trusting in the Lord. Not just any trust, but genuine authentic trust. The trust that is most difficult to achieve and even more difficult to maintain.

As I continue my journey, I am acutely aware of new and innovative ways to maintain the trust in the Lord that I have embraced for years and hopefully for years to come. The passage from Nahum is one of those touch stones that provide encouragement to deepen and maintain my trust in the Lord.

This passage begins with the most important perspective one must possess if there can be any meaningful measure of trust in the Lord. That is the conviction that God is good. This is a firm foundation on establishing a truly valid trust in the Lord.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The goodness of God is fundamental to His Spirit. The challenge for us is to see it and believe it. One might say that is so easy. No it isn’t, not when we are faced with the biggest challenges. The thoughts come fast and furious: “Why would God allow this to beset me? What shall I do now? Where do I turn?

If we truly believe and know from experience that God is genuinely and forever good, then we can fix our trust on that. As soon as we can set the fact that God is good, we can then move on to the next step, see Him as a stronghold in our time of trouble. This is a key stage in navigating positively the trouble life continually join us in our life’s travel. He is meant to be our strong refuge, our potent advocate, yes, our Savior!

Now we come to a most powerful truth, He knows those who trust in Him! Imagine the inspiring strength that gives us when we can appreciate that He knows ME! I am not alone! He knows me and my situation. And there is no situation that He can’t handle for me. Wow! Who knew that trust in Him could have such profound power? But it does! And it’s really all we need when the challenges seek to overwhelm us.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART!

As I am want to do, I always explore additional versions of a profound bible passage. Here are a couple for you to consider and see if new feelings course through your soul, heart and mind.

Nahum 1:7 New Living Translation

⁷The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.

Nahum 1:7 Amplified Bible

⁷The Lord is good,
A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.

TURNING POINTS

This bible passage and the sermon on Sunday July 2^nd that opened new vistas on the concept of “trusting God”, I found it very comforting to realize that God knows those who trust Him. God knows me. I hope others will see the value of trusting God genuinely and experiencing the expansion of its value.

What Does God Expect of Us?

This is the question that often comes to the serious inquiring mind. What exactly am I to do to fulfill God’s hope in me? The Bible gives us some insight for us to explore. We need to question ourselves as to how serious we are in learning what we yet must do to satisfy God’s hope for us individually. Do I have the courage to discover, to pursue, and to change and transform in my quest to do His will?

The first evidence of God’s hope for us is that which He said to Adam and Eve. He asked them to TRUST and OBEY. Sadly, for all of us, they did neither. And all too often neither do we. We struggle to trust in God. The reality is the struggles we have in following Solomon’s recipe he provided in Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord, and don’t rely on your own understanding.” We tenaciously insist on having understanding, indicative of incomplete trust in our Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

The next evidence of what God is hoping from us is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-6:

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 New King James Version

⁴“Hear, O Israel: ^[a]The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.⁶“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

And expanded in Leviticus 19:18:

Leviticus 19:18 New King James Version

¹⁸You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Jesus quoted these two as the two greatest commandments and hence God’s hope for us to abide.

Matthew 22:37-40 New King James Version

³⁷Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:37-40 The Message

^37-40Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

The next evidence of what God is hoping from us is found in Micah 6:8:

Micah 6:8 The Message

⁸But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously.

Micah 6:8 New King James Version

⁸He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 Living Bible

⁸No, He has told you what He wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God.

And now we come to the final refinement of what God’s hope is in us, the new commandment of Jesus, John 13:34:

John 13:34 New King James Version

³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34-35 The Message

^34-35“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

In summary, God hopes we will genuinely and completely trust and obey Him at the expense of our understanding; love the Him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; love our neighbor (whomsoever is in need) as ourselves; act justly with mercy and compassion, loyal and authentic in our love and walk in humbleness before Him.

How I pray can we do this? Surely not alone in a vacuum. We must fully rely on Jesus Grace, The Father’s Love, and the Communion with the Holy Spirit. This becomes our reality when we are humble, realizing our weakness and need in the light of God’s omnipotence and love for us.

TURNING POINT

Fulfilling God’s hope in us is really rather simple. I have found that the beginning is the development of a truly authentic trust in the Lord. Upon that foundation all God hopes for us will follow. The evolution of such trust comes fully when we see God’s presence and blessings as we experience it. When we face challenging circumstances, consider: God is asking , “Do you trust Me?” What will I answer?

The Extra Mile ~ The Second Mile

Forward: A minister related this story in a service and it really touched the depth of my soul. I share it with my readers today in the hope that it will inspire a sense of value to patience and willingness to wait on the Lord for His perfect timing to bless us with a profound and new understanding.

THE SECOND MILE (by Robert Wells)

The great road stretched for miles in both directions and was very crowded. Groups of people on foot traveled steadily onward. Donkeys, heavy-burdened, passed along. A long train of camels, with great bulky loads high on their backs, plodded by.

The boy, David, standing by the side of the road, watched everything with eager eyes. “Someday, I’ll follow this road for a long, long way” he thought. “I’ll follow it all the way down to the Great Sea, and I’ll not stop even there.”

His eye fell upon a single figure, walking alone, along the crowded road. “He’s a Roman soldier,” thought David. “I can tell by the way he’s dressed. How I hate the Romans! If it weren’t for them we Jews would be free again. Then we wouldn’t have to pay their taxes or obey their laws. I hate them all!”

He stared at the Roman soldier who was almost opposite him now in the road. Suddenly, the soldier stopped. He shifted the heavy pack he carried, and eased it down to the ground. Then he straightened up again and stood resting a moment. David still stared at him, thinking angry thoughts. Then, just as the soldier turned to pick up his pack once more, he noticed David standing not far off. “Hey, boy!” he called. “Come here!”

David wanted to turn and run, but he stood frozen in his tracks. No one dared to disobey one of the soldiers of Rome. David went nearer, slowly. The soldier motioned to his pack. “You will carry it for me,” he said.

David knew that there was no help for him now. He knew the hated Roman law. Any Roman soldier could make any Jewish boy or man carry his load for him in any direction he was traveling for one mile. “But only for one mile!” thought David, angrily, as he unwillingly lifted the pack.

The soldier had already turned away and had started on along the road. He did not even bother to look back to see that David was following him. He knew that he would not dare do anything else.

David followed. The pack was heavy, but David was strong. He swung along easily, but his thoughts were angry. He wanted to throw the soldier’s pack down in the dirt and stomp on it. He wanted to shout and rage at that hated Roman soldier striding easily ahead of him. But he could do nothing except follow along, keeping his bitter thoughts to himself. “Just one mile. He can’t make me go a step further. Only one mile.” The words made a sort of song in his mind in time to his steps. “One mile, one mile…”

Then, as he was plodding along, David suddenly remembered another day when he had walked along this very same road. One day he had gone out a little ways from the city with some of his friends, to find a young teacher of whom they had heard about. They had found him out on a hill side among a large crowd of people. David had stopped with the others to listen to what he said.

“What made me think of him now?” wondered David with one part of his mind. Another part was still repeating over and over, “One-mile-one-mile-one-mile-”

“Of course,” he remembered suddenly. “The Master used those very same words. What was it He said about one mile?” He walked on frowning for a moment before he could remember. Then he said the words to himself: “Whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.” That was what He said! David had not paid very much attention to it at the time. He remembered now other things the Master had said. “Love your enemies.” “Do good to them that hate you.” Then once more David found himself repeating the strangest of them all, “Whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.” “Does he mean–could he mean–like, now?” David puzzled. “But why? Why should I go more than one mile?”

David was so busy thinking that he did not notice that the soldier had stopped, and so he almost ran into him. “You have come one mile,” said the soldier. “Give the pack to me.”

“I will go on,” said David. He did not know why he said it. “It has not been far, and I am not tired.”

The Roman soldier stared at him in surprise, and for the first time David really looked into his face. He saw that the soldier was very young. He saw, too, that he was very, very tired, in spite of the straight soldierly way in which he stood.

“You have come a long way,” said David.

“Yes,” said the other, “a weary way of many miles.”

“Have you far to go?”

“I go to Rome.”

“So far!” said David. “Then let me carry your pack for another mile.

“You are very kind,” said the soldier, but his face was still full of surprise.

So they went on, only now, the Roman soldier waited for David and walked beside him along the road. And suddenly, David found himself talking to the soldier as if they had known each other for a long time, and he told him all about his home and his family. And David listened while the soldier talked of his travels in far away places. They were so busy talking that the distance seemed very short.

“Tell me,” said the soldier at last, “how did it happen that you offered to come this second mile?”

David hesitated. “I hardly know,” he said. “It must have been what the Master said, I think.” Then he told the soldier all that happened out on the hill and all that he could remember of the Master’s teaching.

“Strange,” said the soldier thoughtfully. “Love your enemies. Do good to those that hate you. That’s a hard teaching. I should like to know this Master.”

They had come now to the top of a hill and the end of the second mile. David looked back along the road toward his home.

“I must go back,” he said. “The hour is late, and my parents will wonder where I have gone.”

The soldier took his pack and shouldered it again. The two clasped hands. “Farewell, friend,” said the soldier.

“Farewell, friend,” answered David, smiling up into the soldier’s eyes. Then the two parted.

As David strode back along the road, the words of the Master kept running through his mind: “Whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.” And as he repeated the words, he found himself adding, with a strange, deep joy, “It works! It really works!”

It’s so very true! I walked one mile with an enemy — I walked the second mile with a friend.”

REFERENCE: http://robertwells.tripod.com/romansoldier.htmlCopyright

Innovation = Survival

“Innovation is the creation, development and implementation of a new product, process or service, with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness or competitive advantage and survival.”

The pandemic of 2020 put all of us into an unexpected and unplanned situation. The consequences of a worldwide pandemic put a significant stress on individuals and businesses. Specifically, small businesses that do not typically have the luxury of robust bank accounts were stressed to the limits. Many were unable to survive. But this is the perfect situation for innovation to bring its salvation to such situations.

One small business, a pair of restaurants located in the Silicon Valley, realized successful navigation of the unexpected challenges of the pandemic. They had ‘Innovation” as part of their business by-line: Quality, Innovation & Education.

When the pandemic hit with a vengeance, governments nationally and locally, scrambled for solutions to mitigate the deadly effects of the new and novel virus. Medical experts were consulted and given unprecedented power to dictate procedures and social limitations on national, state and local counties and city venues. Restaurants and other traditional social gathering venues were shut down. They were limited to “to go” and “outdoor dining” for almost a full year in many cases. Small businesses were very vulnerable in this situation. Many restaurants and other businesses collapsed into insolvency destroying the dreams of countless entrepreneurs.

The Founder and CEO of Sushi Confidential, Randy Musterer, was uniquely positioned in many ways to meet the challenges ushered in by a global pandemic.

At the pandemic’s onset, Randy Musterer had a lot going for him. Before opening his restaurants, Randy had spent 17 years in cancer and infectious disease research. He worked at some of the most prestigious pharmaceutical companies in the world. That experience gave Randy the knowledge and understanding of what was necessary to protect people from a pandemic and its vicious contagious character. Randy’s response to the pandemic was to immediately plan for the worst. A closed restaurant can be devastating to the owner, the employees, the customers, and the suppliers of the business.

Randy, using his scientific background and experience, educated his employees. He taught them what steps they needed to take to remain in a position where they were not vulnerable to contracting the disease. He implemented protocols for his employees while in the workplace, protecting them and the customers from contracting or spreading the virus.

Next, Randy devised a strategy for keeping the restaurant functional when indoor dining was prohibited. He vigorously established an effective take-out system that gave his faithful and loyal clientele a means to still access his top-quality sushi offerings. He instantly connected with his clientele via social media to share his background in infectious disease research, what he was doing to implement safety precautions at Sushi Confidential This resulted in the ability to gain trust and support from his loyal following. He attracted the news media as credible resource for small business challenges and success amidst a global pandemic.

Randy didn’t rest with the initial success of the take-out business. Early in the lockdown, a few of Randy’s close friends in the industry were deciding how to navigate their small businesses through the pandemic. Many were not considered “essential”, therefore, were required to cease operations. Randy knew how devastating this would be to their survival moving forward. He saw an opportunity for his fellow small business entrepreneurs and invited them to sell their products through his established take-out business. Frost Cupcake Factory began offering their award-winning cupcakes on Randy’s menu. Then a local brewery, Strike Brewery, of San Jose began offering their micro brews. An award-winning Mixologist, Jason Steele, owner of Los Gatos Soda Works, soon joined the offerings with custom “take-out” cocktails, once the state changed the laws to allow hard-alcoholic cocktails “to go”. The success of these partnerships inspired other local restaurants to follow suit to create their own partnerships to help other small businesses survive, and even thrive, during the pandemic.

While many restaurants slowly pivoted to “learn” how to operate during a pandemic, Randy realized that he needed to continue to advance his offerings to keep his clientele both old and new from boredom. As restaurants were limiting their menu to be able to open and operate at a bare minimum, Randy went on a constant upgrade to his menu. On a feverish pace, he created new and innovative sushi rolls and other menu offerings. He also expanded his vegetarian, gluten-free and keto offerings.

The success of any business owner is how the owner can relate to and solve his customers “pain points”. Randy was working eighteen hours a day to ensure his restaurants’ survival. He was interacting with his customers daily and started to hear a common theme. They were bored after three months of “lock down”. How many more puzzles could the family make? How many more movies can they watch together? How do I keep my kids off “screen time” and video games? Randy knew, if he came up with a solution to their “pain points”, he could make additional revenue to ensure his restaurants’ success. Randy, having previous success with Sushi Making Classes at the restaurant, decided to create a make-your-own Sushi Kit. He included a YouTube instruction video to ensure its success. This became quite popular, especially with families with children. Families sharing their Sushi Confidential Sushi Making Kits on social media enhanced the popularity of the idea.

Randy continued his partnership with Strike Brewery. Together they brewed a hazy IPA on Randy’s Sushi Confidential label.

Not letting grass to grow under his feet, when outdoor dining became an option, Randy quickly adapted his patio for outdoor dining. When more space was needed Randy was instrumental in getting the city to create parklets on the street in front of his restaurant and all the local businesses there.

Randy invested on gaining additional outdoor dining by creating a “sushi” beer garden in the parking area behind the Campbell restaurant. When the fall holidays arrived, a surge in virus cases instigated the shutdown of outdoor dining. With people now deprived of dining in a controlled environment of outdoor dining in restaurants, they reverted to uncontrolled environments of house parties. This turn of events had the effect of causing Randy’s catering business to take off again. Randy employed some clever marketing ideas that capitalized on the questionable actions of the city and county lockdown edicts.

Randy’s intense focus on innovation has brought him through the yearlong pandemic with its amazing challenges. His appreciation for those who made great sacrifices to keep us all as safe as possible fuels Randy’s altruistic nature. He set out to honor and praise the first responders, medical teams and hospital workers by serving them sushi dinners. This commitment for them was evidenced on the day that Randy and his staff received their Covid vaccines. He brought bento box lunches for all the workers and was rewarded by being on the front page of the local section of the San Jose Mercury Newspaper.

Randy didn’t let a new vocabulary go without capitalizing on it. In the beginning, businesses were labeled “essential” and restaurants were not on the list. Randy seized that as an opportunity with T-shirts and hats challenging that idea. His subtle protest for the restaurant snub.

Customized Sushi Confidential masks rounded out the opportunity to capitalize on the unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic that came out of no where.

An innovation is an idea that has been transformed into practical reality. For a business, this is a product, process, or business concept, or combinations that have been activated in the marketplace and produce new profits, growth for the organization and in difficult situations survival.

Randy has mastered innovation for the benefit of his staff, his clientele, and his family.