You are my God.

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”  Psalm 63:1-3

David wrote these words when he was in the Desert of Judah.  Have you ever been standing outside and alone in the middle of a desert?  Just the thought of that degree of heat causes my mouth to get dry; my lips are almost starting to feel cracked and waxy.  The most important thing to David’s mind this day was knowing that God loved him. 

A person who understands that God’s unfailing love in their life is on their way to eternal glory.  These children in the photo eating lunch attend school at Bois Marchand in the Artibonite District.  Their school is located on the Northwest edge of Gonaives and there are cacti within a stone throw of this school.  It was very hot on this day but these children understand God’s unfailing love and they, like you and I are on our way to eternal life.

There is a peace that comes from knowing that God has our best interest at heart.  How do they and you and I know that God truly loves us?  Take a look at the cross.  He knew us before we were born, before the foundations of the universe were laid, He set a plan in place that would offer forgiveness for sins we had not yet committed.  He placed you where you are to help these children He placed at the Bois Marchand School.

Sometimes we look at our hardships living in North America, and they may seem HUGE but I ask that you consider your blessings and take another look at these children eating their only meal of the day…in a desert.  Hardships here and there; with all the things He has done for you, could you not take a few hardships for him?  Trust Him.  Trust His love.  Feed His sheep.

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Whispering Hope.

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:1-2

Many theologians have said that this message could have very well been the Apostle Paul’s last words from a Roman prison.  At this time of writing, Paul knew it could be his final contact with Timothy because his execution was most likely imminent.  It is important to know what gives hope in the face of a painful death like the one Paul encountered.  Paul, in his letter to Timothy, gave two points that should keep a believer strong: gaining strength in the grace of Jesus Christ and gaining strength in all the testimonies in the Word of God.

Do you know people who might be in a similar situation as was facing Paul in prison?  You have most assuredly been entrusted with the Word of God throughout your life.  Are there reliable people within your voice or touch who will share your love of Jesus Christ and knowledge of the Word of God with others after you have gone?  The young girl in the photo is from Ouanaminthe.  She attends the Lutheran school there and she is praying; giving thanks for her noon meal and for people like you who are helping her to be qualified to teach others along her journey about the grace of Jesus Christ and God’s Holy Word.

I recently heard the song ‘Whispering Hope’ which was written by Septimus Winner in 1868.  The words reminded me of this small child living on the Northern border of Haiti, in her own type of prison.  He soft witness will change lives because of your answering of His call to prepare others to share the Good News of a risen Savior.

“Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard; hope with a gentle persuasion whispers her comforting word.  Wait till the darkness is over, wait till the tempest is done.  Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  If, in the dusk of the twilight, dim be the region afar; will not the deepening darkness brighten the glimmering star?  Then when the night is upon us, why should the heart sink away?  When the dark midnight is over, watch for the breaking of day.   Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.  Hope, as an anchor so steadfast, rends the dark veil for the soul; whither the Master has entered, robbing the grave of its goal.  Come then, oh, come, glad fruition, come to my sad weary heart.  Come, O Thou blest hope of glory, never, oh, never depart.  Whispering hope, oh, how welcome thy voice, making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Jesus wants everyone.

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

A recent devotion stated that God’s care includes people of all ages; those in diapers unable to walk, those in jeans and sneakers running everywhere and those using walkers who can ‘run’ nowhere.  We are all God’s children, no matter our age, our physical ability, our status in the eyes of this world, the color of our skin or the type of blood flowing through our veins. 

God’s care includes and does not exclude.  When infants and small children were brought to Jesus he didn’t say “take them away, I am too busy.”  The children attending school at Petit Amis in Caredeux would be welcomed by our Savior to sit on His lap, tug on His arm and share their love with Him who came to save us.

Our Savior, the Good Shepherd, invites us to ‘come’ and be with Him here and one day in Heaven.  We place our faith in Him, lean on Him and call upon Him daily.  I heard a favorite song of mine yesterday, ‘Leaning on the everlasting arms’ by Elisha Hoffman that was published in 1887.  It is such a wonderful reminder that there is a Savior to lean on, no matter who we are, where we are or what we have done; He is always there.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.  Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.   Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.  What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Imagine...the Best plans.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever heard the saying that “even the best laid plans will go wrong”?  Back in the day before I was about to retire, several co-workers and a few friends from Church asked what my future plans would be?  My retirement was five years prior to the year of that magic age our world tells us is correct, but I told them my plans, but that even though the voices in my head may not be real, they have some good ideas!

I have never heard of anybody in Haiti ever retiring.  The men and women reach an age where they can no longer put food into their bodies and they go to live with relatives and die shortly thereafter; that was not my plan.  The attached photo is of some of the children and teachers at the Lutheran school at Bongnol which is located in the Artibonite District.  There are ninety-seven children attending school here and for me that is ninety-seven reasons to volunteer my labors for Trinity HOPE to help feed these children while they learn about Jesus Christ.

As long as my feeble fingers can type out a daily devotion, a monthly prayer guide or an occasional article for Trinity HOPE, that is what my body will do to help feed 52,000 children in Haiti; that is what I will do.  What are your plans for retirement?  Have you given any thought to helping feed children in Haiti when you retire or even before you pick that date?  These kids need you and your time, talents and treasures.  Imagine how many could be touched by your life or by your legacy when it is your time to leave this world and head to Paradise.  I was listening to Amy Grant sing on my MP3 recently while walking and the song ‘I can only imagine’ and the words directed my thoughts to about what the future will bring.

“I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side.  I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Halelluja, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  I can only imagine when that day comes and I find myself standing in the Son.  I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you.  I can only imagine; I can only imagine.  Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?  Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?  Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?  Will I sing Halelluja, will I be able to speak at all?  I can only imagine; yeah I can only imagine.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Have any doubts?

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  John 20:27

I was listening to an evangelist on the radio last night and he said something that placed its hooks into my thought process when he said “Jesus has changed everything!”  Being an Lutheran of the LCMS, change is not always deemed to be good or a desired direction.  But his statement is so true; the resurrection of Jesus Christ has changed everything; for you, for me, for this child in Haiti and also for Thomas who needed ‘real’ proof that Christ had risen from the dead; before he would believe.

Have you ever doubted?  Have you ever caught yourself doubting the truth of the resurrection?  The girl from Cap Haitian probably has a family member that still doesn’t believe that Jesus conquered satan and rolled away a huge stone to reveal his empty tomb on Easter.  Vodou followers do not accept the resurrection story; they will tell you that Christ was crucified, died and was buried; nothing more…end of the story.  Thomas needed proof; the vodou priest needs proof.

Classmates at her school may be doubting that school will start next month because the gangs are still causing chaos in Haiti.  Jesus has changed everything.  It is interesting to imagine how our Heavenly Father will use this child to tell the truth of her risen Savior to her family, neighbors and friends; that is what God is preparing her to do.  The Apostle Thomas doubted until he came face to face with Jesus and then he believed and would later bring news of the risen Christ to India.

Jesus Christ has changed everything.  His death on the cross and resurrection provides the hope of salvation for this world of sinners.  In our remaining days we need to share the message of Easter with ears that have not heard.  It is our pleasure to help to send this child from Cap Haitian to share the Easter message with the lost vodou followers in her city.  Everything has changed; He is risen!  I close today with that last three verses of the hymn ‘Abide with Me!’ that was written by Henry F. Lyte around 1847.

“I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?  Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?  Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!  I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.  Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?  I triumph still if Thou abide with me.  Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.  Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

I stand amazed.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”  Psalm 8:3-4

It’s Saturday.  Weekend is here.  Question for today.  Have you ever looked into the bathroom mirror in the morning after your arthritic body came stumbling out of bed, when your eyes are still puffy, your breath smells like Lazarus after a week in the tomb and your mind asks the question “how can God use me?”  After all that our Triune God has accomplished and continues to do on this earth, who am I to think that my words matter to Him?  Well, my friend, you still matter to Him.

Look into the faces of the six children in the attached photo.  They attend the Lutheran school in Ouanaminthe in north central Haiti.  If you think that your life matters or is even remotely important to our Triune God; what about their lives?  They live in homes with dirt floors, are wearing one of the two sets of clothes that they own, don’t have a doctor or a dentist, don’t have air conditioning or running water in their homes; how could our Triune God possibly use their lives?

For about two-dollars, Trinity HOPE will feed these six children at their school; most likely their only meal for the day.  Your donation will be taking part in His plan for them, and also His plan for you.  Amazing how He has accomplished His work through shepherds, fisherman, virgins, carpenters, tax collectors and children throughout the Bible and now, well now He is ready to use you.  While sitting in my chair recently I listened to Alexa play this song ‘I stand amazed’ by Squire Parsons Jr.  When I consider how God is using me, and you and these kids in Ouanaminthe; well, I too stand amazed.

“When I examine that old rugged cross the mighty gulf did span; it reaches down to the brinks of hell, to heaven's golden stand.  I stand amazed, I stand amazed; of the love that has sought me, saved me and bought me.  I stand amazed.  When I imagine in glory that day, when all of heav'n stood still as God, incarnate, the Savior of man, died upon Calv'ry's hill.  I stand amazed, I stand amazed; of the love that has sought me, saved me and bought me.  I stand amazed.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Praise the LORD!

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”  Psalm 95:1-2

Back in the day, within a period of a week, I had three requests about the photos that I should be using.  One pastor only wanted the subjects to be boys.  One fellow mission worker ‘chided’ me for sharing with him photos of healthy and happy children living in Haiti; wanted more of the downcast children.  And one, just wanted to see the kids eating and happy.  Well, I can tell you that the verses from Psalm 95 explain the reason for the smile on the face of the child in the attached photo who attends the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian.  I have heard this child ‘Shout’ and ‘Rejoice’ when asked if she knew about 0the Triune God and if she loves Jesus; not just a monotone ‘yes’ but an enthusiastic “OUI”.

There are times when we, and she, maybe do not feel like praising God enthusiastically, and certainly not out loud.  It seems too easy to focus on our hurts, challenges, pressure from the gangs of this world and the vodou priest down the street.  Doubt, fear, defeat and hunger become the enemies of joy and these can bring a suffocating bought of depression.  Consider the joy that this young girl now has and what her face reflected while still living under the chains of the vodou priest before coming to know Jesus.  Think of how listless her eyes and smile were like before she began receiving daily nourishment from a Trinity HOPE donor like you.

We all must be reminded to raise our hands and our head and look again at whom our Triune God is and what He had done for us.  We must remind ourselves that He is our Savior, comfort, shelter, refuge and our strength.  No one can ever compare to our powerful and loving God.  On the drive home recently, I listened to Randy Travis sing ‘Shout to the Lord’ and the words to that song, the face of that little girl and you came to mind.
“My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like You; all of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.  Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing.  Power and majesty, praise to the King; mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name.  I sing for joy at the work of Your hands, forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand, nothing compares to the promise I have in You.  My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength; let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship You.  Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing.  Power and majesty, praise to the King; mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name.  I sing for joy at the work of Your hands, forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand, nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

All the hidden Saints.

“Women received back their dead, raised to life again.  There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated; the world was not worthy of them.  They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:35-38

Trinity HOPE has been around for nearly a quarter of a century.  It began with 42 kids at Tarrasse which is just a few miles East of Gonaives, near a canal.  That is where the school feeding programs in Lutheran schools originated decades ago.  Since then, there have been thousands of kids learning about Jesus and receiving a hot lunch at noon.  The above verses from Hebrews tell us about the saints living then and their challenges.  I am really thankful that my family was not subjected to the horrific challenges that they faced.  The thousands of Haitian children who have been in the Trinity HOPE feeding programs have faced challenges as well.  Facing threats and evil spirits from the vodou priest and torture from the gangs today.  The kids know that Jesus is walking with them.

Just stop for a moment and consider how many young saints are living in Haiti today and what a powerful force they are.  I know a few of their names and faces; students, teachers and feeding program directors.  They are a significant number of His saints.  Imagine all of those saints were like a spiritual iceberg and were suddenly turned upside down and exposed for all of us to see; the magnitude of the church He has built and still is building in Haiti would literally take our breath away.

We see and read about the chaos that gangs are unleashing in Haiti and we ask when will this stop.  We are ignorant and unaware of the full scope of what is and has been taking place in Haiti the past decades.  Our God has been working, one bowl of rice and beans at a time; day after day, month after month, year after year and now decades.  He has His children prepared and living where He has placed them.  To us, they are like hidden saints emerging from the small homes and ready to bring the Holy Gospel message to the ears that haven’t heard or stopped listening.  Some of those hidden saints have already gone on to meet Jesus in Paradise.

I just want to share this final point; there is a mess in Haiti, His children are there and our Heavenly Father is with His people and has a plan to end the chaos.  There are thousands of remarkable people in Haiti with courageous faith who for the most part live out their days in obscurity, trusting God for their ultimate reward while bringing an end to gang fed chaos in Haiti.  Those saints may be invisible to us, but never to God.  Please prayerfully join their ranks and daily pray for their challenge.

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Something about those bad habits.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say; but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”; but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

Did you have any bad habits when you were a kid that your parents tried their best to correct?  Talking with your mouth full of food, biting your fingernails, picking your nose or always interrupting when someone else was talking?  The Allschwede’s lived near our farm and their son was a thumb sucker.  His mom broke him of that habit by daily applying a coating of fresh chicken manure.  And that is a good thing cause thankfully, he didn’t acquire a fondness to the taste of chicken manure.

Bad habits come in many forms and if they aren’t confronted, they can lead to larger problems if they are allowed to get out of control.  We live in a sin filled world that has its share of people with bad habits.  Bad habits are common to all of us.  They're the price we pay for being human.  Some people wrestle with a habit that is as accepted and as common as overeating or exaggerating or cheating or procrastinating.  Sinful habits like gossip, worry, bullying, irritability, and profanity are often practiced without guilt by some nasty folks and justified through cleverly devised mental schemes.  The list is endless as it is held up to the Ten Commandments.  But Christ can set you free from those bad habits when you repent and surrender in obedience to Him.  There are a group of mostly young men in Haiti who are members of a gang in Haiti and they are bullying His children with their weapons, threats and acts of chaos.  They need to repent, lay down their weapons and undo what they have damaged; people, businesses, schools and their country.  We need to pray that they will turn away from their bad habits and reach out to Jesus.  If you are still struggling with a bad habit; take it to the foot of the Cross of Christ.  Give it to Him and repent and start a new life dedicated to Him.   

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Stay in the kitchen.

“Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

How is your week going?  Are you walking in the direction He chose for you? 

Are you facing some difficult challenges?  Don't turn and run!  Place your challenges into a proper perspective.  Are you worried about feeding your family today?  Probably not.  The past couple of years in Haiti, there have been cooks and feeding program directors who were worried that the precious provisions for the school lunch programs would be stolen by gang members.  They remained faithful and stood in His presence; surrounded in prayer.

You got challenges; stand still and refuse to retreat.  Those cooks and you and I are under His commands from Joshua "be strong and courageous."  It will still be difficult.  Place your trust in His protection.  It may get very hot at times but our God is always with us.  The future of our country may seem like a Stage 15 hurricane is approaching; be strong and courageous.  I was born in 1950 and Harry S. Truman was nearing the end of his presidency and there was a quote attributed to him that I have always liked.  “If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen!”  I’ve learned that you grow much stronger by staying in the kitchen and experiencing that heat, with God there with me.  With the realization that you aren’t alone in that steamy kitchen, God is with you, stay in the kitchen so you can learn how to handle the heat!

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay