Transformation Bible Ministries (TBM)

After meeting a neurologist, he mentioned some “red flags.” Well, when a specialist talks about red flags, that makes a chronic worrier like me hit my knees. I prayed after that appointment and before and after each of my diagnostic exams. I prayed for healing of course, but my prayers were more of a conversation about trusting my life to God’s plans for me. Surrendering. When I don’t surrender, I’m still clinging to control. Only God has the remote.

We missed them tremendously after they moved. That next summer, we flew out to visit with them. It was like no time had passed. Looking back on these early days of our relationship, I’m perplexed by the fact that we rarely discussed our faith. If we did, it didn’t leave much of an impression.

Last week, we got rid of the cold spell. Most days this week, it’s been in the mid-70’s. Not bad for April. Of course, we fish all year long, but it’s so much more fun fishing when the warm sun is peaking through some clouds painting sparkles on the water. We made our plans to fish this afternoon a week ago. My two friends are guys I call my brothers because they are also men who follow Jesus Christ, and they would do anything for me.

The crescendo from “Christ the Lord Has Risen Today” still brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. It’s not just the melody, the trumpets, or the words of the Hymn that creates the emotional experience within me, it’s the power of it all. My Mom was not a big churchgoer and yet she used to look forward to hearing the song at Easter. I will look around to make sure no one is looking because I’m often too overwhelmed to sing along.

Most agree that there have been 5 Great Jesus Revivals in our history. The Jesus Movement, or the Twentieth Century Revival, is the one we might be most familiar with. It’s where the term “Jesus Freak” came from. Originally intended to reflect a positive light on people using spiritual gifts, Bible studies, and workings of the Holy Spirit in the modern world, eventually was hijacked by a subculture of the hippie crowd who focused on pacifism and universal love.

I’ve been wanting to get to know one of my neighbors better for a long time. We have always enjoyed good conversations at community gatherings and have even been in his boat a few times. He’s not as much of an extrovert as people claim I am and even though I know he’s a believer, he’s so quiet about it, I was curious about knowing more of his story. A while back, I asked him if he’d mind sharing his faith journey and in his always agreeable way, he said he would be glad to.

\Every morning before I read a single email, I spend quiet time in God’s word. One day this week, it began with Psalm 130, one of the seven Psalms collectively known as Songs of Ascents. The Psalm begins with a lament and ends with rays of hope that come from waiting for God. For some reason, the Psalm didn’t spiritually move me. I felt flat. It was either a lack of focus or a hardened heart that day. I was really disappointed with myself. Next, I went to read the day’s devotion.

Christian author and speaker, Joyce Meyer, once wrote that, “Anger is not a sin—it is what you do with it that becomes sin.” It sounds so logical doesn’t it? This thought is echoed through both the Old and New Testaments. Ironically, there are many things in the Bible that are implied but not declared. Anger, however, isn’t one of those things.