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God’s Creation

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By Jim DeAngelo

Sandra and I enjoyed a mini getaway for three days. We had a beautiful drive from home to Packwood along the foothills of Mount Rainier. The day was sunny, warm, and clear. We discussed how awesome God’s creation is.

In Colossians 1:15-16, Paul talks about Christ being the firstborn over all creation. “For by Him all things were created: Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.”

I find God’s creation profound and will always wonder how people can dismiss the Creator and still see the wonders that surround us. As I take time to meditate on these wonders, I am awed by the magnificence of Christ. It is good to think on these things daily and be overcome by all we see.

This realization encourages me to actively participate in sharing my experiences and learnings with others. It encourages me to share the gospel, the profound blessings from knowing the Creator, not just the creation, as well as the greatness of Christ to any and all who will listen. Matthew 28:19 — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

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Staying Connected

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By Jim DeAngelo

With the summer in full swing, kids out of school, and family vacations abounding, we set out on our annual 4th of July extended family vacation. This year we went to the lake rather than the beach and spent seven days in the sun. During these trips, we get the chance to connect with our adult children, their spouses, grandchildren, and the friends they bring along.

These times can be stressful with all the activity, changed environments, hard beds, sore muscles, late nights. Old conflicts can surface, and, if given a chance, they can damage our relationships rather than renew them. We have a choice on how we provide an environment for renewal. We need to ask ourselves if we remembered to bring Jesus on the trip.

I struggle with being who God designed me to be if I don’t spend my daily personal time with Him. Spending quality time first thing in the morning works best for me. When I make God the priority and put Jesus on the throne of my life, I find that I can be the patient, understanding, helpful, loving servant I am called to be. When I am who God designed me to be, being the leader, the whole family does better and we connect and share in a much deeper way. When I fail to lead, the connections become more about the activities instead of the relationships we have with each other. The enemy can get an opening and conflicts can surface.

Having fun and doing exciting activities is great. Most of us desire adventure and change from the routine. Yet what I remember most about these times together are the connections and time we spend in loving each other. These are what I think about when I recall my time spent on vacation. And it’s only through Christ that I’ve found it possible to do this in a meaningful way.

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Honoring Those in Our Lives

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By Jim DeAngelo

Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and Father’s Day is just around the corner. Many of us (I included) start scrambling a few days before the event to get the gift together to say, “We love you.”  It is good to honor our parents, wives, husbands, and others on special days, as well as to think about how they have impacted our lives. However, what about the other days? Do we think about those individuals and do we honor them then?

 What does it really mean to honor? I have found this a difficult question to answer and have given it much thought and prayer. I find that my attitude and motive are the significant attributes that define the difference between honoring and dishonoring. Do I avoid someone if I have been hurt? If I do, is it out of fear of being injured again, or am I willing to forgive and to engage them even though I may be hurt again? Do I strive to be close to those important individuals, or do I look for a reason to avoid them or not be involved? 

 In regard to mothers and fathers, God says in the fifth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:16; Leviticus 19:3), “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” 

 For the important individuals in our lives, are we engaged, loving, trusting, praying, supporting, forgiving, helping, and speaking truth with loving respect? I have found this difficult when I perceive a hurt or wound, but I have been profoundly rewarded when I have engaged in love, forgiving and supporting that relationship. It isn’t easy, but it is what we have been commanded to do, and our lives definitely go better when we take this approach. Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” We honor others when we forgive and demonstrate these spiritual fruits in our relationships.

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Resting in God

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By Jim DeAngelo

Are we resting in God’s presence?

When we were in Southern California hiking in the desert, our destination was a palm oasis. When we arrived, it was a cool and lush area. It relieved the heat and refreshed us from the surrounding arid, dry, parched land; prickly plants; and heat. It reminded us of the palm oasis mentioned in Exodus 15:27, when God gave Israel rest at Elim.

Jim DeWe are busy; our thoughts can become occupied by the next task and driven by our schedules. We worry and fret about tomorrow and the difficulty of getting it all done. Do we have the resources, the money, time, and energy, to meet the daily grind?  Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The challenge is, are we taking time to rest and rejuvenate in His presence?

When I dedicate time to spend with Jesus in reading Scripture, praying, and meditating on Him, I become refreshed, and daily challenges and problems come into proper perspective. The day isn’t so overwhelming. Sometimes it’s only a few minutes in the morning; when I can, it’s much longer. It centers my life and gives me a changed purpose. It’s not to get through the day, but to live the day through Him.

Are you overwhelmed? Are you fretting about tomorrow, finances, family issues? Are you spending time with Him? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” I found that daily time spent with Him significantly changed my life. He is faithful; praise God for His provisions.

 

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