As I have struggled to figure out what God’s will is for my life over the last 60 years, I have wondered about His methods of guiding. One of them is circumstances that can act like traffic lights or direction arrows in traffic. Circumstances are tricky because the devil can mess with our circumstances, and also we often just read things into the circumstances that God never intended. I frequently recognize the circumstances after deciding, look backward, and recognize that I didn’t choose; God was pushing me in a particular direction.

When I was a senior in High School, I received a letter from the University of Washington offering me a full-ride scholarship. I was one of eight Seniors who met in Vancouver, Washington and rode in a van together to the University of Washington for a four-day school tour. We stayed in the dorm, ate in the cafeteria, went on school tours, and listened to presentations on how great the University was.

My mom bought me a new sports coat for the event. It was corduroy and green, and it had gold-colored buttons. A large fountain was in the center of a plaza with a pool all around the fountain. The pool was about two feet deep, and it had lots of money because of the various coins thrown in. As I walked next to it, one of the buttons on my coat popped off, and I went into the pool. I removed my jacket and long-sleeved shirt and reached into the pool to recover my button. A College Security guy on the other side of the pool started yelling and blowing his whistle as he ran around the pool toward me. Many people were around, and they were all looking at me and the security guy. I pulled my arm out of the water and waited for him to get to where I was. After he yelled at me for a few minutes, I pointed at my button in the water and explained what I was doing. After he yelled at me a little more, telling me I should Have gotten permission first, I asked him if I could retrieve my button, and he said yes. He even got a towel for me to dry off my arm before putting my shirt and coat back on.

Being a shy farm boy from a very small town and very introverted, the experience was a major embarrassment to me, and I am convinced that the experience was why I decided not to go to school there. I am also sure that an angel ripped my button off and threw it in that fountain.

The first time I remember struggling to figure out what God’s will was for my life was when I graduated from high school and was trying to decide where I would go to college. I had been offered a full scholarship to the University of Washington that would pay for everything. I went on a tour of the school that was supposed to attract me to it, but it scared the bazeebers out of me. There were 20 kids in my High School, with five in my graduating class. A good friend who graduated a year earlier than me attended a tiny Christian College in Portland. He played on the basketball team, and I went to several games with his parents. The college had an open house for high school seniors, and I went there and enjoyed the experience very much. The problem was that it was a private college, so the room, board, and tuition were significantly higher than at the University of Washington, and there were no scholarships. There were student loans and work grants, but I didn’t want to get a loan. I didn’t know what to do. I knew what I wanted to do, but I couldn’t figure out how to make it happen, and I didn’t know what God’s will was for my life. I agonized over that decision right up until the deadline for accepting the University scholarship, and I let the day go by without accepting it. The next day, I was so relieved; I would go to the college I wanted to attend, even if I hadn’t figured out how to pay for it. I knew I could figure it out and make it happen, and I did. I met Patty, my wife of 54 years, at that college; my Christian faith grew significantly during the two years I attended that college, and it was there that the seeds for being a pastor were planted in my heart. I was so close to deciding to go to the University of Washington with the full scholarship and the offer to enter into the Oceanography program with the possibility of being a scientist making lots of money. I often wonder where I would be now had I chosen to attend there. I wouldn’t have met Patty, I probably wouldn’t have had eight kids, I probably wouldn’t be a pastor, everything would have been different. That was just the first of many decisions that have come up in my life since then over the years that would have changed the direction of my life. Now, here I am at 75 years of age, and not very many big decisions left to make. It will be interesting when I get to heaven and see if I made the right decisions. I think I did, and I believe I couldn’t go wrong as long as I was committed to following the Lord.

Self-control is a character trait, and it is mentioned in the Bible often. When we are strong in self-control, our flesh, the devil, and the world around us don’t control us; we do what we know is right. The Biblical title for those with self-control is “overcomers.” Almost every sin we commit is because of a lack of self-control. I have worked at growing in self-control in my life over the years in reading my Bible every day, spending time with God in prayer every day, memorizing hundreds of Bible verses, controlling how I speak, not getting angry, and not letting myself get addicted to TV, computer games, or any substance. Nothing causes me to get disgusted with myself more than a lapse in self-control. Recently, Patty and I were eating dinner with several other people. Dessert was a beautiful Marion berry cheesecake. I knew it would taste delicious, so I had a small piece. I discovered several months ago that I am very allergic to gluten and white sugar. They cause my muscles to jerk, get cramps, and spasm uncontrollably as soon as I quit moving and relax; it is a frustrating experience, especially when I am trying to go to sleep. Cheesecake has both gluten and sugar, and I knew it before I ate it, so why did I eat it? I thought it was just a little piece; it had been some time since I had eaten any gluten or sugar, and I forgot how irritating the consequences were. The result is that I didn’t sleep all night. That is a simple little slip in self-control, but the fact that I did something I knew was not a good choice, but I did it anyway for the sake of the immediate gratification of the wonderful taste is what frustrates me about my lack of self-control. I journaled about the experience and am now writing my blog about it, so hopefully, I have grown a little bit in the character trait of self-control.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Proverbs 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

In many relationships where people struggle to maintain a strong unity and oneness with each other, the problem is often communication. The problem is that we don’t communicate or speak clearly to be understood, or we are not good at hearing what other people are saying, even if they communicate very clearly. Accurately hearing what other people say is a skill we all need to grow in.

A Biblical principle is that we will not do better with God than with people. The New Testament apostle John writes, “If you don’t love people whom you can see, you will not love God whom you can’t see.” People talk about “listening” to God and learning to hear His voice within us. If we do a poor job of listening to people, we will not be able to hear God’s voice.

People with poor listening skills have some common, observable characteristics. A major one is that they interrupt others when they are talking or cut others off in their haste to give their answer or opinion on something. Let’s read Proverbs 18:13 again;
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

Another key Bible verse is in James 1:19;
This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak.

Poor listeners talk too much; they put more value on what they have to say than what the other person is saying.

When I say “I love you” to Patty, I am making seven commitments. I remind her of those commitments periodically so that she knows what I mean when I say, “I love you.” One of the seven is, “I will honor you by paying sincere attention to your words.” I have to work at that because talking is much easier than listening.

One of my personal rules in communication with Patty is, “Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” Sometimes, I will do well at that, but most of the time, I focus more on what I plan on saying than what she is saying. Good listening requires focus and attentiveness.

Sometimes Patty will say, “I told you,” and I will say, “No, you didn’t!” And she will say, “ Yes I did!!” and I will say, “NO YOU DID’T!!!!” Oops, there is that communication thing again, but you all know, that it is Patty’s fault😜”

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine.
One of the things about myself that I discovered years ago is that when I am feeling down, depressed, or sad, I can choose to act happy despite how I feel if I work at it. If I successfully act joyful, it is not very long before my emotions rise to the level of my behavior. There are many benefits to acting happy and then being happy despite circumstances. One is good health, at least better health than if you had remained sad or moody. Happy people have much better relationships than those who are down much of the time because they are enjoyable to be around. A result is that those with a merry heart lift those around them out of their despair and give them a merry heart. Another major blessing of choosing to be happy despite the lemons life has served you up is that you have more energy and your mind works better; at my age, those two are significant.
Some people will object to acting differently than you feel because it is being phony or hypocritical. Our motives, not our actions, determine phoniness. If my motive for acting differently than I feel is because it is the right thing to do because of the benefits to myself and others, then I am not being phony but wise.
Most people follow their flesh and emotions because it is easier and more natural. Jesus said, “Choose the hard way, not the easy way.” We are at a crossroads all day long: the easy or hard way. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of times, we must choose easy or hard. Train yourself to see the crossroads in everyday life, and then remind yourself of the words of Jesus. Memorize Matthew 7:13-14.

One of the key verses for my life is Proverbs 16:9;
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
In Hebrew literature, the word “but” doesn’t mean contradictory statements but parallel statements. So, this verse is saying that I plan my life, and at the same time, the Lord directs my steps with me.
I love to plan my life. While writing goals and strategies, I am fully aware of this verse. I acknowledge my trust and dependence on Him the entire time I plan and write. I am praying and asking for wisdom and guidance as I think and plan events for my life; today, I spent several hours writing out my and Patty’s plans for the next six months. Patty is not really into planning, strategizing, and goal setting like I am, so she is very agreeable to going along with my leadership for us.
I listen carefully to my thoughts, promptings, and ideas while writing my plans and goals. Over the years of practicing this verse, I have improved at listening and discerning as I write. Now, I feel very confident that my final product is the perfect will of God for our lives.
It is an enjoyable way to plan the future. It brings confidence and security to decision-making. Sometimes, I begin to doubt the accuracy or wisdom of a decision or plan I have made, often right in the middle of living it out. Still, if I go back and read what I wrote, I usually come away with renewed confidence in the decisions and direction.

I went fishing today on a charter boat out on the ocean. I went with some church friends and took a grandson with me. We were fishing for sea bass, ling cod, and other bottom fish. I had gone fishing on the same boat several weeks ago, and as a result of the success of other fishermen, I made up a bunch of my own lures. They worked pretty well, but I did think of several things I need to do differently to improve them. It was, again, a good day with everyone in our group getting their limit. I enjoy fishing, especially in the ocean, and I really enjoy fishing with good friends and my grandson.

Yesterday was a very enjoyable day, but it was enjoyable – intense. Today was enjoyable – relaxed. That is an excellent way to orchestrate life if you can. I have become reasonably skilled at managing my schedule so that I can live my life like breathing in – out, in – out, regularly and systematically.

Saturday, I am going to run a half marathon. Actually, I will walk a half marathon, or I will walk fast or run slow, however you want to describe it, my kids call it the Duke shuffle. While engaged in this intense physical activity that will last for three hours, I will work at controlling my breathing. I don’t want to get to panting uncontrollably, but to breathe regularly and systematically to maximize my muscles’ oxygen supply.

“Panting uncontrollably” sounds like many people’s lifestyles that I know. It isn’t an enjoyable way to live. It isn’t an effective way to get many things done that matter. It isn’t a lifestyle that results in healthy relationships. Hectic is a good word to describe it.

Controlled living starts with putting in events you do every day so that everything else goes around them; they give life stability. The two to start with are Bible reading and prayer. It is amazing how those two disciplines done every day make breathing regularly so much easier.

When Patty and I had our 50th wedding anniversary, we had a celebration designed by our kids to honor us; it was a special time for us, and our family. What would you do if you were in charge of a celebration event to honor someone very important in your life, in fact, the most important person in your life? What would you include? How would you orchestrate details and events so that it was the best celebration ever?

Today, at Jefferson Baptist Church, we had such a celebration. Its purpose was to honor Jesus Christ, who emptied Himself of all that He was as God, became human, lived a perfect life, died on a cross to pay for our sins, and rose from the dead, all for us, so that we could live with Him forever. How do you design a celebration worthy of such a person, of such an accomplishment.?

The perfect celebration will be when we all are in heaven with Jesus, worshiping Him in our glorified bodies. But today was an amazing celebration as well, and I am confident that Jesus felt honored and pleased with it all: the special music, the Congregational singing, the testimonies, the baptisms, the preaching of the gospel, the teaching of the kids, and the fellowship before and after.

It is interesting how, when you are part of such an event, you get caught up in the joy of it all and are incredibly blessed. A Biblical principle is that when we honor God, He honors us, and when we give Him joy, He gives us joy. What a grand celebration it was, a unique and beautiful day.

The event was a wonderful display of the church functioning as the “Body of Christ.” Last week, hundreds of people gave time to pray for our Easter celebration for five days; we had over 2,000 hours of corporate prayer. This week, people cleaned, mowed lawns, spread bark dust, practiced songs, wrote testimonies and sermons, tested sound equipment, typed and folded bulletins, and invited family and friends to attend. Today, people directed parking, greeted and welcomed, ushered, did puppets for kids, taught kids, sang, ran the sound, shared, and preached. It was all done with energy, joy, and enthusiasm because of the one we were honoring. The entire display of unity, love, and sacrifice was incredible, and I feel blessed to have been a part of it.

I saw a buzzard today. My Dad used to say that the day you saw the first buzzard was the first day of Spring. My Mom would say when the daffodils bloomed. Patty saw her first garage sale today, making it officially Spring.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:32-33 When the fig tree has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that Jesus is near, right at the door.

It seems that world events are accelerating towards the day Jesus returns. I anxiously await that day, and every morning, I pray, “Please come today, Lord, today!”

Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Those eagerly looking for the Lord Jesus live with anticipation, faith, joy, and hope. They are people who don’t fret much about problems in life; they are quick to share the gospel with others; they forgive easily and quickly, laugh a lot, and enjoy life, though they are anxious for it to be over.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory,

I can’t wait!

We all go through stages in life. I was in the first grade once. I graduated from the Eighth grade, then I graduated from High School, then I graduated from college, then I graduated from Graduate School, and then I got a Doctorate. I once was a single guy, then I got married, then we had kids, and now we have grandkids, and one of these days, I will be a great-grandpa.

I have been a pastor for 48 years, all in one church. We started with 20 people meeting in a public school gym. Now, we have 1,500 people who call JBC their home church and 50,000 square feet of buildings worth millions of dollars. My role is changing. I don’t preach much; Pastor Mike Dedera does most of that now.

I was in the audience tonight at our “Good Friday” service, listening to pastor Mike preaching and thinking that I used to be up there teaching God’s Word to people, but now here I sit.

As I change and graduate in life, as it were, I want to do more, not less, at least to have more impact for God. I am trying to make writing my new ministry. It is a noble method of communicating the truth of God’s Word; the entire Bible is a testament to that. I aim to write ten books in the next ten years of my life. But I think that this blog has incredible potential to be the most significant ministry of my life. I would like it to expand all over the world. I am praying every time I write that God will anoint my writing and that He will cause the number of people who read it to grow. It is just like when I started pastoring; I prayed fervently that God would anoint my preaching and that Jefferson Baptist Church would grow and grow. I prayed hard, trusted and followed the Lord, and I worked like a dog.

Now, I am a tired old man, but it doesn’t take much energy to write, at least not physical energy. My mind is still sharp, and I can move my fingers. When I was the preacher at JBC, every year on the Sunday after my birthday, I would preach the same sermon, year after year after year. The sermon’s message was to pray for me, and I will become a good preacher, and you will grow spiritually as a result. I believe, looking back over the last 48 years, that preaching that sermon over and over was the most critical thing I did.

It isn’t close to my birthday, but as I pursue this new chapter in my life, I would like to ask you to help me by praying for me every time you read one of my blogs that God would anoint my writing, that His Word would be magnified and spread through my writing and that it would spread to many new readers. You can help that by sharing my blog with your friends.