You can do this! It’s Monday morning and you’ve got this. No matter what is ahead for today, God has equipped you with all you need to face this day. It doesn’t mean it will be easy. It doesn’t mean there won’t be stumbles. But what it does mean is you are not alone. There will be hints of joy that spring up throughout your day. There will be moments of unexpected peace that overflow in your life when you didn’t think possible. There will be encounters of love where you either receive or give God’s love. This is not a bad day, this is one more beautiful day we are given to celebrate and to live. We have life and breath and we are given the opportunity to embody this.
Today is not the day to dread or fear. You may be facing test or procedures. You may have deadlines that loom overhead. You have may have appointments you dread or places you would rather not be. Your job may not be your favorite. But these things do not determine your day, you do. You have the option of looking for the good (it really is there). You have the option to see the kindness (it may just be you that is the kindness). You have an opportunity to experience the goodness like never before. But it won’t start with you dreading this day – or any day, for that matter.
I don’t know what you are facing today, so I am not trying to downplay the difficulties. I do know many are suffering. I get it. But most every day (if not all) will have some real challenges. Most days will come with their own heartache and pain. So you have an option. Live focused on these things. Or you can find the good – the joy, the peace, the love, the kindness. I know good is ahead – I’m hunting for that. I hope to see you on the journey.
Focus Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 5:18a
18 This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
We think we know. We may even feel confident in it. We label people because of what we see on the outside. Lazy, hopeless, dumb, helpless are just a few. It goes the other way too – rich, successful, intelligent, wise. We define people by the things we see. But we don’t know. We don’t know what goes on in their homes. We don’t know what they are struggling with in their lives. We don’t know the hurt or frustration or anger bubbling up under the surface. We don’t understand how their past has haunted or shaped them. We don’t know they lash out because they are so wounded inside. We don’t know that it appears they are wealthy but in reality they could lose it all in the blink of an eye. We don’t know they suffer from insecurity or they are held back by the despair that overwhelms them. All we know is what we see and that isn’t very much.
Yet, we find ourselves quick to make judgments. We can easily decide the character of people without actually getting to know them. We can lump people together in a big group so we can avoid all of them or identify with all of them. Yet, we don’t know. My Dad often told me – everyone puts on their pants the same way. In other words, we are not as different as we want to pretend we are. We are humans. We are made in the image of God. We are loved by an incredible God who sees us and knows us and still loves us. He doesn’t care about our outward show. He cares about our heart. Yet, we often don’t get to know people enough to know anything about their heart. We just want to make decisions based on what we see. We don’t know.
Since we don’t know, be kind. It is simple. It really is one of the most powerful things we can do and doesn’t take much effort. But since we don’t know, don’t make judgments – just be kind. Kindness reaches across barriers. Kindness opens doors. Kindness encourages community. Kindness opens arms.
Since we don’t know – just be kind.
Focus Scripture:
Galatians 5:22-23
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Did I miss something? Was I asleep when it happened? Where was I when the switch flipped? I certainly can’t put my finger on it. But somewhere along the way, hatred, meanness and anger became the norm in our lives. At some point, we became an angry people who were willing to blast anyone who doesn’t agree with us. It didn’t matter if feelings were hurt. It wasn’t a factor if they were neighbors, friends or fellow believers. It didn’t matter if we had eaten at their table or been invited to their homes. The only thing that matters is our opinion and anyone outside of this should be taken down – and taken down with pride.
When did it happen that name calling, belittling, and bullying became a part of an adult rhetoric? When did we start cheering for those who had hateful things to say as long as it was something we agreed with? When did kindness become the exception and domination become the rule? When did we start condemning people because they don’t agree with us? How did this happen?
We cannot grow like this. We cannot move forward like this. This cannot become our new normal. It can never become okay to beat someone down with our words because they don’t agree with us. In a world where people should be valued, we are slashing that value in an effort to be right. And nothing good comes from it.
You may be thinking…but this is just a small part of the population. And you may be right. It may be only a few people actually function like this. The problem is these people are the loudest. Their hatred spills out onto our airwaves and integrates into our social media. We are infiltrated with anger. The loudest certainly make us believe that everyone feels like this.
So today, I shout kindness. Today, maybe we begin to turn the tide back. Maybe we start encouraging…and doing it a lot. Maybe we begin reaching deep and loving like never before. Maybe we become very loud about love and let our anger melt. Maybe we shout from the rooftops how grateful we are. Maybe we give it all we have to love all we see. Maybe it begins with us. Hatred cannot win. Love must be the answer.
May our kindness and our love flow powerfully through and from us. May its streams cover the anger. May its power overtake the hatred. May it bring life and hope.
Focus Scripture:
Job 6:14
14 Those who withholdkindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
I can’t count the number of times I have ended a day thinking about the things I should not have said. It isn’t that I was being purposefully mean or angry. It also isn’t that I seek to hurt someone else, ever. It is more that my instant response is not always my best response. I often will have more insightful and kind things to say if I will just take a moment before responding. This also helps me to be more careful with my tone when I respond. Sometimes my response is fine, it is the way that I say it (maybe the eye roll doesn’t help when it accompanies the words). If you don’t believe me, ask my wife, children, close friends or co-workers. I truly have a heart for kindness and love, but I am also abrupt and a straight shooter. So it just comes out better if I consider my words carefully. And I also do my best to ask for forgiveness when I realize my response was taken in way that wasn’t intended.
Why does this matter? For me, it matters because when things are super intense, most, if not all of us tend to say things we should have left unsaid. We have a tendency to respond with anger or fear. Those words hurt. Those words cause damage. With the amount of divisiveness that we encounter in a day, we can end up saying things to those we truly love that we actually don’t mean if we dig real deep. It is more that we are reacting to what has been said or what is on our mind. I try to tell my kids – sometimes people respond with such anger not because of anything you have said or done – but because of something else they are dealing with. It all compounds and eventually somebody ends up getting an earful that really doesn’t deserve it.
What’s said is said and what’s done is done – so the saying goes. But I disagree. Sure, the words are out there. Damage has been done. But there is such a thing as forgiveness and grace. There is still mercy and love. There is still time to find the humility that is required as someone who follows Christ. There is still an opportunity for repair – even if it is a minor repair on a total destructive job. Minor repairs mean something.
Today, may our thoughts be according to the outline from our focus scripture. May our hearts be eased and our minds be freed of our anger. May our words find ways to heal and build, not destroy. May we find a way to speak kindness in an otherwise harsh world. May it begin with me.
Focus Scripture:
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
Here we are again…the day after an election with a narrow gap between two candidates for President. It is a place we are all too familiar. This is not new for us. It is definitely a sign of where we are as a people – split right down the middle. Divisiveness never seems to turn out well. If we could be divided on a candidate but still come together as a united people, this would be fine. But if we are honest, this isn’t happening. It didn’t happen last time and it is unlikely to happen again. I wrote a blog on this day after the election 4 years ago as this same scenario was playing out (copied below). It seems just as important today as it did then. But I share this with a bit less hope than I had then. Christians have continued to cast stones in an effort to show “the right way” (beat it into them if they won’t listen??). Those of us who claim the way of Christ have often shown anything but love for anyone who thinks, votes, or believes differently. And it just cannot continue.
So I am up early this morning with concern. It isn’t over who will actually win the election (although we all want our candidate to win). It isn’t over the future of our country. I am up early this morning concerned about those of us who love Jesus. Since the vote is split in the middle, this means those of faith are also split. Essentially, you are likely sitting on the same pew or in the same place of worship or the same park bench with someone who did not vote like you. We have friends and family members who did not vote the same. We have coworkers who are divided on their vote. And if we claim the Christian faith, we must find a way forward together. There has been damage – words have been said and actions have been shown – and all too many were really ugly. But Jesus’ love is the great repairer.
Repairing does not mean changing everyone to be like me. Repairing means we change to become more like Christ – and neither political party or candidate is Christ. You can be on both sides of the spectrum and still love Jesus. One more time…YOU CAN BE ON BOTH SIDES OF A POLITICAL SPECTRUM AND STILL LOVE JESUS. So I still believe the only way forward is to put down our stones and work together to share the love of Christ. We cannot cast stones and show love at the same time. And the Gospel of John reads that Jesus believed the one without sin was the only with the ability to cast a stone. That means there won’t be any stone casting from anyone who follows him – there simply can’t be.
So, one more time – let’s drop our stones and find healing in the love of Jesus Christ. Christians, let’s lead the way – not in contempt or bullying – but in love. This is the only way.
Put Down Your Stone…A Call to Christians (published November 9, 2016)
It is the day after the Presidential Election. We are a nation divided. The narrow victory certainly tells many stories about how our country feels. There has been so much divisiveness and dissension. It has been a time of turmoil as we have watched candidates debate, argue, and even fist fight. With such a narrow victory, the next president certainly has his work cut out for him to unite this country. That is all stating the obvious.
What is also obvious is the underlying current of hate and anger that has been simmering and occasionally spewing to the top. There has been name calling and people made to feel belittled for supporting one candidate or the other. There have been phrases like…if you vote for ____, then you are just stupid (or an idiot or whatever other negative connotation you can come up with). Phrases like…you can’t possibly be a Christian and vote for _____. Or, who in their right mind would vote for _____. Honestly, it has felt more like being on the playground in middle school than being adults “debating” the issues for the future of our country. It definitely is a sign that many Americans lack the basic skill of effective communication and instead, lean towards bullying and fear mongering.
The most disheartening of it all for me is that much of this hate, anger, belittling, and casting of fear has come from my Christian brothers and sisters. On social media, on the TV, in ads, and in person, one cannot tell if a person is a Christian or not by actions or by their love. I have heard just as many negative comments and hateful spewing from Christians as from anyone else. And since Jesus wasn’t running (or anyone who even resembles his actions or values), there should not have been a “Christian vote.” Since the vote was nearly 50/50, that would suggest that there are Christians who love the Lord with all their heart on BOTH sides. What a concept. It has been difficult to see the love of Christ show up in anything that has been done over the last few months. Apparently when the heat is turned up, Christians don’t seem to react any different than anyone else…and that is painful and sad.
So, the election is over (and we all say a collective THANK GOD). But damage has been done. Christians, it is time for us to drop the stones that we have been casting and find unity. We must find a way to come together as God’s people to do God’s work REGARDLESS of who is president or whether or not we voted for him. For me, it starts with humility, looking to Christ as my guide. We must seek forgiveness, both from God for the way we have acted, and from our neighbors for the stones that have been cast. We must turn our hearts and minds to Christ and to LOVING OTHERS. We cannot join hands in this world while holding stones. We cannot offer a helping hand or help a brother or sister up while carrying the stones. We cannot be the hands and feet of Christ while burdened down with our anger and fear and hatred. We have to drop it all in surrender to the ONE that can bring us together. Regardless of whether or not this country unites, Christians are called to be different, to act different, and to love different.
Brothers and Sisters, may we drop our stones today seeking forgiveness, joining hands with our neighbors in love and unity, and moving forward doing the work of Christ. If you are looking for a change in this country…this is where it really begins…
We live in the land of isms. We swim in their waters. We feast at their table. They become so integrated in us we forget they even exist. They shape our thoughts and guide our actions. Yet, they are utterly destructive – beginning in small ways and eventually consuming the whole person. They seem harmless enough in certain places. But they never stay where you think they do. They sneak into your core. And they live in all of us.
As we approach this election day – one more time – I am a bit distraught. It isn’t that I am worried about the outcome. It isn’t that I worry about the events to follow. I am worried about all I have seen and experienced over the last few months. The level of hatred, fighting, bullying and blatant cruelty has escalated beyond what I could have imagined. And every single one of those isms have shown their ugly faces in the people we see each day. They are evident in those we love so much. These isms have shown up at home, work, the grocery store and yes, even (and maybe even especially) church. You know them because you have experienced them. The isms of racism, sexism, homophobia, and the like are swarming like a pack of wolves waiting to destroy. They show up in our posts on social media. They ride with us in our cars. They are evident in our speech and our attitude. All are fueled by hatred and fear. And none of them have a place in God’s kingdom.
I found myself excited that the election would soon be over and hopefully things would return to some sort of calmness and maybe even some kindness. But then I realized that the isms don’t actually go away, they just become hidden again. What has actually been happening is that the isms living in us have become evident because of the actions and events around us. But they have always been there. It isn’t like people have become racist, sexist, homophobic, and just plain full of hatred all of a sudden. This stems from something deep within and only evidences itself when there are others willing to let their isms show too. Then a group forms and people feel free to let their isms fly. And before we know it, our social media feeds are full of it – and so are our lives. So what happens now? Do people just put them away again? Do we just ignore the fact that racist, hateful, and destructive comments and actions have taken place? Do we pretend like this hasn’t been ugly and putrid? Do we forget that the isms are housed so close to us? Do we go about our day ignoring our own isms?
I have always tried to remind people (and myself) that we cannot change anyone else. We cannot force someone else to get rid of the isms that are eating them alive. We cannot beat it out of them or even shame them. So what do we do? We work on ourselves. I work on me, you work on you. We look ourselves in the mirror and check out the isms that haunt us and drive us. We take the time to evaluate our lives and see if racism, sexism, homophobia or the like are burning deep inside us. Hate never should have a place in us, ever. Hatred is not okay in any situation. And these isms are hate. They drive us to do things that are fueled by hate. They cause us to live in a way which treats others with contempt or disgust. They cause us to not live as we were created.
It begins with us, looking at ourselves. Real change begins when we take the time to see what is driving us. There are isms living in our lives – there just are. What we do about them makes a difference. Will we put them back in their place, in our homes and hearts? Or will we deal with them and allow God’s love to overpower? Will we allow God to change us, one ism at the time? Our hope is found in destroying our own isms. We have some work to do. If you don’t believe, spend some time in the mirror. It will be hard, it will be painful – but it is good. Lord, I want to live ism free.
Focus Scripture:
Proverbs 10:11-12
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
The action is the change. We can be ready all we want. We can have all we need set. But if we don’t go – if we don’t put it all into action – it is worthless. I can read recipes all day long, buy the ingredients, and still not have a cake until I actually cook the recipe. I can buy running shoes, read a running magazine, and get dressed to go run. But if I don’t actually get out and run, it means nothing. The results come from the actions. Preparation is good and necessary. But in the end, preparation is useless without action. And so it is with love.
How many times do we need to read the words of Jesus before we actually live the words of Jesus? I’m not talking about a daily reading to refresh our minds and renew our spirits. I am talking about implementing what we are actually taught. Jesus teaches so many important lessons he meant for us to follow, not just read. I have always heard it was an instruction book for life. But most of us use it like we use other instruction books. We get just enough out of it to do the minimum but never actually read the instructions with the intent of following it all. It is more like a suggestion book to way too many of us.
Jesus taught over and over and over again that the primary way to live was to love God and to love others. Knowing that we would want to turn it into what we wanted it to be, Jesus then lived out what he taught. He didn’t just leave it hanging there. It wasn’t a teaching we were to figure out as we go. He gave clear instructions and then a complete 3 year demonstration. And yet, here we are. We can still find ourselves better at judgment than love. We can still focus more on exclusion than love. We can still be in a place of hatred, bullying and anger rather than love. In other words, we are fine reading the words, but we aren’t actually planning on putting them into action. Yet, this isn’t the intention.
When Jesus said that we were to love God and to love others, he meant it. And when Paul wrote to the messed up church in Corinth about how they cannot live without love, he meant it. And it is still the lesson. And it is still our greatest command. And it is still how we are called to live. The question becomes…will we actually live what we are taught or just sit around hitting others over the head with the instruction manual?
Focus Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
It can be difficult to spend time with those we love – even though we want to. There are so many obligations (and why do they seem to grow exponentially?). There are things we have put off. There is the list of things that will fall apart if we don’t get to them soon. There is always something to do. And somewhere in there, we are to make time for ourselves, exercise and rest. In the middle of raising kids and working, couples can easily lose sight of spending time together. It is easy to do.
Last night, Wendy was getting prepared to cook dinner. What she had planned wasn’t going to work out (rotten potatoes can be a problem if they are a feature in your dish – just sayin’). She was trying to decide what to do next when I suggested we just go pick something up. In the times of social distancing and all, neither of us wanted to go out to eat (it could also be we were in our ‘Saturday’ clothes and who really wants to get out of those?). What to do? She called in an order from one of our favorite restaurants and we went together to pick it up. We brought it back home and ate it at our own table – in our Saturday clothes. And it was good. Actually, it was better than good. We spent time together in the car and had a chance to eat together. To top it off, Leo got to be part of our date night – which always makes him happy. It was a different way of spending time together, but one I really enjoyed.
It made me wonder if we are just not considering how I can spend time with God that is outside of our normal thinking. When I get up, I am mostly full blast until I lay my head back on my pillow. God is a priority for me. I certainly haven’t forgotten him. He is a part of my decisions and a guide in my life (and sometimes I listen to him). I will often talk to him on my morning run/walks. By the way, if you see me walking down the road talking to myself, keep your opinions to yourself – I may be talking to God or I actually might be talking to myself. I talk with God on my morning commute. I try to hear him in the quiet moments before the day becomes hectic. And though I often miss his voice in the chaos, I really do want to hear him. So I am seeking even more ways to spend time with God throughout my day. Date nights with Wendy that includes Leo and more time with God – sounds like a good combination to me.
May you find God in your daily walk – and may he remind you how much you are loved.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 57:7-8
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
One more time, I had to learn a lesson. It wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t what I had hoped for. But here I was and it wasn’t changing. So with a huge sigh and a reluctant pace, I slipped on my shoes and headed out the door.
I had slept in an extra hour this morning. I don’t know what I was thinking but I just knew that meant it would be light outside. I wouldn’t have to carry the flashlight. I could change the gear to bright gear rather than just reflective for night time. I got up, put on my running clothes, and found myself a bit giddy about it all. Then I walked in the living room and there it was – the darkness. I looked out my window and noticed that apparently I had no idea when the sun actually did rise (not that it matters since we are getting ready to have another time change – ugh). One more time, I put on my reflective gear, grabbed my flashlight and headed out the door. It wouldn’t stop me, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for.
The beauty of the morning is the moon was full, bright and amazingly wondrous. It wasn’t quite as dark as it seemed with the light of the moon flooding the sleepy earth. So there was this positive note waking me. As I was further into my morning run/walk, I noticed the sun was coming up – it was just a slight hue, but it was definitely on its way. It was a gently reminder that the day would begin, just hang on. And then it happened. I looked up and noticed – the moon was big and bright and beautiful on my right. The sun was peeking out with a brilliant orange on my left. I had the best of it all, right outside my home. I wouldn’t have seen the moon and watched a sunrise if I had my way. I was just looking for light. This was more amazing than any light I could have asked. And I got exactly what I needed, not what I asked for.
That seems to be the best way to me. I have in my mind what I want, but I should instead focus on what I have been given. If I lift my head, I might just find that I am enveloped in a sea of goodness. If I put my ideas of how things should be aside, I might see God has made so much better.
What do you need to let go of to see the best around you? Pick your head up – the moon is to your right, the sunrise to your left, and you are stuck in the middle – and that may be just where you need to be. Enjoy the goodness surrounding you today.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 66:1-4
1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.”
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
I decided it would be a good idea to sit on the back patio for breakfast this morning. That always seems to be a great option when the weather cooperates. Most important of all, it gives Leo the opportunity to exercise – chasing bugs, birds and squirrels, of course. All of that is great unless you consider it was still dark. I was up early and enjoying my morning coffee, even catching up on some emails I had missed. Sure, it was dark, but the moon was bright and our neighborhood is always lit up like Christmas. So it’s not like it was actually dark dark – you know, when you say it twice, it is the dark that keeps you from seeing what is right in front of you.
All was going well for a while. Then, something captured Leo’s attention. I saw him sitting by me staring. He is hardly ever still when we are outside. I asked him what he was looking at and he only glanced back at me – but wouldn’t take his eye off whatever for long. Whatever it was finally bothered him enough he began to bark. That means he woke up Gracie (my mom’s dog next door). I don’t think Gracie had a clue, but she decided to bark too – because that’s what Gracie does. And then there was a symphony of barks. I let Leo know he needed to be quiet – he was waking up the whole neighborhood. We ended up having to come inside so he would relax.
What was it? I have no idea. I didn’t see a thing. And if I’m honest, Leo can bark if a tree limb falls. He can also ignore an animal walking by. So I haven’t quite figured out what makes him upset. I can’t always tell what riles him up. I can’t always see what he sees or detect what he detects. I don’t always know what is bothering him.
We meet people all the time that are struggling. They are angry or upset. They are telling someone off or seem to be mad at the whole world. There are people who seem to try to make others upset – to get something started. There are folks that just seem beat down. We tend to make snap judgments. We call them names. We decide they are angry, bitter, hateful people. But we don’t actually see what they see. We don’t have any idea what they are dealing with. We are in the dark as to what they have going on. We have decided based on an outward action what type of person they are. And this isn’t fair. We don’t know what home looks like. We don’t know if they have been laid off from their job or their relationship is abusive. We don’t know if they are dealing with a diagnosis they don’t know what to do with. We don’t know if they are struggling to feed their kids. We don’t know. We simply take what we see in the dark and make assumptions. And we might just miss it all. That’s why it is so important to be kind. That’s why we can’t take the reactions of people at face value. We are not called to judge, we are called to love. And love is what makes the difference, not opinions. May we shine a light of love on someone’s dark situation today. And maybe shine a little light into our own lives, through the amazing love of God.
Focus Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 3:11-12
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 
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