What makes you feel better during hard times?  Is it the hope that things will eventually improve within a set period of time?  Does the hope of restoring what you have lost help you feel comforted?  When someone loses a job, one of the common things said to bring solace is: ‘You will find more work somewhere else.’  When an individual loses a competition, it is often said ‘There is always next time’ to help keep their spirits up.

            But, what if there was no hope of any of the material losses of this life ever being restored?  What if there was not another job for the man who has become unemployed?  What if there were no more competitions to enter to try to win?  What if there were no more chances to have another child after a couple lost their only one?  What if there were no more treatments available for the cancer patient?  Would we still have a message of comfort and hope to offer? 

            Daniel found himself in a time of great loss.  His homeland was destroyed.  His chance of ever becoming a father was taken away from him.  He would never marry, and his name was changed to honor a god other than the Lord Almighty.  He would not enjoy family reunions, and leisurely evenings in Jerusalem the way he once did.  All the motivational feel-good messages one could have offered were stripped of their power because they would not be based on reality – at least in Daniel’s circumstances.  Yet, he still had the confidence in God to remain loyal and true (Daniel 1:8).  Daniel was exalted to great positions of influence in an unholy land because of God’s care (Daniel 2).  Even in his senior years, Daniel had the courage to keep worshipping God though he never enjoyed what we call “The American dream” (Daniel 6).

            What did Daniel still have that could motivate him to keep going despite such tremendous loss and heartache?  Daniel still walked with the Lord!  The Lord cares for His people, but He does not always provide the same things.  Job had things restored doubly.  Joseph enjoyed a great family reunion.  Yet, Daniel did not have the same end in his story.  Even though his life was different than Job’s and Joseph’s, Daniel still found joy in the Lord.

            Some of our deepest longings are: to have a family; have a good, secure job in order to pay the bills;  to succeed in things for which we have worked diligently; to be able to care and protect our families; and to live a long, healthy life.  These are very noble desires and dreams.  But, they do not always come true for everyone.  For all of us, there should be a longing deeper than all of these: the desire to walk with the Lord.  We can lose all the rest, and still be able to walk with the Heavenly Father.  David wrote, “Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8a, NIV).”  Having the Lord is what brought Daniel comfort and hope.  Even though he lost much, he never lost His relationship with God.  When times are good or bad, what brings you joy, comfort, and hope?  I pray that in all you enjoy, treasure, and prize, you value walking with the Lord the most.  Having God with us is the blessing that trumps all others (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Here is a link of organizations accepting donations to help with relief work in Haiti:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34835478/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/

Thousands of lives are feared lost in this already poverty-stricken nation.  Many souls will never be the same again.  Please pray for the victims.  Also, please pray for the hearts and hands with the abilities to give. 

According to Unicef, only 46% had access to clean water before the earthquake.

Last night, many were sleeping on the streets in the rain.

            I am in awe of the faith of Noah, Abraham, and Moses.  I know that they were not sinless men, but they demonstrated an outstanding life of faith.  We cannot read Hebrews 11 without being made aware of their extraordinary lives serving God.

            When my obituary is read, I doubt anyone will read of me building an ark to save my family from a worldwide flood.  As a matter of fact, I am sure you will not read of another world-wide flood (Gen 9:11).    I am positive you will not read that I fathered a child when I was 99 years old due to faith in God’s plan.  It is also a safe bet that I will not lead God’s people through a parted Red sea. 

            But, I want a faith that matters.  I want a faith that is as precious in the eyes of my Lord as the faith of Noah, Abraham, and Moses.  I want a faith that will be rewarded by my Lord on the Judgment Day (Heb 11:6).  Is it possible that I can ever have a faith so powerful that it does not escape the attention of my Lord?

            The apostle Peter wrote as if we can possess that kind of faith.  When he wrote his second inspired epistle, he noted that his audience had “a faith of equal standing with ours” (2 Pet 1:1, ESV).  Peter believed their faith was going to appear just as precious as his in the eyes of the Lord.  No matter how short or long they had been a Christian did not make a difference.  What mattered was their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Rom 10:9-10; Mark 16:15-16; Gal 3:26-27). 

            I need to remember that my faith matters to God even though I am not Noah, Abraham, or Moses.  My faith matters to God even though I may not ever perform the same works of such magnitude as these great men of faith.   Peter makes it evident that my faith will be of equal standing as theirs is before God.  I may not have the same resume as Abraham on the Judgment Day, but it will be okay with me as long as I have the faith.

I remember seeing a lot of very angry people on television at the tea parties.  As I listened to people interviewed, several expressed their outrage that the money they have spent years working so hard for could be easily taken (taxed) away by the government so easily.  As I listened to the criticisms, I also saw the Hitler pictures on protest signs, as well as the Nazi swastika on others.  Many were hurt that the fruit of their sweat and tears could be taxed away so easily.  I can appreciate that sentiment. 

          Thankfully, Christians have greater riches than anything that can be taxed.  Christians have something better so they do not have to be consumed with anger and outrage.  Notice the Christians’ attitudes in the first century when their belongings were plundered simply because they were Christians: “Recall the former days when you were enlightened…you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.  Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward (Heb 10:32, 34-35, ESV).”  They were robbed by their enemies because they were Christians.  Yet, the Hebrews writer said they joyfully accepted it.  How on earth could they feel that way?  Did they not work hard for what their homes and clothes?  Did they not have stolen the things they could have used to help the poor, hungry, and destitute?  How could they joyfully accept it?

          Anger and outrage did not fill their spirits because they still had Jesus.  No matter what anyone takes, they can never take away Jesus!  When we have Jesus, He can work things out in ways better than we can imagine – if we trust Him.  That is why Paul warned the Christians “do not throw away your confidence (v35).”  This is why Paul told Timothy to warn the rich in this world “not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share (1 Tim 6:17-18).” 

          God knows what we can do with our money.  Without God, we would never have the ability to earn it.  God also knows His power, and How He can work things out for His glory (Rom 8:28).  In warning the rich not to trust their riches, Paul instructed them to be generous and ready to share.  Someone might say that to be able to do that, we need money.  Therefore, we need to fight for it.  If you ever hear someone say that, have them consider who Jesus named as the treasurer of the finances during His ministry.  John revealed that Judas “helped himself to what was put into it (John 12:6).”  If anyone knew that the money Judas was stealing could be used to help the poor, it was Jesus.  Yet, Jesus knew he had a greater source of help than the money bag.

          This world will be gone in a blink of an eye one day.  This will be done by the power of God.  The Lord has given us a work to do.  He does not want us distracted with keeping what we have.  We work so we can give (Eph 4:28).  The Lord has promised to give us all we need for His work (Phil 4:19).  Jesus is our confidence.  If Jesus is our life (Col 3:4), He will never be taken away.  Then, we can joyfully accept whatever the enemy brings our way.

If you have Twitter, I recommend following     @hardlynormal

Check out http://hardlynormal.com/blog

www.inviviblepeople.tv

I promise, the sites are raw and honest.  We never want our abundance to become walls to blind us from the needs placed before our door (Luke 16:19-31).  I think one of the best ways to help make us more aware of these things, and how to help, is to follow tweets like @hardlynormal and to read his blogs. 

 As a Christian, they really help me.  I struggle with being blind, and neglecting what I can do.  I fight this disease, and I praise God for resources like this that help me see.

One thing I have begged her to do is make a donation to www.worldvisiongifts.org

If she does that remains to be seen.  Poor Tabbetha, she had to marry some oddball man.

I have heard people talk about ‘nutty, hippie’ relatives that suggest these kinds of corny gift ideas.   For some reason, a piece of paper informing a loved one that someone was helped in their name is not that satisfying at the holidays – even if it is wrapped with a nice bow!

Is the gift giving always about the other person, or is it partially about pride?  Can we be so afraid of what others might think that we buy ‘impressive’ gifts to avoid talk behind out back?  I mean, how many of us want to be known as the relative that nobody wants drawing their name for a gift exchange?  I can understand and appreciate that.  I would be hurt by that kind of talk.

But, I am thrilled by the life money can provide as opposed as a present that may collect dust until the next big yard sale.

I do not want to come off holier than thou or some kind of saint.  I am materialistic.  I love my Directv and TiVo, iphone, laptop, coffee, and comics.  I am sure there are a lot of things that could be bought that would consume more of my time in enjoyment.  However, knowing what money can provide for entire families through a reputable organization…………….well, I really, really want them to have it. 

If you are looking to give gifts that are a little different, please check out www.worldvisiongifts.org

You may be amazed by what how much your money can actually do for others.  Make sure to check out the great links they have on the left side of the page.

Also, www.thehondurasproject.org is another great site featuring a work doing a lot of good.

 They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things.

This also is vanity.

 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 

 Though as sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE WELL WITH THOSE WHO FEAR GOD, because they fear before Him.

But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

 Ecclesiastes 8:10-13, ESV

 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,

WHY DO YOU IDLY LOOK AT TRAITORS AND REMAIN SILENT when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

 Habakkuk 1:13, ESV

 …I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster!

 Jonah 4:2

 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,

 not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 2 Peter 3:9

 I am proud that this is the God I am allowed to serve.

One of my favorite songs by Shania Twain is “Ka Ching”.

It is very well written, and would make a great sermon just being read aloud.  The video and lyrics follow — enjoy!  Oh, and be careful on Black Friday!

“Ka-Ching”

We live in a greedy little world–
that teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly–
then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We’ve created us a credit card mess
We spend the money that we don’t possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So it’s shoppin’ every Sunday at the mall

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Chorus:]
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
It’s such a beautiful thing–Ka-ching!
Lots of diamond rings
The happiness it brings
You’ll live like a king
With lots of money and things

When you’re broke go and get a loan
Take out another mortgage on your home
Consolidate so you can afford
To go and spend some more when
you get bored

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Repeat Chorus]

Let’s swing
Dig deeper in your pocket
Oh, yeah, ha
Come on I know you’ve got it
Dig deeper in your wallet
Oh

All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store

[Repeat Chorus]

Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
You’ll live like a king
With lots of money and things
Ka-ching!