Thursday Thought

Raking the lawn. In March. Not exactly on my bucket list.

But there I was, scooping up twigs, leaves, branches, and pinecones— airborne flotsam from a recent windstorm. Dumping yet another load of yard waste into the trash can, I happened upon a neighbor’s yard.

He and his wife have a perfect lawn, and they’re genuinely nice neighbors. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know them. We’ve prayed for them and even treated them to dinner on a couple of occasions. For years, we’ve been praying that Christ would save them. Yet nothing seems to be happening, despite our efforts. And that’s frustrating.

As I raked up more debris, prickly pinecones poked my hands, while the thought of my neighbors poked my soul. The truth is, it feels like we always initiate almost any kind of conversation. Maybe they merely tolerate us. Maybe they wish we would back off. Perhaps we should. After all, my prayers seem to have about as much value as the riffraff on my lawn.

“It’s just not working, God,” I informed the Almighty. “I guess it’s time to give up.” At that precise moment, this neighbor of mine pulled into his driveway, shouting a greeting in my direction.

I did not walk—I ran over to the guy and shook his hand.

We were talking for less than one minute when my neighbor said, “You know, Jon, we should get together as couples. Maybe dinner or something?”

(And right about there, I felt less than one inch tall, spiritually). Time to confess my unbelief.  

So, what did we learn, class?  It’s easy—shockingly, horribly easy—to sell God short. Resist the temptation. God is on the job—even when we don’t see it.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

—Matthew 7:7,8

Image by Liz W from Pixabay

He was just 29 years old when his experiment paid off. 

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell spoke into a wooden box with a cone-shaped mouthpiece. His voice traveled over a wire to another room, just out of earshot from Thomas Watson, Bell’s assistant. Answering that very first phone call, Thomas heard, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you!”

It all happened 150 years ago—this week.

When He thinks about you and me, pondering our “checklist” approach to prayer, I wonder if God is ever tempted to borrow Alexander Graham Bell’s famous line: “Come here. I want to see you!”

The truth is, He does want to see us, be with us, hear from us. There isn’t the tiniest detail of your life that doesn’t fascinate Him.

So, isn’t prayer supposed to be a conversation built on a relationship?  But what kind of worthwhile conversation is entirely one-sided? Can we really call it a relationship when our “intimacy with God” is as predictable as it is mechanical?

So often, we come to Him with only a list. But what God wants is our love. And love has always been spelled T-I-M-E. What if instead of asking for presents, we gave Him our presence?

I ask you—as I ask myself—when was the last time you came to see your Heavenly Father—just to visit? When did you last talk with Him because you could —not because you “had to.”  How long has it been since, instead of giving Him your shopping list, you gave Him your silence? Or praise. Or song.

Like everyone else, I’m a struggler. But I somehow find it easier to relax and talk with God—as a friend—when I’m out in nature. Choosing to just talk—and listen—becomes so much more natural when I’m deep in the woods. Maybe for you, that happens when you’re listening to praise music, or singing a hymn, or sketching a picture. The important thing is that we find what helps us move from formality to reality, from plastic to organic.

Listen closely. Do you hear something? It might well be the voice of God saying your name, followed by “Come here! I want to see you!”

You’re more impatient than you think you are.

Banking giant Fifth Third has the proof. They commissioned a survey and discovered that nearly 80 percent of respondents rated themselves as being patient, but in reality:

• 96 percent of those surveyed will knowingly consume scorching food or drink that burns their mouth; 63 percent do so frequently.
• More than half hang up the phone after being on hold for 1 minute or less.
• 76 percent regularly drive faster than the speed limit to get to their destinations faster.
• When waiting for a table at a restaurant, nearly a quarter of respondents ages 18-24 wait less than one minute before approaching the host again.

If you’re an impatient person (and most of us are), you’re not looking for another lecture or well-meaning friend to tell you to stop doing what comes naturally. What you need is a burst of something supernatural. And that’s precisely what David offers us in Psalm 27:14.

SOURCE: https://www.dnj.com/story/money/business/2015/02/23/survey-says-patience-longer-reality/23903981/#

It’s the self-talk he needed for the many unresolved conflicts in his life: “Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.”

It feels counterintuitive, doesn’t it? “Just be patient and wait.” Isn’t that what you were told as a kid? Well, your mom and dad were right. After all, you get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it open.

“But isn’t there something I can do?” we ask. Actually, it’s not one thing but two.

After re-committing yourself to waiting, David says we should first “Be strong.” The Hebrew words for “Be strong” here and elsewhere in Scripture direct us to carry out repairs, become mighty, and collect strength.

If you believe the Bible is true, you have to believe that we are engaged in constant spiritual battles—and war always creates damage. Any chance some of your relationships are a bit frayed—damaged even? There’s some repair work that needs to be done.

What about your daily quiet time with God? You say, “I’ve been too busy lately,”—or “I haven’t gotten much out of it.” Time to make some repairs! 

Why not choose to “collect strength” by memorizing this very verse? If you learn it now, you’ll have it for later—when your self-talk foments and shouts at you to “Do something!”  Imagine calmly but forcefully speaking this wisdom to the screaming doubts that assail you. That’s what it means to “let your heart take courage!

For whatever reason, it’s much more helpful for me to say this verse out loud than to just read it silently. It’s like I’m verbally opposing the negative self-talk coursing through my brain. And so we must!

Fredrick William Faber says, “We must wait for God, long, meekly, in the wind and wet, in the thunder and lightning, in the cold and the dark. Wait, and he will come. He never comes to those who do not wait.”

Why not give it a try?

Next time your first instinct is to ram ahead and “do something,” reach for Psalm 27:14. Don’t hate to wait! Instead, be strong and let your heart take courage by waiting on the Lord.

Today’s blog is a sample from Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms. Let this resource help you replace negative self-talk with Scripture.

Have you noticed the trend toward snazzier, jacked-up weather words? This week, we were told a “bomb cyclone” hit New York City with the most snow it’s had in more than five years.

Not to minimize the troubles of our East Coast brothers and sisters, but think about it. We’re only talking five years here, not ten or twenty or fifty. Nevertheless, we were informed—with utter certainty—this (snow storm) was a “bomb cyclone.”

In 2019, experts labeled the extreme cold we experienced in the Midwest a “Polar Vortex.” But in decades past, we simply called this a “cold snap.”

In the emerging world of weird weather words, you’ll also encounter reports of a “Flash drought” or “Heatpocalypse.” Other relative newcomers include “Firenado,” “Derecho,” or “Heat Dome.”

While it’s true that today’s meteorologists have a larger suite of tools and a more refined capacity to analyze and label data, it’s tough to deny the penchant for newer, glitzier terms.

But there’s a problem with using inflated language. When we inject common words with the steroid of excess, a predictable addiction is sure to follow. Eventually, these hyped-up terms are no longer sufficiently hyped. And the language junkies of our culture will require something weirder and wilder.

Unsurprisingly, the Word of God has something to say about inflated speech. In Matthew 5:37, Jesus warned, “But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”

Maybe it’s time we did a self-assessment of our speech patterns. Are we guilty of exaggeration, manipulation or inflation? Do we inject oversized adjectives and adverbs in our conversations to create emotional responses that outscale the truth?

Hear Jesus again: “Make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.”

Honest words may not be snazzy, but there’s something remarkably refreshing about them in an age of linguistic distortion: truth.

Dear Noah—

What happened?

In reading about your ark experience, it says of you:

• That you “walked with God.”
• That you were “a righteous man.”
• That you “did all the Lord commanded” you.

Amazing!

I’m humbled by the long track record of your complete obedience and in awe of your guts and grit in building that ark. Such a long track record of good and godly faithfulness—and all of it lived in full view of your three sons and their wives.

After spending nearly a year in that ark enjoying God’s supernatural protection and provision, Noah, you got drunk and behaved badly. For whatever reason, your son Ham made light of your foolish (and naked) state, which is a story of its own.

Yet my concern is not so much about what Ham did, but about what you did. What happened that you let down your guard? Why allow this stain on your character?

Please understand that I’m in no position to judge. I wouldn’t want my sins recorded in a book for all to read, either. It’s just that you were doing so well.

I see a lesson here:

Great men with a great record of righteous obedience are yet capable of a great fall. So, take great care of your soul, great care of your heart, and great care of your actions.

That’s it for now, Noah. I’m going to talk with God.

O, Lord,

I am warned by Noah.

A great accomplishment for God in the past does not negate or even minimize my capacity for failure in the future. Truly, I must be sober, vigilant.

O God, help me in the guarding of my endlessly wayward soul.

Amen!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

Pixabay Image by joseweslley899

Have you heard about the trouble they’re having at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics?

A Wall Street Journal headline says it best: “The Olympics have just begun. Olympic medals are already falling apart.”

Apparently, the ribbons are not staying fastened to the medals, and several have fallen off. As of the writing of this blog, at least six Olympians have had their medals break—and some of those during the actual medal award ceremony!

Olympic organizers are said to be investigating with “maximum attention.” You don’t say.

But fragile rewards are hardly an isolated problem in the sports world.

Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar accidentally broke his third-place trophy during celebrations at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. According to observers, he accidentally snapped the handmade Delft Blue trophy during team photos. Thankfully, the award was replaced.

Then there’s Vice President JD Vance, who ended the Ohio State football team’s visit to the White House by fumbling the team’s national championship trophy. He didn’t realize the trophy’s golden top was designed to separate from the base, and the Vice President ultimately lost his grip on both.

Back to that problem with the Olympic medals. Imagine investing years of drive, dedication, and discipline to get to the Olympics. Imagine the surge of adrenaline at winning—only to watch your medal jangle down to the floor. Isn’t that just about the ultimate disappointment?

Actually, it’s not. A far greater disappointment awaits believers who get so thoroughly sucked up into this world that they don’t “compete” for the rewards of the world to come. So, we end up in heaven with little or nothing to show for our time here on earth. No return on the talents Christ has loaned us.

Unlike those flimsy Olympic medals, heavenly rewards, we’re assured, are beyond breakage. Shouldn’t this truth sober us, motivate us? Like those Olympic organizers, it’s time you and I investigate our souls with “maximum attention.”

“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

1 Corinthians 9:25

Image by kalhh from Pixabay

Discounts are the secret sauce in retail marketing. But there’s such a thing as asking for too much, as I was unexpectedly reminded the other day.

Nine-year old Ava enjoys imitating her mom, who answers phones for a garage door service company. Because I love messing with the grandkids, I decided to “join” Ava for one of her pretend phone calls.

“Thanks for calling the garage door service company,” Ava chirps. “How may I help you?”

“My garage door is broken,” I growl in a cranky voice. “And I need you guys to come fix it.”

“We’re happy to help, sir,” offers the affable Ava. “Is this an emergency call or can it wait until tomorrow?

“It’s an emergency!” I insist. “But I don’t want to pay more than ten dollars to get it fixed!”

The unfazed Ava replies courteously, “Well, sir, this is a garage door company—not a Dollar Tree.” Meaning, my discount request is not merely inappropriate, it’s ridiculous.

When you think about it, it’s amazing how many who call themselves Christ-followers want an equally inappropriate discount on their faith journey.

We punch in and punch out for Sunday (or Saturday night) church service. We crack open the Bible once in a while…pray a few minutes most days—and declare this discounted lifestyle as an acceptable faith. Truthfully, we prefer a Christianity that resembles our favorite hotel bed: warm, fluffy, and restful—at a price that’s deeply discounted.

But authentic Christianity doesn’t offer any discounts. Jesus has always expected us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. He seeks whole-hearted, full-time followers, not part-time praisers.

Jesus paid the price in full. Which means there is nothing cheap about real Christianity.

Let’s be reminded: there is no such thing as a crown without a cross.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

-Romans 12:1

Photo by Alberto Bigoni on Unsplash

Do you have too many clothes?

I do. Shirts, more than pants.

So, several years ago, we undertook an inventory. I yanked every T-shirt, dress shirt, work shirt (and other shirts) off the racks and shelves. We even hauled stuff down from the attic. With the help of Tim and Beth—our son and daughter-in-law—we launched a full-blown blitz.

Every shirt was scrutinized, and most were tried on. In one amazing hour, we went through everything. Rising up from the kitchen table: an impressive mountain headed for the resale store. And honestly, the process felt strangely freeing.

But if it’s healthy to take an inventory of our shirts, what about an inventory of our souls?

Working through that mound of shirts, we asked questions like

• Does it still fit?
• Is it worn out?
• Does it make me look better—or worse?

Shouldn’t we ask similar questions of our souls?

• Does this hobby or binge show of mine fit someone headed for heaven?
• Is my walk with Christ worn out in some areas?
• Do the habits I’ve taken on make Jesus look better—or worse?

There’s a lot to inventory: time, money, prayer, Bible reading, hobbies, relationships, possessions, and conversations. Trying to assess even one of those could be daunting. But avoiding the decluttering process is like avoiding the doctor, believing that will somehow keep bad news away.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot more inventorying to do. Here’s to decluttering the closets of our souls!

Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.

-Psalms 139:23,24

Photo by Linus Belanger on Unsplash

America has a neighbor problem.

A survey of more than 1,000 Americans uncovered:

• Nearly 40% of people aged 18-29 rarely or never interact with their neighbors.
• Only 17% of Americans trust their neighbor with a house key.

More than two-thirds of respondents report hiding from their neighbors at least once. They do this by:

• Pretending you don’t see them (37%).
• Staying inside when you’re outside (34%).
• Acting like you’re not home (26%).
• Wearing headphones while outside (21%).
• Acting like they’re on the phone (21%).

Younger generations are nearly twice as likely to avoid their neighbors as people over 60:

• 75% of 18–29-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 74% of 30–44-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 70% of 45–60-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 38% of 60-plus year-olds avoid their neighbors.

Ironically, people are spending more time than ever at home, but they’re not spending it interacting with their neighbors. According to the survey, 48% of people interact with their neighbors monthly or less, and nearly a third rarely interact with them at all.

Jesus commanded us, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a directive regarded as the second greatest commandment. But how can we love our neighbors if we’ve never met them? Or maybe we’ve met them, but we’re never with them? (SOURCE: https://toprailfences.com/blog/insights/people-hiding-from-neigbors/)

In the age of FaceTime, getting actual face time with our neighbors may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Wanna talk to neighbors you know—and meet ones you don’t? Get outside. Regularly. Intentionally. It’s amazing how God will time things so you just “happen” to bump into a neighbor.

Want to meet new neighbors? Don’t just stare at the buttons when you’re riding the elevator up and down at your apartment or condo. Notice the people with you—and talk to them! 

America might have a neighbor problem, but followers of Christ are the answer.

Loving our neighbors starts with meeting our neighbors. And this is God’s will for you, for me, for all of us!

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mark 12:31

Photo by Nina Strehl on Unsplash

How can you resist a sale offering 90% off?

We couldn’t. So, there we were at Hobby Lobby, scanning the aisle that promised unsold Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and ribbons. But what we found were decimations rather than decorations.

There were trees missing trunks and reindeer missing limbs. We saw stars without their points, and holly without berries. A lady in the same aisle we ambled down was heard to mutter: “If it’s not broken, it’s not here!” She wasn’t wrong.

We saw lacquer that was lacking, gold foil that had failed, and untold numbers of things unglued. To prove my lack of exaggeration, I created a grouping from just a few items at arm’s length and snagged a snapshot. So pathetic, it was almost comical.

But I found unexpected meaning in the mishmash when my eye landed upon a church ornament. White and porcelain, the bottom corner of the church was entirely missing—cracked off.

Instantly, I was reminded that in some way, this aisle was a picture of the world. We are all broken, sinful, trashed. In fact, the Bible says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

But thank God, He didn’t walk down the aisle of our brokenness, shake His head, and walk away. He sent Jesus to die in our place, pay for our sins, and make it possible to be restored to God. Broken no more.

If you have never come to God and asked Him to forgive you—and make you whole, do it now! And don’t let your personal mess keep you back, as if you are a disaster too great for Him.

Spurgeon says, “Your ruin is your argument for mercy; your poverty is your plea for heavenly alms; and your need is the motive for heavenly goodness. Go as you are and let your miseries plead for you.”

We’re all broken. But we don’t have to stay that way.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  -1 John 1:9