To speak of sorrow and joy, suffering and peace, struggle and blessing in the same breath probably seems a little strange, but it is central to who Jesus is and who we are as Christians.

Our faith is not some starry-eyed optimism, but it is a living hope – steeled through suffering, tempered by trials, and proven in trials.  

Our faith is grounded in a surprising joy beyond fleeting circumstance – a surprising joy that fuels resilience in adversity, and inspires resistance to despair!

This is the surprising joy that the world can’t give, and can’t take away!

This is the joy of Jesus…

‘…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.’

Hebrews 12:2

This is the joy that Jesus gives us.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:11

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Sometimes when we are close to a transition in life, our patience wanes and we proceed too hastily,  only to end up missing something significant that may have provided some invaluable insight for what lies ahead.  

Sometimes a break in our concentration, or a distraction right at the end of a race can be catastrophic.  There’s nothing more tragic than to make it to the almost end of a thing only to stumble at the finish line because of impatience.  Even running demands patience- does that seem odd to you? 

Many of us are in transitions right now. I want to encourage you to be more deliberate,  to be still, and to pay attention!  Don’t skip the credits or rush toward the next thing – there is more to learn – there are important lessons in these transitions.  

That’s all…

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs, 

just adam

God’s timing is not our timing.  While it’s nice when the two match up, it’s not often the case.  

While we speak of the four seasons, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, there is a fifth season – it’s called ‘due season’ or what we mean when we say God’s timing!

Kairos is the Greek word we find in scripture that refers to God’s timing – the right time, the opportune time.  

Chronos is the time on your watch, hours, minutes, and seconds,

the days, weeks, and months on the calendar.  

Kairos is about quality of time, while Chronos refers to quantity.  Get it?

Time certainly matters and is of essence in many things, but the most important time with which we need to concern ourselves is God’s time – the right time, the due season, the ‘on time,’ that our ancestors sang about!

When our chronos do not match God’s Kairos – this is where we need to learn how to wait, how to be patient, and how to faithfully endure – how to stand still!

“He may noy come when you want Him, but He’ll be there right on time!”

The Apostle Paul, said it like this:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Wait on God’s time,  it’s always worth it!

Good morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Trusting God, standing still, and watching God work is easier said than done.  Believe me, I understand. Feelings of powerlessness and frustration are enough to undermine the resolve of the most faithful among us. So, we must learn how to ‘wait on the LORD.’

Waiting is not the same as doing nothing.  And all waiting isn’t created equal.  All waiting does not imply patience. How we wait is at least as important as the waiting itself. 

We will all certainly have moments when our emotions will challenge our faithful determination, but we must learn to be patient and confident while maintaining a decent attitude.  

¹³ I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

¹⁴ Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! 

Psalm 27:13-14 

Stand still, wait on the LORD, and Be of good courage!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Being patient when we are under pressure sounds unreasonable.  Some would even cry foul and suggest that to expect such of someone facing intense struggle is bordering on inhumane.

Nevertheless, this is precisely what God requires of us when we sometimes find ourselves with Pharaoh behind us and the Red Sea before us.  

The most natural reaction is to panic, to run, or to perhaps even surrender to our circumstances.  It’s understandable, after all, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, knee-jerk decisions are rarely the best ones.  Decisions based on fear fail to produce desirable outcomes. God often tells us to stand still, that is to be patient and faithful, even when we’re under pressure.  Watch God work!

Remember the Exodus.  

Sometimes when God is bringing us out of something the greatest challenge is to remain faithful, to trust God, and to stand still, while God works. Doing so requires us to resist our inclination to manufacture our own solutions, because our misguided efforts often lead to even more frustrating setbacks and destructive cycles.  

Remember the Exodus?

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  

Exodus 14:13

Understand that faithfully standing still does not equate to doing nothing.  It requires faith and fortitude to watch God work.

Stand still, family, and watch God work!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

When life gets crazy and things are going off the rails, and when the road gets rough and you feel certain you’ll fail,  when your journey stalls and there’s no wind in your sails – Pause if you must, but don’t give up!

When your plans go awry, and darkness dims your sky, and when sorrows prevail and tears fill your eyes, when your faith wavers and your fears multiply – Cry if you will, but don’t give up!

When you’re overwhelmed, and don’t know what to do, or just discouraged and feeling blue, when you’re trying to hold on, but you need a little proof – Pray, my friends, but don’t give up!

Don’t give up!

God is yet at work in our circumstances, with us when we are going through.  God did not bring us this far to leave us! God will carry us through! Don’t give up!

So pause if you must, cry if you need to, but don’t stop praying – God is our Keeper!  

The Psalm writer says:

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and forevermore.  

Psalm 121:7-8

Pause if you must.

Cry if you need to.

Pray.

But, don’t give up!

Good Morning, I love you!

ihs,

just adam

Fear shows up in a bunch of different ways.  When we are confronted with uncertainty, adversity, or transition, fear is a natural response.  Fear expresses itself in anxiety, worry, frustration, and frozenness!

But as God’s children, we have nothing to fear.  This is not to say we will not be afraid but we needn’t allow our fears to paralyze us.  

God is with us, within us, and God i for us!  

What is frightening you today?  What is causing anxiety and consternation?  What has you stuck, stalled, struggling?  

Remember that God is with, within, and for you!  Remember that even now, you have everything you need to face your circumstances, forge a path, and find your way forward!

Don’t be afraid!  

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam