Precious Lord

 “Don’t be afraid, I’ll hold your hand. I’m here to help you.” ~ Isaiah 41:13

Thirty-two years old and a rookie husband, Pastor Dorsey and his wife lived in a tiny apartment on Chicago's Southside. As the featured soloist at a prominent St. Louis Revival, he looked for an excuse to stay home with his wife who was nearing the end of her pregnancy with their first child.

He didn’t want to leave. But Nettie had the final word.

“God will wait, people are expecting you,” she implored. So, he kissed her goodbye and rattled out of Chicago on Route 66 on a trip that would take several days.

The first night’s crowd of appreciative field hands, mill workers, and townies begged Dorsey for multiple encores. When he finally sat down, a messenger approached with a telegram. Perhaps a congratulatory note from his loving Nettie he thought.

He ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: “Your Wife just died giving birth to your son.” As a cacophony of joyful music and song surrounded him, the new Dad felt a mixture of guilt, grief, joy, and fear.

Pastor Dorsey rushed home and held his precious baby; happiness Nettie would never experience. The boy’s eyes were more brilliant than he could’ve dreamed they’d be, his hands more delicate. So light, so perfect, so Divine.

During the night, the newborn also passed away. Dorsey buried them together in the same casket. Then he fell apart, isolating himself for days. God had done him a grave injustice. He didn't want to serve Him anymore.

But weeks later as he wept alone, he thought about the afternoon he left for St. Louis. Something kept telling him to stay home Nettie. Was God calling? If he’d listened more attentively, he would have been with Nettie when she died.

He prayed while sitting at the piano; hands browsing the keys. Peace flooded him, inspiring a melody he’d never heard or played before. 

The lyrics just fell into place. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” became the most famous among the over 3,000 hymns he penned.

He gave it to a friend who introduced it to Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Choir. Martin Luther King, Sr. who was the senior pastor at that time, fell in love with the song immediately. Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Tennessee Ernie Ford were among the legends who later recorded it.

Known as the “Father of Black Gospel Music,” Rev. Thomas Andrew Dorsey’s (1899-1993) song has since been translated into more than 30 languages.

As Christians, we walk by faith, not by emotions. Our feelings change constantly. Part of growing in our faith is moving beyond our moods and trusting God, knowing we don’t suffer alone. Nor do we suffer without hope. His confidence in God’s presence provided the tonic Dorsey needed to endure his grief.

“Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand! I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”  (“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Thomas A. Dorsey)

The Illusion of Confidence

 “You are but mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." ~ James 4:14

The following is a true story.

On January 6, 1995, a large, middle-aged man moseyed into a Melon Bank near Pittsburg. He strolled up to the teller and, in broad daylight, brandished a semiautomatic pistol and demanded money. He wore nothing to conceal his identity, even smiling cheerfully at surveillance cameras before exiting the bank.

But there’s more! With the newly heisted $5,200 in his pocket, the thief got in his car, went down the road, and held up ANOTHER bank in an equally shameless manner. After the news media flooded the airwaves with the banks’ security footage, police identified him immediately.

Police arrested a shocked McArthur Wheeler. When shown the surveillance tapes, Wheeler stared in disbelief. “But I wore the (lemon) juice,” he mumbled. Huh?

He acted boldly because knew that lemon juice is sometimes used as invisible ink. Knowing just that little piece of info, Wheeler rubbed lemon juice all over his face before entering the bank believing it would render him undistinguishable from videotape cameras.

Police concluded that Wheeler wasn’t crazy or on drugs - just incredibly misinformed. For his botched efforts he received a 24-year sentence.

After extensive research, psychologists at Cornell University coined a name for the cognitive bias to inflate self-assessment. The “Dunning-Kruger effect,” describes how people inaccurately assess their abilities as being much greater than they are.

Before we poke fun at Wheeler and his misguided faith in the power of citrus, it’s harder to admit that we too succumb to the Dunning-Kruger effect in our own lives.

As a Dad and husband, I’m often guilty of refusing to ask for directions while getting us hopelessly lost. What self-respecting man doesn’t insist he can complete a basic home repair only before chaos (and property damage) ensue? Once teens obtain their driver’s license, research says they consider themselves good drivers despite their car’s telltale signs of scratches and dents.

But nowhere does the Dunning-Kruger effect become more apparent than the arrogance with which we plan the future. According to James (above), human life is like “mist”- a fleeting kind of thing. He spent most of his chapter warning about the wisdom of the world and selfish ambition.

What James is driving at is that we should recognize our arrogance in believing that we are the masters of our own fate. Our lives are temporary and fragile. We can't predict or control the future. We truly have no idea what will happen tomorrow.

So be humble and take a long hard look in the mirror. If you’re going to be bold about anything, be bold about doing the things Jesus taught us are good. And for the love of all that’s holy, when lost, use your GPS… or better yet, ask somebody for directions.

Holy Father, when I look into the future and see my weakness(es), help me to trust You. May I glorify You in my weakness, looking away from myself and to the wonders of Your amazing love through Christ. Amen

Power in Forgiveness

 “Moments of tragedy provide opportunities to demonstrate grace." ~ 1 Peter 3:9

The moment Eric met his first child, he recalled thinking, “What a gift! What a miracle!” The Georgia Youth Pastor was blown by the way God used people and nature to create little humans. Now as he prepared to be a Dad for the second time, he felt that same euphoria… until his life changed tragically.

He awoke to the news that his wife’s car had been struck by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. Faith, his then 19-month-old toddler, survived the crash. His wife died instantly in the collision along with their unborn son.

Twenty-year-old Matt, a rookie firefighter paramedic, had been heading home after completing a sleepless 24-hour shift when he drifted into oncoming traffic and hit June’s car head-on. The crash would forever bind the two men’s lives.

It’s not hard to imagine the words Eric might’ve spoken to Matt, given the chance. But contact with the defendant was prohibited while the case wound its way through the legal system.

Eventually, prosecutors approached Eric about whether he wanted them to pursue the maximum sentence against the paramedic. But the newly widowed father also recognized an opportunity to practice the grace that he often preached about.

Amid the grief, Erik pleaded for leniency so Matt could avoid prison time. A judge ordered the firefighter to only pay a fine and do community service.

The two men never spoke directly to each other again until the 2-year anniversary of June’s death. Enough time had passed for Erik to understand that the accident had been just that – a horrible and unintended consequence of Matt’s actions.

Leaving the grocery store, Eric recognized Matt and walked towards his truck. The guilt-ridden man wept as he handed Eric a condolence card he’d just purchased. Two years of crushing guilt spewed out.

They hugged - one man saving souls, the other saving bodies. They talked for hours. They became friends.

They remain close to this day, meeting regularly and often spending time together during the holidays. They credit that chance meeting in a parking lot as the key to letting them both heal from the loss and pain.

They view their relationship as a blessing from God, a feeling cemented recently when Pastor Erik welcomed another child into his life with a new bride. Their baby was born on the same due date as the unborn child he and his first wife had been expecting.

Whenever we’re confronted with a choice between forgiveness or resentment, we’re given the option to experience life’s beauty or the horror of death. By holding on to anger, bitterness, and even hatred, we close ourselves off to God’s mercy and grace. Yet by forgiving, we help another receive that healing grace as well!

Father God, please forgive me when I allow anger and bitterness to fill my heart because I refuse to forgive someone who has hurt me. Teach me how to set aside my pride and to forgive in the same way You have forgiven me. Amen

Shielded by His Light

 “You, O Lord, are a shield around me.” ~ Psalm 3:3

The water-stained ceiling tiles above Barry’s hospital bed never looked so beautiful. He was still alive. There were surely no ceiling tiles in heaven, he reasoned.

Until yesterday, he’d come through the worst battle of his life, completing the last of his chemo treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. His latest test results seemed encouraging. He’d even been able to briefly dance with his wife, Adele, in the hospital room before the relief that had invigorated them turned into a raging storm. Barry’s appendix burst.

His white blood cells, depleted from chemo, couldn’t fight the infection. A low platelet count meant his blood wouldn’t clot sufficiently either. Surgery wasn’t an option. Without it, the poison flooding his body would be fatal.

The G-tube into his belly to drain off some of the toxins would only buy a few hours, not the weeks needed to stabilize him enough for an appendectomy. Adele urgently called everyone they knew to come quickly.

A family priest administered the last rights. Scores of visitors offered prayers and said goodbye. 

Everyone except Franny. “The Lord will be a shield around you’” she whispered. “That’s somewhere in the Bible. He wanted me to tell you that.”

Shield me, Lord,” Barry repeatedly until fitful sleep came.

He woke up the next day staring at the spotted ceiling tiles. The day after that too. The medical staff knew of only one case where anyone with cancer like his survived a burst appendix for so long.

After 7 consecutive days of waking to those ceiling tiles, he went home. They tested his blood every few days to determine if he was strong enough for surgery. There were no guarantees.

After six more weeks at home, his blood counts normalized. They prepared him for an exploratory procedure to assess his internal damage. Through the fog of anesthesia, Barry recalled David’s reassuring words: “You are a shield around me.” Franny wasn’t sure what they meant; nor was he. But that passage sustained him, like provisions during a desolate winter.

Immediately after surgery, an astonished surgeon entered the recovery room. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said, showing a photo of what was left of Barry’s appendix. “Surrounding it is a kind of shell, composed of scar tissue.” He circled it. “These adhesions serve as the body's repair mechanism.”

“What does that mean?” Barry asked.

He fumbled for the right words. “The adhesions acted like… tiny shields, tightly packed together… forming an impenetrable structure that contained the poison within it.”

Barry never questioned why his life was spared. That’s what heaven is for. For now, he’ll enjoy his family, his friends, and the blue skies, not ready to see beyond the ceiling tiles quite yet.

Holy Father, shield me from wickedness and help me to cast all my cares on You. Let me rest in Your love, knowing that You have promised to supply sufficient grace in all the trials I may face. Amen

Purdy Great

 “My grace is all you need for My power works best in weakness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

He wasn’t supposed to be there. But his journey is remarkable.

After being selected dead last in the 2022 NFL draft, he gained the good-humored title of “Mr. Irrelevant” and was told by most NFL scouts that he didn’t have a bright future. Little would be expected of him. Making the practice squad would be impressive. Landing a coveted spot on the 2021 division-title-winning San Francisco 49ers would be highly improbable. They already had a deep pool of quarterbacks.

Despite being labeled a “limited athlete” with “a maxed-out body,” Brock Purdy had three things in his favor: maturity, humility, and leadership. His faith became a constant in this underdog story.

An unlikely 3-star recruit out of Gilbert, Arizona, Purdy wasn’t initially on anyone’s radar when he enrolled at Iowa State University. But he became a Cyclone fan favorite in his sophomore season with clutch plays, quick thinking, and inspiration off the field. He credits God for his success by allowing him the opportunity to play the game he loves.

A season-ending injury to starter Trey Lance in NFL Week 2 moved Purdy into the team’s backup role as they searched for another quarterback. Lance was one of five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL round. He signed a four-year rookie contract, worth $34.1 million.

Next, the 49ers placed backup Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Purdy came in for a half dozen snaps in a few games but was named the starter later after Garoppolo injured his foot against the Dolphins. He instantly became “relevant” by throwing a touchdown pass in the 33-17 win. From there, the job was his.

His teammates started taking him seriously. Everything they’d heard about him as a leader was true. They won the next four regular-season games, securing a division title.

Purdy’s Christian faith garnered plenty of attention leading up to the NFC Championship game against the Eagles. “My identity is in Jesus,” he told reporters. “I’m called to share His Word.”

He led a stunning comeback in the NFC Championship. Down by 17-points, the 49ers beat the Lions 34-31, thus securing a spot in Super Bowl LVIII.

OK, so Purdy lost 25-22 to the KC Chiefs on the NFL’s biggest stage in the Super Bowl’s version of a TKO overtime loss, Purdy counterpunched until the end. Finishing the game 23-of-38 for 255 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers, it was his cleanest game of the playoffs.

Brock Purdy’s faith and how he lives it in the public eye serves as an example for Christians in how to navigate fame and success while staying true to one’s beliefs. “It reflects my walk with Jesus,” he said. I’m going to use this platform to magnify the One who’s given me this opportunity.”

Thank You Lord, for the positive roles models in my life who encourage and prod me to live for You. I want to be a godly example for others n modeling Your values. Amen

A Promise Kept

 “God’s Spirit gives us power, love, and self-discipline." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

They met in second grade. He already had the beginnings of an athletic build which gave Matt his first experience of being a popular kid in school. Melanie was beautiful and special to everyone around her. Bullies stared at her, called her names, and treated her with suspicion.

Matt also noticed that Melanie was often alone on the playground. So, he made a point of talking to her and pulling Melanie into whatever activity they were doing. They became fast friends and he constantly watched out for his classmate with Down’s Syndrome.

As the two buddies watched Matt’s older brother ready himself for the school prom, Matt (now an affectionate 4^th grader), promised Melanie that he’d take her to prom when they got to high school. Neither parent learned about their children’s special relationship until the year was practically over.

Unfortunately, the two friends ended up at different schools by the time they reached sixth grade. They completely lost touch. Matt became the star quarterback on his high school football team and Melanie became the equipment manager for her high school football team. They reconnected for the first time in years when their respective teams played against one another.

Matt never forgot the promise he’d made a decade earlier. Melanie often talked about the upcoming prom even though she didn’t have a date. But after reuniting with her elementary school pal, she got the best surprise of her life.

With several balloons that featured "Prom ?" written on them, Matt presented his friend with the gift and asked her to be his date. 

Time stood still, breath held, until her soulful reply. Melanie said “Yes!” without hesitation.

She looked gorgeous in her lavender gown as they posed for pictures and later danced the night away. He’d grown into a man with a big heart, a deep sense of putting others first, and most of all making people feel special and loved. For him it was no big deal, just doing what came naturally.

It wasn’t just about a handsome football quarterback or a beautiful girl with Down syndrome, but a friendship that withstood the test of time and a promise kept.

Both students continued their lives as usual after prom, which meant going into their senior year of high school. Mary was elected homecoming queen at Central Dauphin and continued as equipment manager for the school's football team; Ben continued in his role as quarterback for the team at Susquehanna.

Matt's loyalty to his friend destroys the picture of how many might remember jocks from their own high school years. Melanie’s graceful elegance on prom night accented a powerful rebuke to false and hurtful stereotypes about those with intellectual disabilities.

God’s hand at work again.

Father, You are our Rock, Fortress, and Savior in whom we find protection. You help those who’ve fallen, and You lift those who have too much to carry. Thank You for being a refuge of safety for those people who are being hurt by others. Amen

Living Small

“Learn to be content whatever the circumstances." ~ Philippians 4:11

Another day of unloading. Another day of unpacking moving boxes. Another day of building shelves to store all the stuff we’ve been storing for decades. Ugh!

Rummaging through my toolbox and searching for deck screws, I discovered a small copper washer. Its light green patina revealed years of age and exposure. “What’s this for I wondered, and why had I kept it at all?”

A memory quickly unfolded as the pages of a favorite childhood storybook. Oddly, the thin washer reminded me of a penny placed on railroad tracks some 60 years ago. It echoed summer days, nurturing and forever simple.

I’d been five or six years old, standing near railroad tracks behind our grandparents’ farmhouse. Several times a day a huge freight train would rumble past.

Funny how time tends to erase features. I can’t recall their faces or much of anything else from that long ago time.

But I could distinctly remember the thrill of that moment when my Dad encouraged me to place an ordinary penny on the rail. And soon the mighty roar of the ginormous freight train thundered precariously past.

I reached down and picked up the remains of the coin. Its one-cent value had been destroyed. The copper, squashed paper thin, had become smooth and dark. But it had become infinitely more valuable in my eyes.

Why do I still remember that penny and that train? One was a small thing of little value. The other, a juggernaut, was like the swift, unstoppable passage of time.

Staring down at the discolored copper washer, I chuckled before tossing it back into my toolbox.

Such a small thing.

But small doesn’t have to mean unimportant. Small doesn’t translate to “without meaning or purpose.” Small can be profound.

It’s always in the smallest moments that I feel that familiar wash of gratitude settle over me. It’s those unexpected moments when my adult daughter confides she now appreciates the positive imprints I’ve had on her life. It’s in the smallest, most beautiful moments that I feel His spiritual nudges I’ve been seeking.

God can work with small. Sometimes I think that’s where He works best.

Sometimes all the small things add up to something big. The quiet push that leads a person down a new path. The faith it takes to get through the hard stuff. A life spent in love and service. Years gone by in work, loyalty, and listening. In the end, there’s nothing small about those things.

But day to day, life might feel small, but our story is leading us somewhere. We are all writing a story with our lives. So, let’s make it a story that inspires and motivates others wherever it is shared.

Lord of all, during those times when we’re feeling small and insignificant, thank You for caring for us on our daily journeys. Thank you for guiding us in our decisions, for giving us wisdom when we stumble, and for leading in support of one another. Amen

Corgi and Me

 “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all human beings." ~ Job 12:10

December arrived like his mood – grey and cold. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees leaving only ashen skeletons in the surrounding mountains. Jason hated waking up. He didn’t want to move at all. It took all his strength to conjure up a single positive vibe.

The older he got the less he enjoyed winter. Christmas was coming but after that, a long, gloomy, freezing winter would arrive that he dreaded.

As a boy, Jason loved playing in the snow, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and then curling up with his dog by the fireplace and reading a favorite book. Now the days meant shorter daylight, shoveling snow, navigating slick roads, and feeling the freezing wind burn his face.

Jason first began experiencing anxiety and depression at age 14 after being bullied at school for years. While at first it would come and go, Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder (MADD) eventually became a constant presence in his life. It was like a perpetual cough that started getting better, only to come back worse than before.

Unlike a cough, MADD hit like a heavyweight body blow - even the goal of getting out of bed seemed less and less attainable. Most of his days began like today, paralyzed by endless thoughts of hopelessness and fear.

He sighed and fell back down in bed, a gloom settling over his spirit, wishing he could stay under the covers and sleep until Spring. That's when he came face to face with Corgi who’d jumped up on Jason’s bed, glaring at him with eager eyes.

“Crap!” Jason totally forgot he’d agreed to dog-sit for a neighboring friend. She looked so sad and miserable that he laughed while petting her.

“Is that how I look right now?” he asked.

Corgi broke into a delirious, panting grin as if to say, "It's no time for sadness, the world’s awesome!" She snuggled in as Jason looked up to heaven and thanked God for the grace this loving, little pup brought.

He jumped out of bed. Donning winter apparel that had hung idly in the coat closet, Jason walked in the snow with his new best friend. Walking down the street in sub-zero weather, he realized his life was changing. A new beginning, the missing puzzle piece.

Corgi reminded him that the world is our mirror. We can either be a reflection of light or a shadow of darkness; either be a beacon of love or a greyness of gloom. We can either give the world our kindness and joy or our fear and anger.

God in His wonderful love sent a little pup to show Jason once again that we can reflect our love, warmth, and light even in Winter’s darkest days.

God of all living things, thank You for all the world’s animals and pets. Help us show love and compassion for them and open our hearts to the many lessons to be learned from these wonderful creations. Amen

Send in the Clowns

 “The Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins and heal the sick.” ~ Luke 5:18

Sydney, a mostly bald, six-year-old girl looked scared when the oncologist entered her room. A second man named Dave wearing a red nose followed directly behind Dr. Graves. So focused on her exam, the doctor didn’t notice the funny man placing a Winnie the Pooh sticker on his shoe.

Sydney giggled. Dr. Graves looked somber. As he turned to leave to continue his rounds, the clown said “Excuse me, Doc! I’m not sure how to say this, but I think you’ve got Pooh on your shoe!”

“The kid was in stitches,” recalled Dave, a clown at Children’s Hospital. “And when the doctor realized what was going on, he started laughing too. I never knew him to have a sense of humor, but he left that sticker on his shoe the entire day.”

It’s tough being a clown these days. Gigs are scarcer than ever since the pandemic, with most live entertainment events cancelled. To make matters worse, many people are coulrophobic (irrational fear of clowns). It was enough for many professional clowns to ditch their costumes and remove the greasepaint.

But Dave couldn’t picture himself doing anything else. A semi-retired Chaplain, clowning was in his blood. Watching children laugh was his greatest treasure, it’s when his inner smile grew so wide that it became like auditory fireworks.

The second most poignant thing was in their expression. Their eyes, as mirrors to the soul, reflected a maturity beyond years, an unmistakable comprehension of the severity of their illnesses.

Next Dave entered 10-year Danny’s room… with trepidation. Dave didn’t have to initiate the conversation because this boy began talking immediately. When he expressed the hope that he’d have at least a few more years to live, Dave felt his strength fading.

Danny asked if the clown would hear his confession. Dave obliged. It was a long confession, like the story of a man who’d lived a long life. It turned out that he had a fervent faith in God that helped him overcome many challenges including the sickness itself.

Dave offered the prayer of absolution and gave him Communion. He suggested that Danny come to his church for communion again as his guest. He never got well enough to make the trip.

Two stories of faith renewed.

Ministry means different things to different people. And when you place the word “clown” in front of ministry, it can become even more confusing. Dave was a Christian, a Christ follower, who used the art of clowning to serve people and to minister the good news and the excellence of love.

Clowns with silly faces, big red noses, enormous shoes, and funny hats are the epitome of “Being the Church!” Actions can speak louder than words about God’s character.

Almighty Father, open our hearts to build our churches beyond brick and mortar. “Being the church” doesn’t always have to be serious. Laughter brings people together, creating friendships and sharing Your message. Amen

Hero Plumber

 “Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Not every hero wears a cape. Some of them wear regular work clothes.  

The personal tragedy that shaped this superhero’s life began ten years earlier with the death of his 16-week-old son William. As he watched the infant take his last breath, James Anderson promised the boy that he “would be the man that he knew his son would’ve become.”

Four years later, the 52-year-old plumber and father of five, received a “shocking” phone call that reminded him of that promise still etched on his heart. At the other end of the line was a frail, elderly man who wanted a second opinion after another plumber had quoted him thousands of dollars for a new boiler he couldn’t possibly afford.

Anderson answered the call and found a simple solution within thirty minutes. Unlike the previous plumber, he offered his services nearly free of charge. The pledge to William helped him realize that his talents were God-given and to be shared with those most vulnerable and often forgotten.

So, James shut down his private business in 2017 and started a non-profit called DEPHER (Disabled & Elderly Plumbing & Heating Emergency Repair) Services. Its purpose is to provide free or highly discounted plumbing work to seniors and people with disabilities.

Working for free is not exactly a sustainable business model, especially during times of rapidly rising utility prices, but Anderson makes ends meet through small donations and charitable grants. He takes no salary from DEPHER and sometimes has to dig into his own pockets to pay for jobs.

“As long as I have enough money to fill up the tank in my car, I will be there to try and help people who need it,” he said. In the two-and-a-half years since he launched his non-profit company, he’s helped nearly 2,400 customers working 70+ hours per week.

One of his clients recently shared an invoice on Facebook that she received for work he’d done for her 91-year-old mother suffering from terminal cancer. Instead of billing the family over $800, Anderson waived the entire fee – the invoice read $0.00 due. What’s more, the bill added “I’ll be available 24 hours to help keep you as comfortable as possible.”

Once the daughter shared the touching story on social media, it immediately went viral. In addition to drawing well-deserved attention to DEPHER, Anderson's humble rise to fame also brought in nearly $100,000 worth of donations. It even caught the attention of Actor Hugh Grant.

Anderson explained that this will allow him to expand his business to help as many people as possible. Something about helping others ignites the soul and makes the heart burn all the brighter. It’s one of the greatest blessings heaven can bestow.

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for us in our daily adventures. Thank You for guiding us in our decisions, and for forgiveness when we stumble. And thank You for the many good people in my life who make up the inner core of who I am. Amen