The Plumbline

"Here comes Trouble, with a capital T". Trouble is different for everyone - there is no set definition of trouble because it can morph into so many different paths depending on the individuals involved. Some of us seem to "find it" without even looking - it is like we are a magnet and trouble is some form of metal. Others seem to "make it" as though it were some natural outcome of everything they put their minds to doing. Still others seem to do everything they can to "avoid it", regardless of the cost - sometimes even avoiding all manner of living because if they didn't, it would find them. Trouble cannot be avoided sometimes - but we can find a good way to deal with it when it comes! Take a good look at my trouble, and help me—I haven't forgotten your revelation. Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised. (Psalm 119:153-154) To trouble something or someone is to disturb the mental calm or conte...

There are certainly times when we feel we have some form of an enemy breathing down our neck and to be honest here, we just want to run like a crazy person from the "threat" we feel. In a literal sense, we have very real enemies who come against us, determined to make life miserable for us. In a spiritual sense, we have one really big enemy - Satan. In an emotional sense, we have lots of enemies, such as fear, pride, and lust. Regardless of the enemy we face today, we need to hear the words: The closer they get to us, the farther they are from the truth God reveals when we draw closer to him ! The way we don't succumb to their attack is by drawing closer to God while under attack! As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; but you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true. I've known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever. (Psalm 119:150-152) The ...

Desperation is a condition in which hope has faded and what is left is a deep sense of hopelessness, a compounded by a sense of just wanting to give up on it all. These are the times when we are just crying out to God, "Hey, are you listening here???" It is our heartfelt plea for God to answer us because we need help and help seems to be escaping us. There are times I think God has allowed me to get to the place of extreme desperation - of not feeling like I could go any further. He allowed it! He put me in a place where I came smack-dab face-to-face with the inability of my own talent, inadequacy of my own strength, or insufficiency of my own resources in order that he might become my all-in-all. When we get to the place we are relying on our talent, strength, or resources in an exclusive manner, God sometimes needs to put us in the place where we will realize how futile that self-focus really can be. I call out at the top of my lungs, "God! Answer! I'll do whatever...

Is there really an real time in our lives when we are too young, immature, or obstinate to be important to God? Sometimes I think we discount our potential based on our chronological age, accomplishments, or obedient responses! God doesn't! He sees potential in the words of a child just learning to speak and the aged who share from a vast wealth of accumulated knowledge. He sees only the best in the one who seems to struggle with obedience repeatedly because he knows how badly we don't want to do the stuff we do. The potential one has in his eyes is really determined by the way we choose to yield our hearts and spirit to him - even when we do it less than perfectly. I'm too young to be important, but I don't forget what you tell me. Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to ...

We've talked frequently about not only making right decisions, but what it takes from us when we make wrong ones. We don't always DO right, but we want to think we are right nonetheless. With God, he IS right, therefore he DOES right. With us, we aren't always connecting our new stand in Christ with the actions that should come as a result of our new 'connection' with the one who actually IS right. There is no decision he makes that is NOT on target. Don't you wish you could say the same about yourself? How many times have you bought a certain outfit (on the best sale of the year), determined that the "price" was what mattered, not that it even looked all that great on you, or that you actually needed to squeeze another outfit into your closet? Sometimes of 'doing' gets a little out of alignment with out 'being', doesn't it?  You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in h...

My heart is broken. I feel lonely. This sucks!   Who really cares about me? Why is this happening now?  We often use words to express our heart, don't we? Honestly, there are just times we need to cry out and truly express our heart. The times when we feel like nobody knows our pain or that we even exist are times when we just want to cry out, "Hey, is anybody listening?" It probably is not because God has actually turned AWAY from us, but rather that we do not sense the presence of God at that very moment and we think he has 'forgotten to listen'. It is no secret, but we have come to DEPEND on the presence of God with us and we equate that to the approval of God in our actions. Whenever we ask someone to "look kindly upon us", we are asking them to express approval of our actions. I am sure we all know that our actions are not always worthy of approval, but we have come to depend upon the approval that originates from God before we take those actions! T...

My continual struggle to keep weight off is something I have had to deal with since just about every hormone producing organ in my body has been surgically removed! Now, I must eat well, exercise often, and just not be as selfish in my choices as I would like to be. If you have ever just 'craved' something, but you didn't really know what it was you were craving, we are a little similar in that regard. There are just times when something is 'desired', but I have a hard time pinpointing what it is I desire. Times come, though, when I know exactly what it is I 'crave' or 'desire' and there is no need to every leave unfulfilled. Those are the times when I desire a word from God - I just have to stop long enough to hear it! Every word you give me is a miracle word —how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. (Psalm 119:...