Dream Again

 From as far back as I can remember I have always been a dreamer. In my childhood it was to be an NFL player. I even practiced writing my autograph in classes over and over again. I played football with myself when none of my friends wanted to play. The dream changed as I got older. I still wanted to play football, but settled for playing in college. I also began dreaming of becoming a writer. I carried that dream through high school and just before I entered college. 

The dream changed again when God called me to preach. I still remember the day I was on a 4,000 acre ranch with a good friend when I felt like God dropped a big dream in me. One I've carried for over 30 years. A dream I've shared with only a very select group of people. A dream so outlandish that most would never believe me. So I kept it to myself. 

Life hit hard. Ministry was hard. Many times I felt like a horse chasing a carrot dangling in front of him that he chases futilely but never gets to taste. As time passed the dream faded. It was still there, just not as vivid as it once had been. Then I hit middle age and the dream still had not come to fruition. It was painful to even think about it. One day I quit dreaming. It was easier. Less painful and disappointing to give up on the dream and just do my duty. 

A couple of decades ago I stumbled on a book called The Dream Giver. I read the book in literal tears as the dream was rekindled. I marked that book up and down front to back and made notations in the margins. I read it again and reread it a couple of years later. Once again life and ministry hit hard. The dream faded again and just like before I gave up on it. Only this time, I gave up on it for good. Or at least I thought. 

Until this morning. Let me backtrack. Weeks ago Brenda and I were in Mardell Christian Bookstore. I always go to the bargain section first to peruse the titles. You never know when you might discover a treasure at a bargain price. I did on that day and did not even realize it. It was a book written by Jerry Falwell. The title caught up my eye. How to Build Dynamic Faith. It was only $5. I put it on a shelf and forgot about it as I read other titles in subsequent weeks when we got home. Earlier this week I rediscovered it and took it from the shelf to read. Turns out the book is a 31-day devotional. This morning the reading hit me right between the eyes. It was about God planting dreams in our hearts. It was about the slowness but steadiness of those dreams becoming reality. My pulse quickened as I read. Falwell shared a story about a dream God gave Him and how it took 28 years for the dream to be realized. It did come true through lots of prayer and hard work. 

God resurrected my dead dream this morning. I could not fight the excitement. The hope and passion rekindled. The dream burned as bright and vivid as it ever has before. I told Brenda about the dream and a couple we ate lunch with earlier. I know some of you are on the edge of your seat waiting for me to reveal the dream. Not yet. The time will come. 

My counsel to you is if you lost a God given dream, sit before Him today and ask is it over. Maybe it has just been delayed. Maybe it is hope deferred. Don't stop believing. God can make His dreams for us come true. No matter our age or the number of years we wait for it. God is the best dream giver, and He is able to make them come true no matter how outlandish they may seem to others. 

Body Blows

 In the sport of boxing, one of the strategies for success is delivering body blows to the opponent. These are punches to the abdomen and rib areas. It serves to take the air out of a competitor. These are hard hitting punches that slowly wear down the opponent. Each punch takes a toll. 

There are body blows in life. Punches that are so hard it takes the wind out of us. Some blows are knee buckling. Such circumstances can hit so hard they leave you stunned. You are disoriented. You lose a little heart and wonder how you will keep going. Such staggering hits can cause you to lose a little faith and a lot of hope. These blows often come unexpectedly. It can be a lump on the body that turns out to be cancerous. It can be watching loved ones suffer inexplicably as you view helplessly unable to shield them from the blows. At other times, these blows come in the form of unexpected car repairs or a financial crisis you had not planned. 

I recall sitting in a doctor office with two of my sons on different occasions waiting for the diagnosis of knee injuries. I did that five separate times between the two of them. The doctor confirmed our worst fears every time. Season ending injuries which required surgical repairs. I watched the tears stream down both Tucker's and Turner's cheeks upon hearing this news. Devastating to them as well as Brenda and I. I told both of  them, "What you believe about God right now in the midst of this bad news is really important." In those times it is easy to doubt God loves you and that He is faithful. 

I've learned a lot over the years reading the accounts of people who suffered and yet clung to their faith. The body blows of life did not destroy their faith. Those are the people who inspire me to persevere through difficult times and not waver in unbelief. Sometimes this is easier said and done. Look at the case of Job. His immediate response to immense suffering in [Job 1:20-21] is challenging and inspiring. He did not blame God of wrongdoing. He did not grow bitter. He did not walk away from God in anger. He bowed and worshipped. He still found reason to bless God in the triumphs and the tragedies. 

I've heard numerous stories this past week of people getting punched in the gut by life. Three different people either had cars break down or were involved in a wreck totaling a car. There were other body blows I am not at liberty to write about. What do you say? I turn to a verse I have received comfort and strength from for over three decades. [Ps 46:1]. God is our refuge, strength, and a very present help in times of trouble. Over and over again we go to Him for peace in tough times. He is the one who provides strength to keep going when you are emotionally, spiritually, and physically wrecked. He helps you get through the next moment, the next hour, and the next day. He helps us through the next body blow of a crisis. Those body blows hurt. We are not always shielded from the pain. We are given everything needed to endure the pain and press on to better days. I'm not saying that is easy. I am saying it is possible. May we all believe to see the goodness of God in the land of the living and get past the body blows. [Ps 37:14]