Daily Reflections on Dan. 2:20-22 (Relief in Anxious Times)

There has been a lot of unrest over the last couple months leading up to and since the general election. Democrats control both the house and senate. Barak Obama is our new president elect. The stock market continues to take a beating. Bankruptcies are pending for businesses and individuals alike. Big businesses and mortgage companies are still begging for bailouts. The big three US automakers are in real trouble. Foreclosures are at an all time high. The unemployment rate is at it highest in over 25 years.

A lot of people are feeling the heat (and it isn't coming from their furnace, heating oil is too high). Store retailers are predicting one of the worst Christmas seasons in recent history. A friend of mine recently had to close his business because revenue was down and banks aren't lending.

With all the turmoil going on in our country and even the world, many are dealing with various forms of anxiety. They are worried about the economy, their's in particular. They are distress about their 401K or health insurance or investments. They are anxious about a new president who may or may not be to their liking.

Daniel went through some major changes in his life. There was an extreme regime change in his country. It was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel was carried off into captivity. He was ripped away from his home and family and forced to serve the new king. Instead of going to pieces and worrying himself to death, Daniel took care of himself physically and spiritually staying close to God. In Daniel 2:20-22, he says, "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them." He recognized that God was in control.

Daniel didn't have a collapse. He didn't lie awake at night. He didn't get depressed or have an anxiety attack. He continued to serve God no matter how bleak the circumstances seem to be. Daniel was close to losing his life. Yet, because of his faithfulness and trust in God, he was spared his life.

God, I don't what's going to happen to our country and our economy. We are in uneasy times. I'm counting on you to see me through. I want to focus on the things Daniel focused on, taking care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually. I'm keeping my eyes on you and I'm trusting you. Allow me to point others to you during these unsettling days.

Daily Reflections on Ezek. 37:1-14 (I Thought It Was Dead)

As a kid with a big imagination, I loved the story of the valley of dry bones found in Ezekiel 37. I could picture this valley covered with dry bones everywhere. An arm here. A leg there. A disconnected hand. Then all of the sudden, the bones begin to rattle as the bump together in an attempt to find their missing counter parts. Before long skeleltons would be forming, some looking for a leg or an arm. Others would be looking for their head like C3P0 in episode 2 of "Stars Wars." Dogs would be chasing the dancing bones, while half formed skeletons would be trying to get away. (I said I had a big imagination.) The next thing you know these separated dry bones were coming to life again.

Normally, I was not into horror movies or skeletons. Even scenes from "Pirates of the Carribean" kind of freak me out. But for some reason, this story fascinated me and still does to this day. Modern day special effects artists would do wonders depicting this scene.

Although I think Ezekiel tends to be one of those books left to those into prophesy and end times, I think that there's a much deeper meaning to this odd story than meets the eye. It really captures the theme of the entire Bible in these few short verses. There's nothing deader in our minds than a bunch of old dry bones. No chance for life. Yet, God speaks to these dead, dry bones through Ezekiel and they begin to come to life.

That's the whole message of the Bible. Things that where dead by our standards can be revived by the power of God. It is certainly true of our spiritual life and our relationship with God. He can take the deadest of lives and revive them. And if that's true about our spiritual life, what about other areas of our life? If God can raise the dead spiritually and physically, what about a dead marriage or a dead career or dead finances or a dead relationship? If all God did was to tell Ezekiel to prophesy or deliver His message to a bunch of dry bones and they came to life, why can't He do that to these other areas of life?

What seems dead in your life right now? What seems hopeless? Maybe all it needs is God's breath blown into it or God's word spoken into it to be revived. Remember God spoke creation into existence. He has the power to give life. How about putting it into God's hand?

God, you are totally amazing. You speak and life happens. You blow your breath and things come to life. Speak into my life. Blow your breath upon me. Revive the dead areas of my life. Renew me.

Daily Reflections on Prov. 27:23-27 (Managing Finances in Tough Economic Times)

It's been called the worst economic times since the depression. Since I didn't live in the depression I'd have say that it's the worst economic times that I've experienced since the Jimmy Carter days. Back then we faced double digit inflation, interest rates reached as high as 21%, gas prices had quadrupled through the decade. Things were spiraling out of control. It was an uneasy time for America.

But today's financial crisis is something that I've never experienced before. The idea of a total economic meltdown has many really worried. Poor fiscal practices at all levels have no doubt led us to where we are today nationally and internationally. Even if you had saved diligently and thought you invested wisely for your future, you are still not safe. Many 401k's or retirement accounts are taking huge hits. I like the cartoon that recently appeared in the New Yorker magazine of stock broker on the phone telling his client he needed to diversify mattress.

Solomon gives some wise advice in Proverbs 27 regarding financial security. He talks about knowing the conditions of your flocks and herds. Now most of us don't measure our wealth by our livestock these days. But there is something to be said about keeping a close eye on our assets and investments and being aware of the condition of our overall finances.

As I read these words I was just reflecting on the condition of my own finances and got out a pen and paper. To be honest, it was a little depressing. My wife and I had used up all of our reserves to invest in the church plant we are currently serving. So this last year has been especially hard. Our youngest daughter was suspected of having lymphoma. Our part of the bill was over $5,000. Our oldest daughter totaled one of our cars. The payoff on the loan was over $1,500. Within the span of six weeks I lost engines in 2 vehicles and along with other repairs and car rentals the cost was over $13,000. We made an investment to start a new business to cover some these costs of over $6,000. In just the last twelve months we have had unexpected expenses totalling over $27,000. Ouch! And that doesn't include my wife's 401k that has lost nearly 40% of it's value over the same time period.

Depressing? Absolutely. Defeated? Absolutely not. Now more than ever Solomon's sound words make sense. By considering the condition of our finances we can make wise financial and budgeting decisions about our present and our future. Despite $4 a gallon gas and crashing stock markets, through careful financial planning we've been able to increase our offerings to our church by 20% and still knock off over $5,000 of our unexpected debt.

God, Solomon was right when he said that riches don't endure forever. It's really important in the stewardship of life and resources to pay attention. I don't need a lot of luxuries. I just need the basics. Even in a tanking economy living by your wise advice both personally and financially makes a lot of sense. I know that the only way we've been able to make it is by trusting you to supply and giving us the wisdom to manage our finances. Thanks, Lord.