have you said the words today?

So, how’s your day going? Good, bad or in between? Busy or kind of laid back?

However it’s going, I have a question for you: Have you thought about your heavenly Father today?

In case you’ve forgotten, He loves you. Very much.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”1

God sent His Son, Jesus, to planet earth to die on a cross for your sins. He loves you.

But that’s not all: He’s also faithfully watching over you, protecting you and providing for you. As in right now.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."2  

The point of today’s blog entry is short and sweet, and oh how sweet it is: God loves you. Want to hear it again? God loves you.

What’s that? You want to hear it again? Okay. Last time. God loves you!

But we’re not finished.

When people love each other, it’s appropriate for them to express their feelings to one another. God’s done His part, but have you? Translated, have you told the Lord that you love Him today?

We’re not talking about Sunday at church or last week when you were in a real pinch, but today, for no reason except, well, you love Him and want to let Him know.

Need some help? Okay, how about taking the phrase below that comes from one of the Psalms and making it your own?

Go ahead, try it.

“I love you, oh Lord, my strength.”3

Hey, I’m wise to what you just did. You read it and that’s fine, and maybe you even made it your own, which was the point. But can I make a suggestion? How about saying it out loud?  The Lord hears whether it’s a silent prayer or an audible prayer, but I find that saying things out loud makes them more real and meaningful for the one who’s praying.

So what do you say, want to give it another try? Okay, here we go again, with meaning and out loud:

“I love you, oh Lord, my strength.”

Did you do it? If so, know this: Your heavenly Father is grinning from ear-to-ear. Just because His child—you—loves Him back.

God loves you. You love God.

How cool is that?

1  John 3:16

2  Hebrew 13:5

3  Psalm 18:1

stranger in the garden

I was walking in the garden in the cool of the day when I saw him. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him.

Yet, for some reason I liked him. For some reason I trusted him.

“Hi, Chris,” he said with a big smile. “Beautiful day, isn’t it? Say, I was wondering what’s in the bag?”

Despite being taken aback because he knew my name, I said,” Oh, it’s all of my troubles, all of my problems. Health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, it’s all here. Fear, depression, discouragement, loneliness, you name it, it’s in here.”

“I see,” he said, still smiling. “I’m curious, though, why do you carry them around with you? Isn’t it kind of heavy?”

“Well, yeah, it is heavy,” I replied, “but…they’re my problems, so what else am I going to do with them?”

“Hmmm,” he said, obviously thinking about my dilemma for a moment. Then he asked another question. “So what do you do with your troubles and problems?”

“What do I do with them?” I asked. Shrugging my shoulders I said, “Well, mostly I worry about them. I mean, they are problems, right?”

“Yes, they are,” he replied. “Do you do anything else with your troubles, other than worry about them?”

“Well, sure,” I said, wondering where all this was going. “Naturally I try to solve them, you know, get rid of them.”

“I see,” he said, now smiling again. “So how’s that going?”

I should have gotten angry or defensive, but something about him was disarming. For some reason I liked the guy, even though I couldn’t place him. Even though he seemed kind of nosey, for some reason I trusted him.

So I was honest with him. “Not so hot,” I admitted. “I’m doing my best, but sometimes I think all I’m doing is making things worse.”

Then, sensing he might be able to help, I asked for his advice. “Do you have any suggestions for me?”

Now grinning ear-to-ear, he said, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask, Chris. I’m really, really glad you did. Why not give your problems and troubles to me?”

“You?” I asked, wondering how that was possible.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, now leaning close to me.

“Yeah…for some reason I do,” I replied. “I do.”

“Good,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder. He explained everything as we walked together the rest of the way. In the garden. In the cool of the day.

And I cried.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”1

1  1 Peter 5:7

be at rest, oh my soul

Dried leaves, twigs and acorns crunch under my feet;

the music only ends when I reach my special place.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

Water roars downstream, pushing its way past rocks and stumps;

a log is my seat and nature’s white noise fills my eardrums.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

Cold winds blow against my face and into my hungry lungs;

my nostrils are filled with the aroma of the woods.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

Squirrels and birds scurry all around me, friends one and all;

I have a front row seat to their chirping, hopping and playing.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

Dried leaves, twigs and acorns crunch under my feet yet again;

the music only ends when I sadly, ever so sadly, step onto asphalt.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

Quiet, so quiet, now back in the car;

my heavenly Father holds me close and rocks me to sleep.

Be at rest, oh my soul, be at rest.

pursuing excellence

As the coach and two high school girls ran by me on my morning walk in the woods, I smiled and shook my head in amazement. It’s early in the morning, the day after Thanksgiving and cross country season has just ended.

Yet what are these girls doing? They’re in training. For next year.

The rest of the team? Probably sleeping in after overeating yesterday. But not these two: They’re passionate about what they do and want to be the best.

I recognized both girls, not only because I often see them running at the park, but because they've received publicity as stars on the local high school team. In fact, both went to state this year.

But they’re not only high-achievers when it comes to cross country, they apparently have high aspirations in other areas of life. As they sprinted by, they were discussing a university’s graduate program.

So not only are they planning to go to college, they’re also apparently contemplating graduate school.

Why do some people excel when most of us just do okay, or maybe even a little better than okay? I’m not sure. I suspect things like personality, upbringing and inner drive all play a factor.

But for followers of Jesus, the ultimate motivation to excel isn’t any of those things. Instead, it comes from our desire to be all that we can be in order to please our heavenly Father.  

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”1

The context for that verse is the workplace, but I believe the principle is applicable in all areas of life, in whatever we do. The workplace, our home life, sporting activities, you name it.

“Whatever” we do.

·         So what are you doing right now? “Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

·         What will you be doing later today? “Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

·         What’s on the agenda for tomorrow? “Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

You get the idea.

Does that mean we have to get up early the day after Thanksgiving to go running in freezing temperatures? Maybe. That is, if we’re trying to excel in the area of high school cross country.

So how does this principle apply to your life? What are you involved with? Can you do better?

Whatever it is, I encourage you to not be satisfied with mediocrity. In fact, I even encourage you not to be satisfied with very good.

I encourage you to only be satisfied with excellence, with being the very best you can be.

And what’s our motivation? We’re trying to put a smile on the face of our heavenly Father, and in the process we’ll reach our full potential.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

1  Colossians 3:23

a helping hand

She and her three-year-old got financial help, but I was the one who was helped the most.

After repairing her car the previous week, the single mom didn’t have anything left for gas or groceries. So she humbled herself and shared her need with me by phone. An hour later she had more than enough to get through the next week, and so did I.

I guess Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive."1

I was blessed by sharing something with someone who needed help. I can still picture the grateful look on her face and the sincere thank you. And it helped that her son was absolutely adorable and thanked me as well with a smile and a handshake.

All of this brings me to today’s challenge: Who do you know that could use a helping hand? It might be financial help, a lift to the doctor’s office, a few hours away from the kids, or any number of things.

Seriously, please don’t blow this off. My hunch is someone in your sphere of influence could use a helping hand today. And it could be that no one else is willing or able to help, except for you.

So will you? Help, that is.

Take it from me, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

1  Acts 20:35

"how majestic is your name!"

I thought you might be more interested in hearing from the Lord today vs. me. This Psalm ministered to me and I hope it ministers to you as well, my friend.

“O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise

because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!”1

Selah

Read it, savor it, and then read it again. The Lord’s talking to you. Are you listening?

1 Psalm 8

sin and forgiveness

“So, when are you due?” I asked.

The shock on her face was clear, but it quickly changed to anger. Looking me in the eyes and leaning in close, she pursed her lips and said, “I’m not pregnant.”

I’m not quite sure why, but the woman never came back to church. Ever.

I’ve prayed over the years that my foolish comment wasn’t a hindrance to her faith. Despite the utter stupidity of my question, I’ve prayed that the Lord eventually healed her feelings and that she’s accepted Christ.

I still cringe when I think of that brief conversation when I first started preaching. In fact, in case you’re wondering, I never—never—comment or ask about a woman’s pregnancy unless I’m absolutely, positively sure she’s pregnant. And even then I’m very hesitant.

There’s no way I’m going to make that mistake again.

And yet, in other areas I do make the same mistake over and over again. True confession time: I have a handful of areas where I’m susceptible to sin. What those areas are is none of your business, but just when I think I’m doing well in one or more of them, I stumble. I sin.

Based on my experience, I’m not the only one with a handful of areas that cause me to fall on occasion. Maybe you can identify.

It’s during those times, when our humanity gets the best of us, that we need to read—and believe—what the Bible says about our sins.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1

This verse doesn’t give us carte blanche to sin and then confess it, as if we’ve got the Lord over a barrel. I’m of the opinion if our confession isn’t sincere or if we have every intention of doing the same thing right away, I’m not so sure the Lord’s going to forgive.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.”2

But the Lord does forgive repentant sinners, those who truly recognize and admit their sin and have a sincere desire not to do it again.

So what are your weak spots, those areas where you’re prone to sin? And please don’t give me that, “I don’t have any weak spots.” That’s a bunch of baloney. Even the best of us have soft spots in our holy armor. I know what mine are and I’m betting you know what yours are as well.

Now that everybody’s uncomfortable, let’s deal with reality.

Number one, admit those problem areas to God and yourself. Two, ask God to help you not to give in to those weak spots. Three, be extra diligent to be holy in those problem areas. Four, when you sin—notice I said “when,” not “if”—confess it, thank God for your forgiveness and start the cycle all over again.

While some may regard my suggestions as “giving in” or being unnecessarily soft on sin, I believe it’s being realistic. After all, we’re only human and we won’t stop sinning until we’re with the Lord in heaven some day. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

While the Lord may completely deliver us from a sinful pattern, in my experience the area often remains a minefield of potential problems down the road. Think of an alcoholic who, despite being sober, still craves a drink, even years later.

Will I ever assume that a woman is pregnant again without knowing for sure? I can say with a bucketful of confidence that I won’t make that mistake again. Ever.

But other mistakes, alas, I’m not so sure about. They’ll be with me as long as I breathe air on this earth. And I’m guessing you’re the same way.

So when we fail—not “if” but “when”—let us “confess our sins,” for “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1  1 John 1:9

2  Psalm 51:17

rest for the soul

I sat in the car today in the garage with the engine off.  It was a wonderful 20 minutes of peace and quiet.

In addition to my driveway, my view included the rusted, weed-covered barbed wire fence across the street that surrounds the farmer’s field. That captured my attention for quite some time.

Oh, and the big excitement was watching my neighbor’s cat check out our trash can in the corner of the garage. He’d walk over, sniff the air, stand on his hind legs to see what he could see, walk away, and then do it all over again.

I could have been studying Scripture, exercising, doing chores around the house or even writing this blog, but I decided I could spare 20 minutes for myself. Not for you, anybody in my family or anyone else. I needed time for me. And just me.

Selfish? I suppose. But I rarely just slow down and do nothing, letting my mind wander wherever it wants to go. In fact, I often try and do two things at once.

That probably explains why sitting in the car in the garage with the engine off was such a treat for me. Downtime is a rarity.

And the best part of those moments is how God ministers to me in the quiet. How God quiets my anxious thoughts. And how God brings peace to my troubled soul.

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”1

He has, you know. Been good to me.

Even though I could easily list a few pages of problems and challenges in my life right now, at the end of the day, in the quiet of the moment, I remember.

I remember how good God is. How good God has been to me.

How does all of this apply to you? I’m not sure. But if you’re stressed out, worried and/or having trouble seeing the gracious hand of God in your life, you need a break.

So here’s your assignment. Grab your car keys, walk out to your car, get behind the wheel, and then sit quietly for awhile. No music, no phone, and no reading (except maybe a Bible or devotional).

Let your mind wander. Let life pass you by. Let your heart rate go down. And let God minister to you in the quiet of the moment.

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”

1  Psalm 116:7

criticism from the clay

He was everything I wasn’t: Tall, blond, blue eyes, a star athlete and a babe magnet.

I can still see him in his high school letter sweater with a big smile on his face and all the girls in the class looking at him, whispering among themselves. Meanwhile, a few desks over I’m secretly wishing an anvil drops on his head. If not that, perhaps a plague of some kind.

Except—and this was probably the most frustrating thing of all—he was a nice guy. A genuinely nice guy. Humble even though he was everything I wanted to be. Heck, he was what every high school guy wanted to be.

Comparing ourselves. I’m obviously guilty of doing that. Unfortunately, I still do that on occasion. (Not too much, of course, because I am, after all, preacher boy.)

“He’s the same age as me, but he’s not as fat. Rats! But, hey, he’s totally gray and I’m not—gotcha!”

I’m pathetic. Also sinful.

Comparing myself to others is never a good idea, but if it leads to discontentment and questioning how almighty God made me, well, I’m treading on thin ice.

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'? Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?' "This is what the LORD says--the Holy one of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?"1

While this rebuke is directed against Old Testament Israel, the application to me—and perhaps you, if you struggle in this area as well—is obvious: We, as the clay, have no right to question the potter.

God didn’t make me tall, blond and with blue eyes that make girls swoon. So what? That’s the potter’s prerogative.

Translated, I need to be content with who I am, who God made me. While there are some things I can change, other things I can’t. It is what it is. I am who God made me to be.

How about you? Are you satisfied with your physical appearance? Are you satisfied with how God made you?

If there are things we can change, then we’re free to pursue them.  But those things that we can’t change, well, how about we just let them go?

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker.”

1  Isaiah 45:9-11

stop!

He was heading straight for me with the police officer right on his tail. Figuring I’d help out, I jumped into the man’s path, held my arms out in front of me and yelled in a stern voice for him to “Stop!”

Amazingly, he did stop. Why I’ll never know. Perhaps he thought I was an undercover cop or something. Regardless, I escaped unscathed as the officer wrestled the man to the ground, cuffed him and took him away.

Afterwards, I walked the rest of the way to the convenience store, purchased a chocolate shake and went back to my apartment. The next day I read a small story in the local paper about a man who was arrested on a drug charge. I’m guessing that was the same guy who almost ran me down.

As I think back to that episode from my college days, I still wonder why I did what I did. I mean, I wasn’t a hero then and still aren’t. And yet, there I was on my Friday night mission to acquire something sweet and somebody needed to do something. Otherwise, the chase might still be going on.

What about you? Does somebody need to intervene in your life right now? Does somebody need to stand in front of you and tell you to “stop” whatever it is you’re doing?

Is it pornography? Gossip? A foul mouth? Drunkenness? Lust?

What is it? Come on, you know what I’m talking about. Please don’t act like you don’t.

What are you doing that you know is outside the will of God and needs to stop? As in right now.

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”1

Did that register with you? We’ve “spent enough time in the past doing what (non-Christians) choose to do.”

I say again: What are you doing right now that needs to stop? Do you really need somebody to literally jump in front of you as I did to that man so many years ago? Isn’t this written rebuke enough?

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."2

Stop it.

 

1 1 Peter 4:3

2  1 Peter 1:15-16

grace

I’m concerned about something, but I’m certainly not worried about it. After all, the Bible calls worrying sin.

Because I’m a pastor, and because I know it’s wrong, I try fooling myself and others by calling it by a different name: concern. The truth is, though, it is what it is. I’m worried. And if worrying is sin—and it is—then I’m sinning. As in right now.

I’ve prayed about the problem, and I know intellectually I can’t do anything to change the situation, but my stomach is all knotted up and I can’t stop thinking about it. So how do I turn off the brain? How do I turn off the worry?

This may come as a shock to you, but I’m not sure it’s always as simple as just turning my mind off. I mean, it’s not like there’s a switch or something. Sometimes I can pull it off, but if I’m all worked up, no matter how much I want to will it away worry can still haunt me like a ghost.

Can anybody identify?

It’s times like these that I feel utterly helpless, as if I’m not spiritual enough or mature enough. Aren’t I supposed to set the right example? As preacher boy, aren’t I supposed to be “Mr. Has-it-all-together?”

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not perfect. In fact, I’m so flawed sometimes if you follow my example I might lead you off a cliff.  

The only thing left to do is throw myself at the mercy of the court. If the grace of God doesn’t cover me, then I’m in big trouble. If the Lord isn’t patient, merciful and forgiving, then I don’t stand a chance.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”1

Despite being a sinner—even as a I write this sentence—I believe the grace of God covers me and I’m forgiven despite my tendency to worry. And why? Because I have faith in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have full confidence in His sacrifice on the cross. And I believe the Bible when it says I’m forgiven, despite my being the king of sinners.

That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do everything in my power—and in the Spirit’s power—to eliminate worry from my life, but when I fall into sin God’s grace covers me.

That realization awes me. What does a holy, sinless and perfect God see in puny and sin-laden me? Why oh why does He forgive me? Why does He put up with me?

Why He loves me is beyond me. But I treasure it like nothing else. I treasure my heavenly Father who puts up with me. And I treasure my Savior who died for me.

“To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: ‘What gain is there in my destruction, In my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.’ You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.”2

1  Ephesians 2:8-10

2  Psalm 30:8-12

patience

I’m waiting for God to tell me what to write about today.

I asked for guidance and was sincere in my request. But there are cobwebs forming on the keyboard and the tick, tick, tick of the clock on the wall is beginning to tick me off, no pun intended.

Ever waited on God? Of course you have. Who hasn’t?

There could be any number of reasons why the Lord hasn’t provided me with a blog topic yet, but knowing my shortcomings as well as I do, I suppose it could have to do with patience. You see, I don’t have any.

Well, I guess I must have a little, otherwise my head would have burst by now and sprayed angry juice over everything.

In  meetings I want to strangle those who don’t get to the point. At the store I burn with anger when the line doesn’t go fast enough. And driving, oh my, driving is where my impatience spews out like lava out of a volcano.

In fact, this may surprise you, but in my experience everyone on the road is an idiot. Except for me, of course. And their mistakes? Well, I’ve never been guilty of committing them myself, at least not that I’d admit.

Ohhhhhhhh, crud. I think I’ve just stumbled upon a topic for today’s blog: Impatience and a short fuse.

Can you believe how sneaky God is? I never saw this coming. I just started writing and then…..this.

All right, fine, I guess I’ll go with it. Let me start with the obvious: I’m not like my heavenly Father. Unlike me He’s patient, and unlike me, He’s got a long fuse.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”1

The above verses are talking about why the Lord hasn’t returned yet. And why hasn’t He? Because He’s “patient with” those on earth who haven’t repented of their sins yet. He’s putting up with them, hoping they’ll eventually make Jesus their Lord and Savior.

In my case, He waited patiently during 35 years of gross sin and unbelief before I finally came to my senses. He could have smited me any number of times, but didn’t. Unlike me, He kept His cool.

And so, here I am covered in sackcloth and ashes, guilty of impatience and a short temper. While I’ve had some fun with the topic, I recognize how destructive—and sinful—it is. And how destructive—and sinful—I can be.

So what about you? Are you impatient like me? Do you have anger problems like me?

If so, then you need to deal with it.  Like me, you need to confess it as sin and strive to be more like your heavenly Father.

Am I sorry now that I asked God for a blog topic? Yep. I’m guessing you are, too.

Yet, here we are. So let’s make the necessary life changes. And let’s be a little impatient about it, shall we?

1  2 Peter 3:8-9

our great god

What do you do when a woman interrupts the worship service, uses inappropriate language and claims the church is persecuting her?

Unfortunately, I don’t have the answers. I mean, I can tell you how I tried to handle that situation at church this morning, but it didn’t work very well. She wouldn’t calm down, wouldn’t listen to reason and refused to leave. The congregation watched in stunned silence. The woman was obviously agitated and very confused.

Praise God that a woman in the audience came to my aid and eventually coaxed her to leave the auditorium. Despite the bizarre circumstances, we continued to worship. The worship team soldiered on admirably despite the unnerving development.

After making sure the woman had someone to talk to, I returned to my seat. It was then that everything began to take its toll on me. What in the world just happened? How can I possibly preach after that?

Ignoring the worship leader’s call to sing, I bowed my head and prayed until it was time to preach. My emotions swung back and forth, praying for the Lord’s will to be done and for me to have the full armor of God on. This was spiritual warfare, pure and simple.

On the other hand, I felt absolutely terrible for the woman, knowing how confused and delusional she was. Part of me wanted to run after her and comfort her.

Regardless, I sure didn’t want to preach anymore. Those around me had seen me crying and praying, and a woman encouraged me with a pat on the back when it was my turn to preach. Knowing I had to get up and do my thing, I did.

The rest is pretty much a blur. After admitting I didn’t want to preach, I led a prayer for the woman and then delivered what God had put on my heart. To be honest, I’m not sure what I said, and if it was even close to what I had prepared.

And now, here I am, alone in my office, writing this blog entry. And I’m still stunned by what happened. Was it real or a dream? Did a woman really stand up in the middle of the worship service and say all those things in front of all those people? Did it really happen?

But when I peel back the emotions and really think about this morning, the most amazing thing is how great our God is. He took a preacher who didn’t want to preach, couldn’t preach, and preached for him. He took a broken man who was upset and under attack and delivered a message to His people.

Make no mistake, our God is a great God, the only God, Creator God. I praise your name, Jesus, I praise your holy and powerful name!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”1

1  Ephesians 3:20-21

hugs

I need a hug sometimes. Maybe you do too.

Because of that, one of the things I’m known for as a pastor is hugging people on Sunday mornings as they leave. I don’t hug those who don’t want to, of course, and pride myself on respecting people’s personal space, but regulars know that if they need one I’ve got one waiting for them.

Just hold out your arms and I’m your guy.

I wasn’t a huggy kind of guy until my first part-time ministry. The more I got to know folks and found out how difficult life was for them, the more hugs made sense. And when I considered some of the elderly widows in the congregation, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

And so, pretty much over night, I began hugging people. Mostly women, as you might imagine, although if a guy wants one that’s cool. Of course, they get a “man-hug,” not a “woman-hug.” There’s a difference, you know.

I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but I’m convinced people need the touch of another person on a regular basis. That’s especially true in our fast-paced, Facebook and texting culture. There doesn’t seem to be time for face-to-face conversations or human interaction anymore. And there are some desperately lonely people out there, even in the church.

Because of that, here’s your assignment: Hug somebody today (Your spouse or girl/boy friend don’t count.).

Two words of caution, however: First, we’re talking (of course) about a holy hug, not a passionate one. The purpose of these hugs is to encourage and support people, not an expression of lust. I know it may seem obvious, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point it out.

Second, be cautious and use common sense who you hug and when you hug. Since the person and any observers may misinterpret what’s happening, don’t do anything foolish or obviously inappropriate. And always—always—use extreme caution when hugging someone of the opposite sex. In fact, if you have any doubts at all, then don’t do it. Just don’t.

All that said, who’s it going to be? Somebody at school? At work? A neighbor? A family member?

Who do you know that needs encouragement? Who do you know that’s depressed? Who is having a tough time of it?

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”1

One of the best ways to encourage each other is a well-timed and holy hug.

Take my word for it, hugs are good medicine.

1  Hebrews 10:25