How Do You Do God

I grew up in a southern conservative evangelical church.  I've kept my presence in church on a pretty regular basis down through the years and consider myself a Christian man.

In my years of living, I've done God  mostly in the context just described above.  But there's more.

Friday night Carolyn and I attended a vespers service at St. James Catholic in downtown Seattle.  Amazingly, we did God Friday night.  It was different from my southern conservative religious roots, yet was a wholesome and soul satisfying experience. 

God came down and sat beside me in that Catholic service much as He did in my growing up church in Tennessee. 

How do you do God?

Some religious traditions raise hands, utter sounds in indistinguishable tongues, play tambourines, wear special pieces of clothing either on their head or shoulders.  Some use beads, some use guitars and pianos while some sing acapella. 

Thankfully, you don't have to be in a certain building, with the correct label on it or use some secret language to do God

Friday night we/they sang repetitive songs. I didn't sing at all, for I was there for my own reflective thoughts.  The man to my left sang every note and word.  Carolyn, to my right sang a few verses, harmonized a few, and was silent for a few songs.

The organ was magnificant.  The acoustics were perfect with the right amount of reverb.  The  crowd was a mix of races, economic rankings, and stages of dress with a variety of ages present.

In my southern evangelical tradition, down through the years I've noticed we are mostly uncomfortable with long periods of quietness in worship.  Friday night we had six minutes of total quiet.  It was amazing.  I did God in those minutes.  It took me a couple of minutes to focus my thoughts and settle into that time and space, and it was wonderful.

God was present.  We communed.  I can't tell you much of what we said, for there wasn't much that needed saying. In past moments of attempts at meditating I struggled with the fear of doing it wrong.  "Am I in a good body posture."  "What happens if I fall asleep during meditation?"  "How can I control my thoughts and focus on God and avoid wanderings about the need to get gas for my Ford when I leave here, or where will we eat dinner later, and 'boy that one customer at the bank was a real pill today.'" 

At one point I felt God whisper - just to me - "Be at peace.  I am here.  I'm glad you took a few minutes for us just to be."

And that was enough. 

I didn't come away with three blogs, two book ideas and a new poem.  I came away with a heart that had, for a few brief moments, touched the Divine. 

My experience didn't move anybody around me or beside me.  It didn't shift Seattle two degrees off it's axis.  For a few moments I had the privilege of sitting with God, and He allowed me to draw near and be quiet in His presence. 

I really hope you have some God moments equal to this some time. 

I did God Friday, and it was enough.

Internet Church 

Offering Words of Hope and Encouragement

God Holds the Door Open

Have you ever had a door slammed in your face?  It's no fun is it?  Read this for some encouraging words of hope. 

God holds the door for us.  This is full of good news.

I can think of a few instances when God held the door open for some needy individuals.

A street prostitute was brought before Jesus once.  She needed to gain entrance to grace and hope and love.  God through Christ held the door open for her.  He pretty much put her accusers in their respective places by one simple statement – “If you are without sin, then you may throw the first stone.”  

Read John 8:1-11

After her accusers had left the building, Christ opened the door even further.  “Where are your accusers” he asked.  The answer was obvious, for they had all left. 

He then flung the door wide open.  “Then neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.”  He showed the lady to way to grace and invited her in.  He held the door open.  Amazing!

Meet Zacchaeus.  He was a nobody.  He was a tax collector, and a dishonest one at that.  He was despised hated by his own clan.  His shortness in stature had nothing to do with his need.  It was a simple fact to put the story in total perspective, for he had to climb a sycamore tree so he could see when Jesus came down the road.

And sure enough He came.  And He stopped at the foot of that tree and opened the door for Zacchaeus to walk through.  He held the door for this wee little man and invited him into the grace place.  And it made all the difference in Zacchaeus’ life.   Luke 19:1-10

Christ met a man named Bartimaeus once.  Now Bart was blind.  His life consisted of sitting by the side of the main thoroughfare into Jericho begging for any gracious coins the passers-by would toss his way. 

Bart heard the crowd grow more excited and he picked up enough of the conversations to understand that Jesus, the Christ was going to be passing near him. 

He began calling out.  “Jesus.  Jesus.  Have mercy on me.”

Bart’s friends tried to slam the door on him by telling him to be quiet.  “Be still.”  “Stop that racket right now.”  “Hold your peace man.”

He cried out more loudly.

“Jesus, Son of David.  Please have mercy on me.”

The sound of Bart’s voice rose above the noise of the crowd and Christ heard him calling.

Jesus stopped a few feet away and ordered that this man be brought to him.

Bartimaeus stood up, dropped his outer garment, and shuffled over to where Jesus stood. 

Jesus opened the door just a crack, you see.  He asked … “What do you want me to do for you?”

What an opening.  Bart could have asked for the moon, but he asked that his greatest need be met.  He said, “I want to receive my sight.”

A bold request. 

An audacious ask. 

A man who was pushed around, ignored, shoved, barely surviving on the streets of Jericho was asking for a miracle of sight.  What nerve?

And the response?

The door opened wider.  Jesus’ words were healing words.

“Go on your way.  Your faith has made you whole.”

And the door flung wide open!

Bartimaeus immediately received his sight, and started following Jesus.

He walked through the door of grace and healing that was being offered him.  Mark 10: 46-52

Do you need God to hold open a door for you?  Is it a door to peace, or healing, or to meet a need?  Is it a need for salvation? Or hope?

Call out.  Present yourself as you are.  Come just as you are, not as you should be.  You don’t have to go home first and repair the damage of the road you have been traveling.  Come just as you are.

And when the door flings open, enter as a child of God, not as a dirt-rag, or a servant.  Enter as a child of the King.  For that is what is being offered to you. 

P Michael Biggs

Internet Church

The Place for 

Hope Encouragement Inspiration

God Wants You to Know

Here are some strong words of encouragement that God wants you to know.

 Deuteronomy 31:6

“Do not be afraid or terrified.  I your God will be with you.  Never will I leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 43:1-2

“This is what God has to say.  I who created Jacob and formed Israel.  I command you – do not fear.  I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name; You are mind. 

“When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you.

When you pass through raging rivers, they will not sweep you away.

When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not land on you. I am the Lord your God.  I am the Holy one of Israel, your Savior.”

Psalm 121:1-4

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains? Where does my help come from?  My help comes from God himself.  He is the maker of heaven and earth.  He never will let my foot slip.

“My God who watches over me will not slumber.

Indeed, He who keeps watch over Israel will never slumber nor sleep.”

John 3:16

“God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, so that all who believe on His name shall inherit eternal life.  God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

God showed such great love for us that He sent Jesus to die on a cross and thus extend to you and me eternal life. 

His love is not based on performance, on our being good enough.  None of us are good enough.  Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.  Even before we had a chance to confess any sin, God was standing ready to offer us forgiveness because of what Christ has done. 

In spite of our disobedience, our weakness, our sin and selfishness, Christ loves us and is providing a way to us to have abundant and eternal life. 

Remember His words on the cross?  “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Even in his death, he was offering pardon for those putting him to death.  And I think He is offering you and me this same level of forgiveness today.  We are often compared to sheep.  Sheep are dumb.  They can’t help but get into trouble, and the Father knows this.  WE can’t help but foul things up.  We try, or not, to be good enough, yet we fail miserably.  And He loves us anyway.

Can you imagine the love he offers us in light of this one example? 

We don’t deserve His love.

We can’t earn it.

But we can receive it with simple faith, and we can pause and give God thanks for the amazing grace that you and I receive today.

Thanks be to God.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Is God Faithful

One of the great hymns that I still love to sing is called Great Is Thy Faithfulness.  I’ve sung it as a solo and in congregational singing numerous times, and this hymn still moves me.  My heart is stirred every time I reflect on the text.

V1

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, 
Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Refrain:

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

V3

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine with ten-thousand besides

Refrain

Even as I key in these words my heart is bubbling over with praise and thanksgiving to the God who has proven himself faithful to me time and time again.

You see, I’ve had bumps in the road, just as you have.  I’ve fallen down a time or two.  I’ve had hardships come my way and I frankly wondered if God was anywhere around. 

My great news for you today is – yes He is.  He is more than faithful. 

Note this:

I broke my arm in the 3^rd grade.

He was faithful.

I had a severe attach of appendicitis. 

He was faithful.

I faced my first divorce.

He was faithful.

I faced my second divorce.

He was faithful.

I faced severe financial crises.  
God sent me $3,000 through 
an anonymously gift.

He was faithful.

I went through bankruptcy.

He was faithful.

I faced a few more job changes,

and went through some brief

periods of unemployment.

He was faithful.

I met Carolyn, 
the greatest love of my life.

He was faithful.

We married in 2006.

He was faithful.

I inherited three step-children 
and five (now eight) grand-kids.

He is faithful.

I started a writing career 
as an unknown.

He has been faithful.

I faced the death 
of both my parents.

He was faithful.

We faced the death 
of both of Carolyn’s parents.

He was faithful.

In the good, the bad, the up-hill climb, and down-hill slide, the moments of poverty and seasons of blessing, God has proven Himself faithful.

What are you facing today?  What concerns you?  If I could give you a page from my play book, it would read like this.

We are facing a serious election for president this year.  I don’t have a crystal ball, nor do I know who will win.  All I know is this … God will be faithful and He will keep his hand steady on the wheel of this world.  He will go through it all with us.

Let me share a Bible verse that offers great comfort.  Lamentations 3:22-23

(22) “Because of God’s great love

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

(23) They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.”

Here is a real treat for you.  These guys combine four great hymns,  Be Encouraged.

Hymn Medley - by Anthem Lights

Thanks be to God!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Second Chances

Let me tell you a story, a fable if you will.

There once was a little boy born into a family to a mother, a father and an older brother. 

And his father loved him very much.

The boy grew.  He became taller and stronger and smarter.

And his father loved him very much.

The boy was an obedient son.  He was kind and good-natured.

And his father loved him very much.

One day, the boy, now a young man, went to his father and asked for some money so he could go and have a good time.  He wanted to see the world, party like there was no tomorrow, and skip this measly little two-bit town in which he lived.

And his father loved him very much.

So the father granted the boy his wishes.  He gave his son his fair share of the inheritance.  And the boy left home.

And his father loved him very much.

Time passed.  The boy spent all his money on wine, women and probably sang a few sad songs along the way.  He treated his new friends to parties and the wild life … until his money ran out.  And then they ran out on him.  He was all alone.

And his father loved him very much.

One day, the boy awakened to his senses and through the fogginess of his brain began thinking.  “My father’s servants eat better than I do.  Here I am eating what the pigs leave when I could be at home by my father’s side doing better than this.  I think I should go back home and beg my father to take me back.

And his father loved him very much.

And that is what he did.  He started the long trek back toward home.

Meanwhile, his father stood each day, as he had since his son left home, looking down the road hoping to catch a small glimpse of his son coming back home.

Because his father loved him very much.

And one fine day, as the father took his post just like he did every day, he saw a sliver of a figure headed up the road toward his home.  He noticed a familiar gait to the walk, and as the figure came closer, the father recognized his son, the very son who had abandoned the family all those months ago.  And the father ran to him. 

He embraced him.  He never ceased kissing him, even in his smelly state, and with the torn and dirty rags of clothing his son had on.

For his father loved him very much.

The father ordered the prime calf to be killed, and a banquet to be prepared, and the best of clothing to be brought for his son. 

For his father loved him very much.

You see, the father believed in giving his son a second chance. 

Now this story is a parable told by Jesus in   Luke 15:11-32 (Click Here)

   It is called the story of the prodigal son. 

The father represents God and His great love for His son.  The son represents us - you and me - for we are all prone to want to wander.  We want to go have a good time. We want what we want and we want our own way. 

And when we come to the end of ourselves and wish to return home to the God of love, we are offered a second change. 

Isn’t that amazing?  We are offered a second chance – a do-over.  The feast of a life-time is ordered, the best robe in the house is laid on our shoulders with new shoes on our feet, and we are welcomed and loved and accepted as if we had never left. 

We receive the great second chance of grace and love that Father God offers.

Will we receive it, or will we let our past get in the way?  God is in effect saying, “I forget your past.  I offer you forgiveness.  Come, my son/daughter.  Receive the grace at my table.  Eat until filled and savor my great love for you. 

I am the God of the second chance.

Here is what it says in the Bible.

Matt 11:28-29

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest. Take my ways upon you, learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; You shall find rest for your soul.”

No matter how large your failure may be, the grace of God can cover your failure and give you a second chance.

Thanks be to God!

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Assurances of God

It appears to me that the whole world needs a huge dose of the assurance of God. 

The questions run like this:

~Is God watching?

~Does He care?

~Can I rely on God?

~Is there a future and a hope for mankind?

If you are a weary and scared soul, then perhaps I can offer a cool wash cloth for your fevered brow in the form of words of hope and encouragement.

This I believe:

~God has not abandoned earth for a better or more worthy world.

~God never sleeps.  He never takes a day off.

~He knows where we are at every moment of our lives.

~His power is not diminished.  His strength is not snuffed out.

~He is with us always.

Here are some powerful words from His word – the Bible.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

~Hebrews 13:5

“Be neither afraid nor dismayed, for I your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff comfort me.”

~Psalm 23:4

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither things present nor things to come, no powers, no height or depth or any created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

~Romans 8:38-39

“God is our safe place and our strength.  He is a real and present help in times of trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth should change and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; even if its waters roar and foam.  Even when the mountains quake ...”

~Psalm 46:1-3

Have faith dear heart. 

Photo courtesy of Ken Sjodin Photography

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

God Is Not an Ogre

In literature, movies, books and fables God has been represented a thousand ways.  The one I was most familiar with in my growing up years was the Ogre God. 

I just knew He was waiting for me to step out of line so He could zap me.  I never felt good enough; valuable enough, right enough, and smart enough. 

And if God judged on the kinds of clothes I wore, He surely would write me off His list, for I wore black tennis shoes when white was in style, and my socks never stayed up, for the elastic was worn out. 

As for my shirts, button-down collars were in style and I had maybe one.  Surely God was judging me by my clothes and shoes and shirts, and I was losing every time.

Surely God was an ogre – I thought. He was just waiting to catch me in some fault or in some moment of weakness.  And then He would zap me.

I had lunch with my friend Phil on Friday.  We got onto this topic of the ‘ogre God’ and Phil echoed what I felt.  He too had grown up with that concept of God in his Catholic upbringing. 

Want some good news?  God is not an ogre.  He is not the monster tyrant of our imaginations. 

God is on our side.  He is looking out for us.  His eye is on us.  He never sleeps, nor takes a day off.  He doesn’t even blink.

I read this somewhere a while back: 

I see a God of mercy in that thought.  I see a God of compassion who longs to share His very being with the likes of us.  It has been noted that there are over 300 invitations in the scriptures that speak of God inviting us to “come and partake”.  He wants us with Him.  He wants to surround us with His love and mercy and grace. 

Perhaps you feel you bring a thimble to the banquet of God.  Maybe that is all you think you can afford of God’s grace.  And when God begins to pour out His love and mercy your thimble fills to overflowing.  You just can’t contain all the goodness and grace and love Father God is pouring out into your life.

Will you receive His love?

Will you receive His grace?

He is not an ogre.

He is love and mercy and He invites you to COME. 

“Come all who are weary 

and on your last leg.  

I (God) will give you rest.”

The ogre has left the building, and God Himself welcomes you with open arms.  Fall into His embrace.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time