What Miracles?

The Bible is full of miracles from the creation of the world to the parting of the Red Sea to the Resurrection of Jesus and all the crazy healings done by disciples. Makes the present reality seem a bit dull and empty, doesn't it?

I'm going to make a bet with you: The vast majority of the people during Biblical times never saw those miracles, experienced them, nor understood that what they were part of was magical, massive, and world-changing. If you personally experienced God's curses on the Egyptians, walked through the parted Red Sea, were guided by a fire through the desert, and also understood that what you were living was a piece of God's epic story, would you have made a golden calf and worshipped it the next day?


They were blind, and in many ways, most of us still are.


If you walked with Jesus, would you still doubt in miracles? Surely, you've heard of the multiplying of the loaves and fishes. There were four-thousand people waiting to listen to Jesus' teachings, but they had only seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Somehow, all the people in the crowd ate and were full. There was even seven baskets of leftovers! This was the second time something like this happened. Immediately after seeing this inexplicable miracle, the disciples followed Jesus into a boat:

"So they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.

Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they answered.

“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they said.

Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?'" Mark 8:16-21

Do you understand? Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear? Are you sure you're not missing the miracles going on around you?

There exists a sect which doesn't believe in medicine. They will go so far as allow loved ones to die from completely preventable deaths because they feel if God wanted them to live, He would heal them. I personally feel that God makes everything, including the medicines that can so miraculously save your life! Here's a story I once heard:

There once was a very religious man, and one day the rains became so heavy and long, it began to flood. The authorities called for an evacuation, and most of the residents left. However, this man refused. He said that "God will save me with a miracle."

The waters rose so high he was forced to sit on his roof. It was then that a raft floated by with a neighbor inside. "Come get into my raft as there's plenty of room!" He said. The man refused. He said that "God will save me with a miracle."

So, the neighbor went away. The waters rose so he barely had enough room to keep himself dry. A rescue boat came up with workers inside. "Come get into this boat!" The man refused. He said "God will save me with a miracle."

After some convincing, the workers went away. The waters rose so high, he was floating with only his head above. A helicopter appeared in the sky. They let down a long rope ladder and called out to him. "We're here to save you. Get inside!" The man still refused. He said that "God will save me with a miracle."

The helicopter insisted many times, but seeing that they could not get him up the ladder, they left to find more willing survivors. The waters rose so high, the man did not have the strength to fight the tides or keep himself afloat. As the sun fell beneath the horizon, the man dropped down into the water and drowned. When he died, the man's soul went straight to the pearly gates where he met God.

Despite his original faith, he was now very angry. "I was a devout follower, and you never saved me with a miracle! You abandoned me!" God shook His head sadly. "I sent four miracles! First, you were warned with an evacuation, next I sent a raft, then a boat, and lastly, a helicopter!"

It's a miracle, not only that you woke up this morning, but that you exist at all. All of the factors that must come together just so you can be born, breathe, have a heartbeat, and even think are innumerable. When God shaped the sky and set the sun a certain distance from Earth, when He then formed plants and animals for the ecosystem and to sustain us, when He knitted your atoms with DNA specifying the shape of your hips, the color of your eyes, and the personality your soul would hold, He performed miracles beyond our imagining.

If you were able to ask a fish what water is, they probably would say "What is water? Where?" It is so intrinsic to their lives that they may not even notice it anymore. It isn't that there aren't miracles anymore or that they are small, maybe it's because they are so commonplace and numerous that we forget to open our eyes and ears.


What miracles have you experienced? What epic, world-changing miracle are you a part of at this very moment?

Steward of the Kingdom of God

You've probably heard the parable of the talents.

If not, Matthew 25:14-30 tells a story of a traveling master and his servants who remain in his home. They are expected to be stewards of his household while he's absent, and he gives one servant five talents (a type of currency), one servant two talents, and one servant a single talent. When the master returns, he asks about his money. The one with five talents invested and ended up with ten talents. The one with two talents did the same and ended up with four talents. However, the servant with one talent was afraid that he would lose the only money his master gave him, and he buried it so no one could steal it. The master was overjoyed with the first two, giving them even more ("Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’"). Yet he was angered with the last for "playing it safe" and not investing his money.

Honestly, this was always a very confusing parable to me until a friend of mine described one interpretation. The word "talent" in Greek means a measurement, which could be used to weigh a sum of precious metal. Basically, a talent was a certain amount of money. The parable in Matthew is the origin of the use of the word "talent" to mean "gift or skill."

I have a passion (and hopefully skill) for writing. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the front porch as a child, making up stories with pictures and creating a book. I stapled printer paper with sloppy drawings and declared it a success. At about eleven, I wrote family newspapers, with the very first created on an old typewriter. At about twelve or thirteen, I received my very own computer. That was when poems and short stories started pouring from my fingertips.

God gives us all gifts and talents to steward in His name. This world and our lives (the master's home) are not ours but His, and our talents are not our own but His given to us for a time. What does it mean to steward? One definition would be:

"One employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents, and keeping of accounts), a fiscal agent, one who actively directs affairs" (Merriam-Webster).

In another words, this parable points toward the responsibility we have all been given to steward God's things. What are God's things? That would be everything: time, talents, energy, emotion, material objects (including literal money), and anything else you can imagine. Although we can not see God in the flesh (at least that we are aware of), this is still His world and you merely live in it. So, what does he expect us to do with His things?

Invest it. When you invest in your talents and utilize them for God, He will make it "reap where you don't sow", doubling, tripling the effect of your efforts in the world and in your life (like multiplying the fishes and loaves). You utilize the gifts and talents He gives when you:

1) Give credit for their presence to God. Praise and gratefulness will bring not only a healthier, happier attitude, but will bring joy into others' lives, spreading the blessings of God beyond you. It keeps your eyes pointing to the One responsible for it all.

2) Grow in your skills, but understand you don't need to be perfect to invest. The third servant only had one skill given to him. Don't become lazy, static, or fearful. Be always moving, sometimes stretching to the point of discomfort. Ask for God to guide you. As they say, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." You may not be the best but all the better so that your successes will give God the glory, which folds into the next on the list.

3) Use your gifts and talents for God's glory. This can mean many things. If you are good at cooking, you could volunteer at a soup kitchen or bring hot meals to the infirm or elderly. You could also serve homey dinners to your family and bring chicken soup to your friend when they're ill. If you are good at compassion, talking, telling jokes, you could be a volunteer at the local hospital, visit nursing homes and hospitals where there are many lonely or in need of entertainment. You could also visit your own grandparents or babysit a child to allow your friend a date night with her husband. If you are good at singing, you could sing Godly songs to the world, whether that's on stage or in your child's ear as a lulluby. Basically, whatever you do, let it point to God and his ways of light (truth) and love (compassion and charity).

4) Let them be part of your discipleship. This actually spins off of the last suggestion. When you use your gifts and talents for His glory, you also bring people into a better knowledge of what it means to be a child of God. It spreads His good news of being our savior, and it points to hope in a broken world.

Let me be clear, your skills and talents may exist outside of your paid work. Other times, they're part of your 9-5. Your talents may exist in your kindness with those going through a tough time, patience with angry customers, and lifting spirits of grieving hearts. Your gifts may include children, spouse, parents, friends, and you are expected to lead, guide toward the truth, love them unconditionally, and raise (children) to be good stewards and disciples themselves.

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Do Everything," which I believe encapsulates this idea. Whether you're "picking up toys on the living room floor for the fifteenth time today," "you may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers," but it all matters equally in the eyes of God. Do not waste this moment by burying your talent in fear of rejection or using up all of God's gifts for only your own personal gain.

I've felt from a young age that writing is my calling. For this reason, I have started this very blog to use my joy in writing to spread my love of God. What is your talent, and what gifts could you invest today?

Every moment is a gift. Whether sweeping up the school halls or running for president, may you forever remember that God gave you this moment to be a steward of His mansion, and He gave you the talents to invest in spreading the Kingdom of God to the world.

Powerful Connections

I'm going to let you in on something powerful and amazing.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God is on your side. He knows more about you and your life than you do. He knows where all the smallest decisions will bring you and your loved ones. He knows your hopes, your dreams, your fears, your regrets, and your deepest darkest secrets.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:26-31

The almighty God who has risen and tumbled nations, can awake the dead, and formed the massive universe with it's infinite beauty - loves YOU.

He loves you more than you could ever imagine. If you are a mere image of Him, think of how much more He is, how much more He loves. You think you know about all-consuming love, but you have no idea when it comes to Him. He loves you so much, He sacrificed His son for you and calls you (yes, YOU!) His child. The King of literally everything calls you His child.

"'I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthian 6:18

You have connections.

So, how you could ever worry about anything? You're worried about your finances? What is money to God? He owns everything you need and want. You're worried about relationships? God is all about love and connection. He's on it. I bet you've told your best friend, your co-worker, maybe even the stranger bagging your groceries about your worries. Have you told God? Have you asked for help from God? Have you truly believed that God is bigger than this world and your worries?

One morning, a few days ago, I was struck once again with petty worries about finances. It hit me that I'd never taken this specific issue to God. So, I poured my heart out to God for about five minutes and went about my day. That very afternoon, we had unexpected money show up in our account. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.

This was a need. However, what about something you want? I've always felt selfish whenever I ask for something I only want from God. It's like, He's providing all my needs, why should I want for more? Let me tell you something, child of God.

God is your heavenly dad, and as a parent He wants your joy and your smile. He wants to be the one who causes it. Bring your desires to God. Understand that sometimes you won't get what you want. You may not understand why right now, or ever, but some things you want aren't the best for you. Sometimes, He has something greater in store. Still talk with Him as a child would ask a parent.

A couple years ago, when I was struggling with anxiety issues, I really wanted a window by my work cubicle to see the sunshine and the rain. I felt peaceful anytime I reconnected with the outside world. At the time, there was really only two windows available to cubicles, and those were not possible for those with my job title. Lo and behold, it was a few months later when they started renovations. You won't believe me. They built windows, and I finally had my window cubicle. The impossible became reality. Such a small desire, and God made it happen. I'm convinced He rebuilt the building just for me.

God transcends time and space. He will provide for you. He's waiting, arms spread open, for you to run into his embrace. He's waiting for you to speak to Him exactly what's on your mind, including all the rage, the tears, and the pain. He wants to connect with you, one-on-one.

Would you talk with Him today, and give Him a piece of your heart? If you want or need something, why wouldn't you speak to One who owns all?

If you're interested, here are more verses about this subject:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7


"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22


"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9


"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13


"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3


"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." James 14:13-14


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6-7


"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7


"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, 'Ask for whatever you want me to give you.'" 1 Kings 3:5


"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..." Ephesians 3:20

Time to Rest

Rest. Be still. Peace. Be anxious for nothing.

Continually, the Bible calls for rest, but what does that mean to you?

At the start of Genesis, after the creation of the world, God set aside a specific day for rest. Let's look at the actual word used in Hebrew:

Shabath - to cease, desist, rest

"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested (Shabath) from all his work which God created and made." Genesis 2:3

This is the word used when speaking of the seventh day of the week when God rested and created the, you guessed it, Sabbath. It doesn't indicate rest due to weariness. That word in Hebrew is:

Nuach- rest, settle, soothed
Naphash - to be refreshed, to breathe

"Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease [shabath] from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest [nuach], and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh [naphash] themselves." Exodus 23:12

In a way, Shabath is a day to remember more is to come. The Shabath or Sabbath is like a taste of heaven. There is no toil there. We truly rest from all our work.

Wait, but what about the work? What is work?

"Six days you shall work, and the seventh day is Shabbat to the Lord your God. [On that day] you shall not do any work (Melacha)." Exodus 20:9

The Hebrew word for work here is Melacha:

Melacha - workmanship or creation

Now, what exactly workmanship or creation is could be debatable, right? I mean, if we're getting down to the nitty-gritty, we need to know what we shouldn't be doing. Orthodox Jews have a propensity to detail, using a fine tooth comb to determine the ins and outs of God's laws and commands. There are about 39 activities one is forbidden to do during the Sabbath, according to that denomination.

I'm going to be honest. I personally feel that is putting words in God's mouth. Observe it as you will, but having so many stipulations defeats the purpose.

God is, well, God and doesn't need rest after strenuous activity as humans do. However:

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

He knew what humans would need, and he specified that they should rest, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

As for what rest means to me, I've been observing the Sabbath (with off and on success) since my childhood, and there's a few things you'll realize once you get into the groove of it:

1) Today, you're a kid again. Six days out of my week, I'm on the go, and when I'm not, I'm thinking about what else I need to do. On Friday night to Saturday night (which is the day I celebrate the Sabbath), I'm not supposed to do work, so what's the point of thinking about it? Freedom, fun, and play!

2) It's an excuse to say no. You want me to what? Nope. I have to what? Nope. Ahhh. I'll just sit here and read, thanks.

3) It's an entire day built around meditation or mindfulness. The whole point of the day is to stop, look around, and feel blessed. You don't always get the chance on other days to just take a deep breath and smell the roses.

4) It's an entire day built around connection: connection to God, to family, to friends, to yourself. In busyness, it's easy to disconnect from you and your loved ones. Now, you don't have the excuse of checking another to-do off your list.

5) It's a day for gratefulness. Six days out of the week was made for pushing forward, hustling, creating, and building up the world around you. On the seventh day, you look around at your success and your blessings.

6) Sometimes, you'll feel lost in the complete freedom, especially at first. Our brain and bodies are normally in gear for driving forward, but on the Sabbath you are allowed to put yourself in neutral. It can be disorienting to separate yourself from the worldly, daily grind.

7) You'll be healthier. Humans were not made to keep going 24/7 365 days a year. We were made for rest and peace. Your mind will thank you, your heart will thank you, your soul will thank you.

I hope you get a chance to observe the Sabbath and enjoy the pause and rest in your life God set aside just for you.