I’ve got a great idea for a new book. Not just another book to collect dust on a shelf but a book that will really make a difference in someone’s life. I’m still working on the title but here’s what I have so far, “How to get out of catastrophe and get back to prosperity”. It’s a guide just for Christians who may be unsure of how to live for God in a world of sin.

It won’t be a very long book; only a few chapters. I’ll use Micah 6:6 as my opening chapter title: “How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God?” I figured that was a good way to start as that is really the question that all humanity must answer. The Apostle Paul confirms this in 2 Corinthians 5:2 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”. Click to continue…

This was the original Mission Impossible…with a twist. I imagine it went something like this: “Good morning Jonah. The great city of Nineveh has reached a level of violence and wickedness that unless they repent, I will destroy the city and all of its inhabitants. Your mission (and you must accept it!) is to walk the streets of Nineveh, alone (no team, no committee, no budget and no advertising), and call for immediate repentance from the greatest to the least. You won’t need luck for “I AM” will be with you”.

Unlike the heroes of cinematography Jonah was daunted by the mission he was given. I imagine he felt ill prepared, unqualified and untrained for such a major mission as he was given. That common enemy called “doubt” overtook him and away he ran. While I as the reader am puzzled by Jonah’s fear and lack of faith, I try to push to the back of my mind those things God has asked me to do…that I never did. Click to continue…

He was only 26 years old at the time. At an age when most of us are still trying to figure out which way is up, he found himself thrust into leadership for the social movement of his generation.  Standing before a packed church of thousands, his words that evening spoke to the struggle for justice that is at the core of Amos’s message to God’s people,

“My friends, I want it to be known that we’re going to work with grim and firm determination to gain justice on the buses in this city. And we are not wrong, we are not wrong in what we are doing. If we are wrong, then the Supreme Court of this Nation is wrong. If we are wrong, the Constitution of the United States is wrong. If we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong. If we are wrong, Jesus of Nazareth was merely a Utopian dreamer and never came down to earth. If we are wrong, justice is a lie. And we are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Martin Luther King Jr., December 5, 1955

As we end our study of the Book of Amos this week, we are confronted with a challenge that tests the character of all believers. It dispels the notion that coming to Jesus and enjoying the fruits of His blessings is the sum total of life. It runs contrary to our desires for a life of ease and comfort; minimal trials but maximum favor. It forces us to remove the mirror that focuses on us and instead look out of our windows and see the needs around us. Click to continue…

Way, way before my time, there was a radio program entitled “The Shadow”. Gathered around radios (did I mention this was way before my time?) the listening audience would hear these words introducing the weekly episode of this crime-fighting vigilante, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

This week as we begin our exploration of the book of Amos we will modify that radio show introduction slightly to: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? GOD KNOWS!”  There is a lot of evilness that exists in the heart of men. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings”. Jeremiah 17:9, 10 NKJV Click to continue…

It is hard to see love in pain. It is hard to find purpose in calamity. It is hard to know the way forward in the midst of darkness. And during extreme times of trouble, the more distant our relationship is with God, the more removed hope is from our grasp. How true the words, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”. Luke 21:26
This week as we study the book of Joel we are instantly front row spectators of a time of national crises. Things are worse than bad. There is no escape or relocation to a better place. There is no buffer from the tragedy that has encompassed the land. Everyone (animals included) was in the same boat and the boat appeared to be sinking fast. Click to continue…

I’m back! I’ve been away all of first quarter engrossed in Sabbath school training at many churches and conference initiatives. There’s a real thirst for improvement in the local churches in the area of Sabbath school ministries and I am honored to play a small part in its revitalization.

For our Second Quarter topic of “Major Lessons from Minor Prophets” we are going to examine some of the lesser known writers of divine truth. We start with the Book of Hosea. I cannot think of any other book of the Bible that starts in such a strange way. Hosea, a prophet and loyal follower of God, is living in a sad part of Israel’s history.

The ten Northern tribes have sunk to new lows in immorality. You can trace the downslide of the nation by the acts of its leaders. Choices made for selfish purposes led to devastating effects throughout the body. Barriers of morality, once compromised, quickly gave way to idol worship and the exaltation of nature over nature’s Creator. (There’s a lesson in this for leaders)

It was in these settings that Hosea receives instruction that is unprecedented. This man of God was instructed to “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry”, Hosea 1:2. If you’re like me you’ve read or heard this story a thousand times. However, if we pause long enough to take it in, this is mind-blowing. What can we compare it to?  Click to continue

Before you jump to conclusions let me clarify a few things. Whenever the subject of the prodigal son comes up we naturally are accustomed to picturing a young person who has lost their way. We use this story, and rightly so, to show the dangers of a life of aimless, godless living. For many mothers and fathers this story gives hope to the day that their own “prodigal” child returns home. It if could happen for the subject of this biblical account, surely it could happen for us. Amen somebody.

 While all of the above is true I want to point us in another direction for the application of this story. I would like us to consider that the prodigal son is in good and regular standing in the church. I’m not suggesting a person living a dual life; one where they are one way in church settings but an entire different, less spiritual way throughout the week.  That’s a fair use of the story but not for the purpose of this discussion.

The problem with the prodigal son is that he took his future and the potential it held and wasted his present opportunities by foolish choices. He really believed that his choice of lifestyle was in his best interest. I would go so far as to state that I believe he meant no one any harm and that he expected a long and prosperous life. Yet, the net effect of his erroneous choices was a wasted life (up to that point) and a stunning realization that unless he made a drastic change he was doomed. I can’t say it any better than the way it is worded in Luke 15:17, “And when he came to himself”.

Reading this familiar story I was struck by how closely it parallels our lives as typical members of the body of Christ. (*DISCLAIMER: THIS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU!*). Yes, for all practical reasons we have become prodigal sons (and daughters) in good and regular standing in the church. Now you are asking how so. Let me explain.

Somehow over the years it has become acceptable to live compartmentalized lives as Christians. Although we keep high moral standards all along the way, we segregate what we do for God and what we do for living in separate buckets. Church, ministry involvement, tithes, offerings, evangelistic campaigns, etc all go into our “God” bucket.

Career choices, professions, business opportunities, recreational pursuits, etc fall into our “Life” bucket. No overt sinning or immoral conduct; it’s simply surviving and thriving to create a better life in the world we live in. And, as we have been trained since childhood, we give these areas of life our focused energies and best resources.

1 Corinthians 10:31 implies a totally different way of living for the believer. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”. That text is just a sample of the myriad of texts that all suggest, no state, that we have been “bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” 1 Corinthians 6:20

On some small level I am starting to grasp this concept of what it means to have a new mind and to be a new creature. On some small level I am starting to realize that for far too many years I wasted my living on riotous living. To paraphrase it for today I am saying that I wasted my best years, my best, most creative energies, my best resources, my best gifts and talents on merely surviving and trying to find enjoyment in my “non-God focused bucket of life”. Moral behavior all along; absolutely. God-inspired and God-led; I plead the fifth.

But thanks be to the goodness and grace of God as demonstrated in the biblical account of the prodigal son I can come “home” and be restored. Yes, although I have not put God first and instead used the blessings of life He has given me for my own selfish purposes, He is still welcoming me back with open arms. As I make my way back home, as I make my way back to a commitment and dedication to Him I am met with eager arms of love and forgiveness.

Not only does He forgive, He more than restores. After all I’ve wasted He still presents before me a feast of the best life has to offer. True happiness, fulfillment, peace of mind, purpose and security are all placed before me. A robe has been placed around me signifying my divine royalty. No shame in my game. I am restored. A ring has been placed on my finger signifying the unbreakable connection that has been restored to me. I am somebody.

If the story ended there that would be great. But in the account in Luke we see the negative reaction of the brother who remained home. It too parallels the reactions of church members who have born the heat of day and are reluctant to embrace those who have experienced the epiphany as described above.

To this group there is a sense of suspicion towards the “prodigals”. Along with this suspicion comes second-guessing of motives and an overall sense of unfairness. All of which, to some degree, is totally understandable. It’s at times like this we can find guidance and confidence in the father’s impartial response. It echoes Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord”.

God has a level of love that is not interested in keeping score. It is far above slights and remembers no disrespect. It appears to be a love that has one motive in mind; implanting that love in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls.

That love knows that our happiness is connected to our connection with Him. Finding our true destiny here on earth is connected to our finding in Him our all in all. Finding our senses and coming to our right minds is connected to remembering how big He is and how deep His love has always been.

It’s that time of the year for the annual ritual of making New Year’s resolutions. Heading the most popular resolutions will be losing weight and improving your health. Although those are great goals, they are not on my list of five.

Another frequently cited resolution is becoming debt free. I am all for that and it’s certainly the best way to live. “Owe no man anything” was written for a good reason. But that’s not in my five.

In accordance with the mandatory listing of New Years Resolutions, here’s my fav 5:

1- I will listen more closely to my heart and live my life more closely to its urging. I won’t ignore the promptings for ministry that get suppressed year after year by that enemy called procrastination. “To thine own self be true.” ~ William Shakespeare

2- I will use the gifts and talents I presently possess to help those who can benefit from what I now have to offer. I won’t believe the lie that what I have to offer is too insignificant to matter. I will be open and available as providence directs. As my courage increases I will volunteer my services instead of waiting to be asked.

3- I will live my life looking forward. I won’t focus my energies on the failures of my past nor will I refuse to let go of my old best days. Instead, I will embrace today, expecting that my best is ahead of me. Goodbye old friend. There are new friends to meet and new memories to make. I must let you go and move on.

4- I will improve myself to be a better self. I will purposely and intentionally find ways to learn and to grow. My mind is capable of so much more and there are resources all around me to help me to advance in whatever area that I need to. There is too much dust on too many of my books.

5- I will remember that the quality of my life is not determined by the quantity of my stuff but by the quality of the relationships I have with others and most importantly with God. I can be a better person, a better mate, a better friend, a better example and I don’t have to lose any weight to do that.

If these resonated with you, why not add them to your list? They go well with dieting.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy days over this last year to stop by my blog. For those of you who have commented I want you to know that each comment was greatly appreciated. For those who just read and either smiled or nodded in agreement I say thank you to you as well.

“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”

 “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” 

   Glory to God in the church!

   Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!

   Glory down all the generations!

   Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!  (Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message)

(originally published 12/2009)

Two friends were sitting and talking the other day

As I stood nearby I heard one of them say

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

Tears from the pain that life often brings

When we look for love and find other things

Sadness in place of pleasure, sickness instead of health

Trouble instead of peace, poverty instead of wealth

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

From the motherless child to the widow all alone

To those in the shadows who call the streets their home

To those crushed by mishap and left on their knees

To those in chains where no one hears their pleas

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

Ridiculed for their faith and for not fitting in

Choosing to suffer oppression rather than living in sin

Misunderstood, mistreated and maligned through life

The faithful to God accused of creating strife

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

There will come a day though it seems delayed

When darkness is replaced by a never ending day

When the old is made new and crooked straight

When love has vanquished the enemy of hate

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

Hang on in there I heard the friend implore

God has so much good for you in store

He sees and knows all you’re going through

Remember always God has not forgotten you

My God has some big hands, everything will be ok

For He has promised to wipe all tears away

© Curtis Hall

Holidays and especially the Christmas season have always been special to me. My earliest memories of Christmas still bring a warm sensation as I relive those happy times as a child.  The excitement and anticipation of unknown gifts was almost too much to bear.

The months leading up to Christmas would often find me, my brother and sister paging through the huge gift catalogs that found their way into our home.  We would search item after item to find those things that would represent the ultimate gift for us.

I can remember looking through the section for the watches.  So many great choices. Would we rather have gold or silver?  What about a leather band or that metal band you could twist into a knot?

After narrowing our favorites down, we would spend some time in the clothing section. There would be pants and dresses of all types.  We could pick denim, or khaki or corduroys in an assortment of colors.  Next we would have to pick tops to make our imaginary wardrobes complete.

Finally, we’d turn to the best part of this 3” thick catalog; the Toys section.  Here in colors so vibrant you would almost become dizzy were the gifts that make life worth living.  There were board games of all types, balls in a range of sizes, bats, baseball gloves, jump ropes, darts, life-size punching balloons (guaranteed to pop back up) and even boxing gloves.

As our eyes examined each page with the exactness of today’s CSI agents, we knew that soon we would enter the section of…BICYCLES.  In every color of the rainbow and in all sizes.  There were bikes for girls and bikes for boys.  There were even bikes for kids too small to ride bikes.  We could hardly contain our excitement as we pictured ourselves riding around the neighborhood on our new bikes with the cool banana seats.

What launching pads of imagination these pages brought us.  We could see ourselves owning these items of pure pleasure and bliss.  Even if we couldn’t get everything we wished for just getting some of these items as presents would bring us happiness…forever!

It’s against this backdrop that I relate one of our most memorable Christmases.  My mother always made sure that we had a tree with presents for all.  I don’t remember how the tree arrived.  I can’t begin to imagine how anything was even purchased because during this time we (my mother, sister and brother) lived in the Woodland-Woodhill projects of Cleveland Ohio.  No doubt our father contributed to our presents.  We never concerned ourselves with such details as to how these items of pure joy would appear.  All we focused on was the existence of all of those neatly wrapped boxes.

As kids are prone to do, when our mother was not in eyesight we would carefully and quietly pick up our boxes and with the precision of the world’s finest sculptor we would feel over every inch of our packages, trying to guess what treasures were hidden under these brightly wrapped containers.

This particular Christmas there was one gift that defied all guessing.  It was unique in several ways.  Because it had all three of our names on it that usually signified a new board game.  But this present was different.  First, because this box was too small to be a board game.  At its longest point it was only about 14 inches.  Secondly, it was extremely heavy.

I remember us passing it back and forth to each other.  What could this gift be?  The best guess we had was that our mother somehow had managed to get us some special, newfangled electronic game.  Maybe some new model Atari.  Whatever it was, just by its heaviness we knew it was special.

As usual we could hardly sleep Christmas Eve.  Christmas finally came.  Most things now seem a blur but I remember that my mother made us open that special present last. Amazingly, today I don’t remember any of those other gifts we opened before that special one.  I didn’t know it then but that gift would be one that we cherished for years to come and still talk about to this day.

I can remember the expression of motherly pride on my mother’s face as we prepared to open that present.  I can picture the paper being ripped off of that heavy special gift.  What could it be?  Why…it was an….Encyclopedia!  Volume 1, with each of our names embossed in gold on the cover.  It was both stunning and hilarious to us.

My mother had given us a gift of hope for the future.  I’ll never know how she came to that decision because my mother is no longer alive.  I can only imagine that she saw the value of knowledge outside of our humble surroundings.  Maybe she knew that the way for us to live a life free of our present poverty was contained within the covers of that book.  Whatever her reasoning, I can truly say that “Mothers know best”.

Back then we laughed with amazement how far off our clandestine guessing was.  It never and I mean never crossed our minds that within that pretty Christmas paper was a book; the symbol of hope.

Sometime after Christmas, perhaps when my mother finished paying for the books, the other volumes were delivered.  I’m proud to say that we spent countless hours looking through and reading those encyclopedias.

We kept those books for many years.   Though they one day became dated we always kept that first volume that had our names embossed in gold reading: Darlene, Curtis & John.  It remained a symbol of our mothers love and devotion to our future happiness.

As you enjoy this Christmas season and perhaps share love in some tangible way, don’t forget that love thinks not only of the joy of today, it also plans for the hope of tomorrow.