Looking like Jesus

Galatians 5:1-6

             “To become Christ-like is the only thing in the whole world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly and all lower achievement vain.”                                          - Henry Drummond

             It is interesting when a child is born. One of the first comments from anyone is that the baby looks just like so and so. One day, they might look like mom, dad, aunt or uncle. I remember just after my oldest niece was born we were walking her in a stroller. Someone that should have known came up to us and asked if my wife and I were walking our son. We told him that no, not only was it not our son, but it was my sisters GIRL. It just so happened that my niece looked a little like me when she was born. My oldest son favored me at first and now he looks much more like the Smalley side of the family. My youngest son is an exact replica of his grandpa Frank (Oh, NO!).

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Philippians 2:5-11. I find the underlying themes of all of biblical doctrines are the fact that we desire to be like Christ. The British novelist J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "Sheep get to be like their Shepherd, it is said, but slowly." The renewal of the inner person, becoming Christ-like, is not accomplished in a  moment but a lifetime.

Augustine (354-430) observed that this process is like healing from a near-fatal wound. "It's one thing," he said, "to remove the spear, but quite another to heal the wound by long and careful treatment." This healing occurs gradually as our old ways of thinking and living are erased, and we become more like our Savior as we are renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). This renewal takes place not by        self-effort alone but by faith. It involves reading, meditating on, and obeying God's Word. We must also fix our minds on the character of Christ and ask God to make us like Him.

Then we must wait, confident that God is working in us to accomplish His purposes. Every day has its mishaps and memories of something we should have done or not done, but we must not be impatient. Though incomplete, we are in process. Sin may frustrate us for a day, but God is at work—and on ahead lies perfection, which is "the hope of righteousness" (Galatians 5:5).

Philippians 4:6-7

Let’s find out today how we go about worrying about nothing.
The key to finding peace in anxious times is to - pray about everything. In other words, instead of worrying about it, pray about it. That is how we release our worries, relieve our stress and put our trust in God. Turn your anxious thoughts into prayer requests. In so doing, you turn your eyes off the problem and on to God, who is the problem solver. Remember, “When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.” When you pray about it you are taking your problems out of your hands and placing them in God’s hands.
I heard about a guy who worried all the time. He worried about his checkbook, his investments, his wife, his mortgage payments - he worried about the fact that he worried so much. Finally, one of his friends hit him with a question and said, “Man, why do you worry so much – you’re always so agitated?” “Not anymore,” the man replied. “How’s that?”, the friend inquired. The fellow explained, “I hired somebody to worry for me - I put an ad in the newspaper and offered $10,000 a week to somebody qualified to make me worry-free by doing all my worrying for me.” The friend laughed, “And how do you think you’ll pay him?” The man shot back, “Hey, that’s his worry!”
Don’t you wish it were that easy? Actually it is and we don’t have to hire anyone. We have a God that wants to handle our problems for us. I Peter 5:6-7 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Giving God your worry, anxieties and cares is an act of humility. You are saying, “Lord, I can’t handle it, but you can.” A corollary verse can be found in Psalm 55:22. It says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.” Cast your burden on the Lord literally means to throw them down or slam them down on God. The way you do that is in prayer. In other words, whenever a worry filled, anxious thought comes to mind, instead of sitting and stewing on it, pray about it. Through prayer you can slam down your worries.
Try this exercise. Take several pieces of paper crumpled up with these words written on them; “family problems,” “health problems,” and “financial problems”. Let me show you what that looks like. An anxious thought comes, “My teenager has been acting rebellious.” “Well Father, you gave me that child and I have committed him to you. I took him to Sunday school, I pray for him daily, and I trust him into your hands. I’m not going to worry about it, he’s your responsibility.” (Crumple the paper and slam it down). “Yes, there have been layoffs at the plant but you’re the God that supplies all of my family’s needs according to your riches in glory. I’m going to continue to be the best employee I can be, pray for for my boss and company, and trust you. Even if I do get laid off, you’ll provide for me, maybe through another job. But I refuse to worry about it; I give it over to you.” (Throw the next paper). “The doctor’s report wasn’t good but it’s not my responsible to worry about. I’m going to take good care of myself, follow the doctor’s instructions, and claim the Bible’s promises of divine healing. Lord, I trust you with my health, in Jesus name, Amen.” (Repeat).
That seems to sound easy, and in principle it is. Now, pick one of those pieces of paper back up. Do you notice how quickly it came back? That’s because it’s your paper. Once you cast them on the Lord, don’t ask for them back by setting your mind on them again. If you do, He’ll give them back to you, because they’re your problems. So once you cast them on him, let Him handle them and don’t take them back. There are too many that spend the time casting them through prayer into the lap of the Lord but are yet determined to take them back and worry over them again. Once you place it in His hand, leave it there and the way to do that will come tomorrow.

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.”
- Corrie Ten Boom

Write it on paper

Genesis 12:1-4

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything You gave me.’”

                                                                 Erma Bombeck

Calendars are an interesting thing. We plan, schedule and cajole our time so that we are able to meet the demands of our responsibility. I hate to be late for anything. I was raised that if you are supposed to be somewhere at a certain time, that meant you were at least five minutes early. I still live by that principle (much to my wife’s chagrin). However, invariably something goes wrong. Some time ago, we were scheduled to fly out of Kansas City at 6 a.m., which meant that we needed to be at the airport by 5 a.m. However, my alarm clock went off at 4:15 instead of 3:15. Our airport was forty minutes from my home. Needless to say, we barely made it. You see, life is what        happens to us while we are making other plans. Our lives are subject to detours and corrections that we never expected or imagined.

Abraham and Sarah could testify to that. They were planning for retirement when life "happened" to them. God adjusted their agenda. He told Abraham, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). So this old couple packed up the tent and headed out to only God knew where. When Alexander the Great had completed his     conquest of Persia, he headed east. Author Halford Luccock said the general "marched off his maps." That happened to Sarah and Abraham. God gave them marching orders without a map. They   needed only enough faith to begin the journey, and they headed out to unknown territories and unimagined adventures. God never told them He would turn them "every which way but loose" before fulfilling His promise of a son who would become a great nation.

The lesson in all of this is very simple. Make your plans, but write them on paper, not in concrete. Use a pencil instead of a pen. God and life have a way of intruding and leading you on a journey that you might not have anticipated in your wildest dreams. Solomon said it just perfect, “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

John 3:16, I John 3:2

“Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.”
- Dion Boucicault

I have a dilemma. I am required by my relationship with Jesus Christ for you and I to establish an honest, genuine relationship before I discuss with you what I'm about to discuss. But it's a catch 22. I may never meet some of you. There are those I send these devotions to that I do not know, and there are those of you that are receiving these from people that are forwarding them to you. Yet I cannot bring myself to face my Creator unless I do my best to give you the opportunity I've been given.
So I'm going to assume that you, dear reader, do not believe the things I do and I'm going to tell you about my Lord. You see, someday I WILL face Him and I couldn't stand it if He said, "You say you cared about people, yet you didn't even try to tell them about My sacrifice for their sake?"
The thing is, someday you'll face Him, too. And you won't be able to point to my poor presentation of this message, my "pushiness," or any other way in which I may have been a bad example. I'll answer to Him for those things. At some point, you'll have to humble yourself, examine your own heart and admit your need of a Savior regardless of my bad example. You will not be able to look at some poor televangelist’s bad example of Christ. There will be no one that you will be able to blame for your choices today.
Someday it will be just you and Him and He'll say, "That messenger on the Internet? Oh yes, his interview is next week. The Televangelist? He may be a hypocrite but that's not your concern. He will answer to me if he was. Now I'm asking you why YOU rejected My sacrifice."
God so loved each one of that He did not send someone else to save the world, He came himself. I remember that statement hanging on either side of our sanctuary growing up. I think about it often. The great God of the universe, the one that spoke all things into existence, loved me so much that He became a man like me so that one day I might be like Him. I can’t wait to see Him.
The older we get, the more urgent it becomes to discuss this subject. So I cannot afford to mince words. You have a choice to make today. Will you bow to Him now or will you wait until later. The sound of His return is in the air. We are closer to the coming of the Lord than ever before. We MUST be ready to see Him.
The bottom line is a changed life can be yours if you want it. You say you want the one you have? Consider yourself fortunate for the time being. But it won't last forever. When you face the Master, you can do it with confidence.

“Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.”
- Dion Boucicault

Colossians 1:9-14

“Lamps make oil-spots and candles need snuffing; it is only the light of heaven that shines pure and leaves no stain.”      Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Some people may not especially enjoy poetry. But often a few lines of verse will grip our imagination, as do the following by Francis Thompson: "The innocent moon that nothing does but shine, moves all the laboring surges of the world." Here are some interesting facts in regard to the moon. The moon is nearly 240,000 miles from Earth and is only 1/400th the size of the sun. With no light or heat of its own, it reflects the radiance of that greater heavenly body. It appears to be relatively insignificant. Yet, the moon quietly and almost imperceptibly moves the oceans of the world by its gravitational pull. 

Does that sound like you? Do you often feel insignificant and unimportant? Most of us may not seem all that influential or well known. We do not have the giftedness, the wealth, or the position to make much of an impact on our society. Our names do not appear in Who’s Who of America, nor is it mentioned in the newspaper, nor are they mentioned on the radio. We may clench the thought that all we can do is practice our faith in the humdrum routines of everyday life.

Perhaps, though, unnoticed by us, we are having an influence on the people around us by our Christ-like attitudes and actions. I remember a time when we stopped to pick up some food following a church service. My wife went in to pay for the food and to pick it up while I sat in the car (I know, it should have been the other way around, but then this story would not be able to be written). A man that she had never met began asking her questions. The bottom line of the conversation was that this man saw a glowing from her. It was the glory of the Lord. I do not know where that man is today, but he probably has not forgotten a young wife that was dwelling in the reflection of the Son. Like the moon, my wife at that moment in time especially was radiating a glory that was not hers, but it was the glory of the Lord reflecting from her. 

You never know whom you will influence by acting like the moon and reflecting Him. Let's not be concerned, then, about our seeming lack of influence. Instead, do what Jesus commanded: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).  Go, enter a closest and shut the door and see if even the smallest light can make a difference in the darkest night.

Ezekiel 18:26-32

“My heart is as pure as the driven slush.”           Tallulah Bankhead

We purchased a car in 2006 during a “hail” sale. It was a Toyota Corolla. It has been a very good vehicle. After a decade of driving, we received a notice in the mail. It stated that the manufacturers had made a recall to fix something that had gone wrong in other Corollas. After ten years, it was amazing that they were still putting out warnings about defective instruments. During the past year, cars, trucks, tires, window blinds, and toy xylophones have been recalled by their manufacturers. In every case, the message was similar: "This product is defective or dangerous and could cause serious injury or even death. Return it to us and we will correct the problem." Nevertheless, it is up to the consumer to heed the warning and return the dangerous item. 

Suppose God put this warning on the heart and soul of every person: "Because of a fatal attraction to sin and willful misuse, this item is defective. Failure to correct this problem will result in certain spiritual death." How many “consumers” would be quick to take that defective instrument to the manufacturer? Honestly, our Toyota has never been brought into the dealer for the warning that we received. Fortunately, we have had no problems (at least in that area) with the car. Our hearts are deceitfully wicked above all things, and unless we deal with it at the cross of Calvary, it will become defective and cause us to fail.

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God said that the hearts of His people had become adulterous (Ezekiel 6:9) and as hard as a rock (11:19). Yet, the Lord longed for their hearts to be softened, and for them to come back to Him. He made this impassioned plea: "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin . . . Get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies . . . Therefore turn and live!" If you could just take your heart back into the Dealership, the Great Physician will do open heart surgery and draw you into His arms and embrace you like you were never broken in the first place.  Look at this poem:

The power of God can turn a heart

From evil and the power of sin;

The love of God can change a life

And make it new and cleansed within. —Fasick

The exciting thing about salvation is that it is not turning over a new leaf, but receiving a new life. How’s your heart today?

Matthew 28:16-20

“Accustomed to the veneer of noise, to the shibboleths of promotion, public relations, and market research, society is suspicious of those who value silence.”     John Lahr

As I was reading one day, I came across this story. I thought maybe you would like it. It is only a humorous story, yet it makes a serious point. Brother John was a timid man who dreaded speaking in public. He was terrified on the day it was his turn to give a devotional message. With his knees trembling, he faced his listeners and said, "Do you know what I'm going to say this morning?"

"No," answered the audience. He then said, "Neither do I," and he ran from the room. 

The next day he was told to try again. He said, "Do you know what I'm going to say?" This time they replied, "Yes." So he said, "Then you don't need me to tell you." Again, he fled. 

He tried a third morning, saying, "Do you know what I'm going to say?" Half his hearers shouted, "Yes!" and half shouted, "No!"  "Ah," said Brother John, "then let those who know tell those who do not know," and again he fled. 

At first, his hearers sat in silence. Then the words hit home: "Let those who know tell those who don't know."  It is the responsibility of those that know Christ to introduce others to our Savior. Paul stated in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him…” It was Paul’s desire to know Jesus Christ in all the Christ is, but then Paul desired to introduce Him to every pauper and president. 

There is as much power in silence as there is in speaking up. The difference is the results that power causes. Our silence can cause thousands NOT to hear about Jesus and our voices can influence thousands for Him. Which would you rather be? 

For three years, Jesus' disciples absorbed His teaching and observed His mighty works. They had come to know Him as the way, the truth, and the life. He was God in the flesh, the One who is "eternal life" (1 John 1:2). In the years to come, He so impacted their life that they devoted their lives to telling others about Christ. How has He impacted you and yours? Today, let those who know tell those who don't.

II Timothy 1:1-7, 3:14-15

“If we work upon marble it will perish. If we work upon brass time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work upon men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of God and love of their fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

                       Daniel Webster

I read a conversation a while ago. It went something like this. "My great-grandfather owned this rifle," the man said proudly. In his hand was a mint-condition rifle from the days when the pioneers were moving across the American West. I admired its beautiful walnut stock and shiny brass fittings. He said, "It came down to my grandfather, who passed it on to my father, who gave it to me. It has been in the family more than 100 years. I'm going to give it to my son when he turns 25." 

Every parent wants to leave something for their children to hold onto long after they are gone. My grandmother was a very interesting woman. She could cook better than anyone I have ever known, and yet she could work in the garden all day as well. She could take care of my grandfather, their five children and then their sixteen grandchildren. I have two things of hers that I treasure. A picture and a porcelain train will forever be in my possession (at least until I can give it to my son). 

Heirlooms are important to us. However, the greatest thing she gave to me was not a thing. It is something that no one can put a price tag on. In fact, if these devotions have somehow blessed you, it is due in large part to her. She gave me Jesus. More than anyone else in my life, my grandma Cele displayed Jesus Christ to me. She was my nursery Sunday School teacher. She stayed on my Dad to make sure that I was raised in the family of God. She was always checking on me, making me kiss her on the cheek every time I saw her. She crossed her finish line on September 12, 1998 (Our 6th Anniversary). At her funeral, everyone present gave her a standing ovation. It is something I will never forget. 

I look at my sons today, and I know that what she gave me; I can now give to them. They are a sixth generation believers. I read this passage, and I think Paul wrote to the Timothy whose last name is Sanders. Just replace Lois’ name with Cele and Eunice with Kathy, and the scripture is talking directly to me.  Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice trusted in Christ and taught Timothy to do the same. Mine did also. As you think about what you will pass on to your children and grandchildren, do not forget the example of your faith in Jesus. It's the most valuable "heirloom" of all.

John 14:1-31

“In the huge mass of evil as it rolls and swells, there is ever some good working toward deliverance and triumph.”

      Thomas Carlyle

You can see it in every book, newspaper, magazine and television. You can hear it in every conversation, interview, radio station and documentary. What is it? It is the ancient and contentious battle of good and evil. From Hollywood to Washington D.C., people are constantly discussing, oftentimes without realizing it, good and evil. 

However, in our day of shadows, relativism and compromise, what is evil? What is good? Evil predates human sin as goodness predates human existence. Both lived before the creation and fall of mankind. Before humanity could offer their definitions, good and evil simply were. “What is good” existed in submission to God. “What is evil” existed in rebellion to God. The first reflected God’s character. The later incurred God’s wrath.  

Today, very few people agree on what is absolutely evil and absolutely good. We live in a world of relativity, that is, the truth of good and evil depends entirely upon the circumstance in which one finds themselves. Yet, in a world of ever-expanding shades of gray, we can lose confidence in our ability to distinguish where light ends and darkness begins. 

God, however, still sees clearly. His faithful Spirit will navigate us through the troubled waters of culture. He promises to guide us into all Truth. When John wrote the fourteenth chapter of his gospel, he realized that trouble would constantly be in the world, and yet, God offered the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost to watch over us. In the place of decision, we must first look to God’s Word: what does scripture say about this decision specifically or in principle? It may be helpful to also ask ourselves a simple question: Can I picture God smiling over this choice? Can I experience God’s pleasure in this decision/attitude/ relationship/action?  

There is still such a thing as “black and white, right and wrong, good and evil”.  It is for this reason that we must, in the midst of our dark shadows of doubt, know the voice of God. 

He will whisper in the time of storm and you will know which path leads to good and which path leads to evil.  God’s peace will follow us in this shadowy world as we follow the faithful voice of God through His Word and His Spirit. The battle of good and evil will continue, but our Commander knows without hesitation the Way that leads to Life.

Matthew 26:36-46

“You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”     John Bunyan

                 When I was a child, there was a certain excitement about 4 p.m. everyday. What was it? The mailman came. I looked earnestly to see if my Highlights magazine, or my Disney book club had shown up. I was thinking about that when I read this letter from someone very important.  It went something like this:

“Dearly Beloved, How are you? I just had to send you this letter to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day, hoping you would walk and talk with me too. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day, and a cool breeze to give you rest. Then I waited, but you never came. It hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend. I saw you fall asleep last night, and I longed to caress your face, and ruffle your hair, so, I shined a little moonlight upon your pillow and your face. Again, I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. You woke up late this morning and rushed off for the day. My tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad; so alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand how you can hurt so much. My friends let me down too and hurt me many times.  I still love you very much. I try to tell you when you walk by the still waters. I whisper it in the green pastures where the leaves and trees breathe color into your view. I shout it to you in the echoes of the mountains, the roar of the rushing streams, and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and spread sweet aromas into the air. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the widest mountain and higher that the sky. My love goes beyond your greatest want or need you could ever have. We will spend eternity together in heaven. I know, though, how hard it is on earth. I really know, because I was there too, and I want to help you. Just give me a call, night or day, and ask me -- talk to me. It is your decision ... I have chosen you, and because of this, I will wait.  I truly love you.

Your friend,

Jesus

Luke 10:40-42

“Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.”

                                                                               Dion Boucicault

Look at your clock. Do notice something unique about the time? The second hand never stops (unless your battery is dead). Time. Where do we find the time to accomplish everything we need to accomplish, let alone what we want to accomplish? It never stops - the vicious cycle of doing things within time. Running errands, cleaning the house, picking up the kids, putting in extra time on your project at work, studying for another big test. You just keep going and going with no end in sight. 

It can even become a pattern in your spiritual life. Helping with prayer meeting, keeping the nursery, teaching Sunday school, visiting the sick, calling last week’s visitors. It goes on and on and on until you’re spending all this time working for the Lord but you’re not spending time on what He desires from you most: your fellowship.

The disciple described as the one Jesus loved, John, wanted to share the good news of Christ so others would come to know Him and fellowship with Him. He knew what the most needful thing in his life was, intimacy with Jesus. We need to remember that as well. Mary knew it was better to sit at the feet of Jesus, loving Him and sharing with Him, rather than preparing a five - course dinner like Martha. 

Oftentimes, we become so busy for God, that we become too busy for God.  God wants us to find a place of rest in Him. To know Him more intimately, we must spend time with Him. Out of this closer relationship, our love for Him grows and we desire to serve Him more. When Jesus becomes our sole focus, nothing can shake us. If we make fellowship with Him a priority, He will make Himself known to us like we have never known Him before.

It is at the time of my surrender to schedules and clocks that God usually throws something new into my spirit. The Bible gives us a picture of the heartbeat of God when it says, “He came to seek and save that which was lost.” People are never lost. If God sees the sparrow and knows the number of hairs upon the head, surely he knows where every individual happens to reside. What was lost in Eden was fellowship between God and man. We are cursed with time because of the sin in Eden, and from then until now God is seeking that time, or fellowship, that was lost.  Do you have time for the Master?  Is it time for you manually to unplug the clock or remove the batteries and let time stand still for a little while in the presence of true Love?

I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 92:1-2

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.”

                                                                    Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The death of a child. The abuse of a loved one. The report of cancer. The betrayal of a friend, the closest friend. A rebellious child. The searing pains of life that leave us marred and overflowing with depression. The phone call relaying the message that a loved one is not returning from war. What emotions well up? Anger. Resentment. Fury. Self-pity. Despair. Hopelessness. Thankfulness?                                                                                                                                                Many divine commands seem perfectly reasonable—for example, no adultery, no idols, and no murder. However, the Lord also gave some instructions that ostensibly make little sense. One of those commands is the seemingly impossible task of giving thanks in everything. 

The Scriptures clearly teach that giving thanks is meant to be a way of life, not just a seasonal event. The problem is that we often do not feel appreciative, particularly when facing painful circumstances or tests of our faith. In fact, expressing gratitude for bad news seems irrational. Our limited claim to rationality, however, cannot compete with God's greater knowledge of what is best for His children. Just like the natural parent realizes that the struggle a child has to learn their “ABC’s” will one day allow that child to read, God knows that sometimes the struggle and disappointments of life prepare us for future blessing. As a result, we live a successful Christian life only by choosing to thank Him for everything He sends or allows across our path.

What the Lord knows is that gratitude powerfully impacts the believer. Tribulation can leave us feeling isolated, but thanking God for His ongoing care or provision reminds us of His constant presence. Equipped with the knowledge that He is in control, we can submit our will to His. Though our circumstances remain the same, our attitude is divinely changed through trust. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for the believer's good. That releases assurance that the Lord has a purpose for every event He orchestrates or permits. Thankfulness motivates us to seek His purpose. In God's perfect time, the divine plan is revealed, and we can tell Him with sincere hearts, "Lord, thank You!" 

Take the pain, abuse, detrimental doctor’s reports, betrayal and all of the other things that seem to destroy us, and wrap them up in thankfulness. When we are able to do this, all of heaven’s attention walks into our lives to begin a performance only worthy of the best Audience. Watch your life become the drama that pleases the Lord.

Romans 13:1-14

“I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following.”

Mohandas Gandhi

I saw an interesting scene the other day. I saw a father and a little boy about five or six years old walking a dog through the park. It was a large dog. The leash was pulled tight by the strength in the dog’s muscles. The father, walking behind the boy, let the leash go so that the boy alone was holding the dog. I watched as a bird flew across the path of the dog, and the dog became very excited. I noticed every muscle the dog possessed tighten and explode. Needless to say, the boy lost control as the dog began to drag this little boy around the park. It was not until the dad regained control of the leash that the dog once again came under obedience.  The little boy, with an angry tone asked, “Why did you let the dog do that to me?” The father responded gently, “You were so intent upon holding the dog, you failed to realize that the leash went from the dog to your hand, but then it went to my hand. The whole time you thought you were walking the dog, I actually was.” We, too often, are just like the little boy. The big dog, called life, seems to be in control. We think we have it on the leash and we are holding to tight to all of our schedules, goals, dreams and plans. It does not matter what comes up against us, we are in control because we are holding onto the leash. It amazes us, however, that when a little “bird” crosses our path, we lose total control. All of a sudden, life seems to be dragging us around the park of time, and we do not understand where God disappeared. Could it be that God never disappeared? Could it be that while we thought we had a hold of the leash in our life, really, it was Him that had control, and as long as we allowed him to hold the leash, everything else seemed to be in control? In the park that you are walking in who holds the leash on your life? Turn around and make sure that God is still in control.