Trusty Talking Donkey....

In honor of the Mules play off game this week,I give you...Balaam's Trusty Donkey.

The story of the talking Mule,(not to be confused with Francis, or Francie for that matter) is found in The Book of Numbers. 

"Then God gave speech to the donkey. “What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times? Am I not your trusty donkey on whom you’ve ridden for years right up until now? Have I ever done anything like this to you before? Have I?” ~Numbers 22:28-30

I love that God uses, whatever He chooses, to get our attention. When was the last time a talking donkey spoke to you? (Please do not include this very moment) 

Personally I have experience with a rather chatty mule....so I don't find this story hard to believe...at all. 

There are so many lessons in this story. For me, one of the lessons is....keep your eyes and ears open. As God’s people, we need to be prepared for Him to speak in any way He chooses. Which might very well be out of our comfort zone....Sometimes hearing Him feels impossible to clarify or decipher. However, we can glean encouragement from this story. 

God will stop at nothing to make sure we "get the message."

Thank You God for speaking to us and for being patient as search to hear.

In His Dust,

DCC

Understanding Prayer...

I was just telling someone, "I will pray for you...."

She responded,through tears, "Will it make a difference?"

I was struck stupid.(not the first time.)

I wanted to give a good theological answer....

so, I said....

"Yes."

I don't know how...but I know it will.

I don't know what that looks like...

but I know it is what He tells us to do.

James 5:16 promises that our prayers are not in vain. 

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Doesn't God already know what we will ask for? Doesn't He already have plans?

Deep Theological research in Israel has lead me to this profound conclusion...

We aren't made to "get it."

It is beyond our ability to understand.

If God needed us to understand...HE would have made us able to do so.

In the meantime He has said to pray.

"Pray all the time." -1 Thessalonians 5:17

and remember....

"We are confident that He hears us 

whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him." - 1 John 5:14

The bottom line, our prayers DO make a difference...and that is all we need to "understand"

God, Thank You for letting us talk to You, without having to understand You.

In His Dust,

DCC

Our Father's Voice...

Nik Wallenda.

Dang. 

Did y'all watch it?

The "king of the wire," credited the King of Kings, with his success last night as he crossed a tight-wire the width of a penny from one building to another....

and then to top it off, crossed another one while blindfolded.

This guy literally walked by faith, not by sight. 

Now, while I am pretty sure I would endure my 9th ankle sprain if I tried a fat curb on Broadway while blindfolded, I am obviously not encouraging any of us to show our faith in this way.

I am however, interested in a certain aspect of this amazing feat. 

Nik's father stood at the other end of the wire and guided his son across by his voice.

Did you catch that? He walked a tight-wire with the voice of his father to guide him.

His eyes were not able to see any steps ahead, 

however, His Dad's saw each and every step.

and his voice is was Nik chose to focus on. 

Nik knows what we all should know....our Father's Voice will not lead us astray. 

In that voice, there is truth, guidance, encouragement and victory.

While there were other noises cheering him on and questioning his choices, he made sure that one voice was in focus over all of the others. 

"My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~John 10:27

Nik expressed some concern at one point, and his father replied-

"You're going to be fine. You're looking good. Try and relax a little." 

 I love thinking that Christ is saying the same thing to me and to you.....

in moments that feel a little wobbly or maybe the wind is too strong...

when other voices and their plans for us seem to make more sense and look easier....

Our Father promises we can trust Him. His Voice is safest and His plans are best. 

"...plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give you a hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11

God, Thank You for Your Voice. May we chose to listen to it above all others.

In His Dust,
DCC