Midweek Devotion: Lead Kindly Light

John 11:10 “It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”

About this time of year, I start to regularly watch professional football games. The competition gets intense and I enjoy seeing teams from all over the country doing their utmost to beat their opponents to win a coveted place in the playoffs. I especially like the nighttime games which are brilliantly lit and the crowds are usually loud and amazing.

As I watch these games, it dawns on me that without modern lighting, none of them could be played at night. Even the great spectacle of the Super Bowl would have to be played early in the day if there were no floodlights in use. As soon as dusk occurs, the late afternoon games would have to be over quickly without the illumination of the great lights above the players and throughout the stadiums. Teams would stumble in the dark and competitors would be injured. Television broadcasting would be hopeless and even the view from the blimp in the sky would be like looking into a dark crater. Without light, the games would quickly end and none of them would be worth viewing.

Light is essential to our modern lives; it’s also a necessary part of our spiritual growth. Without the light of Christ in the world, what would our lives become? Wouldn’t the darkness of evil or corruption overwhelm our spirits and overshadow our existence? Thankfully, when Jesus comes into our lives, He brightens our spirits, enlightens our minds, and dazzles our souls. His light brings meaning and purpose, direction and encouragement to our situations, experiences, and moments. He is the Light of our world, our souls, and our hearts. If we stumble in the dark, Jesus raises us up back into His light; if we fall into despair, He is ready to embrace us and lead us kindly towards the dazzling brightness of God’s everlasting Kingdom.

Questions for personal reflection

When has Christ’s light helped me in my life? Where do I see His light in the world today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World and the Lamp for our souls. You direct our paths and give us guidance each day. Help us to follow Your light, so that we may see the way ahead that You have planned for us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 

Book Review: Looking for Terry

I couldn't stop reading this great book and finished it within two days.

It's one of the funniest and warmest books I have ever read.

I know who Terry Bradshaw is. I've watched him for years presenting pre-game shows during the regular football season. His sense of humor and knowledge of the game have always impressed me.

So, I was intrigued to read this book about his life in order to learn what made become a football player, what success meant for his life, and how he developed his wonderful career over decades.

I was not disappointed. Terry's story is full of many ups and downs, all of which he conveys simply, humoredly, and straightforwardly. The book is full of incidents and people in his life who influenced many of his choices. What did surprise me was his sincere faith that has sustained him through many issues, injuries, and illnesses. Terry Bradshaw is a practicing Christian who knows his flaws, confesses his mistakes, and seeks God's guidance every day. He also candidly expresses his experiences with depression and how medication, counseling, and support from his wife Tammy has helped him overcome it through the years.

It's a remarkable book and one which I'll return to again and again. Terry's mantra for life would be that whenever something causes you to stumble or fall, get up and start again.

The book would make a perfect birthday or Christmas gift for sporting Dads, Grandfathers, and friends instead of the annual present of ties or socks.

I rate this book with five stars, and I feel absolutely blessed for having read it.

You can view and purchase Terry's book at this link: Looking for Terry

Midweek Devotion: Real Truth

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the people who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (NRSV)

The ancient Greek word for “truth” in the Gospels is pronounced “aleethia.” It describes what is wholly free from pretense, deception, falsehood, or corruption. In the New Testament, the term often refers to God’s works and ways: an absolute divine reality that human caprice or whim cannot challenge or change.

During these days of political upheaval, people are sadly misled by masterful manipulators who label what’s true as ‘fake news’ or ‘fake reports.’ This undermines our national confidence and disrupts our daily lives. It’s an old Machiavellian ploy where lies are used to confuse groups of people and disrupt them. It’s far easier to conquer and control a divided society than to overcome a people who are united. Presently, truth is harder to find and corruption is easier to hide, but history tells us that eventually wrongdoers will be revealed and bullying liars will be exposed. 

The truth that Christ was referring to – the real truth – will remain throughout history and continue into the everlasting realm of God. This is why Jesus also declares that He is the Truth – the whole and unassailable truth – which cannot be diminished or destroyed by deceitful men. So, as followers of Christ, we are called to seek, know, and live by the Truth for only then, as Jesus wisely stated, will we become truly free.

Point to ponder: How can God help me to discern the truth in today’s world?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us to value truth above all else, for only God’s real, divine, and sacred truth can set us free. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.