2023: The year I will never forget

As the final hours for 2023 tick off, I find myself astonished at everything that has transpired in my own personal life this year.  I could go on and on detailing some examples, but of course, the biggest thing that happened was when I was found myself in a hospital emergency room, closer to death’s door than anyone ever could have imagined.  Today I find myself so grateful to be alive, and so pleased to be able to welcome in 2024.

It was only a few weeks ago when I first heard Toby Mac’s marvelous song “Faithfully”.  The song was released in 2022, but it captures what I’ve endured in 2023 so well.  The song begins with these words:

“It’s been a long year; it almost took me down, I swear.  Life was so good.  I’m not sure we knew what we had.  I may never be the same man; I’ll never feel like I felt before.  It’s been a hard year; it almost took me down.  [Chorus] But when my world broke into pieces, You were there faithfully.  When I cried out to You, Jesus, You made a way for me.  I may never be the same man, but I’m a man who still believes...In my darkest hour, You met me, so quietly, so gently.  You said You’d never leave, and You stood by Your word.  So quietly, so gently.  In all my pain, You met me.  You said You’d never leave, and You stood by Your word.”  

Amen!  First off, as this song states, I also declare, in no uncertain terms, that while I may look like the same man, I’m not who I was a year ago.  Secondly, I also echo that even though 2023 introduced one fiery trial after another, through it all, God has been so faithful to me.  I wanted to forever inscribe to you here that I’m humbled by the Lord’s faithfulness, kindness, and goodness to me.  Not because I deserve it, but because of His grace – His unmerited favor – that never ceases to amaze me.      

In conclusion, back in June, I came across a social media post from Russell Wilson; essentially, he said that God is in control, even in the bad days, and to trust in Him.  In the throes of another trial at that time, Russell’s words encouraged me so much that I wrote the quote out, and I still have it with me to this very day.  So thank you for that, Russ (I probably shouldn't say this, but I confess I’m salty that the Broncos will likely part ways with him soon; 26 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 2023 isn't too shabby; I’m rooting for him in 2024).  The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Yes, the path may be rocky and treacherous, but I’d rather walk a difficult path with God than an easy one without Him any day.

God bless,

Kevin

Christmas aftermath reflections

Hope is extremely powerful.  In fact, the Bible declares a “deferred hope” can actually make the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).  I actually don’t think it’s possible to live without hope.  Furthermore, the sad fact is it is possible to put your hope in the wrong thing.  Let me begin today by illustrating this: The Denver Broncos football season has been a wild one.  It started off slowly, with Denver notching an abysmal record of 1-5; at one point they surrendered a whopping 70 points to the Miami Dolphins. 

I blogged about that Miami game.  I effectively wrote off the season at that point, calling the Broncos “hopeless.”  But then Denver went on an impressive winning streak notching a 6-1 record over the next seven games.  With a 7-6 record, hope and expectations high, Denver was shellacked by the Detroit Lions 42-17 (the Lions are currently 11-4, by the way, I say good for them!)  And then on Christmas Eve, the Broncos were defeated by the lowly New England Patriots (the Pats are currently at 4-11).  This defeat led to the benching of Russell Wilson sadly, at least in all likelihood, ending his time as a Bronco.  I read an article from yardbarker.com (it can be found here at this link) where the writer, Olie Coen, contended that the Broncos should have given up when they found themselves at 1-5.

Whether one agrees with this assessment is neither here nor there.  What caught my attention was when Coen states: “Why play for nothing?  Why risk injuries?  And why give the fan base hope when there was never was any?”  The truth is, there may be a hope that promises but ultimately fails to deliver, be it in football, personal aspirations and dreams, Christmas expectations, or even relationships.  Now don’t hear what I’m not saying: by no means am I suggesting to give up on any of these items; absolutely not, far from it.  What I am saying is, no matter what, there is always hope in God.  “And now, Lord,” writes the Psalmist, “where do I put my hope?  My only hope is in You” (Psalm 39:7; NLT). 

Rebecca St. James is one of my heroes.  I recently happened to hear one of her older songs that is an underrated track from her 2000 album titled “Transform”; it’s a song called “Reborn”.  She sings, “If you see a change in me, don’t wonder, there’s someone in my life; a peace I can’t describe, for I’ve been reborn.  If you see a change in me, don’t wonder, I’ve found a whole new life, a hope that I can’t hide, for I’ve been reborn.  Have you ever felt a longing, a searching, within your soul for something more, but you don’t know what for?  There’s One who will reach across the distance from the Heavens to the Earth, because He loves you.”

In John 15, Jesus actually likened it to a vine and branches.  He said that He is the true vine, and we are the branches, and the person who abides in Him will bear much fruit.  I have experienced this in my own life.  To be transparent with you: whenever I choose to abide in the wrong vine, I soon find myself completely regretting it.  I love the way Jonathan Evans puts it in his book “Your time is now”: “Putting all your eggs in any basket other than God himself will only do one thing for you: teach you not to do that again.  Because when it fails, you’ll realize in the spiritual life, it is only God who deserves – and has earned – your confidence.”

In conclusion, as the dust of Christmas 2023 settles, I want to encourage us (because I’m talking to myself here too) put your hope in the only Person that won’t disappoint, the God of universe named Jesus.  Look to Him.  Abide in Him.  If you find that you’ve gone off course, run back to the Lord; He’s ready and willing to give the peace, hope and joy that comes from personal restoration via a renewed fellowship with Him. 

God bless,

Kevin

"A very special Christmas"

As I return to some semblance of my old everyday routine, I clearly don’t have as time to write these days.  But I have to document how much I am anticipating Christmas this year.  That’s not to suggest that I haven’t anticipated it in years past, but after my recent health crisis brought me closer to the valley of the shadow of death than I ever could have imagined, I am looking at things with fresh, super grateful, eyes.

A song in a Christmas movie I was viewing recently caught my attention.  The song is entitled “This Christmas”; it was written by Tim Kenneth Rogers, and performed by Donny Hathaway.  It was released way back in 1971.  “Fireside is blazing bright,” the song rings.  “We’re caroling through the night and this Christmas will be a very special Christmas for me, yeah.  Shake a hand, shake a hand now; a hand now.  Wish your brother a merry Christmas all over the land.”  I resonate with those words.  This Christmas is going to be a very special Christmas for me.

I love Christmas.  But unfortunately, the beauty of this time of year can easily get lost.  We run around trying to check off our list of treasures to give loved ones.  We attend various Christmas events.  Don’t get me wrong: these activities have their place, but once again, if we aren’t careful we can easily miss the whole point of Christmas in the first place.  Every December 25th, we honor the fact that Jesus Christ, the unique God-man literally entered our world. 

Sometimes we forget that Jesus didn’t actually stay a baby.  He lived a perfect, sinless life.  He orated amazing teachings; He initiated events that could only be classified as miracles.  And then the time came when He shed His blood and died on a cross.  This was all part of the divine plan from the beginning.  In fact, an angel even told Joseph to name this unique baby “Jesus” as He would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  Only Jesus, being God in human flesh, could pay the price of humanity’s sin.  What is that price?  The Bible says, “The wages [or the price] of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”  Three days later, Jesus confirmed His deity by rising from the dead!

Jesus is far from some obscure figure from history to admire at Christmas and Easter.  No, Jesus is the Savior of the world; He is able to completely revolutionize a life today.  I know this because He changed mine!  I promise you, if there’s anything good or virtuous from me, it’s a result of Him living in and through me (see Galatians 2:20).  Furthermore, a relationship with Jesus is not merely about going to Heaven one day – as great a perk as that is – it’s having Someone who will walk you here and now, no matter what wild and crazy storm life may throw at you. 

What if it’s all true?  What if God really did become one of us – in the person of Jesus.  It’s not a fable or a fun story; it’s a historical reality; it’s what Christmas is all about.  I heard a sermon where Greg Laurie put it this way: Christmas is not about the presents under the tree; it’s about His presence in our lives.  What’s more, you can begin a relationship with this Jesus, even now, if you’ve never done so.  The Bible says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Pour out your heart to God in prayer.  Ask Him to give His gift of salvation – the forgiveness of sin – to you; ask Him to enter into your life now and forevermore.  He will do it.  And therefore, to return to the song lyric from the beginning, this Christmas will be “a very special Christmas” for you.

God bless,

Kevin