Wearing Blinders - Martin Wiles

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When worn properly, they prevent me from noticing what God desires I see. 

As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Luke 16:21 NLT

I first noticed them when I was a young boy attending town Christmas parades. As the horse drawn floats and carriages meandered by, the horses sported blinders to remove their peripheral view. At the time, it made no sense to me. Why would the owners not want their horses to see in a certain direction? Later I learned it was for the safety of the crowd and the one riding the horse or driving the carriage. 

The rich man wore blinders. A beggar named Lazarus almost lay in his lap, but he didn’t see him—not truly. He was too busy living in luxury to concern himself with someone who might steal his time and dance on his emotions. His reasons for wearing blinders can be mine.

When I fear change, I wear blinders. Helping the beggar would mean the rich man would have to give up some of what he enjoyed. The direction I feel God prompting me to take may be uncomfortable. Change normally is. I get accustomed to my traditions and feel contented. 

I wear blinders when I’m anxious over what this change might entail. Change usually involves a particular loss. For the rich man, it would have been some of his luxury. Intervening in others’ lives means giving up something—time, money. But in the relinquishing, I actually gain more than I lose. Selfishness will keep my eyes focused inward and hinder me from learning that true living is about serving God by serving others.

Stereotyping also situates blinders on my eyes. The rich man doubtlessly didn’t see the inner potential Lazarus may have had. He never stopped to think how he could enhance the beggar’s life. Applying to everyone what I’ve experienced with one race, culture, religion, or economic stratum puts blinders on my eyes and hides from me their inner potential. 

What blinders are you wearing that prevent you from seeing what God desires you see?

Prayer: Remove our blinders, merciful God, that we might perceive all You would have us observe. 
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and clarita.)

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

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Supernatural Power

She wasn’t crazy about getting up, breaking camp, donning a backpack or walking uphill, but my secret weapon always helped her.

My daughter could out walk me during the day, but morning wasn’t her specialty. Eating breakfast, stuffing her sleeping bag, packing the tent and her backpack were accomplished in slow motion. Headache and stomachaches were also common. Read more...

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Balanced - Martin Wiles

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Time comes in the same increments for everyone.

So be careful how you live… Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15-16

Flipping and tumbling across the floor didn’t concern me. Even bouncing off the trampoline and flipping over the horse beam didn’t tax my nerves. Watching her swing round and round on the bars only made me a little nervous. What set my nerves on edge was the balance beam. The other gymnastic activities my daughter performed could have resulted in injury, but the balance beam appeared the most dangerous. Walking, jumping, and flipping on a piece of a narrow slither of wood simply didn’t seem safe. Happily, she never injured herself. 

God wants me to balance my time just as my daughter balanced her body. Since I’m a “yes” man, this makes it easy for me to put too many irons in the fire. Satan uses my personality and tempts me to crave recognition and see how much I can accomplish in 24 hours. While I’m enjoying the adrenaline rush, my body is doing things God didn’t design it to do. Stress levels are rising, heart rate is accelerating, mood swings are increasing, and relationships are suffering.

Opportunities for good abound—in my circle of influence and across the world, but I can’t complete them all, nor does God expect me to. Doing too many good things at the same time results in stress and loss of joy. When this happens, Satan slips in and gives me a sour attitude which in turn usually leads to giving up everything. Performing good things with honorable intentions has the unfortunate potential of turning evil in the end if I’m not careful. 

I balance my life not when I simultaneously do all the good things I see around me but when I do what God wants me to do. He will focus me in the direction he wants, and I discover that direction through prayer. Recognition from others shouldn’t be my goal. Performing for an audience of One should be my aim. What can you do to better balance your life?

Prayer: Remind us, dear Lord, that our responsibility isn’t to do all the good we see but only that which is in Your plan for us at any given moment. 
(Photo courtesy of moreguefile and Melodi2.)

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Strength in Unity - Martin Wiles

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We can accomplish more together than we can apart.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 NLT

A charter member leaves the church because children are allowed to play games in the family life center. A group splits and forms their own church because they didn’t like a decision made by the majority. A member spreads vicious rumors about one of the church’s leaders even though they are false. A member disagrees with the majority’s decision on a matter but becomes a thorn that spreads dissent in the church. Members fight over the style of music, color of carpet, or what color to paint the Sunday school rooms. A young Christian leaves the church when the church decides they won’t continue in a community fellowship because it is interracial. Just a few of the situations I’ve encountered in my church journey.

First century churches weren’t immune to squabbles, disagreements, and unspiritual activities. As Paul made a plea for them to be unified then, so church leaders face the same challenge in twenty-first century churches. Unity doesn’t entail total agreement on every decision. Due to our human natures, various beliefs, and different personalities, this is an impossible goal.

When disagreements arise—and they will, unity allows for disagreement without being disagreeable. An attitude of “I’ll support the majority’s decisions” goes a long way in promoting oneness in God’s churches. Democratic nations function in an identical fashion. As long as the church is not making unbiblical decisions, this should be my attitude.

Unity also happens when the members of the body garner themselves around a common vision. While the mission of every church should be the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), individual churches have different visions.

Remembering believers are all serving the same Lord—even though we differ on some insignificants, helps us keep the bond of unity in love within our churches. What can you do to promote a deeper spirit of unity in your church?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we be the magnets that draw others to the unity You desire us to possess. 

(Photo courtesy of morguefile and Jusben.)

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

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Handling Prejudice

“I just want to be able to go somewhere ________ people aren’t.” I couldn’t believe what I heard or where I heard it.  

We were holding our monthly deacon’s meeting and discussing a community men’s group our church belonged to. Other partnering churches had decided to make the group multi racial, and our church would host the first meeting. Church leaders were now discussing our future involvement because of the decision. Read more...

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The Source of Strength - Martin Wiles

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What we rely on for strength can sometimes disappoint us. 

Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! I Samuel 9:21

My middle brother is a weight lifter. Not a professional. Just a regular lifter of lead. Initially, he lifted weights to boost his self-image. When younger, he was skinny. I suppose he grew tired of being picked on and decided to take action. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he was even more determined to heft the heavies. His upper body strength and build are impressive. Weight lifting is the source of his strength. 

When the prophet Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, Saul was amazed, fearful, and skeptical. He was from the smallest of Israel’s twelve tribes. That wasn’t a problem—unless he relied on his strength rather than God’s.
  
Loneliness is a canker. Adam experienced it as the first human. After naming all the animals God created, he found none to serve as a companion. He was lonely among a crowd. God pronounced loneliness a bad thing and created Eve for Adam. Yet the most important relationship Adam and Eve had was not with each other but with God. They walked with him in the cool of the evenings. 

Relationships are essential if I’m to enjoy a full life. My most important relationship should be identical to Adam and Eve’s—with God. While relationships with family, fellow believers, work acquaintances, and casual friends are enjoyable—and even essential for good health and self-image, if I neglect the one with God I’ll find myself alone. In the midst of others, I’ll sense a void in my spirit…a void only my Creator and Savior can fill. 

Saul’s strength came from relying on the Lord. While the presence of others enhance and bring stability to my existence, only communion with and reliance on the Spirit’s presence in my life will give me the needed muscle to face life and God’s assignments. Where are you finding your strength?

Prayer: God of all power, may we find our strength and peace in a daily walk with You. 
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and dmscs.)

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When I Don’t Ask - Martin Wiles

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So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. Joshua 9:14 NLT

He who doesn’t ask may very well not receive. 

As a budding writer, I wanted to attend a writer’s conference sponsored by the person who had given me my first true opportunity to be published. The cost of the conference was reasonable, but my funds were scarce. I expressed my desire to the editor and host, and she graciously told me about a well-known author who granted a limited number of scholarships to conference attendees who had the desire but not the money. I filled out the required scholarship request and was granted the money. Had I not asked, I would have remained home and lost the opportunity to attend meetings that honed my writing skills. 

I can ask for money, time, directions, advice, pity, and a slew of other things, but if I don’t ask for God’s guidance I’m doomed from the start. Joshua didn’t and was. He had two major victories under his belt, but terrified deceivers had slipped into the camp and requested friendship. The Israelites didn’t question their story or consult God. Sadly, they belonged to a group God had instructed the Israelites to destroy lest they infect his people with sinful lifestyles. 

Not asking God’s guidance sets me up for failure. I may succeed according to someone else’s standards, but I won’t by God’s. When I launch into life without consulting God, I also demonstrate selfishness. Life becomes about me rather than him and others. My priorities and goals become jumbled. By default, leaving God out of my decisions reveals an underlying belief that he may not even care about what I’m facing presently or in the future. Satan’s temptations then become more tantalizing. 

The treasury of heaven’s blessings is mine for the taking—but only if I ask for God’s guidance. Seeking his advice in all matters means I’ll more often than not experience his best. By regularly consulting him, I’ll begin to see life’s events from his perspective rather than my own. Are you checking with God about your daily affairs?

Prayer: God of mercy and love, prompt us to consult You about every decision we make—major or minor. 

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

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Not Guilty, Not Condemned

My day in court finally arrived. I was extremely nervous. 

I can’t remember the month, but the year was 1969. I entered the courtroom and took my seat followed by the jury. Then I heard “All rise.” Everyone stood as the judge entered and took his seat. He peered over the top of his glasses and said “Be seated.” 

“What’s the case number and charge,” he barked at the bailiff who quietly read both. Then he asked for my plea. When I said “Not guilty,” he instructed the prosecutor to call his first witness and the trial began. Read more...

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The Gap Stander - Martin Wiles

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For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  II Corinthians 5:21 NLT

I needed a gap stander, and he was there. 

I can honestly say I never fought while growing up. Fighting seemed a senseless way to solve conflicts. Additionally, my build didn’t lend itself to fights. Once a school bully accused me of throwing soda on his car and demanded I wash it or suffer the consequences. Since I hadn’t soiled his car, I wasn’t about to issue a free clean. I may have chosen not to fight, but I wasn’t someone’s doormat either. When I denied his request, he threatened to pound my head. Luckily, my good friend stepped in and said, “You gonna have to go through me to get him.” The bully stepped away, and I breathed a sigh of relief. My gap stander came to my rescue and continued to until the bully’s ire subsided. 

If not careful, I’ll be tempted to think I’m self-sufficient…that I don’t need a gap stander. My boot straps are long enough for me to pull them up all by myself. God says otherwise. My spirit and soul are tarnished by a word society has attempted to tame and obliterate: sin. I’ve missed God’s best by shooting at my own targets. My present is tenuous and the future uncertain. 

Happily, Christ has changed the scenario. Sent by a God who loves unconditionally, he stood in my spiritual gap by stretching his body in the form of a cross while hanging on a cross. Here my sin payment—and that of the world, was paid. A sinless sacrifice for a sinful world. When I remove him from the cross and place him into my heart, he becomes my savior and intercessor. My gap stander. I’m safe now and will be for eternity. 

My friend would not have stood in the gap for just anyone. He did for me because we were friends. Christ, on the other hand, stands in the gap for anyone who asks. Is he standing in your spiritual gap?

Prayer: Lord of grace and glory, we entrust our spiritual condition to You, believing You will stand in the gap for us before the Father. 

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Restless Resting - Martin Wiles

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Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT

Restless and resting are not mutually exclusive.

I can’t remember the last time I or my wife slept through the night. Whether I keep her awake or she does me, we haven’t figured out. If I sleep on my back, I snore. Occasionally she will punch me and tell me to turn over. Her restlessness is more severe. Suffering from herniated disks in her neck and back, a torn rotary cuff, and degenerative arthritis makes it almost impossible for her to get comfortable and sleep for any length of time. I’m sure her tossing and turning affects my sleep patterns. Regardless of our restlessness, however, we choose to remain in bed together and rest in each other’s arms. 

Jesus spoke to those who carried burdens of various sorts: spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, and social. I’ve carried some of the same burdens, and they’ve made me restless as well. I’ve worried over bills I couldn’t pay, illnesses I couldn’t cure, sins I couldn’t undo, depression I couldn’t conquer, and looks I couldn’t fix. But when I gave them to Jesus, my perspective changed. 

The rest Jesus offers is of a different variety than resting my physical body. Physical and eternal rest are both enticing, but resting in my spirit is essential as well. This type of rest doesn’t require my body to be inactive. I can continue my daily activities, yet with a different perspective. Even though my body and mind may be in motion, my spirit is still because I know God is in control. He grants me the spiritual energy I need to face daily affairs and circumstances while at the same time resting in him. Experiencing this rest enables me to see things from his perspective rather than my limited one. 

Jesus’ rest assures me all is well with my soul. All my sins have been forgiven, and I have the energizing presence of God’s Spirit to guide me through each day. Are you finding rest in God?

Prayer: God of grace and mercy, when the weariness of life wears us down with all its worries and cares, may we find our rest in You. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

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Good Advice by Martin Wiles

“You’re gonna have to find another job that pays more or decrease your debts,” my brother said. I was trying to do the first and struggling with the second.

Some call my middle brother thrifty. Others say he’s stingy. I call him wise. I’m nine years his senior but when it comes to intelligent financial decisions his choices have been better.

My wife and I were living in a serious financial situation that was getting worse each month. We discussed options-none of which were good. I decided to ask my brother’s advice, and he gave sound counsel garnered from family, education and experience, and I took it. Read more... 

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Seeing Others as God Does - Martin Wiles

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The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him. I Samuel 24:6 NLT

What I see is often not what God observes. 

Recently I was messaged on Facebook by a student I taught 22 years ago…a student who seemed to have no liking for me but who now was informing me I had been her favorite teacher. Her contact started me wondering about other students I had taught who were now adults and old enough to have families of their own. So I began searching Facebook for the names I could remember. I discovered a number of former students. When I clicked on their profiles, I was amazed. The ones that appeared unmotivated and rebellious when I taught them had turned out alright after all. They were married and had children. Some owned their own businesses. Others had followed and achieved their dreams. My search’s findings reminded me that I don’t often see the full picture, nor do I normally see as God does. 

How some viewed King Saul wasn’t the way David looked at him. While running for his life from a maddened king, David had at least two opportunities to kill Saul. Both times he refused. Even though Saul was his sworn enemy, David knew that momentarily he was the Lord’s anointed king of the nation. One student, in particular, who I branded a failure, now owns his own business. Another, who had little initiative, is living his dream. 

Where I see failure, God sees potential. Where I see lack of concern or initiative, God sees promise. After all, people are created in God’s image. That in itself makes them worthy of my love and gives them the power to be anything God wants them to be. When I see addictions, God sees a wonderful testimony of his power to deliver—a testimony they can share with others who need hope. 

David’s men saw an enemy; David saw the Lord’s anointed. What do you see when you look at others? 

Prayer: God of mercy and grace, enable us to see others as You see them. 

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Fewer Words Are Better - Martin Wiles

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Proverbs 17:27

Many words don’t necessarily equate with wisdom. 

One significant writing exercise I teach grammar students is how to write summaries. Summaries are just that. Writing one doesn’t entail putting the entire thing summarized in your own words. That is simply re-writing the article. 

Summaries should be no longer than one third the length of what is being summarized. They should be in the writer’s own words but written as if they are the author of the article. Writing a summary involves developing the ability to pull what’s most important from a piece of writing that contains more than the essentials. Summaries go after the meat, not the fat. 

Less is more. At least this is what the smartest man who ever lived said. Wisdom isn’t encapsulated in many words but rather in a carefully chosen few. I’m not always proficient with this task. Neither are many other folks I’ve encountered along life’s way. As I get older, I seem to find myself talking more rather than less and chasing many rabbits in the process.

When I talk, I can choose to be an expander or a condenser. If I choose the first, I may well overwhelm people with my many words and sharing of details. When I’m the second, I’ll only share what is absolutely necessary and important. 

I haven’t always mastered the art of using only a few words, but I’ve discovered through experience that it’s always better to think about what I want to say before I say it. This is especially true in marital relationships where the husband and wife are having a disagreement. Sudden emotionally filled words will only lead to further hurt. 

Being a person of few words also entails saying only what’s necessary. Expanders are known for the details they include…many of which are unnecessary. What's more, managing the few words I speak includes determining to speak only words that encourage and challenge, speaking only what you wouldn’t mind others repeating, and refusing to be parcel to gossip. 

What characteristics are the words you speak displaying?

Prayer: Eternal God, may the words of our mouths honor You and uplift others. 

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Anxious Living by Martin Wiles

I opened the letter slowly, noting the return address. My employer’s name glared at me and since it was spring of the year, I imagined bad news.

Sure enough, I wasn’t offered a contract for the next school year. The economy had slowed and funds were cut from the district’s operating budget. Unnecessary help had to go. Having recently lost a career and remembering how difficult it was to find the present job, my anxiety level rose significantly. I had bills to pay and children to care for. 

The next two months were consumed with filling out employment applications, undergoing interviews, making my unemployment check stretch to the limit and praying for God to act. Eventually he did, and interestingly he put me where I met my future wife. Read more...

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Looking Back - Martin Wiles

But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 NLT

Hindsight can be 20/20. 

A recent article detailed 37 things dying people said they regretted not doing. Among them were: traveling abroad, learning another language, leaving a bad relationship, seeing their favorite musician, overcoming fear, taking care of themselves physically, leaving an unpleasant job, saying “I love you” enough, listening to what their parents told them, ignoring what others thought, releasing grudges, volunteering enough, putting work in a proper perspective, spending enough time with loved ones, and letting go of worry. 

Life can be filled with look backs, but there is one type that is spiritually devastating. Lot’s wife experienced it. She and her husband lived in the city of wicked Sodom. When news arrived that God was about to destroy their hometown, they ran for their lives. While on the escape route, however, Lot’s wife looked back longingly at the immorality she was leaving behind. The penalty was death…or in this case salt. 

I am a product of my past but don’t have to be its prisoner. One counselor suggests 90 percent of our responses in relationships relate to a former rather than present time. But my past is a good instructor when I allow the wrong turns in it to prompt right turns in the present. 

Skeletons haunt my past. When I allow unwise decisions and actions of my past to affect my present and future, I become a prisoner of misplaced focus. God gives many second chances, so my future is as bright as I allow it to be. Lot’s wife relived in her mind the sordid past she was leaving behind. If I long for what God has forgiven, it reveals a lack of full commitment to him. 

My future is in God’s hands. He won’t erase my past, but he can use the events from it, combine them with my present experiences, and then use me to help others who are struggling on their spiritual journey. Are you learning from and using your past or letting it ruin your present and future?

Prayer: Merciful God of second chances, we thank You that our pasts don’t have to control our presents or futures. 

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Choosing to Forgive - Martin Wiles

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And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12 NLT

I shared my story, but, as they each began to share theirs, my offense suddenly seemed somewhat insignificant. 

The subject of our small group discussion was forgiveness. I’ve had my share of hurts—some more serious than others, so I began by revealing the most painful hurt I’d ever experienced. Heads nodded, and I assumed they’d been there—in one form or another. As they shared their stories, I knew they had. A mother whose spouse poured acid over her and her unborn child…scarring the child for life. Another who’d had an alcoholic grandmother spread a vicious rumor that she’d had an abortion when it was only a ruptured appendix. Still another told of an unfaithful spouse who still didn’t have time for his child even though she was presently an adult. And finally a story of a child’s sexual harassment. Each one had a choice: forgive or hold onto the hurt. 

Jesus ties his forgiveness of our sins to our ability to forgive others. Only when I realize how serious my sin offense is against God and experience his forgiveness can I even begin to forgive others. No stinging offense exists that would even begin to compare to how my sin has hurt God. 

Forgiveness is a choice. With God’s power, I can, but I don’t have to forgive anyone. If I choose not to forgive, I’ve disobeyed God who says I should place no limit on how many times I forgive those who hurt me. When I forgive, I release others from a debt they owe me for a wrong they’ve committed against me. I also release myself from the prison I’ll enter should I choose not to forgive. 

Forgiveness is not condoning the evil acts of others, nor does it mean they shouldn’t or won’t experience punitive consequences for their actions. Forgiveness doesn’t even mean I must continue to associate with my offender. But through the act of forgiving, I demonstrate the love I’ve experienced from God. 

Who do you need to forgive?

Prayer: Enable us, all-powerful God, to forgive others as You have forgiven us. 

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