Explore the 'New' but Don't Abandon the 'Tested'?

August 2021

Of all the captains made famous for their seamanship, none was more highly regarded than Elieazar Hall. He went further, stayed out longer, brought back more whale oil, and lost fewer men than anyone else. He was at one with the sea navigating by going up on the deck; listening to the wind in the rigging; getting the drift of the sea; and taking a long look at the stars. Then he would set his course.

Well, times changed, and the owners of Captain Hall’s vessel were informed that the insurance underwriters would no longer agree to cover a vessel that did not carry a formally trained and certified navigator. They were then confronted with the problem of how to break the news to Captain Hall. He must either sign on some youngster or go to navigation school himself.

Finally the salty sea captain was told the news. But to everyone's astonishment, Captain Hall greeted the announcement with no particular emotion. Since he had always been curious about this new business of scientific navigation, he was glad for the opportunity to study it. At the expense of the company, he went to navigation school and graduated near the top of his class. Then he shipped out for two years on the high seas.

The day Captain Hall returned to port after his first voyage, half of the marine population of New Bedford was on the docks to greet him. And, of course, the first question asked was how he enjoyed the experience of navigation by scientific means. He said, “It was wonderful. I don't know how I have gotten on without it all these years. Whenever I wanted to know my location, I would go into my cabin, get out my charts and tables, work the proper equations, and set my course with scientific precision. I would then go up on the deck, and I would listen to the wind in the rigging. I'd get the drift of the sea, and I would take a long look at the stars. Then I would go back and correct my errors in computation.”

Man’s modern medical answers are wonderful. They provide great relief from many sicknesses and their pain. Doctors have great skills but they will always advise they are still learning. Seek medical opinion but remember to submit that to God in prayer – with the open Bible by your side, as your guide. His peace will be your guide. God never fails!

David and Cherie Rodway

Do You Expect God Will Help?

March 2021

What is our will saying about the practice of our new expectations? How does it shape our Christianity? Are we a spectator, participator or a disciple?

How much do we believe and to what degree does Jesus drive our life? How ‘Christian’ are we or which part of the crowd around Jesus do we fit?  Or do we not think we fit at all?

God does not view life experience the same way that we do. Our view of life is what separates us from God and from each other. God looks for a quality of person not necessarily reflected in experience. He looks at our heart. Recall in the Bible, the choosing of the six men to serve on tables and assist the widows. They first had to be motivated by God's Spirit. In other words see life as God sees it. They had first to be full of the Holy Spirit and second to be able to do the task expected! King David was described by God as a man after his own heart. Moses was described as a friend of God.

Expectations, dominated by a living faith, make powerless the fears produced by experience. Jesus left us with the answer as to what to expect and to do. He said in John 8:29."I always do the things that please Him".

Expect that God is able: Ephesians 3:20 tells us He will do more than we can even think or dream.

Expect God to provide victory: Romans 8:37 says we can never be separated from His love.

Expect God to have a progressive plan: Psalm 32:8 promises God will guide us in the way we should go.

Expect God to live in you: Galatians 4:6-7 encourages us with His promise that He has put the Spirit of Jesus in our hearts to dwell forever.

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

Expectations founded in God negate experience.

Look at this account of Jesus Christ's preaching in Luke 5:17 and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Whenever there was occasion, Christ did not have to search for his power — it was present to heal. He is always ready to help us.

David and Cherie Rodway

To TRUST or NOT To TRUST

February 2021

A casual reading of the Bible indicates faith in God is our ‘rut’ breaker. Faith was never meant to be primarily a noun. It is linked to the verb believe. A mindset that speaks of action.

Once we have broken out of the rut, this step must come in a package which includes direction and the power to break out of the walls of our present life which means confronting impossibilities.

Immediately, this raises questions like what do I expect to become? Whoever I am right now, do I have the faith to become a better person? Do I expect my destiny to reshape back to its theme defined in my earlier life? Do I expect my life and the future to be different because I am a person of faith?

Where do we set the boundaries of our expectation? If we can change one thing; one decision, one action, one conviction, one thought, why can't we rearrange our life? Or create a better future?

Exploring Bible truths again, may under-line our desperation or perhaps identify our reality. God is our only hope.

Pushed by circumstances into a renewed God relationship has us grappling with words like faith, expectation, and with it, transformation. It might surprise you, but people who aren't involved in spiritual conversations don't often use the word “transformation,” but it accurately describes changed worked by God.

It remains in our hands how much we will submit our destiny to God. We can trust a little or we can trust Him for all things.

You can choose to believe in a God who is aloof from all things; a distant God that leaves you in the hands of so many troubles.

Or, you can put your trust in a God who carries you as a nursing mother carries her suckling infant close to her; as a father carries his child high upon his shoulders; as an eagle carries its fledgling young upon its wings.

As large as your trust will be, is exactly the space that He will fill.

David and Cherie Rodway