We played on Rosa Parks Blvd. in Paterson NJ this past Saturday. Apparently it’s a pretty gnarly place… It was for an outreach Block Party to the community in that area of Paterson. Above is a picture of us playing one of our original songs “Come Away”. The song is based on the text of Hebrews 11:1, where the writer of Hebrews explains that “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see…”.

We’re praying that the people of Paterson were blessed, and that those who were listening on the streets would know that they’ve been forgiven because of Jesus sacrifice for us on the cross. We’re also praying they’ll give up on trying “make it” on their own and come away from the drug-slingin’, prostitution and  violence that is plaguing that area and walk into an eternity of real life with Christ. So yea, be praying for the people of Paterson. God bless.

“It’s the Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.  He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.  During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After three minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

Six minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

Ten minutes:
A three-year-old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist.  Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.  This action was repeated by
several other children.  Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

Forty five minutes:
The musician played.  Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while.  About 20 gave
him money but continued to walk their normal pace.  He collected $32.

One hour:
He finished playing and silence took over.  No one noticed.  No one applauded, nor
was there any recognition.

No one knew that the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the
world.  He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.  Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story.  Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.  The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?  Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments …

How many other things are we missing?”

So after reading all of that article and watching the video; and after playing twice on the streets of London this past weekend, seeing all the people walking by… I’m caused to think about how many people are missing out on, not just beauty and talent or music, but the very reason we’re alive.

The one who made beauty, and who is the embodiment of it. The questions raised in the writers mind are quite valid. And it’s amazing how similar the Biblical accounts of Jesus, who is God incarnate come to earth, really are to the account you just read. He came into the World at an “odd” time, and was born in an “obscure” place…and even given the historicity of the Bible and it’s infallible claims, and given the masses that witnessed His miracles and resurrection, we still find it hard to stop, and to look at Him. To take a long look at Christ. Jesus told us in John 3:14 that just as Moses lifted up the snake, He would be lifted up, and that anyone who believed in Him wouldn’t be damned…but accepted into Heaven as sons and daughters of God. And what’s crazy is that this amzing information is for all of mankind…the whole earth can bank on that promise! (see John 12:32)

That, to me, is a whole lot better of a deal than a free concert by an amazing musician. I propose a different, but similar, question: In a common place World, do you and I stop to see, and know, a very uncommon savior?

Psalm 23:6

The pursuit of satisfaction is one of the most common conflicts of the human heart.  History tells us of a King who sought satisfaction and what he met along the way.  Intellectually he had no rival, he drank of the finest of wines and the feasts were so lavish that a country could have fed for a week upon what was presented at his dining room table in one night.  He experienced romance with the most beautiful women and held respect and prestige throughout the entire world.  Money was no object, and luxury became commonplace compared to the extravagance of this man’s lifestyle.  In all of this you would think this guy had all the right ingredients for the recipe of satisfaction, but you’d be wrong.  After all the wisdom, wonder, indulgence, and success this man penned the words: 

“So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.  Also my wisdom remained with me.  Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.  I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor.  Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.  There was no profit under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

You see, God divinely blessed King Solomon with wealth, wisdom, and wandering.

“What do you mean by wandering?”  You might ask.

Charles Spurgeon said this of Solomon, “The wisest of men was permitted to make experiments for us all, and to do for us what we must not dare to do for ourselves.^[1]”

Solomon wandered through the vast pleasures of life looking for a purposeful satisfaction.  The interesting thing is he received lengthy instruction from his father, King David, the man after God’s own heart, on where and how to find this purposeful satisfaction.

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” He wrote so that those who followed would know.

It’s by dwelling with the Lord that we find our purpose

And it’s in His house that satisfaction is found

The times in life that I have wondered what my purpose was in life have always been answered when I stopped looking to this world and started looking in His Word.  When I came to church and purposefully sought the Lord in His house.  At church is where we have access to God’s word, and God has access to us through worship.  That’s why it’s so important to come away from the hustle and bustle of life and present ourselves before the Lord.

Many people have needlessly wandered through the journey that Solomon went on.  They move from pleasure to pleasure in a pursuit to fill the void they experience in their hearts.  The only problem is outward experiences will never bring lasting satisfaction to the inward conditions of the heart.

That’s why the King of Kings came down from heaven to dwell among us.  Jesus Christ, God Himself, came down and became one of us.  Fully divine in Holiness never committing a sin, yet fully human in the flesh, He gave His innocent life so that all who were guilty of sin might have hope.  Through faith in His completed work of salvation we can enjoy the eternal destination of His house forever…Heaven.

When you place your faith in the work that Jesus did on the cross His spirit comes and makes His home in your heart…satisfying you.  He goes on to dwell with you so that one day you might express that which King David believed and confessed:

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever!”

Psalm 23:6

Have you ever felt like you’re being followed?

While living in Queens, New York I used to go jogging late at night or early in the morning.  I’m kind of a night owl so dusk and dawn were often the times I had available to stay in shape (not to mention that New York sidewalks are easier to run on when no one is on them).  I had the music in my headphones and the sound of my own breathing as my mute to the cityscape around me.  As nice as that was there was often one thing that loomed in the back of my mind…the possibility that someone was following me.

We’ve all been there.

Whether you imagined it as a kid, watched one too many creepy movies, or walked towards your car in the supermarket parking lot with the soccer mom minivan stalking you…the truth is most of us have wondered and then peered over our shoulder.

I’ve often noticed that to be a common perspective people hold of God.  For whatever reason they believe God to be a ticked off old guy with a big stick of wrath looking to come down on anyone that doesn’t carry a Bible or pray for several hours a day.  Although God does have wrath and holds the authority to judge, He isn’t out to get us…at least not in the scary stalker type of way.   David tells us here that, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”  You see, it’s not judgment and wrath that are following you; it’s the goodness and mercy of the Lord that is looking to catch up to you in your lifetime.

During the Battle of Spires, between the French and Prussians, Napoleon had ordered all medical personnel to be stationed two and half miles back from where the battle was being waged.  The chief physician became distressed at the increasing amount of deaths due to the fact that many of the wounded couldn’t be cared for until the hostilities ceased.  In turn, he designed “ambulance volantes” or flying ambulances, the speedier four wheeled carriages were able to cruise in and out of the scene of battle and usher the dying to safety. 

We too have a Chief Physician who became concerned with the mounting reality of death in a world of sin.  He too designed a speedy and effective way to rescue the endangered from the grave.  With the wheels of goodness and mercy under His carriage of grace, Jesus Christ came and delivered our sin struck bodies from death and brought us back to life. 

Perhaps you’ve been fighting for life

You’re on the frontlines of a failing marriage, or facing the enemy of sickness, maybe even gunned down by loss or addiction.

Whatever the case, take a good hard look over your shoulder and realize that the Lord is following you…available to tend to your needs.

Simply raise your hands to Him, believe in His goodness and receive His mercy.

You’ll do more than just fight another day…You’ll live to experience His victory!

Psalm 23:5

Sometimes sheep face an enemy far more intelligent, threatening, and successful than the usual wolf, bear, or lion.  This predator doesn’t scatter and strike as the others do, he sneaks and steals.  He waits until the cover of night, undetected the thief will come to take for himself what is not rightfully his.

 ”Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  ^But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.^ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  ^Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

John 10:1-5

It wasn’t unusual that the shepherd would find one of his sheep missing and after searching near and far he would find his sheep in another pasture among another flock. 

What could the shepherd do in this situation?

How could he prove that his sheep were stolen?

How does he regain his property?

In Psalm 23:5 the word “prepare” in the Hebrew is normally translated “to set in order” as a waiter setting the table for the dinner guests, I find it interesting that this same word can also mean “to set forth” as a legal case. 

The little shepherd boy who became a king tells us of another King who would shepherd into freedom those who had been stolen by the enemy and imprisoned due to sin.  After all the evidence was prepared Jesus set forth His case on the table of communion, testifying of the body that would be broken and the blood that would be shed as a remission for our sin.  Based upon undeniable evidence God the father, the Righteous Judge declared us clear of all charges. 

We’re forgiven, and upon faith in Jesus we are Holy and can enjoy intimacy with Almighty God.  Just as the shepherd called to his sheep in John 10, Jesus calls to us through the open door of salvation and it’s our responsibility as the sheep to respond to His voice, to come to Him, to believe and walk out of the prison of sin and into the freedom of salvation. 

^”Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”“

 Hebrews 3:12-15

As we are all very aware I’ve been missing in action for a while now…yikes almost a month!  Honestly, there are some really good reason that I could throw out there that might be considered legitamite excuses, however i’ll save you the comprehensive energy and just say, “It’s been a while, and I’m back.”  Bam, there it is.  So while I’ve been traveling the Lord ministered quite a few things to me that i’m just about ready to share….but not yet.  You see, i’m still fine tuning and praying through what is personal and stays in my journal and what the Lord has for me to post on this platform.  So while you’re holding your baited breath, and the suspense thickens i’ll leave you with a little poem I ran into recently that really blessed me. 

Oh, every year has its winter,

And every year has its rain-

But a day is always coming

When the birds go north again.

When new leaves sprout in the forest,

And grass springs green on the plain,

And tulips boast their blossoms-

And the birds go north again.

Oh, every heart has its sorrow,

And every heart has its pain-

But a day is always coming

When the birds go north again.

It’s the sweetest thing to remember,

If your courage starts to wane,

When the cold, dark days are over-

That the birds go north again.

Streams in the Desert, Excerpt from October 9th

Time has proved to me that seasons are exactly that…seasons.  They all have a beginning and an end.  If you are going through a season that is perhaps your winter; cold, lonely, and bare… take heart, there is an end.  Put your hope in the truth of Jesus Christ, this time will soon be over, and the sprouts of spring will begin to show.  You will feel the warmth of the sunshine again, and the Son in all the fullness of His glory will shine again when He returns.  Take heart, keep your courage, hang in there weary soul…the season will soon be over, and hope will reveal the truth of tomorrow; that the present is but a moment of wait, as the vehicle of faith carries us to our destination of eternity.

“I will fear no evil…”

Psalm 23:4

When listening to these words I often get the idea that David was some type of superman.  Being able to eat steel and spit nails might be the kind of tough criteria that enables some to cry out, “I Will Fear No Evil!”… But what criteria does it take to overcome the things that even valiant men are vulnerable to?  Perhaps it isn’t the “boogie man” that frightens you, but what about when the doctor says, “I’m afraid I have some bad news…” or when that foreclosure letter arrives in the mail?  I find myself wondering if David might have had it easier back in the day than those of us who live here in the future.  Just as I begin to start rationalizing my fears however, I find the statement of this shepherd turned king much more profound and applicable to our time than its length and eloquence lets on. 

The Hebrew word “yare’” or “fear” used in this passage gives a bit more insight as to the reality of fear and the confidence that our author proclaims.  Yare’ speaks of an inspired reverence, awe, or respect to the point of terror.  The sensation that is experienced when faced with conflict is founded upon the perspectives we hold and the faith which we apply therein.  So if I believe that a certain situation is impossible, and my faith is based on my abilities, the result will be a sensation of despairing inadequacy or fear.  On the other side of the coin, if I happen to believe that the situation I have in front of me is somehow manageable, and my faith is invested upon the abilities of one who was up to the task, my emotions in turn are equally hopeful and bright.  What fear often does is distort our sense of reality; it enlarges our understanding of vulnerability and leaves us emotionally in fetal position, cowering from the victory that is available.  When penning this part of the chapter, I don’t think David was placing his faith in himself as a shepherd, but in the Lord, Who is immeasurably capable no matter the difficulty.  In short, what David was trying to say was, “I’ve seen God, I’ve experienced already a reverence, awe, respect, and terror that has driven me beyond what anything else has ever caused in my heart…fact is, everything that seemed pretty big and bad pales in comparison to the “fear” of God, or the respect and awe that God’s presence has demanded of me.”

It reminds me of a story about three young Jews.  In a time when the nation of Israel was in captivity and the laws of Babylon seemed frightfully sovereign, three teenage boys kept their perspective, stood firm in the truth, and in result their gritty faith shook a nation aware to the sovereignty of God. 

The king of Babylon had raised a massive statue in his own likeness, and then with a compelling hostility persuaded everyone to bow down and revere the image.  In a way, that’s what fear does; it drives us forcefully to pay an enlarged amount of attention and reverence to something.  When the flutes and trumpets sounded, it was three young guys who were committed to appropriately directing their attention to the only One Who deserved such awe, and with a short trial they were sent to their deaths…or so it seemed.  In the face of impending danger, they spoke the words that echo in my mind when I consider the equally faith filled words from King David.  

“I’ll give you one more chance to bow down!” yelled Nebuchadnezzar furiously

“We do not need to defend ourselves before you.” Replied the boys

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if He doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 

In other words, “I will fear no evil”

And into the fire they went…and the result was wonderful.  Not a scent of smoke on them, not a hair singed, not a thread bared; they paid the proper respect to the Lord and God honored them with confidence, security, blessing, and peace.

The moment we lose sight of the reality of Who God is and What He is capable of, is the same moment fear comes in and peace is hindered.  By willfully conceding to an authority of power that is not over us, we in a way are saying to the Lord that we are uncertain of His authority.   David chose otherwise…he tells us, “I will not”.  You see, fear is a choice not a mandate.  Evil will never be able to harm us when our faith is in Jesus Christ.  Threats will come, fiery trials may surround, but as the three young men said, “the God whom we serve is able to save us.”  God is mightier than that which we fear. 

As we begin to trust and live out this faith in Jesus, those who are bowing down will start to raise their eyes and see the truth.  They will be as Nebuchadnezzar, seeing one who looks like “the Son of God”.

They’ll see Jesus

So Fear not

Genesis 23:10-13

The exchange here between Ephron and Abraham is a perfect example of what the bargaining process was back in the ancient Middle East.  Upon further study one can begin to see quite a few similarities between what was and what the bargaining process is today.  Being that Abraham valued Sarah so highly he wasn’t about to bury her in a tomb that cost him nothing.  In the same way we as believers must not settle into compromise while conducting ourselves in this world.  While others who don’t necessarily agree with Christian beliefs or understand the biblical convictions of those who follow Christ, we as believers must seek to live in such a way that shows just how wonderful the ways of the Lord are.  As this world tries to have us bury our standards and principles in a way that would dishonor the value of Jesus’ life present in us, we must tenaciously hold to our standards so that we might honor properly that which God has given us.

To settle the exchange Abraham humbled himself by bowing, as he did the proper purchase of the tomb was possible and the relationship with the sons of Heth was strengthened.  So too, if we expect to effectively carry out business and strengthen the relationships we have in this world without compromising our standards and faith, we must conduct ourselves as Christ.   

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Philippians 2:3-8

You see, Jesus too humbled Himself without compromising His Holy standard.  In doing so He won the entire human race something of the greatest benefit…salvation.  Through lovingly exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ to those around us we too will not only be blessed in our lives for the glory of God but we’ll also win those around us unto a far greater purpose…an intimate personal relationship with God. 

Genesis 23:5-6

It’s amazing to see the favor that Abraham holds with the locals being that he is a “foreigner and a visitor in the land”.  It’s a stark contrast to Lot who also being a stranger and visitor in his land actually held a high political office and prospered in his local region, however, when communicating with the locals they stated, “Who are you to us?”  It’s interesting to me that Lot chose the greener grass, the nicer deal, and his selfish ambition drove him to compromise, and his example and witness was exactly that…compromised; his decision to honor himself while also trying to honor God hurt his ability to reach those around him and exemplify Holiness to those around him.  Abraham on the other hand chose to honor God, yup…he made mistakes, but all in all his passion was to honor God first and exclusively, in doing so he was blessed and we see here that those around him noticed the blessings as well as his relationship with God, Abraham’s ability to minister to them and testify to his neighbors was so evident.

More recently I was teaching a general overview of Christianity in a college located in the southwest of England.  After the session was done a student raised his hand and asked the question, “Do you often get insulted for being a Christian?”  I responded to his question by sharing how when I was younger I often was timid and quiet about my faith because I was often afraid of what others might say or do to me if they knew of my faith in Jesus Christ.  As I’ve matured in age and faith I’ve found that just the opposite is true.  Like Abraham, the more open and honest I am about my faith, the more people notice.  How they respond is out of my control, one thing is certain however, they will see me for who I am, and who I am will essentially lead them to the majesty of Jesus Christ or lead them away from the glory of God.  Sure, I get a few people that insult me, but more importantly I get people that see firsthand the Lord’s presence in my life, and they recognize my standing among them, I am a “Son of the King”  a “mighty prince” and the favor followed is the blessing imparted by our identity as such. 

At this point many of us are familiar with the legend of William Tell who won the freedom of himself and his son, Walter Tell, when he split the apple off of his sons head with one arrow.  In Switzerland today William Tell is considered a hero.

In the Bible, the word for sin in the Greek is “hamartia” which means “Missing the mark”.  It speaks of an archer or bowman aiming to hit the mark of a target, bulls eye, or perhaps an apple.  If the Archer were to miss the mark his ability would be considered imperfect and if the stakes were as high as that of William Tell it wouldn’t go so well. 

The truth is that the stakes are pretty high when it comes to our ability of perfection or lack thereof.  I’m not talking about apples or bows and arrows; I’m talking about Holiness and Sin.  The standard of abiding with God in heaven is perfect holiness.  The Bible tells us, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  If William Tell had an off day, which I’m sure he had at one time or another when practicing to be a marksman, his son would have died.  When it comes to our spiritual life the same is true, due to an imperfect ability to gain salvation we face the consequence of death, it says in the book of Romans, “For the wages of Sin is death.”  This isn’t good news for us. 

“But Dan, I haven’t missed any marks, I’m a pretty good person” You claim.

To be a pretty good person doesn’t cut it, just like being an alright shot wouldn’t have cut it for Ol’ Willy Tell.  You see, according to the Bible if anyone has broken the Law (also known as the 10 commandments) any law, even if it was once, then you have missed the mark, you’ve sinned, you’re guilty. 

What if I don’t believe in Bible and the Ten Commandments Dan? 

Your belief in the Law doesn’t void it from being the Law just like me not believing in a speed limit doesn’t get me out of a ticket when I’m caught and justice is served. 

Don’t get bummed out though…there is good news!

That verse that I just quoted from Romans has a second part to it. 

It tells us, “The gift of God is eternal life.”  Just like Walter Tell’s dad won his life and freed, so too our heavenly daddy won our life and freedom by sending His only Son to this world to die on the cross and pay the penalty of our sin. 

That’s it…Jesus is a master marksman, being fully God and fully man He was perfect and worthy to cover the consequences of our sin.  When we as sons and daughters of God had the apple of Sin hanging over our heads, Jesus came and split our sin in two, not stretching out His hands for a bow and arrow, but for a few nails.  He shed His blood for our punishment, saving our lives and raising His own life up, becoming the hero of our salvation. 

If you wish to receive this free gift that was paid for you on the cross all you have to do is simply “believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and confess with your mouth that He died on the cross for your sins.” (Romans 10:9-12)

I know when it comes down to a life and death target shot, I wouldn’t trust my life into anyone’s hands that were less than perfect, I’d want the highest standard of perfection deciding my outcome.  Jesus has done that.  He has completed the work saying, “It is finished”.  And for those who have received that free gift have also received their freedom and eternal life.