Total Contentment, Joy And Confidence In Your Everyday Experience of God - A Healthy Soul

John Ortberg, a pastor of a large church, asked his friend and mentor, Dallas Willard, what he needed to do to help his church experience greater levels of spiritual growth.  John was frustrated because the people of his church were not “changing” in the positive spiritual ways he was hoping for.

After John’s question Dallas paused for a long time and said, “You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God.”

John’s response to Dallas’ instruction was:  “Huh?”

They talked about Dallas’ answer and after some conversation back and forth John said this…

“But how can I have total contentment, joy, and confidence? … My work isn’t going nearly well enough.  Lots of people are not happy with me.  I am inadequate as a pastor, husband, and father.  Every week I carry the burden of delivering a sermon and knowing I’ll have to feel the pain it if doesn’t go well.”

Dallas then responded like this…

“I didn’t say you should experience total contentment, joy, and confidence in the remarkable adequacy of your competence or the amazingly successful circumstances of your life.  It’s total contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday experience of God.  This alone is what makes a soul healthy.”

John shares this exchange in his book, “Soul Keeping: Caring For The Most Important Part of You.”  What Dallas told John sounds like a very simple idea but it is profound.  I encourage you to take a moment to quietly, seriously ponder the truth of what he said.  When I read this story earlier today it touched, encouraged and challenged my heart in a significant way. 

I want to find contentment, joy and confidence in God.  I want to find delight in Him, in the midst of all the circumstances of life.  Is that really possible?  I believe it is. 

I hope, as you consider these thoughts, God uses them to do something significant for your heart, too.

Dan Marler

First Church of God

Oak Lawn, IL

The Christmas Present I Did Not Get

When I was 15 years old I was delighted to discover that two of my cousins, who were brothers, had received brand new shotguns as Christmas presents.  These cousins were aged 16 and 14.

I thought, “This is fantastic!  What a stroke of good fortune.  This clearly sets a precedent for the type of Christmas presents that can be expected within our larger family circle.”

I promptly informed my dad that I would love to get a shotgun for Christmas.

After he looked at me as if I had 3 heads and each of the three heads were illuminated with hair that was on fire, he said, “No, you can’t have a shotgun.”

I said, “Marcus and Thomas got shotguns for Christmas, this year.  I’m basically the same age they are, in fact, I’m older than Thomas.”

My dad said, “They live in rural Mississippi.  They have lots of wide open space and everybody hunts down there.  It’s a normal activity.  You live in Chicago.  I can’t have you walking around with a shotgun.”

I wanted to say, “Technically we live in the suburbs, not the city proper, and right across the street from our house is wide open forest preserve property which would be just perfect for some shotgun shooting.”  But a) I never talked back to my dad in that way, since I valued life; and b) it was beginning to dawn on me that my dad was not going to recognize this Christmas present precedent as applicable to our situation.  So, I didn’t say anything further about the shotgun request.

I got socks for Christmas, that year.

I put a couple of 12 gauge shells in the socks but I guess it’s no surprise that they didn’t fire.

The Importance of Helping To Develop The Gifts of Others

When we see talents, aptitudes, skills and possibilities in others and help them recognize those things in themselves we are assisting in the development of that person. This is an important part of what it means to live responsibly. Interestingly, this kind of action which helps others is also helpful to our own growth and maturity.

We Cannot Control Other People

We cannot control other people.  Sometimes, we would really like to have a bit of control over others.  We’d like to help them understand certain things.  We’d like to help them avoid difficulties.  We’d like to give them some of the benefit of our experience.  And it may be true that we can have some positive influence.  We may be able to have a measure of helpful persuasion.  But, the bottom line is that we cannot control others.  Most of the time, to be honest, we have our hands full trying to control ourselves.

Let Go of Fear And Trust The Good Shepherd

It would be easy to let fear overwhelm and control us.  When we hear the news and contemplate the actions that regularly occur fearful thoughts and feelings would not be an unusual response.  But we have to continue to live and a life consumed by fear is not a life well lived.  I’ve re-read Psalm 23 today and I’m choosing to let go of fear and put my trust in the Good Shepherd.

Hmm... The Munsters Was Not Realistic?

When I was a kid—long, long, long ago—my family was watching a television sitcom, one evening.  It was a show called The Munsters.  (Remember that one?)

At one point, during the broadcast, my mom said, “Oh, come on!” 

She was indicating that what was happening in the storyline of the show was unrealistic.

I just was sitting here and that moment from long ago popped into my mind and I laughed.  Are you enjoying the humor of this?  My mom was accusing The Munsters of not being realistic.

“Really, mom?  There’s something in the plot of The Munsters that isn’t realistic?!?”

I know, I’m easily amused.  But it really is fun for me to think about the fact that my mom was charging The Munsters with an inaccurate portrayal of reality.  She really could be a riot!

Fortunately, in those days—even though we had to put up with the silly nonsense of The Munsters—there were also moments when we could balance it out with the gritty dramatic realism of Gilligan’s Island.

The Accidental Pager Theft

As I got out of the car, after lunch, I stuck my hand into the pocket of my jacket and was surprised when I pulled out the pager from the restaurant.

“Oops!” I said.  When I went to the counter to pick up my order I forgot to put the restaurant’s pager back in the basket.

Just a few seconds later I heard a nearby police siren.

“Wow, they are fast!” I thought to myself.  And I dove under our van.

Fortunately, the police weren’t coming to get me, after all, which is good because my dive under the van was only in my imagination.  So, I would have been very easy to spot and apprehend.

You say, “Dan, you’re going to take the pager back, aren’t you?’’

Of course, I am!  Can’t you tell that I’m not wired up to handle a life of crime?

…Although, I’ve thought about this a good bit and I would prefer if you would all call me “Bugsy,” from now on.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Bugsy Marler

It's Better To Be Optimistic

Research has shown that, in general, it’s better to have an optimistic attitude than a pessimistic attitude in life.  This does not mean that we should be unrealistic or deny reality.  But when our beliefs and attitudes are optimistic they result in confidence that positively affects what we say and do; it actually produces positive effects on our performance.  Hey, since it helps in some way, why not be optimistic, huh?  Come on, see what happens.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Easter 2014 - Audio Podcast

1 Corinthians 15:3-9

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Atheist Regimes Offer Evidence That We Need God

The fact that many of us do not have a great memory for history means we may assume God can be abandoned by a culture and it won’t really matter. Atheistic regimes, however, have been, by far, the most murderous in human history. 

We can walk away from God and convince ourselves there will be no significant consequences.  But that will be a serious mistake. Abandoning God matters. I’m urging us to remember history and think carefully.  If you know me, you know I am not a doom and gloom kind of guy.  Really.  I’m not.  I prefer happy messages, pretty rainbows, splashing in the waves and joking around.  But, I promise you, we will find that a godless culture won’t bode well for us.

Atheist Governments In The 20^th Century:

Mao Ze-Dong (China, Tibet)     49-78,000,000 murdered

Jozef Stalin (USSR)       15,000,000 murdered

Pol Pot (Cambodia)      1,700,000 murdered

Kim II Sung (North Korea)   1,600,000 murdered

Tito (Yugoslavia)          570,000

[NOTE: These sad numbers represent atheist leaders killing their own citizens.  And there are more, but you get the point… ]

“The total body count for the ninety years between 1917 and 2007 is approximately 148 million dead at the bloody hands of fifty-two atheists, three times more than all the human beings killed by war, civil war, and individual crime in the entire twentieth century combined.” Vox Day

I don’t write this with a self-righteous attitude.  I’m not wagging a finger at anyone.  In fact, I was hesitant to post this message.  But I’m writing it because I think it’s important to know these things.  My intention is to say this humbly and lovingly:  We need God.

Lucy Graduates From Dog Obedience School - Is Grad School Next?

Lucy graduated from Dog Obedience school tonight.  It’s a proud moment.  Nadia was very nervous.  Lucy says she’s going to take some time off and perhaps go backpacking through Europe.  After that, she’s looking into grad school.

T.H.E. Cat Is A Real TV Show... I'm Not Crazy, After All!

As a young adult, when I would get into conversations with others about TV shows that we watched as children, I mentioned a show titled “T.H.E. Cat.”  Invariably I would be met with blank stares, looks of concern, lots of deep sighs and comments like this:  “I don’t remember that one, Dan.  Perhaps it’s time for you to take some medication, huh?”

In fact, I almost started to think that maybe I did, somehow, make up memories of watching the show and it never really existed in the first place.  (After all, I made up those memories of Bruce Lee and I going to ninja school together.)

But then came the Internet and all of the world’s most obscure information was now just a few keystrokes away.  With great joy—and a touch of relief—I discovered that a TV show titled “T.H.E. Cat” did, in fact, exist! 

YES!!!!  I didn’t make it up, after all!

T.H.E. Cat aired on NBC during the 1966-1967 television season.  The star of the series was Robert Loggia.  There are clips from the show that can be viewed on YouTube.

You say, “For crying out loud, so what, Dan?  Who cares?  Why are you even writing about this?!?”

Here’s why:  There is a section on each person’s Facebook page, which lists favorite TV shows and I’m fairly certain I am the ONLY person, of the hundreds of millions of Facebook users, who lists T.H.E. Cat as a favorite TV show. 

In fact, you know what?  I’m just going to come right out and boldly put it here in writing:  I’m positive—absolutely positive—I have to be the ONLY person in the entire realm of Facebook who lists “T.H.E. Cat” as a favorite TV show!

Okay, that’s pretty much all I needed to report, at this time.  You may now return to your regularly scheduled online activities.

Because Jesus Is Alive There Is Victory!

Because Jesus is alive… good is victorious over evil, obedience is victorious over sin, love is victorious over hate, right is victorious over wrong and life is victorious over death.  Because Jesus is alive we can share in life, true life, eternal life with Him! 

It’s the kind of thing that could get a guy if excited, you know what I mean?

He is risen, indeed!

Great News: Nothing Can Ever Separate Us From God's Love

One of the most wonderful and encouraging statements regarding God’s love for us is found in the book of Romans chapter 8, verses 35-39.  Part of the beauty of what is communicated in these passages is the idea of the unfailing invincibility of God’s love for you and me. 

We are told that “nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.”  And then specific examples are mentioned:  neither death nor life can separate us from His love.  Neither angels nor demons can separate us.  Neither “our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow” can separate us.  The “powers of hell” are mentioned—they cannot separate us from God’s love either.

God makes it absolutely clear that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the Lord of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If you’re saying: “Wow!  That is encouraging.  That is inspiring.  I feel so good when I am made aware of those truths.”

Good!  That’s why I took the time to remind you. 

You are loved.

Easter 2014, You Are Invited!

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Thinking About The Unpleasant Truths of Good Friday

It is difficult to think about the details of Jesus’ torture and execution.  When I do take the time to consider these realities I’m usually inclined to think, “It’s not fair!  He was innocent!!!”

This is true and, of course, it is part of the point of the matter.

Even though it can be unpleasant I will ponder this aspect of Jesus’ life today.  It is an important part of the whole story.  Fortunately, however, even as I think about these painful truths, I do so with the knowledge that Sunday is coming.

First Church of God

4600 W. 111th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

Good Friday service, April 18th, 7pm

Easter services, April 19th, 5pm

                        April 20th, 9am and 11am

Palm Sunday 2014 - Audio Podcast

Luke 19:28-40 - The Triumphal Entry

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When We Finally Realize We Need Someone Bigger Than Ourselves

For many people a moment of some kind happens, in life, where they finally realize that they need Someone bigger than themselves.  (Resisting this realization is fairly common but when the moment of realization comes, that no longer matters.) Often this moment happens when there is trouble, pain, hurt, deep disappointment that cannot be ignored and cannot be fixed.  Until then, God is waiting and watching and, amazingly, He loves us.

The Bank And My Own Money

I received a notice from a bank at which I have a savings account.  The notice said the account had no official activity for a certain amount of time.  Therefore, it explained that I would need to create some account activity or the state of Illinois would take my money. 

What?!?  [My mouth is hanging open.  I thought I should mention that detail.]

The state simply gets to take my money just because I want to let a savings account sit and draw interest?  (A very piddly amount of interest, I might add.)  That seems dangerously similar to stealing from my perspective.  I have a bike I have not ridden in a couple of years, does the state of Illinois believe it can take that bike because of lack of activity, too?

(If this rule applies across the board, the state probably owns 75-80 percent of the treadmills in Illinois.)

I went to the bank and the personal banker I worked with seemed perplexed about how to handle the situation.

“Do you know what our letter said?” he asked me, after pulling up the account on his computer.

“Don’t you have all the information you sent to me in your data base?” I asked.

“No.” he replied.

Finally, after he had engaged in a lengthy phone conversation (during which I made faces and shifted around uncomfortably in my chair) and spoke with his manager, he was actually able to re-activate the account.  And I was able to keep my own money.

Did you catch that last sentence?  I was thrilled that “I was able to keep my own money.”

Then he said, “Can I help you with anything else, today, Mr. Marler?”

I said, “Yes, I would like to withdraw the money and close the account.”

He said, “Oh. You would?  Hmm, that may take a while.”

I said, “How long?”

He said, “About 24 hours.”

I said, “Go ahead and get started, I’ll wait here.”

(I didn’t really say that, but I wanted to.)

In the meantime, his manager came over, closed the account and gave me the money within 5 minutes.

We promptly deposited the money with another bank where we are more active.  But now I think I’m starting to understand why some people keep their money at home in a mattress.

Overwhelmed By Joy

I picked up a Bible this morning to look for a particular verse but as I was flipping through the pages my eyes fell on this portion of Isaiah 61:10…  “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!  For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.”

That is a remarkable thing to be able to say, isn’t it?  Think about being so filled with joy in the Lord that you actually have the experience of being “overwhelmed” by the feelings.

I believe that is real.  And I believe this kind of joy is something that regular people can experience, it’s not just the unattainable ramblings of an Old Testament prophet.  I hope it is something that everyone who reads this post can experience.  (Come on, it won’t hurt to be open to the possibility of joy, right?)

Have a blessed and joyful day!

The Guy On The Elliptical

Did you ever have one of those days in which you did not want to go to the gym?

Well, that’s how I felt this morning.  But I pushed myself.  I overcame the inertia.  I got myself in gear and went even though the innate desire was not present.

However, when I arrived, I still did not feel like I had any energy.  So, when I stepped up onto the treadmill it felt as if I was plodding along with a 30 pound sand bag around my neck.  I did not set a high incline on the machine nor did I set a very fast walking pace.  I’m admitting to you that I just didn’t have it.  (Okay sure, the breakfast burrito from McDonalds, on the way over, probably didn’t help.  I’ll grant you that.  But, still…)

But then I noticed a young man on one of the elliptical machines who was going at a faster pace than I’ve ever seen before.  I’m not kidding when I tell you it looked like a video that had been adjusted to a higher speed.

I thought, “Wow!  Look at that guy!  That kind of pace is amazing!!!”

I actually laughed while I watched him.  It was a sight to behold.  It was inspiring.  It was motivating.  Watching this young fellow made me feel better.  I said to myself, “You know what?  Sometimes you’ve got to bring it, even when you don’t feel like it.  You’ve got to rise above the temporary emotions of the moment.”

You say, “Dan, did this encouragement cause you to increase the incline and the pace on the treadmill?”

No, it did not. 

But I’ve noticed a crispness, a vitality, and a certain vigor as I sit here typing this story.

Rachel's Winter Coat: Being A Parent And Being Ignored

Rachel is still wearing her red winter coat today even though it's 75 degrees outside. Interestingly the more Nadia and I tell her she does not need a coat, because it's warm, the more determined she is to wear it.

Sometimes, just to show us what she thinks of our opinion on the matter, she continues wearing her winter coat right into May and June. (Yes, this is not something new.)

Earlier today I said, "Rachel, why don't you take that coat off?"

So now, she's also wearing her winter boots.

Being a parent involves coming to grips with the reality of being ignored.

How We Live Our Lives Tells People Something

We cannot make anyone believe in God or the truths of His word.  However, if people see the reality of God in our lives—if they see that we have a genuine relationship with God that makes a significant difference in how we live—that can be extraordinarily profound and persuasive.  What is “how you live your life” telling people?

Helping Hurting People Find And Walk With God -- Audio Podcast

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Political Correctness And The Nice, Safe, Tame Jesus

The proponents of political correctness would like to suggest to us that Jesus was always, first and foremost, nice.  But if we honestly examine the accounts of Jesus’ life what we find is a man who is always loving while, at the same time, maintaining an uncompromising commitment to the truth.  Look closely.  The result of being loving and truthful is that all of Jesus’ words and behaviors wouldn’t necessarily be described as “nice.”  Have you noticed?  For those who take Jesus seriously, this is important.

Being nice is a good thing.  I like “nice.”  I’m in favor of people being “nice.”  I want to be perceived as a nice fellow.  (Hey, it happened once, back in the 80’s.  It could happen again.)  But when good confronts evil, when right confronts wrong, when truth confronts deception, it’s possible that standing for what is good, right and true will not be perceived as nice.

Some people don’t want a Jesus who might upset things.  Jesus, however, does not change to conform with people’s desires.  (That’s probably not very nice, huh?)

When we try to make Jesus into someone who was always tame, safe and nice, we make Him into something that does not represent the truth of who He really is.

Jasper And Lucy And The Pizza Delivery Guy

When the pizza delivery guy came earlier this evening he was greeted at the door by Jasper and Lucy.

I told Rachel, “Get the dogs and put them out in the back yard.”

But before Rachel could follow my instructions the delivery guy opened the storm door and Lucy tried to run outside.  Fortunately, I grabbed her and prevented her from going out.  But while I was busy holding Lucy, Jasper tried to run outside.  So, I let go of Lucy to grab Jasper.  This left Lucy free to make her move.  So, I let go of Jasper and literally fell out the front door of the house grabbing Lucy.

All I wanted was a little pizza and I ended up falling out the front door of the house while the delivery guy stood there holding door open.

When I did this Jasper took the opportunity to go ahead and run outside.

The pizza delivery guy looked down at me and said, “Oh no, I’m so sorry.  I guess I shouldn’t have opened the door, huh?”

I looked up from my knees on our front stoop with Lucy in my grasp.

“It’s okay.  We’re alright,” I said.  That wasn’t completely true.  But I wanted to make him feel better because it seemed like he really did feel bad about opening the door.

I picked up Lucy and handed her to Rachel.  “Hold Lucy, Rachel,” I said, “Don’t put her down unless you put her down in the back yard.”

While the delivery guy stood there holding our order I raced to get Jasper.  Fortunately, he didn’t run far—as he’s been known to do on other occasions—he was standing in the driveway looking at me and thinking, “So, you fell down, huh?”

I took Jasper into the house.  Then I stood outside and paid the delivery guy.

Shouldn’t having a little pizza be easier than this?

As Jasper Watches Lucy Train

Our dog, Jasper, was watching intently as Nadia took our puppy, Lucy, through some of her training exercises. 

Part of Jasper’s interest is based on the fact that he loves food.  When I say he loves food I mean there’s a strong possibility that he loves food even more than I do.  That’s a serious passion.  (We both are partial to pizza.)

As Nadia gave Lucy commands which she did not follow, Jasper responded properly.  He would “sit.”  He would “lay down.”  He would “stay.”  All the behaviors that Lucy would not perform, Jasper perfectly executed. 

And yet Lucy continued to get the treats while Jasper just watched, thinking, “She’s not even doing these things properly but she gets the treats, while I do all the tricks perfectly and get nothing.”

At one point a long string of drooling saliva hung from Jasper’s mouth almost reaching the floor.  I thought, “That string of drool is actually a pretty good trick, right there.”  (Try it.  It’s not that easy.)  So, I got a treat and gave it to Jasper.

He happily took the treat and ate it but he looked at me and shook his head as if to say, “Things have gotten very puzzling around this place.”

Don't Let The Past Sabotage What God Has For Today

We can learn lessons from things that have happened in the past.  But it is helpful for us not to continuously dwell on past mistakes and beat ourselves up over that which is long gone.  We don’t want to let what has happened in the past sabotage what God has for us today.

It's Important To Keep Trying!

Grit and determination and a willingness to keep to trying even when things are very hard.  Sometimes these factors are more important to making progress in life than talent or intelligence.  Because even those who are talented and brilliant will encounter obstacles and if they quit as soon as things get difficult, there is much that they will miss.  We may have to change strategies, but it’s important to keep trying!

Serving As Part of The Body -- Audio Podcast

1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Romans 12:8

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