Hope. No traveler should leave home without it.
Hope is what leads us to an expected end. Without hope, we will never leave the house. Without hope, we will never see beyond our present place.
Hope is the anchor of our soul, but it is also the wind for our sails. Hope keeps us moving when we want to stay in the certainty of the harbor. Hope keeps us flying when we need to see things from a heavenly perspective.
Hope is the fuel that sends us forward, it is the flame that keeps us warm, it is the foundational assumption that life was meant to be good.
When life feels challenging, remember that you were designed for life and not death. Remember that you were designed to overcome and not fail. Remember that hope is built into your very essence as the offspring of God who is nothing less than Hope personified.
May the God of all hope be with you today, and may you live with hope forever!
Mark
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friends
What is sweeter than to hear one calling out to us as friend?
I love the greeting "friend". It makes us feel at ease, comfortable, and safe. When we hear someone call us "friend", we now everything will be all right.
For several years I have had the growing understanding of the power of friendship. It was an African that taught me the lesson. Everyone he met, he greeted as friend.
The greeting "friend" disarms us. We lay aside our mistrust and our concern when we know we are dealing with friends. This simple revelation proved to be a powerful point of contact for my South African friend. As I watched him in action, I saw the way people were touched by his familiar greeting with a smile, "friend".
On the heels of this simple revelation was the growing understanding that God wants us to be His friends. Jesus used the term frequently, and told his closest followers that he viewed them not as servants, but as his friends.
I wonder what would happen if we treated everyone as a friend?
Perhaps this would be a good day to start a noble experiment. Perhaps we could greet everyone as friends. Perhaps it would become a more happy and wonderful way of life.
Mark Van Deman
www.markvandeman.com
I love the greeting "friend". It makes us feel at ease, comfortable, and safe. When we hear someone call us "friend", we now everything will be all right.
For several years I have had the growing understanding of the power of friendship. It was an African that taught me the lesson. Everyone he met, he greeted as friend.
The greeting "friend" disarms us. We lay aside our mistrust and our concern when we know we are dealing with friends. This simple revelation proved to be a powerful point of contact for my South African friend. As I watched him in action, I saw the way people were touched by his familiar greeting with a smile, "friend".
On the heels of this simple revelation was the growing understanding that God wants us to be His friends. Jesus used the term frequently, and told his closest followers that he viewed them not as servants, but as his friends.
I wonder what would happen if we treated everyone as a friend?
Perhaps this would be a good day to start a noble experiment. Perhaps we could greet everyone as friends. Perhaps it would become a more happy and wonderful way of life.
Mark Van Deman
www.markvandeman.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Divine Appointments
We are traveling on an appointed way. This is part of the heritage of the saints.
Jonah was a prophet that lived many years ago. God had a plan for his life, but Jonah decided to go his own way......at least for a while. It didn't take Jonah long to find out that his appointment with destiny could not even be derailed by his own foolish disobedience.
Perhaps you know the story. The same God who appointed Jonah to bring a message to a heathen nation appointed a giant fish to bring Jonah to the shores of his appointed destiny. Consequently the Lord brought mercy and grace to the pagan Nineveh as well as to the disobedient prophet Jonah.
Along the way the Lord appointed a shade tree, a worm, and a wind to reveal his appointed purposes and bring Jonah to his senses. Jonah's story depicts how the appointments of God compensate for the choices of men and shape the end from the beginning.
As you travel the road today, make wise choices and obey the living God. Then know that He is sovereign, and orders the steps of the just who live by faith.
Mark Van Deman
Jonah was a prophet that lived many years ago. God had a plan for his life, but Jonah decided to go his own way......at least for a while. It didn't take Jonah long to find out that his appointment with destiny could not even be derailed by his own foolish disobedience.
Perhaps you know the story. The same God who appointed Jonah to bring a message to a heathen nation appointed a giant fish to bring Jonah to the shores of his appointed destiny. Consequently the Lord brought mercy and grace to the pagan Nineveh as well as to the disobedient prophet Jonah.
Along the way the Lord appointed a shade tree, a worm, and a wind to reveal his appointed purposes and bring Jonah to his senses. Jonah's story depicts how the appointments of God compensate for the choices of men and shape the end from the beginning.
As you travel the road today, make wise choices and obey the living God. Then know that He is sovereign, and orders the steps of the just who live by faith.
Mark Van Deman
Friday, April 10, 2009
Traveling by Faith
Anybody can travel when they know where they are going, but it takes faith to follow the voice of the Lord.
Those who follow the Spirit of God are declared to be "the children of God" by John the epic writer of the life of Jesus. He compared the wind blowing as a visible sign with unknown origins and destinations to the sons of God that would be led by the Spirit. Having tasted a little of this spirit led life of faith, may I encourage you in it?
It is so easy to demand control of our lives, only to be upset when we finally realize that we really control very little. How quickly life changes when we lose a job, lose a home, lose a loved one, or find out that things aren't at all as we thought they would be. Changing times demand that we learn to move by the Spirit of God as we adjust to the unexpected and allow Him to be in control.
We can roll with the unknown when we know the author of life. We can live with the uncertainties and the unexpected changes when we know this Jesus. We can even travel the daily path with joy and peace when we rest in the knowledge that the steps of a good man or woman are ordered of the Lord.
Isn't it time to begin traveling by faith? Isn't it time to trust the One who made you for himself as you let Him order your steps?
As you travel this way of faith, you will enjoy the journey when you rest in His great love for you!
Mark Van Deman
Those who follow the Spirit of God are declared to be "the children of God" by John the epic writer of the life of Jesus. He compared the wind blowing as a visible sign with unknown origins and destinations to the sons of God that would be led by the Spirit. Having tasted a little of this spirit led life of faith, may I encourage you in it?
It is so easy to demand control of our lives, only to be upset when we finally realize that we really control very little. How quickly life changes when we lose a job, lose a home, lose a loved one, or find out that things aren't at all as we thought they would be. Changing times demand that we learn to move by the Spirit of God as we adjust to the unexpected and allow Him to be in control.
We can roll with the unknown when we know the author of life. We can live with the uncertainties and the unexpected changes when we know this Jesus. We can even travel the daily path with joy and peace when we rest in the knowledge that the steps of a good man or woman are ordered of the Lord.
Isn't it time to begin traveling by faith? Isn't it time to trust the One who made you for himself as you let Him order your steps?
As you travel this way of faith, you will enjoy the journey when you rest in His great love for you!
Mark Van Deman
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Teaming up
Traveling alone can be a drag. Even elephants know enough to travel in groups.
With many countries and places behind me, hindsight leaves me certain that it is best to travel with a friend. To have a friend, we must become a friend
There is safety in numbers, as well as warmth, help when we need it, and encouragement for the tough times. When one stumbles, the other can pick him up. I am convinced that we were made to help each and no one really arrives at their destination alone.
Even the Son of God sent his friends out to the corners of the earth in teams, and he made room on his team for everyone. Jesus was called a "friend of sinners" and traveled with a large group as an example to us that we were designed to live and move in community.
Now if the benefits to teamwork are self evident, why do we still often insist on flying solo? Is it fear or pride or ignorance that keeps us isolated and alone? Why do we hesitate to share the journey with others when we have so much to offer and can receive so much from our companions?
Perhaps if we look hard enough, we can see the end of the road where it would be nice to have someone hold our hand as we step into the other world.
Maybe today we could enjoy some companionship while we get ready for the finale. Maybe today we will work at being a friend and finding a friend that we can walk with until.......... the end.
With many countries and places behind me, hindsight leaves me certain that it is best to travel with a friend. To have a friend, we must become a friend
There is safety in numbers, as well as warmth, help when we need it, and encouragement for the tough times. When one stumbles, the other can pick him up. I am convinced that we were made to help each and no one really arrives at their destination alone.
Even the Son of God sent his friends out to the corners of the earth in teams, and he made room on his team for everyone. Jesus was called a "friend of sinners" and traveled with a large group as an example to us that we were designed to live and move in community.
Now if the benefits to teamwork are self evident, why do we still often insist on flying solo? Is it fear or pride or ignorance that keeps us isolated and alone? Why do we hesitate to share the journey with others when we have so much to offer and can receive so much from our companions?
Perhaps if we look hard enough, we can see the end of the road where it would be nice to have someone hold our hand as we step into the other world.
Maybe today we could enjoy some companionship while we get ready for the finale. Maybe today we will work at being a friend and finding a friend that we can walk with until.......... the end.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Contrasts
What would high be without low? What would light be without dark? What would happy mean to us if we had never been sad?
Naturally we want our path to be smooth. But smooth could become boring if we had never hit a surprise bump or been derailed by rocks in the road. Somehow life gets sweeter after we have been through the whirlwind, endured the tornado, or survived the tsunami. Somehow life after difficulty becomes more precious when the calm finally comes after the storm.
I have become thankful for contrasts. The lean times make the good times better. The trip from hell makes the other trips better. I am coming to understand the value of every season and every experience. Contrast makes life more amazing, more wonderful, and even more exciting.
Embrace the now, for things will surely change. Enjoy the contrast, and be thankful for this too shall pass.
Mark
Naturally we want our path to be smooth. But smooth could become boring if we had never hit a surprise bump or been derailed by rocks in the road. Somehow life gets sweeter after we have been through the whirlwind, endured the tornado, or survived the tsunami. Somehow life after difficulty becomes more precious when the calm finally comes after the storm.
I have become thankful for contrasts. The lean times make the good times better. The trip from hell makes the other trips better. I am coming to understand the value of every season and every experience. Contrast makes life more amazing, more wonderful, and even more exciting.
Embrace the now, for things will surely change. Enjoy the contrast, and be thankful for this too shall pass.
Mark
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sabbatical
I am not sure anyone ever really explained the concept of a sabbatical to me, but I suspect that I have been on a writing sabbatical. It must have to do with taking a break. Every good journey needs a rest stop or two. Don't you agree?
Perhaps the sabbatical idea comes from the concept of a Sabbath rest. On the Sabbath, there is a place of faith where we rest and stop working. During the Sabbath rest, God does the providing and the renewing while those who rest simply rest and get refreshed. It is almost too simple, so please forgive me my workaholic friends.
Anyway, Since I have not written for months, I was not sure it mattered to anyone but me. But after my writing sabbatical, I can now say that I feel pretty rested.
Back to the point. The Sabbath rest is a place of faith. We rest because we need to rest and God made us that way. He said in Ecclesiastes that one hand full of rest was better that two fists full of striving after the wind. While many spend their lives striving, I prefer to rest as needed and find the provision of God in that place of rest. And now, I am ready to write again.
Blessings,
Mark Van Deman
Perhaps the sabbatical idea comes from the concept of a Sabbath rest. On the Sabbath, there is a place of faith where we rest and stop working. During the Sabbath rest, God does the providing and the renewing while those who rest simply rest and get refreshed. It is almost too simple, so please forgive me my workaholic friends.
Anyway, Since I have not written for months, I was not sure it mattered to anyone but me. But after my writing sabbatical, I can now say that I feel pretty rested.
Back to the point. The Sabbath rest is a place of faith. We rest because we need to rest and God made us that way. He said in Ecclesiastes that one hand full of rest was better that two fists full of striving after the wind. While many spend their lives striving, I prefer to rest as needed and find the provision of God in that place of rest. And now, I am ready to write again.
Blessings,
Mark Van Deman
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