Category Archives: Trust

January 30, 2009

How to live in the fog

By Roye Glass

Life can often get a bit hazy… like a fog.  Sometimes it gets so thick you just have to sit tight and wait for the fog to lift.  In Exodus Israel followed God in the cloud.  Maybe we should take a closer look at that.  They moved when the cloud moved.  They stayed put when the cloud settled. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul writes,

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! (The Message).

So, are you leaving in a fog? 

Three things to keep you focused (1 Corinthians 13:13):

  1. Trust steadily in God
  2. Hope unswervingly
  3. Love extravagantly

Leave a comment | posted in Bible Reading, Faith, Focus, Hope, Love, Trust

November 25, 2008

Trust

By Roye Glass

After reading a passage in Psalms and reflecting on some things in and around my life – I have begun some evaluation.  These are some random questions I began to ask myself:

  • Who do I trust?  Why?
  • Do I trust anyone with everything about me?  Or do I pick and choose certain people depending on the circumstance?
  • How do I know when someone is trustworthy? 
  • What are the traits of someone who is trust worthy?
  • Once trust has been broken – How does someone regain my trust? Is it possible?

trust [truhst]

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

God is all strength for his people,
      ample refuge for his chosen leader;
   Save your people
      and bless your heritage.
   Care for them;
      carry them like a good shepherd. (Psalm 28:8-9, The Message).

I know at times in life (family, church, job, and other relationships) it is tough to trust.  To have full confidence in someone else can be a scary thing.  Especially if one of those people or institutions has broken that trust.  I think sometimes I am too trusting of others… almost to the point of being naive.  Although, lately I have been catching myself being very skeptical of putting a lot of trust in others.  I don’t like being like that. 

I had surgery on my arm and back this year.  I had these lypoma’s removed.  All is well with me and the places where they were removed.  The strange thing is that I am very guarded still about those two areas on my body.  There was some damage there in the past.  It has been dealt with… yet I still want to protect them especially when someone touches either area.  I don’t even like to touch those places either.

Being hurt or let down by others will make anyone skeptical of putting total trust on the line once again. Does this keep you from trusting God?

I was reading Psalm 28 and this idea of trust came to my mind.  I thought about a few words in the two verses listed above.  (Strength, refuge, save, care for, and carry.)  I asked myself these questions: 

Do I really rely on His strength?  Do I trust Him to be my refuge or fortress?  Do I trust Him to save me?  Do I have confidence that He cares for me?  When I know I’m at the end of my strength do I trust He will carry me?

Ma`owz - fortress

(As found in Psalm 28:8)

place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold

  1. place of safety, fastness, harbour, stronghold
  2. refuge (of God) (Crosswalk.com Bible Study Tools).

When the world all around seems so unstable – Look to God… trust Him with your life!  He loves us both so much!  Run to safety trust the LORD to carry you.

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Confidence, Fear, Forgiveness, Psalms, Random Thoughts, Trust, Trusting God

October 29, 2008

Finding help in a time of trouble

By Roye Glass

Psalm 50 is on my mind as I lay in the bed.  So I just got up to read it.  I am troubled.  I have prayed and prayed and prayed tonight.  Throughout the day.  For weeks I’ve desired to not worry my prayers to God.  Tonight I am asking God to allow me to breakthrough into a prayer of power and strong faith. 

So now at 12:30 AM I get out of bed to read Psalm 50.  In verse 10, God tells his people he owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  Every bird and animal belongs to him. 

Verse 14 God states, “What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High.”  Hear what God says here in verse 15, “Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

Psalm 50 ends with these two verses:  “Repent, all of you who ignore me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.  But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.  If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (23 – 24, NLT).

Do you find yourself in a time of trouble?  Do you need God’s help? Then keep to His path!  Walk His road.  Live in obdience to His Word.  Love Him.  Trust Him.  And give Him thanks!

He’s not looking for our sacrifices – our burnt offerings.  He is asking that we repent… trust him in our time of trouble… give Him thanks – this is the sacrifice He is looking for.  God wants us to stay true to Him.  Put our trust only in Him.  He owns it all.  Everything belongs to Him.  Repent and keep to His path and we will see His salvation.

Leave a comment | posted in Conversation with God, Faith, Obedience, Prayer, Psalms, Spiritual Growth, Trust, Trusting God

October 23, 2008

Life: There’s a lot of fear out here…

By Roye Glass

Yep, everywhere I turn out here in this land called life I run into this thing called fear.  Fear seems to be gripping this nation, this state, the town, and me these days. 

When I think of fear one of the first things I recall is the show, “The Little Rascals”.  I can recall so many times them somewhere in the dark and something happens that frightens them. 

What happens when one gets fearful?  FREEZE!  I think that’s the reaction for me. 

I stop and ask God to help me deal with the fear… give it to Him.  I stop and look around and listen closely for Him.  Unfortunately, there are times the fear is so strong when I stop to look and listen all I can hear is my own racing heart.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

I have kept this verse on my blog for a couple of months now.  I keep it there as a reminder to look to God in all of my circumstances.  To remind myself not to cave in to this spirit of fear that is getting a grip on this nation.  It’s a reminder that my strength comes from God and He will uphold me when times are tough. 

It’s a reminder to me that there are many people out here living in fear.  It’s partly my job and partly yours to lead people to hope and trust in the One who gives strength to all  who ask.

Photo found Life at the Quinn Home.  Great worship music here too.

1 comment | posted in Fear, Trials and Testing, Trust, Trusting God

October 6, 2008

Who sits on the throne of your heart?

By Roye Glass

Does Jesus rule your thoughts, actions, and attitudes? Or does something or someone else take control?

I have been writing in my journal about purpose and God’s plan. How God chooses people to serve Him… and the purposes of that service.

So often I will get into this place where the voice I hear is saying, “You are disqualified.” Then I try to fight off the voice be telling myself to remember King David… nothing he did disqualified him from being God’s man.

I get so strongly frustrated with life way too much. I find it hard not to allow this frustration to rule everything around me and in me.

You have had the vision, but you are not yet to the reality of it by any means. It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people. (My Utmost for His Highest, October 4).

So as an individual I have a choice to make. Will I give Jesus the throne of my heart? Or will I give my frustrated thoughts of disqualification the throne? Do I continue to give the grumblings of my heart the throne? It’s all just jealousy and anger… I don’t see this person or that person go through what I go through… I ask God, “Why am I singled out to walk this path?” “Do I have the power to make things different?” “Did I miss something along the way only to end up in this place?” “Is that why this brother or that one hasn’t walked my road?” (I pray they never do!) “Have I missed something along the way?” “Have I lacked wisdom?” “Do I control my own destiny or has God led me down this path?”

Oswald Chambers goes on to say, “There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us not on God.” (My Utmost for His Highest, October 4).

I am weaving my thoughts out here and turn the electronic pages over to Brad’s blog, “Do I offend you?” The loneliest place of all would be John the Baptist sitting in a prison cell asking my questions. Now I hear Jesus ask me, “Do I offend you?”

1 comment | posted in Conversation with God, Future, Journaling, Obedience, Oswald Chambers, Spiritual Growth, Trials and Testing, Trust

September 27, 2008

Let Go Let God

By Roye Glass

Last night we watched Facing the Giants.  Tonya told us we needed to watch it.  Early in the movie I sent her a txt, “So, you think I’m a loser.”  (I was just kidding).  This was an extremely inspiring movie.  Scene after scene I just laughed because I could see so much of my life in it.  Why did I laugh?  I guess I’m warped.  I did shed a tear or two as well.

About two weeks ago we had someone in our church portray the life of David… specifically the portion of David’s life when he faced Goliath.  I sat there that morning and I thought about the giants in my life.  I thought it’s time to stand up and face them. 

The movie last night reinforced the thought that it’s time to stand up to the giant.

While reading, praying, and journaling this morning the phrase came to mind, “Let go let God.”  I wrote it down in my journal and began to think about what that really means.

I read Isaiah 56 and 1 Peter 1.  My thoughts are about faith, hope, and trust.

A song came to mind by David and the Giants.  I couldn’t find the one I was looking for on YouTube but I did find the song “Let Go Let God” by David and the Giants. 

Leave a comment | posted in Faith, Future, Inspiration, Movies, Obedience, Peter, Trials and Testing, Trust

September 25, 2008

I’ve got a lot to say…

By Roye Glass

…and God is unlocking it all. 

Alright… here I am.  Computer keyboard in hand and ready to type.  I have a world of things racing through my mind at this moment.  The Holy Spirit is working double time on me.  (Maybe I’m just being honest with what He has been telling me for over 20 years – for the first time). 

It’s like I’m a book with a bunch of unfinished chapters in the middle of two bookends (Brad and James).  Thanks guys for the love and encouragement.

 

To reinforce matters Oswald Chambers hit me upside the head today too.

Our Lord’s making of a disciple is supernatural. He does not build on any natural capacity of ours at all. God does not ask us to do the things that are naturally easy for us— He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly fit to do through His grace, and that is where the cross we must bear will always come. (My Utmost for His Highest, September 25).

So why all of the fear?  What is there to be afraid of?

Do you even know what in the world I am talking about?

I’m talking about 1 Peter 1:7 and Romans 10:14-15.  I’m talking about what Joel said to me back in Summer of 1985 - after I talked with him about 1 Peter 1:7.  He doesn’t remember it I’m sure… but I do.  I’m talking about the Holy Spirit speaking to me in the Fall of 1985 in Old Testament class through Romans 10:14-15.

It’s amazing how our minds recall the “God moments” in our lives. 

It’s amazing how it takes 20+ years to say yes… for such a time as this.

2 comments | posted in Focus, Obedience, Oswald Chambers, Peter, Spiritual Growth, Trials and Testing, Trust

September 18, 2008

Being a focal giant

By Roye Glass

Focal [foh-kuhl] of or pertaining to a focus.

Giant [jahy-uhnt] a being with human form but superhuman size, strength, etc.

So, why a blog?  Why do I strive to keep up posting something here everyday?  Is it about the “stats”?  My pastor seems to think that blogging is all about the stats.  His wife seems to have her head in the game for the right reasons.  Now, don’t get me wrong I’m addicted to my stats just like the next blogger.  And when the hits aren’t rolling in I may need to seek out my therapist… (Lori is such a wonderful, loving, encourager on the days my blog tanks… She says, “get over it!”)

But why do I do this?

I remember the first several blogs that I posted and the fear I had clicking that “Publish” button for the first time.  It was a commitment to lay my words out there for anyone to read, enjoy, make fun of, be challenged by, and dare I say ‘inspire’.

Still the question remains, “why a blog?” 

My good friend Joel (who doesn’t have a blog and who’s wife limits his blogging time) is the one I credit for getting me hooked on this thing.  He was asking me if I read this blog or that blog… bloggity – blog – blog.  I started reading some – but for the most part those I read were negative, critical, and not edifying to the body of Christ.  I was reading blogs by those who proclaim Jesus in their personal and professional lives.  For the most part, what I had been reading was all about stirring up a bit of controversy thus attracting… “hits”.  Just another way to boost the stats.

I may not have the power of an email data base from a church to propigate my blog with tons of hits.  I don’t have a congregation that I hold hostage for information ONLY to be found on the pastor’s blog.  There are times I would think I may not even have a reader… in fact, the hits I get each day just may be Joel hitting the update button several times per hour.  I know Randy, She-Rambler and others do read…  To validate that others do read from other places I added the map to see just where the hits are coming from.  That’s pretty cool.

So, why a blog?

For me its about being a [foh-kuhl] [jahy-uhnt].  I was reading the comments posted on The Epiphany’s blog where my pastor (AWIP)referred to me as the “Focal Giant”.  It’s not just that I am 3 feet taller than AWIP. (I’m about 2 feet taller than most).  It’s not about my “all seeing eye”.  I know that my eyes have caused night terrors for some.  I hear Joel has done well with overcoming his night terrors. 

Back to the “why a blog?” question:  It’s all about keeping my focus.  I challenge myself each day to pray, read the Bible, devotionals, and live my life for JESUS CHRIST.  He is the lover of my soul.  He is the reason why I blog.  I want to be challenged in all I do.  I want to make the most of every opportunity I have to glean from my experiences in life. 

Back in the day of leading teenagers I would talk about life being a test and trust… today I would add a blog.

In the sight of God, all of our lives are written out in the ultimate blog of all time “The Book of Life”.  I know my name is there.  My life is being written out each day that I live.  What an honor to be found within the pages of God’s Book. 

God’s a great God full of love mercy and grace.  I would bet he even keeps tabs of His hits too.  What do you think?

5 comments | posted in Blogging, Faith, Focus, Friends, Inspiration, Journaling, Random Thoughts, Trials and Testing, Trust

September 17, 2008

Cast all my cares…

By Roye Glass

…upon You!

Ever tried to lay down a burden?  Have you ever tried to let something go that was totally tormenting your every thought? 

Monday night this week I went to bed relatively early (before Greta van Susteran was done talking about Tood Palin).  But I was up at 12:55 AM not to return to sleep until 4:30 AM.  During the time I was awake I was trying to pray through this thing… I was trying to lay down my burden.  I finally fell asleep still holding onto a burden I wanted to let go of.

So, what does one do? 

How do you let go of something that you really want to let go of?

I don’t have any answers here.

But an hour or so later I woke up again.  The following is what was running through my mind… through my heart… and has stayed present on my mind the past two days.  These are the words of Darrin McWatters from everybodyduck.  The song:  “Consuming Fear”.

  
I'm gonna trust in the Lord
I'm gonna trust in the Lord
I'll not be afraid I'll not be afraid I'll not be afraid anymore

I cast all my cares upon You
And anytime I don't know just what to do
I will cast all my cares upon You 

I cast all my cares upon You

3 comments | posted in Faith, Prayer, Random Thoughts, Sarah Palin, Spiritual Warfare, Surrender, Trials and Testing, Trust

July 12, 2008

Whom shall I fear?

By Roye Glass

I asked the question a few weeks ago, “If you could be doing anything you wanted to do (right now) what would it be?”  I’m surprised the stirring this question has raised.  I asked this of several people and I still get responses from it.  This little question is packed with a lifetime of challenge.

Does the answer to this question bring about job change?  Does it lead one to go back to school?  Does it confirm to another they are doing what God has chosen for them to do?  The answer is different for everyone.  But the challenge is the same.

God has placed “a call” on each of our lives to live out for His glory.  We are all chosen by Him to follow His leading.  God uses so many different experiences in life to get us thinking about where we each belong in the sight of eternity.  While reading the series called “Chaplain Turner’s War”in the AJC, I found that Chaplain Turner was moved to become a Chaplain while going through Wild at Heartby John Eldredge.  I wonder how many lives have been altered by the reading of that one book?  Then there is Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God and so many other books that have been written throughout history that have literally helped people understand what God had created them for. 

I know when I was a young 20 year old still in college, I wanted to know “the will of God” more than anything else.  I was caught up in “hearing” from God through some supernatural experience that never came.  I had my thoughts and mind focused on hearing some booming voice to tell me what I was to do with my life.  I know I missed out on so much as a result.  I was looking for that “call of God” to validate whatever it is that I chose to do in life.  That booming call never happened… yet I was called none-the-less.

I recall after graduating from college and feeling sort of “stuck” working in Cartersville.  I remember loudly the words of someone closest to me at that time telling me, “You can’t do that… being a youth pastor or any other minister… that’s not you.”  During this time of struggle with those words echoing in my head I went to the Full Gospel Business Men’s Advance at Rock Eagle.  Begging God to speak to me.  I don’t recall anything from the Advance but I remember the trip back from Rock Eagle riding with Dan.  He is a Real Estate Broker.  I was looking for direction in my life at the time.  Looking for something to do.  I talked to him about selling Real Estate. I was hoping that maybe I will find significance there – my place in the kingdom…  after-all God has used Dan so much.  I ended up pursuing my license and going to work.  That lasted six months.  A couple of years later I’m off to seminary. 

For me, there has always been this fear I have had to really launch out into the deep waters with God.  I don’t know why… that’s just the way it has been.  All I know is that once I took that chance without hearing that booming voice but rather following that still small voice life changed.  It literally electrified my soul.  I experienced the power of God in the decision and the steps that followed.  But I never quiet overcame that bit of fear I felt… I guess I could call it lack of confidence in myself or faith in God.

One thing I did come to know is with each step in following God – each step requires more faith than the first step.

The closer you walk with Christ, the greater the faith required.  The more you trust Him, the more you’ll risk on His behalf.  The more you love Him, the more you will love others.  If you genuinely embrace His sacrifice, you will joyfully embrace a sacrificial life.  Your expectations of Jesus will change as your intimacy with Him deepens. (Erwin McManus, The Barbarian Way, 53).

So, the question I raise now:  “What keeps me from moving forward?” “Why do I feel stuck once again?”  “What keeps me from continuing to “fight the good fight“.  It’s as if I’m still wearing the uniform of Christ but I’ve taken myself off the front lines because I have been wounded.  I’m reminded of one of the episodes from Band of Brothers.  I think it was called “The Replacements”.  There is this one soldier that was hit in battle… not seriously wounded but he took his time at the hospital to get well… he waited for a full recovery before going back to combat.  As a result, it took some time for those still in battle to take him back in as one of the Band of Brothers.  There were others with more serious wounds that checked themselves out of the hospital against medical advice to go back and fight the war with their brothers.

I would guess according to McManus I would be “civilized” and not “barbaric” in my quest to follow God.  I believe the same as always… like I said I still wear the uniform.  I guess the wounds have made me a little gun shy from going back to the front-lines.

Perhaps the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us who declare Jesus as Lord have become domisticated – or, if you will, civilized.  We have lost the simplicity of our early faith.  Beyond that, we have lost the passion and power of that raw, untamed, and primal faith. (Erwin McManus, The Barbarian Way, 12).

I have a difficult time truly committing to the idea that I have become civilized after all my passion to head back to the front-lines is strong.  I just have this fear.  I’m listening to this song written by Darin McWatters called, “Consuming Fear”.  It has been a perfect time for it to come back to my mind.  The first verse is me.  The chorus at the end of the song is powerful!  While listening and worshipping I am filled with so much faith… I want to be able to capture that faith and live it out boldly with a trust in the Lord I’ve never known before.

I have so many dear brother’s in Christ that God has used in so many ways in my life.  I have been reading, writing, and praying not knowing how to tie all of this together.  During my time to pause from writing in order to worship, I received an email from one of those brothers – The email subject line reads, “Psalm 27“. 

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear?
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid?

 2 When evil men advance against me
       to devour my flesh, [a]
       when my enemies and my foes attack me,
       they will stumble and fall.

 3 Though an army besiege me,
       my heart will not fear;
       though war break out against me,
       even then will I be confident.

 4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
       this is what I seek:
       that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
       all the days of my life,
       to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
       and to seek him in his temple.

 5 For in the day of trouble
       he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
       he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
       and set me high upon a rock.

 6 Then my head will be exalted
       above the enemies who surround me;
       at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
       I will sing and make music to the LORD.

 7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
       be merciful to me and answer me.

 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his [b] face!”
       Your face, LORD, I will seek.

 9 Do not hide your face from me,
       do not turn your servant away in anger;
       you have been my helper.
       Do not reject me or forsake me,
       O God my Savior.

 10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
       the LORD will receive me.

 11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
       lead me in a straight path
       because of my oppressors.

 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
       for false witnesses rise up against me,
       breathing out violence.

 13 I am still confident of this:
       I will see the goodness of the LORD
       in the land of the living.

 14 Wait for the LORD;
       be strong and take heart
       and wait for the LORD.

3 comments | posted in Faith, McManus, Psalms, Spiritual Growth, Trust

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