Freedom is on my mind. In my opinion, freedom is one of our highest values.

It’s intriguing to think about our Creator-God’s first plan: “I have one rule. Enjoy your freedom, but do things my way.” Which  included, “Don’t eat fruit from that tree.” 1

The first people-problem: People chose their own way.

God’s second plan: You want life your way? My way was easy. You’re way is harder ever-after.

In order to make the harder ever-after easier God gave people ten rules to make life easier.

1.  I am God. I am the authority. Avoid confusion, you are not God.

She wept alone.

She cried.
Quietly.
Her cries muffled.
Muffled, but not muted.
Restricted, but not restrained.

She Wept Alone

There between the snack crackers and the cookies, she wept.

I heard her.
She heard her.
And, she heard her too.

A guy looked back and walked on.
Another woman peered over her shoulder. She barely hesitated.

Countless people in the grocery aisles, on their phones, passed by – without a glance – as she wept. Maybe they couldn’t hear? Maybe they couldn’t stop? Maybe they couldn’t care!

She Wept, Alone

Last week a snowfall dumped ten inches of snow in our yard, driveway and on our streets. Many mysilentscream readers need no explanation, but allow me to explain for the rest. 1

When snow falls in urban areas, especially when snow falls in large amounts during weekdays, life continues. It may continue at a crawl, but people need to get home from school or work. They take the bus home, commute home, or drive home; they need to get home.

And, last week cars, buses, and trucks did what they do; they transported. They also compacted the freshly-fallen snow.

I’m turning 50 this week. 

I’m not yet fifty — it’s just one day away — but I thought I’d lead you through my journey, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you on your journey.

Alone, But Not

You know how it is when you feel less alone when someone else can understand your pain?

There are days when I live like a practical atheist. 

Not that I don’t care about God, but that I don’t even think about God.

I’m thinking through what this means for me today, tomorrow, and my tomorrows.

What does the Lord your God require of you?
He requires only that you
fear the Lord your God,
and live in a way that pleases him,
and love him
and serve him with all your heart and soul.
– Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT

“Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, ‘Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?’ The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: ‘You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.’” 1

Why is it hard to get into God’s kingdom?

Because pride gets in the way of God’s provision until we’re humble enough to ask for it.

Pride Gets In Our Way, But Jesus Provides

We Don’t Know All We’d Like To Know

Sometimes we don’t know everything we think we know. My son Josh saves money better than I do, but when he was young he didn’t know all that he knows now.

One day, when Josh was about six years old he and I drove to the gas station. Before we paid for our gas we surveyed the candy aisle. We each picked out some candy. I grabbed an Almond Joy and Josh grabbed a special candy sucker that spun.

Satisfied with our choices we walked into the line at the register.

“Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it may go well with them and their children forever.” Deuteronomy 5:29

What is a benefit of embracing the Fear of God?

Peace-filled, long lives.

“… so that it may go well with them and their children forever.”

In what ways has your family hurt you and others in your family?

What’s another benefit of embracing the Fear of God?

Peace-filled, genuine freedom.

“…the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20

“How’s the books going?”, many people ask.

The truth is, it hasn’t been going far or fast.

Fortunately, this summer I’m taking some time to write more of the book I’ve been writing called “Beyond Whatever.”  While I’m offline this week I would like to give you a week of previews.

Your feedback will be appreciated.

“…the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love…” (Psalm 33:18)

Each morning just before the dawn surfers wake up, grab their gear, paddle out and head out into the surf. There they look, listen, feel, notice, observe, calculate, analyze and determine based on all those factors what the surf will be like that day.

Water is a mighty force. The waves on the North Shore are among the mightiest. It’s important to acknowledge their power.

To fear the Lord means to acknowledge God’s great power, God’s complete authority over us, and all of creation, and God’s terrible hatred of the pollution of sin.