Growing up I loved to play games.  As good as I was playing hide and seek, I was not very good at playing the game Clue. 1

You remember Miss Scarlet?  I seemed to never guess the solution first. Did the clues point to Colonel Mustard? Mrs. Peacock? Or, Professor Plum?  Who committed the crime?  Where?  How?

It was all a mystery to me. 

Sometimes I’d guess the right person in the wrong place.  Or, I’d suspect the wrong person when I thought I had it all figured out.  Too often I’d rush to judgment hoping to solve the mystery.

Hide and seek was always one of my favorite games.  Small and skinny I fit in small places.  Somewhat reckless I hod where others wouldn’t. I was almost never found.

Sometimes it seems like God plays hide and seek with us.

Sometimes God seems so elusive.  God seems to come close, but then, so quickly, God seems farther away.  Farther away, and hard to find.

And, sometimes I feel so spiritually alive, but then, so quickly, it all seems to fade.

Have you ever experienced that?

Fortunately, we’re not alone.  Abraham, Moses and David come to mind immediately.  We’re not alone. 1

This week I’m examining the theme of freedom and the words of William Wallace from the movie Braveheart.

Scotland

I admire people who have courage to do what’s right. William Wallace believed that the people deserved leaders who served the interests of the people.  And he was brave enough to speak up.

Wallace challenged the Scottish nobility that they should pursue freedom for the common Scots, but they were more interested in their own safety, privilege and wealth, than the welfare of the people.

Have you ever thought that after doing something wrong — if you just keep it a secret — that no one would ever find out?

I’ve done it; many times.

My parents were in town a couple of weeks ago with my nephew and niece. While we were talking we started sharing scar stories. I was last to share. I have many scars. I was trying to decide which scar had the most memorable or entertaining story.

Amy, my wife, spoke up, “Scott tell about…” and a secret was out.

Six Words of wisdom for worriers:

Worry about nothing – pray about everything. 1

I’ve spent the week on the Wolf River rafting with TreeHouse.  It’s a fun river and a great time to connect with people especially during the lazy drifting times on the river.

The rapids and the waterfalls are wonderful opportunities for teamwork, developing communication skills, and decision making.

This picture of me in Sullivan Falls might look scary — and it’s a bit unnerving — was a time I had to think clearly so that I could reach the shore safely.

A couple years ago Lisa Stordahl finagled tickets for Christian Olsen, Dede Rogers and me to attend a great concert.  That night we heard some awesome music by Third Day, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Switchfoot.

One of my favorite moments of the concert had nothing to do with the music.  While walking through the crowd Jon Foreman, the lead singer for Switchfoot walked up to Christian Olsen.  Jon reached out and shook Christian’s hand.  They embraced.  A handshake.  It made my night.

I believe in planning ahead. I hate when I worry.

As much and as thoroughly as we may prepare there will always be some unforeseen wave coming.

Here are some truths from Jesus Christ I am trying to embrace.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.

Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Dan Heisman one of my favorite authors wrote, “The #1 chess guideline [is] keep all your pieces safe! (And consider taking opponent’s pieces that are not safe). You must make all your decisions before you touch a piece…”

Choose wisely.

BUT What If You Feel Like A Pawn Someone Else Controls?

You were hoping for happiness, but you’re feeling like you don’t know what moves to make.

You were hoping to deal with change in your life, but you’ve been dealt a bad hand.

Overcoming the fear of being exposed is one of the keys to breaking the bondage of the tricks and lies about cutting.

The Fear Of Exposure Perverts Our Thinking

“Psychologist Larry Crabb says that the primary motivation for all of our social behavior is a fear that if others really knew us as we are, they would reject us in disgust. This fear of exposure is rooted in our sense of the ugliness of our fallen natures as they have been perverted and corrupted by sin. Satan delights in inflaming this fear…”

Today is Good Friday. It’s a day of sorrow and celebration.  A day of sadness and comfort.

Here are Five Key Beliefs To Get You Through A Loss that have helped me and helped others as they grieve.

You will survive
You have a right to grieve
You don’t have to go it alone
God is good
Love never goes to waste

Good Friday is a day I feel grateful; grateful that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for my sins.  Below are some verses of Scripture to meditate on this Good Friday that help me feel grateful: