Charisa Stories

Tag: psalm 34:18

  • Trust God To Ride With Us Down A Broken Road

    The sadness, division, and fear in our country feels like it will be here forever. How can you navigate the broken roads of this world?

     A song titled Bless the Broken Road was made popular by Rascal Flatts and the lyrics describe how difficulties are often teaching moments for future blessings.

    I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
    Hoping I would find true love, along the broken road
    But I got lost a time or two, wiped my brow and kept pushing through

    It is so interesting to look back over the landscape of over five decades (yikes) of my journey with Jesus. I can see God’s hand in so many events and heartbreaks in my life. My early church experience was a broken road of legalistic and judgmental Christians who crushed the spirit of a young and fumbling Christian. That experience became the basis of my books. Sadly, many of us bear the wounds of dealing with imperfect people in the sometimes dysfunctional little gathering we call church. Still, God blessed that broken road in my life by bringing the message of grace into my journey.

    The broken road for me included the devastating death of a beloved nephew many years ago. At that point I was at a crossroads in my faith. I would either turn my back on God or get serious in my pursuit of Him. Along that broken road God brought a man named Wendel Deyo into my life. His life challenged me and he helped me stay on the narrow way. That relationship led to my association with Athletes in Action. And while on staff with AIA I met the lovely Joni Banks and we were married in 1976. And again, God blessed a broken road.

    This much I know is true
    That God blessed the broken road
    That led me straight to you
    Yes He did

    It is hard to imagine life without Joni. Her cancer forced me to realize the possibility of that. I am so grateful that she is a twenty year survivor and that she persevered in our relationship.

    I think about the years I spent, just passin’ through
    I’d like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you

    I remember with great sadness the years I spent working too much, taking my bride for granted, telling her that the schedule would soon “ease up”. But it rarely did. I really wish I had that time back. I would give it to her in a heartbeat. 

    Another thing I stress to young couples and parents is make time for your mate and your children. It took me too long to realize the truth that our schedule reflects our priorities. But somehow Joni hung with me. She had traveled her own broken road.

    But you just smile and take my hand, you’ve been there you understand
    It’s all part of a grander plan, that is comin’ true

    The journey is not easy. Never will be. One of the big mistakes we make in sharing our faith is making it seem like all troubles are over when you embrace Christianity. That is not in the contract. We will still have problems and heartaches and even tragedies. King David wrote these words while escaping down a broken road.

    The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;       
    he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

    How can we best navigate our broken roads? We can learn from the story of Joshua who had the unenviable task of taking over for Moses to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. He had to feel inadequate and maybe even terrified. Moses had the wisdom of his many years to share with Joshua. 

    Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NLT)

    Moses was not saying that Joshua should be strong and courageous because of his great leadership ability or the strong army at his command. Moses did not say he should not be afraid or discouraged because he had been carefully groomed to take over. The reason for that hope was simple and profoundly true today. The Lord will be with you and He will neither fail you nor abandon you. 

    No matter how broken the road you are traveling might be you can know that your Father is with you in the struggle. Don’t be afraid to continue down the broken road. God promises to go with you. Always.

  • God is Bigger than the Valley

    This journey is not easy. Never will be. Everyone of us will suffer heartaches and sadness. King David wrote these words while traveling a difficult valley.

    The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;       
    he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

    There are so many brokenhearted people who simply need a caring heart. But the most important thing they need to understand is that Jesus understands your pain and He never leaves you alone.

    My pastor and friend Jeff Denton has been going through a difficult season after receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis. I have observed first hand as Jeff has shown me what it looks like to live out faith through the darkest valley. Jeff began writing about his journey and now has released those powerful insights in a must read book titled God is Bigger that the Valley.

    I love the subtitle of Jeff’s book.

    A 30 Day Encouragement Guide Through Cancer

    Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Encouragement? Are you kidding me? But that is Jeff’s gift as a pastor and writer. He can find a way to be a light in the darkest moment of his life. His vulnerability, honesty, humor, and deep biblical insight combine to make this one of the most valuable resources for facing cancer or any terrible life storm. Here is a brief excerpt from the book.

    God doesn’t change in those moments, but it can feel like He does. Does He care? Is He really in control? He may not change, but He can change for you.

    Whether or not God was relevant to you before your diagnosis, you may suddenly be struck by bigger questions. Eternal issues. I’ve been there. I’ve received the diagnosis. I’ve had to process the information with my wife. I’ve had to call the kids to tell them. I’ve had to face a church family as a pastor and decide if God was still as good the day after the diagnosis as He was the day before.

    God hasn’t changed, but you have, and so have those closest to you. You have to soak it in, adapt, and wrestle through the news. You have to face a different future than what you likely expected or planned. God is still there and ready to help you on your journey.

    This will be the book I will give to anyone going through a critical health diagnosis. This will be the book I will turn to whenever I face a darkening life storm. Pastor Ed Underwood also faced a diagnosis that threatened to end his life. He understands everything that Pastor Jeff is going through. This quote from the forward written by Ed Underwood may be the most compelling endorsement I can offer.

    “I wish we—me, my bride, my children, and the dear saints I served during my darkest days—would have had this book to help us through the first thirty days. Knowing God is bigger than the valley and living in light ofthat precious truth are not the same. Jeff is not only living it; he’s bringing it to life for you—a daily
    reminder that Jesus loves and cares for you.”

    I hope you invest in this powerful new book if you, a loved one, or a friend is facing a difficult valley. I will always have copies available on my bookshelf.