As I reread what I wrote, I can see how some readers might draw that conclusion. So, let me clarify.

Reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God is one of the primary ways that we can hang out with, commune with and listen to God. But it isn’t the only way.

In fact, for some of us, our diligent study of the Bible can at times even get in the way of truly knowing Jesus.

Now before you jump all over that statement and label me a heretic, let me tell you that those words are not original with me. That’s not just my personal opinion. That’s a quote . . . from Jesus Himself.

“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39,40)

How ironic! We are capable of using the Scriptures to create distance rather than nearness to Christ. To shove Him away instead of drawing close to Him. To create enmity instead of intimacy with God.

So, if the Scriptures that are intended to reveal the heart of God can be so misused, could it also be true that there is more than one way to draw close to God and enjoy His presence?

Yes.

So here are just a few examples from last week where my understanding of the God of the Bible expands my opportunities to enjoy what I’d describe as hanging out with God last week . . .

. . . when I took a drive in a snow covered woods and marveled at God’s frosty artistry that blanketed the landscape,

. . . when I wept listening to a precious family grieve the loss of a beloved husband, father, and grandpa who taught three generations to love and serve Jesus,

. . . when I laughed listening to that same family celebrate over the glorious impact that this broken, forgiven, and beautiful man had on their family and beyond,

. . . when I prayed for friends who are struggling over a job loss and another unplanned and unwanted move,

. . . when I choked back tears of gratefulness while attempting to sing praises to Him with my church family on Sunday morning,

. . . when I met with three dear brothers in Christ for breakfast as we shared joys, sorrows, and challenges of our lives together,

. . . when I wrestled with my dog whose loyalty and playfulness is an astounding reminder of my Heavenly Father’s delight in me,

. . . just to name a few.

So, you see, it’s not just the reading of the Scriptures where we listen to and experience the closeness of God. It’s enjoying His presence wherever you are because He is there.

So, how about you? Where have you connected with God this week? Let’s encourage one another.

So, in essence, more hang time allows you to get closer to your goal of winning the game.

In the New Testament, Jesus also valued hang time. No, he wasn’t a punter for a 1st century football team that played on Sundays in the local arena. What I mean is that he asked his disciples to come “hang with him.” As we read Matthew’s account, Jesus’ words were simply, “follow me” (Matt. 4:19, 8:22, 9:9). He was asking them to hang with him. To go where he goes. Eat what he eats. Sleep where he sleeps. Walk where he walks. Listen to his teachings. Sit in on the discussions afterwards. Question him. Believe him. Trust him.

That’s what a disciple was and did. He hung out with his teacher and did life together with him. Why? Well, for one, because the teacher invited him to do so. And second, so that he could learn to live more consistent with his life’s calling by just hanging out with his teacher and mentor.

So, my question to you is this: When was the last time you really hung out with Jesus? When was the last time you just sat at his feet, listening to him talk and soaking in what he was saying.

I don’t mean reading the Bible preparing to do something else–like teach a Sunday school class, lead a devotional, prepare a sermon, or find an answer to a specific problem. As good and worthy as all those endeavors are, simply reading the Bible to spend some good “hang time” with Jesus is vital to being a Jesus follower.

Feel free to share how your “hang time” is or isn’t with Jesus? No casting judgment on each other. Instead, let’s do all we can to encourage one another to follow him more faithfully.

For those of you who have followed the HelpForMyLife.org blogs over the past year,  you may remember Kevin and Dawn. I featured them in my December 22, 2010 blog, A child is born . . . and one is taken. What a privilege to be with this amazing couple!

Their story is one of sorrow and grief, courage and compassion, endurance and hope. Having lost their precious son, Braeden, to cancer just a little over two and a half years ago, just shy of his 4th birthday, they allowed us to take the journey of grief with them as they shared their story.

And it’s a story worth telling.

Our hope in this new year is to launch a new portion of our website that features the stories of real people with real struggles that requires real faith. We’re thinking of calling it, The Journey Through . . . series. It’s because we’re always in process. We don’t arrive until we’re finally and fully restored in the presence of our good God. So on this earth, we’re all journeying through something.

For Kevin, Dawn and their remaining children, their hurt hasn’t evaporated over the past year. They quickly dismissed the notion that “time heals all wounds.” It doesn’t. Braeden’s absence at their Christmas celebration this year is just as poignant and painful as last year and the year before. But they also reflected something that only they can through this journey through grief . . . hope.

Kevin and Dawn readily admit they’re not immune to grief. Neither are they incapacitated by it. Instead, they are inspired by hope. They are using their experience to touch others who have lost children too. They want to share what they’ve learned on this journey they never chose, but that chose them.

What became very clear to all of us who witnessed their story first hand is this:

They have a story to tell. And we have the privilege of telling it.

Their story is not about a destination, but a journey through grief.

Their story is not over yet. They are still on the journey, they haven’t given up . . . because they have hope.

Why? How? As they would tell you emphatically, “God is in this.”

And their story inspires me to hope too.

So as you celebrate this holiday season with your family and friends, be grateful for those who are present, grieve over those who are not, and always remember the  glorious Hope that arrived under the cover of darkness to a couple in a stable 2000 years ago who is our Prince of Peace who heals the brokenhearted and brings comfort to the grieving (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Merry Christmas.

And, look for Dawn and Kevin’s story of hope in the new year at HelpForMyLife.org.

Once, however, you get past His birth in Bethlehem, the Gospel records of Jesus’ life make it clear that He knew He was born to die. Jesus spoke of His death (and His resurrection) early in his early ministry (John 2:19-21) and often (Mark 8:31).

Have you ever wondered why? Why did Jesus have to die, and at such a young age? Couldn’t He have accomplished so much more if He had lived for several decades and died of natural causes?

Imagine all of sickness and disease Jesus could have healed and the mind boggling miracles He could have performed. Think of the additional teachings He could’ve imparted and the problems in the world He could have righted.

The reason Jesus had to die is simply this—we needed Him to die so that we wouldn’t have to. We desperately needed Jesus to give his life so that we could live (Romans 6:4).

As we celebrate and remember the miracle of His birth, let’s also remember why He was born to die.

“Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone” –Romans 5:18 NLT

When my wife and I first encountered this, we struggled to resist the urge to go into our baby’s room and console her little heart. We would peek through the door from time to time, to make sure she wasn’t hurt in some way, but we refrained from going in.

Good grief! Why do parents put their infants and themselves through so much misery? For one, we are giving our little ones the opportunity to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Okay, maybe it does when they are infants–but we don’t want them to know it.

Parents also refrain from picking up newborns every time they whimper to help them develop a resiliency to move through difficult situations. And even though it didn”t feel like it to them at the time, we were there with them through all of the sobs and all the tears.

We don’t always feel God’s presence in the midst of difficult times, but that doesn’t mean He’s not there, working behind the scenes.

Joseph was a person who had reasons to feel like God was not present or working in his life. He was sold away into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was carted off to a foreign land where he was falsely accused of and sent to prison for sexually assaulting his boss’s wife.

It could easily seem like God had abandoned him.

But many years later, when Joseph was the governor of Egypt and he had the upper hand, he graciously explained to his brothers that “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8).

Joseph would later tell his brothers (who were afraid he was harboring a grudge against him), “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20).

Can you look back and see God’s presence and hand at work in a particular situation that you once could not see?

But He was. Was His experience really all that human, though?   I mean, did His pulse race? Did His hands get sweaty? Did He feel the urge to give in from His head all the way to His toes? Did He imagine what it would be like for a ½ a second? Did His breathing become shallow as He fought off the temptation?  Hebrews 2:18 says that Jesus suffered when He was tempted.  If Jesus suffered, and He knows what it’s like to be tempted, then I’m sure His battle wasn’t a pretty sight, either.  So much like mine.

What a relief to know that I have a savior who knows what it’s like to be me. He knows what gets to me. He has a complete and full understanding of what it is like to be enticed, to be attracted to something evil.  Jesus didn’t sin, but He knows what we go through when those things pop up from time to time, seemingly out of the blue, and taunt us, trying to coax us away from our Lord.

I’m trying to have a better picture of what Jesus went through.  I don’t want to minimize it anymore.  It was tough. He was starving, tired, thirsty, feeling weak, I’m sure. Thank you, Jesus, going through all of that for us. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.  You not only chose to humble yourself into humanity, coming as a baby, but then You purposely went through what each and every one of us goes through when we’re lured by evil. You didn’t sin, though. You give us strength and courage to withstand. You are truly our Great High Priest – one who understands and compassionately gives us mercy and grace.  “For we do not have a high Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16.)

“This,” the boy replied holding up the book on his lap , “It’s more than just a good book.”

The young boy is, Henry, a main character from the new, popular television series Once Upon a Time. The book he was referring to was a large book of fairy tales that the series is based on.

I read a lot books, and people sometimes ask me if what I’m reading is good. Usually it is, but not always.

Henry’s response got me to thinking about what I would say if a stranger asked me the same question if they noticed me reading the Bible.

I’ve often heard people refer to the Bible as the “good book,” but after hearing Henry’s response, I would prefer to use his line—“It’s more than just a good book”. But then I would hope to add:

“Actually, it’s really not a book, but a library of books that tell an epic story of God’s love, that if you let it in, it will change your life forever.”

I could say more, but hopefully a short, thoughtful response would stir up enough curiosity in the person to look into reading the Bible for him or herself.

If you only had a sentence or two, what might you tell a stranger if they asked you the same question?

In an attempt to survive a time of feeling let down by others or myself, I’ve immersed myself in spiritual disciplines like prayer and scripture reading. I’ve even listened to a few Jesus centered tunes to soothe my soul. At the time, it may have looked good on the outside, but inside I wasn’t really looking for Jesus and what he wanted to show me in my situation. I was looking for a distraction. I was simply looking to busy myself with something so I didn’t have think about or feel the weight of my hurt.

Bottom line—I wanted t get as far away from the hurt as possible…and Jesus was going to help me.

Over the course of my walk with Jesus, however, I’ve learned that following Him is not about denying the reality of our pain and sorrow. Instead, it is to lean into it. After all, Jesus Himself was no stranger to pain and sorrow (Isa.53:3, Lk.22:44). He felt the heartache of life, and felt it deeply.

Jesus didn’t come to numb our souls. He came to bring us life (John 10:10). And to be fully alive in a broken world involves facing our pain, not running from it.

Apparently, Mendelssohn doubted his ability to pull this piece off. He wrote it for his friend Ferdinand David and at one point told him, “If I have a few propitious days, I’ll bring you something. But the task is not an easy one. You ask that it should be brilliant, but how can anyone like me do this?”

My mind wandered to a friend of mine who is struggling very much in her relationships. She was deeply wounded by her family, namely her mother and father, and her injuries are so severe that she doubts God is enough to heal her. She doesn’t say that she doubts God, but her beliefs and actions indicate that she does. She’s so wounded that she doesn’t even think she needs healing. Now she is latching on to something other than her faith in God to find life.

She’s exhilarated because for years she lived in a prison, she says. But now she feels “free” because she believes she’s found the answer to her problems. She believes she found the way out.

The only problem with her solution is that she’s trading one prison for another. What she’s going for contradicts something that God is clear about. God’s Word tells us one thing and she is doing the opposite.

How does a person who is so hurt and who believes that a new path will change everything for the better (a path that will lead to destruction), be convinced that she can do what God wants her to do?  I’m sure that she must feel, deep in her soul, like Mendelssohn, “…how can anyone like me do this?”

Well, we can’t on our own.  This is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He will show us the way; He carries us through the moments we feel like we can’t go one more step.

My heart aches for my friend because I understand the pain she has. No, I didn’t go through it personally, but I know what it feels like to think “The task is not an easy one. How can someone like me do this?”

So as her friend, what do I do?

I wait patiently. I love her. I pray for her. Encourage her. This path will end and she will need a friend at the end of it.  I hope I can be that friend to her.

The moral of this story is:  go to the symphony. The music will help you think about important things. Even brilliant musicians like Mendelssohn doubted his abilities.

Frank Graeff experienced just that as a pastor who went through some ve­ry dif­fi­cult tri­als.  Graeff was wrestling through a time of profound de­spond­en­cy, doubt and phys­ic­al pain. When he turned to God’s Word, 1 Peter 5:7 was the text that caught his eye and touched his heart: “casting all your anxieties on him (God), because he cares for you.”

Peter’s words provided a level of com­fort and encouragement that–while not relieving his pain–bolstered his heart with the tender reassurance of God’s loving care: “He cares for you.” Af­ter med­i­ta­ting on that truth, Graeff was inspired to write the lyri­cs to a song that reverberated from a grateful heart that knew what it meant to struggle with despair:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth and song
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:
O yes, He cares I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong
When for my deep grief I find no relief Tho my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye To the dearest on earth to me
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks Is it aught to Him? does He see?

So, if you have ever wondered like most of us have as to whether or not Jesus cares about the struggles and pain you are currently facing that seem insurmountable, Frank’s answer is a resounding “Yes!” And I agree.

If you have a story of pain and struggle where you’ve experience the restoration of the God who cares, please feel free to share your story to encourage others along the path that they are not alone and can make it too.