Through the Eyes of a Spy

The Majority Report

The Majority Report

My second novel entitled Through the Eyes of a Spy is scheduled to release next month. The book follows the journey of the Israelites from their enslavement in Egypt through their inhabitation of the Promised Land. The story is told through the eyes of Caleb – one of only two adult men who were eyewitnesses to the events of the entire span of time. It is a story of faithfulness – first and foremost, the faithfulness of God, but also the faithfulness of one of His servants.

Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent into the Promised Land by Moses while the rest of the people waited in the wilderness. The spies were given the assignment to explore the land that God had already given the Israelites and bring back a report. The twelve men were a veritable who’s who of Israelite society. These were leaders not only of their respective tribes, but of their entire nation. When these men spoke, the people would stop to listen.

Moses had told them what they were to explore….

Sing A Little Louder

Sing A Little Louder

As many of you know, i am currently writing a novel about the faithfulness of God as seen through the eyes of the Israelite spy – Caleb. In the course of my writing, i am endeavoring to see the events of the exodus and the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land through his eyes. One of those events is the magnificent display of God’s power at the Red Sea.

You and i can only imagine what that day was like. The most powerful army on the face of the earth in that day was advancing on the Israelites to attack them. The sea was at their backs. And they were trapped in between. There was nowhere to turn. They were gripped by terror and fear. i am mindful that most of us – if not all of us – have had that moment where we are standing between an approaching enemy and an unmovable obstacle. Some of you may be in that very place right now. Allow me to share a few excerpts from my writings of their experience:

 ***

…Then Moses called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. Watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:13-14)….

Passing the Baton

Passing the Baton

Yesterday i read that two more of my friends had announced their upcoming retirement. That seems to be occurring with greater frequency these days. If i wasn’t in denial, i might think that it has something to do with my season of life. i can still remember when we were the young “up and comers” with fresh ideas and new perspectives. Somehow it doesn’t seem that long ago!

Coupled with the retirement announcements, i am also hearing a lot of pronouncements. A lot of “batons” are being passed in the relay race of life and ministry. Most of the pronouncements being made by the new leaders who are receiving the baton seem to herald the fact that it is a “new day” at the organization, institution, business or church. i can easily recall hearing those very same words come out of my mouth in the not too distant past.

In many respects, hearing that it is a new day brings fresh excitement and anticipation. I mean we’re groomed from a young age to be drawn to the new. Our senses are bombarded daily to the allure of the new – a new car, a new home, the newest electronic gadget, etc. We like new! And who is it that ever wants “old” when we can have “new”?

Have You Encountered Any Giants Lately?

Have You Encountered Any Giants Lately?

Giants are those challenges or obstacles that we encounter in our journey through life that appear to be insurmountable and undefeatable. Sometimes they are people, but more often they are the circumstances that we are facing. They are larger than life and are overwhelming and intimidating. They stand between us and the realization of the promise that God has given us; and they pride themselves on confronting people that are already journeying through the uncertainty of a wilderness journey. Do not think they are an illusion. Not only do they look like they could defeat you, in many instances they truly do have their hearts set on doing just that.

Meet Og. Og was an Amorite king who lived in the city of Bashan. His kingdom was on the east side of the Jordan River. His kingdom was not truly a part of the land that God had promised the Israelites. The Israelites were simply planning to pass through his kingdom on the way to the Promised Land. But Og, like the other Amorite kings, decided that he wasn’t going to permit them to do so. He was going to stand in their way. Og had heard about the defeat of the other Amorite kings by the God of the Israelites; but that did not dissuade him. As far as he was concerned, that was them, but he was Og!