Author Archives: chadzaucha

Unfortunately, they don’t.  They don’t have wings.  They are fat and lazy.  Further, because their faces are “smashed”their breathing is distressed and airlines won’t allow them to fly in the cargo portion of the plane.  So, when our family relocates to Michigan we face the daunting challenge of 3-4 days in a car with two snorting, restless pugs (and teenagers).  For those of you who suggest that we leave Coco and Libbey behind, we can cease to be friends right now.

The children of Israel faced their own daunting journey that actually took 40 years (making 3-4 days in a car seem not so bad after all).  Numbers 21:4 says, “And the people became impatient on the way.”  This caused them to grumble and complain.  I can certainly relate.  But let us be reminded that God hates grumbling.  He in fact hates it so much that He sent a plague of fiery serpents among the complaining Israelites.  Why does God take our grumbling and impatience so seriously?  I think it is because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God’s goodness.  When we are impatient with our present circumstances it proclaims that God is not good in our present circumstances.  And that is certainly an offense to the God who created us, provides for us, and loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.  I must remember this on day 2 in the car with the pugs–and at all times when I am tempted to be impatient and grumble.

I went for a walk yesterday.  That was not the amazing part, as I walk quite a bit.  The amazing part–are you ready for this?…I was without earbuds.   That’s right.  I was unplugged.  And that for me is extraordinary.  My typical walking companions include Albert Mohler and his podcast “The Briefing” or Justin Brierly and his podcast “Unbelievable”.  Or maybe John MacArthur and one of his sermons.  Or Marty Brennaman and the Cincinnati Reds baseball game.  But yesterday…silence.  And it was good.  The break from the noise was so stark.  We live in a world of words.  Lots of them.  Words sent and received.  Constantly.

And so Mark 15:5 stood out to me today:  “But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.”  It was the absence of words that amazed Pilate.  Jesus, being so supremely confident in His identity and mission, felt no need to defend Himself with words.  His silence screamed.

I want to greatly reduce the number of words in my life–words received and words delivered (Yes, I recognize the irony of writing about this in a blog with words).  My point is that the words of Jesus were so purposeful and measured.  Weighty.  Not careless.  I want my words to be like that.  I also want to experience more of the silence that I did yesterday.  Perhaps that sets the tone for delivering words that are more purposeful and measured.

What are three things you could do in your life to increase silence and decrease words?

The FAQs: President Trump’s Executive Order on Immigrants and Refugees

I believe that President Trump means well–and by “means well” I mean that he is taking seriously the role of government to protect its people.  That being said, I believe that this poorly communicated/executed order has done more harm than good.   Chaos and division do not make us safer.

How to Respond to the Refugee Crisis

I echo these sentiments from David Platt:

“Much of our response to the refugee crisis seems to come from a foundation of fear, not faith. Much of it seems to flow from a view of the world that is far more American than biblical, far more concerned with the preservation of our country than the accomplishment of the Great Commission.” – David Platt

“Now, are there risks in proclaiming the gospel to refugees? Sure there are. But where have we gotten the idea that Christianity is devoid of risk? Security in this world should not be prioritized over proclamation of God’s Word. As followers of Christ, self is no longer our god. Safety is no longer our ultimate concern. So let’s show this with our lives. Let’s go and preach the gospel urgently, knowing others’ lives depend on it, and gladly giving our own lives toward that end.” – David Platt

Today I am thankful for shoes.  Can you imagine life without them?  Yet that is exactly the situation for many around the globe.  Simply lacking a pair of shoes can greatly impair one’s ability to be healthy and function productively. From the website soles4souls.com:

“Every day children are prevented from attending school, adults are unable to work. Walking becomes unbearable.”

How we underestimate the great value of a pair of shoes.  So, when you lace up today, be thankful!  And maybe take a look at some organizations that can do a lot with your old pair of shoes to bless those with no shoes.