Dan Bolin's Blog, page 12

Making the Grade

Nº 266

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - September 5, 2023

He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has. Henry Ward Beecher

In a box of my mother’s mementos, I found several of my elementary school report cards. The left side of the folders recorded my academic progress. My grades were decidedly average – a few A’s, mostly B’s and C’s, and a couple of D’s.

The opposite side of the folders reported my behavior and attitudes: E indicated excellent, S satisfactory, and U unsatisfactory. Again, I did okay but had a few U’s that needed improvement.

Life’s report card has two sides as well – productivity and character. We tend to focus on the productivity side; we want to be wealthy, successful, and respected. But too often, high marks on the productivity side come at the expense of our character.

Jesus told a story about a man who got straight A’s in his work life. He did so well, he tore down his little barns and built bigger barns to store all his successes. He thought he was set for life, and he was – briefly.

Luke records, “But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you!” (Luke 12:20a) The soul-care side of his “scorecard” needed greater attention. Measure success by the quality of your Christlike character rather than the superficial grades of the world.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Rock Out

Nº 265

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - August 29, 2023

“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.” Charles Spurgeon

As a teenager, I went on a day hike with about a dozen friends in the Columbia River Gorge. We each carried a small rucksack with our lunch, rain gear, and who knows what else!

We hiked and laughed, sometimes racing to the top of a hill, and sometimes stopping to enjoy a magnificent view. My shoulders ached, but I would not admit to any discomfort or show any sign of weakness.

The sunny morning turned cold and rainy. We stopped, removed our packs, put on extra clothes, and donned our ponchos. That was when I found it! While the rest of the group laughed, I pulled a large rock out of my rucksack. Some of my ‘friends’ thought it would be funny to let me carry an extra load.

True friends are just the opposite. Paul reminded the Galatians and us, “...bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Too often, thoughtless words, harsh criticism, and unfounded gossip are the heavy loads others carry. This week, lift someone’s burdens with an encouraging word and an offer to help. Jesus said, “love one another.” (John 13:34) As we lift burdens, we fulfill the Law of Christ.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

A Horse, A Horse

Nº 264

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - August 22, 2023

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him. - Jim Elliot

The Battle of Bosworth Field occurred on August 22, 1485. This decisive battle ended the War of the Roses, concluded the reign of Richard III, and began the Tudor Dynasty under Henry VII. That moment is often cited as the beginning of Modern England.

The best accounts agree that during an unsuccessful cavalry charge, Richard III was knocked from his horse, surrounded by foot soldiers, and killed. It is highly unlikely that Richard III uttered the words attributed to him by Shakespeare: “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse”. But Shakespeare touched a deep human reality as he portrayed Richard III frantically offering to trade everything he possessed, to escape his tragic predicament.

Life is an ongoing negotiation. What are we trading away and what will we have in return?

Jesus understood this persistent human bartering, and posed a profound question to His disciples, “What shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Eventually, we must all give an answer.

Do not wait until the final hour to begin negotiations. Start today and exchange your dependence on wealth, power, good works, or any other false hope for the free gift of abundant and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

 

Phone Privileges

Nº 263

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - August 15, 2023

Believers do not pray with the view of informing God about things unknown to Him, or of exciting Him to do His duty, or of urging Him as though He were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse to seek Him, that they may exercise their faith in meditating on His promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties by pouring them into His bosom; in a word, that they may declare that from Him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others, all good things. - John Calvin

A high-end resort placed a pink telephone by their pool. If a guest needed anything – a drink, a meal, a towel, or whatever – all they needed to do was pick up the pink phone, express their desire to a ready staff member, and miraculously, the need would be met.

The desire of the resort was to pamper their guests and ensure that they relaxed, thoroughly enjoying their poolside experience.

Many of us think prayer is like the pink phone. We assume that God is waiting for us to place our order. Once the call is made, we sit back waiting for our three scoops of ice cream with a cherry on top.

God’s purpose for us is much greater than our comfort and relaxation. His design for prayer is to connect us with Himself and request what we truly need, not just what we want.

James reminds us, “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) God has bigger designs for us than “poolside” enjoyment. Ask Him for the courage, strength, peace, wisdom, comfort, faith, hope, and love you need to honor Him in the good times and the tough things you face today.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Farsightedness

God does not give us everything we want, but he does fulfill his promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to himself. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Twenty years ago, my friend wrote letters, talked to neighbors, spoke at public forums, and lobbied political leaders fighting a proposed park adjacent to his home – all to no avail. The project that he fought against became reality.

Today, the new pond, baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, picnic areas, and exercise stations are enjoyed by thousands. Each week my friend walks miles of asphalt trails, explores the nature preserve, and looks for exotic birds. He also admitted that the value of his house has increased significantly due to the park.

What he fought so hard to prevent became a blessing for him and so many more.

Too often, like my friend, we struggle against the plans that God has for us. What we see is limited and blurred by our pain and nearsightedness.

Jeremiah sent a letter to the despairing people uprooted from Israel and exiled to Babylon. His prophetic message was, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Trust God. His plan – unclear and painful at times – will always include hope and an eternal future.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Naturalized Citizens

Nº 261

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - August 1, 2023

The soul on earth is an immortal guest, compelled to starve at an unreal feast; a pilgrim panting for the rest to come; an exile, anxious for his native home. - Hannah More

A few weeks ago, I witnessed a naturalization ceremony. Over 90 people from 53 countries raised their right hands, took an oath of allegiance, and became citizens of the United States.

After the ceremony, I passed one of our new citizens on a walkway and offered my congratulations. He smiled broadly, looked me in the eye and simply said, “Thank you.” I’d never met him, don’t know his name, country of origin, or family history, but in that moment, we enjoyed a warm bond and meaningful connection. We were no longer strangers; we were fellow citizens.

As a devout Jew with Roman citizenship, Paul navigated numerous complex loyalty issues on his frequent journeys throughout the Mediterranean World. However, he always kept in mind his ultimate homeland and his true fellow citizens. He said, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Geographic boundaries and national loyalties have their place; we should be good citizens of our homelands. However, as Christians, our ultimate allegiance is not to this world. Align yourself with your forever fellow-citizens and invite others to the naturalization party available to all.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Cleaning House

Nº 260

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - July 25, 2023

Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments. - C.S. Lewis

Living in the Washington, D.C. area we get lots of guests – and we love it. Friends come from near and far to see monuments, visit historic sites, attend meetings, and experience the energy of the city.

Before every visit, we clean house. The ritual involves picking up, dusting, vacuuming, washing, straightening, and on and on. We want to make sure everything is just right to honor our guests.

The Apostle John gave some sage advice as to how we should prepare for the ultimate Visitor who is scheduled to arrive – we just don’t know when. “We shall see Him as He is. And everyone that thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.” (I John 3:2b-3)

Cleaning up before any guest arrives is a good idea, but cleaning up before The Visitor arrives is essential. Purifying ourselves simply means becoming more like Jesus – more loving, more truthful, more compassionate, more service-oriented, and more faithful.

Keeping your life in a constant state of readiness is the best way to stay prepared for the visit of a lifetime. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for His arrival. Start today and purify yourself to be more and more like Jesus.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

The Happy Life

Nº 259

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - July 18, 2023

True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in You, O God, who are the truth… Those who think that there is another kind of happiness look for joy elsewhere, but theirs is not true joy. - St. Augustine

We all want to be happy! We all want to avoid pain and live meaningful lives. In this world, the best we can do is strive in that direction. We know that sin and its dreadful consequences will disrupt and complicate our lives, but godly choices will help our progress on the journey.

The opening verses of the Psalms summarize God’s formula for living a blessed (or happy) life. The first verse explains what to avoid, and the second tells us what to do.

“Blessed (or happy) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffers.” (Psalm 1:1) The negative influences of the world are always before us, and we can choose to walk past, stand and observe, or sit down and participate fully.

Fortunately, the psalm provides direction as well: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2) Delighting in and meditating upon God’s Word completes God’s design for a truly blessed life.

If you want to live a blessed life – one that is happy in the eyes of eternity – follow the precepts of this psalm: limit the world’s influence and expand your intake of the Word of God.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Spitting Image

Nº 258

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - July 11, 2023

Oh cursed sin! It was you who slew my dear Lord! For your sake He underwent all this! If your vileness had not been so great, His sufferings had not been so many. Cursed sin! You were the knife which stabbed Him! You the sword which pierced Him! - John Flavel

Spitting in someone’s face is universally condemned. Cultures worldwide see this vulgar act as a symbol of absolute contempt and utter disdain.

For Jesus to spit in the face of anyone seems totally out of character, especially a person already struggling with blindness. But Jesus did just that. “When he (Jesus) had spit on the man’s eyes, and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, ‘Do you see anything?’” (Mark 8:23)

Why Jesus would spit in the face of this poor man is baffling! But maybe Jesus’ real intent was not against the man; maybe the target of his disgust was the painful, sinful circumstance that enslaved him and limited his joy and productivity.

Sin – ours, that of others, or the effects of Adam and Eve’s rebellion – leaves us blind, enslaved, and ineffective in many areas. Jesus loves us. He came to set us free from the sin that blinds us. His life and death spit in the face of sin, showing His absolute contempt for anything that would injure or enslave us.

We would do well to match Jesus’ feeling toward sin and its devastating consequences while we walk in the light and love those who stumble in the darkness.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc

Courageous

Nº 257

weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - July 4, 2023

The fear of the Lord tends to take away all other fears… This is the secret of Christian courage and boldness. - Sinclair Ferguson

George Read, a representative from Delaware to the Second Continental Congress, was the only person to vote against secession from England on July 2, 1776, yet sign the Declaration of Independence a few days later.

By signing the Declaration, he risked his life and fortune to align himself with a cause with which he had deep personal reservations.

The Apostle Thomas found himself in a similar predicament. Jesus’ life was threatened by the religious and political power brokers in Jerusalem. Jesus remained relatively safe while He stayed in the countryside, out of harm’s way.

Ministering by the Jordan River, Jesus was asked to go to Bethany, near Jerusalem, to help his friend Lazarus. When Jesus announced His intent to go, Thomas resigned himself to the journey and said, “Let us go also, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)

Thomas gets a bad rap for expressing what the others were thinking. To his credit, he was willing to risk his life to follow Jesus on a dangerous mission.

Like George Read and Thomas, sometimes we need the courage to set aside our personal misgivings and make a dangerous commitment. Staying close to Jesus is the only place of safety and true independence.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc