Dan Bolin's Blog, page 8

Nevertheless

Nº 306

June 11, 2024

The most under-appreciated word in the Christian glossary is, nevertheless.

Life can be hard. Sure, there are good days when the sun shines and the birds sing; however, there are many days dominated by clouds and thunderstorms. Sometimes we want to stay in bed and hope our problems go away. Sometimes we try to pretend that all is well. . . when it’s not. Sometimes we think it’s ungodly to feel bad, wishing our circumstances were different.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus anguished over His circumstances. He did not want to be betrayed, arrested, wrongly accused, beaten, mocked, abandoned, and killed. He prayed fervently for a change of plans.

But eventually He said, nevertheless.

We all need a nevertheless moment. We need a point when we say, I do not want these circumstances – nevertheless. I know you are a loving, wise, gracious, and powerful God who is in control.

An honest response to difficult circumstances is always appropriate as long as it ends with, nevertheless. Remember, God is greater than the pain we endure and the evil we face. Pour out your heart, trust God, and like Jesus, pray, “Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Wally Who?

Nº 305

WALLY WHO?

June 4, 2024

On June 2, 1925, Wally Pipp, the first baseman for the New York Yankees, had a headache. He asked for two aspirin. His sympathetic coach told him to take the day off, and a rookie named Lou Gehrig took his place. Gehrig played 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for 56 years.

Wally Pipp was a great ball player who twice led the league in homeruns. He helped the Yankees win three American League pennants and one World Series.

But sadly, Wally Pipp is remembered as the player Lou Gehrig replaced. Later Pipp said, “Those were the two most expensive aspirin I ever took!”

The Bible is filled with seemingly good people who made horrible choices. Lot, Korah, Achan, Saul, Gehazi, Judas, Ananias and Saphira, Demus, and so many others served God well for a while but are remembered for their tragic mistakes.

God’s grace can overwhelm any blunder we make; however, we will live with regrets and carry the consequences of our sinful choices. Serve well and finish strong. Pray with the psalmist, “Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation.” (Psalm 71:18)

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Both And

Nº 304

BOTH AND

May 28, 2024

Two significant events bookend Jesus’ earthly ministry. At both the start and end, He cleansed the temple – overturning tables, scattering money, and reclaiming the site for its intended purpose. (John 2:13-16 and Matthew 21:12-13) He also orchestrated two massive catches of fish: one early in His ministry and the other after His resurrection. (Luke 5:4-11 and John 21:3-19).

When the Bible repeats things, they are probably important, and both these repeated events seem very significant. One deals with our need for purity and the other with a call to service. Both purity and service are essential aspects of the Christian life.

Purity is job one. As Peter stated, “…he who called you is holy, you also be holy.” (I Peter 1:15) Apart from Christ’s righteousness, we will never attain the standard of holiness God demands; however, we must daily strive for greater purity and more Christlikeness.

Serving others is also critical. Both fish stories conclude with calls to service. The first summons us to be fishers of men, to share the good news. And the second beckons us to shepherd God’s flock, to care for others.

First, honor God with your personal purity, and second, serve God by sharing the gospel and caring for those around you.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President Refueling in Flight Ministries

Eye Want to Pitch

May 21, 2024

Weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dan Bolin

Watching my grandchildren’s weekly baseball games has brought back some wonderful childhood memories – and a few I’d like to forget.

I was about eight or nine years old when I played my first season of organized baseball. After a few practices, the coach called us together and announced we would play a practice game. I found myself looking at the coach’s stomach while surrounded by about 15 enthusiastic young players.

Then the coach made a critical error. He asked, “Who wants to pitch?” Every young future hall-of-famer screamed, “I do” and shot their hands into the air. Unfortunately, the index finger on my right hand jabbed the coach’s left eye. Practice over. No game. Emergency room for the coach.

Thoroughly humiliated, I slunk away and ended my season!

Peter reminds us of the danger of self-promotion. He said, “clothe yourselves . . . with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (I Peter 5:5-6)

Arrogant self-promotion hurts others and embarrasses yourself. Trust the protection of God’s mighty hand and wait for him to lift you up.

Excelsior,

Dr. Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Whose You Are

Nº 302

May 14, 2024

A friend’s son served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He endured extreme training challenges and brutal living conditions. He jumped out of airplanes, learned stealth tactics, and discharged high-tech weapons.

Before each mission, his commanding officer addressed the team, reviewing the strategy and tactics, and clarifying the desired outcome. Each pre-battle pep-talk ended with a reminder that they were the best trained, best equipped, and best supported fighting force in the world.

The commander wanted his soldiers to remember what to do, but more importantly, he wanted them to remember who they were.

Remembering that we are members of Christ’s family makes our call to face difficult and dangerous challenges much easier. John reminds his readers of their family identity first and their call to purity second. “Beloved, we are God’s children. . . We shall be like him. . . And everyone that thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (I John 3:2-3)

As you confront life’s daily battles, remember what you are called to do - and not do, but primarily, remember who you are. As God’s child you have all the resources and support you need to face the fight before you.

Excelsior,

Dr Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Mothers' Impact

Nº 301

May 7, 2024

My mother passed away 20-years ago this week. In the United States, and many other countries, this week we also celebrate Mother’s’ Day.

My mother had her flaws, but she got many of the big things right. Every day before school we had family devotions. She led a weekly children’s Bible Club, taught Sunday school, supervised Vacation Bible School, and volunteered at our summer camp.

As dementia took its toll on her mind and body, her spirit seemed to resonate with the simple truth she had shared with so many children. Beside her bed was a small music player that recycled familiar lyrics such as, Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. And Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.

My mother, like many others, played a significant role in the spiritual development of the next generation. Paul reminded Timothy of the spiritual impact his mother and grandmother had made. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

Thank you for influencing the next generation for Christ!

Happy Mother’s Day.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Come Again

Nº 300

April 30, 2024

As the young leader of a growing ministry, it was my job to ask people for money. One day I sat across the desk from a wealthy businessman twice my age. I had been there before, and I knew him to be gracious and generous.

As our conversation began, I said, “You must get tired of so many people asking you for money!” He smiled and responded, “Dan, there are a lot worse things in life than having money to give away. How can I help?” I made my appeal, and he wrote a very generous check!

He had significant resources. He believed in our ministry and wanted it to prosper. And he never tired of me coming to request his help. Maybe there’s a lesson hidden in there!

Paul reminded the Church at Philippi, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

God has all the resources we can imagine – physical and spiritual. He knows what is best for us and can discern between our legitimate needs and our dubious desires. And our gracious and generous God never tires of us coming to Him to make honest requests for genuine needs.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Walk Through the Door

As Paul concludes his first letter to the church at Corinth, he makes an odd and fascinating statement. “A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” (I Corinthians 16:9)

I enjoy doors of opportunity opening to me; however, I try to avoid people who oppose me. Somehow, the two often walk hand in hand. Our greatest opportunities can come with significant obstacles. Nothing good comes easily.

Paul didn’t seem surprised by the pushback. He wasn’t intimidated by the opposition and didn’t change his message. He faced the opposition, honored God, and shared the gospel that God had entrusted to him.

Obstacles can provide hidden blessings. Paul did much of his great writing in prison. He was beaten, betrayed, threatened, abandoned, and stoned, but started churches throughout the Mediterranean world. That’s a lot of effective work and a great deal of serious opposition.

Great doors of effective work are open to all of us. The opposition that awaits may be rejection, ridicule, derision, significant sacrifice, or even physical harm. The question is always one of courage. Like Paul, trust God and courageously walk through whatever great door of effective work opens for you, despite the opposition.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Battle Ready

Before David went out to fight Goliath, King Saul offered him the use of his armor. As a young shepherd, David had no military equipment or weapons of war, just a sling. David tried on the armor but found it cumbersome, awkward, and limiting. He chose to face Goliath with only his sling and God.

Like David, we face battles every day, some bigger than others. And like David, we have an offer of armor that we can wear. The difference is that this armor fits and is highly effective.

Paul’s final charge in his letter to his dear friends in Ephesus offered armor for their daily struggles. He told them to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11a): the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes ready with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God.

The purpose of the armor is, “that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11b) We all face schemes of the devil, and God wants us to be safe and victorious. We can fight on our own or with the armor God provides.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries

Goldilocks' Dilema

Goldilocks stumbled into the home of the Three Bears and experimented with porridge that was too hot, too cold, and just right. Next, she encountered chairs that were too hard, soft, or just right. Eventually she tested three beds before finding her perfect match.

Striking the balance between too much or too little of anything is challenging. For me it is chocolate cake with ice cream! For others it is exercise, shopping, or screen time. We all struggle for balance in some area of our lives.

Solomon wrestled with his work-life balance. He accomplished a massive amount; he built a temple, palace, army, treasury, empire and so much more. But achievement came at a price. Reflecting on three options of 1) too little work, 2) a balanced approach, or 3) doing too much, Solomon said,

“The fool folds his hands and ruins himself (too little).

Better one handful with tranquility (just right) than

Two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind (too much).” (Ecclesiastes 4:5-6)

Strive for balance. Don’t fold your hands and do nothing. But don’t throw everything (both hands) into chasing insignificant, ephemeral goals. Work sensibly; grasp your commitments and responsibilities with one hand and tranquility and contentment with the other.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc