Dallin Malmgren's Blog, page 21

HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY January 10–16, 2022

January 10, 2022
#71 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 “…without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6) If I stand outside and consider this writing project, it seems kind of arrogant. Who do I think I am? So I have a special connection to God? How do I know it’s God speaking to me? I don’t. There’s no writing on the wall, no voice from the heavens, no burning bush. But the rest of that verse is: “…for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” I write by faith to glorify God

January 11, 2022
#72 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, October 7, 2021 I suffered total humiliation in our match play golf tournament today! Lost 6 and 5 and felt despondent the rest of the day. So in the evening I read this: “…that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that some of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from one another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now, if you did receive it , why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (I Corinthians 4:6–7) God was de-puffing me! If golf is a spiritual exercise (it is), it should lead one away from ego enhancement, which is how we are drawn away from God. A painful lesson, but worthwhile..

January 12, 2022
#73 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 I had a cold strike today. I am embarrassed to say how quickly my mind turns away from spiritual things when I am not feeling well. I have such admiration for those people who stay strong in the faith when they suffer serious illnesses or accidents.

January 13, 2022
Continuing the thread from yesterday’s post…
#74 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, December 17, 2021 I’m a terrible sick person. I’m grouchy and sullen and miserable. Karen tries to care for me, but she also knows to avoid me as much as possible. My go-to verse in these situations is: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1: 2–3) I stink at the “joy” part, but I am heavy into the “endurance”.

January 14, 2022
This is the third in my “sickness” series…(please note all this happened more than three weeks ago)
#75 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, December 19, 2021 I might have Covid. This is my fifth day with head congestion, runny nose, and frequent sneezing. I got tested at CVS two days ago, but results are not in. I’m not too worried though. I figure: a) I probably don’t have it; b) I’m vaccinated and boosterized so it shouldn’t do much harm if I do have it; c) if the worst happens, I get to see the Lord face to face.

January 15, 2022
Final entry in the “sickness” series…
#76 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, December 20, 2021 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; Don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5–6) My Covid test came back negative.

January 16, 2022
#77 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, December 11, 2021 Our three granddaughters greatly prefer their Granma to their PopPop (though we insist we come as a set). Of course, Granma watches and applauds as they tirelessly do cartwheels and other gymnastics, sets out art supplies and suggests projects, and watches a cheesy Christmas movie with them while PopPop is in his study watching a Spurs game. I don’t even need God to tell me love is active, not passive.

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY January 3–9, 2022

January 3, 2022
#64 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, November 28, 2021 Karen and I prayed tonight–her words were exactly what was in my heart. Hmmm…the two becoming one, perhaps? Keep us moving, Lord.

January 4, 2022
Tuesday is a golf day…
#65 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, December 13, 2021 I play golf with a senior men’s group. Senior men. Since I have been here (3 years) three men have died and four or five have quit playing for health reasons. Our oldest man is 92 and our youngest 58. What unites us most is that we all feel blessed to have the time and money and health to pursue a heartfelt passion. God has been impressing upon me that He cares more about these men than He does about how well I play. I am learning to re-shift my priorities.

January 5, 2022
#66 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, December 5, 2021 Sometimes I have doubts about the legitimacy of this writing project. After all, anyone can make up stuff and say God said it. So, of course, I pray. Here is the English translation of the nonverbal conversation that takes place in my heart:
Me: So why am I doing this?
God: That’s a good question. You tell Me. What is your goal?
Me: i want to do whatever I can for whoever reads this to encourage them to recognize Your love and to love You back.
God: That sounds good to Me.

January 6, 2022
#67 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, November 29, 2021 I’ve thought about it, meditated on it, prayed for it…but I’m not sure what God wanted to say to me today. I did come up with a Dylan line:
“Now there’s a wall between us, something there’s been lost, I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed…”

January 7, 2022
#68 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, December 2, 2021 Not sure if this qualifies as God speaking to me–you be the judge. I called today to schedule a colonoscopy and my gastroenterologist said I didn’t need one for another two years. I hate colonoscopies. (EVERYONE HATES COLONOSCOPIES!) Grace and mercy and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ.

January 8, 2022
#69 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 I was wondering why God is more accessible to me on my back porch than in my study. Of course, that is ridiculous. God is always present. I lose touch with Him by wandering through the channels of my mind. God is always present. Here and now. The most direct approach we can make to God is to quiet our minds and breathe. And then pray.

January 9, 2022
#70 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, December 4, 2021 The Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors. David knocks off Goliath, and I am just another Israelite.

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY December 27-January 2, 2022

December 27, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 “For I determined to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2) This is the whole key to living spiritually. First, “i determined…”–this is the choice I made, I knew what I wanted to do. Second, “…to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ…”–this is a full commitment to the awareness of His presence. Third, “…and Him crucified.”–the ultimate demonstration of love. We are to allow that love to work through us in all that we do.

December 28,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, October 30, 2021 This was a weird one. I was on my back porch, texting with my friends in the Spurs group. Truth is, I was being contentious, hassling them about rooting for the Astros and being obsessive sports fans. Just as I was about to send a more acerbic text, a golf ball came flying past me, closest one ever while i’ve been sitting out there. I took that as a sign. I said something nice.

December 29, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 I had one of my “state of the union” moments with God on the back porch tonight. That’s when I know He’s present, He’s in control, everything’s okay–but I just don’t feel it. I’m out of sorts spiritually. I think it comes from resting my eyes on me instead of Him. But I have found a cure–I repeat a litany of self-evident truths, usually in the form of snatches of Bible verses…yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ…You must increase and I must decrease…the Spirit will lead you into all truth…we are being transformed… It’s kind of a recommitment to what I already believe–and it restores my soul. Then I went inside and watched the news with Karen, and even that was okay.

December 30, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 God spoke to me in my recounting of the LSD experiences I had to an old college friend. God made me intensely aware that He was at work in my life long before I had my conversion experience. There were so many stepping stones along the way. I think we have somehow used the Trinity doctrine to limit our spiritual awareness when the Trinity should, in fact, broaden it. There is the Father, creator of all life in every form, the Son, the bridge between God and humanity, and the Spirit Who is always moving all over the planet, finding ways to do good.

December 31, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, November 24, 2021 “…the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” I wonder if this might be a side effect of my writing project. As I focus throughout the day on what God might want to say to me, such things as what series we’re watching on TV, whether I’m winning at golf, how my favorite team (the Spurs) are doing, even the evening news–take on less importance to me. I fear my wife thinks I’m becoming boring. Yet the Bible says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

January 1, 2022
Thought this might be a nice way to start the new year…
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, November 12, 2021 The first thing that popped into my brain when I woke up. Weird. (apologies to Simon & Garfunkel)
Hello Lightness, my dear friend
I want to walk with You again
Because the Vision softly glowing
Receives the seeds that I’ve been sowing
And the Vision that was planted in my heart
Will never part
And echoes through the halls of wonder
That’s never happened to me before.

January 2, 2022
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, December 3, 2021 “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.” (I Corinthians 8:1–3) God reminded me that this is the proper attitude for listening to Him.

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY December 20–26, 2021

December 20, 2021
I first conceived of this writing project in the middle of August…on November 1st I decided to start posting on Facebook. This is what God said to me that day:
#50 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, November 1, 2021 Sometimes I wish God would just tell me what to do. I have been wrestling, praying, contemplating what to do with this writing project for the past two months, from seeking a publisher to letting Bethany find it when I am dead. Today, I/We decided to put it up on Facebook, one day at a time. I look deep into my heart and wonder if that is my ego, my need for approval, or is it my desire to glorify God? I suppose in time I/We will find out.

December 21, 2021
Have you noticed that Tuesdays are golf posts…God talks to me a lot through golf
#51 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 Played a good round of golf and it buoyed my spirits significantly. Somehow, that disappoints me. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances.” A golf score is a circumstance, isn’t it? But I guess I’ve made some progress–I used to come home in black moods when i played badly, and I’ve gotten past that. My mentor Bob Dylan put it best: “May you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift.”

December 22, 2021
I thought this might be helpful for the Christmas weekend:
#52 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, November 6, 2021 God taught me how to avoid an argument. Person A presents a new plan. Person B responds negatively to the plan. Person A, hurt and defensive, elaborates on the plan. Person B forcefully explains why the plan won’t work. And now the situation is ready to blow–until God speaks. BREATHE (in, out) — do not defend or refute. BREATHE (in, out) — do not formulate your next comeback. BREATHE (in, out) — defer the plan. BREATHE (in, out) — think of the Holy Spirit WHO comes to you as a breath. The anger is dissolved and the day is saved.

December 23. 2021
#53 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, November 19, 2021 There is a wonderful peace that come with doing what God wants you to do. All my years of teaching, I kind of put writing on the back burner. Then I retired and thought: This is it. And for seven years I struggled with what God wanted me to write–several different forays, countless prayers, many false starts. That is how I arrived at HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME. Nice to be here.

December 24, 2021
With the hustle and bustle of the day before Christmas, this sure seems like God talking to me:
#54 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 In my hippie days, there was this poster called Desiderata which was hung up in a lot of different rooms. The first line has always stuck with me: “Go placidly amidst the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.” It may not be from the Bible, but it sure is biblical.

December 25,2021
#55 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, December 25, 2021 Christmas Day. Emmanuel–God with us. What else is there to say?

December 26, 2021
#56 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, November, 27, 2021 Something in my heart wants to connect God’s will with the outcome of a major athletic event. I mean, doesn’t Auburn vs. Alabama have a certain David vs. Goliath-ness to it? And everybody who is involved is so passionate about the result–which can bring forth elation or gloom, determine career directions, wreak havoc on intimate human relationships (I haven’t even touched on the effects of gambling)–But God is having none of it. Que sera sera. You’d do as well to ask him to steer the results of a coin flip

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY December 13–19, 2021

December 13,2021
#43 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, October 9, 2021 We went to a wedding tonight. It was an extremely unreligious wedding, only one mention of God that i can recall. But this, like most weddings, was a joyous occasion–Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding! I fully believe God gave His blessing to this couple’s wedding. There’s a very fine line between the sacred and the secular. God wants to teach me how to be “…in the world but not of the world.”

December 14, 2021
#44 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, November 5, 2021 I played golf with my son and granddaughter today–her first nine holes–what a thrill! You see in the Bible how God moves through generations–He doesn’t just bob in and out. i have no aspirations for her other than that she comes to appreciate what a wonderful spiritual exercise golf is.

December 15, 2021
#45 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, November 13, 2021 My friend Mary used to call them “come to Jesus” moments. I believe she meant those times when you knew you messed up, when your actions caused unwanted consequences, when you had to make amends. i cannot testify to the intimacy of Mary’s relationship with Our Lord, but I had a back porch revelation: our lives are peppered with “come to Jesus” moments. Every time I get impatient, every time I think my opinion is right and yours is wrong, every time I’m envious or covetous or jealous (the list goes on)–those are all “come to Jesus” moments. And the wonderful thing is that He will receive you and straighten you out and put you back on the road to glory.

December 16, 2021
#46 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, November 26, 2021 God said “You don’t have any power. You just have a Source. Connect.”

December 17, 2021
#47 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, November 25, 2021 (Thanksgiving) Trying to look at Thanksgiving from God’s point of view. I’ll bet He hears more graces before the meal than any other day, even Christmas. But the focus seems to be more on our appetites than on His beneficence. I wonder what it would be like if a nation fasted on Thanksgiving? That won’t happen. Still, I don’t think God is discontent. He’ll take thankfulness in whatever form it comes.

December 18. 2021
#48 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, November 7, 2021 Old people become more forgetful and are aware of it. When we got back from our trip to Austin, Karen could not find her I‑Pad. It is precious to her and contains many valuable things, so we searched high and low. I called the motel and they had not found it. Of course, we prayed. After a second search, we found it on the floor of the backseat of my car. An unbeliever would say that one of us had stuck it back there and forgotten we did it, and he/she would be correct. Karen and I would praise God for helping us to recover the precious item. So the only difference between the unbeliever and the believer(s) is a grateful heart. A grateful heart is a nice thing to have.

December 19, 2021
#49 HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, November 20, 2021 Sometimes I feel out of it spiritually. I am apathetic–I am tired–even if I know to turn to God, it is half-hearted. Like tonight–but still God will speak. He says, “I didn’t choose you for what you can do for me. I chose you for what I can do for you.” I believe God is saying this to every single person on the planet.

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME December 6–12, 2021

December 6, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 This one is very simple and a little strange–it came in the aftermath of a little squabble I had with Karen. I was on our back porch, looking up at my beloved live oak tree and praying. I was beseeching God, recognizing that I need to change in heart and attitude and asking Him to show me what I could do to speed up this transformation. It wasn’t a voice (unless you believe, as I do, that you can hear with your heart as well as your ears), but I got this message: “You have been.” This was tremendously comforting and affirming. I took it to mean that it is indeed a journey and I am, in fact, moving. Praise God!

December 7, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, November 4, 2021 We spent $256 at Costco and Karen is having a $5000 dental procedure. God is speaking to me about money–I am to live frugally, but that is it. I don’t need to question expenses, I don’t need to monitor Karen’s spending–i don’t need to use the excuse that i want our children to have more–I don’t need to save in case of long term care. I need to live simply, give generously, and trust that God will provide all that we need. “The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil…” (I Timothy 6:10) I need to renounce that love.

December 8, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, October 14, 2021 Whatever the instance, we can decide we want to do something God probably doesn’t want us to do–and we go ahead and do it anyway. Afterward, we can repent and confess our sin and we are truly forgiven. There are no thunderbolts or retributive parries, and whatever karmic dust has been sprinkled is impossible to discern. But there is silence.

December 9, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (I Corinthians 6:17) That’s me. I can hardly comprehend it. Because I have committed my life to Jesus, at the very essence of my being (my spirit) I have become one with the Lord. Than means nothing in all of eternity can separate us. As I go deeper and deeper in my journey, I get closer and closer to Him–one day face to face. What wonderful security!

December 10, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, November 22, 2021 Today God said: Developing character is more important than winning or losing. I said: But God, I want to win. Winning is fun. God said: Developing character is more important than winning. Amen.

December 11, 2021
We get them again tonight…we can’t wait!
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, August 21, 2021 Three granddaughters spending the night can blot out even the voice of God…but He and I don’t mind.

December 12, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, October 9, 2021 We went to a wedding tonight. It was an extremely unreligious wedding, only one mention of God that i can recall. But this, like most weddings, was a joyous occasion–Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding! I fully believe God gave His blessing to this couple’s wedding. There’s a very fine line between the sacred and the secular. God wants to teach me how to be “…in the world but not of the world.”

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME November 29–December 5, 2021

November 29, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, August 27, 2021 Our 44th wedding anniversary. God said “The two shall become one” and we are still on that amazing journey together.

November 30, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, October 28, 2021 “…in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28–one of my very favorite verses!) I experienced a different sense on the golf course today. My usual approach is that Jesus is with me, like riding in the golf cart, and I’ll carry on a conversation–mainly a monologue–with Him. But God has been impressing upon me that the Holy Spirit is in me, and that He created everything around me, and that Jesus is the Way. It has a lightening effect. Nothing (good shot, bad shot) matters as much, but everything (breathe in, breathe out) matters more. A fun round of golf.

December 1, 2021
My next three entries were all inspired by a wonderful book called A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly:
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, September 13, 2021 ” Once having the vision (the vision being the realization of Jesus’s presence) the second step to holy obedience is this: Begin where you are. Obey now. Use what little obedience you are capable of, even if it be like the grain of a mustard seed. Begin where you are. Live this present moment…in utter, utter submission and openness to Him… Keep up a silent prayer. “Open Thou my life. Guide my thoughts… Thy will be done.” Walk on the streets and chat with your friends, offering yourselves in complete obedience. I find this internal continuous prayer life absolutely essential.”

December 2, 2021
Second entry inspired by Thomas R. Kelly’s A Testament of Devotion:
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 I was playing badly and this was our Club Championship, so I was internally frustrated. But I already know that golf is a spiritual exercise and any particular result doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. On hole #13 I remembered the third and fourth steps to holy obedience. Step #3: …if you slip and stumble and forget God for an hour…don’t spend too much time in anguished regret and self-accusation, but BEGIN AGAIN, just where you are. Step #4: Don’t grit your teeth and clench your fists and say, “I will! I will!” Relax. Take hands off. Submit yourself to God. Not that it matters but I played the last six holes very well.

December 3, 2021
Third entry inspired by Thomas Kelly’s A Testament to Devotion
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 I am very much caught up with this idea of “holy obedience.” This is undeniable–what God wants for you in every single situation is what’s best for you and for everyone else involved. But we so frequently allow our own selfish interests to come to bear. As we become aware of His presence, we sense what He would have us do or say or think–respecting His wishes is holy obedience. It is always the best choice.

December 4, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 I tend to be a procrastinator. Frequently I can be sitting in my study watching sports or reading or working a crossword, when I will realize there is something I should do–little stuff like finishing the dinner dishes or taking out the trash or walking the dog. If I bother to consult God, His answer is invariably the same: Do it now. Not as an ultimatum or authoritatively or insistent–more like advice. And if I respond, i feel good when I have completed the task. You might say that’s not God’s voice, that’s my conscience. But where did my conscience come from?

December 5, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, October 16, 2021 Today my resolution of holy obedience led to: making coffee, cleaning the kitchen, walking the dog, going to my granddaughter’s softball game, cleaning the garage with Karen, taking donations to our local charity, and reading the Bible on the back porch. I wonder how many of those things I would have done without the resolution?

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME November 22–28

November 22, 2021
As you can see, I chose option 2…
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, October 23, 2021 I find it is more difficult to discern God’s voice when it comes to what I should do, i.e., specific choices I have to make. I am wrestling with what to do with this writing project: HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY. I have been at it for over two months now, and I find something new every day. Is this strictly for posterity (my children)? Should I use social media to put it out into the world? Should I attempt to find a publisher (seems unlikely)? I believe writing is a gift God gave me and I’d like to use it to glorify Him. But I wonder if this is just my ego seeking attention or my soul following God? Lord, show me.
Afterword: Not really sure about the answer to that last question, but I will say that I enjoy this project as much as anything I’ve ever written. If you are interested in seeing all of my …GOD SPOKE… posts together, they are available at www.dallinmalmgren.com

November 23,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, October 15, 2021 I was getting ready to hit my second shot on #15 when a flock (or is it gaggle?) of geese (about 8 or 9) flew just over my head and executed a perfect waterski-like landing in the pond right in front of me. I looked over at my playing partner who nodded in appreciation of the beauty of the image. Then I hit my pitching wedge to about ten feet of the flag. A wonderful moment.

November 24, 2021
A prelude to Thanksgiving
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, September 24, 2021 Sometimes my daily life seems so comfortable, so idyllic (Like today: golf in superb weather, warm camaraderie with my men’s group, a cold beer after the round, a go-to lunch, a nap–for the beer–and a couple of hours on my back porch in the evening) that I am left with two questions: What have I done to deserve this? and Shouldn’t I be doing more for God? He is silent on both counts.

November 25, 2021
This one didn’t happen today, but it is apropos to Thanksgiving
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Friday, October 29, 2021 “A peaceful, easy feeling…” I think that was Jackson Browne. As I sat on my back porch this evening, that is all God spoke to me. I had steaks on the Traeger, was just finishing off an old fashioned, and Karen was inside working on our baked potato. I even built a fire in the firepit although it wasn’t necessary. Sometimes God just showers us with blessings.

November 26, 2021
Today is my daughter’s birthday.
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 This one was cool. This is a new project, so earlier in the day I was trying to think of what God said to me. Karen and I were talking about Bethany, and I confessed how disheartened I was that she still seemed so disinterested in spiritual things. “But that’s alright,” I told Karen. “God has spoken to me. It’s not my responsibility. God will take care of her spiritual development. He has got her covered.” Sometimes God just reminds us of something he has already told us.

November 27. 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, August 26, 2021 Today God said to me, “If you will not listen, I will not speak.”

November 28, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, August 30, 2021 From the Bible tonight: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18) So what is the message of the cross? That God loves us so much He is willing to die for us and He has proven it. Oh my goodness. The power of God is His demonstrable love. How can we not love Him back?

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME November 15–21

November 15, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 This was more of a classroom oration: Richard Foster calls them “the three great ethical issues of human life” — money, sex and power. I think of them as the three great temptations–areas in which it is easiest to think about what I want rather than what God wants. All three issues still pop up in my life, albeit in different ways. I find it encouraging that God hasn’t stopped educating me.

November 16, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, September 9, 2021 I asked God if shooting three straight 79’s is a sign of spiritual progress? Only grace, He said.

November 17, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, October 21, 2021 When you become elderly, you wonder more about what your ministry should be. i have a few church-related activities, but i mean everyday, routine-of-life ministry.And I have realized that for the remainder of my life I am going to be around quite a few people who are getting closer to dying. I already have been, with Karen’s father and aunt, and I wasn’t as supportive as i could have been. But I am convinced that death is not to be feared–by anyone. I want to be an usher…I want to ease them along in the most peaceful, serene, comforting way that I can–until it is my turn.

November 18, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Sunday, October 31, 2021 “Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered…” (I Corinthians 13:4–5) Our pastor preached on this text today. He said to remove the “Love is..” and to substitute in “I am..” I am patient, i am kind, etc. Whew. It becomes immediately clear that i still have a long way to go, but at least I am making progress.

November 19, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, September 2, 2021 I was reminded through my spiritual director that God enjoys our enjoyment. He appreciates fun.

November 20, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, September 18, 2021 Perhaps this is more of a reflection than a “voice of God” thing: When Jesus tore open the veil, He ended the separation that exists between man and God. So what was the veil? The veil was the self-life, essentially our egos. He came to set us free from ourselves. The irony is that most of us, including christians, have no desire to be set free. Ah, blindness.

November 21, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Monday, October 18, 2021 I had a huge fight with Karen tonight, over a comment I made about a story she told about a lost cat. It was a cynical remark and it terribly offended her and she stormed inside. So I was left on the back porch with the Lord. He made it clear to me there was no right or wrong to the argument, there were no sides to be taken–there was only fractured love. So I went inside and apologized and assured Karen of my love–and we were okay after that.

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HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME November 8–14

November 8, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, September 23, 2021 This from A.W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God explains exactly why I started this writing project. He begins with the quote “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
An intelligent plain man, untaught in the truths of Christianity, coming upon this text, would likely conclude that John meant to teach that it is the nature of God to speak, to communicate His thoughts to others. And he would be right. A word is a medium by which thoughts are expressed, and the application of the term to the Eternal Son leads us to believe that self-expression is inherent in the Godhead, that God is forever seeking to speak Himself out to His creation. The whole Bible supports the idea that God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking. He is by His nature continuously articulate. He fills the world with His speaking voice.

November 9,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Saturday, August 28, 2021 God spoke to me about death today: He said He expected me to trust Him to have me prepared for that event.

November 10, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 “All is vanity and striving after wind.” I have struggled with the meaning of this verse, since it seems like there are many useful, helpful things we can do in this life. But it struck me today that he is referring to all that is ego-driven, all that is done with one’s self on the throne; everything from fantasy football to golf winnings to counting your number of likes on a post–is vanity and striving after wind. “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbl;y with your God.”

November 11,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Thursday, September 16, 2021 I’m not even sure this qualifies as God speaking to me. I was playing in the club championship and playing badly. So I was concentrating on God’s presence and playing egoless golf. Quite a task! And all of the breaks in golf (lip-outs, bounces. moving trees) seemed to be going against me. But verses (“…in all things we are more than conquerors…”) would keep popping into my head reminding me of how I should react. It was the calmest day of bad golf I have ever played.

November 12,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021 “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Wow, what absurd instruction. I sat on my porch and realized I am incapable of loving Karen the way that Christ loves me. That is why the whole thing about wives submitting to their husbands should never enter any man’s mind. If I fall so short on my end of the bargain, how can I possibly worry about her end? That is the revelation I had on my back porch. Then I promptly went inside and got into an argument with Karen about how to prepare dinner. I’m glad God has a sense of humor.

November 13, 2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
(This one follows on the previous one)
Monday, October 4, 2021 I told my brother-in-law about the above incident and we both agreed that God’s admonition to “love your neighbor” can be far more difficult when applied to our wives than to some homeless guy on the street. In fact, I think God’s highest purpose in the sacrament of marriage is to teach us how to truly love.

November 14,2021
HOW GOD SPOKE TO ME TODAY
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 I’m finding a wonderful perk in this project: Since I know I want to write at night (or next morning–I like thinking about it in bed), I pay more attention in the day to what God might want to say. And I get inundated with possibilities…a verse or a song lyric or some simple event or a word from a friend or any of a million spectacles of nature, or other ways I can’t imagine. I listened to Bob Dylan’s “I Contain Multitudes” today and realized Bob was talking about himself or me or God. And God’s intention is that we should come on in and look around.

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