A Cellist in the Tuba Section

Masks You probably think of Halloween. I think of church because all too often, we don't come as we are. We cover ourselves and pretend our lives are perfect when we know they're not. We get so afraid of what others will think sometimes we forget that Sunday is meant for worshipping God, not worrying if anyone will see through your disguise. We hide because we don't want anyone to see our shame but by protecting ourselves we push others away. Others who don't know Jesus. Others who don't know where to turn. Others who are just as broken as we are. I understand: as Christians, we must try hard not to sin but when we do, we must repent and move forward because hiding it is killing us and others. We can't be afraid of "dirty words" like: depression, abortion, homosexuality, attempted suicide, masturbation, abuse, heroine, alcoholic. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we cave into the flesh, but hope is...

Psalm 77 is a perfect example of how we should react to doubts about God's love, faithfulness, mercy, and all other aspects of God. Asaph is the writer of this psalm and he begins by discussing how he cries out to God and believes that God will hear him. He talks about how often he cries out to God; all day and all night he pleads before God. In verses 7-9 Asaph brings his doubts directly to God. He doesn't beat around the bush. He asks the questions that are weighing him down. And then for the rest of the psalm he sets the perfect example for us. Starting in verse 10 he immediately recounts several of the wonders that God has performed in his life, and several of the ways God has proved himself. He ends the psalm with confidence in God's love and faithfulness. So, the lesson here is that when you have doubts, the most important thing to do is lay them down at the throne of God and leave them there.  Instead of picking them back up, rejoice in God's past mercy and l...

Genesis 6:6 And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart . (ESV) (I know that that does not sound like an optimistic way to start a devotional, but bear with me for just a moment.) The thing that sticks out to me from this verse is the word "regret". I think so often in our culture, we feel that regrets mean we've done something wrong. But it doesn't. God is perfect, so He never messed up, and yet He is capable of feeling regret. So, regret is not a sin indicator. I think that often the devil uses regret to try to make us turn around, even if we're headed on the right path. For example, let's say you knew that your friends were cheating on a test, so you told the teacher. If they made fun of you or got mad at you later, you might regret your decision to tell the teacher what was going on. That doesn't mean you did the wrong thing--you very much did the right thing by telling your teacher what happened and try...

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted deeply? Maybe your best friend promised you they wouldn't tell anyone about the guy you like, but soon the whole school knows. Or maybe it was a family member that you trusted to support you, and they let you down. Unfortunately, feeling betrayed is a common experience for people. We as humans fall short of the expectations of other humans. Even Jesus was betrayed by a friend when Judas plotted with the chief priests. So, the next time you face the pain of betrayal, remember that you can take it to Jesus. He understands the pain of your heart, and He is enough to sustain you through this time of deep heartache and loneliness. Psalm 55:20-22 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous ...

My sophomore year I joined the school band as an upright bass player. My first instrument, and the one I have most mastered, is the cello. I had been playing bass for just two months when I started in my school band. Many other band members had been playing their respective instruments since 3rd or 4th grade. I was the newbie and the only classical string player (although there was an electric bass player whose presence I am still grateful for). Being new and strange led me to feel like the other band members didn't like that I had joined the band. This caused me to play very, very quietly. I was terrified of what the other kids would think of my playing. I was particularly worried about upsetting a senior who played tuba, which is the section I was seated in. I felt that she was irritated by my mere presence when in reality she was just very shy which is why she didn't say anything to me. One of my first lessons with the band director, he told me, "You can either have a ...