I was riding in the car with Tim the other day when our conversation turned to chivalry. Chivalry’s origins are traced back to the Middle Ages and knighthood. Initially a code of conduct of honor for knights in times of war, chivalry evolved to mean a code of conduct for men, particularly how men act toward women and, finally, as a challenge to the independence of women. I’m not sure how chivalry evolved to the latter, but it somehow came to be the antithesis of the independent woman. In my opinion, chivalry should not be discounted as an affront to women. The appropriate definition of chivalry, with a biblical concept, is the right definition for society as a whole.

Now I am an independent woman, college educated, and a believer in equality. Still, when my husband opens the car door for me I like it. For me, it is an act that embodies his respect for me. If that makes him chivalrous, fantastic! I don’t see this as a gendered action or an affront to my independence. I’ve seen him open the door for his father too. I’ve opened doors for men and women too. It is not a statement on one’s ability to open a door on their own, nor is it any type of judgement about them. To me it as an act of kindness and respect. I expect these things of myself and of Tim. Why? Because, as Christians, this is what God calls us to do; to exhibit kindness and respect for each other. Do I have high expectations of Tim? Yes, I do! I have the highest of expectations, as he should of me.

There is a great scene in the movie War Room where a woman prays for her husband “to be the man God made him to be.” Our “expectations” should be to become as God intends us to be. We ought to have the utmost expectation of each other based on God’s instruction that we strive to be more like Jesus. That doesn’t mean we won’t fail or that we will always live up to those expectations. It means that we recognize in each other the effort to become the person that God expects us to be. I do not think it an unrealistic that non-Christians also strive for a higher level of respect for others. Unfortunately, the daily news is full of examples of people who need to have higher expectations.

I think the idea of chivalry being something that we must reject, or as an affront to women, has been an injustice and a Biblical concept of chivalry, a concept that our society is in desperate need of, is essential. I feel we need to revisit the idea of chivalry and define it more accurately. An independent woman needn’t give up her independence on the actions of a chivalrous man. In fact, I’m not sure that chivalry should be classified in such a way as to define actions and expectations between the sexes at all. It’s time for a new definition of chivalry, or rather a return to its original concept, a definition that fits well into a code of conduct for all people today, a definition that fits both men and women, a definition that can be applied to society as whole.

Definitions of chivalry include: nobility, virtue, strength, loyalty, kindness, honor, righteousness and praiseworthiness. These definitions embody the idea of integrity. The Bible has a multitude of Scriptures which illustrate the true concept of chivalry: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing, fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) This is an excellent example of chivalry defined. Notice here it says “brothers and sisters,” these aren’t directed toward men, nor are they directed specifically toward men and how they act toward women. They instruct all of us in the way in which we should think and act.

Biblical teaching doesn’t differentiate the call to be people of integrity between the sexes. There are Scriptures for women that embody the definition of chivalry, too, so it isn’t just a term defined toward men in Scripture. Proverbs 31 talks of a woman who “opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (kindness); Titus 2 says “be reverent in behavior (respect) and teach what is good” (righteousness); and Proverbs 11 tells us “a kind hearted woman gains respect.” These are all illustrative of chivalry.

So chivalry isn’t something to be rejected; it isn’t a concept to be shunned as an archaic idea or a means for men to keep women oppressed. A quick glance at the news at any given moment makes it abundantly clear that we have moved too far away from the principles of chivalry – to our own detriment. So it’s time for chivalry to once again be embraced, demonstrated, and expected by everyone, Christian or not. We need to return to the values that create a better world we can all live in!

As always, we love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or drop us an email at: ReignDropsBlog@gmail.com. God bless.

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Almost everywhere we turn these days, we are bombarded with advertising about our fitness. Gyms offer us easy, 24 hour access, the latest exercise equipment, personal trainers, and the latest yoga-zumba-crossfit super workout routines. Or we can buy our own exercise machines for just a few unbelievably low monthly payments and workout in the privacy of our own homes. The commercials feature perfectly fit, hard-bodied men and women who assure us we can look just like them if we just follow their simple 20 minute per day formula.

The food industry isn’t absent from this concern for our physical well-being, either. Advertisements for the latest diet plan, health food alternative, or miracle weight-loss supplements are constantly beaming into our living rooms. Spokesmen and women who are surely experts are kind enough to offer us the healthier food choices; assuring us of longer, happier lives where we will simultaneously be more popular and content. With just the right fitness regimen and diet we can be better parents, more productive workers, smarter and better citizens, and live longer lives. And social media provides the tools we need to share our progress with the world.

The fitness business in the United States is booming. According to IBISWorld, gyms and fitness centers alone take in about thirty billion dollars annually. When you add in the additional business of providing the proper gear, attire, equipment, food, supplements, media, and consulting, the revenue of the fitness industry as a whole is staggering. With so much money in play, it is no wonder there are so many options vying for our attention – all of them trying very hard to convince us our lives could be better and longer if we just spend our hard-earned money with them.

The fitness industry has become a benevolent monster; a seemingly unstoppable force for our own good. Concerned only with making us healthier, happier, and longer-lived; few seem to question the sincerity or integrity of the movement. And while exercise is not a bad thing in and of itself, today’s fitness industry has worked hard to create a sense of insecurity in the general public; in essence it thrives on our deepest fears by convincing us we are not good enough the way we are and we’re not going to live as long as we could. With so much money at stake, is it any wonder that the industry is working so hard to earn more of our cash?

Now I want to be clear that I do believe we should get our exercise. Donna and I try to get in a walk every evening, we hike when we can on weekends, and we try to be reasonably active working in the yard, gardening, and other similar activities around the house. It’s a given that a reasonable amount of physical activity does indeed do us some good. The Bible agrees on this point in 1 Timothy, we’ll get to that verse in a bit. But if we are standing in front of a mirror with our shirt off marveling at our own bodies while we lift weights, if we post endless pictures of ourselves on social media so everyone can see how toned our bodies are, if working out or running has become the highest priority in our lives, it’s quite probable we’ve crossed into a form of idolatry.

The truth is that exercise really can’t make us live longer. Yes, you read that right: exercise will not make you live longer. The fact is, God already knows exactly the number of your days. And nothing you do will change that number. “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live and we are not given a minute longer.” (Job 14:5) If, for example, you were obese and heading for an early heart attack and decided to follow doctor’s orders to lose weight and get in shape…well, God already knew that you would do that, so from a heavenly perspective, you didn’t really increase the number of your days. You only did what God already knew you would do.

I hate to bore you with math, but a little discussion of statistics is in order here, so please bear with me. As most of us know, statisticians can twist numbers to make them support whatever argument they wish to make. But there is one statistic that cannot be twisted, misrepresented, or argued. In fact, it is the only statistic I know of that simply cannot be debated. It is a statistical fact that ten out of every ten people will die. Perhaps we should pause just to let that reality sink in for a moment; every single one of us is dying. It’s only a matter of time. And God already knows the amount of time each of us has.

And pondering this statistical truth isn’t something we should fear, rather, it is a sign of wisdom: Psalm 39:4-5 states: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” And in Psalm 90:12, we read: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” So instead of buying into the constant fitness industry advertising onslaught trying to convince us how to live better and longer, we are wise to consider the finite length of our lives

But here is the good news, a truth that perhaps the fitness industry would rather ignore: death is not the end! And while the fitness industry would have us fear our physical mortality, Scripture tells us: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31)

I hope you are seeing these truths in those verses:

1) Your physical body and your soul are two things; one mortal and one immortal
2) The people or things that can kill our physical body cannot kill our soul
3) Sparrows are not as valuable as we are yet God knows the precise details of every sparrow that has ever lived
4) You are so valuable to God that He knows every detail of your life down to the number of hairs on your head (a detail that, in my case, is getting easier for God to remember with every passing day!)

Scripture has the best advice for our fitness regimens that we will ever receive: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” (1Timothy 4:7-9) In other words, we should get some exercise, it is clearly beneficial for us in the here and now. But it should not be our primary concern or obsession, rather we should apply ourselves to rigorously working out spiritually.

And here’s how we can do that: first, read God’s Word daily and do what is says (i.e. James 1:22). Pray regularly and give thanks in all circumstances (i.e. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Love others (i.e. Romans 13:8). Attend church and have fellowship with other Christians. (i.e. Hebrews 10:24-25). Tell others the Good News about Jesus Christ (i.e. Matthew 28:19). Make these things your spiritual fitness regimen and you will ensure your eternal future. And remember – life is short but eternity is long.

To summarize, and I want to be perfectly clear, be active when you can, follow your doctor’s orders, and take care of yourself physically. But don’t make physical exercise your number one priority. Rather, recognize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are beautiful just as you are, and God loves you dearly. Pour your heart, mind, and soul into your spiritual fitness regimen and reap the benefits of a personal relationship with the God who cared enough to send His one and only Son so that you may have everlasting life. And feel free to post your spiritual progress on social media!

If you have questions about how to improve your spiritual fitness regimen, please write us at ReignDropsBlog@gmail.com. We’d love to help and we won’t charge you a dime!

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Labor Day is a national tribute to the contributions American workers have made to the strength and well-being of our country. The origins of Labor Day can be traced back to a celebration first held in New York City in 1882. There is a bit of debate over who actually first proposed the Labor Day holiday; some records show that Patrick McGuire, a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to suggest the holiday, while others believe it was Michael McGuire who proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

While the actual founder of the Labor Day holiday may be unclear, what is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a celebration and picnic in 1882. It was originally held on a Tuesday but, in 1884, the Central Labor Union proposed holding the holiday on a Monday and urged similar organizations in other cities to also celebrate. Over time more municipalities and states began to adopt the celebration but it wasn’t until June of 1894 that Congress finally made it a national holiday. It has been celebrated on the first Monday in September ever since.

In addition to being a recognition of the American worker, Labor Day is also the first obvious sign that fall is coming. Here in Minnesota, another sure sign of fall is the conclusion of the Minnesota State Fair, which also happens on the first Monday in September. The beginning of the NFL’s new season is another indicator that summer has passed and fall has come. Upon returning to work after the Labor Day holiday we are sure to hear water cooler discussions about NFL roster cuts, fantasy football drafts, and predictions of how our home team might do.

Another telltale signal of fall’s impending arrival is the gradual color change that is already beginning in some foliage. Just today, Donna and I walked through the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary (a gorgeous nature center in the heart of Minneapolis) and, despite the sweltering heat and stifling humidity that suggest otherwise, we found plenty of early fall color. All the pictures accompanying this post were taken on our walk today. It won’t be but a few weeks and the rakes and light jackets will be out in full force and fall activities such as pumpkin carving and fall color drives will be on our weekend agendas.

For me personally, September marks the anniversary of my conversion to Christianity twenty-two years ago. I had attended a men’s event at Evergreen Community Church where the pastors and speakers shared their conversion stories and it was there that I first realized that Christians weren’t perfect people; they were individuals just like me who had accumulated a lifetime of regrets and mistakes and were in desperate need of forgiveness. The only difference was that they had found that forgiveness and I had not. I cannot begin to explain the impact four hours of such testimony had on me.

With my head full and my heart twisted, I left that event not really knowing where I was going or why. Unsure of what to do or what to think, I just got in my car and started driving. Soon I found myself at a bookstore where I purchased a paperback Bible for $4.99 and the next thing I knew, I was sitting on a rock at Taylor’s Falls (another beautiful place in Minnesota) overlooking the river valley as I started reading God’s Word for the very first time. Freed from my misconceptions of what a Christian is, the words in my $4.99 Bible touched my heart in a new and meaningful way. Starting that day I read the Bible as much as I could.

Just a couple weeks later, in mid-September, I found myself alone in my apartment when the reality of my situation came over me. I was newly sober (just over two years at the time) and besides the elimination of drugs and alcohol from my life, not much else had changed. I was continuing to live a life I could not be proud of, and deep inside I was not a happy person. And through God’s Word I was learning that all throughout history, men just like me had found themselves in the very same place, in the very same dire need of forgiveness. Men like King David, who had committed adultery and covered it up by having a faithful soldier named Uriah killed.

And it was then and there that I fell to my knees and I prayed and released my guilt, remorse, and regret to the only One who has the true power to forgive, Jesus Christ. And in that very moment, twenty-two years ago, I became a Christian; a new creation. The old had gone and the new had come. I was reborn and had found true recovery at last. I was a Christian; a child of God. Life has been far from perfect in the intervening years, but the deep and ingrained joy of knowing Christ has guided me, informed me, and comforted me.

Are you feeling the need for forgiveness? Is this fall the time for you to experience the cleansing and healing that can only come from the One who died so that you might live? The Bible says in Romans 10: “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” (Romans 10:8-11, NLT).

And in Hebrews 4 it is written, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NIV). It’s often hard for us to imagine, but Jesus walked this planet just like we do now, and He experienced life as we know it. This is why He is so accessible to those who seek Him, so I pray you will let today be the day that you come to Jesus and find His forgiveness and perfect love.

If we can help answer any of your questions, please do not hesitate to write us at ReignDropsBlog@gmail.com. And as we prepare for the changing of the seasons, may God bless you and keep you.

Those of you who read our blog regularly will notice that this isn’t the first time I have written about a movie. While mainstream Hollywood occasionally manages to put out a movie that is truly phenomenal, given the budgets that most Hollywood movies have, one might expect better than the typical fare Hollywood puts out. But the movie I’m going to talk about right now isn’t from mainstream Hollywood and it didn’t have an astronomical budget. Quite the opposite.

The new Kendrick brothers movie, War Room, is a truly touching and moving story that anyone of us can easily relate to. Guys and girls alike will find this movie poignant and easily watchable. The acting is first rate, cinematography is excellent, the story is engaging, we can readily identify with each character, and it features a little girl (played by Alena Pitts) so adorable you can’t help the feeling you want to bring her home for keeps. Perhaps the best evidence of how winsome this movie is would be the crowd reaction. There were group cheers and collective gasps throughout the story.

Perhaps making the movie even more amazing is the fact that this was the acting debut for Priscilla Shirer, who plays the main character, Elizabeth Jordan. The story centers on Elizabeth’s frustration with life and we initially see this in three separate ways; her loveless marriage, her parenting failures, and her sister with the out-of-work husband. Financial uncertainty is soon added to her trials when husband, Tony, finds himself without a job. Who among us cannot relate to at least one or more of these frustrations in our own lives?

And it is there that I will attempt to transition from movie-reviewer back to blogger and (hopefully) encourager. Each and every one of us has experienced some type of difficulty, most likely, every type of difficulty that is a part of War Room. Financial hardship usually happens at some point in all of our lives unless, perhaps, your last name is Trump or Gates. But it is the relational issues such as our marriages, parenting, friendships, community, and even work relationships that seem to occur with the most frequency and in the broadest section of the population.

And what typically happens to us when relational issues occur? We get defensive, don’t we? We believe we’re right in some way, or we believe we are not receiving as we should, and we lash out in one way or another at the very ones we’re supposed to be closest to. In James 1:19 we’re told “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” but the course most of us take is just the opposite. We battle against our dearest family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers as if they were our enemy. We refuse to yield and insist the other person change.

As Miss Clara (wonderfully played by Karen Abercrombie) teaches Elizabeth, it is not our spouse (or friend or neighbor or coworker or child) who is our enemy. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) Indeed our true enemy is the father of lies, the one who distorts and causes confusion, the one who tempts and persuades, the one who rejoices in our failures and tries to expedite our downfalls. That force of darkness is our enemy. I don’t need to say his name because we all know it (and I’m sure that feeds his already distorted ego).

When we are honest enough with ourselves to identify who the true enemy is, and when we remember that we are all imperfect beings, then we can be open to seeking the One who is strong enough to fight our battles for us. For it is when we surrender to God that we find the strength to be changed ourselves and the power of prayer becomes available to us. Romans 8:37 teaches us that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

In the movie Elizabeth and Tony learn to pray for each other and they learn firsthand the power of the name of Jesus and the victory that is theirs only through Christ. And they go from near disaster to being happy, joyous, and free and more in love than ever. And that is an outcome available to us all when we ask God to intervene on our behalf. Donna and I make it a habit to pray together nightly and we have found that in seeking God together, we are strong and united.

As always, we are happy to answer any of your questions, or refer you to appropriate resources. Please email us at ReignDropsBlog@gmail.com. To learn more about the movie, War Room, or to find it in a theater near you, click this link: War Room Movie

May you find forgiveness and strength in our Lord. God bless.

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My daughter asked me recently “How do you know you’re hearing from God, or if it’s your own will?” It’s a question I’ve been asked before. For me I know there are several ways to discern when God is speaking to me. The most important thing to keep in mind is that when you feel God might be speaking, you can be sure that what He is saying will be consistent with Scripture. For me, sometimes it’s a feeling that I need to go in certain direction and sometimes God can be very clearly communicating his will in my life.

Let me share this example with you: I had been searching for a new job for what seemed liked months this past year. I was making a decision to leave a profession that I had invested over twenty years of my life in. The stress and uncertainty of my job was getting to be too much for me and I felt a change was needed. After many interviews that went nowhere, I was finally contacted by a transportation company for an interview. By this time I was feeling a little uncertain about the direction I had chosen to explore and my confidence was low. I prayed to God about it, basically saying to Him, “God, you’re going to have to hit me over the head on this one.”

As I was driving to the interview I was listening to one of my favorite Christian radio stations. Every song that played on the way to my interview was a message of placing your trust in God and knowing He will lead you in the right direction. As I arrived for my interview my first interviewer and I made a little small talk before the formal interview began. As we were talking she mentioned listening to the same Christian radio station I had been listening to on my way there! Instantly a rapport started to form between us.

I was amazed and and I felt my confidence starting to soar. The interview went very positively and I left the interview almost certain they were going to offer me the job. It seemed that God really did hit me over the head that day, everything about it felt right. I did get the offer very shortly after the interview and that is where I am happily employed today and I can clearly see God’s purpose in me being there. As is written in Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.”

Sometimes we get a feeling that we know is right or wrong, or that something we are contemplating is or isn’t the right decision for us. Billy Graham says “God never leads us to do anything contrary to his word.” This is a good test for knowing which decision is really the direction God wants for your life. This is confirmed by Romans 12:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The point is, we must stay in God’s word, pray in God’s word, and have faith in God’s word in order to know the plans he has for our life. My mother prayed every morning and she told me many times that doing this strengthened her ability to hear from God. The greater her time with the Lord, the greater her own “still small voice” became in her life.

My prayer for you is that you will continue to seek God’s wisdom through his Word, that your faith will remain steadfast, and that you, too, will know the joy that comes from seeing God’s plan for your life realized. We’d love to hear how God might be speaking to you. Feel free to leave a comment or email us at ReignDropsBlog@gmail.com.