Talking Donkeys and Messengers of God

Today in my Bible reading I came to a favorite passage, one that encourages me as a preacher and as a follower of Christ.  You can check out the story in Numbers 22-24. 

The majority of this story is about how the Israelites have camped next to the Moabites who had seen how this traveling people was not one they could oppose. In response, Moabite king Balak contacts a prophet to place a curse on the Israelites.  There are several scenes which take place in order to develop the story, but we eventually find Balaam the prophet riding on his donkey to meet with the king, when the Angel of the Lord stood in his path.  What is interesting is that the donkey sees the angel and tries to turn away.  Balaam, not seeing the Angel of the Lord who is waiting in his path,  beats the donkey and yells at it to keep moving forward.  Finally, the angel of the Lord makes the DONKEY speak!

Numbers 22:28–35 (ESV)

²⁸ Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” ²⁹ And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” ³⁰ And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”

Balaam was confronted by his donkey in order that God could gain his full attention and redirect him. The Donkey was God's messenger!


In a world where people want to listen to celebrity preachers, a society where we desire the insight of the famous commentators of scripture and "experts" on life, it is easy to think that God will not or cannot use ordinary folks in His work.  But God is never limited by our perspective, and this is why I am encouraged by this story.... If God can use a donkey to speak, to convict, to share a message, then God can use anyone who is willing to be obedient to His call. He can use me, and he can use you.  

How might God want to use you to speak for Him today?

Another Turning Point?

There are certain days which stand as turning points in our lives.  Looking back at my life, many of those days stand out as obvious turning points,  but I do not always notice the importance of such events at the time they are happening.  I guess hind sight is 20/20.  Examples of such turning points in my life include:

• The day I was baptized at West County Christian Church
• The first day I made a basket on the 5th Grade basketball team.  I fell in love with the game!
• The day I met my wife!  Oh yeah, that was a great turning point!
• The day I first scrubbed into surgery.
• The day I became a Dad!  Love my kids!
• The day I first felt God calling me to serve in ministry.
• The day I first interviewed at Hillcrest Christian Church.

I could list others but I think that provides a general idea of what I am getting at. Perhaps you have had such experiences and as it past you thought, "This event is where God is beginning to point me in a new direction."  Have you had one of those turning point moments? 

I am wondering if today was a turning point in my life?  It all started Tuesday when my good friend, Caleb Kaltenback (Sr. Minister of Valley View Christian Church)asked if I could teach his preaching class this afternoon at Dallas Christian College where he serves as an adjunct professor.   It was a small class with several really neat students.  We had a fantastic time as we discussed narrative preaching.  Each of the students were deeply engaged in the idea of leading a congregation to that moment where the issues in the listener's life intersected with the biblical narrative in order to lead them to life transforming application of biblical truth.  Not sure about the students, but the guest teacher found the class to be most interesting!

When the class was over I realized how incredible the day was, how much I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and how so much of what I had just shared came from similar classes I took at Central Christian College of the Bible.  Then I considered the verse which two different mentors have taught me the meaning of, a passage which has become one of my life verses: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ” (2 Timothy 2:2, NASB)

Don't start thinking that  I am about to change careers for teaching.  I will always be preaching, at least as long as the Lord allows me, and I hope to be at Hillcrest for a very long time to come.  What I am saying is that I see how God has invested in me through those who have taught me, and I feel that today God provided me a glimpse of another way I can pass on what I have been given.  There are further steps of preparation and education which need to take place for this to happen, but who knows…

Perhaps someday I will look back and see that today was an amazing turning point.