This from Psalm 50 this morning:
"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;"
These words have come up in my reading before. I have thought and written about thanksgiving before, several times. It is not rare for me to be grateful, I try to live it out each day. Then I think of another verse, this time in I Thessalonians 5:18:
"in everything give thanks;"
This is harder to comprehend and to do. Everything?
Then I go back to the verse above, in Psalms, and notice the word sacrifice and wonder how all of this fits together.
The dictionary defines "sacrifice", in one way, as: surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.
Surrender, giving up, forfeiting, something valuable. So how does thanksgiving become a sacrifice? What act can I do that would be classified this way?
It is the giving up of myself, whatever I regard as mine. My rights, my time, my stuff. I give up the things that I think will make me thankful in order to focus my will elsewhere. I give up "me", not in resignation, but in a realization of something higher.
So, how do I do that today? Can I really give up what I think is rightfully mine? Can I not be frustrated when I can't do what I want, when I want? Can I not pout when things do not go my way, or even the way I think they ought? Can I sacrifice what I think will make me truly thankful?
In short, can I get the "I" out of the equation, sacrifice the "me".
As the verse above says, this glorifies Me with a capital M and not a lower case one.
God, help me to get the capitalization right.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Can I Do "Humble"?
I mentioned the other day, the book The Harbinger, whose premise is to show the similarity between the nation of Israel in the days of Isaiah the prophet, to the United States in our current day. I have read the book, listened to the author on YouTube and now get ready to watch the dvd that is based on that book, so it is on my mind.
As I read in the book of 2 Chronicles this morning, these words came out to me:
" ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel regarding the words which you have heard, 27 Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord."
The Harbinger book uses Isaiah's words as the prophet's, whereas the prelude to the verses above involve a different speaker from God. The prophets are different, the kings of the land are different, but the scenario is quite the same. God issues a warning about the way they are living, how they are flouting their sins in His face, and what their judgement is to be. There is one other difference that is important in these two accounts.
Isaiah's words are not heeded, and the people do not escape judgement, while the other prophet in another time finds a listening and understanding ear in the king of his day. Josiah hears the words, realizes the sins of his people, and humbles himself before God. His nation is spared because he leads his people back from the abyss by modeling the attitude that pleases God. Josiah is humbled and his people follow that leadership.
I find the same word used in the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14, this as a remedy of a sinful people:
"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
There it is again, the prescription for a stay of judgement. Not a prideful saying that we can do better, because we are better. Not a reliance on what they can do as a people and kingdom. A humble spirit that asks for forgiveness for the sins, and a willingness to follow what God has said.
In Josiah's day, the king was God's man in leadership. This was a theocracy in which God was the absolute authority and all laws and blessings flowed from Him. In our day, in a republic or democracy, the leaders are elected by the people and represent them. These men and women may or may not hear from God and follow His ways, but they can be replaced by the people. The electorate has the power, and the electorate bears the responsibility for the morality of the nation.
And God says that in this electorate of many millions of people, the ones with the power to change a judgement on the nation are His people, and their first responsibility is humility.
Oh, I hear the words of judgement and the words of warning. I also hear the words of solution and responsibility. Which will I heed?
As I read in the book of 2 Chronicles this morning, these words came out to me:
" ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel regarding the words which you have heard, 27 Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord."
The Harbinger book uses Isaiah's words as the prophet's, whereas the prelude to the verses above involve a different speaker from God. The prophets are different, the kings of the land are different, but the scenario is quite the same. God issues a warning about the way they are living, how they are flouting their sins in His face, and what their judgement is to be. There is one other difference that is important in these two accounts.
Isaiah's words are not heeded, and the people do not escape judgement, while the other prophet in another time finds a listening and understanding ear in the king of his day. Josiah hears the words, realizes the sins of his people, and humbles himself before God. His nation is spared because he leads his people back from the abyss by modeling the attitude that pleases God. Josiah is humbled and his people follow that leadership.
I find the same word used in the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14, this as a remedy of a sinful people:
"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
There it is again, the prescription for a stay of judgement. Not a prideful saying that we can do better, because we are better. Not a reliance on what they can do as a people and kingdom. A humble spirit that asks for forgiveness for the sins, and a willingness to follow what God has said.
In Josiah's day, the king was God's man in leadership. This was a theocracy in which God was the absolute authority and all laws and blessings flowed from Him. In our day, in a republic or democracy, the leaders are elected by the people and represent them. These men and women may or may not hear from God and follow His ways, but they can be replaced by the people. The electorate has the power, and the electorate bears the responsibility for the morality of the nation.
And God says that in this electorate of many millions of people, the ones with the power to change a judgement on the nation are His people, and their first responsibility is humility.
Oh, I hear the words of judgement and the words of warning. I also hear the words of solution and responsibility. Which will I heed?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Consider, and then?
A portion of a verse this morning:
"Blessed is the one who considers the poor!"
Consider: I looked up that word in the dictionary to be sure I got the full meaning, and that talked about reflecting on, meditating on, giving thought to and so on, but it seems to me to denote a deeper meaning.
If I consider the poor, do I just think about their plight? Or do I reflect on their state of mind and body? Am I to be blessed if all I do is use my mind in this way?
And do I just consider the monetary state of a person when I think "poor"? How about poor in spirit, poor in health or poor in outlook? Have I done my best when I send a check to the Salvation Army, or is there more?
It seems to me this morning, that when I truly consider the poor, I do need to look on them in compassion, but first of all I need to open my eyes and heart to really see them, to really see people in their condition as God sees them and be willing to take whatever action He leads me to.
That action may be monetary, but it also might involve asking questions and being concerned about the other things that might be going on in a life that intersects with mine. This life might be hidden behind a smiling face, or a joking demeanor, but it might be just a"poor" as that ragged man sitting on the curb.
My concern might need to be time and not money, or it may be both and more.
God help me to really see and not just think about.
"Blessed is the one who considers the poor!"
Consider: I looked up that word in the dictionary to be sure I got the full meaning, and that talked about reflecting on, meditating on, giving thought to and so on, but it seems to me to denote a deeper meaning.
If I consider the poor, do I just think about their plight? Or do I reflect on their state of mind and body? Am I to be blessed if all I do is use my mind in this way?
And do I just consider the monetary state of a person when I think "poor"? How about poor in spirit, poor in health or poor in outlook? Have I done my best when I send a check to the Salvation Army, or is there more?
It seems to me this morning, that when I truly consider the poor, I do need to look on them in compassion, but first of all I need to open my eyes and heart to really see them, to really see people in their condition as God sees them and be willing to take whatever action He leads me to.
That action may be monetary, but it also might involve asking questions and being concerned about the other things that might be going on in a life that intersects with mine. This life might be hidden behind a smiling face, or a joking demeanor, but it might be just a"poor" as that ragged man sitting on the curb.
My concern might need to be time and not money, or it may be both and more.
God help me to really see and not just think about.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
"I" or "i"
A postscript from yesterday: when I sent my blog to a friend, one who really knows photography, he sent me back this enhanced version of the picture I had used:
Now you can really see the jewels in the foam, sand it causes the whole blog make more sense. Thanks, Duke.
At Home Group the other night, I was talking to the group about the book, The Harbinger, that I mentioned in here the other day. I thought about that scenario again this morning as I read the Psalm passage, taken from Psalm 30:
"When things were going great
I crowed, “I’ve got it made.
I’m God’s favorite.
He made me king of the mountain.”
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces."
The book talks about the nation of Israel and compares it to the state of the United States in the present moment. But a nation, any nation, is only the summation of all of its peoples. In our country, the leaders are elected by the people and supposedly they would reflect the attitudes of the population, at least the majority.
One of the things God hates is pride. When a nation, or an individual, is full of an attitude of "see what I have done", or even "here is what I will do", God sees that capital I, or maybe the capitalized We, and is not pleased. God has given us His blessings and we take credit for them.
The Psalm passage above talks about God looking the other way. In the book that would be the equivalent of His removing the hedge of protection around a people or nation. The result is not pretty.
A nation, a church, an individual, all are subject to God's looking the other way.
God, please help me to not take undue pride in what it looks like I accomplished. I know better. I see that jewel.
Not "I" but "i".
Now you can really see the jewels in the foam, sand it causes the whole blog make more sense. Thanks, Duke.
At Home Group the other night, I was talking to the group about the book, The Harbinger, that I mentioned in here the other day. I thought about that scenario again this morning as I read the Psalm passage, taken from Psalm 30:
"When things were going great
I crowed, “I’ve got it made.
I’m God’s favorite.
He made me king of the mountain.”
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces."
The book talks about the nation of Israel and compares it to the state of the United States in the present moment. But a nation, any nation, is only the summation of all of its peoples. In our country, the leaders are elected by the people and supposedly they would reflect the attitudes of the population, at least the majority.
One of the things God hates is pride. When a nation, or an individual, is full of an attitude of "see what I have done", or even "here is what I will do", God sees that capital I, or maybe the capitalized We, and is not pleased. God has given us His blessings and we take credit for them.
The Psalm passage above talks about God looking the other way. In the book that would be the equivalent of His removing the hedge of protection around a people or nation. The result is not pretty.
A nation, a church, an individual, all are subject to God's looking the other way.
God, please help me to not take undue pride in what it looks like I accomplished. I know better. I see that jewel.
Not "I" but "i".
Friday, February 22, 2013
Finding a Jewel in the Oridnary
I walked along the beach for a time yesterday, just with my camera, looking for things to photograph. Just practicing looking, looking at the ordinary, but thinking what that scene or object would look like in a shot.
My thoughts actually turned to that idea yesterday morning when I was reading the Psalms and meditating on the words. As I thought about service, unselfish service, one of my prayers was for God to open my eyes to those people and opportunities around me, that I might have His eyes to see what and who came onto my path, and, that by seeing, I might see any call He gave me to serve.
Just as in life, He places those people and situations right in plain view, but if I do not open my eyes, I won't even notice that they are there. How can I serve in the right way unless I truly see.
These ideas were running around in my head as I walked on the beach in the afternoon sun. Now full sun is sometimes hard to shoot in, but on this occasion the light brought out a unique possibility. As the surf rolls onto the shore, it brings with it a foam like substance which is left as the tide recedes. Thinking this foam might make an interesting shot, I bent down to get a close up.
The sunlight, shining onto and into the bubbles raised in the frothy residue, seemed to show jewels of different colors hiding in the foam, sparking highlights embedded in a common part of nature, only seen from a close inspection.
How many times have there been opportunities for me to serve God and others that I have overlooked because of the common ordinary circumstances of life, times that needed a close up view, but I just passed on by without realizing the jewels that lay in them?
God, please help me to look more closely at people and situations that You place where I am walking. Train my eyes to see, truly see.
My thoughts actually turned to that idea yesterday morning when I was reading the Psalms and meditating on the words. As I thought about service, unselfish service, one of my prayers was for God to open my eyes to those people and opportunities around me, that I might have His eyes to see what and who came onto my path, and, that by seeing, I might see any call He gave me to serve.
Just as in life, He places those people and situations right in plain view, but if I do not open my eyes, I won't even notice that they are there. How can I serve in the right way unless I truly see.
These ideas were running around in my head as I walked on the beach in the afternoon sun. Now full sun is sometimes hard to shoot in, but on this occasion the light brought out a unique possibility. As the surf rolls onto the shore, it brings with it a foam like substance which is left as the tide recedes. Thinking this foam might make an interesting shot, I bent down to get a close up.
The sunlight, shining onto and into the bubbles raised in the frothy residue, seemed to show jewels of different colors hiding in the foam, sparking highlights embedded in a common part of nature, only seen from a close inspection.
How many times have there been opportunities for me to serve God and others that I have overlooked because of the common ordinary circumstances of life, times that needed a close up view, but I just passed on by without realizing the jewels that lay in them?
God, please help me to look more closely at people and situations that You place where I am walking. Train my eyes to see, truly see.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Tapping Into The True Spirit of Service
As I took the recycle bin to dump in the big container downstairs this morning, as a prelude to my early morning walk, I noticed a newspaper, lying in the top of the bin, with this article heading "Becoming a servant is the best way to master your life". This was from the Brunswick News, last Saturday edition, and on the church page, and was also written by our pastor, who has a weekly column here.
I thought about this as I walked, then came back and read the article in full. It struck me on several levels.
As Mayre and I continue to watch the Downton Abbey series on PBS, I am continually drawn to the various attitudes of the characters, especially the servants in the various households depicted. Some seem to serve happily and willingly, but others as a duty to be performed. Some are glad for the position with others just trying to move on to a better place. There are many cross currents moving in the downstairs quarters of the hired help.
I think of the Emmaus community that we belong to here. The whole experience is built around service to the new pilgrims that take the journey on the weekend walk. In fact, the application to work a walk is entitled a "Willing Servant Form".
Sometimes we serve in community with others, as on the Emmaus walks. There is a common goal and an atmosphere of working together for a higher purpose. Individual effort is just a part of the overall, and, seeing others working with us, make it a most pleasurable experience.
But we do not always serve in conjunction with others. Much of true service is done alone, with no one to see, no one to praise our efforts, or maybe even care that the job is done. True servanthood is dedicated to a higher purpose, and I want that spirit to be my guide.
My prayer this morning is that God will help me to put myself and my desires out of the way so that I might serve Him and others in the truest sense of the Word.
Let it be so, I pray.
I thought about this as I walked, then came back and read the article in full. It struck me on several levels.
As Mayre and I continue to watch the Downton Abbey series on PBS, I am continually drawn to the various attitudes of the characters, especially the servants in the various households depicted. Some seem to serve happily and willingly, but others as a duty to be performed. Some are glad for the position with others just trying to move on to a better place. There are many cross currents moving in the downstairs quarters of the hired help.
I think of the Emmaus community that we belong to here. The whole experience is built around service to the new pilgrims that take the journey on the weekend walk. In fact, the application to work a walk is entitled a "Willing Servant Form".
Sometimes we serve in community with others, as on the Emmaus walks. There is a common goal and an atmosphere of working together for a higher purpose. Individual effort is just a part of the overall, and, seeing others working with us, make it a most pleasurable experience.
But we do not always serve in conjunction with others. Much of true service is done alone, with no one to see, no one to praise our efforts, or maybe even care that the job is done. True servanthood is dedicated to a higher purpose, and I want that spirit to be my guide.
My prayer this morning is that God will help me to put myself and my desires out of the way so that I might serve Him and others in the truest sense of the Word.
Let it be so, I pray.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Level Paths
What is here for me in the verses from the Psalms this morning?
"Teach me how you want me to live;
What is it about a level path that I need to know and live today?
Level ground or a level path is one that is free of obstacles and free of pitfalls. This is a way where I can keep my eyes forward, toward where I am headed, without continually looking down to keep my feet from stumbling.
I know how easy it is to get off track, to lose my way because I lose my focus. I am continually sidetracked by other cares. I let my goals get in the way of God's, and I lose the path completely at times. It is easy for me to sit down in the morning, read a portion of Scripture, see something in it that definitely applies to my life, write about how it needs to impact my life, and then promptly forget all about it.
Talk about a short attention span!
Both passages that I quoted above talk about God teaching me. Perhaps the psalmist has some of the same problems related to focus. I ask God to teach me also, and not to let up because of the slow learning.
Please, God, teach me to do what pleases You, and forgive me my forgetfulness.
"Teach me how you want me to live;
lead me along a level path"
"Teach me to do what pleases you,
for you are my God.
May your kind presence
lead me into a level land. "
What is it about a level path that I need to know and live today?
Level ground or a level path is one that is free of obstacles and free of pitfalls. This is a way where I can keep my eyes forward, toward where I am headed, without continually looking down to keep my feet from stumbling.
I know how easy it is to get off track, to lose my way because I lose my focus. I am continually sidetracked by other cares. I let my goals get in the way of God's, and I lose the path completely at times. It is easy for me to sit down in the morning, read a portion of Scripture, see something in it that definitely applies to my life, write about how it needs to impact my life, and then promptly forget all about it.
Talk about a short attention span!
Both passages that I quoted above talk about God teaching me. Perhaps the psalmist has some of the same problems related to focus. I ask God to teach me also, and not to let up because of the slow learning.
Please, God, teach me to do what pleases You, and forgive me my forgetfulness.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Warning and a Solution
One of the advantages to being without a computer or internet access for a few days is being able to sit and read, and that is just what I did for the past 5 days.
One of the books that really spoke to me was The Harbinger, by Jonathon Cahn, a powerful book whose premise is the downfall of America because of its turning away from God, evidenced by the exclusion of God from its public square, and its dependence upon its own power and might to solve all its problems.
The book draws a parallel between the United States and the nation of Israel as found in the Book Of Isaiah, chapter 9. Without spoiling the book for anyone else, the likenesses are presented as are the outcomes. A harbinger is a warning, and I believe, that unless we heed these that the author has presented, our fate could well be the same.
As I read the Psalm passage this morning, these words from Psalm 28:
"Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever."
American needs to hear the warning, but the conclusion of all of this is not a forgone conclusion. There is another verse in 2 Chronicles, one that we hear often, but mostly fail to follow its path. It is our solution but it depends on Christians in the land.
" and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
We are a part of the problem, and we hold the solution.
The question is, Will we follow the formula God has provided or will we just wring our hands and bemoan the state of the land?
Humbling, seeking, praying and turning.....Could we? Could I?
Will we? Will I?
Read the book for yourself.
One of the books that really spoke to me was The Harbinger, by Jonathon Cahn, a powerful book whose premise is the downfall of America because of its turning away from God, evidenced by the exclusion of God from its public square, and its dependence upon its own power and might to solve all its problems.
The book draws a parallel between the United States and the nation of Israel as found in the Book Of Isaiah, chapter 9. Without spoiling the book for anyone else, the likenesses are presented as are the outcomes. A harbinger is a warning, and I believe, that unless we heed these that the author has presented, our fate could well be the same.
As I read the Psalm passage this morning, these words from Psalm 28:
"Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever."
American needs to hear the warning, but the conclusion of all of this is not a forgone conclusion. There is another verse in 2 Chronicles, one that we hear often, but mostly fail to follow its path. It is our solution but it depends on Christians in the land.
" and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
We are a part of the problem, and we hold the solution.
The question is, Will we follow the formula God has provided or will we just wring our hands and bemoan the state of the land?
Humbling, seeking, praying and turning.....Could we? Could I?
Will we? Will I?
Read the book for yourself.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Announcement
I'll make this short and sweet. Short because of the time element and sweet because tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I am taking my Valentine on a little journey south, beginning today.
We go to Ft. Lauderdale today to spend the night and then on to Miami tomorrow, to catch the boat for warm weather.
Be back in port on next Monday and then home that night. Hope to be back on line on Tuesday.
My laptop is in the shop so could not post on the boat if I wanted to, besides it is expensive to do that, as everyone knows how slow I am to compose anything.
So, try to bear up and I'll try to catch up next week. I look forward to God being with us in all of this and giving me much to share on my return.
We go to Ft. Lauderdale today to spend the night and then on to Miami tomorrow, to catch the boat for warm weather.
Be back in port on next Monday and then home that night. Hope to be back on line on Tuesday.
My laptop is in the shop so could not post on the boat if I wanted to, besides it is expensive to do that, as everyone knows how slow I am to compose anything.
So, try to bear up and I'll try to catch up next week. I look forward to God being with us in all of this and giving me much to share on my return.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Don't Let Me Shoot the Messenger
I continued reading in 2 Chronicles this morning, concerning Asa, King of Judah. Saturday, when I was going through chapter 15 there, these words came through:
"Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."
Then today I continue in chapters 16 and 17 as it recounts the end of Asa's reign and life. Another prophet comes to Asa with these words:
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time."
For 35 years, Asa stayed true to God. He did many right things in His eyes, and his overall record as a king was good and God did bless him through all of this. For 35 years, Asa sought God, but then something happened. It seems that his memory of all the blessings and why they had come about, left him. He had a military problem and, instead of turning to God for help, seeking His face, and putting his trust there, he turned to his own devices.
We can tell the condition of Asa's heart in the way he treats the messenger of God:
"Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this."
35 years of following God and receiving His blessings for himself and for his kingdom, and then a falling away. His trust went to himself, and he left God out of the picture. In the 39th year of his reign, he developed some medical problem with his feet and he died.
Asa did not finish well. He was considerably better than most of the kings of that land, but he let his trust in himself, and possibly his advisors, keep him from could have been.
I have always said that I wanted my life to be one of obedience to God and service to Him. I know I have not always been faithful in all of this, but I do want to finish well. What years I may have left, I want to be filled with trust in His Will and His Way, so my prayer is that God will help me to stay on the right path, to listen to his messengers around me and respond to their admonitions and warnings in the right way.
How many days are left in my tenure? Only God knows.
It is easy to put my trust in my experiences and what I think, and shoot the messengers that tell me otherwise, but, please God, keep me faithful till the end, listening to You.
"Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."
Then today I continue in chapters 16 and 17 as it recounts the end of Asa's reign and life. Another prophet comes to Asa with these words:
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time."
For 35 years, Asa stayed true to God. He did many right things in His eyes, and his overall record as a king was good and God did bless him through all of this. For 35 years, Asa sought God, but then something happened. It seems that his memory of all the blessings and why they had come about, left him. He had a military problem and, instead of turning to God for help, seeking His face, and putting his trust there, he turned to his own devices.
We can tell the condition of Asa's heart in the way he treats the messenger of God:
"Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this."
35 years of following God and receiving His blessings for himself and for his kingdom, and then a falling away. His trust went to himself, and he left God out of the picture. In the 39th year of his reign, he developed some medical problem with his feet and he died.
Asa did not finish well. He was considerably better than most of the kings of that land, but he let his trust in himself, and possibly his advisors, keep him from could have been.
I have always said that I wanted my life to be one of obedience to God and service to Him. I know I have not always been faithful in all of this, but I do want to finish well. What years I may have left, I want to be filled with trust in His Will and His Way, so my prayer is that God will help me to stay on the right path, to listen to his messengers around me and respond to their admonitions and warnings in the right way.
How many days are left in my tenure? Only God knows.
It is easy to put my trust in my experiences and what I think, and shoot the messengers that tell me otherwise, but, please God, keep me faithful till the end, listening to You.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Clearing up the Confusion
I've never done this before, but want to point readers to another blog, one that I read after I finished my confused writing this morning.
http://stellaveal.wordpress.com/
This from a girl I know, that is concluding a short term mission in Ghana with children of an orphanage in a remote section of the country. I suggest that you read it, as I did just now, and hear from a young woman who is not confused.
You may feel as confused as I, but there is hope there.
Thank you, Stella
And thank You God for putting this reading into my life right now.
http://stellaveal.wordpress.com/
This from a girl I know, that is concluding a short term mission in Ghana with children of an orphanage in a remote section of the country. I suggest that you read it, as I did just now, and hear from a young woman who is not confused.
You may feel as confused as I, but there is hope there.
Thank you, Stella
And thank You God for putting this reading into my life right now.
When & How?
In 2 Chronicles, the Old Testament reading for this morning, there appears a phrase that seems to summarize the whole 2 chapters that I read. This is contained in these verses and seemed to impress my mind:
"The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.”
"and they sought Him, and He let them find Him."
"All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him."
They sought the Lord. Not only had Israel sought Him, they had done it with their whole heart.
Then there was the effect of what they had done, He let them find Him. Now God was there all the time, but their eyes and hearts were opened to Him and His presence.
But what does it mean to seek God with my whole heart? My efforts to do this seem so puny, and yet I think I know that He will honor this desire. I just can't get a handle on all of what it might mean.
I woke up this morning with a song going through my mind. Maybe it has some connection to the verses that caught my eye. A Hymn by Elisha Hoffman, written back in 1893:
So, I try to tell Jesus my struggles with all of this. I pray as I walk. I attempt to dig deep, but I still don't know what I don't know.
I believe that God has led me on this journey. He wakes me up to read, pray, think and pray some more. I do believe that He will bring me to exactly what He wants me to have out of all of this. He will make the connections that are there. He cares.
"The land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.”
"and they sought Him, and He let them find Him."
"All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him."
They sought the Lord. Not only had Israel sought Him, they had done it with their whole heart.
Then there was the effect of what they had done, He let them find Him. Now God was there all the time, but their eyes and hearts were opened to Him and His presence.
But what does it mean to seek God with my whole heart? My efforts to do this seem so puny, and yet I think I know that He will honor this desire. I just can't get a handle on all of what it might mean.
I woke up this morning with a song going through my mind. Maybe it has some connection to the verses that caught my eye. A Hymn by Elisha Hoffman, written back in 1893:
- I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.- Refrain:
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
- Refrain:
- I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end. - Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:
He all my cares and sorrows will share. - What must I do when worldliness calls me?
What must I do when tempted to sin?
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.
So, I try to tell Jesus my struggles with all of this. I pray as I walk. I attempt to dig deep, but I still don't know what I don't know.
I believe that God has led me on this journey. He wakes me up to read, pray, think and pray some more. I do believe that He will bring me to exactly what He wants me to have out of all of this. He will make the connections that are there. He cares.
Friday, February 8, 2013
One Step From Stupid
There were some verses from the Psalms this morning, in Psalm 69, that gave me pause. Sometimes, even when I do not feel close to God, my prayers can run along these lines.
"Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel."
I guess it is kinda like the doctors in the Hippocratic Oath, to do no harm. I have prayed many times, when facing some decision, that I was not sure of the right thing to do, but I just did not want to lead anyone else in the wrong way. I did not want to someone on the wrong path, just because of the way they heard me or saw my actions.
Perhaps that might be thought of as egotistical in that anyone would watch me anyway, but I have always felt that, if you professed to be a Christian, people would watch to see what you would do. This would be in good situations, where they might be uplifted, and bad ones, where they might be able to criticize God, because of seeing you in some hypocritical action.
My prayer has been not to be a stumbling block in the path that anyone else is taking in order to know or follow You. Please don't let my words or actions cause a brother to err, or cause a seeker to not find the Way.
I guess I could just hole up and be a hermit. Then I could not do anything that another could use to discredit God and His people, but, then, maybe just being out of society completely would be enough to cast dispersion on Him.
Our pastor often says "I'm just one step away from Stupid", and I know the feeling.
Please God, don't let me take that step and injure Your work or Your People.
"Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel."
I guess it is kinda like the doctors in the Hippocratic Oath, to do no harm. I have prayed many times, when facing some decision, that I was not sure of the right thing to do, but I just did not want to lead anyone else in the wrong way. I did not want to someone on the wrong path, just because of the way they heard me or saw my actions.
Perhaps that might be thought of as egotistical in that anyone would watch me anyway, but I have always felt that, if you professed to be a Christian, people would watch to see what you would do. This would be in good situations, where they might be uplifted, and bad ones, where they might be able to criticize God, because of seeing you in some hypocritical action.
My prayer has been not to be a stumbling block in the path that anyone else is taking in order to know or follow You. Please don't let my words or actions cause a brother to err, or cause a seeker to not find the Way.
I guess I could just hole up and be a hermit. Then I could not do anything that another could use to discredit God and His people, but, then, maybe just being out of society completely would be enough to cast dispersion on Him.
Our pastor often says "I'm just one step away from Stupid", and I know the feeling.
Please God, don't let me take that step and injure Your work or Your People.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Fixing My Eyes
I woke up this morning, again having a song running around in my mind, and I'm not sure why it is there. There is a reason, I know, so I will begin the writing process and see where it leads. Anyway the song, the chorus anyway:
Christ be the center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the center of our lives
We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around your life
We lift our eyes to heaven, to You
We sing this song occasionally in church, but this morning I want to sit and really think about the words, and what they might mean for me, right in this moment in time.
This chorus speaks a lot about eyes, fixing our eyes, lifting our eyes, but it is more than just shifting my gaze to another spot or two. It seems to be the moving of my heart to another point entirely. This is getting out of my small life and putting my heart in a place to get the bigger picture.
Then I have to ask the question, "where is my focus right now? Is it only on my life and the things that impact me? Should it be? Is there something else that I should be focussing on?"
As I looked up the lyrics to this tune on the internet, I ran across a quick video where one of the writers of the song, Charlie Hall, is explaining how it came to be, and then he sings it. At the end of the chorus, he adds the words from a familiar hymn, written by Helen Lemmel back in 1922, the refrain of which says:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Could God be telling me, through all of this, to get my life back into the right focus? Am I so caught up in things of this earth that I have trouble seeing the big picture? Are the cares and concerns taking my eyes away from The One that has it all in His control?
I need to hear this this morning, really hear and understand, with my eyes and with my heart as well.
(The short video is here:)
http://worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=559651
Christ be the center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the center of our lives
We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around your life
We lift our eyes to heaven, to You
We sing this song occasionally in church, but this morning I want to sit and really think about the words, and what they might mean for me, right in this moment in time.
This chorus speaks a lot about eyes, fixing our eyes, lifting our eyes, but it is more than just shifting my gaze to another spot or two. It seems to be the moving of my heart to another point entirely. This is getting out of my small life and putting my heart in a place to get the bigger picture.
Then I have to ask the question, "where is my focus right now? Is it only on my life and the things that impact me? Should it be? Is there something else that I should be focussing on?"
As I looked up the lyrics to this tune on the internet, I ran across a quick video where one of the writers of the song, Charlie Hall, is explaining how it came to be, and then he sings it. At the end of the chorus, he adds the words from a familiar hymn, written by Helen Lemmel back in 1922, the refrain of which says:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Could God be telling me, through all of this, to get my life back into the right focus? Am I so caught up in things of this earth that I have trouble seeing the big picture? Are the cares and concerns taking my eyes away from The One that has it all in His control?
I need to hear this this morning, really hear and understand, with my eyes and with my heart as well.
(The short video is here:)
http://worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=559651
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wanting It and Living It....
As I read through the Psalm reading for today, taken from Psalm 72, which is a Psalm of David written to God in behalf of his son Solomon, who is designated the next king of Israel, I cannot but think of the attributes that he wants for his son, as what I would want for each of my children.
A lot of the things are specific to the role of a king, but there is the portion of one verse, that I would love to hear people say of my offspring. Here in the second part of verse 17 he states:
"May people be blessed in him, " (and also her in this case)
That would sum up a life well lived, a life that has the concern for others at its center, and I see a lot of that in my kids, whether that is seen as a consideration of their own family, under their roof, the ones they work with on a daily basis, or just a casual relationship.
What words would I use to describe what David is asking for his son, Solomon?
Caring
Concern
Wisdom
Kindness
Gentleness
Discipline
Love
I am sure there are more, but I see that these are attributes of God in His dealings with people, just as they are the characteristics of a benevolent parent, or co-worker, or friend. They are things that show up in dealings with strangers, or friends.
I know that I see a lot of these traits, maybe even all, in the lives of the next generation in our family, but I also know that they don't just automatically appear. There is a God part of the equation that manifests itself in the lives of those that are sold out to this way of life, and we all need His help to live on this path.
I need it, they need it, and we all need it.
Only through His grace and Mercy, combined with His Wisdom, will we be able to consistently live in that way.
May we all want it first of all, and then live it out.
A lot of the things are specific to the role of a king, but there is the portion of one verse, that I would love to hear people say of my offspring. Here in the second part of verse 17 he states:
"May people be blessed in him, " (and also her in this case)
That would sum up a life well lived, a life that has the concern for others at its center, and I see a lot of that in my kids, whether that is seen as a consideration of their own family, under their roof, the ones they work with on a daily basis, or just a casual relationship.
What words would I use to describe what David is asking for his son, Solomon?
Caring
Concern
Wisdom
Kindness
Gentleness
Discipline
Love
I am sure there are more, but I see that these are attributes of God in His dealings with people, just as they are the characteristics of a benevolent parent, or co-worker, or friend. They are things that show up in dealings with strangers, or friends.
I know that I see a lot of these traits, maybe even all, in the lives of the next generation in our family, but I also know that they don't just automatically appear. There is a God part of the equation that manifests itself in the lives of those that are sold out to this way of life, and we all need His help to live on this path.
I need it, they need it, and we all need it.
Only through His grace and Mercy, combined with His Wisdom, will we be able to consistently live in that way.
May we all want it first of all, and then live it out.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How Should We Wait?
It seems like each time I go to the Scriptures lately, the admonition is to wait. Just like in the verse this morning where the Psalmist says in Psalm 62:
"For God alone my soul waits in silence;"
Then there is the line in the verse of a familiar hymn which states:
"Silently now I wait for Thee"
But it seems to me that there can be at least two different kinds of waiting. When we are anticipating something, a lot depends on the thing we are looking toward. If it does not look too pleasant, there can be a multitude of worries as to how it will work out. If it is a pleasant experience that we look forward to, there can be a sense of impending joy.
Two different outlooks, two different styles of waiting. The future events are nebulous. Something will come, but what, and how, and when, and why?
Both the verse and the song talk about waiting silently and they also give a person to be the object of that time spent waiting.
It seems that we both wait for God and wait with Him, and that makes all the difference in our outlook in waiting. If He is in charge of the future events, all is in His hands. If He wants the best for us, then that is what we will get, no matter what it looks like when it finally gets here.
As I sit here waiting, how will I do it?
His way, I pray.
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Thought on the Super Bowl
Like millions of other football fans and others, I tuned in to watch the Super Bowl last night, but unlike most of them, I spent a lot of time looking for one specific player. Now, I did not really have a favorite team, but I settled on the Ravens, without knowing a lot about them. I had not followed their season, did not know the names of many of the players, and did not have anything against the 49ers.
Most of the people watching, even the Raven fans, focused on the quarterback, Joe Flacco, and he did a superb job guiding that team all through their winning season. The TV cameras kept the spotlight on him and the 49ers QB, Colin Kaepernick, as the game progressed, and we saw them playing, talking, resting, stretching and just being the leaders of their respective teams. That was as it should be, but I kept looking for another quarterback, the backup man for the Ravens, No. 2, Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor had played for the Va. Tech Holies while we lived in Blacksburg, and was an exciting college QB. Most people in the football world thought he was probably too small to make it in the NFL, but he was drafted by the Ravens in the 6th round, the 180th pick, and won the back up job behind Flacco. I did not get to see him play in the Super Bowl, maybe some day, but glimpsed him along the sideline a few times as he spent his time making sure his head was in the game in case the starter was injured.
How hard must it be to be in uniform, knowing that if all goes well, you probably won't get to play in the game, and, yet, to keep yourself ready to play at a moments notice. You have to know the game plan, know the plays, know the probable defenses you might face, know your personnel and the other team's also, watch the game unfold in front of you, and have yourself ready at all times. It can't be easy. You could be thrust into the limelight at any time, but, until that time comes, you are just a bit player in the whole drama of the game.
Should it be any different for a Christian in the game of life? We are all just bit players in God's unfolding story, but that role should not keep us from doing our best, staying prepared for whatever God tells us to do. We won't even be seen on TV, with our name on the back of our jersey, but we are in God's sight, and that is what counts.
Tyrod will be wearing his super bowl ring, and wearing it with pride, I know. We get to wear the mantle that says "Well done, good and faithful servant" as we stay prepared for action in God's game of life.
Most of the people watching, even the Raven fans, focused on the quarterback, Joe Flacco, and he did a superb job guiding that team all through their winning season. The TV cameras kept the spotlight on him and the 49ers QB, Colin Kaepernick, as the game progressed, and we saw them playing, talking, resting, stretching and just being the leaders of their respective teams. That was as it should be, but I kept looking for another quarterback, the backup man for the Ravens, No. 2, Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor had played for the Va. Tech Holies while we lived in Blacksburg, and was an exciting college QB. Most people in the football world thought he was probably too small to make it in the NFL, but he was drafted by the Ravens in the 6th round, the 180th pick, and won the back up job behind Flacco. I did not get to see him play in the Super Bowl, maybe some day, but glimpsed him along the sideline a few times as he spent his time making sure his head was in the game in case the starter was injured.
How hard must it be to be in uniform, knowing that if all goes well, you probably won't get to play in the game, and, yet, to keep yourself ready to play at a moments notice. You have to know the game plan, know the plays, know the probable defenses you might face, know your personnel and the other team's also, watch the game unfold in front of you, and have yourself ready at all times. It can't be easy. You could be thrust into the limelight at any time, but, until that time comes, you are just a bit player in the whole drama of the game.
Should it be any different for a Christian in the game of life? We are all just bit players in God's unfolding story, but that role should not keep us from doing our best, staying prepared for whatever God tells us to do. We won't even be seen on TV, with our name on the back of our jersey, but we are in God's sight, and that is what counts.
Tyrod will be wearing his super bowl ring, and wearing it with pride, I know. We get to wear the mantle that says "Well done, good and faithful servant" as we stay prepared for action in God's game of life.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Priorities
As I read the several Bible readings this morning, and again as I walked in the cold of this early morning on St. Simons, the word seemed to come to me, "Priorities".
I know a lot of the time, I get mine mixed up, so I tried to take some time and just look back in my life to see what it looked like my priorities had been in days past. What had been the most important things in my life, at least in the way I lived? No matter what I said they were, what did my life show?
Then I looked at today. When I think about this, it seems like I need to consider at least two levels of priorities. There are the ones that guide my life in the long term, and then there are those others that are more time sensitive, that are the day to day ones.
What are the questions that I should ask as I begin another day? Maybe I should look at my proposed schedule and ask myself if these things fit into the things I say are my priorities in life. When I look back at the end of the day, will I be able to say that I have kept all of these straight?
Deep down, I would say that my priority is to serve God and to seek His face. Those sound very good, but do I make everyday decisions that lead to those larger ones, or are they just good on paper?
I got up early to pray, read, think and write, and I tried to get His perspective on the day ahead, even before it begins in earnest. That was a good start, but then what? How does playing tennis for a couple of hours, or helping around the house, or setting up the coffee for tomorrow at church, fit in with the overall priority?
When I look back tonight, what will I find? Will I have thought enough about my goals in life to fit them into my schedule, or will my schedule actually be built around them?
Perhaps the more appropriate question might not be how did I do with all of this today, but what does God see, and say.
I know a lot of the time, I get mine mixed up, so I tried to take some time and just look back in my life to see what it looked like my priorities had been in days past. What had been the most important things in my life, at least in the way I lived? No matter what I said they were, what did my life show?
Then I looked at today. When I think about this, it seems like I need to consider at least two levels of priorities. There are the ones that guide my life in the long term, and then there are those others that are more time sensitive, that are the day to day ones.
What are the questions that I should ask as I begin another day? Maybe I should look at my proposed schedule and ask myself if these things fit into the things I say are my priorities in life. When I look back at the end of the day, will I be able to say that I have kept all of these straight?
Deep down, I would say that my priority is to serve God and to seek His face. Those sound very good, but do I make everyday decisions that lead to those larger ones, or are they just good on paper?
I got up early to pray, read, think and write, and I tried to get His perspective on the day ahead, even before it begins in earnest. That was a good start, but then what? How does playing tennis for a couple of hours, or helping around the house, or setting up the coffee for tomorrow at church, fit in with the overall priority?
When I look back tonight, what will I find? Will I have thought enough about my goals in life to fit them into my schedule, or will my schedule actually be built around them?
Perhaps the more appropriate question might not be how did I do with all of this today, but what does God see, and say.
Friday, February 1, 2013
May I Sing With Reasons...
There is a song that we sing sometimes in worship at church, a song by Michael W. Smith that has a chorus:
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!"
"Great are You Lord and worthy of glory Great are You Lord and worthy of praise Great are you Lord, I lift up my voice I lift up my voice"
I thought of those lines as I looked at the Psalm and Gospel readings this morning.
From the Gospel reading, in John 6, I read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men (and presumably more including women and children). After the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish, the Scripture relates:
"When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
The people had been active participants in the whole miracle that Jesus had performed, they were full of food and satisfied to be where they were. If they were to break out in song, even the song written above, why would they sing?
Because their stomachs were full?
Because they were privileged to see a miracle?
Because they saw God in that place?
Then I go back to Psalm 40, where David writes:
"But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!"
When he says, "may all who seek you" he seems to indicate that he has been blessed because he has sought the Lord, that God has been close to him and given him help and deliverance, mainly because he took the time to do just that.
If the above chorus is sung in church in a couple of days, why would I lift up my voice with those others there and sing? Would it be because I have taken the time to seek God and listen for His voice or just because it feels good and is the right thing to do? Will it be because "the Lord takes thought for me" and I can see his help, guidance and deliverance?
Too many times, I just sing along without any thought for the why.
God help me to recognize the many reasons I have to sing, and be thankful to lift up my voice in praise and worship.
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