Word Traveler

"Plastic Love"

2012-02-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

Matthew 23.17b, 19b CEV

“Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?”

“Which is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?”

“A survey by the U.S. National Retail Federation last year suggested that eight out of 10 people would include gift cards among their holiday shopping purchases.”[1] And why not? Gift cards make gift-giving so easy! What better way to show your affection than a piece of plastic pre-loaded with buying power at your loved one’s favorite retail center? “About 96 million Starbucks cards have been activated since they were launched in 2001 — and customers have reloaded those cards more than 38 million times.”[2]

How did (and will) America’s fascination convenient gift-giving evolve? Maybe like this…

A Long Time Ago: People actually made gifts for each other. These gifts were inevitably the wrong color, size, style, or flavor but no one ever expected a receipt. There was no return policy. You simply kept what you got and brought it out (wore it, displayed it, ate it, etc.) when the gift-giver came for a visit.

Not So Long Ago: People procured birthday and Christmas lists from loved ones and scurried around retail centers looking for “the perfect gift”. It was wrapped and presented with a gift receipt for convenient returns. Thank you notes were hand-written and sent within a couple weeks.

Now: The gift-giver learns of the gift recipient’s favorite store or restaurant. No real creativity required. Simple select an amount and purchase a Target, Macy’s, or Starbuck’s gift card. They are light-weight, easy to mail, and simple to redeem. For those who insist on an actual physical gift-wrapped present, Internet shopping is still a good option.

Someday Soon: Gift-giving becomes a super efficient, direct financial deposit with automatic email notification: “You’ve Got Gifts!” The credited gift account sends an electronic “thank you” and eliminates the need for messy human contact. What could be easier?

It’s easy to confuse the item we call a gift for the real gift. The gift is not the gift. You are the gift. The tangible gift item is nothing more than a legitimate excuse to make contact with another human being. Alone it means nothing. You are indispensable in the act of gift-giving. Without you, there is no gift, just the exchange of money or commodities.

You make the gift you give “sacred” and “sacred” gifts are the only gifts worth giving.

“Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred?”

“Which is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?”

________________

[1] "Gift Cards: The Lure of Plastic", In Depth Economy, CBS News, Last Updated: Friday, December 5, 2008 2:49 PM ET (http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/12/01/f-giftcards.html).

[2] This quote appeared in the original CBS article "Gift Cards: The Lure of Plastic" dated December 10, 2007 and replaced, in the updated article, with: "The most successful gift card in North America may be the one offered by Starbucks. The company estimates 10 per cent of all the caffeine hits served up by its North American baristas is paid for by gift cards. It's also the only retailer that will let you use your gift card to buy another for someone else."

"Watch Out for Respectable Liars"

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

Matthew 22.16 NAS

“And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.’ ”

How nice these people were to pay such kind tribute to Jesus. The Son of God must have appreciated their attention to etiquette and enjoyed their lavish compliments. These “disciples… along with the Herodians” prefaced their conversation with the customary praise due a man of Jesus’ caliber. They bowed. They smiled. They deferred to the Master. These men were leaders. They were role-models. They were intelligent. They were respectable.

They were liars.

Jesus saw through their façade instantly. “Yeshua [Jesus], however, knowing their malicious intent, said, ‘You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me?’ ” (Matthew 22.18 CJB).

Here’s an important revelation. People lie. Beware when they say too many very nice things about you. You may be tempted to believe them. That could be a huge mistake.

“A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him…”

Proverbs 26.24-25a NIV

"Old Donkeys"

2012-01-30T07:31:00.000-08:00

Matthew 21.4-7 NIV

“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.”

The event known as “The Triumphal Entry” of Jesus in Jerusalem is described in all four Gospels.[1] There are key similarities and differences in each account. Note, for example, that all four Gospel writers quote portions of the same verse from the minor prophet Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9.9 NASB

Interestingly, Matthew is the only Gospel writer who has Jesus with two, not one donkey. All four Gospels record Jesus with a “young donkey” or a “colt” (i.e., the young male offspring of a female donkey, also called a foal). However, in the Matthew passage alone, the disciples brought both “the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them”. Matthew wrote his gospel to convince Jews that Jesus was the Messiah in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. His account is heavily sprinkled with Hebrew scriptures pointing to Jesus Christ. Critical scholars explain the ‘donkey’ distinction in this way:

Matthew introduced a second donkey in his recounting of the Triumphal Entry in order to make this story better coincide with the prophesy of Zechariah. He ignored the obvious use of Hebrew poetic parallelism[2] and invented the second donkey to offer even more support to his ‘Jesus is the Messiah’ position.

This opinion presumes that Matthew was ignorant of the use of poetic parallelism in the Hebrew scriptures which, of course, is unlikely for an educated, first century Jewish man . All four Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry can be easily reconciled in this way:

Zechariah used poetic parallelism in his description of the Messiah’s appearance. Jesus would come “mounted on a donkey,... [which is] a colt, [otherwise known as] the foal of a donkey”. There is just one donkey in Zechariah’s prophesy, not two. (Note: Every “colt, the foal of a donkey” is, in fact, a donkey. But not every donkey is a “colt” or a “foal”.) Jesus instructed the disciples to bring Him a “colt… on which on one yet has ever sat” (Mark 11.2; Luke 19.30). That’s exactly what the disciples did as all four Gospels record. Matthew provides the additional information implied by the other two Synoptic writers and John. The donkey was just barely old enough to carry a burden but still too young to be without its mother. For that reason Jesus told the disciples to bring both donkeys, as Matthew indicated. In choosing to mount a young donkey “on which no one yet has ever sat”, Jesus symbolically established Himself as a the leader of a new thing God was doing in the culture of His day.

I am an old mother donkey with a few colts to my name. I helped carry the Gospel message to a generation past. New younger Christian men and women will bring Christ to the next generation. These believers still need their mothers in Christ. We are not forgotten. We may join in the celebration and walk along beside the foals. But old donkeys must pass the mantle of supernatural gifting to the backs of young colts who will bear the burden of Christ from this time forward. These are the ones who will make a new and triumphal entry into the culture of our day.
________________

[1] “Triumphal Entry” Gospel parallels: Matthew 21.1-9 (and 21.14-16); Mark 11.1-10; Luke 19.28-40; John 12.12-19.

[2] Parallelism is an Old Testament writing style using repetition to reinforce a point. There are two kinds of parallelism: 1) synonymous parallelism, “in which the second member repeats the content of the first in different words, e.g., ‘But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, / and in his law he meditates day and night’ (Psalm 1.2)” and 2) antithetical parallelism, “in which the second member illuminates the content of the first by means of a contrasting idea, e.g., ‘For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, / but the way of the wicked will perish’ (Psalm 1.6)”. From Introduction to the Old Testament, Georg Forher, Abingdon Press, 1968, p. 46.

"Enuresis"

2012-01-27T06:16:00.000-08:00

Matthew 20.26b-28 Complete Jewish Bible

“Among you, it must not be like that. On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must become your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave! For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John’s son had a problem with enuresis. “Enuresis (bed-wetting) is the term used for urinating while asleep. It is considered normal until at least age 6.”[1] But John’s boy, Tommy, was 9 and still wetting his bed every single night. The family referred to Tommy’s plastic diapers as “nighttime undies”, a term that caused less embarrassment to their son than “diapers”. John assumed Tommy would eventually outgrow bed-wetting and was not overly worried. However, Tommy’s age and the expense of Pull-ups caused John and his wife to reconsider their approach. “Perhaps we should take Tommy to the doctor”, John’s wife suggested. “I think they have medicine for this condition.” John agreed and mom arranged the appointment.

Instead of “medicine”, the family physician gave Tommy’s parents a “treatment plan”[2]. John was surprised but caught on quickly. He discovered that most children who wet their beds are deep sleepers and have inherited small bladders. He knew his son was a deep sleeper and learned how to measure the size of Tommy’s bladder. Success with the “treatment plan” depended on serious and focused parental involvement:

Stop using diapers or plastic Pull-ups
Place a plastic cover on the mattress
Measure the size of your child’s bladder
Encourage a lot of daytime fluids to stretch the bladder
Limit fluids in the evening
Wake your child up to go to the bathroom during the night
Teach the child to find the bathroom on his own after waking up
Improve access to the toilet with night lights
Have the child get up and change into dry pajamas if he wets the bed
Include the child in morning clean-up of wet bed clothes and sheets
Never tease, blame, or punish the child for bed-wetting

John and his wife became active with the “treatment plan” and Tommy soon overcame bed-wetting without the use of medicine. Together, the parents and their son experienced a real victory and wonderful feelings of mutual respect and love. John is convinced Tommy would still be wearing “nighttime undies” if it were not for the treatment plan. The “he’ll outgrow it” approach can be code for an unwillingness to get involved. It took the sacrifice of a little research, thought, time, and energy to assist in their son’s success. But John and his wife did the right (parental) thing. John showed himself to be a real “leader” by becoming a “servant” to his son, Tommy.

Like “the Son of Man [who] did not come to be served, but to serve” parents are sent by God to serve their children help them become successful in every area of their lives.
_____________________

The amazing paintings on this post are entitled "Sleeping Boy" and "Bed" (both oil on canvas, laid on board) and were created by Dublin born artist, Patrick Redmond, who studied at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. You can view his incredible work at The Molesworth Gallery, 16 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland (http://www.molesworthgallery.com/).

[1] “Bed-Wetting (Enuresis)”, Pediatric Advisor 2006.2, University of Michigan Health System, C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

[2] You can locate excellent information on bed-wetting and a treatment program at http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library.

"There is No Such Thing as a Compliant Warrior"

2012-01-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

Matthew 19.8, 17b, 21 NAS

“Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.”

“...if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

“...if you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and com, follow Me.”

I am intrigued by a line from Michael Gerber’s wonderful book on small business development entitled The E-Myth Revisited:

“Let me repeat once more that great quote by Don Juan in Carlos Castaneda’s A Separate Peace: ‘The difference between a warrior and an ordinary man is that a warrior sees everything as a challenge, while an ordinary man sees everything as either a blessing or a curse.’ ”[1]

Carlos Castaneda’s “warrior” is an individual who accepts the challenge to make a difference in the world. An “ordinary man”, on the other hand, accepts his station in life with passive neutrality. He may expertly clarify and define his circumstances, but he receives them as fated and without complaint.

Now there’s an interesting word… complaint. Flip two letters and you have nearly the opposite meaning… compliant! A compliant person will not dare to register a complaint. Domineering leaders depend on compliance and feed off “ordinary” people. They squash complainers with accusations of non-compliance while invoking divine authority for themselves. This may go down well with “an ordinary man” but the tactic will incense a “warrior”. There is no such thing as a compliant warrior. People who see “everything as a blessing or a curse”, will not engage the “challenge” of inserting change into the status quo. They are destined to be victims of their own circumstance. Trading stress for harmony, they acquiesce to greater powers without thought of making a difference in their worlds. Warriors embarrass ordinary people who long ago decided to give up the idealism that characterizes progress of the soul.

Twice in chapter 19 of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus presented the ‘Ordinary Man – Warrior’ choice. First, to the Pharisees on the subject of divorce. Yes, the Law and “Moses permitted divorce”, but there was a better way. An “ordinary man” will harden his heart and run to divorce as an easy way out of a difficult marital union. A “warrior” will contend for the success of his marriage.

“Jesus said, ‘Moses provided for divorce as a concession to
your hardheartedness, but it is not part of God’s original plan.’ ”

Matthew 19.8 The Message

Next, in verses 16-26, Jesus offered the rich, young ruler the ‘Ordinary Man – Warrior’ choice. He assured the wealthy man of the inheritance of eternal life if he continued to keep the simple commandments not to murder, steal, lie, cheat on his wife, etc. The man’s record was clean but in asking, “What am I still lacking”, the rich guy betrayed unhappiness with his “ordinary” life. Jesus responded with an opportunity to join ranks with the warriors of the faith.

“If you are serious about reaching the goal, go and sell your possessions,

give to the poor, and you shall have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19.21 Complete Jewish Bible

How do I trade in all remnants of my smug and “ordinary” existence for the faith-based life of a “warrior” for Christ? Recruit me, Jesus!

__________________

[1] E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, Michael E. Gerber, Harper Collins, 1995.

"An Imagination Stretcher"

2012-01-25T05:59:00.000-08:00

Matthew 18.10-11 NKJV

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

I treasure the moments I have with my kids. I still have two young children at home. Every day, I hold my youngest tightly and kiss her tiny cheek, peer into her eyes and say, “You’re my little girl. I love you.” Who wouldn’t love such an adorable, precious little thing? Small children (especially mine) are trusting, innocent, playful, and cute.

The context of the above passage of Scripture is all about children. In answer to their question about “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”, Jesus set a child before the disciples and explained:

“Unless you are converted and become like children,

you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18.3 NASB

The Lord strictly warned His followers against hurting children. According to Matthew 18.6, it would be better to “be drowned in the depth of the sea” with a concrete block tied around their neck than to cause “little ones… to stumble”.

I’ve always understood this Bible verse as a mandate to love my children unconditionally. That’s not hard for me. After all, I’m their dad. God built me to love my kids. It’s all a part of His creative design... parents love their children. But the last part of this scripture troubles me. “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost”.[1] My kids aren’t lost. Who was Jesus speaking about? Perhaps the object of Christ’s call to love reaches beyond my children to include all children of any age. Jesus may well have intended His followers to embrace humanity with the love of God.

Some of God’s kids are lost. I can make a (positive or negative) difference. I can “despise [snub, ignore, berate, judge, etc.] one of these little ones” and help to secure their eternal lostness or, I can try to love all God’s children as Jesus did. The choice is mine.

There are lots of ‘not-so-cute’ people out there. They’re not easy to love. Jesus loves them all the same. He loves the stinking, unshaven, elderly, homeless, overweight drunk looking for a handout as much as He loves my pure and innocent, precious little girl. I cannot imagine holding that man tightly, kissing his dirty cheek, peering into his eyes, and saying with sincerity the way I do with my own children, “You are my brother. I love you.”

I need to stretch my imagination.

____________________

Early Greek manuscripts and some New Testament translations do not include verse 11: “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost”.

Photo of homeless man by Tim Boucher. Child photograph from Iowa Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (http://www.iowadec.net/).

"Too Many Voices"

2012-01-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

Matthew 17.5 NASU

“While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, ‘Get up, and do not be afraid.’ ”

Many voices compete for my attention. To whom will I listen?

The Voice of Despair: “Give up. Things are never going to work out. You’ve given all you can. It’s time to quit.”

The Voice of Sin: “You earned this. No one will ever find out. There’s nothing really that wrong with it anyway.”

The Voice of Bitterness: “I can’t believe how they treated you! You deserve better. God will judge them for what they did to you.”

The Voice of Fear: “You cannot achieve what your dream. Turn back now before you make a bigger fool of yourself.”

The Voice of Resignation: "You’re tired. Take a rest. Let the younger (more called, more talented, more capable) ones take your place.”

The Voice of Confusion: “You’ll never wrap your head around this one. It’s way too complicated for your simple mind.”

The Voice of Religion: “There are many paths to God. All of them are right. Be a sincere and good person. You’ll get there if you keep trying.”

The Voice of Jealousy: “That promotion belonged to you. You’re every bit as good. Better than that jerk for sure!”

The Voice of Impatience: “They are so slow. They must be stupid. Don’t they know how busy you are. Tell them to hurry up!”

The Voice of Contention: “What’s their problem? Can’t they see that there’s a better way... your way!”

The Voice of Jesus: “Get up, and do not be afraid.”

Which voice will I listen to?

“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased;

listen to Him!”

________________

I found this very cool image above at a blog post by Faris called "Silent Voices" (http://farisyakob.typepad.com/blog/2007/10/silent-voices.html). It is his reworking of the cover of a Franz Ferdinand album "You Can Have It So Much Better" designed by Matthew Cooper which itself reworks a famous 1924 photomontage by Russian Constructivist artist, Aleksandr Rodchenko. For more images and further information, check out "Constructivism: the ism that just keeps givin'" by Patrick Burgoyne on the Creative Review blog at at http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2008/august/constructivism-the-ism-that-just-keeps-givin.

"Who Do You Say I Am?"

2012-01-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Matthew 16.13-16 NIV

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked.”

“WHO do you say I am?”

A good man? A trusted friend? A nice guy?

A moral philosopher? The only way to heaven?

“Who DO you say I am?”

Do I actually say anything at all or do I depend on my

actions alone to influence others to follow Christ?

“Who do YOU say I am?”

Not what I read in a book or heard preached
from a pulpit. What is true inside of me?

“Who do you SAY I am?”

What flows from my lips when asked about faith in Christ?
Is it guesswork or am I fully assured of what I believe?

“Who do you say I am?”

D0 I speak with more intelligence and familiarity about Barak
Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Gates than about Jesus?

“Who do you say I AM?”

I know who Jesus isn’t. But exactly who is He?
If I don’t know how will anyone else find out?

“WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?”

“Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone
asks you to account for the hope that is in you...”

1st Peter 3.15 AMP

"Are We There Yet?

2012-01-20T05:56:00.000-08:00

Matthew 15.15 NIV and “The Message”

Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

“I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

Peter is the patron saint of the dense. He’s my kind of guy. Most of us “don’t get it” quietly. But Peter blurts out his ignorance for all to hear, “I’m lost. Can you explain what you’re talking about?” Peter validates and encourages me. I now know it’s OK to admit, “I don’t get it”. If Peter needed an explanation, why am I surprised that I do?

I would rather “get” everything. I hate to look stupid. I don’t want others to jeer and poke fun at my ignorance with snide remarks like, “Wake up and smell the coffee” or “Come to the party” or everyone’s favorite, “Duh”. But that’s the risk I take when, like Peter, I choose to display my unawareness for all to see.

Of course, there is an upside to this risk. Perhaps I will actually learn something. So, when the pain of ignorance becomes greater than the fear of reprisal, I may take the plunge and confess my reality:

“I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

My comprehension is limited. I only know a few things. I’m ever learning but never knowing it all. Always on the journey but never arriving.

I grew up in a military home and my family moved constantly. (Thankfully, they never left me behind.) I actually attended three fifth grade classes in Massachusetts, Montana, and Germany. My parents and siblings and I took lots of trips. My memory of vacations and relocations all blend together now. We traveled by ship, plane, train, bus, subway, and car. I recall few destinations, but frequent journeys and lots of sightseeing along the way. I often wondered (and pestered my parents with), “Are we there yet?” I’m still wondering.

Very little is crystal clear for me. I am a believer. I subscribe to the basic tenants of the Christian faith. I know Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead. I am assured that my eternal destiny is secure. I know I am aware that I have a wonderful wife and family, a great job, and good health. I am overwhelmingly grateful for all these blessings. I know I am called to serve in the name of Christ. But that’s about it. I grasp very little beyond that. I am in constant need of divine explanations to human dilemmas, many of my own making. Thank God for a Savior who never wearies of my need to know and the example of a disciple who overcame his shame and admitted his personal limitations…

“Explain the parable to us.”
“I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

"In the Act of Sharing"

2012-01-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Matthew 14.16, 19c-20a HCSB

“‘They don’t need to go away,’ Jesus told them. ‘You give them something to eat.’

He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Everyone ate and was filled.”

Who fed the “five thousand men” plus their “women and children” (v. 21) with “only five loaves and two fish” (v. 17)? Be careful. It’s a trick question and the answer is not ‘Jesus’.

Jesus did not feed the crowd. His disciples did. The followers of Jesus fed the horde of hungry people! Jesus multiplied their efforts. He made it possible. He performed the miracle. But it was Christ’s followers who took the loaves of bread from Jesus and “gave them to the crowds”.

These guys wanted Jesus to “send the crowds away” (v.15). The disciples were hungry. The throng, they surmised, was ravenous. No one expected the Lord’s response...

“You give them something to eat.”

Not the grocer. Not the farmer. Not the local innkeeper. Not the government. Not even Jesus. You take care of the need. You feed thousands of hungry people. You take what little provisions you have and “bring them here to Me” (v. 18). He broke both loaves into at least 5,000 pieces and “gave them to the disciples”. Somehow in the act of sharing there was enough. “Everyone ate and was filled.” It was a miracle.

Have no regard for the size of the need or the inadequacy of your supply. Give what you have to Jesus and expect a miracle.

“You give them something to eat.”

"Worthless Piece of Dirt?"

2012-01-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

Matthew 13.44 NIV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

The man in Jesus’ parable of the hidden treasure sold everything to purchase what others deemed a worthless parcel of dirt. His neighbors wondered, “What does he see in that old field of weeds?” The wise man saw beneath the surface. This ground was far more than a collection of rocks and rubble. It held the promise of unimaginable wealth. He would dig, get dirty, go deep, and find the treasure.

Did you ever think of yourself as dirty, worthless, without value? Jesus thinks otherwise. He discovered “treasure hidden” inside of you. His Father in Heaven placed it there before you were even conceived. In fact, God “knew you” and chose you as His own long before He “formed you in the womb” (Jeremiah 1.5).

The Son of God may have found you lying dormant beside the road of life. He stopped to investigate. He dug beneath the surface and unearthed the treasure God placed there. Jesus loved what He saw in you. He found His fortune there. It’s the “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17.21). Like the man in His parable, “in his joy” Jesus “sold all he had” to purchase the field. He shed His blood and gave His life for you.

What does Jesus see in a dirty, useless parcel of ground like me?” He sees plenty. He gave everything He had for me. He sold Himself to procure me. Jesus “bought [me] with his own blood” (Acts 20.28).

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,…”
2nd Corinthians 4.7 NKJV

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us,

the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

2nd Timothy 1.14 NAS

There’s a “treasure hidden” inside of each one of us. We have value beyond measure to Jesus.

___________________

In Jesus' parable of the hidden treasure, the hearers of His words are the ones who must sell all they have to obtain the treasure of God. This is the apparent and plain meaning of the text. However, Jesus clearly demonstrates the thrust of this parable in all His interactions with the object of His devotion, which, of course, is all of humanity. We are His treasure.

"My Personal Something Greater"

2012-01-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

Matthew 12.42 NAS

“The Queen of the South… came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”

I once dreamt I was driving on a gray, cold, rainy day. I pulled into fast and heavy traffic on a four lane road. The window wipers suddenly stopped working. The defroster would not clear the windshield. I was not wearing my seat belt and I could not slow down or stop the car. The peril of my dilemma became rapidly apparent. I was driving at least 65 miles an hour in the left lane inches from oncoming traffic… and I could not see where I was going! Horns were honking and I was seconds from a crash that would kill myself and others. I panicked and screamed, “Jesus! Help me!” Then I woke up.

In my dream I needed “something greater” than myself. I was driving toward destruction, fast. Without divine intervention, I was doomed. On the brink of disaster and desperate for someone to rescue me, I cried out for help from “something greater” than me. In my sleep I instantly and instinctively knew who that was. Jesus is my personal “something greater”.
_________________

[1] “The Queen of the South” came from the land of “Sheba” which may have been located in southern part of the Arabian Peninsula or the regions of Ethiopia. Pictured above are the Pillars of a Sabaean moon-god temple in the desert near Marib, Yemen, which some believe to be part of the kingdom ruled by the Qeen of Sheba recorded in both the Bible and the Koran. This gorgeous photograph was shot by Steve Raymer on assignment for, but not published in, "North Yemen," August 1979, National Geographic magazine (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/wallpaper/ancient-architecture-raymer_pod_image.html).

The Queen’s quest, recorded in 1st Kings 10.1-13 and 1st Chronicles 9.1-12, was to verify reports the greatness of Solomon and discover for herself his vast wisdom. What she found at Solomon’s home in Jerusalem was “something [even] greater” than she expected. In fact, it took her breath away: “There was no more spirit in her” (1st Kings 10.5).

"In Honor of Dr. King"

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is considered one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. He showed courage and had the conviction to stand up for a dream he believed in. Dr. King shared his dream for all the world to hear 49 years ago, August 28th, 1963.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1732754907698549493

"The Reality of You-Know-Where"

2012-01-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Matthew 11.23a Wuest Expanded NT

“And as for you, Capernaum, you will not be exalted as far as heaven, will you? You will be caused to descend even to the depths of misery and disgrace in the unseen world,…”

If your name is Capernaum, you might take offense at the words of Jesus. In plainer English, the Contemporary English Version translates this verse:

“People of Capernaum, do you think you will be

honored in heaven? You will go down to hell!”

Jesus never took a class in “Proper Etiquette for Aspiring Young Messiah’s”. Threats of damnation never have been effective in building a loyal following. Nobody wants to hear words like “hell”, or told they are going there.

In my home, even terms like “stupid” or “darn” are off limits. If I ever even started to utter “Go to hell” the wrath of my wife would rise with the fury of you-know-where. Once I said “damn” while working on a project that wasn’t going well. My son, 8 years old at the time, apparently overheard me. Pointing at me with tears squirting from his eyes, Robert cried, “You said a bad word!” I was so ashamed. My wife has taught us well. There is no need for words (or attitudes) like these in the home.

Yet Jesus threw etiquette to the wind with His unpopular denunciation:

“You will go down to hell!”

Nothing about the text implies a softness in His voice or manner as He passed decisive judgment on the “people of Capernaum”. Jesus loved the people of this small town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Clearly our Lord was worried for their eternal future and delivered His indictment with grave concern over the fate of the people He cared for.

This, of course, is completely unlike my attitude whenever I have said (or thought), “Go to hell”. Jesus used bad words for a positive purpose. I do not. My attitude is irritation, discontent, and resignation. Jesus said bad words to convey love, concern, and caution. You could say my bad words are actual grounds for His!

What I admire about Jesus is His absolute disregard for the etiquette of His day. He was not politically correct. His was not a policy of appeasement. Today it considered impolite in cultured society (except as slang) to even whisper words like “hell”, “sin”, or “eternal damnation”. Try it and you will quickly learn the meaning of other words like “ostracize”, “weirdo”, and “friendless”.

Sometimes I wonder, if I adopted the attitude of Christ and learned to love the “people of Capernaum” (or Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, or Hillsboro) as Jesus does, would I risk my reputation, as Jesus did, and warn them of the reality of a place Jesus wants everyone to avoid?

"You Can't Hide the Truth"

2012-01-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Matthew 10.26-27 NIV

“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”

Nothing good comes from a lie. No matter how we spin our version, the truth is still the truth. There’s no running from it or refuting it. Sometimes truth hurts. It can be brutal. We may wish it away and cover it with insulating layers of denial but it remains what it is… the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

A woman called me because she was having marital issues. She needed someone to talk to. I agreed to meet with her and encouraged her to bring her husband along.

“I can’t do that”, she said. “He must not know we talked.” “Why not?”, I replied. “He does not know that I know what he’s been up to. If he knew I knew, he would divorce me.” I explained that my goal was to help her marriage and that speaking to me privately about “his problem”, whatever that was, would create an implied collusion between us and against him. That would only make matters worse for the marriage when he did find out. It is unhealthy and ultimately impossible to keep a secret in a marriage. Besides, he deserves the right to share his side of the story. Additionally, to withhold crucial information about what she knew of his behavior meant the relationship was based partly on a lie. Yes, it would be risky to expose the truth. He might get angry and threaten to quit the marriage. But wouldn’t that better than living a lie? Sometimes you have to risk what you have to get what you need. She decided not to meet with me.

We must not be afraid of the consequences of truth. Ultimately, what we work hard to conceal will “be disclosed” and what we try to hide will “be made known”. What Jesus tells you “in the dark”–ness of your prayer closet, “speak in the daylight”. What He whispers “in your ear, proclaim from the roofs”.

“Do not be afraid”. Trust Christ. Take a risk. Tell the truth.

____________________

The hilarious cartoon in this post is entitled "Denial" by Tom Vencel, artist and freelance flash game maker, who was kind enough to grant me permission to display his cartoon here. Check out Tom's amazing work at http://www.ninjadoodle.com/. You'll be glad you did.

"Too Embarrassed to Post"

2012-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Matthew 9.27-30a “The Message”

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, ‘Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!’ When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, ‘Do you really believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Why, yes, Master!’ He touched their eyes and said, ‘Become what you believe.’ It happened. They saw.”

There are a few holes in my profession of faith. I do not always act in accordance with my system of beliefs. The way I live does not perfectly match up to the standards I set for myself and others. To this reality Jesus offers a simple solution…

“Become what you believe.”

My response to this text is similar to the blind men: ‘Jesus, have mercy on me’. Jesus meets me where I’m at: “Do you really believe I can do this?” That is a trick question. It’s another way of asking, ‘Do you really want this?’ or ‘Don’t waste My time if you don’t mean business!’

The test of sincerity forces a obvious issue… ‘Do I have enough faith to act in accordance with my request?’ The blind men could have remained blind even after Jesus healed them. They could have refused to open their eyes! Lest you think that is absurd, ask yourself, ‘Have I ever closed my eyes to the truth? Have I ever refused to see the obvious?’ Even spiritually blind people have choices. They must open the eyes of their heart and ‘become what they believe’.

I have a special request of the Lord this morning. It’s an old one. I’ve asked before. It’s a noble desire. I am certain that God wills what I want. But I don’t yet have it. I’m frankly too embarrassed to publicly post my prayer request. But I will tell you where the request is hidden. I have written it on the last page in my Bible just before the maps section, on page 1073 of my Zondervan NASB. I carry this Bible with me most places I go. If you really want to know what I am too embarrassed to post, you can look there. I give you permission.

My cry for Christ’s mercy reveals a big blind spot for me. Do I truly believe He can do this thing for me? Can I honestly say with other blind men who need Jesus, “Why, yes, Master!” If so, I should open my eyes and do what my Master says…

“Become what you believe.”

_______________

I originally posted this blog entry on January 14, 2010 after years of prayer. My prayer was eventually answered, in a way I never anticipated or predicted and through no effort of my own. It was an absolute gift from God that happened in mid 2011 which I did not deserve but freely received.

"Jesus Asleep on the Job?"

2012-01-11T06:25:00.000-08:00

Matthew 8.23-27 NIV

“Then he [Jesus] got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’ ”

A decision to follow Jesus does not come with a safe passage warranty, especially when you follow Him into a boat. Storms happen. They happen to followers of Christ and everyone else. The disciples were in trouble. Jesus was near but inactive. Overcome by slumber, He expected His disciples to weather the storm on their own. The Lord chastised them for waking Him: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” The tempest was of no concern to Jesus. Followers of Christ must face death alone, without Christ’s direct intervention.

Sometimes I feel alone. I wish Jesus would miraculously calm the seas of tribulation and guarantee an uneventful journey. Jesus has a different plan. He expects me to trust Him in dark and turbulent times, by myself. Christ is nearby but asleep. And why not? He knows there’s nothing to worry about. Jesus can afford a nap. I’m awake. I’m worried. Apparently, I must find faith and learn to face my own demise with courage.

I read an amazing book by one of the world’s greatest bluesmen: Clapton – The Autobiography. I’ve always admired what Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn could do with a Fender Stratocaster. They possessed an amazing and rare gift. I’ve listened to a lot of Clapton music (Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos) and couldn’t wait to get an insider’s look at this man’s life. I found out my musical hero was more than a virtuoso. He was an addict. Clapton seriously abused sex, heroin, and alcohol and nearly ruined his life. In 1982, at the age of 38, Eric finally admitted he had a problem and became willing to enter an alcohol treatment center.

“On the flight over I drank the plane dry, so terrified was I that I might never be able to drink again. This is the most common fear of alcoholics. In the lowest moments of my life, the only reason I didn’t commit suicide was that I knew I wouldn’t be able to drink anymore if I was dead. It was the only thing I thought was worth living for, and the idea that people were about to try and remove me from alcohol was so terrible that I drank and drank and drank, and they had to practically carry me into the clinic”.[1]

Clapton was afraid. Afraid to die and lose what he had come to depend upon. What am I afraid to lose? My income? My habits? My job? My house? My safety? My sex life? My favorite foods? My new IPOD? Why do I cling to this temporal existence as if it had eternal value? So what if the waves wash over me and sink my boat? So what if I drown? Is that all bad? Have I not gained more than I lost? Must I limit myself to a “little faith”? Must I be “so afraid”?

I always admired Eric Clapton for his amazing musical ability. I now admire him for his ruthless honesty. His autobiography gives me permission and courage to look more honestly at myself.

____________________

[1] Clapton – The Autobiography, Eric Clapton, Broadway Books, 2007, p. 198.

Image at the top left of the 1959 Fender Bassman tube amplifier and Fender Sunburst Stratocaster guitar is from Free Guitar Desktop Wallpaper at http://www.justguitars.org/Free-Guitar-Desktop-Wallpaper.

"Your Couch May Kill You"

2012-01-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

Matthew 7.21 NLT

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

I am in dangerously close proximity to an instrument of my own death. It’s not a gun. I do not own a gun. Neither is it the kitchen knife, poisonous pills, or a lethal injection. Yet, the cause of my death may be closer than I think. According to Trice Whitefield, senior analyst for the Center for Consumer Freedom in Washington, D.C., I am actually sitting on the apparatus that could kill me… my couch!

“The growing epidemic of physical inactivity and its related disease are such a significant problem that U.S. doctors have coined a new term: Sedentary Death Syndrome. As the third leading cause of death, it claims the lives of 250,000 Americans each year. Basically, your couch is more likely to kill you than either a stroke or an accident.”[1]

I am active mentally, but much of my cerebral activity takes place on my family room recliner. I read my Bible, write, email, blog, make phone calls, plan my day, compose letters, watch videos, entertain guests, and talk with my family, all from this sacred Mecca for the seat. I would rather be on my couch than just about any other place in this world. The only other single place I spend more time is my bed. Couple that fact with the hours each week I sit behind the wheel in my car or in front of a computer at the office and I am a candidate for Sedentary Death Syndrome. I couldn’t say I wasn’t warned. Even my sofa’s label sounds perilous to my health… Lazy Boy®. No false advertising there!

Jesus gave the same notice. I found His warning label this morning in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 7. Apparently, it takes more than spiritual talk to get you to heaven. It takes spiritual activity. You’ve got to “actually do” something...

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

I can talk from the comfort of my beloved Lazy Boy®, but I cannot feed the hungry, meet a stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick, or touch a prisoner from a reclined position. There is a difference between shaking a hand and entering a chat room, between serving food at a local shelter and sending an on-line check to a favorite charity. For some hard words on this subject review Matthew 25.41-43. Jesus makes faith-filled action, not half-hearted words or cheap talk, the criteria for entrance into “the Kingdom of Heaven”.

If comfort, security, and predictability are most important to me, then I will die spiritually. I understand my eternal destiny is secured by faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for my sins. The Bible says, “But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1.12). I further understand that my faith in Christ is proven real when I take action to get up and do what He says.

“Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and

faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!
James 2.26 CEV

Sedentary Death Syndrome is both a physical and a spiritual threat.
_______________

[1] “A Healthy Diet Doesn’t Mean You Are: Food isn’t the be-all – you can be killed by your couch”, Trice Whitefield, The Sunday Oregonian, January 6, 2008, section E, page 5.

The painting of the girl asleep on a sofa is by Rick Beerhorst. Check out and purchase his amazing work at http://studiobeerhorst.com.

"After This Manner Therefore Pray Ye..."

2012-01-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

Matthew 6.9-13 Webster

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.”

We use language to communicate the meaning of words. Words are the primary vehicle of language and convey different meanings to different people. Both the words (and their tone, inflection, volume, context, nuances, etc.) and the audience (and its background, culture, mood, age, beliefs, etc.) must converge in order for communication to occur. Words alone, even lots of them, do not guarantee good communication.

To communicate the Word of God, translators attempt to combine the meanings of the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic words of the Bible with the language of the people they target. This is not a new effort. “America’s Schoolmaster”, Noah Webster, published many books widely used in schools across our nation including spelling, history, and grammar books. Upon completion of his famous An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), Mr. Webster embarked on a project to update the King James Version of the Bible with an aim to make it more readable to 19th century Americans. He believed this common version of 1611 contained obsolete phrases, incorrect grammar, and offensive expressions. “His purpose was to clear away these obstacles to the use of the Bible as a model of correct and decent English usage in American schools and homes.”[1] Webster completed his revision of the King James Bible in 1833[2].

Today, Webster’s version of the Bible is mostly obsolete but there is one passage in his revision that remains popular in Christian circles to this day. That is, of course, the “The Lord’s Prayer” recorded in the gospel of Matthew. It’s difficult for even the most contemporary of language purists to do away with this 175 year old version of prose from the lips of Jesus. The “Our Father” in other modern translations doesn’t sound right.

On any give Easter Sunday, an estimated 2 billion believers worldwide will recite these words.[3] You’ve probably memorized Noah Webster’s version of “The Lord’s Prayer” and didn’t even know it. Say this prayer several times during the day. Let these words of Christ unite you with centuries of Christians who have also chosen to observe the words of Him who said, “Pray then in this way…” or, as Noah Webster and King James put it, “After this manner therefore pray ye…”

___________________

[1] “Webster’s Revision of the KJV (1833)”, Michael Marlowe, July 2005, http://www.bible-researcher.com/webster.html#intro.

[2] The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, in the Common Version. With Amendments of the Language, Noah Webster, ed., New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1833. Reprinted Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987.

[3] "Across the globe, Christians are united by Lord's Prayer", Kang, K. Connie. Los Angeles Times, in Houston Chronicle, p. A13, April 8, 2007. “On Easter Sunday 2007 it was estimated that 2 billion Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox Christians read, recited, or sang the short prayer in hundreds of languages in houses of worship.”

"Dave's Rule and the Golden Rule"

2012-01-06T04:22:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5.38-39; 7.12 Complete Jewish Bible

“You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too!”

“Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.”

Union Station was busy on December 27th, 2007. My aging mother, recovering from recent lung surgery, stood in a crowd waiting to board the train from Portland to Seattle. I was there to assist mom and needed to verify her tickets. There wasn’t much time before departure. I got in line at the ticket counter, in a hurry to get information. Just before my turn to speak to an Amtrak representative, a woman stepped in front of me.

Me: Acting surprised and glaring at her.

Her: Ignoring me. Me: “Excuse me, ma’am, I think you took my place in line.”

Her: “Oh, I just have a quick question to ask.”

Me: “I also have a quick question to ask.”

Her: “Well, I’m in a hurry because my train to Seattle leaves shortly.”

Me: “My mother is on the same train. I am also in a hurry.”

Her: Ignoring me.

When the man at the counter said “Next” both the lady and I advanced quickly. We were in a foot race I was determined to win. The pushy woman and I crossed the finish line at the ticket window in a dead heat, shoulder to shoulder. The Amtrak rep did not know who to address. I spoke fast and got his attention first. After answering my question, I explained that the lady standing next to me also had a question. I left while they were still engaged in conversation.

I try to be fair. You might say I am an “eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” kind of guy. I am courteous when treated courteously. That seems right to me. Problems arise, however, when I am not treated in a manner I think I deserve. I assume I am entitled because I give others what I assume they are entitled to. I possess a finely tuned and acute sense of justice, especially where my (human, civil, legal, ethical, constitutional, or personal) rights are concerned. I take pride in my self-bestowed role as judge and arbiter.

The Bible confronts my belief system: “There is only one Lawgiver and judge... but who are you who judge your neighbor?” Apparently, Dave’s Rule and the Golden Rule do not quite match up.

Me: “Treat people the same way they treat you.”

Jesus: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

Me: “But she stepped in front of me in line.”

Jesus: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

Me: “Who will watch out for my rights?”

Jesus: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

Me: “I am very fair. I will treat people with exactly as they deserve.”

Jesus: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

Me: “But that’s not right. It’s not fair or just!”

Jesus: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

Me: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That’s justice.”

Jesus: “But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.”

______________________

The hauntingly beautiful watercolors on this post are entitled "Golden Rule" and "Winter Frost" by artist Chris Rankin whose limited edition art prints may be viewed and purchased at http://www.draftydesign.com/artprints.html.

"It Seems So Right"

2012-01-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Matthew 4.7a AMP

“Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, it is written also, “You shall not tempt… the Lord your God.” ’ ”

It takes more than a knowledge of the Bible to overcome temptation. It takes the right understanding and honest application of the Bible.

Satan knows the Bible better than I do and he twists Scripture to tempt me in wrongdoing. The best way to combat temptation is with the use of Scripture. But what happens when Satan tosses me a temptation containing an element of scriptural truth? That was his strategy with Jesus…

“Then the devil took Him into the holy city and

had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him,

‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

“He will command His angels concerning you”; and

“On their hands they will bear You up,…” ’ ”

The devil’s memory of the Hebrew Scriptures was impeccable and his ability to quote it, flawless. Satan used his Psalm 91.11-12 to entice Jesus to commit suicide by jumping from a tall building. Suicide is still a common demonic tactic, successfully luring one person every 17 minutes in the United States alone.[1] Jesus’ choice of Scripture trumped Satan’s: “On the other hand, it is written also, ‘You shall not tempt… the Lord your God.’ ” Jesus rightly understood and honestly applied the appropriate verse for the occasion.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (Proverbs 16.25 NLT). How does a man or woman of God fight back when the attraction of sin ‘seems so right’?

Adultery: “God wants me to be happy.”

Suicide: “Life is too hard. I just want to go to heaven now.”

Theft: “God helps those who help themselves!”

Lying: “He couldn’t handle the truth.”

Cussing: “God knows my heart. I didn’t really mean it.”

Selfishness: “I can’t take care of anyone else if I don’t take care of myself first.”

Pornography: “A woman’s body is a beautiful thing to behold.”

Rage: “I can’t help it. God made me this way.”

Laziness: “I need a break!”

Gossip: “I am God’s ambassador and I’m just telling it like it is.”

Disrespect: “God knows they don’t deserve my respect.”

Abuse: “The Bible teaches wives to submit.”

Nagging: “The Bible teaches husbands should behave lovingly.”

Violence: “It’s the only way I could get his attention.”

Drunkenness: “I need to relax a little.”

Overeating: “I need lots of energy to do God’s will.”

Divorce: “The kids will be happier.”

History shows that humans are adept at finding scriptural support for any behavior they choose to engage. Investigate the history of slavery in America or the Middle Ages practice of selling religious relics for profit. The devil can quote Scripture. So can any self-absorbed society or individual looking for an excuse to sin. The Bible is not enough. It takes right understanding and an honest application of the Bible.

The devil will lure me with plentiful Scriptural references to support my sin. “On the other hand” Jesus can show me where “it is written also” that I may successfully combat temptations just like He did.

______________________

[1] “U.S. Suicide Statistics (2001) from http://www.suicide.org/

"The Temptaion of Christ" (ca. 1854) by Dutch painter Ary Scheffer.

"Jesus Needs Your Permission"

2012-01-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

Matthew 3.13-15 NAS

“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permitted Him.”

I’m no John the Baptist. Not even close. But I have more in common with him than with Jesus. John and I are human only. Jesus is both human and divine. John the Baptist and the rest of humanity stand on one side of a line drawn in the sand and Jesus stands on the other. We have sinned. Jesus is sinless. We are creatures. Jesus is our Creator. We are not God. Jesus is God. We can save no one but Jesus is the Messiah. None of us died on a cross for the redemption of humankind. But that is exactly what Jesus did.

John the Baptist was called to baptize Jesus. It did not seem right to him. Nor would it have seemed right to me. But only in this way, according to Jesus, would He and John together “fulfill all righteousness”. It’s odd to me that Christ required human cooperation to “fulfill all righteousness”. It’s almost absurd to think that Jesus would need and seek permission from any human being. But that’s exactly what Jesus did.

I wonder... what would have happened if John denied Jesus permission? Would some “righteousness” remain unfulfilled? The Amplified Bible says, “John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent” the baptism of Jesus. But Jesus convinced him to perform the sacred rite and John witnessed “the Spirit of God descending like a dove” (Matthew 3.16).

Peter was similarly reluctant when Jesus offered to wash the disciple’s feet. “Never shall You wash my feet”, Peter informed the Lord. It’s hard to imagine Jesus kneeling before a mere man like me with water and towel in hand. But that’s exactly what He did.

Why did Jesus need John’s baptism and John’s permission? Who was John that he would actually have the authority to grant (or presumably withhold) permission? The text perplexes me...

“Then he permitted Him.”

New American Standard Bible

“Then John consented.”

New International Version

“Then he allowed Him to be baptized.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible

“So John agreed to baptize Jesus.”

New Century Version

My response might have been: “Jesus, You’re the Son of God. You don’t need my permission (consent, allowance, or agreement) for anything.” But apparently He does.

It boggles my mind how little I know about the nature of Christ. Jesus announces, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him…” (Revelation 3.20). My immediate thought is, “Jesus, the door is open. Please come in anytime. You don’t need my permission.” But my ‘permission’ is exactly what Jesus needs to “fulfill all righteousness” in me.

"Beyond Our Control, but Within Our Vision"

2012-01-03T06:10:00.001-08:00

Matthew 2.9b-10 “The Message”

“Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!”

Being in the right place at the right time is largely a matter outside my control. Sometimes it just happens. Or, does it? Maybe Someone larger than me directs my paths and plans my future. Could there be a Higher Power, a supernatural force, or a personal God who is interested in the affairs of the people He caused to exist? Does a Divine Being control the circumstances surrounding my life? Does He know how my story ends? Does He care?

The “magi from the east” believed in a deity who managed events beyond their control but within their vision. They placed their faith in a God who orchestrated circumstances to a positive outcome. They interpreted the unusual star as a sign of God’s presence and a token of His love. They would follow the star trusting it to lead them to exactly “the right place” at precisely “the right time”. When the same celestial light reappeared and “hovered over the place of the child”, the wise men knew their quest had come to a glorious end. They had found Him who was “born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2.2).

The circumstances that shape my destiny lie largely outside my control but well within the range of my vision. Wisdom demands that I correctly interpret what I see and take the steps made plain before me. For wise men, that’s not so hard to do.

Our wonderful friends, the Harrison’s, joined my family for a little wine, a few games, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2007. As the crystal ball dropped for the 100th time in New York’s Times Square cheered by over a million revelers, I had the unique pleasure of kissing my wife. I felt a light tap on my leg and looked down to see my six year old daughter Rachel reaching up with lips puckered. God placed a beautiful, shining little star in my line of vision. She was there to lead me to an obvious course of action. I picked her up and kissed her in celebration of the new year. There was a group hug and a lot of smiles.

God had led me to this place and moment and there I found Jesus. I “could hardly contain” myself. I was in exactly “the right place” at precisely “the right time”.

"Your Very Own Immaculate Conception"

2012-01-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

Matthew 1.20 NIV

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”

More things are conceived by the Holy Spirit than one might guess. Not every imagination, new thought, dream, or insight is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but many are. Immaculate conceptions of these kinds are commonplace with an uncommonly intimate deity like the Most High God.

Conception happens when two (or more) parties come together to form something new. Together, Paul McCartney and John Lennon conceived of some of the greatest new music of the past century. My wife and I came together and conceived some of the greatest new kids on planet earth. Business partners conceive plans that birth new revenues. Sexual partners worldwide conceive and reproduce themselves every day. Readers conceive of new ideas from the authors they follow. An artist may be inspired by a beautiful flower, sunset, or woman. Together the artist and his inspiration conceive an image and bring to life an amazing painting, photograph, sculpture, poem, or song.

Conceptions like these may be miraculous, but not necessarily immaculate. Conception happens when two or more parties come together to form something new. Immaculate conception happens when God is one of those parties. Admittedly, this is not the proper definition taught by the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic doctrine of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ teaches that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. She was, therefore, sinless [1] and uniquely qualified to bring the Messiah into the world.

Since Jesus is God, Mary may be rightly called the mother of God, but that does not make her sinless. The Bible says “there is no distinction; for all [including Mary] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3.22-23). Mary, like all humankind, needed the Savior she birthed. She was undoubtedly a wonderful and godly young woman, but human and sinful nevertheless. There is no essential difference between Mary and the rest of us. This is not to minimize the Biblical role Mary was chosen to play in drama of God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ. After all, “What [was] conceived in her [was] from the Holy Spirit” and when “the power of the Most High” God overshadowed this girl from Nazareth, she conceived a “holy Child… called the Son of God”, (Luke 1.35). The incarnation was an unspeakably amazing and mysterious, one-of-a kind, historical event. What was “conceived” in this divine-human interaction was nothing less than ‘immaculate’. No wonder Gabriel called Mary “favored one” (Luke 1.28).

The Holy Spirit overshadowed me about 40 years ago when He prompted me to respond in faith and receive the Son of God as my Lord and Savior. My new birth was conceived in me by the power of God who sacrificed His Son for my eternal redemption. It was an immaculate event beginning with an inner awareness of a divine presence made possible by God Himself. Jesus promised, “Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18.20). From such Spirit inspired encounters with Jesus, love, inspiration, strength, encouragement, power, and joy continue to be immaculately conceived.

God has many more immaculate conceptions to bestow. Are you expecting? You may discover that “what is conceived in [you] is from the Holy Spirit”!
__________________

The painting pictured at the upper left is an oil on canvas entitled "Immaculate Conception" by Spanish painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617 - 1682) and on display at Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.

[1] In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of December 8th, 1854, Pius IX pronounced that the Blessed Virgin Mary “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.”

According to The Catholic Encyclopedia (New York: Robert Appleton Company, retrieved January 4, 2010 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm), “the formal active essence of original sin was not removed from her soul, as it is removed from others by baptism; it was excluded, it never was in her soul. Simultaneously with the exclusion of sin. The state of original sanctity, innocence, and justice, as opposed to original sin, was conferred upon her, by which gift every stain and fault, all depraved emotions, passions, and debilities, essentially pertaining to original sin, were excluded.”

"Yes or No?"

2011-12-30T12:31:00.000-08:00

Malachi 3.13 “The Message”

“God says, ‘You have spoken hard, rude words to me.’ You ask, ‘When did we ever do that?’”

Malachi is a book about denial. The leaders of Israel questioned God’s analysis of their condition. They argued with their Creator. They were in denial.

“How have You loved us?” (1.2)
“How have we despised Your name?” (1.6)
“How have we defiled You?” (1.7)
“For what reason [will You no longer regard our offering]?” (2.14)
“How have we wearied Him?” (2.17)
“How shall we return [to You]?” (3.7)
“How have we robbed You?” (3.8)
“What have we spoken against You?” (3.13)

“When did we ever do that?”

Do you like peanuts? I asked myself that question recently and came to a weak conclusion. Frankly, it depends on the situation. When I am eating a box of Crackerjacks then I am very fond of peanuts. I can’t wait to taste the flavor and feel the texture of a peanut with the caramel corn. The same is true for peanut brittle. I feel gypped by each bite that does not contain a peanut.

However, if I am eating from a can of mixed nuts, I want the ‘good stuff’… Brazil nuts, almonds, hazel nuts, pecans, and especially cashews. I actually feel gypped when I get a peanut. To make matters worse, I am not alone. I cannot get one member of my family to scoop a handful of mixed nuts equitably. They are ‘pickers’. They pick out the best nuts and leave the peanuts for me!

Do I like peanuts or not? Sometimes I do and, apparently, sometimes I don’t. Although I hate to admit it, my appreciation for peanuts... depends on the situation. If you point out my inconsistency and suggest that perhaps I am not as devoted to peanuts as I should be, I may become slightly defensive and try to qualify my love for peanuts. I might even sound a little irritated as I flatly deny the obvious. You might have to endure my self-righteous, over-explanation on how it is OK to love peanuts in certain environments and not others. I would recount for you my fond memories of cracking shelled peanuts at the circus with my family. You might hear about that many times since my youth I have enjoyed the peanut-eating experience. I still crack an occasional peanut shell. It’s a great snack I would tell you.

Does this sound wishy-washy? It should because it is. The simple truth is I like peanuts just fine… until something better comes along. The same was true for Malachi’s Jews 400 years before Christ. They liked God just fine…

…on certain occasions

…when it was easy

…if God would prove Himself

…in small or diluted doses

…when His demands matched their offerings

…in the right environment

…when it did not cost them anything

…when God was their best option

…until something better came along

Am I a devoted follower of Christ? It’s a fair question and deserves a straight-forward answer. I need not qualify or clarify my answer. The question is uncomplicated and requires no explanation. I cannot appeal to the past or deny the obvious. I must not answer the question with a question or become defensive. Prophet Malachi reminds me to just answer the question. Am I a devoted follower of Jesus Christ? “Yes” or “No”?

“Just let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes.’ Let your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’

Anything more than this comes from the evil one.”
Matthew 5.37 New International Reader’s Version

"My Furry Friend"

2011-12-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 10.8 NLT

“When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them. From the few who are left, they will grow as numerous as they were before.”

I am a fan of large, well run companies. Some of my personal favorites are Les Schwab, Garmin, Nordstrom, Nike, McDonalds, Starbucks, Delta Faucets, Cross Pens, RE/MAX, Southwest Airlines, Fender, Nabisco, Toyota, Lego, and Disney. Like the sirens of Greek mythology or the Pied Piper of Hamelin, millions of people are mysteriously drawn to the sound of these names.

Four years ago I made an addition to my most admired companies list. I’ve heard, “Daddy, can we go to Build-a-Bear” more than once, so when my little girl received a certain gift card in her stocking a couple years back, we were soon off to a ‘beary’ special place where almost anything is ‘paw-sible’! There she made a new best friend. Fuzzy, a beautiful pink teddy bear, was born December 28, 2007 and came home to join Snicker, Doodle, and Nee-nee. Something drew my daughter (and thousands of others daily) to Build-a-Bear Workshops worldwide “where best friends are made” in a most remarkable way…

Select a bear carcass and hand it to the stuffing machine operator
Step on the stuffing pedal and fill your bear with the ‘fuzz’ of life
Rub your “I Love You” heart between your hands
Close your eyes and make a wish
Kiss the heart and place it inside your newly stuffed animal
Watch the operator sew up your newborn bear
Give your furry friend an air shower to blow off excess fuzz
Choose additional accessories (shoes, clothes, beds, wigs, skate boards, etc.)
Type a birth certificate at the kid-friendly computer station [1]
Pay for your bear and place it in its own carrying case
Receive your gift certificate complete with your bear’s vital statistics inscribed below these memorable words:

“My furry friend is special. I brought it to life. I chose it. I stuffed it. I made it my own. I promise to love it and give it a home.”

The whole experience is so endearing I may go back and build my own bear. One future day all God’s people will come to a place with even more drawing power than Starbucks, Disneyland, or Build-a-Bear Workshop. The Lord will gather His church and we’ll all show up. He will “whistle” and we’ll “come running”. Jesus stuffed us with His Holy Spirit, kissed our hearts, and wished for our eternal salvation. He paid the price to call us His own and we were each issued an eternal new-birth certificate. Of every believer on that day, Jesus Christ will confidently say…

“My little friend is special. I brought him to life. I chose her. I stuffed him. I made her My own. I promise to love him and give her a home.”

_________________

[1] This is where the Build-a-Bear Corporation builds its data base by brilliantly inspiring young shoppers and their parents to relinquish generous amounts of personal data!

"Give It Away"

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 8.13 NASU

“It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.”

Christmas is a time for giving.

Paul instructed believers to “remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20.35). Giving makes us feel good. It is part of our God-given nature to share what we have with others. I have so I can give.

Against incredible odds of success, the reunited nations of “Judah and… Israel” returned from exile to their home in Jerusalem. They were saved by the supernatural power of God (Zechariah 4.6) from their oppressive existence for a purpose... that thay might “become a blessing... among the nations”. Zechariah’s Jews were charged with the enormous task of rebuilding the Temple of God and reestablishing the practice of worship in God’s holy city. The chosen people were so for a reason. They were saved and chosen to bless and give to others.

“…I will save you that you may become a blessing.”

I am saved for exactly the same purpose.

“God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
1st Timothy 2.3-4 NLT

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Mark 16.15 NIV

Christmas is a time of giving. I have something I must give away.

"Emmanuel"

2011-12-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Haggai 1.13-14 NKJV

“Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, ‘I am with you, says the Lord.’ So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,…”

A minor prophet made a major pronouncement: “I am with you, says the Lord”. His words seared the conscience, kindled a response, and fueled a movement. Haggai’s hearers refused to dawdle. Gov. Zerubbabel and Rev. Joshua’s hearts were tender and quick to heed “the Lord’s messenger”. “The Lord stirred up the spirit” of the leaders and “all the remnant of the people”. Under the inspired preaching of prophets Haggai and Zechariah an entire community of faith rose to the sacred occasion about 500 years before the birth of Christ and rebuilt a testament to God’s glory… the Holy Temple of God.

“So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were

greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and

Zechariah.... The Temple was finally finished.”
Ezra 6:14-15 NLT

What great things might I accomplish if I fully grasped in my soul the prophetic truth of Christmas... God is with me? I’ve heard and read the birth narratives of Christ from the gospels of Matthew and Luke hundreds of times, several times this past week already. I could easily grow cavalier and indifferent. Sadly, it is possible to treat the incarnation of Christ, “Emmanuel... God with us”, with only casual interest.

Exactly 48 hours ago, my kids stirred from their sleep and remembered with sudden joy the moment it was. They sprung to action on the threshold of the best day of the year. Stockings poured forth their treasures, colorful wrapping and ribbons flew, gleeful sounds and delicious smells filled our home. The people I love the most spent the day reawakening old memories and making new ones.

In this spirit of excited anticipation, I must pause to deeply hear Haggai’s voice which “spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, ‘I am with you, says the Lord.’” Isaiah recorded the same truth centuries earlier. Matthew centuries later...

“All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through
the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall
name him Emmanuel,” which means, ‘God is with us.’

Matthew 1.22-23 NRSV (from Isaiah 7.14)

Jesus Christ is with us! It is my greatest Christmas season ever!

_____________________

I found the beautiful painting of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus at the top of this post on the Photo Bucket website by "God's Cowboy" (http://media.photobucket.com/image/painting%20of%20mary%20joseph%20and%20jesus/GodsCowboy/Religious%20Pictures/MaryJosephandthebabyJesus.jpg).

"The Fat Man's Gospel"

2011-12-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Zephaniah 1.12 NASB

“And it will come about at that time
That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
And I will punish the men
Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good or evil!’”

What is “stagnant in spirit”? Whatever it is, I don’t want it. “Stagnant” implies apathetic, neutral, stymied, without power, bogged down, dormant, inactive, stale, static, asleep at the helm, without traction. I would choose none of these are descriptors for my life as a Christ-follower. I hope I’m right. The Lord does not “punish” without a reason so it follows that I have a choice. I can be “stagnant” or not. It’s up to me.

The literal translation of the Hebrew word for “stagnant” is ‘thickening on their lees’ which, of course, means little to modern Americans. The imagery comes from the ancient practice of wine making. If the wine was allowed to remain in its sediment too long it would thicken into a syrup. This wine had ‘thickened on its lees (dregs)’ and become undrinkable.

According to the well respected Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon, the term used for ‘thickening’ may also be translated condensed, congealed, or curdled. Am I a condensed, congealed, or curdled believer? I hope not. I want to flow in the Spirit like very fluid, low viscosity Christian. I want to be good wine, not syrupy dregs!

The text evokes an image of a soft man whose middle section is thickened by too little activity and too much television, beer, and fattening foods. He is unable to move quickly when decisive action is called for. He became undisciplined in his habits, “stagnant in spirit”, and ineffective in his calling. The man lost touch with the power of a dynamic God whom he has determined will do neither “good or evil”. His god has become like him… soft, impotent, ineffectual.

Jesus made His distaste for easy, soft, middle-of-the-road Christianity abundantly clear…

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.

You're not cold, you're not hot — far better to be either cold or hot!

You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit.”
Jesus Christ, Revelation 3.15-16 “The Message”

Fat, syrupy, thick, “stagnant” Christianity? Jesus will have nothing to do with it. By His grace and power, neither will I.
___________________

The cartoon at the top of this article is entitled "Chris Madden Environment Cartoon #5" by excellent cartoonist Chris Madden whose work you may view at his web site "Grinning Planet ~ Saving the Planet One Joke at a Time" (http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/05-31/environment-cartoon.htm). The original cartoon says "HOW TO STOP OVER-CONSUMING" on the cover of the book which I changed to "HOLY BIBLE" for the purposes of this post.

"The Anti-Prayers of a Tantrum Thrower"

2011-12-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

Habakkuk 2.19-20 NLT

“What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’

Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. ”

How could they do it? How could they have been so blind and stupid? What were the Israelites of Habakkuk’s world thinking? Why did they pray to idols? Did they really expect “speechless stone images” to respond?

Why didn’t they pray to the living “Lord [who was] in his holy Temple”? They could have spoken to Someone who cared! Instead they talked to elements of gold, silver, wood, and stone. How dumb was that? They should have known better.

I should know better too. But I’ve caught myself praying to idols. I’m often in a hurry and crowd too much activity into my day. I sometimes try to haul a heavy briefcase in one hand and balance a coffee cup in the other, while attempting to open an uncooperative door with my elbow. The cell phone seems to ring in moments like these. I grope in the general direction of the ring tone, drop my briefcase, spill my coffee, scrape my shoes on the door frame, and, of course, miss the call.

I feel like cursing and do. Who am I talking to? When I say “damn it”, who is “it” and who is supposed to do the damning? In younger years, I would actually yell at, kick, throw, or break an inanimate object. I played the role of God, directing my (not-so-holy) wrath at a thing. I empowered a lifeless object when I decided it was out to get me. I declared war on a “lifeless” piece of “gold and silver” or plastic, wood, and iron. What was I thinking? Or, was I thinking?

Cursing is a type of prayer and rage a form of idol worship. Call it the anti-prayers of a tantrum thrower. This type of idolatry and senseless speech is not always dramatic or readily observable. It can be subtle. General irritability, grouchiness, griping, moping around, bad attitude, snappiness, the silent treatment, under-the-breath slurs, disrespect, moroseness, pessimism, boredom, and moodiness may all be early signs of a pre-tantrum fit. When we become angry with circumstances, events, places, and things, instead of recognizing “they are lifeless inside” as the Bible teaches, we attribute life to them and direct our negative prayer energy toward “speechless stone images”. That’s idolatry. It’s a waste of time. Why do we do it?

When “lifeless” things do not go my way, Jesus may be trying to get my attention and teach me something about self-control. I should stop, shut up, and listen…

“The Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”---

"Yokes!"

2011-12-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

Nahum 1.12-13 NAS

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Though they are at full strength and likewise many, even so, they will be cut off and pass away.

Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you, and I will tear off your shackles.’”

God uses His enemies to shape the character of those He loves. The book of Nahum is an oracle against Assyria’s capital city Nineveh. The prophecy was first delivered on the threshold of the fall of Assyria’s great empire around 600 B.C. Nahum acknowledged God’s hand in both the affliction suffered by his beloved Judah and her vindication at Assyria’s destruction. According to the prophet, God was behind both the affliction and the comfort He sent Judah’s way. He used Assyria to execute wrath upon His people when they were apathetic and too comfortable. But things would change…

“Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. So now, I will
break [Assyria’s] yoke bar from upon you, and I will tear off your shackles.”

God uses the empires, people, and circumstances to comfort and afflict those He loves. I must never make the pursuit of comfort my primary objective. The comfort I create for myself is an illusion that disappears before I fully enjoy it. It never satisfies the way I imagine it will. When I chase and apprehend the comfort I long for, I am disappointed. It leaves me feeling cold and unfulfilled. Comfort is an idol, a false god.

Yet, God is a “God of all comfort, who comforts us in our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2nd Corinthians 1.4). Godly comfort is not for my benefit alone. It is bestowed so that it may be offered. It presupposes a familiarity with suffering. Godly comfort can only be appreciated by those who have been hurt. I am afflicted so that I might learn to place value on the comfort I receive and then give it to others who need it.

I must stop seeking my own comfort. It would be far wiser to voluntarily wear the “yoke bar” of Christ’s affliction. He alone can give me the comfort I need.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your

souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Jesus, Matthew 11.28-30 NKJV

"Freedom from Not-So-Imaginary Fears"

2011-12-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

Micah 4.1a, 3b-4 NIV

“And it will come about in the last days that…”

“…they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.”

The popular notion that no one can make you feel anything, that each person is entirely responsible for his or her own feelings, is not necessarily biblical and not always true. If a crazy man waves a loaded gun in my face, he has made me afraid. He is responsible for my feelings. His action made me feel fear. Micah the prophet describes a fear-less future. He promised,

“And it will come about in the last days that... every man will sit…
under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid.”

What a day that will be! Today there may be reason to fear. Then there will be ‘nothing to fear’. “In the last days” no one will lock their doors, wear protective armor, prepare for war, engage in politics, suffer from gossip, battle public opinion, reach for a gun, look over their shoulder, feel abandoned, know terror, or support a budget for defense.

Children often suffer from imaginary fears. I called it the ‘boogie-man’. He and others like him lived under my bed, behind the shower curtain, and in the basement of my house. They mostly came out when I was alone and it was dark. Monsters never dared to reveal themselves when my parents were nearby.

My mom and dad are no longer here to protect me. I sometimes suffer from not-so-imaginary fears. Death, illness, wars, famine, crime, nuclear proliferation, holocausts, car wrecks, terrorist attacks, personal failure, public speaking, financial loss, recession, inflation, confrontation, rejection, embarrassment, impotence, chaos, confusion, old age, or a crazy man with a gun. These things can possibly happen. If I live long enough, some of them most certainly will.

I may have good reason to fear and yet, Jesus is always with me and quietly reminds me, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”. Christ’s voice to my heart is unmistakable: “Fear not” (Matthew 10.28, 31 ESV).

Perhaps today...

I can calmly ‘sit under my own fig tree with no one to make me afraid’.

Perhaps today...

I can have courage and confidence in the midst of a broken and imperfect world.

Perhaps today...

I can experience “the last days” in my heart even before they come on earth.

Perhaps today...

I can enjoy a little freedom from my private collection of not-so-imaginary fears.

___________________

The photograph at the top of today's post is from a series entitled Childhood Fears by Joshua Hoffine whose additional photos you can view at http://www.hemmy.net/2008/04/29/childhood-fears-photography-by-joshua-hoffine/. Please be advised that the images are graphic in their portrayal of the terror many of us felt as children. In the artist's own words, "I believe that the horror story is ultimately concerned with the imminence and randomness of death, and the implication that there is no certainty to existence. The experience of horror resides in this confrontation with uncertainty. Horror tells us that our belief in security is delusional, and that monsters are all around us."

I have never heard a better description of the reality of horror than these words by Mr. Hoffine. While "horror tells us that our belief in security is delusional", God is able to break the bondage of fear common to the human soul by the power of His Word. Christ-followers find inner security to face and combat their fears, both those real and imagined, from the words of Jesus: "Have faith" (Mark 11.22) and "Fear not" (Matthew 10.28).

"Thankfully, God Does Not Always Do What He Said He Would Do"

2011-12-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

Jonah 3.10-4.2a

“Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the Lord…” NKJV

“God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do. Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God…” The Message

Jonah was angry because God did not keep His promise. God told the prophet He would overthrow Nineveh and instead He forgave the inhabitants of this godless city. When the God Jonah served did not perform in the way the Jonah expected, the prophet got just a little steamed. In fact, Jonah was so mad he “yelled at God”. Luckily for Jonah, God is a secure being and did not react to Jonah’s tirade. (I yelled at God once. I was so angry I threw my Bible at the wall across the room. No lightning bolts. I’m still alive.)

In 48 verses the author of this book describes a redemptive process that transcends the rational mind and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Jonah’s story wrecks my preconceived notions about the nature of God. I think should always do what He says He’ll do. But God is apparently free to perform in distinctly un-God-like ways. If I try to place God in a box, even a beautifully designed and perfectly constructed theological one, the tale of Jonah shows how grossly limited my container is. As soon as I have God figured out, He will surprise, dismay, or even anger me. Or, He may delight, bless, and forgive when I expect exactly the opposite.

God is God and can do whatever He wants to do. That is the message of Jonah and the message of Jesus (whose life and calling, incidentally, parallels Jonah’s in more ways than one).[1]

A friend recently told me, “There are only two things you must remember in life: There is a God and you’re not it!” His advise is summarized in a bumper sticker I once saw: “Let God be God”. William Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-44) said, “If your conception of God is radically false, then the more devout you are the worse it will be for you. You had better be an atheist.”

Mr. Temple’s advise is bad news for modern day Jonah’s. A legalistic concept of God simply doesn’t work. Of course, this is good news for Ninevites everywhere. Temple is also quoted as saying, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” More good news for Ninevites. Jonah totally missed that part.

Clearly God did not do what He said He would do. He commanded Jonah to preach, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3.4). But when He saw that the Ninevites “turned from their evil way”, then “God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.” Instead, “What he [God] said he would do… he didn’t do”. That angered Jonah. The prophet became “furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God.”

I have the same choice Jonah had. We all do. Embrace a God who is bigger than my understanding of Him, or keep the one I got.
___________________

[1] Jonah went "below in the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep" during "a great storm on the sea" that threatened sink the boat. A frightened the crew woke Jonah and begged him: "Get up, call on your god" (Jonah 1.4, 5). Something similar happened when the disciples found Jesus sleeping when their "boat was being covered with waves" on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples (Matthew 8.23-27 and parallels Mark 4.35-41; Luke 8.22-25).

Jonah was "in the stomach of the fish tree days and three nights" (Jonah 1.17) and Jesus prophesied of Himself: "...so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12.40).

And, just as "the fish... vomited Jonah up onto the dry land" (Jonah 2.10), Christ "was buried, and... raised on the third day" (1st Corinthians 15.3-4).

Upper right stained glass window is from Choir of the City/Parish Church St.Dionysus, Steinhövel window in Speyer, Germany, dated approximately 1280 AD. The lower left stained glass is from the 14th century and on display at Protestant St. Stephen's Church (Temple Saint-Étienne) in Mulhouse, France.

"The Practice of Best Practices"

2011-12-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

Amos 8.5-6 NCV [1]

“When will the New Moon festival be over so we can sell grain? When will the Sabbath be over so we can bring out wheat to sell? We can charge them more and give them less,...

...and we can change the scales to cheat the people. We will buy poor people for silver, and needy people for the price of a pair of sandals. We will even sell the wheat that was swept up from the floor.”

Business hasn’t changed much through the centuries. There were, are, and always will be cheats who give less and take more. It’s the business strategy of choice for unethical vendors. Increase profits by adding hidden fees and reducing actual goods or services on every transaction. “We can charge them more and give them less.” This practice is never disclosed. Buyers are swindled in a multitude of ways so small they are detected only by the Lord.

A business person is only as good as his or her word. Best ethical business practice is simple. Tell the client what you will do for them, then do it. Don’t puff it up or exaggerate. Make sure the consumer understands what you will offer and make promises you intend to keep. Set up deadlines for performance and publish them for the buyer. Give a list of real, past clients and encourage the buyer to call your references. Make yourself accountable to the customer. Let them know in writing what you will do and when you will do it. Hold yourself to a higher standard than even your client does. Surprise the customer with a level of service that exceeds expectations. Strive to obtain a fair wage for an honest day’s work. But if necessary, always err on the side of giving more and taking less. Insist on customer satisfaction. Obey the words of Jesus. It was good business then, and it’s good business now:

“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by
your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Jesus, Luke 6:38 NASB

The practice of best practices is simple, but not necessarily easy. The concept is not hard to grasp but the execution takes effort. It’s called work. But, of course, that’s what you get paid for and, in the end, you will get no more, or less, than you deserve.

__________________

[1] A more literally accurate translation of the words of verse 5 (“We can charge them more and give them less”) is rendered by the English Standard Version (“…that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great”). According to the New English Bible footnotes on Amos 8.5, “The ‘ephah’ was a unit of dry measure used to determine the quantity purchased, while the ‘shekel’ was a standard weight used to determine the purchase price. By using a smaller than standard ephah and a heavier than standard shekel, these merchants were able to increase their profit (‘sell less for a higher price’) by cheating the buyer.”

I found the excellent photo of an antique cash register at the top right of this post at http://www.digitalapoptosis.com/archives/miscellaneous/000885.html.

"The Covenant of Brotherhood"

2011-12-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

Amos 1.9 ESV

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they delivered up a whole people to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.”

God was unhappy with the land of Tyre because they “did not remember the covenant of brotherhood”. We must never forget those to whom we are connected. I cannot cut off my right arm, nor can I ignore my fellow human. “The covenant of brotherhood” is a sacred reality.

My kids were famous for their sales ability. From a very young age they believed mom and dad were their ultimate ‘wish list’ providers. When we showed sales resistance, the children were all too willing (and never too embarrassed) to ‘go for the close’ and ‘ask for the order’. By adolescence the stakes became higher and their powers of persuasion even more finely tuned and impassioned.

“Jack got skis. Why can’t I have skis?”

“Well son, we don’t have the money for that.”

“Well dad, just go to the bank and get some!”

“Money in the bank”. The thought resonated with me. It became a concept to embrace and eventually a child-raising theme of mine. I tried to explain that “money in the bank” did not just appear. Someone had to put it there. I told my kids they could have anything they wanted if they would just put “money in the bank”.

The principle is not financial only. It applies to far more than the acquisition of material things. “Money in the bank” is an emotional, relational, and spiritual truism. If you put “money in the bank”, you can have anything you want.

My wife did a fair amount of child care for our neighbors (i.e., transporting kids, babysitting, gift giving, meals, play dates, etc.). Not surprisingly, our children were the regular beneficiaries of ample and similar child care from the neighbors. Every time the woman I married gave to a neighborhood child, it was “money in the bank”. She is invested favors and easily withdrew a few whenever she needed them.

This is “the covenant of brotherhood” in action. We give and take. We reap and sow. We invest and withdraw. We share and receive. “What goes around…”

“The covenant of brotherhood” must never be forgotten. We are here for each other. We must give when we can and receive when we must. We take care of each other. Without “the covenant of brotherhood” our community of faith, our network of business, our culture of connection, our bonds of friendship simply fail. Our society and humanity depend upon “the covenant of brotherhood”. We need each other.

“Remember the covenant of brotherhood”.

"Have Hope"

2011-12-15T06:27:00.001-08:00

Joel 2.3 NLT

“Fire burns in front of them, and flames follow after them. Ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes.”

This morning I read the short book of Joel. What a glorious piece of work! The prophet describes a plague of “gnawing”, “swarming”, “creeping”, and “stripping” locusts. They swarm Palestine in such numbers the sky turns black on the “day of darkness and gloom” (Joel 2.2). The devastation of this devouring army of insects is nearly indescribable. The wind carries them to fertile lands of lush, green vegetation. They leave behind only barrenness and desolation.[1]

The words of the prophet offer hope to those who suffer from a painful and disappointing past. Like the locust, “behind them is nothing but desolation”. This may be good news for the sad of heart. Their worst days are truly “behind them”. Things will get better because “ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden”.

There’s hope from the pages of Joel this morning... a bright “Garden of Eden” lies at the end of your long, dark tunnel of “desolation”; a silver lining “as beautiful as the Garden of Eden” lies behind your temporary cloud of “desolation”. Jesus will “prepare a table before” you and your “cup overflows” (Psalm 23.5) with “rivers of living water” (John 7.38) in the “beautiful” land of “Eden”.

God loves you. Forget the nothingness of “desolation” all too visible in the “behind” part of your life. Ignore the rear view mirror of loss and barrenness. Look instead to “the land” which “lies ahead as beautiful as the Garden of Eden”.

Today, have hope.
____________________

[1] This plague, which probably occurred about 800 B.C., foreshadowed at least three historical events which were to come:

The Babylonian and Assyrian invasions suffered by Israel and Judah in the middle of the millennium preceding the first coming of Jesus Christ.
The birthday of the Church when, on the day of Pentecost, Peter identified Joel’s prophecy with a unique visitation of the Holy Spirit causing a handful of believers “to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance” (Acts 2. 4, 14-21).
The great tribulation preceding the second coming of Christ sometime in the future when, as seen in the vision of John’s revelation, “the sun became black… and the whole moon became like blood” (Revelation 6.12).

"A Divine Pick-Me-Up"

2011-12-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

Hosea 11.4 NAS

“I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them.” NAS

“and I bent down to them and gently laid food before them.” AMP

“I stooped and fed them.” NKJV

I heard the rustle of happy sounds coming from the entry of our home. “Come here Daddy. Hurry!” I played dumb. Mom hung mistletoe and the kids wanted to give it a test drive. My two youngest children and their mother met my approach with lots of giggling. I pretended not to notice the Christmas decoration hanging over their heads.

My 5-year old Rachel cried, “Pick me up Daddy.” “Why?”, I inquired. “Please Daddy. Just pick me up. Hurry!” I knew what was coming. I bent over and lifted her to face level. She kissed my cheek over and over. My wife and boy joined the fun. There was lots of kissing and laughter. Thank God for mistletoe!

I “bent down”. I “stooped” over. I had to. There was no other way to pick up my little girl.

I need Jesus bend down and pick me up…

...when I fall and hurt myself
...when I’m lonely
... when I wonder if I’m-loved
...when I want to show affection
...when I need some attention
...when I’m looking for direction
...when I want a better view of things
...when I feel unworthy
...when I need to feel His warmth

Call it a ‘divine pick-me-up’. It’s better than caffeine, vitamins, or sugar. I was unable to jump into His strong arms. He’s too big for me. Jesus “stooped” over to embrace me. He “bent down” to pick me up. When I’m in His arms, I feel warm and secure; I never want to get down.

I’m glad for God’s gracious condescension. He “stooped” over and “bent down” when He heard the urgent prayer of my heart:

“Come here Jesus. Hurry! Pick me up. Please!”

________________

Photograph "Pick Me Up Daddy" from Heart of the Father Art.

"These Little Ones"

2011-12-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hosea 9.10d AMP

“…they became detestable and loathsome like that which they loved.”

The following subject matter is almost too horrific to print. If it were not true, then no decent person would dare to speak of this “detestable and loathsome” thing. But it is true. Many of us have the bad habit of reading ourselves into every Bible verse. We read about God’s wrath (as in Hosea, chapter 9 for example), and react with, “How can God be so heartless? The Bible is too judgmental. I want nothing to do with an angry God.”

We don’t relate to a God like that because we’re not supposed to. This text was not intended as a rebuke against us. Hosea wrote these words specifically to godless people in Israel over 2,700 years ago! Here’s a revelation… it’s not all about you or me. Here’s another one… there are some “detestable and loathsome” characters who deserve God’s wrath. Maybe not you, but some do. There are a few bad guys out there.

In the holiday edition of the World Vision 2007 “Gift Catalog”, subscribers were invited to purchase life-sustaining Christmas gifts for a less fortunate human being in other parts of the world. My son Robert was seven years old when he heard about this opportunity at school. He decided to buy a couple of chickens for a needy family with money that would otherwise have been spent on another toy for his December birthday. It was his choice. I was very proud of him.

I first heard about the horrors of human trafficking from this magazine. On page 27 of this World Vision catalog was story entitled “Sold. Trafficked. Abused.” The article described the plight of 14 year old Lan from Cambodia...

“After arriving at the [World Vision] center, I felt like I was coming over the hill to heaven, because just the day before I was imprisoned in a dark room with my legs and arms tied and had nothing to eat. The center staff loved me a took care of me like their own daughter. I found it enjoyable to learn new skills at the center, especially hairdressing… [now] I want to learn more, so I can qualify to work for a big company or start my own business.”

And more from Lea’s journey…

“‘My mother sold me for $500 to the brothel owner [to buy] food,’ says Lea, who was required to serve eight to 12 ‘clients’ a day until being rescued and brought to a World Vision-supported shelter.”

It’s hard to imagine there are people so “detestable and loathsome” they would make a business of robbing little girls of their virginity by catering to those who want to satisfy their twisted idea of sexual fulfillment. I would hate to be them when they stand before Jesus on Judgment Day and He reminds them of this little Bible verse...

“And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;

but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble,

it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around

his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Jesus, Matthew 18.5-6 NASU

Some people deserve the wrath of God. They’ve earned it.

________________

Note: Below are organizations and resources to help you help children, some as young as 7 years old, trapped in the illegal sex trade.

World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org/

International Justice Mission: http://www.ijm.org/. I was deeply moved when I heard IJM president, Gary Haugen, speak at our church. He is an attorney working with governments world-wide to abolish modern day slavery in all ugly manifestations (child sex trafficking, illegal detention and property seizure, sexual violence, etc.).

U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33186.htm.

"Ishi"

2011-12-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

Hosea 2:16-17 (18-19) CJB

“On that day,” says Adonai “you will call me Ishi [My Husband]; you will no longer call me Ba‘ali [My Master]. For I will remove the names of the ba‘alim from her mouth; they will never again be mentioned by name.”

My dad went through a phase when I was about seven or eight years old. He apparently wanted to teach my brother and me a little respect. We were to refer to him as “Sir”. If dad asked me a question, my answer from that time forward was “Yes sir” or “No sir”. I didn’t get it but I tried. When I forgot, dad reminded me. “Don’t say ‘daddy’. I’m ‘Sir’”. “OK, Sir”, I said.

This phase didn’t last long. Somehow, even my father recognized the silliness. I now understand his reasoning. He was an officer, a military commander, a pilot trainer in the United States Air Force. He had to command respect. That was his job. He could not allow familiarity to breed contempt with his cadets. My father probably needed somebody to practice on so my brother and I were enlisted as little soldiers. Eventually, my mother’s wishes prevailed and it back to “dad”. We all liked it better that way.

The Complete Jewish Version of the Bible provides excellent plain English clarity for Hosea 2.16-17. The Lord (Adonai) offers us a term of endearment… Ishi (my husband). It’s a relational word inviting closeness and communion with someone you trust. Ishi is pure love and acceptance. It is the whisper of lovers and the proud announcement of a woman who knows deeply and believes fully in her man. Nothing’s held back. There are no secrets between Ishi and the object of his love. Above all else, Ishi means friendship. Pure, lasting, fully devoted, and mutual friendship.

Ba’ali, on the other hand, is a legal term meaning “my master”. It implies ownership and reduces its subject to slavery. Besides being the name of the fertility god Baal, the word was used by ancient Hebrews to show respect for a husband. It would be like a princess calling her prince “My Lord”, or Beaver’s mom referring to her husband as “Mr. Cleaver”, or my wife and kids calling me “Sir” (perish the thought!)

Jesus is my Lord. Yes, it’s true. But He is far more than that to me. He is my friend. I love Him and He loves me. We are tight for life, forever. He loves you, by the way, in exactly the same way.

“You are my friends if you do what I command.

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves.

Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”
Jesus, John 15.14-15 NLT

I always respected my dad and I didn’t need to call him “sir” to prove it. I knew he would take a bullet for me. That was enough. “Sir” and “dad” eventually became united in my heart. The last time we spoke, Dad was suffering badly from cancer. I cuddled up beside him on his bed and read from the Bible. He acknowledged his friend and Savior Jesus. He told me how much he loved me and how very proud he was of me. We spoke about the times we would enjoy together someday in heaven.

Jesus is Ishi to me. So was my dad. So is my wife and children and a few very dear people I am privileged to call friends. I can’t wait to see Ishi Jesus and my Ishi dad again face to face.

____________________

The beautiful drawings on this post are entitled "Snuggling Infant", "Playful Boys", and "Laughing Baby" by artist and mother Jean Keaton whose children are pictured in these images with Christ. Jean's amazing and personal artwork is used here by her gracious permission and well communicates the message of "Ishi" from Hosea, chapter 2. You can view and purchase Jean's wonderful works of love at http://www.keatonprints.com/.

"Despicable!"

2011-12-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

Daniel 11.21a, 29-30, 45c NASB

“…a despicable person will arise.”

“At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not turn out the way it did before. For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened, and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action...”

“…he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”

In his counsel to Darius, King of Persia, the prophet Daniel warned of “a despicable person” who would arise “in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue”. This vile character will “practice deception” and set up the infamous “abomination of desolation” referred to by Jesus Christ just prior to “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”[1]

“The appointed time” has yet to occur, but when it does, according our text in Daniel, the “despicable” man will…

…return to southern Palestine but to his disappointment, his visit “will not turn out the way it did before”.

…become “disheartened” and “enraged” and “take [evil] action”.

Perhaps the villain of our text is one in the same with the “antichrist” of 1st and 2nd John.[2] Or, maybe he’s Wormwood the fallen star (Revelation 10-11), or the “beast” from the book of Revelation, or the “false prophet”, or the “devil” himself, all of whom will eventually be “thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone”.[3]

I’ll leave his identity to the scholars of eschatology. Mine is the more enriching work of personal application. It may be ‘anti-christian’ to compare oneself to the antichrist; nevertheless I can fall easily into a milder version of the very same pattern as the bad guy in Daniel’s prophesy. When things don’t “turn out the way” I had hoped, I can become “disheartened” and ‘act out’. Nothing good came from this pattern for “the despicable person” and nothing good ever comes of it for me…

“…he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”

When things do “not turn out the way” I’d like, it’s natural to become “disheartened” and “take [undesirable] action”. In the end, however, “no one will help” me except Jesus. His answer is generally more weighted on the side of repentance than on the side of excessive sympathy. “Repent”[4] is probably the best advice I give myself when I discover I am behaving like “a despicable person”.

___________________

[1] Matthew 24.15, 21 and parallel passage Mark 13.14, 18. This period of tribulation was predicted by Daniel 600 years before the ministry of Jesus: “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred” (Daniel 12.1).

[2] 1st John 2.18, 22; 4.3; 2nd John 7.

[3] Revelation 20.10.

[4]“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand’” (Matthew 4.17).

"The Truth Fairy"

2011-12-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Daniel 8.12b NET

“It hurled truth to the ground and enjoyed success.”

Jesus claimed, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18.37-38). Pontius Pilate, with the passivity typical of weak leadership, washed his hands of Christ’s claim with the question, “What is truth?”

I’ve wondered the same thing. What is truth, really? I do not question the reality of Jesus or the reliability of the Bible. In those truths I am secure. But what about lesser truths?

Daniel the prophet saw a vision of a goat with four horns on his head. The smallest horn grew to be the largest and “even magnified itself to be equal” with the Lord. One of the chief characteristics of this evil being was its complete disregard for truth in the pursuit of its personal success.

“It hurled truth to the ground and enjoyed success.”

When my son was 8 years old and lost a tooth. He carefully placed it in the “Tooth Fairy Pillow” my wife lovingly embroidered for occasions like this. When she went to his room about 10 p.m. to exchange money for a molar, my wife was surprised to discover Robert was still awake. “Are you the tooth fairy Mom?” Mom was caught off guard and denied any relationship with the magical being. The job of slipping the tooth out and the money in was now left to me.

About 5:30 the next morning, I crept into his room with 50¢ and quietly removed the tooth from under my son’s pillow. With it, I found a handwritten note from Robert revealing his quest for truth...

“Dear Tooth Fairy,
Where do you live?
What do you believe in?
I want your autograph, please.

sign here ________________________

Please answer my questions. Thanks.

(Other side)
I charge 3 bucks!! (not kidding)”

I was dumbfounded. I forged my best authorized “Tooth Fairy” signature with the flourish warranted by such a famous “autograph” and slipped my answers back under the pillow with a quarter, two dimes, and a nickel…

[Where do you live?] “In the love between you and your family.”

[What do you believe in?] “Having fun with your family and laughing all the time.”

[Other side] “I pay only 50¢! Sorry!”

Did I lie? Did I “hurl truth to the ground”? Should I have come clean with my son about the Tooth Fairy? We teach him about Jesus Christ and claim the Bible is the living Word of God. I certainly didn’t want to lump Jesus into the same category as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy!

I determined Robert was smarter than I first thought. I suspected Robert already knew the difference between truth and make-believe. Make-believe is lesser truth. It points to greater truth. Like all funny jokes, good magic tricks, popular movies, playful teasing, historic legends, most games, small exaggerations, and artistic fantasy, make-believe can be an excellent conveyor of truth. If I tell my hostess that her very average dinner was scrumptious, am I a liar? Or, have I exaggerated just a bit to convey the greater truth of gratitude for her hospitality? When a 3 year old snarls “ggrrrr” and claims to be a tiger, should I correct him? “No, you're a little boy pretending to be a tiger” may be left unsaid. We both understand he is not a real tiger. It’s a game the child has invited me to play. I should feel honored and participate.

Robert already knew the Tooth Fairy wasn’t real. I even think he knew I knew he knew. But he enjoyed the game. So did his mother and I. If I chose to answer his questions with sterile accuracy, the game would be over. Robert would soon tire of the Tooth Fairy game on his own schedule. I did not want him to grow up too fast. The Tooth Fairy ritual helped to foster the “truth” of cherished family values... sharing joy, laughter, and fun. We kept the “Tooth Fairy” magic going and extended Robert’s childhood for about another year.

Lesser truths soon disappear. We outgrow them. Eventually, they fail us or we learn to live without them. But Jesus is the Truth above all other truths. I want Robert to have know with certainty that Jesus will always be with him when all other lesser truths fall away.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

John 14.6; Hebrews 13.5

"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin"

2011-12-07T06:45:00.000-08:00

Daniel 5.17 CJB

“Dani’el answered the king, ‘Keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else. However, I will read the inscription to the king and tell him what it means.’”

Can I be bought? It’s an important question. Are my ethics for sale? At the right price, will I falter in my resolve to do the right thing? Do I cower before the god of public opinion? Would I trade my values for a chance at fortune and fame? Will I forsake what I know to be true so people will think well of me?

Who do I serve... money, approval, comfort, things, self or... God?

King Belshazzar dishonored the things of God. He drank freely from the holy vessels stolen from the temple in Jerusalem and “praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone” (Daniel 5.4). God crashed the royal party with a divine message written by the finger of God on the palace wall in the presence of a thousand noble guests:

מ נ א מ נ א ת ק ל ו פ ר ס י ן

Belshazzar could not read the handwriting on the wall (and neither can you, unless you know Hebrew). He offered Daniel royal garments, “a necklace of gold” and “authority as the third ruler in the kingdom” (Daniel 5.16) if he would reveal the meaning of the menacing words. I love Daniel’s response:

“Keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else.

However, I will read the inscription to the king and tell him what it means.”

Daniel could not be bought. What about me? What about you? It’s an important question. ___________________

Find the prophet's interpretation of the handwriting on the wall (MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN) in Daniel, chapter 5, verses 25-28.

"The Ultimate Consequence"

2011-12-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

Daniel 3.16-18 NIV

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’”

What happens when a man or woman faces the ultimate consequence of obedience? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the consequence… death by burning. What an awful way to go. Were they naïve, idealistic, stupid? Or, were simply willing to face any consequence in their obedience to God? These young men fully expected to suffer for their decision of faith. Nothing moved them, not even Nebuchadnezzar’s death threat. Everyone else could bow before the king’s 90 foot golden statue, but they would not.

History is filled with heroes of faith who, like these young Hebrew men, faced the ultimate consequence of obedience to God. Some made it, others did not. Some were rescued by divine intervention. Others got an early one-way ticket to paradise.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice of his son, Isaac (Genesis 22)
The mother of Moses set her baby son afloat in a wicker basket (Exodus 2)
Daniel was thrown to the lions when he refused to stop praying (Daniel 6)
Esther risked her life to before the golden scepter of King Ahasuerus (Esther 5)
Nehemiah undertook the dangerous mission of rebuilding the city walls (Nehemiah 4)
Peter claimed “We must obey God rather than men” and kept on preaching (Acts 5)
Stephen chose death by stoning for his belief in Jesus Christ (Acts 7)
Others were tortured, slain with swords, stoned to death, and “sawn in two” for their faith (Hebrews 11)

Stories of martyrs inspire me. Survivors like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also inspire me.

“…the God we serve is able to save us from it [the blazing furnace],
and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not,

we want you to know, O king,... we will not serve your gods

or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Jesus did not promise a life of comfort. If I think He did, I will feel betrayed when life is hard. I would rather not face any consequence for my obedience to God, certainly not the ultimate one. I’m far too comfortable for that. I need a shot of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego mixed with the power of God and the words of Job...

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

Job 13.15 KJV

__________________

The beautiful watercolor painting at the top right of this post is entitled "Fiery Furnace" by artist Margrit Roussos whose Biblical art you can view at http://www.brushspace.com/artist/Margrit-Prigge1 .

When Nebuchadnezzar peered into the fiery furnace he was amazed to find (in the king's own words) "four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods". The traditional interpretation claims the fourth being was an angel. Perhaps it was a a pre-incarnate visitation of Jesus Christ Himself.

"Fragile Feet"

2011-12-05T05:27:00.000-08:00

Daniel 2.34-35 NASU

“…a stone… struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them.”
“But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”

The prophet Daniel displayed amazing supernatural ability in his interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which predicted with absolute historical accuracy the world powers following the rise and fall of Babylon. The king saw a “great statue… of extraordinary splendor” and “awesome in appearance” (v. 31). Its head was gold; its breast and arms were silver. It had a belly of bronze and feet made “partly of iron and partly of clay” (v. 33). A stone “cut out of the mountain without hands” (v. 45) fell on the “feet of iron and clay and crushed them”. The statue fell before the superior power of God whose kingdom of heaven would “endure forever” (v. 44).

Daniel outlined a future chronology starting with the prophet’s own time period by informing the King of Babylon, “You are the head of gold” (v. 38). Using the imagery of the statue’s elements, Daniel predicted the world powers that would follow Babylon over the next 600 years… Persia (silver), Greece (bronze), and Rome (iron). The Roman empire would be a kingdom with feet of “iron mixed with common clay” (v 41) whose influential men sought, but ultimately failed, to consolidate massive political forces and become a lasting super power. Daniel prophesied, “They [the leadership of Rome] will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery” (v.43).

Daniel referred of the day when a virgin would give “birth to her firstborn son; and [wrap] Him in cloths, and [lay] Him in a manger” (Luke 2.7). This is the pivotal event of all human history and occurred during the “iron” rule of Rome when Caesar Augustus was the Emperor (Luke 2.1). This baby established an eternal kingdom we now call the Church of Jesus Christ and will someday “crush and put an end to all these kingdoms” (v. 44).

I have “feet of clay” and with one blow from the Rock of Ages, I would fall helplessly to my knees. It would be wise for me to voluntarily kneel before I badly wound my fragile feet. __________________

Note: The book of Daniel is comprised of five stories and five visions. You can find an outline of this book by pressing the link called “Daniel ~ Faith on Trial” under "Detailed Bible Charts" in the left column of this blog.

"Leave Different than You Came"

2011-12-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 46.9 NKJV

“But when the people of the land come before the Lord on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate.

He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.”

This verse speaks to me about the impact of worship. No one leaves true worship the way they entered. If you come in from the north, you leave by way of the south. If you come in “by way of the south gate [you] shall go out by way of the north gate”. No exceptions. A true worshipper…

“…shall not return by way of the gate through which he
came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.”

Be wary of those who claim they worship continually. No one does that. While it is theoretically possible, human beings, even mature believers, are not perfected in their practice of the presence of Christ. Our day of perfection will come. Jesus promised, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5.48). “Perfect” is something for which we strive by the grace of God. But perfection is a future hope, not a present reality. In heaven we will live each eternal moment in the glorious bliss of ecstatic worship. Until then, moments of true connection with God through the practice of Biblical worship comes in spurts. Like a drowning man gasping for air, we surface occasionally for enough life-giving breath of worship to sustain us until we reach heaven’s shore.

Ezekiel’s Jews were reminded of the value of worship “when the people of the land [came] before the Lord on the appointed feast days”. Christians historically celebrate their “appointed feast days” each Sunday morning at their local church.[1] Prepare to leave your house of worship different than the way you arrived. If you are determined to remain unchanged by the worship event, Jesus will regretfully grant your request. Stubborn pew-warmers always leave church the same way they came. Let the Divine-human encounter affect you. Be a true worshipper who…

“…shall not return by way of the gate through which he came,

but shall go out through the opposite gate.”

_______________

[1] Seventh Day Adventists worship on Saturday to “honor the Sabbath” according to the Hebrew tradition. They claim that since God “rested on the seventh day” (Genesis 2.2), we should too. There is ample Biblical evidence for the practice of honoring the Christian Sabbath on Sunday. On “the first day of the week” (Sunday) Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to Mary and His disciples (Mark 16.9; John 20.19). On the first day of the week Paul “gathered together to break bread” with the followers of Christ in Troas (Acts 20.7). Paul also instructed the Corinthian believers to take “a collection for the saints” on “the first day of every week” (1st Corinthians 16.1-2). As a former Presbyterian pastor, I can assure you that most clergy “work hard at preaching and teaching” (1st Timothy 5.17) on whatever day they worship. I normally took Mondays off to rest after my most challenging work day of the week. Its not easy leading worship or delivering effective sermons. I assume many Seventh Day Adventist preachers really rest on Sundays! Paul wrote to the Romans “One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike” (Romans 14.5) implying that, while special days of worship are important, precisely which days those are matter not.

"Muśhü Limalicuy"

2011-12-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 43.10-11 NIV

“Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider the plan, and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple — its arrangement, its exits and entrances — its whole design and all its regulations and laws.

Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.”

I am holding in my hand a copy of the Muśhü Limalicuy. It’s a miracle. My friends Rick and Melanie Floyd gave it to me. They lived most of their adult lives, 26 years, in Peru. Much of that time was spent in San Pedro de Pihuas, a village of about a thousand Wanca speaking people in the Andes Mountains of central Peru. An estimated 250,000 people speak Wanca Quechua, one of many dialects within the Quechua language family. The Quechua people, descendants of the Inca Empire, are mostly potato farmers and shepherds. Prior to the arrival of the Floyd’s in 1981, there was no written form of the Wanca dialect. Rick, who holds a Ph.D. in linguistics and fluent in both English, Spanish, and now Wanca, went about the task of learning the language and culture of these people.

Rick and Melanie’s home had dirt floors and no running water. In that home they raised three very fine sons. The Floyd’s are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Rick created a Wanca alphabet and lexicon of words. Together with the help of a small team of nationals, they translated the entire New Testament into Wanca Quechua. It took 2 ½ decades but today the Muśhü Limalicuy is available to all Wanca speakers who want to read the God’s Word for themselves. Rick has been my friend for the past 40 years since we first met as college kids.

My wife and I make a small (very small) contribution each month to Wycliffe in the name of the Floyd’s work. Rick and Melanie came to our home a couple years ago and presented us with our own personal copy of the Wanca New Testament. They claimed we played a part in its creation. By making the decision to support the Floyd’s, my family had a hand in bringing to a precious group of people in another part of the world the Bible in their own language. I held a copy of the Muśhü Limalicuy and wept.

Rick told me there is no word in Wanca for “disciple” which presented an interesting translation dilemma for him. Instead of introducing a new word into the language, his team selected the Wanca word yaćhapacü, which literally means “apprentice”. An apprentice is a person who learns from the master. The prophet Ezekiel was commanded to write down the inspired words of God:

“Write these down before them so that they may
be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.”

The Floyd’s were called to do exactly what Ezekiel did. They ‘wrote down’ the words of God. Rick and Melanie and their supporters fulfilled the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to “go therefore and make disciples [apprentices, yaćhapacücuna] of all the nations” (Matthew 28.19). Another

250,000 souls now have access to the Word of God. Armed with the Muśhü Limalicuy new Quechua ‘apprentices’ will inspire Wanca speakers everywhere to pick up their very own Bible, “be faithful to its design and follow” its Author into everlasting life. ___________________

The three photographs on this post are entitled "Madre y Niño", "Quechua", and "Hermanas" from the Peruvian Portfolio of artist and photographer John Farnsworth whose incredible work you can view at http://www.johnfarnsworth.com/. You may also see some of John’s photography on display while enjoying Peruvian cuisine at Andina Restaurant in Portland, Oregon (13th and NW Glisan in the Pearl District). These beautiful images are available for purchase on John's site. ©John Farnsworth http://www.johnfarnsworth.com/.

Check out the dedication ceremony of this incredible project at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUeQSqKr3KQ. You may contact Rick and Melanie Floyd by mail at Wycliffe Bible Translators, Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8033 or by email rick_floyd@sil.org. Rick continues to work as a translation consultant with Wycliffe worldwide and currently assists a new team charged with the translation of the Old Testament into Wanca Quechua.

"My Personal Armageddon"

2011-11-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 39.14-16 NLT

“After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skele- tons to bury, so the land will be made clean again. Whenever bones are found, a marker will be set up so the burial crews will take them to be buried… And so the land will finally be cleansed.”

The prophet Ezekiel describes “the actual invasion of Palestine by a great northern confederacy, ostensibly headed by Russia [or nations of central Asia in the region of Turkestan]. The scene depicts a gigantic outburst of anti-Semitism and a colossal attempt to overrun Palestine and annihilate the Jews.”[1]

Ezekiel’s prophesy recorded in chapters 38-39 belongs to the future “Day of the Lord” (Isaiah 13.6-9) and evidently precedes the battle of Armageddon described by John in the last book in the Bible (Revelation 6.16; 20.7-10). The invading force led by prince Gog from the land of Magog will suffer an overwhelming defeat and their bodies will litter the Palestinian landscape. “Teams of men will be appointed to search for skeletons to bury… and so the land will be finally cleansed”.

This sounds like good news for devoted followers of Christ in the end times. But how does the text relate to believers right here and now?

Some days my mind is a battlefield. I am embroiled in a personal Armageddon where the Word of God collides with my sense of reality. Old and decaying bodies of thought litter my mental landscape like the rotting corpses in Ezekiel’s vision. On days like that, I need my brain “cleansed”.

These prophetic verses inspire to take action. I will ask Jesus to dispatch angelic “burial crews” charged with the task of disposing of the decomposing remains of ugly thoughts. “Whenever bones [of unhelpful thinking patterns] are found”, I will set up “a marker” so they may “be buried” and my mind may “be cleansed”. Some memories, images, and notions need to be buried and forgotten so I can make space for the good thoughts.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

Philippians 4.8 NIV

____________

[1] The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Merrill F. Unger, Moody Press, 1988.

"Magic Wind"

2011-11-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 36.9 NASU

“For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you will be cultivated and sown.”

At the end of our Thanksgiving celebration a few years ago, as I walked my wife’s parents to their car, my mother-in-law commented on how nice our lawn looked. The large trees lining the sidewalk at the front of our house shed most of their leaves by this time of the year. About a month ago, I silently recalled, the yard was covered with a thick layer of brown leaves, but tonight the leaves were gone. I remarked to my in-laws, “It’s amazing how the wind came from nowhere and blew these leaves away, isn’t it? I never even had to rake!”

My wife overheard our conversation and rejoined, “It must be the same wind that blows clean underwear into your dresser drawer every day!”

Apparently, there was a reason for our yard’s nice appearance. My wife informed us that she spends an average of an hour every week during the fall raking, bagging, and dumping leaves. Somehow that little cause-and-effect factoid escaped my notice.

The Lord promised the land of Israel would be “cultivated and sown”.

“For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you,
and you will be cultivated and sown.”

In truth, God has been ‘for me’ for a long time. He has ‘turned to me’ many, many times in the past. I have been “cultivated and sown” by the Lord for years. I am blessed for a reason. It isn’t magic nor is it fate. It’s not an accident. I have both a reason to be grateful and a Being toward whom to direct my thanksgiving. There is Divine intentionality behind the events I benefit from. I am blessed because God keeps His promises. Jesus has “cultivated and sown” my family, my home, my finances, my career, and my ministry. All that is good is good for a reason. God did that. The magic wind of fate did not happen to blow in my favor. I didn’t get lucky. The Lord planned it and made it happen. I must never allow that little fact to escape my notice.

"Ark Building for Dummies"

2011-11-28T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 33.24-26 NET

“Son of man, the ones living in these ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land, but we are many; surely the land has been given to us for a possession.’ Therefore say to them, ‘…Do you really think you will possess the land? You rely on your swords and commit abominable deeds; each of you defiles his neighbor's wife. Will you possess the land?’”

In the wonderful and funny movie “Evan Almighty”, junior congressman Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) primps admiringly in the mirror and flippantly reminds himself, “I am successful. I am powerful. I am handsome. I am happy. Successful, powerful, handsome, happy.” Baxter must have attended a motivational seminars where he learned...

You are what you think you are and
You possess what you think you do.

If you can dream it, you can have it. Name it and claim it. Fake it till you make it. After all, so we’re told, it’s in the Bible. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”, (Proverbs 23.7 KJV).[1]

The new politician plans to change the world and he knows just how he will do it. God (Morgan Freeman) however, has different plans. He offers Evan a copy of Ark Building for Dummies and patiently leads Evan down a most unusual path.

The Jews living in Jerusalem during the time of Ezekiel faced opposition from an enemy intent on destroying Jewish culture and possessing the land of Israel. Those who survived deportation were barely able to withstand the assault of Babylon and tried to encourage themselves with Evan Baxter-type motivational pep talks...

“Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land, but we
are many; surely the land has been given to us for a possession.”

The rationale went like this: “There are no secrets of success here. If Abraham could do it, so can we.” However, Israel’s inhabitants failed to correctly discern what they saw in the mirror. No matter what they said to the contrary, the nation was anything but “successful, powerful, handsome, happy”. It takes more than saying the right kind of things. It takes being the right kind of person.

God has different plans for His chosen people. “Do you really think you will possess the land?” , inquired God. Apparently, Jesus actually cares about the behavior of His children. It matters to Him that they “rely” on their own power and mentally ravish their “neighbor’s wife”.

God’s blessing is unavailable to those of us who consciously act in self-serving ways… no matter what we think and say about ourselves. This truth hasn’t changed since the time of Noah, Abraham, Ezekiel, or Jesus.
_____________________________

[1] Consider the context for this verse by reading Proverbs 23.6-8 in any version. The passage has more to do with the wisdom of understanding what others think of you than what you think of yourself.

"Lie Still?"

2011-11-25T05:50:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 32.21 NAS

“The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’”

When our youngest child was a baby, she exhibited involuntary tongue tremors. Our family doctor sent us to a specialist who said these tremors were known as “fasciculations” and diagnosed Rachel with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy).[1] We were told she would soon be unable to lift her head or even swallow. She would eat by use of feeding tubes and, if we were lucky, would not live past her teen years. Her mother and I were crushed. We wept and prayed hard. So did many others.

After three months of learning to accept our baby’s condition, we obtained an appointment with a nationally recognized authority on SMA. He quickly analyzed her tongue and reversed the earlier diagnosis with words I shall never forget: “I’m not sure what it is, but its not SMA.” My wife and I wept again, this time for joy.

Today at nine years old, my youngest child is a whirlwind of activity. She’s always on the go. Her every moving part is in constant locomotion. The tremor is gone and her tongue seems to work just fine. Rachel has talked unceasingly for almost a decade. If no one was listening, she would speak to herself or the cats or her Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop.

I am sometimes tempted to say, “Lie still” but of course, I hold my tongue and quickly recall my SMA baby and God’s healing power. I fully accept my daughter exactly as she is, an amazing gift from Jesus. Our bodies will “lie still” soon enough. I, for one, do not want to waste one minute of Christ’s precious gift of life. I’m taking my cue from Rachel and other children who aren’t so blessed. Until I’ve “gone down” to Sheol and “lie still” in my grave, I plan to make the most of this life Jesus gave me.

“I came that they may have and enjoy life,

and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
Jesus Christ, John 10.10 Amplified Bible

______________

[1] Find more about SMA at the “Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy” website at http://www.fsma.org/. Prepare to have your heart broken.

"It's Better the Second Time Around"

2011-11-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 28.6-8, 17 The Message

“Therefore, God, the Master, says: ‘Because you’re acting like a god, pretending to be a god, I’m giving fair warning: I’m bringing strangers down on you, the most vicious of all nations. They’ll pull their swords and make hash of your reputation for knowing it all. They’ll puncture the balloon of your god-pretensions. They’ll bring you down from your self-made pedestal and bury you in the deep blue sea.’ ‘Your beauty went to your head. You corrupted wisdom by using it to get worldly fame.’”

I like Denzel Washington. His father was a Pentecostal minister and he attended the University of Oregon for a season. He’s starred in some great films and helps to support notable charities. Washington is an Academy Award winner and (I’ve heard) a happily married man and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Unlike the demigods of Ezekiel’s time and many modern icons of the silver screen, Denzel Washington’s “worldly fame” never “went to [his] head”. Why not?

A revealing 2007 Reader’s Digest interview with Denzel Washington referred to the actor’s daily discipline of Bible reading... “It’s better the second time around.”[1]

RD: Do you think of yourself as a spiritual person?

Washington: Definitely.

RD: In what way?

Washington: I read the Bible every day. I’m in my second pass-through now, in the Book of John. My pastor told me to start with the New Testament, so I did, maybe two years ago. Worked my way through it, then through the Old Testament. Now I’m back in the New Testament. It’s better the second time around. (italics mine)

And, later in the interview:

RD: What are you reading?

Washington: Books? I don’t have time. Except for the Bible, the No. 1 bestseller.

I’m glad there are role models like Mr. Washington who remind me that “worldly fame” is nothing without Christ and His Word. A man who gets a jolt out of “acting like a god” will eventually fall from his “self-made pedestal”. God promises to “puncture the balloon of [his] god-pretensions”.

Today is Thanksgiving. I am thankful for people like Denzel Washington who admit their need for the Bible even “the second time around”.
_______________________

[1]"Denzel Washington Interview: Devoted to Family and Faith", Reader's Digest, December 2007 (http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/denzel-washington-interview-devoted/article49236.html).

"Get Real, Stay Grounded"

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 27.10-11 NCV

“Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put were warriors in your navy and hung their shields and helmets on your sides. They made you look beautiful. Men of Arvad and Cilicia guarded your city walls all around. Men of Gammad were in your watchtowers and hung their shields around your walls. They made your beauty perfect.”

A few years ago I visited a female friend in the hospital after she had surgery. I was not prepared for what I saw. She was recovering well, sat upright in a chair, and was genuinely happy to see me. Knowing her the way I do, it was no surprise to find my friend communicative and cheery. What surprised me was her appearance without makeup. I’d never seen her that way. She looked different and truthfully, a little plain.

I have a beautiful wife. But she looks even more beautiful with some makeup. I love her just the same either way, but makeup makes a visual difference. Properly applied, makeup hides blemishes, covers wrinkles, and accentuates positive features. Many women are meticulous about their appearance and will not start their day without giving careful attention to their faces. I’ve actually witnessed women applying make-up using the rear view mirror while driving in morning traffic!

Ezekiel described the land of Tyre before its demise as having “men of Persia, Lydia, and Put” at its disposal. They “hung their shields and helmets” on this once mighty nation. The walls of Tyre’s castles were decorated with the “shields” of powerful and famous warriors. Like exquisite makeup on a gorgeous woman, these fighters made Tyre “look beautiful”.

“…your army, your men of war… they perfected your beauty”.

Ezek 27:10-11 NAS

I am super conscientious about my appearance. I do not wear makeup but I clamor for anything that makes me “look beautiful” to others. I decorate the walls of my soul with “shields and helmets” of past victories, which I recall often and display readily. I thank Jesus for my achievements and the life I now enjoy. But today’s reading in Ezekiel prompts me to get real and stay grounded. Stripped of makeup, I might appear a little plain. That’s how God made me. That’s how He sees me and that’s how He loves me... naked, plain, unaccomplished, and destined to become the dirt from which I came.

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Genesis 3.19 NAS

"You are Your Message"

2011-11-22T06:10:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 24.16-18 NLT

“Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.”

“So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died.”

I would not want to be Ezekiel. If he loved his wife, as I do mine, then the price of prophetic service is too high for me.

God warned Ezekiel that He would take the life of his “dearest treasure”, his beloved wife. The prophet was not to weep or “perform the usual rituals of mourning”. By so doing, Ezekiel was “a sign” (Ezekiel 24.24) to the exiled Jews who would soon experience the loss of their “dearest treasure”, Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The Babylonian army would burn and destroy this monument to Jewish glory and the prophet would profoundly identify with their pain in the loss of his wife. This was empathy at the highest level.

Ezekiel was more than a preacher. He was the message. Ezekiel became the sermon he preached. “Do as I say, not as I do”, is not an effective role-modeling technique. It’s hard to follow leaders who refuse to “practice what they preach”. When the alcoholic father chastises his son for drinking, the boy will likely think, “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying”.

If you have a message to impart, prepare to pay the price for that privilege. Personalize and practice the truth you teach or stop proclaiming it. Jesus Christ’s younger brother of Jesus warned, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3.1). That’s a Bible for, “Walk the talk or shut up!” We should not try to export what we can’t import.

Hopefully, you and I will never be required to pay Ezekiel’s price to bear God’s truth. But there is a price for prophetic service. Words are cheap. So are small actions. Nothing less than total identification will do. You are your message.

“Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by

just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it...”
2nd Corinthians 3.2-3 The Message

_________________

The wonderful image of the man with the sandwich board at the top left of this post is by talented illustrator Erwin Sherman whose artwork you can view at http://www.theispot.com/portfolios/index.cfm?clientnumber=a2559&artistName=Erwin%20Sherman. The original piece contains the words "Hire the Best" on the sandwich board.

"How Could I Not Know?"

2011-11-21T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 20.9 AMP

“…I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.”

Can you prove the existence of God? I can, to my own satisfaction. I am convinced He is real because He acted on my behalf. The Lord made Himself known to the nation of Israel thousands of years ago “by bringing them out of the land of Egypt”. He revealed Himself to me in exactly the same way. I know the reality of Christ because of what He did for me. Like the Israelites, Jesus brought me out of the land of bondage. My deliverance proves His existence. Twenty years ago I was homeless, living in my car and desperate for help. I invite you read "My Story". Here’s a couple of excerpts…

“I well remember my lowest point. My mind was occupied with persistent and nagging thoughts of hatred, bitterness, and self-destruction. I was on emotional autopilot, intent only on surviving one miserable day at a time. Life, it appeared, had played a cruel joke on me. I could not even imagine myself as a pastor of a church, a husband, or a real dad. That life was gone forever. My calling to the ministry, my dream of a happy home, my desire to father my children was nothing more than a quickly fading memory and replaced with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.”

“Yet I recognized the still small voice of Jesus from somewhere in my past. I truly had ‘hit the bottom’ and it was now time to choose life or death. I found out I really wanted to live and I needed Christ to do it. He was summoning me to rely on Him. Jesus Christ would never forsake me. I became aware of my need for a Savior more than ever before. I humbly asked Jesus to give me a second chance. I decided to live.”

And “live” I did. I experienced a wonderful ending to an incredibly difficult story. I am Ebenezer Scrooge... I woke up from a very bad dream and was given a second chance at life! This is how I know God is real… He delivered me!

“I made Myself known

to them by bringing them out

of the land of Egypt.”

I am the “them” of whom God speaks. I now have a beautiful wife, seven fabulous children, a nice home, a great job and excellent reputation, wonderful friends, a new ministry, self-respect, and even A+ credit. Based on where I came from, how could I possibly not know Jesus Christ loves me? How could I not know God is real?