Whew! It's been a few days. I haven't felt my best in the last few days and, in light of my thoughts tonight, I'll say that trying to make sense of what God was whispering to me as I meditated on His Word is, at times, a futile effort. I've kept those thoughts to myself in the last week, but am anxious to get started again. So, here we go...
January 16 ... Genesis 39-41, Luke 16
Since I discovered it the first time, I've always thought that the story of Joseph in Potiphar's house was a little creepy. I get that God shows favor to those whose hearts belong to Him in ways that are inexplicable to those who won't or can't see, but that wife of Potiphar's!
Genesis 39:6 ... "So [Potiphar] handed over everything he had to Joseph and didn't pay attention to anything except the food he ate."
On the surface, one might be amazed at the trust that Potiphar showed in Joseph. Here he is - Joseph, that is - not just a 'foreigner' in this household, but a foreigner often defined by culture as a strange-r, one to be skeptical of and to keep one's eye on. And here he is, Joseph, entrusted with EVERYTHING in Potiphar's household except his mac-n-cheese.
A similar first glance might even lead you to think first about Joseph's trustiworthiness both in human relationship and in his relationship with God. You might admire his intelligence and wisdom and skill as a manager of many aspects of daily life, his own and that of the Potiphar household.
But, what catches my attention is that Potiphar had decided - perhaps because Joseph was who he was - that there was no need for him to pay attention to anything other than what went into his belly. Nothing got his concern or even a second glance, except his ribs and what he wanted sticking to 'em. Nothing.
O.K., so confession time. I'm too much of a control freak to let someone take that much responsibility for too much that's supposed to be on my plate. They might not do it well. They might not do it right (read: my way). I can't for the life of me imagine Potiphar letting everything go except for his plate. Doesn't make what his wife did right by any stretch, but sure takes the surprise out of it ... at least for me.
The application I take from this surprising revelation regarding Pharaoh's chief officer is less about Potiphar or his wife or even Joseph. There are responsibilities entrusted to me that I take way too serious and I want to learn to let a Joseph (someone God raises up in my life that's trustworthy even though different from me) help me out some. There are responsibilities, too, that only I can take care of and, further HOW I care for them is important, too.
The word "priority" isn't mentioned in this passage but it is the foundation of it all. Joseph knew his priority - his relationship with God - and attending to that first made him ready for everything that came his way, and I mean everything. What gets my attention makes all the difference in this life I am living, and maybe in someone else's (like Potiphar, or his wife, or those unnamed servants, even a Pharaoh down the road), too.
Lord God, my attention is often distracted, sporadic, and at times withheld from that which You see as important. By the same token, I keep a death-grip on things that I really could let go of ... at least for a while. Give me wisdom as you set under me a firm foundation of relationship that will put everything else in its rightful place and perspective. And, teach me trust as I let you set my priorities for each day you give me. I want to pay attention to the things that bind our hearts together, so show me, Lord. Amen.
In order to be clear about what should get my attention from the way-too-long-list-of-things-to-do, I must yield my own list of priorities and trust God to show me what comes first.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Just Soil and Ash ... But
January 7 ... Genesis 18-19, Psalm 3, Luke 7
I'm torn today, just saying. Luke's telling of the woman who anointed Jesus is one of my favorite passages and I love the boldness of the centurion who understood authority - especially the authority of Jesus - because he 'lived under authority, too.'
But, in the Common English translation, what grabs my attention first is Abraham's conversation with God. Abraham makes two statements that, I believe, ought to be hallmarks for any Jesus follower:
Genesis 18:25 ..."It's not like you to do this ... It's not like you!"
Genesis 18:27b ... "... even though I'm just soil and ash, ..."
Just to establish the background, God has announced a plan to destroy Sodom and Abraham begins to engage God in conversation because of what he was hearing.
Abraham knew God well enough to know that the destruction of innocents along with those who are guilty was not God's M.O. That simple statement gets me to thinking ... do I, do you know God well enough to know it's not like God to do this or it's JUST LIKE God to do that? Have we paid enough attention to God within us and God around us to know that we know that we know ...
... God is always present, never leaves us.
... God loves us, period.
... God is merciful and gracious, watching out for us and providing just what we need.
... God in Christ is calling us to something bigger than we could ever do, know, be on our own.
... God in Christ expects that loving God means nothing without loving each other.
Abraham's statement is confirmation for himself AND for God that this relationship they share is real, lively, organic. And, the very reason Abraham can make the second statement. After all, he was talking with THE God of the Universe and, in a fairly bold way, letting God know that He couldn't/shouldn't act un-Godly like He was intending ...
Abraham knew that he was just soil and ash, that God was infinitely bigger. Abraham knew, too, that he was potentially overstepping his bounds with God by challenging God's intent, as if A's opinion mattered. Turns out, Abraham's thoughts, feelings, experience of God Himself, questions, hopes and dreams, fears, etc. DO matter to God. Yours do, too. And mine. God , I believe, longs for us to be willing to be audacious - not disrespectful, now, but audacious YES - in our intimacy with God. After all, prayer is not about changing God's heart and mind, but rather being open to understanding God's heart and mind (and, so, being changed because of it!). I believe that God longs for us to trust Him and the relationship we share to the point that we will engage him like Abraham did.
So, I double-dog dare ya ... make your own short list of what you know (that you know that you know) about God. Let that be your confidence when things - even those coming from God - seem squirrely.
Lord God, I want to know you, really know you. Even more, I want that confident knowledge to deepen our relationship. Thank you already for revealing yourself to me. Teach me to trust what I see, hear, and know of you. In Christ, let it be.
In order for me to grow in my undeniable knowledge of God, I must yield my fear, pride, and pretense to let God closer still (trusting that He will love me period) and, then, walk by faith.
I'm torn today, just saying. Luke's telling of the woman who anointed Jesus is one of my favorite passages and I love the boldness of the centurion who understood authority - especially the authority of Jesus - because he 'lived under authority, too.'
But, in the Common English translation, what grabs my attention first is Abraham's conversation with God. Abraham makes two statements that, I believe, ought to be hallmarks for any Jesus follower:
Genesis 18:25 ..."It's not like you to do this ... It's not like you!"
Genesis 18:27b ... "... even though I'm just soil and ash, ..."
Just to establish the background, God has announced a plan to destroy Sodom and Abraham begins to engage God in conversation because of what he was hearing.
Abraham knew God well enough to know that the destruction of innocents along with those who are guilty was not God's M.O. That simple statement gets me to thinking ... do I, do you know God well enough to know it's not like God to do this or it's JUST LIKE God to do that? Have we paid enough attention to God within us and God around us to know that we know that we know ...
... God is always present, never leaves us.
... God loves us, period.
... God is merciful and gracious, watching out for us and providing just what we need.
... God in Christ is calling us to something bigger than we could ever do, know, be on our own.
... God in Christ expects that loving God means nothing without loving each other.
Abraham's statement is confirmation for himself AND for God that this relationship they share is real, lively, organic. And, the very reason Abraham can make the second statement. After all, he was talking with THE God of the Universe and, in a fairly bold way, letting God know that He couldn't/shouldn't act un-Godly like He was intending ...
Abraham knew that he was just soil and ash, that God was infinitely bigger. Abraham knew, too, that he was potentially overstepping his bounds with God by challenging God's intent, as if A's opinion mattered. Turns out, Abraham's thoughts, feelings, experience of God Himself, questions, hopes and dreams, fears, etc. DO matter to God. Yours do, too. And mine. God , I believe, longs for us to be willing to be audacious - not disrespectful, now, but audacious YES - in our intimacy with God. After all, prayer is not about changing God's heart and mind, but rather being open to understanding God's heart and mind (and, so, being changed because of it!). I believe that God longs for us to trust Him and the relationship we share to the point that we will engage him like Abraham did.
So, I double-dog dare ya ... make your own short list of what you know (that you know that you know) about God. Let that be your confidence when things - even those coming from God - seem squirrely.
Lord God, I want to know you, really know you. Even more, I want that confident knowledge to deepen our relationship. Thank you already for revealing yourself to me. Teach me to trust what I see, hear, and know of you. In Christ, let it be.
In order for me to grow in my undeniable knowledge of God, I must yield my fear, pride, and pretense to let God closer still (trusting that He will love me period) and, then, walk by faith.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Divine Protection
January 6... Genesis 15-17, Luke 6
Genesis 15:1... "After these events, the LORD's word came to Abram in a vision, 'Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.' "
Honestly, my gut response to God's pronouncement about being Protector is two-fold: one, really? Abram hears his family's been taken hostage, goes after these kings Chuck Norris style and does it with just a few hundred LOYAL folks ... he needs a protector? (Sure he does; you only need to read a few verses farther to be reminded that Abram has his knucklehead moments just like you and me. Of course he needs a protector.) And, two, whew! If God stands by Abram, surely He stands by me, too.
When I consider what it means for God to be my protector, I have to admit that my next thoughts were surprising. See if you can follow this train. One of my biggest problems is that I still want to do everything myself, usually my way. So, I'd rather think I need no protection ... until I find myself in one of those moments when I cannot do it myself, regardless of what IT is. (Then, I'd rather like a Superhero Savior who comes in to save the day!) But, God knows my stubbornness; as a matter of fact, God intends that you and I have a choice in the matter - relying on our own limited strength, wisdom, etc., or submitting ourselves to Him and knowing the power of His strength, the depth of His wisdom, etc. Instead of scrapping as hard as I can only to give up when I can't do it on my own, God has made a way for me to know the superhero kind of strength and wisdom all the time. The armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) is the way I live under God's protection every moment of every day. Get this: "...be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God's armor so that ..." Ephesians 6:10-11a.
Just like Abram was able to retrieve his family and all that belonged to him/them with only a small army, you and I can successfully do battle against all that would stand between us and God every day. Instead of putting on my own strength, etc., God has blessed us with Truth, justice, a spiritual readiness that comes with knowing the gospel, faith, salvation and God's Word. All of these are God's gifts to each of us, designed to protect us against the Enemy. Newsflash: they won't work if you don't put them on.
God does intervene in miraculous ways at times - I've read it in Scripture and known it in my own life. Day in and day out, it is still true that God is my protector ... and yours, too. Letting Him be that begins with submitting myself, ourselves to HIS Truth, HIS justice, HIS Word, faith and salvation and spiritual readiness that come through Jesus Christ.
Lord God, you already know how stubborn I am and how I want to do it myself. I'm weary of being weary because I fight under my own steam and my own insight. I need you to be my Protector and I'm so glad that you want to be that for me. Teach me how to yield myself to you - your wisdom, your power, your Truth, your everything. I trust you God. Amen.
In order for me to know the confidence and the reality of this Divine Protection, I have to yield to God my own best ideas (some really are good, but the idea is for them to be God's always!) and my own puny strength (feel free to imagine your own version of a Hans and Franz skit right here; just be sure to see yourself and your own scrawny arms to get the picture). Only in this yielding am I ready to receive HIS best in return.
Genesis 15:1... "After these events, the LORD's word came to Abram in a vision, 'Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.' "
Honestly, my gut response to God's pronouncement about being Protector is two-fold: one, really? Abram hears his family's been taken hostage, goes after these kings Chuck Norris style and does it with just a few hundred LOYAL folks ... he needs a protector? (Sure he does; you only need to read a few verses farther to be reminded that Abram has his knucklehead moments just like you and me. Of course he needs a protector.) And, two, whew! If God stands by Abram, surely He stands by me, too.
When I consider what it means for God to be my protector, I have to admit that my next thoughts were surprising. See if you can follow this train. One of my biggest problems is that I still want to do everything myself, usually my way. So, I'd rather think I need no protection ... until I find myself in one of those moments when I cannot do it myself, regardless of what IT is. (Then, I'd rather like a Superhero Savior who comes in to save the day!) But, God knows my stubbornness; as a matter of fact, God intends that you and I have a choice in the matter - relying on our own limited strength, wisdom, etc., or submitting ourselves to Him and knowing the power of His strength, the depth of His wisdom, etc. Instead of scrapping as hard as I can only to give up when I can't do it on my own, God has made a way for me to know the superhero kind of strength and wisdom all the time. The armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) is the way I live under God's protection every moment of every day. Get this: "...be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God's armor so that ..." Ephesians 6:10-11a.
Just like Abram was able to retrieve his family and all that belonged to him/them with only a small army, you and I can successfully do battle against all that would stand between us and God every day. Instead of putting on my own strength, etc., God has blessed us with Truth, justice, a spiritual readiness that comes with knowing the gospel, faith, salvation and God's Word. All of these are God's gifts to each of us, designed to protect us against the Enemy. Newsflash: they won't work if you don't put them on.
God does intervene in miraculous ways at times - I've read it in Scripture and known it in my own life. Day in and day out, it is still true that God is my protector ... and yours, too. Letting Him be that begins with submitting myself, ourselves to HIS Truth, HIS justice, HIS Word, faith and salvation and spiritual readiness that come through Jesus Christ.
Lord God, you already know how stubborn I am and how I want to do it myself. I'm weary of being weary because I fight under my own steam and my own insight. I need you to be my Protector and I'm so glad that you want to be that for me. Teach me how to yield myself to you - your wisdom, your power, your Truth, your everything. I trust you God. Amen.
In order for me to know the confidence and the reality of this Divine Protection, I have to yield to God my own best ideas (some really are good, but the idea is for them to be God's always!) and my own puny strength (feel free to imagine your own version of a Hans and Franz skit right here; just be sure to see yourself and your own scrawny arms to get the picture). Only in this yielding am I ready to receive HIS best in return.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should
January 4 ... Genesis 9-11, Luke 4
This is one of those "days" that could keep me reading and writing for days more. What with the resolution of the flood and the re-boot of human culture (with some pretty nasty residue of what God wanted to wipe away), not to mention Jesus' time of temptation in the wilderness ... much has my attention.
However, one thing really catches my eye. Genesis 9:20-23 ... "Noah, a farmer, made a new start and planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and took off his clothes in his tent. Ham, Canaan's father, saw his father naked and told his two brothers who were outside. Shem and Japheth took a robe, threw it over their shoulders walked backward, and covered their naked father without looking at him because they turned away."
What comes in the verses just following this short passage is a curse on Canaan's family because of what his dad, Ham, did. Even though he couldn't un-see his dad's unfortunate condition, easily he could have just covered him and exited without saying a word.
It has been my experience - and I include myself - that often in the Church we say waaay too much about others, the situations they are enduring, and our evaluation about the person and/or the circumstance. Our words are often disguised as prayer or the request for prayer for that person or persons; truth is, those details usually don't make a difference in the way I pray ... I just like knowing the details.
Knowing details about someone's life is either a trust he or she has placed in you OR the result of someone else's telling. Maybe that telling was very well measured and serves the individual in question well; may telling somebody else's stuff is indiscriminate and hurtful. We have to be clear for ourselves about why we are talking before the words ever spill out. I'm guessing that Ham's intention was NOT to dishonor his dad; he just couldn't believe what had happened and was, in a way, enlisting their help. Let's learn from Ham and realize that just because we can do something (share details, offer an opinion, make a point, shut someone down, etc., etc.) doesn't mean that I should.
Lord God, I often forget the power of my words - a power that you gave us when you gave us language. Help me measure my words very carefully and honor those around me, both friend and enemy the same. Often, my well-intended actions and words hurt others because I just don't realize the impact of what I say and do. Teach me, Lord, how to edit myself and all that I do, so that my words and actions only bring glory and honor to you, and respect and love for all others. In the name of Christ, AMEN.
In order to learn this important lesson, I will have to yield the power that I feel in knowing information about others and the pride that comes when I can show what I know by sharing it with others. In place of that misused power and pride, I trust that God will fill me with Divine mercy and grace.
This is one of those "days" that could keep me reading and writing for days more. What with the resolution of the flood and the re-boot of human culture (with some pretty nasty residue of what God wanted to wipe away), not to mention Jesus' time of temptation in the wilderness ... much has my attention.
However, one thing really catches my eye. Genesis 9:20-23 ... "Noah, a farmer, made a new start and planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and took off his clothes in his tent. Ham, Canaan's father, saw his father naked and told his two brothers who were outside. Shem and Japheth took a robe, threw it over their shoulders walked backward, and covered their naked father without looking at him because they turned away."
What comes in the verses just following this short passage is a curse on Canaan's family because of what his dad, Ham, did. Even though he couldn't un-see his dad's unfortunate condition, easily he could have just covered him and exited without saying a word.
It has been my experience - and I include myself - that often in the Church we say waaay too much about others, the situations they are enduring, and our evaluation about the person and/or the circumstance. Our words are often disguised as prayer or the request for prayer for that person or persons; truth is, those details usually don't make a difference in the way I pray ... I just like knowing the details.
Knowing details about someone's life is either a trust he or she has placed in you OR the result of someone else's telling. Maybe that telling was very well measured and serves the individual in question well; may telling somebody else's stuff is indiscriminate and hurtful. We have to be clear for ourselves about why we are talking before the words ever spill out. I'm guessing that Ham's intention was NOT to dishonor his dad; he just couldn't believe what had happened and was, in a way, enlisting their help. Let's learn from Ham and realize that just because we can do something (share details, offer an opinion, make a point, shut someone down, etc., etc.) doesn't mean that I should.
Lord God, I often forget the power of my words - a power that you gave us when you gave us language. Help me measure my words very carefully and honor those around me, both friend and enemy the same. Often, my well-intended actions and words hurt others because I just don't realize the impact of what I say and do. Teach me, Lord, how to edit myself and all that I do, so that my words and actions only bring glory and honor to you, and respect and love for all others. In the name of Christ, AMEN.
In order to learn this important lesson, I will have to yield the power that I feel in knowing information about others and the pride that comes when I can show what I know by sharing it with others. In place of that misused power and pride, I trust that God will fill me with Divine mercy and grace.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Walking with God
Here we go again.
I've awakened the sleeping blog and I'm ready to begin (again) something else, too ... those of us at Cook's UMC who are up for the challenge are ready to be In The Word and On Our Knees in 2015. So, the majority of my posts will be in line with these two parts of our challenge: to follow the LifeJournal Bible reading plan (and use the SOAPY method to solidify all we're discovering) daily and to pray daily for God to have His way in and through us at Cook's UMC. (If you want to know more about any of the things I've mentioned here, please feel invited and welcome to contact me or the church for more information ... we'd love for you to join us!)
When I blog about the day's scripture reading, I'll make reference to the breadth of our reading and, then, the specific word/phrase/verse/portion that caught my attention. I'm using the Common English translation for the most part. And, lastly, I'll do my best to model the SOAPY method in my post (S=scripture, O=observation, A=application, P=prayer, Y=yield). Here goes ...
January 3: Genesis 6-8, Luke 3
Genesis 6:9 "...Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God."
I LOVE the picture that this simple phrase paints of Noah. And, it's not the first time in scripture that this phrase is used; the same is said of Enoch toward the end of chapter 5. The reason this catches my attention so? I loved to walk with my Daddy. Mostly we hiked trails and walked through fields and pastures and I loved every minute of it. Well, not EVERY minute, but most of 'em. As we walked, Daddy was always teaching and listening. Showing us how to distinguish trees from one another, to read the sky for weather signs, to not miss the tiny things growing on the forest floor, to be glad for the busyness and the blessings of farm life, etc. There were times that I struggled to walk beside my Daddy because his stride was so much greater than mine. And, there were times that I needed to learn to step it up.
However, there were many more times that Daddy slowed his pace in order that he might accompany me, especially when I was going as fast as my short legs would take me. God is like that. Imagine yourself strolling with God just like the Bible says was the case for Enoch and Noah. Spending time together, figuring out life, learning and listening. Be sure of this: God intends to have that time with you, God longs to accompany you and me in life. Jennifer Kennedy Dean says it this way: "God was willing to calibrate his stride for Enoch's sake." (Praying the Promises of God) And, God is willing to calibrate his stride for YOUR sake; I believe it might be God's greatest desire for you ... to spend time together. As we begin this meaty challenge to shift our focus on a daily level, never lose this picture. For, we will be walking with God AND God will be walking with you! With us!
Lord God, I stand in awe that you love each of us so much that you long to spend time with us, just walking through life. Help me be mindful of your deep love and your desire to spend time with me. And, teach me more every day what it means for us to walk together. The discipline will be hard; there are lots of "to do's" in my life. I want this joy of spending time with you to be priority. Help me make it so by calling me to you and walking with me. I love you, Lord. Amen.
In order for God to work in my life through His Word and the ministering of the Holy Spirit, I must yield my calendar and my schedule to give God priority even over the other important stuff. Yikes!
I've awakened the sleeping blog and I'm ready to begin (again) something else, too ... those of us at Cook's UMC who are up for the challenge are ready to be In The Word and On Our Knees in 2015. So, the majority of my posts will be in line with these two parts of our challenge: to follow the LifeJournal Bible reading plan (and use the SOAPY method to solidify all we're discovering) daily and to pray daily for God to have His way in and through us at Cook's UMC. (If you want to know more about any of the things I've mentioned here, please feel invited and welcome to contact me or the church for more information ... we'd love for you to join us!)
When I blog about the day's scripture reading, I'll make reference to the breadth of our reading and, then, the specific word/phrase/verse/portion that caught my attention. I'm using the Common English translation for the most part. And, lastly, I'll do my best to model the SOAPY method in my post (S=scripture, O=observation, A=application, P=prayer, Y=yield). Here goes ...
January 3: Genesis 6-8, Luke 3
Genesis 6:9 "...Noah was a moral and exemplary man; he walked with God."
I LOVE the picture that this simple phrase paints of Noah. And, it's not the first time in scripture that this phrase is used; the same is said of Enoch toward the end of chapter 5. The reason this catches my attention so? I loved to walk with my Daddy. Mostly we hiked trails and walked through fields and pastures and I loved every minute of it. Well, not EVERY minute, but most of 'em. As we walked, Daddy was always teaching and listening. Showing us how to distinguish trees from one another, to read the sky for weather signs, to not miss the tiny things growing on the forest floor, to be glad for the busyness and the blessings of farm life, etc. There were times that I struggled to walk beside my Daddy because his stride was so much greater than mine. And, there were times that I needed to learn to step it up.
However, there were many more times that Daddy slowed his pace in order that he might accompany me, especially when I was going as fast as my short legs would take me. God is like that. Imagine yourself strolling with God just like the Bible says was the case for Enoch and Noah. Spending time together, figuring out life, learning and listening. Be sure of this: God intends to have that time with you, God longs to accompany you and me in life. Jennifer Kennedy Dean says it this way: "God was willing to calibrate his stride for Enoch's sake." (Praying the Promises of God) And, God is willing to calibrate his stride for YOUR sake; I believe it might be God's greatest desire for you ... to spend time together. As we begin this meaty challenge to shift our focus on a daily level, never lose this picture. For, we will be walking with God AND God will be walking with you! With us!
Lord God, I stand in awe that you love each of us so much that you long to spend time with us, just walking through life. Help me be mindful of your deep love and your desire to spend time with me. And, teach me more every day what it means for us to walk together. The discipline will be hard; there are lots of "to do's" in my life. I want this joy of spending time with you to be priority. Help me make it so by calling me to you and walking with me. I love you, Lord. Amen.
In order for God to work in my life through His Word and the ministering of the Holy Spirit, I must yield my calendar and my schedule to give God priority even over the other important stuff. Yikes!
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