Thursday, July 22nd
I Find Comfort in the Humanity of the Bible
(Gen. 27:18-19)
I don't know about you, but I find comfort in the humanity that is portrayed in the bible. Isn't it great that God's blessing get's passed on through a woman overhearing her husban and coaxing her youngest son to dress up like his older brother to trick his father? There's no way you could make this stuff up! And even if you could there is no way you would. If I were inventing a religion there's no way I would do it the way the bible does it. I'd think up great men and women with no flaws that carry out the easy to accept will of the gods. I wouldn't paint a picture of a god that's hard to swallow. Let's be honest. Some of the things that our God does in the bible are unbelievably hard to swallow! And the people He chooses to work through are even worse. Whenever I begin to doubt the validity of the scriptures I think of the passages that describe flawed people doing the work of a hard to understand God I find comfort.
Monday, July 19th
What if the Story Isn't About Me?
(Gen. 26:26-33)
The scripture is full of strange, amazing stories and in-depth hero-type characters. There was Abraham the great man of faith and father of Israel. There was David the good-looking, great-dancing, lyrical-wizard, gigant-slaying king. There was Samson the beastly, mammoth of a man with women hanging all over him who did all kinds of mighty deeds. And then there are guys like Isaac who seem like transitional characters. His life is so similar to his father's without all of the great faith moments. And still, there are even more minor characters who have even less of a part.
What if the story isn't about me? What if I'm not the hero who comes from small-time and hits the bit-time? I grew up on Superman and Batman. I changed into my cape and tights in a phone booth. I was untieupable like Houdini. I karate chopped sticks and boards and mastered the crane kick like Daniel son. As a kid I ate and slept adventures and I knew that one day my life would mean something. I knew it with all my heart.
I'm 31, careerless, and capeless. I've never done anything great. And now it's hitting me--what if the story isn't about me? Am I OK with that?
Well, after the wondering and searching I can tell you that the story isn't about me. Life isn't about me. But, it's slightly comforting to know that it wasn't about David or Samson either. It's about Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It's about the redemption of human history by a baby born in a feeding trough. It's about a God who uses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. So, forget what you know from cartoons and comic books. Let go of what will not satisfy. Pull up a chair and get ready for the standing ovation that will shame all others. Oh yeah, and enjoy the show.
Sunday, July 18th
Faith and Time
(Gen. 26:23-25)
It's amazing how much power time has on my faith. As the legnth of time grows from my last "God moment" it slowly sucks up the passion and resolve that were once overwhelming and steadfast in my heart. When God speaks to my heart or provides in a mighty, miraculous way my faith gets a shot of adrineline and feels powerful like it could move a mountain. And yet as the days pass by I begin to question God's faithfulness and lovingkindness. The winds of this world begin to blow and I lulled by the sound and begin to sway in it's rhythm.
The story of Isaac begins with such high expectations. He is the child of promise from a 100 year old father and a barren woman. He is to carry on the torch that Abraham the great man of faith passed on to him. At a young age Isaac is a picture of Jesus the lamb as lays down his will to honors his father's. The first time it is recorded that Isaac is around when God speaks is when he is bound and laid on an altar. His father has a knife raised high above his head about to plunge into Isaac's chest in sacrifice to this God Abraham follows.
After that God becomes silent and doesn't speak to Isaac for a long time. And, it would seem that Isaac's faith dwains. After that great moment of submission and faith Isaac doesn't do anything great. He lies and decieves Abimelech. He favors the wrong son, Esau, and fails to secure a good wife for him. In fact, Isaac is only tricked into passing on the blessing to the son chosen by God.
After all of this God still stays true to His promise.
I think the most impactful thing about this segment of scripture is that although Isaac isn't portrayed as a great man of faith throughout his life when God speaks he reacts properly. He is afraid, he worships, and he builds an altar so that he will never forget--so that as time passes his faith might remain strong.
Saturday, July 17th
Wealth vs. Peace
(Gen. 26:12-22)
I'll be honest. Being an unemployed guy with a wife and a little yorky-poo fru fru dog to support I'd like to ignore the bible's warnings of the difficulties that come with wealth and find out for myself. I think that's one of those lessons that I'd rather learn on my own the hard way. Now, in my mind "the hard way" is gaining wealth and fame beyond my wildest dreams seeing that it doesn't satisfy and moving on with my life still having infinite wealth and yet not having any permanent damage. However, I'm not sure it works that way.
Jesus offers a yoke that is light and a burden that is easy. One time he tells a guy that the only thing he lacks is to sell all he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him. Then Jesus says that it's more difficult for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Needles must have been a lot larger back then. That kind of talk is definitely not what I'm looking for. I want it easy! I want my wealth and want to spend it too! I want the top-of-the-line MacBook Pro, an iPad, and the new iPhone 4(on Verizon's network). I want a sweet SUV that runs on solar power and electricity.
Well, Isaac gets wealth and all it brings him is trouble. David does just fine until he gets wealth and power. Solomon gets loads of wealth and uses it to satisfy his every whim and fleshly desire. Then he proceeds to write a book that says that it's meaningless! It's a chasing after the wind. Which I can assure you that task is as hopeless and unfulfilling today as it was back then.
I've heard two sayings that might help.
1. I climed to the top of my ladder and realized it was leaning against the wrong building--and
2. The worst thing is not being denied all that your heart desires--it's getting what you want and finding that it doesn't satisfy
Thursday, June 24th
Who Do I Allow to Have Power Over Me?
(Gen. 24:22-33)
If I had to be honest 99% of the time it's other people's opinion of me. If I realistically took a survey of my life and came up with the golden rule that governs my life it would probably be "What's everyone going to think?" or "Don't make anyone uncomfortable." Now don't get me wrong. These are probably good things to think about and weigh in on my decisions, but they shouldn't have near the power and influence they have over my decisions.
When Abraham's servant realized that God had answered his prayer and made his journey successful he paused in the middle of a conversation with a stranger and bowed down and worshipped the LORD! Are you kidding me?!?! My immediate feeling is stress and my first thought is what about all of the people around him? What were they thinking? Did they point at him and begin whispering? Did they snicker? Do you think anyone mocked him out loud?
Do you think Abraham's servant cared? NO! He had been with Abraham for sometime and had seen all that God had done for his master. He had probably seen the change that took place in Abraham's life overtime. Perhaps he lived through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or walked with Abraham and Isaac on the way for Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son. I know he heard how God provided the ram. I bet stories were told about Lot's wife becoming a pillar of salt because she disobeyed. And one thing is for sure--he bore the painful sign of the covenant between Abraham and God--circumcision! By adoption he was a child of promise! He shared in the blessings of God. So what if people laughed, pointed, or snickered. So what if people called him names! God, the Creator of the universe, was real in his mind and had been present in his life. God had just answered his prayer and deserved to be bowed before and worshipped!
I've been made fun of a lot in my life. And, I've had a number of shaming nick names. But, not one of them was "Jesus freak" or "God lover" or "christian guy". How ashamed am I--
Thursday, June 24th
Who Do I Allow to Have Power Over Me?
(Gen. 24:22-33)
If I had to be honest 99% of the time it's other people's opinion of me. If I realistically took a survey of my life and came up with the golden rule that governs my life it would probably be "What's everyone going to think?" or "Don't make anyone uncomfortable." Now don't get me wrong. These are probably good things to think about and weigh in on my decisions, but they shouldn't have near the power and influence they have over my decisions.
When Abraham's servant realized that God had answered his prayer and made his journey successful he paused in the middle of a conversation with a stranger and bowed down and worshipped the LORD! Are you kidding me?!?! My immediate feeling is stress and my first thought is what about all of the people around him? What were they thinking? Did they point at him and begin whispering? Did they snicker? Do you think anyone mocked him out loud?
Do you think Abraham's servant cared? NO! He had been with Abraham for sometime and had seen all that God had done for his master. He had probably seen the change that took place in Abraham's life overtime. Perhaps he lived through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or walked with Abraham and Isaac on the way for Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son. I know he heard how God provided the ram. I bet stories were told about Lot's wife becoming a pillar of salt because she disobeyed. And one thing is for sure--he bore the painful sign of the covenant between Abraham and God--circumcision! By adoption he was a child of promise! He shared in the blessings of God. So what if people laughed, pointed, or snickered. So what if people called him names! God, the Creator of the universe, was real in his mind and had been present in his life. God had just answered his prayer and deserved to be bowed before and worshipped!
I've been made fun of a lot in my life. And, I've had a number of shaming nick names. But, not one of them was "Jesus freak" or "God lover" or "christian guy". How ashamed am I--
Tuesday, June 22nd
Prayer and Sound Logic
(Gen. 24:10-14)
I think there are two big lessions that we can take from Abraham's servant... pray and use your brain.
Do you ever feel stupid praying for things? Do you ever feel selfish or trivial or like you're bothering God? I feel that way a lot. How could the small things that worry me matter in the scheme of this gigantic univese? Isn't God a little busy making the earth spin 1,038mph, and around the sun at 67,000mph, and all kind of other important stuff? Well, Jesus says to pray. In fact in Matthew 7 Jesus says, "Keep asking, and it will be given to you." He also says that the Father already knows what we need even before we ask... so we should ask. When we pray and ask for God to provide then God gets the glory because God is the one doing the providing. We're His children and He loves to bless us when we ask.
Secondly, use your brain. God gave it to you for a reason. He also gave it to you for reason. Step back and look at each situation. Weigh the pros and the cons. Abraham's servant was looking for a wife for Isaac so he went where the women were and at the time when the women were there. He didn't ask God to make her appear out of nowhere! Also, Abraham's servant wasn't looking for just any kind of girl. He was looking for a wife for someone he cared about. So he prayed for a kind, caring, hard working girl that goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Let me explain this a bit--
Wells back in that day weren't little holes with a bucket you lowered down. They were giant holes dug in the ground that people would have to walk down into carring a heavy pitcher which became much heavier when it was full of water. So in order for the girl to give the servant a drink she'd have to go down carring the pitcher, fill it, and come back up. Which, I think, is quite a kind gesture for a stranger. However, Abraham's servant wanted the girl to then offer to get water for all of his camels. I'm not sure how much you know about camels, but they drink A LOT of water. So, he wanted to find a girl that would do an extreme amount of hard work for a complete stranger. And we can't forget that after that she would have to get all the water that she had come to get in the first place. I'm surprised that when Abraham's servant prayed this prayer God didn't say back to him, "Good luck with that!" or "I think we ran out of those when Eve bit into that apple."
Monday, June 21st
The Comfortable Past (Gen. 24:1-9)
Sometimes the awful of the past that we know is more comfortable to us than the fear of the uncertain future. I think this is why the Israelites wanted to go back to slavery in Egypt rather than putting their faith in God and His daily direction and provision. I think this is why so often women will go back to an abusive relationship. Now I don't think that this is what goes on in our minds. The thought process is usually a little different. When I long for the things of the past I tend to forget about the bad stuff and just remember the good. C.S. Lewis talks about this concept in his book Perelandra. He says that sometimes we shrink away from the future good that our loving Father has for us and long for the old good.
I think there are two problems that cause this sin. The first is that we don't really believe that God is good and that He loves us, His children. Secondly, we don't trust His wisdom in that what He is going to provide is better… better than whatever we can fill in the blank with.
This is why it is so important to Abraham that his son Isaac does not go back to the land out of which God called Abraham. Once God calls you out there is no going back. Hebrews is full of warnings against this. The analogy of the spanish conquistador Cortez is probably over used but it is so fitting here. He came to the new world on a mission from the king. And when he arrived he burned the ships so that there would be no thought of going back in anyones mind before the mission was completed. As Paul put it we need to forget what lies behind, reach forward to what lies ahead and press on toward the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, June 15th
Which Grass Is the Greenest?
Is it harder for us today than it was for the people in the Bible or do we just make it harder? Recently I've been spending a lot of time reading the stories of Genesis and I find myself getting frustrated with the heroes. I mean God, the Almighty maker of the universe, talked with them and walked with them and performed unimaginable miracles right before their very eyes. And, yet, they doubted and questioned over and over. Why? I don't understand. It seems to me that if God were right here beside me (where I could see Him) and He told me what to do--I'd do it. If God audibly told me not to worry because He's taken care of everything--I wouldn't worry. If I saw the burning bush and felt the mountains quake things would be different, right?
Here's the thing. Abraham heard the call of God and he actually got to see God and have conversations with Him, but Abraham didn't have God's spirit dwelling inside him on a daily basis. God spoke to Abraham and asked him to leave all that he knew and loved on the promise that one day he would be the father of many nations. And then God stopped talking to Abraham. Abraham didn't even hear God speak again until after the whole Egypt fiasco and after Lot took all of the good land. Then God was silent again until after Abraham had risked his life to rescue his worthless nephew. And then silence again until he was ninty-nine years old. From the ages of 75 to 99 Abraham only heard God speak four times. Only four times in twenty-five years! For real! And not only am I in Christ, but I have the Spirit of God living inside of me. I have the Counselor, the Comforter, the Helper right with me all of the time. And I know that if I'd only quite myself long enough and cast aside the noise of this world that I have come to love so much I'd hear Him speak and I'd feel Him leading me, guiding me, and directing me! What is wrong with me!? I make things so difficult!
When I really think about it--I wouldn't trade my God-situation for Abraham's any day of the week. But that's not going to stop me from pointing my finger at Abraham and complaining about my life. That won't detour me from daydreaming about the greener grass on the other side. It makes me think that Gritz was right when they profoundly said, "My life be like ooh aah, ooh aah." Because sometimes my life be like ooh aah, ooh aah. And that's a fact.
Sunday, June 13th
Frustration with God
It's so hard to even type out this thought because when I try to put it into words it just sounds so stupid and makes me look so idiotic. Do you ever get that feeling of "righteous anger" toward God? (See I told you it sounds stupid) But it happens. And, there are two sides to it. First, I've got to be feeling pretty optimistic about how good I am and that tends to happen when I'm looking around at other worse people who tend to have it all. Then I start feeling sorry for myself and think about how God really hasn't filled His end of the bargin. I mean Jesus did say that if I ask for a loaf the loving Father isn't going to give me a snake, right? And, yet, here I am toward the bottom of the OC econimic pyramid scraping by with my iPhone, my MacBook Pro, closet full of cloths, refrigerator full of food--you get the picture. But, other people have so much more! God did you know that if Bill Gates drops a hundred dollar bill it would cost him more money to take the time to bend down and pick it up than to just keep working? Oh, yeah, you got that email foward. Or like when times are rough emotionally and I start throwing in God's face that He promised that He'd never leave or forsake me when He obviously has--obviously.
The point is that it's easy to get all high and mighty and frustrated with God, especially when we forget to look back and see all that God has given and all that God has brought us through and all that God has saved us from. We get such a small snapshot of the picture and yet God sees it all. God knows why the valleys are good and what's just beyond the next ridge. God knows that sometimes the hard road is the best road (probably because in the long run it's not the hard road it's actually the easy road and I'm a big baby).
Even though I've emailed Him the video about new iPhone 4 and asked Steve Jobs to talk with Him about how I "need" one--God knows that I probably don't actually need one. Even though I've texted God ten reasons on how I could use it to further His kingdom and so it's really and truly for Him.
Saturday, June 12th
Motives
Today's scripture really makes me have to evaluate my motives. Why do I do the good things (or maybe the better things) I do? Am I trying to impress or earn the favor of God. Or worse--Am I trying to earn the favor of people? Am I trying to shift the balance of the "deeds" scale? Or do I live well because I'm filled with the Spirit and am overflowing with the love Jesus? Am I aware of the depth of the grace that has been shown me and find that the only proper response is gratitude and obedience? Do I strive to reflect and image the Triune God because that is my purpose. Do I truly believe that Jesus is on the throne seated at the right hand of the Father and live accordingly?
Well, embarrassingly, I'd probably answer yes to the first few and no the the later ones. I am a "pleaser" by nature. I HATE conflict and desperately seek after approval and acceptance of others. It's kind of sad to look back at my journey and think about all of the hoops that I've jumped through in order to be liked by others. And all of that tiresome work didn't do much good. What's even worse is that not much has changed. I think I Cor. 13:11 should be modified to better reflect my life and should read, "When I was I chlld, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But, when I became a man--wait, what? A man? I'm not a kid anymore? Yeiks, I should probably act differently."
When Jesus came He really shook things up a bit. He taught us that not only is it important what we do, but also why we do it. He explained that our motives show who we really are. So, who are we today?
Tuesday, June 8th
Genesis 13:18
HUMILITY! Argh--is there a worse and better word in the english dictionary? It's like the greatest word when you're hanging out with a humility or when life applies some humility to a proud or a jerk or a worthless. But, CURSES when it's applied to you. I hate having humility applied to me. Now I don't mean like when I'm displaying humility for the world to see and applaud at--no. I'm talking about when it gets forcefully applied to me. I don't know that there's a more emptying and frustrating feeling when I find out that I'm less or smaller than I thought I was. Today I had a big fat double helping of that word. I'm 31 years old creeping up on middle age with a fair amount of successes to my name and I've found myself applying for an internship--wait, I'm sorry, an unpaid internship. And just today I got the glorious news that I didn't get it. These people don't even want me around for free! They don't even want my donated gifts, abilities, time, or offered hard work. I mean it's like I was trying out to sit the bench and get water for the players and take stats for free. Wow--
Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin
God did something great today! You know one of those mighty works of old. Something to be talked about for generations to come. Now, I have no idea what it was. And to tell the truth it doesn't feel great. It feels the opposite of great. (On a side not I've realized today that we have few words to express frustration that have more or less than four letters. Maybe that's because in times like this we should be silent before God.) But, I know from the bottom of my toes to the tips of my hair follicles with everything inside me that God performed an amazing deed in my life. So, I'm going to build an altar. I'm going to do something memorable that will last for years to come so that when God lets me in on the secret of why today was good and not bad I'll remember. I'll remember and I'll get on my knees and praise God with all that I am for God's amazing grace and mercy in my life on this day.
Something I tell people when things are looking grey in their life is that sometimes good and bad are only separated by time. And, although today in the moment seems bad--some amount of time later I'll hold it as a pivotal mark in my history with God--and it will be in the good column. Praise be the name of the LORD God almighty who was and is and is to come!
We are a very forgetful obstinate people that God chose to create and love. This is why we build altars. We build altars so that we don't forget the lovingkindness of the Lord. And so that we don't forget what God has done in our lives and through what God has brought us.
Monday, June 7th
Genesis 13:10-13
I think it was the great theologian John Mayer who said, "my stupid mouth has got me in trouble." Well, so far in Genesis it hasn't been the mouth that has been the problem--it's been the eyes. Eve wasn't in trouble until she gazed upon the beautiful, tasty, mouth-watering fruit. And in the same fashion Lot was doing fine until he "looked out and saw that the entire Jordan Valley as far as Zoar was well-watered everywhere like the LORD's garden!" Did you get that? Do you hear the writer steering us back to eden, the serpent, and the fruit? So what did Lot do? He chose that which his eyes saw and now his heart craved. Then, as if taking the best land from Abram, the man on whose account Lot had been blessed, wasn't enough he pitched his tent just outside of the original "sin city." Later we find out that sin came knocking on Lot's door once again and he actually moved into the city where all kind of craziness was going on.
If this isn't my story I don't know what it. First, satan presents something to my eyes. But, of course I'm wise to his game and I quickly turn away. But, wait--did I actually see what I thought I saw? I should look again to check and make sure, right? Now I know what I saw, but maybe I'm confused on whether or not it's wrong. So I think about it and contemplate it. Well, let's run it through the scientific method and test it to see what's the deal. So I move in closer and inspect it. Before I know it I'm right in there inches from it and it jumps out and grasps a hold of me and brings me down broken and helpless.
Just like David says in Psalm 1--blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked because before long they aren't walking any more. They're standing with sinners. And not too long after that they're not standing anymore. They're sitting and participating.
All I can say is that when sin comes a knocking you better run Forrest, run. And that's all I have to say about that.
Sunday, June 6th
Genesis 12:10-20
Is it OK to lie to save your life? Is it OK to lie to save someone else's life?
There are a couple of things that we need to understand about God in scripture before we can answer the questions brought forth in this passage. First, there are things that God specifically condones or promotes, things God specifically condemns, and times when God doesn't do either, but rather allows events to unfold.
Let's take Abram first. This is the man that God has chosen to set apart so that the whole world might be blessed. Abram began his call by showning great faith by leaving his former life--all that he has known and loved. But, now when he fears for his life, Abram's young faith in God waynes and he takes matters into his own hands. Abram instructs his wife Sarai, who by the way is actually his half sister, to deceive the Egyptians by saying that they are broher and sister--not husban and wife. It doesn't appear that Abram has much concern for Sarai's well being, because as a beautiful, "unwed" woman the chances of her having to be the wife of a man she doesn't care for and do wife stuff with him are overwhelming. And, in fact, all of this does happens to her. But, Abram is worried about his life and lacks the faith that God will come through with the promises God has made.
Well, God does act in this matter--God sends a plague on Pharaoh. However, scripture is clear that God does this "because of Abram's wife Sarai" not to bless Abram's deception and lack of faith. So, I think that this is one of those times in scripture where God promotes or acts on behalf of the needy and oppressed (Sarai) and yet is silent towards Abram's actions. God allows events to unfold. Abram has to stand by while his beautiful wife Sarai becomes the wife of another man. As a husband, I know that would be awful!
Lying and deception are sin. They are always wrong. We must have faith that our God is loving towards us, God's children. We need to trust that God will take care of the results or consequences when we tell the truth in difficult situations.
Saturday, June 3rd
Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram,
“Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father’s household
to the land that I will show you.
Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you,
and I will make your name great,
so that you will exemplify divine blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
but the one who treats you lightly I must curse,
and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name.”
God is most glorified when God gets the glory.
Now that might seem extremely obvious, but that is one of my greatest daily struggles in life. I want glory! I do. I want pats on the back and applause. I want people to know that it was me and my cleverness that accomplished the task. But, the American way of idolizing those that pull themselves up by their bootstraps and overcome all odds to succeed greatly is just that... it's American. It's not biblical! All throughout scripture God takes the weak and the broken and performs miracles through them so that the world will know that YHWH is God and God alone.
So often, in order to get glory, God has to take us out of our element, our way of life and our giftings so that when God blesses us God gets glory. I'm praying today that God will change my heart to match God's heart in those areas.
