Posted on June 17, 2008 at 5:44am.
Simple thought - I need to be less consumed with doing and more about loving Jesus. Since I preached on this a couple of days ago, I have found myself reflecting on it. I do believe this is what Jesus longs for from us, I just wonder if it is possible in America in 2008. We fight against a culture that rewards activity and “doing”. There are many days that I am not even sure I am aware that it is a struggle - busy is just so normal. Yet somehow I believe it is a fight worth fighting. The kingdom that Jesus announced and began is radical and “upside-down” to the ways of this world. That includes not only morally but in the way I spend my days.
Posted on June 16, 2008 at 6:23am.
Those four words, I am with you, are powerful encouragement in any situation in life. When you are facing difficult and overwhelming odds they can be very special. On Saturday my blog took us to I Samuel and a story about Jonathan trusting in God. The verse that followed was the response of his armor-bearer. It is an amazing response to the power of friendship and loyalty. “Do all that you have in mind..God ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” The power of knowing you are not alone. To know that someone is with you and believes in you. We long for this on a human level and feel blessed when we find such a friend. I want to remind us that we have it on a divine level in the one who will never leave us or forsake us. The one who can never be separated from us - Jesus.
Posted on June 14, 2008 at 4:59am.
Finding the will of God always seems confusing to me. Do you move on something or do you wait? Is it looking for open doors or ones that shut? Will there be clarity or am I to walk into chaos? There is a fascinating story in I Samuel that I believe sheds some light. Jonathan, Saul’s son, is with his armor-bearer and is looking to do battle with the enemy. His makes what is to me a curious statement. “come let us go over…perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.” Perhaps? I think of the three young friends of Daniel about to be thrown into the fiery furnace and they respond that God can save them but “even if he doesn’t” we won’t back down. Seeking God’s will is having the courage to walk into the chaos trusting in a God you believe in.
Posted on June 13, 2008 at 6:22am.
Paul says: “Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed…” Knowing Jesus is a wonderful reality and it should produce a life that is never embarrassed by the association. I know that there were times when the girls were teenagers that Suzi and I embarrassed them. “Dad could you please not walk next to me” or “Mom your not going to say that to my friends, are you?” It is all normal and natural and they grow out of it (I think). In my relationship with Christ I have to ask if I am ever ashamed of knowing him - I pray that the answer is no.
Posted on June 12, 2008 at 5:56am.
How great was that rain last night! We needed it and I also enjoyed the power of the storm that delivered it. Every time there is a thunderstorm I am reminded again as to the awesome power of God. I think of Jesus who not only created the wind and the rain but also controlled it. Now that is some real power. David said in Psalm 63: “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.” His next response was to affirm God’s love is better than life. There is something about seeing God that changes everything about life. That’s why we need to see him fresh everyday.
