Wednesday, January 30, 2008
growing, little by little
I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.
Exodus 23:29-30
Ever grow impatient with God's process of growing you or releasing you to live and serve as you have always dreamed? I know I have.
I found encouragement from the above verse that God is faithful to release us into what we have grown ready for. If he were to completely swing open the door our character, habits, and expectations would simply lead to disappointment and attack. Jesus talks about this in regards to the Enemy and how he works:
When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.
Matthew 12:43-45
In other words, if we are freed from what has ailed us, but we do not enter ino life with God (the Kingdom) there will simply be emptiness and desolation which leaves us open for even more attack. This will leave us worse off than when we began.
Now I see Jesus leading us in victory little by little. He is growing us. Reshaping us. Transforming us. And then, when we have the character to rely on His power, we find we have travelled farther than it seems, and more and more of the life we've always wanted is ours. So it seems Jesus admonition to be faithful with little has even wider scope than simply that of service, but also in the renovation of our hearts and relationships.
While reflecting on the Exodus passage these were the questions I felt I should ask myself:
What am I waiting for God to do in my life, relationships, and ministry?
In what ways am I not ready for those things to actually happen tomorrow?
What are some of the battles I face between now and what I am waiting for?
How may these battles shape me and my dependence on God?
What am I facing this week that I need God’s help with?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
life revisited
It was very cool to start off the College group's new series on the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 today. We're calling it Life Revisited, a reused title from SHCC days because I think it reflects the theme of what life is like in the Kingdom of God. I was encouraged by how Jesus' proclamation that the Kingdom of God is here really is good news. Here's the intro to the sermon from Matthew 5, followed by my reflections on why this is good news:
Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
The Kingdom of God is . . .
Good news for those who are BAD at religion, God WANTS them.
Good news for those in PAIN, God will COMFORT for them.
Good news for those who are IGNORED, God offers PROVISION.
Good news for those wanting the world to be RIGHT, God offers HIMSELF.
Good news for those who SERVE others, God will CARE for them.
Good news for those who are PERFECTIONISTS, God is what they are LOOKING for.
Good news for those in the middle of CONFLICT, they will be in God’s FAMILY.
Good news for those ATTACKED for doing what is good, God will be their SECURITY.
Good news for those following JESUS, God and his family DELIGHT in them.
EXTRA: Good news for those who are HOPELESS, God will BLESS them.
I was also thinking up modern day "beatitudes" for the "hopeless blessables," as Dallas Willard calls them:
Good news for those who are LONELY, God will be WITH them.
Good news for those who SUFFER, God brings PEACE.
Good news for those with BROKEN HOMES, God is the perfect FATHER.
Any thoughts you have about beatitudes for todays hopeless?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
postsecret
This website has been fascinating, disturbing, and compelling me for the last three months. There is definitely some PG-13/R content, but this "community art project" is an interesting look into the secrets we carry.
I guess the most disturbing aspect of this site is the lack of hope.
How does one deal with their secrets?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
desktop tower defense
This is my first post about video games, and my 100 post altogether. Now, hear my confession. Desktop Tower Defense has seriously been wasting my time today. While fun, I just can't get above 2,400 points.
Friday, January 11, 2008
the little engine that could
The toy of the Christmas season is by far the train set from Uncle Michael. Thanks for all the fun!
pink baseball
It begins . . . my daughter's love for playing baseball begins tonight (softball will be an acceptable replacement since she is a girl and I usually play in a church softball league).
We had 45 minutes to kill while waiting for our table at the Olive Garden (known as the O.G. to college friends). So we went to Big 5 to kill some time. The place was stocked for the beginning of the spring season of baseball (Little League sign ups have already begun, and I am stoked to start umpiring again). There in the corner of the baseball section was the 3-5 year old gloves in pink and purple (NOTE: Ashlyn is two and a half, but will be three once baseball is under way this year).
I gave Ashlyn the choice of what color, obviously pink.
We played catch outside the store and again outside the O.G. She wanted to keep playing "catch" in the restaurant.
She got real excited when I got my glove out at home and we played catch again. She said, "You're good Daddy." She already has an eye for talent!
(FYI: That's not gum in Ashlyn's mouth in the above picture. It's her pink, of course, Triceratops vitamin.)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
smile
"Smile" by Chris Rice from Run The Earth Watch the Sky
How far are you, how close am I
I know your words are true and I don't feel them inside
Still I believe you'll never leave
So where are you now
You're all I have, You're all I know
Your breath is breathing in my soul
Still I am gasping, aching, asking
Where are you now
Cause I just wanna be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
I just want to be with You
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
Every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Til I won't have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile
My journey's here, but my heart is There
So I dream and wait, and keep the faith, while You prepare
Our destiny, til You come back for me
Oh, please make it soon!
Cause I just wanna be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
I just want to be with You
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
Every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Til I won't have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile
I just wanna be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
I just want to be with You
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
I just wanna be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
I just want to be with You
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
Every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Til I won't have to imagine
And I finally get to see You
Every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Til I won't have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile
I hadn't really noticed this song until my iPod picked it today. Chris Rice seems to be able to express the longing of God's felt absence with such devotion to His character and faithfulness. What an encouragement this is. A modern Psalm for sure.
Friday, January 4, 2008
i love jesus
Tonight was the first time either Rebecca or I have heard our two-year-old, Ashlyn, say "I love Jesus."
Each night we take time (normally me, but often Rebecca) with Ashlyn to say prayers. This includes talking about our day, memorable moments, the things that made us happy or sad, people we want to pray for, and whatever else stirs up in a little two-year-old's heart and mind.
Tonight with Rebecca Ashlyn decided that she wanted to pray first. The beginning of her pray was: "God, Jesus. I love Jesus." Amazing.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
repentance & expectancy
Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.
- Hosea 6:1-3
I spent some time reading Luke 3 today. It's on my "reading plan" for 2008. It's the passage that talks about John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. He calls the crowd to repentance (v.8), righteousness (v.10-14), and leads them into expectancy (v.15). So I began to pray about what it means for me to recognize and agree with God about sin. What it looks like to pursue generosity, honesty, and contentment. And finally how to develop a trust and expectancy in God's presence and work in my life.
I was greatly helped by my conversation with Caitlin, and then blessed by the above passage from Hosea quoted on her blog. Interesting that repentance and expectancy are linked here as well. Glad that this coincided with the first real "storm" for Northern California that began today.
Usually I pray for a verse or passage to be a theme for the coming year of prayer . . . I am wondering about this passage from Hosea.
Anybody care to share their reflections on these verses as I pray about them for the coming season?
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