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John 13:33-38

14 Feb

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
John 13:33-38

Dear God, I obviously don’t know how verbatim this quote of Jesus by John is, but assuming John wrote this intentionally, I noticed something new this morning. Peter was so distracted by the idea of Jesus going somewhere he couldn’t go that the words Jesus spoke about the disciples loving one another got lost: “By this they will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So what does loving one another look like? There is a patient at our clinic who we have been trying to figure out how to love, but she has boxed herself into a corner through a myriad of life decisions that has left us with very few options. We don’t know how to help her. Is it possible for us to show her live without being able to help?

Of course, the bigger implication here is how we treat each other as Christians. Jesus knew it was rare for people to really love each other because he knew that the disciples loving each other would stand out to the world. At the same time, I’m sure he was looking around the table at this group of people and wondering how they would ever get along without him. They would argue about who would be greatest. How would they do after he was gone?

I think one thing that helped galvanize them together was the crucifixion, the time Jesus was dead, and then the resurrection and subsequent time until Jesus ascended. At the last supper with Jesus, they were on the precipice of the greatest refining fire of their lives up to that point. Of course, for each of them, martyrdom (except Judas Iscariot and John) would come later. This was only the beginning.

Father, help me to be prepared for the refining you have in store for me. Help me to not waste a thing. And most of all, help me to always automatically lean into you in every moment.

I pray all of this under your authority,

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 14, 2023 in John

 

“Doubly Good To You” by Rich Mullins

12 Feb
Rich Mullins performing “Doubly Good To You,” a song he wrote but was originally released by Amy Grant

“Doubly Good To You” by Rich Mullins

If you see the moon
Rising gently on your fields
If the wind blows softly on your face
If the sunset lingers
While cathedral bells peal
And the moon has risen to her place

You can thank the Father
For the things that he has done
And thank him for the things he’s yet to do
And if you find a love that’s tender
If you find someone who’s true
Then thank the Lord
He’s been doubly good to you

And if you look in the mirror
At the end of a hard day
And you know in your heart you have not lied
And if you gave love freely
If you earned an honest wage
And if you’ve got Jesus by your side

You can thank the Father
For the things that he has done
And thank him for the things he’s yet to do
And if you find a love that’s tender
If you find someone who’s true
Thank the Lord
He’s been doubly good to you

Dear God, this is just a great song. Nice and simple. a reminder to count our blessings. The end.

Ah, but then there is the rest of the story. Rich Mullins wrote this for his own wedding that never happened. He lost the “doubly good” about which he was singing. Of course, Rich never experienced having children. I can attest that there can be windows in life when your marriage and kids are all great at the same time, and it really feels like even a “triple” goodness. But then those windows pass and things don’t play out like you hope. How will I respond?

I spent some time last week while I was sick pouring over old pictures of my wife and kids. Those pictures always encourage me. They remind me that there was legitimate goodness at one time. That my mind hasn’t imagined it. No, the photos didn’t capture the pain between the smiles. There are holes in the story for which I don’t know the content. But it really does help me to lean into the pain of the current loss I feel from no longer having that sense of “triple goodness” and embrace the life you e given to me now.

So, Father, thank you for the things you have done and the things you’ve yet to do. Help me to be your complete servant today.

I pray all of this under your authority and in your name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 12, 2023 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Parenting Through Pain

11 Feb
February 11th entry from Simply Sacred by Gary Thomas

Dear God, I got to thinking yesterday about the challenges a lot of my coworkers are facing right now. There is a lot going on. Some are dealing with very difficult and scary things with their children. Others are dealing with personal health issues that are daunting. One, in particular, is dealing with both plus the recent death of a sibling.

I was already thinking about how I need to really pray over our organization and office when I came across this daily reading from Gary Thomas’s compilation of various clips from his different books called Simply Sacred. It was the last paragraph that struck me after reading the moving story (above): “In fact, every child uniquely stretches us, pushes us, challenges us, and–by God’s design–thereby teaches us how to love. Thank God for difficult children!”

While it can be hard to thank you for the difficult parts of our children–mainly because it can be those difficult parts that concern us the most for our children and we want the best for them–it is easy for me to come to you and ask you to simultaneously 1.) remove the thorns from our children’s sides and 2.) use the presence of the thorns and hopefully the removal process for their good.

I’ve been thinking that I really need to spend some time in deep prayer today in a sacred place for the people in my office. I feel like the frog who has been slowly boiled without realizing it was happening. Now I look around and without my realizing it has started the whole pot is boiling and I didn’t appreciate what was going on. So I’m going to find some time today to go to a chapel and really beseech you on behalf of my coworkers. I’m also going to call on some of the board members where I work to pray. Is this a time of spiritual attack from Satan? Probably. Can it be used for your glory and to advance your kingdom coming and will being done on earth as it is in heaven? Definitely. I just need to bring it to you.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, please be with the staff and volunteers of our clinic. Be with all of us. Break us, mold us, fill us, use us. We are broken. We are vessels that need your molding and your formation. Don’t let any of this pain we are experiencing as individuals or collectively to be wasted.

I pray this under your authority,

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2023 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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Mark 6:53-56

06 Feb

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Mark 6:53-56

Dear God, for whatever reason the word “ran” caught my attention this morning. The first version of this story I read used the word “scurried.” These are words that apply to humans and not you. Whether it’s the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit, the image of any type of franticness just doesn’t fit—except for one example.

When I was in college there was a song by Benny Hester called “When God Ran.” The only time we get an image of you running is in the Prodigal Son story. The second part of Luke 15:20:

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

To quote “When God Ran”: The only time I ever saw him run is when he ran to me, took me in his arms, held my head to his chest, said, “My son’s come home again!” lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes, with forgiveness in his voice he said, “Son, do you know I still love you?” It took me by surprise when God ran.

Father, as a dad—as a dad who has been left by a child—I can see at least a little of this in me. It’s interesting because it really hasn’t left me angry at this child. I can see myself responding exactly how Jesus describes you in this parable. I heard a podcast last week who where a mom and dad were missing an adult daughter who had left. When she finally answered the phone one day, His first words were, “Please don’t hang up. We don’t care what you’ve done. We love you.”

Father, help me to live my life in such a way that franticness is not a part of it. Give me peace. Help me to exude you. And I pray that you will one day give me the opportunity to run to my child.

I pray this all under your authority, trusting in you no matter what.

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 6, 2023 in Luke, Mark

 

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Micah 6:6-8

04 Feb

6 What can we bring to the Lord?
    Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
    with offerings of yearling calves?
7 Should we offer him thousands of rams
    and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
    to pay for our sins?

8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
    and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8

Dear God, verse 8 is likely Micah’s most quoted verse, and I don’t like taking it out of context without looking at all of Micah, but I do thing the overall message of what you are saying through Micah in verses 1-5 and then Micah’s follow-up to the Israelites in verse 6-8. Do we sacrifice and bring a big, “I’m so sorry!” or do we resolve to do what is right, love mercy, and then walk humbly with you? What will it be for me today?

One caveat I have is doing what is right for the right reason. I can do what is right an awful lot, but sometimes it’s for the desire of selfish gain. I do what it right because I want it to influence an outcome that if preferrable to me. It can happen with my wife. It can happen in my job. Among friends.

What about loving mercy. I was reading a commentary that pointed out this morning that it is one thing to have mercy, but it’s another thing to love mercy. Do I find joy and peace in the mercy I extend to others, or do I get either some kind of power trip out of it or still secretly hold the grudge? When I extend mercy, is it rooted in you?

Then walking humbly with you. Well, humility is an interesting thing. To do something humbly with you can be tricky because I so love getting attention for being good. Even yesterday, I was offered an opportunity that some might consider to have some power and prestige. I can honestly tell you that that is not why I accepted. In fact, it’s why I almost declined. I accepted because I will be able to perform a duty in it. I almost declined because of the extra work and responsibility. I accepted because I think I might be in a unique position to have a positive influence and move the needle in the direction of mercy for our community.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, this morning, the afternoon, and this evening–all day long–I will have opportunities to do the right thing, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Help me to do that in ever area of my life. As a husband. As a father. As a sibling. As a son. As a friend. As a boss. Aa an employee. And as a community member. As your child in this community, live through me and envelop my spheres of influence so that when others see me they simply see you.

I pray this under your Holy Authority,

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 4, 2023 in Micah

 

Mark 5:21-23

31 Jan

21 Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

Mark 5:21-23

Dear God, what kind of begging would it take from me to hear the answer I want to hear from you? My heart hurts, and I’d do it. You know what keeps me from doing it? You. Knowing that you have heard my prayers, you have overlooked nothing, and my faith that you are working out your plan in your perfect timing. I never had to beg for my child’s physical life. I guess, in some ways I have in the past, and you were…well, answering the prayers fit into your plans.

So now I have things on my heart that need your attention. I mentioned them last night in my prayer to you. Endangered pregnancies. Failing marriages. Strained relations between parents and children. Sick children. This morning, I can add someone who lost a brother. And you get to figure this all out. You get to take your knowledge of time and space and guide us through this world, all the while using our prayers to not only inform you on how we are feeling, but also form us into knowing you and becoming more and more like Jesus.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, please be in all of the situations on my heart. For friends, family, coworkers, and those about whom I just know of their situation. Holy Spirit, teach me, comfort me, guide me, and live through me. Help me to represent the Father well. Help me to be part of your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

I pray all of this submitted to your authority,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 31, 2023 in Mark

 

Mark 9:30-34

29 Jan

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Mark 9:30-34

Dear God, this is all supposition, but I wonder how their conversation went from Jesus saying he was about to be killed and them being afraid to ask to them arguing about who among them was the greatest. That’s a weird transition. Jesus was in some level of anguish and hesitation and they were taking their confusion and arguing about who was the greatest? Very odd.

I told you last Thursday that I really do feel like I’m largely past getting credit for things. That hasn’t always been the case. I don’t know. The older I get the smaller I’m starting to feel. And it’s ironic because, in actuality, this is probably the most influential I’ve ever been in my life. I have a lot of credibility in my little sphere of influence, and that’s great, but I’m certainly not seeking it anymore.

Probably my favorite thing is that I have people come to me when they are trying to solve a problem. I even had a really nice man come to my office today to help him figure out how to help high school students with severe acne. I do really like it that when people wonder how to help someone else, I am one of the people in town they come to for ideas. If I’m going to have a reputation, I want it to be that of someone who knows how to help others. Of course, I tried to talk a lot about you in my conversation with him. In fact, I was talking with a salesman for a staffing company today, and I was able to bring up my faith and praying with him as well. And I met a man on Saturday who I want to reach out and help. It seems like he needs you. Might I be the vessel through which you can bring him to yourself? Can I help him to know you and totally change his life? For his sake. For your sake. Not for mine.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, I simply love you. That’s it. I love you. My life is not perfect. I have sorrows, but I also have incredible joy. Be in my sorrows and use them to refine me. Be in my joys and help me to celebrate you in them. And please take care of the people I’m thinking of right now. Some have pregnancy issues. Some have memory and even brain aneurism issues. Some (a surprising number) have back issues and are either recovering from back surgery or preparing for back surgery. Some are going through a divorce. In that case, be with the child involved. Some have children dealing with substance abuse. There is a lot of pain and sorrow out there. Use it all. Use it all for your glory. Don’t waste any of the pain. Use it at, my Lord and my God.

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 29, 2023 in Mark

 

Hebrews 11:13

28 Jan

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
Hebrews 11:13

Dear God, this is pretty much what it’s all about, I think. I experience pains and successes every day. I pray for outcomes for friends, family, and even myself. I pray for outcomes for things in the world. Ukraine. Victims of violence. I pray about a lot of things. I care about a lot of things. But I simply don’t know what you are doing, and I might not ever live to see it.

In this example, the author of Hebrews is using Abraham and Moses as examples of people who were praying and hoping for outcomes that they would not live to see. Their faith in you propelled them forward in their lives, but Abraham never saw what would happen with his grandchildren and who they would become. Moses didn’t reach the Promised Land. I have many, many more examples. Naomi never saw Jesse and David. Samson’s parents never understood why their son was the way he was and probably died feeling like failures. Zechariah and Elizabeth never knew how John the Baptist’s life would turn out, and, had they lived to see John’s beheading they would probably have felt like it was an opportunity lost.

So as for me and my life, yes there are pains in it. There are things that cause me anguish. All I have is my faith that you are doing something in this pain. You are using it to form me. You are using it to form those I love who are involved in that pain. If it takes me taking two steps backward so that your overall plan can take three steps forward–or even one step forward and it’s a net loss for me–that’s okay. It’s not about me, after all. Even if it takes all of the way up to my life just for a marginal advancement of your plan in the world, I will gladly offer that to you.

Father, help me to believe and internalize what I just said. Jesus, guide me through this with your example. Holy Spirit, use your still small voice to guide me and counsel me. When I need it, comfort me. When I need it, discipline me and move me forward. Refine me, oh God, into your image.

I pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2023 in Hebrews

 

James 4:4-10

26 Jan

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

James 4:4-10

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning it made me think of a praise song we used to sing at our church in Waco:

I just want to be with you, so come close and put your arms around me. I just want to love you. So come here and look right at me. So I can look into your eyes. So I can see into your heart. So I can feel you by my side, and know that you’re near.

Those might not be the exact words–it’s been a long time–but I think I’m close. But I think about everything James is saying here, and I just want to drop anything that I think is mine and sink into you. The verse of the day for Bible Gateway is verse 10, the last verse. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” That’s the New Living Translation. The New American Standard ends with, “he will exalt you.” Either way, I don’t want any of that. I really don’t. I get exalted too much in our community. And I used to crave other people’s admiration. Not so much anymore. Maybe it’s just that the more I sink into you the more I want to simply live a simple life of being your child. Loving your daughter. Loving my children. Loving my neighbors. I want to resist the devil. I want to come close to you so you will be close to me. I do have tears and deep sadness for my sin. I’m sorry for how I have and how I continue to still crave things of this world.

Father, I just want to be with you. So come close and put your arms around me. I just want to love you. So come here and look right at me. So I can look into your eyes. So I can see into your heart. So I can feel you by my side and know that you’re near.

I pray all of this in the name of the one Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2023 in James

 

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Philippians 4:8

25 Jan

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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

Dear God, so I’ve talked about the marriage conference this last weekend, which was GREAT! One thing interesting that has happened to me is that it has caused me to be more cautious about what I’m consuming. Even something as simple as the music I listen to and the YouTube videos I watch. Are they negative? Are they against you? Sure, it might not be about you, but is it against you?

It reminds me of the fall of 2020 when I stayed off of Facebook for a week while my wife and I were on vacation at the coast. Afterwards, after I had detoxed from it (and I mean detox in the literal sense because I now think it is toxic), I couldn’t bring myself to log on again. Even now, I will get on there long enough to post something from our nonprofit, share it on my page and then log off again.

Going back to this verse, I have to wonder what kinds of things Paul was talking about here in first century Philippi. They didn’t have songs on the radio, shows on TV, videos to stream, or even books/magazines in the home. So he was talking about really thinking about such things. Having that attitude. For us, there is so much input that can be negative from which we have to guard ourselves. But we also live in a time when there are a lot of positive resources too. The channels I can use to consume negative things can also be used for positive things. I have a lot more choices to make that the Philippians did, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still make the right ones.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, help me to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Help me to consume things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to do it, first, as worship of you. Then help me to do it so that my soul might be shaped and I can love your daughter the way you want me to love her. To give myself up for her. To anguish over her and her wellbeing, regardless of what it costs me or how she responds to it. You are my God. She is my wife. You have given me a life that is unreasonably good. Thank you.

I pray all of this in your Holy Name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 25, 2023 in Philippians

 
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