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Idols

06 Jan

No verse.

Dear God, I was talking with a friend yesterday about the interview with a pastor who had survived COVID that I journaled about back in July. He said that we had made an idol out of certainty. We put our certainty in our health, our economy, our government, our military, our spouse, our children, our parents, etc. But all of those things are uncertain. Only you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The reason I bring this up today is because she asked what kinds of things I put my certainty in. What are my idols? Money was the easy answer. I don’t need more money than I have, but I certainly like knowing I have enough in the bank, whether personally or at work, to not have to worry about how I will pay my bills or even purchase a moderately-priced impulse item if I want. Yes, money is one.

But I had a new thought. It’s easy to say I don’t make my government an idol or that I don’t put my certainty in my government, but how would I feel about our country if it didn’t have the number one economy or military in the world? Even today, as people plan to protest the Electoral College vote count in congress, how many of them are putting their faith in the government? Would Jesus have shown up at one of these protests? Was he worried about who the top of the government was in his time? Did he lead a protest against John the Baptist’s beheading? No. He just mourned and moved on. But I want to read the news and I get bothered by political events and outcomes. I get angry and frustrated. I get scared.

Father, I would ask you to keep revealing my idols to me, but my fear (and here I go back to certainty again) is that you will rip one away from me and give me pain. But whatever. I’m yours. My health is yours. My wife’s health is yours. Everything is yours. My hope is in you and you alone. Help me to truly live in that peace.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 6, 2021 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

Isaiah 1:10-17

05 Jan

Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

Isaiah 1:10-17

Dear God, I don’t even want to know what Isaiah would have to say on your behalf to the Christian church in our country today, let alone to me as an individual. I think I would rather live in a self-righteous, ignorant bliss that I’m right, everyone else is wrong, and they should all be doing things my way.

I’m particularly disturbed by how much the church has become in politics. I think we have bought the lie that political power equals influence in our culture. The ability to legislate a morality will enable us to influence that morality from the top down–through our authority–as opposed to through our submission to you.

So, assuming that the Christian church in America today is a fair representation of Israel in Isaiah’s time, what would you have to say to us through these verses? Having just come out of the Christmas season, I find this part of Isaiah’s words troubling:

As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!

What do you think of our treatment of Christmas? How do you feel about us waging a war to be able to say “Merry Christmas” as opposed to “Happy Holidays?” Did that please you or did that disgust you? Do we burden you? Can you even stand to look at us at Christmas time?

Father, I feel like I am on this continual journey of repentance and submission. I’m sorry for the ways in which I grieve you. I know that I do, but I really do not want to. So speak to me (gently if you can) and reveal to my eyes the parts of my life that disgust you. And help me to be the voice in my family, community, and world that you need me to be for your glory’s sake.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 5, 2021 in Isaiah

 

Micah 6:6-8

04 Jan

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? 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? 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, to obey is better than to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). And you made the sacrifice part even easier with the gift of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. I don’t really have to give up some of my possessions in atonement. I just need to repent.

So what am I supposed to do?

  • Do what is right: This one is obvious. Tell the truth. Be honest in my dealings with others. Do not covet and have other idols. Frankly, this is impossible, but it is certainly a goal worth striving for.
  • Love mercy: Loving mercy means turning loose of what I think I deserve and specifically giving something to someone that they do not deserve. Help. Forgiveness. Compassion. Comfort.
  • Walk humbly with you: I can get awfully cocky and full of myself. I also get to feeling like I can do things on my own. But, without you, my life is a house of cards just waiting to collapse. My foundation is shifting sand. Everything is vapor. With you, however, the house is built on a solid foundation so that, regardless of how the wind blows and the rains come down, there is still peace to be found.

Father, as I head back into work today, help me to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. As I interact with my wife and children, help me to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. As I interact with friends and coworkers, help me to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. As I spend time alone, help me to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. As I pray to you, help me to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 4, 2021 in Micah

 

Ephesians 3:1-6

03 Jan

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles. . . assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:1-6

Dear God, thank you. Just thank you. Thank you that your plan includes me. Thank you that you cate for me and love me. Thank you that it also includes my family and friends. In fact, we are all your children and you treat us as such. You love us. Thank you.

As I sit in church and pray this to you–as I sit with these Gentiles and pray this to you–I cannot help but be stunned at the dominoes Jesus’s life knocked over. But since this is the day of epiphany, I guess the first Gentiles to show up in response to Jesus’s birth were the wise men. They came to acknowledge Jesus, worship him, respect and love him, and then they went home. I wonder what the rest of their lives were like. I wonder what they thought Jesus’s life would be like. Or were they wise enough to simply be in the moment and not have to imagine what the future held?

Father, as I sit here on January 3, help me to not worry about what 2021 has in store for me/us. Help me to not even worry about the rest of this day. Instead, help me to be in this moment right now.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2021 in Ephesians

 

Psalm 90

02 Jan

A prayer of Moses, the man of God

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!

Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!”

For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning.

In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.

We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury.

You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all.

We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan. Seventy years are given to us!

Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants!

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.

Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory.

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!

Psalm 90

Father, we hold onto something that is so brief. As I age, I find myself not concerned about dying or even taking my last breath in this moment. My only dread in dying young is leaving my wife to go on alone. But even that is hugely foolish and arrogant. After all, am I the one that helps provide for her, or is it you? Who am I without you? Even if I am gone, you will be there for her. Before she was my wife, she was your daughter. 

I suppose some of this goes back to what I was saying a couple of days ago about the movie Soul from Pixar. The souls yet to be born had to be ready and motivated to live before they could head to earth. While that is a really weird premise, I think we are all born with a certain level of enthusiasm. It’s just that some of us are pretty scarred by different events and it steals our joy and vision. Some lose their motivation.

I wonder what Moses was experiencing to have written this psalm. He is obviously having insights into just how small all of us are (even someone as great in your historical timeline as him) and how big you are. Even as I prepare to go back to work on Monday after over a week off, just thinking about how small my life is helps to put everything into perspective. 

Father, you are so great, and I am so small. The verse of the day from Bible Gateway was verse 12 above: “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Yes, teach me this, but be gentle in your less. Help me to be wise and see the world with your eyes so that you might be glorified through my submission to you. Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven through my life.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2021 in Psalms

 

Isaiah 43:16-25

31 Dec

“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.

“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

“But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me, O Israel! You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings. You have not honored me with sacrifices, though I have not burdened and wearied you with requests for grain offerings and frankincense. You have not brought me fragrant calamus or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your faults.

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

Isaiah 43:16-25

Dear God, thank you for blotting out my sins. Thank you for making a pathway through the wilderness. I am sorry for growing tired of you. I am sorry for the times when I refuse to ask for your help. I am sorry for taking back the life I gave you and trying to live on my own. I am sorry for burdening you with my sins and wearying you with my faults. Thank you that you have overcome all of my humanness through what you did by sending Jesus to live, die, and rise again. Thank you.

Father, there isn’t much more to this. Your words through Isaiah are just a great reminder that I am foolish, sinful, selfish, and shortsighted. But you are gracious beyond my foolishness. You are forgiving beyond my sinfulness. You are loving beyond my selfishness. And you are compassionate beyond my shortsightedness. Thank you, Father. Thank you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 31, 2020 in Isaiah

 

John 16:16-33

30 Dec

“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.” Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:16-33

Dear God, one of the interesting things about this story is that it is all about Jesus speaking plainly so they can understand, but what they took from it wasn’t what he told them about mourning and then being okay. They still missed it. No, their response was to say that they had been doubting in who he was because Jesus spoke so cryptically, but now since he was speaking plainly to them they believed him. But they still missed what he was saying!!

I’m going to shift gears a little bit here and talk about the mystery of the afterlife. Over the last four years, there have been (at least) two shows/movies that have dealt with the questions of what is happening beyond our earthly lives. The first was a TV series called The Good Place. The second was a movie that just released from Pixar, but they probably started working on about four years ago, called Soul. I probably would not have watched The Good Place if a good friend hadn’t recommended it to me. And I probably wouldn’t have watched Soul except that 1.) it was a Pixar movie and they are usually pretty good and 2.) given that I had watched The Good Place, I was intrigued by how this movie might present the after life. 

Beyond the false premises each of these stories embraced, what I noticed is that, even among seemingly secular people, there is this desire to figure out what is going on in the universe, and an innate knowledge that there is more to life than what we can physically see. The Good Place focused on works to explain what happens to us, but even that life turned out to be empty and ultimately everyone chose non-existence over an good, but seemingly empty, existence for what I’ll call “never ending time.” I am intentionally not saying “eternity” because I am assuming that the time plane you work on does not match up with the time plane where we currently live. 

Soul, on the other hand, focused on the “great before.” The posited that there is a place where our souls develop before they come to earth in our bodies, and it’s only when they find their motivation to live on earth that they get their chance. To be honest, I’m not even sure what question this theory is answering except that we all need to find our motivation for wanting to live life. 

I guess where I ultimately come to on all of this is a willingness to submit myself to ignorance. Some would call that weak-minded, but I simply don’t need to know or understand everything. I’m here for a reason (or many reasons–most of which I do not realize) and you have use of me while I’m here. There will be times when I am scared, confused, hurt, thrilled, relieved, etc. All of those things are pushing me in the direction you need me to go so that I might do the work you need me to do and become the man you need me to become. In terms of the “great before” or the after life, I’m just going to trust you, with the understanding that, if I’m wrong about anything 1.) there is room for you to take care of me and love me and 2.) even if I am wrong about #1 there really isn’t anything I can do about it anyway.

Father, help me to be a person who can provide your comfort and peace to those who are seeking such things. Give them your hope, peace, and joy through me and through others. And for everyone involved in The Good Place and Soul, please speak your comfort and truth to them so that they might join with your kingdom and become your ambassadors as well.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 30, 2020 in John

 

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“If they ain’t following you, you ain’t leading.” Skye Jethani

28 Dec

Dear God, I was listening to The Holy Post podcast from last week earlier today, and there was a part that really struck me. It starts at the 40:30 mark. They were talking about how evangelical leaders are making public statements regarding different social and political issues and yet evangelical people, when surveyed do not, for the most part, support those views. For example, in 2017, there were evangelical leaders who have said that it is important for the United States to be a place for legal immigrants to be able to come, but, when surveyed, a majority of white evangelicals support limiting legal immigration–more so than any other religious group surveyed. When one host, Phil Vischer, asked another, Sky Jethani, what he thought of that, Skye said, “It’s very simple: If they ain’t following, you ain’t leading.”

It made me think about a Baptist pastor in the town where I live. I was in a meeting among several pastors a couple of weeks ago, and the Baptist pastor, who has trained pastors in third-world countries in different parts of the world, said something to the effect that one thing he learned in the pandemic is that he thought they had a church where people were really seeking you, but what he’s found is that they have a social organization where like-minded people are getting together to socialize. The different agendas people have brought to the table since the pandemic and some of the decisions the church has made in relation to meetings has revealed the true character of the church. There was absolute silence when he said it.

Back to the podcast, they started talking about what each of us allows into our heads that shapes our thoughts, theology, and worldview. For example, if I give my church one hour of influence over me a week, how much time am I giving to news (and which news), television, music, movies, etc.? Phil Vischer mentioned (50:30 mark) that he normally spends time in personal Bible study, but lately decided to give himself over to some teaching from a theologian he trusts to allow that person to shape and/or challenge some of Phil’s perspective. The example he gave was a biblical commentary from Scot McKnight, a respected theologian, on the Sermon on the Mount.

That brings me to the last podcast host, Christian Taylor, who talked about a pastor, Matt Murdock at Church of the Resurrection, encouraging the parishioners to take an inventory of what influences them throughout the week (45:45 mark). What is everything I listen to/watch/consume? Who do I talk to? What all influences me? It doesn’t all have to be sacred, but what am I letting in? How am I using each day to know you better? As I envision doing this inventory, I almost envision the Weight Watchers point system. I can get some sweets, but too much is too much. Over time, I think the Holy Spirit will guide me to the answer of how much is too much.

The last part of the conversation is that evangelical leaders need to figure out the new paradigm of leading and influencing in this new age. They are using a 19th century model for parishioners living in a 21st century world.

Father, help me find good people to follow, and help me to be a good example for those who depend upon me to lead. Help me to see what you see, learn what you have for me to learn, and worship you the way you deserve to be worshipped. Do it all for your glory and so that others around me might be drawn to you, your salvation, your peace, and your path for them.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 28, 2020 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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What are you doing here?

27 Dec

But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9b)

Dear God, it’s a totally different context and set of circumstances within which I find myself right now than where Elijah was in his life, but the question came to me yesterday while I was driving to my vacation. What am I doing here? I don’t feel a particular need for a vacation. I don’t feel burned out. I don’t feel directionless. I don’t feel lost or scared. Why am I spending a couple thousand dollars this week to be here? What am I doing here?

The last time I remember feeling this question asked of me was in January 2005. That was a time of great uncertainty, and we were convinced that was going to be the year that we really focused on my wife. She was going to apply to graduate school in another state, and I was going to be willing to relocate for her benefit. 2005 was gong to be “The Year of Megan.” So I was at a men’s retreat at the beginning of January with my dad and brother-in-law, and I remember going for a jog/hike and praying about the year ahead and being willing to do whatever you wanted. In retrospect, it was a huge year for our family, but it ended up being my career for which we changed cities and moved.

So now I’m asking myself why I’m here. Honestly, I had the week off and I had no idea what I would do at home for a week. I could do some chores, but that would only take a day (and they’ll be waiting for me when I get back). The other days would just be killing time. But there is something being down at the beach at South Padre Island and that helps me to disengage and relax. And it also helps me to be away and to think. It also helps me to maybe give some attention to different writing projects that are on my heart.

So what am I doing here? Father, I think it’s just to not waste days, but to have some time to both rest, pray, and think. Pray about they year to come as it pertains to my personal world (family, work, friends, community, etc.) and the world at large. Think about what is on my heart and what might have been put there by you. And work on a couple of these projects and see if they have any traction. There just might be something there that can make a difference for your kingdom. So be with me this week. Speak to me. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a mind read to respond.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2020 in 1 Kings

 

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Bryan Duncan (translated by John Mason Neale – 1861)

26 Dec

“O come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Bryan Duncan (translated by John Mason Neale – 1861)

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Dear God, as I get ready to go on vacation, I thought I would look at journaling through some Christmas songs/hymns. This is another one from Our Christmas, a various artists collection from Word Records in 1990. I’ve always liked it.

The first verse simply reminds me that I don’t know what it means to suffer. Sure, I’ve had heartaches, but I am a very privileged man. I live a middle class life in a country that offers me a lot of freedom. I cannot relate to the feelings that captive Israelites felt. I don’t even necessarily long for Jesus’s return now. But there are people who do suffer. There are people who are captive. There are people who long for your justice and return. I am sorry I am not more sensitive to them and their longings. I’m sorry I am numb to them. Sure, I do things in my daily life that help others (some of it is part of my vocation), but I draw lines and I try to not be too inconvenienced. It’s easier to just look away.

Now this second verse is one to which I can relate more. Satan is always after us, and I can feel it in my own family, both in my immediate and extended families. Thank you for the gift of ultimate victory over Satan. He might win many, many battles here on earth, but the war is lost for him. Thank you for this gift.

Father, sometimes songs like this are great because the communicate a great longing. Longing for something beyond what we can really understand. Longing for peace and rest. I’ll confess that I’m not sure what to expect or what I even need from this vacation. Help me to use this week productively. I certainly don’t feel like I should be staying here. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do while I’m there. Help me to not waste a moment, but give both my wife and me exactly what we need–as a couple and as individuals–so that our lives might be part of your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2020 in Hymns and Songs

 

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