I am studying in John with one of the gals from our church. This week we are looking at the 2nd chapter...wow! I love getting to see Jesus in His real life world. He had friends, He got invited to weddings, He spent time with His family. In this situation, He gets to perform His first recorded miracle...and at a wedding! His very first act was changing water into wine, something common; every-day; required for life itself; needed-but "usual"... into something with a "kick":with taste; that had value; was grown from a vine and harvested by hand...you get the picture.
It makes me think that Jesus wasn't just helping out His friends at that point in time, but letting us know (centuries later) that if He can do what He did with water...imagine what He can do with us? I think I'm the most average, pretty boring person one can aspire to be...but Jesus gives my life some real "kick"; value; He grows me from a vine (HIMSELF) and harvested my heart. He makes something new, different and interesting spiritually. He does that for anyone who comes to Him...isn't that the greatest?
I love that His words are real: they live and breathe and speak to us...throughout all generations. Thank you God and please help me and all those who seek you to value your word, to study it, hear from you through it, to believe it and to let it change our lives!!!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Culture of the "Close Mouthed"
Tonite I watched "60 Minutes" and there was a report about the rap culture ...this in light of the recent Don Imus/Rutgers issue and conflict and the Virginia Tech shootings. Why were the two connected? Researchers and Experts agree that whether it be rampant racism or the rantings of someone screaming for help at another horrific level, there are those around who hear or know about both, and choose to do nothing. This means they don't speak up, they don't notify anyone--whether it be anonymously or not.
What was interesting was the "new morality" that our youth is learning from the music culture, be it rap, or my guess is any other "cool/hip" type of tunes. This so called group of new leaders/hero's will not "snitch" and clearly let it be known that anyone who "follows them" or who is truly "cool", won't "snitch" either. It doesn't matter that someone is going to get hurt, or already has been....and that their being able to share that with a leader who can help could change the course of some terrible event. To them, that's not the issue at all...in fact, it doesn't factor into the decision. They are true mirror of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell...
It really saddened me, but it also reminded me that the great deceiver is really being successful with this. The TRUTH is that Jesus calls us to care for those around us, no matter what that means to us. Remember the Good Samaritan?...wow we have wandered so far... Jesus also said that everything hidden in the dark will be brought into the light...I know that His words will come true, everything he has said always has and always will. The question is, what are we doing to counteract that horrible, ridiculous "truth" that music and gang leaders are peddling...what are we doing individually, and corporately as a community? Every time we know something bad is going on with someone and that it could hurt them or others and we DON'T try to help, we are complicit in their hurtful or evil plans. Every time we choose to protect ourselves and not speak up for the protection of others we grow more and more deeply indebted to the evil one.
LORD, change our hearts, cause us to take back this "shadow morality" and expose it to the light. Let your light shine and change us, all of us from the inside out...LORD, so change us that the "new morality" is looking out for each other: and that's the only thing that is applauded! Please forgive us, have mercy on us and help us be more like you. AMEN!
What was interesting was the "new morality" that our youth is learning from the music culture, be it rap, or my guess is any other "cool/hip" type of tunes. This so called group of new leaders/hero's will not "snitch" and clearly let it be known that anyone who "follows them" or who is truly "cool", won't "snitch" either. It doesn't matter that someone is going to get hurt, or already has been....and that their being able to share that with a leader who can help could change the course of some terrible event. To them, that's not the issue at all...in fact, it doesn't factor into the decision. They are true mirror of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell...
It really saddened me, but it also reminded me that the great deceiver is really being successful with this. The TRUTH is that Jesus calls us to care for those around us, no matter what that means to us. Remember the Good Samaritan?...wow we have wandered so far... Jesus also said that everything hidden in the dark will be brought into the light...I know that His words will come true, everything he has said always has and always will. The question is, what are we doing to counteract that horrible, ridiculous "truth" that music and gang leaders are peddling...what are we doing individually, and corporately as a community? Every time we know something bad is going on with someone and that it could hurt them or others and we DON'T try to help, we are complicit in their hurtful or evil plans. Every time we choose to protect ourselves and not speak up for the protection of others we grow more and more deeply indebted to the evil one.
LORD, change our hearts, cause us to take back this "shadow morality" and expose it to the light. Let your light shine and change us, all of us from the inside out...LORD, so change us that the "new morality" is looking out for each other: and that's the only thing that is applauded! Please forgive us, have mercy on us and help us be more like you. AMEN!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Isaiah through the eyes of 8th graders...
"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. H e does care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. The run and don't get tried, they walk and don't lag behind." (The Message, Isaiah 40:27-31)
This is the scripture my group of girls were assigned tonite...the idea was that they would talk about the verses, try to understand them and then figure out how to teach it to the rest of the youth group next week. SO...my gals came up with a skit: they are "jocks" coming in from the 1st 1/2 of a very tough game (I believe they are on the losing team, 32-0!)...by the way they try to talk like dudes, so they lower their voices, do "body slams" and punch each other a lot (this would be their interpretation of football guys!)...one of the team members is an illiterate student who has dropped out, but miraculously is "healed" of their illiteracy and can suddenly read and understand things (I have NO idea where that came from!)
Anyway, they applied the words to trying to win a game that was very tough...they needed strength from someone who: doesn't get tired; doesn't have to catch his breath; knows all the strategy and ways to win; can energize others and will stick with the team...pretty insightful, eh?
God does that for us, He comes in when we most need Him and gives us strength, makes us fresh and ready to play that "2nd half"...He listens, prepares us and keeps us moving when we want to sit down and quit. He is the team captain that never, ever lets us down.
You know what? I think they did a pretty awesome job understanding the key points of this passage and God really did show me something fresh through their eyes...is it too much to hope that I can keep them from burping/scratching as part of their "role-playing" football dudes? :-)
This is the scripture my group of girls were assigned tonite...the idea was that they would talk about the verses, try to understand them and then figure out how to teach it to the rest of the youth group next week. SO...my gals came up with a skit: they are "jocks" coming in from the 1st 1/2 of a very tough game (I believe they are on the losing team, 32-0!)...by the way they try to talk like dudes, so they lower their voices, do "body slams" and punch each other a lot (this would be their interpretation of football guys!)...one of the team members is an illiterate student who has dropped out, but miraculously is "healed" of their illiteracy and can suddenly read and understand things (I have NO idea where that came from!)
Anyway, they applied the words to trying to win a game that was very tough...they needed strength from someone who: doesn't get tired; doesn't have to catch his breath; knows all the strategy and ways to win; can energize others and will stick with the team...pretty insightful, eh?
God does that for us, He comes in when we most need Him and gives us strength, makes us fresh and ready to play that "2nd half"...He listens, prepares us and keeps us moving when we want to sit down and quit. He is the team captain that never, ever lets us down.
You know what? I think they did a pretty awesome job understanding the key points of this passage and God really did show me something fresh through their eyes...is it too much to hope that I can keep them from burping/scratching as part of their "role-playing" football dudes? :-)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Never the same...
Too many people today are realizing their lives have been changed forever...that things will "never be the same" again. No one who woke up this morning at Virginia Tech had any idea that events would occur as they did. No one knew and no one prepared...how could they? Who can fathom the events of this day?
And yet...look what happened. One (maybe two, we don't know yet) people radically changed the course of life for literally tens of thousands of people...either directly or indirectly. I can't imagine the pain and sorrow of roommates, classmates, friends, sisters, brothers, moms or dads today. I have no idea how School administrators, professors, or staff can fathom what took place at their school. Simply put, the unthinkable happened.
There already are, and there will be forever on this earth, the "WHY" questions; followed by
"HOW...?" and maybe then again, "HOW COME"? Such unspeakable hurt reflected in these questions. There is really no answer, reason or justification...there can't be for such a devastating act.
I am praying for God's comforting presence, His peace and loving-kindness to be wrapped around that school and the surrounding community. I pray for each family member and each friend who is mourning the loss of someone they wish they could talk to "just one more time"...even for a moment. God help them and hold them up in ways they never thought possible.
God bless this school, bless those that are hurting and teach us from this...don't let any of us grow cold or calloused to this "kind of news", but to deeply feel that which has been placed before us. God help us realize that Virginia is right next door and that we need to support, comfort and pray not just for those who are at that school, but those close by...Help us to know that while this happened elsewhere, it really happened here too; and that it should make a difference, that we should make a difference...and we will Never be the same...
And yet...look what happened. One (maybe two, we don't know yet) people radically changed the course of life for literally tens of thousands of people...either directly or indirectly. I can't imagine the pain and sorrow of roommates, classmates, friends, sisters, brothers, moms or dads today. I have no idea how School administrators, professors, or staff can fathom what took place at their school. Simply put, the unthinkable happened.
There already are, and there will be forever on this earth, the "WHY" questions; followed by
"HOW...?" and maybe then again, "HOW COME"? Such unspeakable hurt reflected in these questions. There is really no answer, reason or justification...there can't be for such a devastating act.
I am praying for God's comforting presence, His peace and loving-kindness to be wrapped around that school and the surrounding community. I pray for each family member and each friend who is mourning the loss of someone they wish they could talk to "just one more time"...even for a moment. God help them and hold them up in ways they never thought possible.
God bless this school, bless those that are hurting and teach us from this...don't let any of us grow cold or calloused to this "kind of news", but to deeply feel that which has been placed before us. God help us realize that Virginia is right next door and that we need to support, comfort and pray not just for those who are at that school, but those close by...Help us to know that while this happened elsewhere, it really happened here too; and that it should make a difference, that we should make a difference...and we will Never be the same...
Thursday, April 12, 2007
2 steps forward...more than 2 back!
Ok...so I failed AGAIN!. Faced with some really frustrating and challenging personalities and situations at work, I let myself get critical and pessimistic about things. UGH!...will I ever learn? I can totally relate to Paul who wrote this: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out....so I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me." (Romans 7:15,18b,21) YIKES! My efforts to overcome my own desires to "right injustices" and make sure things are fair and done with integrity, can lead me down a really, really bad path. Thank goodness, that again, like Paul I can write: "What a wretched (wo)man I am! Who will rescue me...Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!..For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all."(Romans 7:24/8:24)...God rescues, saves me and gives me hope...hope that I can change and that He will make that change happen!
SO...once again, I am faced with developing my Holy Habits:
1. Pray before I react, act, or let myself get frustrated and critical
2. Actively remember WHO is in control and the worth of HIS ultimate purpose is (and I'm pretty sure it has little to nothing to do with one meeting or one personality struggle over the course of a whole lifetime!!!!)
3. Adjust my perspective: think like God (long-term!)..."For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17,18)
God...thanks for your Spirit that keeps reminding me of WHO and what is really important. Thanks that you forgive, restore and let me try again. Thanks for your patience, your graciousness and kindness. Help me to make you proud by making some progress in developing some "Holy Habits"! AMEN and AMEN!
SO...once again, I am faced with developing my Holy Habits:
1. Pray before I react, act, or let myself get frustrated and critical
2. Actively remember WHO is in control and the worth of HIS ultimate purpose is (and I'm pretty sure it has little to nothing to do with one meeting or one personality struggle over the course of a whole lifetime!!!!)
3. Adjust my perspective: think like God (long-term!)..."For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17,18)
God...thanks for your Spirit that keeps reminding me of WHO and what is really important. Thanks that you forgive, restore and let me try again. Thanks for your patience, your graciousness and kindness. Help me to make you proud by making some progress in developing some "Holy Habits"! AMEN and AMEN!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
It's all about PERSPECTIVE
Yesterday I really struggled with some decisions (or lack of decisions) made in my work place. I felt frustrated, burdened and tired by all the effort it takes to get to some kind of action...mostly I felt like a failure because I couldn't make something happen. Well, that was a great place to be in right before Bible Study! Isn't it great when your day and circumstances are the perfect "set up" to get a lesson on how to "get up"?...
Monday nite is "girl's nite out with Daniel"...most Monday's you'll find Ginger, Cynthia and I going over the week's events and then spending time listening to Beth Moore teach from the book of Daniel...then we pray together. Last nite we studied about Daniel's commitment to prayer, and worked through scriptures that really expounded on the fact that there is not one thing on earth that cannot be effected by prayer...NOTHING!...Let me tell you it drove us to our knees we were so humbled and thankful!
We discussed the need to develop some "holy habits" around how to respond in times of crisis, or just everyday frustrations. We can either panic (do the wrong thing); paralyze (do no thing) or pray (do the power thing)...you see, really it's all about PERSPECTIVE. God chooses to have us affect what we are most worried about by praying, that's a really different action than what I naturally take! I like to make something happen, see a result, and so on...but you know what? God wants me to value things happening, but in a different way, HE wants me to see HIM make something happen, produce a result, and so on. In other word, if I want to really see things happen, I need to know, believe and understand that HE is the one who is in charge...not me (good news for all of us!)...
SO, my work right now is to develop a "holy habit" of praying before panicking or becoming paralyzed. I really do that want to be my first response, vs the thing I do once I've failed at the other two!
Monday nite is "girl's nite out with Daniel"...most Monday's you'll find Ginger, Cynthia and I going over the week's events and then spending time listening to Beth Moore teach from the book of Daniel...then we pray together. Last nite we studied about Daniel's commitment to prayer, and worked through scriptures that really expounded on the fact that there is not one thing on earth that cannot be effected by prayer...NOTHING!...Let me tell you it drove us to our knees we were so humbled and thankful!
We discussed the need to develop some "holy habits" around how to respond in times of crisis, or just everyday frustrations. We can either panic (do the wrong thing); paralyze (do no thing) or pray (do the power thing)...you see, really it's all about PERSPECTIVE. God chooses to have us affect what we are most worried about by praying, that's a really different action than what I naturally take! I like to make something happen, see a result, and so on...but you know what? God wants me to value things happening, but in a different way, HE wants me to see HIM make something happen, produce a result, and so on. In other word, if I want to really see things happen, I need to know, believe and understand that HE is the one who is in charge...not me (good news for all of us!)...
SO, my work right now is to develop a "holy habit" of praying before panicking or becoming paralyzed. I really do that want to be my first response, vs the thing I do once I've failed at the other two!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Friends who know you...REALLY know you
Tonite I got to talk with one of my best friends and plan a "week-end catch up" trip just a couple of months away. We laughed the whole time we were on the phone...not so much about what we would do when we arrived (both agreeing that WHAT we do is not as nearly as important as with WHOM we do it!), but more about the fun of planning the trip and the anticipation of seeing each other again. You know, "old friends" are such a blessing. They know the "old you" (the you from "way back"), they've seen it all and they still hold you close. Isn't that the best? Sometimes April and I don't talk for months and months on end, and sometimes we talk consistently and regularly...as well as send notes. Sometimes we get each other's Birthdays right and sometimes not even close! Doesn't matter...we can always pick up and share common memories, current lessons and definietly our closely held beliefs in the ONE who is our BEST FRIEND.
God thanks...thanks so much for giving us friends that help us get just a glimpse of the friendship we have in you. Friendship that means struggling alongside someone, cheering for them, crying with them, celebrating, mourning, challenging and everything in between. Thanks that that helps us to know that you will be with us in our struggles, cry with us, cheer for us, celelebrate with us, challenge us and mourn when we mourn. The difference is that when you come alongside us as our friend you always do so as the one and only, truly Holy God. What gets better than that? Thanks for giving us to each othere and knowing that when we do that we are only reflecting who you are!
God thanks...thanks so much for giving us friends that help us get just a glimpse of the friendship we have in you. Friendship that means struggling alongside someone, cheering for them, crying with them, celebrating, mourning, challenging and everything in between. Thanks that that helps us to know that you will be with us in our struggles, cry with us, cheer for us, celelebrate with us, challenge us and mourn when we mourn. The difference is that when you come alongside us as our friend you always do so as the one and only, truly Holy God. What gets better than that? Thanks for giving us to each othere and knowing that when we do that we are only reflecting who you are!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Why me...
This is a wild week-end for Christians...we mourn the death of Christ: our leader, teacher, brother, friend, SAVIOR. The Good Friday service at church this time was amazing. It was eloquent in it's simplicity. It was quiet, reflective and very much focused on the actual specifics and details of Christ's suffering. I was awe-struck. In fact, I kept thinking on my drive home, I just have to get on my kneess, I have just have to get on my knees...
Why did Jesus choose to suffer for the likes of me? For any of us, for that matter? I can't imagine...but He did. His willingness to do so, to be humiliated by the very people He had witnessed His Father create, breathe life in to, grieve over, bless, enjoy, take pride in, provide for, etc. makes me realize that there is really no one like Him. Why would I ever think anyone/anything else could save me, fulfill me, or bless me other than Jesus? WOW...but I do think that sometimes...ugh!
So Friday is horrid, because I realize that this truly pure and holy SON of God had to suffer such pain, agony and shame because of me...but wow is Sunday something else! (my Sunday was actually Saturday nite, because we also have Sat. nite services at our church)...
I am still amazed at Jesus, but it's different kind of awe tonite...I'm awed at His coming back and sharing with his "ragamuffin" disciples, for comforting Thomas, for giving them all a mission and a future...for knowing that He was preparing us all for the Holy Spirit and that would be a presence that would last from then until now, April 7, 2007.
I can't imagine what life would be like without the ability to know the God of the universe, and the God who wants so much to communicate and relate to each and every created inividual inhabiting this place.
Father, I'm just in awe...please don't let me just be amazed by you at Easter, but to wake up every single day with "This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" and to realize that I can do that only because of what happened that 1st Easter!
Why did Jesus choose to suffer for the likes of me? For any of us, for that matter? I can't imagine...but He did. His willingness to do so, to be humiliated by the very people He had witnessed His Father create, breathe life in to, grieve over, bless, enjoy, take pride in, provide for, etc. makes me realize that there is really no one like Him. Why would I ever think anyone/anything else could save me, fulfill me, or bless me other than Jesus? WOW...but I do think that sometimes...ugh!
So Friday is horrid, because I realize that this truly pure and holy SON of God had to suffer such pain, agony and shame because of me...but wow is Sunday something else! (my Sunday was actually Saturday nite, because we also have Sat. nite services at our church)...
I am still amazed at Jesus, but it's different kind of awe tonite...I'm awed at His coming back and sharing with his "ragamuffin" disciples, for comforting Thomas, for giving them all a mission and a future...for knowing that He was preparing us all for the Holy Spirit and that would be a presence that would last from then until now, April 7, 2007.
I can't imagine what life would be like without the ability to know the God of the universe, and the God who wants so much to communicate and relate to each and every created inividual inhabiting this place.
Father, I'm just in awe...please don't let me just be amazed by you at Easter, but to wake up every single day with "This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" and to realize that I can do that only because of what happened that 1st Easter!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
One more time...
Why does it take several lessons for me to get "the point"? I'm so SLOW!
Today was one of those days when those around me just needed to be heard. They needed someone to listen, and their struggles were real. Many times I get really frustrated because I'm on a "mission" to get through my "to do" list...to check off items that are due to my boss (or past due...ugh!)...so I don't always welcome interupptions.
However, today I just listened, and I was able to respond and be "truly there" with several people. You know what? I still got done what was required! More importantly, I felt that God was able to comfort and to speak through me. SO...why do I fight that sometimes? Selfishness, pride, and a bunch of other "stuff"...
I am reminded that God never puts me aside for His "to do" list. Actually, I am part of His "to do list"...He is ALWAYS there to listen. In fact, He's waiting for me to come to him...because I need for Him to listen, and my struggles are real.
God remind me to take note when someone needs to be heard; to stop; and to listen. There's always enough time to do that. You would think I know that by now, but I'm still learning! Thanks for letting me keep repeating 'til I get it!
Today was one of those days when those around me just needed to be heard. They needed someone to listen, and their struggles were real. Many times I get really frustrated because I'm on a "mission" to get through my "to do" list...to check off items that are due to my boss (or past due...ugh!)...so I don't always welcome interupptions.
However, today I just listened, and I was able to respond and be "truly there" with several people. You know what? I still got done what was required! More importantly, I felt that God was able to comfort and to speak through me. SO...why do I fight that sometimes? Selfishness, pride, and a bunch of other "stuff"...
I am reminded that God never puts me aside for His "to do" list. Actually, I am part of His "to do list"...He is ALWAYS there to listen. In fact, He's waiting for me to come to him...because I need for Him to listen, and my struggles are real.
God remind me to take note when someone needs to be heard; to stop; and to listen. There's always enough time to do that. You would think I know that by now, but I'm still learning! Thanks for letting me keep repeating 'til I get it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)