Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
WHO ARE YOU?
In my scripture reading, I am currently bogged down in a list of names that spans 9 Chapters (I Chronicles 1-9). In times like these, I wonder what is the benefit of reading such scriptures. I know that "all scripture is God-breathed and useful...", but what good can come from trudging through a list of names, most of whom have no other information about them. One benefit is that I like the idea of our second son having a name that has a good meaning in Hebrew, so these chapters have plenty to choose from. It's just too bad that most of them are names like Bakbakkar, Ebiasaph, and Meshelemiah. Occasionally I come across one like Caleb, that not only sounds good, but whose character was an outstanding one. Unfortunately, in Caleb's case, his name is literally translated, "DOG". Two other possible meanings are "fat" and "milk". Why couldn't Caleb mean, "The Lord is my Rock".
Apart from name ideas, there is a benefit to reading this list. First and Second Chronicles was written after the exile. It contains many of the same stories as First and Second Samuel and First and Second Kings, except this account focuses only on Judah, the Southern Kingdom, the kingdom that was continuously ruled by a son of David.
Chronicles was written to people who had just returned from foreign lands, serving foreign kings and learning about foreign religions. In Exile, they were the fringe folk, the outcasts. They had no history, no roots, and no anchor. For 70 years they lived this way, but now they have returned. They have come back to the place where they belong. But though they were in their homeland, they didn't know who they were. I Chronicles gives them their roots back, it provides them with an anchor. Not only were they given their identity as a race, but their identity as God's people.
Do you know who you are? What is your identity? Can you look back through your geneology and see a people who have been shaped by God? Even if you can't, you will be able to trace a spiritual geneology. Look through the Bible to see how God worked through the lives of countless millions, and see how the faith of Abraham has been passed down through the millinea to you.
Apart from name ideas, there is a benefit to reading this list. First and Second Chronicles was written after the exile. It contains many of the same stories as First and Second Samuel and First and Second Kings, except this account focuses only on Judah, the Southern Kingdom, the kingdom that was continuously ruled by a son of David.
Chronicles was written to people who had just returned from foreign lands, serving foreign kings and learning about foreign religions. In Exile, they were the fringe folk, the outcasts. They had no history, no roots, and no anchor. For 70 years they lived this way, but now they have returned. They have come back to the place where they belong. But though they were in their homeland, they didn't know who they were. I Chronicles gives them their roots back, it provides them with an anchor. Not only were they given their identity as a race, but their identity as God's people.
Do you know who you are? What is your identity? Can you look back through your geneology and see a people who have been shaped by God? Even if you can't, you will be able to trace a spiritual geneology. Look through the Bible to see how God worked through the lives of countless millions, and see how the faith of Abraham has been passed down through the millinea to you.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Humility in Leadership
In our Seekers group, I expressed how weak my prayer life is. It seems that my prayer life is always one of the biggest weak points in my life. This morning I spent a little time in prayer, then I wondered why it is that prayer is so difficult for me...and I think I have an answer.
If anyone were to ask me if I felt competent as a youth minister, I would probably answer no. In my head, I know that real ministry is only possible through God's power, and that even the best youth ministers are by nature incompetent. I have been around enough youth ministers to know that I am no where close to being able to be considered among the best.
But while I may say that and a large part of me believes that, my poor prayer life reveals that at my core, I think I can handle it on my own.
Reflect on the differences in Solomon and his son Rehoboam.
When Solomon was a young king, God gave him the opportunity of naming whatever he wanted, and having that wish granted. Solomon answered, "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
To this day, Solomon is remembered as the wisest king the world has known. His rule was the golden age of Israel. There was peace on all borders, people came from all over the world to hear his wisdom, his subjects delighted in him, and everyone enjoyed tremendous prosperity.
But then he had a son.
Rehoboam, when faced with an early dilemma, rejected the advice of the elders and did not seek God's counsel, but instead, listened to his own desires as voiced through his peers.
During Rehoboam's reign, he was stripped of most of the kingdom, Jerusalem was sacked, the Temple was stripped of all it's treasure, and sin and corruption were rampant.
Solomon knew he was incompetent, and through him, God ruled in glory and power as his kingdom flourished.
Rehoboam thought he was competent, and his incompetence was made obvious to the world as his kingdom dwindled and corroded.
A good leader must be humble.
A good leader must trust in God.
A good leader must be a man of prayer.
As I think about what qualities I would like the next youth minister to have, there are many, but the one at the top, is that he needs to be a man of prayer. Anyone who relies on God to get him through each day, can lead this group in ways you couldn't even imagine.
I will leave you with a couple of quotes from the Bible to reinforce what I just said.
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:3
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
2 Samuel 22:28
"Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son." 1 Kings 21:29
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD...I have heard you, declares the LORD. 2 Kings 22:19
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. Psalm 18:27
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. Luke 1:52
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Monday, March 2, 2009
Our God is the God of ___________.
I Kings 20
23 Meanwhile, the officials of the king of Aram advised him, "Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they...
28 The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.' "
As I read this passage, I wondered if I was guilty of making the same false assumptions about God. Do I trust God's power in every situation? Do I trust God's power to transform every type of person? Do I trust that he can really transform me into the likeness of Christ? Unfortunately I can't answer these questions the way I would like to. I know that in my head that God is the Lord of all creation, but I don't live like He is. Lately, my vision for my own life as well as my vision for others is escaping depravity. That's not good enough. God promises that we will be transformed into the likeness of Christ. That's what I should be striving for. That's what I should be calling others to.Friday, February 27, 2009
Finding my "GIFT"
My first time at this so bare with me. I have spent alot of time trying to find my "GIFT". You know in the church I wanted it to be that I could sing well no such luck. I have watched lots of women in the church and idenfied theirs and I came to realize I just don't have one. So I thought will just find one in someone else that I can learn to do. Which brings me to tell Brian your comment on LeEllen's blog hit it right.They are who I want to be when I grow up also. When I started back to church I was very insecure about being there. I did not feel I should be there because of the things I had done and had been gone for so long.I actually would walk in and try to go straight to a seat so maybe nobody would say to much to me. Well Troy Church Of Christ is the wrong place to try that. Now this is all theory but I think I have The Smiths figured out I think they watch and look for the people who need help. The reason I say this is because every time I turned around there she was. She was inviting me to stay for the youth stuff at church and at her house she was right along beside me the whole time my first trip to Celebration. And before you knew it I was no longer a visitor I was a member. It was not me looking to find someone to go sit with people were looking for me I had a purpose I was needed and along about the same time I was feeling all this new found confidence I noticed she was not around as much. Well turns out I think she figured her task with me was complete and she had moved on to someone who needed her more. Which turns out is exactly how I let myself become a part of this family all I really wanted was to be needed. I have made a vow I will stop trying to find my gift and just make up one I will watch for people who look insecure about being at church and I will talk to them and go sit with them.Anyway how hard is it to sit with somebody I can be good at that I think maybe even great. Thank you so much for all you have done. Turns out I have let you know you have another "GIFT" besides you sing like butter melting,teacher, leader, friend we could go on. I just want you to know I am stealing one. Traci Orr
C.O.L.E.'s Foundation
Hey guys,
I was recently surfing the web and came across a website called C.O.L.E.'s Foundation. The address is http://www.colesfoundation.com/ and I encourage you all to go there and read about this little boy and join in their mission. If you go to Prayer Team at the top of the page and click on become a member they will pair you up with a family who has a child suffering from an illness such as cancer. The kids have websites where you can read about them and leave comments of encouragement. So you will be able to pray for this child and their family, and let them know you care. Its not hard and doesn't cost a penny. The power of prayer is great.
I was recently surfing the web and came across a website called C.O.L.E.'s Foundation. The address is http://www.colesfoundation.com/ and I encourage you all to go there and read about this little boy and join in their mission. If you go to Prayer Team at the top of the page and click on become a member they will pair you up with a family who has a child suffering from an illness such as cancer. The kids have websites where you can read about them and leave comments of encouragement. So you will be able to pray for this child and their family, and let them know you care. Its not hard and doesn't cost a penny. The power of prayer is great.
Day 4
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:19-20
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Prayer:
God, There’s nothing like knowing You. Thank you for revealing Jesus to me. I praise you for the love you have for me. Thank you for making a way for peace. Bless me today to continue to make peace in this world. Make peace in my heart and in my relationships, especially with those closest to me.
Application:
Make sure you are at peace with God today. Do whatever it takes to be at peace with your family and your friends. Make amends.
19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Prayer:
God, There’s nothing like knowing You. Thank you for revealing Jesus to me. I praise you for the love you have for me. Thank you for making a way for peace. Bless me today to continue to make peace in this world. Make peace in my heart and in my relationships, especially with those closest to me.
Application:
Make sure you are at peace with God today. Do whatever it takes to be at peace with your family and your friends. Make amends.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Day 3
Day Three
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Prayer:
Dear God, you know how difficult it is to forgive. Give me your Spirit so that I can forgive others as I've been forgiven. Clean my heart of all the baggage and chains from the past that hold me back in loving you and loving others.
Application:
Write on a small scrap piece of paper the name of someone who has hurt you. Take that paper, wad it up, say a prayer that God will release the chains that bind you. Flush that paper down the toilet and let it go, along with the pain that went along with it.
Write on another small scrap piece of paper these words: “Forgiveness means Freedom.” Carry that paper with you today. Contemplate those words throughout the day.
It is really hard to forgive when someone hurts us or wrongs us, but God commands us to do it. We wrong God ALL the time, and at the end of the day or week or month we pray for him to forgive us because we know he will. So how can we not forgive other people? Look at it this way, forgive others completely before you ask God to forgive you. You can't ask for something that you don't do...
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-22
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Prayer:
Dear God, you know how difficult it is to forgive. Give me your Spirit so that I can forgive others as I've been forgiven. Clean my heart of all the baggage and chains from the past that hold me back in loving you and loving others.
Application:
Write on a small scrap piece of paper the name of someone who has hurt you. Take that paper, wad it up, say a prayer that God will release the chains that bind you. Flush that paper down the toilet and let it go, along with the pain that went along with it.
Write on another small scrap piece of paper these words: “Forgiveness means Freedom.” Carry that paper with you today. Contemplate those words throughout the day.
It is really hard to forgive when someone hurts us or wrongs us, but God commands us to do it. We wrong God ALL the time, and at the end of the day or week or month we pray for him to forgive us because we know he will. So how can we not forgive other people? Look at it this way, forgive others completely before you ask God to forgive you. You can't ask for something that you don't do...
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Day 2
Day Two
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Prayer:
God, thank you for giving me new birth into your family. I praise you for your mercy. I praise you for the living hope I have. Make me fully aware of the awesome inheritance I enjoy through Jesus. Continue to reveal your power which shields and protects me.
Application:
Show mercy to someone today. Don’t give them what they deserve. Show patience and restraint with your thoughts, words and actions.
Give hope to someone today through a word or a gift or a donation or a smile.
I think that sometimes it is easy to show paitence and restraint in our words and actions, but what about in our thoughts? We go through the day thinking bad things about others without even realizing it sometimes. Even though we aren't outwardly displaying our mean or hatefulness, God knows that we are thinking it. I found that controling my thoughts in this aspect was harder than I thought. Pay close attention to what you are thinking today and make a goal to stop yourself when you do start to think something bad about someone else. Instead, say a prayer for that person. Good luck today :) show love.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Prayer:
God, thank you for giving me new birth into your family. I praise you for your mercy. I praise you for the living hope I have. Make me fully aware of the awesome inheritance I enjoy through Jesus. Continue to reveal your power which shields and protects me.
Application:
Show mercy to someone today. Don’t give them what they deserve. Show patience and restraint with your thoughts, words and actions.
Give hope to someone today through a word or a gift or a donation or a smile.
I think that sometimes it is easy to show paitence and restraint in our words and actions, but what about in our thoughts? We go through the day thinking bad things about others without even realizing it sometimes. Even though we aren't outwardly displaying our mean or hatefulness, God knows that we are thinking it. I found that controling my thoughts in this aspect was harder than I thought. Pay close attention to what you are thinking today and make a goal to stop yourself when you do start to think something bad about someone else. Instead, say a prayer for that person. Good luck today :) show love.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Day 1
After winterfest, I went to the winterfest website and found a 40 day bible study. I figured many people would never think to go there and look so I will try to post the bible study on the blog each day. Today will be day 1...
Day One
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:34-40
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Prayer:
Father God, I love you and I want to love like you love. I give you my heart and my soul and my mind. Show me today how to love. Make me aware of the opportunities that are in front of me and behind me to show love.
Application:
Show your love for God today, by giving Him your mind for at least 20 minutes. Read God’s Word. Meditate on it. Ponder His love. Think about spiritual things.At least once today, give a compliment to someone.
I started this yesterday and the application is really helpful to apply this to our daily lives and keep us closer to God.
Have a great day :)
Alyssa
Day One
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:34-40
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Prayer:
Father God, I love you and I want to love like you love. I give you my heart and my soul and my mind. Show me today how to love. Make me aware of the opportunities that are in front of me and behind me to show love.
Application:
Show your love for God today, by giving Him your mind for at least 20 minutes. Read God’s Word. Meditate on it. Ponder His love. Think about spiritual things.At least once today, give a compliment to someone.
I started this yesterday and the application is really helpful to apply this to our daily lives and keep us closer to God.
Have a great day :)
Alyssa
Monday, February 23, 2009
At Winterfest
Although I did not completely read the archives, I think I may be the oldest contributor to the blog so far and let me tell you it has taken all my intellectual abilities to figure out just how to do it-so here goes.
Here are some of my thoughts about Winterfest.
Almost before I had time to get my brain on task Chris or Jeff (now I can't remember which) gave the example of the kid who began to talk about dihydromonoxide, or as he later revealed, water. His point was that we make something people needed so badly (Jesus and Christianity) seem scary. Do we really do that?
On the trip I was reading "The Last Juror" by John Grisham. In it he makes two references to the Church of Christ. In one he talks about our aversion for instrumental music and in the other our other "claim to fame"- that we are the only ones going to heaven. Now I know that John Grisham is not the judge of the world but it was kindof shocking to see in black and white what we mostly just here from folks we are in a religious debate with. (no, I haven't been in one of these debates in years but still remember how difficult they are). Can we ever live down these stupid stereotypes? Should we be discouraged by them or just accept them and move on? Can they be changed or are they just too ingrained in people's minds?
Other things I am thinking about from Winterfest: Real s, The Starfish Project ( did you see their jewelry booth out front. They sell products made by women who were ually abused and trafficked in Asia- my daugher could have ended up as one of them) and how awesome our kids and youth minister were, the beautiful snow we had as a parting gift and how I shouldn't skip going some years. I always feel empowered and renewed . This year I felt humbled by the very touching things said about my family. Thank you, Drew.
Well, I'm pretty sure this is the most rambling blog posted so far, but before I end I also want to encourage Trevor to keep on blogging the bible study. They are soooo revealing.
leellen
Here are some of my thoughts about Winterfest.
Almost before I had time to get my brain on task Chris or Jeff (now I can't remember which) gave the example of the kid who began to talk about dihydromonoxide, or as he later revealed, water. His point was that we make something people needed so badly (Jesus and Christianity) seem scary. Do we really do that?
On the trip I was reading "The Last Juror" by John Grisham. In it he makes two references to the Church of Christ. In one he talks about our aversion for instrumental music and in the other our other "claim to fame"- that we are the only ones going to heaven. Now I know that John Grisham is not the judge of the world but it was kindof shocking to see in black and white what we mostly just here from folks we are in a religious debate with. (no, I haven't been in one of these debates in years but still remember how difficult they are). Can we ever live down these stupid stereotypes? Should we be discouraged by them or just accept them and move on? Can they be changed or are they just too ingrained in people's minds?
Other things I am thinking about from Winterfest: Real s, The Starfish Project ( did you see their jewelry booth out front. They sell products made by women who were ually abused and trafficked in Asia- my daugher could have ended up as one of them) and how awesome our kids and youth minister were, the beautiful snow we had as a parting gift and how I shouldn't skip going some years. I always feel empowered and renewed . This year I felt humbled by the very touching things said about my family. Thank you, Drew.
Well, I'm pretty sure this is the most rambling blog posted so far, but before I end I also want to encourage Trevor to keep on blogging the bible study. They are soooo revealing.
leellen
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What God will use
Drew and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago, about something that Gary asked him. Gary called him from training and asked Drew where the scripture was about God using whatever he needed to to help others see him more clearly. Gary said that he remembered that idea from when I taught a class a long time ago when I used to help out with the high school class. Drew called me and asked me where it was at and I could not find it to save my life. the reason that I couldn't find it was because that exact verse is not in the Bible! But the concept is.God doesn't speak to us as we would think he does, I mean how many of you have ever had a conversation with God? (If you have, please let me know!) Look at job 22:22. Are we not told here to receive instruction from his mouth? Look at Psalm 32:8. "I....will teach you in the way you should go." How does he teach us if we can't hear him? How do we receive instruction from his mouth if we can't hear him?????? Obviously one way is the Bible, but the closer I get to God, I see that he does in fact use whatever he needs to to help us see him more clearly.What language is God speaking to you? isn't it good to know that " the Lord tells his secrets to those who respect him", Psalm 25:14. Just this morning, he used a song that I ws listening to on the way to work that reminded me that I am his, and that he will always love me and be there for me, as long as I am trying to do his will. Still don't believe me? How about these examples from the Bible? Ask Moses what God used to call and convict him? A bush. Ask Ballam what it took. A talking donkey. What about Jonah? Ask the fish that swallowed him, then spit him out.There is no person or thing that God can't use to help us see him more clearly. I just pray that I keep my eyes open daily so that I see him in what he is using to draw me closer to him. I hope you do as well. Who knows, someone might be looking at you right now, at this very moment, or it might be at school tomorrow. whenever it is, remember the fact that God just might be using you to help some person to see him more clearly. it is my prayer that we all stay ready to be mirrors and reflect his glory in all situations, so that he can use us to help bring others to him.
Posted by Brian at 9:26 AM
Posted by Brian at 9:26 AM
Monday, February 9, 2009
Trevor's Bible Study Blog
Ok, I am at Bible Study and am writing this blog so that everyone knows what we do here. We have a new record for attendance here with 6 people today! Our newcomers are Drew Crews and James Rhodes, and of course all of the regulars are here (Me, Cory, Samuel, and Drew). We are talking about 1 Kings right now because that is what Drew read last week. When Solomon was offered a choice of a gift he could receive from God, he chose the wisdom to rule the people. When Samuel was asked what he would have chosen he said, "Solomon is an idiot I would have chosen the ability to blow things up with my mind." We've had a sort of boring lull for about the last 20 minutes something interesting should happen soon. Samuel has been reading a book calleed the Irresistable Revolution. He has been talkin about it for the last couple of minutes. Yeah, I do not really feel like typing anymore. By the way, if you have not gotten into the habit of coming to this Bible study than you should because we have a lot of fun here and we are going to start a new tradition of not wearing pants, so you will feel a whole lot more comfortable if you were here. COMMENT PLZ, Oh wait no one even bothers to get on the blog, but if you do COMMENT this blog!!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hi Guys this is trevor
I don't know if I am doing this right, but you know whatever. I do not really have very much to say so I will keep this short. Part of me is just doing this so I will have contributed in some way to the the blog. I hope everyone is having a good life right now. I had fun yesterday cleaning up sticks at the McCages' house. You know I wish more people would come to events like that, because it was actually a lot of fun, and I felt like I was doing a very nice thing by going and helping out. I hope that you enjoy reading this. You should all comment on this, and you should all write your own blogs to put on here. Well that about wraps it up. You people should give me more ideas on what to write about. Because I don't really do anything very interesting. I love you Jackson. Oh I forgot Happy second birthday Jude, and Chase Aaron for turning 6 on February 6. You two are only 2 and 6 years old, but you get to stay up later than I do. B.T.W. Have a nice dayy!! (:
Friday, January 30, 2009
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
I was watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Jude the other day when a scene resonated with something I had read in I Samuel. In the scene, two children were told to stay hidden in the cellar by a woman as she left to find food for them. She had told them to stay hidden because if they were seen, they could be captured and put in prison by an evil ruler. After she left, an agent of the ruler came by disguised as a ice cream and sweets dealer who was offering everything for free today. One kid began heading for the door immediately, but the other one reminded him that they were told to stay inside. The boy turned around and said that they would get her some as well.
They were quickly captured, even though they were going to get some for the woman.
King Saul did the same. King Saul was told to totally destroy the Amelekites, but he kept the best of the sheep and cattle, as well as sparing King Agag's life. When he was rebuked by Samuel, he made the excuse that he was going to sacrifice the sheep and cattle to God. Samuel replied,
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has rejected you as king."
The problem is in how I interpreted "to obey". I thought of obedience as an isolated act of carrying out a command. For instance, if Sarah asks me to carry out the trash and I do it, then I have obeyed my wife.
However, the Hebrew there means, "to hearken to the voice of". There are two different ways of saying that someone heard the voice of someone. "Shema et qol David" means, "He heard David's voice." This is used when Saul is hunting for David in the wilderness and David comes out to address Saul. "Saul Shema et qol David" Saul heard the voice of David.
The other way is "Shema beqol ADONAI"or "he hearkened to the voice of the LORD." This is not just the ears picking up the sound waves, nor is it just doing what is requested, it means following the voice of Yahweh. Just as a sheep follows the voice of the shepherd, or a child listens for and follows the voice of his mother, so when somone hearkens to the voice the LORD, he seeks to follow in His footsteps for fear of losing his way, and out of trust that the LORD knows what is best for him. There is a vast difference between an act of obedience and a life of seeking the ways of God. My prayer for myself and for you, is that we will choose the latter.
The children in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang didn't understand this.
Saul didn't understand this.
Understand this!
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Change
Life is change. Like the slowly shifting surface of the earth, we are all subject to change. Some changes are obvious and dramatic like the forming of Reelfoot Lake. Other changes take thousands of years of imperceptible alterations, like the forming of the Grand Canyon.
In my life I have seen evidence of both. I remember the first big change in my life. We lived in Abilene and attended Hillcrest Church of Christ on the north side of town. I remember my best friend Bethany Bell, who lived down the street and was the preacher's daughter. Then we moved to the country about 10 miles south of Abilene and began attending Southern Hills. We had to say goodbye to our home, our church, and my closest friends. I grew to be very thankful of that move, but it wasn't that way at first.
The next big move was when I transferred from Jim Ned Elementary, to the school district of Wylie, where my mom had begun teaching. Again, I had serious reservations about going to a new school, but again, I grew to become very thankful for the change. Life was stable for several years before the next big move to ACU. Granted it was only across town, but it was a huge change in lifestyle. Then came graduation, marriage, Korea, Troy, and having Jude.
Each of these changes brought with it a certain amount of stress. But each of those changes have contributed to making me into the man I am today. ACU changed me from a dependent child into an independant adult. Korea forced me to confront some predjudices I wasn't aware that I had. Marriage and parenthood have taught me to love deeper than I would have thought possible, and how to serve sacrificially and joyfully. While the past 5 years at Troy have been somewhat calm and stable, I can look back and see that my time here has changed me more than I could have hoped for. I can also look back and see that my life has been slowly shifting into a new course, and a new change has been brewing under the surface.
I had a conversation with my brother several years back about why I wanted to be a youth minister. I told him that it was largely because of what my youth ministers had done for me. My teenage years were largely shaped by our youth group. I attended every youth event that was available adn my closest friends were those I worshiped with and studied the Bible with. In my upper classman years, I was especially close with Scott Meyer. He didn't just teach us, he walked with us. He struggled with us and encouraged us. His influence meant so much to me that I wanted to imitate him. I wanted to honor him by being to others what he was to me. There were several other factors as well, but Scott was perhaps one of the biggest influences. My brother noted that there were several positive influences in his life, but he couldn't imitate them all. I had a few great teachers in high school, but I don't think I will ever teach at school, I had a great youth minister, but I will never be Scott Meyer, I have wonderful parents, but I will never be just like either of them.
These thoughts, and some other circumstances, led to a conversation I had with Sarah about 18 months ago. I never felt called to be a youth minister; meaning, I never thought that this career was perfect for me. There were always misgivings. The thing that kept me in paid youth ministry for this long, was the fact that I couldn't see myself doing anything else. I couldn't think of any career that I wanted to pursue. So Sarah and I talked about the possibilities. We talked about my gifts, my goals, and what would be best for our family. While I love small group Bible studies, I am horrible at reaching out to teens I don't know. While I love taking the youth group on trips and activities, I am horrible at delegating and including others. While I don't mind being the leader, I would much rather have a task delegated to me.
While considering my strengths and weaknesses, it became apparent that I was best suited for teaching at the college level while volunteering to help minister to a local youth group. In order to do that, I would have to pursue and MDIV (84 hours) and then a PhD. This is not a pursuit that can be done well while living in Troy, where the nearest available school is 2 hours away.
So with much prayerful consideration, Sarah and I have decided to move back to Abilene at the end of the summer so that I can pursue graduate school full time while having the support of mine and Sarah's families nearby.
This decision was not made lightly, nor is it without a great amount of pain that we will be leaving Troy. The church here has been an invaluable blessing in our lives and we will always be grateful for the time we got to spend with you, but we still have 6 months before the move, and we want to make the best of it.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
New Wine
There is a verse in Luke 5 that reads:
No one pours new wine into old wineskins.
If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins, and no one after drinking the old wine wants the new, for he says,
"The Old is better."
I don't know about you, but this is the interpretation I was taught as a Bible class student:
Jesus is the new wine and the Pharisees keep trying to make him fit into their old laws or wineskins, but Jesus cannot be contained by the old ways. He breaks the old skins and runs out, leaving the skins in ruins.
While that interpretation explained the conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus, in every other way, it is inconsistent with Luke's presentation of Jesus' ministry.
What if Jesus is the old wine? This already makes more sense just in the how Jesus claims the old is better and no one wants the new. But look at Jesus' claims about himself and his ministry. In Luke 4 he describes his ministry as preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, releasing the opressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then when John sent his disciples to verify the validity of Jesus' Messiah-ship, Jesus affirms John by saying that the things listed in Isaiah are in fact being done by him.
Jesus is the continuation and fulfillment of what God has always been throughout history. God's original intent for his followers is that we would look after the orphans and widows, that we would give to those in need. This is nothing new. Throughout the gospels, the writers are constantly tying him to the old ways of God. His stance on divorce, his priority for the poor, his affinity for the outcasts, his spite for the haughty, and his relentless sacrificial love for his people all point to God's original intent. In John, Jesus puts it bluntly by saying, "Before Abraham was born, I AM" Not I was, but I AM. He uses the covenant name of God as revealed to Moses to describe himself and his ministry.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end. Jesus is definitely the old wine. The religion of the Pharisees was the new. They tried to fit their priority for appearances and legalistic pseudo-righteousness into the wineskins of God's original intent for his people, and it was tearing it to pieces. Jesus, being the old wine was a perfect fit.
In our denomination (yes I will call the churches of Christ a denomination so long as we keep using distinctive practices to distinguish and separate us from other Christians), we are often guilty of "seeking the old paths" which are not old at all, but fairly new innovations. Most of what is considered our heritage and tradition only dates back 50-200 years. What if instead of seeking to restore the church of the 1950's, we sought to restore God's original intentions for his people, the old wine that dates back to the creation of the world?
No one pours new wine into old wineskins.
If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins, and no one after drinking the old wine wants the new, for he says,
"The Old is better."
I don't know about you, but this is the interpretation I was taught as a Bible class student:
Jesus is the new wine and the Pharisees keep trying to make him fit into their old laws or wineskins, but Jesus cannot be contained by the old ways. He breaks the old skins and runs out, leaving the skins in ruins.
While that interpretation explained the conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus, in every other way, it is inconsistent with Luke's presentation of Jesus' ministry.
What if Jesus is the old wine? This already makes more sense just in the how Jesus claims the old is better and no one wants the new. But look at Jesus' claims about himself and his ministry. In Luke 4 he describes his ministry as preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, releasing the opressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then when John sent his disciples to verify the validity of Jesus' Messiah-ship, Jesus affirms John by saying that the things listed in Isaiah are in fact being done by him.
Jesus is the continuation and fulfillment of what God has always been throughout history. God's original intent for his followers is that we would look after the orphans and widows, that we would give to those in need. This is nothing new. Throughout the gospels, the writers are constantly tying him to the old ways of God. His stance on divorce, his priority for the poor, his affinity for the outcasts, his spite for the haughty, and his relentless sacrificial love for his people all point to God's original intent. In John, Jesus puts it bluntly by saying, "Before Abraham was born, I AM" Not I was, but I AM. He uses the covenant name of God as revealed to Moses to describe himself and his ministry.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end. Jesus is definitely the old wine. The religion of the Pharisees was the new. They tried to fit their priority for appearances and legalistic pseudo-righteousness into the wineskins of God's original intent for his people, and it was tearing it to pieces. Jesus, being the old wine was a perfect fit.
In our denomination (yes I will call the churches of Christ a denomination so long as we keep using distinctive practices to distinguish and separate us from other Christians), we are often guilty of "seeking the old paths" which are not old at all, but fairly new innovations. Most of what is considered our heritage and tradition only dates back 50-200 years. What if instead of seeking to restore the church of the 1950's, we sought to restore God's original intentions for his people, the old wine that dates back to the creation of the world?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Kingdom Thinking
I have been blessed this week to listen to and even get to talk one on one with some incredible Christian leaders. The unstated question that they all seem to be addressing is, "How do we form a kingdom mindset?" For most of us, we grew up equating the Kingdom of God with the Church. We have been brought up viewing time as clearly divided into 3 segments. There was the time before Christ (the Old Testament), there was the time of Christ (the gospels), and then there is the time of the church which began at the beginning of Acts and continues today. Since we find ourselves in the 3rd segment, we study the scriptures of that time period more than any others. On the whole, we can quote Paul much easier than we can quote Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or even, tragically, Jesus. There is so much to be learned from Paul, Peter, James, John, and other NT authors about how to follow Jesus. But if we want to be serious about following Jesus, we have to have as our first priority the life and teachings of Jesus Christ who is not only the head of the church, but the Lord of the Kingdom of God.
This is where I have to point out a difference between the church and the kingdom of God. Like I said earlier, most of us grew up viewing the two as synonymous. While the church is the primary instrument used by God to fulfill his purposes in the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God is much larger than the church. The Kingdom of God transcends the walls of our buildings, denominational lines, Political party lines, national boundaries, and even time. Jesus lived to proclaim the coming of the kingdom, he prayed "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." The words of this prayer are rarely prayed in our denomination (even though we were commanded to do so). Subsequently, the concept carried by this prayer has been largely forgotten. We wait for heaven, and we go to church in the meantime, but what are we doing to join in God's work of bringing about the Kingdom of God ON EARTH?
The kingdom mindset was not lost on the early Jews. It has been suggested by some scholars that the book of Psalms can best be summed up as a declaration that the Lord Reigns. The role of the king was best summed up as restoring "shalom" to the people. Shalom is most often translated, "Peace". A better translation would be "Completeness".
The king's job was to bring completeness or wholeness to the broken world.
If we are to be about the work of the Kingdom, if we are to fulfill Jesus' mission, then we must be about the work of bringing completeness or wholeness to the broken world around us. When Jesus was asked by John's messengers about whether or not he was the Christ or not, he replied, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor." In short, "I am restoring Shalom, I am bringing wholeness to the world, I am fulfilling the role of the anointed King."
Our mission is not to fill pews. Our mission is to see that the naked are clothed, the hungry are fed, the lonely are listened to, the sick are made well, and the estranged from God are reunited with their creator. As Christ has done, go and do likewise.
In a world screaming, "Where is God!" We must respond, "Here am I, send me!" This video will hopefully explain better what I am talking about.
This is where I have to point out a difference between the church and the kingdom of God. Like I said earlier, most of us grew up viewing the two as synonymous. While the church is the primary instrument used by God to fulfill his purposes in the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God is much larger than the church. The Kingdom of God transcends the walls of our buildings, denominational lines, Political party lines, national boundaries, and even time. Jesus lived to proclaim the coming of the kingdom, he prayed "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." The words of this prayer are rarely prayed in our denomination (even though we were commanded to do so). Subsequently, the concept carried by this prayer has been largely forgotten. We wait for heaven, and we go to church in the meantime, but what are we doing to join in God's work of bringing about the Kingdom of God ON EARTH?
The kingdom mindset was not lost on the early Jews. It has been suggested by some scholars that the book of Psalms can best be summed up as a declaration that the Lord Reigns. The role of the king was best summed up as restoring "shalom" to the people. Shalom is most often translated, "Peace". A better translation would be "Completeness".
The king's job was to bring completeness or wholeness to the broken world.
If we are to be about the work of the Kingdom, if we are to fulfill Jesus' mission, then we must be about the work of bringing completeness or wholeness to the broken world around us. When Jesus was asked by John's messengers about whether or not he was the Christ or not, he replied, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor." In short, "I am restoring Shalom, I am bringing wholeness to the world, I am fulfilling the role of the anointed King."
Our mission is not to fill pews. Our mission is to see that the naked are clothed, the hungry are fed, the lonely are listened to, the sick are made well, and the estranged from God are reunited with their creator. As Christ has done, go and do likewise.
In a world screaming, "Where is God!" We must respond, "Here am I, send me!" This video will hopefully explain better what I am talking about.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
God Will Provide
This phrase was spoken by Abraham to his increasingly worried son, Isaac, when they were headed up the mountain for the famous sacrifice. Two things about this statement intrigue me. First is that Abraham trusted that somehow, GOd would work in this situation to where it would not be as tragic as it appeared at the moment. Second is the specific prophecy that God would provide a lamb, fullfilled when God gave his own son for a sacrifice.
This phrase is equally relevant when Joshua leads the people across the Jordan into the promised land. Joshua was convinced of what God's will for him was. He knew that he was appointed by God to lead his people in conquest. What he was completely ignorant of, was strategy. He had led them across the Jordan, he had all the men circumcised, and then the manna stopped appearing. He had followed God right up to the doorstep of the most fortified city in Canaan, and the most tangible sign of God's providence ceased to exist. Only after Joshua had placed them all in a very vulnerable situation that only God could bring them out of, did God reveal how he was going to hand Jericho into their hands.
I waste too much time worrying about details instead of trusting that God has a plan and that he will provide. If I was truly confident of God's plan for me, and that he would provide the means, my life would be completely different than the life I lead now.
This phrase is equally relevant when Joshua leads the people across the Jordan into the promised land. Joshua was convinced of what God's will for him was. He knew that he was appointed by God to lead his people in conquest. What he was completely ignorant of, was strategy. He had led them across the Jordan, he had all the men circumcised, and then the manna stopped appearing. He had followed God right up to the doorstep of the most fortified city in Canaan, and the most tangible sign of God's providence ceased to exist. Only after Joshua had placed them all in a very vulnerable situation that only God could bring them out of, did God reveal how he was going to hand Jericho into their hands.
I waste too much time worrying about details instead of trusting that God has a plan and that he will provide. If I was truly confident of God's plan for me, and that he would provide the means, my life would be completely different than the life I lead now.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Be Strong and Courageous
As the torch was passed from Moses to Joshua, we get some great insight into what Joshua was feeling. It was an exciting time, a time of transition, a time of fulfillment, a time of great expectations...expectations that were now going to be asked of Joshua. For most of his life, Joshua had seen Moses as the brave leader of a stiff-necked and rebellious people. Now he was gone, and all eyes were on him.
God talks to Joshua in chapter 1.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." vs 5
"Be strong and courageous" vs 6
"Be strong and very courageous." vs 7
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go." vs 9
After that, Joshua turns to the people and gives them some simple instructions. They reply as follows:
"Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."
Joshua needed some serious encouragement at this crucial moment. And God provided encouragement personally and through the people.
As we face a new year, there are limitless possibilities. Last year saw some incredibly difficult financial situations, as well as numberless personal trials. God only knows what is in store for us this year. But God gives us the strength and courage to weather the storms ahead.
Be Strong and Courageous
God talks to Joshua in chapter 1.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." vs 5
"Be strong and courageous" vs 6
"Be strong and very courageous." vs 7
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go." vs 9
After that, Joshua turns to the people and gives them some simple instructions. They reply as follows:
"Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."
Joshua needed some serious encouragement at this crucial moment. And God provided encouragement personally and through the people.
As we face a new year, there are limitless possibilities. Last year saw some incredibly difficult financial situations, as well as numberless personal trials. God only knows what is in store for us this year. But God gives us the strength and courage to weather the storms ahead.
Be Strong and Courageous
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