Don't let your humanity get in the way

I've been reading the book of Luke to my kids over the past few days. It's been a long time since I read Luke, so I figured...why not?
So here I am...reading Luke... :)

I started in chapter 2, when Jesus at age 12 stays behind at the temple and his parents don't know where he is. I remember when my oldest son was 12 (it was just last year). It's incredible how thirsty he is for knowledge. He was thirsty before that as well, but it's a far cry from when he was younger.
So long Thomas the tank engine...hello Discovery Channel.
He's always wanting to know how stuff works and how things are made.
Unfortunately, he's stubborn and doesn't like being told he's wrong.

Jesus was listening to the teachers and Rabbis at 12. They were amazed at his comprehension and understanding. He must have been asking some pretty hard questions to impress these Jewish leaders.
Even at twelve, Jesus was listening.
I wonder what they talked about? One can only assume that they were talking about religious matters, but he was there for 3 days. You can learn a lot about someone in three days. He must have been respectful because they allowed him to stay.
I wonder how many of these teachers and rabbis were around when Jesus came back in his later years?
Then, when his parents ( Mary and Joseph) finally find him, they ask; "Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you".
How embarrassing would that have been... to lose the child God gave you?
But... Jesus responds... I was in my fathers house.
Of course Joseph would have been bewildered..."Jesus...our house is in Nazareth... not in Jerusalem. it even says in the Bible that they didn't understand what Jesus was saying to them.
How easy it must have been to forget sometimes that Jesus was the son of God, especially when he takes off and does his own thing at age 12.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. Jesus didn't let his humanity get in the way of his obedience toward God; and, his God character came out in his dealings towards men. He was loved by God and by the people he met.

What makes us so different.
I know we weren't born of God like Jesus was, but he grew in favor with God.
If we call ourselves Christians, we should be able to be 'like' Jesus. We'll never be Jesus, but he had to battle with his human side just as we do. He prevailed where we fail.
I have to keep thinking about this!

How can I take refuge? (Psalm 11)

The book of psalms can be confusing too! It's like the Psalmist is talking in riddles. We get half of the story. We don't know what happens before the psalm, and we don't know what happens after the psalm.
In Psalm 11, he writes "How then can you say to me "Flee like a bird to the mountains..."
He goes on to write some more after that.
Who is saying that to him?
Why do they want him to flee?
The writer shares that their are people lurking in the shadow ready to strike.

But... His refuge is in the Lord.
This I can appreciate. How do I do it though?
I think the answer lies in scripture. To take refuge means to retreat to someplace safe. When we are in God's presence, we should feel a sense of safety and security, but it's not as if we can summon God to come and sit on our rocking chair while we cower at his feet.
The answer lies in scripture; in the words of God, the things he has written and given us in the Bible.
Words like " I will never leave you nor forsake you..."
" Be strong and courageous..."
" Call to me and I will answer you..."
The presence of God can be a powerful force if we only listen and believe.

Psalm 10

It's late, but I promised myself that I would read today. I just finished reading Psalm 10. It got me thinking a little about people who don't believe in God. The psalmist writes that they are arrogant, doing what they want with no thought of consequences. Well, if they don't know God or believe in Him, that would seem to be a natural reaction.
It's sad to think that there are still people out there who don't know God. We have all been born with a sense that there is a God, but unless someone explains it, we continue to believe what we believe. For those of us that know, that should be reason enough to get off our hiney's and do something about it.
But, that's often not the case.
That's all I have for now...time for bed!

Just Do Anything?

So...I'm still trying to figure out how to love.
So far this month, I have done a terrible job at keeping p to date on my writings. That is not a good thing. I still have the desire to read everyday. Most mornings I get up early enough.
I have a hard time understanding why I struggled so much with the book of John! It's a pivotal book... I believe I mentioned that once before. Since then, I have sidetracked and jumped all over the Bible. Maybe I have been thinking too systematic! I like books with a beginning middle and end. I don't know, I'm just grasping for something.
This whole idea of love though has really got me stumped.
Well, not entirely. I know what God is trying to say to me, I just don't know if we are speaking the same language. It's like when you go to a french restaurant. They know that you are hungry, but they don't know what to bring you to eat. It wouldn't matter anyway because you can't read the menu. "Just bring me anything, I'm hungry..."
So, if I put that logic into place...Just Do ANYTHING to show love, it doesn't matter what it is.
Hmm
If I combine this way of thinking with what I had written earlier...(about troubleshooting connections) and with the message series I am presently listening too about Radical Reformation... (more of that here) , I might just have an idea of what I need to do...

As far as what to read next...I think I am going to go back to the Old Testament and read a few Psalms for the next few weeks.

I think

His love is everlasting.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning. Actually, it wasn't me, it was the stupid cat meowing at my window. I trudged my way to the door, let her in with some unkind remarks, and managed to feel my way back through the dark to my bed. Then, I laid there for half an hour...staring at the ceiling, wondering why it's so difficult to go back to sleep.
So I got out of bed, put on a pair of socks ( cause the floor is icy cold in the morning) and grabbed my concordance.
I am still interested on learning about love. The very first mention of the word love in the NIV is found in Genesis 20:13. Here Abraham is deceiving Abimilech by telling him that Sarah is his sister. He tells Sarah, that if you love me..you will tell Abimilech that you are my sister. (I later read that she IS his sister from another mother...weird)
That isn't a very good example of love. Now I'm sure there are cultural significances and religious commentaries written about this passage, but as it reads to me... this doesn't sound like the love God wants me to show others.
Then, as I continue to read through the concordance, looking at passages and comparing the different Hebrew words for love, I come across Psalm 136.
Over and over the author writes "His love endures forever."
The Niv says "His love endures forever"
KJV says "His mercy endureth forever"
NLT says "His faithful love endures forever."
NASB says "For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
RSV says "for his steadfast love endures for ever."

His...This is implying that it is God from the previous part of the verse...Give thanks to the Lord, the word Lord meaning Yahweh
His = Yahweh, or God

Love, from the word checed (pronounced kheh-sed) means "in a good sense, zeal towards anyone, love, kindness"
Love = love and kindness

Endures forever, comes from the word owlam (pronounced O-lam) means, continuous, perpetual, everlasting or indefinite.
Endures forever = everlasting

That puts a whole new spin on the kind of Love God has for us I think. OK, I know... this is basic Sunday School stuff... but it helps to put thing into perspective doesn't it.

Yahweh checed owlam...

Love Part 3

This morning, I wanted to see an example of God's love. Not really an example, but something that said He loved me. It's not like I'm looking for proof, I know what the Bible says, but as I read through the concordance at the back, I see how it's implied more then it's said.
I can imply that I love my wife and kids, they may not know it unless I say it to them.
The first thing I cam up with is of course John 3:16... For God SO LOVED the world...This is good because it gives me an example as well... the ultimate example of love where God gives up his son Jesus for the sake of the world... and I am part of the world.
Then in John 15, Jesus says " As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you..." This is what I needed to hear...because it's nice to hear it when someone says they love you.
Saying it is not the end ll be all either because words are just words...
When you combine these two, you get Jesus saying he loves us and you get the perfect example... Love in words and in actions...
So, saying "I love peas", and actually eating the peas is completely different. I can say I love people, but unless I am showing that love, my words are just empty words...
I know all of this, but sometimes it's a good little reminder...
What's going to happen tomorrow?

Love...part deux

Did you know that the word love is in the Bible like a gazillion times. I thought about doing a word study on love to help me understand it a little better. I changed my mind!
I'm still stuck however. Jesus Says "love as I have loved you", " there is no greater love than this, if you are willing to lay down your life for a friend".
Peter and Paul also say "love with brotherly love".
Is there a difference. There must be. Jesus knew how to really love. Everyone else loves in a manner that they can understand.
So, on Saturday, we went for a drive to pick up a few things. We passed by a man walking across the highway. He was a farmer who's truck had broken down in the field. The town that he was walking to was about 500 meters away; across the highway and down the service road. It wasn't cold; He didn't try to wave anybody down; he was just walking.
My wife said "stop, lets give him a ride...We had already passed him so by stopping I would have to turn around and go back.
I said, why, he doesn't have very far to go...
My wife was trying to show love I think... at least love through kindness and compassion.
I on the other hand, was too focused on the destination. I didn't do a very good job showing love.
It's like I only show love when it suits me.
That may not be all of the time... but often. This disheartens me.
Things to ponder this morning!

Love...that is a question? (2 John)

Could I be missing Love. That is a really profound question and one that I think should be looked into. The reason I ask this is because of Sunday School. We read 2 John (the whole thing...took us about a minute and thirty seconds) and one of the key things we looked at is obeying with love.
Of course I began to look at my own life and that is when I raised the question...
I don't know...but what I do know is that I want to explore this further and see what I come up with.!

School...REALLY!??

I just spent an hour looking at information on the Internet. That's not unusual, I often spend the first part of the morning browsing information on the World Wide Web. This morning, as well as a few other mornings, I have spent browsing through schools. I have the urge to go back to school but I don't want to have to uproot my family and move again only for a couple years. I mean, I do want to move, but I would like to go someplace where my family can settle for a little while. Going to a school would only be for a couple of years before we would have to move again.
Hey, I like moving, but we don't want to get too ridiculous.
So, I checked out a School called Liberty University. They are a fully accredited school that offers complete Masters Degrees online. Not all masters degrees, but some. I have been thinking about getting a Masters of Religious Education Degree. Many churches like it when the person they are hiring has Seminary training.
I have thought of this before and have passed it off because I felt like it was the wrong reason, however, having been actively seeking a job for the last 4 months and coming up with nothing, I thought that maybe I should do something.
It's a big step. As I was browsing through the Syllabus, all of the paper writing, reading, and extra work came flooding back. Gosh... that was difficult the first time, this time there is twice as much reading and writing.
I will be in MUCH prayer as I consider this.

What is Human nature? (John 19)

Ok, here's a question: Why do we get so upset when we see someone beating a dog, but when there's a fight between people we pick a side and cheer.
I've just read John 19, the part of the Bible where Jesus gets flogged and then crucified. I haven't gotten to the crucifixion part yet; I just had to stop at the flogging part.
How insensitive must the pharisees and chief priests be? Pilate sends out Jesus; who had just been flogged; with a crown of thorns atop his head.
What is our natural reaction. Sure, TV has desensitized us, but when we see an injustice in real life, we have a tendency to react. If we fear getting involved, at least we feel remorse at the situation.
I don't think that is just me.
These leaders of the Sanhedrin showed no remorse and were cheering for the Romans, their captors in essence, to continue beating a fellow Jew.
OK, I'm also not stupid, I know that Jesus HAD to die for the forgiveness of sin. It was written in prophecy; it was planned before time; it was what He was meant to do. But. it's difficult not to take into account human nature.
I read in Psalms today that God hates evil. These people would have been considered evil; justifying the death of God's son, but I also remember Jesus saying that he doesn't want anyone to perish but that everyone would have eternal life.
Wanting something and for that something to actually happen are two different things. These men were evil, but even evil men can change once they meet the real Jesus.

Troubleshoot the connections

So, Here it is; another morning staring at a blank screen wondering what to type; searching for a reply or even response from God. I know it's not like that. God is anxious to share with me all kinds of new and fascinating truths. It is me that is not ready.
Christianity doesn't come with a troubleshooting manual. We do have the Bible, a guide book on the do's and don'ts; but what about the times when things just don't seem to be working right?
"If the screen is blank, check all of the connections. If that doesn't work, run a hardware installation program. If that doesn't work, call this number to find the nearest service technician".
Maybe that is the problem. Maybe I need to check my connections. what am I plugged into:
My family... that plug is connected and fairly tightly to I might add
Jesus...there is a connection there, but it seems I keep unplugging it and blowing on the end to make sure it's clean.
The church... that plug seems to have a loose connection. It keeps fading in and out.
The Bible... I am plugged into the word, but I think the polarity is reversed because somedays I just don't get it.
Crazy as this may sound, it is all beginning to make sense. There is something wrong with my connections.
The light just came on... I think I know what I have to do...Time to make some changes...
Hmmm....who knew!

Do not be afraid or discouraged declares the Lord

It is taking me a long time to read John. It has so much theological significance. Sometimes I find it hard to wade through it. That is what it feel like. Have you ever cut off a piece of steak and put it in your mouth, only to find out that the piece was too big. You start chewing, but there's little room left to chew in our mouth. you don't want to spit it out because that would be embarrassing. so you keep chewing, hoping that no one will notice how much you're struggling. You finally end up swallowing big chunks that you have bitten off, and getting the portion down to a manageable size. You may be eating it, but you're not really enjoying it or getting all you need out of it. Stupid big piece of steak.
But it could all be because of my attitude as well. I read John 17 today, where Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and for all believers. It is a really good passage, but I am so caught up in my own situation, that I fail to appreciate the very words Jesus has spoken.
It is sad that it happens, but it has happened a lot over the last few months. I am sure that I am not the only one that gets caught up in his own problems.
But...I will not give up. I need to persevere and push through it. I will not give in to the temptation of "doing it on my own". I will continue to read the bible everyday and jot down my own feeble thoughts. I have too...there is too much at stake.
God is more important than that. Jesus died on the cross; suffered immeasurable pain and humiliation; and did this all for me. The least I can do is suck it up and keep moving forward, past my problems and my selfishness and onto the next task God has prepared for me in advance.
I have seen that too often in too many people.
Do not be afraid or DISCOURAGED declares the Lord, For I am with you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged declares the Lord, FOR I AM I WITH YOU.
DO NOT be afraid or discouraged declares the Lord, for I am with you....

OK... I get it!

Isn't it strange how the Bible works? (John 15)

I have been thinking about this passage all day. " I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing" (my own paraphrase... I memorized in in college and that's how it comes out in my head).
It has really got me thinking today. What does it really mean. I suppose I could go to the commentaries and find out the true Greek meaning, but what does it mean to me today.
Over the last few days, I have been dealing with other issues that don't actually personally involve me. The involve a member of my family whom I love. It has been a case of "what to do". In some moments, I want to do everything I can, but there are other moments where I just want to shut down. Our emotions play such an important role in the way that we feel. When things are really difficult, my body wants to stop working, crawl into the fetal position and forget EVERYTHING. Of course, after a few hours of lying there rocking back and forth with my thumb in my mouth, I realize that things aren't going to go away. Sooner or later we have to deal with.
and then there's the passage, I am the vine and you are the branches... It's funny but the branch can't survive on it's own. It needs the constant supply of nutrients that the vine gives.
I know this isn't what the passage means, but today, this is what it means to me.
Strange how the Bible works!

Jesus says... " I am the Way...."

" I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Nobody comes to the father except through me"

This is a pivotal passage in the entire new Testament. Jesus has been sharing statements like this through the book so far; I am the Gate, I am the bread of life. These things would have been difficult for the disciples to hear and understand. Imagine Philip looking at Jesus and picturing him as a gate with his arms and legs spread wide to reach the other side...swinging wide and letting the sheep in...or Matthew picturing Jesus as a loaf of bread, fresh from the oven with a little piece of margarine slowly melting on top!
But now, Jesus is saying that I am the WAY... the way to the Father. The Father was someone they could relate too... Just like us, they probably had images of what the father looked like; tall and stately, glowing white with a perfect white beard and long flowing robes. The Father, who lived in Heaven..yet another imagery.
I am the WAY to the Father; "that is someplace I would like to go...", they think. I don't want to spend time in the sheep pen nor do I want to hang out in the bakery, but heaven sounds like a great place.
hmmm

This too shall pass.

It's been quite a few days since I last wrote an entry into this journal. I am trying to keep a positive outlook on life, and most days i do well, but last week I had a few very rough days. It's all apart of being human I guess. There is still so much residual bitterness left. It isn't a great amount, but it's enough to remind me of all the injustices that have happened to me and my family. At least that is what they feel like to me. I suppose in God's eyes, everything was predestined to happen just as it has. That's when I get angry and hurt, thinking that the things that have happened, happened for a reason. Am I being tested? Of course I am. Every moment of every day is a test.
Then I look back over my life, and I realize that this moment of uncertainty is just that, a moment. It too shall pass and the glory of the Lord will shine from me for all to see.
Oh I hope it passes soon. This is my cry!