Thoughts on a day with the disciples

This last week I have been thinking about the disciples and their time with Jesus. Their heads had to be spinning most of the time as they lived with him. What an experience, one that would be hard to describe or commentary. They spent three years with God in flesh and yet, like me, they didn't get it. Here is a portion of their dialogue in Mark 8,

"...the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?"

They said, "Twelve."

"And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?"

"Seven."

He said, "Do you still not get it?"

What an interesting question from Jesus, "Do you still not get it?" In other versions the wording is, "are your hearts hardened?" It's clear, from these miracles, they were supposed to understand something but they had completely missed it. They were right there in the middle of miracles and missed the purpose of it all!

A little earlier in Mark, as they struggled with the oars on the lake, Jesus came to them walking on the water and said to them, "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." In that brief statement is the thing they were supposed to get. It's right there in the middle of three short statements. Between his admonition to take courage and "don't be afraid" is the "secret" they (and we) are to get. Here it is- "It's me!" In the English we miss it entirely, but in the Greek it's once more a declaration of who he is, the very thing they were to learn from all the miracles.

"It's me." The two Greek words are ἐγώ εἰμι. In English Jesus is saying "I am". It's the same claim he made in John 8:58 and was nearly stoned for. It's the same name God told Moses to use to describe himself in Exodus 3. It's a claim to deity. As he walked on the water to these weary fishermen Jesus encouraged them. Between their lack of courage and their fears he reassured them with this- "I am" is here.

Some say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but standing on the sea of Galilee he proclaims it loud and clear, "Take courage, I'm God, don't be afraid." It's the same thing he says to us, the same thing he wants us to know, because he's God we can be courageous and abandon our fears. God is in our midst.

Quotes of the day

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell. -C.S. Lewis

Saturday's cartoon

Thankful

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thes. 5:18

Today is Thanksgiving day in our country. It started with a group of men and women pausing to thank God for his care and provision. It continues as a tradition that has lost much of its initial purpose.

Today it's a day off, football, turkey, family, pumpkin pie, a nap.....

Today God will find only a brief mention for those who give thanks for the meal, but there is so much more to say. Paul's exhortation to the church speaks volumes for us. All that we have, all that happens, all we experience gives us opportunity to thank the one who gave it from his great kindness. Let me share a portion of my list as I begin this day of thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for God's great goodness to me, for the day, for sight, for health, for family, for a warm home, for salvation...oh how wonderful is that, for purpose, for hope, for love, for food, for clothing, for God's love in my life, for his constant care, for feet that work, for grace to experience, for friends...oh what a blessing they are, for a God who hears when I pray, for my bible...I so love God's word, for my wonderful wife, for children I dearly love, for grandchildren, for glorious parents, for life itself, for this moment to celebrate a good God, for stars that show me how grand God really is, for thousands of other things, moment by moment, I say thank you, God. You are glorious!

Quote of the day

"Every single person is important." -Joye Messerli

God sees

Many of us, over the years, have memorized scripture. We memorize it because these are God's words to us. They inspire us, help us, teach us. Paul wrote that all of scripture is inspired and so it's all valuable to teach, to guide, to help us. Here's a verse for you to memorize,

Bunni, Azgad, Bebal, -Nehemiah 10:15

You're smiling, aren't you? You are thinking how can this verse help me? As I read this verse, among a list of other names, it struck me that in a world where we seem to disappear into the crowd of billions God sees us. God sees me. He sees you. He knows my name.

I picked this verse from the many in this passage because here are three men you will never hear about in literature, never know more about than their names and these simple facts- They lived during the difficult days of Nehemiah as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. They were leaders of the people. And, most important, they signed their names to the list of those who promised to follow and obey God. Now, for more than 3,000 years, their names are read and remembered by millions who have no idea who they were, but God knows.

Paul wrote that all of scripture is profitable, so as I read a verse like this I wonder how this verse helps me, guides me, teaches me. Here's what I get from it....God sees. He notices those who follow him. He sees us. Psalms says God is intimate with the righteous and here, among a list of 44 names, are three who decided to follow and obey God in difficult days. And for their faith we know their names. They promised to follow and obey God. We will know nothing more about them until we see the Lord, but we know this one thing- God sees.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hard hearts and stiff necks

There are two things I see in scripture that cause us problems- hard hearts and stiff necks.

Hard hearts describe people who are insensitive to God's voice and untouched by his work in their lives. They simply don't see or sense him, his voice, or his conviction.

Stiff necks describe people who are, even knowing what God wants from them, unwilling to change directions, unwilling to repent. They have set their course and will not "turn their necks," change their minds or direction.

I'm thinking about this because I'm reading a passage, studying a portion of scripture where I see the disciples witnessing some of the most amazing miracles of all history and seems untouched, unaffected by them. They had hardened their hearts. They had become insensitive to God's amazing work in their midst.

I wonder....I wonder how hard my heart is. I wonder what God is doing in my life, around me, speaking to me and I simply don't hear it, sense it, feel his presence. This is a dangerous place to be because we don't realize that a hardness has developed in our lives and our relationship with God. I wonder if my stiff neck, my unwillingness to change my course is made worse by my hard heart?

These are my challenges. These are your challenges. I pray that my heart will be soft to God, sensitive to his touch, responsive to his voice. I pray that I will not be so stubborn that I can't change, can't turn my neck to God's directions in my life. I'm thinking about this because 12 men who lived for three years in the very presence of God on earth struggled with it. I know I do to.

Lord, soften my heart, massage my stiff neck. Help me to respond quickly, to hear well your voice and respond to your leading in my life.

An explanation

I'm sorry for my absence. It's been quite crazy lately. I have much to talk about, but am trying to work through a number of issues right now. I will be back.....as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience.

Update....

God is amazing! His creation is beyond beautiful! That is all, enjoy your day in the creation of a wonderful artist and God.

What I'm reading

I just started a new book by Dave Hunt, "The Cosmos, Creation and Human Destiny." It's proving to not only be challenging, but also fascinating. If you or your children are interested in creation, evolution and how we got here this book will sure make you think. It might even change the way you view everything!

I'm only a few chapters in, but am really enjoying Dave's work. I'll keep you updated.

What's inside?

Some of the best wisdom comes in fortune cookies. Often the simple observations are the most profound. This is one of them. When you get "squeezed" what comes out? Pressure, stress, problems, and the "squeeze" of life will bring out what's inside.

So, when you get squeezed what comes out? It will tell you a lot about what's inside, what you have been putting into your life. Make sure you put good things in so when the squeeze comes the right things will come out.

Saturday's cartoon

Christian Cliches

Like many of you I am constantly hearing Christian cliches that have become common in the Christian world, but are simply not true. Over the next week I'm going to accumulate a list of cliches and talk about them. If you have a favorite or not so favorite cliche would you share it with me and we can discuss it together?

Here's one we will be talking about- "Hate the sin, but love the sinner."

This should be interesting. Thanks!

Veteran's Day

For all of you who have served in the military, Thank you.

Your sacrifice and service to our country is greatly appreciated by so many.

Thank you.