1 Thessalonians 5:17. That's what it says. Pray without ceasing. It's sandwiched between other good ideas like being cheerful and thanking God no matter what the situation is. I mean, it's good advice, right? Seems kinda hard to accomplish, but it's solid direction.
Have you ever been in those places where you actually pursue prayer without ceasing? Usually, it's in the extremes...a sort-of last ditch, got-nothing-else-to-cling-to effort made in desperation. Maybe that's just me, but that's when it's easiest to cling to God and His promises.
I don't like that about me. It's like being the friend who doesn't have time for you until she needs something from you. And I don't want to be her to anyone. I had one of these episodes lately where I felt like I had messed things up so badly that only divine intervention could fix things. And I was vacuuming and washing dishes...for some reason, those are activities that make it easier to pray without ceasing. I can't say why. No one else can either because I imagine I'm alone in that quirk, but you get the idea. Of course, I only vacuum on a quarterly basis. And as I've completed it for this quarter, it may be 3 months before the opportunity rolls around again.
So, my head's been turned away...until I mess up in a fairly exceptional manner...and then I'm back in the game. It's funny how that works. Thank goodness I'm not all that unusual and God gives second (ha!) chances.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Hey, it's me.
Click here to read John 9 and 10.
Does anybody else begin conversations this way? I know some people who make a formal introduction for every phone call, but I call more who begin the conversation this way.
I really like John 10. Ever since I pondered it in a Bible study (Experiencing God, I believe), it's meant a lot to me:
My father is gone now, but I used to have this almost instant reaction to hearing his voice on the phone. I remember getting a phone call from him while I was at work and hearing his voice, I suddenly felt very homesick, and on the verge of tears. Or maybe over it, but you can't prove it.
And it's not like we were separated by much distance. I've never lived more than 30 minutes away. And growing up, I had a list of grievances against him that it took growing up to just get over. But no matter where we were or what the history was like, that voice to me meant strength and security. I am sure my dad was the smartest dad in the world. Always. And that's hard to come by just any day.
I knew I could count on my dad. He could (and would) tell me the right way to just about anything I needed to know. Unless I asked for his opinion directly on something and then more often than not, his nonanswer would just be so frustrating. But sometimes you need help and sometimes you need to figure things out on your own and now I guess that's just part of growing up. I do know that it's annoying, particularly when you don't agree on when you need the help!
I have this memory of his voice on the phone sort of wrapped up with the idea of Jesus and the Father. We should be able to recognize the voice calling us even when it only says "Hey, it's me." And that voice should make us feel secure because nothing can remove us from the Father's hand. And sometimes there are answers and sometimes there aren't and that's just a part of growing up, but that voice is always one to depend on.
And here I am on the verge of tears remembering a phone call. I don't remember the subject but I remember the voice. I remember where I was sitting and I remember the feeling. I think I'd know that voice today, nearly 9 years since I've heard it. I'm not sure what that says, but I'd like to be able to recognize the Father's voice that well someday.
Does anybody else begin conversations this way? I know some people who make a formal introduction for every phone call, but I call more who begin the conversation this way.
I really like John 10. Ever since I pondered it in a Bible study (Experiencing God, I believe), it's meant a lot to me:
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them
eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my
hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can
snatch them out of my Father's hand.
My father is gone now, but I used to have this almost instant reaction to hearing his voice on the phone. I remember getting a phone call from him while I was at work and hearing his voice, I suddenly felt very homesick, and on the verge of tears. Or maybe over it, but you can't prove it.
And it's not like we were separated by much distance. I've never lived more than 30 minutes away. And growing up, I had a list of grievances against him that it took growing up to just get over. But no matter where we were or what the history was like, that voice to me meant strength and security. I am sure my dad was the smartest dad in the world. Always. And that's hard to come by just any day.
I knew I could count on my dad. He could (and would) tell me the right way to just about anything I needed to know. Unless I asked for his opinion directly on something and then more often than not, his nonanswer would just be so frustrating. But sometimes you need help and sometimes you need to figure things out on your own and now I guess that's just part of growing up. I do know that it's annoying, particularly when you don't agree on when you need the help!
I have this memory of his voice on the phone sort of wrapped up with the idea of Jesus and the Father. We should be able to recognize the voice calling us even when it only says "Hey, it's me." And that voice should make us feel secure because nothing can remove us from the Father's hand. And sometimes there are answers and sometimes there aren't and that's just a part of growing up, but that voice is always one to depend on.
And here I am on the verge of tears remembering a phone call. I don't remember the subject but I remember the voice. I remember where I was sitting and I remember the feeling. I think I'd know that voice today, nearly 9 years since I've heard it. I'm not sure what that says, but I'd like to be able to recognize the Father's voice that well someday.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sticks and stones
Click here to read John 7 and 8.
In these chapters, the crowds are pretty riled. Jesus is avoiding Judea because people want to kill him until it's time for the Feast of the Tabernacles, a joyous time. He travels in secret to the city and faces the crowd. In Chapter 7, you can see how different parts of the crowd struggle to deal with Jesus and his message. And at the end of the chapter, the men sent to arrest Jesus by the Pharisees return without him because "No man ever spoke the way this man does." And chapter 8 begins with the story of the adulterous woman, and the question I always puzzle over: what was Jesus writing in the dirt? I don't think it matters much, but inquiring minds want to know. Anyway, Jesus continues the conversation with the crowds until he reached that point. Have you ever been there? You earnestly desire to explain what appears to be the unexplainable. They won't step one step closer but you've reached the end of your argument...the gap remains.
I've been there. And there are several issues that can end at a gap that is impossible to cross.
The Pharisees want to know who Christ is, but they don't want to believe his claims without more proof: more than his deeds, more than prophets and witnesses, more than his teaching, more than his knowledge, more than his promise, more than his demonstrated character...more.
And Christ...what else can he say or do? Nothing. Only the children of His Father will understand. His accusers, children of Satan, will never cross that gap. And when Jesus refused to change his story in the face of their attack, they called him a Samaritan and demon-possessed. Have you ever been there? Ensnared in an argument you can't escape from? These men resorted to names and stones when they reached the limit. And the limit: Jesus' claim to be God. I Am Who I Am.
This argument reminds me of the sheep who know the shepherd's voice. They aren't fooled, tricked away from him because they know him. And if these men were truly sons of Abraham, they would recognize the Messiah. Abraham was a friend of God. His children would recognize Jesus. These men know about Abraham, but they aren't his true children. We may know about God or Jesus, and not be His true children.
John 8
I Am Who I Am
48The Jews then said, "That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!"
49-51Jesus said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about. I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to look death in the face."
52-53At this point the Jews said, "Now we know you're crazy. Abraham died. The prophets died. And you show up saying, 'If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to face death, not even a taste.' Are you greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you are!"
54-56Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor. You haven't recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I didn't know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I do know, and I am doing what he says. Abraham—your 'father'—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered."
57The Jews said, "You're not even fifty years old—and Abraham saw you?"
58"Believe me," said Jesus, "I am who I am long before Abraham was anything."
59That did it—pushed them over the edge. They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of the Temple.
In these chapters, the crowds are pretty riled. Jesus is avoiding Judea because people want to kill him until it's time for the Feast of the Tabernacles, a joyous time. He travels in secret to the city and faces the crowd. In Chapter 7, you can see how different parts of the crowd struggle to deal with Jesus and his message. And at the end of the chapter, the men sent to arrest Jesus by the Pharisees return without him because "No man ever spoke the way this man does." And chapter 8 begins with the story of the adulterous woman, and the question I always puzzle over: what was Jesus writing in the dirt? I don't think it matters much, but inquiring minds want to know. Anyway, Jesus continues the conversation with the crowds until he reached that point. Have you ever been there? You earnestly desire to explain what appears to be the unexplainable. They won't step one step closer but you've reached the end of your argument...the gap remains.
I've been there. And there are several issues that can end at a gap that is impossible to cross.
The Pharisees want to know who Christ is, but they don't want to believe his claims without more proof: more than his deeds, more than prophets and witnesses, more than his teaching, more than his knowledge, more than his promise, more than his demonstrated character...more.
And Christ...what else can he say or do? Nothing. Only the children of His Father will understand. His accusers, children of Satan, will never cross that gap. And when Jesus refused to change his story in the face of their attack, they called him a Samaritan and demon-possessed. Have you ever been there? Ensnared in an argument you can't escape from? These men resorted to names and stones when they reached the limit. And the limit: Jesus' claim to be God. I Am Who I Am.
This argument reminds me of the sheep who know the shepherd's voice. They aren't fooled, tricked away from him because they know him. And if these men were truly sons of Abraham, they would recognize the Messiah. Abraham was a friend of God. His children would recognize Jesus. These men know about Abraham, but they aren't his true children. We may know about God or Jesus, and not be His true children.
John 8
I Am Who I Am
48The Jews then said, "That clinches it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!"
49-51Jesus said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about. I say this with absolute confidence. If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to look death in the face."
52-53At this point the Jews said, "Now we know you're crazy. Abraham died. The prophets died. And you show up saying, 'If you practice what I'm telling you, you'll never have to face death, not even a taste.' Are you greater than Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you think you are!"
54-56Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father, put me here at this time and place of splendor. You haven't recognized him in this. But I have. If I, in false modesty, said I didn't know what was going on, I would be as much of a liar as you are. But I do know, and I am doing what he says. Abraham—your 'father'—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered."
57The Jews said, "You're not even fifty years old—and Abraham saw you?"
58"Believe me," said Jesus, "I am who I am long before Abraham was anything."
59That did it—pushed them over the edge. They picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus slipped away, getting out of the Temple.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Big Time
So you know how you plug along on projects, just being faithful, and sometimes you don't see results? It happens. And then sometimes, you're so surprised at what the hard work of a small group of women can turn up. Actually, God did the heavy lifting. I'm sure of that.
But...it was still some kinda cool to watch this video of Staci Wallace being interviewed on KTHV about the event we're having next week (please come. Tickets are $20 and every bit of what we raise goes to support Marketplace Connection and we've all enjoyed some really great things thanks to this ministry. We want to do more. Please come. I have tickets!!)
And I'm such a small part of this effort that I'm usually just swept along, but when the website flashes on that screen...I built it. Sure, someone with any kind of knowledge could take it and make it hot and someday I hope they will come along and make it into something amazing...but for now, I built it. And that feels good. At first, I was as creeped out as the first time someone far away recognized me from the blog because I realized at that point...someone else is actually reading what you write. Oh, man, that can't be good!
Father, thank you for building this group of women, each with amazing skills and a heart for service...and me. You are producing things in my life through this group that I would never have expected. Thank you for your plans, for already being in the event next week, and in whatever you have in store for us beyond that. Help us find the women you have in place and reach our community for you.
Make like a tree and leave
Click here to read John 6.
This is the chapter where Jesus feeds the 5,000 men (up to an estimated 20,000 when the "rest of the story" is added in). This is the chapter where this crowd is following Jesus to hear his teachings, he feeds them, sends the Twelve (who become The Twelve here) out in a boat to escape the crowds, where he calms the storm, walks on the water, and teached the crowd about the Bread of Life that comes from heaven.
And the crowd goes "Huh?" And they get angry. They don't understand so they begin to grumble.
The man just fed a crowd of thousands through amazing circumstances. And they had been following him to hear his teachings. And just like that, it got a little hard, and they were so outta there. Except for the Twelve, all but one who thought they would die for Jesus. Peter said it best. "Where else can we go? You are the real deal. We believe what you say." Again, I'm reminded of how much I like Peter. He was such a major mess-up sometimes, but when it comes right down to it, he got it right. Even when it isn't easy, even when you don't understand, even when it's not what you want to hear...where else can we go? Lord, you have the words of eternal life.
This is the chapter where Jesus feeds the 5,000 men (up to an estimated 20,000 when the "rest of the story" is added in). This is the chapter where this crowd is following Jesus to hear his teachings, he feeds them, sends the Twelve (who become The Twelve here) out in a boat to escape the crowds, where he calms the storm, walks on the water, and teached the crowd about the Bread of Life that comes from heaven.
And the crowd goes "Huh?" And they get angry. They don't understand so they begin to grumble.
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who
can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus
said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to
where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The
words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.Yet there are some of
you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them
did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told
you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled
him."
From this time many of his
disciples turned back and no longer followed
him.
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the
Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
The man just fed a crowd of thousands through amazing circumstances. And they had been following him to hear his teachings. And just like that, it got a little hard, and they were so outta there. Except for the Twelve, all but one who thought they would die for Jesus. Peter said it best. "Where else can we go? You are the real deal. We believe what you say." Again, I'm reminded of how much I like Peter. He was such a major mess-up sometimes, but when it comes right down to it, he got it right. Even when it isn't easy, even when you don't understand, even when it's not what you want to hear...where else can we go? Lord, you have the words of eternal life.
Monday, May 18, 2009
When good things happen to so-so people
Click here to read John 5.
This is one of those times when I read something that I'm sure I've read many times before and just don't ever remember thinking about.
So there was a pool and when the waters were stirred (perhaps by an angel...different translation), people were healed, but this man could never make it first into the water. Along comes Jesus. He asks a simple question: Do you want to get well?
The answer seems simple...yes. Maybe then you tack on " and if you could help me into the water, I'll get right on that" or maybe even a "what's it to you, stranger?" This man has no idea who Jesus is. And I think it says a lot about him that his answer is an excuse. "Well, I would but other people take my place so I can't be." He's been here a long time. He's run out of plans to get into the water first. He's out of creative ideas. He has excuses. And the most important thing he's missing...faith.
In most of the miracles I remember, people are healed after they show evidence of faith. They touch a hem or a father pleads for a son or a sister for her brother or men lower a friend through the roof...these are extreme episodes of the kind of faith that leads to healing.
This man, he was in the right place at the right time, gave an unsatisfactory (to me) answer, and he was healed. Why? One reason I can think of is to show that Jesus' power is His own. It has nothing to do with my faith. This man did not even know who Jesus was until Jesus tracked him down again, and then he didn't hesitate to inform on Jesus.
Then there's the idea of divine timing. When I read this, for some reason, I was reading it like a story. And in my head, I'm thinking, "No, not him. Come on, Jesus, he's just going to get you into trouble. And he doesn't deserve your help because he doesn't even know who you are. If you skip him, then maybe they won't persecute you." I always want a happy ending, even when I know how the story turns out.
And then there's that whole "deserve your help" part of the equation. I can see myself in that man by the pool. And not just before, when Jesus called me to Him, but today, when I pray for things to change in my life, and Jesus says, "Sure, no problem. Here's all you gotta do...pick up your mat and walk." And I launch into my list of reasons why it isn't fair that I have to carry my own mat or someone owes me a better mat or why I think it would just be better for me to drive or any list of reasons why I know better, why Jesus' direction isn't going to work for me. Unlike the man, I stay paralyzed, faith and all.
It's a good story. But it hits a little close to home when I actually pay attention.
This is one of those times when I read something that I'm sure I've read many times before and just don't ever remember thinking about.
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now
there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called
Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number
of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was
there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there
and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him,
"Do you want to get well?"
"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
So there was a pool and when the waters were stirred (perhaps by an angel...different translation), people were healed, but this man could never make it first into the water. Along comes Jesus. He asks a simple question: Do you want to get well?
The answer seems simple...yes. Maybe then you tack on " and if you could help me into the water, I'll get right on that" or maybe even a "what's it to you, stranger?" This man has no idea who Jesus is. And I think it says a lot about him that his answer is an excuse. "Well, I would but other people take my place so I can't be." He's been here a long time. He's run out of plans to get into the water first. He's out of creative ideas. He has excuses. And the most important thing he's missing...faith.
In most of the miracles I remember, people are healed after they show evidence of faith. They touch a hem or a father pleads for a son or a sister for her brother or men lower a friend through the roof...these are extreme episodes of the kind of faith that leads to healing.
This man, he was in the right place at the right time, gave an unsatisfactory (to me) answer, and he was healed. Why? One reason I can think of is to show that Jesus' power is His own. It has nothing to do with my faith. This man did not even know who Jesus was until Jesus tracked him down again, and then he didn't hesitate to inform on Jesus.
Then there's the idea of divine timing. When I read this, for some reason, I was reading it like a story. And in my head, I'm thinking, "No, not him. Come on, Jesus, he's just going to get you into trouble. And he doesn't deserve your help because he doesn't even know who you are. If you skip him, then maybe they won't persecute you." I always want a happy ending, even when I know how the story turns out.
And then there's that whole "deserve your help" part of the equation. I can see myself in that man by the pool. And not just before, when Jesus called me to Him, but today, when I pray for things to change in my life, and Jesus says, "Sure, no problem. Here's all you gotta do...pick up your mat and walk." And I launch into my list of reasons why it isn't fair that I have to carry my own mat or someone owes me a better mat or why I think it would just be better for me to drive or any list of reasons why I know better, why Jesus' direction isn't going to work for me. Unlike the man, I stay paralyzed, faith and all.
It's a good story. But it hits a little close to home when I actually pay attention.
Balancing Act...one night only!
Next Marketplace Connection event:
Staci Wallace's "Balancing Act: Finding Success at Work and Home."
May 28, Grace Church, 7:00 p.m., $20
Staci Wallace is one of today's leading communicators and voices, motivating individuals around the nation to move from success to significance. As an author, speaker and trainer, Staci has a unique ability to coach individuals to a life of balanced success in the areas of finances, fitness, faith and family. By empowering their lives and helping them find life balance, Staci is then able to move them beyond personal success to global significance.
To find out more, visit http://www.staciwallace.com/ or http://www.marketplaceconnectionarkansas.com/
Pick up your tickets now! Come on. I'll be there. And bring a co-worker...that's what we're here for!
More about Marketplace Connection:
Marketplace Connection is a nondenominational Christian ministry formed to serve and connect women in the workplace. To do so, the ministry is supported by area churches and businesses committed to encouraging Christian growth and ministry in the workplace, a mission field for each working woman.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
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