The Prayer: Psalm 143 (New International Version)
1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
The Reading: Matthew 13-15
Matthew 13:53-58 (New International Version)
53When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
My Thoughts: Those people couldn't see Jesus as he was because they knew him...or thought they knew him. Knew parts of him very well that made it difficult to understand other parts. He was the carpenter's son, this was his family, how could he know so much, be so much more, than that...and they didn't like it. I think we do this all the time. We see parts that we like, we want to hold on to and then reject the rest because it's hard to understand. And that limits our faith. And that limits our miracles. We want to be comfortable with Christ but that limits our belief in what he can do...all-powerful Christ who performs miracles. The carpenter's son, Mary's son who can save us all.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Day 4-What if?
My Prayer: Psalm 19:1-2
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
The Reading: Matthew 10-12
Matthew 10:32-34
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
My thoughts: It's difficult to get a true picture of who God is...judge, merciful father, an angry god who wipes out towns who don't repent or a caring one who creates a way to save the world...sending a part of himself to that world to suffer and die for it. And they're all parts of that God. It's a little easier to understand Jesus. Either we believe him to be who he said he was or we believe him to be...what? A person who makes the claims that Jesus did...and isn't truly God...is a crazy person, right? Sure, he taught good things...mercy, loving your neighbor, but he also said he was the Son of God, sent here to save the world. And he performed miracles, which sort of helps me make up my mind that he was telling the truth. But I've said before that I have a simple faith. I don't have to understand it all, all the parts of God, and still believe.
OK, and I had a day without a song, so I'm back to my old tricks. I couldn't find a recording to link to, but check it out on iTunes or something.
Nichole Nordeman - What If
What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his palace in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
(Chorus)
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig, What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Then folklore that must be told and retold
(Chorus)
You’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
The Reading: Matthew 10-12
Matthew 10:32-34
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
My thoughts: It's difficult to get a true picture of who God is...judge, merciful father, an angry god who wipes out towns who don't repent or a caring one who creates a way to save the world...sending a part of himself to that world to suffer and die for it. And they're all parts of that God. It's a little easier to understand Jesus. Either we believe him to be who he said he was or we believe him to be...what? A person who makes the claims that Jesus did...and isn't truly God...is a crazy person, right? Sure, he taught good things...mercy, loving your neighbor, but he also said he was the Son of God, sent here to save the world. And he performed miracles, which sort of helps me make up my mind that he was telling the truth. But I've said before that I have a simple faith. I don't have to understand it all, all the parts of God, and still believe.
OK, and I had a day without a song, so I'm back to my old tricks. I couldn't find a recording to link to, but check it out on iTunes or something.
Nichole Nordeman - What If
What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his palace in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
(Chorus)
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig, What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Then folklore that must be told and retold
(Chorus)
You’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Day 3-Mercy vs. Sacrifice
My Prayer:
Psalm 16:8 (New International Version)
I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
The Reading: Matthew 7-9
Matthew 9:10-13 (New International Version)
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
My Thoughts: First, the difference in mercy and sacrifice...
Mercy: Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.
A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.
Something for which to be thankful; a blessing: It was a mercy that no one was hurt.
Alleviation of distress; relief: Taking in the refugees was an act of mercy.
Sacrifice: The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.
A victim offered in this way.
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
I think mercy may be more difficult than sacrifice. The Pharisees probably understood this, too. Sacrifice is like making the check mark in the book...doesn't really matter why you do it, just do it because that's the rule...and it has victims. I can understand why Jesus didn't want victims. As a person who has said more than once that I lack the gift of mercy, I also understand why this has to be stated and it has to be a calling. It's hard to love some people...like me, but it's also the quality that the world looks for in a Christian...and marks when it's missing. It's one of those ways that the world knows that we're different. I definitely need to practice it more.
Psalm 16:8 (New International Version)
I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
The Reading: Matthew 7-9
Matthew 9:10-13 (New International Version)
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
My Thoughts: First, the difference in mercy and sacrifice...
Mercy: Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.
A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.
Something for which to be thankful; a blessing: It was a mercy that no one was hurt.
Alleviation of distress; relief: Taking in the refugees was an act of mercy.
Sacrifice: The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.
A victim offered in this way.
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
I think mercy may be more difficult than sacrifice. The Pharisees probably understood this, too. Sacrifice is like making the check mark in the book...doesn't really matter why you do it, just do it because that's the rule...and it has victims. I can understand why Jesus didn't want victims. As a person who has said more than once that I lack the gift of mercy, I also understand why this has to be stated and it has to be a calling. It's hard to love some people...like me, but it's also the quality that the world looks for in a Christian...and marks when it's missing. It's one of those ways that the world knows that we're different. I definitely need to practice it more.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Day 2-So far, so good
A celebration at two days is a little premature, but I have to take the opportunities as they arise.
My Prayer:
Psalm 119: 116
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
The Reading: Matthew 4-6
Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message)
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
Matthew 6:6-15 (New International Version)
6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
My thoughts: As I was reading this, I thought about my post about someone asking if I was praying for her and how sad it is when I can't answer "Yes." I am supposed to be praying for her, but I feel disconnected so it's hard to pray. The pipeline is broken. Last week, I had 2 other prayer requests which were even harder. I like the first person. Persons 2 and 3...not so much...each has said something about me or to me that I can't forget. So what do I do? This one is sort of easier...I have to forgive them, I feel like I have to pray for them. I want my sins to be forgiven. Even better, I'd really like for mine to also be forgotten. So I did say a quick,specific prayer for Persons 2 and 3 last week. Then, of course, I ruin it all by patting myself on the back for doing the right thing. Maybe I can redeem myself with Person 1. She's worth the effort. So for her, I pray for wisdom and joy and blessings so that she will see that God is good. I know that Jesus became God with Us for me...and for her. I'm praying that she'll see that too. I really hope that starting late can be made up for with sincerity!
My Prayer:
Psalm 119: 116
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
The Reading: Matthew 4-6
Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message)
43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
Matthew 6:6-15 (New International Version)
6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
My thoughts: As I was reading this, I thought about my post about someone asking if I was praying for her and how sad it is when I can't answer "Yes." I am supposed to be praying for her, but I feel disconnected so it's hard to pray. The pipeline is broken. Last week, I had 2 other prayer requests which were even harder. I like the first person. Persons 2 and 3...not so much...each has said something about me or to me that I can't forget. So what do I do? This one is sort of easier...I have to forgive them, I feel like I have to pray for them. I want my sins to be forgiven. Even better, I'd really like for mine to also be forgotten. So I did say a quick,specific prayer for Persons 2 and 3 last week. Then, of course, I ruin it all by patting myself on the back for doing the right thing. Maybe I can redeem myself with Person 1. She's worth the effort. So for her, I pray for wisdom and joy and blessings so that she will see that God is good. I know that Jesus became God with Us for me...and for her. I'm praying that she'll see that too. I really hope that starting late can be made up for with sincerity!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Day 1-Making a Plan
Here's the new plan (because I have to do something, to start somewhere):
90 days to read through the New Testament (laid out by Rick Warren at purposedrivenlife.org. I've tried for a year before...and reading the NT in 30 days...both seemed a little too ambitious!)
15 minutes of quiet time every morning
And prayer.
My Prayer: Psalm 51: 10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
The Reading: Matthew 1-3
Matthew 1:21, 23 Names of Jesus
21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins." (Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the LORD saves.)
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
My thoughts:
When I couldn't go to God, He came to me. And what a sacrifice that was. What a love that would provoke such a sacrifice. I don't understand that love just like I don't understand why life is the way it is. But I can still be grateful for the gift and the reminder that God is not separated from me. God is with me. Because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God is with me now and always, even to the end of the age. He is unshaken even when I falter. To find my way, I only have to look.
And apparently I'm always going to have a song, too. When I read this about Joseph taking his family to Eqypt, I hear a song by Rich Mullins called My Deliverer is coming. If you'd rather hear the song and watch a slideshow of images reflecting Jesus' life, you can check out the YouTube clip. I managed to maintain my composure to only a few sniffles.
90 days to read through the New Testament (laid out by Rick Warren at purposedrivenlife.org. I've tried for a year before...and reading the NT in 30 days...both seemed a little too ambitious!)
15 minutes of quiet time every morning
And prayer.
My Prayer: Psalm 51: 10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
The Reading: Matthew 1-3
Matthew 1:21, 23 Names of Jesus
21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins." (Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the LORD saves.)
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."
My thoughts:
When I couldn't go to God, He came to me. And what a sacrifice that was. What a love that would provoke such a sacrifice. I don't understand that love just like I don't understand why life is the way it is. But I can still be grateful for the gift and the reminder that God is not separated from me. God is with me. Because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God is with me now and always, even to the end of the age. He is unshaken even when I falter. To find my way, I only have to look.
And apparently I'm always going to have a song, too. When I read this about Joseph taking his family to Eqypt, I hear a song by Rich Mullins called My Deliverer is coming. If you'd rather hear the song and watch a slideshow of images reflecting Jesus' life, you can check out the YouTube clip. I managed to maintain my composure to only a few sniffles.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Kleenex Warning
Today our church service began with a Kleenex warning. Now, I can cry at the drop of a hat in a church service...something about the music, the worship, the sincerity, the comfort just breaks my heart again and again. I think that's why I've been avoiding church.
I thought I was safe with the Memorial Day Service...but patriotic songs and honoring our military are enough to choke me up. At least I was smart enough to avoid Mother's Day. I have the same plan for Father's Day...just an ordinary, average day. Someone said to me last week that I seem to be coping better now than I have at other times. I think that's funny. And from someone who knows me well. My way to cope...be very, very busy. Too busy to think about upsetting things. And add to that a complete avoidance of the things that might upset me...even if they're things I enjoy (baseball with my family) or need to do (a phone call to my mom's best friend) or impact my life (church and worship). If I do those things, the cracks appear. It's much easier to be alone, occupy my time with busyness, and just pretend that I'm fine.
Today I realized as I was feeling/surreptitiously (sorry, Mary, it's really the best word choice) wiping away the tears that I'm just so far away from God. But I did that. I did it to protect myself and to pretend that I'm strong and I'm fine. But I'm not. And I won't be where I am. So...now comes the tough part...finding my way back.
I've heard this song over and over the past few days. And I cry. Usually in the car, on the way in to work. I should come with a permanent Kleenex attachment. Click on the link to hear the song. It's Amazing Grace with a little update.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Lyrics
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost,
but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood
His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid431790421/bclid431783010/bctid533390757
I thought I was safe with the Memorial Day Service...but patriotic songs and honoring our military are enough to choke me up. At least I was smart enough to avoid Mother's Day. I have the same plan for Father's Day...just an ordinary, average day. Someone said to me last week that I seem to be coping better now than I have at other times. I think that's funny. And from someone who knows me well. My way to cope...be very, very busy. Too busy to think about upsetting things. And add to that a complete avoidance of the things that might upset me...even if they're things I enjoy (baseball with my family) or need to do (a phone call to my mom's best friend) or impact my life (church and worship). If I do those things, the cracks appear. It's much easier to be alone, occupy my time with busyness, and just pretend that I'm fine.
Today I realized as I was feeling/surreptitiously (sorry, Mary, it's really the best word choice) wiping away the tears that I'm just so far away from God. But I did that. I did it to protect myself and to pretend that I'm strong and I'm fine. But I'm not. And I won't be where I am. So...now comes the tough part...finding my way back.
I've heard this song over and over the past few days. And I cry. Usually in the car, on the way in to work. I should come with a permanent Kleenex attachment. Click on the link to hear the song. It's Amazing Grace with a little update.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Lyrics
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost,
but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood
His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid431790421/bclid431783010/bctid533390757
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