So this is a busy time for everyone so I really want to try to keep it brief. First, this is a great devotion too if you're looking for a great perspective... (plus I am biased, because my mom wrote it): click here. I am similar to my mom obviously, but I didn't know we had this in common, I always used to skim the genealogies listed in the beginning of books/chapters. I mean let's get to the important stuff right?! But my mom is right, there is valuable information found in this list of who comes from who.
As we approach the Christmas holiday there's a lot of talk and emphasis on family. That's a great thing, and I am still never really sure why we need a holiday to spend time with family, but that's beside the point. With my family gatherings a big part of the time together is obviously catching up, but also a considerable amount of time is spent on story telling about history, and about family members who passed away. i am reminded of that one weird line in "It's the most wonderful time of the year" which says there will be scary ghost stories and tales of the glory of Christmases long long ago. Well the explanation I like the most is in relation to Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" which in all truth should be scary, especially with the GHOST of Christmas future. But we also love to tell tales of the glory of Christmases long long ago, which almost always involve family!
Here's the wrap up and the point. Remember we made in God's image. Our feelings, our minds, aren't original to us. We are mere imitations of the Creator. We have a love and fondness for family and family history because God has first created and loved families. This genealogy shows the family of Christ is much more than just his earthly mother and father. He comes from a long long line of people who had a relationship with God the father. Jesus is part of a BIG family. Matthew is taking the time to recap the tales of the glory of Christmases long long ago. And the cool thing is we are part of the family too. Christ is our brother! How awesome?! So when we sit around fires telling stories of past Christmases and family memories, let's not forget the best story of all...When God became our brother by being born in Bethlehem in a lowly stable to earthly parents.
And we pray
Dear God our father in heaven, thank you so much for the gift of families. By being part of a human family, you know the brokenness that can surround us, the strained and dysfunctional relationships, the hurt and pain that can come from family members both recent and far past, but God you also know the joy and love families can bring. Be part of my family God. Dwell with me and my family. Show each of us your way so that we might find the joy and forgive the hurt. In your son and our brother's name we pray; Amen!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
God talks to me through Billy Joel -Awesomeness (Ezekiel 47:1-2)
I read this text several times, and honestly it still doesn't do much for me. I went to read all of Ezekiel 47, thinking this story wasn't complete...it was. I was hoping there was a continuation anything...to clear it up for me. I mean that's the honest truth. I am not inspired by it. I am not made aware of things I have done - right or wrong. I don't feel that it helps me to know God better.
My first thought upon reading the first paragraph was to go off on a tangent in regards to the four directions of the earth, north, south, east and west, but no, I can't even do that, because read carefully and you'll see lots of directions, but no west...apparently west is bad, like the left hand of God. (You know the sheep go to God's right hand ...the good hand apparently, and the goats, hell bound, go the left hand (See Matthew 25:33) and of course Jesus sits at the RIGHT hand of God, and as a lefty I find all this right handed focus this offensive.) So all of us in the western hemisphere should feel left out. Or not. So no tangent on the directions...
Well then the Spirit sent me another connection, this one in the form of an auditory connection. The song "River of Dreams" by Billy Joel came to mind. If you don't know the song, check it out here... (click me) I love this song and I love Billy Joel. Many of his songs make perfect sense, relationships, life, heartbreak, love, growing up, humanity; there are songs of his that speak to me about all these subjects. There is wisdom in many many of his songs, but this one, (and I love this song) doesn't mean much to me. I don't feel inspired really, or wiser, I just enjoy hearing it, and I think that's the way this passage is. It may not contain an inspirational message for us, and it may not be sage wisdom, but it's pretty to read. Lot's of detail, and very vivid. I can picture this river. It clearly (as Billy Joel says) starts as stream and ends in the ocean. So since the spirit sent me this song, let me share a few choice lines from this song.
+ From the mountains of faith
+ So I can finally find what I've been looking for
+ I go walking in my sleep through the valley of fear
+ I've been searching for something taken out of my soul, something I'd never lose, something somebody stole
+ But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk any more
+ Through the jungle of doubt
+ It can only be seen by the eyes of the blind
+ I'm not sure about a life after this, God knows I've never been a spiritual man
+ Baptized by the fire
+ I wade into the river that is runnin' through the promised land
+ Through the desert of truth
Do any of these stir up familiar bible passages for you? They sure do for me, I am reminded of faith that can move mountains, I am finding what i seek, yeah though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, what's been taken out of my soul - complete love for God, it has been overshadowed by sin, I didn't want to lose it but I was bound to sin, Jesus' burden is easy and his yoke is light, can this gift of grace really be mine? the lame shall walk and the blind shall see, I don't have all the answers, I'm not perfect, God knows that! one more powerful was coming, one would baptize with with fire and the spirit, wandering for 40 years before entering the promised land, a desert is a lonely place, knowing God's truth can be a lonely place.
Sometimes this is how God speaks to us in the bible. The message at first isn't clear at all, but don't give up! Open your hearts, open your minds, and open your eyes and ears. God always speaks his word to YOU through scripture (since it is the word of God) it just may not be in the way you think...maybe God will call forth a song, a painting, a memory, a movie, and will speak to you through other mediums...God can do that you know! He is kind of creative...(just small things, like the earth, the universe, 7-10 billion different people, you me...need I go on?)
And so we pray...
Creative God, you love us in so many different ways. We thank you for loving us in every way and in your perfect way. God you're always willing to speak to us, but so often we're not willing to listen to you. I pray God that when you speak to me, don't give up, keep speaking until I hear you, until I see you, and until I feel you. Come into my heart each and every day and help me find you in the craziest places. Help me to love as you have first loved. Your son's holy name, Amen!
My first thought upon reading the first paragraph was to go off on a tangent in regards to the four directions of the earth, north, south, east and west, but no, I can't even do that, because read carefully and you'll see lots of directions, but no west...apparently west is bad, like the left hand of God. (You know the sheep go to God's right hand ...the good hand apparently, and the goats, hell bound, go the left hand (See Matthew 25:33) and of course Jesus sits at the RIGHT hand of God, and as a lefty I find all this right handed focus this offensive.) So all of us in the western hemisphere should feel left out. Or not. So no tangent on the directions...
Well then the Spirit sent me another connection, this one in the form of an auditory connection. The song "River of Dreams" by Billy Joel came to mind. If you don't know the song, check it out here... (click me) I love this song and I love Billy Joel. Many of his songs make perfect sense, relationships, life, heartbreak, love, growing up, humanity; there are songs of his that speak to me about all these subjects. There is wisdom in many many of his songs, but this one, (and I love this song) doesn't mean much to me. I don't feel inspired really, or wiser, I just enjoy hearing it, and I think that's the way this passage is. It may not contain an inspirational message for us, and it may not be sage wisdom, but it's pretty to read. Lot's of detail, and very vivid. I can picture this river. It clearly (as Billy Joel says) starts as stream and ends in the ocean. So since the spirit sent me this song, let me share a few choice lines from this song.
+ From the mountains of faith
+ So I can finally find what I've been looking for
+ I go walking in my sleep through the valley of fear
+ I've been searching for something taken out of my soul, something I'd never lose, something somebody stole
+ But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk any more
+ Through the jungle of doubt
+ It can only be seen by the eyes of the blind
+ I'm not sure about a life after this, God knows I've never been a spiritual man
+ Baptized by the fire
+ I wade into the river that is runnin' through the promised land
+ Through the desert of truth
Do any of these stir up familiar bible passages for you? They sure do for me, I am reminded of faith that can move mountains, I am finding what i seek, yeah though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, what's been taken out of my soul - complete love for God, it has been overshadowed by sin, I didn't want to lose it but I was bound to sin, Jesus' burden is easy and his yoke is light, can this gift of grace really be mine? the lame shall walk and the blind shall see, I don't have all the answers, I'm not perfect, God knows that! one more powerful was coming, one would baptize with with fire and the spirit, wandering for 40 years before entering the promised land, a desert is a lonely place, knowing God's truth can be a lonely place.
Sometimes this is how God speaks to us in the bible. The message at first isn't clear at all, but don't give up! Open your hearts, open your minds, and open your eyes and ears. God always speaks his word to YOU through scripture (since it is the word of God) it just may not be in the way you think...maybe God will call forth a song, a painting, a memory, a movie, and will speak to you through other mediums...God can do that you know! He is kind of creative...(just small things, like the earth, the universe, 7-10 billion different people, you me...need I go on?)
And so we pray...
Creative God, you love us in so many different ways. We thank you for loving us in every way and in your perfect way. God you're always willing to speak to us, but so often we're not willing to listen to you. I pray God that when you speak to me, don't give up, keep speaking until I hear you, until I see you, and until I feel you. Come into my heart each and every day and help me find you in the craziest places. Help me to love as you have first loved. Your son's holy name, Amen!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Faith is what it takes...(Hebrews 11:1 7)
First, this reading comes from a few days ago- it's from Friday November 26th. The day after Thanksgiving. If you were concerned, I was incredibly sick that day, and to be honest I just got around to reading that day's bible passage (I am feeling all better now!). You see I get the daily passage emailed to me, and that message was sitting innocently unopened until today. The guidance of the Holy Spirit told me I needed to write on this one, so please indulge me!
Recently I had a conversation with one of my best friends who will be going to seminary next year. She's awesome and in a lot of ways we consider each other to be like a brother and sister. We try to talk at least once a week (though I'm not always good at keeping to that) but we just talked a few nights ago, and we got to talking about God, and scripture and what not, and as we were nearing the end of the convo she said to me, "I love my religion." That all got me to thinking (very dangerous I know). I told her to consider the notion that she loves her faith, and likes her religion. What? There's a difference?! Most definitely!
Ready for this... Faith is God made, and influenced by humans, whereas religion is Human made and influenced by God. See the difference comes from the creator. And so what is faith? Well we have it written right here in Hebrews. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.To me, faith is more about belief and hope, while religion is more about structure, communal beliefs. Part of the Merriam Webster definition says religion is a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Christianity, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Judaism, Islam are all religions. God is not a religion (cause, principle, or system) and cannot be contained by any man made structure or system.
I don't want to be a pusher or religion, I want to be a pusher of faith! We read in this passage that faith pleases God. Faith for Noah, provided a means to salvation. I hear so many people say they don't go to church but they are spiritual...what does that even mean? Honestly I have no idea. I would much rather hear that they are faithful. That at least would please God. In this story let us recall that Faith provided salvation for Noah and his family. Faith can and does provide salvation for you too! Now I work at a church, a church that I love very much, and OF COURSE I would love for you to join me, but I'm going to be honest here ( and I can't believe I am going to say this) Just have faith! God doesn't order you to come to church, and neither do I, but God and I both urge you to activate and celebrate your faith. Now in the defense of attending a church, I do feel that your faith will be nourished, deepened, and strengthened at church. You will have a community of faithful brothers and sisters and that is very important for faith formation and development. But in the end it is faith alone, grace alone, word alone...sound familiar?
And so we pray,
Thank you so much for our faith God. We know it's enough. We pray that we might celebrate the gift of faith that you have given us in ways that might please you. Save us through our faith, your Grace, and your Word. We love you God, not as we should, but only as we are able. Surround us with those who seek to deepen our faith. In your Son's name we pray. Amen!
Recently I had a conversation with one of my best friends who will be going to seminary next year. She's awesome and in a lot of ways we consider each other to be like a brother and sister. We try to talk at least once a week (though I'm not always good at keeping to that) but we just talked a few nights ago, and we got to talking about God, and scripture and what not, and as we were nearing the end of the convo she said to me, "I love my religion." That all got me to thinking (very dangerous I know). I told her to consider the notion that she loves her faith, and likes her religion. What? There's a difference?! Most definitely!
Ready for this... Faith is God made, and influenced by humans, whereas religion is Human made and influenced by God. See the difference comes from the creator. And so what is faith? Well we have it written right here in Hebrews. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.To me, faith is more about belief and hope, while religion is more about structure, communal beliefs. Part of the Merriam Webster definition says religion is a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. Christianity, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Judaism, Islam are all religions. God is not a religion (cause, principle, or system) and cannot be contained by any man made structure or system.
I don't want to be a pusher or religion, I want to be a pusher of faith! We read in this passage that faith pleases God. Faith for Noah, provided a means to salvation. I hear so many people say they don't go to church but they are spiritual...what does that even mean? Honestly I have no idea. I would much rather hear that they are faithful. That at least would please God. In this story let us recall that Faith provided salvation for Noah and his family. Faith can and does provide salvation for you too! Now I work at a church, a church that I love very much, and OF COURSE I would love for you to join me, but I'm going to be honest here ( and I can't believe I am going to say this) Just have faith! God doesn't order you to come to church, and neither do I, but God and I both urge you to activate and celebrate your faith. Now in the defense of attending a church, I do feel that your faith will be nourished, deepened, and strengthened at church. You will have a community of faithful brothers and sisters and that is very important for faith formation and development. But in the end it is faith alone, grace alone, word alone...sound familiar?
And so we pray,
Thank you so much for our faith God. We know it's enough. We pray that we might celebrate the gift of faith that you have given us in ways that might please you. Save us through our faith, your Grace, and your Word. We love you God, not as we should, but only as we are able. Surround us with those who seek to deepen our faith. In your Son's name we pray. Amen!
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