Reflecting on Jeremiah 2:13 which says, "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisters, broken cisters, that can hold not water," caused me to do some thinking about fountains and cisterns.
fountains have a constant flow of fresh water, heaving upward toward heaven. Cisterns are filled with stored up run-off of old, often stagnant water, from past rain falls. With that in mind, I began to understand what God might have been saying about His people and the evil that they had committed.
There have been times in my life when I've had plenty of self dug satisfactions, that have done nothing more than leave me empty and dry . . . often, even in the name of "doing God's good work." There have been times, when I have not been patient enough to wait on the work of God. Times when I've prayed and God didn't speak soon enough to suit me. Or times when the enemy just flat-out lied to me and made me think I wasn't worthy of God's love, and so, with shovel in hand . . . I've dug cisterns to collect what ever I could to satisfy self. Those cisterns have looked like a lot of things throughout my life, but never fountains of living water.
Looking back now, I can tell the difference between the times when I've been drinking living water, and when I've been drinking from my own self dug cisterns. Living water refreshes, while water from the cistern have left me weary and dry. Self-accomplishments will always do that, they just don't sustain long.
But, the greatest caution for me in this passage, is that God calls our self-dug cisterns "evil." Scripture is filled with warnings about such events. For instance, when the people God created, began building a tower to heaven, in order to make a name for themselves; or when God's people fashioned for themselves a golden calf in their impatience. Those are just two of the many, many examples.
It's only when I wait on God, when I depend on God, when I count on God, when I cast my cares upon God, when I trust God, when my all-in-all is God, that I am truly refreshed with a sustaining kind of refreshment. Because only when we drink of the water that God gives shall we never thirst again! (John 4:14)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wet Feet Faith
With a bazillion books having been written to answer the question "What is faith?" Can there actually be anything new to say? Doubtful, right? However it's amazing to me how the Word of God is relevant to every generation. I marvel at how God's Word speaks to me anew, over and over again. So, is there anything new to say about faith! Absolutely there is. I mean, check this out. If you read Joshua chapter 3 where the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan river, you'll find this amazing act of faith of the people, which brought forth a powerful move of God.
The day before their prospective crossing, Joshua tells the people to "consecrate themselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders." Then he turns and tells the priests "you go on ahead of the people." God told Joshua that day that He was going to begin an amazing work in Joshua, to exalt him before the people and they would know that God was with Joshua as God was with Moses when he lead the people.
Ok, hang on . . . because here comes the powerful thing. God told Joshua to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant, and stand in the waters of the Jordan, and watch the miracle working power of God!
Now, you have to realize that the Israelites were desert dwellers, they weren't used to waters of any size. They certainly weren't skilled in how to cross raging, swelling rivers! They were however, used to the stories that had been passed down to them, of a time when their forefamilies crossed the Red Sea. In that story God told Moses to touch the sea with his rod, at which time the sea parted and people walked across on dry land! Moses didn't even have to get his feet wet. He just reached forward from his safe, dry spot and poked his stick into the water, and poof . . . the sea parted. God gave the instruction, and Moses had the faith to believe it, and act on it! But, here? The Priests were instructed to go beyond past revelation, to go beyond their past experiences of faith, and believe God for something new, bigger and certainly scarier! So, the priests load up the Ark of the Covenant, and move toward the storm swelled rivers edge. This was a river that was very likely boiling, churning and slapping at their feet; which likely stirred up in them fear, doubt, and more questions than answers. Most of the year the Jordan River was nothing more than a trickling brook. But during the season of the harvest, it was over-flowing and storm swelled. So, the priests stepped into those storm-swelled waters as an act of obedience more than an act of faith, and watched a powerful miracle of God; as God heaped up the waters on either side making provision for them, or as the song says . . . a "bridge over troubled water."
I realize from reading this passage, that before the miracle could take place, it required the priests to step into a raging, question filled, fearful situation as an active participant in the storm calming miracle of God. I realize also, that faith is not something we grasp, but actually it's something that grasps us! Let me explain. Faith realized by action, grabs us and propells us to the next, even greater response and faith step.
What ever storm we face, we must join God in the midst of it, without running from the storm. In doing so, we actually run into the arms of God, who calms the sea, and makes a way for us to cross over the "rough spots" of our lives!
So, Heavenly Father, in wet-feet faith, I run into the storm and into Your arms!
The day before their prospective crossing, Joshua tells the people to "consecrate themselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders." Then he turns and tells the priests "you go on ahead of the people." God told Joshua that day that He was going to begin an amazing work in Joshua, to exalt him before the people and they would know that God was with Joshua as God was with Moses when he lead the people.
Ok, hang on . . . because here comes the powerful thing. God told Joshua to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant, and stand in the waters of the Jordan, and watch the miracle working power of God!
Now, you have to realize that the Israelites were desert dwellers, they weren't used to waters of any size. They certainly weren't skilled in how to cross raging, swelling rivers! They were however, used to the stories that had been passed down to them, of a time when their forefamilies crossed the Red Sea. In that story God told Moses to touch the sea with his rod, at which time the sea parted and people walked across on dry land! Moses didn't even have to get his feet wet. He just reached forward from his safe, dry spot and poked his stick into the water, and poof . . . the sea parted. God gave the instruction, and Moses had the faith to believe it, and act on it! But, here? The Priests were instructed to go beyond past revelation, to go beyond their past experiences of faith, and believe God for something new, bigger and certainly scarier! So, the priests load up the Ark of the Covenant, and move toward the storm swelled rivers edge. This was a river that was very likely boiling, churning and slapping at their feet; which likely stirred up in them fear, doubt, and more questions than answers. Most of the year the Jordan River was nothing more than a trickling brook. But during the season of the harvest, it was over-flowing and storm swelled. So, the priests stepped into those storm-swelled waters as an act of obedience more than an act of faith, and watched a powerful miracle of God; as God heaped up the waters on either side making provision for them, or as the song says . . . a "bridge over troubled water."
I realize from reading this passage, that before the miracle could take place, it required the priests to step into a raging, question filled, fearful situation as an active participant in the storm calming miracle of God. I realize also, that faith is not something we grasp, but actually it's something that grasps us! Let me explain. Faith realized by action, grabs us and propells us to the next, even greater response and faith step.
What ever storm we face, we must join God in the midst of it, without running from the storm. In doing so, we actually run into the arms of God, who calms the sea, and makes a way for us to cross over the "rough spots" of our lives!
So, Heavenly Father, in wet-feet faith, I run into the storm and into Your arms!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Never Explain, Excuse or Defend!
I remember some years back when I was surrounded by a powerful group of Spirit-filled women who came under attack because they "prayed too much." No, I'm not kidding or even exaggerating! It's true. One person, in a mocking way said it like this . . . "they pray with you when you come, they pray with you before you go . . . they just pray, pray, pray . . . it's just not normal!"
I recall the hurt we all felt when we were called in to the pastor's office to answer to these crazy accusations. But, more than that, I recall what the pastor told me just before they all came in (and there were 8-9 or better). He said, Gayle, say nothing; just wait and let's watch the work of the enemy fall apart." What wisdom! And, that is exactly what happened, because the rumors and attacks were based on gossip, supposition and crowd mentality . . . they had nothing concrete or foundational to support their statements. When it was all said and done, those folks walked out with egg on their face, so to speak, and we were exonerated. So much so, that the accusers of the brethern, who were pawns in the game of the enemy, felt badly and apologized!
It was amazing to watch the hand of God be my defender (Psalms 59:1). I didn't have to explain, excuse or defend . . . and when you're standing on the side of truth, you don't have to. If you get caught up in trying to put out all the fires blazing around you, it only makes you look worse and you get tangled up in heat of the moment and sure enough, before you know it, you've got egg on your face. Mostly because once we let ourselves go, we just don't know when to shut-up! (smile)
Remember, we're not in the "fire-department" business. That's God's job. We're in the disciple making business and a little dose of humility goes a long, long way! The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
(The New King James Version)
I recall the hurt we all felt when we were called in to the pastor's office to answer to these crazy accusations. But, more than that, I recall what the pastor told me just before they all came in (and there were 8-9 or better). He said, Gayle, say nothing; just wait and let's watch the work of the enemy fall apart." What wisdom! And, that is exactly what happened, because the rumors and attacks were based on gossip, supposition and crowd mentality . . . they had nothing concrete or foundational to support their statements. When it was all said and done, those folks walked out with egg on their face, so to speak, and we were exonerated. So much so, that the accusers of the brethern, who were pawns in the game of the enemy, felt badly and apologized!
It was amazing to watch the hand of God be my defender (Psalms 59:1). I didn't have to explain, excuse or defend . . . and when you're standing on the side of truth, you don't have to. If you get caught up in trying to put out all the fires blazing around you, it only makes you look worse and you get tangled up in heat of the moment and sure enough, before you know it, you've got egg on your face. Mostly because once we let ourselves go, we just don't know when to shut-up! (smile)
Remember, we're not in the "fire-department" business. That's God's job. We're in the disciple making business and a little dose of humility goes a long, long way! The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
(The New King James Version)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Can Simple, Simply Be All That Simple?
I've had a book on my self called "The Simple Church," that I have been intending on reading for a long time, maybe even over a year. But, you know . . . my life isn't simple and I'd never found the time. Yesterday my sister (Administrative Accountant at a large church in the Phoenix area), and I were talking about the lack of time away from the grind of life for refreshment. We agreed that life needs to be more simple. I shared that I had been led for some time to simplify expectations of church members, church staff, and certainly of myself. She reminded me of the book, and I was inclined to pick it back up, blow off the dust, and read.
Well, I can hardly put it down! My heart and head is buzzing with what I need to do, at my church . . . immediately . . . right now . . . fast, so that we may simplify. I began writing a long list of things I wanted to discuss at our staff meeting tonight when "whack" into my whirling mind, God speaks.
Yep, it sounded something like this "all this work you are creating in order to simplify?" "Gayle, get a grip!" Now, let me explain something to you. Many years ago, God spoke into my heart to "Get A Grip" which meant that I needed to be, G=grounded, R=radically, I=in, P=prayer. So, when God reminded me of this today, I knew that He meant I needed to go into prayer, deep prayer, change effecting prayer. In other words; in order to really find simplicity, a simplicity that is real, and lasting and authentic, I had to seek God's face. I had to have marching orders, if you will, from heaven. Not one more plan to put into place that is Gayle breathed, but a plan that is God breathed.
You see, the only thing we create for ourselves, by ourselves, in our own power . . . is a valley of dry bones! You know the ones of which I speak? The valley of dry bones from Ezekiel chapter 37. I feel like that at times. Nothing new, fresh, I'm tired, exhaused . . . in fact, dried up, and even sometimes I feel down-right dead! It took the breath of God to bring life into Adam at the time of his creation, and it took the breath of God blowing across the valley of dry bones for life to be restored to His people Israel, who the dry bones represented. And, it takes the breath of God to breath across my ministry, our church, and my life for true, lasting, refreshment to be given. That breath of God comes only when we spend time with our Creator God. I am refreshed when I get a "G.R.I.P." When I'm grounded radically in prayer, the breath of God begins blowing.
So, can simple . . . simply be all that simple? YES! It can, but only if we really get a GRIP!
Well, I can hardly put it down! My heart and head is buzzing with what I need to do, at my church . . . immediately . . . right now . . . fast, so that we may simplify. I began writing a long list of things I wanted to discuss at our staff meeting tonight when "whack" into my whirling mind, God speaks.
Yep, it sounded something like this "all this work you are creating in order to simplify?" "Gayle, get a grip!" Now, let me explain something to you. Many years ago, God spoke into my heart to "Get A Grip" which meant that I needed to be, G=grounded, R=radically, I=in, P=prayer. So, when God reminded me of this today, I knew that He meant I needed to go into prayer, deep prayer, change effecting prayer. In other words; in order to really find simplicity, a simplicity that is real, and lasting and authentic, I had to seek God's face. I had to have marching orders, if you will, from heaven. Not one more plan to put into place that is Gayle breathed, but a plan that is God breathed.
You see, the only thing we create for ourselves, by ourselves, in our own power . . . is a valley of dry bones! You know the ones of which I speak? The valley of dry bones from Ezekiel chapter 37. I feel like that at times. Nothing new, fresh, I'm tired, exhaused . . . in fact, dried up, and even sometimes I feel down-right dead! It took the breath of God to bring life into Adam at the time of his creation, and it took the breath of God blowing across the valley of dry bones for life to be restored to His people Israel, who the dry bones represented. And, it takes the breath of God to breath across my ministry, our church, and my life for true, lasting, refreshment to be given. That breath of God comes only when we spend time with our Creator God. I am refreshed when I get a "G.R.I.P." When I'm grounded radically in prayer, the breath of God begins blowing.
So, can simple . . . simply be all that simple? YES! It can, but only if we really get a GRIP!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A Huge Gulp Of Blind Faith
This morning I was reading an article in a magazine and read the line ". . . I took a huge gulp of blind faith . . ." Only later did I realize that although my eyes finised scanning the article, my mind was dwelling on the blind faith comment. I found myself thinking about the huge gulp of blind faith , and what that might look like. I pondered the idea visually, of a person with a huge plastic cup filled with blind faith, and ready or not here it comes pouring forth from the cup. You are either ready to swallow, or ready to get wet, washed up, drenched or worse! Then I pondered if faith was truly ever blind? I know, I know, you're probably asking "are there not more pressings things to wonder about . . . Like world hunger?" Perhaps. but for me right now, the notion of blind faith was a bit compelling.
I did, at that point, what I always do when a thought captivates me, I go to the Word of God.
I rolled my eyes and tisked my tongue at the simplicity of what I already knew to be true. I remembered the story of the blind man who was healed by Jesus. Look what Mark 10:46–52 teaches. Jesus was nearing Jericho and there on the side of the road sat a blind man. He sat there every day begging. He heard the crowds passing and asked what was going on. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. The blind man began hollering, and calling out, saying "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
When people kept trying to shut him up, he wouldn't be stopped! This was a man on a mission! He was unrelenting and he knew all he had to do was to be heard. Jesus did hear him. And the exciting part of this story is that when Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. The blind man was specific and direct. He said "I want to receive my sight." Then, Jesus said that his faith had made him well.
The result of the blind man taking a huge gulp of blind faith, was that he was indeed made whole. He was no longer blind! In fact, the first thing he did was follow Jesus and praise God . . . AND . . . all the people who witnessed it, praised God too!
So, taking a huge gulp of blind faith generated wholeness and a worship service beyond imagination! No that's blind faith!
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Lk 18:35-43
I did, at that point, what I always do when a thought captivates me, I go to the Word of God.
I rolled my eyes and tisked my tongue at the simplicity of what I already knew to be true. I remembered the story of the blind man who was healed by Jesus. Look what Mark 10:46–52 teaches. Jesus was nearing Jericho and there on the side of the road sat a blind man. He sat there every day begging. He heard the crowds passing and asked what was going on. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. The blind man began hollering, and calling out, saying "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
When people kept trying to shut him up, he wouldn't be stopped! This was a man on a mission! He was unrelenting and he knew all he had to do was to be heard. Jesus did hear him. And the exciting part of this story is that when Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted. The blind man was specific and direct. He said "I want to receive my sight." Then, Jesus said that his faith had made him well.
The result of the blind man taking a huge gulp of blind faith, was that he was indeed made whole. He was no longer blind! In fact, the first thing he did was follow Jesus and praise God . . . AND . . . all the people who witnessed it, praised God too!
So, taking a huge gulp of blind faith generated wholeness and a worship service beyond imagination! No that's blind faith!
The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Lk 18:35-43
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Devil's Playground
How is it that we think we hear from God, we pray, we journal, we act on the direction that we believe God is leading, only to find out we were wrong. Sometimes we take stands, for or against a person or position based on these inclinations, intuitions, and nudges from a supernatural source . . . that we assume to be our Heavenly Father. How is it that we can believe so strongly that we've heard God's voice and leading and yet . . . find ourselves even more confused by what we find to be quite the opposite?
How can we trust ourselves then, to those misleading impulses? These impulses can lead us to hurt others, even though we would never want that to happen. These impulses can lead us to find ourselves confused and dazed in the aftermath of revealed truth. They can make us afraid to trust that it is even possible to hear God speak to us at all.
Can this happen to faithful, well grounded Christians? YOU BETCHA!
God is supernatural . . . but we are not. We are simply humans trying to be in relationship with an untangible (as we know it) Savior, that only by faith can we truly grasp.
So, the original question then is . . . how is it that we can miss God? There are more ways to respond to this, then there are people on this planet. But, let me address it this way. OUR MINDS! Phineas Drake in his book "God's Plan For Man" says this:
"The greatest danger for spiritual believers is to accept anything and everything in the realm of the supernatural as being from God. Such believers have consecratd themselves to yield to the Holy Spirit and the leadings of God, and they think that they cannot be deceived and be led by evil spirits through counterfeit docrines and leadings. But the fact that the believer is a child of God does not stop the devil from trying in every conceivable way to imitate God to the believer. In fact, believers are the ones he concentrates upon and wars against. Paul said, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Cor. 11:14-15). This makes it clear that counterfeitrs of satan will be substitutes of truth and as near to the light and truth as possible in order to deceive seekers after truth."
I'm also reminded of the verse in the Bible that says that "every intent of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5) Let it be clear, that in scripture, the word mind and heart are often used interchangeably. For example, "And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart . . ." (Lk 9:47)and, "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. (1 Ch 29:18). (There are many, many more scriptures that prove this, but for this writing, let these two suffice.)
Therefore, friends, we can not follow our heart, or our mind. We must follow our spirit, the very spirit of God, and be led by faith. There are times when the thoughts of our hearts and minds are shaded through a lense that is distorted by the words of others, or our own fears, or even by seeds that are planted through "many counselors." These often turn out to be what I call "evil reports." Ah, but that is another article all together.
The only way I know how to learn to hear God successfully is by stepping out in faith each time you are nudged. When you find that you were wrong, let those be learning experiences. I find those many times of error in my life, has been the very times that I learned what, who and how, God DOESN'T sound; which has helped me to learn who, what, and how, God DOES sound. One thing is for sure. God won't be found in all the noise . . . but in the still small voice (I Kings 19). So, get alone and listen. And if you're wrong . . . then admit that you are, humble yourself, and keep trying!
How can we trust ourselves then, to those misleading impulses? These impulses can lead us to hurt others, even though we would never want that to happen. These impulses can lead us to find ourselves confused and dazed in the aftermath of revealed truth. They can make us afraid to trust that it is even possible to hear God speak to us at all.
Can this happen to faithful, well grounded Christians? YOU BETCHA!
God is supernatural . . . but we are not. We are simply humans trying to be in relationship with an untangible (as we know it) Savior, that only by faith can we truly grasp.
So, the original question then is . . . how is it that we can miss God? There are more ways to respond to this, then there are people on this planet. But, let me address it this way. OUR MINDS! Phineas Drake in his book "God's Plan For Man" says this:
"The greatest danger for spiritual believers is to accept anything and everything in the realm of the supernatural as being from God. Such believers have consecratd themselves to yield to the Holy Spirit and the leadings of God, and they think that they cannot be deceived and be led by evil spirits through counterfeit docrines and leadings. But the fact that the believer is a child of God does not stop the devil from trying in every conceivable way to imitate God to the believer. In fact, believers are the ones he concentrates upon and wars against. Paul said, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Cor. 11:14-15). This makes it clear that counterfeitrs of satan will be substitutes of truth and as near to the light and truth as possible in order to deceive seekers after truth."
I'm also reminded of the verse in the Bible that says that "every intent of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5) Let it be clear, that in scripture, the word mind and heart are often used interchangeably. For example, "And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart . . ." (Lk 9:47)and, "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You. (1 Ch 29:18). (There are many, many more scriptures that prove this, but for this writing, let these two suffice.)
Therefore, friends, we can not follow our heart, or our mind. We must follow our spirit, the very spirit of God, and be led by faith. There are times when the thoughts of our hearts and minds are shaded through a lense that is distorted by the words of others, or our own fears, or even by seeds that are planted through "many counselors." These often turn out to be what I call "evil reports." Ah, but that is another article all together.
The only way I know how to learn to hear God successfully is by stepping out in faith each time you are nudged. When you find that you were wrong, let those be learning experiences. I find those many times of error in my life, has been the very times that I learned what, who and how, God DOESN'T sound; which has helped me to learn who, what, and how, God DOES sound. One thing is for sure. God won't be found in all the noise . . . but in the still small voice (I Kings 19). So, get alone and listen. And if you're wrong . . . then admit that you are, humble yourself, and keep trying!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Fear
Today I have to go to the doctor to have a "lump" checked. UGH! The miriad of feelings, questions and emotions that stirred up within me, is like a volcano that starts out quite benign and then, builds with more and more steam and finally . . . boom . . .erruption.
And yet, I had to stop this morning and realize that was fear brewing in me. Once I stopped long enough to really evaluate my feelings, I had to remind myself that fear is not faith. In fact, the Bible says in Isaiah 43:2 that though I walk through the fire, I will not be burned and if I pass through the waters, I will not be drowned. Then I remembered what it says in Psalm 42:5 when the question was asked "why so down cast, oh my soul . . . put your trust in God."
So, I stopped right then and prayed. I asked God to forgive me for allowing fear to breed doubt and then thanked God for His mighty promises. Whether cancer comes of this or not, whether I remain living on this side of heaven for many, many, many more years . . . or not . . . I will continue to live with Him! To live is Christ and to die is GAIN!
Therefore, I say "be still my soul . . . I put my trust in God!!"
And yet, I had to stop this morning and realize that was fear brewing in me. Once I stopped long enough to really evaluate my feelings, I had to remind myself that fear is not faith. In fact, the Bible says in Isaiah 43:2 that though I walk through the fire, I will not be burned and if I pass through the waters, I will not be drowned. Then I remembered what it says in Psalm 42:5 when the question was asked "why so down cast, oh my soul . . . put your trust in God."
So, I stopped right then and prayed. I asked God to forgive me for allowing fear to breed doubt and then thanked God for His mighty promises. Whether cancer comes of this or not, whether I remain living on this side of heaven for many, many, many more years . . . or not . . . I will continue to live with Him! To live is Christ and to die is GAIN!
Therefore, I say "be still my soul . . . I put my trust in God!!"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Dance of Faith
I remember the many times my mother would turn the radio on or put a record on and we would start dancing. She taught me how to waltz, how to do the "mashed potatoe," and the twist.
I was thinking this morning of the dance King David did, in 2 Samuel 6 before the Ark of the Covenant, as he was bringing it home from where it had resided for the last 20 years, after being returned from captivity by the Philistines many years before that.
David danced with all of his might and it wasn't a solo dance, although I think if no one else were dancing, he would have. The question this raised for me was am I willing to dance alone? Am I willing to dance with all my might in the face of opposition? His wife Michal wasn't happy about it at all! What! Her King husband out making a fool of himself? She wanted no part of it!! In fact, the Bible says she despised him in her heart! (as a side note, let me add that the act of contempt on her part, caused her to be barren - be careful how we judge a move of God in worship, or it may cause us to be spiritually barren as well). David let himself go in absolute worship to God and he danced!
What can I take from this text?
1. David faced his anger with God, sought scripture about what went wrong with the
"new go-cart" Uzzah, his friend crafted to fetch God's presence, the Ark of the Covenant, and bring it back to the people whose very act of trying to stabilize it, got him struck dead. David found there was a prescribed way to handle the Ark, a God given way. David heeded God's Word on this and learned to dance. God's Word is rich with direction for our lives, it's up to us to learn the right steps to this dance of faith.
2. David modeled the "Faith Dance." He didn't give up and quit in the face of opposition. No voice was more important to David than God's. He didn't get caught up in what people wanted or didn't want. God called him to be a leader and he didn't sit down, throw up his hands and get discouraged . . . not this time. No, this dance was just he and God, and he didn't care what others thought!
Now, that's a lesson we could all learn from.
I was thinking this morning of the dance King David did, in 2 Samuel 6 before the Ark of the Covenant, as he was bringing it home from where it had resided for the last 20 years, after being returned from captivity by the Philistines many years before that.
David danced with all of his might and it wasn't a solo dance, although I think if no one else were dancing, he would have. The question this raised for me was am I willing to dance alone? Am I willing to dance with all my might in the face of opposition? His wife Michal wasn't happy about it at all! What! Her King husband out making a fool of himself? She wanted no part of it!! In fact, the Bible says she despised him in her heart! (as a side note, let me add that the act of contempt on her part, caused her to be barren - be careful how we judge a move of God in worship, or it may cause us to be spiritually barren as well). David let himself go in absolute worship to God and he danced!
What can I take from this text?
1. David faced his anger with God, sought scripture about what went wrong with the
"new go-cart" Uzzah, his friend crafted to fetch God's presence, the Ark of the Covenant, and bring it back to the people whose very act of trying to stabilize it, got him struck dead. David found there was a prescribed way to handle the Ark, a God given way. David heeded God's Word on this and learned to dance. God's Word is rich with direction for our lives, it's up to us to learn the right steps to this dance of faith.
2. David modeled the "Faith Dance." He didn't give up and quit in the face of opposition. No voice was more important to David than God's. He didn't get caught up in what people wanted or didn't want. God called him to be a leader and he didn't sit down, throw up his hands and get discouraged . . . not this time. No, this dance was just he and God, and he didn't care what others thought!
Now, that's a lesson we could all learn from.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Despair and Distrust
When the world around you seems to be taking over your thoughts, feelings, emotion and . . . well, quite frankly, your good sense . . . how do you handle that? How do you stop the voices in your head and heart long enough to hear from heaven? Glad you asked! Today has been that kind of day for me. A day of questions that demand answers. A day of true self-reflection that cries out for a mirror. And you thought pastors don't have days like this. Well, think again.
Human as we are, we feel the same rejections, the same pain at accusations and the same disappoint in others, as anyone else. In fact, our world is often so isolated, with so few who we are transparent with, that in some ways these effect us more deeply.
So, the question again is what do I do? I take a bath! a long hot, soaking, bubble filled, bath! As I allow the heat of the water to fill the tub and its contents . . . me . . . my thinking is slowed, and I begin to be soothed.
Then, I pray. I pray long and earnestly as I did today. God brought me back to a passage in the Amplied version of Jeremiah 15:19 which says :
"Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God's faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you--not you to [the people].
I insert my name in the place of Jeremiah's and I am reminded that I must give up any tone of despair or distrust and give it all to God who loves me more than I can ever think or imagine. Then and only then does peace come. Is that a decision we make once and then - boom - problem solved? Sometimes it is just that easy, but more often than not, it is something we do over and over again.
Remember, this too shall pass . . . like a kidney stone . . . but it WILL pass! (grin)
Human as we are, we feel the same rejections, the same pain at accusations and the same disappoint in others, as anyone else. In fact, our world is often so isolated, with so few who we are transparent with, that in some ways these effect us more deeply.
So, the question again is what do I do? I take a bath! a long hot, soaking, bubble filled, bath! As I allow the heat of the water to fill the tub and its contents . . . me . . . my thinking is slowed, and I begin to be soothed.
Then, I pray. I pray long and earnestly as I did today. God brought me back to a passage in the Amplied version of Jeremiah 15:19 which says :
"Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God's faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. [But do not yield to them.] Let them return to you--not you to [the people].
I insert my name in the place of Jeremiah's and I am reminded that I must give up any tone of despair or distrust and give it all to God who loves me more than I can ever think or imagine. Then and only then does peace come. Is that a decision we make once and then - boom - problem solved? Sometimes it is just that easy, but more often than not, it is something we do over and over again.
Remember, this too shall pass . . . like a kidney stone . . . but it WILL pass! (grin)
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