Today, I begin a short series of reflections on Christmas, probing for fresh meaning behind the way God sent Jesus. I will write each day until that wondrous day arrives, of celebrating His birth.
The event was His well-orchestrated plan, as to the people, and situations and challenges of those days. But it was not robotic. The responses of the people were uniquely theirs. Or not.
How incredible to think that Jesus was born rather close in proximity to lots of people who never even knew it had happened...or what this planetary invasion was all about.
Christmas is a profound, timeless revelation of God: how He works, and what our responses to His innitiatives can be. So join me in reflection and response, and may it be for each of us in this final week of Christmas...Immanuel...God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
>>>>>>
Background readings: Luke 1, Matthew 1
I am struck from the start by the primary people that God chooses to use in bringing Himself onto this earth. Not the proven, protected, attractive, wealthy, bright, networked kind of people, but the young, the risk-takers, the strugglers, the internal processors, the dependent, the awkward, but, the "yes" speakers, with not a clear understanding of what that "yes" might fully mean.
Mary, a teenager, lots of questions, unmarried and yet pregnant, called to bear a once-only-in-the-history-of mankind child, uncertain of almost everything. But focused on God, interactive when she senses His presence, and willing for whatever is clearly His doing and will. Available, with no "ifs."
Joseph, unfit for the ministry, quiet, a worker with hands, rather than ideas and words and people....ready "to get married to a nice young woman, settle down, raise a family, and live a good life"...and then God, seeing that his match with Mary is perfect - they are both "yes" people - calls him to a costly, risky, sexually suspending, life-threatening obedience, (and an early death).
Against all odds of person, their "yes" hearts brought them to the front of the line in God's choosing. Your "yes" heart will do that for you too.
May their lives and responses be to us a strong reminder. It is that response that God values very highly.
And so a prayer:
My Father in heaven, I want to be continually one who brings forth Your plan and purpose. I easily say "later - well, I'll pray about that - well, I just don't know, I think someone else could do it - don't think I qualify too well."
But in these days may the deepest place of my soul be echoing with "yes." "Yes" to whatever you call me to do. No holding back...just "yes." And may You come - Immanuel - on the breezes of "yes" inside of me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tomorrow: reflection 2 - Angels.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Surprise
Up on one of the Palmer Park lookout places today...to take some pics for Christmas. A brisk but beautiful morning with light diffusing well...perfect for taking pictures.
One hundred or so yards away, a barking dog...no two. The hillside is covered with scrub oak and desert like vegetation. Squatty coverage all browned out in the impending wintery weather. All quiet and still till then..lifeless.
Suddenly...out of the scrub a doe jumps...and then her mate sporting a fine rack. They bound because of the bark and within seconds they are gone and all is quiet again.
There are lots of suddenlies in life. Perhaps you too will face one today.
The bark, the suprise appearance. The sudden arrest of attention.
And perhaps it will be a menacing not beauty that appears.
And we did not know it was even near...until the moment of surprise.
Today...remember that "Satan himself masquerades...so it is not surprising if his servants masquerade." II Corinthians 11:13-15
And the moment of true revelation can come as a great surprise.
If you are near or in such a moment...stand firm, don't let the surprise divert you from the call you have from the Lord...and don't be discouraged. This kind of surprise, has been a part of life on the plant since the first pages of record - see Genesis 3.
May we be strong in the time of surprise.
One hundred or so yards away, a barking dog...no two. The hillside is covered with scrub oak and desert like vegetation. Squatty coverage all browned out in the impending wintery weather. All quiet and still till then..lifeless.
Suddenly...out of the scrub a doe jumps...and then her mate sporting a fine rack. They bound because of the bark and within seconds they are gone and all is quiet again.
There are lots of suddenlies in life. Perhaps you too will face one today.
The bark, the suprise appearance. The sudden arrest of attention.
And perhaps it will be a menacing not beauty that appears.
And we did not know it was even near...until the moment of surprise.
Today...remember that "Satan himself masquerades...so it is not surprising if his servants masquerade." II Corinthians 11:13-15
And the moment of true revelation can come as a great surprise.
If you are near or in such a moment...stand firm, don't let the surprise divert you from the call you have from the Lord...and don't be discouraged. This kind of surprise, has been a part of life on the plant since the first pages of record - see Genesis 3.
May we be strong in the time of surprise.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Jesus Style
We arrived at 5:30...minutes before the doors were to open. We got in because we were workers, passing a long line cued up for the opening.
The opening? The evening of Restoration Church's weekly food pantry distribution.
Inside, the volunteers (all of them) were scurring over last minute preparations for the distribution....registration table, counseling prep, box pick up and weighing. All very focused...and no one cranky.
Soon the doors were opened and the space on the west side of the church suddenly became way too small...crowded with people coming to get assistance. Parents and children, people with walkers and canes, some on arm, some in uniforms.
There was no impatience, no akwardness. Instead, many of the longer term volunteers were calling the people coming to get food by name and joking with them.
A tall,handsome man stood at one of the tables and recited a portion of scripture while his daughter gazed on him in joyful expectation. His wife helped when he got stalled and he finished to the cheers of most in the room, as a worker disappeared and then reappeared with a quart of fancy ice cream - his reward for his memory work.
Before moving on he asked: "And what is the verse for next time?"
I sat with several counselors as they ministered to a woman, troubled by her home situation. Their wisdom, love and prayer, led to a visible transformation of her countenance. Seemed to me like Jesus had begun a work in her.
And so this continued, a literal beehive of energy and love...until everyone was fed and the parking lot was mostly empty in the darkness of the night. Close to 80 families ministered to..in the three hours of distribution.
And now the building looked and smelled like it had been well used. And the workers remaining were already focusing on next week's distribution..."probably biggest of the year," with over 300 families coming and in need.
"Now the day began to wear away (and the crowd was in great need). "You give them something to eat...Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each...and Jesus looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them...and they all ate and were satisfied." Luke 9:12-17
The opening? The evening of Restoration Church's weekly food pantry distribution.
Inside, the volunteers (all of them) were scurring over last minute preparations for the distribution....registration table, counseling prep, box pick up and weighing. All very focused...and no one cranky.
Soon the doors were opened and the space on the west side of the church suddenly became way too small...crowded with people coming to get assistance. Parents and children, people with walkers and canes, some on arm, some in uniforms.
There was no impatience, no akwardness. Instead, many of the longer term volunteers were calling the people coming to get food by name and joking with them.
A tall,handsome man stood at one of the tables and recited a portion of scripture while his daughter gazed on him in joyful expectation. His wife helped when he got stalled and he finished to the cheers of most in the room, as a worker disappeared and then reappeared with a quart of fancy ice cream - his reward for his memory work.
Before moving on he asked: "And what is the verse for next time?"
I sat with several counselors as they ministered to a woman, troubled by her home situation. Their wisdom, love and prayer, led to a visible transformation of her countenance. Seemed to me like Jesus had begun a work in her.
And so this continued, a literal beehive of energy and love...until everyone was fed and the parking lot was mostly empty in the darkness of the night. Close to 80 families ministered to..in the three hours of distribution.
And now the building looked and smelled like it had been well used. And the workers remaining were already focusing on next week's distribution..."probably biggest of the year," with over 300 families coming and in need.
"Now the day began to wear away (and the crowd was in great need). "You give them something to eat...Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each...and Jesus looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them...and they all ate and were satisfied." Luke 9:12-17
Monday, December 6, 2010
Doing good
One of the things that I love about this season is that there is a lot of public focus on showing kindness to others....Scrooges have to duck for cover and wise men are the people who give gifts.
It seems that what is often a push in our culture to the romantic, is replaced for a time by the actions that make a difference in the lives of others. I like that shift. Super.
I love the summation that Luke gives of Jesus life and ministry: "He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed..." Acts 10:38
His doing good involved lots of things...visiting people at length and listeing to their stories, taking long hikes with others, speaking wisdom into people's lives or asking them questions to cause deep thought, making sure they had something to eat, speaking forgiveness into their lives, warning them of things that destroy life, and healing them both of physical ailment and spiritual.
In each case, those looking on could say: "Wow, that was good!"
Sometimes, with our limited resources and energy, we get stuck trying to figure out what to do in situations of need. Well, this thought suggests a simple approach: at least do something, and make sure that that something is "good."
Just go around in this very busy season, doing good.
Or, to stretch a carol a bit..."so do good, for goodness sake."
Yours, for a meaning-full Christmas...it is the Jesus way.
It seems that what is often a push in our culture to the romantic, is replaced for a time by the actions that make a difference in the lives of others. I like that shift. Super.
I love the summation that Luke gives of Jesus life and ministry: "He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed..." Acts 10:38
His doing good involved lots of things...visiting people at length and listeing to their stories, taking long hikes with others, speaking wisdom into people's lives or asking them questions to cause deep thought, making sure they had something to eat, speaking forgiveness into their lives, warning them of things that destroy life, and healing them both of physical ailment and spiritual.
In each case, those looking on could say: "Wow, that was good!"
Sometimes, with our limited resources and energy, we get stuck trying to figure out what to do in situations of need. Well, this thought suggests a simple approach: at least do something, and make sure that that something is "good."
Just go around in this very busy season, doing good.
Or, to stretch a carol a bit..."so do good, for goodness sake."
Yours, for a meaning-full Christmas...it is the Jesus way.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Busy
Seems to me that in our exchanges with one another, being able to say "I'm really busy" is more important than describing what you are even doing. Being "busy" is a sign of success, importance, demand. Ever had a conversation with someone who said - "I really am not doing much of anything lately?" Not me. Got to be "busy"...even if that busy is seeming non-essential stuff.
So, we just finished a rather endless series of commitments and projects and now the calendar is rather empty...December and January, not the season for traveling and guest appearances...and who knows what comes after that? So, I am going through a process of assessing this all and reaching out for a better sense of my own self worth.
Here's where I am landing so far.
1. If I am committed from the inside to a journey of ministry and involvement with God and others, then I am in gear. Paul knew what it was to sit for months waiting for a boat, waiting for others to arrive, waiting for the courts to act. Waiting. I wonder if the "those who wait on the Lord" verse doesn't apply a bit more to this demension than just purely praying? Paul, was just as integrated into ministry at those moments as when he was teaching, writing, or discipling. In fact it was the "out of touch" times that led to the stuff we are still getting in touch with today...all those New Testament letters.
2. If I am taking care of the essentials of life: home, family, physical person, then I am integrated into ministry. Jesus is our model here, who lived a very hidden, and quiet life for about 90% of it. This morning I learned to set aside what I had planned to do to do something to serve someone else, and I recon that service is precious to the Lord as well...and will actually go on in its impact for a generation. Really.
3. I have been impressed that as I am giving energy to grow spiritually, to read and soak in the word, to pray, to meditate, to listen, to grow inside, I am preparing for the future, and that is a grand prospect indeed, oh not just whatever God might give us to do next in some church setting, but to "rule and reign with Him" in heaven forever.
4. The little things, done in His name, produce the crop, the abundance, the rich reward at His hand. Seems like a lot of the big stuff just might have gotten it's reward down here.
So I am pretty busy really, but in a new and deeper way.
Journeying with you....
So, we just finished a rather endless series of commitments and projects and now the calendar is rather empty...December and January, not the season for traveling and guest appearances...and who knows what comes after that? So, I am going through a process of assessing this all and reaching out for a better sense of my own self worth.
Here's where I am landing so far.
1. If I am committed from the inside to a journey of ministry and involvement with God and others, then I am in gear. Paul knew what it was to sit for months waiting for a boat, waiting for others to arrive, waiting for the courts to act. Waiting. I wonder if the "those who wait on the Lord" verse doesn't apply a bit more to this demension than just purely praying? Paul, was just as integrated into ministry at those moments as when he was teaching, writing, or discipling. In fact it was the "out of touch" times that led to the stuff we are still getting in touch with today...all those New Testament letters.
2. If I am taking care of the essentials of life: home, family, physical person, then I am integrated into ministry. Jesus is our model here, who lived a very hidden, and quiet life for about 90% of it. This morning I learned to set aside what I had planned to do to do something to serve someone else, and I recon that service is precious to the Lord as well...and will actually go on in its impact for a generation. Really.
3. I have been impressed that as I am giving energy to grow spiritually, to read and soak in the word, to pray, to meditate, to listen, to grow inside, I am preparing for the future, and that is a grand prospect indeed, oh not just whatever God might give us to do next in some church setting, but to "rule and reign with Him" in heaven forever.
4. The little things, done in His name, produce the crop, the abundance, the rich reward at His hand. Seems like a lot of the big stuff just might have gotten it's reward down here.
So I am pretty busy really, but in a new and deeper way.
Journeying with you....
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friends
Last night.
The hugs and good-byes came finally at about 10pm...long-term friends departing after a time together that for all was a special gift. We had not been with them for years, and had not really stayed in touch too well, but they had called and said they would put us into their trip south. Could we share a meal?
We did...in fact two meals. And our time together was one of deep inner streams of life and love...with many moments of watery eyes and life-giving thoughts.
Times like this are special. Friends are a God-designed gift,adding dimensions to life that are irreplaceable.
So this morning, I reflect on some components that were in place yesterday, that opened wide doors for a wonderful time. Perhaps at this season you can plan for a time with some you are close to (or want to be close to) that might turn into one of the best moments of the season.
Component 1 - Time.
It is hard to build anything of quality on the fly. Friendship takes time, wonderful, generous chunks of time. Yesterday turned into 8 hours...not by plan, but because all were flexible about when it would end...and it just didn't seem to come to an end till then. 2 hours might have worked. But 30-60 minutes probably would not have. Quality interaction takes time.
Component 2 - Environment.
We met in our home, a quiet place of focus and privacy. A place where no one could invade in any way. Where we could all hear well...and linger as long as the Lord gave us leave. We sat in various places in the house, but always in a way that included everyone...close, often circled.
Component 3 - Questions.
We all had moments of asking and answering questions...but not a rote thing, a Spirit-led thing: how is your health? tell me how the children are really doing. are you doing ok with life-purpose? and how are you doing financially? What is God saying to you now? These questions elicited very thoughtful open-hearted responses, and replies with wisdom from those who listened.
Component 4 - Food.
We were scheduled to eat a great meal at the start - thanks Jackie!! - but our time lingered on to the point where we scrambled and ate again (thanks Jackie!!). In this we walked in the steps of our Lord, who ate with people all the time, and who instited a "meal" to be had with frequency as we gather. Eating brings us to one level, slows us down, and brings a delight to all. Eating is just plain neat!
Component 5 - Renewal.
As we talked, many spiritually enriching themes developed. At one point we put on a CD that got us powerfully into the presence of God, and the testimonies of others and their music swept us rather deeply into His presence. (First Love - available at ExplorationFilms.com - worth the investment!)
Component 6 - Prayer.
Before our time ended we prayed for one another in the context of what we now understood better about one another.
My hope, in writing this piece this morning, is that you might find ways in these days to welcome the friendship that sustains and enriches life.
Blessed by friends...
The hugs and good-byes came finally at about 10pm...long-term friends departing after a time together that for all was a special gift. We had not been with them for years, and had not really stayed in touch too well, but they had called and said they would put us into their trip south. Could we share a meal?
We did...in fact two meals. And our time together was one of deep inner streams of life and love...with many moments of watery eyes and life-giving thoughts.
Times like this are special. Friends are a God-designed gift,adding dimensions to life that are irreplaceable.
So this morning, I reflect on some components that were in place yesterday, that opened wide doors for a wonderful time. Perhaps at this season you can plan for a time with some you are close to (or want to be close to) that might turn into one of the best moments of the season.
Component 1 - Time.
It is hard to build anything of quality on the fly. Friendship takes time, wonderful, generous chunks of time. Yesterday turned into 8 hours...not by plan, but because all were flexible about when it would end...and it just didn't seem to come to an end till then. 2 hours might have worked. But 30-60 minutes probably would not have. Quality interaction takes time.
Component 2 - Environment.
We met in our home, a quiet place of focus and privacy. A place where no one could invade in any way. Where we could all hear well...and linger as long as the Lord gave us leave. We sat in various places in the house, but always in a way that included everyone...close, often circled.
Component 3 - Questions.
We all had moments of asking and answering questions...but not a rote thing, a Spirit-led thing: how is your health? tell me how the children are really doing. are you doing ok with life-purpose? and how are you doing financially? What is God saying to you now? These questions elicited very thoughtful open-hearted responses, and replies with wisdom from those who listened.
Component 4 - Food.
We were scheduled to eat a great meal at the start - thanks Jackie!! - but our time lingered on to the point where we scrambled and ate again (thanks Jackie!!). In this we walked in the steps of our Lord, who ate with people all the time, and who instited a "meal" to be had with frequency as we gather. Eating brings us to one level, slows us down, and brings a delight to all. Eating is just plain neat!
Component 5 - Renewal.
As we talked, many spiritually enriching themes developed. At one point we put on a CD that got us powerfully into the presence of God, and the testimonies of others and their music swept us rather deeply into His presence. (First Love - available at ExplorationFilms.com - worth the investment!)
Component 6 - Prayer.
Before our time ended we prayed for one another in the context of what we now understood better about one another.
My hope, in writing this piece this morning, is that you might find ways in these days to welcome the friendship that sustains and enriches life.
Blessed by friends...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
SL Thanksgiving
In these days of giving thanks, I want to thank God for the privilege of teaching SL (Spirit Life) at Restoration Church. Over four weeks, we took 75-90 minutes each week to open up concepts from the book and go live with applications.
The class ended today, but will go on in my heart for a long time.
In specific, I want thank God for the following:
1. For people who, at the end of the class, came up and with tears in their eyes expressed their gratefulness for the sessions...often with a strong embrace.
2. For Debbie who prepared a video presentation linking the Hallelujah chorus with Hubbel deep space shots. After we saw this, many of us wanted just to sit in silence for a long time...it was moving to the core.
3. For the streams of questions today that were among the most pentrating that I have ever tried to field...and the nodds that followed as lights turned on with discovery.
4. For the eagerness each week and the sense of strategic development that was taking place.
5. For one third of the class that responded last week to the opportunity to receive ministry that they might recieve more of the Holy Spirit.
6. For the wonderful brother that paid enough so that everyone who could not really afford a book, could simply take one.
7. For Jesus, Who through His ministry, death, resurrection and the sending of His Spirit, opened up for all of us the most exciting vistas of life ever imagined.
Can you tell I am truly grateful?!
David
The class ended today, but will go on in my heart for a long time.
In specific, I want thank God for the following:
1. For people who, at the end of the class, came up and with tears in their eyes expressed their gratefulness for the sessions...often with a strong embrace.
2. For Debbie who prepared a video presentation linking the Hallelujah chorus with Hubbel deep space shots. After we saw this, many of us wanted just to sit in silence for a long time...it was moving to the core.
3. For the streams of questions today that were among the most pentrating that I have ever tried to field...and the nodds that followed as lights turned on with discovery.
4. For the eagerness each week and the sense of strategic development that was taking place.
5. For one third of the class that responded last week to the opportunity to receive ministry that they might recieve more of the Holy Spirit.
6. For the wonderful brother that paid enough so that everyone who could not really afford a book, could simply take one.
7. For Jesus, Who through His ministry, death, resurrection and the sending of His Spirit, opened up for all of us the most exciting vistas of life ever imagined.
Can you tell I am truly grateful?!
David
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