Saturday, March 17, 2007

January 08

Jonah One: Challenges from God


The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh! Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are."

Jonah 1:1-2 (NLT)



When most people hear Jonah’s name they think of a whale or a big fish, but I think of something else. I think of the great ways God wants to challenge us—to get us out of our comfort zones. To get us active in the real work of the Kingdom—sharing His heart's desire to reach every last one of us with kindness, mercy and love.

Here, in the opening lines of Jonah, the reluctant prophet is challenged with what he must think are impossible demands: go to the biggest city of your deadliest enemies—the vilest, cruelest people on earth—and tell them they are wrong. Tell them, God is not happy and will judge them NOW.

We know the story. Jonah runs. Bad move, we say. But ... don’t we run too? God speaks to us too, but we don’t act. We don’t want to. No. We don’t want to act, to go, or to do. But, so many times, God uses us anyway.

I think of my own life and how God has challenged me. I think of the one-year, unaccompanied, remote tour to Saudi Arabia and driving the streets of Riyadh, prior to and after 9/11. Something I really didn't look forward to. I think also of my son Ryan, born with Apert Syndrome and enduring dozens of operations … something I wasn't exactly prepared for.

But, I can look back now and say, I wouldn’t trade these experiences (Ryan or Arabia) for the world. Maybe you can understand. This is where I saw the hand of God. His hand … on me!


Father, continue to challenge, stretch, and use us for Your good, for Your glory. Amen.

Friday, March 16, 2007

January 07

The Right Love


Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall
.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)



Another man has fallen.

Take heed. Take care. Take great pains to live life the way it should be lived—all out for Him and not for self.

This past week I saw again the importance of keeping a watchful eye on thoughts and actions. On the importance of the heart.

Yes, someone has fallen and it’s not just anyone.

Another pastor has fallen. This one was local and so influential. He was making an impact in the community and especially in the lives of well over a thousand people—many of them new believers. How desperately sad—what will happen now to these two families, to this church? Time will tell, but I cannot judge. I can only think of grace and understand … there, but for the hand of God … go I.

We can all imagine how it went wrong, but can we imagine how it might have gone right? It is in humbly acknowledging our weakness and in giving God all our hearts that we gather strength to live life His way and not our own. It is in being close to the whole family of God—accountable and communicating in a spirit of love, fellowship and unity—we are able to encourage one another to see His fruit. The fruit of His shared passion and not our own. This should be our desire, our aim.

So, take heed. Take care. Take great pains to live life the way it should be lived—all out for Him and not for self.


Father, fill my heart with love for You and a right love for others—each and every one. Amen.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

January 06

Sharing with Mom

You are simply rejecting God’s laws … For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ … But you say it is perfectly all right for a man to disregard his needy parents, telling them, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you! For I have given God what I could have given to you.’

Mark 7:9-10 (LB)



It had been nearly three weeks since I had spoken with my mother and I felt bad. I kept telling myself I needed to call, but all my plans and programs at church were taking extra time and effort. I had heard there were health issues and financial concerns, and I hadn’t seen her in a month. Mom needed relief, support, a reliable friend, a son. But I had been too busy to visit or even call … church work you know. Events had to be planned, activities carried out and meetings … I had meetings. Important meetings. Too important it seemed.

And when I finally called, I could hear it in her voice. She didn’t say it directly, but I could sense it. She was hanging on, but she felt abandoned.

She didn’t mean to shame me. She didn’t need to. God’s word had already done the job. So now … what?

I’m faced with a choice … and I know what to do.


Father, forgive me for being so stingy with the precious gift You provide—the gift of time. Help me to share willingly, joyfully. Amen.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

January 05

Thoughtful Choices

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.


Philippians 4:8 (NLT)


Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 (NASB)



The U.S. News and World Report article caught my attention and I started reading it, The Ten Worst Presidents.

The tone and tenor seemed to be: “Our current President is pretty bad. How will he compare with these ten failures?”

I could have read the article and, no doubt, I probably would have learned a great deal. And I believe we can and should learn from history, but, frankly, at that time and in that moment, God seemed to be nudging me. “You’ve got better ways to use your time right now.”

And so I passed on it. And I am reminded once again, life is full of choices. There are good things to do in life, questionable things even bad, and then there are the best things. In that moment I chose to do something with my young son. I joined him outside and we launched tennis balls into the sky. And do you know what? It wasn’t the worst thing—it was the best!


Father, give me discernment to choose well, to fix my mind on good and positive things, and to always be mindful of what You consider best. Amen.