Ask my daughter to hum you the music that plays before Darth Vader hits the screen in the Star Wars movies and you'll get a sly grin and the tune pours out. We like Star Wars for the excitement and the costumes and the creative fun. But the soundtrack is what builds the characters in our minds.
The Psalms work as the sound track of the Bible. This collection of songs and poems add the emotional depth and beautiful language which make the stories linger in our memory and add comfort to our soul.
About half of the Psalms are attributed to the great King David with the rest authored by Solomon, Asaph, the sons of Korah and a random assortment of other authors. The Psalms are broken into five smaller books organized in harmony (get it? Harmony?) with the first five books of the Bible. I continue to be amazed at the symmetry of the entire Bible and the cohesiveness of its grand story.
My favorite things about the Psalms? Gratitude The Psalms are full of thanksgiving and gratitude. Its a new year. Try starting with thanks. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107: 8-9 Honesty. Some of the Psalms are raw and painful in their terms. Painful questions, depression, thoughts of suicide and violence. The Psalms tell me that God is okay with my questions. The idea of Sunday morning-starched-shirt-faith is out. "I’m a mess but you love me anyway" is revealed in the book of Psalms. Don’t believe me? Read a few. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. Psalm 88:3-4 If you feel like your faith is fake – try writing your own gut wrenching Psalm. Writing it out helps you process. God has big shoulders, he can handle your truth. It also helps you lay it down and see it for what it is. Some of what you carry is not truth but lies you've believed. Writing down your ugly thoughts can help call them out as false. The Psalms wade into ugly spaces but this gorgeous book also swims back to the truth. When you tell your current spot make sure to finish with a declaration of God's truth. It'll ground your feet. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 Praise. Putting my life in perspective generally helps me move my mood. The Psalms spend a lot of time in praise. Praise for creation, for forgiveness, for God’s good character. For He is worthy. If you need perspective go somewhere dark and look at the sky. I have a theory that part of why we have lose sight of faith in society is we have too many stinking lights. We can’t see for all the light. Our false lights in Hollywood and in our living rooms obscure the great grandeur of the real light. Turn it all off and look up. Then read a few Psalms. My guess is your perspective will fall back into the right space. "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day by day pours forth speech, And nigth to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 Prayer. Many of the Psalms are pleas for help, for guidance, for rescue and for judgment on our own actions and the actions of others. The Psalms put words to the times I’ve been unfairly judged or when wrongs have gone uncaught. The truth is that God is the one who sees clearly and when I call upon His name I can trust his to rescue. He sees you there and he wants to help. The Psalms tell me that I’m never too lost to be found in Grace. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them." Psalm 91:14-15 Comfort I have memorized some of the Psalms and in dark and scary times I will say them to myself. Brain neurology tells us that our thoughts run in patterns. If I think “I’m no good, I’m not enough, I have to try harder” then those thoughts repeat. If I think “He’s always that way, I should leave, how would that work” then my heart follows the easy prepaved road. The Psalms provide a way to build new paths. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 21:1 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you along Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 God is our refuge and strenght, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into teh heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 For this God is our God forever and ever, he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 In moments of fear or anxiety if I say to myself the true words of the Psalms its like a guiding light through the muck. If you struggle with anxiety or depression or fear or hate then do the work of memorizing new patterns. They can become the new patterns forward. You can break free but you have to add in the new input. The Psalms are a gift to be used. The songs are powerful tools for your lives. May the true force be with you. Resources
I had never heard about the structure of the Psalms until I watched this video. It was fascinating. Thanks to the Read Scripture series!
Oh my goodness this is too fun. The Psalms Project is a group of musicians setting all 150 Psalms to modern worship music. Fantastic.
Check it out HERE. Below is a YouTube of their version of Psalm 23.
Do you color yet? The Psalms is a great place to start if you haven't found this relaxing way to focus in on a scripture.
New Spring Church has a great list of devotions to work through as you read the Psalms. Read them HERE or check out their useful infographic below.
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“Mirror, Mirror, on the back of the door. Who is this trouble maker that I bore?”
My son brings me great joy. He is funny and bright. He gives great hugs and loves to snuggle and read. He has the best belly laugh. But he can meltdown like the best (or worst) of them. The three year old has already figured out his mommy’s buttons and likes to push them. He is learning right from wrong and sometimes the hard way. A year and a half ago we purchased a new to us 30 year old home. We fell in love with the location, the big back yard and the beautiful countertops in the kitchen. The floor plan was great and I liked the big mirror the original owner had put on the back of one of the bedroom doors. The rest of the house could be cleaned, painted and upgraded one project at a time. When I was a kid we did a play at church called Colby’s Clubhouse. The one and only song I remember from the play went something like this… “Kids under construction, maybe the paint is still wet. Kids under construction, the Lord might not be finished yet.” This song routinely pops into my head when I’m walking through my house and see a maroon carpet I can’t wait to tear out, loose electrical outlets and sliding door pulls that need replaced.
This house reminds me to be patient with myself and my husband, son, friends and neighbors. We are all a work in progress.
Renovations take time. Philippians 1:6 tells us, “Being confident of this very thing He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God had outstanding blue prints when he created us. In Jeremiah 1:5 God said, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” But then sin entered the scene and those perfect plans were altered. Thankfully, God doesn’t want to leave us to rot and decay in this condition. He’s ready to roll up His sleeves and restore one area of our hearts at a time, much like we are working on one home improvement project at time. Remember that darling three year old that is testing the limits and that beautiful mirror on the back of his bedroom door? One of his favorite past times is making funny faces in that mirror and watching light bounce around the room when he shines a flashlight into it. There was a passionate fit played out recently and in the process his head came in contact with the door. Thankfully the mirror cracked and not my child’s head. My son was physically unharmed. But oh, his willful spirit was broken in that moment. He instantly stopped his tantrum and threw his arms around me and let me hold him. When he dried his eyes he pointed at the mirror and said, “Mama, I broke my mirror. I’m so sorry. Daddy will fix it, right?” I bore a son who sins, but I’m so thankful his first response was repentance. I pray my heart will always respond the same.
“Oh sweet boy,” I said, “I forgive you. Daddy will forgive you. We love you.” Then we prayed.
And I told my son that Jesus forgave him. I told him a paraphrased version of the following verse; 1 John 1:9, “God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we have done wrong.” I really liked that mirror. I’m sad to see it go. But I wouldn’t trade that moment with my son for a million mirrors. People are more important than things. Jesus told us to store up treasures in heaven. My child’s soul is way more important than a mirror. His Daddy took the shattered mirror down this weekend. We cleaned the door and filled the holes. The door will get a fresh coat of paint someday…we’ll add it to the project list. He hung a new mirror in a safer place in our bedroom today. My son has a new place to make silly faces with his father. Much like his Heavenly Father, his Daddy loves that boy and wants to give him a do-over. “Mirror, Mirror, no longer on the back of the door. Who is this child that I bore?” He is greatly loved. He is forgiven. He is a work in progress just like me. We have painted nearly every room, replaced door knobs, curtain rods, patched a few holes and replaced broken items on our kitchen appliances, scoured this house and thrown out items the previous owner left behind. Similarly, God took my hardened, hate filled heart and replaced it with his overwhelming love and joy. He has repaired my broken heart and He has helped me rip out destructive thoughts and behaviors. Much like our “to do list” for this house goes on, God is still working on me. Thankfully, God is not only in the creation business, He is in the repairing and replacing business too. He wants nothing more than to restore and improve His relationship with you. What does He want to do in you? Say a prayer and let the renovating commence! Christ wants to make your heart his home—and He loves us fixer-uppers.
This is the view from 103 floors up from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower in Chicago. 1353 feet above the concrete, hot dogs, mob history, music glory, murder capital and art haven that is Chicago. You get up this high and you can see it all. It puts the details in perspective.
The book of Job is the 1353 feet up Biblical view of suffering.
The book starts with a description of the good man Job. Blameless and upright. Blessed in family and wealth. Next the book describes a scene in Heaven. God points out to everyone around the good of his servant Job. Satan is among those listening and he begins to taunt and accuse and state that the only reason that Job loves God is because Job's life is perfect. (Please note, when you hear whispers of accusation and hate in your soul, it's not Jesus talking). So God allows Satan to test Job to prove if his faithfulness is true in the midst of suffering. And so the questions begin. It's easy to hurt and ask and sulk when you read this section. Why? God let Satan hurt Job? Why? Deep, painful, honest questions. In perhaps one of the most beautiful sacrifices of praise in the entire Bible Job sidesteps the why question and simply worships God. Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:20 Backing up away from the moment of great grief and choosing to trust and sit in the heavenly perspective that God simply IS can help. In my moments of greatest pain the only way forward was to trust.
Most of the book of Job consists of conversations that Job has with his wife and then with four different friends who come to console and comment and frankly blame Job for his suffering.
The conversations Job has with his friends remind me that the best thing I can do for hurting friends is to sit quietly. Or bring food. Words can't even touch deep grief but sometimes quiet sitting can. It does clearly cross out some of the common answers. Your suffering is because of your sin. NOPE Your suffering is because God's not powerful. NOPE Your suffering is because God is not just, does not care. NOPE So if the answer is not justice or punishment or apathy then what is the answer? Job gets sick of listening to his friends and goes straight to God. Which by the way is an excellent plan. When in doubt quit listening to people around you. Turn off this blog. Unplug your phone. Ask God. God doesn't answer Job's question of Why. He turns the questions to Job. And asks, were you there when I started the earth? Were you there when I laid out wisdom? Do you keep things in check? 1300 feet up in the air isn't even close. Do you have an eternal view? Do you know the end story? God's big answer for Job's suffering is simply I AM. That's it. God is the end answer. Someday when we are in heaven my guess is we'll see more clearly.
"We shouldn't act surprised when we don't understand what a
God who says He surpasses all understanding is doing". Bob Goff
God's big answer for Job's suffering is simply I AM. That's it. God is the end answer. Someday when we are in heaven my guess is we'll see more clearly. In the mean time, gratitude and trust and forgiveness and love are the tools we are given to fight suffering and to heal wounds and to move forward. The more we get stuck in the WHY conversation the deeper the chains will tie.
Resources
If you have deep water questions about pain and suffering, don't give up. Read CS Lewis. No easy answers in this book but you will see truth.
The Bible Project's Read Scripture series is a wonderful tool. Take the time to watch and learn.
Just like Job we all have a choice. Do we choose despair or do we choose Joy? Kay Warren's book Choose Joy is a gorgeous invitation to move beyond your circumstances into all that God has for you in Joy.
Tree63's version of Blessed be Your Name comes straight from the book of Job.
Mary Beth Chapman's story of finding hope after the tragic death of her daughter is inspirational. If you need a light to follow through grief you can dig through this one.
My eldest daughter carved a storm trooper for her Jack-O-Lantern this year. She's a fan of Star Wars and the dark side seems strangely appropriate on Halloween. The zombie, haunted house, scary holiday is a great metaphor for the darkness around us all. Our church hosts a huge crazy party with candy, free food, games and fun as a bright cheerful option every Halloween. Tons of neighbors attend who may never enter the door of a church otherwise. This event takes a ton of volunteers, hard work, a small pile of cash and lots of donations. Any time we push back on the darkness it takes an investment. We call it Light the Night.
The book of Nehemiah follows the story of the royal cupbearer to the King of Persia. He's a servant in captivity who is greatly disturbed by the reports of destruction and ruin of his home town, Jerusalem. He gains favor from the king and heads home to help rebuild the wall of protection around his city. He rallies the people, fights off invaders, perseveres to complete the task. I love the book of Nehemiah. It's a beautiful reminder to me that I am on a great task to equip and protect my children and to fight to push back darkness. So are you. "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 Oh my goodness. Yes!! Don't look at the nasty business around you and sink in fear. Remember the Lord. He is Great and Awesome. Fight for your Families. Fight against addiction and despair. Fight against the industries who tell your daughters that they aren't good enough and your sons that women are to be used. Fight against the soul numbing entertainment that blinds us to people and hardens our hearts. In the Resource section below this post, I listed several practical tools you can use to build protection in your homes. Fight for your families. "So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" Nehemiah 6:3 We are all on assignment. With great and mighty work. Don't get distracted. Pick your battles. I am building a wall and I can not come down. I am interested in protecting my marriage. In honoring my parents. In raising courageous daughters. In being a peacemaker. In proclaiming the truth. I am building a wall and I can not come down. Set your sights on your most important work. Don't quit. "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:9 I am tired. I am weak. But my Father is able to strengthen my hands. He is able to strengthen you. "Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 Just like in Nehemiah's day the best way to fight your battles with despair and greed and hate is to embrace joy, enjoy gifts, eat some candy, share with your neighbors. Don't underestimate the power of laughter, of a good hug, of a smile. These weapons are mighty. "You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6 Oh my friends, on this night and in the days and nights ahead can you take your eyes off the darkness and put them on the highest heavens, on the starry host? God is in control. Go Light the Night. Resources
If you are in Vancouver, we'd love to have you come join us at Light the Night.
Fight back on porn. Seriously. Buy a filter. Protect your family. This is the one we use. It's nice because it doesn't have ongoing fees after you buy it.
Debt kills marriages, drowns dreams and handcuffs generosity. Fight back. Try Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace. Worked for us.
Fight apathy, self centeredness and entitlement. A little caring is a great thaw for a hard heart. Operation Christmas Child is a fantastic program to help little ones get involved in loving someone outside their normal circle.
Have you ever been dragged somewhere you didn't want to go? To court? To a difficult conversation? To the doctor? Have you ever been under the authority of someone you did not choose? Did not trust?
This morning I was sitting at my kitchen table eating Count Boo Berry cereal with my children. My unopened ballot lay on the table before me. I think mixing our national election cycle with the foreboding scare and dark themes of Halloween is not ideal. Perhaps if our election season was in the Spring we'd be more hopeful. This morning I was grateful for the story of Ezra.
The book of Ezra follows the people of Israel in captivity. They've been conquered, defeated, and enslaved. Their cities lay in ruin. Their temple was burnt to the ground. And yet. God was still in control. Able to move. Helpful. Compassionate. The same as before. The book shows how God draws his people back to Israel to rebuild the temple.
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: 'This is what Cryus king of Persia says: "The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.'" Ezra 1:1-2
You see it don't you? God is able to move the hearts of anyone. Even leaders you don't like. We can calm down and trust our Father.
"Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both morning and evening sacrifices." Ezra 3:3
Despite your fear of people around you. Love them anyway. Sacrifice to the Lord. I'm not promising you safety. I'm not promising it won't hurt. The very nature of a sacrifice is painful. However, I will promise you that love is the best weapon against fear.
"For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel." Ezra 7:10
Decide today. Where is your devotion? To a political party? Ideology? Sports team? Plan on being disappointed. It's likely you'll be dragged somewhere you do not want to go. Your best outcome may end in a tie. I'm staking my future on devotion to the Lord. I mess that up almost daily. But He does not.
"What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this." Ezra 9:13
People keep asking me "how did we end up with this mess of an election?". Oh dear heart. It was our fault. We as a nation have chased after greed. We've ignored the cries of poverty. We've played when we should have worked. We have thought we could do whatever we wanted and escape any consequence. We've treated what is sacred as profane. We've judged. We've hated. We've kicked God out. We've sold our children. There are narratives on both sides of the election that are true. AND YET. Take Courage dear heart. God is faithful. He champions peacemakers and rebuilders. He equips those going to battle to restore.
"Rise up; this matter is in your hands, We will support you, so take courage and do it." Ezra 10:4
I'm going to vote. The full ballot. I'd ask you to do the same. Even if you have great questions at the top of the ballot. Read the rest of the pamphlet and vote on your bond measures, vote for your city councils and your state leaders. Put a stamp on the ballot and mail it off.
Say a prayer. Trust your Father. And then. Get to work. Fight Fear. Build bridges. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Feed the hungry. Visit those in jail. Hug your kids. "It's okay to pray a hedge of protection around those you love - God is our Refuge, our Shield, But He is also our Banner - the God who goes before us, the God who fights for us! Jesus didn't die just to keep you safe. He died to make you dangerous!" Mark Batterson, Chase the Lion Resources
This is an interesting view this week. The Bible Project again draws us to look at the big picture. The story of the Bible charging forward through history to the culmination of the need for a Savior. This one made me ponder.
My news feed this morning is full of battles. A military offensive to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS. Ads full of political rancor on both sides. Cultural battles for the hearts of our children. Arguments and protests and violence. The weight of consequences hangs in the air. I am grateful this morning for the message of 2 Chronicles.
Just like it's predecessor, 2 Chronicles serves as a historicial overview calling people to see what the Lord had done on behalf of Israel. It also calls them and us to review the sad results of ignoring God's warnings. However, it holds glorious promise that God is able and willing to fight and win for His people. Including you. Including me.
The book begins with the building of the beautiful temple and Solomon's magnificant reign. It then runs through the history of the generations of kings; some followed God, others ignored the prophets calls and led the people astray and eventually into captivity. The book's ending is an open invitation for faithful people to return. Always an invitation to return. Most of the stories involve battlefields. The difference between the times the battle is won or lost revolves around the people's relationship with God.
I have a confession. Sometimes when I'm reading along in a book or blog and I see a scripture, I will speed past it. My internal thought is "Oh, I know that one already. I'm so busy. I'll skip ahead to see what else the author has to say." And I read on to the words of a flawed human and skip the words of life. Today can I encourage you to take a minute. Slow down. Skip my words and focus on these words. These promises encourage me. Let them sink into your heart today. Let them call you back to the One who fights for you.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, "Lord there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." 2 Chronicles 14:11 "But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." 2 Chronicles 15:7 "For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 "We don't know what to do but our eyes are on you." 2 Chronicles 20:12b "and he said, 'Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat; thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.'" 2 Chronicles 20:15
"For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him." 2 Chronicles 30:9
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chronicles 32:7 "Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!'" 2 Chronicles 36:23
If you are facing a battle this week the best thing to do is be still. Seek God. Pray. Ask for help. He fights for us all. He is the best at redemption, at restoration, at resurrection. When you don't know what to do, put your eyes on Him.
Resources
New Spring Chruch has some fabulous devotionals on 2nd Chronicles. I especially like the one on leadership.Check them out here. The infographic below is another great resource they provide.
This is an old Michael W. Smith song. Seems fitting this morning.
I received a text yesterday in the middle of church. I love when people spread good news.
Some people will tell you that the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles are just repeats of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings. I won't.
I believe these books function like mid sermon texts that say "Hey look there. Look what your heavenly father did! God is so great!" The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are geneologies. My kiddo would call them boring. The nerd in me thinks it's interesting to track out how many of the names and stories I recognize. A who's who in the family tree that I can trace to my redemption. Tucked into the big long list of what God has done is a side note which shows how a single prayer can change a life. I would never recommend you base your life on one out-of- context verse. However, I will tell you that in my life, when I pray big bold prayers I've learned to then watch and see what happens because it's never boring. "Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me?" And God granted him what he requested." I Chronicles 4:10 After the geneologies, much of 1 Chronicles revisits the life of David. The goal is to display his story as foreshadowing for the type of leader who was promised to restore all of humanity. David was not a perfect person - but he reflects the type that is coming. The key is in verse 11:9 and it's not about David. It's about whom he trusts. David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:9
Chapter 16 is my favorite. David and the people bring the ark of God to Jerusalem and celebrate that the presence of God will again dwell in their midst. And David assigns people a job. A big job. The job is to give thanks to the Lord. It makes me want to assign people to give thanks. Hey you over there - new job. Make a a list. Give thanks! I'm serious. If you are reading this I'd love it if you'd post a comment, a photo or a story about what you have seen God do. Share it on Instagram, on Twitter, on Facebook. Text a friend. Send me a Wall of Faith entry. Ascribe to the Lord praise.
"Oh Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him. Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name, Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad." 1 Chronicles 16:8
When I pause and look through my photos I see the glory of the Lord displayed in creation. Behind each of these photos is a story of how I was restored, renewed and encouraged by a gift from God. Take a peek in your photos. Look for times He spoke.
"Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods." 1 Chronicles 16:23
You tired of bad news? Of stories of shame and loss and violence? Check out a few of these stories. See what God is doing among the nations.
"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the Lord in holy array." I Chronicles 16:28
Just this last week I have seen God help people. I heard of cancelled hearings, reduced bills, clear medical tests, a rescue in the wilderness, resolved conflict, peace in the midst of a storm. I saw a husband go out of his way to love his wife. I saw children grow. I saw God.
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen," and praised the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:36
Such a fun song straight from 1 Chronicles 16:36. Turn it up, dance and sing.
"Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise Your glorious name." I Chronicles 29:13
You see, the goal of Chronicles is to inspire you to do the same. Raise your voice. Praise God today. Someone is watching and I know we could all use the encouragement. Resources
Read Scripture: 1st Chronicles. The Bible Project explains nicely how the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles are not just repeats of the preceeding books in the Old Testament. In the Jewish scriptures, Chronicles is the last book. Therefore, the book functions to summarize the entire history and point forward to the coming Messiah. These videos help me see the big picture. Watch them all.
This book is a fun and challenging look at how applying a story from the Bible to your life can have reaching impact.
My husband's birthday is today. Big family dinner tonight. Let me remind everyone that he is the designated chef in our household. I told him I'd take care of dinner so naturally we're having take out. I did ask what kind of cake he wanted me to make. German Chocolate. His mama's German Chocolate.
Sigh. This is the first time he's asked for German Chocolate when I couldn't call my mother-in-law and ask her to bring the cake. This year, she'll be watching the birthday celebration from her seat in heaven. I'm quite confident that she's grinning right now as I'm digging out her recipe and coming to terms with the fact that I'll be in close contact with coconut. I'm not a fan of coconut.
Sometimes we do things not because they are easy, or convenient, or because we understand. Sometimes we do things just because we are asked, because it's honoring, because it's respectful, because we love and trust the one who asked.
2 Kings is a series of stories that follow the kings of Judah and Israel. Some of the kings follow God's requests and lead their people in wisdom. Most do not. The book is a long slide down from the glory of Israel at her prime under King Solomon to the heartbreaking conquering by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The people start in health and end in starvation. They start in freedom and end in slavery. Just like in 1st Kings, the trajectory of the nation is determined by the character of her leaders. The thing I find interesting about 2 Kings is found in a couple of stories about individuals and their responses to authority. The direction of an individual life is forecast by daily choices. So Elijah has just gone off to heaven in a fiery chariot and Elisha has taken up the role as head prophet. Big shoes to fill. He promptly performs a mighty miracle by purifying the poisoned water in Jericho. Clearly he's got God on his side. And then. "Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead; go up, you baldheaded!" When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the wood and tore up forty-two lads of their number." 2 Kings 2:23-24 I know. Kinda extreme. God clearly isn't joking around. His authority is not to be taken lightly. The consequences are extreme. This is one of those stories that when I take out of context I can get sideways. I can view God as heavy-handed judge. Which frankly He has the right to be. He's God. I'm not. But when I view it in light of the full Biblical story I get a picture of great love. The truth is that God is utterly powerful and should not be mocked by His creation. But. God loved his creation so much that he sent Jesus to save humanity. And the mob of humanity laughed, and spit, and joked. They still do. And God still holds open the door and beckons them home. The other story that gets me in 2 Kings is the story of Naaman. He is a Syrian Captain of the army and he ends up with leprosy. He has a young Israelite girl who was taken captive who is working in his home. She recommends Naaman ask Elisha for help. "Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "'Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean'. But Naaman was furious." 2 Kings 5:10 The Jordan? That nasty river over in Israel? How dare this prophet tell me to go wash when he could just wave his hand and I'd be clean? Ah. There is that fun pride again. I've been there. I don't want to say sorry, ask for help, go to counseling, bow to pray. So I stumble around with relationships broken but my pride intact. Wrong choice. This afternoon my four-year-old was sitting watching me mix her daddy's birthday cake. I measured and mixed and stirred and successfully separated the yolks from eggs. Then I got ready to chop two cups of pecans.
I had an issue with the chopper. It's not my kitchen. I don't even know what this particular tool was called but it exploded. My little one said "Um. Mom. You are gonna be in big trouble with Dad."
I laughed and told her, "No babe. Your dad knows exactly who I am. He won't be surprised."
Naaman's servants came to him and said "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash and be clean'?" 2 Kings 5:13
Naaman takes the advice, humbles his heart and he is healed. You see it don't you? God knows exactly who we are. He isn't surprised by any of our messes. He also knows what it'll take to bring us home. What it requires from us is a willing heart to listen and take the next step. Try following the recipe. It'll be good. Resources
This song always makes me want to know how these crazy Old Testament stories have anything to do with my life. It's fun to dig out the application. Check it out.
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About MeI love Jesus. I think my two daughters can change the world. I think you can too. Past Posts
August 2020
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