My mother always told me and my siblings we should love God with all our guts. It was her way of telling us how deep our love needed to be. I hadn't thought of that statement in sometime until I read about praying with direction and devotion in Lois Tverberg's book, Listening to the Language of the Bible.
The idea is that whether one speaks a prayer that's been written by someone else or is made-up as you pray, you should have your whole heart in it. No one around you will know if your mind is focused on a prayer or not. But God will.
I have to confess sometimes I speak out a prayer in a manner that seems halfhearted. I don't like it, but it's true. Do you ever do that? Do you ever struggle to keep your mind on what you're asking or talking to God about? Do you ever have a last minute fleeting thought that causes you to speak an even faster, perhaps halfhearted, prayer?
It's easy to fall into these traps in today's fast pace, multi-tasked oriented society. So many things grab for our attention. Multi-tasking has become second nature for many. And unfortunately, it spills into our prayer life. However, or whenever, a prayer is spoken we should do our best to put our all into the words we speak.
Praying to God and loving him with all your guts doesn't mean you have to spend a solid hour in prayer everyday. Although, there is nothing like it when you do. But lifting up focused-from-the-gut prayers throughout the day reminds us who's in charge and who we answer to. It's a constant reminder to the very core of our being of who's the BIG boss.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Whale or Fish?
How many of you grew up hearing that Jonah was swallowed by a whale? I did. I believe it's because my teachers knew of no other "great fish" in the ocean. I accepted this in my younger years until I learned that whales have a very small esophagus. Jonah couldn't have been in the whale's belly for any length of time let alone three days. So for years I chose to believe that God created one fish for the duty of getting Jonah's attention.
Then one day I was taken to the Bahamas to a resort called Atlantis. Integrated into this huge and spread out complex is an equally expansive aquarium. There are indoor and outdoor tanks mingled around the pools. For example, the shark tank is part of the water slide area. And along side most of the tanks were workers stationed to answer your questions about any of the species or the aquarium itself.
I have to admit I love aquariums. It seems I find a new fish each time I go. And this place was no different. There were fish there of colors and shapes unique to the Bahamas which were wonderful to watch.
One of the fish I came upon was enormous. My friend and I were commenting on the size of it when we were interrupted by the aquarium worker. "Oh, that's just a baby. When he's an adult he can swallow a man." He proceeded to tell of how divers report being swallowed up by this fish and then spit back out. One of his final statements stayed with me. "This is the fish that swallowed Jonah."
I had to laugh at myself. God didn't just create one fish for the job. He created a species that's still alive today as a reminder to modern man. I just had to go to the Bahamas to find it.
I have to wonder though, how many people trip over this one story? Do they not trust God because they've never seen a fish that can swallow a man? If they can't see it or don't hear of it, do they stop trusting or seeking God? Just because we don't see it or know of it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Do we limit God as a result of our limitations?
It definitely helps to discover that what we read about in the Bible is real. It confirms our faith in Jesus, whom we can't see or touch. If you think something, anything, in the Bible is made-up, ask God to show you where to look to find evidence that it's real or can happen. He's faithful and he will.
Then one day I was taken to the Bahamas to a resort called Atlantis. Integrated into this huge and spread out complex is an equally expansive aquarium. There are indoor and outdoor tanks mingled around the pools. For example, the shark tank is part of the water slide area. And along side most of the tanks were workers stationed to answer your questions about any of the species or the aquarium itself.
I have to admit I love aquariums. It seems I find a new fish each time I go. And this place was no different. There were fish there of colors and shapes unique to the Bahamas which were wonderful to watch.
One of the fish I came upon was enormous. My friend and I were commenting on the size of it when we were interrupted by the aquarium worker. "Oh, that's just a baby. When he's an adult he can swallow a man." He proceeded to tell of how divers report being swallowed up by this fish and then spit back out. One of his final statements stayed with me. "This is the fish that swallowed Jonah."
I had to laugh at myself. God didn't just create one fish for the job. He created a species that's still alive today as a reminder to modern man. I just had to go to the Bahamas to find it.
I have to wonder though, how many people trip over this one story? Do they not trust God because they've never seen a fish that can swallow a man? If they can't see it or don't hear of it, do they stop trusting or seeking God? Just because we don't see it or know of it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Do we limit God as a result of our limitations?
It definitely helps to discover that what we read about in the Bible is real. It confirms our faith in Jesus, whom we can't see or touch. If you think something, anything, in the Bible is made-up, ask God to show you where to look to find evidence that it's real or can happen. He's faithful and he will.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Concubine - Mistress or Wife?
What are your thoughts when you read about kings and prominent men of the Bible having concubines? Have you ever wondered why those men even needed concubines if they already had multiple wives? I have. Can you imagine all that female hormone under one roof, oh my.
And one more thought. . .have you ever noticed how infrequently daughters are mentioned? But when there was victory over a king, among the list of things taken were the concubines. Why did they rate being mentioned?
Until recently I thought of concubines as in-house mistresses. But they weren't. In fact, concubines were the showcase of a king's power. The more territory he conquered or wealth he gained the more concubines he had.
But a concubine wasn't just a mistress or some piece of purchased property. She was like a back-up wife. There was even an official ceremony appointing her to that position. She ate with the family and bore the king legitimate sons; that's why they're listed in the family tree. She had all the rights as a wife, in fact, she could even be divorced.
Here's a killer fact. . .when a man wanted to usurp power from a weak leader or seal the overthrow of a king, he didn't make some kind of political move and then bed the king's wife. No, he took a concubine. (2 Samuel 3 and 16)
Go figure. A concubine holding the position that dictated who had power. Unbelievable. But, true.
And one more thought. . .have you ever noticed how infrequently daughters are mentioned? But when there was victory over a king, among the list of things taken were the concubines. Why did they rate being mentioned?
Until recently I thought of concubines as in-house mistresses. But they weren't. In fact, concubines were the showcase of a king's power. The more territory he conquered or wealth he gained the more concubines he had.
But a concubine wasn't just a mistress or some piece of purchased property. She was like a back-up wife. There was even an official ceremony appointing her to that position. She ate with the family and bore the king legitimate sons; that's why they're listed in the family tree. She had all the rights as a wife, in fact, she could even be divorced.
Here's a killer fact. . .when a man wanted to usurp power from a weak leader or seal the overthrow of a king, he didn't make some kind of political move and then bed the king's wife. No, he took a concubine. (2 Samuel 3 and 16)
Go figure. A concubine holding the position that dictated who had power. Unbelievable. But, true.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Just Off the Highway
When you picture Bethlehem back in the days of the Bible do you see it off on a little country road, or next to a highway? And what about Herod's country palace, Herodium. How do you see the people getting there?
In my mind's eye I always pictured the travelers heading to Herodium turning off the main road before they reached Bethlehem. According to In The Footsteps of Jesus, by W. E. Pax, the only way to get to the town that serviced Herodium was through Bethlehem. I had no idea there was a town nearby. I also had the misunderstanding that Herodium was Herod's get-away palace. What I learned from W.E. Pax is that it was also an administration center for places south of Jerusalem. That was new to me.
After all these years of picturing Bethlehem as a quiet country town on a slow going road with a small inn for the few people passing by, my mind has to re-adjust how to picture this landmark town. And perhaps see a couple of the stories around the birth of Jesus in a new light.
Like, no wonder there wasn't any room in the inn. All the people coming in for the census plus the foreign business travelers going to or from Herodium would have left little room for a late arriving group.
Not only that, but to be honest, I thought the soldiers who did the killing of the children looked at it as going to a no-name town, killing babies and small children, and never having to return there again. Now I have to wonder, did the soldiers who killed the children also travel with Herod? Did they know these people? How difficult was it to then face the families each time they passed through town? What an ugly mess.
It's amazing how sometimes the small just-off-the-beaten-path places pack so much history. Bethlehem is one of those.
In my mind's eye I always pictured the travelers heading to Herodium turning off the main road before they reached Bethlehem. According to In The Footsteps of Jesus, by W. E. Pax, the only way to get to the town that serviced Herodium was through Bethlehem. I had no idea there was a town nearby. I also had the misunderstanding that Herodium was Herod's get-away palace. What I learned from W.E. Pax is that it was also an administration center for places south of Jerusalem. That was new to me.
After all these years of picturing Bethlehem as a quiet country town on a slow going road with a small inn for the few people passing by, my mind has to re-adjust how to picture this landmark town. And perhaps see a couple of the stories around the birth of Jesus in a new light.
Like, no wonder there wasn't any room in the inn. All the people coming in for the census plus the foreign business travelers going to or from Herodium would have left little room for a late arriving group.
Not only that, but to be honest, I thought the soldiers who did the killing of the children looked at it as going to a no-name town, killing babies and small children, and never having to return there again. Now I have to wonder, did the soldiers who killed the children also travel with Herod? Did they know these people? How difficult was it to then face the families each time they passed through town? What an ugly mess.
It's amazing how sometimes the small just-off-the-beaten-path places pack so much history. Bethlehem is one of those.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Not Too Wide
Have you ever seen pictures of the Jordan River and wondered why the writer of Joshua ever made such a fuss over the nation of Israel crossing it? Most pictures show a small not-to-be-feared river. It doesn't look to be too difficult to cross. But in the beginning of the Biblical book of Joshua the writer tells us the river is over its banks. After living in Texas for so many years, I know how a babbling creek
can rise and become a river that packs a mighty wallop. There's a reason
for the saying, "God willing and the creek don't rise."
During a sermon message years ago I learned that the Jordan River at flood stage could be as wide as a mile. . . now, we're talking Mississippi River size. The commentary in The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible and A Visual Guide to Bible Events both mention that the river was not only wide but also deep.
Obviously the current of the flooded Jordan River couldn't have been too bad since the spies crossed over to Jericho and returned back across. Swimming with and against the current would have been difficult, but obviously, manageable for two strong men. However, when you add women, children and animals into the mix that's another story.
So now let's look at the crossing of the Jordan River by the nation of Israel. The river is overflowing it's banks. The priest have to step into the fast moving water while carrying the heavy ark of the convenant without stumbling or dropping it. And, at the same time, trust God to do what Joshua said God was going to do.
Sure enough, as they touch the water the river stops coming down from the north. In fact, it piles up in a big heap further upstream. First, the flooded grassy lands are exposed and then the river bed. Everything south of the ark is now a dry creek bed, which is a good thing because the people needed the space to cross over.
Keep in mind the people had to distance themselves from the priest and the ark. I have to admit reading Biblical measurements is hard to comprehend. I was surprised when I figured this one out. The people were told to stay back from the priests 2000 cubits. Now each cubit is the same as 18 inches for us. To me that didn't sound like very far away, but when you do the math the distance becomes 36,000 inches. And, in case you were wondering, that figures out to be 3000 feet. Hello, that's over half a mile.
But can you imagine how frightened the people of Jericho were. From their perch and elevation they would have seen it all happening not far from them. A large group of people chose the worst time to cross a river that rages without stopping during harvest time. And not only did they cross it, but the river itself stopped and rose up as though respecting the golden object the front men were carrying.
The goal had been for the people of the earth to fear God and that should have done it. How wonderful that must have been to see a flooded fast paced river stop in it's tracks and allow a million people with animals and goods to cross over to the other side.
It just goes to show you, nothing is too wide for God to help man through or over. We just have to do as the nation of Israel did and keep our slate clean before God and be prepared to see his hand at work. (Joshua 3:5)
During a sermon message years ago I learned that the Jordan River at flood stage could be as wide as a mile. . . now, we're talking Mississippi River size. The commentary in The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible and A Visual Guide to Bible Events both mention that the river was not only wide but also deep.
Obviously the current of the flooded Jordan River couldn't have been too bad since the spies crossed over to Jericho and returned back across. Swimming with and against the current would have been difficult, but obviously, manageable for two strong men. However, when you add women, children and animals into the mix that's another story.
So now let's look at the crossing of the Jordan River by the nation of Israel. The river is overflowing it's banks. The priest have to step into the fast moving water while carrying the heavy ark of the convenant without stumbling or dropping it. And, at the same time, trust God to do what Joshua said God was going to do.
Sure enough, as they touch the water the river stops coming down from the north. In fact, it piles up in a big heap further upstream. First, the flooded grassy lands are exposed and then the river bed. Everything south of the ark is now a dry creek bed, which is a good thing because the people needed the space to cross over.
Keep in mind the people had to distance themselves from the priest and the ark. I have to admit reading Biblical measurements is hard to comprehend. I was surprised when I figured this one out. The people were told to stay back from the priests 2000 cubits. Now each cubit is the same as 18 inches for us. To me that didn't sound like very far away, but when you do the math the distance becomes 36,000 inches. And, in case you were wondering, that figures out to be 3000 feet. Hello, that's over half a mile.
But can you imagine how frightened the people of Jericho were. From their perch and elevation they would have seen it all happening not far from them. A large group of people chose the worst time to cross a river that rages without stopping during harvest time. And not only did they cross it, but the river itself stopped and rose up as though respecting the golden object the front men were carrying.
The goal had been for the people of the earth to fear God and that should have done it. How wonderful that must have been to see a flooded fast paced river stop in it's tracks and allow a million people with animals and goods to cross over to the other side.
It just goes to show you, nothing is too wide for God to help man through or over. We just have to do as the nation of Israel did and keep our slate clean before God and be prepared to see his hand at work. (Joshua 3:5)
Friday, September 13, 2013
Blessings
How many times a day do you speak a word of blessing into someone's life or actions? A kind word? A word of thanks? A word of positive acknowledgement? There are so many ways to do it. Now here's a bigger question. . .how many times a day do you speak a blessing to God?
Recently I found that the word "praise" and the word "bless" in the Psalms are interchanged depending on the Bible translation. It comes from a word (barak; berakh) whose root meaning speaks to kneeling in adoration, blessing, praising, saluting, thanking. What I found so interesting when reading Listening to the Language of the Bible was how and why the Hebrew people would bless the Lord. Think of the things you praise God for and where you do it.
The Hebrews did it everywhere. Do you bless God for thunderstorms? The Hebrew people did because it showed his power and strength. Did you know they also blessed him when the trees and plants brought forth flowers? It acknowledged him as creator and provider. And when a wedding, or birth, or something else joyous happened they blessed him for allowing them to live long enough to see the day come and go.
That all seems rather natural and appropriate, but they went further in their blessings. They blessed him as they woke and dressed. Thankful for bodies that worked and God's provision of clothes. And one I find hardest of all, in the midst of grief, when something terrible happened, they blessed him anyway. Giving him credit as a righteous judge.
Do you bless God this often? I remember hearing my mom thanking God every morning she awoke to a new day. I have to admit the first time I heard her do this I was struck with doubt as to the need of it. But she was in the right. None of us are guaranteed to awaken in the morning with the same bodily function as was present the night before. Or, with all our possessions about us.
I found the more I thank God for events and activities the easier it was to see his hand working in my life. He became more real, even in the little things. I see him more as a constant companion, going with me everywhere. I don't have to shout out for him to hear me and come running to see what my need is. He's already here. If I thank him or bless him as things happen I don't have to wait until Sunday to do it, and risk forgetting something.
He is real. Most of us know that. But thanking him continually brings blessings back to us and our lives. Blessing God, praising him each day in each moment allows us to sense his presence as a reality in our personal walk. If you don't believe me, start blessing God for the little things, for everything, and see what happens.
Recently I found that the word "praise" and the word "bless" in the Psalms are interchanged depending on the Bible translation. It comes from a word (barak; berakh) whose root meaning speaks to kneeling in adoration, blessing, praising, saluting, thanking. What I found so interesting when reading Listening to the Language of the Bible was how and why the Hebrew people would bless the Lord. Think of the things you praise God for and where you do it.
The Hebrews did it everywhere. Do you bless God for thunderstorms? The Hebrew people did because it showed his power and strength. Did you know they also blessed him when the trees and plants brought forth flowers? It acknowledged him as creator and provider. And when a wedding, or birth, or something else joyous happened they blessed him for allowing them to live long enough to see the day come and go.
That all seems rather natural and appropriate, but they went further in their blessings. They blessed him as they woke and dressed. Thankful for bodies that worked and God's provision of clothes. And one I find hardest of all, in the midst of grief, when something terrible happened, they blessed him anyway. Giving him credit as a righteous judge.
Do you bless God this often? I remember hearing my mom thanking God every morning she awoke to a new day. I have to admit the first time I heard her do this I was struck with doubt as to the need of it. But she was in the right. None of us are guaranteed to awaken in the morning with the same bodily function as was present the night before. Or, with all our possessions about us.
I found the more I thank God for events and activities the easier it was to see his hand working in my life. He became more real, even in the little things. I see him more as a constant companion, going with me everywhere. I don't have to shout out for him to hear me and come running to see what my need is. He's already here. If I thank him or bless him as things happen I don't have to wait until Sunday to do it, and risk forgetting something.
He is real. Most of us know that. But thanking him continually brings blessings back to us and our lives. Blessing God, praising him each day in each moment allows us to sense his presence as a reality in our personal walk. If you don't believe me, start blessing God for the little things, for everything, and see what happens.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Gone to the Dogs
What comes to your mind when you think of dogs? To a cat person they might seem big and loud with a bit of a drool. Others may see an obedient companion who can bring you joy through their silly antics. I can understand both these descriptions.
Recently, observing my son's new puppy play was a joy, filling our moments with lots of laughter. Course, it did help that she had been given a medical collar that prevented her from licking her recent surgery site. Her frequent change of direction due to the collar getting caught on pieces of furniture and her reaction that followed were often hilarious.
With the exception of a few breeds, dogs are fun to watch run about chasing a ball, or rabbit, or squirrel. Some are smart in the retrieval process. Others make you wonder if they have any kind of plan of action at all.
It's hard for me to visualize dogs overall as being something to be avoided. Most people think of dogs as being loyal and protective. So I have to wonder, how can the Bible refer to people as dogs in demonstrations of how bad people are? Or as a punishment to be avoided? People are reported as being eaten by the dogs, or being thrown down to the dogs. Yuck.
But I'm thinking like a modern person. Dogs have come a long way since the days of the Bible. The Chronological Study Bible points out that many dogs ran free and wild back then. Sure, they avoided humans by coming out at night. . . makes you kind of want to stay off the streets after the sun set. And they ate whatever they could find. . .that much hasn't changed. Although, they did often eat bloody dead things which made the Hebrews consider them unclean animals. And, as far as eating them goes, they had paws which was considered unclean to begin with.
So next time you read about people being as bad as dogs, think hungry dog pack. Think of something just short of wolves. That gives me a better picture of what the writer is trying to say.
Recently, observing my son's new puppy play was a joy, filling our moments with lots of laughter. Course, it did help that she had been given a medical collar that prevented her from licking her recent surgery site. Her frequent change of direction due to the collar getting caught on pieces of furniture and her reaction that followed were often hilarious.
With the exception of a few breeds, dogs are fun to watch run about chasing a ball, or rabbit, or squirrel. Some are smart in the retrieval process. Others make you wonder if they have any kind of plan of action at all.
It's hard for me to visualize dogs overall as being something to be avoided. Most people think of dogs as being loyal and protective. So I have to wonder, how can the Bible refer to people as dogs in demonstrations of how bad people are? Or as a punishment to be avoided? People are reported as being eaten by the dogs, or being thrown down to the dogs. Yuck.
But I'm thinking like a modern person. Dogs have come a long way since the days of the Bible. The Chronological Study Bible points out that many dogs ran free and wild back then. Sure, they avoided humans by coming out at night. . . makes you kind of want to stay off the streets after the sun set. And they ate whatever they could find. . .that much hasn't changed. Although, they did often eat bloody dead things which made the Hebrews consider them unclean animals. And, as far as eating them goes, they had paws which was considered unclean to begin with.
So next time you read about people being as bad as dogs, think hungry dog pack. Think of something just short of wolves. That gives me a better picture of what the writer is trying to say.
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