Noah, Abraham, and Volumes

Tonight I was reading to my older kids a book by Jerry Pinkney entitled "Noah's Ark". This is a book filled with the biblical story of Noah and beautiful illustrations. As we were reading I found myself asking some odd questions. They were told to take food and water into the ark for themselves and all the animals. They were in the ark for a year. How much did they have to store up? Did God just make it last, like he turned water to wine or fed 5000? What about Noah's daughters-in-laws' families? Evidently God deemed them "evil," but did Noah's family grieve their loss? Did God tell Noah to bring seeds? Otherwise, how would Noah have begun to be able to feed his family after the flood? What did they DO for over a year with all those animals? Yes, feeding and cleaning pens alone would take a chunk of the day, but after that...? Gin rummy?

I was thinking of how God had told Noah some very specific instructions on what to do - dimensions for ark, type of wood, how to provide for animals, etc. - and even told him it would rain 40 days and nights. But did Noah realize how long it would take for 40 days of rain to recede and the ground to dry up again? On the other hand, God gave Noah a lot more information than the Bible records about Abraham's call, just a few chapters later:

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

² "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

³ I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

⁴ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. ⁵ He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. (Gen. 12 NIV)

Somehow, "Leave...and go to where I will show you" seems to have a lot less detail included. Maybe Noah's instructions had to be more detailed because he held the fate of all animal species in his boat. Maybe Abraham had more faith and needed less information. Either way, God called each of these men and they, in faith, obeyed God.

This weekend our church installed our new senior pastor. In passing the outgoing interim pastor mentioned that our church was beginning a new "chapter in life - no, maybe a new volume." I think this latter description is probably the better one. After 19 years of fruitful ministry under the original pastor, then 2 years of fruitful ministry under interim pastors, our church is, indeed, beginning a new volume in life.

I'd like to think that, like Abraham, our call includes trusting of God and stepping out in faith. And I would like to think that, like Noah, we also will get some details as we go. But, unlike the Bible stories whose endings we already know, our "volume" is still being written. Unlike 3 chapters in Genesis that tell Noah's story, our story is still unfolding. We may have our "go where I will show you" orders, but not know the where, how, when.

Thankfully, God gave Noah and Abraham all they needed - and God gives us all we need.

Merciful God,

Thank you for your provision, your grace, your plans for our future with hope, your plans to prosper us. Thank you for watching over the details and sending men like Noah and Abraham to be examples of how we can trust you and walk in faith where you will show us. Give us the hearts and spirits to know your voice, the courage to go, and the patience to wait when we need to wait. Give us joy for the journey and meet all our needs we pray. In the name of Christ, Amen.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Lk. 19:10 NIV)

The King Is Coming

Oh the King is coming

The King is coming

I just heard the trumpet sounding

And now His face I see

Oh the King is coming

The King is coming

Praise God He's coming for me*

This summer I started reading daily devotions from a book of Martin Luther's writings, "Faith Alone," edited by James C. Galvin. I want to better understand the Lutheran theology that's so influenced our world and the heritage passed down to the church our family joined three years ago. Plus I recognize Luther as a great biblical scholar and theologian and I wanted some good substance to read.

Several days ago I came to reading I couldn't quite get past, so I've been "stuck" there. I share it with you as a prayer - that God would help us to really, truly, fully "get" this thing called grace.

..."If we're to receive it at all, God's grace and his kingdom with all its virtues must come to us. We will never be able to go to him. In the same way, Christ came to us - from heaven down to earth. We didn't go up to him from earth to heaven..." (August 14)

God, thank you for seeking and saving us. Thank you for revealing yourself to each of us, especially after we have turned away from you. We know we could never be able to reach you and we praise you for loving us so much you came - and will come again - for us. Help us to understand in the depths of our being that we cannot do anything to get to you. Help us to trust you from the depths of our being and to live in the wonder of your grace poured out on us and through us. Help that gift of grace be shared with all those around us for your honor and glory. May your Kingdom come and your will be done. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

* CCLI Song No. 3477

© 1970 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management

Charles Milhuff | Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither

Gratitude

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thes. 5:18 NASB)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Ps. 28:7 NIV)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Ps. 118:1 NIV)

"I Give Thanks To You" *

For the first morning light

For the birds when they fly

For the clouds when they hang

Up so high in the sky

For Your glory I see in a sweet baby's smile

I give thanks

For those times when I've laughed

With my family and friends

For the times when I've cried

Sensed Your spirit again

For Your love that I find when Your praises I send

I give thanks I give thanks

For my clothes and my bed a roof over my head

And a piping hot meal when our table is set

For a walk on the beach

Where Your beauty is seen

I give thanks

For the sound of the saints

When they all join in

And proclaim You are God the forgiver of sin

For this hope in my heart

That forever I'm Yours

I give thanks I give thanks

I give thanks to You I give thanks oh Lord

For everything You give

For everything I have

I give thanks to You I give thanks oh Lord

For all these perfect gifts

They have come from You

So I give thanks

For this breath that I breath

For my eyes that can see

Beaming sunsets and stars

Mountains valleys and trees

For the years that You've shown

Only kindness to me

I give thanks

For the stripes that You bore

So that I could be healed

For the crown that You wore

So that I could be free

For Your blood that You shed

Given freely for me

I give thanks I give thanks

I give thanks I give thanks

I give thanks I give thanks

Over the weekend several things got me thinking about being grateful. I won't go into all the details, but here are a few things I came up with in no particular order:

• To live in an era when I'm not responsible for raising and storing food for me and my family
• The means, intelligence, and equipment to have access to email and Internet
• The Truth of the Gospel
• Kind nurses named Laura
• A child born a bit early and quite tiny that, two years later, is starting to recognize his letters
• Roasted pecan crackers
• A home for our family
• Pleasant weather & beautiful sunshine
• Children's bodies that function correctly to cry, smile, eat, and, yes, fill diapers
• The Hope of Eternity where there will be no more evil

You probably have some things - little or large - that you have on your mind.

It may seem strange to be talking about Thankfulness when Thanksgiving is three months away. But our modern Thanksgiving has largely lost the depth and humility of the first one - when a group of settlers had lived through a horrendous winter and death took so many of their group, and then the natives helped to save them from sure starvation that next year. We don't "get" that kind of thankfulness when our Thanksgiving is about family, overeating, traveling, football, Black Friday, or a day off. So, I propose that today - on a beautiful August 2010 day - we take a moment to express our thanks to God. Will you join me?

Providing, Saving, Loving God, we thank you for.....

* CCLI Song No. 5614390

© 2009 WeMobile Music by

Tommy Walker

"To the Ends of the Earth"

Love unfailing

Overtaking my heart

You take me in

Finding peace again

Fear is lost in all You are

And I would give the world

To tell Your story

'Cause I know that You've called me

I know that You've called me

I've lost myself for good

Within Your promise

And I won't hide it

I won't hide it

Jesus I believe in You

And I would go

To the ends of the earth

To the ends of the earth

For You alone are the Son of God

And all the world will see

That You are God

That You are God

Tonight's blog/prayer entry is simply based on Isaiah 66:

¹This is what the Lord says:

Heaven is my throne.
The earth is my footstool.
Where can you build a house or resting place for me?
²I have made all these things.
“That is why all these things have come into being,”
declares the Lord.
I will pay attention to those
who are humble and sorry for their sins
and who tremble at my word.

¹⁸Because of their actions and their thoughts,
I am coming to gather the nations of every language.
They will come and see my glory.
They will tell about my glory among the nations.

²²“The new heaven and earth that I am about to make
will continue in my presence,” declares the Lord.
“So your descendants and your name
will also continue in my presence.
²³From one month to the next and from one week to the next
all people will come to worship me,” declares the Lord. (Isa. 66 GW)

Great Big God,

Hear our prayers of confession ... forgive our sins...free us from our sinful nature. We join with all of heaven and believers on Earth in proclaiming your glory, your grace, your salvation. You said you are coming for us, and we believe, Lord! We claim your promises and stand on the truth of your Word. Gather us and all believers in all times and places into unity for your Kingdom. May your children rise up and worship you wholeheartedly. We pray for those in our world who need to come to salvation, who need your healing, your freedom, your love, your power. We pray especially for those who are far, far away from you and pray that by your Spirit you would draw them into your arms, break their hearts of stone, and give them hearts for you alone. Help us to be light-bearers and truth-speakers and love-givers in our local world and in the greater world beyond our community. Give us courage to go to the ends of the earth with the good news of salvation in Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen.

"You Said"

You said

Ask and you will receive

Whatever you need

You said pray and I'll hear from heaven

And I'll heal your land

You said

Your glory will fill the earth

Like water the sea

You said

Lift up your eyes

The harvest is here

The kingdom is here

You said

Ask and I'll give the nations to you

O Lord that's the cry of my heart

Distant shores and the islands

Will see Your light as it rises on us

Oh Lord I ask for the nations...

You Said - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEpaG4VlBcA

© 1998 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

by Reuben Morgan

To the Ends of the Earth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPpvuFNoOjQ

- Joel Houston & Marty Sampson 2002 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

Already - not yet

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14-15 NIV)

¹³"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Mt. 25:13 NIV)

^22-26As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. (Philippians 1 MSG)

"All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. ...Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." (Joshua 1:3-9 MSG)

For awhile now there has been something rolling around within me about the "already" and the "not yet." In the Christian Church this refers to the "already" of Jesus' first coming 2000+ years ago and the "not yet" of his return. In the meantime, we live in this strange place between the two; we live in these "end times" that won't be ended until Jesus' return is fulfilled.

Last night as I was thinking about this "already"/"not yet" world we live in, I came to a different question: "All ready?" and the common answer: "Not yet." "All ready" to leave for church? "Not yet;" still have two sets of shoes and the pantry goods to gather up. "All ready" for bed?" "Not yet;" let's read 7 more stories! For someone hosting a party this weekend, the "All ready?" is probably (as of Wednesday) a "Not yet." And for a family, asked "All ready?" while packing and preparing to relocate their family out of state, is probably a "not yet." If someone asked you today if you were "all ready" to go to heaven, would you give them a "not yet"?

Sometimes when we are asked "all ready?" the answer of "not yet" because we are in such a middle of a storm - of whatever nature - and we can't even figure out what "ready" would be like. That's part of the struggle of living in the "already/not yet" world; there are times when things are just hard. But when we are in that storm, we can count on God for strength and endurance; this "not ready" state will not last forever.

To quote from 2 Cor. 4 - in a song (of course):

I am pressed but not crushed

Persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I am blessed beyond the curse

For His promise will endure

That His joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning***

Having the knowledge that Christ died once and for all so we could be offered, accept, and live in grace, is a wonderfully empowering and freeing state. But, we haven't been freed from the struggles of this world; indeed, the Creation groans for the fulfillment of time and the perfecting work of the Creator. So, we live in this state of "already/not yet," with all its joys, struggles, assurances, and trials. But when asked if we are "all ready" for Christ's return, we can boldly and confidently say "YES, LORD, YES; AMEN!"

Thank you, Jesus for coming in humility and dying for our sins. Thank you for the joy, freedom, grace, and abundant life that you offer to us. Thank you for your promises that you will return some day to gather up your chosen children into glory. Thank you for your Word, for your courage, for your strength and power when we face the uncertainties and storms of this life. We await your final return to this "not yet" world - and the completion and perfection of your Creation. Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus, come....we pray in your name, Amen.

“As the messiahship of Christ involved two phases, a coming in humility to suffer and die, and a coming in power and glory to reign, so the kingdom is to be manifested in two realms: the present realm of righteousness or salvation when men may accept or reject the kingdom, and the future realm when the powers of the kingdom shall be manifested in visible glory. The former was inaugurated in insignificant beginnings without outward display, and those who accept it are to live intermingled with those who reject it until the consummation. Then the kingdom will be disclosed in a mighty manifestation of power and glory. God’s kingdom will come; and the ultimate state will witness the perfect realization of the will of God everywhere and forever.” *

*** "Trading My Sorrows" by Darrell Evans (c) 1998 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

* http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/the-kingdom-of-god-already-but-not-yet-part-i/

Bones alive

God, you can raise the dead to life
you can calm a time of strife
you can still the raging sea
you can seek the lost like me

You can hear a lonely cry
you can quench a soul that’s dry
you can free a captive soul

you can make the broken whole*

^43-44Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him loose." (John 11 MSG)

1The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. 2He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" "O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that." (Ezek. 37:3 NLT)

I came home several nights ago in a spiritual 'knot.' In my subsequent praying/journaling/working it out, I ended up thinking about how God can resurrect us - spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc. - from many types of death. Two bible stories I've looked at recently speak to that:

In John 11 we hear the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus' friend. In this passage Jesus tells the bystanders to remove the stone from the tomb's entrance and then calls Lazarus out of the grave. And so out walks a "cadaver" wrapped in grave cloths, complete with a "handkerchief" over the face. The Lazarus Jesus loved is alive again!

It may sound strange, but one of my favorite stories is in Ezekiel 37 - the Valley of the Dry Bones. I think that this story speaks to me because when I have been walking through really hard times in life, when I am feeling like I am only bones - or even "dust of bones" - I can hold on to the hope of God's resurrection. When Ezekiel is carried away by the Spirit of the Lord, he sees God resurrect a whole valley worth of people and breathe new life into them!

Notice a few other details about these stories -

- Jesus tells the people to "unwrap him and let him loose"

- the bones were "completely dried out" - there was no flesh on them - and so God miraculously provided the rest of the flesh

- Ezekiel acknowledges God's Sovereignty and Omniscience when he says that only God knows whether the bones can come back to life

I don't know where you are in your spiritual life and relationship with God, but it seems like I'm always needing some sort of resurrection in mine. Perhaps there's a dead place I've been ignoring a long time. Perhaps it's a sin I've finally "coaxed down the stairs"** one at a time and need to put something of value in its place. Perhaps its a relationship.... you get the idea. At any rate, when we see God do a resurrection, of whatever nature or size, we can know we have seen the glory of God.

"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

Sovereign God, we come to you aware of the places in our lives where we need resurrection. Some places that are huge valleys of dry rotted bones, we need your miracles of healing, restoration, and hope. We need you to unwrap us from the things that tie us down, and free us to live the full life you call us to. Help us to trust you for our healing and to believe so that we may see your glory. In Jesus' name we ask, Amen.

* When I was recovering from my spiritual "knot" I mis-remembered the answer Ezekiel gives God as being something about a God who can. From that little phrase - "GOD CAN" - I got the start of a whole song that I'm in the process of writing. (see above) Song (c) 2010 Joella VanOosterhout.

** "A habit cannot be thrown out the window, it must be coaxed down the stairs one step at a time." - Mark Twain

Align, Abide

I recently began my journey through "The Message" version of the Book of John. A few nights ago I was reading the story of Jesus' feeding of the thousands and the subsequent conversation where Jesus names himself the Bread of Life and the people still want more 'proof.' What struck me in this version of the story was the word "align."

Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me...This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time."

The word "align" has several different definitions that I think can apply to our faith:

1. To arrange in a line or so as to be parallel

2. To adjust (parts of a mechanism, for example) to produce a proper relationship or orientation

3. To ally (oneself, for example) with one side of an argument or cause

1. To adhere to a prescribed course of action.

2. To move or be adjusted into proper relationship or orientation. (thefreedictionary.com)

Are our lives arranged so they are parallel with Christ, so we are in proper relationship and allied to his cause?

Are our spirits adhered to His course of action and are we willing to be moved and adjusted to a proper orientation?

Sometimes those are hard questions to get gut honest with.

"Align" brings me to "abide."

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15 ESV)

I'm not sure I can add anything more to this. When Jesus uses a word ten times in the same paragraph, I think he wants us to hear it...!

So, we pray....

God of the Universe,

Thank you for being the Bread of Life, the One who promises that when we align with you, we will hunger and thirst no more. Forgive us for the times in which we have seen you in action, but have not quite believed. We come running to you and trust that you will hold on and not let go. We desire to align with you, to enter real life, eternal life. Thank you for putting us on our feet alive and prepared to be whole at the completion of time. God, we want to abide in you, to bear fruit - even to let you prune us for greater fruitfulness. Give us courage to allow you to do that work. We want to abide in your love and to keep your commandments. We want to have the fullness of your joy. By your Spirit, continue to draw us toward your love, joy, and peace and live the abundant life you have called us to. Maranatha, Lord, come soon..... In Christ's name we pray, Amen.