Hello?

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’”—Mark 9:21

This entire scene in Mark 9 is a seat-squirmer, because most of us have been there: That situation you’ve been praying for forever that seems to be getting worse, not better. What’s with that? We wonder what on earth Jesus is doing. (“Hello? Is Anyone there?!”)

There are no cut and dried answers to why this is so. But this much we know: Jesus does not love us partially, but wholly. He is all-in with us and for us in this walk of faith. It stands to reason, then, that He also isn’t about answering prayers with patchwork solutions that may “fix" one situation while neglecting the larger issue.

Sometimes, as with this boy's father, the delay in answer to prayer may be because Jesus is also working to strengthen the heart of the person doing the praying.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

O for grace to trust Him more.

Clay Feet

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”—2 Corinthians 4:5-7 ESV

On any given day, we can feel too cracked, chipped, and misshapen by the effects of walking through life to be of little or no use to God. But it’s good to know that God has never been into putting pretty packaging on His imperfect everyday servants—Moses, David, Peter, Paul, for example—and instead places what’s truly beautiful on the inside: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

In the hands of the Potter, each jar has a unique, fantastic purpose to carry something precious and Life-giving to a dry, weary and thirsty place--a situation or person that another jar, even one seemingly superior in appearance, can’t satisfy.

Edited Post 6-8-14

Quiet Time Unleashed

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”—Deuteronomy 30:14

God’s Word is wildly symphonic, full of color, tempo, and mood changes…and life--because God knows our frame and is ever-ready to speak to our every need and season. And while there’s nothing like the wash of peace and rest that rolls over us in those moments (however brief) when we can get away from the noise, distractions, and barrage of outrageously bad news to refocus our bearings on the only One who:

Never changes…

Never sleeps…

Never lies…

Never freaks out…

…there is also power and strength when we remember to break that silence and open our mouths to speak back the promises to our heart and soul--power and strength to walk it all out.

How does that work? Who knows? We only know that, from the very beginning, in the silence of the formlessness and void, the example was established:  “And God SAID… and it was so…and it was good.” 

Posted 6-1-14

Never 'Busy with Other Customers'

“Lord, with all my heart I thank You. I will sing Your praises before the armies of angels. I face Your Temple as I worship, giving thanks to You for all Your lovingkindness and Your faithfulness, for Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name. When I pray, You answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”—Psalm 138:1-3

For those moments this week when our fervent prayer was just one word—“Help!”—we have every reason this morning to open our mouths in praise and thanksgiving that God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness includes the fact that when we call, we are never put into voicemail.

Posted 5-18-14

Uncontainable

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare His praise?”—Psalm 106: 1-2


But as long as there are words and phrases, as long as there are notes and chords in you, and as long as there are people who are desperate for some really good news, let's give it our best shot.



Posted 5-4-14

It's 'Go' Time

“Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.”—Ephesians 5:1-2 LB

In some traditions, the Sunday after Easter is known as “low Sunday.” Among contemporary churches, it implies the letdown after all the festivities, people, and excitement of Resurrection weekend. Instead, today is a good day to remember that, of all the names and attributes of God, there is not one that comes close to implying letdown or “boring.” The tomb is still empty, and it is now “go” Sunday. Let’s follow our Leader into the glorious unknown….

Posted 4-27-14

Always, Not Mostly

“He launches His promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, He scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts all like birdseed—who can survive His winter? Then, He gives the command…and it all melts; He breathes on winter—suddenly, it’s spring!”—Psalm 147:15-18

There are some things that we know in our brain but that require daily jumper cables to our hearts. Here’s one: God is always (not mostly) faithful to His promises, and, unlike us, doesn’t have the word “impatient” in His own vocabulary. Everything He has made—reflected by the rhythm of the seasons—is perfectly in His hands, with His timing, for His glory.

Awake, my soul, and sing!

Posted 4-6-14

Beyond Figuring Out

”The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. … Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command.”—Psalm 33:6-9, NLT


Scientists now think they have more evidence of a big bang, something exponentially faster than the speed of light. Which, when you think of it, might actually be more evidence for creation. But if you have even a speck of doubt that this or any other “news” would try to shake your faith, remember to follow the Father’s example and see the unmatchable, life-stirring power of speaking out His Word as an act of worship. (All of Psalm 104 is a good one...especially when spoken in the great outdoors!) 

Be still and know that Your God is not too small.

Posted 3-23-14

Strength for the Journey (Repeat)

“…It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”—Philippians 3:1
Body builders often get stronger not by doing more reps of the same thing week after week, but by gradually adding more weight. The upside down world of the gospel, however, suggests just the opposite—that we become stronger by building ourselves up on what we already know of God or have heard or read a gazillion times before but are quick to forget (Jude 1:20).

Safeguard, at its root, implies protection and strength for the journey. Next time we’re tempted to say, “Not that song again!” or “Oh, I’ve read this passage so many times. Next?,” it’s good to remember that singing/reading/doing the same things again and again and expecting the Holy Spirit to produce a different result within us is entirely sane. Repetition can drive us crazy, but it can also drive us forward.

Posted 3-9-14

God's Got This

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it; the world, and all who live in it.”—Psalm 24:1
 
There are ropes, and then there are ropes of promise like this one that are worth grabbing onto with both hands. Despite what we may feel or see around us, we need to remind ourselves every single morning that God is never asleep at the switch or wringing His hands wondering what to do next. Everything about God was, is, and always will be huge—able to do exceedingly above all we could ask or imagine.

Something mysteriously faith-building happens when we verbalize that. And if we could have only two exceedingly-above-all things to shout about today, His unfailing, relentless love toward all who we love, and His glorious grace and mercy lavished on us each day would be enough.

"Holding My World"--Kristian Stanfill

 

Posted 2-23-14

Course Correction

“…they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.”—Genesis 11:31
 
On any given day, when you can’t see over the horizon to that promise, or that answer to a prayer, it can be tempting to take the next available exit and get off the long and winding highway of holiness to the town of “Whatever.”

This is why the journey doesn’t work as a solo act; we all need someone to come alongside who will say: “You know, there’s nothing there in that parched [Haran] place that will satisfy. Been there, tried that. Here, have some of this—a long, deep refreshing drink of Truth. Then, c’mon, let’s keep going. I happen to be heading in the same direction you are anyway.”


Posted 2-2-14

Dialing Down, Tuning In

"Speak, for your servant is listening."--I Samuel 3:10

We say, "I've got to hear from God!," and invariably wait in the quiet for an answer, like some Divine fortune cookie. But maybe there’s a good reason why Samuel worded his request this way. God isn’t about delivering selfish Divine fortune cookies but about Kingdom-building.

Lord, when You speak to us and guide us in the silence through Your Word or a host of other means, give us thankful servant ears that “…can hear how to walk in Your way” and build up someone else by word or by deed.

Posted 1-12-14

Worshiping with an Irregular Heartbeat

“When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me…”—Matthew 28:17-18

For heaven’s sake, why did Matthew, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, have to include “but some doubted”? Just leave that part out; it reads much better that way. Perhaps as a reality check, as if to remind us the Gospel isn’t really ‘good news’ unless it’s practical. Whether looking out over a mountain vista or standing in a sea of people singing praises, our hearts can be simultaneously full of wonder and in various degrees of questioning, weakness, and weariness.

And no matter how irregular our heart may be beating, God doesn’t stand at a distance in disappointment. When we choose to worship anyway, He comes to meet us at our point of need, to make known once more who He is, and to remind us, for heaven’s sake, why on earth we’ve been put here.


Posted 1-5-14

Peace in the Midst of the Storms

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."-Isaiah 26:3, Amplified

Lord, whether snowbound, work-bound, or church-bound, help us again to remember that a mind "stayed" on God isn't about being "super spiritual" or denying the reality of chaos, confusion, and the this-make-no-sense moments of life, but about taking a deep breath and choosing to remember and believe what God says is steadfast and true about Himself, His promises....and especially, His inability to lie. (Thus, living out the phrase, "What are you thinking?!")


Posted 12-15-13

Faithful Hound of Heaven

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."--Deuteronomy 31:6

The great thread of God's love and faithfulness weaves from the first pages of the Old Testament, repeats the joyful sound in Hebrews 13:15, and, for emphasis, is shouted three times in the final pages of the New Testament: "Behold, I am coming soon!"

It's one of the great truths to hold on to when celebrating Advent--regardless of circumstance or mood, God not only has never abandoned and will never abandon us, but this "Hound of heaven" is pursuing us for a love-so-amazing relationship every single second of every single day. ("...where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.")

Posted 12-1-13

Planting the Seed

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

When you sing to God this week, even if you feel your voice be feeble, know that it is dynamite in exploding negativity, lies, and bad news and in planting permanent truths in your mind and soul about the faithful reality of who God was, is, and always will be.

(Think those truths won't plant? There is a reason why you still remember the words to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and the 40-year-old McDonald's Big Mac ad: "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.")

Posted 11-24-13

First Things

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."--Psalm 90:14

This is true for desperate days, but perhaps more so for the days when all is going well and when we are prone to elevate self, others, and things while forgetting (or ignoring) Whose rule and love alone is everlasting. Grateful that the Psalmist sets the example of starting the day--whatever it may hold--on the right foot.

"Only You Can Satisfy" (Caleb Clements)

Posted 11-3-13

No-Doze Zone

"And a cloud threw a shadow upon them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My Son, the most dearworthy Beloved One. Be constantly listening to and obeying Him!"--Mark 9:7 Amplified

When the songs or scripture verses are as familiar as our right hand, Lord, help us not to zone out, mouth the words, or settle for a 'I-know-this' passive hearing; rather, awake our soul--help us pursue intentional listening that seeks to discern Your voice for direction, for action, for living, in a way we may have never heard before.

Posted 10-27-13

Striking Back

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good..."--Psalm 136:1

The reply of "His love endures forever" x26 (!!) can seem like mindless and pointless repetition. Instead, it's a reminder that every detail of our lives--the curve balls, the routine grounders, and the home runs--matters to God, and most of all, that He is faithfully with us in all of them. 

Posted 10-6-13

CAPS LOCK!

"HIS divine power has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness through our [experiential] knowledge of HIM who called us by HIS own glory and goodness."--2 Peter 1:3

They can be annoying in an email, but an occasional "all caps" moment can transform your lifestyle worship from Zzzzz to double-forte awe and joy. Let the praises ring.

Posted 9-29-13

603 Alive

"Let the people of Sela [rock places] sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops."--Isaiah 42:11

Who says New Hampshire isn't in the Bible? Bring it, people.

Posted 9-22-13

Easter x 52

                          fineartamerica.com

"He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you in Galilee.' There you will see Him, just as He told you." --Mark 16:6-7

Two little words full of dynamite: "but go." All other good men are dead-dead. Not this One. The Resurrection shouts through eternity that this is God Himself, who was, who is, and is to come. Every Sunday is a reminder of all of that. Awake, my soul!

"How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing"-- Chris Tomlin

Posted 9-15-13

Close Encounters

"Jacob and his company arrived at Luz, that is, Bethel [house of God], in the land of Canaan. He built an altar there and named it El-Bethel (God-of-Bethel) because that’s where God revealed himself to him when he was running from his brother."--Genesis 35:6-7

Going to church is not so much about a place but Who we expect to encounter when we get there.

Posted 9-6-13

Live Out Loud

"The people whom I made for Myself will make known My praise."--Isaiah 43:21

Wherever you are today...let it out.
















Posted 8-29-13