Oh, how I identify with Peter! I am impulsive, a fixer, a doer. And, as was often the case with Peter, I land in hot water. I was recently reading Matthew 16 - 17. In a matter of a few verses, Peter made one of the most profound statements in the Bible by declaring Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God", was rebuked by Jesus for being a mouthpiece of Satan and was interrupted in his explanation of plans to build tabernacles to Moses, Elijah and Jesus by God Himself. Whew!
Peter was real, though. What you saw is what you got. Though we saw his impulsiveness and sometimes misplaced zeal, we saw his humility and his brokenness when confronted with his sin. When Jesus told him to throw his nets on the other side of the boat and they were immediately filled with more fish than he and his fellow fishermen could haul in, he had a reaction that had nothing to do with the great haul of fish. Recognizing who Jesus was, he was confronted with the shame of his own sinfulness. He said, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" We see his immediate sorrow in denying his Lord when, hearing the rooster crow, "he went out and wept bitterly."
I love Mark's account of the empty tomb and the angel instructing the women there that "He is risen; He is not here...go, tell His disciples and Peter He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you." Jesus wanted Peter reassured that he stilled belonged to Him.
Someone has said that Peter may be one of the most fleshed-out characters of the Bible. We certainly see his character revealed in so many incidents. Then we read the wonderful wisdom of his writings in his later life.
Peter warns his readers in his first letter to "be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Who knew better that Peter how important the admonition to stay alert and resist the devil is? Then he closes this letter with this benediction: ..."the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you". Who knew better than Peter the power of the God of all grace to perfect us towards His likeness, confirm us as His chosen, strengthen us to do His work and establish us as His church now and forevermore?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Life
Life is crowding in once again, Lord. It seems, once again, that there is way more to do than time to do it. Once again, I have said yes to too many commitments. Forgive me, Father. Forgive me for not being a good steward of my time. Forgive me for the pride that causes me to be presumptuous enough to think I can do one more thing.
Oh Lord, the desire of my heart is to choose “the good part” as Mary did. Now I seem to be like Martha, “worried and bothered about so many things.” Help me, Lord, to sit at your feet listening to your word. Help me to turn from the distractions and do only those things for which I am given power by You.
Father God, bring order to my world as only You can. Help me to choose the best over the good and even over the better. Let me honor You, Lord, in all my choices. May the work of my hands be pleasing to You.
Now, Lord, as I go forward in this day, grant me the wisdom to say no to those things that will only worry and bother. May I know the peace that comes from sitting at Your feet and listening to Your word.
Oh Lord, the desire of my heart is to choose “the good part” as Mary did. Now I seem to be like Martha, “worried and bothered about so many things.” Help me, Lord, to sit at your feet listening to your word. Help me to turn from the distractions and do only those things for which I am given power by You.
Father God, bring order to my world as only You can. Help me to choose the best over the good and even over the better. Let me honor You, Lord, in all my choices. May the work of my hands be pleasing to You.
Now, Lord, as I go forward in this day, grant me the wisdom to say no to those things that will only worry and bother. May I know the peace that comes from sitting at Your feet and listening to Your word.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Blessings of Morning
The day still lies hidden behind a blanket of darkness. Nighttime seems reluctant to release its hold. As I look, however, the sky is a shade lighter than it was five minutes ago. When the process does start, it seems to move rapidly into full blown morning with the sun glowing brightly in the east, birds singing, and the crescendo of traffic noises indicating this is going to be a typical day in the city.
I, too, am reluctant to give up this quiet time, to close my Bible, to say one last amen, and to quit this special time with my Father. I know that soon someone and then more someones along with myriad tasks will begin to take bits then chunks of my time, my mental resources and my physical and emotional energy. I don’t begrudge that. It is the way each day is structured, and I actually go gladly to it. However, I so very much cherish these moments that are tucked between the restfulness of night and the busyness of day. I have, in fact, come to depend on them as preparation for those predictable things that will take place this day and, more importantly, for those things that come unexpectedly, packaged either as serendipity that will bring a smile to my face or in torn, dirty wrappings that will challenge my strength, my faith, my witness.
On numerous occasions, Jesus communed alone with His Father in the morning. The psalmist said, “In the morning, O, Lord, You hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” The most important discovery of all time – the empty tomb – was made just after sunrise.
So, I will continue to come early each day to my chair by the window, with my cup of coffee, my Bible, and my heart hopefully tuned to what the Father may have for me. I will enjoy the time when night still clutches its blanket of darkness, but I will also greet the dawn, knowing that my God, through His grace, has supplied all that I need for this day.
I, too, am reluctant to give up this quiet time, to close my Bible, to say one last amen, and to quit this special time with my Father. I know that soon someone and then more someones along with myriad tasks will begin to take bits then chunks of my time, my mental resources and my physical and emotional energy. I don’t begrudge that. It is the way each day is structured, and I actually go gladly to it. However, I so very much cherish these moments that are tucked between the restfulness of night and the busyness of day. I have, in fact, come to depend on them as preparation for those predictable things that will take place this day and, more importantly, for those things that come unexpectedly, packaged either as serendipity that will bring a smile to my face or in torn, dirty wrappings that will challenge my strength, my faith, my witness.
On numerous occasions, Jesus communed alone with His Father in the morning. The psalmist said, “In the morning, O, Lord, You hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” The most important discovery of all time – the empty tomb – was made just after sunrise.
So, I will continue to come early each day to my chair by the window, with my cup of coffee, my Bible, and my heart hopefully tuned to what the Father may have for me. I will enjoy the time when night still clutches its blanket of darkness, but I will also greet the dawn, knowing that my God, through His grace, has supplied all that I need for this day.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Best Laid Plans
Wednesday morning I was planning to share lunch with a couple of friends, finish up my Wednesday work schedule and enjoy fried chicken and fellowship with my church family. I was looking forward to being back in choir practice after being absent several weeks. Then my sister called from Birmingham saying Mother seemed confused. We both knew this probably indicated an infection of some kind, most likely urinary tract. After several conversations back and forth, I hurriedly competed my work and headed to Birmingham mid-afternoon.
All of my plans for the evening and the next day changed in a matter of moments. How thankful I was for a sweet understanding husband who urged me to be careful and gave me some professional advice for caring for my mother. How thankful I was that I was within 1 1/2 hours driving distance of my mother. How thankful I was for my sister who was right there and had things under control when I arrived. How thankful I was for mother's response to the medicine and a return to almost normal the next day. How thankful I was for a workplace where everyone said, "Go take care of your mother." How thankful I was that the world didn't come to a screeching halt because my plans changed.
Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse" talks of the despair of planning and preparation that come to nothing. The much used line, "the best laid schemes o' Mice and Men often go awry" are from this poem. Let me share just a few thoughts from God's word on "plans". Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:9, "The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 19:21, "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand."
God honors our planning and bringing order to our lives through our plans. However, He is always sovereign over our lives and our plans. There is no such thing as coincidence. Every moment of my life is ordered by God. Thus I can live in the confidence of knowing that everything that happens to me today has first been sifted through His fingers of love.
Father, may I be truly thankful for Your plans for my life. How thankful I am that though my plans may go awry, your perfect plans for my life will be in place. May I be attentive to the changes You interject in my plans today and may I faithfully follow your direction of my steps.
All of my plans for the evening and the next day changed in a matter of moments. How thankful I was for a sweet understanding husband who urged me to be careful and gave me some professional advice for caring for my mother. How thankful I was that I was within 1 1/2 hours driving distance of my mother. How thankful I was for my sister who was right there and had things under control when I arrived. How thankful I was for mother's response to the medicine and a return to almost normal the next day. How thankful I was for a workplace where everyone said, "Go take care of your mother." How thankful I was that the world didn't come to a screeching halt because my plans changed.
Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse" talks of the despair of planning and preparation that come to nothing. The much used line, "the best laid schemes o' Mice and Men often go awry" are from this poem. Let me share just a few thoughts from God's word on "plans". Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:9, "The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 19:21, "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand."
God honors our planning and bringing order to our lives through our plans. However, He is always sovereign over our lives and our plans. There is no such thing as coincidence. Every moment of my life is ordered by God. Thus I can live in the confidence of knowing that everything that happens to me today has first been sifted through His fingers of love.
Father, may I be truly thankful for Your plans for my life. How thankful I am that though my plans may go awry, your perfect plans for my life will be in place. May I be attentive to the changes You interject in my plans today and may I faithfully follow your direction of my steps.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Lessons From the Birds
I am a bird person. I share my backyard space with a variety of feathered friends and they bring me endless delight. I list their food expense under 'entertainment' in my budget because they provide me with hours of pleasure. They are a forgiving lot also. I have not been consistent with my feeding the last month because of being out of town and being sick. However, when I fill their feeders and their bird bath, they return immediately, forgiving me totally for my neglect.
The cardinals are my bird of choice right now. Mr. Cardinal gives such a bold splash of color to the otherwise bland winter landscape. There are four that visit me on a scheduled basis. They bring their Mrs. with them, and I love the more subtle hues the ladies wear. They appear at the feeders early in the morning and right at dusk. They might visit at other times also, but you can pretty much set your clocks by the morning and evening times.
The dark-eyed juncos who visit in the winter are interesting little charcoal gray birds who show up in the late fall and fly off by spring. They never eat from the hanging feeders. They are content to feed on the seeds that fall to the ground. You can see them pretty much any time of day going over the same plot of ground searching for fresh seeds.
The finches patiently feed at the finch feeders, plucking out one little thistle seed at a time. I so look forward to the first warm weather when the gold finches join their house finch cousins at my feeders. They literally flock to the feeders and vie in sometimes not so gracious ways for positions on the perches.
My grandchildren know the doves are not my favorite birds. They seem to have an attitude of entitlement and they are going to be first and last and ever in between all the other birds at the feeder. They lack grace and graciousness and never voluntarily give up their place for another.
There are many lessons to be learned from the birds and perhaps some jumped out at you as you read the above descriptions. There are numerous references to birds in the Bible. It was my least favorite, the dove, that brought Noah proof that the flood had ended. God used ravens to feed Elijah. He reminds us of His provision for us in the Sermon on the Mount: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
I thank God for these feathered creatures and the joys they bring me and the lessons I learn from Him through them.
The cardinals are my bird of choice right now. Mr. Cardinal gives such a bold splash of color to the otherwise bland winter landscape. There are four that visit me on a scheduled basis. They bring their Mrs. with them, and I love the more subtle hues the ladies wear. They appear at the feeders early in the morning and right at dusk. They might visit at other times also, but you can pretty much set your clocks by the morning and evening times.
The dark-eyed juncos who visit in the winter are interesting little charcoal gray birds who show up in the late fall and fly off by spring. They never eat from the hanging feeders. They are content to feed on the seeds that fall to the ground. You can see them pretty much any time of day going over the same plot of ground searching for fresh seeds.
The finches patiently feed at the finch feeders, plucking out one little thistle seed at a time. I so look forward to the first warm weather when the gold finches join their house finch cousins at my feeders. They literally flock to the feeders and vie in sometimes not so gracious ways for positions on the perches.
My grandchildren know the doves are not my favorite birds. They seem to have an attitude of entitlement and they are going to be first and last and ever in between all the other birds at the feeder. They lack grace and graciousness and never voluntarily give up their place for another.
There are many lessons to be learned from the birds and perhaps some jumped out at you as you read the above descriptions. There are numerous references to birds in the Bible. It was my least favorite, the dove, that brought Noah proof that the flood had ended. God used ravens to feed Elijah. He reminds us of His provision for us in the Sermon on the Mount: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
I thank God for these feathered creatures and the joys they bring me and the lessons I learn from Him through them.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God's Faithfulness to the Unfaithful
As I have begun reading the Bible through again this year, I note with dismay, once again, how many times in the first few chapters of Genesis God's chosen ones take matters into their own hands. They obviously did not trust God to do His work as He had promised He would. The consequences of these actions affect history to this day. Of course I believe in a sovereign God who works His plan in all things for His glory. But the point is, in most cases they failed to wait on the Lord.
God promised Abraham progeny as numerous as the stars in the sky. Sarah thought God needed her help so she persuaded Abraham to take her servant and produce his heir with her. The rest of that story is certainly much history. Abraham and Sarah also lied about their relationship, not trusting God to protect them in a foreign land. God used a godless king to rebuke them.
Rebekah obviously thought God needed some help with establishing Jacob's birthright. She and Jacob deceived Issac and we know the consequences of that action. Jacob ended up being deceived by Laban into marrying Leah.
How many times have I "helped" God and to what end. Thankfully, as we know from the stories above and as I know from my own history, God remains faithful when we are faithless. God continues to work in our lives for our good and His glory.
Father, God, help me to remain faithful to You, waiting for you to do the work in my life that will ultimately bless me and glorify You.
God promised Abraham progeny as numerous as the stars in the sky. Sarah thought God needed her help so she persuaded Abraham to take her servant and produce his heir with her. The rest of that story is certainly much history. Abraham and Sarah also lied about their relationship, not trusting God to protect them in a foreign land. God used a godless king to rebuke them.
Rebekah obviously thought God needed some help with establishing Jacob's birthright. She and Jacob deceived Issac and we know the consequences of that action. Jacob ended up being deceived by Laban into marrying Leah.
How many times have I "helped" God and to what end. Thankfully, as we know from the stories above and as I know from my own history, God remains faithful when we are faithless. God continues to work in our lives for our good and His glory.
Father, God, help me to remain faithful to You, waiting for you to do the work in my life that will ultimately bless me and glorify You.
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