What did you do for Labor Day weekend?

We spent Labor Day weekend at Camp Comeca near Cozad, Nebraska.  It was nice; more like being in a hotel than camping.  On Sunday morning we sung a new-to-me hymn.  One of the lyrics really touched my heart: “Be still my soul; the waves and the wind still know the Christ who ruled them while He dwelt below.”

What a poetic reminder!  The forces behind the trials in our lives are subject to the Lord just as the wind and waves were in Mark 4:35-41.  I’m going to tuck that lyric into my bag of tricks for when I am freaking out.  Be still my soul; the wind and waves still obey Him.

One of these things is not like the others . . .

Peculiar, different, distinct, unique, set apart

How do you feel about these words?  Being different from the rest of a group isn’t always fun.  Did you know these words are used to describe both New Testament believers and Ancient Israelites?  In 1 Peter 2:9 KJV, we are called a “peculiar people.”  When the Lord called the Nation of Israel to be His own unique possession in Exodus 19:5, He gave them laws to make them distinct from the surrounding nations.  Some laws, like Exodus 23:19 and Deuteronomy 12:23, guarded the Jews against the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.  Some regulations, like Leviticus 14 and 19:7, protected public health.  Some precepts, like Deuteronomy 24:19-21, instructed them in how to show kindness to each other.  But they all helped to create a unique cultural thumbprint from the Jews.  Can you imagine the conversations around ancient water coolers (or those hand-dug wells)?

               

    “Why don’t you wear garments of wool and flax blended together?” asks a shepherd.

    “Because our God commanded us not to.” responds an Israelite.

    “Why follow a God who restricts you?” inquires a companion of the first shepherd.

     “Let me tell you about our God.  He divided the Red Sea so our people could safely pass.  He fed us in    the barren desert for forty years on mostly manna.  He kept our sandals from wearing out that whole time.  We serve a good and living God.  Would you like to join us?” asks the Israelite. 

I think the same is true of Christians today.  If we follow Christ, we will be a little different than the other people around us.  We aren’t just different to fulfill some need for a unique identity.  We’re a little different to draw attention to who God is. 

But sometimes it’s lonely being different.  You won’t participate in certain activities that almost everyone else is doing.  Other people may not understand your motivation.  They might call you names like ‘weird’ or ‘stuck-up’.  You’re never truly alone because God is always with you, but you might feel lonely.  I’ve found that it’s easier to be different if you’re not doing it alone.  If you are endeavoring to grow as a follower of Christ, let me encourage you to become involved in a fellowship of other believers. It’s more fun when you’re not alone. 

This Question Needs Answering

It had been a busy day.  Our three year old daughter, Phoenix, was exhausted.  She napped until I needed to get Greg, our 7 year old son, from school.  When I put her in the van to go pick him up, she continued to sleep.  Even after Greg climbed into his car seat and nosily greeted both Phoenix and I, she slept.  I carried her into the house and sat down on the couch.  She snuggled up to me, tucking her head into my shoulder, pulling herself close to me.  It was such a delight to cuddle her while she slowly awoke from her nap.  It touched my heart.  It made me wonder, when we draw near to God, does it touch His heart?  Does He delight in holding us?  Let’s take a look in the Bible.

Zephaniah 3:17 says “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  This passage seems to indicate that God does delight in the Nation of Israel.  They seem to have to ability to make His heart sing.  Isaiah 62:5 also records God rejoicing over the Nation of Israel.  “As a young man marries a maiden, so will your Builder marry you, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”  Here we go again; another passage with God rejoicing over the Nation of Israel.  Must be nice, Israel.  Hosea 11 speaks of a bond between The Lord and Israel that is like the bond between a parent and child.  Verse 1 begins “When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of Egypt I called him my son.” The story continues in verse 4 as “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.  To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.”  Doesn’t this sound like a parent holding a child close, cheek to cheek, delighting in the closeness?  It makes me think of a parent kneeling to talk with a child, getting on his or her eye level.  It is very personal.  All of these Old Testament passages specifically refer to the Nation of Israel.  Romans 11 announces to us Non-Jewish believers that we are grafted into the Nation of Israel.  We now lay claim to the God of Israel and His promises to them. 

Jesus teaches in Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  That’s pretty cool, but what about specifically God rejoicing over us, not just heaven in general.  The Apostle Paul proclaims to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “we instructed you how to live in order to please God.” We have the capacity to please God?  If you want to know how, read verses 3-12.  Hebrews 11:6 speaks of us pleasing God.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  We must believe that He exists.  Additionally, we must believe that the blood of the Lamb makes us able to seek and find Him.  I know my sins are offensive to Him.  Can God get beyond the offal of my sin to embrace and delight in me?  That’s really what we are getting at here.  It’s amazing isn’t it?  Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we can move into a relationship described as “God is pleased with you.”  It sounds both too good to be true but also so foundationally true all at once.  God, you indeed surpass our human understanding!  The Creator of Heaven and Earth needs nothing: no food, no water, no shelter, no friends.  But He chooses to want me?  Limited, sinful me?  It’s in the Bible.  Don’t believe me?   Look it up for yourself in Acts 17:24-28.  Even more amazing is this: the Bible insinuates that I can I can touch His heart, so to speak.  Can it really be true?  Does He look at me and smile?  Does He really want to be close to me?

I think He does.  I read Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 11:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 4:18, Luke 15:11-32 and I begin to believe that God chooses to delight in us.  What about you?  Do you think that He enjoys fellowship with you?  Lord, lead us in the paths of righteousness that go straight to the warm embrace of our Heavenly Father. 

Can I make Him smile?

 Phoenix definitely has the ability to make other people smile. I remember one busy day that my precious girl was very sleepy.  She napped until I needed to get Greg, our 7 year old son, from school.  When I put her in the van to go pick him up, she continued to sleep.  Even after Greg climbed into his car seat and nosily greeted both Phoenix and I, she slept.  I carried her into the house and sat down on the couch.  She snuggled up to me, tucking her head into my shoulder, pulling herself close to me.  It was such a delight to cuddle her while she slowly awoke from her nap.  It touched my heart.  It made me wonder, when we draw near to God, does it touch His heart?  Does He delight in holding us?  Let’s take a look in the Bible.

Zephaniah 3:17 says “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  This passage seems to indicate that God does delight in the Nation of Israel.  They seem to have to ability to make His heart sing.  Isaiah 62:5 also records God rejoicing over the Nation of Israel.  “As a young man marries a maiden, so will your Builder marry you, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”  Here we go again; another passage with God rejoicing over the Nation of Israel.  Must be nice, Israel.  Hosea 11 speaks of a bond between The Lord and Israel that is like the bond between a parent and child.  Verse 1 begins “When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of Egypt I called him my son.” The story continues in verse 4 as “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love.  To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.”  Doesn’t this sound like a parent holding a child close, cheek to cheek, delighting in the closeness?  It makes me think of a parent kneeling to talk with a child, getting on his or her eye level.  It is very personal.  All of these Old Testament passages specifically refer to the Nation of Israel.  Romans 11 announces to us Non-Jewish believers that we are grafted into the Nation of Israel.  We now lay claim to the God of Israel and His promises to them. 

Jesus teaches in Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  That’s pretty cool, but what about specifically God rejoicing over us, not just heaven in general.  The Apostle Paul proclaims to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “we instructed you how to live in order to please God.” We have the capacity to please God?  If you want to know how, read verses 3-12.  Hebrews 11:6 speaks of us pleasing God.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  We must believe that He exists.  Additionally, we must believe that the blood of the Lamb makes us able to seek and find Him.  I know my sins are offensive to Him.  Can God get beyond the offal of my sin to embrace and delight in me?  That’s really what we are getting at here.  It’s amazing isn’t it?  Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we can move into a relationship described as “God enjoys you.”  It sounds both too good to be true but also so foundationally true all at once.  God, you indeed surpass our human understanding!  The Creator of Heaven and Earth needs nothing: no food, no water, no shelter, no friends.  But He chooses to want me?  Limited, sinful me?  It’s in the Bible.  Don’t believe me?   Look it up for yourself in Acts 17:24-28.  Even more amazing is this: the Bible insinuates that I can bring a smile to His face.  I can touch His heart.  Can it really be true?  Does He look at me and smile?  Does He really want to be close to me?

I think He does.  I read Zephaniah 3:17, Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 11:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 4:18, Luke 15:11-32 and I begin to believe that God chooses to delight in us.  What about you?  Do you think that He enjoys your company?  Lord, lead us in the paths of righteousness that go straight to the warm embrace of our Heavenly Father. 

The Tea Party

 I was a recent college graduate, living in my own apartment.  It was summer time, school was out and I decided to kill a day by making all kinds of cookies.  My parents gave me a cookie press and I wanted to use all the plates.  How many different shapes could I make?  Half way through my baking extravaganza, I had a brilliant idea.  Tint some of the dough pink!  Then I could make cookies not only of various shapes, but also colors. 

These mild little butter cookies go so well with tea and coffee.  I had enough to throw a big tea party.  Unfortunately, I had just moved to Wichita to begin my first full time teaching position.  I didn’t know anybody yet.  Therefore, I decided to throw a tea party for myself and God.  I know it sounds silly.  God doesn’t require food like we do, but I required company.

I set a place of good china for both of us.  I arranged the cookies on a platter.  I served us both coffee.  Then I began conversing out loud to God, making small talk like one would do at a tea party.  I can’t remember how the subject came up, but I distinctly remember asking God why He made me the way He did.  Seriously, wouldn’t it be a little easier for me to maintain a healthy body weight if He had made me taller?  My hair wouldn’t turn into a ‘fro if He had made it straight.  Couldn’t I be more charming and funny?  Why did He make me so serious?  Was it really necessary for me to be a nerd, delighting in knowing the answers to the teacher’s questions? 

Oddly enough, I did get an answer.  It wasn’t audible, but God began speaking to my heart.  He directed my attention to the plate of cookies.  Why had I made them all different shapes?  Why did I tint some pink?  Well, I made some of them pink because I wanted to.  When I saw the cookies, I smiled.  God told me that when He sees the unique individual He created me to be, He smiles.  He takes pleasure in the short, curly-haired, inquisitive, serious person that He created me to be.  He delights in you too. 

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

The verse above was written to the nation of Israel, but I believe that New Testament believers enjoy His delight too.  I’ll blog about that later ;-)