Family Bonding
Determined to spend some quality family time together, my daughter, Melissa, her husband, Ray, and their two small children (really small, Sean, two, and Lily Kate, barely one) piled into their van early Sunday morning with nearly all of their household goods (or so it seemed) packed in the back. I should mention that my daughter is seven months pregnant Her husband (who works for Nascar) had arrived home at around 3 am after a Saturday night race, and was operating on very little sleep. Add to that mix the fact that it was raining Sunday morning. But nothing dampened their spirits. Having the next day off, they were determined to give their children some quality family time in the mountains of Tennessee. And although the weather was wet and miserable at home, the forecast was for sunny skies at Cades Cove, the campground destination. Undeterred, they drove through rain for the entire five hour trip. When they arrived at the campground, the rain let up just long enough for Ray to put up the tent. The last stake was barely secure in the ground when a massive thunderstorm rolled in. They huddled together in their little tent. Sean, with eyes big as saucers as the thunder boomed, nestled himself in his dad’s arms, and Lily Kate snuggled close to her mom. At that moment, though exhausted, hungry and wet, Melissa and Ray knew there was no place they’d rather be.
We lived in Iowa for eight years, while our kids were growing up. Usually, every winter, there would be at least one blizzard that would leave us snowed in for three or four days. During those times, we would huddle together in front of the fire, pop some popcorn and watch a movie together (if we still had power!). And, truly, there was no place I’d rather have been. In the summer, thunderstorms would roll in and create a light (and sound!) show that could last for hours….we would sit close together on our front porch swing, marveling at the wonder of it all, and savoring the warmth of family togetherness. With no distractions, no place to go and nothing else we could do, the unexpected joy of just being together would envelop us. Often, it is the unexpected challenges of life that give us these opportunities. The same is true spiritually. So many things can appear threatening in the storms of life. But sometimes, when we set aside the distractions to savor relationship with our Creator, we can find ourselves enveloped with the peaceful presence of God. There is no greater comfort or security than having our Father’s arms wrapped around us …”the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). There is no place I’d rather be….
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Hole in Our Hearts
“I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23).
My dear friend, Barbara, is living in Thailand for the next several weeks. She is a keen observer and descriptive writer, and I love the images she is sharing as her adventure unfolds. Reading her emails, I’m captivated, as if absorbed in one of those wonderful travel shows on PBS. Some of the most intriguing sights she describes are the temples, which must be everywhere you turn in Bangkok! She writes about “intricate artwork, vivid colors, more buddhas than I could count…” She describes the standing buddha (105 feet tall), the reclining buddha, (150 feet long and covered in gold….this buddha depicts Nirvana, the aim of buddhism), the lucky buddha, and the emerald buddha on the palace grounds, to name a few. Barbara describes shrines that are “everywhere…in the courtyard of the apartment, in Starbucks, on the street corner, in the mall, in the yards of homes, in the park, in the market…” And she notes that the monks are treated with great respect, and given an elevated position in society. She is struck by the contrast of the devout faith that permeates that culture and the casual worship that is characteristic of our society. Barbara wrote “so maybe a difference is the people here are worshipping idols because they are trying to fill the “God hole” in their hearts with a god (imitation, but they don’t know) and people in America are filling their God hole with themselves…” Obviously, all of us have a God hole in our hearts. Paul mentions this God hole in Ephesians 3:19, and expresses his desire that we come to “know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” We all have an empty place that desperately needs to be filled. A study of world religions is a study of cultures trying to fill that hole. I began to wonder what Buddhism was all about, and became intrigued as I studied the topic.
In all that I have read, I know I have just begun to scratch the surface. Buddhism takes many different forms throughout India, China and Southeast Asia. The religion itself is described as “a continuous analytical process of life, not a mere set of ethics and rituals” (Wikipedia encyclopedia, article on Buddhism). Although Buddha is revered as a single supremely gifted person, worshippers recognize the existence of other Buddhas in the distant past and yet to come in the future. The form of Buddhism practiced in Thailand is known as “Theravada.” It’s ultimate theory can be summarized in “four noble truths.” And these can be simply stated as “the problem,” “the cause,” “the solution,” and the “pathway.” The goal of following the tenents of Buddhism is to achieve “nirvana.” Followers may have to be continually reborn until they achieve this goal. Nirvana can be described as “perfect peace of mind that is free from craving, anger, and other afflictive states.” Or, “the state of being free from the state of suffering and the cycle of rebirth” (Wikipedia, Nirvana in Buddhism).
You might say there are four noble truths in Christianity as well: 1)the problem (separation from God because of sin), 2)the cause (lack of belief, leading to rebellion), 3)the solution (the blood of Christ), 4)the pathway (the living Christ). I appreciate the simplicity of Christianity. As I studied Buddhism, my head began to spin. It is a very complex system of beliefs, that varies widely from culture to culture. Paul warns “I fear, lest by any means….your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (KJV, II. Cor. 11:3). He continues his discourse to the Athenians by saying, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else……God did this so that all men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:24-28). We could never impress God with ornate temples and countless shrines. Faithfully observing endless rituals cannot win His favor (Gal. 2:15-16). Nothing we can do will ever fill our God hole. God purposefully made us incomplete, and He is the only One who can make us whole…”For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ…” (Col. 2:9)
I know that worship is never a casual thing for my friend in Thailand. And I cannot help but reflect that amongst all the artistry, gold, precious gems and devout rituals surrounding her in that land, her heart of worship is what God finds beautiful…swadikah
my friend….keep sharing!
“I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23).
My dear friend, Barbara, is living in Thailand for the next several weeks. She is a keen observer and descriptive writer, and I love the images she is sharing as her adventure unfolds. Reading her emails, I’m captivated, as if absorbed in one of those wonderful travel shows on PBS. Some of the most intriguing sights she describes are the temples, which must be everywhere you turn in Bangkok! She writes about “intricate artwork, vivid colors, more buddhas than I could count…” She describes the standing buddha (105 feet tall), the reclining buddha, (150 feet long and covered in gold….this buddha depicts Nirvana, the aim of buddhism), the lucky buddha, and the emerald buddha on the palace grounds, to name a few. Barbara describes shrines that are “everywhere…in the courtyard of the apartment, in Starbucks, on the street corner, in the mall, in the yards of homes, in the park, in the market…” And she notes that the monks are treated with great respect, and given an elevated position in society. She is struck by the contrast of the devout faith that permeates that culture and the casual worship that is characteristic of our society. Barbara wrote “so maybe a difference is the people here are worshipping idols because they are trying to fill the “God hole” in their hearts with a god (imitation, but they don’t know) and people in America are filling their God hole with themselves…” Obviously, all of us have a God hole in our hearts. Paul mentions this God hole in Ephesians 3:19, and expresses his desire that we come to “know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” We all have an empty place that desperately needs to be filled. A study of world religions is a study of cultures trying to fill that hole. I began to wonder what Buddhism was all about, and became intrigued as I studied the topic.
In all that I have read, I know I have just begun to scratch the surface. Buddhism takes many different forms throughout India, China and Southeast Asia. The religion itself is described as “a continuous analytical process of life, not a mere set of ethics and rituals” (Wikipedia encyclopedia, article on Buddhism). Although Buddha is revered as a single supremely gifted person, worshippers recognize the existence of other Buddhas in the distant past and yet to come in the future. The form of Buddhism practiced in Thailand is known as “Theravada.” It’s ultimate theory can be summarized in “four noble truths.” And these can be simply stated as “the problem,” “the cause,” “the solution,” and the “pathway.” The goal of following the tenents of Buddhism is to achieve “nirvana.” Followers may have to be continually reborn until they achieve this goal. Nirvana can be described as “perfect peace of mind that is free from craving, anger, and other afflictive states.” Or, “the state of being free from the state of suffering and the cycle of rebirth” (Wikipedia, Nirvana in Buddhism).
You might say there are four noble truths in Christianity as well: 1)the problem (separation from God because of sin), 2)the cause (lack of belief, leading to rebellion), 3)the solution (the blood of Christ), 4)the pathway (the living Christ). I appreciate the simplicity of Christianity. As I studied Buddhism, my head began to spin. It is a very complex system of beliefs, that varies widely from culture to culture. Paul warns “I fear, lest by any means….your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (KJV, II. Cor. 11:3). He continues his discourse to the Athenians by saying, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else……God did this so that all men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:24-28). We could never impress God with ornate temples and countless shrines. Faithfully observing endless rituals cannot win His favor (Gal. 2:15-16). Nothing we can do will ever fill our God hole. God purposefully made us incomplete, and He is the only One who can make us whole…”For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ…” (Col. 2:9)
I know that worship is never a casual thing for my friend in Thailand. And I cannot help but reflect that amongst all the artistry, gold, precious gems and devout rituals surrounding her in that land, her heart of worship is what God finds beautiful…swadikah
my friend….keep sharing!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue…and dreams that you dare to dream really do come true….” Eva Cassidy’s lilting rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. As I close my eyes and listen, I imagine a beautiful rainbow filling the sky….I think I can even smell the sweet aroma of the earth after a refreshing rain. What is it about the rainbow? Sometimes dazzling…sometimes subtle…always delightful and amazing. Sometimes the appearance of a rainbow will make me reflect on the Biblical account of the first time anyone saw a rainbow. It was preceded by one of the darkest times in the history of man, a time when God grieved.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Is there anything that stirs our hearts like a good love story? The books and movies I remember best are the ones that revolve around a love story. I’d venture to say there is no great story unless there is a love story within it. Perhaps that’s because the story of our lives is a love story, and the story of God’s plan is the greatest love story imaginable.
I believe the outline of God’s love story is preserved in His holy days. Three seasons of the year, the Israelites were commanded to “appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose.” These times were The Feast of Unleavened Bread (which began with Passover), the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles. This past Sunday, May 31st, was the day of Pentecost (Pentecost literally means “count fifty.” The day after the Sabbath immediately following the Passover, a single sheaf of the firstfruits of the harvest was brought to the priest. The priest waved the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on behalf of the people…an obvious type of Christ being accepted on our behalf as the first of the firstfruits. Seven weeks were counted from the wave sheaf offering to arrive at the feast of Pentecost 50 days later…hence, it is also called the “feast of weeks.”) There is a wonderful love story associated with this holy day.
The book of Ruth is one of the Megilloth (festival scrolls, read on annual holy days). It is read in Jewish synagogues on Pentecost (referred to as Shavout). The events recorded in the book occurred between Passover and Pentecost in the late spring, between the early and late spring harvest. The timing of the book is fascinating. It occurred during the time of the judges, a time when “every man did what was right in his own eyes,” and the result was chaos, violence, disobedience and idolatry (Judges 21:25). So it becomes a story of God’s grace during a dark time in Israel’s history.
As the story unfolds, we learn that, because of famine, Naomi, her husband and two sons move to Moab and her sons marry there. Shortly thereafter, her husband and both sons die, and Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem (1:1-7). Naomi implores her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab. Orpah agrees, but Ruth adamantly refuses. Her words to Naomi have been used countless times in weddings as a beautiful depiction of steadfast love, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” (1:16-17). I find it a little amusing that, although this is quoted in weddings, it actually depicts the love of a daughter- in- law for her mother- in- law! I have a mother in law I love dearly (Audrey, I hope you are reading this!), but I am often told this is not the norm for our day and age….I doubt it was then either! But her devotion to her mother-in-law led to an unexpected romance, a radical change of circumstance, a prophecy of future redemption, and to Ruth, herself, becoming a part of the lineage of Christ!
Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi and participated in the first-fruit harvest, mainly in the fields of Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s dead husband. Boaz noticed Ruth and learned about her faithfulness to her mother in law. He was impressed. “May the Lord repay you for what you have done…may you be richly rewarded by the Lord…” (2:12). He protected her, allowing her to glean and gather sheaves left behind by the harvesters. Days later, when the barley and wheat harvests were finished, Ruth went to the threshing floor where Boaz was winnowing barley. When he had fallen asleep, she laid down at his feet. I love the account the scripture relates…”in the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet” (3:8). I forgot to mention that Ruth had washed and perfumed herself…and I would love to have some of that fragrance! Boaz’ response to her, after being startled in the middle of the night, was “ The Lord bless you, my daughter…this kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier…” Faithful to the custom of the “kinsman redeemer” (Deut. 25:5), Boaz made sure that the one relative with prior claim to Ruth renounced his claim, and then he made Ruth his wife. Truly a match “made in heaven,” their descendants include King David and Jesus Christ, Himself!
How appropriate that this book would be read on Pentecost. Ruth left everything of her own world, even her religion, to follow Naomi. Though a Gentile, she married an Israelite, embraced a new faith, and became included in the lineage of Christ. God shows us that Gentiles can become spiritual Israelites and take part in the marriage of Christ to His “firstfruits” (the Church). Boaz’ love for Ruth is a type of Christ’s love for the church, and prophetic of the redemptive work of our Saviour/Redeemer. He is the “Husbandman” who provides for and protects his bride. Boaz protected and provided for Ruth, even when she was unaware (2:15-16). Ruth “prepared herself” and laid at Boaz’ feet. The church is making herself ready to become the bride of Christ. Boaz redeemed Ruth, who had nothing and was powerless to change her circumstances. In this book, God reveals His heart. “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 23:9,22). So Israel was commanded to care for the poor and the alien. Without this law, there would be no book of Ruth. God’s provision was not solely for Israel. His intent was to use Israel to bless others. Pentecost, in the New Testament, ushered in the church age, and now His church has the responsibility to express His heart in caring for others. He invites any who are willing to glean in His fields, to become a part of His early harvest, and to discover their Kinsman Redeemer. And the love story continues….
I believe the outline of God’s love story is preserved in His holy days. Three seasons of the year, the Israelites were commanded to “appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose.” These times were The Feast of Unleavened Bread (which began with Passover), the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles. This past Sunday, May 31st, was the day of Pentecost (Pentecost literally means “count fifty.” The day after the Sabbath immediately following the Passover, a single sheaf of the firstfruits of the harvest was brought to the priest. The priest waved the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on behalf of the people…an obvious type of Christ being accepted on our behalf as the first of the firstfruits. Seven weeks were counted from the wave sheaf offering to arrive at the feast of Pentecost 50 days later…hence, it is also called the “feast of weeks.”) There is a wonderful love story associated with this holy day.
The book of Ruth is one of the Megilloth (festival scrolls, read on annual holy days). It is read in Jewish synagogues on Pentecost (referred to as Shavout). The events recorded in the book occurred between Passover and Pentecost in the late spring, between the early and late spring harvest. The timing of the book is fascinating. It occurred during the time of the judges, a time when “every man did what was right in his own eyes,” and the result was chaos, violence, disobedience and idolatry (Judges 21:25). So it becomes a story of God’s grace during a dark time in Israel’s history.
As the story unfolds, we learn that, because of famine, Naomi, her husband and two sons move to Moab and her sons marry there. Shortly thereafter, her husband and both sons die, and Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem (1:1-7). Naomi implores her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab. Orpah agrees, but Ruth adamantly refuses. Her words to Naomi have been used countless times in weddings as a beautiful depiction of steadfast love, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” (1:16-17). I find it a little amusing that, although this is quoted in weddings, it actually depicts the love of a daughter- in- law for her mother- in- law! I have a mother in law I love dearly (Audrey, I hope you are reading this!), but I am often told this is not the norm for our day and age….I doubt it was then either! But her devotion to her mother-in-law led to an unexpected romance, a radical change of circumstance, a prophecy of future redemption, and to Ruth, herself, becoming a part of the lineage of Christ!
Ruth returned to Bethlehem with Naomi and participated in the first-fruit harvest, mainly in the fields of Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s dead husband. Boaz noticed Ruth and learned about her faithfulness to her mother in law. He was impressed. “May the Lord repay you for what you have done…may you be richly rewarded by the Lord…” (2:12). He protected her, allowing her to glean and gather sheaves left behind by the harvesters. Days later, when the barley and wheat harvests were finished, Ruth went to the threshing floor where Boaz was winnowing barley. When he had fallen asleep, she laid down at his feet. I love the account the scripture relates…”in the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet” (3:8). I forgot to mention that Ruth had washed and perfumed herself…and I would love to have some of that fragrance! Boaz’ response to her, after being startled in the middle of the night, was “ The Lord bless you, my daughter…this kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier…” Faithful to the custom of the “kinsman redeemer” (Deut. 25:5), Boaz made sure that the one relative with prior claim to Ruth renounced his claim, and then he made Ruth his wife. Truly a match “made in heaven,” their descendants include King David and Jesus Christ, Himself!
How appropriate that this book would be read on Pentecost. Ruth left everything of her own world, even her religion, to follow Naomi. Though a Gentile, she married an Israelite, embraced a new faith, and became included in the lineage of Christ. God shows us that Gentiles can become spiritual Israelites and take part in the marriage of Christ to His “firstfruits” (the Church). Boaz’ love for Ruth is a type of Christ’s love for the church, and prophetic of the redemptive work of our Saviour/Redeemer. He is the “Husbandman” who provides for and protects his bride. Boaz protected and provided for Ruth, even when she was unaware (2:15-16). Ruth “prepared herself” and laid at Boaz’ feet. The church is making herself ready to become the bride of Christ. Boaz redeemed Ruth, who had nothing and was powerless to change her circumstances. In this book, God reveals His heart. “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 23:9,22). So Israel was commanded to care for the poor and the alien. Without this law, there would be no book of Ruth. God’s provision was not solely for Israel. His intent was to use Israel to bless others. Pentecost, in the New Testament, ushered in the church age, and now His church has the responsibility to express His heart in caring for others. He invites any who are willing to glean in His fields, to become a part of His early harvest, and to discover their Kinsman Redeemer. And the love story continues….
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Master Potter
Recently, our school acquired a kiln. A whole new world of art has opened up for our elementary students, most of whom have physical disabilities. With the patient guidance of our art teacher, our students have plied clay to form pottery bowls and rolled clay into strips to make woven pottery baskets. When the raw clay pieces are finished, the art teacher “fires” them a first time, a process called bisque firing. She brings the fired pieces back to the students to be painted, or “glazed.” This is the part that fascinates me the most. The teacher sets out a number of jars of paint, each labeled with a color name. If they were not labeled, we would have no idea what color the paint was supposed to be. We trust her that the color that looks light green will actually be red, and the light purple will turn out to be yellow. The students delight in painting their artwork, and love to use a lot of different colors. As I assist eager little hands grasping flailing paint brushes, I find myself thinking, “okay, this will be a mess!” The art teacher smiles and tells us “these will be great!” and she carries them away to the kiln to be fired a second time. When she returns with the finished pieces, I am amazed…each piece is unique and utterly beautiful. The more varieties of paint that were used, the more beautiful the finished product turned out to be. Some of the pottery bowls went home for Mothers’ Day, and I am sure there were many delighted mothers.
“O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”{Isaiah 64:8). What a profound analogy to reflect upon. God is forming each of us into a work of art, unique and beautiful. His hands are perfectly skilled, he does not make mistakes. The paint, or gloss, can be likened to the experiences of our lives. Each experience adds a dimension to who we are and brings us closer to the finished vessel our Potter plans for us to be. In our Christian journey, we are to “make every effort to add to faith, goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). As we eagerly attempt to pursue these qualities with unskilled hearts, our masterful Potter guides us through each life experience, adding, as it were, another color. We have to trust the Artist, because often circumstances in our lives don’t appear to be what we would expect or hope for. Trials come, refining us like fire, “so that our faith may be proved genuine” (I Peter 1:5-7). Our Potter knows exactly how much heat we need. Without the heat of the kiln, the pottery would remain fragile and plain. When heated at just the right temperature, for just the right amount of time, the pottery becomes a piece of art, a beautiful masterpiece, reflecting the glory of its Maker and given a place of honor in His house. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6). How thankful I am to be in those hands, or this clay would be a mess…
“O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”{Isaiah 64:8). What a profound analogy to reflect upon. God is forming each of us into a work of art, unique and beautiful. His hands are perfectly skilled, he does not make mistakes. The paint, or gloss, can be likened to the experiences of our lives. Each experience adds a dimension to who we are and brings us closer to the finished vessel our Potter plans for us to be. In our Christian journey, we are to “make every effort to add to faith, goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). As we eagerly attempt to pursue these qualities with unskilled hearts, our masterful Potter guides us through each life experience, adding, as it were, another color. We have to trust the Artist, because often circumstances in our lives don’t appear to be what we would expect or hope for. Trials come, refining us like fire, “so that our faith may be proved genuine” (I Peter 1:5-7). Our Potter knows exactly how much heat we need. Without the heat of the kiln, the pottery would remain fragile and plain. When heated at just the right temperature, for just the right amount of time, the pottery becomes a piece of art, a beautiful masterpiece, reflecting the glory of its Maker and given a place of honor in His house. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6). How thankful I am to be in those hands, or this clay would be a mess…
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
And I pray that you, being rooted and established (“grounded” KJV) in love, may have power….to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love, that surpasses knowledge…. (Ephesians 3: 17-19). I just enjoyed the best Mother’s Day I can remember. There simply is no sweeter gift than spending the day with family, savoring good conversation, lots of laughter and the adoring attention of beautiful grandchildren. Truly, my cup is running over! The highlight of my day revolved around the planting of a tree. When my daughter, Lisa, was asked what she wanted for Mother’s Day, she said she wanted a dogwood tree for the backyard. My son-in-law delivered a sizable young tree while we were all together this afternoon. Each of the men took a turn to help dig the hole for the root ball, while Lisa mixed the overturned dirt with soil conditioner. Carefully, the tree was positioned in the hole, and the enriched soil was mounded around the root and pressed gently down around it. As we were all standing around admiring the new tree, my daughter suggested we offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Spontaneously, we held hands while she offered a simple prayer of thanks. She thanked God for the tree, for the special day, for all of us being together, and especially for the gift of family. It was a spontaneous moment, but it touched us all and moved some of us to tears. Reflecting on the day as we drove home this evening, I thought about that tree and the life-lessons that are so deeply interwoven into all of creation. A family is very much like a tree. I think of my mother and father in law, who were with us today, as the root of our family. They have set the example as pillars of faith and have helped each of us to become “rooted and grounded” in the love of God. As our lives have become established in the fertile soil of our God, His love has begun to flow in and through each of us, and we have become the branches, always reaching further and higher. It is our relationship with Him that has united, strengthened and enriched our family beyond measure. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener” (John 15:1) I love the picture of God as a gardener….after all, He planted the most beautiful garden imaginable in the garden of Eden. And I don’t think it is insignificant that when Mary first saw Jesus after His resurrection, she mistook Him for the gardener (John 20:15). God is the Master Gardner, and I pray that, as a family, we will bear fruit to His glory…”I am the vine, you are the branches….this is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit…” (John 15:5-8). I am going to love watching that little dogwood tree as it grows….especially on Mother’s Day…
Saturday, May 2, 2009
“Don’t remind me!” is often the response we get when we wish someone a “happy birthday.” When we were young, we couldn’t wait to grown up. But as we cross that line considered “middle age” it’s as if every birthday reminds us of our mortality. It’s hard to see the vitality of youth giving way to aches and pains in places we didn’t even know we had places. Phyllis Diller once wrote that her body was falling so fast her gynecologist had to wear a hard hat! One good thing about growing older is the deeper realization that life is a gift, and it is a gift that bestows a great responsibility and wondrous opportunity. Around the first of the year I asked one of my dearest friends if she had a new year’s resolution. I was expecting an answer that revolved around a physical goal, like weight loss or “getting in shape.” Instead, with a look of resolve in her eyes, she responded, “To seek first the kingdom of God.” She added that although some physical goals were still important, they were no longer a priority in her life. I have thought often about what she said, and I have prayed that this would be my daily resolution as well. In praying about it, I have tried to understand the depth of what it means to “seek first the kingdom…”My friend was quoting from Matthew 6:33, where Christ tells his disciples to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (material provision) will be given to you as well.” I am astounded by how many times Christ refers to His kingdom. Matthew 4:23 says “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom….” His parables often centered on the kingdom. He said “this is what the kingdom of God is like…” as He began two parables, one about the growing seed and another about the mustard seed. Even the prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament focus on government….”for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders….of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7) Yet, His government is not here yet. Matthew 4, verse 8 states that Satan took Christ “to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me.” Christ conquered the kingdom of darkness on the cross, but He has not yet deposed it’s ruler on this earth. “A day of the Lord is coming…the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west….the Lord will be king over the whole earth…” (Zechariah 14:1-9). Referring to that same period of time, Isaiah prophesies “They will not harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Is. 11:9). No wonder Christ taught his disciples to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). So we are “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Cor. 5:20) representing His coming kingdom. We are called to be “the salt of the earth…the light of the world,” caring about the things He cares about, being about “our Father’s business”(Luke 2:49, King James version).
And so, to my dear friend, and all of my friends and family in the faith, “I thank my God every time I remember you…in all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel ….being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”…the day of His return, when we will reign with Him as kings and priests (Rev. 1:6). May we all seek that kingdom above all else.
And so, to my dear friend, and all of my friends and family in the faith, “I thank my God every time I remember you…in all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel ….being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”…the day of His return, when we will reign with Him as kings and priests (Rev. 1:6). May we all seek that kingdom above all else.
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