Today I read from the book of Joshua, which if I'm being honest Lord, is really a difficult book to get into after the first couple of chapters. What I'm realizing as I read this year is what kind of books I really like and what kind of books I don't care for. I mean, I'm working through the year on a "Literature Style" plan of reading through the Bible. And what I've found so far is that I am really fond of the poetry, Psalms, prophecy and gospels and I don't get all that excited when I see that it's a day for reading the history books of the Bible.
What do you do with the splitting up of land? How do you look at that hermeneutically? What does the fact that the tribe of Judah was given 29 towns and cities in the hill country do to build up my faith? How can I enact or put into practice the wiping out of everyone who is breathing from the towns that God delivers into my hands? I mean, I'm being sarcastic because these things aren't necessarily here as part of the text for me to emulate, but that brings me back to my original question, what do I do with these texts?
I suppose, after I stop whining, that these passages are about receiving what You have given. And You've been very good in what You have given to me. I have a wife who loves me and a son who ran across the basement last night to give me a hug when he got home. You've given me a home, You keep the heat working, because You know how our old furnace just likes to up and quit every now and again. You've given me a church community that challenges me to grow.
Do I do what I can to protect the things You've given me from spiritual danger? I don't want to spiritualize the text from Joshua too much, but I think the reason they annihilated everyone was to keep the land from being overwhelmed with idols. To keep the land that You had given them "spiritually" safe. What do I do to keep my family and church "spiritually" safe? This is actually a great question, because I can't come up with a solid answer quickly. It's making me think. It's also making think, what am I supposed to do?
Since I have no answers this morning, keep these questions before me throughout the day.
Showing posts with label provision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label provision. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Friends, Family and Provision
THURSDAY 2.21.08 - PSALM 22:26-31
The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him - may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
Last night Lord, I sat in bed reading about joy. Eugene Peterson's book was noting that joy is not a requirement of the Christian walk, but instead a result. It kind of like, as we live the Christian faith we see You move and change hearts and minds, including our own, from time to time. To feel real joy in the present, we remember the times You've moved in the past and have confidence that You are going to act in a mighty way again in the future.
Eugene was pulling that insight from another psalm (126) but it's interesting how these themes of life and discipleship are woven into all parts of the text. Here in Psalm 22: "they who seek the LORD will praise him..." And who praises better than one who has joy, than one who remembers how the LORD has worked for them. In fact, "All the ends of the earth will remember..." This theme of remembrance is right there with the theme of praise and joy.
How often I forget that You have worked in my life Lord. And when I do try to remember, my mind immediately begins counting off the big possessions and provisions You've given me. Which seems shallow. I want to thank You in serious ways for the provision that You provide (house, car, job) and am even more grateful for the family You've given me (mom, dad, bros and sis's, parents in law, wife and son!) Really, these areas are such a blessing. But really, why can I only turn to these?
Well, to give myself a break, these are the things mentioned in the psalm here. I mean, "The poor will ear and be satisfied," this is the theme of provision. That You will, do, and have provided for our physical needs here. Later in the song, though it's not specifically being thankful for them, the "families of the nations" are mentioned. Provision and family, two very good things to be thankful for.
And You know, with Courtney's job situation all the sudden, provision wouldn't be such a bad thing to be joyful about. It certainly makes her nervous to again, seemingly, be without a job. Or have to go full time. It always sucks to seem to be without options. But then, how many times have You provided in a great way for her when she seemed to be without job options before? Can we remember, the bank out of nowhere when we got married. When she was tired of the stress in that position, the church was ready to hire her. When we formed our church she was able to pick up part-time gigs, subbing and then temping at the hospital. We don't know why this job would open and close, but maybe You can use this for the good. To show Your provision once again. And this whole entry is really about this: I shouldn't say maybe. I know You, and I know You to be good. I know You to be working for us. I know You will take this situation and work it for good.
I wish my thanks would go beyond friends and family and provision more often. But that's what seems to always be on my mind. I'm thankful for what You've given me. You have the power to continue to take care of all these situations. So, I guess I don't know how to pray about the Courtney situation except for...
Joy. In an attitude of joy I will pray. I know that You are working for the good, I don't know what that is, I will find out. But I will trust You with the provision for my family. You never fail it seems.
It's weird, I totally expected to find You today in "deeper" places than family, friends and provision, and look! I didn't have to go any farther than the memories of how You've provided to find thanks and joy. Sometimes the simple and straightforward are just as amazing. I love You and thank You this morning!
Speak to me today, speak through me today. Amen.
The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him - may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
Last night Lord, I sat in bed reading about joy. Eugene Peterson's book was noting that joy is not a requirement of the Christian walk, but instead a result. It kind of like, as we live the Christian faith we see You move and change hearts and minds, including our own, from time to time. To feel real joy in the present, we remember the times You've moved in the past and have confidence that You are going to act in a mighty way again in the future.
Eugene was pulling that insight from another psalm (126) but it's interesting how these themes of life and discipleship are woven into all parts of the text. Here in Psalm 22: "they who seek the LORD will praise him..." And who praises better than one who has joy, than one who remembers how the LORD has worked for them. In fact, "All the ends of the earth will remember..." This theme of remembrance is right there with the theme of praise and joy.
How often I forget that You have worked in my life Lord. And when I do try to remember, my mind immediately begins counting off the big possessions and provisions You've given me. Which seems shallow. I want to thank You in serious ways for the provision that You provide (house, car, job) and am even more grateful for the family You've given me (mom, dad, bros and sis's, parents in law, wife and son!) Really, these areas are such a blessing. But really, why can I only turn to these?
Well, to give myself a break, these are the things mentioned in the psalm here. I mean, "The poor will ear and be satisfied," this is the theme of provision. That You will, do, and have provided for our physical needs here. Later in the song, though it's not specifically being thankful for them, the "families of the nations" are mentioned. Provision and family, two very good things to be thankful for.
And You know, with Courtney's job situation all the sudden, provision wouldn't be such a bad thing to be joyful about. It certainly makes her nervous to again, seemingly, be without a job. Or have to go full time. It always sucks to seem to be without options. But then, how many times have You provided in a great way for her when she seemed to be without job options before? Can we remember, the bank out of nowhere when we got married. When she was tired of the stress in that position, the church was ready to hire her. When we formed our church she was able to pick up part-time gigs, subbing and then temping at the hospital. We don't know why this job would open and close, but maybe You can use this for the good. To show Your provision once again. And this whole entry is really about this: I shouldn't say maybe. I know You, and I know You to be good. I know You to be working for us. I know You will take this situation and work it for good.
I wish my thanks would go beyond friends and family and provision more often. But that's what seems to always be on my mind. I'm thankful for what You've given me. You have the power to continue to take care of all these situations. So, I guess I don't know how to pray about the Courtney situation except for...
Joy. In an attitude of joy I will pray. I know that You are working for the good, I don't know what that is, I will find out. But I will trust You with the provision for my family. You never fail it seems.
It's weird, I totally expected to find You today in "deeper" places than family, friends and provision, and look! I didn't have to go any farther than the memories of how You've provided to find thanks and joy. Sometimes the simple and straightforward are just as amazing. I love You and thank You this morning!
Speak to me today, speak through me today. Amen.
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Back of Your Glory
and other random thoughts...
So Lord, this past week Courtney and I have been working through a devotional book together and one of the readings was about Moses asking to see Your glory. We've recently taught about this in Exodus Community, and it's a passage I've become familiar with. It's was interesting how looking at it through lectio divina changed it.
Well, not really changed it, just gave me a concrete example as to where it happens in my life and the lives of others around me.
I can't tell you how wow'ed (I know that's not a word, oh well) I am about what happened for Bryan. The whole timing, especially since it coinciding with so much thought about waiting for both him, I, and the community. Waiting, meaning searching for You and asking You what opportunities fit us best, relying on You to help bring us into a place of fullness. As I watched the process with Bryan unfold, there was just really beginning to be a sense of desperation about the whole job search. Bryan was getting frustrated about just being at home. Money was getting tight. School was seeming like a fruitless option. But then...
You break through and bless. At the perfect time You made a way for Bryan, a way for him to have all his needs fulfilled. The whole time Bryan was searching both him and I were wondering where You were, why You didn't show up and show yourself and then there You were, providing.
I think that is a perfect example of us seeing the back of Your glory. You didn't allow us to see the glorious way You wove circumstances together for the best. That would have been overwhelming to us I think, because there were probably so many different aspects involved in arriving at this place of provision for Bryan. It's like You had Your hand over our eyes while You did all the glorious work, and then as You finish You walk by and say: "Here's what I've provided!"
It's amazing, it makes us giddy, and it's just the back of Your glory.
So Lord, this past week Courtney and I have been working through a devotional book together and one of the readings was about Moses asking to see Your glory. We've recently taught about this in Exodus Community, and it's a passage I've become familiar with. It's was interesting how looking at it through lectio divina changed it.
Well, not really changed it, just gave me a concrete example as to where it happens in my life and the lives of others around me.
I can't tell you how wow'ed (I know that's not a word, oh well) I am about what happened for Bryan. The whole timing, especially since it coinciding with so much thought about waiting for both him, I, and the community. Waiting, meaning searching for You and asking You what opportunities fit us best, relying on You to help bring us into a place of fullness. As I watched the process with Bryan unfold, there was just really beginning to be a sense of desperation about the whole job search. Bryan was getting frustrated about just being at home. Money was getting tight. School was seeming like a fruitless option. But then...
You break through and bless. At the perfect time You made a way for Bryan, a way for him to have all his needs fulfilled. The whole time Bryan was searching both him and I were wondering where You were, why You didn't show up and show yourself and then there You were, providing.
I think that is a perfect example of us seeing the back of Your glory. You didn't allow us to see the glorious way You wove circumstances together for the best. That would have been overwhelming to us I think, because there were probably so many different aspects involved in arriving at this place of provision for Bryan. It's like You had Your hand over our eyes while You did all the glorious work, and then as You finish You walk by and say: "Here's what I've provided!"
It's amazing, it makes us giddy, and it's just the back of Your glory.
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