Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: Hebrews 4:9-10 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10 for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.
Observation: Rest is good, but it is also usually temporary. I’m struck by how the author of Hebrews sees this rest as a goal of sorts. I’m not sure what to make of that.
Application: I have mixed feelings about rest. It seems to me that rest is essential, but it is also primarily for recovery and rejuvenation so that one can begin again. In resistance training, for example, it is recommended that muscles have roughly 48 hours to recover before another intense workout. The ratio of rest to work is huge—at least 48 to 1 or, in my case, more like 96 to 1 (my workouts are almost always less than 30 minutes).
I could probably offer all kinds of analogies based on the preceding paragraph, perhaps even suggesting 6 days of rest and one day of work rather than the other way around. But I’m not sure that’s really the plan for us either.
Frankly, I’m confused. The popular first story of creation found in Genesis 1 and the first part of chapter 2 (there’s another story of creation starting at the 4th verse of Genesis 2) lays out the six days of work and one day of rest theme. What’s less clear is what God does after that. From what I can tell, God has hardly been resting! Much like parenting children on our own, once they enter the world there is precious little resting! And the Scriptural witness asserts that God was very involved in the lives of the people (or wanted to be involved in the lives of the people even though they obviously didn’t always seem to want God as a part of their lives). In fact, I’m not sure God has rested since, though perhaps for the two days that followed Jesus saying “it is finished.”
Does that mean that in heaven we will be in eternal rest? Is this why we often say “rest in peace” or the more formal “rest eternal grant him/her O Lord” at funerals?
Honestly, I don’t know. I can only surmise that, at least in this life, a healthy balance between rest and work is good. Many of us don’t rest enough—and our performance sometimes suffers because of it. But it’s possible to rest too much as well, leaving one more lethargic than if one had worked all day. Finding the balance seems to be key. As Paul Harvey would say, “now you know the ‘rest’ of the story.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to find the balance between work and rest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: Hebrews 1-4)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
What Scriptural Inspiration Really Means...at least to me.
Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention today: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
Observation: This often-quoted verse is, in my opinion, sometimes taken too seriously and, other times, not seriously enough.
Application: Personally, I believe these two verses wholeheartedly—but in a different way than some might assume. Yes, I believe that all Scripture is inspired by God—that those who wrote it were ultimately driven by divine influence to pen their thoughts and understandings of God’s role in the universe and humanity’s role in relation to this God. I also believe that those who chose which ancient writings to include in the Holy Scriptures we have today were in some way divinely led.
And yes, I believe that all Scripture is “useful” for the reasons described. But my definition of “useful” is rather broad—much more so than those who read the Bible more literally would probably be willing to appreciate.
Here’s a short case-in-point. I’m not sure what caused the author of 2 Timothy to refer to some “women” as “silly” and “overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires” (2 Timothy 3:6). Surely those are characteristics of ALL humankind at one point or another! But the passage is still useful many ways, one of which might be that it helps us to see how even the ancient people of faith (including the Biblical writers) were not immune from their own culturally conditioned biases that at times influenced how they understood and practiced their faith. And I think part of Scripture’s “inspired” status includes the hope that we would see such things and realize that the same is often true for us. When we do make these kinds of connections we can see that the Scriptures really to come to ‘life’ and do teach, reproof, correct and train us for righteousness.
Yes, sometimes even the most obscure verses are the most useful. And that’s yet another reason why it’s not hard for me to believe that the Scriptures are inspired in the first place.
Prayer: Thanks, Lord, for the way that you continue to speak even today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 2 Timothy 1-4)
Observation: This often-quoted verse is, in my opinion, sometimes taken too seriously and, other times, not seriously enough.
Application: Personally, I believe these two verses wholeheartedly—but in a different way than some might assume. Yes, I believe that all Scripture is inspired by God—that those who wrote it were ultimately driven by divine influence to pen their thoughts and understandings of God’s role in the universe and humanity’s role in relation to this God. I also believe that those who chose which ancient writings to include in the Holy Scriptures we have today were in some way divinely led.
And yes, I believe that all Scripture is “useful” for the reasons described. But my definition of “useful” is rather broad—much more so than those who read the Bible more literally would probably be willing to appreciate.
Here’s a short case-in-point. I’m not sure what caused the author of 2 Timothy to refer to some “women” as “silly” and “overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires” (2 Timothy 3:6). Surely those are characteristics of ALL humankind at one point or another! But the passage is still useful many ways, one of which might be that it helps us to see how even the ancient people of faith (including the Biblical writers) were not immune from their own culturally conditioned biases that at times influenced how they understood and practiced their faith. And I think part of Scripture’s “inspired” status includes the hope that we would see such things and realize that the same is often true for us. When we do make these kinds of connections we can see that the Scriptures really to come to ‘life’ and do teach, reproof, correct and train us for righteousness.
Yes, sometimes even the most obscure verses are the most useful. And that’s yet another reason why it’s not hard for me to believe that the Scriptures are inspired in the first place.
Prayer: Thanks, Lord, for the way that you continue to speak even today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 2 Timothy 1-4)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Importance of Training
Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Observation: I’m struck by the “train yourself in godliness” phrase. I’ve written about and considered verse 8 in this passage many times; it was my Confirmation verse after all. But the way the verses are separated in the Bible, I hadn’t really noticed that, grammatically and theologically speaking, the last part of verse 7 goes along with verse 8. It has to do with training.
Application: All three of our kids, if given the opportunity, enjoy watching “The Biggest Loser” on television. Last night I watched the last half of the show with them.
If you haven’t heard, The Biggest Loser is a reality show where severely overweight people are involved in an intense weight-loss competition. The one who “wins” is the one who “loses” the most—in weight and/or percentage of body fat. Helping them along the way are “trainers” who teach them how to exercise, how to eat better and who also get after them when a little extra motivation is needed. It’s all part of the training.
While exercising myself this morning it occurred to me that sometimes we need to get after ourselves in life. At the time I was thinking of exercise and how we can’t always (or perhaps ever) have a personal trainer right there to spur us on, but that we can learn to ‘get after’ ourselves. We can say to ourselves “Let’s DO THIS!” and get after it.
After reading the Bible passage above it occurs to me that this is also true in other areas of life and, according to First Timothy, particularly in faith or, as the author puts it, “godliness.” It’s not necessarily that we can make ourselves more godly. From a Lutheran perspective it is the Holy Spirit that works in us to lead us in such a way. But we can intentionally put ourselves in positions of openness to the Spirit’s work/influence. And we can do so in some very simple ways, one of which I just heard for the first time last night.
“Good evening Lord. How’s it going?” That’s how a member in our congregation began her prayer last night. I thought it was a brilliant insight to actually ask God how it’s going. We always give lip service to prayer being a two-way conversation, but usually from the standpoint of us asking for help and God giving it. It had never occurred to me to attempt to think of things from God’s point of view. To consider whether God might like to say, “well, actually, it’s been a rough day…” Somehow that simple question sheds a whole new light on that most basic of godliness-training staples—prayer. At so, let the ‘training’ begin.
Prayer: Lord, how is it going? How can we be of better help? In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: 1 Timothy 1-4)
Observation: I’m struck by the “train yourself in godliness” phrase. I’ve written about and considered verse 8 in this passage many times; it was my Confirmation verse after all. But the way the verses are separated in the Bible, I hadn’t really noticed that, grammatically and theologically speaking, the last part of verse 7 goes along with verse 8. It has to do with training.
Application: All three of our kids, if given the opportunity, enjoy watching “The Biggest Loser” on television. Last night I watched the last half of the show with them.
If you haven’t heard, The Biggest Loser is a reality show where severely overweight people are involved in an intense weight-loss competition. The one who “wins” is the one who “loses” the most—in weight and/or percentage of body fat. Helping them along the way are “trainers” who teach them how to exercise, how to eat better and who also get after them when a little extra motivation is needed. It’s all part of the training.
While exercising myself this morning it occurred to me that sometimes we need to get after ourselves in life. At the time I was thinking of exercise and how we can’t always (or perhaps ever) have a personal trainer right there to spur us on, but that we can learn to ‘get after’ ourselves. We can say to ourselves “Let’s DO THIS!” and get after it.
After reading the Bible passage above it occurs to me that this is also true in other areas of life and, according to First Timothy, particularly in faith or, as the author puts it, “godliness.” It’s not necessarily that we can make ourselves more godly. From a Lutheran perspective it is the Holy Spirit that works in us to lead us in such a way. But we can intentionally put ourselves in positions of openness to the Spirit’s work/influence. And we can do so in some very simple ways, one of which I just heard for the first time last night.
“Good evening Lord. How’s it going?” That’s how a member in our congregation began her prayer last night. I thought it was a brilliant insight to actually ask God how it’s going. We always give lip service to prayer being a two-way conversation, but usually from the standpoint of us asking for help and God giving it. It had never occurred to me to attempt to think of things from God’s point of view. To consider whether God might like to say, “well, actually, it’s been a rough day…” Somehow that simple question sheds a whole new light on that most basic of godliness-training staples—prayer. At so, let the ‘training’ begin.
Prayer: Lord, how is it going? How can we be of better help? In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: 1 Timothy 1-4)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Prayer Alerts!
Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
Observation: Prayers should be ‘alert’ and ‘thankful.’
Application: In our family one of our traditions and faith practices is prayer before bed. It’s what we do with the kids, more so on an individual basis than together these days since they tend to go to bed at different times and such.
To be honest, these are probably not the most ‘alert’ prayers. By that time of the day we tend to be tired and winding down for the night. In a nutshell the prayers that I often offer at such times go something like this: “Dear God, thank you for this day and for helping us through [whatever anyone in the family went though that day]. Help us have a good night’s sleep and help us tomorrow with [whatever’s on our family’s agenda for the next day]. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Then we share the Lord’s Prayer together.
Is this prayer thankful? Basically yes, but not necessarily ‘alertly’ so. And is the prayer very ‘alert’ to begin with? Probably not so much.
Of course, it’s not the only time I pray during the day and during the other prayer times I do tend to be more alert in nature—but not always. Why?
Perhaps because sometimes we forget that we are actually in conversation with the living God. Prayer isn’t really meant to be a one-way offering. There should be time and energy for the response. A good friend will periodically say to another good friend, “don’t ask me for my opinion unless you really want to hear it!” Could that be the case in our conversations with God as well? I’m not necessarily referring to an audible response, since I’ve never had one of those myself. But I am talking about being aware or, perhaps, in tune with the ways of the Almighty and how we might best participate as people from the kingdom of heaven on earth. That will probably be easier if we wake up during our prayers.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to be more alert to your promptings—in times of prayer and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Colossians 1-4)
Observation: Prayers should be ‘alert’ and ‘thankful.’
Application: In our family one of our traditions and faith practices is prayer before bed. It’s what we do with the kids, more so on an individual basis than together these days since they tend to go to bed at different times and such.
To be honest, these are probably not the most ‘alert’ prayers. By that time of the day we tend to be tired and winding down for the night. In a nutshell the prayers that I often offer at such times go something like this: “Dear God, thank you for this day and for helping us through [whatever anyone in the family went though that day]. Help us have a good night’s sleep and help us tomorrow with [whatever’s on our family’s agenda for the next day]. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Then we share the Lord’s Prayer together.
Is this prayer thankful? Basically yes, but not necessarily ‘alertly’ so. And is the prayer very ‘alert’ to begin with? Probably not so much.
Of course, it’s not the only time I pray during the day and during the other prayer times I do tend to be more alert in nature—but not always. Why?
Perhaps because sometimes we forget that we are actually in conversation with the living God. Prayer isn’t really meant to be a one-way offering. There should be time and energy for the response. A good friend will periodically say to another good friend, “don’t ask me for my opinion unless you really want to hear it!” Could that be the case in our conversations with God as well? I’m not necessarily referring to an audible response, since I’ve never had one of those myself. But I am talking about being aware or, perhaps, in tune with the ways of the Almighty and how we might best participate as people from the kingdom of heaven on earth. That will probably be easier if we wake up during our prayers.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to be more alert to your promptings—in times of prayer and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: Colossians 1-4)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Parenting and Pastoring--How do we know how we're doing?
Scripture Verses that Caught my attention Today: Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. 16 It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Observation: Is this the litmus test of leadership?
Application: Parenting and Pastoring have always puzzled me. How does one know if he or she has been effective at either? When kids do really well, it often seems to be a reflection of good parenting. Yet I’ve been around long enough to know some very good parents who have had one or more children who really struggled in terms of their decision-making—some with life-long or even life-ending consequences. I’m not quite ready or willing to say that all of these children had bad parents. The same questions come to mind in regard to pastoral leadership. I’ve seen some congregations that have thrived largely as a result of really good pastoral leadership. And I’ve seen some congregations struggle under presumably poor pastoral leadership. But sometimes congregations struggle even under what appears to be great pastoral leadership. So how does a parent or a pastor know if he or she is doing a good job?
For Paul the litmus test seems to be whether or not the people in his charge are holding fast to the word of life that God offers. Personally, I think that is definitely a goal, if not the goal, to strive for as a pastor. But I’m not sure that it is the only measure of whether or not we are faithful. I’m shifting to another scripture here, but consider Jesus’ parable of the sower. There he speaks of one who generously spreads the word, though it does not always fall on fertile soil.
To be sure, there are times when we who are parents and/or pastors can and should do better. Sometimes we do not take enough responsibility for our work. Sometimes we do not wisely or effectively use our abilities to influence—indeed lead—for the good. But there are other times when we are too hard on ourselves. There are times when we forget that we are just one part of a complicated life equation and need not take personal responsibility for everything that goes awry. Jesus has already done the saving work. Our role is to just help more and more people recognize and live in thanksgiving for that good news. And sometimes the first person we need to help recognize and live in thanksgiving for that good news is the one we see in the mirror. That alone is proof enough that our life has not been in vain.
Prayer: Lord, help us to give thanks for what you have done and simply live and lead accordingly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Philippians 1-4)
Observation: Is this the litmus test of leadership?
Application: Parenting and Pastoring have always puzzled me. How does one know if he or she has been effective at either? When kids do really well, it often seems to be a reflection of good parenting. Yet I’ve been around long enough to know some very good parents who have had one or more children who really struggled in terms of their decision-making—some with life-long or even life-ending consequences. I’m not quite ready or willing to say that all of these children had bad parents. The same questions come to mind in regard to pastoral leadership. I’ve seen some congregations that have thrived largely as a result of really good pastoral leadership. And I’ve seen some congregations struggle under presumably poor pastoral leadership. But sometimes congregations struggle even under what appears to be great pastoral leadership. So how does a parent or a pastor know if he or she is doing a good job?
For Paul the litmus test seems to be whether or not the people in his charge are holding fast to the word of life that God offers. Personally, I think that is definitely a goal, if not the goal, to strive for as a pastor. But I’m not sure that it is the only measure of whether or not we are faithful. I’m shifting to another scripture here, but consider Jesus’ parable of the sower. There he speaks of one who generously spreads the word, though it does not always fall on fertile soil.
To be sure, there are times when we who are parents and/or pastors can and should do better. Sometimes we do not take enough responsibility for our work. Sometimes we do not wisely or effectively use our abilities to influence—indeed lead—for the good. But there are other times when we are too hard on ourselves. There are times when we forget that we are just one part of a complicated life equation and need not take personal responsibility for everything that goes awry. Jesus has already done the saving work. Our role is to just help more and more people recognize and live in thanksgiving for that good news. And sometimes the first person we need to help recognize and live in thanksgiving for that good news is the one we see in the mirror. That alone is proof enough that our life has not been in vain.
Prayer: Lord, help us to give thanks for what you have done and simply live and lead accordingly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Philippians 1-4)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Deer-Stand Exercises
Earlier this week I tried my hand at deer hunting. I tweeted that "thus far in the game of hunting game, the game are winning." But that didn't stop me from getting in some exercise. It was far from a full workout, but here's what I did.
But first let me give you the context. Our "deer-stand" is actually an old hay-wagon with about 30 bales of old and basically unusable hay placed in a semicircle. I can sit in the middle and the rest of the bales block the wind. Unconventional, but nice...and roomy too!
Okay, so on with the workout.
First I did what I call ultra-slow, staged squats. That means arising from a seated position just a few inches what I call 'stage 1'), holding for the count of ten and then rising another few inches ('stage 2') and counting to 10, etc. I was able to get about five different stages on the way up and other five on the way down. My legs could definitely feel the burn. Did that a few times.
Next I slowly stretched out to a push-up position with my hands and feet on bales of hay. Did that exercise in stages too.
From there I slowly climbed off the side of the wagon and then went underneath the wagon where I could hold onto the wagon frame and do inverted rows. I just did those the regular way.
Then I got back on the wagon and slowly got into a plank position. Actually did a 2-minute plank (which is a mighty long time) and then slowly moved into a side-plank position and held those positions for 30 seconds with 15 slow leg raises.
That was it. Like I said, it wasn't a full workout, but it was a relatively creative way to get in a workout even while out in the woods. Plus it helped to warm me up from the cold.
I hope this inspires you to be creative and have fun with your own workouts.
But first let me give you the context. Our "deer-stand" is actually an old hay-wagon with about 30 bales of old and basically unusable hay placed in a semicircle. I can sit in the middle and the rest of the bales block the wind. Unconventional, but nice...and roomy too!
Okay, so on with the workout.
First I did what I call ultra-slow, staged squats. That means arising from a seated position just a few inches what I call 'stage 1'), holding for the count of ten and then rising another few inches ('stage 2') and counting to 10, etc. I was able to get about five different stages on the way up and other five on the way down. My legs could definitely feel the burn. Did that a few times.
Next I slowly stretched out to a push-up position with my hands and feet on bales of hay. Did that exercise in stages too.
From there I slowly climbed off the side of the wagon and then went underneath the wagon where I could hold onto the wagon frame and do inverted rows. I just did those the regular way.
Then I got back on the wagon and slowly got into a plank position. Actually did a 2-minute plank (which is a mighty long time) and then slowly moved into a side-plank position and held those positions for 30 seconds with 15 slow leg raises.
That was it. Like I said, it wasn't a full workout, but it was a relatively creative way to get in a workout even while out in the woods. Plus it helped to warm me up from the cold.
I hope this inspires you to be creative and have fun with your own workouts.
"Convinced"
Scripture Verses that Caught My attention Today: Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation: Paul uses the word “convinced.” His use of this word, in combination with the whole thought expressed in these chapters, implies that he has thought about this subject a great deal and has now arrived at a conclusion which offers lasting satisfaction. He’s convinced.
Application: At some point it seems to me that either God’s promises are to be trusted or they are a sham, plain and simple. Last night I was having an interesting discussion with someone who had just read one of Dan Brown’s books. We were kind of looking through Dan’s literary arguments, many of which had to do with acquiring some sort of special knowledge (like ancient Gnosticism) or taking total control and focus of our minds to more or less become God-like. I could suddenly see why the books are so popular—he capitalizes on a host of modern sensibilities—wanting to be independent, not focusing on community, distrusting institutions, wanting to control our own destiny, etc. There is no mention of the truly Christian themes of repentance, sacrifice, suffering, and service. There is no concept of God’s desire to be with us being every bit as prominent as our desire to be with God, maybe even more so.
Paul had seen the great lengths God, through Christ had done to demonstrate his love for us. “While we were sinners Christ died for us.” Even though we cannot do the good that we want, the one that rescues us from this body of decay is Christ Jesus our Lord. The “sufferings” of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in us. Paul’s examples of why he is so “convinced” that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ are all over the place in these chapters. He says we have “peace” with God through all of these things. Yes, there is pain, like being in labor, but there will be fruit to be seen.
So often we try to limit the love of God. Why? For what purpose? What will be gained? Sometimes I think that, unlike Paul, we’re just not quite convinced.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be as convinced of your love as your Apostle Paul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included Romans 5-8)
Observation: Paul uses the word “convinced.” His use of this word, in combination with the whole thought expressed in these chapters, implies that he has thought about this subject a great deal and has now arrived at a conclusion which offers lasting satisfaction. He’s convinced.
Application: At some point it seems to me that either God’s promises are to be trusted or they are a sham, plain and simple. Last night I was having an interesting discussion with someone who had just read one of Dan Brown’s books. We were kind of looking through Dan’s literary arguments, many of which had to do with acquiring some sort of special knowledge (like ancient Gnosticism) or taking total control and focus of our minds to more or less become God-like. I could suddenly see why the books are so popular—he capitalizes on a host of modern sensibilities—wanting to be independent, not focusing on community, distrusting institutions, wanting to control our own destiny, etc. There is no mention of the truly Christian themes of repentance, sacrifice, suffering, and service. There is no concept of God’s desire to be with us being every bit as prominent as our desire to be with God, maybe even more so.
Paul had seen the great lengths God, through Christ had done to demonstrate his love for us. “While we were sinners Christ died for us.” Even though we cannot do the good that we want, the one that rescues us from this body of decay is Christ Jesus our Lord. The “sufferings” of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in us. Paul’s examples of why he is so “convinced” that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ are all over the place in these chapters. He says we have “peace” with God through all of these things. Yes, there is pain, like being in labor, but there will be fruit to be seen.
So often we try to limit the love of God. Why? For what purpose? What will be gained? Sometimes I think that, unlike Paul, we’re just not quite convinced.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be as convinced of your love as your Apostle Paul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included Romans 5-8)
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