Scripture—Romans 12:4 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Observation—simple, good advice.
Application: One challenge in this regard is to find the happy medium. Some people think too lowly of themselves. They do not have an appreciation for the incredible value they have in God’s eyes. Others are either too full of themselves to understand their proper role in the universe, or they are struggling to feel like they’ve “made it” and then forget to address the task at hand—like an athlete with a dream to make it to the big leagues and then forgets, once there, that the purpose is to play baseball. I’m not exactly sure where I fit on this scale, but I think I tend to waver between the just right/happy-medium and the latter of feeling like I’ve sort of made it (whatever “it” is) but am not sure what to do next. Thankfully, most of the time, I can sense the measure of faith that I have been given and simply try to live it out.
Prayer—Lord, you know our value and our purpose and our gifts and the world’s needs. Help me to use what you have given in a way that brings you joy and satisfaction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings included: Proverbs 16-18 and Romans 12)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
A very Big God
Scripture Verse that caught my attention: Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Observation: I’ll second that.
Application: Sometimes (okay…always!) it’s just nice to remember who we are in relation to God. We don’t have to have all the answers. Life doesn’t always need to make sense. It’s enough to just give thanks that God knows more than we do.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for another day to admire your work as we drive west as a family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 13-15 and Romans 11)
Observation: I’ll second that.
Application: Sometimes (okay…always!) it’s just nice to remember who we are in relation to God. We don’t have to have all the answers. Life doesn’t always need to make sense. It’s enough to just give thanks that God knows more than we do.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for another day to admire your work as we drive west as a family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 13-15 and Romans 11)
Some lack of wisdom from a person known for speaking wisdom
Scripture passage that caught my attention today: Proverbs 10:3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
Observation: Solomon had a relatively easy life, and sometimes it shows through in his ‘wisdom.’ He basically believes that all will go well for the righteous and ruin comes to the wicked. Although he offers a lot of solid wisdom, his privileged life experience makes it hard for him to identify with some of the downtrodden.
Application: Put plainly, one of the best things to ever happen to me theologically was to lose a job roughly a quarter of a century ago. That experience taught me that just working hard is no guarantee that all will go well. It also helped me to pay more attention to the signs in Scripture that the Lord identifies with those who suffer. For all the good that Solomon offers, his perspective in this regard seems to be limited and, of course, out of step with the work of God through Christ. Indeed, sometimes the righteous do go hungry.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the whole witness of the Scripture to keep in mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 10-12 and Romans 10)
Observation: Solomon had a relatively easy life, and sometimes it shows through in his ‘wisdom.’ He basically believes that all will go well for the righteous and ruin comes to the wicked. Although he offers a lot of solid wisdom, his privileged life experience makes it hard for him to identify with some of the downtrodden.
Application: Put plainly, one of the best things to ever happen to me theologically was to lose a job roughly a quarter of a century ago. That experience taught me that just working hard is no guarantee that all will go well. It also helped me to pay more attention to the signs in Scripture that the Lord identifies with those who suffer. For all the good that Solomon offers, his perspective in this regard seems to be limited and, of course, out of step with the work of God through Christ. Indeed, sometimes the righteous do go hungry.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the whole witness of the Scripture to keep in mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 10-12 and Romans 10)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Through the Eyes of a General
(Note: I'm on vacation this week and journaling privately. I wrote the following entry several years ago.)
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Scripture: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9
Key Scripture: Proverbs 8:2-3 On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
Topic: Public witness
Title: Through the eyes of a General
Observation: Look at where wisdom can be found; heights (people can see you there), beside the way (people can see you there as they go about their travels), crossroads (like people collecting money for the March of Dimes or some such thing—they can’t be avoided or not noticed while we wait at the light), town gates (where people come and go), portal entrances (I’m not sure what a “portal” is, but I’m envisioning the doors to businesses, restaurants, and the like).
Application: I’m not a lover of military missions by any means. I hate the bloodshed, etc. But I do see an applicable strategy here. Military generals spend their time pinpointing where to “attack.” They pay attention to main thoroughfares, centers of military technology, business, etc. In other words, they find the pressure/leverage/connecting points and there they place their focus. Proverbs speaks of wisdom actively “taking a stand” in these very places. Endeavoring to find the places/points of connection and then offering a cry to “all who live.” I wonder when/if I as a church leader will be equally diligent in discovering and focusing energy on such connective points. Of course, this assumes that those who speak such wisdom actually have such wisdom. Daily time with the King/Shepherd is a good start.
Prayer: Lord, the place I live and work is too safe. I like my office where I can do much church work but little ministry. The walls protect me. Church people and I have a good relationship. I’m generally well thought of and respected by community leaders, but I’m not known to many common folks. I don’t necessarily need to be known, but surely the mission of this congregation should be known. Surely the members of this congregation should be seen at the community connecting points and actively engaged in their mission. But before I can ask them to do such things, I need to learn how to do it myself. I have much to learn—much wisdom to seek. Allow me to heed her/your voice.
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Scripture: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9
Key Scripture: Proverbs 8:2-3 On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
Topic: Public witness
Title: Through the eyes of a General
Observation: Look at where wisdom can be found; heights (people can see you there), beside the way (people can see you there as they go about their travels), crossroads (like people collecting money for the March of Dimes or some such thing—they can’t be avoided or not noticed while we wait at the light), town gates (where people come and go), portal entrances (I’m not sure what a “portal” is, but I’m envisioning the doors to businesses, restaurants, and the like).
Application: I’m not a lover of military missions by any means. I hate the bloodshed, etc. But I do see an applicable strategy here. Military generals spend their time pinpointing where to “attack.” They pay attention to main thoroughfares, centers of military technology, business, etc. In other words, they find the pressure/leverage/connecting points and there they place their focus. Proverbs speaks of wisdom actively “taking a stand” in these very places. Endeavoring to find the places/points of connection and then offering a cry to “all who live.” I wonder when/if I as a church leader will be equally diligent in discovering and focusing energy on such connective points. Of course, this assumes that those who speak such wisdom actually have such wisdom. Daily time with the King/Shepherd is a good start.
Prayer: Lord, the place I live and work is too safe. I like my office where I can do much church work but little ministry. The walls protect me. Church people and I have a good relationship. I’m generally well thought of and respected by community leaders, but I’m not known to many common folks. I don’t necessarily need to be known, but surely the mission of this congregation should be known. Surely the members of this congregation should be seen at the community connecting points and actively engaged in their mission. But before I can ask them to do such things, I need to learn how to do it myself. I have much to learn—much wisdom to seek. Allow me to heed her/your voice.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Christian Community is Meaningful Work
Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Observation: Big statement there!
Application: Over the years I’ve noticed that being part of a faith community is hard work; it’s really not for the faint of heart. In authentic Christian community we are forced to see and make peace with each other’s faults, even as we aspire ourselves and try to inspire others to do better. Inauthentic Christian community pretends that there are no faults. The authentic Christian community knows better but will not dwell on such things.
Why? Largely because of what Paul says in the verse above. He’s not saying that everything is all hunky-dorey. But he is saying that what Christ has done is of ultimate significance. In him we have value beyond measure. But then again, so does everyone else who is in Christ Jesus. We are not in this alone! We are in community.
It’s hard to keep such things in mind in this part of the world because our culture prizes individuality and a consumer mindset. If we don’t like something personally, we can just remove it from consideration and do a quick internet search for another option. If we don’t like what a ‘friend’ posted on our Facebook wall, we can just ‘unfriend’ them. If they are people in our normal circle of physical acquaintances, we can change our patterns and endeavor to avoid them. It is the direct opposite of authentic Christian community because it allows us to just write people off.
These are not the ways of God, however. Jesus could have written us off but did not. The whole New Testament is filled with written words meant to remind us of how precious we are in his sight…and how precious we are meant to be in each other’s sight. When we remember such things we are one step closer to modeling what authentic Christian community is all about.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the church. It’s not always perfect. In fact, it’s never perfect. But it is still the context where we are reminded that our only hope is always in you and that we can find joy in sharing that hope with one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: Proverbs 4-6, Romans 8)
Observation: Big statement there!
Application: Over the years I’ve noticed that being part of a faith community is hard work; it’s really not for the faint of heart. In authentic Christian community we are forced to see and make peace with each other’s faults, even as we aspire ourselves and try to inspire others to do better. Inauthentic Christian community pretends that there are no faults. The authentic Christian community knows better but will not dwell on such things.
Why? Largely because of what Paul says in the verse above. He’s not saying that everything is all hunky-dorey. But he is saying that what Christ has done is of ultimate significance. In him we have value beyond measure. But then again, so does everyone else who is in Christ Jesus. We are not in this alone! We are in community.
It’s hard to keep such things in mind in this part of the world because our culture prizes individuality and a consumer mindset. If we don’t like something personally, we can just remove it from consideration and do a quick internet search for another option. If we don’t like what a ‘friend’ posted on our Facebook wall, we can just ‘unfriend’ them. If they are people in our normal circle of physical acquaintances, we can change our patterns and endeavor to avoid them. It is the direct opposite of authentic Christian community because it allows us to just write people off.
These are not the ways of God, however. Jesus could have written us off but did not. The whole New Testament is filled with written words meant to remind us of how precious we are in his sight…and how precious we are meant to be in each other’s sight. When we remember such things we are one step closer to modeling what authentic Christian community is all about.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the church. It’s not always perfect. In fact, it’s never perfect. But it is still the context where we are reminded that our only hope is always in you and that we can find joy in sharing that hope with one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: Proverbs 4-6, Romans 8)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wisdom involves listening as well as speaking
Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Observation: This verse is essentially the first of Solomon’s proverbs and a fitting perspective with which to begin.
Application: I was thinking about ministry as a pastor the other day and the following thought came to mind: “A minister should probably spend most of the week listening and then spend the weekend (during worship) speaking about what he or she has learned.” Seriously. Effective preaching begins with observation (What is going on? With what are people concerned? How are they responding? How might the Lord be at work? Etc.) which is, really, a form of listening.
Fools don’t want to listen. They don’t want to learn. They foolishly assume that they already know enough and therefore don’t need to learn more. But when we understand ourselves to be under someone far greater (i.e. the Lord), we realize that we have plenty to learn. We don’t have to learn it all at once. In fact, we couldn’t do so even if we tried. But we can steadily learn more. Life is indeed one great big lesson, not just about facts but also about feelings and human nature and relationships and facing disappointments and receiving divine grace. How could we ever feel like we’ve learned it all? As a pastor I can only hope that each week I can share just a little more about what I’ve learned (or am learning) in terms of what our Lord has done and is doing.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be more and more open to the lessons you share. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 1-3 and Romans 7)
Observation: This verse is essentially the first of Solomon’s proverbs and a fitting perspective with which to begin.
Application: I was thinking about ministry as a pastor the other day and the following thought came to mind: “A minister should probably spend most of the week listening and then spend the weekend (during worship) speaking about what he or she has learned.” Seriously. Effective preaching begins with observation (What is going on? With what are people concerned? How are they responding? How might the Lord be at work? Etc.) which is, really, a form of listening.
Fools don’t want to listen. They don’t want to learn. They foolishly assume that they already know enough and therefore don’t need to learn more. But when we understand ourselves to be under someone far greater (i.e. the Lord), we realize that we have plenty to learn. We don’t have to learn it all at once. In fact, we couldn’t do so even if we tried. But we can steadily learn more. Life is indeed one great big lesson, not just about facts but also about feelings and human nature and relationships and facing disappointments and receiving divine grace. How could we ever feel like we’ve learned it all? As a pastor I can only hope that each week I can share just a little more about what I’ve learned (or am learning) in terms of what our Lord has done and is doing.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be more and more open to the lessons you share. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Proverbs 1-3 and Romans 7)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sin and Bondage
Scripture Verses that Caught my attention today: Romans 6:1-2 What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?
Observation: In this case I’m thankful that I am personally aware of Romans 7:15 (tomorrow’s reading) where Paul says: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” This leads me to believe that the words “in order that grace may abound” are particularly important. In other words, we should not ‘sin’ in order for grace to abound. But being captive to sin may be another matter. Romans 7 is comforting from the standpoint that even Paul realized that there were some desired improvements in his life that even he could not accomplish. Hence he is not testing the grace of God, but, rather, trusting the grace of God.
Application: Romans is an excellent book and it presents some of the Apostle Paul’s most mature understandings of the Christian faith. It is therefore not a book to be taken lightly be any means. Chapter 6 includes a predominant Lutheran understanding of being united with Christ through baptism. The chapter also includes the ever-popular verse “for the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Still, chapter six can weigh down on a person because Paul appears to imply that we can quit sinning. It could be argued that Paul is saying that we can quit doing sinful things (individual sins) but just not escape our sinful nature. But in chapter 7 the Apostle speaks of actions which, presumably, are sinful things. Whether it’s a destructive habit, an unhealthy addiction, or some other regrettable routine, the process of initiating and carrying out change can be very complex with spiritual, emotional, physiological and psychological factors all weighing in. In short, positive change can be hard. I suspect that when Paul asked “How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” he knew the answer to his own question. Because we’re human, therefore our only help and hope is in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, it would be nice if everything were easier once we realize that we are claimed by you. But such is not the case. Nevertheless, you do claim us and we are left only to give you thanks and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Romans 6)
Observation: In this case I’m thankful that I am personally aware of Romans 7:15 (tomorrow’s reading) where Paul says: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” This leads me to believe that the words “in order that grace may abound” are particularly important. In other words, we should not ‘sin’ in order for grace to abound. But being captive to sin may be another matter. Romans 7 is comforting from the standpoint that even Paul realized that there were some desired improvements in his life that even he could not accomplish. Hence he is not testing the grace of God, but, rather, trusting the grace of God.
Application: Romans is an excellent book and it presents some of the Apostle Paul’s most mature understandings of the Christian faith. It is therefore not a book to be taken lightly be any means. Chapter 6 includes a predominant Lutheran understanding of being united with Christ through baptism. The chapter also includes the ever-popular verse “for the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Still, chapter six can weigh down on a person because Paul appears to imply that we can quit sinning. It could be argued that Paul is saying that we can quit doing sinful things (individual sins) but just not escape our sinful nature. But in chapter 7 the Apostle speaks of actions which, presumably, are sinful things. Whether it’s a destructive habit, an unhealthy addiction, or some other regrettable routine, the process of initiating and carrying out change can be very complex with spiritual, emotional, physiological and psychological factors all weighing in. In short, positive change can be hard. I suspect that when Paul asked “How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” he knew the answer to his own question. Because we’re human, therefore our only help and hope is in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, it would be nice if everything were easier once we realize that we are claimed by you. But such is not the case. Nevertheless, you do claim us and we are left only to give you thanks and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, Romans 6)
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