journey onWord with us

Summer is ending and autumn is beginning! Labor Day activities always mark a new season of change for me. Candidly, it causes a bit of conflict in my spirit. I am excited about football and the color of autumn leaves, but dismayed that golf is ending and the next holiday is late in November. But one season that never needs to change for me (or you) is the season of my tongue. As summer turns to fall, we can all be challenged about the season(ing) of our tongues.

Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

When I think of something that would “pierce like a sword”, images of pain, blood and wounds flood my mind. I shudder to think that my words could have such a dreadful effect, but they can.  Without a doubt, we have all felt a sense of remorse after using reckless words. These words can come in the form of a curse word, gossip, harshness, or in a variety of other forms.  As believers in Jesus Christ, the challenge is to consistently speak healing words.  Observe the pattern …

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight? O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.

Proverbs 15:4
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Most of us interact daily with a variety of people, be it students, work associates, friends, or family. The Father has a design for the way we respond to others.  Make no mistake, His goal is that we glorify Him and that definitely encompasses our words. The verses above clearly indicate that pleasant, kind and honest words heal and cheer. However, so often our paradigm is how “I feel” and what “I want”, so we refuse to reflect on the needs of others before speaking.  Healing words will come from the lips a man or woman who is other-centered.   Psalm 19:14 reflects the desire of David to have a mouth and heart that pleased the Lord.  If our heart is to please the Father, and we are willing to let his Word fill us, healing words will be at the core of our vocabulary.  We will seek out others to encourage, bless and honor.

It was stunning for me to find that the verb from which reckless was derived is used in describing the hasty words that cost Moses his entrance into the land of Canaan.  Psalm 106:33 says, “for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips.”  Talk about consequences!  Our words have consequences also!

As a new season begins, consider the season of your tongue!

You might, even for a moment, consider lying rather than admit it, but there are thoughts that flow through your mind that cause you to wonder, “How could I think such a thing?” Those kinds of thoughts (and we all have them) cause us to question our self, the depth of our spirituality, and sometimes even our sanity. We have all been there, and the purpose of this post is not to examine why, but rather to give encouragement in the battle for your mind. Each of us have some personal struggles that are contained within our minds, that if not controlled, will burden our souls. Can you accept that God knows all about your mind games, and is very willing to help?

Considering this battle we all face reminds me of the “prince of preachers,” Charles Spurgeon. He could be considered an earlier version of Billy Graham (or maybe vice versa), yet he battled long-term struggles with depression.  I will never forget one of the ways that he fought in his very real and personal battle. The story goes that he would write Scripture verses on the ceiling of his bedroom, and use them to overcome his melancholy. Your personal mental assault may not be depression, but it could be anger, guilt, insecurity, an addiction, etc…  For some, the assault may be fleeting and for others deep-seeded. I am here to say “take heart!”  God knows, He cares and He wants us to cast our cares on Him.

It is hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.   — Sally Kempton

I don’t know anything about Sally Kempton, but her statement intrigues me. We can all relate to a particular enemy that wants to set up control in our minds. It’s easy to let all that surrounds us invade our mind, and we also know that all that our mind ponders affects us … both the good, and the bad! In all of our lives we will face battles from the outside (circumstances and people), and the inside (our thoughts). God gives counsel that all believers should grab hold of and never let go. II Corinthians 10:5(b) says, “and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. Take heart! We can turn any thought toward the will of the Father.

Let every thought that frustrates you become like the robot’s words from an old TV show – Warning! Danger Ahead. Use that warning to immediately make those thoughts obedient to Christ. Don’t try it once and quit. With every errant thought, “take it captive,” and go to our Lord.

My heart tells me that you (like me) probably battle with unwanted guests that penetrate your mind. My logic tells me that most people just let the errant thoughts run rampant. My emotions tell me that not taking thoughts captive is incredibly harmful. What about your thoughts?

We’ve spent the majority of the past three weeks in the book of Jeremiah in the Journey onWord weekly Bible reading schedule.  In many ways I’ve found Jeremiah to be a difficult book to read.  I desire for things in my own life to be harmonious and tranquil, and this book has stirred up so much.  The revealing light cast on my own rebellion, and the truth of what God’s justice demands, created a strong sense of tension and unsettledness as I read.  I can too often read the Bible in the third-person and be so quick to judge the disciples for being so petty and clueless; the Pharisees for being so blind and hard-hearted; the nation of Israel for being so ungrateful and idolatrous.  And then there are times like Jeremiah has been for me, when I become immersed in the first-person implications of the fierce and tender love story we call “The Bible.”

Oh, how I haven’t the first clue of what God’s just nature demands.  Oh, the visceral illustration of the place my own sin and rebellion puts me in as I read God’s narrative to, and through the prophet Jeremiah.  Oh, the comfort in living and serving that has weakened my kingdom muscle.

I sit amongst the rightly judged nation.  I’ve caused the pain in Jeremiah’s tears.  The sin of the ancient’s is repeated as I turn from the occasions of God’s deliverance in my own life and construct idols and become impatient with where He has chosen to lead me.

All this threatened to be the final word in “closing the book” on the last chapter of Jeremiah, but God had other plans.  Into the deep hole of personal judgement, God whispered the truth that broke the darkness with the brilliant dawn of hope. The hope for restoration that begins chapter 31 is a forward promise to the ancient’s, but is a very present possession of mine.  God’s justice demands my life, and that is exactly what Jesus has already ransomed with His death on the Cross and resurrection on the third day.  Christ chose the Cross and the incalculable suffering of separation from the Father to answer the demands of God’s justice in my life and yours.

Oh, the judgment in third-person consumption, but oh, the joy in first-person possession!  As we journey forward in this fierce and tender love story, which will you choose?

Earlier this week, my wife Genel and I were chatting as we drove to work in separate vehicles.  Both of us were confronted with hectic days, so I (without much forethought) said, “Let’s pray.” I am not sure if what happened next was because of my powerful prayer (yeah, right), her worshipful attitude, or just absent-mindedness, but my wife closed her eyes … at 60 miles per hour!  After about two seconds, she said frightfully, “I just closed my eyes.”  Truth be told, all of us have been guilty of absent-mindedness in the course of praying.  Recently, I have been trying to focus more intently while praying, but more about that later. Take a moment to smile as you read some honest prayers offered by children.  I heard these while listening to a message by Pastor John Ortberg.

Aaron-Dear God, are you really invisible or is this just a trick?

Norm- God, did you mean for the Giraffe to look like that, or was it just an accident?

Nan-Dear God, I bet it’s hard for you to love all the people in the world. There are only four people in our family and I want to (get rid of) them.

Joyce- Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.

Dear God, it rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad. He said some things about it that people aren’t supposed to say, but I hope You won’t hurt him anyway. Your friend, but I’m not going to tell you who I am.

Oh, from the mouth of babes!  Those honest words from children are simple and beautiful, but they also got me thinking about how easy it is to pray in a way that is immature, selfish, absent-minded and not focused.  In my own journey, I have reflected recently on how I tend to tell God what He needs to do. (As if He can’t figure it out for himself!)  I am serious and humble, but I communicate in a way that leaves a lot to be desired.  It’s my firm opinion that those words will resonate with you, and that you’d likely agree that your own prayer life “… leaves a lot to be desired.” They’d likely resonate with the disciples of Christ who also admitted their weakness in prayer. On a certain occasion, one of the disciples said to Christ, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Struggling in prayer is universal and timeless. However, in my life (and yours), there is a need to communicate well and listen intently because God speaks. Oh Lord, teach us to pray.

My desire is not to share a formula, but rather to share my heart.  Prayer changes things.  So, why not pray with a selfless heart, which is anything but absent-minded and unfocused. Concerned about my own prayer life and challenged with the communication style of asking questions, I have been determined to pray with a different mind-set over the last few weeks.  I decided that most of my prayer time would be in the form of a question.  It has been a work in progress, but I have found my concentration to be much better. Just like in any relationship, asking a question engages us in a conversation.  Instead of saying things like, “God, would you do this, and this, and this in my daughter’s life,” I have begun to ask humble questions like, “Father, would you give me an understanding of how to help her?”  I am sure you get the picture.

Prayer in the form of questions may not suit you, and  I am not insisting that you try. But I do wish to challenge the existence of absent-minded, selfish and unfocused prayer in your personal relationship with God.  If you really want God to teach you to pray, He will … ask Him! That’s a great question to start with, and it’s the one I will end with.  “Lord,  would you teach us how to pray?”

Can you remember from childhood the great lesson of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? (thanks to all those teachers who taught the story) For not serving the gods of Nebuchadnezzar, or worshipping the image of gold he had erected, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar got so mad he ordered the furnace seven times hotter than usual. Imagine the life and death faith that these men were tested with leading up to the epic moment of being thrown into the furnace. The faith these men modeled was not about the guarantee of rescue, but their undying trust in God. Parallel the epic moments you are facing right now with the trust shown by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We make a mistake if we only trust with an eye on success.

Daniel 3:17-18
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

Certain death would be their fate if “He does not” … but, He did! God miraculously protected them from the flames. This is no doubt a great story to teach, but we can all be challenged by the way that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego approached their moment of truth with allegiance to our God. No matter what God would choose to do, they would not bow down. Today or tomorrow, we will all be confronted with an issue of faith. Like our young friends from the Old Testament, we won’t know what the Father will choose to do. Although we probably won’t be facing physical flames, we will face difficult choices. These three men started from a place of trusting God (and the flames got seven times hotter). When they couldn’t predict their outcome, they stood firm. And so can we! How will we navigate our epic moment(s)?

In all of our lives there will be epic moments that test us to the core. We can live with obedient faith, even without knowing what the Father will choose. Whether you are a new believer or a long time Christ-follower, prepare for the moment. My experience has taught me that all the love, care and encouragement others can give will never take the place of letting God prepare us as we seek Him. Stay close to His Word. In those epic moments, you will be glad you did. Below are some verses I think the fiery furnace trio would have affirmed.  I trust we will as well, as we remain steadfast in the Word, preparing for our fiery moments.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree doesn’t bloom, and there’s no produce on the vine; though the olive crop withers, and the fields don’t provide food; though the sheep is cut off from the pen, and there is no cattle in the stalls; I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.  The Lord God is my strength.  He will set my feet like the deer.  He will let me walk upon the heights.

Difficulties will come to all of us. We can be certain of it! The question is, are you prepared?

Recently, my ninety year-old mother-in-law made the startling admission that she doesn’t like change. It is reasonable for anyone born in the 1920’s to be a bit overwhelmed by the rapid fire changes that seem common place in the 21st century. Even though she graduated to a cell phone, my mother-in-law would still prefer the old rotary phone. But it’s certainly not just senior citizens that don’t like change. One of my friends recently shared with me that the changes I was challenging him and others with, were hard. His words went something like this … “I’m fifty-three and it’s hard to change.”  He and I, and you and I are no different.  We don’t like change and we definitely think that personal change is hard.

You’ve probably made statements like “he/she will never change.”  Why do we make such limiting statements about others? Because we believe that change is hard, and that most people are not willing to take the necessary steps to make long-term personal changes. But the critical questions for you and me are, what do we need to change, and are we willing?  I accept that change is hard, but that cannot be an excuse to short-circuit God’s design. To help present my premise, I am going to give you a part of my life that has needed some changing.  Like my friend said, “change is hard.”

The specific area of my life needing some renovation is communication. To be exact … less of it! Without much effort, I can dominate a conversation. It’s easy to rationalize that I am an extrovert, and make no effort to change. Listening is so very important, but it’s fun to talk, and besides … I have a lot to say! Can you see how that statement bleeds selfishness?  On my personal journey this year I have been convinced that speaking less and asking more questions is needed.  Admittedly, changing long ingrained habits has not been easy.  But if listening better and focusing more on those in front of me can have a meaningful impact on someone, I’m all in.

One of the areas that I’ve been working on is making sure that I never speak more than 50% of the time in any conversation.  Change is hard!  Focusing on the less than 50% model reminds me to really listen to the person in front of me.  It may sound silly to attempt a reduction in speaking, but for me it’s been a needed change. One that is definitely still a work in progress!

Another action item on my journey of changing is to ask more questions, which also causes me to focus on the person in front of me. I don’t need to fix people, or their problems, and I don’t need to dominate the conversation (although it is easy to try).  Asking sincere questions completely redirects the focus of my communication. It makes the other person more important … and isn’t that what Christ wants from us?! I was profoundly convicted to ask more questions after recently being given the following quote from a friend. It presented that in Scripture Christ was asked 278 questions; He answered 3 and asked 307 (Os Hillman).  If those numbers are even close to accurate, we can all learn a great deal from them. Change is hard, but worth the effort!

It wasn’t easy sharing an area of needed change in my life, but I hope it illustrated the point that change is hard. The stakes are high, but influencing others and honoring God are at the core of my quest.  You may not have my issue, but there’s no doubt you have one. Do you already know what it is?

Just promise me — Never say you can’t change, and never limit God’s power in your life by refusing to try.

The following brief devotional arrived in my personal email recently.  It’s only a few sentences long, but the length of its personal challenge has extended for days in my own life.  Let’s read it first, and then I’ll share where my heart was led…

A thumbprint is the only marginalia in Abraham Lincoln’s Bible.  Next to Psalm 34:4 — I sought the LORD and he answered me.  He delivered me from all my fears. — there is an indentation clearly showing that Lincoln firmly grasped this text on more than one occasion to let it sink into his bones.  That thumbprint was made by pressure and by faith.

In your Bible, next to Psalm 34:4, lightly sketch an image of a thumbprint.  Let this be your prayerful reminder of what impact trusting God for deliverance from fear might have on the world, both today, and tomorrow.

I’m a history guy, so this very personal revelation about President Lincoln resonated deeply with me.  I am also a sensory guy, so the mention of a thumbprint indentation stirred me as well.  The author’s challenge was excellent, but instead of walking away from this treasured story with a fleeting fact and a sketched thumbprint next to that verse in my Bible, I was challenged with the following two questions.

Is there even a single thumbprint indentation in my Bible(s)?

and

On what verse or page would it appear?

I am all about an inspiring story, but I don’t desire to imitate or live anyone else’s life.  This is not meant as a criticism of the author’s words or intent … I appreciated them both.  God made me uniquely me, and you, uniquely you.  There are countless famous and anonymous people who have lived with great character and conviction, and there is no harm in being inspired by them.  But rather than imitating and tracing your thumbprint in a place where there’s was, allow their stories and their lives to awaken, or birth something new in yours.  Here is what this story awoke in me…

I have many Bibles.  Have any of them been used to the extent that they would bear a thumbprint indentation?

Scripture is ever-present and essential in my personal journey of following Jesus.  Is there a verse, chapter or book that has “sunk into my bones,” and whose thumbprint has been “made by pressure and faith?”

Where has my life left a permanent mark?

NOTE:  The devotional noted above was distributed by the Common English Bible website.  The source post can be found at http://e2.ma/message/ppike/dsk2nf

How would you answer this question? “What role does the Bible, God’s Word, play in my life?” The question is not, “do I believe the Bible?” or “have I read it?” or “memorized verses in the past?”, but “what role is it playing in my life today?” So much of your life is driven by the answer to this seemingly simple question.

It would only seem logical that all who claim to be Christ-followers would be students of the Word. After all, our Father has chosen to give us instruction for life and godliness through His revealed Word. But from personal experience, I have learned that being a student of the Word is anything but easy. It takes discipline and passion for any of us to “continue in the Word.”

My thoughts for this post were prompted by a little known passage found in the book of II Kings. Reading about one evil king after another was not energizing.  But then I came to chapter twenty-two and King Josiah.  He was different! He became king at eight years old and worked at honoring the Lord.

II Kings 22:2
He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

My reading took me to an amazing find; one that makes me wonder how many Christ-followers have ever studied or took note of before. Josiah wanted the worship of Jehovah re-established and had a desire to rebuild the temple. In the process of rebuilding the temple, the high priest found the Book of the Law. My response was … “they lost the Book of the Law?!”  How could a people who God had blessed so greatly, lose the very Word of God?

II Kings 22:8, 10-11
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.”….Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.

God, through the Book of the Law, got Josiah’s attention. But it is so sad to think that a people with something so special, lost it in the first place. How far they had fallen (read the complete chapter if you have time)! It is easy for all of us to generalize about how our nation, our schools and, to a great extent, our churches have lost the Word of God. We haven’t lost it physically, but I am sure you will agree with me that we have lost it as the authority upon which we stand. How will future generations view us?

On a personal note, I am sure you can locate your own copy of the Word of God. But has its value gotten lost in the maze of activity called twenty-first century living? Have you lost the passion for its principles? How much attention do you give to God’s instruction book (His Word)?  You get the point!

If you are like me, there are seasons of passion and times of distance relative to the Word. But we know where the real answers to life’s questions are found. You and I cannot speak for our nation, our schools or our churches.  But our relationship to the Word of God will help direct our futures. It must be a priority. Don’t lose your way!

Personality assessments fascinate me. By just answering a list of questions, I have seen my life presented in living color. Attributes about me, both positive and negative are pinpointed with incredible accuracy. You have probably also had the same experience of looking at your strengths and weaknesses through the lens of a few questions.

One particular test highlighted my personality characteristics to be that of a lion, and there were several attributes listed in the feedback from the test that made me proud. But lions can also be too driven, spill their coffee with regularity (my wife says that is a lion trait), lose car keys (in the ignition), drive too fast and generally push themselves and others too hard. It can be interesting to evaluate and respond to the not-so-desirable parts of our personality.  Many times we try to excuse our weaknesses with words like, “that’s just the way I am”.

When it comes to living out our faith, we should never use our personality as an excuse. Whether you are as driven as a lion, as passive as a golden retriever, relational like an otter, or as analytical as a beaver, God has a design for you. Our responsibility is to live out His plan in the context of the way He built us.  My premise comes from a quote in the book God is Closer Than You Think, by John Ortberg. In a chapter about practicing the presence of God, he states, “My task is to meet God in this moment.” What a spiritual statement! But quite frankly, most of us don’t live this way, or even believe it is possible. We may agree with the concept intellectually, but our lifestyles, personalities and preconceived notions get in the way. So, is this really possible for me to meet God in this very moment? Is it possible for you?

My easy out is my strong-willed, fast-paced lion personality. You can also probably name an excuse or two. It is so easy to put meeting God in this moment within the confines of a worship service, or our devotional time. But do we really believe that God just shows up at specific places, and at predictable, prescribed times? Of course not! So why isn’t it logical to practice His presence all day long, in the midst of every ordinary day?  Seeking to meet God in this moment changes the way we respond in tense meetings, traffic jams (sorry), at the grocery store, when we spill the coffee and in every other part of our day.

Now, if you are anything like me, meeting God in this moment sounds like monk stuff, not something that is possible in 21st century America. In the same book mentioned above, I read a quote about a man named Nick, later known as Brother Lawrence. He determined his life would be a “habitual, silent, secret conversation of the soul with God.” His life has challenged generations, and he wasn’t a monk or a preacher. He worked … in a kitchen. He lived out his “habitual, silent, secret conversation of the soul with God” amidst the washing of pots and pans, and scrubbing of floors.  If you want to practice His presence, invite Him into each activity of your day. Don’t believe that meeting God in this moment is monk stuff; it is His design for Christ followers.

As a lion (so the personality test said) my flesh often wants to roar, but my perspective changes if I meet God in each moment.  For one day, would you consider inviting Him into each detail and activity?  Prayerfully and intentionally invite God to each meeting, each phone conversation, the 3 a.m. feeding and diaper change, each class, and yes, even the traffic jam on the drive home.  Living in the reality of His presence will change your perspective and deepen your faith.  He longs to be with you, and never turns down an invitation to this moment.

Each moment is lived only once; invite Him to join you!

If I was completely honest, I would have to admit that I avoid mirrors.  In a department store, I’ll rush past one, being careful to lock my gaze in the opposite direction (how dumb does that sound?!).  It seems like an odd thing to confess in a blog post with more than two readers, but it’s nonetheless true.  I’ll never argue the truth that God doesn’t make mistakes, but in so many ways I grade myself harshly in what I’ve done with the body and spirit that He gifted me.

That critical nature was tweaked a bit recently as I listened to a song from an artist I love.  The song is, “I Am New” by Jason Gray and it speaks of being made new in Christ.  “I am not who I was, I’m being remade, I am new,” the chorus begins.  Just before that chorus kicks in, at the very end of the third verse of the song, you’ll find the following words…

But the One who is making everything new
doesn’t see me the way that I do.
He doesn’t see me the way that I do.

Upon hearing those words again for the first time in quite some time, they landed and nestled themselves in my soul and tweaked that critical nature I just confessed.  I have “listened” to that song many times.  I’m not sure how many times it took to truly “hear” it, but I have come to feel those words deeply.  Oh the immeasurable gift it would be to see with His eyes … even one time and just for a few seconds.  To see myself, not as the physical or spiritual reflection in my earthly mirror, but as He sees me!

So much of my life is lived in the powerful shadow of my guilt and shame.  So many times I stop short of doing something for Him because I convince myself that I’m not worthy, or that I’ve failed Him far too many times to be of any use.  How stuck I can get in the mire of my past.

I read some life-breathing words in a daily devotional (Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning) entry recently.  It was titled, “Responses to Jesus,” and offered a beautiful reminder of the lineage we have in this life of faith.

These biblical characters, however clean or tawdry their personal histories may have been, were not paralyzed by the past in their present response to Jesus.  Tossing aside self-consciousness, they ran, clung, jumped and raced to him.  Peter denied him and deserted him, but he was not afraid of him.

In reading the full entry, I was reminded once again of the thread of imperfection that runs through the body of Christ.  The author was referring to the personal histories of Mary (sister of Martha), Mary Magdalene and Peter when he uses the word, “these.”  They are central characters in God’s love story, and yet they are fully flawed human beings.  The thread of imperfection runs through them all and extends to you and I.  Yet at the same time, they (and we) are perfect examples of the power that exists in the name and redeeming blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

They “were not paralyzed by the past in their present response to Jesus.”  Yes Jesus, I want that to be said of me.

How are you with mirrors?  And what about your past?  If everything I’ve confessed resonates with you, join me.  If even the smallest part of something I’ve confessed resonates with you, join me. If you see my confessions in the rear view mirror of your own journey, we’ll join you.  Let’s all run, cling, jump and race to Him together!