Most of us don’t like discipline.
And we certainly hope we never have to experience God’s discipline. But then we read something in the Hebrews that is so instructive. It says, Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. Heb 12:7
Suddenly I realized that I had a very limited understanding of God’s discipline. Often when we speak of discipline we mean punishment. But biblically, discipline is much more than that. It certainly can also be used of God’s chastisement. But it is more commonly used for His teaching, training, and guidance. In other words, it encompasses all that God does to develop us as godly people.
And notice it says, God is treating you as his children.
Every hardship you might face is always metered through our Father’s loving hand. Always it something through which He wants us to grow. No matter what.
Ultimately the best question we ask is this: “Lord, how does God want me to respond?”
Today, why not ask God to give you the faith to trust his Father love as He develops you into the person you were meant to be?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
A prayer you will need in 2008
I can hardly think of a better prayer than the one found in 2 Chronicles 20:12.
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
There will be many times in 2008 that you will need these words.
There are, of course, times when God gives us great clarity about the future. At such times we can pray, “Lord, I know what you want me to do; still my eyes are on You.” But most of the time a more realistic prayer is, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”
Many people, if they are honest, don’t really like this prayer. They don’t like the insecurity it represents. They don’t like how dependent it makes them feel. Many people prefer to operate by this motto: “Lord, I know exactly what to I plan to do, so my eyes are not on you.” Others live by this creed, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on myself.”
How much better to admit our weakness when it comes to predicting the future, and put our confidence in the One who has already been there?
There are, of course, times when God gives us great clarity about the future. At such times we can pray, “Lord, I know what you want me to do; still my eyes are on You.” But most of the time a more realistic prayer is, “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”
Many people, if they are honest, don’t really like this prayer. They don’t like the insecurity it represents. They don’t like how dependent it makes them feel. Many people prefer to operate by this motto: “Lord, I know exactly what to I plan to do, so my eyes are not on you.” Others live by this creed, “I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on myself.”How much better to admit our weakness when it comes to predicting the future, and put our confidence in the One who has already been there?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A Clean Slate for the New Year
In some traditions, the New Year begins with people asking forgiveness from each other. Not a bad idea. In keeping with this theme, I have a small confession to those of you who follow this blog.
During December I ran a survey regarding our family dessert on Christmas Eve. I promised we would have the winning vote-getter and that I would post a photo to prove it. The choices were
- Chocolate Yule log
- Figgy Pudding
- Bread Pudding with Custard
- Mince Meat Pie
- English Trifle
- Gingerbread Men.
The winner was English Trifle. So we had .... Cheesecake! We planned to have English Trifle and then some nice neighbors gave us a beautiful cheesecake for Christmas. Forgive me.
As a way to make amends, Cindy did make a wonderful English Trifle yesterday and we had it for New Year's Eve (see photo as proof).
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Happy 08
Please take a moment to vote on my current survey in the right column. I will reference the results in my message on 1-6-08.
Friday, December 21, 2007
All the stars looked down
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here is all aright.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)
The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.
G. K. Chesterton in The Wild Knight.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Home for Christmas
As a kid, I always skipped over the genealogies in the Bible (to be honest sometimes I still do – admit it, you do too). But lately I’ve been thinking about their importance.
In Bible times it was their scrapbook, their photo album. It was a way of saying you belong in the family. Perhaps that’s why the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy (looking forward) and the book of Matthew starts with one (looking back). That Ruth, an outsider and enemy of Israel, would be included in both gives me great hope.
I heard the true story this week of a little girl around age 4 or 5 who was adopted into a rather large family. As she began settling into her new surroundings, she often went to the wall in the house where photographs of all the other family members were on display. She would stand there for long periods of time, silently studying each face. About a month after the girl arrived, her new mother took her to a photographer. The mother noted that she wasn’t sure this little one understood the significance of that outing until days later when she came in from playing and her mother sent her to look at the wall. When the little girl saw her own picture hanging on the wall with the rest of the family, she laughed and sobbed at the same time.
That Ruth was included in the genealogy was God’s way of saying, “You’re a part of the family.” No matter where the holidays take you, I hope you find yourself “home for Christmas.” I hope you experience what it means to be at home with God. To see your photo in His album. To know your picture is on the wall in His hallway.
In Bible times it was their scrapbook, their photo album. It was a way of saying you belong in the family. Perhaps that’s why the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy (looking forward) and the book of Matthew starts with one (looking back). That Ruth, an outsider and enemy of Israel, would be included in both gives me great hope.
I heard the true story this week of a little girl around age 4 or 5 who was adopted into a rather large family. As she began settling into her new surroundings, she often went to the wall in the house where photographs of all the other family members were on display. She would stand there for long periods of time, silently studying each face. About a month after the girl arrived, her new mother took her to a photographer. The mother noted that she wasn’t sure this little one understood the significance of that outing until days later when she came in from playing and her mother sent her to look at the wall. When the little girl saw her own picture hanging on the wall with the rest of the family, she laughed and sobbed at the same time.
That Ruth was included in the genealogy was God’s way of saying, “You’re a part of the family.” No matter where the holidays take you, I hope you find yourself “home for Christmas.” I hope you experience what it means to be at home with God. To see your photo in His album. To know your picture is on the wall in His hallway.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Why Rahab?
Is anyone else surprised that God chose Rahab as one of the premier examples of faith in the New Testament (see Matt 1:5; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25)? I mean, when we first meet her she is described as a prostitute.
What I love about Rahab’s story in Joshua 2 is that even though she had very little information about the true God – just the little she could gather from the gossip around town – she responded in faith to the light she was given.
I was up on a ladder the other day when my little nephew wanted to do what every boy his age wants to do. “Can I climb the ladder, Uncle Dougie?”
“Sure,” I said, “as long as I’m here to watch you.” Climbing up the ladder was no problem. It never is. Climbing down, backwards, that was the problem. No longer able to see where to place his foot, the steps seemed long and uncertain. It felt, to him, as if he were stepping off a cliff.
As he would lower his foot, I would steady the bottom of his sole and encourage him saying, “Just a little further.” Each step got easier.
When we first come to faith, like Rahab, God often finds us in wobbly, precarious places. And the spiritual journey back to Him is often made up of short, awkward steps; backing out of the places we find ourselves.
But as we respond to God’s voice and touch, it gets easier. Little by little, one step at a time, into the arms of God.
What I love about Rahab’s story in Joshua 2 is that even though she had very little information about the true God – just the little she could gather from the gossip around town – she responded in faith to the light she was given.
I was up on a ladder the other day when my little nephew wanted to do what every boy his age wants to do. “Can I climb the ladder, Uncle Dougie?”
“Sure,” I said, “as long as I’m here to watch you.” Climbing up the ladder was no problem. It never is. Climbing down, backwards, that was the problem. No longer able to see where to place his foot, the steps seemed long and uncertain. It felt, to him, as if he were stepping off a cliff.
As he would lower his foot, I would steady the bottom of his sole and encourage him saying, “Just a little further.” Each step got easier.
When we first come to faith, like Rahab, God often finds us in wobbly, precarious places. And the spiritual journey back to Him is often made up of short, awkward steps; backing out of the places we find ourselves.
But as we respond to God’s voice and touch, it gets easier. Little by little, one step at a time, into the arms of God.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Clinging to Hope
As we approach Christmas I will be looking at the women in Jesus’ family tree. Each one is a wonderful scandal.
Like Tamar. Childless, and widowed by two husbands, she takes things into her own hands and disguises herself as a prostitute to seduce her own father-in-law and had a baby. No wonder teachers skip this story in Sunday School.
But a closer look at her story reveals that the Bible paints her in a positive light. In fact, her story in Genesis 38 ends with Judah declaring, "She is more righteous than I.” vs. 26.
In what way is she righteous?
Tamar had married into a family with a promise. Through the lineage of this family the Messiah would come. But Tamar was the victim of two horrible marriages; in each case her husband died before a child was produced.
It helps to know that in that culture if a man died without a child, his closest, unwed, relative (like a brother) was required to marry his widow. More than that, recent discoveries of ancient documents indicate that the father-in-law was also responsible in the same way, if no brother would fulfill the duty. This is almost certainly the law of the land when Tamar lived.
But forget that law, because Tamar’s father-in-law had stopped believing, stopped hoping. He had forgotten the family promise.
While Tamar still believed. Still hoped. Still trusted. And within the law of the land she acted in faith in the hope of a promised child.
The focus of her faith would only be realized centuries later in a place called Bethlehem, where the descendant of Tamar -- this descendant of a baby born out of the strangest of circumstances, a wonderful scandal -- was born.
Tamar reminds us that God still has a plan even when things seem bleak. He keeps his promises. This season, remember we have been grafted into a family with a promise. And cling to hope.
Like Tamar. Childless, and widowed by two husbands, she takes things into her own hands and disguises herself as a prostitute to seduce her own father-in-law and had a baby. No wonder teachers skip this story in Sunday School.
But a closer look at her story reveals that the Bible paints her in a positive light. In fact, her story in Genesis 38 ends with Judah declaring, "She is more righteous than I.” vs. 26.
In what way is she righteous?
Tamar had married into a family with a promise. Through the lineage of this family the Messiah would come. But Tamar was the victim of two horrible marriages; in each case her husband died before a child was produced.
It helps to know that in that culture if a man died without a child, his closest, unwed, relative (like a brother) was required to marry his widow. More than that, recent discoveries of ancient documents indicate that the father-in-law was also responsible in the same way, if no brother would fulfill the duty. This is almost certainly the law of the land when Tamar lived.
But forget that law, because Tamar’s father-in-law had stopped believing, stopped hoping. He had forgotten the family promise.
While Tamar still believed. Still hoped. Still trusted. And within the law of the land she acted in faith in the hope of a promised child.
The focus of her faith would only be realized centuries later in a place called Bethlehem, where the descendant of Tamar -- this descendant of a baby born out of the strangest of circumstances, a wonderful scandal -- was born.
Tamar reminds us that God still has a plan even when things seem bleak. He keeps his promises. This season, remember we have been grafted into a family with a promise. And cling to hope.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Christmas Baskets!
Our church put together a bunch a Christmas baskets for those who are displaced this Christmas. Many of them lost all of their decorations in the fires. In addition to some very nice ornaments and a gift card to Home depot, there were Christmas mugs and homemade ornaments from our Sundat School kids. Awesome event!
Ordinary People
Somewhere in the “be-all-that-you-can-be” culture I’ve grown up in I’ve embraced the notion that God only uses super-saints. Somewhere along the way, I bought into the idea that God ordinarily uses extraordinary people.
The truth is just the opposite. Consider Acts 4:13.
We forget that those superstars of Sunday School – the Apostles - were once ordinary, unlikely, people. But God used them in amazing ways because they spent time with Jesus.
The only credential that matters, the only diploma that counts, the defining bullet point on your resume, is time spent with Jesus.
God extraordinarily uses ordinary people. That's the truth.
The truth is just the opposite. Consider Acts 4:13.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
We forget that those superstars of Sunday School – the Apostles - were once ordinary, unlikely, people. But God used them in amazing ways because they spent time with Jesus.
The only credential that matters, the only diploma that counts, the defining bullet point on your resume, is time spent with Jesus.
God extraordinarily uses ordinary people. That's the truth.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Create Culture
It seems to me that as believer we often fall into two errors when it comes to our culture. We either copy it … or condemn it. Both in the extreme are unhealthy.
Instead I appreciate what Paul did in Athens. Addressing a city that was very spiritually confused he said, For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We are his offspring.' Acts 17:28 First he engaged their culture by quoting their poets. Then he used that as a bridge to share the gospel (see Acts 17:22-34).
Rather than simply mirroring the culture or throwing rocks at it, why not be about the work of creating a new culture? In Athens Paul left behind believers who would plant the church in this secular place. Michelangelo said, “Criticize by creating.” I love that.
When it comes to culture, why not take the lead?
Instead I appreciate what Paul did in Athens. Addressing a city that was very spiritually confused he said, For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, `We are his offspring.' Acts 17:28 First he engaged their culture by quoting their poets. Then he used that as a bridge to share the gospel (see Acts 17:22-34).
Rather than simply mirroring the culture or throwing rocks at it, why not be about the work of creating a new culture? In Athens Paul left behind believers who would plant the church in this secular place. Michelangelo said, “Criticize by creating.” I love that.
When it comes to culture, why not take the lead?
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Block Party for Fire Threatened Neighbors
Yesterday our church hosted a block party in the Westwood area next to our church. One of the great stories that came out of it was the way it touched the life of a fire fighter in our church. He was one of the speakers at the event. Along the way he connected with several neighbors whose homes he had helped save (see the photo of him embraced by grateful neighbors at the end of the video below). The healing was as much for him as for the community.
Sorry about the low quality on this video. Check out the high resolution version this Sunday at church.
Sorry about the low quality on this video. Check out the high resolution version this Sunday at church.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Serving our community continues...
We continue to have a great response to our community service opportunities. Here's the latest:
There will be another community clean-up/work day this Saturday, november 10. Meet at the church at 9 AM in the LOBBY. Be prepared to handle both inside and outside opportunities. Specific job sites listed at gvcfamily.blogspot.com
There will be another community clean-up/work day this Saturday, november 10. Meet at the church at 9 AM in the LOBBY. Be prepared to handle both inside and outside opportunities. Specific job sites listed at gvcfamily.blogspot.com
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