Click here for today's Bible reading: Mark 1-2; Proverbs 16:22-33.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
19 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Leviticus 8-10; Proverbs 16:12-21.
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction. —Proverbs 16:21
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction. —Proverbs 16:21
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
14 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Matthew 27-28; Proverbs 15:1-11.
A Not-So-Happy Valentine's Day
Last year was a sad Valentine’s Day. A beloved family was breaking up. After raising several offspring, the parents split up when a young female invaded their happy home. Mom tried to defend her territory, but when Dad started cavorting with the younger female, Mom disappeared. Questions and accusations flew wildly. Why did Mom give up so easily? Why was Dad so easily lured away? Why didn’t the young invader find someone her own age—and unattached!? Everyone who loved them was distraught.
This drama played out in a nest of Bald Eagles monitored by a webcam mounted 90 feet off the ground in a tree at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The emotionally charged conversation took place in an internet chat room.
Biologists had warned the amateur eagle enthusiasts not to attribute human values to the birds. But everyone did. We all wanted the original couple to reunite. The conflict at the nest cost several would-be eagles their lives. Two eggs were damaged in fights at the nest, and two more eggs died when they were left alone during cold weather.
As chat room members expressed their sadness, I thought about the sadness God feels when human families break up. God used strong language to express how he feels about divorce. "'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel" (Malachi 2:16). He also tells us why he hates it.
The eagle family break up was not only sad, it was personally disconcerting. My reaction to it made me question my values. Why did I feel more emotion about the break up of an eagle family hundreds of miles away than I do for the countless human family break ups in my own community?
Marriage is so important to God that he uses it to symbolize his covenant with his people. And broken families are so serious to him that he won't even receive our offerings. God uses marriage to keep the world orderly and peaceful. When a marriage breaks up, so does part of the world. Faithfulness, commitment, and loyalty are important to God, and he used an eagle family to remind me.
Later in the season, the original eagles reunited and hatched one egg. So the eagles also gave me an idea how God feels when a marriage is saved.
This season, the eagle pair rebuilt their nest from a previous year that had been damaged by a storm. Perhaps last year's nest had too many bad associations. They returned to the site of happier years. Yesterday, the female laid their second egg of the season. The eagle enthusiasts are on the watch again, hoping for no drama and a happy ending. And that is my hope for all of God's families.
Click here to see the webcam.
Click here to see a slide show of the first egg laying.
Click here to see a slide show of the second egg laying.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
A Not-So-Happy Valentine's Day
Last year was a sad Valentine’s Day. A beloved family was breaking up. After raising several offspring, the parents split up when a young female invaded their happy home. Mom tried to defend her territory, but when Dad started cavorting with the younger female, Mom disappeared. Questions and accusations flew wildly. Why did Mom give up so easily? Why was Dad so easily lured away? Why didn’t the young invader find someone her own age—and unattached!? Everyone who loved them was distraught.
This drama played out in a nest of Bald Eagles monitored by a webcam mounted 90 feet off the ground in a tree at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The emotionally charged conversation took place in an internet chat room.
Biologists had warned the amateur eagle enthusiasts not to attribute human values to the birds. But everyone did. We all wanted the original couple to reunite. The conflict at the nest cost several would-be eagles their lives. Two eggs were damaged in fights at the nest, and two more eggs died when they were left alone during cold weather.
As chat room members expressed their sadness, I thought about the sadness God feels when human families break up. God used strong language to express how he feels about divorce. "'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel" (Malachi 2:16). He also tells us why he hates it.
You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.So many families break up these days that it's hardly surprising when I hear about it. I'm sad for the children, of course. But the parents—at least one of them—have decided that there's no alternative. It will be better in the long run for everyone, they say. Maybe. Maybe not. According to God's design, what's best for the children is two parents committed to God, to each other, and to their children.
Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. (Malachi 2:11-15)
The eagle family break up was not only sad, it was personally disconcerting. My reaction to it made me question my values. Why did I feel more emotion about the break up of an eagle family hundreds of miles away than I do for the countless human family break ups in my own community?
Marriage is so important to God that he uses it to symbolize his covenant with his people. And broken families are so serious to him that he won't even receive our offerings. God uses marriage to keep the world orderly and peaceful. When a marriage breaks up, so does part of the world. Faithfulness, commitment, and loyalty are important to God, and he used an eagle family to remind me.
Later in the season, the original eagles reunited and hatched one egg. So the eagles also gave me an idea how God feels when a marriage is saved.
This season, the eagle pair rebuilt their nest from a previous year that had been damaged by a storm. Perhaps last year's nest had too many bad associations. They returned to the site of happier years. Yesterday, the female laid their second egg of the season. The eagle enthusiasts are on the watch again, hoping for no drama and a happy ending. And that is my hope for all of God's families.
Click here to see the webcam.
Click here to see a slide show of the first egg laying.
Click here to see a slide show of the second egg laying.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
12 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Exodus 33-36; Proverbs 14:12-24.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." (Exodus 34:4-7)
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
10 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Exodus 26-28; Proverbs 13:13-25.
When hikers head for the hills, they don’t wear formal clothes. At least I don't, and I don't know anyone who does. But when God sent the children of Israel to the desert, he told one family to wear outfits fancier than any red-carpet attire. (Exodus 28)
The clothes that God designed for Aaron and his sons would "out-bling" some of the most blingy hip-hoppers. The family was seriously over dressed for trekking across a hot, dusty desert with nomads and smelly livestock for companions. Did they really need clothes decorated with engraved onyx, gold filigree, braided gold chains, precious stones, and gold rings? To top off Aaron’s wardrobe, God gave him a hat with a gold seal engraved with the words “Holy to the Lord.”
I wonder if Aaron and his sons felt privileged to wear God’s designer clothes or if they wanted to look like all their friends who dressed in “desert denim.” Were they honored to be given the position of priest or did they just want to be like everyone else? Did wearing special clothes make them feel holy or just silly?
As a priest under God’s new covenant, am I willing to be set apart in a way that makes me look silly? —Julie Ackerman Link
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. —Exodus 28:2-5GOD'S DESIGNER CLOTHES
When hikers head for the hills, they don’t wear formal clothes. At least I don't, and I don't know anyone who does. But when God sent the children of Israel to the desert, he told one family to wear outfits fancier than any red-carpet attire. (Exodus 28)
The clothes that God designed for Aaron and his sons would "out-bling" some of the most blingy hip-hoppers. The family was seriously over dressed for trekking across a hot, dusty desert with nomads and smelly livestock for companions. Did they really need clothes decorated with engraved onyx, gold filigree, braided gold chains, precious stones, and gold rings? To top off Aaron’s wardrobe, God gave him a hat with a gold seal engraved with the words “Holy to the Lord.”
I wonder if Aaron and his sons felt privileged to wear God’s designer clothes or if they wanted to look like all their friends who dressed in “desert denim.” Were they honored to be given the position of priest or did they just want to be like everyone else? Did wearing special clothes make them feel holy or just silly?
As a priest under God’s new covenant, am I willing to be set apart in a way that makes me look silly? —Julie Ackerman Link
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
9 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Exodus 22-25; Proverbs 13:1-12.
Last Friday's reading included the Ten Commandments, and yesterday's sermon was on the same passage (Exodus 20). Since I've written on this subject in my book Above All, Love, I listened especially carefully. Thankfully, my beliefs aren't in conflict with those of my pastor, although they are slightly different. Here's an excerpt from Above All, Love:
GOD'S TOP TEN LIST
The Bible doesn’t give a reason as to why the Ten Commandments are given in the order they are, but it’s interesting to note that the tenth commandment correlates to the first sin—desire: You shall not want what isn’t yours.
From an earthly standpoint (i.e., looking up from our perspective rather than down from God’s), it makes sense to consider the Ten Commandments in reverse order, kind of like a David Letterman Top Ten List, giving first consideration to commandment number ten. After all, if we don’t covet, we will pretty much eliminate all of our reasons to lie, steal, or commit adultery.
Even the popular psalm of David, known for its comfort in times of loss, gives prominence to the subject of covetousness by reminding us, first of all, that those who follow the Good Shepherd have no reason to covet: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1), or, as the Jewish Bible translates it, “I lack nothing.”
I don’t always feel as if this is true, however. My emotions keep telling me that God is withholding something good or trying to trick me into settling for something inferior.
Nevertheless, I know that I ought to want God’s will. So I pray, “Lord, I want to want your will. I want to want what you desire. I know this falls short of where I ought to be, but is it anything you can work with?”
Thankfully it is, and He does.
TURKISH DELIGHT
During the sermon, I realized that Saturday's Our Daily Bread / ymiblogging article was a good illustration of what happens whenever we disobey the first commandment. Whenever something, anything, is more important to us than God, we put ourselves and those we love in danger.
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100600110/Delight_Turkish_Delight_Candy.jpg
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, the White Witch needed to know only one thing about Edmund to get him to betray his siblings and endanger their lives. By asking a few simple questions, the witch learned that Edmund’s weakness was his love for a candy called Turkish Delight. The piece she gave to Edmund was more delicious than anything he had ever tasted. Soon Edmund could think only about “trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as possible.” But “the more he ate, the more he wanted.”
Each of us has a vulnerability like Edmund’s that Satan is eager to exploit. It may be something addictive like drugs or alcohol, or it may be something seemingly harmless and perhaps even good like food, friendship, or work.
After His resurrection, Jesus asked Peter this personal and probing question: “Do you love me more than these?” Many have speculated as to what Jesus meant by the word “these,” but it’s probably better that we don’t know. It allows each of us to personalize the question and ask ourselves, “What do I love more than Jesus?”
When Satan finds out what we love more than God, he knows how to manipulate us. But he loses his power over us when our delight is in the Lord.
I AM HERE (#19): No Other Gods
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
Last Friday's reading included the Ten Commandments, and yesterday's sermon was on the same passage (Exodus 20). Since I've written on this subject in my book Above All, Love, I listened especially carefully. Thankfully, my beliefs aren't in conflict with those of my pastor, although they are slightly different. Here's an excerpt from Above All, Love:
GOD'S TOP TEN LIST
The Bible doesn’t give a reason as to why the Ten Commandments are given in the order they are, but it’s interesting to note that the tenth commandment correlates to the first sin—desire: You shall not want what isn’t yours.
From an earthly standpoint (i.e., looking up from our perspective rather than down from God’s), it makes sense to consider the Ten Commandments in reverse order, kind of like a David Letterman Top Ten List, giving first consideration to commandment number ten. After all, if we don’t covet, we will pretty much eliminate all of our reasons to lie, steal, or commit adultery.
Even the popular psalm of David, known for its comfort in times of loss, gives prominence to the subject of covetousness by reminding us, first of all, that those who follow the Good Shepherd have no reason to covet: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1), or, as the Jewish Bible translates it, “I lack nothing.”
I don’t always feel as if this is true, however. My emotions keep telling me that God is withholding something good or trying to trick me into settling for something inferior.
Nevertheless, I know that I ought to want God’s will. So I pray, “Lord, I want to want your will. I want to want what you desire. I know this falls short of where I ought to be, but is it anything you can work with?”
Thankfully it is, and He does.
[excerpted from Above All, Love]
What makes me feel good tells me a lot about myself—and sometimes even about what I worship. Do I feel good when everything is in order? Then maybe I worship order. Do I feel good when I have approval, comfort, or sensual pleasure? Then I probably worship those things.
—C. D. BAKER
During the sermon, I realized that Saturday's Our Daily Bread / ymiblogging article was a good illustration of what happens whenever we disobey the first commandment. Whenever something, anything, is more important to us than God, we put ourselves and those we love in danger.
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100600110/Delight_Turkish_Delight_Candy.jpg
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, the White Witch needed to know only one thing about Edmund to get him to betray his siblings and endanger their lives. By asking a few simple questions, the witch learned that Edmund’s weakness was his love for a candy called Turkish Delight. The piece she gave to Edmund was more delicious than anything he had ever tasted. Soon Edmund could think only about “trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as possible.” But “the more he ate, the more he wanted.”
Each of us has a vulnerability like Edmund’s that Satan is eager to exploit. It may be something addictive like drugs or alcohol, or it may be something seemingly harmless and perhaps even good like food, friendship, or work.
After His resurrection, Jesus asked Peter this personal and probing question: “Do you love me more than these?” Many have speculated as to what Jesus meant by the word “these,” but it’s probably better that we don’t know. It allows each of us to personalize the question and ask ourselves, “What do I love more than Jesus?”
When Satan finds out what we love more than God, he knows how to manipulate us. But he loses his power over us when our delight is in the Lord.
I AM HERE (#19): No Other Gods
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
4 February 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Exodus 15-18; Proverbs 11:12-21.
[Y]ou blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
"Sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea." —Exodus 15:10-11; 21
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
[Y]ou blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
"Sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea." —Exodus 15:10-11; 21
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
27 January 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Genesis 47-50; Proverbs 8:32-36.
Today marks the end of the beginning—we finish reading Genesis, the book of "beginnings." In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But Genesis is much more than an account of creation. Not only does it tell us about the origin of the universe, the earth, and of plants, animals, and humans, but also the origin of conflict, resolution, and new beginnings.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
Today marks the end of the beginning—we finish reading Genesis, the book of "beginnings." In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But Genesis is much more than an account of creation. Not only does it tell us about the origin of the universe, the earth, and of plants, animals, and humans, but also the origin of conflict, resolution, and new beginnings.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
25 January 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Psalms 9-11.
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders....
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done. —Psalm 9:1, 11
Today was the last Sunday of the mission's conference at our church. Our speaker was Todd Ahrend. He spoke on the biblical basis for missions, using all of Scripture rather than simply the text generally referred to as "the great commission."
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders....
Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done. —Psalm 9:1, 11
Today was the last Sunday of the mission's conference at our church. Our speaker was Todd Ahrend. He spoke on the biblical basis for missions, using all of Scripture rather than simply the text generally referred to as "the great commission."
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
21 January 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Genesis 36-39; Proverbs 6:20-35.
Wintley Phipps sang "Amazing Grace" at the national prayer service this morning. The video I've posted below is from an earlier performance. Before singing he explained the significance of the song. It's one of the most amazing videos I've watched and also one of the most moving:
And here's the clip from this morning's service at the National Cathedral:
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
Wintley Phipps sang "Amazing Grace" at the national prayer service this morning. The video I've posted below is from an earlier performance. Before singing he explained the significance of the song. It's one of the most amazing videos I've watched and also one of the most moving:
And here's the clip from this morning's service at the National Cathedral:
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Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
20 January 2009
Click here for today's Bible reading: Genesis 33-35; Proverbs 6:12-19.
Inauguration Day. A day for reflection, celebration, and determination.
The beauty of the day drew me to a beautiful place—Meijer Garden—the perfect place to reflect on the significance of the day.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
Inauguration Day. A day for reflection, celebration, and determination.
The beauty of the day drew me to a beautiful place—Meijer Garden—the perfect place to reflect on the significance of the day.
Click here to see the complete one-year schedule.
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