“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:6-9
Feeling completely uninspired I prayed for some and Mark Twain’s story of The Prince and the Pauper came to mind. In the story two boys, who have very different lives - one royal and wealthy, the other poor and abused - meet by chance, maybe divine chance. They share nothing, but a physical resemblance. They do perhaps what comes naturally to boys in such a situation they switch places. They each learn some valuable lessons as they live one another’s lives, it is however, the prince who learns the greatest lessons. You see he learns justice, mercy, compassion and grace, things that will serve the young prince well when he becomes king.
The prophet Isaiah tells of One who is coming who among his many titles will be called the Prince of Peace. Paul in today’s passage tells us the Jesus really shared nothing with mankind except the resemblance He took on. He taught those with hearts willing to learn, justice, mercy, compassion and grace. Have you ever considered what he learned? He learned the pain of loss and the joy of celebration. He learned what the struggle between good and evil in the heart of man is like.
Because the Prince became a pauper He understands what you are facing and feeling. He knows what it is to be bullied. He knows what it is to grieve. He knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and insulted. He knows how good it feels when things go right.
Because He understands He willingly walks with you on the journey of life. No matter what you are facing He has been there and understands. You are never alone because the King is with you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son became a pauper and lived among us. Thank you for what He learned because He is our King and a king who understands and really knows his subjects can rule with mercy and grace. Thank you that we are never alone in whatever we face. Help us treat one another justly with mercy, grace and compassion. May our own experiences help us to walk with those around us in the good times and the challenging times. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Lessons From Eden - Work, Rest and Love
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. The LORD God said, ‘it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
Genesis 2:2, 15 and 18
We can learn some important lessons about living balanced lives in the Garden of Eden. Have you ever paid attention to the ages of people in the Bible? Adam was 930 years old when he died. Sarah had a baby when she was ninety. Scripture tells us Noah lived 350 years after the flood and that he was 950 when he died - that means he was like in his 500’s when he was building the ark. God made us for certain things and we need those things to live healthy, balanced and long lives.
WORK
We need to work. Our bodies and minds were designed to work. We need to be involved in doing something in order to live healthy and balanced lives. Work is more than what we do to make an income it is part of our purpose. Adam and Eve were tasked with caring for the garden.
REST
In the good old days, people woke up at sunrise and went to bed at sunset. Since they had worked hard all day they slept well. God set the example for mankind - work six days and then take a day of rest. Jesus took time out to rest and he made his disciples rest too.
LOVE
God created a mate for everything creature that breathed and moved. He is a God of relationship. We must not live life alone. It was not good that the man was alone so God made him and helper - then the man had a community to live in, a community of himself, Eve and God.
This week stay busy - no matter what stage of life you find yourself in find some kind of “work” to do and work hard enough to get a good night’s rest. Be sure to take one day a week off, rest and do something fun. Remember you were made for relationship so as you work and rest make time to enjoy family, friends and God. Working, resting and loving will allow you to live the abundant life God intends for you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the lessons we can learn from Eden. Thank you for the things you have for us to do. Thank you for the relationships we have with one another and You. Help us to rest, because we struggle with this. Thank you for the abundant life you have provided for us by your creation and through your Son in whose name we pray, Amen.
Genesis 2:2, 15 and 18
We can learn some important lessons about living balanced lives in the Garden of Eden. Have you ever paid attention to the ages of people in the Bible? Adam was 930 years old when he died. Sarah had a baby when she was ninety. Scripture tells us Noah lived 350 years after the flood and that he was 950 when he died - that means he was like in his 500’s when he was building the ark. God made us for certain things and we need those things to live healthy, balanced and long lives.
WORK
We need to work. Our bodies and minds were designed to work. We need to be involved in doing something in order to live healthy and balanced lives. Work is more than what we do to make an income it is part of our purpose. Adam and Eve were tasked with caring for the garden.
REST
In the good old days, people woke up at sunrise and went to bed at sunset. Since they had worked hard all day they slept well. God set the example for mankind - work six days and then take a day of rest. Jesus took time out to rest and he made his disciples rest too.
LOVE
God created a mate for everything creature that breathed and moved. He is a God of relationship. We must not live life alone. It was not good that the man was alone so God made him and helper - then the man had a community to live in, a community of himself, Eve and God.
This week stay busy - no matter what stage of life you find yourself in find some kind of “work” to do and work hard enough to get a good night’s rest. Be sure to take one day a week off, rest and do something fun. Remember you were made for relationship so as you work and rest make time to enjoy family, friends and God. Working, resting and loving will allow you to live the abundant life God intends for you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the lessons we can learn from Eden. Thank you for the things you have for us to do. Thank you for the relationships we have with one another and You. Help us to rest, because we struggle with this. Thank you for the abundant life you have provided for us by your creation and through your Son in whose name we pray, Amen.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Too Pooped to Party
“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not to any work…”
Exodus 20:9-10
Are you to pooped to party? Do you wish you had some of Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin? Maybe you need one of those five hour energy drinks or an espresso from Starbucks. Life on this planet can be like driving on the autobahn - full throttle. But living full throttle isn’t good for us, neither is Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin.
When we live to fast and overloaded for too long, it takes a toll on us physically, spiritually and emotionally. When we start to run out of energy and try to get a boost by some artificial means, it just means that when we finally reach melt down, we are really down. God knew we would be inclined to live to fast, work too hard and that our relationships with Him and others would suffer because of it.
So He built the one real cure for being too pooped to party into His plan for us. We have six days to live full throttle if that is what we choose to do, but we need to take one day off. We need to take a day to slow down. When we slow down we can spend quality time with God and with the people who are important to us. When we slow down we can enjoy the amazing creation all around us. When we slow down we might actually see the others around us who are hurting and need to slow down too.
This week no matter what your calendar looks like, no matter how many appointments you have scheduled I want to encourage you to clear one day - any day will do. Slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy the company of good friends over a great meal, take a nap and spend some quality time with the Shepherd of your life. It will be easier to hit your top speed when you are rested heart, soul and mind.
A Prayer
Father, help us to slow down at least once a week. Help us to set aside time rest our bodies, our minds and our souls. As we travel at a snail’s pace help us to really see the world around us and to see it through your eyes. Thank you for building rest into your plan for us. In the name of Jesus who leads us to rest, Amen.
Exodus 20:9-10
Are you to pooped to party? Do you wish you had some of Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin? Maybe you need one of those five hour energy drinks or an espresso from Starbucks. Life on this planet can be like driving on the autobahn - full throttle. But living full throttle isn’t good for us, neither is Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin.
When we live to fast and overloaded for too long, it takes a toll on us physically, spiritually and emotionally. When we start to run out of energy and try to get a boost by some artificial means, it just means that when we finally reach melt down, we are really down. God knew we would be inclined to live to fast, work too hard and that our relationships with Him and others would suffer because of it.
So He built the one real cure for being too pooped to party into His plan for us. We have six days to live full throttle if that is what we choose to do, but we need to take one day off. We need to take a day to slow down. When we slow down we can spend quality time with God and with the people who are important to us. When we slow down we can enjoy the amazing creation all around us. When we slow down we might actually see the others around us who are hurting and need to slow down too.
This week no matter what your calendar looks like, no matter how many appointments you have scheduled I want to encourage you to clear one day - any day will do. Slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy the company of good friends over a great meal, take a nap and spend some quality time with the Shepherd of your life. It will be easier to hit your top speed when you are rested heart, soul and mind.
A Prayer
Father, help us to slow down at least once a week. Help us to set aside time rest our bodies, our minds and our souls. As we travel at a snail’s pace help us to really see the world around us and to see it through your eyes. Thank you for building rest into your plan for us. In the name of Jesus who leads us to rest, Amen.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
It's a Long Journey
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
It had been a very long time since we had been on any kind of vacation, let alone a family one. Our oldest daughter and her husband had moved from California to Missouri creating this family vacation opportunity. To save money we decided to drive the twenty-seven or so hours from California to Missouri and saw a good part of our beautiful nation in the process. The wonderful four day stay was followed by another long drive home. The drive was exhausting, but the trip was worth it.
Life is a journey not unlike a cross country road trip. It can be long and exhausting; there might be detours along the way. I have a couple of friends dealing with cancer right now, that is not only a detour but one that is difficult and tiring to navigate. Some friends and I are looking for work - another long and tiring stretch of the journey. Maybe you are growing weary of the journey as well. The people of Israel and Judah had certainly grown weary of the journey - they had been disobedient to their God and when they failed to heed the prophet’s warning God had acted. Today’s passage comes from a message of encouragement Isaiah carried to the people.
The most important words in the passage are “But those who hope in the Lord…” Those who hope in the Lord will find strength for the battle they face. Those who hope in the Lord will have the power to keep going when the journey gets tiring. Those who hope in the Lord will reach the mountain summit or make it through the valley. Those who hope in the Lord are never alone because the He is with them no matter where the journey leads. Then one day when in God’s timing we reach our destination, when we are finally truly home we will look back and see that it was worth it.
Have you not heard? Do you not know? If you hope in the Lord - you will have all you need when you need it, no matter where you are in the journey.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for never growing weary of us. Thank you for being the strength we need when life’s journey seems long and tiring. Thank you that we never travel alone because you are always with us. In the name of Jesus in whom we have our hope, Amen.
Isaiah 40:28-31
It had been a very long time since we had been on any kind of vacation, let alone a family one. Our oldest daughter and her husband had moved from California to Missouri creating this family vacation opportunity. To save money we decided to drive the twenty-seven or so hours from California to Missouri and saw a good part of our beautiful nation in the process. The wonderful four day stay was followed by another long drive home. The drive was exhausting, but the trip was worth it.
Life is a journey not unlike a cross country road trip. It can be long and exhausting; there might be detours along the way. I have a couple of friends dealing with cancer right now, that is not only a detour but one that is difficult and tiring to navigate. Some friends and I are looking for work - another long and tiring stretch of the journey. Maybe you are growing weary of the journey as well. The people of Israel and Judah had certainly grown weary of the journey - they had been disobedient to their God and when they failed to heed the prophet’s warning God had acted. Today’s passage comes from a message of encouragement Isaiah carried to the people.
The most important words in the passage are “But those who hope in the Lord…” Those who hope in the Lord will find strength for the battle they face. Those who hope in the Lord will have the power to keep going when the journey gets tiring. Those who hope in the Lord will reach the mountain summit or make it through the valley. Those who hope in the Lord are never alone because the He is with them no matter where the journey leads. Then one day when in God’s timing we reach our destination, when we are finally truly home we will look back and see that it was worth it.
Have you not heard? Do you not know? If you hope in the Lord - you will have all you need when you need it, no matter where you are in the journey.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for never growing weary of us. Thank you for being the strength we need when life’s journey seems long and tiring. Thank you that we never travel alone because you are always with us. In the name of Jesus in whom we have our hope, Amen.
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