“I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:13-14
“A place calls to me from a long way off… I don’t know why – but HE does. When the time is right HE will make it clear and open the way. Until then I will walk with Him and wait.” I had typed those words into my Facebook status. I was feeling a bit frustrated by the lack of progress being made to actually get to this particular distant land and I needed to reassure myself that in God’s good timing it would happen, I just need to wait. I don’t really know why there is such strong pull to this place, there are a number of reasons I can think of – a dear friend that I desire greatly to share a hug and a cuppa with, while chatting about life and God. Maybe it’s the bits of a piece of fiction running about in my head or the distant ties to family history or the anniversary holiday that seems fitting for 30 years. Plenty of reasons, why I think I need to go, want to go and in the midst of all that there’s a little tug on my heart suggesting that there is something else calling me, something that is part of a divine plan that I can’t see yet.
Do you have a place calling to you from a long way off? As followers of Jesus many of us long for that day when we will see Him and be in the land of the kingdom, but for this too we must wait. This week’s passage closes one of David’s songs of faith and confidence in his God. David longs for nothing more than to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of his life” (Psalm 27:4) yet he knows that there is still trouble to come, but he will continue to trust and ultimately he affirms his confidence in God’s goodness and will wait for what the Lord has for him. Psalm 33 closes with a similar affirmation: “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name” (Psalm 33:21). Even Paul encourages his Roman readers with similar words when he tells them: “Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:24-25).
No matter what you are waiting for, what is calling to you from a far off place, no matter how impossible a situation may seem, the same God that David trusted and Paul trusted and Moses trusted and Abraham trusted and Esther trusted and Mary trusted – is worthy of our trust as well and nothing is impossible for Him.
His timing is not our timing, so this week let’s just trust that He has an incredible plan for each of us – a plan that He will reveal step by step. Let’s settle into the walk, matching His pace and let us wait patiently for all He is going to do with us today where we are and one day in that distant land.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for leaving us with stories of others who have trusted in Your plan even when they didn’t know what was coming next or wanted things in their timing. Help us this week and everyday for that matter, to trust Your plan, to walk with you daily doing the things You have for us each day as we wait for those bigger things that are calling to our hearts, in that we can find joy and hope for the journey. In the name of Jesus, who is leading us to that distant land, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding & Victory
“…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
Proverbs 2:2-10
I was signing a book for a friend and wanted to note a Scripture passage about wisdom, because I believe this person is wise and lives well because of that wisdom. That’s how I stumbled upon this week’s passage. Wisdom, I believe is something so valuable, and yet not really valued in our world today, all you have to do is watch the news or listen to political candidates speak to know that wisdom is not something high on the priority list of most people.
Let’s race back in time for just a moment. King David is nearing the end of his life and names his son Solomon as the successor to the throne. History tells us that Solomon was still a very young man, likely around 20 years old when he became king. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream to have a little chat. The conversation started by God telling him to: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Now I don’t about you, but if I was talking face to face with the Lord and he says me ask for whatever you want Me to give you - it would be really tempting to ask for the money to pay off student loans, or for the trip to Australia or maybe that he put the white double cab pick-up in my drive way. It would be really tempting but it wouldn’t be the best response to make. In that situation it could also be very easy, because of fear – talking to the Creator of the universe and all – to just say something like oh I don’t really need anything, just fine the way I am, also not the best response when speaking to God.
Solomon in his response acknowledges all the goodness the Lord had shown his father David, he acknowledges that it was because of God that he now sat on his father’s throne as king and he acknowledged that he felt inadequate for the task. Solomon could have asked for lots of things but he asks the Lord to “give your servant a discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord was pleased with his response – well because it was a really good response of course. So the Lord gave him a wise and discerning heart, and then because Solomon and chosen wisely in the first place all the other stuff he might have been tempted to ask for was given to him as well. Solomon would go on to lead the people of God through a time of great peace and prosperity, he is still known as perhaps the wisest man ever.
I don’t know what you are facing this week – maybe life is smooth sailing or you are in a storm. No matter what is going on, you can’t go wrong asking for a discerning heart – the Lord will give you wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to knowledge, understanding and victory – to a life of abundant living.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the examples you set before us in your Word. We know Solomon wasn’t perfect but when given the chance to ask for whatever he wanted or thought he needed he chose well, asking for Your wisdom. Help us to make the same request of You for a discerning heart, so that we can act justly and walk in your wisdom to the victorious and abundant life you have for us. Show us the best ways to share that wisdom, knowledge, understanding and victory with those around us. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Proverbs 2:2-10
I was signing a book for a friend and wanted to note a Scripture passage about wisdom, because I believe this person is wise and lives well because of that wisdom. That’s how I stumbled upon this week’s passage. Wisdom, I believe is something so valuable, and yet not really valued in our world today, all you have to do is watch the news or listen to political candidates speak to know that wisdom is not something high on the priority list of most people.
Let’s race back in time for just a moment. King David is nearing the end of his life and names his son Solomon as the successor to the throne. History tells us that Solomon was still a very young man, likely around 20 years old when he became king. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream to have a little chat. The conversation started by God telling him to: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Now I don’t about you, but if I was talking face to face with the Lord and he says me ask for whatever you want Me to give you - it would be really tempting to ask for the money to pay off student loans, or for the trip to Australia or maybe that he put the white double cab pick-up in my drive way. It would be really tempting but it wouldn’t be the best response to make. In that situation it could also be very easy, because of fear – talking to the Creator of the universe and all – to just say something like oh I don’t really need anything, just fine the way I am, also not the best response when speaking to God.
Solomon in his response acknowledges all the goodness the Lord had shown his father David, he acknowledges that it was because of God that he now sat on his father’s throne as king and he acknowledged that he felt inadequate for the task. Solomon could have asked for lots of things but he asks the Lord to “give your servant a discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord was pleased with his response – well because it was a really good response of course. So the Lord gave him a wise and discerning heart, and then because Solomon and chosen wisely in the first place all the other stuff he might have been tempted to ask for was given to him as well. Solomon would go on to lead the people of God through a time of great peace and prosperity, he is still known as perhaps the wisest man ever.
I don’t know what you are facing this week – maybe life is smooth sailing or you are in a storm. No matter what is going on, you can’t go wrong asking for a discerning heart – the Lord will give you wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to knowledge, understanding and victory – to a life of abundant living.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the examples you set before us in your Word. We know Solomon wasn’t perfect but when given the chance to ask for whatever he wanted or thought he needed he chose well, asking for Your wisdom. Help us to make the same request of You for a discerning heart, so that we can act justly and walk in your wisdom to the victorious and abundant life you have for us. Show us the best ways to share that wisdom, knowledge, understanding and victory with those around us. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Friday, June 17, 2016
You've Got A Friend
It might surprise some of you to learn that when I was much younger and so, so much more foolish I thought I would a singer. I even took voice lessons for a couple of years, with this idea in mind. Eventually, I would come to the realization that I wasn’t cut out for that work. I did enjoy the voice lessons though. Of course there were the compulsory scales and vocal exercises but I got to pick what kind of songs we worked on; nothing too out there, lots of Barbara Mandrell, some Olivia Newton-John, Carly Simon and James Taylor. As I’ve contemplated on many of the tragic events, some private and many that have been in news of late, James Taylor’s song You’ve Got A Friend has been bouncing around in my head.
This world is a scary place to go it alone in. There are things pulling at us from every angle, telling us we’ll have all we need if we just… Telling us that this or that is ok, that if it feels good do it, sometimes telling us that being good is boring and that being just a little bad is exciting. Sometimes the people we should be able to turn to for solace, advise and love are just as messed up as we are and maybe more so. These days when the realization of the world’s lies hit us, it seems like we are prepared to hurt ourselves or someone else in order to make it better – it feels like the world has chosen to grab on to hopelessness and the result is disastrous. King David understood the pain of life on this planet, I think he would have been able to relate to the words in James Taylor’s song: “when you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand…Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there. You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I’ll come running.” David had been there, this week’s passage is just one of many examples of David crying out to God in the midst of difficult times and God being there with him, picking him up, dragging him out of the pit, the lies of this world cause us to fall into.
Scripture makes it clear that we all need authentic, intimate, face-to-face friendships to help us navigate life, to give us hugs and shoulders and a hand up. David assures us that in those times when it feels like your best and most trusted friends have abandoned you – there is still One who will be there all you have to do is call. The Lord, the God of the universe heard David’s call and He’ll hear ours too.
“Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend” and all you have to do is call His name. Make sure you share that good news with someone this week.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for hearing us when we call your name. Thank you at Your Son calls us friend. It’s good to know that you are ready to meet us at our place of need with your amazing grace and love. Lord, help your people lead the way toward transforming our world by authentically living out what Jesus called the greatest commandment – to love You and others, that way everyone can rejoice in knowing we’ve got a friend in each other and especially in you. In the name of Jesus, our friend and brother we pray – Amen.
This world is a scary place to go it alone in. There are things pulling at us from every angle, telling us we’ll have all we need if we just… Telling us that this or that is ok, that if it feels good do it, sometimes telling us that being good is boring and that being just a little bad is exciting. Sometimes the people we should be able to turn to for solace, advise and love are just as messed up as we are and maybe more so. These days when the realization of the world’s lies hit us, it seems like we are prepared to hurt ourselves or someone else in order to make it better – it feels like the world has chosen to grab on to hopelessness and the result is disastrous. King David understood the pain of life on this planet, I think he would have been able to relate to the words in James Taylor’s song: “when you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand…Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there. You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I’ll come running.” David had been there, this week’s passage is just one of many examples of David crying out to God in the midst of difficult times and God being there with him, picking him up, dragging him out of the pit, the lies of this world cause us to fall into.
Scripture makes it clear that we all need authentic, intimate, face-to-face friendships to help us navigate life, to give us hugs and shoulders and a hand up. David assures us that in those times when it feels like your best and most trusted friends have abandoned you – there is still One who will be there all you have to do is call. The Lord, the God of the universe heard David’s call and He’ll hear ours too.
“Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend” and all you have to do is call His name. Make sure you share that good news with someone this week.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for hearing us when we call your name. Thank you at Your Son calls us friend. It’s good to know that you are ready to meet us at our place of need with your amazing grace and love. Lord, help your people lead the way toward transforming our world by authentically living out what Jesus called the greatest commandment – to love You and others, that way everyone can rejoice in knowing we’ve got a friend in each other and especially in you. In the name of Jesus, our friend and brother we pray – Amen.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Lessons From Winnie the Pooh - Part 4
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God ne created him; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 1:27 & 31a
A month of Winnie the Pooh inspired devotions comes to a close this week. The first week we looked at what being a true friend looks like. Next up was a reminder that Jesus will be with us always. Last week Christopher Robin wanted Pooh and us to remember that we are braver, stronger and smarter than we realize. This week’s quote comes from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Pooh is getting ready to have a little bite of honey you see, but first a little exercise is order, rather than turn on the stereo (does Pooh have a stereo?) for music to exercise to he just sings a little exercise song to himself. One line of the song goes: “I’m short, fat and proud of that.” Pooh is a very authentic sort of bear, he is quite aware of where his short comings lie, but he seems to be quite comfortable in his own skin and that is something many of us can learn from.
This week’s passage takes us all the way back to the beginning to remind us that we have been made in the very image of God and that all that God made including us was good. I think what happens in chapter 3 of Genesis; messed up how the world sees us and we humans look at ourselves and others. See we are all pretty good at comparing our outsides with the outsides of others. Women are particularly good at it, but guys are not immune. However, God still sees us the way He made us and frankly He’s more interested in how we look on the inside anyway. Samuel one of God’s prophets is instructed for anointing the new king: “Do not consider his appearance or his height… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Paul tells Timothy not to worry about his age (1 Timothy 4:12).
Real beauty – the kind of beauty that will last, comes from deep within, from a heart transformed by the mercy and grace of an amazing God. Sometimes, a beautiful outward appearance can hide a very messy life, a life filled with darkness and self doubt. I wonder if any of those “Beautiful” people ever look at us ordinary folks and wish they were more like us – probably so. This week I want to encourage you to be comfortable in your skin, whatever it looks like, whatever age it is, however is feels – God made you and that means you are great just the way you are.
Let’s join pooh in his song by making it our own. I’m (you fill in the blank) and proud of that.
A Prayer
Father – You have made us in your image and called it very good. Help us this week and every day after to be comfortable with whom you have created us to be. Help us not compare ourselves to some unrealistic idea the world has created. Most of all give us beautiful hearts, filled with your mercy and grace. Let our lives overflow with the beauty of compassion for those around us. Thank you again that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can teach us that whether we are short and fat or tall and skinny, young or old we can be proud of who you have made us to be. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Genesis 1:27 & 31a
A month of Winnie the Pooh inspired devotions comes to a close this week. The first week we looked at what being a true friend looks like. Next up was a reminder that Jesus will be with us always. Last week Christopher Robin wanted Pooh and us to remember that we are braver, stronger and smarter than we realize. This week’s quote comes from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Pooh is getting ready to have a little bite of honey you see, but first a little exercise is order, rather than turn on the stereo (does Pooh have a stereo?) for music to exercise to he just sings a little exercise song to himself. One line of the song goes: “I’m short, fat and proud of that.” Pooh is a very authentic sort of bear, he is quite aware of where his short comings lie, but he seems to be quite comfortable in his own skin and that is something many of us can learn from.
This week’s passage takes us all the way back to the beginning to remind us that we have been made in the very image of God and that all that God made including us was good. I think what happens in chapter 3 of Genesis; messed up how the world sees us and we humans look at ourselves and others. See we are all pretty good at comparing our outsides with the outsides of others. Women are particularly good at it, but guys are not immune. However, God still sees us the way He made us and frankly He’s more interested in how we look on the inside anyway. Samuel one of God’s prophets is instructed for anointing the new king: “Do not consider his appearance or his height… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Paul tells Timothy not to worry about his age (1 Timothy 4:12).
Real beauty – the kind of beauty that will last, comes from deep within, from a heart transformed by the mercy and grace of an amazing God. Sometimes, a beautiful outward appearance can hide a very messy life, a life filled with darkness and self doubt. I wonder if any of those “Beautiful” people ever look at us ordinary folks and wish they were more like us – probably so. This week I want to encourage you to be comfortable in your skin, whatever it looks like, whatever age it is, however is feels – God made you and that means you are great just the way you are.
Let’s join pooh in his song by making it our own. I’m (you fill in the blank) and proud of that.
A Prayer
Father – You have made us in your image and called it very good. Help us this week and every day after to be comfortable with whom you have created us to be. Help us not compare ourselves to some unrealistic idea the world has created. Most of all give us beautiful hearts, filled with your mercy and grace. Let our lives overflow with the beauty of compassion for those around us. Thank you again that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can teach us that whether we are short and fat or tall and skinny, young or old we can be proud of who you have made us to be. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Lessons From Winnie the Pooh - Part 3
“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Last week in part two of Lessons from Winnie the Pooh – I shared a quote from a conversation that Christopher Robin has with Pooh as he prepared to go off to school. Christopher Robin tells Pooh about some other things he needs to remember besides that he’ll always be with him. Christopher Robin tells Pooh to remember that: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.” I don’t know about you – but I need to be reminded of those things once in a while myself.
This week we’ll stick with Joshua and the pep talk God is giving him. In three verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous three times – the third time (this week’s passage) also encourages Joshua to not be terrified or discouraged. Why would God feel the need to repeat Himself – in nine more verses he once again exhorts Joshua to “be strong and courageous!” Maybe we should back up a little to give this some perspective. This was Joshua’s second time on the edge of the land God had promised the Israelites when they had fled Egypt. The first time he was part of the scouting team Moses sent to get the lay of the land. Twelve men were sent, two Caleb and Joshua were prepared to take the land but the other ten said no, we can’t - it is too dangerous “They are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). The people listened to the fear of those ten men and rebelled against Moses, against Joshua and Caleb and more importantly they rebelled against God’s gracious gift.
So now Joshua finds himself standing – perhaps in the exact same spot, where he had stood forty years before. Only things were different, Moses had died and left him in charge and all the people who had rebelled the first time had died in the wilderness. Joshua was ready the first time he was there and he is still ready – but what must have been going through his mind. What if the people rebelled again? Was he thinking “Am I really brave enough to lead these people, am I strong enough and smart enough to lead these people in battle and in the building of homes and cities – in the building of a nation?” Enter God, giving him the pep talk of all pep talks – telling him to be strong and courageous. Telling Joshua that he is brave enough, strong enough and smart enough to be who God made him to be, to do what he was called to do.
Christopher Robin’s wise words to Pooh would prove so valuable on the adventure Pooh and the rest of the gang would take. All of them would learn that they are brave enough, strong enough and smart enough to accomplish great things – especially when are work together.
I don’t know about you, but I have days when I feel completely inadequate to be who I think I’m supposed to be and to do what I’ve been called to do. It can be so easy to listen to the voices of fear and doubt. This week, I want to remind myself and you that we are “braver than we believe, stronger than we seem, smarter than we think.” Now let’s go change our little corner of the world.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can remind us that in You we are and have more than enough to be and do all that you have for us. Each day use little things to remind us to be strong and courageous. Remind us that you will supply for us everything we need out of your storehouse of love. Help us to walk in courage and grace, reaching out to those around us who hear nothing but the voices of fear and doubt echoing through their lives, to share the courage and faith you have given to us as a gift. In the name of Jesus, who makes us braver, stronger and smarter, we pray – Amen.
Joshua 1:9
Last week in part two of Lessons from Winnie the Pooh – I shared a quote from a conversation that Christopher Robin has with Pooh as he prepared to go off to school. Christopher Robin tells Pooh about some other things he needs to remember besides that he’ll always be with him. Christopher Robin tells Pooh to remember that: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think.” I don’t know about you – but I need to be reminded of those things once in a while myself.
This week we’ll stick with Joshua and the pep talk God is giving him. In three verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous three times – the third time (this week’s passage) also encourages Joshua to not be terrified or discouraged. Why would God feel the need to repeat Himself – in nine more verses he once again exhorts Joshua to “be strong and courageous!” Maybe we should back up a little to give this some perspective. This was Joshua’s second time on the edge of the land God had promised the Israelites when they had fled Egypt. The first time he was part of the scouting team Moses sent to get the lay of the land. Twelve men were sent, two Caleb and Joshua were prepared to take the land but the other ten said no, we can’t - it is too dangerous “They are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). The people listened to the fear of those ten men and rebelled against Moses, against Joshua and Caleb and more importantly they rebelled against God’s gracious gift.
So now Joshua finds himself standing – perhaps in the exact same spot, where he had stood forty years before. Only things were different, Moses had died and left him in charge and all the people who had rebelled the first time had died in the wilderness. Joshua was ready the first time he was there and he is still ready – but what must have been going through his mind. What if the people rebelled again? Was he thinking “Am I really brave enough to lead these people, am I strong enough and smart enough to lead these people in battle and in the building of homes and cities – in the building of a nation?” Enter God, giving him the pep talk of all pep talks – telling him to be strong and courageous. Telling Joshua that he is brave enough, strong enough and smart enough to be who God made him to be, to do what he was called to do.
Christopher Robin’s wise words to Pooh would prove so valuable on the adventure Pooh and the rest of the gang would take. All of them would learn that they are brave enough, strong enough and smart enough to accomplish great things – especially when are work together.
I don’t know about you, but I have days when I feel completely inadequate to be who I think I’m supposed to be and to do what I’ve been called to do. It can be so easy to listen to the voices of fear and doubt. This week, I want to remind myself and you that we are “braver than we believe, stronger than we seem, smarter than we think.” Now let’s go change our little corner of the world.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can remind us that in You we are and have more than enough to be and do all that you have for us. Each day use little things to remind us to be strong and courageous. Remind us that you will supply for us everything we need out of your storehouse of love. Help us to walk in courage and grace, reaching out to those around us who hear nothing but the voices of fear and doubt echoing through their lives, to share the courage and faith you have given to us as a gift. In the name of Jesus, who makes us braver, stronger and smarter, we pray – Amen.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Lessons From Winnie the Pooh - Part 2
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5
In my part of the world it is Spring and on the other side of the world it is Autumn. On my side of the world schools are letting out for summer holiday, while on the other side of the world schools are ramping up or finally settled into the new routine. The quote that inspires this week’s devotion come as summer is ending in the Hundred Acre Wood and Christopher Robin is trying to tell Pooh that he will be going away to school. They have this talk at the beginning of a film called Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin. Interestingly enough while the story is loosely based on a couple of A. A. Milnes stories; it was actually a fully original work. The film opens with Christopher Robin trying to explain and he tells Pooh: “…But the most important thing is even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.”
Sound familiar? When I read that quote my mind immediately went to both the Old Testament and the New – I love how there is a crimson thread that holds the Scriptures together. This week’s passage comes from the Old Testament book of Joshua. The people of Israel were still in the wilderness – on the wrong side of the river to be real about it. Moses has died and the not so young Joshua has assumed his place as leader. God is talking with Joshua about what is going to happen next – He is giving Joshua a divine pep talk. He tells Joshua what the boundaries of their new country will be and assures Joshua that during all the days of life and leadership – that he would gain victory over those he needed to gain victory over but the most importantly the He would always be with Joshua – that He would never leave or forsake him.
Fast forward and we are looking at the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ and He is giving His disciples their final instructions, what the church world knows as the Great Commission. Jesus closes with “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). Jesus needed them to understand that even though He was going away, He would still be them. Just like He’s with us every day until the end of our days or the end of the age – whichever comes first.
Christopher Robin had to go to school, because well that’s what little boys and girls do, but it meant that he would get to spend as much time with his beloved friends as he might want to and he knew they would be sad and feeling a bit lost by his absence. We go through stuff like the friends move away or we do the moving, loved ones die and we’re left feeling alone and a bit lost. Sometimes the struggles and storms of life leave us feeling like God has moved away and then we really feel lost and alone. In the story Pooh’s finally arrives at the realization that Christopher Robin is always in his heart, so always nearby – it took a big scary adventure to help him understand what Christopher Robin was trying to say to him – but he was better and stronger for understanding.
No matter where you are this week, what grand adventure you might be on or are preparing to start – Jesus promises to be with you – carry Him in your heart everywhere that the adventure takes you.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you for telling us in more than one way that You are with us, that You have no intention of leaving us. Thank you for the grand adventure that this life is – even with all of its ups and downs. Each day help us to walk knowing that we carry you in our hearts and that because you are there we can invite others to join in our adventure as we let your light shine. In the name of Jesus, who is our forever friend and so much more, we pray – Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Lessons From Winnie the Pooh - Part 1
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13
Spring time in the mid-west is storm season and on this particular day the blustery weather had a certain little tune floating about my mind. You perhaps would recognize it – in part it goes: “…and the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down…” It’s from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day by A. A. Milne. I do not deny that I am sometimes inspired by the amazing quotes that come from Mr. Milne’s well loved stories. I once adapted one of these quotes for a paper I had to write on spiritual disciples. A devotional version of that part of the paper – is in one of the books, although I at the moment I couldn’t say which one. Back to a Blustery Day – I was looking for quotes from the story, when I stumbled upon the mother-lode of Milne quotes. The one for this week’s devotion comes of course from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.
It had been a rough couple of days for the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. Owl’s tree had been blown over by a big wind and the river had flooded leaving Pooh and Piglet in a precarious position. As is the case in all stories of this sort there is a happy ending and in this particular case Christopher Robin throws a Hero Party for Pooh and Piglet. As the view of the scene is pulled back the narrator says: “And so Pooh was a hero for saving Piglet, and Piglet was a hero for giving Owl his grand home in the beech tree.”
In this week’s passage Jesus is talking to his disciples about his fast approaching departure by way of a cross. He wants them to know that the best thing they can do is to lay down their lives for one another and for all those who lives they would touch – they way He was about to lay down His life for them and us. Realistically we probably won’t be called on to lay down our lives for someone else – although members of the armed forces around the world, do often times do just that. So what then are we called to lay down for our friends or for the people who need to see Christ living in us? We need to lay down our selfishness. In some cases, we need to lay down our ideas of what church is and how it’s done. Perhaps we will be called upon to lay down our personal comfort so someone else can be comfortable. Maybe we will have to lay down that place where we feel safe and secure in order to help insure someone else is safe and secure. What about laying down our prejudices so that we can love others the way Jesus loves them.
Pooh took a risk to save his friend Piglet. Piglet laid down his home for his friend Owl. What kind of friend will you be this week? What will you lay down to show that the love of Jesus reaches through the ages to change lives and make friends even today? There’s a hero’s party waiting for all of us when we get to eternity.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you that simple things, like a child’s story can inspire us to be our best selves for you. You know we human are not keen to make sacrifices especially for others and yet you set that example for us. Thank you for the men and women of the armed forces around the world who stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for their countries and comrades in arms. Help the rest of us to see what we need to lay down in our lives so that we can be a friend to someone who needs You as their friend. Grant us the courage we need to set aside ourselves for the sake of others. In the name of Jesus, who laid done His life for us and asks that we do the same in many different ways, we pray – Amen.
John 15:12-13
Spring time in the mid-west is storm season and on this particular day the blustery weather had a certain little tune floating about my mind. You perhaps would recognize it – in part it goes: “…and the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down…” It’s from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day by A. A. Milne. I do not deny that I am sometimes inspired by the amazing quotes that come from Mr. Milne’s well loved stories. I once adapted one of these quotes for a paper I had to write on spiritual disciples. A devotional version of that part of the paper – is in one of the books, although I at the moment I couldn’t say which one. Back to a Blustery Day – I was looking for quotes from the story, when I stumbled upon the mother-lode of Milne quotes. The one for this week’s devotion comes of course from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.
It had been a rough couple of days for the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood. Owl’s tree had been blown over by a big wind and the river had flooded leaving Pooh and Piglet in a precarious position. As is the case in all stories of this sort there is a happy ending and in this particular case Christopher Robin throws a Hero Party for Pooh and Piglet. As the view of the scene is pulled back the narrator says: “And so Pooh was a hero for saving Piglet, and Piglet was a hero for giving Owl his grand home in the beech tree.”
In this week’s passage Jesus is talking to his disciples about his fast approaching departure by way of a cross. He wants them to know that the best thing they can do is to lay down their lives for one another and for all those who lives they would touch – they way He was about to lay down His life for them and us. Realistically we probably won’t be called on to lay down our lives for someone else – although members of the armed forces around the world, do often times do just that. So what then are we called to lay down for our friends or for the people who need to see Christ living in us? We need to lay down our selfishness. In some cases, we need to lay down our ideas of what church is and how it’s done. Perhaps we will be called upon to lay down our personal comfort so someone else can be comfortable. Maybe we will have to lay down that place where we feel safe and secure in order to help insure someone else is safe and secure. What about laying down our prejudices so that we can love others the way Jesus loves them.
Pooh took a risk to save his friend Piglet. Piglet laid down his home for his friend Owl. What kind of friend will you be this week? What will you lay down to show that the love of Jesus reaches through the ages to change lives and make friends even today? There’s a hero’s party waiting for all of us when we get to eternity.
A Prayer
Father – Thank you that simple things, like a child’s story can inspire us to be our best selves for you. You know we human are not keen to make sacrifices especially for others and yet you set that example for us. Thank you for the men and women of the armed forces around the world who stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for their countries and comrades in arms. Help the rest of us to see what we need to lay down in our lives so that we can be a friend to someone who needs You as their friend. Grant us the courage we need to set aside ourselves for the sake of others. In the name of Jesus, who laid done His life for us and asks that we do the same in many different ways, we pray – Amen.
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