Don't you get the feeling with John 2 that John is seriously concerned about a condition in the church; that he can't afford to let it play out until his next visit; BUT -- he has to be seriously careful with how his letter is worded in case it falls into the wrong hands.
I just get the feeling he has to be very clandestine - - "the chosen lady" "I don't want to do it with paper and ink"
There must have been a move to deny that Jesus actually became a man - - John's baby church is in danger.
What chosen lady are you referring to? Wait, you have 2 week forty-nines ha ha. I think J2B is taking it's toll on you girl! I read 3 John today. Some of your comments though for 2 John make sense for 3 John too. Like the situation not being able to wait until John gets there. Seems like he realizes that Gaius needs encouragement. Diotrephes appears to be a very insecure man who has intimidated church members. He wants all the attention on himself. Gaius must feel very isolated & probably has church members that support him to his face but when Dio is around, they have no backbone & won't take a stand. I think that comes back to your comment on Rev Linda, about being alive or dead. If I'm alive, I will not be afraid to take a stand because I know my God's not dead, He's alive & in charge of circumstances & my future. That's easy to type but not always easy to cognitively realized. I think it depends on how well I'm listening to God & talking with Him. It's sometimes hard, when everything is being thrown at me to hear Him speak, but if Jesus did it, then I believe we can as well. I'm definitely in the learning phase of that one.
ha ha, J2B catching up with me too! I read 3rd John! Well you comment on 3 John next week & I'll read 2nd John! Then we'll both wonder what each other is commenting about!
So today I opted for DJ instead of Deut -- and WOW did God ever pre-design THAT! On the heals of J to B with the cleanup ahead; here's a small part of what spoke to me:
"Whatever you do, do it for Me -- with Me, through Me, in Me. Even menial tasks glow with the JOY of My Presence when you do them for Me. Ultimately, nothing will be able to separate you from Me. So this you and I together venture can continue throughout eternity:
and one of the texts to go with that thought is "I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand. I will not be shaken"
It is amazing that you ask people to do something & they respond whole heartedly and then you turn your back for a minute to do something else & they either disappear entirely or do nothing close to what you asked them to do. I don't get that. If you don't want to do something why don't you just tell me?
Seems like Nehemiah had the same problem. He goes back to Babylon & the people forget all they had promised to do & everything that was done to consecrate them to God. It still happens today in our churches as well. I guess it boils down to the heart commitment. If that isn't there, then everything falls apart.
I do realize there are times when my heart isn't in something but I still do it because I know I am responsible or it just has to be done or I know it's the right thing & my conscience will bother me if I don't. Maybe it's personality as well, I'm not sure.
I guess for me today, it's back to being a contented sheep, just doing what God wants me to do in that moment. Asking Him if it's the right thing to do or say. Or to just be quiet. Hmmm, interesting timing.
Whew! Back on! Thanks Chris for holdin' down the fort - - not sure how I missed out on Deut and Nehemiah both!!
Awe - refreshing Psalms. I think it's so neat how Psalms is our Wednesday rock; it's there for us every Wednesday throughout the year!
143:1 "Answer me because YOU are faithful and righteous" There's nothing that I bring of merit to the table except being at the table to learn.
143:4 "I am losing all hope, I am paralyzed with fear" 2 very destructive emotions -- so to combat that, David suggests to "think about what you have done" to "lift my hands to You in prayer" Turn that focus; turn it to Him and away from the problems.
verse 8 "show me where to walk, for I give myself to you" I just like the way that is worded and I also like verse 9-10 "I run to You" a picture of a small child running with arms open wide" "your gracious Spirit leads me forward on a firm footing" that fits well with verse 8" Trusting Him for the next step. Instead of running off on our own to make our own path -- we TURN to Him, let Him lead -- the Shepherd and the sheep.
144" 2 gives some great descriptions of our God -- the your are my's: my loving ally, my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer, my shield
144:14 reminded me of yesterday's tragedy in Town Center. Someday, there will be "no cries of alarm in our town squares"
145 starts with the I will's! I will" exalt You, Praise you every day, Meditate on your splendor, proclaim your gratness!
145:6 Everyone will share the story (gave a thought to Journey here!!)
and 145 ends with some more beautiful pictures of a God of integrity and kindness. Who wouldn't want to serve a God like that?? and as 144:3 says: What are human beings that you should notice them? mere mortals that you should think about them? Good questions!
Hey Chris -- and anyone else reading along; last night we read about the posture of prayer. You know how you often talk about holding out your hands of surrender, palms up -- giving it all to him?
This book talked about a Quaker prayer. They start with palms down -- letting go of all the "things of the world - the emotions that destroy", a signs of rejection; then they turn their palms up to receive everything God has to give them for the day.
I had some very similar thoughts as I read through Ps this a.m. I have liked 143 ever since I first read it with the Holy Spirit. It's very descriptive of how I feel some days. Only turning to God & talking about everything that is in my heart stabilizes me for the day. Even talking to people that I can see is not as helpful as talking to God. It's a neat shift that I'm grateful I realize now.
That is a pretty cool pic that the Quaker prayer has.
How 143 ends brought to mind the Selah song, "I turn to You"
144 seems like David is wanting justice. I can't blame him, we all want that, especially when we are wronged or we see such hurt in this world, like we are seeing every day know.
People are so fickle as he points out in vs 8 & 11. Reminds me again of how Jesus didn't buy into what the people said about Him as they praised Him because He knew what was in the heart of man & how easily we turn. (Luke 1 or 2)
The praising in 145 is so helpful to me when I get caught up in my own little world & start thinking about how I am "wronged". Satan is so good at getting us/me this way. But when I turn to Jesus & start thanking/praising Him for what He has done in me & for me, it defeats satan. It's good to get together & rehearse His blessings to us. Especially in the face of tragedy in our lives. It's actually very healing to praise Him when I'm in the most emotional and mental anguish. It puts me in the position of surrender to His all-knowing will.
In some ways, I think 145 refers to heaven. Though we may hurt here & die here, we are always safe for eternity when we are in His arms. Nothing can take that from us.
I read in the fear book this morning and in JC. They complemented each other beautifully. It was the chapter on doubt - is God for real? Referring to the story of Peter walking on the water, I really enjoyed these 2 sentences. "God will still be God if you stay in the boat. But He won't be your God unless you get out." So true. Really good reminder/prod to experience God today, not just give lip service & read a couple of chapters.
Also this: "Beauty and blessing don't come from our hands being in the evidence, but from the faith that comes from trusting Him in spite of the evidence." It also makes me rethink what beauty and blessing really are, in the eyes of the One who created true beauty and gives a true blessing.
Then JC talked about the same story & how we can focus on the waves in the distance. But by the time they get to us they have shrunk to proportions of His design. It's so true! It goes back to not worrying about the next pasture, but being content in the moment He has given me & the moment He is with me - the present. Not the future, not the past, just right here & now. Trust Him and be content.
I'm really appreciating the timing of these reminders. I may not read something for a while but when I pick it up - it is so applicable to my life & what's happening around me. Sometimes, it's really easy to be appreciable to God's orchestration of my life. Other times, I wonder if He's dropped the baton. Keep me constant Lord, just focused on You, my Shepherd.
That's awesome Chris! How you read about the wind/waves in 2 different books! Maybe God is preparing you for the day!! and you left me to wrestle with SOS alone!! Yikes --
OK -- we'll take it to the love story of God and us; much easier not to blush that way!!
First of all on our part -- when the time is right (3:5) we yearn for Him (vs 1) we search for Him (vs 2) we cling to Him (vs 4) and we bring Him into our home, our lives to be a part of everything about us (vs 4) But sometimes that right time is after a multitude of journey without Him. Sometimes it's after a lifetime of hearing about Him, but not really wanting Him interfering with our selfish plans, our fling of worldly fun.
3:6-8 could be compared to His second coming, where He comes sweeping in (vs 6) in a beautiful carriage of clouds with rainbow overhead (vs 7) Around Him are his swordsmen-angels (vs 8) and as long as I'm comparing; I'll call the Young Women the Holy Spirit who calls out "Come out to see Him" vs 11.
Chapter 4 is simply telling me that God loves me from head to toe -- with a whole lot of descriptions in between. But here are the words that mean the most to me
(vs 8) "Come with Me" who am I, that my God would want to be with me? spend time with me? live with me?
(vs 9) "You have captured My heart" How? I'm so full of sin and ugliness -- yet He sees only the beauty.
(vs 10) "Your love delights me" So many times I feel like my love is fickle, that I love only when it's convenient or the logical times; yet He is delighted with what I give -- encouraging me to love more, to love deeper by appreciating what I have to give now.
(vs 12) "You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain" This reminded me of Jesus' last words to Peter (when Peter wanted to know about John) Our relationship with God is very private; it may be different for each of us -- He custom-works with us, and we custom-respond to Him. He doesn't make our faults known to anyone - - He just keeps wooing us with love and affirmation. Another really good reminder that each of us is on a Journey, and we can never tell what that Journey will look like -- but we will be able to see the fruits of the Journey (and by that I mean the fruits of the Spirit) Hallelujah!
And you handled SOS well. My inspiration on that one came last year. I leave you with Revelation today too. Finished the Fear book.
I really like how she ended it with a healthy fear (of God) and how it is needed and the blessing of it. I couldn't think of anyone in my life that I've ever had a healthy fear of. I think that explains why I've had so much trouble with my Father God and why The Shack has helped me so much.
The beauty of relationship is pretty marred down here on earth. It is astonishing to think that God invests so much in us and for us and yet we still hold Him at arms length and try to do it our own way. Independence vs dependence. Surrender vs fighting. And yet another oxymoron - fighting to surrender.
Yesterday, I did not have literal wind/waves (well, maybe wind) but I guess my waves were at an install. I had a defective piece of equipment and it wasn't readily apparent that was it & I started to get frustrated that I couldn't figure it out faster & that it wasn't easier. God just calmed me down & told me it wasn't about me, to just relax. Eventually figured it out but it took a while & made me late to my next appointment.
I realized this a.m. that I was more fearful of failing in that regard than I was when my ladder walked out from underneath me & left me hanging from the roof.
Which took me to pride vs self esteem. I base my value on a skill or ability I possess instead of the value that Jesus places on me - immeasurable worth. He willing choose to risk total separation from His Father & perfection in heaven to rescue just me! And yet, if I can't figure something out in 10 min or less - I'm a loser in my own eyes. How warped are we?
How does that jive with the chapter in the Fear book? Because of this one sentence in there: "The more I fear God, the less I fear everything else." The less I base my value on what people around me think. The less I fear of failing because if I do, they won't like me anymore; I won't be a good tech, teacher, friend, etc.
Keep opening my eyes to how you see me Jesus. Help me to keep looking at others around me through Your eyes too, so I let them know they are invaluable to You!
Thank you Chris for that insight -- I think I'll read the fear book again; maybe we should just keep swapping it back and forth!! There are SO many books like that, that I need a review on!
On your 6th paragraph about how Jesus willingly choose; I got to thinking that another thing He willingly choose was the appearance of failure - - when He died on the cross; no earthly person got it; they ALL thought He was a failure, a fraud; yet He kept trusting His Father to work for Him, to reveal the truth in the right time.
I have a long way to go; it was so well put when you said "we hold Him at arms length and try to do it our own way" GUILTY!
and here's Revelation (but I'm going to take a few minutes to soak in DJ once I post this!!
6L3 "Wait! . . . Don't harm the land or the trees until we haveplaced the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants." In a nutshell -- it's really why God hasn't returned yet . . . waiting for more to make the decision to turn to Him (including me) I still feel like I am filled with half-hearted turns and fighting against self.
I love the song of the angels in 7:12 "Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength BELONG TO OUR GOD!" It's like the angels couldn't stop with just one noun -- they were just filled and pouring out with praise!
in 7:14 it says that "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation" I've always thought that was talking about martyrs -- but this morning, I wondered if it was talking about those who had died to sin? Opens it up for a lot more possibilities.
The springs of life-giving water that He will lead us to not only take away our hunger (maybe our hunger and thirst for sin) but also -- refresh us from being scorched (again by sin) we are healed!
The trumpets (plagues) seem to be in response to the prayers and incense (8:4-5)
It's pretty awesome really how all of heaven is involved in these last stages of the earth. You constantly see all kinds of angelic involvement. Also -- seems like God has a definite plan of how the end will play out; one step leads to the next. A God of order in all things. 8:15 "the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year" 10:6 "There will be no more delay"
11 about the two prophets "I've always been told that was OT / NT; well if that is true -- there certainly does seem to be a movement to ignore the advice, wisdom, and news of God's love and intervention that the Bible makes available -- it's message of hope is getting squashed right before our eyes. Squeezed out by power, self-improvement, fame, leisure.
and then at the end of 11 (vs 19) Why did God reveal the Ark of His covenant? Is it all about the importance of the 10 commandments? Is it another picture of His presence in the middle of all the chaos? I was trying to think of what John felt about the Ark of the Covenant. Was it still a sacred chest for John's culture? How does that chest play out in our culture?
I wonder if the angel telling Paul that he would testify in Rome influenced Paul to appeal to Caesar later.
Paul was confined for 2 yrs. That would have drove me nuts because nothing was being done for me & my case. I don't know if it's because I live in the insta age, where things happen or are expected to happen in nano seconds or what but I know I am very impatient.
Paul maybe had these battles as well, but it doesn't say. In some ways, I totally get that he finally appealed to go to Rome. But that's next week.
He seemed to have the respect of those who held him captive. That says something about what Jesus does in a life. Is it in Proverbs where it says something about if your ways please the Lord, He makes even your enemies to be at peace with you?
I wonder if those 40 assassins ever ate/drank again or if the priests released them from their oath. Guess I'm gonna see what JC has today.
JC was short & very sweet! It made me laugh but it's very true. Said that when we rehearse our troubles, we experience them many times when we were only meant to experience them WHEN they happen. We're just suppose to rest in the moment God has given us right now & realize that Jesus is in this very moment so therefore, it is a peaceful moment. Good ol' Matt 11:28-30 again. Very nice.
I wonder why Ananias had Paul slapped for saying "I have always lived before God with a clear conscience" I'm guessing because Ananias was jealous of that peace and assurance that Paul had. Paul had once been in the place of Ananias, a leader persecuting a different belief; but when Paul realized his mistake -- he repented and proceeded with a passion. Ananias refused to admit a mistake - - wallowing in pride.
I wonder if the angels giggled when Paul resorted to the "resurrection of the dead that divided the council" it was a genius move; and probably really opened the eyes of the commander concerning the rationale of thee Jewish leaders.
There is a very tender moment about the commander. 23:19 "The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked "What is it you want to tell me?" I just get the feeling, as you say Chris, that Paul's life was affecting everyone around him - - that his selflessness (as in the case of the Jailor when he was singing with Silas) had a huge impact on the Romans around him.
When Felix came back with his wife -- it wasn't to hear bout Paul's defense; instead they listened about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement. Pretty heavy doctrine for the 2nd meeting -- but the passion of Paul had its affect. Too bad that Felix was more interested in earning $ than salvation.
Don't you get the feeling with John 2 that John is seriously concerned about a condition in the church; that he can't afford to let it play out until his next visit; BUT -- he has to be seriously careful with how his letter is worded in case it falls into the wrong hands.
ReplyDeleteI just get the feeling he has to be very clandestine - - "the chosen lady" "I don't want to do it with paper and ink"
There must have been a move to deny that Jesus actually became a man - - John's baby church is in danger.
What chosen lady are you referring to? Wait, you have 2 week forty-nines ha ha. I think J2B is taking it's toll on you girl!
ReplyDeleteI read 3 John today.
Some of your comments though for 2 John make sense for 3 John too. Like the situation not being able to wait until John gets there. Seems like he realizes that Gaius needs encouragement. Diotrephes appears to be a very insecure man who has intimidated church members. He wants all the attention on himself.
Gaius must feel very isolated & probably has church members that support him to his face but when Dio is around, they have no backbone & won't take a stand. I think that comes back to your comment on Rev Linda, about being alive or dead. If I'm alive, I will not be afraid to take a stand because I know my God's not dead, He's alive & in charge of circumstances & my future.
That's easy to type but not always easy to cognitively realized. I think it depends on how well I'm listening to God & talking with Him. It's sometimes hard, when everything is being thrown at me to hear Him speak, but if Jesus did it, then I believe we can as well. I'm definitely in the learning phase of that one.
You're right -- we're on week 50; but that is 2nd John!!!
ReplyDeleteha ha, J2B catching up with me too! I read 3rd John! Well you comment on 3 John next week & I'll read 2nd John! Then we'll both wonder what each other is commenting about!
ReplyDeleteSo today I opted for DJ instead of Deut -- and WOW did God ever pre-design THAT! On the heals of J to B with the cleanup ahead; here's a small part of what spoke to me:
ReplyDelete"Whatever you do, do it for Me -- with Me, through Me, in Me. Even menial tasks glow with the JOY of My Presence when you do them for Me. Ultimately, nothing will be able to separate you from Me. So this you and I together venture can continue throughout eternity:
and one of the texts to go with that thought is "I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand. I will not be shaken"
That is very apropro!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that you ask people to do something & they respond whole heartedly and then you turn your back for a minute to do something else & they either disappear entirely or do nothing close to what you asked them to do. I don't get that. If you don't want to do something why don't you just tell me?
ReplyDeleteSeems like Nehemiah had the same problem. He goes back to Babylon & the people forget all they had promised to do & everything that was done to consecrate them to God. It still happens today in our churches as well. I guess it boils down to the heart commitment. If that isn't there, then everything falls apart.
I do realize there are times when my heart isn't in something but I still do it because I know I am responsible or it just has to be done or I know it's the right thing & my conscience will bother me if I don't. Maybe it's personality as well, I'm not sure.
I guess for me today, it's back to being a contented sheep, just doing what God wants me to do in that moment. Asking Him if it's the right thing to do or say. Or to just be quiet. Hmmm, interesting timing.
Whew! Back on! Thanks Chris for holdin' down the fort - - not sure how I missed out on Deut and Nehemiah both!!
ReplyDeleteAwe - refreshing Psalms. I think it's so neat how Psalms is our Wednesday rock; it's there for us every Wednesday throughout the year!
143:1 "Answer me because YOU are faithful and righteous" There's nothing that I bring of merit to the table except being at the table to learn.
143:4 "I am losing all hope, I am paralyzed with fear" 2 very destructive emotions -- so to combat that, David suggests to "think about what you have done" to "lift my hands to You in prayer" Turn that focus; turn it to Him and away from the problems.
verse 8 "show me where to walk, for I give myself to you" I just like the way that is worded and I also like verse 9-10 "I run to You" a picture of a small child running with arms open wide" "your gracious Spirit leads me forward on a firm footing" that fits well with verse 8" Trusting Him for the next step. Instead of running off on our own to make our own path -- we TURN to Him, let Him lead -- the Shepherd and the sheep.
144" 2 gives some great descriptions of our God -- the your are my's: my loving ally, my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer, my shield
144:14 reminded me of yesterday's tragedy in Town Center. Someday, there will be "no cries of alarm in our town squares"
145 starts with the I will's! I will" exalt You, Praise you every day, Meditate on your splendor, proclaim your gratness!
145:6 Everyone will share the story (gave a thought to Journey here!!)
and 145 ends with some more beautiful pictures of a God of integrity and kindness. Who wouldn't want to serve a God like that?? and as 144:3 says: What are human beings that you should notice them? mere mortals that you should think about them? Good questions!
Hey Chris -- and anyone else reading along; last night we read about the posture of prayer. You know how you often talk about holding out your hands of surrender, palms up -- giving it all to him?
ReplyDeleteThis book talked about a Quaker prayer. They start with palms down -- letting go of all the "things of the world - the emotions that destroy", a signs of rejection; then they turn their palms up to receive everything God has to give them for the day.
Blessings!
I had some very similar thoughts as I read through Ps this a.m. I have liked 143 ever since I first read it with the Holy Spirit. It's very descriptive of how I feel some days. Only turning to God & talking about everything that is in my heart stabilizes me for the day. Even talking to people that I can see is not as helpful as talking to God. It's a neat shift that I'm grateful I realize now.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty cool pic that the Quaker prayer has.
How 143 ends brought to mind the Selah song, "I turn to You"
144 seems like David is wanting justice. I can't blame him, we all want that, especially when we are wronged or we see such hurt in this world, like we are seeing every day know.
People are so fickle as he points out in vs 8 & 11. Reminds me again of how Jesus didn't buy into what the people said about Him as they praised Him because He knew what was in the heart of man & how easily we turn. (Luke 1 or 2)
The praising in 145 is so helpful to me when I get caught up in my own little world & start thinking about how I am "wronged". Satan is so good at getting us/me this way. But when I turn to Jesus & start thanking/praising Him for what He has done in me & for me, it defeats satan. It's good to get together & rehearse His blessings to us. Especially in the face of tragedy in our lives. It's actually very healing to praise Him when I'm in the most emotional and mental anguish. It puts me in the position of surrender to His all-knowing will.
In some ways, I think 145 refers to heaven. Though we may hurt here & die here, we are always safe for eternity when we are in His arms. Nothing can take that from us.
I read in the fear book this morning and in JC. They complemented each other beautifully. It was the chapter on doubt - is God for real?
ReplyDeleteReferring to the story of Peter walking on the water, I really enjoyed these 2 sentences. "God will still be God if you stay in the boat. But He won't be your God unless you get out." So true. Really good reminder/prod to experience God today, not just give lip service & read a couple of chapters.
Also this: "Beauty and blessing don't come from our hands being in the evidence, but from the faith that comes from trusting Him in spite of the evidence." It also makes me rethink what beauty and blessing really are, in the eyes of the One who created true beauty and gives a true blessing.
Then JC talked about the same story & how we can focus on the waves in the distance. But by the time they get to us they have shrunk to proportions of His design. It's so true! It goes back to not worrying about the next pasture, but being content in the moment He has given me & the moment He is with me - the present. Not the future, not the past, just right here & now. Trust Him and be content.
I'm really appreciating the timing of these reminders. I may not read something for a while but when I pick it up - it is so applicable to my life & what's happening around me. Sometimes, it's really easy to be appreciable to God's orchestration of my life. Other times, I wonder if He's dropped the baton. Keep me constant Lord, just focused on You, my Shepherd.
That's awesome Chris! How you read about the wind/waves in 2 different books! Maybe God is preparing you for the day!! and you left me to wrestle with SOS alone!! Yikes --
ReplyDeleteOK -- we'll take it to the love story of God and us; much easier not to blush that way!!
First of all on our part -- when the time is right (3:5) we yearn for Him (vs 1) we search for Him (vs 2) we cling to Him (vs 4) and we bring Him into our home, our lives to be a part of everything about us (vs 4) But sometimes that right time is after a multitude of journey without Him. Sometimes it's after a lifetime of hearing about Him, but not really wanting Him interfering with our selfish plans, our fling of worldly fun.
3:6-8 could be compared to His second coming, where He comes sweeping in (vs 6) in a beautiful carriage of clouds with rainbow overhead (vs 7) Around Him are his swordsmen-angels (vs 8) and as long as I'm comparing; I'll call the Young Women the Holy Spirit who calls out "Come out to see Him" vs 11.
Chapter 4 is simply telling me that God loves me from head to toe -- with a whole lot of descriptions in between. But here are the words that mean the most to me
(vs 8) "Come with Me" who am I, that my God would want to be with me? spend time with me? live with me?
(vs 9) "You have captured My heart" How? I'm so full of sin and ugliness -- yet He sees only the beauty.
(vs 10) "Your love delights me" So many times I feel like my love is fickle, that I love only when it's convenient or the logical times; yet He is delighted with what I give -- encouraging me to love more, to love deeper by appreciating what I have to give now.
(vs 12) "You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain" This reminded me of Jesus' last words to Peter (when Peter wanted to know about John) Our relationship with God is very private; it may be different for each of us -- He custom-works with us, and we custom-respond to Him. He doesn't make our faults known to anyone - - He just keeps wooing us with love and affirmation. Another really good reminder that each of us is on a Journey, and we can never tell what that Journey will look like -- but we will be able to see the fruits of the Journey (and by that I mean the fruits of the Spirit) Hallelujah!
And you handled SOS well. My inspiration on that one came last year. I leave you with Revelation today too. Finished the Fear book.
ReplyDeleteI really like how she ended it with a healthy fear (of God) and how it is needed and the blessing of it. I couldn't think of anyone in my life that I've ever had a healthy fear of. I think that explains why I've had so much trouble with my Father God and why The Shack has helped me so much.
The beauty of relationship is pretty marred down here on earth. It is astonishing to think that God invests so much in us and for us and yet we still hold Him at arms length and try to do it our own way. Independence vs dependence. Surrender vs fighting. And yet another oxymoron - fighting to surrender.
Yesterday, I did not have literal wind/waves (well, maybe wind) but I guess my waves were at an install. I had a defective piece of equipment and it wasn't readily apparent that was it & I started to get frustrated that I couldn't figure it out faster & that it wasn't easier. God just calmed me down & told me it wasn't about me, to just relax. Eventually figured it out but it took a while & made me late to my next appointment.
I realized this a.m. that I was more fearful of failing in that regard than I was when my ladder walked out from underneath me & left me hanging from the roof.
Which took me to pride vs self esteem. I base my value on a skill or ability I possess instead of the value that Jesus places on me - immeasurable worth. He willing choose to risk total separation from His Father & perfection in heaven to rescue just me! And yet, if I can't figure something out in 10 min or less - I'm a loser in my own eyes. How warped are we?
How does that jive with the chapter in the Fear book? Because of this one sentence in there: "The more I fear God, the less I fear everything else." The less I base my value on what people around me think. The less I fear of failing because if I do, they won't like me anymore; I won't be a good tech, teacher, friend, etc.
Keep opening my eyes to how you see me Jesus. Help me to keep looking at others around me through Your eyes too, so I let them know they are invaluable to You!
Thank you Chris for that insight -- I think I'll read the fear book again; maybe we should just keep swapping it back and forth!! There are SO many books like that, that I need a review on!
ReplyDeleteOn your 6th paragraph about how Jesus willingly choose; I got to thinking that another thing He willingly choose was the appearance of failure - - when He died on the cross; no earthly person got it; they ALL thought He was a failure, a fraud; yet He kept trusting His Father to work for Him, to reveal the truth in the right time.
I have a long way to go; it was so well put when you said "we hold Him at arms length and try to do it our own way" GUILTY!
and here's Revelation (but I'm going to take a few minutes to soak in DJ once I post this!!
ReplyDelete6L3 "Wait! . . . Don't harm the land or the trees until we haveplaced the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants." In a nutshell -- it's really why God hasn't returned yet . . . waiting for more to make the decision to turn to Him (including me) I still feel like I am filled with half-hearted turns and fighting against self.
I love the song of the angels in 7:12 "Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength BELONG TO OUR GOD!" It's like the angels couldn't stop with just one noun -- they were just filled and pouring out with praise!
in 7:14 it says that "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation" I've always thought that was talking about martyrs -- but this morning, I wondered if it was talking about those who had died to sin? Opens it up for a lot more possibilities.
The springs of life-giving water that He will lead us to not only take away our hunger (maybe our hunger and thirst for sin) but also -- refresh us from being scorched (again by sin) we are healed!
The trumpets (plagues) seem to be in response to the prayers and incense (8:4-5)
It's pretty awesome really how all of heaven is involved in these last stages of the earth. You constantly see all kinds of angelic involvement. Also -- seems like God has a definite plan of how the end will play out; one step leads to the next. A God of order in all things. 8:15 "the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year" 10:6 "There will be no more delay"
11 about the two prophets "I've always been told that was OT / NT; well if that is true -- there certainly does seem to be a movement to ignore the advice, wisdom, and news of God's love and intervention that the Bible makes available -- it's message of hope is getting squashed right before our eyes. Squeezed out by power, self-improvement, fame, leisure.
and then at the end of 11 (vs 19) Why did God reveal the Ark of His covenant? Is it all about the importance of the 10 commandments? Is it another picture of His presence in the middle of all the chaos? I was trying to think of what John felt about the Ark of the Covenant. Was it still a sacred chest for John's culture? How does that chest play out in our culture?
I wonder if the angel telling Paul that he would testify in Rome influenced Paul to appeal to Caesar later.
ReplyDeletePaul was confined for 2 yrs. That would have drove me nuts because nothing was being done for me & my case. I don't know if it's because I live in the insta age, where things happen or are expected to happen in nano seconds or what but I know I am very impatient.
Paul maybe had these battles as well, but it doesn't say. In some ways, I totally get that he finally appealed to go to Rome. But that's next week.
He seemed to have the respect of those who held him captive. That says something about what Jesus does in a life. Is it in Proverbs where it says something about if your ways please the Lord, He makes even your enemies to be at peace with you?
I wonder if those 40 assassins ever ate/drank again or if the priests released them from their oath. Guess I'm gonna see what JC has today.
JC was short & very sweet! It made me laugh but it's very true. Said that when we rehearse our troubles, we experience them many times when we were only meant to experience them WHEN they happen. We're just suppose to rest in the moment God has given us right now & realize that Jesus is in this very moment so therefore, it is a peaceful moment. Good ol' Matt 11:28-30 again. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Ananias had Paul slapped for saying "I have always lived before God with a clear conscience" I'm guessing because Ananias was jealous of that peace and assurance that Paul had. Paul had once been in the place of Ananias, a leader persecuting a different belief; but when Paul realized his mistake -- he repented and proceeded with a passion. Ananias refused to admit a mistake - - wallowing in pride.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the angels giggled when Paul resorted to the "resurrection of the dead that divided the council" it was a genius move; and probably really opened the eyes of the commander concerning the rationale of thee Jewish leaders.
There is a very tender moment about the commander. 23:19 "The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked "What is it you want to tell me?" I just get the feeling, as you say Chris, that Paul's life was affecting everyone around him - - that his selflessness (as in the case of the Jailor when he was singing with Silas) had a huge impact on the Romans around him.
When Felix came back with his wife -- it wasn't to hear bout Paul's defense; instead they listened about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement. Pretty heavy doctrine for the 2nd meeting -- but the passion of Paul had its affect. Too bad that Felix was more interested in earning $ than salvation.