Devotions
Look below for more devotions
Encounter with God® from Scripture Union/USA
“A guide for meeting God daily in His word.”
Daily scripture reading, prayer and meditation.
Heartlight
A variety of devotionals for daily encouragement and inspiration – many available by e-mail each day!
St. Luke’s Devotionals Archive
Peruse various testimonies and devotionals written by members of the St. Luke’s family.
Can you live with less, so I can give you more? Part
4
by Dave De Vos
Being broke really takes its toll on a marriage.
The accompanying stress, fights and sleepless nights make you really appreciate the "good ole' days." You know, the days when you were blissfully unaware of God's impending plan for your life. I can't help but think that Noah and his wife Emzara were doing just fine before all this silly business with building a boat in the front yard. Just as Moses and Zipporah were probably all touchy-feely-run-naked-through-the-woods before the fateful day with the burning bush...
For the last several weeks, I have been sharing with you the trials and tribulations that came with buying and remodeling our new house, and the question that God asked me in the midst of it all --"Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?"
Now, Steph and I didn't build an ark. And we certainly didn't set out to free an entire people group. (Though I do remember there being blood above our doorway at one point). We simply set out to turn a 3+2, green-carpeted, time-capsule of a dwelling into a spacious, modern living space with not enough time and not enough money. And though in the midst of it all we went broke, stressed out, and started fighting, we remembered God's question. And in faith, we continued to tithe. And you know what? In our darkest hour, God showed up...
In answer to a very specific prayer, He provided a contractor that took over the project in an honest, straightforward manner, with a zeal for integrity. For the next five months we worked together on a daily basis, undoing everything that the old contractor did wrong, and building it all back up with quality and professionalism. The stress of managing the project was still present, but God lifted the crushing burden of having to do it by myself. Of course, there was still a matter of how to afford it all. But you know what? God showed up there, too...
My Universal Studios and Paramount clients suddenly started calling me with more work than I knew what to do with. DirecTV, the client that I had been free-lancing for a year, offered me a full time position. For the first time in a decade, I was employed on a consistent basis, with enough income to cover the ongoing expenses of rent, a mortgage, and a remodel, all at the same time. And best of all, Steph and I were blessed with the ability to forgive each other for the myriad of sins committed during our Walk Through The Valley of The Shadow of Debt. We managed to come together to fight the common enemy, forging a team that no credit card company would ever want to face. She plays a mean game of credit card bingo - bouncing transfers, extending due-dates, and lining up payoffs with all the skill and finesse of a Hollywood Studio Accountant avoiding "Gross Participants."
Meanwhile, I continue to put extra-long days picking up manna. Whether it's driving to El Segundo every day to edit for DirecTV, staying up all night editing sales videos for Paramount, or producing and directing commercial footage for Universal Studios Theme Parks, it's all my way of responding to God's provision. I am amazed at his faithfulness. Our storehouses are truly overflowing. I simply have not had enough time to do everything that he's thrown our way. I've started hiring people just to handle the overflow.
But lest we fall into the trap of thinking about God as our sugar-daddy, let me say this. The most amazing thing God has provided during this journey is exactly what he offered from the get-go...
Faith.
At the bottom of the cistern, with nowhere else to turn, I prayed. Sure, it was out of desperation, but I make no apologies for that. I firmly believe that's how God wants us to pray. Out of desperation for Him. Only when we realize that we are not in control of our destiny, especially our eternal destiny, can we truly turn to him with our deepest needs. And you know what? He's there. And he proved it to us by sending His only begotten son. "Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When Jesus died on that cross, he gave us everything, even though we didn't deserve it. He paid the debt owed as a payment for sin. The payment of death. Of separation from God. And in doing so, he opened the door to eternal life. And the Bible tells us that we don't walk through that door by being a "good person." Or by anything else we do. How do we walk through it?
Faith.
As we conclude this season of stewardship, I encourage you to remember the incredible gift the Father has bestowed upon us in the life, death, and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. And to remember that by joyfully giving our first fruits back to him as a response to His love for us, we enter into a deeper, more complete relationship with the Creator of the Universe. And after all, isn't that the whole point?
Our story continues, as I'm sure yours does, too. We are now living in the house, and can see the light at the end of the debt tunnel. And while I'm by no means cured of my desire for certainty, I have learned to live with less. And while I certainly do not have perfect faith, I know that I have been given more. My prayer is that you are as blessed as I have by answering "Yes" to God's question.
Though I wonder - did Noah stay on budget?
May God Bless You All,
David de Vos
Being broke really takes its toll on a marriage.
The accompanying stress, fights and sleepless nights make you really appreciate the "good ole' days." You know, the days when you were blissfully unaware of God's impending plan for your life. I can't help but think that Noah and his wife Emzara were doing just fine before all this silly business with building a boat in the front yard. Just as Moses and Zipporah were probably all touchy-feely-run-naked-through-the-woods before the fateful day with the burning bush...
For the last several weeks, I have been sharing with you the trials and tribulations that came with buying and remodeling our new house, and the question that God asked me in the midst of it all --"Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?"
Now, Steph and I didn't build an ark. And we certainly didn't set out to free an entire people group. (Though I do remember there being blood above our doorway at one point). We simply set out to turn a 3+2, green-carpeted, time-capsule of a dwelling into a spacious, modern living space with not enough time and not enough money. And though in the midst of it all we went broke, stressed out, and started fighting, we remembered God's question. And in faith, we continued to tithe. And you know what? In our darkest hour, God showed up...
In answer to a very specific prayer, He provided a contractor that took over the project in an honest, straightforward manner, with a zeal for integrity. For the next five months we worked together on a daily basis, undoing everything that the old contractor did wrong, and building it all back up with quality and professionalism. The stress of managing the project was still present, but God lifted the crushing burden of having to do it by myself. Of course, there was still a matter of how to afford it all. But you know what? God showed up there, too...
My Universal Studios and Paramount clients suddenly started calling me with more work than I knew what to do with. DirecTV, the client that I had been free-lancing for a year, offered me a full time position. For the first time in a decade, I was employed on a consistent basis, with enough income to cover the ongoing expenses of rent, a mortgage, and a remodel, all at the same time. And best of all, Steph and I were blessed with the ability to forgive each other for the myriad of sins committed during our Walk Through The Valley of The Shadow of Debt. We managed to come together to fight the common enemy, forging a team that no credit card company would ever want to face. She plays a mean game of credit card bingo - bouncing transfers, extending due-dates, and lining up payoffs with all the skill and finesse of a Hollywood Studio Accountant avoiding "Gross Participants."
Meanwhile, I continue to put extra-long days picking up manna. Whether it's driving to El Segundo every day to edit for DirecTV, staying up all night editing sales videos for Paramount, or producing and directing commercial footage for Universal Studios Theme Parks, it's all my way of responding to God's provision. I am amazed at his faithfulness. Our storehouses are truly overflowing. I simply have not had enough time to do everything that he's thrown our way. I've started hiring people just to handle the overflow.
But lest we fall into the trap of thinking about God as our sugar-daddy, let me say this. The most amazing thing God has provided during this journey is exactly what he offered from the get-go...
Faith.
At the bottom of the cistern, with nowhere else to turn, I prayed. Sure, it was out of desperation, but I make no apologies for that. I firmly believe that's how God wants us to pray. Out of desperation for Him. Only when we realize that we are not in control of our destiny, especially our eternal destiny, can we truly turn to him with our deepest needs. And you know what? He's there. And he proved it to us by sending His only begotten son. "Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When Jesus died on that cross, he gave us everything, even though we didn't deserve it. He paid the debt owed as a payment for sin. The payment of death. Of separation from God. And in doing so, he opened the door to eternal life. And the Bible tells us that we don't walk through that door by being a "good person." Or by anything else we do. How do we walk through it?
Faith.
As we conclude this season of stewardship, I encourage you to remember the incredible gift the Father has bestowed upon us in the life, death, and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. And to remember that by joyfully giving our first fruits back to him as a response to His love for us, we enter into a deeper, more complete relationship with the Creator of the Universe. And after all, isn't that the whole point?
Our story continues, as I'm sure yours does, too. We are now living in the house, and can see the light at the end of the debt tunnel. And while I'm by no means cured of my desire for certainty, I have learned to live with less. And while I certainly do not have perfect faith, I know that I have been given more. My prayer is that you are as blessed as I have by answering "Yes" to God's question.
Though I wonder - did Noah stay on budget?
May God Bless You All,
David de Vos
Can you live with less, so I can give you more? Part 3
by Dave de Vos
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
For the last two weeks, I have been sharing the journey that Steph and I took while hunting for a new house two years ago this month. I wanted the DREAM house. The McMansion with all the amenities. But as I got swept up in the real estate mania, with the noise of the market, our realtor, and my ego ringing in my ears, another voice broke through. It was a still, small voice. A voice that, in my experience, I have come to both fear and love.
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
Certainty. It’s an important word in our society. It’s a word that implies control. Self-determination. Setting goals. Minimizing risk. Planning your work and working your plan in such a way that everything turns out the way you want. It’s also a word that pumps up our egos. To say that we’re unsure or don’t know implies vulnerability, weakness. God forbid! We must be CERTAIN!
Of course, we all know what they say about death and taxes…
So here I was, being asked to give that up. To give up my sense of control, pride, and ego, so He could give me something that He considered more important. It wasn’t an easy question to answer, but after much prayer, consulting, and soul-searching, I did. “Yes, God, I can live with less certainty, so you can give me more faith.”
It was exactly a month later that we found a house with a layout we liked. Sure, it needed some work. Add a laundry room there, a master bath there, maybe some new windows…but we felt it was a place we could really make nice. In fact, if I worked hard enough to control our expenses and get the most bang for our buck, we could turn it into something REALLY nice. Push out some walls, open up the entryway…you know. Make it a “wow” house. Hmmmm. Maybe this could be my dream house after all… I mean, come on, how hard could a remodel be?
The uncertainty was about to begin.
BIG TIME.
We rented a small house nearby, hired a contractor that was recommended by friends (names withheld to protect the guilty), and proceeded to completely GUT the new house we bought. I was certain we could do everything we wanted to do within our budget, so bombs away. Out went the kitchen, the bathrooms, the walls, the staircase, the floors…we stripped this thing down to the studs, and then some. We’ll show you the pictures. You’ll wonder what we were thinking.
We weren’t.
And we certainly (there’s that word again) weren’t prepared for what followed. Our architect’s measurements were wrong. The County denied us a permit. Our contractor demolished entire parts of the house he wasn’t supposed to. The main sewer line turned out to be cracked, which required breaking through 3 feet of concrete and laying almost 50 feet of new pipe under the foundation. Not to mention the building codes changed in the middle of it all. All the while trying to perform my duties at work, look for new jobs (love the freelance world), and hold down the Jr. Warden duties at church. Husband and father? Yeah right.
Needless to say, it was an uncertain time. Our scheduled ballooned from six months to a year. Then eighteen months. And though I was working two, sometimes three jobs, we ran out of money. And you know what? The more I tried to control things, to make sure the contractor and subs were doing their jobs correctly, the worse it got. Delays and rising costs hit us every day. We finally fired the contractor, and I took over as “general.” The worry and pressure got so bad that our marriage suffered. REALLY suffered. Lack of money and lack of sleep led to horrible fights. Differences of opinion and aesthetic taste led to ridiculous arguments. And the pressure to stay in control led to sickness and desperation.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the poverty line…
We continued to tithe…
And God showed up…
---to be concluded---
During this time of stewardship, i encourage you to examine your own life. What are you seeking to control? And how does it affect your faith? God has called us to rely on him for our needs. And beyond that, to help meet the needs of others with our tithes and offerings. If we are trying so hard to control the details of lives, especially in financial areas, are we missing the blessings god wants to give us? Giving him back ten percent of what he’s given to us is just the beginning.
Are you willing to live with less certainty so he can give you more faith?
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
For the last two weeks, I have been sharing the journey that Steph and I took while hunting for a new house two years ago this month. I wanted the DREAM house. The McMansion with all the amenities. But as I got swept up in the real estate mania, with the noise of the market, our realtor, and my ego ringing in my ears, another voice broke through. It was a still, small voice. A voice that, in my experience, I have come to both fear and love.
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
Certainty. It’s an important word in our society. It’s a word that implies control. Self-determination. Setting goals. Minimizing risk. Planning your work and working your plan in such a way that everything turns out the way you want. It’s also a word that pumps up our egos. To say that we’re unsure or don’t know implies vulnerability, weakness. God forbid! We must be CERTAIN!
Of course, we all know what they say about death and taxes…
So here I was, being asked to give that up. To give up my sense of control, pride, and ego, so He could give me something that He considered more important. It wasn’t an easy question to answer, but after much prayer, consulting, and soul-searching, I did. “Yes, God, I can live with less certainty, so you can give me more faith.”
It was exactly a month later that we found a house with a layout we liked. Sure, it needed some work. Add a laundry room there, a master bath there, maybe some new windows…but we felt it was a place we could really make nice. In fact, if I worked hard enough to control our expenses and get the most bang for our buck, we could turn it into something REALLY nice. Push out some walls, open up the entryway…you know. Make it a “wow” house. Hmmmm. Maybe this could be my dream house after all… I mean, come on, how hard could a remodel be?
The uncertainty was about to begin.
BIG TIME.
We rented a small house nearby, hired a contractor that was recommended by friends (names withheld to protect the guilty), and proceeded to completely GUT the new house we bought. I was certain we could do everything we wanted to do within our budget, so bombs away. Out went the kitchen, the bathrooms, the walls, the staircase, the floors…we stripped this thing down to the studs, and then some. We’ll show you the pictures. You’ll wonder what we were thinking.
We weren’t.
And we certainly (there’s that word again) weren’t prepared for what followed. Our architect’s measurements were wrong. The County denied us a permit. Our contractor demolished entire parts of the house he wasn’t supposed to. The main sewer line turned out to be cracked, which required breaking through 3 feet of concrete and laying almost 50 feet of new pipe under the foundation. Not to mention the building codes changed in the middle of it all. All the while trying to perform my duties at work, look for new jobs (love the freelance world), and hold down the Jr. Warden duties at church. Husband and father? Yeah right.
Needless to say, it was an uncertain time. Our scheduled ballooned from six months to a year. Then eighteen months. And though I was working two, sometimes three jobs, we ran out of money. And you know what? The more I tried to control things, to make sure the contractor and subs were doing their jobs correctly, the worse it got. Delays and rising costs hit us every day. We finally fired the contractor, and I took over as “general.” The worry and pressure got so bad that our marriage suffered. REALLY suffered. Lack of money and lack of sleep led to horrible fights. Differences of opinion and aesthetic taste led to ridiculous arguments. And the pressure to stay in control led to sickness and desperation.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the poverty line…
We continued to tithe…
And God showed up…
---to be concluded---
During this time of stewardship, i encourage you to examine your own life. What are you seeking to control? And how does it affect your faith? God has called us to rely on him for our needs. And beyond that, to help meet the needs of others with our tithes and offerings. If we are trying so hard to control the details of lives, especially in financial areas, are we missing the blessings god wants to give us? Giving him back ten percent of what he’s given to us is just the beginning.
Are you willing to live with less certainty so he can give you more faith?
Greetings From Ham Central
May 6, 2007
by David de Vos
Greetings from Ham Central. Seriously. Between hams, turkeys, and any number of delicious cow parts, our refrigerator has never seen the bounty that it has over the last two weeks. If there’s one thing we love about St. Luke’s, it’s that when there’s a crisis (in this case – Steph’s cancer), we can count on your help. And if every cloud has a silver lining, then the cloud of cancer is lined with good eats. To everyone that has contributed to the fattening of 3039 Frances Ave., we thank you. From the bottom of our…urp! Excuse me.
It’s been a little over seven years since Steph and I started attending St. Luke’s. In that time, we’ve seen our own family grow just as we’ve seen our St. Luke’s family grow. And with growth comes change. We’ve seen parts of our St. Luke's family come and go. We’ve said goodbye to some most dear to us, and hello to others who are becoming fast friends. Life here is never without its surprises, its challenges, and its change. And though there were times when we haven’t felt connected here, and even considered checking out other churches, we kept coming back, if only to see what God would do in our lives at St. Luke’s. We knew from experience that anywhere else would have its own set of challenges, questions, and issues, and that “starting over” just didn’t seem to make sense. And you know what? We discovered something when we ended our steeplechase. Putting down roots and making connections takes work. It takes effort. And it takes commitment.
Between youth group, Sunday morning worship, LifeShapes, Sunday morning bible studies, Lenten disciplines, Alpha, discernment committees, adult education classes, stewardship campaigns, auctions, Vestry, Jr. Warden, Treasurer, and others, Steph and I have been involved in a lot of things during our time here, as I know many others have as well. I don’t say that to keep score, but to remember the reasons we feel connected here. It’s the old “you get out of it what you put into it” routine. But it’s been anything but routine. St. Luke’s has become a major part of our lives. Beyond Sunday morning. Beyond a sermon and a song. And you know what?
It’s taken a lot of work.
A lot of effort.
And a lot of faith.
But isn’t that the case with anything worthwhile? To follow God and answer His calling doesn’t mean hitting the snooze button and rolling over in our pew. Often times it means gathering our families and our possession-laden camels, and walking toward a raging sea. And most times, the waters don’t part until our feet get wet.
During this time of stewardship, we’ve talked a lot about change and the uncertainty of the future. And, ironically, this year we’ve moved our “Celebration Sunday” up a week, combining it with “Commitment” Sunday. Even though this was done to free up Mother’s Day to concentrate on Mom, I think it’s wonderfully appropriate. That way we can celebrate our commitment. To the Holy Trinity. To St. Luke’s. To each other. After all, isn’t that what Church should be?
Look around. Ask yourself, are you willing to commit to St. Luke’s, even if only to see what God will do in your life? Invite someone that you’ve never met before over for lunch. Make a choice to get involved in a ministry. Volunteer. I think you’ll find He does amazing things with us when we invest in others. If we can bask in the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord, and let that love motivate us to come together as a family, we can truly be of one heart and mind.
And for the record, you guys are really good cooks.
"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2 New Living Translation)
by David de Vos
Greetings from Ham Central. Seriously. Between hams, turkeys, and any number of delicious cow parts, our refrigerator has never seen the bounty that it has over the last two weeks. If there’s one thing we love about St. Luke’s, it’s that when there’s a crisis (in this case – Steph’s cancer), we can count on your help. And if every cloud has a silver lining, then the cloud of cancer is lined with good eats. To everyone that has contributed to the fattening of 3039 Frances Ave., we thank you. From the bottom of our…urp! Excuse me.
It’s been a little over seven years since Steph and I started attending St. Luke’s. In that time, we’ve seen our own family grow just as we’ve seen our St. Luke’s family grow. And with growth comes change. We’ve seen parts of our St. Luke's family come and go. We’ve said goodbye to some most dear to us, and hello to others who are becoming fast friends. Life here is never without its surprises, its challenges, and its change. And though there were times when we haven’t felt connected here, and even considered checking out other churches, we kept coming back, if only to see what God would do in our lives at St. Luke’s. We knew from experience that anywhere else would have its own set of challenges, questions, and issues, and that “starting over” just didn’t seem to make sense. And you know what? We discovered something when we ended our steeplechase. Putting down roots and making connections takes work. It takes effort. And it takes commitment.
Between youth group, Sunday morning worship, LifeShapes, Sunday morning bible studies, Lenten disciplines, Alpha, discernment committees, adult education classes, stewardship campaigns, auctions, Vestry, Jr. Warden, Treasurer, and others, Steph and I have been involved in a lot of things during our time here, as I know many others have as well. I don’t say that to keep score, but to remember the reasons we feel connected here. It’s the old “you get out of it what you put into it” routine. But it’s been anything but routine. St. Luke’s has become a major part of our lives. Beyond Sunday morning. Beyond a sermon and a song. And you know what?
It’s taken a lot of work.
A lot of effort.
And a lot of faith.
But isn’t that the case with anything worthwhile? To follow God and answer His calling doesn’t mean hitting the snooze button and rolling over in our pew. Often times it means gathering our families and our possession-laden camels, and walking toward a raging sea. And most times, the waters don’t part until our feet get wet.
During this time of stewardship, we’ve talked a lot about change and the uncertainty of the future. And, ironically, this year we’ve moved our “Celebration Sunday” up a week, combining it with “Commitment” Sunday. Even though this was done to free up Mother’s Day to concentrate on Mom, I think it’s wonderfully appropriate. That way we can celebrate our commitment. To the Holy Trinity. To St. Luke’s. To each other. After all, isn’t that what Church should be?
Look around. Ask yourself, are you willing to commit to St. Luke’s, even if only to see what God will do in your life? Invite someone that you’ve never met before over for lunch. Make a choice to get involved in a ministry. Volunteer. I think you’ll find He does amazing things with us when we invest in others. If we can bask in the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord, and let that love motivate us to come together as a family, we can truly be of one heart and mind.
And for the record, you guys are really good cooks.
"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2 New Living Translation)
Forty-eight Inches
April 29, 2007
by David de Vos
Something very cool happened this week. And before you scratch your head wondering, “What the heck does this have to do with Stewardship?” just go with me here for a minute...
About three months ago, my 7-year old daughter, Amanda, reached a high point in her life. No, literally. She officially passed the four-foot mark.
4 feet.
48 inches.
121.92 centimeters.
She was ecstatic. It was a moment she’d been waiting for, for nearly a year. You see, Amanda is a roller-coaster fanatic. Ever since she rode the wet and wild “Atlantis” ride at Sea World three years ago, she’s been on the lookout for the next great adrenaline rush. Well, last year, as part of my work, I filmed a commercial for “Revenge of the Mummy – the Ride” at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s the fastest indoor roller coaster in California. Amanda came by to see us film the commercial, and ever since, she’s been dying to go on the ride. But, until February, she didn’t measure up. There is a minimum height requirement of – you guessed it – 48 inches.
So I took her to go ride the ride. It's a PG-rated experience, so I told her it might be scary. She insisted she was up for it. Of course, no sooner did she encounter the loud music and scary voice of the Mummy in the line than she tucked tail and ran. But when she got home, she felt disappointed in herself. I told her it was okay to be a little scared, and that when she felt up for it, we’d try it again. “Trust me,” I told her. “You’ll be fine.” I knew she’d be okay on the ride – in fact, I knew she’d be more than okay. Even though it’s loud, dark, and FAST, I knew she would love it. She just needed to get past her initial trepidation.
So last week, as part of our Daddy-Daughter time, we tried again. Waiting in line, she was giddy -- dancing between pressing-on and chickening-out. “I’m scared, but I’m going!” she declared. And then…just like that…we were on the coaster. Pulling the lap bar down. Feeling it lock into place. She looked at me with wild-eyed anticipation, questioning me one last time with her eyes. “Trust me,” I said. “You’ll be fine.”
The lights went out. The adrenaline kicked in. And the last thing I heard before we rocketed into blackness was Amanda’s squeal. I couldn’t see her face. Was it a squeal of anticipation? Of delight? Of sheer terror? I silently questioned my sanity as a father. Was I pushing her into this? No. She wanted to go. But her faith was based on my telling her it was okay. And it was okay, right? After all, she was 48 inches.
FOOOM! We were plastered into our seats. Twisting, turning, rising, falling. Unable to see anything in front of us. Suddenly, I was concerned. This was faster than I remembered. And rougher. I began to have visions of Amanda crying for help. Reaching into the blackness for Daddy. The Daddy that had somehow tricked her into this violent, unforgiving madness. I tried to make out her face, but I couldn’t see a thing. I called to her, but the music, sound effects, and screams of the other passengers drowned out anything that might have been her reply.
Twist.
Turn.
Drop.
And then, it was over. Lurching back into the station with the howling laugh of the Mummy in our ears, I turned to look at her. Her face was blank.
“Are you okay?”
A small, timid nod. And then a HUUUUUUUUGE grin. “THAT WAS SOOOOOOO FUN!!!!!”
Later, outside, we went to look at our picture. The wildly over-priced picture taken by some carefully placed camera to catch you at your most vulnerable. And there, in vivid color, was the answer to all my fears – a perfectly framed shot of us on the scariest part of the ride -- me looking over at her, unable to actually see her in the dark, terrified of what I had done to my daughter, and Amanda…with a MASSIVE, EAR TO EAR, TEETH-BARING GRIN ON HER FACE.
She hasn’t stopped talking about it. Every day since, she asks to go back. Now that she has taken a step of faith, and pushed through her fears, she has been rewarded with an experience that she wants to repeat. Again and again and again.
Stewardship. Giving. Tithing. All things that require a step of faith. Faith to overcome our fear of the unknown and follow our Heavenly Father, even if that means going into dark, scary places. We might chicken out now and again, and God knows that. It’s not an easy thing to feel the lap bar lock you into place. Even Jesus was reluctant. He pleaded with God to let him off the hook in Gethsemane. He was going to a dark, scary place. But because he was obedient, three days later he was lifted up.
Our calling is to be good stewards. Of the gospel. Of our resources. Of our time and talents. Will you stay connected to God on a daily basis? Will you trust that He wants to bless you? Will you trust that by stepping out in faith with your giving, He will give you a spiritual reward that He will repeat again and again and again?
Hopefully, when we get to heaven, He’ll have pictures waiting for all of us. And during our darkest moments, we’ll see that He was sitting next to us the whole time. Maybe, if we trust Him, we too, will be grinning from ear to ear.
by David de Vos
Something very cool happened this week. And before you scratch your head wondering, “What the heck does this have to do with Stewardship?” just go with me here for a minute...
About three months ago, my 7-year old daughter, Amanda, reached a high point in her life. No, literally. She officially passed the four-foot mark.
4 feet.
48 inches.
121.92 centimeters.
She was ecstatic. It was a moment she’d been waiting for, for nearly a year. You see, Amanda is a roller-coaster fanatic. Ever since she rode the wet and wild “Atlantis” ride at Sea World three years ago, she’s been on the lookout for the next great adrenaline rush. Well, last year, as part of my work, I filmed a commercial for “Revenge of the Mummy – the Ride” at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s the fastest indoor roller coaster in California. Amanda came by to see us film the commercial, and ever since, she’s been dying to go on the ride. But, until February, she didn’t measure up. There is a minimum height requirement of – you guessed it – 48 inches.
So I took her to go ride the ride. It's a PG-rated experience, so I told her it might be scary. She insisted she was up for it. Of course, no sooner did she encounter the loud music and scary voice of the Mummy in the line than she tucked tail and ran. But when she got home, she felt disappointed in herself. I told her it was okay to be a little scared, and that when she felt up for it, we’d try it again. “Trust me,” I told her. “You’ll be fine.” I knew she’d be okay on the ride – in fact, I knew she’d be more than okay. Even though it’s loud, dark, and FAST, I knew she would love it. She just needed to get past her initial trepidation.
So last week, as part of our Daddy-Daughter time, we tried again. Waiting in line, she was giddy -- dancing between pressing-on and chickening-out. “I’m scared, but I’m going!” she declared. And then…just like that…we were on the coaster. Pulling the lap bar down. Feeling it lock into place. She looked at me with wild-eyed anticipation, questioning me one last time with her eyes. “Trust me,” I said. “You’ll be fine.”
The lights went out. The adrenaline kicked in. And the last thing I heard before we rocketed into blackness was Amanda’s squeal. I couldn’t see her face. Was it a squeal of anticipation? Of delight? Of sheer terror? I silently questioned my sanity as a father. Was I pushing her into this? No. She wanted to go. But her faith was based on my telling her it was okay. And it was okay, right? After all, she was 48 inches.
FOOOM! We were plastered into our seats. Twisting, turning, rising, falling. Unable to see anything in front of us. Suddenly, I was concerned. This was faster than I remembered. And rougher. I began to have visions of Amanda crying for help. Reaching into the blackness for Daddy. The Daddy that had somehow tricked her into this violent, unforgiving madness. I tried to make out her face, but I couldn’t see a thing. I called to her, but the music, sound effects, and screams of the other passengers drowned out anything that might have been her reply.
Twist.
Turn.
Drop.
And then, it was over. Lurching back into the station with the howling laugh of the Mummy in our ears, I turned to look at her. Her face was blank.
“Are you okay?”
A small, timid nod. And then a HUUUUUUUUGE grin. “THAT WAS SOOOOOOO FUN!!!!!”
Later, outside, we went to look at our picture. The wildly over-priced picture taken by some carefully placed camera to catch you at your most vulnerable. And there, in vivid color, was the answer to all my fears – a perfectly framed shot of us on the scariest part of the ride -- me looking over at her, unable to actually see her in the dark, terrified of what I had done to my daughter, and Amanda…with a MASSIVE, EAR TO EAR, TEETH-BARING GRIN ON HER FACE.
She hasn’t stopped talking about it. Every day since, she asks to go back. Now that she has taken a step of faith, and pushed through her fears, she has been rewarded with an experience that she wants to repeat. Again and again and again.
Stewardship. Giving. Tithing. All things that require a step of faith. Faith to overcome our fear of the unknown and follow our Heavenly Father, even if that means going into dark, scary places. We might chicken out now and again, and God knows that. It’s not an easy thing to feel the lap bar lock you into place. Even Jesus was reluctant. He pleaded with God to let him off the hook in Gethsemane. He was going to a dark, scary place. But because he was obedient, three days later he was lifted up.
Our calling is to be good stewards. Of the gospel. Of our resources. Of our time and talents. Will you stay connected to God on a daily basis? Will you trust that He wants to bless you? Will you trust that by stepping out in faith with your giving, He will give you a spiritual reward that He will repeat again and again and again?
Hopefully, when we get to heaven, He’ll have pictures waiting for all of us. And during our darkest moments, we’ll see that He was sitting next to us the whole time. Maybe, if we trust Him, we too, will be grinning from ear to ear.
Our Stewardship Adventure
April 22, 2007
by Sue Duquette
Let me preface this with saying that I almost didn’t tell this story. As you will see, Dave de Vos has some very exciting stewardship stuff to share with you. It’s mountaintop stuff. Our household doesn’t live on a mountaintop. We happily live on the mundane side of the hill. I was thinking about it, and realize that God speaks to us individually, and reaches into our lives in ways that are meaningful to us, wherever we are. The mountaintop might actually scare us the tiniest bit. We’re a little boring, but God made us that way. So, here’s stewardship from the side of the hill:
We have a very disorganized budget in our household. That is to say, in thirty years of marriage, we’ve never actually had a budget. Every time we sit down and try to work one out, our eyes glaze over and our brains leave the building.
We have been blessed with steady work, a tremendous luxury. I compensate for our lack of planning by being really cheap-I always shop sales, and take great delight in squirreling money away in savings. If cash flow ever was tight, I’d just work an extra shift or two. Most people can’t do that, and we have been mindful of that, grateful for that bit of flexibility.
Don has always been the stewardship driver in the house, and I defer to him for those decisions. What’s one more outlay, when you don’t actually have a budget?
In 2005, Don laid himself off from a struggling family business, cutting our income by 2/3. The original plan was for him to be unemployed for 3-6 months before trying to find other work. Since we had absolutely no idea what our annual income would be, what should we do about the tithe? After much prayer, Don reduced our tithe by 1/3. This did cause us to think about it much more, especially since unemployment stretched on for a year. Things got a bit tight, but it felt right.
Don did a lot of work around the house, and I did a fair amount of extra shifts. At the end of the year, just when we were starting to get really nervous, Don got rehired, and equilibrium was re-established.
Imagine my surprise when doing the taxes, to find that our tithe was within ten dollars of 10% of our actual income.
It was the best year of our marriage.
God is more faithful than we can imagine.
by Sue Duquette
Let me preface this with saying that I almost didn’t tell this story. As you will see, Dave de Vos has some very exciting stewardship stuff to share with you. It’s mountaintop stuff. Our household doesn’t live on a mountaintop. We happily live on the mundane side of the hill. I was thinking about it, and realize that God speaks to us individually, and reaches into our lives in ways that are meaningful to us, wherever we are. The mountaintop might actually scare us the tiniest bit. We’re a little boring, but God made us that way. So, here’s stewardship from the side of the hill:
We have a very disorganized budget in our household. That is to say, in thirty years of marriage, we’ve never actually had a budget. Every time we sit down and try to work one out, our eyes glaze over and our brains leave the building.
We have been blessed with steady work, a tremendous luxury. I compensate for our lack of planning by being really cheap-I always shop sales, and take great delight in squirreling money away in savings. If cash flow ever was tight, I’d just work an extra shift or two. Most people can’t do that, and we have been mindful of that, grateful for that bit of flexibility.
Don has always been the stewardship driver in the house, and I defer to him for those decisions. What’s one more outlay, when you don’t actually have a budget?
In 2005, Don laid himself off from a struggling family business, cutting our income by 2/3. The original plan was for him to be unemployed for 3-6 months before trying to find other work. Since we had absolutely no idea what our annual income would be, what should we do about the tithe? After much prayer, Don reduced our tithe by 1/3. This did cause us to think about it much more, especially since unemployment stretched on for a year. Things got a bit tight, but it felt right.
Don did a lot of work around the house, and I did a fair amount of extra shifts. At the end of the year, just when we were starting to get really nervous, Don got rehired, and equilibrium was re-established.
Imagine my surprise when doing the taxes, to find that our tithe was within ten dollars of 10% of our actual income.
It was the best year of our marriage.
God is more faithful than we can imagine.
Stewardship Sunday
April 15, 2007
By David de Vos
“I want to be a doctor.”
“I want to be an engineer.”
“I want to be a priest.”
Statements not so unusual in and of themselves. But, when you consider who said them, they gain a little more gravity. You see, these statements were made by the children of the Nyamarama school in Uganda during Ron and my recent journey to Africa. And not in passing, like one of our children might casually extol the dream of becoming an astronaut. No, these statements were made with total conviction. Stand-up, look-you-in-the-eye kind of belief that they could become whatever they wanted. Quite a difference from the nakedness and poverty that dominated the lives of so many children along the road as we traveled the 9 hours from the bustling city of Kampala in the north, to the remote village of Kinkiizi in the south.
How did this happen? How did the cycle of poverty and desperation get broken? What led to 300+ children standing in unison, cleanly dressed in matching uniforms, politely wishing us “Good Morning, Sir!” with smiles that lit up the room?
In a word?
Stewardship.
God has given each of us a gift. Be it hospitality, creativity, compassion, a head for numbers, the ability to make money, or any number of a thousand gifts, we are each blessed with something we do really well. What I witnessed in Uganda was a group coming together to combine their gifts in a most amazing manner. From the passion of Fr. Hamlet, who really is a phenomenal manager of people and resources, to the commitment and dedication of the teachers at the schools, to the sacrifice of the parents who want a better life for their children, I saw God’s gifts being utilized to the benefit of the entire region.
I saw our stewardship theme in action. “All the disciples were of one heart and mind.”
And it made me think.
Are we?
We have a lot of changes happening here at St. Luke’s. Between the lawsuit and Fr. Ron’s recent announcement, it’s enough to make anyone a little nervous about the future. But I, for one, am excited. I see an opportunity for our congregation to step up and utilize the gifts God has given us for the good of the entire body. It begins with a tithe. Yes, of money. But it continues beyond that. Who’s good at leadership? Is God whispering to you in that still small voice that it’s time to make a commitment to lead? Who’s a good teacher? Is God inviting you to teach? Who’s good at handling numbers? Is God asking you to step up and help Stephanie with the church’s books? (sorry – that was me. But think about it – with her present situation, she’s gonna need help!) The point is, if Fr. Hamlet and his people can change the lives of hundreds with the “little” that they have been given, how much more can we impact the lives of our congregation and others with the “lot” that we have been blessed with?
“All the believers were of one heart and mind.”
Passion. Commitment. Sacrifice. What are you willing to give back to God? I firmly believe that if we take action as if we are of one heart and mind, we will become of one heart and mind. Then we, too, will be able to stand up with that kind of look-you-in-the-eye conviction, and say “I want to be a…”
What do you want to be?
I want to be a good steward.
I pray God’s blessings on you all. May you use them for His glory.
By David de Vos
“I want to be a doctor.”
“I want to be an engineer.”
“I want to be a priest.”
Statements not so unusual in and of themselves. But, when you consider who said them, they gain a little more gravity. You see, these statements were made by the children of the Nyamarama school in Uganda during Ron and my recent journey to Africa. And not in passing, like one of our children might casually extol the dream of becoming an astronaut. No, these statements were made with total conviction. Stand-up, look-you-in-the-eye kind of belief that they could become whatever they wanted. Quite a difference from the nakedness and poverty that dominated the lives of so many children along the road as we traveled the 9 hours from the bustling city of Kampala in the north, to the remote village of Kinkiizi in the south.
How did this happen? How did the cycle of poverty and desperation get broken? What led to 300+ children standing in unison, cleanly dressed in matching uniforms, politely wishing us “Good Morning, Sir!” with smiles that lit up the room?
In a word?
Stewardship.
God has given each of us a gift. Be it hospitality, creativity, compassion, a head for numbers, the ability to make money, or any number of a thousand gifts, we are each blessed with something we do really well. What I witnessed in Uganda was a group coming together to combine their gifts in a most amazing manner. From the passion of Fr. Hamlet, who really is a phenomenal manager of people and resources, to the commitment and dedication of the teachers at the schools, to the sacrifice of the parents who want a better life for their children, I saw God’s gifts being utilized to the benefit of the entire region.
I saw our stewardship theme in action. “All the disciples were of one heart and mind.”
And it made me think.
Are we?
We have a lot of changes happening here at St. Luke’s. Between the lawsuit and Fr. Ron’s recent announcement, it’s enough to make anyone a little nervous about the future. But I, for one, am excited. I see an opportunity for our congregation to step up and utilize the gifts God has given us for the good of the entire body. It begins with a tithe. Yes, of money. But it continues beyond that. Who’s good at leadership? Is God whispering to you in that still small voice that it’s time to make a commitment to lead? Who’s a good teacher? Is God inviting you to teach? Who’s good at handling numbers? Is God asking you to step up and help Stephanie with the church’s books? (sorry – that was me. But think about it – with her present situation, she’s gonna need help!) The point is, if Fr. Hamlet and his people can change the lives of hundreds with the “little” that they have been given, how much more can we impact the lives of our congregation and others with the “lot” that we have been blessed with?
“All the believers were of one heart and mind.”
Passion. Commitment. Sacrifice. What are you willing to give back to God? I firmly believe that if we take action as if we are of one heart and mind, we will become of one heart and mind. Then we, too, will be able to stand up with that kind of look-you-in-the-eye conviction, and say “I want to be a…”
What do you want to be?
I want to be a good steward.
I pray God’s blessings on you all. May you use them for His glory.
Answering God's Call
Palm Sunday
April 1, 2007
By Joseph (& Rebecca) Henderson
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey. The crowds lining the pathway waiting to see the prophet, priest and king from Galilee, laid down their cloaks and palm fronds ahead of Jesus. Those that followed shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of Jesus’ last week on earth in which he is betrayed, arrested, tried and crucified.
The interplay between Jesus’ divinity and humanity is evident in the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus knows the events that are about to transpire and is clearly grieving. Jesus tells his disciples Peter, James and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”. He falls with his face to the ground and prays, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”. Jesus, despite his trepidations, submits to his Father’s will and sacrifices his life for all humanity.
Grieving, change, uncertainty and fear are the very human components of not heeding God’s call. Often, it is not easy to obey God. Our disobedience is usually attributed to our fleshly desires and temptations which lead us astray. However, there are often more subtle reasons for our disobedience.
When we avoid our call because of our fear and grief of what we will lose, we miss the incredible gifts and blessings that our Lord has in store for us. We miss our Father’s plan for our lives.
Although I was not here when St. Luke’s chose to leave the Episcopal Church, I can only imagine the fear and trepidation that must have occurred leading up to that moment. How pleased I am that St. Luke’s took this huge leap of faith. Who could have imagined the immense joy and blessings that would manifest from our newly formed relations with our Anglican brothers and sisters in Uganda? While we are uncertain of the final outcome of this decision, we are certain that no matter what the change or cost, our God has great plans and works in store for us. St Luke’s has clearly left its comfort zone.
My law firm was recently selected to represent the interests of the County of Los Angeles in medical malpractice cases involving inmates at County correctional facilities. As a result, about four attorneys from my firm were given a tour of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility located on the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles. (Sorry to digress, but I had to explain how I wound up in jail.)
The “Inmate Reception Center” at Twin Towers is a cruel misnomer because it looks nothing like the front desk at an upscale hotel. Rather, hundreds of men were herded into small holding areas waiting their turn to be processed and assigned more permanent housing. Most appeared to be gang members, homeless, mentally ill and/or drug addicts. They all needed Jesus. I was particularly struck by the sight of a young man in shackles who had taken refuge underneath a long wooden bench curled up in a fetal position. He needed Jesus.
Although escorted by a burley Sheriff's Deputy, I never felt safe and there were moments when I was frightened. I certainly was not in my comfort zone. In the midst of this brokenness, I saw our very own Deacon Sara Burch fearlessly pushing a wheeled cart piled high with Bibles. As she approached our gaggle of attorneys, she called out, “Excuse me! I have important work to do!”
No truer words were ever said.
I tried to get her attention and introduce her to our group, but Deacon Sara was completely focused on the Cross and her call and remained oblivious to the men in business suits.
My point is that I doubt that when Deacon Sara wrote her third grade paper about her intended vocation when she grew up, wandering the hallways at Men’s Central Jail was probably not part of her plan. I doubt that Deacon Sara has any idea of how many lives she has touched and how many seeds of transformation she has sown as a result of her detention ministry. However, Deacon Sara had to step out of her comfort zone in order to answer God’s call. As a result, God has used her greatly.
My prayer is that we have the strength to follow Jesus’ example when faced with our own “personal Gethsemane” and we obediently step out in faith and answer God’s call in our own lives.
By Joseph (& Rebecca) Henderson
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey. The crowds lining the pathway waiting to see the prophet, priest and king from Galilee, laid down their cloaks and palm fronds ahead of Jesus. Those that followed shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of Jesus’ last week on earth in which he is betrayed, arrested, tried and crucified.
The interplay between Jesus’ divinity and humanity is evident in the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus knows the events that are about to transpire and is clearly grieving. Jesus tells his disciples Peter, James and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”. He falls with his face to the ground and prays, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”. Jesus, despite his trepidations, submits to his Father’s will and sacrifices his life for all humanity.
Grieving, change, uncertainty and fear are the very human components of not heeding God’s call. Often, it is not easy to obey God. Our disobedience is usually attributed to our fleshly desires and temptations which lead us astray. However, there are often more subtle reasons for our disobedience.
When we avoid our call because of our fear and grief of what we will lose, we miss the incredible gifts and blessings that our Lord has in store for us. We miss our Father’s plan for our lives.
Although I was not here when St. Luke’s chose to leave the Episcopal Church, I can only imagine the fear and trepidation that must have occurred leading up to that moment. How pleased I am that St. Luke’s took this huge leap of faith. Who could have imagined the immense joy and blessings that would manifest from our newly formed relations with our Anglican brothers and sisters in Uganda? While we are uncertain of the final outcome of this decision, we are certain that no matter what the change or cost, our God has great plans and works in store for us. St Luke’s has clearly left its comfort zone.
My law firm was recently selected to represent the interests of the County of Los Angeles in medical malpractice cases involving inmates at County correctional facilities. As a result, about four attorneys from my firm were given a tour of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility located on the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles. (Sorry to digress, but I had to explain how I wound up in jail.)
The “Inmate Reception Center” at Twin Towers is a cruel misnomer because it looks nothing like the front desk at an upscale hotel. Rather, hundreds of men were herded into small holding areas waiting their turn to be processed and assigned more permanent housing. Most appeared to be gang members, homeless, mentally ill and/or drug addicts. They all needed Jesus. I was particularly struck by the sight of a young man in shackles who had taken refuge underneath a long wooden bench curled up in a fetal position. He needed Jesus.
Although escorted by a burley Sheriff's Deputy, I never felt safe and there were moments when I was frightened. I certainly was not in my comfort zone. In the midst of this brokenness, I saw our very own Deacon Sara Burch fearlessly pushing a wheeled cart piled high with Bibles. As she approached our gaggle of attorneys, she called out, “Excuse me! I have important work to do!”
No truer words were ever said.
I tried to get her attention and introduce her to our group, but Deacon Sara was completely focused on the Cross and her call and remained oblivious to the men in business suits.
My point is that I doubt that when Deacon Sara wrote her third grade paper about her intended vocation when she grew up, wandering the hallways at Men’s Central Jail was probably not part of her plan. I doubt that Deacon Sara has any idea of how many lives she has touched and how many seeds of transformation she has sown as a result of her detention ministry. However, Deacon Sara had to step out of her comfort zone in order to answer God’s call. As a result, God has used her greatly.
My prayer is that we have the strength to follow Jesus’ example when faced with our own “personal Gethsemane” and we obediently step out in faith and answer God’s call in our own lives.
Prodigal Son
March 18, 2007
by Alicia Greely
Luke 15: 11-32
I’ll admit that I’ve always identified more with the older brother of the prodigal son than with the prodigal himself. Being the generous and understanding soul that I am, I can completely understand the older son’s anger and jealousy at seeing his reckless and irresponsible younger brother being fêted after having turned his back on his family, squandered his inheritance, and returned home in shame – all while the older brother faithfully worked the family business and dutifully tended to his responsibilities. Why should the younger son’s bad behavior be rewarded while the older son’s faithfulness goes unnoticed?
Of course, I understand the point of the parable: The son who was thought lost forever is now found, and that’s cause for celebration. But there is another facet to this story in how the father responds to his elder son. The father’s first words to his angry older son are, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” In other words, while the younger brother has been living alone in darkness and poverty, the elder son has enjoyed his father’s presence every day; every day he has been able to go to his father for counsel, for help, for love. What a reward for his faithfulness, to enjoy the love of the father every waking moment!
My cousin, a lifelong Christian, mentioned recently that many of the women in her fellowship group did not become Christians until later adulthood. “I can’t imagine growing up without having God there,” she said. Like the older brother in the parable, she has always had her
Father’s presence to comfort and sustain her. But how many of us didn’t receive Christ ‘til we were older? Aren’t all of us who grew up outside the church (or who turned away from it for a time) prodigals? Didn’t we spend years in darkness and spiritual poverty before coming home to our Father? And when we did, weren’t we blessed to have older siblings in Christ welcome us with open arms and celebrate our arrival? I am so joyful that Christ’s welcoming church reflects the words of the prodigal’s father and celebrates the brother or sister in Christ who “was dead and is alive again; lost and is found.”
Naturally, it’s not always easy, even for those of us who grew up knowing Jesus. Isn’t it hard to always do the right thing? Don’t we all have times when we’re tempted to cast off our Christian values and do the things that would bring us pleasure, even though they’re wrong? And isn’t it even harder when we see others do those very same things, get what we want, and not only go unpunished, but even enjoy public admiration? But when we think about it, who’s getting the bigger reward? We have the promise of heaven; we have the consolation of our Father; we have the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Who in their right mind would exchange their Christian inheritance for the starvation of a Christ-less life?
Thankfully for us all, God’s gift of reconciliation is available to each one of us. As Paul tells the Corinthians, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17). So whether we are “old” Christians, “new” Christians, or “lost-and-nowfound” Christians, we are reconciled to the Father through His Son, with none of our sins counted against us! Now that’s cause for celebration!
by Alicia Greely
Luke 15: 11-32
I’ll admit that I’ve always identified more with the older brother of the prodigal son than with the prodigal himself. Being the generous and understanding soul that I am, I can completely understand the older son’s anger and jealousy at seeing his reckless and irresponsible younger brother being fêted after having turned his back on his family, squandered his inheritance, and returned home in shame – all while the older brother faithfully worked the family business and dutifully tended to his responsibilities. Why should the younger son’s bad behavior be rewarded while the older son’s faithfulness goes unnoticed?
Of course, I understand the point of the parable: The son who was thought lost forever is now found, and that’s cause for celebration. But there is another facet to this story in how the father responds to his elder son. The father’s first words to his angry older son are, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” In other words, while the younger brother has been living alone in darkness and poverty, the elder son has enjoyed his father’s presence every day; every day he has been able to go to his father for counsel, for help, for love. What a reward for his faithfulness, to enjoy the love of the father every waking moment!
My cousin, a lifelong Christian, mentioned recently that many of the women in her fellowship group did not become Christians until later adulthood. “I can’t imagine growing up without having God there,” she said. Like the older brother in the parable, she has always had her
Father’s presence to comfort and sustain her. But how many of us didn’t receive Christ ‘til we were older? Aren’t all of us who grew up outside the church (or who turned away from it for a time) prodigals? Didn’t we spend years in darkness and spiritual poverty before coming home to our Father? And when we did, weren’t we blessed to have older siblings in Christ welcome us with open arms and celebrate our arrival? I am so joyful that Christ’s welcoming church reflects the words of the prodigal’s father and celebrates the brother or sister in Christ who “was dead and is alive again; lost and is found.”
Naturally, it’s not always easy, even for those of us who grew up knowing Jesus. Isn’t it hard to always do the right thing? Don’t we all have times when we’re tempted to cast off our Christian values and do the things that would bring us pleasure, even though they’re wrong? And isn’t it even harder when we see others do those very same things, get what we want, and not only go unpunished, but even enjoy public admiration? But when we think about it, who’s getting the bigger reward? We have the promise of heaven; we have the consolation of our Father; we have the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Who in their right mind would exchange their Christian inheritance for the starvation of a Christ-less life?
Thankfully for us all, God’s gift of reconciliation is available to each one of us. As Paul tells the Corinthians, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17). So whether we are “old” Christians, “new” Christians, or “lost-and-nowfound” Christians, we are reconciled to the Father through His Son, with none of our sins counted against us! Now that’s cause for celebration!
Free Lunch
March 11, 2007
by Mary Crosby
Isaiah 55: 1-9
I recently returned from a 3-day cruise to Baja. Since food was plentiful and "free" onboard by the time I got off the ship, I felt like I'd never be hungry again. Of course, in a few hours I was quite ready for another meal.
God constructed us with a recurring need and hunger for food -- and Him. So we can read Isaiah 55: 1 & 2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Food and drink... Free?! But the food this scripture speaks of is truly "soul food." This is the kind of food that fills us so we need never wonder where our next "meal" will come from.
We are invited to the very Source of fullness. This passage reminds us of God's love promises to David and to us as his descendents through Christ. We are called to be witnesses to unknown nations about this Holy banquet. We are asked to share our experience of being filled with what truly satisfies.
We also have a burden to communicate the urgency attached to that invitation to "seek the Lord while He may be found" (vs. 6). We are after all limited in our time on earth.
But only the hungry and thirsty will respond to this urgent invitation. If we won't admit we need "deliverance" from our empty places, God can not fill us. So we are called to turn away from "wicked...ways...[and] thoughts" that are not God's best intentions for our lives.
Finally, this passage that foreshadows the gospel of our Lord's life: His forgiveness and pardon freely given, reminds us that He is above our earthly thoughts and actions.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. ”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
He can and does forgive - and forget - our sins once repented. That ability is such an overwhelming illustration of the greatness of God! It reminds me of my favorite 4-word sermon delivered by Jean Baptist Massillon, a humble French monk. He was chosen to give the eulogy at the funeral of Louis XIV, the Sun King. He began by extinguishing the single flame burning at the head of the royal bier. In the dark silent cathedral filled to capacity with dignitaries and courtiers he said:
"Only God is Great!"
Monday: "why spend ... on what does not satisfy" vs.2 List any ways that the Lord brings to mind ways that the world tempts you to be filled with fleeting pleasures that do not satisfy.
Tuesday: "listen, that you may live." vs. 3 For 10 minutes today listen in solitude for the Lord's life-giving voice.
Wednesday: "nations you do not know will come running." vs. 5 Be especially sensitive to watch for any persons that need Jesus' love; reach out to them in His love.
Thursday: "Seek the Lord while He may be found" vs. 6 For 10 minutes in solitude "seek the Lord"
Friday: "Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their
t h o ughts." vs.7 Try giving up for today any of the distracting "pleasures" or "thoughts" identified earlier in the week.
Saturday: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways" vs. 9
Praise God today- and always - that He wants the best for us and is working that best out in our lives. (Romans 8:28)
by Mary Crosby
Isaiah 55: 1-9
I recently returned from a 3-day cruise to Baja. Since food was plentiful and "free" onboard by the time I got off the ship, I felt like I'd never be hungry again. Of course, in a few hours I was quite ready for another meal.
God constructed us with a recurring need and hunger for food -- and Him. So we can read Isaiah 55: 1 & 2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Food and drink... Free?! But the food this scripture speaks of is truly "soul food." This is the kind of food that fills us so we need never wonder where our next "meal" will come from.
We are invited to the very Source of fullness. This passage reminds us of God's love promises to David and to us as his descendents through Christ. We are called to be witnesses to unknown nations about this Holy banquet. We are asked to share our experience of being filled with what truly satisfies.
We also have a burden to communicate the urgency attached to that invitation to "seek the Lord while He may be found" (vs. 6). We are after all limited in our time on earth.
But only the hungry and thirsty will respond to this urgent invitation. If we won't admit we need "deliverance" from our empty places, God can not fill us. So we are called to turn away from "wicked...ways...[and] thoughts" that are not God's best intentions for our lives.
Finally, this passage that foreshadows the gospel of our Lord's life: His forgiveness and pardon freely given, reminds us that He is above our earthly thoughts and actions.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. ”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
He can and does forgive - and forget - our sins once repented. That ability is such an overwhelming illustration of the greatness of God! It reminds me of my favorite 4-word sermon delivered by Jean Baptist Massillon, a humble French monk. He was chosen to give the eulogy at the funeral of Louis XIV, the Sun King. He began by extinguishing the single flame burning at the head of the royal bier. In the dark silent cathedral filled to capacity with dignitaries and courtiers he said:
"Only God is Great!"
Monday: "why spend ... on what does not satisfy" vs.2 List any ways that the Lord brings to mind ways that the world tempts you to be filled with fleeting pleasures that do not satisfy.
Tuesday: "listen, that you may live." vs. 3 For 10 minutes today listen in solitude for the Lord's life-giving voice.
Wednesday: "nations you do not know will come running." vs. 5 Be especially sensitive to watch for any persons that need Jesus' love; reach out to them in His love.
Thursday: "Seek the Lord while He may be found" vs. 6 For 10 minutes in solitude "seek the Lord"
Friday: "Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their
t h o ughts." vs.7 Try giving up for today any of the distracting "pleasures" or "thoughts" identified earlier in the week.
Saturday: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways" vs. 9
Praise God today- and always - that He wants the best for us and is working that best out in our lives. (Romans 8:28)
Climb Every Ladder
by Susan Chesney
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite games was "Chutes and Ladders". It's that game where you roll the dice and move your token along the squares. The winner is the player who first gets to the "one hundred square" at the very top of the game. Some squares along the way have the beginnings of ladders which take you up quickly to a higher square so you're closer to winning. Other squares have the beginnings of chutes or slides which you slide down, and then you end up back where you started or at least much farther down in the game.
"Chutes and Ladders" reminds me of Luke 4:1-13, the passage where Jesus, after he has been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, is tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days. Three temptations are recorded in the passage. Satan presents the first two temptations as beneficial to Jesus, kind of like landing on the ladder squares in "Chutes and Ladders". The third temptation is a dare and reminds me of going down a chute in the game.
Jesus was tempted the first time after he had been praying and fasting in the wilderness for forty days. He was hungry. Satan challenged Him to turn a stone into a piece of bread. But Jesus wouldn't do it. He said that he was living by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". Jesus knew that God would take care of Him if He made God's work a priority that was even more important than food. So Jesus went up the ladder and was closer to God by that choice.
Next, Satan tempted Jesus to bow before him so that He would have authority over all the nations of the earth. It seems like having all that authority and power would make Jesus a real winner. But Jesus knew better. Bowing to Satan would be the longest chute in Jesus' time on earth. He said, "Get thee behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve". Worshipping and serving are the ways to draw closer and closer to God.
The last temptation actually sounds like going down a chute. I think that Satan was getting exasperated and decided to give Jesus a dare. He took Jesus to the highest pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. He said, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here". He challenged Jesus, saying that the angels would catch Him. But Jesus didn't fall for Satan's dare. He said, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God". Jesus already knew He was God's Son and didn't want to play around with His Father's love and care.
Then Satan left Jesus. He had given up for the time being. Jesus returned to Galilee and ministered in the power of the Spirit. He had more power than ever after His ordeal in the wilderness. Out there He had resisted Satan and only climbed ladders. The chutes would have been easy at the time, but that's how you lose the game.
Ultimately Jesus made it to His "one hundred square". He now sits on the throne in heaven where he is worshipped day and night by the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, and all the angels in heaven. But getting there was hard. Jesus was taken by the Roman soldiers, mocked, spat on, whipped, and crucified. These terrible ordeals seem like chutes rather than ladders. But Jesus knew that it was God's will for Him to go through the crucifixion and be buried. Then Jesus was raised from the dead-what a beautiful, long, high ladder! Then Jesus triumphed over Satan.
Romans 10:13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved". God saves us through grace. But we have responsibilities, too. When we live by God's word, worship and serve Him, and don't tempt Him, we will draw closer and closer to Him and be given more and more delightful gifts and crucial responsibilities along with the most precious and encompassing Fatherly love. That's the way we can be true winners! That's the way we can all get to the "one hundred square".
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite games was "Chutes and Ladders". It's that game where you roll the dice and move your token along the squares. The winner is the player who first gets to the "one hundred square" at the very top of the game. Some squares along the way have the beginnings of ladders which take you up quickly to a higher square so you're closer to winning. Other squares have the beginnings of chutes or slides which you slide down, and then you end up back where you started or at least much farther down in the game.
"Chutes and Ladders" reminds me of Luke 4:1-13, the passage where Jesus, after he has been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, is tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days. Three temptations are recorded in the passage. Satan presents the first two temptations as beneficial to Jesus, kind of like landing on the ladder squares in "Chutes and Ladders". The third temptation is a dare and reminds me of going down a chute in the game.
Jesus was tempted the first time after he had been praying and fasting in the wilderness for forty days. He was hungry. Satan challenged Him to turn a stone into a piece of bread. But Jesus wouldn't do it. He said that he was living by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". Jesus knew that God would take care of Him if He made God's work a priority that was even more important than food. So Jesus went up the ladder and was closer to God by that choice.
Next, Satan tempted Jesus to bow before him so that He would have authority over all the nations of the earth. It seems like having all that authority and power would make Jesus a real winner. But Jesus knew better. Bowing to Satan would be the longest chute in Jesus' time on earth. He said, "Get thee behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve". Worshipping and serving are the ways to draw closer and closer to God.
The last temptation actually sounds like going down a chute. I think that Satan was getting exasperated and decided to give Jesus a dare. He took Jesus to the highest pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. He said, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here". He challenged Jesus, saying that the angels would catch Him. But Jesus didn't fall for Satan's dare. He said, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God". Jesus already knew He was God's Son and didn't want to play around with His Father's love and care.
Then Satan left Jesus. He had given up for the time being. Jesus returned to Galilee and ministered in the power of the Spirit. He had more power than ever after His ordeal in the wilderness. Out there He had resisted Satan and only climbed ladders. The chutes would have been easy at the time, but that's how you lose the game.
Ultimately Jesus made it to His "one hundred square". He now sits on the throne in heaven where he is worshipped day and night by the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, and all the angels in heaven. But getting there was hard. Jesus was taken by the Roman soldiers, mocked, spat on, whipped, and crucified. These terrible ordeals seem like chutes rather than ladders. But Jesus knew that it was God's will for Him to go through the crucifixion and be buried. Then Jesus was raised from the dead-what a beautiful, long, high ladder! Then Jesus triumphed over Satan.
Romans 10:13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved". God saves us through grace. But we have responsibilities, too. When we live by God's word, worship and serve Him, and don't tempt Him, we will draw closer and closer to Him and be given more and more delightful gifts and crucial responsibilities along with the most precious and encompassing Fatherly love. That's the way we can be true winners! That's the way we can all get to the "one hundred square".
Can you live with less, so I can give you more? Part 2
May 7, 2006
by Dave Devos
If you remember last week, I wrote about Steph and I hunting for a new house. I wanted the DREAM house, and I wanted it NOW. Forget the fact that we couldn’t really afford it. And, as if I didn’t already have enough to think about, God decided to pick a perfectly inconvenient time to break into my world with a perfectly inconvenient question…
“Can you live with less, so I can give you more?”
“Less what?” I responded, almost more annoyed with the question than anything else. “So you can give me more what?”
For weeks I wrestled with the question, one time thinking it meant one thing, another time thinking it meant something else entirely. But always thinking it was something that I could handle, something I could easily get my head around. After all, God wanted to give me more of something, right? How can I turn that down? Less time, more money? I can deal with that. Less house, more success in my career? Bring it on! But as I was driving home, God broke through again, filling in the blanks with a whisper so loud it stopped me in my tracks.
He said…
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
Whaaaaattttt? That’s it? What about the money, the house, my career…
“CAN YOU LIVE WITH LESS CERTAINTY, SO I CAN GIVE YOU MORE FAITH?”
Oh, man. How do I answer that? That’s not what I had in mind AT ALL. That’s waaay more than I wanted to deal with. That’s the kind of question that reaches into every area of your life. That’s a question you can’t hide from. I mean, what do you SAY to that? No?
Yeah, right.
“Sorry, God. I need certainty. I want to know everything about my future right now. That way, I can avoid the tough times, take advantage of the good times, and basically be self-sufficient. I really don’t need more faith, because I’ll have certainty. After all, who needs faith if you are already sure of how everything will turn out?”
So, the “no” answer was out. Which pretty much left “yes.” But wait, not so fast. If I answered “yes,” it was like climbing into a little boat on the Sea of Galilee with the rest of the disciples and just begging the storm to come.
Man. Why didn’t he just say it the other way. “Hey – I’m going to give you more faith. Then you won’t have to worry about all that uncertainty!” That would be a lot easier to accept. But, he didn’t.
And so, after talking it over with Steph and my mentors, and with great fear and trembling – almost cringing, really -- I answered.
“Yes. I can live with less certainty so you can give me more faith.”
I almost expected the lightning to hit right then.
But it didn’t.
It waited.
For a whole month.
And that’s when things got interesting…
—to be continued—
During this time of stewardship, I encourage you to ask yourself the question god asked me.
“Can you live with less certainty so he can give you more faith?”
How about money? Can you truly trust god, living with less certainty about your financial situation, so he can give you more faith that he will take care of you? He calls us to give freely, meeting the needs of others with our tithes and offerings, and to be cheerful in that giving. But that takes sacrifice. And sacrifice is often scary. Especially if we are looking to our money as our security. Our certainty.
Are you willing to give up ten percent of your certainty?
Have a great week.
by Dave Devos
If you remember last week, I wrote about Steph and I hunting for a new house. I wanted the DREAM house, and I wanted it NOW. Forget the fact that we couldn’t really afford it. And, as if I didn’t already have enough to think about, God decided to pick a perfectly inconvenient time to break into my world with a perfectly inconvenient question…
“Can you live with less, so I can give you more?”
“Less what?” I responded, almost more annoyed with the question than anything else. “So you can give me more what?”
For weeks I wrestled with the question, one time thinking it meant one thing, another time thinking it meant something else entirely. But always thinking it was something that I could handle, something I could easily get my head around. After all, God wanted to give me more of something, right? How can I turn that down? Less time, more money? I can deal with that. Less house, more success in my career? Bring it on! But as I was driving home, God broke through again, filling in the blanks with a whisper so loud it stopped me in my tracks.
He said…
“Can you live with less certainty, so I can give you more faith?”
Whaaaaattttt? That’s it? What about the money, the house, my career…
“CAN YOU LIVE WITH LESS CERTAINTY, SO I CAN GIVE YOU MORE FAITH?”
Oh, man. How do I answer that? That’s not what I had in mind AT ALL. That’s waaay more than I wanted to deal with. That’s the kind of question that reaches into every area of your life. That’s a question you can’t hide from. I mean, what do you SAY to that? No?
Yeah, right.
“Sorry, God. I need certainty. I want to know everything about my future right now. That way, I can avoid the tough times, take advantage of the good times, and basically be self-sufficient. I really don’t need more faith, because I’ll have certainty. After all, who needs faith if you are already sure of how everything will turn out?”
So, the “no” answer was out. Which pretty much left “yes.” But wait, not so fast. If I answered “yes,” it was like climbing into a little boat on the Sea of Galilee with the rest of the disciples and just begging the storm to come.
Man. Why didn’t he just say it the other way. “Hey – I’m going to give you more faith. Then you won’t have to worry about all that uncertainty!” That would be a lot easier to accept. But, he didn’t.
And so, after talking it over with Steph and my mentors, and with great fear and trembling – almost cringing, really -- I answered.
“Yes. I can live with less certainty so you can give me more faith.”
I almost expected the lightning to hit right then.
But it didn’t.
It waited.
For a whole month.
And that’s when things got interesting…
—to be continued—
During this time of stewardship, I encourage you to ask yourself the question god asked me.
“Can you live with less certainty so he can give you more faith?”
How about money? Can you truly trust god, living with less certainty about your financial situation, so he can give you more faith that he will take care of you? He calls us to give freely, meeting the needs of others with our tithes and offerings, and to be cheerful in that giving. But that takes sacrifice. And sacrifice is often scary. Especially if we are looking to our money as our security. Our certainty.
Are you willing to give up ten percent of your certainty?
Have a great week.
Can you live with less, so I can give you more? Part 1
April 30, 2006
by Dave De Vos
Not wanting to sound crazy, I have to tell you that I have never heard God speak so clearly to me in my life.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
Two years ago this month, Steph and I were in the middle of house hunting, and I wanted the BIG house. The DREAM house. The house I could live in forever. And I was stressin'.
We had sold our previous house and were out of the market. Prices were jumping higher by the day. Everything we liked was out of our price range, and nothing we could afford appealed to me. Steph was more than happy to buy a little two-bedroom house and settle in for awhile. But not me. Noooo. I had to have the whole enchilada. Never mind the fact that I would have to work seventy hour weeks just to make the house payment. Never mind the fact that I wouldn't have time to enjoy the house anyway, let alone enjoy my family and life within that house. That would come in time. You know -- someday. I wanted the McMansion with the three car garage, the half-acre view lot, and a guest house for my studio. And I wanted it now.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
I was driving home at 9 o'clock, unable to resist the desire to drive by yet another house for sale. A house that almost fit the bill. A house that we could probably qualify for...as in Adjustable Rate, Interest Only, Minimum Payment Option, We'll-Come-Take-The-Kids-When-You-Can't-Make-The-Payment kind of qualifying. And as I sat at a stop light, I felt God speak. I don't know if you've ever had that experience (I don't recommend it for the faint-of-heart), but it stopped me in my tracks.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
Hmmmm. Can I live with LESS what? Time with my family? So you can give me MORE house? SURE!! Can I live with LESS sleep so you can give me MORE money? SURE!! Can I live with LESS...
Several weeks went by with me trying to fill in the blanks. Like a Mad-Lib, the question hung over my head, waiting to be fleshed out. And ultimately, waiting for me to answer. I kept pursuing God, asking him, "Can I live with LESS WHAT? So you can give me MORE WHAT?"
Silence.
Restless. Searching. Convicting. Silence.
And then it came...as unexpectedly as it had the first time. I was driving home again, late as usual. Fighting the traffic from El Segundo. Thinking about another house that was almost in reach. And once again I had that impression. That little voice that speaks so loudly in the back of your mind. That whisper from God.
And He said…..
....to be continued...
During this time of stewardship, I am glad to share with you the joy I have that comes out of response to what god has done for us in christ. God has taught me so much in this past year. From convicting me of my guilt, to covering me with his grace, to giving me a sense of gratitude for that grace. It has changed me. And I know it can change you.
I'll tell you the rest of the story next week, but in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on that question for yourselves.
"Can you live with less, so god can give you more?"
I thought I knew what the less and the more meant. At least I wanted to believe I knew what he was referring to. But when god filled in the blanks for me, it was not what I expected.
What do you think he means?
Have a great week.
by Dave De Vos
Not wanting to sound crazy, I have to tell you that I have never heard God speak so clearly to me in my life.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
Two years ago this month, Steph and I were in the middle of house hunting, and I wanted the BIG house. The DREAM house. The house I could live in forever. And I was stressin'.
We had sold our previous house and were out of the market. Prices were jumping higher by the day. Everything we liked was out of our price range, and nothing we could afford appealed to me. Steph was more than happy to buy a little two-bedroom house and settle in for awhile. But not me. Noooo. I had to have the whole enchilada. Never mind the fact that I would have to work seventy hour weeks just to make the house payment. Never mind the fact that I wouldn't have time to enjoy the house anyway, let alone enjoy my family and life within that house. That would come in time. You know -- someday. I wanted the McMansion with the three car garage, the half-acre view lot, and a guest house for my studio. And I wanted it now.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
I was driving home at 9 o'clock, unable to resist the desire to drive by yet another house for sale. A house that almost fit the bill. A house that we could probably qualify for...as in Adjustable Rate, Interest Only, Minimum Payment Option, We'll-Come-Take-The-Kids-When-You-Can't-Make-The-Payment kind of qualifying. And as I sat at a stop light, I felt God speak. I don't know if you've ever had that experience (I don't recommend it for the faint-of-heart), but it stopped me in my tracks.
"Can you live with less, so I can give you more?"
Hmmmm. Can I live with LESS what? Time with my family? So you can give me MORE house? SURE!! Can I live with LESS sleep so you can give me MORE money? SURE!! Can I live with LESS...
Several weeks went by with me trying to fill in the blanks. Like a Mad-Lib, the question hung over my head, waiting to be fleshed out. And ultimately, waiting for me to answer. I kept pursuing God, asking him, "Can I live with LESS WHAT? So you can give me MORE WHAT?"
Silence.
Restless. Searching. Convicting. Silence.
And then it came...as unexpectedly as it had the first time. I was driving home again, late as usual. Fighting the traffic from El Segundo. Thinking about another house that was almost in reach. And once again I had that impression. That little voice that speaks so loudly in the back of your mind. That whisper from God.
And He said…..
....to be continued...
During this time of stewardship, I am glad to share with you the joy I have that comes out of response to what god has done for us in christ. God has taught me so much in this past year. From convicting me of my guilt, to covering me with his grace, to giving me a sense of gratitude for that grace. It has changed me. And I know it can change you.
I'll tell you the rest of the story next week, but in the meantime, I encourage you to reflect on that question for yourselves.
"Can you live with less, so god can give you more?"
I thought I knew what the less and the more meant. At least I wanted to believe I knew what he was referring to. But when god filled in the blanks for me, it was not what I expected.
What do you think he means?
Have a great week.
Real vs. Reel Life
April 23, 2006
by Liz McFadzean
I love crossword puzzles. Many puzzles nowadays use a play on words in their clues and answers. In the LA Times a couple of weeks ago the theme was “Uncredited Cameos,” and a clue like “Jerry playing poultry?” sought the answer “Lewis as a goose”. Hmm.
I love crossword puzzles because I love words. It’s fun to look at words, pull them apart and reassemble them, to unpack their meanings and look for something new in something old and familiar.
So as Easter approached I thought about the differences between Real Life and Reel Life. There is no doubt that all our lives have been touched by media. Whether it is movies, TV or the internet, each one of us finds film accessible, often with the touch of a button. Some of us get videos on our I-Pods now, if we’re hip enough to own an I-Pod. Our real life is being co-opted by “reel life”…that which looks real, even better than real for some of us because it is scripted and edited. But it isn’t really real at all. It is illusion. And this “reel” life can breed many responses. Two are dissatisfaction and superiority.
Dissatisfaction, because my life will never be as glamorous as Mel’s or Brad’s or Jennifer’s. And superiority for those of us who know we would never leave Jennifer for Angelina, or pick Door number 3 or Bachelor number 1. I’m much smarter than most reality show contestants. They just look foolish.
But how many of us are settling for “Reality” instead of something that I’ll call here “Re-ALL-ity”? I know that sounds strange…bear with me.
Reality is what most of us see in the world around us everyday. My life…your life…the twists and turns and ups and downs. It’s just the way things are, and we might as well accept life as it is.
But what if we’re supposed to seek and want something I’ll call “Re-ALL-ity”: the return of life to all the wonderful things it was meant to be, ALL the beauty and ALL the purpose and ALL the wholeness that God intended when he made human beings and plopped them down in a perfect, beautiful Garden? We lost our way in that Garden when we chose to be like God (Okay, Eve made that choice and drew Adam into that fool’s bargain). But don’t we each choose it again everyday when we make decisions without consulting the God who created us? Don’t we choose it again when we ignore or reject the supreme sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf to reconnect us with God the Father? Jesus’ death and resurrection reminds that God is calling us to “Re-ALL-ity”, a full, whole life of unity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, as He intended it from the beginning. And on Easter, Jesus did everything required to bring us back into the fullness of that “Reality.”
This Easter give up the seductions or illusions of “Reel” life, and let yourselves be drawn into “Real” life as God intended it to be, in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Daily Meditations:
by Liz McFadzean
I love crossword puzzles. Many puzzles nowadays use a play on words in their clues and answers. In the LA Times a couple of weeks ago the theme was “Uncredited Cameos,” and a clue like “Jerry playing poultry?” sought the answer “Lewis as a goose”. Hmm.
I love crossword puzzles because I love words. It’s fun to look at words, pull them apart and reassemble them, to unpack their meanings and look for something new in something old and familiar.
So as Easter approached I thought about the differences between Real Life and Reel Life. There is no doubt that all our lives have been touched by media. Whether it is movies, TV or the internet, each one of us finds film accessible, often with the touch of a button. Some of us get videos on our I-Pods now, if we’re hip enough to own an I-Pod. Our real life is being co-opted by “reel life”…that which looks real, even better than real for some of us because it is scripted and edited. But it isn’t really real at all. It is illusion. And this “reel” life can breed many responses. Two are dissatisfaction and superiority.
Dissatisfaction, because my life will never be as glamorous as Mel’s or Brad’s or Jennifer’s. And superiority for those of us who know we would never leave Jennifer for Angelina, or pick Door number 3 or Bachelor number 1. I’m much smarter than most reality show contestants. They just look foolish.
But how many of us are settling for “Reality” instead of something that I’ll call here “Re-ALL-ity”? I know that sounds strange…bear with me.
Reality is what most of us see in the world around us everyday. My life…your life…the twists and turns and ups and downs. It’s just the way things are, and we might as well accept life as it is.
But what if we’re supposed to seek and want something I’ll call “Re-ALL-ity”: the return of life to all the wonderful things it was meant to be, ALL the beauty and ALL the purpose and ALL the wholeness that God intended when he made human beings and plopped them down in a perfect, beautiful Garden? We lost our way in that Garden when we chose to be like God (Okay, Eve made that choice and drew Adam into that fool’s bargain). But don’t we each choose it again everyday when we make decisions without consulting the God who created us? Don’t we choose it again when we ignore or reject the supreme sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf to reconnect us with God the Father? Jesus’ death and resurrection reminds that God is calling us to “Re-ALL-ity”, a full, whole life of unity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, as He intended it from the beginning. And on Easter, Jesus did everything required to bring us back into the fullness of that “Reality.”
This Easter give up the seductions or illusions of “Reel” life, and let yourselves be drawn into “Real” life as God intended it to be, in relationship with Jesus Christ.
Daily Meditations:
- Monday: Genesis 2:8-9, 3:1-13. “What have
you done?” Let God search your heart and show
you in what way you have sought to take over
the control of your life instead of letting God
be God.
- Tuesday: Psalm 118:14-24. “He has not given
me over to death.” Thank God that when you
choose to “go it alone”, He does not give up on
you.
- Wednesday: Acts 10:34-43. “Everyone who
believes in him receives forgiveness in his
name.” Ponder the enormous sacrifice Jesus made
for you, that you might be reclaimed for God’s
Kingdom purposes.
- Thursday: Romans 5:8-11. “Rejoice in God.”
There is nothing that should produce more real
joy in our lives that receiving reconciliation
with Him. We’ve been reclaimed for a purpose,
to be God’s friends.
- Friday: Matthew 28:1-10. “Do not be
afraid…go and tell.” Sharing the gospel story
is living fearlessly before others because you
know the joy of rebirth. Live before all, that
they may see your good works and glorify your
Father, the Reclaimer and Enabler.
- Saturday: Psalm 118:14-24. Choose a phrase from this marvelous Psalm and meditate on it all day…make it your own song of praise to our wonderful God.
Where Your Heart Is...
April 16, 2006
by David McFadzean
Someone once said, “When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion.” The implication is that all of us worship money.
While I know many generous people, there is enough truth in that statement to make me uncomfortable. I think it is important that each of us regularly consider our relationship to money.
The way we spend our money is a barometer of what we value most. Or as the theme of this year’s stewardship campaign says it: “Where your heart is, there also is your treasure.
Henry Fielding, the English novelist, once said, “Make money your God and it will plague you like the devil.” The Bible wholeheartedly agrees with him. In fact, Jesus speaks more about the dangers of the love money that he does about love itself! Why is this?
Dr. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City suggests one reason. He says that other temptations we face in life are more clearly and obviously wrong. For instance, nobody commits adultery and then looks at his partner and says, “Hey, you’re not my wife!”
Adultery doesn’t happen without us knowing what we are doing. Most sins are like this. But the love of money is much more subtle. Unless you win the lottery, your lifestyle rises slowly, through years of hard work and planned savings.
So, even though we say each Sunday, “All things come of thee, O’Lord,” it’s understandable if we begin to think that we, not God, are the source of our incomes.
With that thought in mind and as our lifestyles slowly improve we don’t necessarily notice that we are no longer working to fill our needs, but we are working to satisfy our desires. Not a bad thing, but to remain spiritually healthy, we need to balance what we keep for our needs and desires with a giving plan.
The Bible is pretty clear about that plan. It’s 90% for you 10% for God. Both ends are generous.
Ben Franklin had a surprisingly clear view of the consequences of living a life that is not balanced between graciously receiving and generously giving. He said, “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.”
During this year’s Stewardship Campaign the Vestry, Staff, and Stewardship Committee would like you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge as you work toward the balance of receiving (90%) and giving (10%).
Blessings!
Daily Meditations:
by David McFadzean
Someone once said, “When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion.” The implication is that all of us worship money.
While I know many generous people, there is enough truth in that statement to make me uncomfortable. I think it is important that each of us regularly consider our relationship to money.
The way we spend our money is a barometer of what we value most. Or as the theme of this year’s stewardship campaign says it: “Where your heart is, there also is your treasure.
Henry Fielding, the English novelist, once said, “Make money your God and it will plague you like the devil.” The Bible wholeheartedly agrees with him. In fact, Jesus speaks more about the dangers of the love money that he does about love itself! Why is this?
Dr. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City suggests one reason. He says that other temptations we face in life are more clearly and obviously wrong. For instance, nobody commits adultery and then looks at his partner and says, “Hey, you’re not my wife!”
Adultery doesn’t happen without us knowing what we are doing. Most sins are like this. But the love of money is much more subtle. Unless you win the lottery, your lifestyle rises slowly, through years of hard work and planned savings.
So, even though we say each Sunday, “All things come of thee, O’Lord,” it’s understandable if we begin to think that we, not God, are the source of our incomes.
With that thought in mind and as our lifestyles slowly improve we don’t necessarily notice that we are no longer working to fill our needs, but we are working to satisfy our desires. Not a bad thing, but to remain spiritually healthy, we need to balance what we keep for our needs and desires with a giving plan.
The Bible is pretty clear about that plan. It’s 90% for you 10% for God. Both ends are generous.
Ben Franklin had a surprisingly clear view of the consequences of living a life that is not balanced between graciously receiving and generously giving. He said, “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one.”
During this year’s Stewardship Campaign the Vestry, Staff, and Stewardship Committee would like you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge as you work toward the balance of receiving (90%) and giving (10%).
Blessings!
Daily Meditations:
- Monday: Luke 12:33-34. Jesus puts giving
into perspective. It is a willing expression of
who we truly are.
- Tuesday: 1 Timothy 6:9-10 &
Ecclesiastes 5:10. Paul and the writer of
Ecclesiastes clearly outline the dangers of the
love of money.
- Wednesday: 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Paul talks
about the reward of living a life balanced
between receiving graciously from God (90%) and
giving generously to God’s work (10%).
- Thursday: Mark 12:41-44 & 2 Corinthians
8:12. Jesus talks about sacrificial giving.
Paul talks about not feeling guilty because of
the size of your offering.
- Friday: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. Paul talks
about the joy and outcomes of being generous.
- Saturday: 2 Corinthians 9:10-15. Paul continues talking about the outcomes of being generous, not the least of which is that giving indicates your thankfulness to God.
Kingdom Peace
April 9, 2006
by Rev. Tom Adams
In Luke 10:6, Jesus gave instructions to his disciples to go into the surrounding villages and announce the kingdom is at their doorstep. He said, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be on this house!’ and if a person of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him...”
One of the trademarks of the Kingdom of God is peace. When Christ is at the center of our lives, we embody the peace that is characteristic of the Kingdom. While many parts of the world and American society are dominated by fear and anxiety, Christians are ruled by the Prince of Peace ( Is 9:6; Acts 5:31).
Being people of peace, Jesus instructs his followers to do something with it. First declare, “Peace be on this house!” Our peace is not for private use. Our blessing of peace is intended to be shared. We can bring peace into a home, a workplace, school, and almost every public arena we enter. Furthermore, peace is transformative. We are given the authority to speak peace with Christ’s authority. Peace announces the Kingdom of God is at our doorstep.
Outside of the Kingdom of God there is little peace, therefore, peace is attractive to people whose lives are run by fear. Peace means another force or presence is at work that will not succumb to the demands of fear and anxiety generated by society. It is incredible! We have the capacity to pass peace to others, and provide peace as an anecdote to fear.
Reflect on the peace that came into your life when you invited Christ to be Lord and Savior. Has your peace grown? Have you risked sharing it? What conditions or persons have tried to rob you of your peace? Have you observed the way that the peace you bring can transform a tense situation or an anxious person? That’s the Kingdom at your doorstep!
On the other hand, are there areas of your life that are pushed around by anxiety? Make a list of those places or people about which you feel anxious. Jesus encourages us, “Be anxious for nothing… for your Father in heaven knows what you need” (Matthew 5). I invite you entrust to the Father each of your anxious thoughts, relationships or concerns. Invite Him to replace them with His peace.
Daily Meditations:
There are several references to peace in scripture. Reflect on a different one each day. Observe whether that peace is active in your life.
Perhaps you don’t know Christ in a personal way but you are open to considering whether His message of peace is for you. If this is true, perhaps you are a “person of peace” and the kingdom is closer than you first thought.
With the peace of Christ, don’t sweat the small stuff. With him on your side, it’s all small stuff.
by Rev. Tom Adams
In Luke 10:6, Jesus gave instructions to his disciples to go into the surrounding villages and announce the kingdom is at their doorstep. He said, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be on this house!’ and if a person of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him...”
One of the trademarks of the Kingdom of God is peace. When Christ is at the center of our lives, we embody the peace that is characteristic of the Kingdom. While many parts of the world and American society are dominated by fear and anxiety, Christians are ruled by the Prince of Peace ( Is 9:6; Acts 5:31).
Being people of peace, Jesus instructs his followers to do something with it. First declare, “Peace be on this house!” Our peace is not for private use. Our blessing of peace is intended to be shared. We can bring peace into a home, a workplace, school, and almost every public arena we enter. Furthermore, peace is transformative. We are given the authority to speak peace with Christ’s authority. Peace announces the Kingdom of God is at our doorstep.
Outside of the Kingdom of God there is little peace, therefore, peace is attractive to people whose lives are run by fear. Peace means another force or presence is at work that will not succumb to the demands of fear and anxiety generated by society. It is incredible! We have the capacity to pass peace to others, and provide peace as an anecdote to fear.
Reflect on the peace that came into your life when you invited Christ to be Lord and Savior. Has your peace grown? Have you risked sharing it? What conditions or persons have tried to rob you of your peace? Have you observed the way that the peace you bring can transform a tense situation or an anxious person? That’s the Kingdom at your doorstep!
On the other hand, are there areas of your life that are pushed around by anxiety? Make a list of those places or people about which you feel anxious. Jesus encourages us, “Be anxious for nothing… for your Father in heaven knows what you need” (Matthew 5). I invite you entrust to the Father each of your anxious thoughts, relationships or concerns. Invite Him to replace them with His peace.
Daily Meditations:
There are several references to peace in scripture. Reflect on a different one each day. Observe whether that peace is active in your life.
- Monday: Luke 2:14; When we announce peace,
we are imitating what other messengers of the
Kingdom have done.
- Tuesday: Philippians 4:4-7; Kingdom peace
is trans-rational. (“The peace of God , which
surpasses all understanding .”).
- Wednesday: Ephesians 2:14-18; Peace is at
the center of the gospel, the center of the
cross, the center of the work of Christ.
- Thursday: John 14:27; Peace is
counter-cultural, not of this world and not
comprehended by human reason.
- Friday: John 16:33; Jesus never panics. Our
peace comes by staying in a relationship with
Christ Jesus who remains calm in the midst of
opposition.
- Saturday: II Thessalonians 3:16; Peace is a gift. 1 Col. 7:15; We are called to live in it.
Perhaps you don’t know Christ in a personal way but you are open to considering whether His message of peace is for you. If this is true, perhaps you are a “person of peace” and the kingdom is closer than you first thought.
With the peace of Christ, don’t sweat the small stuff. With him on your side, it’s all small stuff.
You're Worth It!
April 2, 2006
by Fr. Ron Jackson
Have you experienced the reality that the people who have influenced your life the most are people who believed in you and could see things in you that you couldn’t see in yourself? Great influencers are often like that - people with the ability to see what others cannot see. When people saw Matthew, they saw a corrupt tax collector who extorted money and like a vulture fed on the flesh of his people for his own selfish ends. Yet, when Christ saw Matthew he saw a disciple – someone who could be a fisher of men, an influencer for God’s kingdom. Jesus did not assault Matthew with his sins to bring him to repentance. He simply had lunch with him.
Many times it is difficult to see our lives for what they are really worth. Too often, we are so aware of our failures and shortcomings that it is difficult to believe that we can be more than we think we are. God, however, sees past all our weaknesses and sees the great potential that is ours when we turn from our old life to embrace his new life.
Reflect on the choices that have brought you to this point in your life. Do you, like Matthew, need to start moving in a different direction from the one you’ve been going in? Cynical observers were critical of Jesus’ involvement with Matthew.
But Jesus was the master influencer and visionary. He believed in Matthew, a man who would later tell Jesus’ story to the whole world. Instead of wallowing in the sins and hurts of the past, will you believe what God says about you? The good news is that God loves you enough to still come after you. He has a place reserved for you at lunch with your name on it. Come and see!
Daily Meditations:
by Fr. Ron Jackson
Have you experienced the reality that the people who have influenced your life the most are people who believed in you and could see things in you that you couldn’t see in yourself? Great influencers are often like that - people with the ability to see what others cannot see. When people saw Matthew, they saw a corrupt tax collector who extorted money and like a vulture fed on the flesh of his people for his own selfish ends. Yet, when Christ saw Matthew he saw a disciple – someone who could be a fisher of men, an influencer for God’s kingdom. Jesus did not assault Matthew with his sins to bring him to repentance. He simply had lunch with him.
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)
Many times it is difficult to see our lives for what they are really worth. Too often, we are so aware of our failures and shortcomings that it is difficult to believe that we can be more than we think we are. God, however, sees past all our weaknesses and sees the great potential that is ours when we turn from our old life to embrace his new life.
Reflect on the choices that have brought you to this point in your life. Do you, like Matthew, need to start moving in a different direction from the one you’ve been going in? Cynical observers were critical of Jesus’ involvement with Matthew.
But Jesus was the master influencer and visionary. He believed in Matthew, a man who would later tell Jesus’ story to the whole world. Instead of wallowing in the sins and hurts of the past, will you believe what God says about you? The good news is that God loves you enough to still come after you. He has a place reserved for you at lunch with your name on it. Come and see!
God, thank you so much for not holding my mistakes against me. Please help me to believe that I can be more than what I am right now, and that you have a place for me where my gifts and talents can be best used for your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Daily Meditations:
- Monday: John 8:4-11 How does the way Jesus
treated this woman help you face your sins?
Does this free you to change, or does it
support your bad behavior? How so?
- Tuesday: Luke 19:1-9 How does Zacchaeus
compare with the rich young ruler
(Lk.18:18-30)in his approach and response to
Jesus? Why do you think Jesus chose to dine
with him?
- Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 What does
“reconciliation” mean? What story from your
life illustrates this? What does God do for us
through Christ?
- Thursday: Romans 6:5-13 What motivates you
to live a good life? What does it mean to be
dead to sin? Where do you need to be dead to
sin but alive to God?
- Friday: Romans 7:7-25 In what area of your
life is the spirit willing but the flesh weak:
Diet? Work habits? Spiritual disciplines?
Exercise? Other? In light of your own struggles
with sin, how do you feel about Paul’s
conflict? How is this a model for a healthy,
realistic self-image? How is it a model for
taking appropriate responsibility?
- Saturday: Romans 8:9-17 In vs. 9-11, what does Paul say about the options Christians have in living their life? What does it mean to be “led by the Spirit” (v.14)? What is the best part of being in the family of God?
The Lord's (and Our) Prayer
March 26, 2006
by John Strong
I have a friend, who several years ago, shared with me an unusual habit she developed. Every time the clock would land on a time with all the same numbers (ex: 3:33), she would say a prayer for her mother or father. I walked away with that idea in my head, and to this day, I still say a prayer whenever my eyes happen to glance at the clock during these times.
What I appreciate about this is the constant reminder that God is with me, and there is always time to talk with Him. I may be listening to the radio, watching TV, or exercising at the gym, but when I have these times, I feel God saying, “Hey there!” More often than not, I say “Hey” back.
In Matthew 6:9-13, we are given a model of prayer from the man Himself; Jesus gives us a detailed way in which to shape our expressions to God, and ultimately, an idea of how to walk with God:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I don’t feel that God’s plan in giving this prayer to us was so that we would simply repeat it word for word. There are elements to each verse that speak about different aspects of God, our Father, and this can help us understand how to pray as we meditate on this passage of scripture.
THE FATHER’S CHARACTER: “Our Father in heaven…”
How often do you see God as your “daddy?” The one who answers your questions (sometimes!), the one who comes quickly to bandage your cuts, the one who wants to bless you with lavish gifts when it’s your birthday, or just because he wants to? Yes, there is a fear and reverence before our God, but don’t forget that He also wants us to call him “Abba.”
THE FATHER’S KINGDOM: “Your kingdom come…”
What aspects of God’s kingdom are lacking here on earth, and what can we do to bring more of it here? Is there a sick person we can pray for, and thus bring the health of God’s kingdom to that person? Is there a poor person we could help by supplying their needs, and thus bring the wealth of God’s kingdom to that person? Remember that all people make up either one kingdom or another. Which one do you mostly live in, and how can you live in a way that is an invitation to others to live under God’s kingship?
THE FATHER’S PROVISION: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
I’m always amazed of how (and when) God provides in my life. I recently realized I was lacking in my finances and didn’t know how I was going to pay for a bill that was due in less than a week. A few days later, a check from a family member arrived in the mail “just because.” I deposited the check one day before my bill was due. Sometimes, we don’t even have to pray for our needs to be met. God is usually working on the
by John Strong
I have a friend, who several years ago, shared with me an unusual habit she developed. Every time the clock would land on a time with all the same numbers (ex: 3:33), she would say a prayer for her mother or father. I walked away with that idea in my head, and to this day, I still say a prayer whenever my eyes happen to glance at the clock during these times.
What I appreciate about this is the constant reminder that God is with me, and there is always time to talk with Him. I may be listening to the radio, watching TV, or exercising at the gym, but when I have these times, I feel God saying, “Hey there!” More often than not, I say “Hey” back.
In Matthew 6:9-13, we are given a model of prayer from the man Himself; Jesus gives us a detailed way in which to shape our expressions to God, and ultimately, an idea of how to walk with God:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I don’t feel that God’s plan in giving this prayer to us was so that we would simply repeat it word for word. There are elements to each verse that speak about different aspects of God, our Father, and this can help us understand how to pray as we meditate on this passage of scripture.
THE FATHER’S CHARACTER: “Our Father in heaven…”
How often do you see God as your “daddy?” The one who answers your questions (sometimes!), the one who comes quickly to bandage your cuts, the one who wants to bless you with lavish gifts when it’s your birthday, or just because he wants to? Yes, there is a fear and reverence before our God, but don’t forget that He also wants us to call him “Abba.”
THE FATHER’S KINGDOM: “Your kingdom come…”
What aspects of God’s kingdom are lacking here on earth, and what can we do to bring more of it here? Is there a sick person we can pray for, and thus bring the health of God’s kingdom to that person? Is there a poor person we could help by supplying their needs, and thus bring the wealth of God’s kingdom to that person? Remember that all people make up either one kingdom or another. Which one do you mostly live in, and how can you live in a way that is an invitation to others to live under God’s kingship?
THE FATHER’S PROVISION: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
I’m always amazed of how (and when) God provides in my life. I recently realized I was lacking in my finances and didn’t know how I was going to pay for a bill that was due in less than a week. A few days later, a check from a family member arrived in the mail “just because.” I deposited the check one day before my bill was due. Sometimes, we don’t even have to pray for our needs to be met. God is usually working on the