As predicted, life took hold and my jump start enthusiasm fizzled along with my energy after the move, getting settled, the gift of company in town, beating pregnancy nausea, and the stomach flu. I continued to read in Matthew, but spent a lot more time processing the verses I was in and remembering the sweet nuggets I found earlier in the month. I realized that the words of Christ were becoming my sustaining, life-giving reminder of hope and perseverance. Not just a snack for the road, but a full meal that satisfied me to the core.
I've been in chapter 24 for 4 days now. What a chapter! Here's a summary of where we find Jesus and His entourage in the days before His death:
Jesus is in Jerusalem and has just toured the temple with His disciples. The disciples understandably want to know when He will come in glory and when that age will end. He begins to tell them about the signs of the end of the age. Phrases found throughout this passage:
"Wars and rumors of wars"
"Famines and earthquakes in various places"
"They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death"
"False prophets will arise and lead many astray"
"The Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to the nations, and then the end will come."
As I read through this familiar passage I was struck by the finality of it. Everything that the Lord has said will happen in His Word, has happened. Every promise He made to the nation of Israel- good or bad, came to pass. This is definite. This has been in motion since He first set the earth on it's axis and breathed life into Adam. His game plan is in motion and we are part of it; either as "trophies of His grace or objects of His wrath." (A quote from one of our favorite pastors)
While looking up "images of the apocalypse" and "Jesus return" in google images (which I highly recommend- it's hilarious) I came across a website on the failed doomsday predictions in history. One of them was May 21st, 2011. A date that was obviously a flop. There is something fascinating about wanting to predict when all of this is going to happen. But, Jesus clearly says in 24:36 "Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."
Like so many generations of believers before me, I pray that I see my Lord's coming in my lifetime. Although, from the description in this passage, it sounds like the events leading up to it are pretty terrifying. No matter what you believe about eschatology, we know the end result. Victory is already His.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Day 20
I've been getting butterflies in my stomach as I get nearer to the end of Matthew. They aren't good butterflies, they're dreadful and sad. I've spent almost a month examining the life and ministry of the man who is God that I call my Lord and Savior and though I've heard the rest of the story for most of my life, my heart is preparing itself for the inevitable. The brutal betrayal, torture, murder, death, and separation of ultimate unity. I know that it doesn't stop there, but the depth of pain He experienced for my sake is not something that is pleasurable to ponder.
The beginning of the end that leads to the beginning...(haha) starts in chapter 21- The Triumphal Entry. Jesus is welcomed by Jerusalem with celebration and palm leaves. He knew those shouting "Hosanna" would be the same that would shout "Crucify Him!" only days later.
After His arrival, He stopped at the temple to rebuke some moneychangers, healed some lame and blind, and was then encountered by the religious leaders. The next day, He's confronted by them again and He tells them two parables- in both of them, they lose out on eternal life.
As I read more about the scribes and pharisees and chief priests of the temple, my heart breaks for their state of blindness. These guys have dedicated their entire lives to The Law, the Torah. The Pharisees were also known as chasidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God. It is tragically ironic that the very God these guys spent their lives striving to please came to earth as a man, stood in front of them, taught in their temples, healed their sick, and challenged their hypocrisy, only to be hated and eventually killed by them. Which was of course, all part of His plan.
I'm humbled by the fact that indeed all my righteous acts are as filthy rags to Him and as I lay helpless, He took away my blindness and made me see.
Thank you, my gracious and all powerful Father for rescuing me, for clothing me in robes of righteousness, for setting me free.
The beginning of the end that leads to the beginning...(haha) starts in chapter 21- The Triumphal Entry. Jesus is welcomed by Jerusalem with celebration and palm leaves. He knew those shouting "Hosanna" would be the same that would shout "Crucify Him!" only days later.
After His arrival, He stopped at the temple to rebuke some moneychangers, healed some lame and blind, and was then encountered by the religious leaders. The next day, He's confronted by them again and He tells them two parables- in both of them, they lose out on eternal life.
As I read more about the scribes and pharisees and chief priests of the temple, my heart breaks for their state of blindness. These guys have dedicated their entire lives to The Law, the Torah. The Pharisees were also known as chasidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God. It is tragically ironic that the very God these guys spent their lives striving to please came to earth as a man, stood in front of them, taught in their temples, healed their sick, and challenged their hypocrisy, only to be hated and eventually killed by them. Which was of course, all part of His plan.
I'm humbled by the fact that indeed all my righteous acts are as filthy rags to Him and as I lay helpless, He took away my blindness and made me see.
Thank you, my gracious and all powerful Father for rescuing me, for clothing me in robes of righteousness, for setting me free.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Day 19: Becoming a child
Matt 18:1-5
I love that this chapter begins with the disciples fishing for compliments. "Soooo, Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (emphasis added) I can totally relate to the little bum-kissers. I've fished for compliments from way-less worthy people than the King of the Universe. Jesus brings a small child from the crowd and sets him before them and responds:
"Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me."
This is about to get really personal...
As I've written previously, we have been given the beautiful opportunity to be part of a team of people planting a church here in Boulder, Colorado. We are up and running now with about 75% of our regular attendees under the age of 7. What a gift! With that gift comes some major responsibility- regular childcare. With only 8 of us able to volunteer in the nursery at this point, that leaves 6 that are not leading in the service in some capacity to take turns hanging with the kids. Two workers must be present each week, so we are on rotations every 2-3 weeks. One of my kids is in the nursery, so I say this with all respect. It is truly a tiring hour and a half of boogers, separation anxious cries, cheerio crumbs, sippy cup spills, and poopy diapers. And it is the most important role that can be filled in our church at this point. This service allows for the parents that are joining in worship to have some precious moments being filled with the Word, joining in corporate worship of the King, and making connections with fellow believers and unbelievers. Do I have this attitude about it all the time? No.
I, like the disciples, think about greatness in terms of stature, position, recognition, power, mature knowledge, and esteem from others. Jesus defines greatness as follows:
1. Becoming like a child
2. Humility like a child
3. Receiving a little child
In pondering this, I've thought a lot about my own little one. Stella has not yet formed a "mask" or a facade to put on for reputation's sake. We had a new couple over for dinner the other night and right in the middle of devouring her chicken, Stella made the announcement "I tootin!" Hahaha. No mask. Just really honest about exactly what she was feeling at the moment.
She innately trusts. At this point, she puts her trust fully in what Seth or I or her friends tell her. Which is absolutely terrifying. Her soft little heart hasn't developed any calluses that give reason not to trust everyone.
I have no difficulty receiving my own child. It's one of the greatest joys I've ever known. Receiving other's kids can be harder. Especially when they're extra stinky, dirty, or annoying. But, Jesus gives NO exception to this rule. He says that receiving little children like this means receiving Him. He doesn't say giving the most money at church, or singing the best on the worship team, or having all the right answers in Sunday school, or inviting the most people to come with you will make you greatest. These are all good things, but it isn't HIS answer to His disciples question about greatness. Are you willing to lay aside your definition of greatness to truly become great?
I love that this chapter begins with the disciples fishing for compliments. "Soooo, Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (emphasis added) I can totally relate to the little bum-kissers. I've fished for compliments from way-less worthy people than the King of the Universe. Jesus brings a small child from the crowd and sets him before them and responds:
"Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives me."
This is about to get really personal...
As I've written previously, we have been given the beautiful opportunity to be part of a team of people planting a church here in Boulder, Colorado. We are up and running now with about 75% of our regular attendees under the age of 7. What a gift! With that gift comes some major responsibility- regular childcare. With only 8 of us able to volunteer in the nursery at this point, that leaves 6 that are not leading in the service in some capacity to take turns hanging with the kids. Two workers must be present each week, so we are on rotations every 2-3 weeks. One of my kids is in the nursery, so I say this with all respect. It is truly a tiring hour and a half of boogers, separation anxious cries, cheerio crumbs, sippy cup spills, and poopy diapers. And it is the most important role that can be filled in our church at this point. This service allows for the parents that are joining in worship to have some precious moments being filled with the Word, joining in corporate worship of the King, and making connections with fellow believers and unbelievers. Do I have this attitude about it all the time? No.
I, like the disciples, think about greatness in terms of stature, position, recognition, power, mature knowledge, and esteem from others. Jesus defines greatness as follows:
1. Becoming like a child
2. Humility like a child
3. Receiving a little child
In pondering this, I've thought a lot about my own little one. Stella has not yet formed a "mask" or a facade to put on for reputation's sake. We had a new couple over for dinner the other night and right in the middle of devouring her chicken, Stella made the announcement "I tootin!" Hahaha. No mask. Just really honest about exactly what she was feeling at the moment.
She innately trusts. At this point, she puts her trust fully in what Seth or I or her friends tell her. Which is absolutely terrifying. Her soft little heart hasn't developed any calluses that give reason not to trust everyone.
I have no difficulty receiving my own child. It's one of the greatest joys I've ever known. Receiving other's kids can be harder. Especially when they're extra stinky, dirty, or annoying. But, Jesus gives NO exception to this rule. He says that receiving little children like this means receiving Him. He doesn't say giving the most money at church, or singing the best on the worship team, or having all the right answers in Sunday school, or inviting the most people to come with you will make you greatest. These are all good things, but it isn't HIS answer to His disciples question about greatness. Are you willing to lay aside your definition of greatness to truly become great?
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day 18
I've been reading, just not blogging my thoughts. Sorry for the silence the past couple of days.
I don't have anything really profound to say about this chapter, just some observations:
1. The Pharisees are creepers. They stalk Jesus and His disciples, waiting for a slip-up so they can tattle-tale. They must be watching closely, because all they could come up with in verse 2 is "Why don't your disciples wash their hands before they eat?" Jesus, of course, comes back with a brilliant example of their hypocrisy and their breaking of God's commands. Then, He continues on talking to the multitudes that follow Him everywhere. I know that I've been a hypocrite several times in my life, but these guys irritate the heck out of me!
2. Verse 11: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
How much time do you think we spend thinking about what goes INTO our mouths? Personally, it probably amounts to several hours per week. Planning meals for the days ahead. Time spent at the grocery store. Time spent thinking about what I'm craving. Sitting in a restaurant contemplating the menu. Sitting in church thinking about lunch plans (yes, we have all done it.) Talking about food while eating food! I live in one of the most health-conscious cities in America- people here make food their life. They spend their lives counting calories and carbs, eliminating gluten, meat, and dairy, reviewing restaurants and getting snobby about going local. We have made it a religion. Jesus is referring to the Pharisee's preoccupation with their religion: it included ceremonial washings and dietary regulations. They were so focused on their rules, they completely missed what truly matters- their hearts.
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." Matt 15:19-20
I don't have anything really profound to say about this chapter, just some observations:
1. The Pharisees are creepers. They stalk Jesus and His disciples, waiting for a slip-up so they can tattle-tale. They must be watching closely, because all they could come up with in verse 2 is "Why don't your disciples wash their hands before they eat?" Jesus, of course, comes back with a brilliant example of their hypocrisy and their breaking of God's commands. Then, He continues on talking to the multitudes that follow Him everywhere. I know that I've been a hypocrite several times in my life, but these guys irritate the heck out of me!
2. Verse 11: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
How much time do you think we spend thinking about what goes INTO our mouths? Personally, it probably amounts to several hours per week. Planning meals for the days ahead. Time spent at the grocery store. Time spent thinking about what I'm craving. Sitting in a restaurant contemplating the menu. Sitting in church thinking about lunch plans (yes, we have all done it.) Talking about food while eating food! I live in one of the most health-conscious cities in America- people here make food their life. They spend their lives counting calories and carbs, eliminating gluten, meat, and dairy, reviewing restaurants and getting snobby about going local. We have made it a religion. Jesus is referring to the Pharisee's preoccupation with their religion: it included ceremonial washings and dietary regulations. They were so focused on their rules, they completely missed what truly matters- their hearts.
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." Matt 15:19-20
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Days 16,17: All about the kingdom
Matt 12 and 13
I watched a ridiculous movie the other night. Seth warned me and tried to remind me that we had seen it already and it was profusely dumb, but I needed to remember for myself. The movie is titled "What Dreams May Come" and it's all about what happens when we die. I might be considered morbid, but I am absolutely intrigued by movies, books, conversations... that deal with life after death. I'm not obsessed with it in an unhealthy way- I just find it fascinating.
In this particular movie, the main character dies in a tragic car accident and finds himself in "heaven." They portray heaven as though it's up to the individual's interpretation. His heaven is what "he wanted it to be." He visits his kid's heaven and it is completely different. It was a combination of earthly dreams and fantastic imaginings all rolled into one. He asks if God is there and his heavenly guide tells him that He's somewhere up there just screaming out ways that He loves us. To add to that, if you get bored with your heaven, just go back to earth and be "reborn". (Spoiler alert!) Which is what the lead characters ended up doing in the end. They reincarnated themselves so that they could have another lifetime adventure and start all over again.
All of this gave me an abysmal pit in my stomach. (It also could have been the pickled cauliflower I had just eaten as well... pregnancy cravings). To think of a heaven that you interpret based solely on YOUR finite imagination and that the God you desired to know your whole life is still as far away as He seemed on earth, is depressing.
Thank goodness we have a more accurate, more fulfilling description given to us in scripture! No one knows all the details, but we do know that it is not an obscure and abstract dream world based on individual creativity. It's a perfect reality centered around our all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, creative Father. Finally, the beginning of what life was meant to be; deep and intimate communion with our Creator for eternity. *warm fuzzies*
In Matthew 13, Jesus talked in parables to multitudes of people about the kingdom of heaven. I assume that this subject would be a favorite of our Lord's to talk about. It's His home and the ultimate destination for those whom He draws to Himself. He tells 8 parables back to back that begin with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." Some are straightforward and some are confusing and some are just scary.
Verse 49: The Parable of the Dragnet
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
This is straight from Jesus' mouth. There is nothing "politically correct" about this statement; and it doesn't leave any excuse to beat around the bush. There will be judgement and there will be a separation of wicked and just ("Just" meaning justified through Christ alone. See Romans 5:8,9).
I urge you to read this for yourself. The Holy Spirit is much more sufficient in revealing these truths to you.
Another good read about the kingdom of heaven: "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. I read it several years ago and it was an incredible way to refocus on an eternal perspective throughout my day. Such joy and hope come through knowing that this is not it!
I watched a ridiculous movie the other night. Seth warned me and tried to remind me that we had seen it already and it was profusely dumb, but I needed to remember for myself. The movie is titled "What Dreams May Come" and it's all about what happens when we die. I might be considered morbid, but I am absolutely intrigued by movies, books, conversations... that deal with life after death. I'm not obsessed with it in an unhealthy way- I just find it fascinating.
In this particular movie, the main character dies in a tragic car accident and finds himself in "heaven." They portray heaven as though it's up to the individual's interpretation. His heaven is what "he wanted it to be." He visits his kid's heaven and it is completely different. It was a combination of earthly dreams and fantastic imaginings all rolled into one. He asks if God is there and his heavenly guide tells him that He's somewhere up there just screaming out ways that He loves us. To add to that, if you get bored with your heaven, just go back to earth and be "reborn". (Spoiler alert!) Which is what the lead characters ended up doing in the end. They reincarnated themselves so that they could have another lifetime adventure and start all over again.
All of this gave me an abysmal pit in my stomach. (It also could have been the pickled cauliflower I had just eaten as well... pregnancy cravings). To think of a heaven that you interpret based solely on YOUR finite imagination and that the God you desired to know your whole life is still as far away as He seemed on earth, is depressing.
Thank goodness we have a more accurate, more fulfilling description given to us in scripture! No one knows all the details, but we do know that it is not an obscure and abstract dream world based on individual creativity. It's a perfect reality centered around our all-knowing, all-powerful, loving, creative Father. Finally, the beginning of what life was meant to be; deep and intimate communion with our Creator for eternity. *warm fuzzies*
In Matthew 13, Jesus talked in parables to multitudes of people about the kingdom of heaven. I assume that this subject would be a favorite of our Lord's to talk about. It's His home and the ultimate destination for those whom He draws to Himself. He tells 8 parables back to back that begin with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." Some are straightforward and some are confusing and some are just scary.
Verse 49: The Parable of the Dragnet
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
This is straight from Jesus' mouth. There is nothing "politically correct" about this statement; and it doesn't leave any excuse to beat around the bush. There will be judgement and there will be a separation of wicked and just ("Just" meaning justified through Christ alone. See Romans 5:8,9).
I urge you to read this for yourself. The Holy Spirit is much more sufficient in revealing these truths to you.
Another good read about the kingdom of heaven: "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. I read it several years ago and it was an incredible way to refocus on an eternal perspective throughout my day. Such joy and hope come through knowing that this is not it!
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