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Thanksgiving

Time to give thanks message Some fall leaves and black and white alarm clock and beige gift tag with text A Time to give thanks

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Timothy 1; Hosea 2; Psalm 119:97–120

Happy to be a guest writer again for my good friend Jennifer! When I read the passages for today, I knew right away I did not want to write about Ahab’s family being killed. I was not sure what to pluck out of Hosea 2 either. Something more uplifting was needed after a long week! As we are approaching November, the “Thanksgiving” headline in 2 Timothy caught my attention as we always have lots to be thankful for each day. November gives us the opportunity to reflect on all we have been given in our daily lives, not in terms of the usual Thanksgiving Day prayer of family, friends, health, happiness, freedom….more in terms of what God has given to us to help us live our daily lives. In the readings related to Thanksgiving, three separate verses jumped out at me.

2 Timothy 1:

⁷For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

⁹He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…

¹³What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

From time to time through this year of our Bible Journal journey, I send one of the daily write ups to one of my boys (ages, 17, 15, and 13) if I think it speaks to something they are experiencing. This week, I took a different tact and asked them to read these three verses. What do they mean to them? Are they able to be thankful for what they have been given from God? Are they taking on the responsibility each day? Here were their short answer responses:

When I read these verses together, they make me think of being modest and content. I think this because of what the Spirit God gave us, makes us. In the first verse it talks about the Spirit God making us powerful and able to love, but it also mentions self-discipline. Power and love are two very important things/traits that if used wrongly, can do major harm. By adding self-discipline into our making, the Lord provides us with not just having these two strong powers, but he provides us with a third trait that is a very important: self-discipline. Self-discipline provides us with being able to stay content in times of despair and it provides us with being modest in times of great achievement. Self-discipline helps us not go over the edge when given the traits of power and love.
To me, this means that God gave us the ability to have power, love, and self-discipline. He has also saved us and called us to an eternal and holy life in heaven, and there is nothing we can do to make God hate us, for he is loving. It also says to me that there is a little bit of the Holy Spirit inside of us all, and that should mean the world to us.
These verses all talk about the amazing spirit God has given us. We should take this blessing and spread/show it to others in the world. God has given us this gift, and we are meant to use it to follow him and to love him. We are meant to hold onto this gift as well because it defines us and keeps us close to God.

Interesting to read how teenagers translate God’s word in their lives. To me, I hear God giving us Power, Love, and Self-Discipline. He gives us these traits to use wisely. I hear him reminding us that we need to focus on listening to the Holy Spirit within ourselves to help us lead a Christian life. Even when we don’t, we can be saved through his Grace. What a wonderful gift!

Do we think about using the power of the Holy Spirit each day? Are we thankful that God leads us through in thought, word and deed? As we enter the month of thankfulness, let us recognize God’s power, love and self-discipline he has given us along with his Eternal Grace.

Lighten Up

Yes, the featured image is a coffeemaker in the trash can.

It all started this summer with a garage sale. Going through possessions we no longer want or need left me confused. Why did we get these things in the first place? Why don’t I want them anymore? Would someone else find value in my old driver that hits the golf ball about twenty yards less than my newer one? Why would anyone want the stuff that we don’t want?

A pile of goods remained after the sale that we couldn’t even sell for 1/20 of their original cost; many we couldn’t even give away. Clothing, books, housewares, toys, etc. So I piled it all into the car and made it someone else’s problem (or opportunity). The items went to a local thrift store, and when leaving I thought, “suckers!”… and I’m sure they thought the same of me. I looked at the back of the car and it was empty. No boxes, no vases piled up, just empty space with no passengers. The load was lightened. Hey that actually felt pretty good!

Arriving home, it was refreshing to see the front yard as it had been the day prior. It looked like a yard again, not a marketplace. Same with the garage and basement; no junk piled up. My closet was less cluttered, in fact all of our closets were less cluttered. I instantly felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been removed and it was a very good feeling.

In the months since the garage sale, quite a few more items have made their way out of this house. More clothes, and even as I type I’m recalling a broken coffeemaker in the basement next to some sushi plates and some old games that we no longer use. The coffeemaker was broken but I thought someday I might fix it. Nope, I will never fix this thing so it is going into the trash right now. As a result, there’s an empty space. The sushi plates on the left were a wedding gift, and we HAD to have them. We dreamed of making sushi all the time, being fancy and hip with our outrageously cool plates. They were expensive, and they are beautiful, but we don’t use them anymore; they just sit in the basement waiting for their next move. There’s more stuff piled up to the left of the plates, I don’t even know what that stuff is, how we got it, or if we ever used it. Looking at it stresses me out. It is baggage; symbolic of waste in my life.

The yard sale theme came to me today as I as reading 1 Timothy 6 and thinking about the term “content”. I think sometimes I’ve shunned this term with the thought that it is better to get more, to do more, to never be satisfied. While sometimes we should strive for more, there are other times when we should just be content. Content (adjective): pleased and satisfied : not needing more (Merriam-Webster)

But godliness with contentment is great gain, (1 Timothy 6:6)

But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:8)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:10)

We live these lives desiring more, sometimes thinking that contentment is for the weak, but then we’re usually left with a pile of unused stuff in the basement, garage, and closets. Each day presents a new opportunity to say goodbye to something, to say no to selfish needs and to God’s will. The yard sale relates to physical items but over the last few months my heart and soul have longed to rid some of the other waste in my life that leave me empty inside.

What “future yard sale” items do you have in your life? Asking this metaphorically of course, but it never hurts to get rid of things you don’t need.
What good things can and should we start saying no to so we can start saying YES to great things and leave room for us to see the many miracles God has given us? #eccmiracles
From our first morning thought, what is our heart’s desire? Doesn’t that symbolize where we are in our daily walk? Let your first waking thought tomorrow and every day you are blessed with from here on be, “thank you God for another day to serve you, to know you better, and to be loved by you”.

2 Kings 9; 1 Timothy 6; Hosea 1; Psalm 119:73–96

Counting Sheep

Sheep on the landscape taken in Somerset England

2 Kings 8; 1 Timothy 5; Daniel 12; Psalm 119:49–72

Sometimes I don’t sleep well. I’m thinking that the writer of Psalm 119 didn’t either. He says, “At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:62) Now, he may very well wake up at midnight to praise God. Hat’s off to him if he does. On the other hand, maybe he just wakes up and can’t get back to sleep. That’s what happens to me. Rather than read a book, or click on the TV, I have learned to do something like the Psalmist. In verse 55, He adds, “I remember your name in the night, O Lord.” My goal is the same. Remember his name in order to praise, honor and glorify Him. If you know the alphabet, you can do it too. Simply assign an attribute of God to each letter in the alphabet. It goes something like this:

Almighty – Revelation 11:17
Bountiful – Deuteronomy 28:11
Consuming fire – Hebrews 12:29
Divine – Romans 1:20
Eternal – Revelation 1:8
Father – 2 John 1:3
Glory- 2 Peter 1:17
Holy – Isaiah 6:3
Immaculate – 2 Samuel 22:31
Just – John 5:30
King of kings – 1 Timothy 6:15
Lord of lords – 1 Timothy 6:15
Marvelous light – 1 Peter 2:9
Near – James 4:8
One – 1 Corinthians 12:13
Prince of peace – Isaiah 9:6
Quiet – 1 Kings 19:12
Refuge – Psalm 46:1
Slow to anger – Numbers 14:18
Teacher – John 3:2
Unchangeable – Hebrews 6:18
Victorious – 1 Corinthians 15:7
Wonderful – Psalm 139:14
eXtreme – Ok I cheated here. Read Hebrews 11 to see what I mean about God being extreme
Yahweh – 2 Chronicles 14:11
Zenith – Luke 2:14 & Mark 11:10. Yes, I cheated here too. “Zenith” isn’t in the Bible, but it sounds a lot like Luke 2:14 and Mark 11:10.

I find several benefits of this simple exercise. First, I rarely make it to the end before the Lord gives me sleep. Second, I find bigger and better descriptions for him. Finally, I have placed his name above all others, just as he asks. I Worship.

End Times

When the disciples asked Jesus when the end times would come He responded, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:3-4) We see from Jesus’ response that deception is something that the Christian needs to be on guard against. It was the first thing He said on the topic of the end times. The first instruction He gave His followers.

From today’s reading we learn that being deceived can lead to departing from the faith. (1Timothy 4:1-3) We also learn that His word is a means of protection from being deceived. Praise God that He provides us with full protection. Psalms 119 is often known for its length. I have come to know Psalms 119 for its awe of God’s Word. The psalmist is in love with God’s law, His statues, His testimonies, His commandments. God’s word protects the Christian from being deceived. It is our sword in the spiritual battle for our souls. (Ephesians 6:17)

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 7; 1 Timothy 4; Daniel 11; Psalm 119:25–48

Suggestions for prayer: Ask God to place on you a love for His Word. Thank God for His promise to give you perfect remembrance of it to discern the truth from lies (John 14:26).

For further study: Read Matthew 23: 1-14 and consider what verse 13 means in light of the previous verses.

Counting Steps

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 6; 1 Timothy 3; Daniel 10; Psalm 119:1–24

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Psalm 119:1

Good Morning Everyone, let’s put on our Fitbit for God and look at our daily steps. These devices can count our steps and can also check our heart-rate. It can tell us where we have gone and guide us to where we want to go. With the touch of a button this information is shared with you and others if you would like. As Christians, having God’s word available is like a press of a button allowing you to navigate every step towards an eternity with Him. This Fitbit helps us stay on track with our faith and training for growth. So let’s push the button in the start of Psalm 119 and see where we are at as we count our steps.

Step: Psalm 119:1 Blameless and Walking in the Law of the Lord – stay righteous Proverbs 11:20

Step: Psalm 119:2 Keep His testimonies – love and serve Deuteronomy 11:13

Step: Seek with a Whole Heart – 100% all the time Psalm 139:23

Step: Psalm 119:4 Precepts keep diligently – focus and be intentional about his commandments Deuteronomy 4:13

Step: Psalm 119:6 Eyes fixed on Commandments – Ephesians 1:18

Step: Psalm 119:7 Praise Him – He deserves it all for all he has done and will do Psalm 33:1

So as you take steps today push the button to take a pulse on each step, each interaction, each hour spent, each conversation, each thought, each prayer. Allow God through His word guard you, teach you, focus your heart, and open your eyes to all that he has in store for us. Go ahead take the next step. God is with you always!

Go to Him

Today’s Readings: 2 Kings 5, 1 Timothy 2, Daniel 9, Psalms 117-118

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

I must admit, I left writing to the last minute this week! Of course our Heavenly Father is always looking for ways to draw us nearer to him, and he’s got me tonight. I spent the majority of the last 3 days driving our van with our very spicy two year old in the back. She was a flower girl in a family wedding so she and I went on a very long journey to Topeka, KS to be a part of a very special day. Many miles later, I’m sitting down with my Bible and cup of water to connect with you and His word. This was my first read through, and what did I find? The very words I heard and prayed on at the wedding this weekend! This Bible Journal project has been such a blessing to me. Even on a night like this one, when I’m tired and not sure what to write about, God takes up the pen and sends a message.

I love that God gently nudged me to see this passage again. When I heard it during the wedding, I immediately thought about the surface level implications. God wants us to come to him as ourselves with modesty and with raised hands. He wants us to show him that our love for him is genuine. I heard the thread that reminded us all that a marriage is about bringing one another closer to God through good works, not just putting on fancy dresses and jewelry. Today, I’m hearing another deeper level of communication from my Father. He begins this passage by asking us to come and pray without anger or quarreling. I considered this even more tonight in the context of our first reading from 2 Kings 5. Naaman is suffering from leprosy but is hesitant to dip in the Jordan 7 times as God commands in order to be healed.

How many of us come to the alter carrying anger? How many of us are desperate for healing but aren’t quite ready to follow God’s path to get there? When families get together, there is always a Naaman. There is quarreling and old anger that wells up. God gives us an opportunity in 2 Timothy to come to Him with our hands raised, without the distraction of braids and golden rings. This weekend I witnessed some healing that I know was initiated by His love. Our family was broken many years ago by some infidelity, some lies and subsequent divorce. This event brought those people face to face for the first time in a decade, in a church. And in that church, we heard those words from 2 Timothy! And after that ceremony, there were some handshakes and even some hugs! Like Naaman, our family has carried this burden for years. When we come to the alter to pray and to give ourselves to Him, He heals us. At the end of the night, I said my goodbyes. Without fear or hesitation I opened my arms to the one that began this hurt so many years ago. Within that hug, I heard the words, “I love you.”

If you are hurting GO to Him. If you think that the pain is too deep, if you think you have been suffering for too long GO to Him. Ask him for healing and then follow his commands. There is hope in our Heavenly Father’s love.

Autumn Blessing

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? -Psalm 116:12

In the pale light of an October evening, I sat on my patio — under the yellow rain of the locust trees, crows cawing back and forth. The cool air was filled with the smell of distant smoke as I sat wondering: How could I be so blessed?

In this tranquil place I had broken bread with my family and friends, sharing stories of our lives that intertwined like vines in a vineyard, planted and grafted, pruned and picked. Not all bore the best fruit, but the ones that did were special.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. –John 15:1-2

Why was I so fortunate? Honestly I couldn’t think of anything that I had done to deserve all that I had been given. A strong and healthy family. A beautiful, patient, loyal and loving wife. Three amazing boys, all so different. My businesses had been prosperous in ways that made it hard for me to take the credit.

It had also been a life that revealed the hand of God in the splendor of creation.

A litany of people offering hope and direction to a scrawny freckled faced boy, and then to an arrogant young man. People investing time in me along the way, wanting nothing in return. Now I worked with trusted partners in collaborations reaching farther than I ever could have imagined. Still, I had this feeling there was more to my life.

The feeling I had on this crisp Autumn day was more than abundant gratitude, recognizing God’s incredible grace. It was a sense of responsibility, but not burdensome — more like the anticipation of greater opportunities around the next bend. Yes I had been given much and there was a reason for this, a reason I wanted to understand.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. –John 15:5

Nothing that was given to me was really mine. I had been entrusted with knowledge and treasures beyond my wildest dreams; perhaps even wisdom. I had been the unworthy recipient of unconditional love; this was the greatest gift of all. Yet when I finally realized that I was only the steward of these gifts, now I had to decide how better to use them.

In the brightness of Autumn it became clear, by surrendering all to God, the fulfillment of my purpose was possible. This was now my greatest opportunity.

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 4; 1 Timothy 1; Daniel 8; Psalm 116

Not to Us

Funeral wreath with pink flower on a cross in a cemetary with a vintage filter.

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 3; 2 Thessalonians 3; Daniel 7; Psalms 114–115

It is 8pm on Wednesday night and I’m sitting down to write my post for this week. I just walked in the door from the third funeral visitation I’ve been to in the last ten days. I still have one more to attend on Friday. I don’t particularly like attending these events, as they tend to drain my emotions and make me really tired. But I still try really hard not to miss them. I believe God puts different people in our path for different reasons. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able come along side grieving family and friends, remember loved ones, and help provide comfort by speaking about the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, my friend Jane texted me for ideas on scriptures to use for her father’s funeral. One of the suggestions I gave her was Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven – a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

When we read through Ecclesiastes back in April, I wrote about this passage. I talked about how the poetic rhythm of Solomon’s journey through life’s different seasons is comforting. More important than the rhythm, however, is the incredible hope found in the illustration of God’s sovereignty. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a season or time for EVERYTHING. As we journey through life, we experience a variety of different events, both good and bad. Because God is sovereign, meaning he has supreme power and authority, he has the ability to weave ALL these events together to accomplish his purpose. Aren’t you glad life isn’t just a series of random events? To know a master architect is fitting the pieces together for me is the hope I need to keep going, especially when I’m facing something as traumatic as the death of a loved one.

Like most people, I consider death and the memorial services that follow, to be one of life’s bad events. The room is filled with sadness, lines are long, and it is always a challenge to find just the right words to say. In reality, the words of comfort or encouragement I have to offer aren’t really mine. If it wasn’t for the faithfulness and care of a holy and gracious God, who sent Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord, I’m not sure what I’d say. Thank you God.

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory… (Psalm 115:1).

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Lion’s Den

What is your “Lion’s Den”? Have there been any adverse situations where you’ve fully put your trust into the Almighty God and realized you had absolutely no power to influence the outcome? Please take a couple minutes to read the account of Daniel and the Lions’ Den. It is a remarkable story!

Without sharing the details of my personal lion’s den, here are questions that come to mind as I considered my own journey through a recent challenge. Please reflect on one of your own significant adverse situations. It could be something current or the past, but try to consider something you vividly recall.

Prior to even knowing of the challenge, what path were you on? What did your relationship with God look like?
Were you able to prepare for the situation? Meaning, did you have some foresight that things were going to get ugly? If so, how did you prepare?
What was your first response when you became aware of the pending adversity?
Facing the situation directly, what emotions did you encounter? Did you feel prepared for what was happening? Did you feel the presence and power of God throughout and/or did you sense His presence when you were at the end of your own strength?
Why do you think that God allowed this situation to occur?
Did you consider viewing the scenario not as a problem, but as an opportunity? What if every perceived problem in your life wasn’t really a problem, but an opportunity? How would things be different?
Have you shared this situation and results with anyone?
Reflecting back on the situation, what would you have done differently?
Have you given thanks, praise, and glory to the God who delivered you?

Consider Daniel’s situation. Chapter 6 starts with informing the reader that Daniel would be placed in a high position of power and leadership under the king. Things were going quite well from a worldly perspective and in parallel, Daniel had his priorities in order. It was well known that he was a man who humbly bowed down to God. Even after learning of the fateful law that had been signed, Daniel didn’t waiver; he went home and “knelt down as usual” giving thanks to his God (see Daniel 6:10). God was glorified as a result of Daniel’s obedience and faithfulness.

The story of Daniel reminds me of Jesus in the garden the night before he was to be tortured and crucified. Jesus had his heart right, he knew his purpose, and fortunately us he submitted to the will of his Father in Heaven, the almighty God so that we may have eternal life with him.

Will you face your next trial more like Daniel and Jesus?

2 Kings 2; 2 Thessalonians 2; Daniel 6; Psalms 112–113

Pompous Kings

two-faced manhypocrite deceitful person abstract vector background

2 Kings 1; 2 Thessalonians 1; Daniel 5; Psalms 110–111

As I continue to read through the old testament, I have a tendency to become discouraged. Mostly because I cannot figure out why the kings don’t get it. They repeat the same mistakes, over and over. Occasionally, one will appear to be different, attempting to do good. But, his efforts are often half-hearted and almost always stamped out by the next generation. This pattern will continue through our reading of 2 Kings and into Chronicles. As you read the stories, pay attention to these three common threads.

Kings have a way of using God’s good things for their own aggrandizement For example, today in 2 Kings 1, Belshazzar occupies the throne. He is enjoying the good life and taking full advantage of his reign as king. In order to prove his greatness above all others during a party, he ordered the treasures of the Temple of Jerusalem to be brought out for the guests. It wasn’t enough for Belshazzar to simply use them for the party. In fact, while drinking from them, “they drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” Daniel 5:4 (ESV). These acts clearly illustrate contempt of Godly things.

The reign of a king is temporary. Maybe you didn’t notice, but they all die. In fact, many of them come and go without any fanfare at all. During their reign, however, they make short-term decisions, based on their short-term world-view. Their goal is simple. To maximize their existence.

Contrast these kings’ short-term world-view with Jesus’ eternal world-view. His decisions and actions are clearly different, focusing not on his own existence but on the eternal existence of all people.

God invites them to participate in His work. Throughout these stories, God attempts to get their attention. He does it often through the voices of others, generally called prophets. They are the ones that know God’s word and will. Even though the king may have asked a prophet’s advice, they rarely listen, attempting instead to preserve their own ego’s, status and power. They refute and disclaim the advice of the prophets, always with predictable consequences. In the end, they are forced into humility by others, or they die an early death.

Jesus invites us to participate in His work too. In fact, not only are we promised forgiveness, we are also given new life. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are a “new creation.” Think of all the good things that we can do.