Uncategorized

17 Sep

Posted at 08:44h in Uncategorized
0 Likes
"On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell." Ezekiel 17:23 The prophet ends this chapter, a chapter which issued a warning to a wayward people, with a perplexing promise - and at the end of that a promise a very unusual, and even surprising picture. Ezekiel says that, "...in the shadow of its branches they will dwell." Why are they going to live in the "shadow of its branches"? Why won't they rest on the branches themselves? Wouldn't living amidst those branches, and under their protection, provide a safe and secure place in which to dwell? Sure, perhaps too much safety and security. We must not enjoy the blessings and benefits, the pleasures and pursuits of life, to the point that we forget, or overlook, the memory of the shadow. How many times have we been told to "be thankful for all that you have"? What does that mean? Simply that it is impossible to be thankful for the light without thinking about the shadows. You see, to ponder our privileges, to be thankful for what we have, forces us to consider the possibility of not having them. Sadly, not every prosperous person appreciates his prosperity. Therefore, to appreciate it, he must see the shadow of his poverty.

12 Sep

Posted at 08:47h in Uncategorized
0 Likes
Recently children all across the country woke up early, got dressed in their new clothes, ate a quick breakfast and headed out the door for the first day of the new school year. There was an evident excitement, and no doubt some apprehension, as they walked into that new class and sat in a new seat on that first day of school. Some were excited to see their friends. Other were excited to have moved up another grade. Probably one or two were excited about being back in the class, after a boring summer off, ready to learn something. Now, I admit, when I was in elementary school, middle school and even high school I wasn't the best student. I normally made the principle's list, but not in the good sort of way. There were classes that I did very well in - reading, art, history, study hall - and there were classes that I didn't do so well in - math, math, math and oh yeah, Spanish. (I remember one six weeks where a note was written on the back of my report card giving my actual grade along with an explanation that if that grade were to have been given there was no way I would pass the class for the year. From what I could tell she REALLY wanted me to pass and move on.) In spite of my poor grades in some classes I somehow managed to graduate with honors. (Guardian angel at work?)

03 Sep

Posted at 07:02h in Uncategorized
0 Likes
"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you." Psalm 20:1 In reminding us of our reliable refuge, David talks about "the name of the God of Jacob." You say, "But, I thought that God's name wasn't revealed to Jacob. In fact, I thought that the night-long wrestling match took place because the Angel refused to give Jacob His name." That's true, but even though Jacob didn't receive His name, he did receive His blessing. When the Angel departed, he left behind something that would distinguish Him from any and every other presence - something that would clearly mark His identity from everyone else. This is what I think the Psalmist is referring to, and encouraging us to grab hold of, in this verse. David says, "May the place you run to for refuge not be a philosophical idea or some religious denomination or even a physical structure for worship. No. Let it be that one thing that you cannot exactly put into words, but which you have felt deep within your spirit. May God's name to you be 'the God of Jacob.' The One who in the midst of a man's struggle of soul sent a blessing in the form of physical pain - a shrunken sinew and a dislocated joint. This really is the only reliable refuge that will suffice when trouble remains - in a "day of trouble."