Walking with Jesus

One of my core beliefs is that God makes the rules, not people. Only one implication of this reality is that when people do try to make the rules they aren't as good. They tend to be flawed. They tend to favor one group over another. They tend to get worse over time. I believe that is where we are today in America. The Constitution was written in a convention designed to address issues with The Articles of Confederation, which was the first document to unite the various independent States, the 13 original colonies. When such effort seemed beyond reason to accomplish, a new document was proposed. It was ratified with the understanding that discussion of 12 Amendments would follow quickly on specified issues. 10 of these Amendments are now known as the Bill of Rights. The other 2 were not ratified. As more Amendments have been added to the constitution, they have changed the shape and functioning of our government. Unfortunately, some of these changes were (in my opinion) di...

This is a difficult chapter. To forgive like a child forgives? For, that is the charge if we follow the flow: Believe like a child; Need Jesus like a child; Forgive like a child? Yes. Innocence knows how to forgive. But, we have lost our innocence, haven't we? We have been made to stumble. We have been offended. We have been despised. We were lost. Read that as something done to us in this context rather than a state of being: We were lost; Somebody lost us. We were left to perish. What then do we do to become like children again? To regain innocence? We forgive. But, why should we forgive? We were the victims! Yes, but we have also been the perpetrators. We have also created debts, made victims of our own. If we would remain in our own forgiveness, then we must be continually forgiving... like innocent children.

 Giving. God gave us His SON. Emmanuel GOD WITH US What does it mean? Why would God do this? Why would He... Righteous, Pure, Majestic, All-Powerful, ALL-KNOWING Holy GOD Give us His Son? To rule and reign? YES To show us the way to life? YES To receive our WORSHIP? YES And, what more? None of these things require a lowly birth. Why else? Why else was the BABE born in a manger? Born in the midst of moral accusations... Born in the lowest place... Born in the midst of stink and filth... Born practically alone... Born helpless. GOD Born HELPLESS! WHY? Is it because WE are HELPLESS? Why did GOD give us His SON?  ALL-KNOWING Holy God? WHY? Love? Was it the only way to call us FRIEND? But, was it His birth that made us friends? Did the manger restore the RIFT between God and Men? NO Then what did? Why the Manger If the Manger is not sufficient? Was the Manger simply the first st...

Jesus is the Christ (16:16), which means He must suffer, be killed, and be raised (16:21). [It also means He will reign.] Then, Jesus says some standing there will see Him coming in His kingdom (16:28). Does He refer to the resurrection or the transfiguration? The simplest expaination is that He refers to His return (16:27), but that is the hardest to reconcile with 16:28. One answer may be the transfiguration, which is described here with obvious [perhaps] connections to His return. Jesus meets with Moses and Elijah, who are the most likely candidates for the two witnesses. Of course, in the context of Elijah = John the Baptist [Baptizer might be more accurate], those witnesses may also be figurative. But, verse 11 makes me think these actual men will return. This is all a matter of faith, which is exactly what we need more of. The other disciples (never assume He means only the 12) were not able to help the boy because of their unbelief. We must also have faith in Jesus' word...

False religion tests God in order to find fault with Him (v.1). It is insincere and self-serving. It is infectious, contaminating all it touches, as leaven in dough (v.11). It tried to have it both ways, speaking of Jesus while worshiping as it pleases (v.13). [Caesarea Phillipi was a cult center for pagan worship, even in Israel.] True religion confesses that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This confession is the rock upon which the people of God are established. True religion is hated by the world (v.21), because it is powerful and effective (v.19). True religion is submissive to the will of God (v.23), not contrary to it (v.22). True religion is self-denying (v.24) and yet seeks God's greatest rewards (v.27). It preserves the soul first by sacrifice in order to find true life (v.25-6). True religion looks to the coming of Jesus, yet knows that "His Kingdom" (v.28) is already among us. Religion is a matter of authority, sincerity, self, a...

How many positions do we hold fast when they are merely tradition? Democratic congregational leadership, worship style, Deacons who replace Elders, Sunday school, children's sermons, paid vocational ministers... These are not doctrines; they are methods. They have seasons. They can be new or old. They may be good, even right, but they are not "the commandment of God." We can operate beyond the specific commandment of God without sinning. Jesus was sent "to the lost sheep of Israel" but He did nothing wrong by answering the Canaanite woman's plea. He merely went beyond the call of duty. In like way, our traditions can help us do more that what we are merely commanded. But, the lesser must not usurp the greater.

Herod : I have always heard that Herod had taken his brother's wife, which was unlawful. Yet, there may be a better explaination the situation. Herodius was a daughter of Herod the Great. Therefore, she was sister to both Herod and Philip. Neither could have her as wife because it was incest. [Thus, John's rebuke was about Philip. He would not have rebuked Herod in favor of Philip when Philip's marriage was also in sin.] Herod's hatred of John was not for himself, but for Philip. His family ties were more important than fearing God. He had no Faith. Peter : The waves were already there, but when he focussed on them he lost his faith. Or, did he? It faltered but was it lost ? The text says he was "beginning to sink." He did not just drop into the sea. And, what did he do? He re-focused on Jesus! He looked back to the source of his faith for renewal. [After all, it was when he saw Jesus the first time that he came up with the idea of walking on water to begi...

Jesus taught in parables. He said He had to (v. 12). He taught about the Kingdom and what He taught may be surprising. In several parables, Jesus taught that the Kingdom will grow with both those who hear (v. 9, 43), who "understand" and "bear fruit" (v. 23), and those who do not believe. This seems to be one of the "things kept secret from the foundation of the world" (v. 35): You aren't "in" just because you show up. Some of us are unfruitful (v.22), tares (v. 30), birds of the air (v. 32), leaven (v. 33), and "bad" catches (v. 48). [Scripturally, none of these things are good.] Those are allowed to remain for the sake of the true hearers, and perhaps some will become hearers [doers, believers] as well/ Perhaps they will also "sell all" (v. 44 & 45) for Jesus. Perhaps not. These words can be offensive to us, if anyone but Jesus spoke them. But, there is a tag line to chapter 13, another Sabbath. And, the lesson...

Chapter 12 and most of 13 happen on a single Sabbath day. This, of course, was a Saturday. (The Sabbath is always on Saturday in Scripture.) [*] Jesus connects the proper use of the Sabbath with God's desire for mercy. (We tend to associate it with sacrifice.) The Sabbath is God's act of mercy toward us. It is "good" and therefore "good" is a legitimate part of it. Healing, teaching, exhorting, and even rebuking are all Sabbath-kosher activities. After all, Jesus does them. They are acts of mercy; They are good. In Mark's version, Jesus also says, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Again, the Sabbath is God's act of mercy toward us; It is good. Jesus taught on this Sabbath that "a tree is known by its fruit." In this context, the question arises, "Is our fruit mercy or sacrifice (that is, legalism)?" Are we "good" (merciful) trees or "bad" (legalistic) trees? Don't ...

We put up our tree a couple of days ago... So, of course, Olivia thought it was a good opportunity for a photo shoot.

Do we preach with confidence or with vanity? How many dogmatic proclamations do we make when we would do better and more honestly to remain humble? No matter how many times we have been encouraged in out doubt by the example of John, it is actually unclear (even in Greek) whether the doubt was his or his disciples. Jesus proclaims John the greatest man ever born. This is strange praise indeed for a herald who doubts the message he brings. John's faith is then used in contrast with the doubt seen in the cities in which Jesus had done many of His miracles and even in the context of the sure revelation of God as Father and Son. Perhaps these seemingly disconnected sections are more related than we know and argue for John's faith in sending his disciples to see Jesus for themselves [to answer their doubts], an image more consistent with Jesus' words and [John's description in] the rest of Scripture. Therefore, it is possible John lost his faith [as we often hear], bu...

This chapter is a command (10:5 & 11:1) on being a missionary for Jesus. It teaches us how to do it and what to expect. v. 5 -> Go when and where you are sent. Do not just go whenever and wherever you want. v. 7 -> Preach the Kingdom, which includes healing, cleansing, miracles, and spiritual warfare. v. 8 -> Give freely and trust God to provide. v. 11 -> Be discerning in your associations. v. 14 -> Trust God to validate your ministry and do not take rejection to heart. v. 16 -> "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." v. 17 -> Do not place your confidence in people, but trust God for guidance when you are betrayed, even by those closest to you. v. 22 -> Expect to be hated for Jesus' sake. v. 27 -> Share what Jesus tells you faithfully and boldly. v. 28 -> Fear no one but the LORD. Do not deny Him. v. 34 -> Expect the gospel to bring conflict and to call for hard, sacrificial choices. v. 40 -> Remember t...

There are those who believe we should pray for our country's leaders. I agree. We should pray for them to know that Jesus is the true King of kings and Lord of lords and then govern accordingly as those subject to His authority. This video shows actual clips of Barak Obama speaking on the Senate floor before he was President. When I saw it, I was very troubled. I believe God has a plan, and that there is no authority given to men except by His grace. However, the fact our country is being led (manhandled?) by someone who believes these things should remind us all to pray. I do not intend to comment on the commentary of the video, only to bring Mr. Obama's words back into the light. I've seen other video where he claims to be a Christian, but if we have learned anything over the past four years, it is that what bold statements are not the same thing aas truthful statements. Please remember to pray for our country. "For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, 'F...

[This Reflection Journal is not intended to cover all the material in each chapter. Rather, it is what stands out to me in that particular reading of the passage. Sharing it with you helps me keep to the task of journaling, something I used to do very consistently and hope to encourage in myself once more as a spiritual discipline. My desire is to know God's voice with greater clarity, and thus know Him with more intimacy. These reflections are incomplete without reading the biblical chapters themselves. If you do not have a Bible with you, you may read the chapters at either Bible Gateway or Blue Letter Bible . I use both depending on what tools I am looking for. Reflection entries may be isolated from other entries by clicking the label "Reflection" at the end of any post.] Some of these stories appear here in abbreviated versions. Mark 2 & 5 and Luke 5 & 8 contain fuller versions of some of this same material. Perhaps they were written earlier. if the stori...

Sweet Olivia, I pray this birthday is your happiest birthday ever!

Jesus heals. He doesn't refer people to doctors [no offense to any doctors out there]. He is the Great Physician. Jesus heals. Jesus touched the leper . It was the sign of His "I am willing." Jesus is willing to heal because the leper believed. He knew he was sick. There was no hiding it. He knew he needed a deliver and that Jesus could deliver. Jesus was a man under authority. I don't believe we think often about that. He was healing in submission to GOD the Father. After being healed, Peter's mother-in-law "arose and served them." She didn't spend her restoration on herself. Her healing made her a disciple of Jesus (thus, v.18>>>). Now, we are "under authority." Jesus heals. It was (apparently) the only reason He crossed the sea. It is why He came.

Jesus taught with authority. And, what did he teach? "Enter by the narrow gate." This seems to me to be the thesis statement for chapter 7. The way of the narrow gate does not judge (v.1); it does not condemn, though it is discerning (v.15). The way of the narrow gate addresses itself first (v.5) and then tries to help others. The way of the narrow gate looks to God for a provision of grace (v.7), and also provides grace to others (v.12). The way of the narrow gate looks to knowing Jesus (v.23) for salvation, but also heeds the warning that we will be known by the fruit produced by God through that relationship (v.20). This chapter is part of the Sermon begun in chapter 5. The way of the narrow gate includes those admonitions and warnings [found in ch. 6 and ch. 7] as well. They provide us with an introduction [perhaps a summary] of Jesus' teaching ministry.

This is one of my favotire worship songs. I almost said "praise song" but caught myself. I guess technically there is a difference. "Praise" is about what God does; it is about God's acts in history, even in our own lives. "Worship" is about who God is, His eternal nature which never changes. Forever and always, YHWH is the Great "I AM". We worship God for who He is. We praise Him for revealing Himself to us. Perhaps, then, this song does both.

[I was surprised to notice the word assumptions come into my mind as I was reading this chapter, but that is exactly what happened. Jesus assumed some things about us, things that we do not always assume about ourselves.] Jesus assumes that we will do charitable deeds, works. He wants us to be sure our motives remain pure. In sounds incredible that we would ever sound a trumpet before us as we give, until I consider how ready we are to see our name on a building, a campus, or even just a T-shirt. [The buildings have bothered me for years, but perhaps there was a reason even I didn't recognize?] Jesus likewise assumes that we will pray, and again He warns us to tend to our motives. Keep God the focus. Ask only for what we actually need. [It occurs to me that the point isn't hyper-simplicity, but need. We may need a miracle of healing, or for a mountain to move. If so, we should ask God for it.] Ask for mercy and for grace. Give God glory. Do not seek glory for yourself in y...



We cannot know with certainty why persecution comes. It may be because of Jesus, or it may be our own doing. (We may just not be a nice person.) We cannot presume to know or be blessed. We are salt and light in the world, but we must choose not to hinder our impact or hide our light. We must "let" it shine. Regarding God's law, we are either breakers or keepers. In either case, we are teachers. This breaking or keeping begins in our heart, possibly the most unreliable place for it to begin except Jesus live there. Praying for ones persecutors is something God does. Jesus did it from the cross, but to know that God the Father was His example is amazing. God provides love and grace for all.

Jesus was led by the Spirit in order to be tempted by the devil. This is actually pretty shocking. We normally think about the Spirit leading us away from temptation. But, while this is our prayer (6:13), it is not always what happens. And how do we know about this story anyway? Jesus was alone. He had as yet no disciples. He Himself must have told them the tale. What was it like to hear the Lord of purity describe His temptations? Sure He did not feel guilty about them as we would... did He?  Perhaps it was in the telling that the temptation to condemn Himself (which I know we often feel) for being tempted was also overcome. (cf. Heb 4:15 ) To defeat the darkness, it must be brought into the light.

Inspired by Grace "Blessings" Photos!  Micah is growing and doing well. Thank you for your continued prayers and notes of encouragement Inspired by Grace "Blessings" Photos!

"Leave it now! For thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness." (my translation)  These words are Jesus' first in the gospel. They are words of submission, of obedience. They are words spoken in order that Jesus might be identified with us in baptism. They are words spoken as a model for us that we might be identified with Him. They are also authoritative words, spoken in the imperative (command) tense. Jesus orders John to stop arguing and just do what God has called him to do. There is no room for false humility, only obedience. This baptism is John's real ministry. It is how he is preparing "the way of the Lord." (v.3) His hesitation to baptize Jesus threatens the fulfillment of righteousness. Thus, Jesus is obedient to God, without pretense. And, He requires similar obedience from us.

This story is dramatic and powerful. It deserves to be told faithfully. The story of the wise men found in the second chapter of Matthew is full of details we often miss. Somehow, we have combined it with the story of the shepherds and the manger from Mark 2. Naturally! They both relate to the birth of Jesus. But, in our effort to share as many of the amazing aspects of Jesus' birth as we can, we've gotten into the habit of viewing both of these events as part of the same 55 minute Christmas Pageant. (How often do we see a manger scene without "3 kings" in it?) Even more professional efforts to tell the story, like The Nativity Story (a film we own and one I very highly recommend), don't tell the story of the wise men accurately. How can they? In trying to combine all these events into one composite work, we forget that they are not actually the same story. We start to harmonize them, with the result that we must change the details. So, ...

1) Family matters. Where Jesus came from was important. Without the lineage of Joseph (notice it was both adopted and valid), Jesus would not have been counted in the royal line. Without Joseph, Jesus would not (perhaps could not) have been Israel's king. 2) Joseph and Mary belonged to each other according to God's Word. Even as Bathsheba was always "of Uriah," so marriage is a permanent state of being joined together. This is a hard teaching in our culture, but we need it desperately. [Thus far, I see only three means by which the bond of marriage is severed: Death - 1 Cor. 7:39 ; Adultery - Matt. 19:9 ; and Abandonment by an unbeliever - 1 Cor. 7:12-16 . The first case is obvious. The second applies to the victim. The third case is the least certain to me regarding remarriage (because of v.16). Yet, God is gracious and my understanding is limited. There may be other reasons (like Abuse) that I don't see.] 3) Joseph, "her husband" already, loved M...

We are on our way to another eye exam for Micah. These are not her favorite things, to say the least. She didn't mind them so much at first, but I suppose they were mild compared to what else she had going on. As she gets used to being loved and protected all day every day, having her eyes poked at has definitely become less tolerable. We are praying for another great report and a long break until her next visit. Last week we saw Micah's lung doctor. She seems to be doing well, but we had to change our approach to weaning her off of the oxygen. We are waiting on a new machine to measure the level of O2 in her blood over a long period of time before we can proceed any further. The good news is there is no danger for Micah in being on her current level of support for an extended level of time. It's just logistically harder to get through each day while dragging around a big machine or a tank of O2. Our little Ahava also received her first shot last week. We still a...

Four more years of American decline into socialism. Why? I believe Mitt Romney lost yesterday's election because he wasn't a real choice. He wasn't a real conservative. He didn't ring true. His record and his words did not match. Conservatives didn't trust him, so many of them opted out. They know that a "moderate" Republican is really just a Democrat with an (R) behind his name. (Reports are already showing low participation for Evengelicals.) Romney simply didn't look much different than Mr. Obama. Probably because he isn't. Now, don't hear me saying that I'm sorry (or happy) he lost. I didn't believe either candidate was what America needed. Not if we really care about the future of our country. Not if we want a President who understands his need for Jesus to lead our nation. Not if we hope to save our country from its politicians. Not if we want to stop pretending that this is a "Christian nation" and start trying to ...

Sometimes I do things with the best of intentions, and find myself in sin. Often, this is because I get excited and don't stop to think and pray before I do them. What do I do when this happens? How do I respond? Do I defend myself? Do I make excuses? Do I hide behind my great intentions? Or, do I recognize the injury I have caused and do what I can to repair it? I hope I do the later. I wrote a blog about Halloween a little while ago. In it, I offered an argument for why Christians should not participate in this holiday, even as an opportunity for evangelism. I feel very strongly about this issue. This practice among our churches is a burden that brings me great sadness, and I believe the church's response to the spiritual realities associated with this particular day of the year are critical to who we are as a body. However, it is not enough for me to speak the truth (or at least my understanding of it). I must remind myself that "if I do not have love, I am ...

A key verse over Micah's life is Micah 7:7: "Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me." Even her name (and the name of the prophet) means "who is like our God" because there is no other god like our God (that is, the true God, who is ours because He has given Himself to us). This morning I was reading in the book of the prophet Micah, and I had a thought to share: I will bear the indignation of the LORD, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. - Micah 7:9 The problem, of course, is that we have sinned against God. Since we are unable to atone for our sin, the only solution is for He, Himself to bear our guilt, to pardon our iniquity and pass over our transgression (7:18) We know that this happens through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But, what is our sin: murder? adultery? theft? Perhaps. But, that is not the sin pictured in ...

God, teach me to love and think of 'the other'; God teach me to love, and be like you. For, your love is who you are. You thought of me and took my place on  Calvary's tree. God teach me to love and think of 'the other'; God teach me to love, and be like you. For, your love is who you are. You paid my price and took my pain and set me free. God teach me to love and think of 'the other'; God teach me to love and be like you. For, your love is who you are. You sought me out and took my sin. Now, I can see. A psalm of praise, in Gospel style, because God not only commands us to "sing unto the lord a new song", He also gives us the song.

Ok. It's time. I was reading my cousin's blog , where she wrote a very insightful article about child labor and the chocolate industry. I started following links, uncovering the dark side of the largest American chocolatiers and learning more about the situation, when a burden came upon me that this was the day to confront Halloween... again. After all, halloween is chocolate's big season. I know that some people think I'm a little strange to spend so much space fighting against a holiday that the National Retail Federation says 7 out of 10 Americans will participate in this year. I'm sure even most people who fall into the 3 out of 10 think I'm going overboard. Well, grab your life vest, because here we go... Remember, halloween is a 'holiday' (holy day). It is a religious event. It is a day of worship gods who are not YHWH. [ Ephessians 6:12 ] Children are ritually sacrificed (today!) as part of some satanic rituals connected to halloween. Trad...

 5 Months Old Today!   All of Papa's "Squirells"  Today, Micah is 5 months old! I can hardly believe it. It seems like we just got home from the hospital, but it has actually been 2 1/2 weeks. It has been a transition, but we are finally settling into a temporary routine until I go back to work. I am not sure when that will be. I am not sure what I will be doing. Micah is now over 7 1/2 pounds, which seems really big to us. She likes taking baths, sleeping, walks in her stroller, and car rides. She loves her sister, Gracey, and Gracey is starting to be more interested in Micah as well. We still have to be cautious about Micah's interactions with other people. There are a lot of germs out there her little system isn't prepared to take on yet. Hold on... did I mention she likes to be held...a lot. Mama's resting, so I am on duty. Guess this will be a short update. Thank you for your continued prayers. God is faithful. Happy 5 Month Bir...

Today we went on a little adventure (across town to buy the new Veggietales video), but truthfully every day has been an adventure. Micah is so amazing. She is really learning to tell us what she needs, and what she doesn't. Swaddling: need it. Fortifier for Mama's milk: don't need it (painful gas). Holding time: need it. Worship time: what fun! Alone time: not so much. Car ride: Why not? L-o-n-g car ride: No, thank you. Diaper change: absolutely, unless it is just gas. Face time: love it! Knowing we right there when she wakes up: constantly. We have been blessed. Micah smiles a lot. She is happy most of the time. So are we, even when we aren't seeing eye to eye (or even eye to foot). Micah likes being with us. She loves to just stare at our faces. She likes light. She is strong, she lifts her head and is already trying to turn over. We are being cared for as well. The body of Christ is really pulling through for us: meals, counsel, encouragement, rejoicing, prayer,...

We are home! We are disoriented, tired, battle-weary, and shell-shocked. But, we are home. We are on fairly strict isolation for Micah's health, still getting used to having her on oxygen, tired (did I say that already?), and unable to adequately repay and/or thank all of those who continue to bless us. But, we are home. We took a lot of pictures of us leaving the hospital, but I left the flash drive at Great-Uncle Jerry and Great Aunt Vicki's house when we got Gracey. We had been using their small digital camera while we were at the hospital. (By the way, Aunt is pronounced awnt not ant in our family because Olivia grew up in Massachusetts and I've grown to like it. I guess it sounds more official.) When we left, Olivia even got to carry Micah out in a wheelchair, just like she would have if she'd just delivered. She was so excited! But, like I said, I left those photos in Fort Worth. So, I'm going to see what I can find on our phones. Thank you again fo...