Uncategorized

by

Eastwood and Aroostook on Ownership

Neither Hollywood nor Washington gets much time here in this blog, but last night I watched the video of Clint Eastwood’s speech at the Republicans’ recent convention. “We own this country,” he said. A roar of assent from the audience. “And when someone isn’t doing the job, we’ve got to let him go.” Another roar of approval.

That statement will probably be the catalyst for all kinds of debates, and I do understand the context and the point Mr. Eastwood was making; but his talk of ownership reminded me of something we too often forget: 

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. (Psalm 24:1)

I’ve just caught a glimpse of one of the Lord’s jewels, Aroostook County. The northernmost county of Maine, Aroostook covers almost 7,000 square miles and is the largest county east of the Mississippi.

In just two days’ drive, one can only sample the flavor of such a large place; but I saw blue and purple mountains, glittering lakes, green river valleys, and deep forests broken occasionally by sunny meadows filled with thick drifts of Queen Anne’s lace and goldenrod. We drove by hunting lodges, huge grain and potato fields, serene rivers, and tiny towns of no more than eight or ten houses. Aroostook may call itself The Crown of Maine, but it is surely one of the Lord’s dazzling jewels.

He owns this earth and everything in it.

For He laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. (v. 2)

He is the One who made it. He owns it. The people of a democracy might like to think they own their country, but the long drive through Aroostook reminded me there’s a much bigger and even more important perspective: This earth is the Lord’s; His hand made all this, including the people of this world. It is all His.

Who may climb the mountain of the LORD ? Who may stand in His holy place? (v. 3)

Who may even come into the presence of such a high and holy God, the one who made and owns it all?

Only those whose hearts and hands are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies. (v. 4)

Do not despair, thinking of how impure your hearts and hands may be … Christ has taken care of the stains blotched across our lives. His blood washes away those stains; He dresses us in spotless robes and presents us faultless to the Father. Hallelujah!

But two things hinder us from entering fully into His presence today: worshipping idols and telling lies.

In Biblical days, people worshipped man-made idols thought to have power over every aspect of life. In our day, all kinds of things usurp God’s rightful place in our lives–careers, possessions, passions, political parties, even a church or our loved ones. Any of those things can own us, claim to provide for us what God alone provides, and demand worship and devotion that belong only to God. If there are idols in our lives, they keep us from entering fully into His holy place.

And we cannot enter if we tell lies. Scriptures are very clear that God hates lying; Jesus said He Himself was truth. But I’m wondering if this particular verse might be referring to the lies we tell when we say we follow Him, but we are following other gods; when we say we trust Him, but we do not live with assurance of His care; when we say He is Lord, but we do not yield the throne to Him. Those kinds of lies keep us from climbing the mountain of the Lord and standing in His holy place.

Those whose hearts and hands are pure, who have burned their idols and do not lie, those people

…will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.(v. 5)

You own this earth and its people, Father.
We seek your holy place,
to live in Your presence all the days of our lives.

Amen.

by

Right here, all the time.

It was obviously a special date. He wore khakis and a dress shirt; she was in a dress well accessorized with jewelry, makeup, and heels. Hand in hand, they walked down the sidewalk toward me… both of them oblivious to the other, since each was lost in animated conversation on their cell phone. But holding hands, at least! What a romantic date, I thought to myself (somewhat sarcastically, I admit).

This morning, that memory from years ago popped up in my prayers. Odd thing to remember during prayer, right? On my morning walk, I’d started as I often do these days, with Psalm 63, O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you…

About that time, the image of the cell-phone date popped into my head…and I see that I’m the oblivious one walking along. Yes, I’m the one wanting to hold hands and forge a relationship with my God; but most of the time, I’m distracted by and feel compelled to answer everything else that comes along and clamors for my attention. And I forget that the One I say I thirst for, long for, and love above all else … is right there with me all the time. I forget.

The book of Psalms is a favorite for many people, and I believe it’s because those writers knew all about the ups and downs, triumphs and failures, of our walk with God.  The entire range of our pilgrimage experience is included in that book: rebellious sin and the misery that follows; helplessness in the face of enemies; fear; unspeakable awe in the presence of the Almighty; exultation in His goodness and power; disappointment and discouragement; absolute trust in God’s care; anger at circumstances. The list goes on and on.

Yet in everything, everywhere, the psalmist says in Psalm 139, God holds our hands. He is there. He never leaves us. No matter where we go, what we do,

… even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.

I want to walk today, every day, much more aware that He is right here with me, holding my hand. All the time.

 

by

Rock Piles and Salt

In a cemetery in New England, I watched a woman take a few small, smooth stones from her coat pocket and carefully position them atop a gravestone. That was the first time I saw one of those rock-balancing creations. Now, I notice them many places. In an isolated or otherwise undisturbed place with no one else in sight, we come upon an intriguing stack of stones. Traveling the coast of Maine recently with friends, we left a few of our own:

(Note that God’s rock creations were much more amazing than ours.)

For centuries, cairns have been built for many reasons: marking trails, ceremonial traditions, or meditative moments.  The Israelites piled up stone memorials to remember what God had done at various points in their journey to the Promised Land. Many we see today are simply a way of saying, “I was here.”

But these rock piles, whether humble or fantastic, have me thinking about how we leave something of ourselves in every life through which we walk.

This is certainly not a new idea; it’s just a reminder for today.

You’ve heard of the “leave no trace” ethic for outdoor environments? There is no such thing as “leave no trace” living. We touch every life through which we walk. As we go through each day–no matter how hum-drum, routine, or filled with drama–we build little rock piles that testify to our presence and touch in others’ lives.

We are children of God, and our lives belong to Him. What do the cairns we leave behind us say about the One we serve? Do they mark the trail to the One who gave us a new life? Do they proclaim, “God has been at work here; this is His handiwork”?

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8.

Think about the fruits of the Spirit. How many of those fruits involve relationships and our interaction with others? Everyone single one of them, I think!

Even things we might think are unimportant and inconsequential reflect who we are and whose we are. To switch to a different metaphor, Jesus said we’re to be the salt of the earth. (I find it interesting that even those who have no knowledge of Jesus’ teaching use this phrase and recognize its meaning.) Ever think about it that salt is made up of tiny, tiny particles? And just a few of those crystals can change the flavor of food, add length of life to something preserved, or create a chemical reaction much bigger than the few grains themselves.

We do the same. We will add some kind of flavor to the life of everyone we meet today. We’ve all had it happen—a small gesture or word from someone else changes our day. Whether we want to or not, whether we’re conscious of it or not, we leave a mark on every other life we meet.  

Bear with me, here. Writer that I am, I seek the perfect word—and I’m not certain that “mark” is the best word for that last sentence. So I check my thesaurus. Other possibilities include stain, smear, and blotch. Or maybe evidence, proof, sign, and indication.

Uh-oh. Will the little grains of salt I sprinkle into lives today leave stains, smears, and blotches on the hearts and spirits of others? Or are they evidence, proof, and a sign of Whose I am?

 

by

He keeps my lamp burning

 

“Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven
is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

 

When John the Baptist was born, his father Zechariah saw a new day coming for the people of Israel. A new day, springing from the tender mercy of God. 

Zechariah’s prophecy spoke of light from heaven bursting into human history—Jesus. Light from the merciful Creator, Light to break the darkness enveloping the world He had created and loved.

Even after we know Christ, we may sometimes sit in darkness. It may be the darkness of hard times, darkness because we do not understand and still have things to learn, darkness because of our own bad choices, or the darkness of the shadow of death. 

Jesus brings light to our darknesses. His life brought light to everyone,  John writes about Jesus. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  

He comes into our lives to give light. No matter how our darkness feels today, God’s tender mercy, His compassionate love for us, breaks whatever darkness fills our lives. What is it you need? Healing? Cleansing of a bitter heart? Understanding? Forgiveness? Hope? Eyes to see Him? Faith? Unconditional love?

Jesus said, “If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

King David certainly had dark times in his life. But his song was this,

You light a lamp for me.
The LORD my God lights up my darkness. 

God’s tender mercy promises that He will also light a lamp for us.   

* 

Scripture: John 1:4-5; John 8:12; Psalm 18:26 (all NLT)

 More on the promise of Light that gives life: Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:13; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 49:9; Isaiah 60:20; Micah 7:8; Matthew 4:16; John 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 John 5:12,10;

by

Singing for Joy

Sing for joy, all you who rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

We have been ransomed from slavery, the price has been paid for our freedom.

And now we live a life birthed and sustained by the Spirit of God, a life that will not fade and wither away but is built on the eternal word of God.

We do not walk through our years on earth alone. He comes to those who belong to Him and makes His home with them. He will never leave us. Unfailing love surrounds us.

Wherever our journey takes us, His hand guides us and His strength supports us. He leads us to green pastures and still waters, and holds us securely even through the valley of the shadow of death.

His power works in us, a power so great that it raises from the dead. Those who trust in Him are like trees by the water; they do not fear the heat or long drought, their leaves are always green, and they never stop producing fruit.

The fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain.

O God, you are my God;
   I earnestly search for you.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
   How I praise You !
Because You are my helper,
  I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

 

**

From: Psalm 61:5; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:23; John 14:23; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 139:10; Psalm 23:2,4; Ephesians 1:19-20; Jeremiah 17:8; Proverbs 14:27; Psalm 63:1,3,7.