Sometimes I dispute, but the act of writing things down has always been helpful to me. It clariies things. Scattered thoughts come together. Extraneous ideas are filtered. It works for me.
There are many biblical examples of a person receiving an insight or even a revelation and writing it down. Sometimes, it is is even a command. One example, however, stands out.
Jesus was being manipulated ... or at least they tried ... by detractors and critics. They were trying to control His agenda in order to discredit Him. He took His time, made the dirt His paper and His finger a pen. Then He wrote. We don't know what. It is fun to speculate. Maybe folks could read His writing; maybe not. It possibly wasn't for them.
John 8:6: " They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger."
The fact is that when He was done, He knew what to say and what to do.
I can't think of a better endorsement for making notes to myself in all of history, literature, or scripture.
I am at the Richmond International Airport transitioning back to California time, which is frightening because it is 2:50 A.M. there and I have been up for hours.
What is nice is that we have internet access. We have grown so accustomed to that convenience of modern times -- and we like it free and fast.
Free and fast access -- to information, news, email, friend updates ... the world.
I like it, but what I really like is the access I had at 3:00 A.M. EST before I even thought abvout turning on the laptop. That was the access I enjoyed as I sat on the side of the bed with an open bible and an open heart. It is the access I had as I laid my head on the pillow last night and all through the night.
It is the access that continually transitions and transports me beyond time and space. It is the access that I have had fpor so many years to One who knows me, accepts me, loves me, and walks alongside me.
" 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body ... " - Hebrews 10:19-20
I have been on vacation and, according to the purpose of such, I have been reviewing and renewing my life, my goals, my routines, and my activities. I've been getting up early - just like at home. I've been reading, walking, praying, preparing, visiting, and refreshing, but without hurry or expectations.
Reviewing, renewing, and refreshing - sounds like a pretty good sermon or something.
"Our Father" is an invitation to invite all for whom we intercede, with whom we are concerned, and for whom we deeply care to be included in our prayer for kingdom come, the benevolent will of God, the generous provision of God, the gracious forgiveness of God, and the overcoming power of God.
Perhaps the next time you pray the prayer, you will pause and specifically, intentionally, and lovingly include some friends and family scattered and gathered in your own prayer time before God.
"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." - Luke 5:5 (NIV)
Been there!
I've done my best. I am sure I've exhausted all the possibilities, expended all the energy, and exercised all the faithfulness possible with no results.
It is as if reciprocity has evaded us and the laws of nature have been suspended to deny us just recompense for our efforts.
It is the dark side of light, the defining moment of discouragement. We have worked all night for nothing and we are ready to quit. We could not muster another moment except ... and then ... and until ...
...comes Jesus ...
Infuriating and inspiring Jesus comes and bids us cast our nets one more time.
One more time!
We would not do it for anyone else, even ourselves. We don't want to try again. We don't even really believe ...
But your word!
At your word, if you say so, we will.
And that is all it takes!'
We let down the nets one more time and this time, only this time, they are filled.
What will we do today, with feeble hands, faltering faith, and failing history, simply and wearily at the word of the Master? Even if we have no hope of success, we will drop our nets and let Him fill them as He will.
As I was despairing that my old neighborhood was being neglected by businesses and forgotten by the world, I made a wonderful discovery - Taza Coffee 'n Creme . I am encouraged. The neighborhood can come back because these folks are offering a place, a hangout.
I had been getting a Nehemiah complex, but it looks like there are some Nehemiahs already here - and some Josephs!
I've been walking around looking at empty buildings that once buzzed with neighbohood commerce, a park where Curly Neal of the Harlem Globetortters played basketball, A library that has kept community alive and where I learned to love books, a school that has survived, reinvented itself, and thrived, and neighborhoods that have continued to house and nurture people. It is the empty stores that bug me. I wonder why they are empty. There was such a village here.
Why do people drive outside their neighborhoods to do business?
Taza is making a difference, Ben and Mary, Avian, and Jackie welcomed me, engaged me in conversation, and shared their vision which is a wonderful encouragement to what we are doing in Fresno at 4141 Ministries.
I can't do anything about my hometown, but it is good to know people are. This place is busy and you have to work hard to find it! It is the same way, almost with Joseph's Java Junction and Caryl's Cottage. But clearly, for all, once found, folks keep comin g back.
I am encouraged and inspired - not just for Westover Hills, but more so, for 4141 N. Fresno Street and our neighborhood as we live out our 21st century expression of Genesis 41:41, the commission to BLESS our communities. My walks are solidifying my vision for where we are called and my understanding of the larger mission when we export our influence and develop a reproducing, organic, life-force in the Kingdom.
I have been inspired by Harold Schultz in many ways with his Starbucks implementation of the 3rd place concept. If anyone is called to bless and build communities and people, empower, and encourage, it is the church. It is Joseph and Nehemiah - rebuilding walls, strengthening infratsructures, setting tables, creating entrepreneurial initiatives, developing leaders, and feeding their communities - thus and through these things, announcing the kingdom of hope, the presence of Jesus, and the possib ility of metanoia (life-change, possibilities, hope).
I have watched lots of folks come in during the last hour as I have been here using the free internet and delicious coffee. All have been warmly greeted. I am renewed to get back the Joseph's Java Junction.
I am supposed to be on vacation, but this is better.
Lots of trouble in the world ... Lots of turmoil ... Soil of fear ... Toil of tears ... But my soul can be still, ...Sided with by the One who walks beside. When I cried, He heard. When I sighed, He spoke the Word. Nothing has changed. I am not shaken. These are days of grace. - Tom Sims
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
(The melody is Finlandia by Sibelius, and the words are translated from the German work of Catharina von Schlegel, a Lutheran who wrote during the Pietist period of the 18th century.)
"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;" - Joel 1:1
I don't own a trumpet; I don't play a trumpet; I can't actually, literally follow this directive. But I do love the sound of trumpets and this trumpet sounds like one I can relate to.
The "day of the Lord!"
It is a day of judgment and that can be terrifying ... but it can also be comforting.
It all depends on how one aligns oneself.
For instance, if you are protesting an evil repressive regime and calling for justice, the trumpet might sound quite appealing. If you are suffering under the weight of that oppression, you may long for the trumpet to sound.
It is the day of setting things right.
But it is also a day of great mercy.
Trumpets sound
Ifyou are suffering under the weight of debilitating disease, the weight of a persistent addiction, the weight of depression, guilt, shame, or financial worries, you long for the sound of the trumpet. If you wake up pondering and mourning the state of the world, you dance to the sound of the trumpet.
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
You are looking, longing, and languishing for a new day. The trumpet lets us know that the day is here and now ... even as a greater day is coming.
But we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves.
These days of Lenten preparation begin with the ashes of grief, sorrow, penitence, and pain, but they do so against the backdrop of a trumpet announcing a new day.
Hand me a trumpet and I will do my best to play along with the band.
Daily Readings for Lent: Psalm 5, Psalm 147:1–11, Psalm 27, 51, Jonah 3:1—4:11, Hebrews 12:1–14, Luke 18:9–14
Ash Wednesday Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
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