Today you will go shopping to restock the shelves of your whole self. Hopefully, you'll choose to strengthen rather than weaken that which depends on you.
For your mind, remember to pick up some clarity. It is on the aisle where you give your day to God.
For your body, don't forget the seed-bearing plants. They are on the Genesis 1:29 aisle where God reminds us of how we are fearfully and wonderfully made in our original state.
The heart is next on your list. One product trumps all others on the God's Favorites aisle: forgiveness. Spend as much as you want for that.
And last, shop for your soul. You'll need those contractor garbage bags. If God is building the spiritual house of your soul, He'll be needing to haul off some garbage of sin and idol worship that collects so easily.
I think that's it. Shopping complete. Now where are those people you love--you'll need to spend some extra time loving on them this weekend.
23 June 2012
21 June 2012
God Intimacies
I had fallen behind.
I realized this morning that my next Bible reading in my yearlong journey was for June 19 and here it is June 21.
As I was chiding myself for missing two days, I opened my app to 1 Kings 17, where Elijah was being fed by the ravens.
I was speechless and had to pause, simply amazed.
Just last evening, someone relayed to me how God had so powerfully used that very story to impact that person's God-walk. To be fed by the ravens--God-provision--had become the very substance of faith and holding on.
Had I read it two days ago, would I have remembered?
Perhaps, but the connection would not have been nearly as sweet.
Do you look for these intimacies? Do you realize they are part of God's language system with us?
May there be a God-sweetening moment in your day.
I realized this morning that my next Bible reading in my yearlong journey was for June 19 and here it is June 21.
As I was chiding myself for missing two days, I opened my app to 1 Kings 17, where Elijah was being fed by the ravens.
I was speechless and had to pause, simply amazed.
Just last evening, someone relayed to me how God had so powerfully used that very story to impact that person's God-walk. To be fed by the ravens--God-provision--had become the very substance of faith and holding on.
Had I read it two days ago, would I have remembered?
Perhaps, but the connection would not have been nearly as sweet.
Do you look for these intimacies? Do you realize they are part of God's language system with us?
May there be a God-sweetening moment in your day.
20 June 2012
The Land That Is You
You are the leader over the land that is you.
Imagine yourself a piece of land in that you have an impact on lives and the environment--you "extend out" in a number of directions with your influence.
You are the king of that land.
As king of your land, you can, with your free will, associate with various other kings, including God the King.
Or not.
There is a curious passage in 2 Chronicles 14:
Love your kingship by loving the right King.
Imagine yourself a piece of land in that you have an impact on lives and the environment--you "extend out" in a number of directions with your influence.
You are the king of that land.
As king of your land, you can, with your free will, associate with various other kings, including God the King.
Or not.
There is a curious passage in 2 Chronicles 14:
Because [King Asa] got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in the [land], his kingdom was at peace. Because the land was quiet and there was no war, he was able to build up a good defense system for [his land]. God kept the peace.Let's try this out on ourselves:
Because you as king got rid of all the pagan shrines and altars in your land, your kingdom is at peace. Because your land is quiet and there is no war, you are able to build up a good defense system, that is, feed your strength. God keeps the peace.Worship of anything or anyone outside of God translates to a weakening of your defense system--you are feeding your weakness.
Love your kingship by loving the right King.
19 June 2012
Are You On a Runaway Train?
Think back over the last number of years.
Has some strand of your life been gradually gathering steam until now it is virtually in runaway mode?
Eating? Spending? Smoldering anger? Cheating people?
Parts of us can, little by little, stray out of control until that part begins to disconnect from our self-control and behaves like a train that has lost its conductor. Indeed, perhaps the part disconnects completely and the potential for self-wreckage becomes even greater.
Who can stop a runaway train?
I think only an act of God. Intervention has to be so dramatic that a power bigger than ours comes into play.
But remember, God is a gentleman. He usually waits to be asked. And be prepared--though He has a flair for the dramatic in scenery and thunderstorms, He seems to stop runaway trains more like one mph at a time.
If you are somewhere out of control, don't let your train derail. Ask for help.
There is exceeding majesty in a God-led train.
Has some strand of your life been gradually gathering steam until now it is virtually in runaway mode?
Eating? Spending? Smoldering anger? Cheating people?
Parts of us can, little by little, stray out of control until that part begins to disconnect from our self-control and behaves like a train that has lost its conductor. Indeed, perhaps the part disconnects completely and the potential for self-wreckage becomes even greater.
Who can stop a runaway train?
I think only an act of God. Intervention has to be so dramatic that a power bigger than ours comes into play.
But remember, God is a gentleman. He usually waits to be asked. And be prepared--though He has a flair for the dramatic in scenery and thunderstorms, He seems to stop runaway trains more like one mph at a time.
If you are somewhere out of control, don't let your train derail. Ask for help.
There is exceeding majesty in a God-led train.
18 June 2012
Live a Small Town Life
Perhaps there is often an undercurrent of disdain for small town life because it holds the very secret to emotional health.
Small town life, lived well, owns the secret of community.
Community means you get to know a few people well. My daughter lives in NYC's West Village where cars are optional; nearly everything needed springs up within walking distance. Alone at the nearby grocery, I gave the cashier my daughter's phone number as the discount card. She smiled and asked, "Where's my chipmunk?" (Her pet name for my young grandson.) Trading in a small space, even in the biggest city, lends itself to you becoming known.
You belong.
Community has cheerleaders. People know you care when you show up in a place where they are featured yet your presence is optional. Other people's kids light up when they see you at ballgames and recitals. Adults smile because you attend their recreational softball game or that fundraiser they hold dear.
Your presence is intentional.
And, community has biblical written all over it. God said Adam needed someone--thus, Eve--and we never stopped. It is virtually impossible to find a story in the Bible absent of a circle of people who know and care and struggle and triumph.
You live in a circle God-ordained.
So, on this Monday, is emotional health a goal for the week?
Feed your strength with a small town life.
Small town life, lived well, owns the secret of community.
Community means you get to know a few people well. My daughter lives in NYC's West Village where cars are optional; nearly everything needed springs up within walking distance. Alone at the nearby grocery, I gave the cashier my daughter's phone number as the discount card. She smiled and asked, "Where's my chipmunk?" (Her pet name for my young grandson.) Trading in a small space, even in the biggest city, lends itself to you becoming known.
You belong.
Community has cheerleaders. People know you care when you show up in a place where they are featured yet your presence is optional. Other people's kids light up when they see you at ballgames and recitals. Adults smile because you attend their recreational softball game or that fundraiser they hold dear.
Your presence is intentional.
And, community has biblical written all over it. God said Adam needed someone--thus, Eve--and we never stopped. It is virtually impossible to find a story in the Bible absent of a circle of people who know and care and struggle and triumph.
You live in a circle God-ordained.
So, on this Monday, is emotional health a goal for the week?
Feed your strength with a small town life.
17 June 2012
Little Hearts In Their Care
Fathers hand down leadership. They, with a partner, establish a community of little hearts. This unique sphere has personality and pizzazz, poignancy and a parade of memories.
Fathers hand down love. If love is safe in their arms, then the little hearts learn trust and security. If the love is volatile or stony silent, then the learning is colder and harder. A father's love is a huge piece of the blueprint applied to every relationship on the horizon of the little hearts.
And, perhaps most importantly, fathers hand down legacy of faith. The God they know is the one the little hearts first meet. Is this God worthy of their exploration and worship? Should they pursue Him? Little hearts so look up to fathers--if God is good enough for my daddy, then He must be worth my time and pursuit.
It is hard, fathers, to be the very trumpet of God. Play it well.
Photographer: Stuart Kime
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