"Eternal Thanksgiving"

Devotional originally posted August 11, 2016

This human being (or is that “being human”) gig is not an easy one. We live in a crazy, complicated and contentious culture where terrorism, mass shootings and random violence are becoming so commonplace that the shock of these events threatens to give way to resignation. This year we have the added craziness of a political system gone haywire to make sense of. Too often I still find myself frustrated by people, events or circumstances that plague this fallen world. It would be easy to allow these feelings to take me down the all too familiar roads of anger and resentment or worry and depression.

Sometimes I wonder where God is amidst all of this turmoil? I must admit that there have been times when it feels as if God has abandoned us and left us here to get through this world on our own…  but then I realize that God is right where God has always been: Within. Within me, within you, within the sunset and the rainbow, whether we recognize it or not we are interconnected by His internal, eternal presence. God will always live within our hearts and souls and no terrorist or politician can change that.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Some years ago, I entered a treatment program to overcome an addictive behavior.  One of the most important parts of my rehab was to write a page or two in a journal at the end of each day. The idea was to reflect on what went well and what did not go so well and to learn from the experience. I always ended my journal entries by listing three things for which I am grateful. The gratitude entries didn’t have to be anything major because remembering to be grateful for the little things can help keep us grounded. I remember one night being grateful for rose petals, bottle-caps, and opposable thumbs.

One of my best defenses still, against the world, is to keep adding to that gratitude list. The simple act of writing down those people, events, and circumstances that are blessings, helps me better appreciate the experience of the present moment.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.  ― Bill Keane

After all… How can I continue to operate in frustration when I am thinking about how others have contributed good to my life? How can I fail to understand the gift of each day as I experience life’s small pleasures? How can we not feel a sense of abundance when we take a few moments to think about the beauty and wonder that surrounds us?  Thank you Lord for the gift of this day, help me learn better how to walk with you in it.

Jesus Calms the Storm | Mark 4:35-41

I have the absolute pleasure of leading the Kids’ Ministry here at CitySalt Church. And each week I am moved into extreme thankfulness and awe, just by being with our kids! I love seeing how they experience God, and getting to rehearse the Truths I have known my whole life with them, while seeing it through their eyes. I feel like it gives me a front row seat and such a fresh perspective, reminding me to “be like a child.” (Matt. 18:3)

And though teaching the kids isn’t all about me, God sure does meet me in the middle of it. Each week as I sit with Him and pray and get direction for the next Sunday lesson, He speaks to me and shows me more about Himself and the Word. It’s so fun.

Most recently, as we’ve been looking at Jesus’ life, He has been highlighting the relationship aspect to me. I have been struck anew by both Jesus’ relationship with the Father and the beautiful way they interact, as well as Jesus’ relationship with His friends.  

My latest example is the story when Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:35-41). A few really key points jumped out and grabbed me, and I am excited to share them with you.

The first thing that hit me was the disciples. Lately, I have been really relating to those guys! As you read , and put yourself into their sandals, it helps to get a feel for what was going on. Jesus had just finished preaching all day, and then had stepped aside with the disciples and explained the parables to them. He was tired!  In verse 36 it says they took Him “just as He was” in the boat, and they headed across to the other side of the sea which was more remote. Jesus lay down in the back of the boat, with His head on a hard leather pillow, and slept.  

Next, of course, the storm hits! And the disciples are freaking out! They had been on this sea before, and I am sure had seen storms come and go. For them to be fearful for their lives, you know it was a big deal. This is where it’s really fun to put yourself right in the story – with the boat going up and down, the huge waves, and the storm crashing all around. I wonder who finally decided to wake Jesus up? I wonder if they had a discussion first? Maybe they were hesitant to wake Him, because they knew He needed sleep? You know they were scared and possibly frustrated. You can tell they are upset with Him when they do finally wake Him, saying, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  

How many times in my life have I looked at circumstances that I have been praying for, that are HARD, and my prayers have turned into rebukes? “Jesus, why aren’t You doing anything? Why isn’t this changing? Why aren’t they healed? Don’t you care?” Let’s just say, I can relate to the disciples! Can you?

Jesus, of course, wakes up and rebukes the storm, saying, “Quiet! Be still!” (v. 39) and the wind died down and the storm was completely calm. What would that have been like to see? Again, the disciples were familiar with the water, and had most likely seen lots of storms come and go. Never had they seen one immediately calm down at a command! Wow!

The last part of this story is Jesus’ response to His friends. He does not talk about the storm. He instead asks them questions. See, they had been with Him through a lot, had walked miles and miles by His side, had heard Him teach and had seen Him perform many miracles already. So He used questions to help them see what they were believing…Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40)

This is the point of the story that I love.  As I put myself in the story, I realized Jesus did not mention the storm or talk about the circumstances at all. He was reminding them what it’s really all about – having our eyes on Him, having faith, and believing Truth despite what is happening around us. You see, they had expectations. They expected His love to look a certain way, they expected Him to do certain things, and they judged His heart based on what they perceived as the outcome. His questions were reminding them who He was, and allowing them experience that Truth in the midst of the storm.

Again, I can relate! When I am praying with someone who is hurting or a circumstance that is complicated, I can focus on the storm. I can come up with the perfect plan or solution and then look for Jesus to accomplish it. I expect His love and actions to line up with my expectations. And when it doesn’t look like that’s happening, what do I do? I can get frustrated, I can doubt, I can start to partner with fear and question Jesus’ love. “Don’t you care?” I know I have certainly done all of these things.

What I take away from this story, though, is that Jesus didn’t say, “I will calm every storm in your life.” He instead directed the disciples’ focus back to Himself, and what they knew about Him. This highlights the real storm, which is not the circumstances but what is going on inside of us. The battle between fear and faith, between believing God is good and judging Him by the circumstances. The battle between knowing His heart for us and letting our fear be the lens to how we see Him.  

There is a never-ending supply of storms.  Jesus said, “In this world there will be trouble,” (John 16:33) but He doesn’t leave it there. He goes on to say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This is where we can place our hope and our trust. His love will never fail us. In the midst of the storm, we can turn our eyes to Him and we can rehearse the truth: He is good. His love never fails. With Him all things are possible.

Thank You, Jesus, that You are with us in the storms of our lives. Thank You that we don’t have to rely on circumstances and we can let go of our expectations, and instead put our eyes on You. Thank You for the reminder of who You are, that “even the wind and waves obey You.” (v. 41) I bless each of us with the ability to tuck into You in the midst of the storms, as you help us live in the reality of Your love.

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

"Faith & Reason" by Joseph Scheyer

When my career as a science teacher took me to a Christian High School, I faced a crossroads when I found that our Biology text stated that, (pardon my paraphrase) “…based upon genealogical evidence tracing the lineage of mankind back to everyone’s ultimate ancestors: Adam and Eve, the earth was created approximately 11,000 years ago.  My reason (backed by tons of geological data) tells me that the earth is billions of years old.  I mean… I have rocks in my house that are much older than that.  Why would God create the earth only appear to be billions of years old? I simply could not teach this to the students and so must confess that we found a way to skip over that chapter (at the risk of leaving a gap in their High School Biology education). Does this mean I lack faith? Did I let my sense of reason blind me to the truth of the creation?  When the students asked, I explained that this was one view of creation and that as their science teacher, it is best to examine all of the viewpoints before advancing any conclusions.  I also let them know I did not share this interpretation and invited discussion with the understanding that having faith does not mean that you abandon reason. 

In the science department of the university, I found the disdain for Christian faith almost palpable at times …  and then I’ve run across a few in my Christian journey who think that science and reason somehow threaten our faith. Each side sees science and God as oppositional. In my experience, faith is not the absence of reason but enhances reason just as reason can edify faith.
With reason, we can think about the marvels of God’s creation and we can begin to sense the depth of His infinite presence. Reason also helps us understand that our human knowledge is limited and see how much is beyond our abilities.  Knowing that you cannot know God --- while in His presence --- provides opportunity for the inner statement of trust and humility that is faith. Faith then becomes the instrument we can use to tap into the truth beyond what we know.  Reason edifies Faith.

Faith in God compels us to use our intellect and logic to appreciate and integrate our faith... there is no doubt that God wants us to Know Him. God wants us to use our finite tools of logic to seek to perceive Him with our mind so that we can expand our scope of, and our ability to, use reason to understand God. Faith enhances reason. 

It is through Faith that we experience the essence of God and it is through Reason that we experience the expression of God. 
~Simon Jacobsen

Faith and reason together can be powerful but We must take care to not allow our reason to quiet the inner voice that tells us what we know, in our hearts, to be true. On the other hand, a healthy mind recognizes its innate limitations, acknowledging the many experiences and understandings beyond the scope of our own logic. When I hold a baby in my arms… or a bird or a leaf -- and see the miracle and wonder of their creation-- it is clear that their existence is an extension of Gods remarkable love, just as I am, and you are.  

Because we weren’t there at the time of creation, I guess we will never know if the earth was created at the time our textbook stated or if Gods creation plan was to form the earth over four billion years ago. In any case, I’m grateful that God gave us the ability to use our sense of reason to fortify our faith as well as to use our faith to bring power to our reasoning. 

"Out of this World" by Shelby Tucker


John 15:19 (KJV) reads: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

I have often in life felt hated by the world. Like the rules and the systems were only in place for my dismay. Like it was wrong to love and live freely and as though I truly could not belong. Before finding the love of Christ, this was a very scary thought to me. For when the world is all we know, and it seems to hate us with a vigorous agenda that we can't understand, what else do we have? Where is our hope???

My hope was found in Jesus! Jesus tells me that when the world is especially nasty to me, it means I have been chosen. That my name has been written in the book of life. That my place is in the Kingdom, not in the world. THAT LOVE AND TRUTH ARE WINNING! I remind myself that it's not me alone that the world is out to get, it's Jesus. For Jesus is the truest truth, and upon His return He will shed light on the world's lies, on its indecency.

The world isn't mad at me, it's mad that Christ has one more follower. It's upset because it knows it will be caught in its web of lies, that it's reign will not last forever. It's simply lashing out like a child not getting his way. So when I feel especially outcast from societal points of view, especially angry at the corruption of the system, and especially unable to exist within either of these, I keep my faith in Christ. Knowing full well that it is, in fact, in my favor to be "out of this world".
 

"Eternal Thanksgiving" by Joseph Scheyer

This human being (or is that being human) gig is not an easy one. We live in a crazy, complicated and contentious culture where terrorism, mass shootings and random violence are becoming so commonplace that the shock of these events threatens to give way to resignation. This year we have the added craziness of a political system gone haywire to make sense of. Too often I still find myself frustrated by people, events or circumstances that plague this fallen world. It would be easy to allow these feelings to take me down the all too familiar roads of anger and resentment or worry and depression.

Sometimes I wonder where God is amidst all of this turmoil? I must admit that there have been times when it feels as if God has abandoned us and left us here to get through this world on our own…  but then I realize that God is right where God has always been: Within. Within me, within you, within the sunset and the rainbow, whether we recognize it or not we are interconnected by His internal eternal presence. God will always live within our hearts and souls and no terrorist or politician can change that.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
~James 1:17

Some years ago, I entered a treatment program to overcome an addictive behavior.  One of the most important parts of my rehab was to write a page or two in a journal at the end of each day. The idea was to reflect on what went well and what did not go so well and to learn from the experience. I always ended my journal entries by listing three things for which I am grateful. The gratitude entries didn’t have to be anything major because remembering to be grateful for the little things can help keep us grounded. I remember one night being grateful for rose petals, bottle-caps, and opposable thumbs.

One of my best defenses still, against the world, is to keep adding to that gratitude list. The simple act of writing down those people, events, and circumstances that are blessings, helps me better appreciate the experience of the present moment.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present. 
― Bil Keane

After all… How can I continue to operate in frustration when I am thinking about how others have contributed good to my life? How can I fail to understand the gift of each day as I experience life’s small pleasures? How can we not feel a sense of abundance when we take a few moments to think about the beauty and wonder that surrounds us?  Thank you Lord for the gift of this day, help me learn better how to walk with you in it.

Living in the Light

For most of my life I have suffered with SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I cycle through a period of depression every year, and actually more often than not, as cloudy days come and finally go.  I was pleased to read that this pattern is not a moral failure but instead a medical condition.  People choose different ways to manage this malady.  One of the most important ways to treat it may be to get more light exposure. The symptomatic list certainly describes my experience: lack of energy, weakened immune system, irritability, lack of concentration, over-eating and weight gain, alcohol or drug abuse, feelings of guilt and worry, sleep problems and social and relational problems.

Because of SAD and other forms of depression, I have been plagued most of my adult life, I have often felt that I was living in a dark place.  The longing in me for the warm, rejuvenating sun and its light drew me to search for what the bible says will help me. Years ago, I started to mark all the places where light is referred to in the scripture.  By now I have memorized many references and I recite them in times of depression.  One of my favorites is from 1 John 1:5-7; ‘’God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.”  Also John 1:4 reveals, “In Him (Jesus) was life and that life was the light of men.” Jesus was and is the true light that gives light to every man.

There are so many more examples.  As I’ve studied light, I’ve also looked at its synonyms.  Light is illuminating. Illumination is often tied with truth.  Truth confronts the lies that often accompany depression.  It is like a torch that shines on a pathway in the dark.  It reveals the obstacles and makes the way plain.

Alongside illumination is clarity.  Depression causes confusion and difficulty making decisions.  God promises to enter our shadowed times and bring clear direction.  For me it’s like the clearing of the overcast sky which allows a true view of the landscape.  As it clears, so does the fog of our thinking.

Fear also accompanies the low times in our lives: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)  He brings light and He saves me in every way.

With fear often come anxiety, worry and false guilt.  Jesus speaks to worry in Matt.6:25, referring to the flowers and birds that the Father cares for.  Most importantly He speaks to our value as God’s beloved children.  My long habit has been to turn from worry to prayer. And so with false guilt, I remind myself of His forgiveness and let Him shed light on what is true and what is false guilt.

Lastly, I want to share an antidote the Lord has given us for depression and negativity, Gratefulness.  I have learned that I must choose to reverse my thought processes.  Looking at the beauty around us, our relationships, and the gifts God has given us begins to interrupt the negative cycle. This enables us to “lift our eyes up to the heavens, from whom our help comes.” (Psalm 121)  We have been called out of darkness into glorious light. (1 Peter 2:9)