Month: November 2023

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Jesus and the H.R. department

Reading Time: 3 minutes


This story always rattles the nerves of an economy based on money, fairness and work ethics. Jesus has no problems telling an offensive story to make a point when it comes to comparing God’s economy to ours. The Kingdom of Heaven is like… God’s Kingdom, God’s rules.

The landowner hires workers for his vineyard for the day. He hires in the morning, noon, afternoon and just an hour short of quitting time. And if we look at fair labor laws and practices, we might think about reporting Jesus to our human resources department, or get the government to fine Jesus for unjust treatment. It is ironic that I can only read and understand this story in my own cultural framework. And, I can immediately Americanize it and see God and His Kingdom as unfair. But this story wasn’t told in my cultural context. And, the listeners weren’t American. And, my own framework of unfairness is actually very fair and filled with grace for folks like myself – a non Jew. Oh, but when I find myself in the story, I see it in a completely different light? Yeah, that’s what happens when making every Bible story about me! A little reminder that this whole life experience is all about God and His story, not mine.

The Jewish audience listening to this would completely understand this as a historical lesson as well as a spiritual one. The first hour workers were readily recognized as the very earliest of humans that followed God – Adam, Eve, Noah and such. The next would be the post flood followers, then the patriarchs like Abraham and Moses. The next would be the prophets. And last would be the Gentiles, which would be most of us! The Jewish listeners would completely see themselves as the “late to the field” workers, because the more famous, obviously more holy ancients would be seen as the longest, hard working hired hands in the story. It was the “last shift” workers that became the problem. God had always intended that ALL come to faith and forgiveness including the Gentiles! God wanted the Jewish people to be the ones who reached across the religious isle to embrace them. This angered the religious leaders who felt that their heritage and their “righteous” acts should get them MORE.

Certainly if the last hour workers received a full days pay, then those who “worked” longer should get some kind of bonus or reward. This isn’t at all how grace works and that’s why Jesus told the story to begin with. We like to think about grace when applied to us who might have served Jesus longer, maybe even better. In our economy, those who came first should get MORE grace, extra favor! We might bristle at the idea that the thief in the cross received the same amount of grace and forgiveness as Mary, the mother of Jesus did – but it’s absolutely true.

Some might think that God’s grace to Mother Teresa or Billy Graham might be exponentially MORE than the small amount of grace you or I would receive. God’s grace is given, not as a reward, payment or bonus, it’s given completely and wholly out of His abundant mercy, His inexhaustible, unfathomable LOVE. And we did NOTHING to deserve it. It is not owed to us, it is a gift! Let’s just say, I will not be reporting Jesus to H.R. I will rejoice when one sinner comes home, when one person, even with their last breath repents and receives mercy and God’s full measure of grace!

Prayer

Dad,
Whoa. I am such the slow learner when it comes to understanding your grace. And, I am constantly fighting the urge to judge others by my own economic standards of spiritual fairness. I am so thankful for the grace extended to me. Thank you for Jesus’ reminder to not be one of the disgruntled workers in your field!

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When nothing seems to go right.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The wicked conceive evil; they are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies. They dig a deep pit to trap others, then fall into it themselves. The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads. I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalms‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As we read the Psalms, they are often used for comfort, encouragement or even sung as expressive praise to God. Each one of these Psalms were written by individuals for specific circumstances that they were going through at the time.

David writes this Psalm as he is running from his own son, Absalom. David and his men happen to run into a village that was “pro Saul.” The backstory of this Psalm is called “the reproaches of Shimei.” Who is Shimei? ‭‭

2 Samuel‬ ‭16‬ captures the drama. “As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!””

Abishai offers to cut off the heckler’s head, but David turns and corrects his own general, ““No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?” Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”” These verses in Samuel capture David’s humility, but the Psalm captures his true feelings of being hunted by wicked men, both Saul and Absalom. Of course Saul was dead, but David was not the one who took his life. Neither would he take his own son’s life.

Samuel captures the situation, but Psalms captures the turmoil of being constantly pursued by evil. Have you ever felt like David? You’re trying to do everything right and it seems like nothing works. And worse, you are being attacked or harassed by people or circumstances that just continue to hurl rocks and curses at you! David’s behaviors are a good example of what to do in this case! Be humble. Don’t retaliate. Pour out your heart to God and let him deal with evil plans and people. Let God judge correctly and be your justice. And, thank God for He is just! Oh, by the way, Shimei continued to chase David and his men all the way out of town – “So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.”

Prayer

Dad,
It’s wild when we try to do right, live right, and things just keep going wrong! It seems incredibly unfair. It makes it so much harder to do what is right while people critique and criticize every decision, every action. Apparently doing right does not mean we are given a public parade filled with poseys! Evil people be evil. Ol’ Shimei had been cheering for a wicked King and didn’t even know it. And he was hurling rocks and insults at the guy you chose to be on Israel’s throne! What a mixed up world when right and wrong are entwined with people’s opinions. I trust that truth and justice are best applied by your hand!

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May your cause be true.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The voices of those who have seen, known, maybe experienced the bait, the traps, the allurement of this great prostitute are now shouting the praises of God for His judgements. Who, or what is this great prostitute? Interesting that the word, porné, for prostitute, is also the word used for an idolatrous community. That’s the true nature of porné, a person or thing that pulls us away from God. When we leave the covenant with God to turn to an idol. We find try to find fulfillment in ANOTHER. John says this porné, is the corrupter, the moral deterioration – i.e. decomposition (break-down), due to the corrupting influence of sin.

The cheer rising from the crowd is the great relief, the rejoicing of pure accountability for the one who lies, steals and kills the lives of those he has lured away. The shout is for justice and judgment to be served!

This generation aches for justice. This generation wants judgment so badly that it looks for any opportunity to rise, riot and celebrate what it deems to be worthy of violence to achieve justice. The passion is real, their hearts desire for wrongs to be made right. The difference between the many false causes that manufacture and manipulate the crowd and this gathering in heaven is God Himself.

God is the only one whose judgements are true and just. Crowds have always found their voice in violence throughout history. And crowds are easily swayed by salacious lies that appear to be based in truth, their truth, group-think, mob truth. In my mind, I can still hear the crowd screaming, begging for the death of an innocent man. The hate-filled rage that drove the lie that would lead to the torture, beating and horrendous death on a cross for Jesus. The crowd screamed, “crucify him,” and took a paradoxical pledge to prove their commitment, “may his blood be on us and our children!” Their just cause seemed real, seemed true, but it was all based on subterfuge and lies. It was but a plot from this same great prostitute to poison the truth and an attempt to silence the judge and justice over all humanity.

No wonder the crowd in heaven shouted and cheered, giving God glory. There will be no force great enough to silence these final moments of God’s judgment. It will be final and it will forever end the deceiver’s reign of terror. This will happen. The book of revelation is the book of truth of humanity’s future and the end of the war against our souls.

Prayer

Dad,
The greatest relief in knowing that you are in control and will judge rightly and rightfully are found in this book of endings. I know and I have settled the issues, questions and doubts of my youth. My course is set and I believe! You are always just, right and true. Your Word is truth, it is the light that illuminates my path. Your cause is the redemption of humans. Anything or anyone that detracts from that is of the lie, of the deceiver. I will join with that crowd that cheers for Your judgment. For all things to be laid out bare before you. Nothing hidden, nothing silenced or spun for further discussion. Even when my life, along with every life will be fully exposed and disclosed, we will all rejoice for the war to be over. Praise to You for your salvation, glory and power!

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Orphan to Queen.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“At that time there was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei. His family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve know several adoptees and fostered children who have grown up hoping and wishing for a grand purpose, almost a fantasy to help make sense out of their loss, their life. Being an adoptee, I can relate. Coming from a difficult, disconnected birth story and struggling to find your identity in your parents or family history can be really disheartening. So, sometimes we make up stories to ease the pain.

The book of Esther was written during the time of captivity in Babylon. There were lots of famous Bible characters that came out of the seventy years of captivity. Daniel, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah and the fiery story of the three Hebrew young men (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) who would not bow to Nebuchadnezzar. Esther’s story is an adoptees dream come true.

We know very little about Hadassah’s (Hebrew name) parents, other than the fact they died when she was young. Why was she called Hadassah? Hadas (Heb. הדס), is the word for a myrtle tree. The myrtle tree was a symbol in ancient Israel, because the righteous are called myrtles. As it states (Zechariah 1:8), “And he was standing among the myrtles [the righteous prophets Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah, otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego]. Mordecai, stepping in as her rescue relative, adopted her into his own family. He raised his young cousin as his own. Just reading this line in the Bible story gets me all emotional, “Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter.”

Mordecai became more than just a father to Hadassah, he became kind of like her life-coach, her career manager as she grew up to become a beautiful young woman that God would use to save the Jewish nation. Mordecai has his own heroic story in Persia under the reign of Ahasuerus. Mordecai’s loyalty and bravery are highlighted in the story as he helps Esther foil the plot of Haman, the king’s Vizier, to exterminate the Jewish people. How many attempts have been made to eliminate the Jewish people? Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Roman Empire, Germany…

Hadassah’s (Esther) story becomes a real life fairytale come true, from an orphan to the Queen of Persia! However, the bigger story in this amazing book is all about God’s grand story of redemption. God keeps his promises. And, God will accomplish all that He has set out to do through His will. We are in His story, even today. So, if you are an adoptee, or fostered or have come from a bleak and dark family history. Just know this, God has a purpose and a purpose and a plan for you! Your heavenly Father sees and knows every part of your story. And, even better, God knows how it ends. Although my story is not an “orphan to king” kind of story, I am living far beyond anything I would have ever believed was possible because of God’s mercy and grace – His redemptive plan for me!

Prayer

Dad,
I am so thankful for these adoptive stories in your grand story. I am so thankful that even Jesus was raised by a foster Dad, Joseph, who adopted him as his own. This gives a lot of us, who have come from difficult childhoods and soiled family reputations – hope! Hope in you.

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Living right side up in an upside down world.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this Psalm after the victory over Goliath. The Psalm was a song, sung to the tune of “death of a son.” WHAT? A Bible commentary mentions this odd detail about this Psalm, “Upon Muthlabben, or, after the manner according to “death to the Son,” by which some song was known, to whose air or melody the musician is directed to perform this Psalm.” Another admits to the mystery of who this person or what this musical notation is, “To the chief musician upon Muth-labben” which has given rise to infinite conjecture. It may be either upon the death (muth ) of the fool (labben ), as an anagram on Nabal or as Gesenius, “to be chanted by boys with virgins voices,” i.e. in the soprano. Who is Muthlabben, and why did David borrow the tune to give praise to God over the triumph over the Philistines? Apparently, we just don’t know!

Yet, the content of the Psalm is clear, God reigns over all things, all nations and all people. I find it comforting and odd. Comforting that God is completely and totally perfect in judgment and justice. Odd, because that is NOT what many people believe about God! And, clearly God is maligned and misunderstood in modern culture today. God, and “religion,” is blamed for the majority of offenses and pain including slavery, oppression, colonialism, and social inequalities. It matters not that these massive atrocities are because of human sin and selfishness. Who cries and protests of the secular, darwinian, godless barbarity?

Folks proudly declare lies about God as truth and post them as yard signs and bumper stickers. My prayer, similar to David’s is, “Oh Lord, do not let the lies of Satan and humankind obscure or obstruct your goodness from those who seek you!” It’s frustrating to see or hear people call out God to be something He is not. They are 100% wrong about Him. This is further proof of the lies that Satan has permeated and perverted our understanding of God. It becomes difficult to believe and live upright in an upside down worldview. This is the contrarian, revolutionary message of Christ indeed. Jesus’ declaration of truth of who God is, clashes with culture (then and now), but it does so because it bristles against our own self determination and will to be our own god. I want everyone to see God as David saw Him – as a shelter, a refuge, a secure place and safe relationship to run to, not run from.

Prayer

Dad,
I have always found these words David wrote, thousands of years ago, to be true! No matter what I’ve done, what I feel or how desperate things look around me – you have always been my safe place. When I am sad, angry, wrong, happy, or fulfilled I can run towards you. My sin, my past, my stinky attitudes are always before me, yet I can still come to you. Thank you for that place of comfort under the shadow of your wings, that cleft in the rock.

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Leaders carry extra loads.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul wouldn’t ask this for himself. But for others, like Timothy, Titus, and the local pastors and deacons in the church, he reminds them – honor their position. Great pastors do exactly what Paul writes about, they “WORK hard among!”

A few of the elders at my own church pretend to sniff me once in a while. When I give them a puzzled look, they say, “just making sure you smell like sheep!” It’s true, right? What shepherd doesn’t smell like those in their care. Paul uses the Greek word for “work hard,” kopiáō: exhausting labor – to labor until worn-out, depleted. It’s a physical and mental depletion. The New Living Translation says it’s because pastors give spiritual guidance, but Paul’s literal word is proístēmi: they are diligent to take the lead.

Why is leading so hard? And, why are leaders are harder to find in this current culture? Because of two reasons: One, whoever even thinks about leading observe how church folk treat pastors and decide, “it is not worth it!” Two, there is such a deficiency of trust that makes it ten times harder to lead change! I know, many might think pastors create their own moral sink-holes and deserve to go down in them. But think about it. What are pastors trying to escape from? Why are they making horrible choices in their personal lives? Maybe they’re just trying to fill the void, dull the pain, use the escape to get away from you (and the overwhelming emotional trauma of leading other humans in spiritual endeavors). Many of them have no emotional reserves, no margin because they’ve given it away to others. Who wants to live as an empty shell of a person?

Paul’s spirit-led wisdom tells the church, show them esteem – hēgéomai: a leader who carries important responsibility and hence “casts a heavy vote” (influence) – and hence deserve cooperation by those who are led. Again, NLT uses the word “respect,” but it it’s not just honoring them with a nod and a smile. It’s working with them, alongside them without ADDING to their load, but instead, helping lessen it! And, in this kind of esteem for them, we should show them a “hyper-love,” huper (beyond) love.

It’s also Paul’s last little admonishment that gets my attention. I think it should be emphasized! Paul writes, eiréneuó: to bring to peace, to be at peace with EACH OTHER! I don’t know the statistics on this, but an enormous amount of time and emotional energy is spent on trying to resolve or at least manage CONFLICT among church folks. Pastors beg of you… forgive, reconcile, stop gossiping about each other – be peacemakers rather than poop spreaders. That alone would go a long way in helping and respecting your pastor. Paul shares this out of love and his apostlistic responsibility. Pastors don’t just carry their own life, their own family and their own responsibilities. Remember, the “extra” load pastors carry…. is YOU and your family!

Prayer

Dad,
We need more pastors, not less. We need more men and women who seek this leadership responsibility in the Church, not less. In these days of spiritual recession, we need your grace even more. We need an outpouring of your Spirit to revolutionize our Z’s and Alpha’s to answer that calling to ministry. Could you supernaturally speak to them and call them up to leadership just like you did for me? Thank you!

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No coincidence, only providence.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said.” Exodus‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses records his own origin story. It is remembered and written in such a gentle, peaceful style. However, living in those moments were not peaceful, nor gentle. The situation was dire and filled with fear of an unknown future. We read this as history, but honestly it’s telling of a fact: Nothing is coincidental! We have to shift our thinking to the truth – EVERYTHING is providential. Everything, you ask? Yes, everything. Our limited scope of time and understanding of eternity makes this difficult. Plus, our distrust and awful stereotypes of God put us at a huge disadvantage of seeing God as GOOD. God is always right, true and good. We tend to review every crisis, death, loss or disaster as either random or predetermined. God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty does not equal predetermination of evil that is perpetrated on humanity. God did not create humans to delight in destroying them! His delight is in loving us and being intimately involved in our lives.

Moses birth story and his entire life story is an amazing story of providential miracles to tell US the bigger story of God from Genesis to Revelation. The Pharaoh, over the largest superpower civilization of its day, made a self-determined decision that the Jewish people were a threat. The same people that God used Joseph’s own difficult path to save the Jews and SAVE Egypt. This Pharaoh, not the Joseph Pharaoh, FEARED the hardworking, humble, grateful Jewish people would rise up and take over his kingdom. God, of course had completely different plans for his people, and it wasn’t to take over and occupy Egypt. God had another spot on the earth for the Jewish people to call their own.

Pharaoh, using genocide as a population deterrent, ordered the killing of all Jewish baby boys. From early on, we can see Satan’s plan to stop God’s plan of redeeming humans by starting with the elimination of God’s people, God’s plan and God’s promises. God made promises to His people and to the entire planet. Satan’s plans always include trying to make God out to be a liar and a promise breaker! It never worked and it never will. God is truth, His promises are guaranteed. If even one of them is not fulfilled, God would not be God.

Pharaoh’s decree was followed and an unknown amount of baby boys were put to death. We see this evil, genocidal plan repeated all throughout human history! But God saw Moses and what Moses would become before time ever began! From the moment Moses’ mother, Jochebed, had the brilliant idea of putting her baby boy in his own boat and float him down the river, (technically “throwing the hebrew boy” into the river, as Pharaoh had commanded) to the delightfully providential surprise that one of Pharaoh’s own daughters would find him. It’s all in God’s hands, His will was directing the entirety of Moses’s story.

Wow! Following even a fraction of Moses’ life story is amazing! The miracles, the drama, the detail – I love it. It makes me think of my own life, from beginning until now. To just realize that none of it was coincidental, none of it an accident or a mistake – is pretty overwhelming! But for me to take all that I know about God and all that I know about my own history and realize that God is not just deeply involved, He’s fully in control. And, to think about that same God inviting me to be a part of His grand story is humbling and encouraging. Our lives are a small part of what God is doing to bring about his will on earth as it is in heaven! To allow our sin, sorrow, brokenness and redemption to serve His BIG plan is so cool. It’s more than cool – it’s providential.

Prayer

Dad,
First of all, bravo on the amazing ways you have kept and recorded your story in oral, then written form that has survived and flourished for thousands of years! Your Word has endured, just as you promised that it would. I am thankful that you have always been in control, and always be in control over ALL things – including my own life. I am grateful to be a part of Your story and that my own story might be useful to You and anyone else.

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Missional detour to talk divorce.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew, being a disciple of Christ, and the “disciple of detail,” captures and compares the moments of Jesus’ mission and contrasts that with our incessant need to preserve our loopholes.

We all have our heart detours to get around the principles and the will of God. What do I mean? Matthew clearly tells us that Jesus was busy fulfilling his purpose and mission from God. Jesus stated before, he was here for the sick – and were not talking purely physical illness. “Large crowds followed!” Why? Because humanity has a lot of needs – we suffer! And, Jesus being Jesus, He healed them. On mission – exhausting work, but WORTH IT! The very next scene appears to be in direct conflict with Jesus’ mission. But maybe it’s not?

Religious leaders also show up, but they don’t show up needy or appear to be suffering. They are sick as well, but don’t know it. They come with tests, traps and spiritual controversies. They have obviously thought through their questions carefully, choosing the ones that would catch Jesus conflicting or twisting God’s own rules.

The Pharisees bring up an interesting question, one that is both very old, yet very current even today! DIVORCE. Oh, the learned, crafty men don’t ask about the pain and suffering of divorce. They don’t ask about the division of families or leaving women destitute after the marriage ends. They don’t even talk about the deep shame of relational failure – when one or both men and women have to live with or hide away in their souls. They want to know if it is permissible, if it’s acceptable to get around or get away with breaking one of God’s earliest relationship rules. That’s why Jesus made a quick joke about the question. “Oh, you haven’t read the scriptures,” Jesus says, trying not to smirk a wry smile. Oh, they knew the one Jesus was referring to. The Genesis 2:24 reference, the “leave and cleave” idea, often still used in many marriage ceremonies. The whole idea of marriage between a man and a woman is this idea of becoming one! They are united, together, a beautiful blending of wills and ways in body and soul. One can imagine the pain and suffering after tearing a whole and unified person apart. Physically, it would be excruciating and it would be a miracle if both halves survived. It is as dangerous and rare as separating conjoined twins! However, that’s not what the Pharisee’s were asking. And that’s not what they wanted Jesus to talk about. No, they were more interested in Moses’ loophole around God’s will, His intent in marital relationships.

Moses, the superhero, the patriarch and leader who brought Israel out of slavery. The man who met with God, talked with God and brought the “big-ten” commands of God down from the mountain. It was this Moses that gave the “command,” allowing a bill of divorce. Yep, in Deuteronomy 24:1 Moses writes his own commentary on getting out of a marriage! Of course, Moses had just finished telling the Israelites about the seriousness of making a vow and keeping a promise. But then he immediately tells the men how to get out of their own marriage vow. For starters, Moses may have referred to fraud in the marriage vow, it certainly wasn’t adultery because that was punishable by death! If you read the verse, it does seem very pro-male and disrespectful to women, “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her…”

The Pharisees mistakenly quote Moses’ allowance as a LAW! Jesus, who is the best possible authority on giving truth and commentary about all things, corrects the misinformation that permeated the religious culture in that day. Jesus takes time away from one mission, while the crowd has gathered, seeking and hoping for healing, to another mission. To try to admonish and correct faulty theology and practices of the religious leaders. This was grace extended, to them and corrective truth, to any who would be trying to use the Moses’ loophole to hastily justify divorce and destruction of families.

Jesus spoke right to their own hearts, saying, “Because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” Notice the liberal use of “you,” and “your”? It was absolutely true then as it is still today – divorce is awful, messy and expensive for husbands and wives. It is devastating when children are involved. If you, family or friends have been through divorce, you know it’s true. There is no need for shame, but we should quit pretending it’s a good thing, an easy thing. Please don’t minimize or idolize divorce. It’s hard. It’s emotional. It’s traumatic. But it should never be trivialized! I don’t just say this just because it’s true. I say this because I am the product of multiple divorces in my family – both birth family and adoptive family. I count four of them!

Prayer

Dad,
You’ve tried explaining that we hard hearts and stubborn desires to get what we want. But it feels so odd that in this story, Jesus us healing those in pain on one hand and begging people to quit causing pain on the other! We must be quite the oblivious spectacle to look down on. Help us. Forgive us. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning, because we are a big bunch of sin-spenders!

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Generational memory loss.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Asaph’s plea to remember. This psalm, inserted in the book of Psalms, late in David’s life, has a certain reminiscence, a way of not forgetting. And, most importantly, telling the story of God to each generation.

Generational stories, both how and when they are told, is an interesting phenomenon. I can’t speak for my entire generation, being born at the outset of the sixties turmoil and revolution – the results of the fifties not so subtlety questioning all authority. I was raised around senior retirees, spending my summers with my grandparents. I grew to love their stories, their connections with neighbors who became friends. Time passed very, very slowly for me while they talked about life and current events. They not only taught me about the senior pace of life but also the senior patience, learning to listen and build deep and meaningful connections. Was I just an “old soul,” as they say? I don’t think so. My grandparents taught me to love people’s life stories, a mix of triumph and tragedy. They were not followers of Jesus either!

When I read Asaph’s words and the passion for God and His commands, I think about the stories I tell my own children and grandchildren. Do I have the time, patience and courage to teach my progeny to listen well? Sometimes, I feel that stories are all I have to offer! My words, ways and cultural differences are glaringly “old school,” “OG,” as they say. “Oh Dad and his classic, retro thoughts and stories,” they aren’t current or progressive. They are certainly not meme or reels worthy! I find myself pushing through the blowback comments, common among those trying to tell their story – “Dad, we’ve heard it before.” Sadly, I find myself repeating a similar response to my own aging father-in-law – “Dad, I’ve heard that one before.” Much of content containing the overused, “dad-jokes” category.

Asaph had a good point to make, a godly point to remind us of. The stories help each generation set its hope anew on God! Was it just about remembering all the rules? No, it was far more than that. It was all about remembering God’s glorious miracles too! All of this was a way to help future generations to NOT be stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful. God help us if one generation produces a stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful group of children, teens, young adults and possibly parents themselves! A future generation that refuses to give their hearts to God.

Generational cycles happen. We clearly see this in the leadership lineage of Israel. One godly king may produce an ungodly or godly son and future king. It seems like an unpredictable pattern. Yet, through all of that zigzag, rollercoaster-ride heritage, eventually came the Savior, Jesus came out of similar generational milieu that we face today. This gives me hope. This inspires me to tell the big God stories, to hold on His truth and obey His commands. I will not forget to tell of God’s miracles!

Prayer

Dad,
I could never forget! I will never forget where I came from, nor who I was when you found me, received me, adopted me and changed EVERYTHING in my life. I will tell of your miracles. I will tell of your mercy and patience to father me. I will tell of your Word that is perfect, true, reliable and beautiful!

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Gap Fillers.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you want to read the Apostle Paul’s most genuine, generous and gentle letter to a church – read Thessalonians. Paul was only able to stay with this new church plant for a few weeks. And, although it was difficult, he had to leave them. His young sidekick, Timothy, kept the Apostle in the loop as to what was happening in this baby church.

Soon after Paul left there was horrible persecution. It was so bad that Paul often wrote about the wonder and glory of end times, of heaven, to help them deal with suffering. God had not abandoned them, God was WITH them in the struggles, even in martyrdom! Paul wanted to return in person, but that never happened. Oddly enough, Paul tells the church that their perseverance, their dedication brought joy to his heart. Like a proud papa, Paul extended his own faith in deep and sincere prayer for them.

Paul used an interesting phrase and a word to describe how desperate he was to see them again. The New Living Translation gives us a glimpse into Paul’s thinking, he wanted to “fill in the gaps” in their faith. The other translations use the direct translation from then Greek word, husteréma, which is lacking, a defect or shortcoming. The root word, hustereó, helps a bit more. This word means to come late, be behind or come short. What was lacking? What did Paul want to catch them up on?

The general consensus is that Paul was able to share the gospel, how one is saved through faith and given grace as a gift, not through works of our own. But, he was not able to instruct the new church about end times. Since people in the church were being put to death, there was a lot of questions about where they would go and how long it would be until Jesus came back. They had heard the part about Jesus returning, but when. They had hoped it was very soon.

Where most people see the apocalypse, or end times, as terrifying, folks who were under extreme persecution saw it as HOPE. Hope for justice for the innocent, hope for a better life than struggling in starvation or constant mocking of their faith. The Thessalonian church was eager for it all to be over and get on with eternal life! The gap fill was a proper understanding on suffering, perseverance, persecution and what life AFTER death looks like!

Do we know what life after death looks like? Does our friends and neighbors understand that life, our physical body and soul continue to exist? There are few choices to be made when our culture removes God – the God – out of the equation. One is reincarnation, coming back again and again – trying to get it right. One lives “good,” and you come back as a “higher” existence as a more advanced creature. A horrible person comes back as a despised creature, like a mosquito or a tick! The other is the idea of annihilation, where nothing and no one exists at all. It’s just over and you’re gone.

Believing God means that there is life after death! However, this life and definitely the afterlife has consequences attached to it. For the church folk Paul was writing to, they did not have answers or proper teaching on life after death, so they were very concerned. Let me just ask? What are the gaps in your faith? What are things you’ve heard about and wonder if they are true? What questions do you have that you’re afraid to ask, because someone might think you’re silly or too simple? Do us all a favor – ASK anyways! One of the biggest regrets I have in the church is for folks to be shamed or silenced into not asking questions. This is not of God, and it is wrong. Ask me if you’d like. I can’t guarantee I’ll have the answer, but I won’t think less of you for asking – in fact, I’ll be proud of ya.

Prayer

Dad,
I sure had A LOT of questions as a new believer. I wasn’t afraid to ask! I think people knew that I was new in my faith, so they didn’t shame me. However I did get a ton of over-simplified answers and Bible references that didn’t make sense and had nothing to do with my question. I would have rather them be honest and tell me they didn’t know the answer. I want people to feel comfortable with asking to fill in the gaps of their understanding of You. I don’t want folks lacking in their faith because it leaves them unsure of their future or relationship with you. Help me, help us be better gap-fillers for others. Amen.