Month: September 2024

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Powerful political plots.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the book bearing Queen Esther’s name, where the name of God does not appear, it reveals a story within THE story. Israel had already served their time out, its leaders and its people now 100 years AFTER captivity in the great Babylon. The Bible Project is helpful in giving us a timeline and facts about this amazing book.

“This is one of the more exciting and curious books in the Bible. While some Jews did return to Jerusalem (see Ezra-Nehemiah), many did not. The book of Esther is about a Jewish community living in Susa, the capital city of the ancient Persian empire. The main characters are two Jews, Mordecai and his niece Esther. Then there is the king of Persia and the Persian official Haman, the cunning villain. Esther is a curious book in the Bible because God is never mentioned, not once. This may strike you as odd because the Bible is supposed to be a book about God. However, this is a brilliant technique by the anonymous author. It’s an invitation to read the story looking for God’s activity, and there are signs of it everywhere. The story is full of odd coincidences and ironic reversals that force you to see God’s purpose at work behind every scene.”

One of the more powerfully poignant moments is captured here in chapter 4. Haman’s decree of “death to Jews” had gone out and word of it finally reached Esther. In this intense scene, Esther’s uncle, Mordecai pressures her to take a serious look at what will happen and providentially why Esther has been favored by God to serve in such a high position. It’s a real nail-biter for the reader.

Mordecai & Esther exchange secret letters through a trusted eunuch. It is a phrase that has captured our attention and become a life-lesson for so many since Mordecai wrote it! It may be “for such a time as this.” When we look upon thousands of stories of history and naturally try to see ourselves in similar circumstances, this phrase helps us to heroically rise above the doldrums of life and stare down our own threats of defeat or death and face the facts – maybe this entire scenario is exactly tailored for me to see the future of two very real possibilities. Will I be a person of faith or fear?

For Esther, the stakes were sky-high! Even in her uncle’s intense pressure to take the risk, he wisely writes, “if you keep quiet…” relief for the Jews will arise from some other place. But, YOU and YOUR relatives will die.” God will still make a way, so why not be the one he uses to bring about his will – saving and sparing us.

You’ll need to read the rest of the story for yourself, but let me remind ourselves – God looks for heroes every day! His grace, mercy and power is actively ready to be released through anyone that will be obedient and act on their faith to trust Him. How many “ for such a time as this” moments have we each let slip through our fear-filled fingers? Faith is brave. Faith is courageous. Faith is also dangerously daring! Where has God placed you? What Haman in your life, family or company has politically plotted against you? What opportunity has arisen for you to see something and say something that is right and true? Maybe the circumstances are not as dire as Esther’s, but to those who are being mistreated or suffering it could be just that right moment to save them.

Prayer

​Dad,
I don’t believe I have ever been in a situation so critical as Esther’s! However, I know there have been many times I have been presented with the choice to speak up or just go with what everyone else says is good. I feel compelled in those moments to be fully truthful and honest within myself to do what is right. I have often reflected on Mordecai’s words that those moments were providential NOT accidental! By your grace, and with your help, I will continue to yield to faith and obedience and do what is required of me. Amen.

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Rant against riches.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We come into chapter five of James letter to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”, which is generally understood to be Jewish Christians who were dispersed outside of Israel. First of all, “twelve tribes?” I thought ten of them were lost. I wonder who and what was left?

James really seems to go on a rant against riches, but we need to dig a little deeper rather than just thinking James was an anti-money, anti-wealth guy. It really is a rant against injustice and abusing laborers. The poor, the working class have never had proper care nor any representation protecting them from being cheated and mistreated. This is an ancient problem that God hated! God hated it then, He hates it still today. When wealth is generated by abuse of power and at the expense of the poor, everyone suffers! This is far more than the minimum wage issues we continue to battle around the globe. It’s greed with no regard to others and God has always been against it.

In the Old Testament, God had his prophets constantly speaking out, warning the kings and religious leaders to use caution when it came to employment of the poor as well as buying and selling goods. God has always wanted the poor to have equal access to justice through the judges and condemned “fixing” the scales to favor the merchants, while at the same time giving discounts and advantages to the rich. Not only does the Law command justice, “Do not pervert justice” (Leviticus 19:15), the Law also commands mercy and care for the poor, “Make provision for the poor” (Leviticus 19:9-10) and “Help the poor among you” (Leviticus 25:35-36). Psalms and Proverbs both encourage watching out for, even protecting the poor, “Uphold the cause of the poor” (Psalm 82:3-4), “Be kind to the needy” (Proverbs 14:21). God makes sure that we understand that our care for justice towards the poor is directly connected to our attentiveness to God himself! “Oppressing the poor shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 14:31) and “Kindness to the poor is like lending to God” (Proverbs 19:17).

This is why James delivers such a heated discussion to Jewish Christians, thus to all real followers of Jesus. Is James against storing up riches for just the ability to amass wealth? Of course he is! It is a waste of time and contrary to those who have the “gift of giving,” as Paul writes about (Romans 12:8 ). But it becomes even more egregious to acquire wealth by mistreating others, “For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (James‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬). Since money & wealth is worthless in heaven, Jesus (Matthew 6:19-20) and James advise us not store it up here on earth where it just decreases its value, while corroding our soul. Justice and generosity mimic and mirror the character of God.

Prayer

​Dad,
I was always neutral to negative about money when I was young. Sure, I wanted to earn money, and have money, but my heart just wasn’t into amassing or scheming to get it and keep it. I didn’t feel that I was good at “handling” money anyways, and saw it as too complicated. That all changed when I started seeing money as means to BE generous, to live generous. I would say you taught me to kind of “gamify” giving. It became a joy to figure out how to out-give you! Which, as you said, can’t be done! It was so freeing and fun. I no longer fear money, either having it or losing it. I now know it’s a wonderful tool, emulating You, in grace, mercy and love. Thank you for your generosity and favor to those who will give even as you have given? Amen.

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The call.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant. ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah records the moment that he received the call to be a spokesperson for God. Jeremiah was about 17 years old and faced rejection, depression, and loneliness for 40 years. He was known as the “Weeping Prophet.” Interestingly enough, Jeremiah, like many others who tried protesting God’s call, said, “I can’t speak and I am too young.” God did not take “no” for an answer.

Oftentimes we wrestle over the idea of a “calling” from God, not just because of feeling ill equipped, but also having a little bit of understanding of the scope of what this calling would mean. Finding leaders is always hard, I have found the best of them are resident and uncertain of their abilities. There’s something suspicious of people who are overeager to say yes! This also means we struggle with the idea of “free will” and the ability to say NO to God. We’ve seen some examples of this, especially with our angry prophet, Jonah! Jeremiah gets his orders and God promises to give him the words to speak and somehow even the nerve to stand up to kings and nations. Scriptures leave no record of how he died. Church tradition suggests that Jeremiah was stoned to death in Egypt by the Jews. We do know that the grief he bore was because of the stubbornness and hard hearted response from Judah’s kings. Jeremiah delivered God’s words to five kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. God even forewarned Jeremiah that he would be a part of dethroning, “tearing down,” and uprooting kings and kingdoms. He was faithful to deliver what God told him to say to the nation right up to the time they were captured and led to Babylon, to become slaves serving in a 70 year time out from God.

For the majority of prophets, they were given a tough assignment, speak God’s words and warnings. Kings rarely listened. I am reminded that Nathan had the courage to confront David about his heinous sin of adultery and murder. He cleverly delivered the correction in the form of a story of someone being taken advantage of, triggering David’s own sensitivity towards the underdog. The prophets are heralded as heroes, and they were. But they were not treated as such in their day. Jesus points out the ignored truth in Matthew and Luke’s gospels, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets.” As well as this also in Luke, “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.” The religious leaders loved quoting and bantering over what the prophets said, blind to the fact that, in their day, their words were not received. So, when the prophets spoke explicitly about the messiah, detailing what this future deliverer would look like and act like, future religious leaders chose to twist the scriptures to fit their own projected desires of Israel once again rising to become a superpower on the global scene.

Who wants to recognize the call of God on their life? Who wants to acknowledge they are ill equipped and cannot speak? It is still difficult to accept today! Not as prophets to the nations, but simply acknowledging God’s hand on one’s life. As one who begrudgingly said yes to God’s calling, also at seventeen, it was a heavy decision. I really didn’t know exactly what I was saying yes to! I was learning both discipline and obedience at the time. God had to present the question several times before I gave in and said yes. Do I regret it? No. Is it hard to live up to and stick with it all these years later? Yes, it is often difficult, lonely and a struggle. Yet, I still carry the gratitude and responsibility of being obedient to God.

Prayer

​Dad,
Reflecting on Jeremiah’s calling and knowing his story, I am reminded of my own life. I am nowhere on the same level as the Old Testament prophets, it’s not even close. But still, I do carry the weight and responsibility of Your calling. It is a high and difficult honor! I still feel unworthy. I don’t stutter as much in my speech, but I still stutter in my soul! I feel your heartbreak when I am not obedient or see the anguish of those who will not listen to your words and obey you. You will make our paths straight only through submitting to Your will. Am thankful to walk in this path of the “called?” I am thankful for your grace, forgiveness and mercy to even begin to still hear your voice beckoning me to come and follow. Amen.

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Wisdom comments on companionship.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solomon observes something sad; a man. Alone. Without child or brother. This strikes a nerve whether it’s in ancient days or modern times. Alone is not good, it has never been good. Yet, alone has become the preferred path for so many people. The statistics are staggering now. Being alone, living alone, used to be a fringe, outlier experience – the old maid, the drifter, the hobo. Now alone has become mainstream, acceptable, even respectable. As of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the United States had never been married. This was a significant increase from 20% in 2010, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data. That is up from 6%, a 19% increase from 1980! Plus, there is even more statistics about couples that have decided to not have children at all. Marriage is so good and so healthy for many reasons, even in difficult times of stress and raising children. But alone is lonely!

Since people have decided to be alone and have decided not to go to church, go back to church and staying away from even volunteering at a church, I don’t know what is left to help folks NOT be alone. Solomon mentions cuddling with someone to stay warm, but then mentions the real struggle. What happens when things go wrong? What happens when you’re attacked, get sick or lose your job? These are dismal things that people alone must face. Combined with the fact that families are much more fractured, moving away to find jobs or cheaper housing. It even leaves families struggling to be there for each other.

It’s gone beyond the need to stop glorifying solitude, it’s time to re-start making friends and deepening the friendships we still have. Come back to God. Get back in Church. Get involved in other’s lives. Don’t look for ways to get, look for ways to give!

Prayer

​Dad,
Even coming from a chaotic childhood, I learned to make and build friendships. A few of these friends have been a part of my life for over fifty years. You were there with me, even though I didn’t realize it until I was a teen. I have been through some difficult times over the past few years and I learned just how valuable friendships are. I was overwhelmed with checkins and phone calls making sure that I was okay. It was humbling to feel deeply cared for by you and by friends that have invested in me over the years. I am so thankful for my wife, adult children, my friends and my life. Your love and grace has been evident! Amen.

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When family & community fail.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When I came across this episode several years ago, I was struck by one glaring issue, I had not seen it before. Question: How does a demon get into a child? We are not given the reasons behind several of the demonic possessions throughout the gospels. But most of them are in adults. It is believed that, at one point in their life, they either peddled or meddled in evil realms of spiritual darkness which opened doors for evil spirits to come in and take control over a human body. Another theory is that through narcotics, alcohol or other addictions, their minds are left defenseless and similarly open to demons making themselves at home. The mad-naked-man, in the tombs, was an adult that became infested with thousands of demons and caused mayhem in the hills above the city. The citizens would bind him with ropes and chains trying to subdue him, possibly trying to keep him and the neighborhood safe. Mark’s gospel uses these examples as a way to let the reader know that Jesus has all power and authority over evil spirits, so demon possessions are mentioned about ten times.

Here, the story is very dark and very sad. A father, in desperation, brings his son to Jesus. Notice, the father identifies this as a spiritual episode, not a physical one. Are we missing something today when we see a person unable to speak, throwing themselves to the ground, writhing, foaming at the mouth and grinding their teeth? We would only see this as an epileptic episode and safely hold them down until it passes. I absolutely believe in medical epileptic episodes and I am not saying that today these are possessions.

This father knew it was more than a physical abnormality! The father also reported that “The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him.“ When Jesus approached the child, he spoke to the evil spirit (that also kept the boy from hearing or speaking) and commanded the demon to depart, “the evil spirit then threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.” Everyone suspected the child was dead. This was something far beyond a physical or mental disorder. Jesus, knowing the difference between a physical problem and a spiritual one, didn’t command healing, he commanded deliverance!

There is enough hints in the story and the cultural background of the city where this took place, Bethsaida, a city known for its lack of faith (Matthew 11:21), that tells me the father and the community knew they were responsible for allowing evil into their town and their own children. The father told Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” Help “US,” “IF” you can. The community not only had become known for unbelief, it had stopped being protective agents against evil – finally affecting even the children among them. This also makes sense why the disciples couldn’t just dismiss the demon. This evil spirit knew it could resist given the fact that the gawking crowd had little reason nor belief to kick it out. Of course, this would take prayer and fasting! Not just for an exorcism, but even more importantly to confront their stubborn hearts for resisting to God.

Do we have families that leave their children exposed to evil, practically inviting demons into the their homes and neighborhoods? Do we have cities with reputations of resistance and unbelief, where it becomes intensely laborious to speak truth and penetrate harden hearts with the gospel? I believe we do.

Ironically, I think our own “city of angels,” Los Angeles has become that. It’s not just that California is a state of known for hard, stubborn hearts, the city itself reeks of crime, corruption, sickness, poverty, and mental illness. Our dear city is a violent place, also filled with lawlessness, desperation, power and greed. It seems as though every attempt to bring healing and freedom takes prayer and fasting because the evil spirits know they are happily welcomed and accommodated in LA. What about your home, your neighborhood, your city? What you accommodate, your children will willingly accept!

Prayer

​Dad,
I get the allure of selfishness to live the “adult” life. Which translates into little to none responsibility for children around us. My parents, all five, mostly did what they wanted. I know my adoptive mother worked hard and sacrificed to provide a good home, food and prompted my sister and I to do well in school. However, spirituality, there just wasn’t much there. I shiver to think of what suppressed or forgotten things we were exposed to! The story of this Father, coming to you, realizing he had messed up is heartbreaking but filled with hope. I can relate to that Father in this; what a powerful prayer to ask you for help in overcoming his unbelief. In agreement with all Dads out there, please help us in our own unbelief and have mercy on our children. Amen.

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Heads Up!

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I remember my sons’ city-league baseball coaches telling the team in the field – “head’s up!” It was a call to be alert, stay in the game, don’t allow your eyes or thoughts to wander off.

The Apostle Paul brings a clarion call to the churches in Colossae, and to our own lives, to a similar, but much higher plain. Set your sights on the realities of what is above. Inquire higher!

But how do we do that Paul? There are so many shifty and shiny things going on around us right now. Paul uses the word for “think”, phroneó, to admonish us to shift our thoughts, to think as a visceral and cognitive process, describing more than focusing our mind, but also engaging our heart and emotions to fix our attention elsewhere. “To the things above,” Paul writes.

Paul does not use the word heaven, he just refers to what is above us, not just physically, but spiritually – the realms, where the reality of this life exists. Paul is not speaking of a dualistic existence. As we discover in the next several verses, he is speaking of getting our minds out of the gutters of sin and the magnetic pull of disordered desires within us. Heads up to pull our heart and mind away from, ”earthly things lurking within you.” Whoa! Paul leaves no room for us to imagine what those “earthly” things might be – he lists them! “Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world,” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬.

It turns out this encouragement is also a warning, “Pull your head out,” and look up to not only where Christ is seated, but also to where God is working to ”renew us, making us more like Jesus,” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬! The “game,” here in this life, is to grab with gusto, everything we desire and live for ourselves. But the reality of God tells us those things are deadly and will never fully satisfy nor fulfill us. It is only through aggressive obedience that we can shift our thoughts to Christ, who is life. So head’s up and get back into the real life God has called us to!

Prayer

​Dad,
It is so easy to be distracted, to be drawn back into former things, former life, former decisions. Those patterns and paths were so deeply carved into my life as a young man. Yet, I hear your voice, your whispered warnings to look up and stop looking back! That life, those desires were not of you nor from you. Help me to keep looking up and focus on the realties of what Christ has done! Thank you for your daily mercy and grace. Amen.

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Earnest eagerness of our youth.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solomon was about twenty years old when he became King of Israel. He followed his father, David, in a stable and flourishing kingdom. Solomon admits he has no idea just how ginormous his kingdom was, but it is estimated at 800 thousand to possibly a million people. Later, it was noted in 1 Kings 4:20, “There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach. Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.”

Being young and given the responsibility of ruling over such a vast amount of people humbled Solomon. One of the things Solomon decided to do came right out of David’s playbook – massive and public sacrifices to God in one of the most popular of tabernacles – at Gideon. A thousand sacrifices, in ancient days, were seen as a “King’s” sacrifice, acknowledging his submission to deity – this was an expensive, seven-day example of honoring Solomon’s one true God. He also made those sacrifices, in Gideon, where it had been known for sacrificing to Idols – one of the many “high places.” In one massive demonstration of humility and repentance Solomon showed the people where his heart and financial motives were coming from.

This decision pleased God, which is why it prompted God to ask Solomon what he wanted. “That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you! ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬.” As a young man, a young leader of a large, thriving kingdom, filled with God’s people, he wanted to do what was right above all else. Yet, even with the gift of wisdom from God, Solomon was not able to hold fast to righteousness and to continue to lead the nation in godly ways!

I remember being full of great ideas, technological advancements and more efficient systems to get things done. But I was serving in a culture that was resistant to change! As I have gotten older, I still feel the positive pressure of the future coming towards us faster than ever. However, my lesson, my observation from scripture, especially from the lives of David and his son, Solomon is this; to grow consistently in my spiritual maturity. Systems, cool ideas and flashy programs will not make it to eternity. People are worth investing in, so I want to work to stay humble. I choose to serve others well, praise and promote those around me and give all glory to God. I want to be able to give my own thousand sacrifices well into my elder years.

Prayer

Dad,
It’s not about finishing first, it’s about lasting to the end. It’s a race to the bottom, the end of the line, to see others cross before me. The crown that awaits us is those who have turned their hearts towards you and join with me in heaven praising you! Amen.

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Tricky end-times questions.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted. Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The disciples had experienced a massive amount of change in their pre-conditioned beliefs propagated among the religious leaders of the day. It is interesting that when we don’t know something about God, we look to religious leaders for answers, but it turns out they often get it wrong! Knowing the scriptures in the past and interpreting for the present is already hard. Then add the ability to guess at its future fulfillment? That’s nearly impossible!

I find it interesting that the disciples, common working class guys, are now interested in eschatology – the end of things. They are so curious that they are listening to the lectures and debates of the Pharisees and Sadducees – which made up the Sanhedrin, the religious council of 70 men in New Testament days.

After the experience of Peter, James and John, it prompts the guys to ask Jesus some pretty heady spiritual questions. They ask, why do the “teachers” insist that Elijah must come before the Messiah! This is a great question because Peter had already declared his belief that Jesus is the Messiah! So, if the religious leaders are correct, when did Elijah come (other than three of them seeing him earlier on the mountain with Jesus and Moses)?

This discussion could have become very complicated with Jesus trying to explain the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophetic word in Malachi 4:5-6. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” It made it even more difficult because John the Baptist came behaving a lot like the Old Testament prophet, to the point where people asked him, “Are you Elijah?” To which John said, “No, I am not,” John 1:21.

Jesus, more than once, referred to John the Baptist, as the one who fulfilled the Spirit of Elijah, paving and preparing the way for the Messiah, Matthew 11:9-14. It is believed that Jesus confirmed the Spirit, the same kind of passion as Elijah, showed up in John’s behavior and ministry. Yet, the physical return of the ancient prophet, Elijah was still yet to come. This technical and timely discussion was important to prove that God keeps His promises, and that Jesus, and only Jesus, would fulfill 100% of the prophecies, the future-telling of the Messiah.

Jesus being THE Messiah is an undeniable truth. I understand that as we experience our own cycles of tremendous change and signs of the end times, we can get very anxious and naturally curious. However, we must be careful in listening to “religious experts,” who have only proven to be consistently wrong throughout history. Some even declare they are prophets of God and have heard “words” from the Lord.

It is critical that we continue to focus on the Word of God, and our mission of both being a disciple and making disciples. There have been many signs in our past and there have been plenty of misguided promises and projections. The truth is, even when we see the signs, we still do not know exactly when the Day of the Lord, nor the parousia, the “catching away”will happen. But, guaranteed- it will. Because everything God promised and Jesus confirmed will happen. We can trust in Jesus and take comfort in our future.

Prayer

​Dad,
I’m tracking with the disciples. I am just a common, come from chaos, kind of man. I love to think I understand complex theological issues and have thoughts on theories, but when it comes down to it – I’m simple! I depend on folks much smarter to help navigate all the scriptures in the past to bring understanding in my own life. And, just as important, what I then do with that knowledge! What I do know is that I trust you and I trust that what you will do in our future. Amen.

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Does God “gentle parent” us?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gentle parenting is a current style used by many to positively, affirmingly, understand their child’s behavior and allows them to self-correct. “A parenting style that focuses on empathy, respect, and connection to help children develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.” And, “Gentle parenting focuses on parenting children without shame, blame, and punishment. This style of parenting centers around collaboration between parents and children.”

The author of Hebrews leans on an ancient Proverb and gives us a practical interpretation, Proverbs 3:11-12. Proverbs ends with this, ”For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs uses the Hebrew word for discipline, “yakach,” to decide, adjudge, even to argue! Hebrews uses the Greek word, “paideia,” the rearing of a child, training, discipline, correcting and proving. The Greek has the idea of chastening or purifying. This shows up in verse 13, where the Greek word, “mastigoó,” to scourge, appears. There is just no way around this very strong use of physical pain to be used in training. Does God send “severe pain” in the best eternal interests of the believer?

Anyone who studies the idea of the discipline, even in the context of learning skills, especially in sports, knows that pain is critical in the development of our own muscles! Pain may not be literally delivered in physical whippings or beatings, but life itself frequently delivers warnings in the learning process. When we fall, touch fire or electricity we experience pain! It’s a really good reminder, even an educator, to not repeat the behavior. The focus of the verses, here or in Proverbs, is not really the pain of discipline, it’s the idea that correction, chastening and proving is an act of love! For a parent of a young child to withhold warning, correction, even proper, age appropriate physical pain, to train a child about authority and boundaries would not be love. Proverbs speaks of the reason it is so critical, “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child! “ It is also bound up in the human heart. The Hebrew word for foolishness, “ivveleth,” is from the word, “evil.” Look, if we came out of our mother’s womb with a moral sense of goodness, purity and wisdom, then parenting would hardly be necessary. Ah, but we are not born with an internal sense of good, are we? We use the word for babies referring them as innocent, but that’s just because they are needy and defenseless. It doesn’t take long for any parent to realize they have a self determined will and most, not all, are excited to challenge you.

However, whether you believe in gentle parenting or hard boundaries with gentle, physical consequences for clear challenges from a child, the point is God does discipline us. And, God does so with physical corrections because he loves us. What does it look like? It’s different for every person. I believe that God uses circumstances and even people to deliver His discipline. What have you learned? Have you recognized correction from God? If you wonder what will happen when we purposely continue to choose sin, challenging God with his own loving boundaries, God will step in to keep us on His path.

Prayer

​Dad,
Not only do I believe your Word when you clearly discipline those you love. I have experienced your correction, and have learned to recognize it and respond with confession and repentance. I know it’s for my own good. I know it’s because you are watching, and are actively keeping me accountable because of your faithfulness, patience and love. Thank you for your boundaries, and your discipline! Amen.

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The King’s ride.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness like a cloud of smoke? Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense and every kind of spice? Look, it is Solomon’s carriage, surrounded by sixty heroic men, the best of Israel’s soldiers. ‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon is not doing too bad in his reign over Israel. His opulence is celebrated! Who doesn’t want their leaders having the best of the best. I don’t know the history of king’s carriages over the millennia, but I’m sure they have always been extravagant. Today, leaders ride in armored limousines with bulletproof, blackened windows. Back in the day, it was all about shiny gold and the entourage! Sixty guys, “all skilled swordsmen, experienced warriors. Each wears a sword on his thigh, ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.” This book, “Song of Songs,” also lets us know that the carriage itself was tricked out as well. Even though it was designed and handcrafted by skilled woodworkers, it was elaborately decorated by the local young women’s league of Jerusalem, “King Solomon’s carriage is built of wood imported from Lebanon. Its posts are silver, its canopy gold; its cushions are purple. It was decorated with love by the young women of Jerusalem.”

But why is the Song of Solomon even in the Bible?

I got this from Jay Harvey in his book, Song of Solomon. Four great reasons this book is necessary!

  1. A Deeper Appreciation of the Gospel, highlighting Christ’s love for the church through marriage, revealing the mystery of Christ’s love for his Bride.
  2. It’s mostly from a woman’s perspective, a female voice. From beginning to end, the reader encounters the woman’s perspective more than any other.
  3. A Revisioning of Sexual Intimacy. It revises our understanding and helps us reclaim holiness in sexual expression that God has created and declared good. No prudes here.
  4. A Realistic Perspective on Love. It is a series of love poems that capture the joys, insecurities, sorrows, and frustrations that accompany the journey of love. The relationship captured in this poem is his Word for his children’s understanding of love, marriage, and sexuality. And it is good!

Solomon, being a type of Christ in wisdom, is also a type in a deep, intimate understanding of love within the context of covenant. All we have to do to see its beauty is to toss out the 999 marriages and focus on just one – his first wife, Naamah the Ammonite.

Prayer

​Dad,
I don’t remember reading much of the Song of Solomon since I was a teenage. I was told it was sexy and blush worthy. I know there are a lot crazy stories in the Old Testament, so this book is not surprising, it’s just hard to figure out practical applications from it. I would have no idea how to take it out of a marriage class and apply it to singles and sexuality! Yet, I know the message is about such a deep, pure love that it transcends all of what is propagated as “love” today. I am thankful for your love for me. I am also thankful for the covenanted love for my wife as well. It is very good.