JUNE 15, 2023

   “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” 

― Leonardo da Vinci

EZRA 9-10

5Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God 6and prayed:

“I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. 7From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.

8“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place^a in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. 9Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.(9:5-9)

ACTS 1

12Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk^c from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)

JOURNAL 

The intensity by which Ezra mourns takes me aback. Do I really look at my actions and the actions of my family and my household with this level of scrutiny? Do I consider my actions and my ways and have I been faithful alone to God? Is my life consumed with seeking him...obeying him and being successful in doing all he leads me to do?

I am not...I do not...

Reading in Acts it is amazing that the followers of Christ numbered 120. God is successful in working through his believers. We are to be successful in doing those things he leads us to do and accomplish. The difference is that I have the spirit of God within me. That was made possible at Pentecost which is to come up in the next few chapters. That doesn't mean that my actions no longer matter. Rather it is simply a matter of perspective...operating for God as a slave vs. operating as a son. 

Jesus made it possible that I would now be robbed in righteousness, no longer do I need to wallow in self-pity or scramble to feel justified. No longer must I feel shame for the past or experience the penance for past failures. I am justified, loved and made a son of prominence and privilege. That is the miracle of the gospel and the miracle of Jesus' death. 

Watching some of the period dramas over the past few years...seeing the difference between those considered heir's and those considered slaves is a striking juxtaposition. The freedom is incomparable, but also the responsibility is undeniable, I think this is what God's intent is for us. To gain the sense of the responsibility we have as heirs. To embrace and own that sense of identity and power, but to use it in accomplishing his purposes. We are not here to make an easy life for ourselves...we are here to do great work. That work is building an outpost of God's kingdom wherever we are planted. In whatever time we have to live...we are to be the shining light on a hill. A place where those that are hurting, lonely and lost can experience the love and power of God. 

 4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.^b 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^cFather.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. 

GALATIANS 4:4-7

8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8

JUNE 14, 2023

 “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

EZRA 6-8

1King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. 2A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it:

Memorandum:

3In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:

Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits^a high and sixty cubits wide, 4with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. 5Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.

11Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. 12May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.  (6:1-12)

JOHN 21

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^c 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

JOURNAL 

The Jews are living in captivity and having to navigate life in the midst of different King's rules and regulations. God still never abandons them and their are times when God's work is completed by foreign kings. Here we see King Darius resume the work on rebuilding the temple and gives strong words for those who might oppose it.

Here Jesus shows up again after his resurrection. The disciples have gone back to fishing and it would appear that they have abandoned any hope of God's kingdom. Jesus also has business to contend with Peter. Peter denied him three times and I am sure Peter is dealing with the failure of those denials. Jesus knows this and tenderly engages Peter three times in a way that allows Peter to be redeemed and to express his love and move forward with the ultimate mission. 

These verses are an incredible reminder of how God loves us through our failures. Even though the Jews have seemingly lost all that they were promised, God never abandons them. Even though Peter denied even knowing Jesus...Jesus restores his faith and hope. Peter goes on...as Jesus had prophesied to establish the church. 

Failures are never the final word on us or God. In fact they really are the fertile soil that establish our faith. It is where God does his great work! What a great word and what great hope this brings to my daily gift of life. 

 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

1 PETER 1:3-9

JUNE 13, 2023

  

 “Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

EZRA 3-5

10When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. 11With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good;

his love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 13No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. (3:10-13)

JOHN 20

11Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

JOURNAL 

The historical perspectives surrounding this event along with the biblical account is fascinating. I also find it compelling how the women become the central focus from the point of crucifixion up to the resurrection. Mary is considered to have been very wealthy and a supporter of Jesus' ministry. She was said to have been healed of demonic possession and is mentioned by name at least 12 times throughout the gospels...which is more than most of the disciples. 

It is interesting, how her initial response is “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” She obviously has the means and ability to do this...what is also interesting is that most criminals who were crucified were tossed out and their bodies were eaten by wild dogs, etc. Nicodemus is known to have used his position and gained permission for Jesus to be buried in a tomb. I have no doubts that Mary was a central figure in getting that done. 

Thinking through all the drama that surrounded this moment in time, makes it even more compelling to think of Mary's state of mind when she encounters the risen Jesus. Again though, that is the work of an amazing God. Also, it is incredible how subtle this meeting is, instead of angels and trumpets, it's Jesus simply calling Mary by her name. Also I am sure this is not how Mary saw all of this unfolding. No one really did, this was the farthest thing from their minds a few days prior yet God transformed perceived tragedy into glory. 

Thinking of this in terms of my life and this day in time, this is the reality that I so often miss. Jesus is simply calling my name, through his word, through prayer, through the love of friends and family. God is in it all and never fails to care for me in the simplest and most powerful ways. Even in the mundane or the tragic,  he is there calling and offering life. That life is the 24 hours of today and what I do with it. These precious 24 hours are what can turn the mundane or the tragic into the miraculous..."From ashes...to glory"

 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8

JUNE 12, 2023

   “Just 'cause I'm leavin'

It don't mean that I won't be right by your side

When you need me

And you can't see me in the middle of the night

Just close your eyes and say a prayer

It's okay, I know you're scared when I'm not here

But I'll always be right there

Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere” 

Luke Combs

EZRA 1-2

68When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics^b of gold, 5,000 minas^c of silver and 100 priestly garments.

70The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns. (31:20-21)

JOHN 19:23-42

25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,^b here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

JOURNAL 

In the midst of his suffering and dying moments, Jesus ensures care and safety for his mother. The agony of this moment, often I have missed. All the hopes and dreams of the disciples, Jesus' mother and all his followers would seem to be hanging with Jesus on the cross.  In human logic...it is game over, the end. As they stand at the foot of this execution, they would have to be in utter despair and disbelief. I can only imagine the heartache and feeling of hopelessness.   Yet, this "Epic Failure" would become the greatest symbol of hope that the world has ever known. 

From as far back as I can remember I feared being left alone. It is one of those feelings that can be hard to wrap my head around because it is something that every human fears in one way or another. Reality is that in ancient times...being alone meant sure death. We are made for community and each other and we need to always know that we matter and are loved. Jesus hanging alone on a cross meant that he would ensure that we are never alone again. His spirit will never leave us even if the world turns it's back on us...he never will.

That promise is exactly what we need as followers of God! We need to know and believe that there is hope in the midst of hopelessness. We need to believe that the world's indictment of us might be wrong. We need to know that God is bigger than anything that the world can throw at us. Throughout scripture over and over again...that is the way God works. He makes the impossible, possible and he takes failures, disappointments, and adversity and uses them to strengthen, grow, and fulfill his purpose!

 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8

JUNE 11, 2023

  “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 

― Albert Einstein

2 CHRONICLES 34-36

19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah,^a Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21“Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”(33:19-21)

JOHN 19:1-22

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

11Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

JOURNAL 

Josiah completely bucks the trend of his father and seeks to follow God. It really is an amazing turn from all that he was raised to know. He restores Israel to obedience and worship of God. Yet in the end he becomes consumed with opposing the King of Egypt and is killed in battle. Pilate is conflicted because he knows in his heart that what is happening to Jesus is wrong...yet he fears the implications of not yielding to the people. He ultimately consents and Jesus is crucified.

Every day is it's own battle for good. Any moment could be one that changes life dramatically. Security in the things of this world are simply an illusion. The only true security is found in my relationship with God. Life continues every moment of every day and I am either moving with or against God. The reality is that if my heart has been given to God, then I am constantly in fellowship with him. I need not worry about the outcome of a day or a moment, I only need to concern myself with living in God's presence and reflecting that presence to the world around me.

To see every moment as a gift from God is to live life with gratitude, wonder and purpose. I think of how I would live today differently if yesterday my circumstances were dramatically different. If I was on my deathbed, or in prison or in the midst of war...the reality is that situations and circumstances can change quickly, but to see every moment as a gift ensures that I will make the most of it and passionately pursue it in reverence to and in obedience to God. 

This is the wisdom of the spirit, this is the power of God's presence.

 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

1 TIMOTHY 4:9-10