Bible 37

 Maybe the most mature statement we can make, or reflect on is “I don’t know.” There are so many factors in life that we cannot control and it’s a waste of time to worry about them. I’m talking to myself because I’ve spent far too much time with my ‘what if….’ list. But like Nicky said, it’s wise we do not know everything. The best thing you and I can do is to live wisely with our time and investments, honoring God, ready for whatever God shows us in the next decisions we make. We will never know in this life why bad things happen to good people and why worldly individuals or companies get away with injustice. For me, the darkest times of my life have been times when God’s presence was felt in the deepest ways. I don’t know why, but when I’ve been at the end my rope, I’ve felt assured that life will be okay. 

Gentle 14

 I wonder how many times I’ve glosses over the statement of truth:  ‘God is rich in mercy’. I’ve hid my private arrogance from Him, thinking that I can handle issues and solve problems far too complex for my weak abilities. How many factors are beyond my control yet I have an illusion that I can fix them. The reality of my need for His mercy and grace drives me to my knees in worship. 

“So with Christ. We cling to him, to be sure. But our grip is that of a two-year-old amid the stormy waves of life. His sure grasp never falters. Psalm 63:8 expresses the double-sided truth: “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me”.

Jesus Christ is closer to you today than he was to the sinners and sufferers he spoke with and touched in his earthly ministry. Through his Spirit, Christ’s own heart envelops his people with an embrace nearer and tighter than any physical embrace could ever achieve. His actions on earth in a body reflected his heart; the same heart now acts in the same ways toward us, for we are now his body.” - Dane C. Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

Bible 36

 I wonder how many words we each speak to ourselves silently. No one talks to us like we talk to ourselves nor do we talk to anyone as much as we talk to ourselves. I often rehearse my fears and anxieties over and over, building a sense of dread. But the more I rehearse what God has said in Scripture, or the more I have a song stuck in my memory, or even a good podcast, I am more likely to distance myself from the anxieties. As Nicky implies, my long term view of what God will do influences my short term decisions. God will take care of all injustice and unfairness. My role is to trust Him for the outcome, make every attempt to be a positive influence, and appreciate all that God is doing in my life. I do not want to use empty words like Job’s friends nor just go through the motions of connecting with others.  Gratitude, despite any negative situations, is the key to living each day. 

Blake, I am so grateful for you and the love you have always demonstrated to me. I can’t say that enough and want to make up any lost time through our daily connection. 

Gentle 13

 Growing in maturity as we walk our journey is to know Christ. It is far more than acquiring information and Bibke knowledge. It is knowing Christ as a Person full of love and acceptance, not for some future situation, but for the here and now experiences of life. It is mind blowing to experience the Creator of the universe living in us, because we are in Him. This relationship is the deepest of all relationships, not because we have done anything. It is only because He loves us, despite our rebellion and sin. The apostle Paul teaches us in his prayer:

Ephesians 3:14-21 - Prayer for Spiritual Strength

[14] For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

[20] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

“Though the crowds call him the friend of sinners as an indictment, the label is one of unspeakable comfort for those who know themselves to be sinners. That Jesus is friend to sinners is only contemptible to those who feel themselves not to be in that category.” - Dane C. Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

Bible 35

 Your influence as a leader today and in the future has a ripple effect. King David continues to influence through his example and writings. He was determined to trust God while waiting for the right time to make a move. He learned so much as a boy taking caring of sheep, sitting in solitude, singing a alone, worshipping and praying to God, enjoying the outdoors. He acquired the training he needed while fighting wild animals and poachers. Perhaps God is training us for opportunities in the near future to honor our Lors. We need today’s training, allowing is to depend on Him, not our self sufficiency. Our integrity, authenticity humility, compassion and vision always need refining for the challenges ahead. God calls us to be far different than fitting into the cultural norm. 

Bible 34

 We can feel trapped with no way out, much like the miners. But, thankfully, we can have space to be free of the entrapment. Our only stability and resilience is in our relationship with our Triune God, renewed each day to retire hope and courage for each new challenge. We can feel trapped by critics, debt, and a friendship that has gone sour. Making decisions that are right and good for family can sometimes bring resistance from those who do not understand. Jesus withstood persecution and criticism for doing good, resisting those who thought they weee better than everyone. Safeguarding ourselves by choosing to be pure, resisting temptations, loving others, being generous are all part of the long term eternal perspective which guides our short term decisions. 

America Be Careful

Michael Sprague

AMERICA BE CAREFUL 

I had the incredible experience yesterday of hearing the inspiring story of the President of Rwanda and 2 Rwandan national leaders who lived through the genocide in their nation in the early 1990’s. One million people lost their lives in a three month period. Most that died had their heads hacked off with machetes. Women were gang raped and homes were burned to the ground. They could not bury that many bodies so corpses were stacked sometimes 20 feet high. Dogs consumed the human flesh. Eventually, the killing stopped, but human devices could not bring a peace. The President and women talked about a life giving process of repentance, forgiveness and justice.

A few years back I heard the First Lady of Rwanda give a sober analysis of the three step spiral that led to this genocide. It is instructive for our situation in American culture.

1. The people went from referring to themselves as Rwandans to Hutu and Tutsis. The two big tribes.

2. Each group adopted a Divide and Conquer Mentality... demonizing the other side.

3. Each side allowed hate to spew without checking it in their own camp and eventually it took some people over the edge and they did the unthinkable. Ordinary young men took the heads off of their favorite next door neighbor lady whose house they loved playing at. Imagine this stark reality.

Then she asked this Question: In your country could you be perpetuating genocide... killing not with machetes but with words and the unthinkable happen one day? Wow... what a apropos question. I was stabbed to the core of my heart.

Mail bombs, shootings, hate speech, intimidation, lack of civility, bullying and violence is never, never acceptable.

The First Lady said, “We thought of ourselves as a Christian nation and did not think this could ever happen to us.” Do we think the same thing?

The leaders shared the good news of what God has done in their lives and nation. They said after the genocide the nation went through a national process of Repentance and Reconciliation and a spiritual awakening occurred that brought transformation and much unity in the country. Their economy is thriving. Crime is low. Women serve in 60% plus of the seats in Government. Corruption in Government is low.

Maybe we all can choose to be part of the solution rather than be part of the problem. God help us not to have to go through our own genocide. We need a revolution of civility and our own spiritual awakening. Without being right with God we will never be right with each other. Thank you to these courageous leaders of Rwanda for being servant faith leaders and honoring God above all else.