At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. (Daniel 4:38).
Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance made him crazy. In Howard Hughes like fashion, he shunned people and grew out his nails and his hair. He also wandered about outside, eating the grass and living like a wild animal.
They still lock you up if you think you are a god.
How ironic that pride made him lose it all. How wonderful that he found himself and got it all back when he reclaimed his humility.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Last Things
"The end of all things is near." (1 Peter 5:7).
The end of the world makes some people think about digging underground shelters and storing supplies and weapons. Our spirits go into bunker mode as we wait for destruction.
There’s no getting around the fact that there is urgency in the apocalyptic literature. But none of the ancient writers meant to paralyze us in anxiety. In fact, they were encouraging us to let go of fear and use these last times to act for the sake of God by the power of God for the glory of God.
Getting ready isn’t tying down our possessions to secure them for the storm. It’s turning loose of everything that doesn’t matter so we can focus on the needy people who do matter.
The last thing Jesus told Peter was, “If you love me, tend my lambs.” (John 21:15-25).
The end of the world makes some people think about digging underground shelters and storing supplies and weapons. Our spirits go into bunker mode as we wait for destruction.
There’s no getting around the fact that there is urgency in the apocalyptic literature. But none of the ancient writers meant to paralyze us in anxiety. In fact, they were encouraging us to let go of fear and use these last times to act for the sake of God by the power of God for the glory of God.
Getting ready isn’t tying down our possessions to secure them for the storm. It’s turning loose of everything that doesn’t matter so we can focus on the needy people who do matter.
The last thing Jesus told Peter was, “If you love me, tend my lambs.” (John 21:15-25).
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Now You See Him; Now You Don't
Lectionary Readings: Psalms 145, 104, Isaiah 25:1-9, Acts 4:13-31, John 16:16-33
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Jesus was getting his disciples ready for the time when he would arrested and killed. He was trying to reassure them that all would be well. He wanted them to hang on until the dark times were over because he knew things would be breathtakingly better in a short time.
But John’s words are meant for the reader, too. He’s encouraging us, giving us hope to persevere when times are hard. If we hang on long enough, we experience better moments.
There are times when the strongest believer will wonder if God’s presence really exists. John the Baptist did. So did Peter.
It’s part of growing up.
But how do we hang on? Going back to the psalms mentioned above, they speak of praising God constantly. Everyday. That means when we feel bad or tired or discouraged, as well as happy, strong, and excited.
Praise keeps us on track. It keeps us in touch when we don’t feel in touch. And it keeps us ready for the moment Jesus appears again.
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Jesus was getting his disciples ready for the time when he would arrested and killed. He was trying to reassure them that all would be well. He wanted them to hang on until the dark times were over because he knew things would be breathtakingly better in a short time.
But John’s words are meant for the reader, too. He’s encouraging us, giving us hope to persevere when times are hard. If we hang on long enough, we experience better moments.
There are times when the strongest believer will wonder if God’s presence really exists. John the Baptist did. So did Peter.
It’s part of growing up.
But how do we hang on? Going back to the psalms mentioned above, they speak of praising God constantly. Everyday. That means when we feel bad or tired or discouraged, as well as happy, strong, and excited.
Praise keeps us on track. It keeps us in touch when we don’t feel in touch. And it keeps us ready for the moment Jesus appears again.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Dry Bones
From Ezekiel 37....
[T]here was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. II will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
We have finally begun to realize that the church is in trouble. I’ve been yelling to anyone who would listen that the church has been declining for the last forty years. Now, within the next two decades, the church is going to lose a huge number of it’s strongest supporters because folks are old and it will be time for many of them to graduate into heaven.
Leadership is thinking about how to best organize and consolidate our resources. I know they have to think about this. It’s the wise thing to do. But we’re thinking in terms of crisis management. We’re thinking of the church as a terminally ill patient that needs to be made as comfortable as possible.
I’m still thinking renewal. I don’t believe the Lord means for the church to blink out of existence. He offers a bold vision of an army being raised from a field of dry bones.
If we believe the message of this passage, why not focus on turning this thing around?
I’m not the only one thinking this.
I plan to continue my work for the next two decades, and I don’t aim to make my final years a time to bury the bleached bones of a dead church. I’m going to work to light the place up.
What are you going to do?
[T]here was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. II will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
We have finally begun to realize that the church is in trouble. I’ve been yelling to anyone who would listen that the church has been declining for the last forty years. Now, within the next two decades, the church is going to lose a huge number of it’s strongest supporters because folks are old and it will be time for many of them to graduate into heaven.
Leadership is thinking about how to best organize and consolidate our resources. I know they have to think about this. It’s the wise thing to do. But we’re thinking in terms of crisis management. We’re thinking of the church as a terminally ill patient that needs to be made as comfortable as possible.
I’m still thinking renewal. I don’t believe the Lord means for the church to blink out of existence. He offers a bold vision of an army being raised from a field of dry bones.
If we believe the message of this passage, why not focus on turning this thing around?
I’m not the only one thinking this.
I plan to continue my work for the next two decades, and I don’t aim to make my final years a time to bury the bleached bones of a dead church. I’m going to work to light the place up.
What are you going to do?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Champion
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
(Psalm 97:1).
Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
(Psalm 115:2-4)
The psalmist speaks of God as his champion, the ruler of everything. He is the real God who lives in heaven--not some hunk of shiny metal some human made.
As I’ve often longed for the personal God that Jesus promises, I admit that I forget to marvel that there is a Champion who is ruled by no one, who cannot quite be understood and can never be coerced.
That’s the God who watches over us. I don’t always remember it. I can’t always feel it. I almost never understand Him. But the point of the passage is that God doesn’t answer to me or any other created thing. We answer to him.
That’s comforting, I suppose.
(Psalm 97:1).
Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
(Psalm 115:2-4)
The psalmist speaks of God as his champion, the ruler of everything. He is the real God who lives in heaven--not some hunk of shiny metal some human made.
As I’ve often longed for the personal God that Jesus promises, I admit that I forget to marvel that there is a Champion who is ruled by no one, who cannot quite be understood and can never be coerced.
That’s the God who watches over us. I don’t always remember it. I can’t always feel it. I almost never understand Him. But the point of the passage is that God doesn’t answer to me or any other created thing. We answer to him.
That’s comforting, I suppose.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Making a Comeback, Part 2
The world’s greatest leaders often have spotty resumes.
Joseph went from spoiled rich boy to slave, then convict. But he came back from the dungeon to become a ruler of the most prosperous nation in the world.
Moses went from Prince of Egypt, to a refugee shepherd, to the man who established Israel as a nation.
Elijah boldly defied the king but then immediately ran and hid for three years. He came back, embarrassed the prophets of Baal in a show of great power, but then had to run again. He wanted to give up and die, but he didn't. Instead went back once more and this time he reorganized the entire government.
Simon Peter had grand aspirations but failed his Rabbi at the critical time. He came back to preach the first sermon about the risen Christ and 3000 people were baptized in response to his message.
John Mark failed to complete the first mission trip of Paul. It doesn’t say why, but Paul wasn’t willing to depend on him on the next trip. However, near the end of his life, Paul wrote that “John Mark is very helpful to me.” I like to think both of them made a comeback.
In more recent history, most of us know about Abraham Lincoln’s failures in business and politics until he became the 16th President of the United States and ushered the country through a civil war to bring about union.
Winston Churchill suffered debilitating depression and alcoholism. He was not a good peacetime leader, but when the world erupted in War, he rallied the people of Britain to rise up and stand resolute against the bigger enemy.
Dwight Eisenhower was a nice enough guy. He was well regarded in the Army; however, he was not considered a candidate for any major position of command. Yet he became a five star general and Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II. Later he became Supreme Commander of NATO. Then he became the 34th President of the United States.
They weren’t born great. Their backgrounds sometimes looked unremarkable although their experiences often gave them significant skill sets. All of them suffered major setbacks. But they persevered. When the big moments came, they were ready.
Joseph went from spoiled rich boy to slave, then convict. But he came back from the dungeon to become a ruler of the most prosperous nation in the world.
Moses went from Prince of Egypt, to a refugee shepherd, to the man who established Israel as a nation.
Elijah boldly defied the king but then immediately ran and hid for three years. He came back, embarrassed the prophets of Baal in a show of great power, but then had to run again. He wanted to give up and die, but he didn't. Instead went back once more and this time he reorganized the entire government.
Simon Peter had grand aspirations but failed his Rabbi at the critical time. He came back to preach the first sermon about the risen Christ and 3000 people were baptized in response to his message.
John Mark failed to complete the first mission trip of Paul. It doesn’t say why, but Paul wasn’t willing to depend on him on the next trip. However, near the end of his life, Paul wrote that “John Mark is very helpful to me.” I like to think both of them made a comeback.
In more recent history, most of us know about Abraham Lincoln’s failures in business and politics until he became the 16th President of the United States and ushered the country through a civil war to bring about union.
Winston Churchill suffered debilitating depression and alcoholism. He was not a good peacetime leader, but when the world erupted in War, he rallied the people of Britain to rise up and stand resolute against the bigger enemy.
Dwight Eisenhower was a nice enough guy. He was well regarded in the Army; however, he was not considered a candidate for any major position of command. Yet he became a five star general and Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II. Later he became Supreme Commander of NATO. Then he became the 34th President of the United States.
They weren’t born great. Their backgrounds sometimes looked unremarkable although their experiences often gave them significant skill sets. All of them suffered major setbacks. But they persevered. When the big moments came, they were ready.
Making a Comeback
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
(Micah 7:8)
I love comeback stories. Micah might have been down but he wouldn’t stay down. He speaks of his sins, which suggests that he knew his problems were of his own making. But he knew that God, who demands that we account for our actions, also offers forgiveness and redemption.
One of the defining characteristics of a person is in how he reacts to failure. Does he hide or face himself and correct his mistakes? Does he stay mired in humiliation and resentment or does he pull himself up to begin again?
The man who dares to rise again will find himself, as well as a redemptive God.
It’s time for a comeback.
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
(Micah 7:8)
I love comeback stories. Micah might have been down but he wouldn’t stay down. He speaks of his sins, which suggests that he knew his problems were of his own making. But he knew that God, who demands that we account for our actions, also offers forgiveness and redemption.
One of the defining characteristics of a person is in how he reacts to failure. Does he hide or face himself and correct his mistakes? Does he stay mired in humiliation and resentment or does he pull himself up to begin again?
The man who dares to rise again will find himself, as well as a redemptive God.
It’s time for a comeback.
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