(Randomosity warning--I have NO idea where this is going...I'm just rambling, because I think the Lord's trying to get a point across to me and I'm not catching it.)
WHAT was I thinking when I decided to put white flooring in my bathroom? Obviously, I wasn't thinking at all. I wasn't thinking about hairspray. Or my cat. Or shoes that I refuse to take off at the front door. And I never put all those things together to arrive at the conclusion that hairspray combined with profusely-shed cat fur combined with dirt from the bottom of my shoes combined with the water that the shedding cat flings all over the floor when she drinks from the toilet bowl (leave it to me to find a cat that refuses to drink from a "real" bowl") makes for a horrible, cement-like substance that hydrochloric acid MIGHT remove if given the opportunity.
So, there's been this little muddy pawprint (hmm...wonder who THAT culprit might be!) on my bathroom floor for...oh, about a week. Every time I look at it, I think "I need to mop the floor", but thinking was as far as it went. Tonight, when that thought crossed my mind, I grabbed the bottle of citrus cleaner and decided to do a little spot-removal. I sprayed the pawprint and wiped it up. Easy enough. Then, I noticed there was now a lovely paw-shaped WHITE spot in what had suddenly become a 4 foot square of dingy, not-so-clean-as-I thought flooring. That glaring white spot revealed just how dirty the surrounding floor was. I sprayed and wiped some more. More white. But now I could see some caked-on hairspray residue down in the cracks of the tile pattern. More spray, more scrubbing and some vowing to give up hairspray for what's left of Lent and maybe put the cat up for adoption. But I'm still not taking my shoes off at the front door. (And I'll more than likely keep the cat AND the hairspray, too.)
Where's the object lesson here? My heart is pretty much like my bathroom floor (now THAT'S an appealing thought, isn't it?!) Doesn't look too dirty, maybe a little smudged spot, relatively "clean" and presentable. But sometimes I get tired of looking at that smudge and ask God to bring in His handy-dandy spray bottle and mop it up. And THEN I see how much the rest of my presumedly "pretty clean" life dulls in comparison to that one shiny-bright white spot, so I invite God, in His best Jabez-fashion, to expand His territory and clean up a bigger spot.
To a casual observer who is not eyeing my bathroom-floor heart from a critical, closer-than-casual viewpoint, I probably looked "okay" with the smudge. I would definitely look "okay" after the territory-expanding second go-round with the cleaner. But the dirt is still there in the cracks. God knows it. I know it. Anyone who invests in my life in a serious, "authentic community", Body-of-Christ way is going to know it...and I actually want them to. I hope that they might even grab a brush and help Him dig the gunk out of the cracks.
I know I don't want to settle for just looking "good" from a distance. I know I'm imperfect and my heart is full of cracks and crevices filled with the world's crud, but I also know if I'm going to allow Him access to clean one spot, it's going to be a poor reflection on the rest of my dull, dingy, gray life, if I don't ask him to clean up the rest of it, down to the cracks that only HE can see.
"Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow..."
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Not even CLOSE to Christmas, but...
...this made me laugh. Because that's exactly what my Christmas tree looks like every year.
| You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree |
 Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone. |
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Addendum to the fasting post...
I've been a little tardy in posting the comments that Chad emailed to me (and I'm wondering why he didn't just go ahead and post them here himself, since he replied to one of my other posts!) ;-) Anyway, since I've added several other entries since then, I thought I would just start a new post with his comments and bring it back to the top. I really haven't had much time this week to study more deeply the Scriptures I listed, so I'm just going to quote Chad and not comment myself for right now. These are some notes he compiled while he was doing a group Bible study awhile back.
(Disclaimer: The following statements [Scripture excluded, of course] are the views of CHAD and do not necessarily represent the beliefs/opinions of this blogger...although they might.) ;-)
(I really just wanted an excuse to use brackets...I so rarely have the opportunity to insert a parenthetical statement inside a parenthetical statement...I'm a geek, what can I say?!)
Fasting
What is it?
Not eating for the purpose of:
Mourning -1 Sam 31:11-13
The followers of King Saul fasted for seven days following his death. The Israelites were known for their public emotional displays, wailing at funerals (they even hired professional "wailers" to come to big funerals) etc. This kind of fasting was a sign of their grief. Job's friends came and sat with him in his misery for seven days before they spoke. They tore their clothes and put ashes and dust on their heads. This kind of fasting is a heartfelt pain or grief, a display of extreme sorrow or regret
Other passages dealing with fasting because of mourning - see Judges 20:26, II Sam 1:12, Neh 1:4, Joel 2:12, Mt 9:14-15.
Humbling -1 Ki 21:1-29
King Ahab, though he was a bad king, humbled himself before the Lord and the Lord relented and did not bring disaster on him at that point Fasting, in some sense, is of use to the believer for humility before the Lord.
Other passages dealing with fasting for humbling - see Ezra 8:21, Ps 35:13, Isaiah 58:3.
Worship-Luke 2:37
Fasting is associated with worship in the figure of Anna, who"... worshipped night and day, fasting and praying." Fasting apparently has merit of its own when done as a pleasing worship to the Lord. Other passages dealing with fasting and worship - see Acts 13:2
Seeking God's Will/Request of God - 2 Saml2:16-23, Judges 20:26-28
David fasted and pleaded with God for the life of his young son. Again this may be associated with the outward _expression of emotion and is heartfelt in request of God. In the second passage we see the Israelites asking God what they should do (seeking His will) in the situation with the Benjamites. Fasting seems to be connected with asking of God, particularly in dire circumstances.
Other passages dealing with fasting and requests of God/ seeking His will - see 11 Chron. 20:1-17, Ezra 8:21, Esther 4:16,
What fasting is not:
Ritual-Isaiah58
Fasting for fasting sake is not what is pleasing to God. If we fast but do not turn to God and away from sin, what good is the symbolic humility? Col 2:18 shows us that legalistic, false humility is not pleasing to God.
For the applause of men - Mt 6:16
Jesus is very clear that fasting should not be used to improve one's image or appearance before others. It should not be used to make one appear more "spiritual" than another, and should be a private experience between the believer and the Father.
What's its use/importance for us?
Reward-Mt. 6:16
Scripture does not specify what this particular reward is, but Jesus is clear that there is a reward for fasting humbly before the Lord without the praise or recognition of people.
Humility-Ps. 69:10
David says in this psalm that he is humbled or "scorned" when fasting. Other passages we have already looked at talk about humility and humbling in fasting. There are numerous passages in scripture telling us to come before the lord with humility. (Php 2:3, Tit 3:2 etc.) We can certainly benefit from anything that causes us to see ourselves in an appropriate light before God because He "opposes the proud" .(James 4:6)
Confession - Neh 1:4-7
Fasting is associated with confession as Nehemiah fasts and confesses the national sins of Israel. Other passages dealing with fasting and confession - see Dan 9:3-5. Confession is an important part of our lives until Christ returns as we can well see in 1 John 1:9, James 5:16.
Repentance - Jonah 3:3-10
The Ninevites repented (turned away from sin) and God spared the city. True confession and repentance go hand in hand. Neh 1:8-9 also seems to associate Nehemiah's fasting with repentance. In the new testament Peter associates repentance with salvation. (Acts 2:38) True repentance is not just turning away from sin but towards God in faith.
Heart Change - Isaiah 58
This passage is the strongest statement yet of the nature of fasting and it's misuse. Fasting was supposed to help to bring humility to the people and to draw them to God in an appropriate manner, but they used the mere tradition while not allowing the righteousness of God to permeate the other aspects of their lives. In essence, they were hypocritical in that they fasted and called on the name of the Lord but they then exploited their workers, quarreled, and fought, and did not help the poor. Fasting should be something indicative of a true heart change, a sorrow over sin and a turning from it, an offering to the Lord of worship, and a pleading with the Lord in dependence on Him alone.
This is purely speculative, but I believe that fasting may be a picture of our dependence on God. Our hunger and our need are ultimately pictures of our necessity of right relationship with our maker. Just as man cannot live without food, man was designed for a relationship with God. Nothing would be more humbling for a proud, self-sufficient person than the constant pangs of hunger reminding him of his immediate and constant need. When all our needs are satisfied, if even for a moment, we have a greater tendency to feel self-sufficient and not to lean of God. Our immediate and constant need is for deliverance from sin that only comes in the gift of Christ on the cross.
Petition-2 Sam 12:16-23
As we have seen in this passage already, David pleaded with the Lord for the life of his son while his son was still alive. We may also use fasting in our requests before the Lord, both for answers/guidance in issues of his will, and for particular requests of need and desire.
Worship-Luke 2:37
We saw in the characters of Anna and of Paul that the discipline of fasting is a way of worship in and of itself.
Commission etc. - Acts 13:2-3,14:23
We also see fasting used in association with commissioning of people to ministry. It would seem that the importance of the call to ministry is emphasized by prayer and fasting, and is a good way to launch a new start for the Lord.
(Disclaimer: The following statements [Scripture excluded, of course] are the views of CHAD and do not necessarily represent the beliefs/opinions of this blogger...although they might.) ;-)
(I really just wanted an excuse to use brackets...I so rarely have the opportunity to insert a parenthetical statement inside a parenthetical statement...I'm a geek, what can I say?!)
Fasting
What is it?
Not eating for the purpose of:
Mourning -1 Sam 31:11-13
The followers of King Saul fasted for seven days following his death. The Israelites were known for their public emotional displays, wailing at funerals (they even hired professional "wailers" to come to big funerals) etc. This kind of fasting was a sign of their grief. Job's friends came and sat with him in his misery for seven days before they spoke. They tore their clothes and put ashes and dust on their heads. This kind of fasting is a heartfelt pain or grief, a display of extreme sorrow or regret
Other passages dealing with fasting because of mourning - see Judges 20:26, II Sam 1:12, Neh 1:4, Joel 2:12, Mt 9:14-15.
Humbling -1 Ki 21:1-29
King Ahab, though he was a bad king, humbled himself before the Lord and the Lord relented and did not bring disaster on him at that point Fasting, in some sense, is of use to the believer for humility before the Lord.
Other passages dealing with fasting for humbling - see Ezra 8:21, Ps 35:13, Isaiah 58:3.
Worship-Luke 2:37
Fasting is associated with worship in the figure of Anna, who"... worshipped night and day, fasting and praying." Fasting apparently has merit of its own when done as a pleasing worship to the Lord. Other passages dealing with fasting and worship - see Acts 13:2
Seeking God's Will/Request of God - 2 Saml2:16-23, Judges 20:26-28
David fasted and pleaded with God for the life of his young son. Again this may be associated with the outward _expression of emotion and is heartfelt in request of God. In the second passage we see the Israelites asking God what they should do (seeking His will) in the situation with the Benjamites. Fasting seems to be connected with asking of God, particularly in dire circumstances.
Other passages dealing with fasting and requests of God/ seeking His will - see 11 Chron. 20:1-17, Ezra 8:21, Esther 4:16,
What fasting is not:
Ritual-Isaiah58
Fasting for fasting sake is not what is pleasing to God. If we fast but do not turn to God and away from sin, what good is the symbolic humility? Col 2:18 shows us that legalistic, false humility is not pleasing to God.
For the applause of men - Mt 6:16
Jesus is very clear that fasting should not be used to improve one's image or appearance before others. It should not be used to make one appear more "spiritual" than another, and should be a private experience between the believer and the Father.
What's its use/importance for us?
Reward-Mt. 6:16
Scripture does not specify what this particular reward is, but Jesus is clear that there is a reward for fasting humbly before the Lord without the praise or recognition of people.
Humility-Ps. 69:10
David says in this psalm that he is humbled or "scorned" when fasting. Other passages we have already looked at talk about humility and humbling in fasting. There are numerous passages in scripture telling us to come before the lord with humility. (Php 2:3, Tit 3:2 etc.) We can certainly benefit from anything that causes us to see ourselves in an appropriate light before God because He "opposes the proud" .(James 4:6)
Confession - Neh 1:4-7
Fasting is associated with confession as Nehemiah fasts and confesses the national sins of Israel. Other passages dealing with fasting and confession - see Dan 9:3-5. Confession is an important part of our lives until Christ returns as we can well see in 1 John 1:9, James 5:16.
Repentance - Jonah 3:3-10
The Ninevites repented (turned away from sin) and God spared the city. True confession and repentance go hand in hand. Neh 1:8-9 also seems to associate Nehemiah's fasting with repentance. In the new testament Peter associates repentance with salvation. (Acts 2:38) True repentance is not just turning away from sin but towards God in faith.
Heart Change - Isaiah 58
This passage is the strongest statement yet of the nature of fasting and it's misuse. Fasting was supposed to help to bring humility to the people and to draw them to God in an appropriate manner, but they used the mere tradition while not allowing the righteousness of God to permeate the other aspects of their lives. In essence, they were hypocritical in that they fasted and called on the name of the Lord but they then exploited their workers, quarreled, and fought, and did not help the poor. Fasting should be something indicative of a true heart change, a sorrow over sin and a turning from it, an offering to the Lord of worship, and a pleading with the Lord in dependence on Him alone.
This is purely speculative, but I believe that fasting may be a picture of our dependence on God. Our hunger and our need are ultimately pictures of our necessity of right relationship with our maker. Just as man cannot live without food, man was designed for a relationship with God. Nothing would be more humbling for a proud, self-sufficient person than the constant pangs of hunger reminding him of his immediate and constant need. When all our needs are satisfied, if even for a moment, we have a greater tendency to feel self-sufficient and not to lean of God. Our immediate and constant need is for deliverance from sin that only comes in the gift of Christ on the cross.
Petition-2 Sam 12:16-23
As we have seen in this passage already, David pleaded with the Lord for the life of his son while his son was still alive. We may also use fasting in our requests before the Lord, both for answers/guidance in issues of his will, and for particular requests of need and desire.
Worship-Luke 2:37
We saw in the characters of Anna and of Paul that the discipline of fasting is a way of worship in and of itself.
Commission etc. - Acts 13:2-3,14:23
We also see fasting used in association with commissioning of people to ministry. It would seem that the importance of the call to ministry is emphasized by prayer and fasting, and is a good way to launch a new start for the Lord.
My latest music addiction...
His name is Charlie Dodrill. I found him here on MySpaceMusic. If you're interested, you can read his story, either there or on his website, www.charliedodrill.com . In his "former life", he was a monk and started writing/playing music as his expression of love and worship to God. I'm totally hooked on his sound and his lyrics. If you check him out, let me know what you think!
Friday, March 24, 2006
The story of Ruth and Boaz...
This story has just been speaking VOLUMES to me lately...the Lord keeps bringing it to my mind at every turn. Boaz was a man of amazing integrity and honor and I find more to admire about Ruth every time I read this story. So...here it is.
Ruth 3 (NIV)
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor 1 One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? 2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."
5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."
10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."
15 He also said, "Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out." When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town.
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' "
18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
Ruth 3 (NIV)
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor 1 One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? 2 Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do."
5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man, and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer."
10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "Don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."
15 He also said, "Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out." When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and put it on her. Then he went back to town.
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.' "
18 Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."
Monday, March 20, 2006
Surrendering to the quiz temptation!
I just couldn't resist, since it's all about GREEN...
| You Are Olive Green |
 You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know. |
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Everything's coming up daffodils!!
I love spring. Trees are budding, the sun is shining, daffodils and crocus are blooming, grass is growing, everything's turning GREEN again and it's beautiful. A new day, a new season, a new life--a new beginning. Spring is such an incredible reminder of God's unending grace...how He takes the ugly, colorless, dead things in our lives and, with one transforming breath, makes them all new and beautiful again. And He does it again and again...and again. Without fail. No matter how cold and lifeless we've become.
I'm so glad I've been feeling that transforming breath lately. I'm glad my world is greener again. And I'm glad my heart is, too.
I'm so glad I've been feeling that transforming breath lately. I'm glad my world is greener again. And I'm glad my heart is, too.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
On the subject of fasting...
...I have some questions. Maybe someone has some answers? :-) I would like to present my questions in an unbiased fashion, but I'm relatively certain that's not going to happen, so...please wade through my puddles of preconceived prejudices as best you can!
I listened to a sermon tonight on the subject of fasting. The speaker was the pastor of a church in Florida and he encourages the members of his church to go on a 21-day fast at the beginning of each year in order to seek God's favor, spiritually, financially, medically, etc.
He gave several Scripture references which I, unfortunately, didn't write down as he was speaking, so I'm going to have to rely on my semi-faulty memory until I can go back and listen to him again and get the exact references.
He started by saying that, for a Christian, fasting is NOT an "option", because the Scriptures give three "definites"--"when you pray", "when you give", and "when you fast" (not "IF" you pray, fast, or give). I don't have a problem with that...there have been times that I've known God has called me to fast from something (sometimes food, sometimes other things) for a period of time and it's never seemed like a weird "out there" thing to do.
What I DID have a problem with was the fact that he seemed to be saying IF you fast, God is required to honor that fast by blessing you with unexpected financial gain, miraculous healing of health problems (he said that at the end of their church's fast each year, infertile couples immediately get pregnant), other life successes, etc. I'm having a difficult time digesting that in the way I'm interpreting it...has my God been reduced to no more than a puppet on the end of a string I'm yanking? And he said that God honors proportionally--if you fast for half a day, He's going to honor that and bless your small effort, but those who fast for a whole day, or a whole week, or a whole month, He's going to bless more--drop some more fasting time into the vending machine and you get a more expensive selection of blessings to choose from, eh?
He DID quote a verse from the second chapter of Joel, so I looked it up and read the entire chapter, which seems to me to head in an ENTIRELY different direction than he was taking--the chapter DOES talk about fasting, but they way I'm reading it, it's more about repentance ('"return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning") and it's the rending of the people's hearts in repentance that leads to His turning back to them with compassion and blessing.
I'm going to study this some more and read all of the Scriptures regarding fasting, but I would really like to hear what some of y'all have to say about the subject. What do YOU think about fasting? Do you think I'm being overly critical of this sermon and maybe misinterpreting what he's saying? (I know, that's hard to answer since you haven't heard the sermon! I'll be glad to let anyone borrow the CD if you want to listen to it for yourself.)
Meanwhile, here are the verses from Joel 2 (from the NIV)--I've bold-faced what appeared especially relevant to me.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
I listened to a sermon tonight on the subject of fasting. The speaker was the pastor of a church in Florida and he encourages the members of his church to go on a 21-day fast at the beginning of each year in order to seek God's favor, spiritually, financially, medically, etc.
He gave several Scripture references which I, unfortunately, didn't write down as he was speaking, so I'm going to have to rely on my semi-faulty memory until I can go back and listen to him again and get the exact references.
He started by saying that, for a Christian, fasting is NOT an "option", because the Scriptures give three "definites"--"when you pray", "when you give", and "when you fast" (not "IF" you pray, fast, or give). I don't have a problem with that...there have been times that I've known God has called me to fast from something (sometimes food, sometimes other things) for a period of time and it's never seemed like a weird "out there" thing to do.
What I DID have a problem with was the fact that he seemed to be saying IF you fast, God is required to honor that fast by blessing you with unexpected financial gain, miraculous healing of health problems (he said that at the end of their church's fast each year, infertile couples immediately get pregnant), other life successes, etc. I'm having a difficult time digesting that in the way I'm interpreting it...has my God been reduced to no more than a puppet on the end of a string I'm yanking? And he said that God honors proportionally--if you fast for half a day, He's going to honor that and bless your small effort, but those who fast for a whole day, or a whole week, or a whole month, He's going to bless more--drop some more fasting time into the vending machine and you get a more expensive selection of blessings to choose from, eh?
He DID quote a verse from the second chapter of Joel, so I looked it up and read the entire chapter, which seems to me to head in an ENTIRELY different direction than he was taking--the chapter DOES talk about fasting, but they way I'm reading it, it's more about repentance ('"return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning") and it's the rending of the people's hearts in repentance that leads to His turning back to them with compassion and blessing.
I'm going to study this some more and read all of the Scriptures regarding fasting, but I would really like to hear what some of y'all have to say about the subject. What do YOU think about fasting? Do you think I'm being overly critical of this sermon and maybe misinterpreting what he's saying? (I know, that's hard to answer since you haven't heard the sermon! I'll be glad to let anyone borrow the CD if you want to listen to it for yourself.)
Meanwhile, here are the verses from Joel 2 (from the NIV)--I've bold-faced what appeared especially relevant to me.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Monday, March 13, 2006
In a Rilke frame of mind...
This is my all-time favorite Rainer Maria Rilke poem. For a lot of reasons. A lot of reasons I was thinking about tonight. Which, of course, made me think of the poem. And made me want to share it. So...
Love Song---Rainer Maria Rilke
How shall I hold on to my soul, so that
it does not touch yours? How shall I lift
it gently up over you on to other things?
I would so very much like to tuck it away
among long lost objects in the dark,
in some quiet, unknown place, somewhere
which remains motionless when your depths resound.
And yet everything which touches us, you and me,
takes us together like a single bow,
drawing out from two strings but one voice.
On which instrument are we strung?
And which violinist holds us in his hand?
O sweetest of songs.
Love Song---Rainer Maria Rilke
How shall I hold on to my soul, so that
it does not touch yours? How shall I lift
it gently up over you on to other things?
I would so very much like to tuck it away
among long lost objects in the dark,
in some quiet, unknown place, somewhere
which remains motionless when your depths resound.
And yet everything which touches us, you and me,
takes us together like a single bow,
drawing out from two strings but one voice.
On which instrument are we strung?
And which violinist holds us in his hand?
O sweetest of songs.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
We weren't even close!!
How many people can name the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? We tried tonight...and I think we got TWO of the seven! I think I need to go back to school. Here they are...courtesy of our friends at Wikipedia:
the Great Pyramid of Giza
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
the Statue of Zeus at Olympia
the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
the Colossus of Rhodes
the Lighthouse of Alexandria
the Great Pyramid of Giza
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
the Statue of Zeus at Olympia
the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
the Colossus of Rhodes
the Lighthouse of Alexandria
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Maybe I should rename this poem...
...and call it "Blog World" or something! :-)
Since several of us keep coming back to the "community" subject, I thought I would post this poem that I wrote a few years ago--it seems to fit. I'm so grateful for the community of friends I'm developing here, but by virtue of our Creator's design, I DO long for more...for the hug of a friend, for the laughter, the tears, the warmth in a smile that can only be experienced fully in the physical presence of those dear to me. The Lord keeps impressing on me the whole "body of Christ" concept...and body parts work best when they aren't severed and separated from one another!
Chat Room
Faceless bodies, voiceless words—
A cacophony of silent cries
Begging to be heard.
We bare our souls,
Reveling in anonymity,
And miss altogether what our
Nameless keystrokes preclude…
The warmth in a smile,
A brow furrowed in concern,
The touch of a friend—
The touch.
Since several of us keep coming back to the "community" subject, I thought I would post this poem that I wrote a few years ago--it seems to fit. I'm so grateful for the community of friends I'm developing here, but by virtue of our Creator's design, I DO long for more...for the hug of a friend, for the laughter, the tears, the warmth in a smile that can only be experienced fully in the physical presence of those dear to me. The Lord keeps impressing on me the whole "body of Christ" concept...and body parts work best when they aren't severed and separated from one another!
Chat Room
Faceless bodies, voiceless words—
A cacophony of silent cries
Begging to be heard.
We bare our souls,
Reveling in anonymity,
And miss altogether what our
Nameless keystrokes preclude…
The warmth in a smile,
A brow furrowed in concern,
The touch of a friend—
The touch.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Rekindling an old "flame"...
Some of you know that I used to play the violin. Well, I used to take lessons and ATTEMPT to play the violin, anyway. I quit taking lessons a couple of years ago, partly for financial reasons, but mainly because I just had to walk away from some of the things in my past and start some new things just to maintain my sanity--there were days that the "ghosts" living in my house seemed all-too-real and what better to drag up an old ghost than a haunting violin melody?
So...every once in awhile, I would drag out my violin and look at it, but I had damaged the bow and didn't have a tuner, so I couldn't have played it even if I had wanted to. My violin is beautiful--it's about 100 years old and has a gorgeous tone when played by someone who knows what they're doing.
A few months, the desire to gaze at my violin started being replaced by the desire to actually PLAY it again. I bought a new bow and a tuner, but I was still hesitant. What if I had completely forgotten everything I had learned? What if all I could manage was a few screechy noises? What if I stirred up some of those old sleeping ghosts and had to slog through some of the mostly-forgotten junk again?
Yesterday, I did it--I took a deep breath, tuned my violin, picked up my new bow and...managed to squeak out a couple of old hymns from memory. I was encouraged! I found some other hymns online, downloaded and printed them and went to work learning a couple of new songs. Now, we're not talking ready-for-the-symphony kind of playing here, but I WAS playing and I COULD recognize the songs! It was very encouraging. Tonight, when I got home, I couldn't wait to pick up my violin again and do some practicing.
I think the Lord is using this little "object lesson" to gently nudge me and remind me that there are OTHER areas in my life in which I've taken a few steps backwards out of fear of...whatever--various and sundry things. I'm reminded of that story/song about the touch of the Master's hand, though--I want to be the violin in His hands. I hope as I grow older, my character will deepen and my tone will grow richer...and that I'll be a willing instrument in His hands. I may wear some scars and dents, but they don't render me useless. It's time to sweep off the cobwebs, drag out the polishing cloth, tune up the strings, place myself in His hands and get on with the business of playing the melody He's composed just for me. I may screech now and then, but it's better than remaining silent...and, with practice, my song might just become sweeter.
So...every once in awhile, I would drag out my violin and look at it, but I had damaged the bow and didn't have a tuner, so I couldn't have played it even if I had wanted to. My violin is beautiful--it's about 100 years old and has a gorgeous tone when played by someone who knows what they're doing.
A few months, the desire to gaze at my violin started being replaced by the desire to actually PLAY it again. I bought a new bow and a tuner, but I was still hesitant. What if I had completely forgotten everything I had learned? What if all I could manage was a few screechy noises? What if I stirred up some of those old sleeping ghosts and had to slog through some of the mostly-forgotten junk again?
Yesterday, I did it--I took a deep breath, tuned my violin, picked up my new bow and...managed to squeak out a couple of old hymns from memory. I was encouraged! I found some other hymns online, downloaded and printed them and went to work learning a couple of new songs. Now, we're not talking ready-for-the-symphony kind of playing here, but I WAS playing and I COULD recognize the songs! It was very encouraging. Tonight, when I got home, I couldn't wait to pick up my violin again and do some practicing.
I think the Lord is using this little "object lesson" to gently nudge me and remind me that there are OTHER areas in my life in which I've taken a few steps backwards out of fear of...whatever--various and sundry things. I'm reminded of that story/song about the touch of the Master's hand, though--I want to be the violin in His hands. I hope as I grow older, my character will deepen and my tone will grow richer...and that I'll be a willing instrument in His hands. I may wear some scars and dents, but they don't render me useless. It's time to sweep off the cobwebs, drag out the polishing cloth, tune up the strings, place myself in His hands and get on with the business of playing the melody He's composed just for me. I may screech now and then, but it's better than remaining silent...and, with practice, my song might just become sweeter.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
So...my template is all messed up...
I have NO idea what I did...it happened when I pasted in the watermelon story--all of my profile/link information got bumped to the bottom of the page and I don't know how to fix it.
Actually, if I could figure out how to change the entire template, I would. I found this REALLY COOL one called "fava beans and a glass of merlot" or something like that--it's beautiful and totally me, but I'm bloggerly-challenged enough yet that I just can't figure out how to set it up. Someday... :-)
Actually, if I could figure out how to change the entire template, I would. I found this REALLY COOL one called "fava beans and a glass of merlot" or something like that--it's beautiful and totally me, but I'm bloggerly-challenged enough yet that I just can't figure out how to set it up. Someday... :-)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Some people write about cookies...
...I write about watermelons. :-)
This is actually something I wrote a couple of years ago, but I got some REALLY nice compliments on it recently, so I thought I would post it here. (Forewarning: it's really long...and that's after major editing!)
About watermelons...I've been meditating on this rather large fruit (is a melon really a fruit, or is it just a melon? And does it really matter?) and the verse (I think it's in Isaiah) that keeps coming to mind is "man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." That verse seems to be cropping up a lot lately...probably for VERY good reason.
A dear friend recently made a comment about wanting to "core" a relationship beforehand to see what's really there, just as we would core a watermelon to check it out its flavor before plunking down our hard-earned cash to purchase something that may or may not taste as good as it looks. To a great extent, we DO "shop" for relationships like we might shop for a watermelon--we want someone who meets our criteria, whatever that might be--looks, personality, good sense of humor, sensitivity, great body, sexual prowess, talents that we lack ourselves, etc.
Most of that is "outward appearance"...and extraneous--it might not all be technically "physical" attributes, but as far as truly "real" spiritual qualities, very few people seem to want anything but surface characteristics.
So, we mull over all these "skin-deep" qualities that we want...and find out after we get our "watermelon" home (after it's too late!) that, when we slice it open, it may be under-ripe, overripe, not sweet at all, too seedy--and doesn't meet up to our expectations of what we thought we were getting when we looked at that beautiful green-striped skin. We KNOW what a good watermelon should taste like...but we, in our untrained naïveté, believe that anything that looks like a "good" watermelon should automatically taste like a good watermelon—some foolish thinking on our part.
So...what do we do? Suck it up and make the best of it? Sometimes we can do that...it may not be "great", but we can still have some satisfaction and sustenance, even if it doesn't totally live up to our expectations. Dump it in the trash and go buy another melon? All too often, as is obvious from the world of broken relationships around us. Gripe and complain about the poor-quality merchandise, whether we keep it or ditch it? Oh, yeah...on an ongoing basis usually.
Now here we are, all about picking a watermelon that looks good...or picking a relationship that we think fits our "criteria"—but we’re looking at the "outward appearance", when the Scripture plainly says that the LORD looks on the heart. How can we possibly choose for ourselves the perfect "watermelon" without allowing the Lord to "core" the relationship beforehand?
A little "editorial license" here--picture God as the farmer/roadside stand operator with a truckful of watermelons. He has grown His melons from seed, cultivated and cared for them as they grew to maturity and ripeness and is now making them available for consumption on the open market...kind of like the Lord does with our hearts (knowing us before we were born, knitting us together in our mother's wombs, teaching us as we grow). We, as inexperienced consumers, really know nothing except that we want a good watermelon...so why would we not ask the experienced farmer for a little guidance in choosing?
As the Lord looks on the heart, so the farmer knows the "heart" of the watermelons...it's HIS produce, and therefore his privilege to "core" the melon to make sure it's the one that is perfect for us. Since I've not actually purchased the melon, it's not MY property and I don't hold the right to take a chunk out of it to see if I like it...I should hand it to him willingly and allow HIM to do the slicing, shouldn't I? I should definitely be willing to trust the Farmer...the Grower Himself, to determine, based on His ability to look on the heart (of a person, of a relationship, of anything), to determine if it's right for me. And He holds an advantage over most roadside stand operators—not only has He created the fruit, but also the consumer—He knows me (and my tastebuds) intimately.
How many of us are truly willing to hold our relationships up to the Lord PRIOR to making the decision that it's what we want? What if He says "no"? Will He then have to pry our fingers off of it and put it back on the shelf? Or will we, like the mostly-disobedient children we are, just stomp off with it anyway? But, what if He smiles kindly, reaches into the pile and says “I was waiting for you...I’ve been holding this one just for you?” What if He, in His infinite wisdom, has grown just the perfect relationship, out of His complete knowledge of our hearts? A "watermelon" with just the right amount of sweetness, the perfect color, firmness, ripeness? Knowing us as He does, would He not delight in giving us the desires of our heart? And we might miss it, if we're not careful.
I don't want to miss what He has in store for me! As hard as it is to turn my eyes away from that stack of luscious-looking watermelons, just ripe for the picking...I want to hand that decision over to the Grower--and let Him hand me the one He's made just for me. I know I’m no watermelon expert...I've wrestled one out of His hands already and am now looking at the remains all splattered on the sidewalk (never a pretty sight!)--and I've determined that the only thing my hands are going to do, given another chance, is reach for Him.
This is actually something I wrote a couple of years ago, but I got some REALLY nice compliments on it recently, so I thought I would post it here. (Forewarning: it's really long...and that's after major editing!)
About watermelons...I've been meditating on this rather large fruit (is a melon really a fruit, or is it just a melon? And does it really matter?) and the verse (I think it's in Isaiah) that keeps coming to mind is "man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." That verse seems to be cropping up a lot lately...probably for VERY good reason.
A dear friend recently made a comment about wanting to "core" a relationship beforehand to see what's really there, just as we would core a watermelon to check it out its flavor before plunking down our hard-earned cash to purchase something that may or may not taste as good as it looks. To a great extent, we DO "shop" for relationships like we might shop for a watermelon--we want someone who meets our criteria, whatever that might be--looks, personality, good sense of humor, sensitivity, great body, sexual prowess, talents that we lack ourselves, etc.
Most of that is "outward appearance"...and extraneous--it might not all be technically "physical" attributes, but as far as truly "real" spiritual qualities, very few people seem to want anything but surface characteristics.
So, we mull over all these "skin-deep" qualities that we want...and find out after we get our "watermelon" home (after it's too late!) that, when we slice it open, it may be under-ripe, overripe, not sweet at all, too seedy--and doesn't meet up to our expectations of what we thought we were getting when we looked at that beautiful green-striped skin. We KNOW what a good watermelon should taste like...but we, in our untrained naïveté, believe that anything that looks like a "good" watermelon should automatically taste like a good watermelon—some foolish thinking on our part.
So...what do we do? Suck it up and make the best of it? Sometimes we can do that...it may not be "great", but we can still have some satisfaction and sustenance, even if it doesn't totally live up to our expectations. Dump it in the trash and go buy another melon? All too often, as is obvious from the world of broken relationships around us. Gripe and complain about the poor-quality merchandise, whether we keep it or ditch it? Oh, yeah...on an ongoing basis usually.
Now here we are, all about picking a watermelon that looks good...or picking a relationship that we think fits our "criteria"—but we’re looking at the "outward appearance", when the Scripture plainly says that the LORD looks on the heart. How can we possibly choose for ourselves the perfect "watermelon" without allowing the Lord to "core" the relationship beforehand?
A little "editorial license" here--picture God as the farmer/roadside stand operator with a truckful of watermelons. He has grown His melons from seed, cultivated and cared for them as they grew to maturity and ripeness and is now making them available for consumption on the open market...kind of like the Lord does with our hearts (knowing us before we were born, knitting us together in our mother's wombs, teaching us as we grow). We, as inexperienced consumers, really know nothing except that we want a good watermelon...so why would we not ask the experienced farmer for a little guidance in choosing?
As the Lord looks on the heart, so the farmer knows the "heart" of the watermelons...it's HIS produce, and therefore his privilege to "core" the melon to make sure it's the one that is perfect for us. Since I've not actually purchased the melon, it's not MY property and I don't hold the right to take a chunk out of it to see if I like it...I should hand it to him willingly and allow HIM to do the slicing, shouldn't I? I should definitely be willing to trust the Farmer...the Grower Himself, to determine, based on His ability to look on the heart (of a person, of a relationship, of anything), to determine if it's right for me. And He holds an advantage over most roadside stand operators—not only has He created the fruit, but also the consumer—He knows me (and my tastebuds) intimately.
How many of us are truly willing to hold our relationships up to the Lord PRIOR to making the decision that it's what we want? What if He says "no"? Will He then have to pry our fingers off of it and put it back on the shelf? Or will we, like the mostly-disobedient children we are, just stomp off with it anyway? But, what if He smiles kindly, reaches into the pile and says “I was waiting for you...I’ve been holding this one just for you?” What if He, in His infinite wisdom, has grown just the perfect relationship, out of His complete knowledge of our hearts? A "watermelon" with just the right amount of sweetness, the perfect color, firmness, ripeness? Knowing us as He does, would He not delight in giving us the desires of our heart? And we might miss it, if we're not careful.
I don't want to miss what He has in store for me! As hard as it is to turn my eyes away from that stack of luscious-looking watermelons, just ripe for the picking...I want to hand that decision over to the Grower--and let Him hand me the one He's made just for me. I know I’m no watermelon expert...I've wrestled one out of His hands already and am now looking at the remains all splattered on the sidewalk (never a pretty sight!)--and I've determined that the only thing my hands are going to do, given another chance, is reach for Him.
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