On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Genesis 31: 22-24
These are difficult times, as I write this many have strained finances, in the United States we are recovering from two recent natural disasters. Our hard work and toil feels threatened. Especially in times of transitions, but do not be afraid, the Lord is able to communicate to our pursuers. To paraphrase the Lord’s remarks to Laban, he might have said, ‘This one is mine, do not pay him compliments you do not believe but do not insult him either.’
Laban was Jacob’s uncle. He was not happy that he left, not because he was family, but because he was a workman who fed his greed for more wealth. He pursued Jacob, not for his daughters and I doubt that he pursued him to recover his family gods either. What he wanted was Jacob. He chased him for seven days. Probably on camel and probably in haste, asking along the way “have you seen this man” which way did he go’?
It has been said “A man's reputation is what other people think of him; his character is what he really is.” Jacob had learned character while serving Laban. He was no longer a usurper, but one who had worked for his wage. God had carved him out to be who He wanted him to be. When God does that you can face your enemies boldly, even when they are of your own household. You can transition well from one phase of your life to the next because you know that the Lord is with you.
When God is with you he is not only talking to you but he is talking to others on your behalf. Sometimes to bless you with unexpected kindness as Essau would shortly do in this chronology, at other times your pursuers just decide to leave you alone. Either way the transition for you is a blessing. For the Lord thy God is with you!!!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Earthquakes Real and Imagined
The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Psalm 18:7
Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble. Isaiah 14:16
There are two kinds of earthquakes affecting the world at his time. There is the real and there is the imagined. I experienced a real one for the first time in my life this week. It was delightfully encouraging to me. I will be 50 years old at my next birthday and having been living on a fault line all that time. I had read about it and thought ‘oh my’ briefly but went on living under the protection of God. It reminded me that I am dependent upon him and that the very ground I walk on would be unsteady if it were not for him.
There is a second kind of earthquake that I see so many people consumed with in my life. It is the anxiety of worry about the earth quakes that never happen. Isaiah 14:16 speaks about the devil and how he made nations tremble. What do they tremble at? They tremble at the possibility of natural disasters, economic crises, famine and war among and other things. They tremble because they think that they have power of intellect to solve such problems. The enemy consumes our minds with news of disaster and doom and we worry and fret and we quake because we forget who is in charge. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24: 6-8)
God reminds his church that he is in charge. General ‘Stone Wall’ Jackson said in the midst of battle, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed’ Oh that we would raise up such brave saints again. Jackson went on to talk about being prepared for death at all times and added ‘That is how all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”
God is calling for his church to be brave in this hour, to delight in earthquakes, to speak to the mountains in their life and cause them to move. Mark 11 In other words to create their own earthquakes! We can do this based on the earthquakes he created himself and the authority he gave us.
The angels do it! “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” That angel did not just create an earthquake he waited around to see the reaction. God has made us higher than the angels, remember that.
In a similar incident an unbelievers had this reaction to and earthquake. “the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” They had one of those anxiety attacks I was talking about. Only this was not imagined this was real! Jesus was and is alive and he is in charge of earthquakes in the lives of men no matter what the danger.
What did the centurion and those with him see? They saw the perfect timing of God! “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:52-53. They saw life from the dead!!! Haha It makes me want to shout…
The psalmist said the Earth trembled because God was angry, but angry at what? He is angry at sin and death and disease and a church with little faith.
Believe in God my friends! Acknowledge the work of his son Jesus of Nazareth. Recognize the devil is the greatest fool in all of creation and he is small when a mind is consumed with the greatness of God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 And the God who creates Earthquakes will soon crush Satan underneath your feet!
Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble. Isaiah 14:16
There are two kinds of earthquakes affecting the world at his time. There is the real and there is the imagined. I experienced a real one for the first time in my life this week. It was delightfully encouraging to me. I will be 50 years old at my next birthday and having been living on a fault line all that time. I had read about it and thought ‘oh my’ briefly but went on living under the protection of God. It reminded me that I am dependent upon him and that the very ground I walk on would be unsteady if it were not for him.
There is a second kind of earthquake that I see so many people consumed with in my life. It is the anxiety of worry about the earth quakes that never happen. Isaiah 14:16 speaks about the devil and how he made nations tremble. What do they tremble at? They tremble at the possibility of natural disasters, economic crises, famine and war among and other things. They tremble because they think that they have power of intellect to solve such problems. The enemy consumes our minds with news of disaster and doom and we worry and fret and we quake because we forget who is in charge. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24: 6-8)
God reminds his church that he is in charge. General ‘Stone Wall’ Jackson said in the midst of battle, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed’ Oh that we would raise up such brave saints again. Jackson went on to talk about being prepared for death at all times and added ‘That is how all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”
God is calling for his church to be brave in this hour, to delight in earthquakes, to speak to the mountains in their life and cause them to move. Mark 11 In other words to create their own earthquakes! We can do this based on the earthquakes he created himself and the authority he gave us.
The angels do it! “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” That angel did not just create an earthquake he waited around to see the reaction. God has made us higher than the angels, remember that.
In a similar incident an unbelievers had this reaction to and earthquake. “the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” They had one of those anxiety attacks I was talking about. Only this was not imagined this was real! Jesus was and is alive and he is in charge of earthquakes in the lives of men no matter what the danger.
What did the centurion and those with him see? They saw the perfect timing of God! “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:52-53. They saw life from the dead!!! Haha It makes me want to shout…
The psalmist said the Earth trembled because God was angry, but angry at what? He is angry at sin and death and disease and a church with little faith.
Believe in God my friends! Acknowledge the work of his son Jesus of Nazareth. Recognize the devil is the greatest fool in all of creation and he is small when a mind is consumed with the greatness of God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 And the God who creates Earthquakes will soon crush Satan underneath your feet!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Dream with the Dreamers
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. … His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” Genesis 27: 6 & 11
Joseph was only 17 years old when he had his first dream. He was a favored son. He was born to Jacob in his old age and he was the child of Rachel the only women Jacob loved. Polygamy was a common sin of that age and the children of Jacob were greatly affected by it. We do not have polygamy in the west much anymore but we have blended families that are increasing complicated by divorce and children born out of wedlock. Whatever your family circumstance, God will still grace an individual with a dream, and jealously can still be the consequence.
When friends or loved one speak to us of a dream what is our response? Is it jealousy? Would the sons of Jacob have hated their brother if they knew that the dream would only be fulfilled through their intrigue and sin, and through their brother’s slavery and imprisonment? Probably not! Would they have been slower to sell him into slavery if they had for a moment considered the fate of Joseph’s mother who died giving birth the Benjamin, the family’s youngest boy?
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” — Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
I have been able to relate to these historic men in these last few blogs. I am the son of an elderly father and mother, and was highly favoured by them. I am the patriarch of a blended family of 12 children. I have also dreamed some dreams. Many filled in ways that I had not anticipated. I also have had to acknowledge jealousy in my own heart toward others whose dreams seemed to have been fulfilled in a manner that I anticipated my dreams would be. If I am honest with myself I would not want to pay the cost that others have had to pay to fulfil their God given dreams. I am also free to acknowledge that others would not want to pay the cost I have paid for mine.
Jacob kept his son’s dream in mind. He did not exalt it and he did not despise it. However he recorded it. I think the Joseph shared his dream out of youthful excitement. I don’t believe he knew of the resentment that was in the hearts of his brothers. He brothers were unaware the God had promises for them too. Judah did not know his brothers would praise him, Zebulun did not know his people would be a haven for ships. To Levi would be the honor of the priesthood, Dan would provide justice, Asher would eat the best of food. Would they have been jealous if they knew their names would be carved into the gates and pillars of New Jerusalem?
Let us rejoice in others dreams and let us be confident that the Lord has a dream he wants to fulfill in us as well!
Joseph was only 17 years old when he had his first dream. He was a favored son. He was born to Jacob in his old age and he was the child of Rachel the only women Jacob loved. Polygamy was a common sin of that age and the children of Jacob were greatly affected by it. We do not have polygamy in the west much anymore but we have blended families that are increasing complicated by divorce and children born out of wedlock. Whatever your family circumstance, God will still grace an individual with a dream, and jealously can still be the consequence.
When friends or loved one speak to us of a dream what is our response? Is it jealousy? Would the sons of Jacob have hated their brother if they knew that the dream would only be fulfilled through their intrigue and sin, and through their brother’s slavery and imprisonment? Probably not! Would they have been slower to sell him into slavery if they had for a moment considered the fate of Joseph’s mother who died giving birth the Benjamin, the family’s youngest boy?
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” — Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)
I have been able to relate to these historic men in these last few blogs. I am the son of an elderly father and mother, and was highly favoured by them. I am the patriarch of a blended family of 12 children. I have also dreamed some dreams. Many filled in ways that I had not anticipated. I also have had to acknowledge jealousy in my own heart toward others whose dreams seemed to have been fulfilled in a manner that I anticipated my dreams would be. If I am honest with myself I would not want to pay the cost that others have had to pay to fulfil their God given dreams. I am also free to acknowledge that others would not want to pay the cost I have paid for mine.
Jacob kept his son’s dream in mind. He did not exalt it and he did not despise it. However he recorded it. I think the Joseph shared his dream out of youthful excitement. I don’t believe he knew of the resentment that was in the hearts of his brothers. He brothers were unaware the God had promises for them too. Judah did not know his brothers would praise him, Zebulun did not know his people would be a haven for ships. To Levi would be the honor of the priesthood, Dan would provide justice, Asher would eat the best of food. Would they have been jealous if they knew their names would be carved into the gates and pillars of New Jerusalem?
Let us rejoice in others dreams and let us be confident that the Lord has a dream he wants to fulfill in us as well!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
From Two Feet to Two Camps
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, LORD, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.” Genesis 32:9
In August 1989, I pulled into New Bedford, Massachusetts, bankrupt, foreclosed, and driving at 1973 Volvo with a rusty steel bed frame in the back seat. Like Jacob I had used my blessing and my inheritance poorly. Idiocy is not a requirement for blessing, but many of us can relate to squandering opportunities and being dependent upon ourselves for successes that ultimately become hallow. Prior to my bankruptcy and foreclosure I was a staff sergeant in the United States Army. I owned a home, had a wife, two cats and a dog named Jake. Oklahoma was my Paddam Aram, I would come home and be restored to the faith of my ancestors.
Like Jacob I have a large family from several sources. Yours, mine, ours and adopted, and like Jacob, God has shown me kindness and faithfulness unworthy of this servant.
Jacob learned a great deal in his place of labor and exile. He learned how to be a father and a pastor and a person who loves more than just himself. Listen to the care in these words recorded in Genesis 33. “But Jacob said to him, “My lord (Esau) knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
The man that was only concerned about himself is now concerned about two camps of people and children and ewes and their health and safety. The Lord will often drive us to a place of labor and order that we might know peace in the midst of being overwhelmed. He does this so we might turn to him for his assistance and not depend on our gifting and talents for success.
The scriptures are full of history that reflects this truth. Mosses leadership in the flesh leads him to murder, but he delivers the people of Israel through the staff of a shepherd. Peter the expert fisherman fishes all night in based on his skills and knowledge but his nets are filled to the point of tearing and he must share his wealth with others just to contain the blessing. Joseph’s dreams divide his family when they are expressed as a boast but they are his family’s deliverance when they are expressed as a prison, slave and then servant of pharaoh.
The Lord wants to bless us early in our life and often. However he is faithful to bless us when we are older and wiser as well.
In August 1989, I pulled into New Bedford, Massachusetts, bankrupt, foreclosed, and driving at 1973 Volvo with a rusty steel bed frame in the back seat. Like Jacob I had used my blessing and my inheritance poorly. Idiocy is not a requirement for blessing, but many of us can relate to squandering opportunities and being dependent upon ourselves for successes that ultimately become hallow. Prior to my bankruptcy and foreclosure I was a staff sergeant in the United States Army. I owned a home, had a wife, two cats and a dog named Jake. Oklahoma was my Paddam Aram, I would come home and be restored to the faith of my ancestors.
Like Jacob I have a large family from several sources. Yours, mine, ours and adopted, and like Jacob, God has shown me kindness and faithfulness unworthy of this servant.
Jacob learned a great deal in his place of labor and exile. He learned how to be a father and a pastor and a person who loves more than just himself. Listen to the care in these words recorded in Genesis 33. “But Jacob said to him, “My lord (Esau) knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
The man that was only concerned about himself is now concerned about two camps of people and children and ewes and their health and safety. The Lord will often drive us to a place of labor and order that we might know peace in the midst of being overwhelmed. He does this so we might turn to him for his assistance and not depend on our gifting and talents for success.
The scriptures are full of history that reflects this truth. Mosses leadership in the flesh leads him to murder, but he delivers the people of Israel through the staff of a shepherd. Peter the expert fisherman fishes all night in based on his skills and knowledge but his nets are filled to the point of tearing and he must share his wealth with others just to contain the blessing. Joseph’s dreams divide his family when they are expressed as a boast but they are his family’s deliverance when they are expressed as a prison, slave and then servant of pharaoh.
The Lord wants to bless us early in our life and often. However he is faithful to bless us when we are older and wiser as well.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
God Loves a Cheerful Giver but He Will Bless a Reluctant One
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
God Loves a Cheerful Giver but He Will Bless a Reluctant One
Sometimes the things that we want to withhold from a life of generosity are just silly. I recently had a friend that was preaching in another city. He needed a tie to wear and I have plenty. So I loaned him a solid blue tie that I have. I think I paid two dollars for it, but I liked the tie. When we went to the church he was to preach at he and I both were blessed with brand new tailored suits. I brought him to the house he was staying and he offered to give me back my tie. I told him to keep it. After all I had just been blessed with a very expensive suit and it was just a two dollar tie. But I like the tie…it was my tie… but I was being silly and I knew it. Well today I was blessed with not one but six silk ties… you know just to match my brand new tailored suit.
In regards to giving God says, “Test me in this, … and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” So now I have more neckties than I can store more suits than I can store more sports coats than I can wear and a really cool collection of Italian and top quality shoes that may last a life time and I cannot tell you where it all came from. Because God loves a cheerful give but he blessing reluctant one too.
God Loves a Cheerful Giver but He Will Bless a Reluctant One
Sometimes the things that we want to withhold from a life of generosity are just silly. I recently had a friend that was preaching in another city. He needed a tie to wear and I have plenty. So I loaned him a solid blue tie that I have. I think I paid two dollars for it, but I liked the tie. When we went to the church he was to preach at he and I both were blessed with brand new tailored suits. I brought him to the house he was staying and he offered to give me back my tie. I told him to keep it. After all I had just been blessed with a very expensive suit and it was just a two dollar tie. But I like the tie…it was my tie… but I was being silly and I knew it. Well today I was blessed with not one but six silk ties… you know just to match my brand new tailored suit.
In regards to giving God says, “Test me in this, … and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” So now I have more neckties than I can store more suits than I can store more sports coats than I can wear and a really cool collection of Italian and top quality shoes that may last a life time and I cannot tell you where it all came from. Because God loves a cheerful give but he blessing reluctant one too.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Sparrow Comforts Those Who Mourne
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 6-7
The Theology of what I am about to write is weak admittedly, and so with that disclaimer being made plane, and proceeding with caution, I add this statement. Theology is man’s attempt to understand God. It is therefore limited despite its necessity. Through its study we can know those things that are most important and most true. However, it does not encompass all that is true or all that can be known. What is also true is that all things are not known.
I am posting this blog through bivocationalpastoradventures.blogspot.com and not my usual gatesofpraiseministries.blogpot.com post because the experiences that I am about to convey reflect the intersection of my work as a social worker and pastor.
I Saturday, July 30th, 2012 I helped facilitate the memorial service of Jeffery Lamb, who died a tragic death, at his own hand, and as a direct consequence of the schizophrenia he suffered throughout his adult life. I knew Jeff (Jazzy) because I was the Program Coordinator of the Mckinney Shelter. He stayed at the shelter and some of the transitional programs in the building during the years I worked there and we developed a good relationship. After I left the job I would see him here and there and we would talk briefly. Then I met him more recently at his Mom’s house, Anne Searson, who is and elder in our church. I had not made the connection prior to that. The last time I saw him we spoke for about and hour in downtown Newport two weeks prior to his death. I learned of his death through a congregation member who called me.
I had very mixed feelings about doing the funeral for a number of reasons. The circumstances of his death and my theological bias against cremation were a part of my struggle. However the real reason was that I did not think I could effectively bring comfort to this wonderful Christian family. God knew that and he helped
During that service a sparrow showed up on the beach where we were conducting the service. The nearest tree was about 100 yards away, and the friendliness of this sparrow was unusual and observed by all. I came so close to it that I bent down and called to it, as you would to a dog that was bashful to be petted. The bird’s response was to sit on George Triplette’s lap. Leann Searson, Jeff’s sister spoke with the bird, Jeff’s brother smiled at it as it sat in front of him during his portion of the service.
For me it was a sign and a wonder to bring comfort to a family that no human being could manage. It is not the first sign and wonder I have experienced at a funeral and it is not the first I have experienced while conducting services outdoors. We have a God who is able to comfort his people, even if it falls outside out theological understanding and for that I am very thankful.
The Theology of what I am about to write is weak admittedly, and so with that disclaimer being made plane, and proceeding with caution, I add this statement. Theology is man’s attempt to understand God. It is therefore limited despite its necessity. Through its study we can know those things that are most important and most true. However, it does not encompass all that is true or all that can be known. What is also true is that all things are not known.
I am posting this blog through bivocationalpastoradventures.blogspot.com and not my usual gatesofpraiseministries.blogpot.com post because the experiences that I am about to convey reflect the intersection of my work as a social worker and pastor.
I Saturday, July 30th, 2012 I helped facilitate the memorial service of Jeffery Lamb, who died a tragic death, at his own hand, and as a direct consequence of the schizophrenia he suffered throughout his adult life. I knew Jeff (Jazzy) because I was the Program Coordinator of the Mckinney Shelter. He stayed at the shelter and some of the transitional programs in the building during the years I worked there and we developed a good relationship. After I left the job I would see him here and there and we would talk briefly. Then I met him more recently at his Mom’s house, Anne Searson, who is and elder in our church. I had not made the connection prior to that. The last time I saw him we spoke for about and hour in downtown Newport two weeks prior to his death. I learned of his death through a congregation member who called me.
I had very mixed feelings about doing the funeral for a number of reasons. The circumstances of his death and my theological bias against cremation were a part of my struggle. However the real reason was that I did not think I could effectively bring comfort to this wonderful Christian family. God knew that and he helped
During that service a sparrow showed up on the beach where we were conducting the service. The nearest tree was about 100 yards away, and the friendliness of this sparrow was unusual and observed by all. I came so close to it that I bent down and called to it, as you would to a dog that was bashful to be petted. The bird’s response was to sit on George Triplette’s lap. Leann Searson, Jeff’s sister spoke with the bird, Jeff’s brother smiled at it as it sat in front of him during his portion of the service.
For me it was a sign and a wonder to bring comfort to a family that no human being could manage. It is not the first sign and wonder I have experienced at a funeral and it is not the first I have experienced while conducting services outdoors. We have a God who is able to comfort his people, even if it falls outside out theological understanding and for that I am very thankful.
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