It’s Wednesday, May 23, 2012. One more day. Good morning to you. One day closer to whatever’s next. Today is Lucky Penny Day, but it’s also World Turtle Day. I don’t believe in luck…so I guess I’ll go with the turtle. Everyone knows the world floats through space on the back of four elephants, who, in turn, are standing on the back of the Giant Star Turtle, Great A’Tuin, right? Right. Happy World Turtle Day. It was on this date in 1934 that notorious bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police near Sailes, Louisiana. They were shot to death in a stolen Ford. Someday, I’m going to see that movie with Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.
Yesterday was a much better day, and there is hope for Christi to get out of the situation she’s in. We’ll keep you posted.
We have a visit planned for next Tuesday, to see Stephanie’s teachers at the school campus. For anyone who is not aware, she has been in the homebound program for most of this school year, where a teacher comes to the house with her assignments. It was rough starting, but it has turned out great for her. If everything goes as planned, she should have a high school diploma early next month.
Hah. I just found “Honeytree” on Facebook. Remember her?
Father, I pray that my reading and meditation this morning will bring me insight into your self that will help me live this day looking to you for everything.
My Utmost For His Highest
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Matthew 6:25
Today’s reading is called “Careful Infidelity.” Interesting title, isn’t it? It begins with, “Jesus sums up common sense carefulness in a disciple as infidelity.” Before you react to that statement, think about it. We are in a relationship with God, and have received the Holy Spirit. Where does God fit into this relationship? He should be our first consideration, right? “Whenever we put other things first, there is confusion.”
Jesus says, “Do not be anxious.” In the KJV, this is rendered, “Take no thought.” Chambers says, “Don’t take the pressure of forethought upon yourself.” And here is the kicker; that “smackdown” statement that Chambers is so good at. “It is not only wrong to worry, it is infidelity, because worrying means that we do not think that God can look after the practical details of our lives…” POW! Right in the kisser! See? What did Jesus say choked out the life of the seed planted in the parable of the sower? It was the cares of this world! If we let the cares of this world, the “stuff of earth” be our foremost thought, we will never see that abundant life of God that Jesus says he has come to bring! I have to learn to trust where I cannot see. “The only cure for infidelity is obedience to the Spirit.” And Chambers closes the reading with one of his favorite words. “The great word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon.”
“…worrying means that we do not think that God can look after the practical details of our lives…” It can’t be much more clear than that. Any one of us would be quick to get all puffed up and say that we have not been unfaithful to God. But have we worried? Of course we have! Why is this so difficult? I don’t have the answer to that question, because I’m right in the middle of it, too. But God, praise his holy name, is teaching me day by day. I’m trying to learn…but my human nature, my flesh, forgets almost before I walk out the front door in the mornings. Gradually, he is molding me to a place where I can remember further into the day. Someday, maybe I’ll get there. But, as I learned yesterday, the great thing is that he will not leave me alone until I have reached that place of being one in him with Christ. Probably, that won’t happen until I wake up in heaven someday. But it will happen. Because Jesus prayed for it to happen.
Tabletalk Magazine
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21
Tabletalk has been talking about the fruit of the Spirit this week. You know…that list of characteristics in Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Today’s topic is patience and kindness. I don’t really want to talk about patience. So I will. Patience is easy to see in the life of Christ. His disciples, bless their hearts, never quite got it. They constantly acted foolishly and misunderstood Jesus’s mission. But he did not reject them. He kept on patiently teaching them.
It is easy for us to have patience (personally, I don’t think the words “easy” and “patience” should EVER be in the same sentence together) with people who are in authority over us, because we fear them, or at least we should. Not fear in the sense that we are terrified of them, but fear in the sense of, hey, I’d better do what this guy says because he could fire me if I don’t. That kind of fear. But how easy is it for us to have patience with those who are less powerful or have less priority than we do? “Being long-suffering toward those who are somehow weaker than we are is a special form of patience.” Again…Jesus was the ultimate example of this. I did not do a very good job of imitating Christ yesterday evening. I got impatient with a customer service representative of AT&T while on the phone. I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever gotten impatient with a customer service representative, right? Don’t try to hide! Anyway…so much to learn, and the patience of Christ is right up there in that category with worry (which equals infidelity…).
God’s kindness is evident in his patience. It is also seen in his willingness to bless us far beyond what we deserve. We are called on to mirror this kindness in our relationships. “We are not to be petty as we interact with others, but we must overlook minor faults with the love that ‘covers a multitude of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8).” But, Lord!! Those aren’t minor faults!! Yeah, right.
Today’s Bible Readings
John 12; Psalm 22; 1 Kings 3
John 12 begins with Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive ointment. This event happens at the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. I am assuming that it is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who did the anointing this time. It is interesting that, at this time, a plot arose to kill Lazarus, because many Jews were believing in Jesus because of him.
This event occurs six days before the Passover. It is interesting to note that John uses 10 chapters to cover the last week of Jesus’s life. Almost half of the Gospel of John is devoted to six days.
The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is the next event. John points out that, even though the disciples did not understand it at the time, they remembered and understood later, after Jesus had ascended.
It is in this chapter that Jesus says, Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (v 25) Later, he says, Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. (vv 31-32) Sadly, John states that there were some in authority who believed, but were afraid to admit it because loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (v 43) How many of us are like that?
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm, beginning with one of the famous statements that Jesus later uttered while on the cross. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (v 1) Later, the Psalm foreshadows the cross with verses 7-8. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Verses 12-18 also see their fulfillment in the events surrounding the crucifixion. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet–I can count all my bones–they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Surprisingly, part of this Scripture is quoted at the end of this song by The Guess Who.
Listen all the way to the end to hear it…
The final two verses of the Psalm speak of generations to come. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. (vv 30-31) It is also interesting to note that, according to Gerard Chrispin in The Bible Panorama, this Psalm was written long before crucifixion was practiced.
1 Kings 3 contains Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, which is followed by the famous story of the two prostitutes who argued over whose baby was dead and whose was alive.
Father, as I walk through this day, I pray that I will not worry about the practical details of my life. I pray that I will not be unfaithful to you by worrying. Let me take no thought, have no anxiety about such things as food and clothing. Let me be anxious for nothing, Lord, but express full faith in you to take care of us. I also pray that I might display patience and kindness toward everyone that I meet today. May I be a better imitator of you, Lord.
I pray for this day. Give Christi boldness and confidence as she faces the trials that will come with this work day. I pray that your will be done in her situation. I know that your will will be done. May our desires reflect your will, Father. I pray that my work day will be smooth, and that Stephanie will have a successful day today, getting more accomplished toward her final goal of completing school.
Your grace is sufficient, Father. May we show kindness and patience in all we do.
Remember today…worry=infidelity. May the Spirit remind me of that all day today.
Grace and peace, friends.
Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy 