5-9-11 Monday, 6:55 am Arcadia, CA
We have had a great 3 days celebrating Bethany's graduation and mothers day. We travel home today leaving LAX around 2. I hope to run this morning before we start packing.
I Samuel 2-4
Samuel hears the voice of God and mistakes it for Eli the priest. The third time he heard it, Eli directed him to open himself up to the voice of God. The message Samuel heard was one of condemnation upon Eli and his sons. Samuel was reluctant to disclose this, but Eli was insistent, and he received the word from Samuel with resignation.
God's judgement is described as the Israelites go to war and get trounced, with the ark captured by the Philistines and Eli's two sons killed. Samuel's role as God's spokesman grows and spreads throughout Israel.
Guide me today Lord as I serve you and travel across this country by air.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
May 8, 2011
5-8-11 Sunday, 8:15 am Arcadia California, 57 degrees, raining
It is mothers day, and today as a family we have the privilege of being together for the day, following Bethany's graduation last night. We will share breakfast together here at the hotel, then church at Bethany's church, lunch with her voice teacher Pat, then the afternoon with my cousins Garry and Joyce.
I Samuel 1
Hannah is childless and prays that if God gives her a child, she will dedicate him completely to the Lord. Eli the priests mistakes her angony and silent prayer, thinking she is drunk. When she clarifies with him her pain and her prayer, he tells here that her prayer will be answered. And within the year she conceives and gives birth to a baby boy and names him Samuel.
As the time of the next trip to Shiloh to worship the Lord rolled around, she determined to stay home until the child was weaned. Her husband concurred stating "let God complete what He has begun."
On this mothers day Hannah stands out in special ways to me. The agony of being barren was overwhelming. Her husband's other wife (with many children) was cruel to her. God gave her a son, whom she dedicated completely to the service of God. Her husbands confirms her approach to raising the child with the clear understanding the God is at work, and in partnership with this mother will complete what he has begun.
As our two children are now young adults, I continue, along with Audrey, to trust and believe that God is completing in their lives what He has begun. This morning I am thankful for my family, and praying for the family of faith at Wesley and the work that God is completing among the congregation. I am especially conscious of the ones in pain this morning, like Hannah was, and who come to the place of worship hoping that God will provide what they need. Guide me today Lord as I serve You alone, and trust that You will complete what You have begun in my life.
It is mothers day, and today as a family we have the privilege of being together for the day, following Bethany's graduation last night. We will share breakfast together here at the hotel, then church at Bethany's church, lunch with her voice teacher Pat, then the afternoon with my cousins Garry and Joyce.
I Samuel 1
Hannah is childless and prays that if God gives her a child, she will dedicate him completely to the Lord. Eli the priests mistakes her angony and silent prayer, thinking she is drunk. When she clarifies with him her pain and her prayer, he tells here that her prayer will be answered. And within the year she conceives and gives birth to a baby boy and names him Samuel.
As the time of the next trip to Shiloh to worship the Lord rolled around, she determined to stay home until the child was weaned. Her husband concurred stating "let God complete what He has begun."
On this mothers day Hannah stands out in special ways to me. The agony of being barren was overwhelming. Her husband's other wife (with many children) was cruel to her. God gave her a son, whom she dedicated completely to the service of God. Her husbands confirms her approach to raising the child with the clear understanding the God is at work, and in partnership with this mother will complete what he has begun.
As our two children are now young adults, I continue, along with Audrey, to trust and believe that God is completing in their lives what He has begun. This morning I am thankful for my family, and praying for the family of faith at Wesley and the work that God is completing among the congregation. I am especially conscious of the ones in pain this morning, like Hannah was, and who come to the place of worship hoping that God will provide what they need. Guide me today Lord as I serve You alone, and trust that You will complete what You have begun in my life.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
May 7, 2011
5-7-11 Saturday, Arcadia, CA, 59 degrees, cloudy
Tonight Bethany graduates from Azusa Pacific University! We are enjoying all the festivities surrounding graduation. Yesterday was the service similar to baccalaureate, with good speeches and great worship music. This morning I ran 6.2 miles averaging 9:37 a mile and felt great.
Ruth 4
This final chapter of this short book paints the portrait of a faithful man, Boaz, marrying a faithful woman, Ruth, and God blessing them with a baby, Obed. The women of the community tell Naomi that her daughter-in-law is better to her than 7 sons would be! As it turns out, Obed becomes the grandfather of David.
God is faithful, and His ways are beyond our ways. I desire to live faithfully this life that God has entrusted to me, even though I cannot see the future impact and the fruit that has yet to ripen.
As I was running this morning I was thinking about my June sermon series on the book of Isaiah. One of his main themes is the warning not to trust in what is made by human hands - such as idols. In my generation, this is not little statues and trinkets, but essentially I see so many people trusting in technology. I have been thinking about using the space shuttle program as the modern metaphor with which to approach the 4-week series on Isaiah. At about mile 5 this morning, I thought about using the title "Take the Faith Shuttle with Isaiah". Some form of this might end up being the series title.
Guide me today most holy Lord as I live by faith, trusting completely in you.
Tonight Bethany graduates from Azusa Pacific University! We are enjoying all the festivities surrounding graduation. Yesterday was the service similar to baccalaureate, with good speeches and great worship music. This morning I ran 6.2 miles averaging 9:37 a mile and felt great.
Ruth 4
This final chapter of this short book paints the portrait of a faithful man, Boaz, marrying a faithful woman, Ruth, and God blessing them with a baby, Obed. The women of the community tell Naomi that her daughter-in-law is better to her than 7 sons would be! As it turns out, Obed becomes the grandfather of David.
God is faithful, and His ways are beyond our ways. I desire to live faithfully this life that God has entrusted to me, even though I cannot see the future impact and the fruit that has yet to ripen.
As I was running this morning I was thinking about my June sermon series on the book of Isaiah. One of his main themes is the warning not to trust in what is made by human hands - such as idols. In my generation, this is not little statues and trinkets, but essentially I see so many people trusting in technology. I have been thinking about using the space shuttle program as the modern metaphor with which to approach the 4-week series on Isaiah. At about mile 5 this morning, I thought about using the title "Take the Faith Shuttle with Isaiah". Some form of this might end up being the series title.
Guide me today most holy Lord as I live by faith, trusting completely in you.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 4, 2011
5-4-11 Wednesday, 6:49 am Springfield, 41 degrees, clear.
As I stepped out onto the deck, a ruby throated hummingbird was buzzing the feeder. On the fence the mail Eastern Bluebird was close to the nest where is wife is sitting on the 5 eggs. I opened the box yesterday to inspect and the very surprised momma was as startled as I was. I wonder when her eggs will hatch. The high is to be in the mid eighties by the weekend. I think I will plant a couple more of the tomato plants I have been raising. The ones already in the garden have been nibbled by critters, and the cold, cloudy days have not helped them any.
Today we have our executive staff meeting, pastors meeting in the afternoon, and staff parish tonight. I will participate in a book study with local pastors, mainly Baptist, at the neighboring Ridgecrest church at noon. We will be reviewing the book Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them.
Here are the 5 (pastoral) ministry killers named by Charles Stone:
1. A head-in-the-sand mentality that denies problems
2. Emotional investment in the wrong issues
3. Unhealthy responses to ministry frustrations
4. A Lone Ranger attitude that says “God and I can handle this”
5. Attitudes and actions that lead to lonely, hurting spouses
The book itself seems to ramble, with helpful quotes from research and a wide range of authors. The author seeks to describe issues that lead to burnout and withdrawal from ministry in ways that assist a pastor to make adjustments and avoid crashing or bailing.
Judges 19-20
These chapters contain the grizzly tale of rape, desecration, murder and war. It starts with a man and his concubine. She leaves him at his remote home in the hill country of Ephraim, and after four months he goes to her fathers home in Bethlehem. Welcomed and entertained by her father, he parties there four and a half days. He doesn’t leave till late in the fifth day, and then faces nightfall in a strange place. Taken in a by an old man, troublemakers from the town surround the house, and this guy gives them his concubine to save his own skin. She is raped all night, and dies at the doorstep by morning. He is highly offended, and cuts her body into 12 pieces and sends a piece to each tribe, which rallies troops, attacks Gibeah and the Benjamites where the rape occurred. Thousands of men are killed on both sides.
Whenever I have read this account during the last 37 years of following Christ, I have cringed and lamented the multiple tragedies. It seems to me that the guy (he is unnamed, referred to as “the Levite”) is as guilty as any of wrongdoing. He does not have the discipline to depart from Bethlehem early enough to secure good lodging. When facing the threat of trouble, he does not defend the woman, but throws her to the dogs of the town. He then incites a war against the town.
As I sit in this comfortable house in this quiet neighborhood I hope that if and when faced with this kind of violence and evil I would not catipulate, but confront it. The book of Judges is gruesome and violent, during a time in Israel’s history when there was no king, and the people did as they pleased. Leadership and order are imperative for people to live harmonious lives. This is true in the church also. Guide me Lord as I serve in the pastoral office.
As I stepped out onto the deck, a ruby throated hummingbird was buzzing the feeder. On the fence the mail Eastern Bluebird was close to the nest where is wife is sitting on the 5 eggs. I opened the box yesterday to inspect and the very surprised momma was as startled as I was. I wonder when her eggs will hatch. The high is to be in the mid eighties by the weekend. I think I will plant a couple more of the tomato plants I have been raising. The ones already in the garden have been nibbled by critters, and the cold, cloudy days have not helped them any.
Today we have our executive staff meeting, pastors meeting in the afternoon, and staff parish tonight. I will participate in a book study with local pastors, mainly Baptist, at the neighboring Ridgecrest church at noon. We will be reviewing the book Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them.
Here are the 5 (pastoral) ministry killers named by Charles Stone:
1. A head-in-the-sand mentality that denies problems
2. Emotional investment in the wrong issues
3. Unhealthy responses to ministry frustrations
4. A Lone Ranger attitude that says “God and I can handle this”
5. Attitudes and actions that lead to lonely, hurting spouses
The book itself seems to ramble, with helpful quotes from research and a wide range of authors. The author seeks to describe issues that lead to burnout and withdrawal from ministry in ways that assist a pastor to make adjustments and avoid crashing or bailing.
Judges 19-20
These chapters contain the grizzly tale of rape, desecration, murder and war. It starts with a man and his concubine. She leaves him at his remote home in the hill country of Ephraim, and after four months he goes to her fathers home in Bethlehem. Welcomed and entertained by her father, he parties there four and a half days. He doesn’t leave till late in the fifth day, and then faces nightfall in a strange place. Taken in a by an old man, troublemakers from the town surround the house, and this guy gives them his concubine to save his own skin. She is raped all night, and dies at the doorstep by morning. He is highly offended, and cuts her body into 12 pieces and sends a piece to each tribe, which rallies troops, attacks Gibeah and the Benjamites where the rape occurred. Thousands of men are killed on both sides.
Whenever I have read this account during the last 37 years of following Christ, I have cringed and lamented the multiple tragedies. It seems to me that the guy (he is unnamed, referred to as “the Levite”) is as guilty as any of wrongdoing. He does not have the discipline to depart from Bethlehem early enough to secure good lodging. When facing the threat of trouble, he does not defend the woman, but throws her to the dogs of the town. He then incites a war against the town.
As I sit in this comfortable house in this quiet neighborhood I hope that if and when faced with this kind of violence and evil I would not catipulate, but confront it. The book of Judges is gruesome and violent, during a time in Israel’s history when there was no king, and the people did as they pleased. Leadership and order are imperative for people to live harmonious lives. This is true in the church also. Guide me Lord as I serve in the pastoral office.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
May 3, 2011
5-3-11 Tuesday, 4:34 am Springfield, 38 degrees, clear.
There was almost a May frost last night, but I think my plants will be okay. Warm and sunny weather will follow for a couple of days. Audrey made it safely to Los Angeles last night. I will join her there on Thursday, as we prepare to celebrate Bethany’s graduation from college. Yesterday was well spent, with a trip to the radio station to record a promo for the APU choir and orchestra concert, a noon stop by the church to celebrate the birthday of one of our staff, barbequing in the afternoon, a 3.2 mile run (pathetically slow) and then to the airport with Audrey.
Judges 13-16 (yesterday I read the May 3 selection, as I was a day ahead of reality!)
This is the tragic story of Sampson. Reading these 4 chapters I have the following reflections:
1. The way God appeared to his parents in the form of an angel is similar to the angel appearances to Mary and Joseph
2. Sampson had a lack of wisdom with regards to women
a. He saw a Philistine, and convinced his parents to help him get her for his wife.
b. She pestered him to death to get the answer of the riddle he had proposed to the 30 men who partied with him, and on the 7th day he gave it to her, and she promptly broke his confidence and told the men
c. He went into a harlot and barely escaped the Philistines
d. He fell in love with Delilah, who like his first wife betrayed his confidence after pestering him to find out the source of his strength. When learning that shaving his head would eliminate his strength, she had someone do it while he slept on her lap. The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes.
3. God used Sampson as a judge of Israel for 20 years, even with his weaknesses. At the end of his life, he killed more Philistines in his death (collapsing the house) then he had in his life.
How can I apply these chapters to my life today? What is it that God wants me to obey from scripture? Here are a few possibilities: Order my life carefully, in what I eat, drink and do, as the Nazarite way was powerful in Sampson’s development. As I turned 50 I took a vow to consume no beverage alcohol, and God has been honoring that discipline. I will continue to eat healthy, good and clean food, and exercise regularly. I must be extremely careful in regards to the opposite gender, as God has blessed the marriage covenant with Audrey for now 28 years, and the evil one would destroy this if he could. I will lean upon the power of God in my life, and lean into the building up of the body of Christ with the strength that He has given me, today, and each day of my life.
For a book study tomorrow led by the pastors of Ridgecrest and Second Baptist, I will read a chapter from Charles Stone’s Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them.
Thank you Lord for this day, and all that lies ahead. Guide the work you have entrusted to me, that I may faithfully serve as a pastor, shepherd and servant leader.
There was almost a May frost last night, but I think my plants will be okay. Warm and sunny weather will follow for a couple of days. Audrey made it safely to Los Angeles last night. I will join her there on Thursday, as we prepare to celebrate Bethany’s graduation from college. Yesterday was well spent, with a trip to the radio station to record a promo for the APU choir and orchestra concert, a noon stop by the church to celebrate the birthday of one of our staff, barbequing in the afternoon, a 3.2 mile run (pathetically slow) and then to the airport with Audrey.
Judges 13-16 (yesterday I read the May 3 selection, as I was a day ahead of reality!)
This is the tragic story of Sampson. Reading these 4 chapters I have the following reflections:
1. The way God appeared to his parents in the form of an angel is similar to the angel appearances to Mary and Joseph
2. Sampson had a lack of wisdom with regards to women
a. He saw a Philistine, and convinced his parents to help him get her for his wife.
b. She pestered him to death to get the answer of the riddle he had proposed to the 30 men who partied with him, and on the 7th day he gave it to her, and she promptly broke his confidence and told the men
c. He went into a harlot and barely escaped the Philistines
d. He fell in love with Delilah, who like his first wife betrayed his confidence after pestering him to find out the source of his strength. When learning that shaving his head would eliminate his strength, she had someone do it while he slept on her lap. The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes.
3. God used Sampson as a judge of Israel for 20 years, even with his weaknesses. At the end of his life, he killed more Philistines in his death (collapsing the house) then he had in his life.
How can I apply these chapters to my life today? What is it that God wants me to obey from scripture? Here are a few possibilities: Order my life carefully, in what I eat, drink and do, as the Nazarite way was powerful in Sampson’s development. As I turned 50 I took a vow to consume no beverage alcohol, and God has been honoring that discipline. I will continue to eat healthy, good and clean food, and exercise regularly. I must be extremely careful in regards to the opposite gender, as God has blessed the marriage covenant with Audrey for now 28 years, and the evil one would destroy this if he could. I will lean upon the power of God in my life, and lean into the building up of the body of Christ with the strength that He has given me, today, and each day of my life.
For a book study tomorrow led by the pastors of Ridgecrest and Second Baptist, I will read a chapter from Charles Stone’s Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them.
Thank you Lord for this day, and all that lies ahead. Guide the work you have entrusted to me, that I may faithfully serve as a pastor, shepherd and servant leader.
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011
5-2-11 Monday, 9:17 am Springfield, 42 degrees, cloudy.
Last night President Obama announced that U.S. forces had killed Osama bin Landin in Pakistan. Audrey and I watched the announcement live at about 10:30 pm our time. It is a significant event, the end of nearly 10 years of pursuit by the U.S. in response to his master minding the 9-11 attacks in 2001.
Judges 17:1- 18:31
These chapters contain the strange account of Micah in the hill country of Ephraim. The tribe of Dan eventually stole his household idols and his personal priest. The tribe of Dan had not yet moved into the land assigned to them when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel.
My take away this morning is to observe that there was disobedience throughout this account, from the household idols to the personal priest. The last verse summarizes it “So Micah’s carved image was worshiped by the tribe of Dan as long as the Tabernacle of God remained at Shiloh” (18:31)
Guide me on this day of rest, most holy Lord as I seek to honor You in all I do. I will worship nothing and nobody except You.
Psalm 104:1 “Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord, my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty.”
Last night President Obama announced that U.S. forces had killed Osama bin Landin in Pakistan. Audrey and I watched the announcement live at about 10:30 pm our time. It is a significant event, the end of nearly 10 years of pursuit by the U.S. in response to his master minding the 9-11 attacks in 2001.
Judges 17:1- 18:31
These chapters contain the strange account of Micah in the hill country of Ephraim. The tribe of Dan eventually stole his household idols and his personal priest. The tribe of Dan had not yet moved into the land assigned to them when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel.
My take away this morning is to observe that there was disobedience throughout this account, from the household idols to the personal priest. The last verse summarizes it “So Micah’s carved image was worshiped by the tribe of Dan as long as the Tabernacle of God remained at Shiloh” (18:31)
Guide me on this day of rest, most holy Lord as I seek to honor You in all I do. I will worship nothing and nobody except You.
Psalm 104:1 “Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord, my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty.”
Sunday, May 1, 2011
May 1, 2011
5-1-11 Sunday, 5:36 am Springfield, 46 degrees, cloudy.
Last Sunday at this time I was on my way downtown, heading for the Easter community worship service at the Hammonds ball field. Today I am preparing for communion and confirmation at Wesley. Yesterday Audrey made phone calls inviting members to host college students on May 12, the Thursday that the APU choir and orchestra will come to Springfield for a concert at Wesley.
Mark 14:32-41
My sermon title is “R U Ready” and this account in scripture is of disciples who were clearly not ready. They kept falling asleep as Jesus was pouring his heart out in the garden of Gethsemane. Proverbs 24:30-34 is another picture of not being ready:
“I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold it was completely overgrown with thistles. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man.”
As a follower of Christ I never want to fall asleep when He has given a task. As a pastor, tending a spiritual vineyard, I never want lack of preparation to erode effectiveness. Recognizing the need for proper rest, and also the weakness of the flesh, I intend to move forward in faith, obedience and love. Lord, lead me today according to Your grace and mercy, that my steps may be ordered by you.
Last Sunday at this time I was on my way downtown, heading for the Easter community worship service at the Hammonds ball field. Today I am preparing for communion and confirmation at Wesley. Yesterday Audrey made phone calls inviting members to host college students on May 12, the Thursday that the APU choir and orchestra will come to Springfield for a concert at Wesley.
Mark 14:32-41
My sermon title is “R U Ready” and this account in scripture is of disciples who were clearly not ready. They kept falling asleep as Jesus was pouring his heart out in the garden of Gethsemane. Proverbs 24:30-34 is another picture of not being ready:
“I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold it was completely overgrown with thistles. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man.”
As a follower of Christ I never want to fall asleep when He has given a task. As a pastor, tending a spiritual vineyard, I never want lack of preparation to erode effectiveness. Recognizing the need for proper rest, and also the weakness of the flesh, I intend to move forward in faith, obedience and love. Lord, lead me today according to Your grace and mercy, that my steps may be ordered by you.
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