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Meditation — December 15, 2011
Posted on Thursday, December 15th, 2011
Scripture:
Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, my love shall never fall away from you, nor my covenant of peace be shaken, say the Lord, who had mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10
Prayer
The hour to awaken came too early for me this morning. Oh, what I would not give to return to sleep. Yet, I also see this time as precious to be listening.
Response
It is as if you were roused from sleep to relieve someone who has stood watch through the night, or perhaps many miles distant across many time zones—in any one of many areas of violence on the globe. Declare your love for the Lord even when your shoulders are weary. Realize as if for the first time how His love endures into eternity and cannot be shaken even when you might falter. The peace you experience, especially at times like this, is testament to a reality—to his covenant that is and will not be shaken.
Take this verse as a solemn acknowledgement of the Lord’s all embracing love. What can you compare this to—a friend who accompanies you on the last stretch of a race, running alongside shouting words of encouragement; a mentor so patient who quietly reviews his guidance though you seem to be fading; a philanthropist who contributes funds and resources so the worthy project can be completed; the reinforcements that arrive in time to save the day and defeat the enemy even if you neglected to request such assistance.
So you experience this peace that challenges your comprehension. You can honestly admit that you did not earn the peace, but here it is nonetheless. Not only do you feel love in this instant, but you accept finally that the depth of His love for you defies reason—given your missteps. So here you are in solitude able to utter words of thanksgiving and praise in the dark before sunrise. Hallelujah, praise God.
All for this morning.
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Meditation – December 14, 2011
Posted on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011
Scripture: And (Jesus) said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Luke 7:22-23
Prayer: Lord, help me to see and hear the miracles that abound in my life.
Response: Is it any more startling to witness the conversion of spirit—whether it is your own or a close family member or a friend than what Jesus is suggesting to John’s disciples? Haven’t you met someone who seemed to be on a road to perdition, and then at your next encounter that person is transformed—gentle, listening, repentant. And that person didn’t have to be a panhandler—though many saints are so disguised—but someone who rode arrogance to success and maybe even respect.
So you see healing goes far beyond a prescription taken religiously—excuse the pun; It is like a shockingly cold shower that wakes you in the dullness of routine to what could be or is your life. It could be prompted by a deafening loss that roars through your consciousness, or the sudden appeal one experiences for repentance and redemption—the result perhaps of many prayers offered by strangers for your healing, or a word or sight with which you are familiar that you perceive for the first time, or grace in which you are enveloped without requesting.
So you see—miracles abound in what you observe and experience in the Lord’s presence in your life and those around you; yes, miracles in the recovery of the lost, the healing of the sick, the generous service by those once were self-focused, the openness of those once closed, the gentleness and forgiving of those who once judged. Consider the miracles that you observe at every [...]
December 13, 2011
Posted on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Scripture: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. “Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 28:28-31
Prayer: My life is replete with instances of repentance, so I can easily identify with the first son. Help me more and more be a son where my initial response is followed through with action, responding to the Lord’s will for me.
Response: True repentance is measured in the internal dialogue that takes place between the first denial and the acceptance of the Lord’s will for you in life, as well as the time that elapses before one’s clarity of purpose sounds clearly. Isn’t it so that you would have the Lord believe that you did not hear His will expressed, perhaps because you were distracted or so busy? But isn’t it true also that it was your self-absorption that contributed to your reluctance to be whom you were ordained to become. Isn’t it like pausing at a refreshment stop in the course of a long race, and not resuming the journey?
Think of the many stops you made before you realized that life is not standing idly by refreshing oneself. Now, that realization did not just happen, but rather is evidence of the Holy Spirit nudging you forward into areas of life not previously explored: like marriage, parenting, death-loss, love—always love, aging. And all the time, it might seem, or once seemed, attractive to linger in denial, but then comes that grace-filled nudge that has you back on the path, more determined than ever to complete the journey.
See [...]
Meditation – February 18, 2011
Posted on Friday, February 18th, 2011
Scripture: He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Prayer: Give me adherence to these words.
Response: Sounds pretty straightforward, though at times you defined denial as if to ignore the meaning, though you remember the words. Simply stated, put the interests and needs of others before your own. Just when you are feeling sorry for yourself, or wish the road would ease off from the steep incline, or focus on stones of various shapes before you, these words are meant to remind you to relax in His grace. Then, you will discover that you are no longer counting the stones before your path, realize that leaning forward or into the incline seems to ease your burden; and it is then that you forget about your self-pity.by
Deny yourself by hearing the pleas of those in your vicinity above the churning of your desires that demand attention; take hold of the cross and face down and discover its fleeting nature. So strengthened and focused, you will find that you are being transformed into a worthy tracker of the Lord who beckons you forward.
If you wish to follow the Lord, don’t be distracted by your own needs, cinch up your burdens securely, and move briskly forward with no further hesitation, and defintely do not look back.
All for today.
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Share on Facebook continue readingMeditation – February 17, 2011
Posted on Thursday, February 17th, 2011
Scripture: And (Jesus) asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:29
Prayer: It’s easy for me to read Peter’s familiar response to the question. Help me to live with a similar response upon my lips.
Response: Yes, you are not taking an exam with one question to answer and turn in. No, your answer is the manifestation of this truth in all you are. In fact, it doesn’t even matter if you find yourself debating with an unbeliever this truth, more important is how you witness in every detail of your life even when the spot-light is not on you.
You see, the Messiah did not with his appearance set up a superior debating or discussion group, nor did he design the special uniforms and vestments worn by the knighted, nor expect the chosen to be self-satisfied and superior. No, he seeks your admission of His truth, declared by Peter, through your love and service, especially when you act quietly, effectively, consciously, deliberately, generously, and courageously. And this service is not confined to the unseen, surely they are vital to the mission, but to those who surround you – friends and family – those you can touch.
For today, instead of allowing your eyes to hurry over this familiar verse, stop, yes stop, and consider the question directed to you – because it is. Now, who do you say Jesus is? And in your answer, please do not rely upon something memorized in the past, or words that would satisfy an orthodox theologian of whatever persuasion. Who is Jesus to you this day?
All for this morning.
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