Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45 NIV
Can you imagine what it would be like to have a spirit-being show up in your room? It would be even more unnerving to have him speak to you! What if he said “Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” (Luke 1:28 Message) Well, that is EXACTLY what happened to Mary, mother of Jesus! Is it any wonder that Mary was “thoroughly shaken”? The Bible, no matter what translation you read, makes no mention of Mary screaming or fainting or losing control of her bodily functions. Nothing! It just says she was “greatly troubled” or “thoroughly shaken”. Yes, I think I would have had that response including a LOUD reaction.
Mary must have at least looked scared because the angel, Gabriel, said, “Do not be afraid”. To my knowledge, I have never met an angel face to face but I have the feeling, once you get past the sudden appearance, there would be great peace in their presence. That is the reason I think it was possible for Mary to believe the things Gabriel told her. “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest’. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever- no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Mary’s only question was “How?” She didn’t ask “why” or “are you sure you have the right house?” She didn’t even ask “When?” Her only question was “How?” Gabriel explained God’s plan of supernatural conception; “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God”. (Luke 1:35 MSG) Her response was “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” (Luke 1:38 MSG)
There are things God has spoken into my life; assignments, dreams, purpose; that have been difficult for me to accept. My questions are not only “how?” but also “Did I hear you correctly?” and “Are you sure I’m the one?” Its unfortunate there have been no angelic visits with an announcement and explanation but there has been confirmation through scripture and friends. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?
Mary’s faith was demonstrated in her ability to only ask “How?” It was a question that asked, “What do you need me to do to make this happen?” There was no hint of “are you kidding me?” or doubt. Once she understood God had a plan to make it happen she was ready to go. Gabriel encouraged her faith by telling her of her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy “in her old age”. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NIV)
Mary may have also remembered the story of Abraham and Sarah who became the parents of the child that began the lineage of “many nations” promised to them. “Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:19-21) Abraham’s faith “was credited to him as righteousness.” Because it was true faith, complete confidence in God’s promise. (Romans 4:22)
In today’s world, people who have that kind of faith are thought of as “kooks”, eccentrics or weak-minded. In reality, that kind of faith – faith that believes God will do every thing He said He would – requires great strength and confidence.
Abraham was credited with righteousness and Mary was called blessed by all generations (Luke 1:48) because they believed that the Lord would do everything He said He would. Lord, help me be the “who” and let You worry about the how, what, when, where, and why!
Luke 1:45 “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” NLT
Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” spoken to Abraham & Sarah
Job 42:2 “I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” - Job
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” - Jeremiah
Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” - Jesus
Matthew 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Jesus
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
If it seems too good to be true, then . . .
Our family has been praying for several years for God’s favor over a particular dream and the answer was always “In My time, just wait.” It has been hard and frustrating to wait and I have to admit, I have not been especially patient. I felt ignored and have been unappreciative of what God was doing because I wanted what I wanted. Nothing else was good enough. Finally after several years of waiting, the dream is coming true. The unexpected thing is, it is all so surreal. It seems too good to be true!
As I’ve been repenting of my unbelief and impatience, I’ve also been wondering why the excitement I expected isn’t there. As I prayed God reminded me of the story of Peter’s jail break found in Acts 12: 1-19.
To please the religious leaders, Herod had James the brother of John and a disciple of Jesus put to death by the sword. When he saw that this pleased them, Herod had Peter arrested planning to have him brought to trial after the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover (the celebration of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt).
Peter was in jail guarded by four squads of four soldiers each waiting for public trail. The church was earnestly praying asking God for Peter’s release.
The night before the trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and lit up the cell. He had to strike Peter to wake him up. “Quick, get up” the angel told Peter and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
The angel told Peter to put on his clothes and sandals, so he did. The angel then said, “Put your coat on and follow me.” Peter followed the angel but had no idea that this was really happening. Peter thought he was having a vision. They walked past the first set of guards, then past the second set of guards and right up to the iron gate of the prison. The gate opened by itself and they walked right past the sentries and out of the prison. The angel led Peter down the street and then disappeared. As Peter stood there all alone he finally came to himself and realized what had just happened. God had performed a miracle in answer to the prayers of the church! He said to himself, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the religious leaders were anticipating.”
Peter went to the house where the church was praying and knocked on the door. The servant girl, Rhoda, came to the door and was so astonished that she ran back into the house without letting Peter in. The people gathered there praying told her, “You’re out of your mind!” and when she kept insisting he was there they said, “It must be his angel.”
Peter just kept on knocking until they finally let him in. They were so astonished they began to make a lot of noise. Peter motioned for them to be quiet and told them what God had done. He encouraged them to tell the church leaders and then he left.
Doesn’t it seem funny that when God answered the people’s prayers, they found it hard to believe? It’s a wonder God didn’t do a “Gibb’s smack” to the back of their heads. What faith! What trust in God! What separates me from them? Nothing!
The church prayed earnestly just as my family and I have prayed. There has been a measure of piety in seeking God and straining for what we believe to be God’s will. I have been consoled by Isaiah 30:18 “… the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” It has become part of my life, the norm to pray, believe and wait. I know how to do that.
The church had faith enough to pray, believe and wait for Peter’s release but they lacked the faith to receive it. What is our job once God grants our request? I’m discovering it requires just as much faith to receive the answer as to ask and wait.
Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” We are to start receiving when we start praying!
Lord, forgive my doubting heart and help me to have faith enough to receive the answer. Forgive me for feeling like I need to look over my shoulder to see if it really is “too good to be true”! I KNOW you are faithful to your word – I BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!
As I’ve been repenting of my unbelief and impatience, I’ve also been wondering why the excitement I expected isn’t there. As I prayed God reminded me of the story of Peter’s jail break found in Acts 12: 1-19.
To please the religious leaders, Herod had James the brother of John and a disciple of Jesus put to death by the sword. When he saw that this pleased them, Herod had Peter arrested planning to have him brought to trial after the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover (the celebration of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt).
Peter was in jail guarded by four squads of four soldiers each waiting for public trail. The church was earnestly praying asking God for Peter’s release.
The night before the trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and lit up the cell. He had to strike Peter to wake him up. “Quick, get up” the angel told Peter and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
The angel told Peter to put on his clothes and sandals, so he did. The angel then said, “Put your coat on and follow me.” Peter followed the angel but had no idea that this was really happening. Peter thought he was having a vision. They walked past the first set of guards, then past the second set of guards and right up to the iron gate of the prison. The gate opened by itself and they walked right past the sentries and out of the prison. The angel led Peter down the street and then disappeared. As Peter stood there all alone he finally came to himself and realized what had just happened. God had performed a miracle in answer to the prayers of the church! He said to himself, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the religious leaders were anticipating.”
Peter went to the house where the church was praying and knocked on the door. The servant girl, Rhoda, came to the door and was so astonished that she ran back into the house without letting Peter in. The people gathered there praying told her, “You’re out of your mind!” and when she kept insisting he was there they said, “It must be his angel.”
Peter just kept on knocking until they finally let him in. They were so astonished they began to make a lot of noise. Peter motioned for them to be quiet and told them what God had done. He encouraged them to tell the church leaders and then he left.
Doesn’t it seem funny that when God answered the people’s prayers, they found it hard to believe? It’s a wonder God didn’t do a “Gibb’s smack” to the back of their heads. What faith! What trust in God! What separates me from them? Nothing!
The church prayed earnestly just as my family and I have prayed. There has been a measure of piety in seeking God and straining for what we believe to be God’s will. I have been consoled by Isaiah 30:18 “… the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” It has become part of my life, the norm to pray, believe and wait. I know how to do that.
The church had faith enough to pray, believe and wait for Peter’s release but they lacked the faith to receive it. What is our job once God grants our request? I’m discovering it requires just as much faith to receive the answer as to ask and wait.
Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” We are to start receiving when we start praying!
Lord, forgive my doubting heart and help me to have faith enough to receive the answer. Forgive me for feeling like I need to look over my shoulder to see if it really is “too good to be true”! I KNOW you are faithful to your word – I BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Long Way Around
Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.
There are times when God brings deliverance that doesn't look much like deliverance. When God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, He prepared them with gold, silver & clothing - the usual plunder for the victors of war - given to them by the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:36 The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.) He also dressed them for battle (Exodus 13:18b The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.) So why then with all this favor and preparation did God take them the long way across the desert instead of straight to the Promised Land? God knew the Israelites well. He knew that even though they had experienced miracles in Egypt and seen Him do everything He said He would, they were prone to doubt and whining! "God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." (Ex. 13:17)
Does that mean that the “long way” was the easier way? Somehow, I don’t think so. They were chased by Pharaoh and his army, Ex. 14:10; they didn’t have good drinking water, Ex. 15:23; they didn’t have enough food, Ex. 16:3; they got tired of the new menu, Numbers 11:4 - 6; they begged for water to drink, Ex. 17:3; they were attacked by the enemy, Ex. 17:8. It all seems rather bleak. We can even sympathize a little with them when terrified they yelled at Moses and said, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” (Ex. 14:11)
Just hours after God had spared them the loss of their firstborn and they had marched out of Egypt “in full view of the Egyptians, who were burying their firstborn” (Numbers 33:3), they had forgotten what God had done. They had forgotten the way God had kept them through the plagues and supplied them with riches and protection for their journey. They spent everyday of the journey wishing they could go back to Egypt. Back to slavery and mistreatment instead of going to the land that God had promised their father Abraham (Genesis 15:18); the land that they had been told about through all the generations since Abraham.
Even so, God provided for them at each complaint.
When they were chased by Pharaoh, God swallowed him, his army and all their weaponry in the Red Sea, Ex. 14:19-28. When they didn’t have good drinking water God provided a piece of wood that sweetened the water, Ex. 15:25. When they didn’t have enough food, God rained down bread from heaven, Ex.16: 4. When they grew tired of the bread from heaven and begged for other kinds of food God sent quail in from the sea, Nu. 11:31. When they begged for water to drink God gave them water from a rock, Ex. 17:5-7. When they were attacked by the enemy God brought great victory in battle, Ex. 17:13. Every time God provided.
Are You taking me the “long way” to the promises You’ve given me, Lord? Am I prone to complaining and whining? Am I forgetful or narrow in my understanding of Your faithfulness? Help me to identify my Egypt and strengthen my resolve to go where You are leading me recognizing that You have equipped me for the journey to my Promised Land!
There are times when God brings deliverance that doesn't look much like deliverance. When God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, He prepared them with gold, silver & clothing - the usual plunder for the victors of war - given to them by the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:36 The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.) He also dressed them for battle (Exodus 13:18b The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.) So why then with all this favor and preparation did God take them the long way across the desert instead of straight to the Promised Land? God knew the Israelites well. He knew that even though they had experienced miracles in Egypt and seen Him do everything He said He would, they were prone to doubt and whining! "God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." (Ex. 13:17)
Does that mean that the “long way” was the easier way? Somehow, I don’t think so. They were chased by Pharaoh and his army, Ex. 14:10; they didn’t have good drinking water, Ex. 15:23; they didn’t have enough food, Ex. 16:3; they got tired of the new menu, Numbers 11:4 - 6; they begged for water to drink, Ex. 17:3; they were attacked by the enemy, Ex. 17:8. It all seems rather bleak. We can even sympathize a little with them when terrified they yelled at Moses and said, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” (Ex. 14:11)
Just hours after God had spared them the loss of their firstborn and they had marched out of Egypt “in full view of the Egyptians, who were burying their firstborn” (Numbers 33:3), they had forgotten what God had done. They had forgotten the way God had kept them through the plagues and supplied them with riches and protection for their journey. They spent everyday of the journey wishing they could go back to Egypt. Back to slavery and mistreatment instead of going to the land that God had promised their father Abraham (Genesis 15:18); the land that they had been told about through all the generations since Abraham.
Even so, God provided for them at each complaint.
When they were chased by Pharaoh, God swallowed him, his army and all their weaponry in the Red Sea, Ex. 14:19-28. When they didn’t have good drinking water God provided a piece of wood that sweetened the water, Ex. 15:25. When they didn’t have enough food, God rained down bread from heaven, Ex.16: 4. When they grew tired of the bread from heaven and begged for other kinds of food God sent quail in from the sea, Nu. 11:31. When they begged for water to drink God gave them water from a rock, Ex. 17:5-7. When they were attacked by the enemy God brought great victory in battle, Ex. 17:13. Every time God provided.
Are You taking me the “long way” to the promises You’ve given me, Lord? Am I prone to complaining and whining? Am I forgetful or narrow in my understanding of Your faithfulness? Help me to identify my Egypt and strengthen my resolve to go where You are leading me recognizing that You have equipped me for the journey to my Promised Land!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Cover of Darkness
Remember when being a “Peeping Tom” was considered a deviant type of behavior? A peeping tom usually lurked outside someone’s house and peered in the windows at people. It is defined in the dictionary as “One who derives pleasure, usually sexual, from secretly spying on others.” You could get arrested for this behavior! In fact, in the state of New York the sentence for a peeping tom is six months in jail! Now we turn on our TVs and “peep” through that window - our families sitting right next to us - in the comfort of our own homes - watching “Big Brother” or “The Bachelor”, “The Bachelorette”, “Jon and Kate Plus 8”, and “Survivor” (to name a VERY short list). We call them reality shows.
Recently, I saw a preview for a new reality show called “Dating in the Dark”. The producers of the show put people who have never seen each other in a totally dark room and film what happens using night-vision technology. Once the people have developed a relationship, they reveal them to each other in the light and film their reactions. Apparently, the cover of darkness allows them to “see” each other for who they are and keeps them from making judgments based on physical attributes. It helps to take away their inhibitions and allows them to act on their feelings without having to worry about what the other person is thinking. Of course, the preview made it look like it can get pretty “steamy” between the people. If it didn’t who would want to be the peeping tom on the other side of the screen?
In theory, it all sounds reasonable, I guess, but how do they “forget” the camera and crew are watching them? Does it really work to say, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain?” Maybe it does. They seem to have forgotten that they are doing all this in front of “God and everyone” as the saying goes. Nothing is hidden by the darkness because God has night-vision, too!
David wrote in Psalm 139:11 & 12, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you (God); the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” These verses follow David’s acknowledgment in verse 1 “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” All of Psalm 139 gives testimony to God’s knowledge of who we are and what we do.
Job, the man God called “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8), understood that God sees all and knows all. Job 34:21 & 22 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.”
It puzzles me that anyone would want to be filmed in these situations. I get the allure of winning money but what else does it offer? Is the 15 minutes of fame the draw? And what is it that draws the viewer? Does watching other people fail at relationships or succeed at things we thought impossible encourage us? Do these shows give us permission to behave outside the social niceties of manners and etiquette? It just doesn’t seem worth the risk to me.
The truth is that we are all part of a reality show. Our lives may not include cameramen, directors and make-up people but we do have family and friends watching us every day. Most importantly, God is watching us day and night! That realization alone makes me agree with David in Psalm 139:23 & 24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The New Living Translation says “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
The only “viewer” I want to please is God. If I am living to please Him, all the other “viewers” will fade into the background and the cover of darkness will only be needed for restful sleep!
Recently, I saw a preview for a new reality show called “Dating in the Dark”. The producers of the show put people who have never seen each other in a totally dark room and film what happens using night-vision technology. Once the people have developed a relationship, they reveal them to each other in the light and film their reactions. Apparently, the cover of darkness allows them to “see” each other for who they are and keeps them from making judgments based on physical attributes. It helps to take away their inhibitions and allows them to act on their feelings without having to worry about what the other person is thinking. Of course, the preview made it look like it can get pretty “steamy” between the people. If it didn’t who would want to be the peeping tom on the other side of the screen?
In theory, it all sounds reasonable, I guess, but how do they “forget” the camera and crew are watching them? Does it really work to say, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain?” Maybe it does. They seem to have forgotten that they are doing all this in front of “God and everyone” as the saying goes. Nothing is hidden by the darkness because God has night-vision, too!
David wrote in Psalm 139:11 & 12, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you (God); the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” These verses follow David’s acknowledgment in verse 1 “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” All of Psalm 139 gives testimony to God’s knowledge of who we are and what we do.
Job, the man God called “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8), understood that God sees all and knows all. Job 34:21 & 22 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.”
It puzzles me that anyone would want to be filmed in these situations. I get the allure of winning money but what else does it offer? Is the 15 minutes of fame the draw? And what is it that draws the viewer? Does watching other people fail at relationships or succeed at things we thought impossible encourage us? Do these shows give us permission to behave outside the social niceties of manners and etiquette? It just doesn’t seem worth the risk to me.
The truth is that we are all part of a reality show. Our lives may not include cameramen, directors and make-up people but we do have family and friends watching us every day. Most importantly, God is watching us day and night! That realization alone makes me agree with David in Psalm 139:23 & 24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The New Living Translation says “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
The only “viewer” I want to please is God. If I am living to please Him, all the other “viewers” will fade into the background and the cover of darkness will only be needed for restful sleep!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Versions of Me
It may seem strange (considering my age and all) but I am a big fan of the animated series "Avatar, The Last Airbender". It’s a quirky story about a world where every nation has a specific power or ability to interact with the forces of nature (earth, wind, fire, and water) and command them by "bending" them.
It may also surprise you to know that I'm a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan (director of "Sixth Sense", "Signs", "The Village" and "Lady in the Water" - some of my favs) so you can only imagine how COMPLETELY excited I was to hear that he was doing a movie about the quirky little cartoon!
Unfortunately, I've been told that M. Night's portrayal of the characters is very different from those in the cartoon. The slapstick sidekick of Aang, the avatar, isn't funny or slapstick. His antics in the cartoon were part of why I watched the show. That alone is keeping me out of the theater. Of course M. Night is not the creator of the cartoon characters; he is merely an observer who took his interpretation of the personalities and put them on film. It makes me wonder what Jeremy Zuckerman, composer of the original series, thought of M. Night's characterizations. He must be disappointed that M. Night didn't value his version of the characters enough to maintain their personalities as he had written them.
All this got me to thinking, dangerous - I know! Have I done that to people? Have people done that to me? Have I made snap judgments on who a person is and then represented them to others as MY version? Have I, in all my "brilliance and discernment", created false, disappointing versions of someone only to portray them as such? Did I rewrite who they are? It has been known to happen.
God created the perfect version of us when we were "formed in our mother's womb". Ps 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Inmost being in Hebrew literally means "kidneys" but is also a Hebrew idiom meaning "the innermost center of emotions and of moral sensitivity", that part of us that makes us who we are.
People will tell you that time, environment, and experience form our personalities and make us who we are but the truth is God made a perfect version of us at our beginning. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Ps 139:14) Yes, all those influences - time, environment and experience - affect who we are but they did not form who we are. God's version of us, the one "written in His book" before one day of our life even began is the version He designed knowing what every day of our life held. (Ps 139:16)
David, the author of Psalm 139, recognized God's love for him in verses 17 & 18 "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" God's love is the same for us!
Maybe Jeremy Zuckerman is disappointed, too, in M. Night's version of his airbending characters, but it didn't change who they truly are. Jeremy still knows them well and continues to write about them in their original form. God won't let us down, either. His version of us has not changed and He is still watching our story unfold. He loves us and sees us in His version and is NEVER influenced by anyone else’s view of us. We need to look for the "God version" of ourselves and others and remember that we can walk with great confidence knowing God's is the true version of who we are - and the ONLY ONE that really counts!
It may also surprise you to know that I'm a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan (director of "Sixth Sense", "Signs", "The Village" and "Lady in the Water" - some of my favs) so you can only imagine how COMPLETELY excited I was to hear that he was doing a movie about the quirky little cartoon!
Unfortunately, I've been told that M. Night's portrayal of the characters is very different from those in the cartoon. The slapstick sidekick of Aang, the avatar, isn't funny or slapstick. His antics in the cartoon were part of why I watched the show. That alone is keeping me out of the theater. Of course M. Night is not the creator of the cartoon characters; he is merely an observer who took his interpretation of the personalities and put them on film. It makes me wonder what Jeremy Zuckerman, composer of the original series, thought of M. Night's characterizations. He must be disappointed that M. Night didn't value his version of the characters enough to maintain their personalities as he had written them.
All this got me to thinking, dangerous - I know! Have I done that to people? Have people done that to me? Have I made snap judgments on who a person is and then represented them to others as MY version? Have I, in all my "brilliance and discernment", created false, disappointing versions of someone only to portray them as such? Did I rewrite who they are? It has been known to happen.
God created the perfect version of us when we were "formed in our mother's womb". Ps 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Inmost being in Hebrew literally means "kidneys" but is also a Hebrew idiom meaning "the innermost center of emotions and of moral sensitivity", that part of us that makes us who we are.
People will tell you that time, environment, and experience form our personalities and make us who we are but the truth is God made a perfect version of us at our beginning. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Ps 139:14) Yes, all those influences - time, environment and experience - affect who we are but they did not form who we are. God's version of us, the one "written in His book" before one day of our life even began is the version He designed knowing what every day of our life held. (Ps 139:16)
David, the author of Psalm 139, recognized God's love for him in verses 17 & 18 "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" God's love is the same for us!
Maybe Jeremy Zuckerman is disappointed, too, in M. Night's version of his airbending characters, but it didn't change who they truly are. Jeremy still knows them well and continues to write about them in their original form. God won't let us down, either. His version of us has not changed and He is still watching our story unfold. He loves us and sees us in His version and is NEVER influenced by anyone else’s view of us. We need to look for the "God version" of ourselves and others and remember that we can walk with great confidence knowing God's is the true version of who we are - and the ONLY ONE that really counts!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Is God a Liar?
Is God a liar?
"Of course not!" "How could you say such a thing?" "That's preposterous, completely absurd!" you say?
Really? You're right of course. It is absurd and yet. . .
When is the last time you thought "I'm fat and ugly!"? How about "No one cares what I think. I'm stupid and have nothing of value to contribute!" Or "No one appreciates me. I give and give and give and no one even notices!" And "The only thing I'm good for is _________ (you fill in the blank!)". I could go on. It's a little like the old whine "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms!!" isn't it?
There may be a small element of truth in each of those statements but they are NOT absolutely true! When did we start thinking this way?
Well, not to blame the devil for everything but, he started it!
Genesis 3:1-7 (MSG)
1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
That snake was clever alright! He took God's words and twisted them first by saying "God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden, right?" The snake knew exactly what God had told them. (Gen. 2:16-17) 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17But (except) of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' (Amplified Bible) That snake told her "God lied to you. He was trying to trick you!" when he said, "You will not die."
God's instructions were very clear. You may eat of every tree except... The woman spoke correctly when she answered the snake but the snake caused her to doubt the command by saying "You won't die!" He told the woman that God was trying to trick her because "God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil and you will be like God!" (Gen 3:4) Why would God not want her to learn about good and evil or as the Message says it, "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."? Was God trying to keep her from being just like Him? If so, why does it say in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 (and several other places) "Be holy, because I am holy." In other words "Be just like me!" The snake accused God of jealousy. He convinced the woman that God didn't want her to be "just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." Vanity. He played on her vanity and pride! He used vanity to throw Eve off the course of God's plan for her and all the children of Eve as well - US!
The snake is still preying on people's vanity and pride today. Those half truths about our looks or brilliance, worth and value are again the snake's way of making us doubt God. God said we are His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5 & Deuteronomy 7:6) Think about that! God owns EVERYTHING yet we are His treasured possession, "the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8) The apple of his eye literally means "little man of his eye," referring to the pupil, a delicate part of the eye that is essential for vision and that therefore must be protected at all costs. (NIV footnotes for Deut. 32:10) It is an expression deep love. YOU are loved and precious to God Almighty. Not only does God want us to be "just like Him", He made it possible by sending Jesus, His only begotten son, to suffer death on a cross so we could overcome what "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil" has done to us. We may not recover the innocence but we ARE declared innocent!
When God gave the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel, He told Moses to tell the people "If you will obey me fully and keep my covenant (agreement), then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5 & 6) Once again it comes down to believing God - who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) - and obeying His commands - that are given to protect us - and understanding that the snake is the father of lies (John 8:44) wanting to rob us of what he cannot have; life eternal WITH God.
Father, forgive me for the times I've believed the lies the snake whispers to me. I know You treasure me as I am, but I want to "reflect the Lord's glory, being transformed (changed forever) into (Your) likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18) I want to be just like you!
"Of course not!" "How could you say such a thing?" "That's preposterous, completely absurd!" you say?
Really? You're right of course. It is absurd and yet. . .
When is the last time you thought "I'm fat and ugly!"? How about "No one cares what I think. I'm stupid and have nothing of value to contribute!" Or "No one appreciates me. I give and give and give and no one even notices!" And "The only thing I'm good for is _________ (you fill in the blank!)". I could go on. It's a little like the old whine "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms!!" isn't it?
There may be a small element of truth in each of those statements but they are NOT absolutely true! When did we start thinking this way?
Well, not to blame the devil for everything but, he started it!
Genesis 3:1-7 (MSG)
1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
That snake was clever alright! He took God's words and twisted them first by saying "God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden, right?" The snake knew exactly what God had told them. (Gen. 2:16-17) 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17But (except) of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' (Amplified Bible) That snake told her "God lied to you. He was trying to trick you!" when he said, "You will not die."
God's instructions were very clear. You may eat of every tree except... The woman spoke correctly when she answered the snake but the snake caused her to doubt the command by saying "You won't die!" He told the woman that God was trying to trick her because "God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil and you will be like God!" (Gen 3:4) Why would God not want her to learn about good and evil or as the Message says it, "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."? Was God trying to keep her from being just like Him? If so, why does it say in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 (and several other places) "Be holy, because I am holy." In other words "Be just like me!" The snake accused God of jealousy. He convinced the woman that God didn't want her to be "just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." Vanity. He played on her vanity and pride! He used vanity to throw Eve off the course of God's plan for her and all the children of Eve as well - US!
The snake is still preying on people's vanity and pride today. Those half truths about our looks or brilliance, worth and value are again the snake's way of making us doubt God. God said we are His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5 & Deuteronomy 7:6) Think about that! God owns EVERYTHING yet we are His treasured possession, "the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8) The apple of his eye literally means "little man of his eye," referring to the pupil, a delicate part of the eye that is essential for vision and that therefore must be protected at all costs. (NIV footnotes for Deut. 32:10) It is an expression deep love. YOU are loved and precious to God Almighty. Not only does God want us to be "just like Him", He made it possible by sending Jesus, His only begotten son, to suffer death on a cross so we could overcome what "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil" has done to us. We may not recover the innocence but we ARE declared innocent!
When God gave the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel, He told Moses to tell the people "If you will obey me fully and keep my covenant (agreement), then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5 & 6) Once again it comes down to believing God - who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) - and obeying His commands - that are given to protect us - and understanding that the snake is the father of lies (John 8:44) wanting to rob us of what he cannot have; life eternal WITH God.
Father, forgive me for the times I've believed the lies the snake whispers to me. I know You treasure me as I am, but I want to "reflect the Lord's glory, being transformed (changed forever) into (Your) likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18) I want to be just like you!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Simple Complications
Wow! Last post was 10 months ago. I know - so who noticed?
Much has changed since September 26, 2009. There are going to be 2 new grandchildren before 2010 waves goodbye; it is doubtful that the public school systems will be my employer; all the kids are high school graduates; and the once complicated version of my life has just become "simply" complicated.
Simplicity isn't all it is cracked up to be. There, of course, is the first few days when looking at an empty calendar has the complete "Ahhhhh" factor going for it but then, in less time than expected, those empty pages loom ever so daunting. The echo of time for yourself becomes worrisome and depressing. Yard work, cleaning, social activities, vacation, kids, grandkids' ballgames...all great and (hate to admit it) cathartic but summer comes to an end and then what?
That is pretty much where I am. (Yes, I know the date is only July 13 but I'm a planner - so, I'm already preparing for my angst!)
I've been sitting in my "little piece of heaven" (our backyard) every morning listening to the world of birds, cars and our neighbor's roofing project all around me. The Bible is sitting on my lap and my laptop is open to a newly created folder, Devotions/Journal. Prayer has led me to scriptures that have been inspiring and encouraging. There is peace that comes with my time with the Lord and I feel freedom in the "down time". God knows where I am, how empty my calendar is and just what will be filling my days in the future. He has led me to this place, provided ALL that I have need of and He hasn't forgotten me. Just as I had to rely on God to help me get through the days of "too much to do", I MUST rely on Him in these "empty calendar" days. After all God made us all a promise in Hebrews 13:5 (MSG) "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," I guess that means He's staring at those empty calendar pages, too. (I'm pretty sure, however, that God has those Benjamin Franklin glasses that let you read the invisible water markings on those "empty pages"! You know - like in "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage.....? What? You don't watch movies?)
Much has changed since September 26, 2009. There are going to be 2 new grandchildren before 2010 waves goodbye; it is doubtful that the public school systems will be my employer; all the kids are high school graduates; and the once complicated version of my life has just become "simply" complicated.
Simplicity isn't all it is cracked up to be. There, of course, is the first few days when looking at an empty calendar has the complete "Ahhhhh" factor going for it but then, in less time than expected, those empty pages loom ever so daunting. The echo of time for yourself becomes worrisome and depressing. Yard work, cleaning, social activities, vacation, kids, grandkids' ballgames...all great and (hate to admit it) cathartic but summer comes to an end and then what?
That is pretty much where I am. (Yes, I know the date is only July 13 but I'm a planner - so, I'm already preparing for my angst!)
I've been sitting in my "little piece of heaven" (our backyard) every morning listening to the world of birds, cars and our neighbor's roofing project all around me. The Bible is sitting on my lap and my laptop is open to a newly created folder, Devotions/Journal. Prayer has led me to scriptures that have been inspiring and encouraging. There is peace that comes with my time with the Lord and I feel freedom in the "down time". God knows where I am, how empty my calendar is and just what will be filling my days in the future. He has led me to this place, provided ALL that I have need of and He hasn't forgotten me. Just as I had to rely on God to help me get through the days of "too much to do", I MUST rely on Him in these "empty calendar" days. After all God made us all a promise in Hebrews 13:5 (MSG) "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," I guess that means He's staring at those empty calendar pages, too. (I'm pretty sure, however, that God has those Benjamin Franklin glasses that let you read the invisible water markings on those "empty pages"! You know - like in "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage.....? What? You don't watch movies?)
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