God Loves the Dingbat

Beginnings, choices and voices ...beginnings, choices, and voices …(Ephesians 6:11-13) Daily, the wrestling match ensues... Oh, it is not with the people out there driving too slow, making our lives miserable, getting in our faces, stealing the show, butting in line, taking the credit, blaming us, shaming us, and treating us like dirt. Our struggle is not with the waster, the divert-er, the boaster, the people user, the abuser, and the hypocrite. We will all fall victim to those whose only defense for their failures is to throw the suspicion towards “those” people, and “those” people will always find themselves hurled under the proverbial bus. And we will find ourselves as “those” people. Welcome to the “under the bus” club!   Note for Thought: If we start under the bus, there is hope for us.

That “Dingbat” … woe! When I heard that I just had to find out where that came from. A quick Google search revealed these synonyms:  
berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], cuckoo, ding-a-ling, fool, ding-dong, dipstick, doofus [slang], featherhead, git [British], goose, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo (Oh, we are loving this!)

I found even more: daredevil; madman, madwoman; airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, cretin, dodo, dolt, donkey, dope, dork [slang], dumbbell, dummy, dunce, fathead, gander, goon, half-wit, idiot, ignoramus, imbecile, know-nothing, knucklehead, moron, numskull (or numbskull), pinhead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schlump [slang], schnook [slang], stock; featherbrain, scatterbrain; butt, dupe, laughingstock, mockery, monkey; chump, loser, schlemiel (also shlemiel); character, codger, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, kook, oddball, screwball, weirdo (now we have even more ammo!)

As self appointed "gods", we as humans are so good at coming up with names to put others outside of the “normal?” universe that we rule. WE ALL DO THIS because we are intimidated by beginnings, choices and voices that could have the potential to cause failure in our lives. We have developed a reflex that will "wrestle against flesh and blood" instead of trusting the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We don't want to be associated with a risk that could tarnish our name; so instead of love being the overt stamp of grace on others… we choose to tattoo shame on the fallen and create untouchable outcasts out of those whom Christ died for. WE HAVE NO RIGHT!
 
How does God respond to the ninny-hammer, the dingbat, the crackhead? Do you truly realize that “We have all gone out of the way” and “we have all become unprofitable” and “none of us (continually) do good” … “no not one”. We absolutely have no qualifications to disqualify. We have not a good enough name to derogatorily rename another.

 “And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen.32:30 “Turning away blameless”. Wow! Seeing God face to face. God, who had the potential to do things far more devastating to him than any enemy he would ever encounter, and all that He plunders and carries away is Jacob's old life. Jacob stands there after the dust settles with a limp and a new name that shouts “God Prevails!”. Jacob no more … walk on, move forward, Oh Israel!

Jacob faced God with all the crud that he was, and God set him forward as blameless and beloved. Love is the true power of our God … He knows that we will fall upon narrow torrential passage ways in life that could devastate us. Instead of writing us off, He stays with us, wrestles with us, and blesses us in the end.

Are we willing to see the beginnings, choices and voices as an opportunity to empty ourselves of “self” and be filled with Him? If so, we will find as Jacob did ... “God Prevails!”.

A loser becomes beloved, as a loser loves the unloved, for God loves the loser and the unloved...follow His example.

HLFA,

Jeff

Selfless Lepers Needed

Why is it that it is so hard to believe a leper? Now that is a question that you don't hear every day!

Take your imagination with me for a moment, although some of the envisioning may be upsetting to our comfortable life style. (Let me transport you via your imagination to a story that reveals our truth for the day.) Take a deep breath and ... Look around you, you live in the midst of a walled community. Outside the wall is the enemy who is threatening to kill you if you come out. Inside the community, living has been reduced to an “anything goes” mentality to satisfy starvation. There are three choices on the menu … dead people body parts, pigeon dung, or baby bisque. (Yes, you heard me right … this moment in the life of this community is so desperate and hopeless they are eating their infant children … pretty disgusting!).

As hopeless as this community's situation was, there was a rumor in the King's palace that there would be a miraculous breakthrough in provisions the next day. However, this was quickly dismissed and squelched by the King's most trusted press secretary. The rumor stood though, because is was spoken by the prophet, the man of God in the community.

When the morning news came on ... at the break of day, the morning news team (comprised of four lepers), had done the unthinkable; they were broadcasting from outside the wall. As pitiful and as ragged as they appeared on the TV screen, they were doing their best to tell about a life changing and life giving event. It was a really tough situation for this news team because first of all they were up against horrendous unbelief created by the self serving media within the community, and secondly, because they were the outcasts...why should they begin to offer a rescue to those who wouldn't even so much as touch them, let alone believe what they say. The Leper News Headline … “The Enemy has fled and left amazing supplies behind! Come, See and be Saved!” Immediately the King's press secretary launched his spin on the situation... “Lepers! A trick of the enemy! Go, see, and die!

Wow! As it always is, there is a great contradiction in the midst of life giving situations. Faith always seems to be a risk because it is so hard to see beyond our immediate situation … whether it be pain and disappointment, or pleasure and self sufficiency. The common man is always swimming in the sea of voices, that creates a vacuum that sucks the treasures of truth into a tangled mess of dirt and debris.

“If God is good, and I am His, then why is this happening to me?” “God answers everyone else's prayers; I pray and God never (what that ungrateful word) answers mine.” Somehow we think we are special, privileged characters. not even being grateful for the truth that we are special, privileged characters. The problem is we, as rebellious children think we know what is best. We define the parameters of the answers that we will deem acceptable. We want the Father to do what we say, instead of waiting on his provision that will be tailored to draw us closer to Him. Children don't really want things, they want their Daddy!

One other important dimension to the story … the lepers had a choice to continue burying provisions for themselves or rescue the community. Although God's provision will initially save us, it is meant to be shared with others through us. This will be a critical element that opens up real life to us. When we can rise up from our own pain, and love others in spite of our self perception, we will truly find Him there empowering us. We all know how it feels to be a leper; but it is so refreshing when the leper can trump the press secretary and bring hope to a hopeless community. Rise up Lepers!

Oh by the way the story in II Kings 7 ends with the Press Secretary becoming the gatekeeper (imagine that?)…and he gets trampled to death as the community goes out of their walls, sees the provision that the lepers spoke of, and is saved. The lepers enjoy the stigma of becoming the unlikely heroes, while the “nay saying” press secretary “Goes, sees and dies” .

Where will your leprosy take you – to a death via doubt and self-pity; or to a new abundant life of giving.

Psalm 27:14 - “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Psalm 37:34 – "Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.”

Prov. 20:22 – "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”
 
Rumor has it, Let God be true; and every opposing man a liar.

HLFA,
  
Jeff

Waters of Contention or Connection

“For He is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (Meribah), and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.”
Psalm 95:7-9

Where does your need drive you? Where does your pain take you? What do you do with that gnawing desire? How do you handle that moment when you can't take it any longer? Where will disappointment take you? Will your painful moment become a point of contention instead of a point of connection?

The scripture that begins this week's thought actually refers to events in the wilderness wanderings of Israel that can be found recorded in Exodus chapter 17 and Numbers chapter 20. These events are driven by the people's need for water, and how the supply of the water was handled. Each time, the people threatened their leaders and hardened their hearts against God in a struggle to relieve their physical pain. You just have to shake your head as you read these accounts because you can see the deja vu and also the differences in the events.

Here is a snap shot view of both events:

Event # 1 (Exodus 17): In the Wilderness of Sin – in a resting place - no water – the thirsty people threaten their leader, and deny their God– the leader pleads with God in the wilderness– God gives a plan to acquire water from the Rock. This is the first “Meribah” - “strike the Rock”. The Rock was struck by the Rod of Moses and out came all the necessary water. God was sanctified but how, by contention or connection?

Event # 2 (Numbers 20): Death in the wilderness is now a reality – in the Wilderness of Zin – in a Holy place – the thirsty people once again threaten their leader and deny their God – the leader pleas with God at the door of the tabernacle – God gives a plan to acquire water from the Rock. The second “Meribah” - speak to the Rock – Moses speaks his anger to the people and then proceeds to strike the Rock instead of speaking to the Rock… not once but twice. Moses now finds that He has hindered the process of setting the Lord in a special place in the midst of the people, and he is denied access to Promised Land (remember that Canaan is not Heaven!) God is sanctified but how, by contention or connection?

Look at the similarities of the 2 events and the differences; for the sake of time - we are not going to swim in all the theological implications found in these passages. My humblest apologies to those people who love to squabble over the deeper Biblical implications of passages of scripture, but in the midst of the story of the waters of “Meribah” is a basic truth that God wants us to take away. The need that gnaws at your life is not to create strife and contention between you and your God, but to further provoke a closer relationship with Him.

When you are faced with a great distressing need in your life, what you do in those moments will either walk you into even more pain and disappointment (contention), or a deeper more grateful understanding of God's loving care for you (connection). The reality in these events is that God will be Set Apart. He will either be set apart as an adversary or as a loving advocate.

The reality for His kids is He will always be our advocate (because of the Grace extended via Christ's blood that was shed for us) – He will take care of us. He will put up with our complaining in the pain. He will put up with our disappointment with timing; and He will put up with our disappointment with Him. But when an event crushes in on us and we hear His voice ... don't contend; connect and let Him begin His healing care for us. OH, by the way – weeping may endure for a night season (and He is there), but joy will finally come in the morning (knowing He is there). Don't spend the night season wrestling with yourself ... Wait on the the Lord!!

HLFA,

Jeff

"What is it?" is enough!

I looked back briefly at the fresh graves behind us as we moved toward a more permanent residence to regroup and recoup after The Tragedy. I heard the place we were leaving was called “Kibrothhattaavah” , which meant “the graves of those who lusted”. The whole tragic event was so surreal, just a couple of months ago the whole congregation all seemed to be content with the daily supply of “What is it?”. Every morning, we were all surprised to find that our supply (of what looked like small dark seeds and tasted like“fresh sweet oil”) to strengthen our joy was always there to revive us as we moved forward to our promised rest.

As I now look back, I am amazed at how the shadow of death had crept in on us until it was a welcome guest in the midst of our fellowship. And “They” came with the shadow… "the Gatherers", "the Collectors", "the Hoarders". They started taking a stand in the middle of our gatherings and began growing in numbers. They would constantly whine and complain, and try to take more of this daily provision for joy than was necessary; and hoard it.

Each evening though, they would find their coffers full of rotting and maggot infested sorrow instead of the daily joy that could have been theirs at the break of every day. Every night you could hear them weeping at the door of their dwellings as they would look into their putrefied stash, and bewail the fact that “more” was what they needed even though it would rot. Every day they would try to raise the bar of their gathering, and every night they would cry “How Long?”. If they could only have more, then they would be happy.

Even as this scene repeated night after night, it began to intensify and weary those who were content to be surprised with “enough for today”. This selfish longing of "the Collectors" had now transcended to an ungrateful lust for the things that they had previously hated in the land of their captivity. These “Gatherers” actually fell so low that they began despising not only their daily supply of joy but also the Supplier. Their overt lack of gratitude was even beginning to convince the Contented that maybe the Collectors were more spiritual because they longed for “more”. This was about to be put to the test.

Seventy Men gathered with our leader near the Wilderness Assembly Point. They were filled with the same Spirit as our leader was, to proclaim the need for gratitude, the need for contentment, and of the coming judgment upon those would would continue to lust. Two young men in our camp, named “God has Loved” and “Love”, actually had not joined with our leader as planned, but they too were filled with the Spirit to proclaim also (this was a little troubling because now the message of love from above was clearer than before). And the message was clear, “Be Content; or you will receive what you have lusted for, and it will be your end.”

Numbers 11:19, 20 – “Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out of your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and ye have wept before Him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?”

The Next thing I took knowledge of was two winds began to turn against each other, creating a waterspout from the sea. Instead of water dumping on us, it began raining Sea Birds. It rained so hard that we were up to our knees in birds as far as we could walk in either direction in a day. Many people started acting crazy and gathering the birds in piles (the least I saw gathered would have filled about twelve - 55 gallon drums).And the disgusting feast began until it ended with nostrils filled with raw meat and feathers, and graves being dug. The test was over.

Be very careful to be very grateful for your daily provision from the Lord. He wants to be the source of your Joy, and is more than sufficient to lavish you with His love. A lack of gratitude will cause you to miss that He is with you. A lack of gratitude will cause you to long for the life that was killing you. Be content with your God, and wait with thankful anticipation for your daily “What is it?”

True vibrant life in Christ is found in the daily anticipation of His love surprises.

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

HLFA,

Jeff

The Unseen Preparation

I was a “brother from another mother” because I talked kindly to a shuttle driver. I was welcomed as a twin to a dark skinned sister because I shared a similar need for glasses. I became the brother of a Jamaican McDonald’s employee because I was wearing the same shirt he was wearing. I found I had an older sister(though I was first born) in Michigan because we were not ashamed to share God's love and care for us. I found reconnection to old acquaintances because of my wife’s choice of travel plans and restaurants. I find that kind words and a soft approachable spirit bring awesome pathways to “God” relationships with beautiful fallen people.

Hold on for a moment! Slow down and pull up on the reins of your heart so that you don't run off at a full gallop into the realm of Mundane. It is never “just another day”. This is the only day that you can count on, that you actually have to experience His great love for you. “Behold, Now is the accepted time, Behold, now is the day of salvation”, … Today if you hear His voice harden not your heart." (this is mentioned in scripture four times). Today is His prepared opportunity for adventure with you.

Stop for another moment – The passage of scripture above shares a place where God's heart is broken: During their wilderness wanderings, the children of Israel were standing in the middle of God's amazing provisions and still could not or would see the wonderful things that God had been doing and was preparing for them each step of their journey. Possibly it was their propensity to whine and complain (which they learned in Egypt), instead of responding with an open show of gratitude for God's goodness to them. This habit of complaining finally that left most all of them dead in the wilderness. This is not God's plan for you, but the example is reported.
  
Those who see God with a grateful heart when confronted by the smallest wonders, will also have opportunities for the greatest amazement and experiences that allow them to be lavished by His passionate desire to love them.

Before we go any further please check your Identity – have you placed your faith in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as the full payment of your sins and your only hope of eternal life? This is not meant to be a trick question – let me word it another way to spark devotion... Are you one of His Kid's because of His sacrifice for you? Hopefully the answer is “Yes” , for the journey I am sharing today is for you; (if not, please call on Him while you have breath ...don't delay … don't risk another day ...because “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; but He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, and wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36)

HEY KIDS OF THE KING! – MEDITATE ON THESE THREE VERSES FOR A MOMENT: Psalm 23:5 - “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Devotional Thought – He wants to anoint us with overflowing Joy because of His preparation... where is the overflow to go?)
Isaiah 64:4 - “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him." (Devotional Thought – God, who never changes, has glorious love surprises for those who wait for Him with humble expectation... what is our response to be?)
I Corinthians 2:9 – “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (Devotional Thought – This is a re-quote of Isaiah – with an added emphasis on “love” as to the motive of the waiting in humble expectation... Why is Love now mentioned in the New Testament with the re-quoting of the verse?)
HE WANTS EVERY DAY TO BE AN ADVENTURE OF THE HEART FOR US THAT WILL DRAW US CLOSER TO HIM AND OTHERS IN THE PROCESS.
 
Jesus is preparing ahead of you for the supply for your journey. He is hiding “heart surprises” along the way to remind you that He loves you. He is desiring to connect you to events of eternal consequence each and every day. Those events are attached to people that you meet along the way. Though some you will connect with and others will pass you by, there are no failures in the economy of the Kingdom, unless we refuse to acknowledge the obvious provision of our God. His rest and refreshment that He offers to each of His heavy laden wanderers is found in the opening of our spiritual heart, eyes and ears so we can catch glimpses of His preparation. This preparation is carried on right under the nose of our enemies but right in front of our eyes so He can bring amazement and joy to us if we just allow Him to open up our hearts.

Your voice pattern, your hair color, your smile, your gestures, your clothes, your glasses, your opportunities, your delays, your job, your travels, your travel plans, your meal choices, your appointments, your working, your shopping, your secret time, ...and on and on … He prepares bridges of familiar connection to others so that there is an opportunity for His love to be known by and through you. Real lasting Joy comes into our life when see that Jesus wants to lavish His love on us to love others through us.

O if only we would allow our lives to truly open up for others, we would find His provisions flowing like a refreshing river through our lives. God has prepared the way ahead for this “living waters life” ...instead of being downcast, lift up your eyes and see the salvation of your God, but don't shut down the vision by selfishly feeding and fulfilling only your needs.

One voice singing in the darkness raises hope; many voices joining-in raise courage. Don't let the “Dream Hater” squelch your voice by camping your heart in disappointment.
Trust God's unseen preparation!

HLFA,

 Jeff