I'm sitting here in our family room, tree lit, kids asleep, Joanna reading her Bible, and a pretty clean house. The house wasn't so clean earlier; it took a little work throughout the day to get it this way. But the distance between a dirty house and a clean house wasn't so great today, b/c the house wasn't in terrible shape. Exactly UNlike the world Jesus was born into. It was a wreck ... and the distance He came to get here was enormous ... we were literally worlds apart. The distance from dirty to clean wasn't much for us today because we were kinda close to clean already, but the distance from dirty to clean for humanity is enormous. And it's because this distance is so great that Jesus came to earth. But the fact that we don't realize just how far from clean we are is the reason we don't realize just how far from earth Heaven is. It's the reason we aren't as amazed as we should be at the incarnation. The distance covered in the incarnation was more than we think.
I fear that we underestimate just how great a distance it was. Often because we don't think we're really that bad; we don't live with an honest assessment of how desperate we are without Christ. Or we tend to think we deserved a Messiah; God's ultimate plan was my salvation and so of course Jesus came (and if it's such a given that He would come ... then it probably wasn't too big of a deal for him to get here). These presumptuous thoughts lead us to misunderstand that the life of Christ was defined by sacrifice, even in the incarnation. Jesus stepped out of glory, as Paul said in Philippians 2 ... "he emptied himself." He didn't slightly alter himself; He didn't forgo some of his glory; He didn't pretend to hurt while all the while maintaining a god-like resistance to human pain. We think we sacrifice when we go on a one week mission trip to a lesser developed nation ... for one week. How bout out of the glory of Heaven into a feeding trough ... to begin a 33 year journey. He went the distance, a whole lot of distance ... to get to us ... so we could get to Him.
John 12:41 offers some insight for understanding the great distance from Heaven to earth: "Isaiah said this because he saw His glory and spoke about him." What is John talking about? When did Isaiah see Jesus? More tomorrow.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Christmas Bug
I got it early this year. So did Joanna. In fact, we bucked tradition and put our tree up today (instead of the day after Thanksgiving, which would be tomorrow). I know it's only one day, but we feel like we got in a whole extra week of Christmas celebration by our early start. This early Christmas excitement also comes with a fresh hunger for deeper insight into the all too familiar Christmas story, which coincides nicely with my desire to post more regularly. So, here we go ... it's November 25, a month til Christmas ... and this is the first of a month's worth of posts that will ultimately center around the miracle that sets the scene for my salvation ... the incarnation. God ... in the flesh. Here. On this earth ... from Heaven. I think my complacency with the story stems from a lack understanding about just how far it is, the trip from Heaven ... to earth. More tomorrow.
Monday, October 18, 2010
It Is Not Good for the Man to Be Alone ...
Last night was a great demonstration of the truth of this foundational biblical principle found in Genesis 2. This is, in fact, the first thing in all of creation that was declared by God to be "not good" ... it wasn't good then, and it isn't good now.
Joanna left Sunday afternoon to go to a church planters wives' conference in Arkansas. I was thrilled that she got to go, but slightly intimidated by the daunting task ahead of me ... being a single dad for a couple days. Of course she left me with detailed instructions, all supplies needed, meals in the fridge, and the promise of a sweet reunion in a few days.
So, last night was my first go round ... only mildly disastrous. Invited TC over to help out ... and cause I wanted to go throw football and Trey's not quite old enough, and Mary Grace said her arm was a little sore from all the clapping lately (she's just learned to clap, very cute). But here's the thing - I knew Trey needed to poop, and we're trying to get all that into the toilet for good. So I put him on, he had his normal stage fright, didn't perform (you gotta relax that thing son), and I put his underwear back on and headed out to the park to play football.
Really Robby? He had not "moved" in over 24 hours, what made me think he was gonna hold it til we got back home? And I left him in underwear?! Anyway, we played, he ran with us and had a blast, so cute, and then he kinda walked away and went toward the playground, next thing I know he's waddling ... and I'm kickin myself for being so stupid. There we are, no diaper, no wipes, no change of clothes ... and a load of crap in his underpants. I removed said underpants ... buried them along with their fresh contents, put his pants back on (giving him his first free*&#$%* experience ... hm, so it wasn't all bad) ... and headed home.
Well, that was just the first issue. Got home, put him in the tub, put his pants in the wash, disaster over ... so, what's for dinner? Mexican lasagna, excellent. It takes 45 minutes to cook. It's 7:00. Their bed time is 8:00. Long night ahead. So, we ate, fed them, cleaned their cute messy faces off, got jammies on, gave Trey his tea, gave MG her lotion, brushed Trey's teeth, made him his little covers fort, and put those boogers in bed. Nice, aside from a late dinner and getting them in bed late, not bad.
I went to grab my phone and see if Joanna called ... hmm, where's my phone? "TC have you seen my phone? Call my phone dude I gotta find it" Nope, nowhere. Uh, where did you have it last? Oh... yea, Trey had it. He was holding it in the stroller on the way to the park. Cue tape of Robby with headlamp on driving slowly toward the park looking for his phone on the road, expecting to find it in pieces. Got all the way to the park, nothin. Until I walked by the slide and saw it sitting on the ground ... with nine missed calls from TC. Disaster averted.
Well, needless to say, we all slept well. That is, until 11:53 when Mary Grace decided to wake up crying. But the miracle is that I heard her ... and was coherent enough to know to go check on her and make her a bottle.
Well, it's 11:30, and Trey just woke up crying, gotta go.
Hurry back mommy, we miss you.
Joanna left Sunday afternoon to go to a church planters wives' conference in Arkansas. I was thrilled that she got to go, but slightly intimidated by the daunting task ahead of me ... being a single dad for a couple days. Of course she left me with detailed instructions, all supplies needed, meals in the fridge, and the promise of a sweet reunion in a few days.
So, last night was my first go round ... only mildly disastrous. Invited TC over to help out ... and cause I wanted to go throw football and Trey's not quite old enough, and Mary Grace said her arm was a little sore from all the clapping lately (she's just learned to clap, very cute). But here's the thing - I knew Trey needed to poop, and we're trying to get all that into the toilet for good. So I put him on, he had his normal stage fright, didn't perform (you gotta relax that thing son), and I put his underwear back on and headed out to the park to play football.
Really Robby? He had not "moved" in over 24 hours, what made me think he was gonna hold it til we got back home? And I left him in underwear?! Anyway, we played, he ran with us and had a blast, so cute, and then he kinda walked away and went toward the playground, next thing I know he's waddling ... and I'm kickin myself for being so stupid. There we are, no diaper, no wipes, no change of clothes ... and a load of crap in his underpants. I removed said underpants ... buried them along with their fresh contents, put his pants back on (giving him his first free*&#$%* experience ... hm, so it wasn't all bad) ... and headed home.
Well, that was just the first issue. Got home, put him in the tub, put his pants in the wash, disaster over ... so, what's for dinner? Mexican lasagna, excellent. It takes 45 minutes to cook. It's 7:00. Their bed time is 8:00. Long night ahead. So, we ate, fed them, cleaned their cute messy faces off, got jammies on, gave Trey his tea, gave MG her lotion, brushed Trey's teeth, made him his little covers fort, and put those boogers in bed. Nice, aside from a late dinner and getting them in bed late, not bad.
I went to grab my phone and see if Joanna called ... hmm, where's my phone? "TC have you seen my phone? Call my phone dude I gotta find it" Nope, nowhere. Uh, where did you have it last? Oh... yea, Trey had it. He was holding it in the stroller on the way to the park. Cue tape of Robby with headlamp on driving slowly toward the park looking for his phone on the road, expecting to find it in pieces. Got all the way to the park, nothin. Until I walked by the slide and saw it sitting on the ground ... with nine missed calls from TC. Disaster averted.
Well, needless to say, we all slept well. That is, until 11:53 when Mary Grace decided to wake up crying. But the miracle is that I heard her ... and was coherent enough to know to go check on her and make her a bottle.
Well, it's 11:30, and Trey just woke up crying, gotta go.
Hurry back mommy, we miss you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Psalms and Mtn Biking
I've really slacked on my psalms readings ... but my energy has been thrown pretty seriously into preaching the psalms ... Psalm 73 last week "but as for me it is good to ..." (you'll have to look it up ... or go to Movement Church podcast to suffer through the sermon =). Psalm 67 this week - joy to the nations ... will consider - why does God bless someone ... how does God bring joy to the nations ... and ultimately, how can we be part of that?
In other news - I connected with a cool group of mtn bikers in Richmond Wednesday to begin a series of time trial races throughout the rest of the summer. By buddy Matt Dorinsky joined me ... and a big thanks to master mtn biker Mike for putting it all together.
In other news - I connected with a cool group of mtn bikers in Richmond Wednesday to begin a series of time trial races throughout the rest of the summer. By buddy Matt Dorinsky joined me ... and a big thanks to master mtn biker Mike for putting it all together.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ch. 10, 12, 13
Ch. 10
1-5
The arrogant wicked man who abuses the poor is introduced here – he renounces the Lord, says “there is no god,” and yet, he seems to prosper. The psalmist laments at this apparent injustice, wondering why the Lord seems “far away” and “hidden.” Most significant phrase in this first section: “your judgments are on high, out of his sight.” He may think he’s got it made, but the Lord’s judgment is not always obvious nor immediate. His walking on thin ice, and feeling confident about it.
6-11
His ignorant arrogance is flaming in this section: “I shall not meet adversity … murders the innocent … seizes the poor … says in his heart ‘God has forgotten… he will never see it’ ”
12-18
A plea to God to arise and remember the afflicted, to “break the arm of the evildoer.” The psalmist reminds himself that though the wicked doubt God’s justice (“you will not call to account”), God does see and will “take it into your hands.” His heart for the afflicted really shines through here as well: “to you the helpless commits himself, you have been the helper of the fatherless … you hear the desire of the afflicted … do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed.”
In summary – this psalm recognizes the injustice of living in a fallen world, where wicked arrogant men doubt God’s authority, and also diverts one’s response to this injustice from despair to hope, by affirming God’s authority and compassion for the afflicted. May we take part in joining God’s action against injustice and pointing the afflicted to His grace, while praying for the wicked that they may be broken and repent.
Ch. 12
David emphasizes what people are saying, what’s coming out of their mouths: “lies, flattering lips, tongue that makes great boasts.” In contrast to that: “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined… purified seven times”
“because the needy groan, I will now arise … I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” God’s heart to meet those who are needy and act in their behalf.
Ch. 13
“sorrow in my heart all day” … David is constantly being honest about the struggles in his life and the sorrow in his heart, and he wonders how long it will last. He feels as if God is hiding his face from him. Is he? Maybe, maybe God wants him to trust in what is real, not in what he can feel. David’s request: “consider and answer me.” Conclusion, ends in faith: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Themes: the themes of wicked men, the afflicted, (often afflicted by wicked men), specifically-the author's enemies, and the author's trust in God, b/c He is righteous and good, a refuge to be trusted in.
1-5
The arrogant wicked man who abuses the poor is introduced here – he renounces the Lord, says “there is no god,” and yet, he seems to prosper. The psalmist laments at this apparent injustice, wondering why the Lord seems “far away” and “hidden.” Most significant phrase in this first section: “your judgments are on high, out of his sight.” He may think he’s got it made, but the Lord’s judgment is not always obvious nor immediate. His walking on thin ice, and feeling confident about it.
6-11
His ignorant arrogance is flaming in this section: “I shall not meet adversity … murders the innocent … seizes the poor … says in his heart ‘God has forgotten… he will never see it’ ”
12-18
A plea to God to arise and remember the afflicted, to “break the arm of the evildoer.” The psalmist reminds himself that though the wicked doubt God’s justice (“you will not call to account”), God does see and will “take it into your hands.” His heart for the afflicted really shines through here as well: “to you the helpless commits himself, you have been the helper of the fatherless … you hear the desire of the afflicted … do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed.”
In summary – this psalm recognizes the injustice of living in a fallen world, where wicked arrogant men doubt God’s authority, and also diverts one’s response to this injustice from despair to hope, by affirming God’s authority and compassion for the afflicted. May we take part in joining God’s action against injustice and pointing the afflicted to His grace, while praying for the wicked that they may be broken and repent.
Ch. 12
David emphasizes what people are saying, what’s coming out of their mouths: “lies, flattering lips, tongue that makes great boasts.” In contrast to that: “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined… purified seven times”
“because the needy groan, I will now arise … I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” God’s heart to meet those who are needy and act in their behalf.
Ch. 13
“sorrow in my heart all day” … David is constantly being honest about the struggles in his life and the sorrow in his heart, and he wonders how long it will last. He feels as if God is hiding his face from him. Is he? Maybe, maybe God wants him to trust in what is real, not in what he can feel. David’s request: “consider and answer me.” Conclusion, ends in faith: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Themes: the themes of wicked men, the afflicted, (often afflicted by wicked men), specifically-the author's enemies, and the author's trust in God, b/c He is righteous and good, a refuge to be trusted in.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Psalm 4
Some of the same themes here: calling to God, requesting an answer (emphasizing communication w/ God, a God who is near, not distant, a God who hears, and yet even though David believes this, he still asks God to answer), reminder of times when God has been there, frustration with wicked men, trust in the Lord, joy in the Lord, delighting in Him more than the treasures of this world (grain and new wine), and then he ends with peace, trusting that God makes him “dwell in safety.”
So, David recognizes his circumstances, but calls on the God who is in control of circumstances, for a joy that goes beyond his circumstances. He finds his joy in God – “you have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” David’s joy, based on God’s goodness in spite of his circumstances (“you have given relief when I was in distress”), is deeper, better, more real, than their joy that is based on their circumstances (grain and new wine abound).
So, David recognizes his circumstances, but calls on the God who is in control of circumstances, for a joy that goes beyond his circumstances. He finds his joy in God – “you have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” David’s joy, based on God’s goodness in spite of his circumstances (“you have given relief when I was in distress”), is deeper, better, more real, than their joy that is based on their circumstances (grain and new wine abound).
Sunday, May 16, 2010
chapter 2, 3
(this discipline thing is kinda tough for me, but I soldier on; here's ch. 2,3 ... I also realize there's not always going to be a ground-breaking insight, but through the discipline I hope to find some ground-breaking insights)
Ch. 2
This is a psalm about the Messiah (the “anointed one”) … the rulers of the world will conspire against Him (which happened), but Yahweh defends Him in anger, affirming the Kingship of the Messiah. His anger is against the wicked, but the blessed man can take refuge in Him. (and yet, even though His anger is directed against the wicked, the Anointed One takes that anger upon Himself for all who call on Him to do so, even the very wicked that have conspired against Him)
Ch. 3
A lot of the psalms deal with David just crying out to God, being real about how he feels, particularly about his trials/enemies. This is one of those. I find it interesting that one of the comments that his enemies were making about him was that “God will not deliver him.” But then David reminds himself who God is: “You are a shield around me.” He puts his fears aside in light of God’s protection and sustaining power in his life; he calls on the Lord to deliver him, and he again reminds himself: “from the Lord comes deliverance.” And finishes with a plea for blessing on “your people” … so even in his distress, his prayer is not only for himself, but for the people, and, it’s a prayer for God’s blessing – a theme that runs throughout Scripture, starting with God “blessing them” and telling them to be fruitful and multiply.
Ch. 2
This is a psalm about the Messiah (the “anointed one”) … the rulers of the world will conspire against Him (which happened), but Yahweh defends Him in anger, affirming the Kingship of the Messiah. His anger is against the wicked, but the blessed man can take refuge in Him. (and yet, even though His anger is directed against the wicked, the Anointed One takes that anger upon Himself for all who call on Him to do so, even the very wicked that have conspired against Him)
Ch. 3
A lot of the psalms deal with David just crying out to God, being real about how he feels, particularly about his trials/enemies. This is one of those. I find it interesting that one of the comments that his enemies were making about him was that “God will not deliver him.” But then David reminds himself who God is: “You are a shield around me.” He puts his fears aside in light of God’s protection and sustaining power in his life; he calls on the Lord to deliver him, and he again reminds himself: “from the Lord comes deliverance.” And finishes with a plea for blessing on “your people” … so even in his distress, his prayer is not only for himself, but for the people, and, it’s a prayer for God’s blessing – a theme that runs throughout Scripture, starting with God “blessing them” and telling them to be fruitful and multiply.
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