Author: Lynden McGriff

As we start this new year, and as we reflect on the past year and past experiences, we have a profound gratitude for God’s benevolence and love. 

When we look at Christ’s life, he did not have any of his major life events in permanent places… a lot of them were in temporary places. 

When he was born; he was in a manager in an Inn far from his home. 

When he was crucified, he was buried in a tomb that was not his own, and it was borrowed. 

Throughout his life, he had a stable and permanent home, but some of the most important remembrance is that we remember … were all temporary places. 

 

I believe that this was not a coincidence, but God wanted us to see that even in temporary places we can have a profound effect.

Throughout last year, God was preparing me for growth and expansion and my mind was ready. I grew a lot with the newfound understanding of situations and placement. I was able to find solace in Babylon when God has already created everything for us in Babylon. 

For every situation in life, God has already foretold ordained His power in the midst of it.

With that understanding, we can take solace in all situations. We find out being temporary is a place where God is able to do miracles. In temporary spots God is able to show profound power. We find that in a moment can be a lifetime for God and in a lifetime can be at a moment for him as well. Allow us to see the temporary spots as opportunities for something amazing to happen.

 

The things that are temporary that we can work through are:

Hurt is temporary.

Pain is temporary.

Confusion is temporary.

Death is temporary.

The one they need is consistent is God‘s love and God‘s presence in our life.

 

A couple years ago I was able to watch a documentary series with one of my children about space and time. In this documentary, the author shares that the outward portion of universe equates to about 5 billion years ago.  

There are still stars that are out there that have been there for 5 billion years. When we look at our lives, the maximum span is 120 years. In that vast span, our lives can be seen as temporary.

But even though they might be temporary the effects of our being and our love and our compassion extends beyond those years. 

Allow God to use you so that His presence and love is us  continues pass to others throughout the years to show his glory in his greatness.

“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Be blessed

Today’s Reading: Job 12-14; Psalms 100; Revelation 13

As I become more mature and received a little bit more wisdom, I take this time of the year to reflect on the past, and to see how I have grow over that year. In reflecting upon the blogs and the stories and the experiences that have been shared here on this platform, I have become a better person.

“Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.
²² Then summon me and I will answer,
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.
²³ How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
    Show me my offense and my sin.
²⁴ Why do you hide your face
    and consider me your enemy?
²⁵ Will you torment a windblown leaf? –

Job 13:21-25

The dragon^[a] stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ² The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. – Revelation 13: 1-3

In today’s reading, there is so much noise and confusion and chaos that upon first glance, you would become disengaged. But when you allow the spirit of God to mentor to you and to open your eyes to the full picture, we can see that in the midst of all of the chaos in our lives, we can still give thanks to God.

In the reading of Job, Job is struggling in a midst of his calamities and his trials. He is praising God with one voice and at the same time he is mad at himself. How many times throughout this past year have we had similar thoughts? How many times this past year have we been in the chaos that we did not understand why we were?

The next  passage is Psalms 100, which is a profound Thanksgiving song. This song gives me such hope. Hope for the past, hope for the  present, hope for the future. It is given thanks to God in all things. This is a testament to David and the spirit of God being with throughout his lifetime . We have the luxury of having spirit of God with us currently, but David had the heart of God. In the midst of all of his trials and heartaches, David still gives everything to God in praise and thanksgiving.

In the final reading, Revelation 13,  we are presented with a couple of unknowns that are told by John. When you read this chapter, you can become distraught and dismayed, but we know the ending of revelations we see that this God has overcome the evil.

So as we wind up the year, let us reflect on how God has already seen the end for us. Allow us to find peace in the knowledge that there will be calamities and trials and strife that we will endure this lifetime, but let’s be assured that we have a hope in Christ who has already completed the battle for us.

Let’s go to this new year with our spirits filled with hope and prosperity, joy and peace.

Be Blessed

Today’s Reading: Esther 7-10; Revelation 3

As we are in the middle of our Advent season, it’s no coincidence that this is one of the most stressful and tiring time of the year. 

We as Christians believe that this is the coming of Christ again into our lives. We have anticipation for that love and joy that he brings. When the original Heralds of Angels proclaimed the good news of Christ coming, they stated “peace beyond to you“. 

This is peace that we cannot understand and peace that we need for our spirits. But the adversary wants to distract us from that peace and that calmness. 

During the month of December, there are so many things to keep you busy. There are so many things to distract you from peace. There are so many things to distract you from calm. 

During December, many people are reliving grief from departed loved ones.

 

During December, so many of us have heartaches of unresolved angst. 

There is so much calamity that peace cannot be seen easily. That is why we have Christ to give us this peace during these tumultuous times.

In our reading in Esther,  there is a time of stress and chaos when Mordecai has been given a death sentence. Not only has he been given a death sentence, but his entire people and his race have been given a death sentence on an appointed day by his enemy. But God allows for his peace to come into this situation.  

“So the king and Haman went to dinner with Queen Esther. At this second dinner, while they were drinking wine the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what would you like? Half of my kingdom! Just ask and it’s yours.” Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your eyes, O King, and if it please the king, give me my life, and give my people their lives. “We’ve been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed—sold to be massacred, eliminated. If we had just been sold off into slavery, I wouldn’t even have brought it up; our troubles wouldn’t have been worth bothering the king over.” King Xerxes exploded, “Who? Where is he? This is monstrous!” “An enemy. An adversary. This evil Haman,” said Esther. Haman was terror-stricken before the king and queen.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, archenemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king because Esther had explained their relationship. The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This will bring so much calamity and so much strife to the best person. But God had a different plan. He softened the heart of King Xeres to hear Queen Esther‘s request and when the King heard the request he gave it graciously. This request actually saved Mordecai life in the Jewish people‘s lives.  Normally this would create discourse, but Mordecai was patient and allowed God to work through Esther for his own benefit. 

Sometimes we have to be patient and let God work through others for our behalf. We do not have to take the battle for ourselves, we do not have to defend our actions. We do not have to pick up any arms to protect us, if we know that God is for us. 

During this season, we can take solace in Christ, He has come before us and is working on our behalf. We do not have to endure the harshness of Winters alone. We do not have to do anything alone, because Christ is with us throughout everything.

This is the confidence that we have in Christ. This is what Christ sees in us :

““I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough. “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved. “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test. “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today’s Reading: Ezra 1-2: John 21

Advent is here! I am so excited to start the season of advent. At the beginning of last week I was a little bit sad and down, but with the change into December and the change in the temperature I’m getting excited about Advent and Christmas.  

I’ve got lights hung up outside. The front yard and the backyard are illuminated for the early evenings. I got the tree up with lights and the house is warm with the smell of coziness.  Jillian has set up the house with the beautiful decorations. We have started setting up the calendar for the world wind of weeks that we will have coming up soon. But we are excited about the coming together of family and friends and Christ.

In these two passages, we are gathering people. In Ezra chapter 1 and 2, King Cyrus is actually bringing the entire nation of Judah and Israel together to rebuild the nation and the Temple. This is the Exodus from Babylon. This is a celebration that was foretold several centuries before . In some of the previous blogs we have mentioned about the protection and provision that God has for us in Babylon. After we come out of Babylon, God has something amazing for us.

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—this fulfilled the Message of God preached by Jeremiah—God prodded Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom. He wrote it out as follows: From Cyrus king of Persia, a Proclamation: God, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship in Jerusalem, Judah. Who among you belongs to his people? God be with you! Go to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build The Temple of God, the God of Israel, Jerusalem’s God. Those who stay behind, wherever they happen to live, will support them with silver, gold, tools, and pack animals, along with Freewill-Offerings for The Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In the 21st chapter of John, Christ is meeting the disciples for the last time. Christ is making breakfast. Can’t you imagine that you have just finished up a long shift at work and you are tired.  You come home and when you walk in,  your special person is making your favorite breakfast.  Jesus is bringing the disciples together for a final meal.  This is the last breakfast.  In Advent, Jesus is bringing us together to celebrate each other.  Isn’t that what Advent for?  Bringing people together and restarting relationships.  

“Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

King Cyrus brought together 42,360 people together. Jesus brought together 7 people together for breakfast.  How many people will you bring together this season?  You can call someone or a group to share coffee or stories.  You can bring a drink or treat to your friend.  You can pay ahead for the person behind you in line.  Just start the process of opening up the season of togetherness.  

Be blessed 

Today’s Reading Ezekiel 31-33; John 11

It’s all about the timing.  Every day we are on a time schedule or clock. Trying to make sure that we are on time and leave on time and not falling behind time or being late. Time is one of the major stresses that we have in our daily life. It is interesting that the concept of time that we have currently has been constructed by man not by God. Man has to set limits and boundaries on the passage of time, but God exists in the absence of time.

One of the most profound stories that I can remember about God and time was from a message I heard several years ago. It was in reference to the wedding at Cana, John 2.  This was the first miracle of Christ where Jesus makes water into wine. But when you look at the true Manifestation of that miracle, Christ reaches through time to the end product of the wine and brings it to the present. Christ, who is fully human and fully divine, was able to transcend in time and create miracles.

In today’s passage, we see Christ, dealing with time in three different instances: in Lazarus’ sickness, in Lazarus’ death, and Lazarus’ resurrection.

“So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.3-5.ESV

In sickness 

In sickness, Jesus heard the news that his friend was sick. In other stories of Christ, we have witnessed Jesus speak the word of healing before the messenger  is sent, and the person is healed. But in this particular situation, Jesus allows  God’s fulfillment of his promises to the people to be shown.

“Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬, ‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.7-14.ESV

In death

 

The delay for Christ to come to see Lazarus was intentional. Christ knew that Lazarus was dead. But he wanted to allow others to see Lazarus dead and starting to decay. If he had shown up the day that Lazarus died then others could’ve said that he was not fully dead. But when we have this expanded time lapse from when he was sick and he died, it truly shows the full value of Christ’s ability to step into time to bring back the health and the fullness of the body in his time.

“Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬, ‭20‬-‭21‬, ‭32‬, ‭39‬, ‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.17-44.ESV

In resurrection 

The resurrection was a miracle that showed God‘s power through Christ. Many of the Jews that were abiding by the law of Moses, and the prophets believed in the resurrection of the dead in the last days. This was relayed by Martha, but Christ is showing that he is the resurrection and the time of renewal is in his hands that was given by God.

Many times in our life, we are going through so many trials and tribulations, and we cannot understand the true manifestation of God in these times. But each point in our journey is governed by God‘s time. Sometimes we have to go through some of the most excruciating circumstances so that the miracle can be shown that it was just through God‘s grace and nothing else. I witness so many miracles in my life that always can be attributed to God. Sometimes I do not like the timing, but He has not failed me in any of his amazing potential and resurrecting power.

Be blessed 

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1-3; John 1 

““But then when the time is ripe, I’ll free your tongue and you’ll say, ‘This is what God, the Master, says:. . .’ From then on it’s up to them. They can listen or not listen, whichever they like. They are a bunch of rebels!””

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

There are several different methods of listening, but two that are very important are active listening and passive listening.  When you’re actively listening, you are processing the words, the context, and the tone of the message. You are engaging in the full context of the message and you are understanding  the information to make an informed decision.

Passive listening is when you are just in the presence of the message and you hear the information, but you are not processing it. If you were asked to give information about the message at a later time you would not be able to relay the information.

In the two passages that we have today, Ezekiel and John, we have two messengers that are given their assignments and they are tasked to relay the information. In Ezekiel, Ezekiel is afraid of the persecution of the individual that he is tasked to deliver this message. He is in the midst of the exiles in Babylon. From my previous writing, we find that the individuals in Babylon were protected by God if they abided by his rules and listened to Jeremiah. 

And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions.[j] Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 2: 5-7

In contrast in John, John the Baptist delivers his message with boldness and confidence that Christ is coming and will be the Savior of everyone.

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[h] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[i] of God.” John 1 : 15-34

The main focus of the message is not the messenger, but on the audience who receives the message. In Ezekiel, God tells Ezekiel that God will protect Ezekiel if he delivers a message. It is up to the people who listen or not listen to except the direction in the guidance.  John the Baptist, tells everyone the good news of Christ.  John the Baptist is overjoyed that he continuously tells the world the good news several times in the first Chapter of John.

 In the  Bible the messengers were limited in their audience.  We currently have the benefit of having the Holy Spirit as our messenger. We all are the audience.  We all have the ability to hear and listen to the message.  This is the Spirit of God or God the Spirit.  We have unlimited access to our messenger. He dwells in us and connects us with God the Father and God the Son. We are in continual communication with our messenger of today.

 Many times in the Bible they were listening for information about the coming of Christ or the deliverance of the people. But now we can listen for guidance, listen for encouragement, listen for healing, and listen for anything that we need from God.

Let’s be  in tune to what God is giving  us and ask him that we may be better at active listening. Such as the example of Elijah. 

“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s listen for the whisper of God.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24,27,28,29 and James 4

One of my favorite messages from God is this “ I’ve got you”.  This is one of the most comforting and reassuring messages that God continues to give me throughout my life. In the world where so many things are variable and ever changing, God continues to tell me “I’ve  got you “.  This message doesn’t say that it’s going to be easy or that it’s going to be fair or that I’m not going to have hardships or trials.  It states that he will help us and be there to guide us through everything.

“Then God told me, “This is the Message from the God of Israel: The exiles from here that I’ve sent off to the land of the Babylonians are like the good figs, and I’ll make sure they get good treatment. I’ll keep my eye on them so that their lives are good, and I’ll bring them back to this land. I’ll build them up, not tear them down; I’ll plant them, not uproot them. “And I’ll give them a heart to know me, God. They’ll be my people and I’ll be their God, for they’ll have returned to me with all their hearts.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“‘I’m the one who made the earth, man and woman, and all the animals in the world. I did it on my own without asking anyone’s help and I hand it out to whomever I will. Here and now I give all these lands over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have made even the wild animals subject to him. All nations will be under him, then his son, and then his grandson. Then his country’s time will be up and the tables will be turned: Babylon will be the underdog servant. But until then, any nation or kingdom that won’t submit to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon must take the yoke of the king of Babylon and harness up. I’ll punish that nation with war and starvation and disease until I’ve got them where I want them.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“This is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home. “Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. “Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you.” This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭4‬-‭7‬, ‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

In reading Jeremiah, I have a new understanding of God‘s provision for us. In these chapters, we have some of the most memorable verses: 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope“. 

But when you really dive deep into this, you can see a different story. The majority of my life I have thought of the Babylonian conquest and the Babylonian empire as a season where the Israelites were persecuted and deliberately mistreated. But reading through chapters 24, 27, 28, 29 and actually understanding it in a different perspective, God actually had them covered from the beginning to the end and the exile and the Babylonian conquest. God actually protected the people in their exile. He gave them instructions that he was there in the midst of everything. He instructed them to grow and flourish in this exile from their land. He was putting his hand of protection around them in the midst of their exile. This is a continuation of God‘s provision for us. 

When we look back at the chronicles of the Bible Cannon, we can see how God has protected us in the midst of change and in the  midst  of chaos. 

• Egypt 
• The wilderness 
• Exile 

God is continuously protecting us in these chaotic times. He is allowing us to grow, and he is allowing us to lean into him.  From my own experience when things become chaotic and difficult, I tend to retreat into myself. But as I am reading, and having God mentor me through these passages, I will attempt to lean into him more. I will attempt to not retreat into me, but retreat into Him, and not hinder my blessings that He has in store for me. I will make an effort to not withhold my seeds in time of famine, but just continue to sow them for His growth. He doing an amazing work in me. He is the Gardener and the Protector and the Perfector  of all that he does in me. So I remembered that he’s telling me “I’ve got you”.

Today’s Reading: Habakkuk ; 2 Corinthians 7

The Lord‘s Answer

⁵ “Look among the nations, and see;    wonder and be astounded.For I am doing a work in your days    that you would not believe if told.

Habakkuk : 1:2-5

There are so many feelings and emotions that we have as humans: joy, sadness, anger, disgust, happiness, sorrow, frustration, sadness, and loneliness. One of the hardest and most difficult feelings that I have and has had is loneliness.

When you are lonely, you feel isolated. You feel deserted. You feel separated for everything. The readings from this week echo this loneliness so well. The whole book of Habakkuk is a questioning of God in loneliness. He is screaming his loneliness. He is screaming his distraught. He is witnessing so many things that are going on in the world that he cannot really understand why it is happening.

In each of the responses God is teaching and speaking back. The name Habakkuk in Hebrew is Chavaqqquq which translate into “Embrace.”   At the end of book of Habakkuk, there is a song that is recorded. The time from the beginning enough back to the end of the back is not known but can be over several years. But we can see in the transition that God answers.

We are all going through our own valleys and mountains in our journey, and sometimes in our valley, God actually uses people to breathe life into us.

Just the other day I was going through some highs and lows of my own, and a patient was able to free his life to me. As I counseling my patient, he looks at me and tells me about his life journey. As we were talking, the  patient stated “when I was a young man, I grew up in Mexico, Texas, and Chicago.  I have been all over the country and thought I knew what a “real” man was.  The definition of a real man was the leader of the gang or territory, a real macho man.  But after 70 years of life, I can see the truth in people and what a real man is… You are the definition of a real man.  A person that is comforting and just.  A person who genuinely cares about those around him… his patients and his staff.  For all the years that I have been here, you [Lynden] have shown nothing but the utmost respect for all you encounter. But I have witnessed you in the pharmacy and all you do and you have been the model of a true man. I am thankful that you have been here in. God placed you here in my life and in the life of others that you serve on a daily basis.”  The patient then gave me a name, Papaito, young wise and of knowledge.

He grasped my hands and said the name several more times. He was confirming me and the place that I was in.  He was “Embracing”, me in the time of need.

In the midst of our loneliness or in our isolation God will speak to us in the most profound yet gentle ways. Are you ready to listen?

Today’s Passage: Isaiah 45-48, I Corinthians 13 

In 1983, Tina Turner made the hit with the title  “What’s love got to do with it”.  It is one of her most famous songs,  it is actually so popular that it made the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame.  Today’s passage asks the question “ what’s got to do with it?” and the answer is “Everything”.

In I Corinthians Chapter 13, Paul is trying to relate the fullness of Love.  In this definition Paul is going deeper than romantic love and revealing the essence of Love from the Spirit of God.  When Jillian and I got married the priest went over this passage with my wife and myself.  Throughout the passage, he had us substitute our name for each instance of love. 

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Lynden/ Jillian is patient and kind.  Lynden/Jillian does not envy or boast……

But as we grow, and as we mature, we can substitute God for love because Gods is the essence of love as defined by John. 

 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God is kind and patient.  God does not envy or boast… 

All that God has done for us has been out of love.  The true manifestation and representation of God can be seen in the book of Isaiah chapter 45 through 48. Reading Isaiah is one of the most challenging and spiritually stretching exercises that I have done. You cannot just read it once or 100 times, you have to be mentally prepared for the deep dive into these scriptures. 

This past week, Oliver had an experience for outdoor survival and education. This is the culmination of eight years of training at school to be prepared to take care of yourself outdoors. Over the last several weeks we prepared everything for Oliver. We ensured you had the correct clothes, shelter, medicines, and everything to make this week memorable. I also prepared myself by getting my things prepared for him to protect him if he had a seizure while we were at the Outdoor Ed. There was a lot of planning on Jillian and my part to make sure that he had a great time. 

We provide and think and plan and prepare for our kids not just for this current time but also as they grow up. We try to be focused and prepared for their well-being.  As I prepared for the trip, I had an understanding of how God is planning and preparing for us, long before we can even think of it.  In the chapters of Isaiah,  God is laying out his protection and his plan for the children of  Israel, even through their separation and their exiled to Babylon. In these chapters, God spells out how he will protect them and how he will plan for their growth of protection in the midst of their exile.

“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

He made plans for the people and showed them 200 years before and shows what is coming. He makes specific decisions and directions for the people who he cares for and has chosen. He has the same level of compassion and love for us as his children.  He has some amazing things ready for us.  He will also protect us from whatever presents a threat to us because he has it all figured out.  We have to allow him to work for us for His good.  Because of love, He has prepared many amazing things for us that we have yet to see. 

 

Today’s Reading: Isaiah:23-25 ; I Corinthians 3

Over the last couple weeks, the season has been transitioned from summer to fall. There are days when we have extreme heat and the next day is extremely cool. This is a great time of year.  All of creation is starting to slow down and starting to get ready for the winter. Today, as I was driving to a pumpkin patch, I saw several furry caterpillars crossing the street. This is nature alerting us, they are getting ready for the winter to come. 

As part of the preparations for fall or autumn, we have started to harvest garden items and the big crop items: corn and soybeans.  One part of fall gardening that is not known as much is the closing or renovating the garden.  This consists of pulling up the expired crops and preparing the garden for the spring or for a fall crop. This process is not easy. It’s the same process that is performed in the spring.  In this process you have to remove the roots and the stems of the previous plants. Then turn the soil and give it more nutrients to prepare for the next harvest. If you are producing a fall crop, you need to plant the seeds before the frost comes. This is a very strategic and a meaningful process that has to take time and effort to execute to ensure that you are a proper steward to the garden. 

“I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the third chapter of First Corinthians, Paul is using the garden as a metaphor. He uses himself as a sower of seeds. Then he uses Apollos as the waterer of the seeds. He uses God as the gardener. Paul has a great understanding of his assignment or appointment in the grand scheme of the garden of God’s people.  Paul is sent to give the seeds of compassion and love that God has for us. Then Apollos was used to water and cultivate immature the seeds, that planet by Paul. But the true gardener of the seeds is God. Nothing can be done without God‘s intervention into the garden. 

Sometimes we can lose focus on our assignment and what we are here to produce, sometimes we believe that we are the gardeners. Sometimes we believe that we will see the fulfillment of all the things that we do.  We try to own everything that we are given to manage or be stewards over. We forget that this assignment is temporary and that God is the only one that owns the garden and has the full picture of the garden.  

God is graciously giving us an opportunity to see that we may sow seeds and not see the fulfillment or the fruit of those seeds.  Each time we give a smile or a kind word, we  are sowing into people.  I admit that I get in a place that I want to “own” so many things and want to see the results of the seeds that God has allowed me to plant.  Many times I want to see the end result. As I grow,  I know that the good that I give will be rewarded. 

Let us not get caught up in the end result. Let us not get caught up in who is watering or  who is sowing seeds.  Let us not get caught up in thinking about only us. Let us ask God to give us the ability to be the best steward.  

When we need reassurance let’s remember Isaiah 25:

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬