"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." Genesis 3: 1-7
Here we have the infamous story of the downfall of humanity - Adam and Eve plunging the good creation of God into sin and brokenness. Everything from earthquakes, tsunamis, cancer, betrayal, broken relationships, murder, injustice, war, death, famine (all of it and everything more that is wrong) can all be traced back to this very scene in Genesis.
I am not sure what was going through Eve's mind as she was deftly tempted by the serpent, but her (and Adam's) simple act of disobedience wrecked everything - and I for one am not pleased with them.
Here they were in the perfection of the Garden of Eden - paradise. They lived in perfect relational communion with their Creator. They were given the authority to work and care for the creation. There was no hurt or pain, or sickness or disease. And they were given all kinds of food to eat - in fact they could eat to their hearts content from every tree, except the one. I mean, they had EVERYTHING, and only one simple rule to adhere to - don't eat the fruit from the one tree.
Yet, that is exactly what they did. They spurned perfection, and eternal bliss with God because they just had to sample the one thing they were not to eat. It's as if for that brief moment their brains ceased to function. I am not sure what else to think about the story and why they did it. Why else would you seek a temporary forbidden pleasure, something that you know you shouldn't do, something you know will carry long term consequences...rather than simply stay the course - obey God and enjoy His perfect presence and bliss forever.
Of course, we can't relate to Adam and Eve, right? We never have moments in our lives when a temptation overwhelms our common sense. Surely we would never succumb to a sinful disobedience because it would give us a momentary bit of sensory pleasure even though we knew it would be harmful to us and carry with it negative consequences. We always choose to stay the course with God - obey Him and enjoy Him forever, don't we?
The reality is, that it is not too hard to see ourselves in this story. I would like to think that were I in their situation I would have done differently - but if I am honest with myself, I am not sure that I could say that with any sort of confidence. Much to my shame, I, all too often, choose the momentary sinful indulgence, over the eternal faithfulness to God.
Perhaps Adam and Eve are not the only ones to blame for the broken mess we find ourselves in - could it be that I too have played a part?
May God show us grace and forgiveness, and give us the strength by His Spirit to avoid temptation and choose instead, faithful obedience to Him.
Be God's, Scott
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Dirty Hands
"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2: 15-17
I do not know what it is like where you live...but where I live, here in the Thousand Islands area of New York, Spring is getting all coiled up and ready to leap out. My front lawn is no longer covered in snow, and the ice covering the river is receding more and more every day. In fact, today has brought forth a warm sun, the kinds of which I have not felt in a long time. Spring is an exciting time for folks who must live through a cold, snowy winter.
My wife, the gardener, is very excited for the arrival of spring. I have caught her a number of times creeping around the muddy yard with her face bent low towards the dirt of her gardens, fervently willing the tulips and daffodils skyward. She's got that twinkle in her eyes that I see when she wants to get her hands dirty. Before you know it, she will be fully invested in pulling, digging, cultivating, planting, and tending the ground around our property.
Perhaps you are a gardener as well...some people just love the process of working and caring for the land.
Isn't it interesting that after having created Adam, and this, remember, is prior to any type of sin or fall (everything was still heavenly perfect), God proceeds to plop Adam down in the Garden of Eden with the mandate "to work it and to take care of it." Interesting to me in a couple of ways - the first of which is the fact that God created Adam from the very dirt that He was now giving him responsibility over. Adam had a special intimate relationship with the Garden that God entrusted to his care. Secondly, God evidently created Adam to work in His paradise, and He trusted and valued him enough to allow him to work alongside God in a partnership of creation care.
Of course, the mandate that God gave to Adam, He gives to us all. He defines our relationship with creation for us. We too, are to work it and care for it. Now, this does not mean that we are all to take up Gardening on a full time basis...but is does seem to mean that God has created us to be "environmentalists." In the midst of our unique connection to the earth we have been charged by God to protect and preserve the creation. I believe that this calls us, not to view the creation as a natural resource given to serve us, rather, given that we might have the blessed privilege of serving the land. And this work is what we were made for, and through it we will bring glory to God - an act of worship.
As the Lord brings forth new life once again from the barrenness of winter, may He continue to entrust us with the valuable mandate to work and care for His glorious creation.
Be God's, Scott
I do not know what it is like where you live...but where I live, here in the Thousand Islands area of New York, Spring is getting all coiled up and ready to leap out. My front lawn is no longer covered in snow, and the ice covering the river is receding more and more every day. In fact, today has brought forth a warm sun, the kinds of which I have not felt in a long time. Spring is an exciting time for folks who must live through a cold, snowy winter.
My wife, the gardener, is very excited for the arrival of spring. I have caught her a number of times creeping around the muddy yard with her face bent low towards the dirt of her gardens, fervently willing the tulips and daffodils skyward. She's got that twinkle in her eyes that I see when she wants to get her hands dirty. Before you know it, she will be fully invested in pulling, digging, cultivating, planting, and tending the ground around our property.
Perhaps you are a gardener as well...some people just love the process of working and caring for the land.
Isn't it interesting that after having created Adam, and this, remember, is prior to any type of sin or fall (everything was still heavenly perfect), God proceeds to plop Adam down in the Garden of Eden with the mandate "to work it and to take care of it." Interesting to me in a couple of ways - the first of which is the fact that God created Adam from the very dirt that He was now giving him responsibility over. Adam had a special intimate relationship with the Garden that God entrusted to his care. Secondly, God evidently created Adam to work in His paradise, and He trusted and valued him enough to allow him to work alongside God in a partnership of creation care.
Of course, the mandate that God gave to Adam, He gives to us all. He defines our relationship with creation for us. We too, are to work it and care for it. Now, this does not mean that we are all to take up Gardening on a full time basis...but is does seem to mean that God has created us to be "environmentalists." In the midst of our unique connection to the earth we have been charged by God to protect and preserve the creation. I believe that this calls us, not to view the creation as a natural resource given to serve us, rather, given that we might have the blessed privilege of serving the land. And this work is what we were made for, and through it we will bring glory to God - an act of worship.
As the Lord brings forth new life once again from the barrenness of winter, may He continue to entrust us with the valuable mandate to work and care for His glorious creation.
Be God's, Scott
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Lenten Fasting
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6: 16-18
The obseverance of fasting is one discipline that is often done by Christian folks everywhere during the 40 day season of Lent. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians are obligated to fast during Lent. Protestant Christians have no such rules to follow - though some do participate in a fast of sorts in order to spiritually prepare their hearts for Easter Celebrations. Fasting by definition is the sacrifice of something (usually food) in order to both identify with the suffering of Jesus, and also to turn ones heart prayerfully towards Jesus. The need and hunger for food, reminds one of the need to turn to, and rely on Christ.
I know that a lot of people are participating in some type of fast this year, because they have told me - and anyone else with access to their Facebook account. Some have given up candy, some Ice Cream, some meat, some cursing, some speeding, some video games, and some have even given up Facebook - with an Ash Wednesday status update proclamation of "talk to you in 40 days."
I actually quite like the idea of fasting - I have done different types in the past, and have found them to be useful in pointing me towards Jesus and His righteousness. However, I have to wonder...why are all of these people fasting? Is it because they think it's something they're supposed to do? Is it because so many other people are doing it? Are they all truly fasting with the purpose of prayerful communion with Christ?
I am surely not one to judge other peoples intentions or motivations (as if I could). I pray that God blesses those who are fasting in order to eagerly seek His presence. I do, however take Biblical issue with the way in which folks are going about their fast, and I humbly offer this guidance.
In the above Scripture, Jesus is pretty clear that when you fast - you need to keep it quiet. It is just something between Jesus and you. You are not to let on to anyone else that you are fasting. This would seem to be informative to my Facebook friends who have announced to the world wide web that they are in fact fasting...shhhh, don't tell anyone.
Why would Jesus demand this of us?
Simply because the fast is for Him, and not for other people. The biggest barrier to prayerful communion with Jesus is our sinful pride. Pride in fasting comes when we share with others the fact that we are doing so. It almost screams of unspoken intent - "I sure am pretty spiritual huh?" Sharing the news of your fast with others seeks the applause of humans, but fasting in secret before God seeks the "reward of God."
For those of you fasting, may God bless what you do in secret as you seek to identify with the sacrifices of Christ.
Be God's, Scott
The obseverance of fasting is one discipline that is often done by Christian folks everywhere during the 40 day season of Lent. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians are obligated to fast during Lent. Protestant Christians have no such rules to follow - though some do participate in a fast of sorts in order to spiritually prepare their hearts for Easter Celebrations. Fasting by definition is the sacrifice of something (usually food) in order to both identify with the suffering of Jesus, and also to turn ones heart prayerfully towards Jesus. The need and hunger for food, reminds one of the need to turn to, and rely on Christ.
I know that a lot of people are participating in some type of fast this year, because they have told me - and anyone else with access to their Facebook account. Some have given up candy, some Ice Cream, some meat, some cursing, some speeding, some video games, and some have even given up Facebook - with an Ash Wednesday status update proclamation of "talk to you in 40 days."
I actually quite like the idea of fasting - I have done different types in the past, and have found them to be useful in pointing me towards Jesus and His righteousness. However, I have to wonder...why are all of these people fasting? Is it because they think it's something they're supposed to do? Is it because so many other people are doing it? Are they all truly fasting with the purpose of prayerful communion with Christ?
I am surely not one to judge other peoples intentions or motivations (as if I could). I pray that God blesses those who are fasting in order to eagerly seek His presence. I do, however take Biblical issue with the way in which folks are going about their fast, and I humbly offer this guidance.
In the above Scripture, Jesus is pretty clear that when you fast - you need to keep it quiet. It is just something between Jesus and you. You are not to let on to anyone else that you are fasting. This would seem to be informative to my Facebook friends who have announced to the world wide web that they are in fact fasting...shhhh, don't tell anyone.
Why would Jesus demand this of us?
Simply because the fast is for Him, and not for other people. The biggest barrier to prayerful communion with Jesus is our sinful pride. Pride in fasting comes when we share with others the fact that we are doing so. It almost screams of unspoken intent - "I sure am pretty spiritual huh?" Sharing the news of your fast with others seeks the applause of humans, but fasting in secret before God seeks the "reward of God."
For those of you fasting, may God bless what you do in secret as you seek to identify with the sacrifices of Christ.
Be God's, Scott
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Ballad of Jeremiah Smithson
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21
Jeremiah Smithson lived during the time that we like to call the "Wild West." Gold Rush, Saloons, Sheriffs, and Sarsaparilla come to mind when we think of this colorful time in American history. For Jeremiah Smithson though, the only thing "wild" about the West that he lived in, was his son Jacob. While Jeremiah was straight laced, hard working, and a religious man - his son Jacob, now 19, had grown into a hard drinking, violent, lazy and dangerous man. Jacob was regularly involved in gun play, brawling, looting and anything else you could imagine a man with a black hat doing in the Wild West.
As Jacob became more and more notorious and feared throughout the west, his father continued to love him, and daily pleaded with him to turn his life around. His father's heart ached for his beloved son. He was the only one who still saw a glimmer of hope and goodness when he gazed upon Jacob - to everyone else, he was a dangerous powder keg ready to go off.
Finally, one dry and dusty day...Jacob did go off - at 5pm on a Thursday afternoon, a heavily intoxicated Jacob stumbled into the house of a local family eating dinner. He proceeded to shoot and kill the Father and the Mother leaving their 3 young children orphans. Jacob stumbled out of the house with a chicken drumstick in his hands only to pass out on the roadside in front of the house he devastated.
Jacob was quickly arrested, put in jail, and set to be hanged the next day at noon - much to the satisfaction and relief of the town. Everyone in town that is...except for Jeremiah, his father. For where the town saw a monster, he saw a hurt and confused little boy, desperately in need of some grace and a second chance. Jeremiah went and pleaded with the officials for mercy upon his son, but they were hearing none of it. Their law clearly said that when one took a life, one needed to give up a life - that was justice. And while Jeremiah certainly could not argue with that, he still was willing to do whatever he could to prevent the hanging death of his son, Jacob whom he loved.
As Jacob was brought forth to the gallows, the whole of the town was gathered to bear witness to Wild West justice. The noose was forcefully fastened around Jacob's neck, when the Sheriff asked him if he had anything to say for himself. Jacob, looked out and over the crowd assembled, and with tears of regret in his eyes, humbly told the crowd, "What I did was wrong. I am sorry for killing those innocent folks. And I am sorry for all the other harmful things I did to the rest of you. Truth is, I deserve this - but I tell you what, if I had to live my life over again, I would do it differently. I would live my life like my Father...a good man, and the only one who ever saw any good or hope in me. My biggest regret is that I let my Father down." With that he put his head down resigned to die, even as his Father was pushing his way forward to speak with the Sheriff.
All the crowd could see was Jeremiah speaking animatedly with the Sheriff, gesturing wildly with his hands - they could not help but feel sorrow for such a kind and pure man. After a moment of conversation, the Sheriff walked over to Jacob, all the while leading Jeremiah up to the gallows behind him. He ordered the noose taken off of Jacob's neck and put on Jeremiah's. As the crowd looked upon this scene with stunned and confused faces, the Sheriff clearly and loudly stated, "The law simply says, one life taken, one life given - this is justice. This here man, Jeremiah Smithson, willingly offers to take the place of his son in order to receive the blow of justice due him. His life, for the freedom of his son. This may seem unusual, but I see no legal reason why he cannot do so."
With that, Jacob was escorted down the wooden stairs, and Jeremiah prepared to hang. His last words were these, "son, I love you, and I implore you now, to walk upright." With that, the creaky wooden trap door opened, and Jeremiah Smithson was no more.
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
The ballad of Jeremiah is our gospel story - the story of a loving father unwilling to watch his children perish in their sins, even to the point of taking our place at the meting out of justice.
I wonder how Jacob responded to his new lease on life purchased for him by his father. I would like to think that he sought to live an upright life like his father did.
How will you respond in the living of your eternal life, purchased for you with great sacrifice and deep love?
Be God's, Scott
Jeremiah Smithson lived during the time that we like to call the "Wild West." Gold Rush, Saloons, Sheriffs, and Sarsaparilla come to mind when we think of this colorful time in American history. For Jeremiah Smithson though, the only thing "wild" about the West that he lived in, was his son Jacob. While Jeremiah was straight laced, hard working, and a religious man - his son Jacob, now 19, had grown into a hard drinking, violent, lazy and dangerous man. Jacob was regularly involved in gun play, brawling, looting and anything else you could imagine a man with a black hat doing in the Wild West.
As Jacob became more and more notorious and feared throughout the west, his father continued to love him, and daily pleaded with him to turn his life around. His father's heart ached for his beloved son. He was the only one who still saw a glimmer of hope and goodness when he gazed upon Jacob - to everyone else, he was a dangerous powder keg ready to go off.
Finally, one dry and dusty day...Jacob did go off - at 5pm on a Thursday afternoon, a heavily intoxicated Jacob stumbled into the house of a local family eating dinner. He proceeded to shoot and kill the Father and the Mother leaving their 3 young children orphans. Jacob stumbled out of the house with a chicken drumstick in his hands only to pass out on the roadside in front of the house he devastated.
Jacob was quickly arrested, put in jail, and set to be hanged the next day at noon - much to the satisfaction and relief of the town. Everyone in town that is...except for Jeremiah, his father. For where the town saw a monster, he saw a hurt and confused little boy, desperately in need of some grace and a second chance. Jeremiah went and pleaded with the officials for mercy upon his son, but they were hearing none of it. Their law clearly said that when one took a life, one needed to give up a life - that was justice. And while Jeremiah certainly could not argue with that, he still was willing to do whatever he could to prevent the hanging death of his son, Jacob whom he loved.
As Jacob was brought forth to the gallows, the whole of the town was gathered to bear witness to Wild West justice. The noose was forcefully fastened around Jacob's neck, when the Sheriff asked him if he had anything to say for himself. Jacob, looked out and over the crowd assembled, and with tears of regret in his eyes, humbly told the crowd, "What I did was wrong. I am sorry for killing those innocent folks. And I am sorry for all the other harmful things I did to the rest of you. Truth is, I deserve this - but I tell you what, if I had to live my life over again, I would do it differently. I would live my life like my Father...a good man, and the only one who ever saw any good or hope in me. My biggest regret is that I let my Father down." With that he put his head down resigned to die, even as his Father was pushing his way forward to speak with the Sheriff.
All the crowd could see was Jeremiah speaking animatedly with the Sheriff, gesturing wildly with his hands - they could not help but feel sorrow for such a kind and pure man. After a moment of conversation, the Sheriff walked over to Jacob, all the while leading Jeremiah up to the gallows behind him. He ordered the noose taken off of Jacob's neck and put on Jeremiah's. As the crowd looked upon this scene with stunned and confused faces, the Sheriff clearly and loudly stated, "The law simply says, one life taken, one life given - this is justice. This here man, Jeremiah Smithson, willingly offers to take the place of his son in order to receive the blow of justice due him. His life, for the freedom of his son. This may seem unusual, but I see no legal reason why he cannot do so."
With that, Jacob was escorted down the wooden stairs, and Jeremiah prepared to hang. His last words were these, "son, I love you, and I implore you now, to walk upright." With that, the creaky wooden trap door opened, and Jeremiah Smithson was no more.
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
The ballad of Jeremiah is our gospel story - the story of a loving father unwilling to watch his children perish in their sins, even to the point of taking our place at the meting out of justice.
I wonder how Jacob responded to his new lease on life purchased for him by his father. I would like to think that he sought to live an upright life like his father did.
How will you respond in the living of your eternal life, purchased for you with great sacrifice and deep love?
Be God's, Scott
Thursday, March 10, 2011
On referees and original sin
"For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Psalm 51: 3-5
I have a love/hate relationship with referees - well truth be told...mostly the latter. This goes all the way back to when I was a kid playing soccer and basketball, and extends to the present day as I watch my kids play from the stands. In my mind, I am convinced that the referees (lovely people I am sure when they are not wearing stripes) are conspiring against my children, and in fact, myself personally. And well, far be it for me not to point this out to them, in the hopes that perhaps I might re-direct their attention to the ineptitude of their officiating (I mean it's the least I can do right? A public service).
Truth be told, I have left a couple games feeling embarrassed for myself - ashamed of my actions. I often envy those other parents who can sit there contentedly with a smile - simply enjoying the spectacle of their kid having fun. For me, I get emotionally involved in the game, and my passions sometimes lead my mouth to criticize folks that in any other arena of life, I would never dream of speaking such harsh statements. I don't intend to go to the game and get bent out of shape over the refereeing...sometimes, it just happens, despite my desire not to let it.
Perhaps you have an area in your life as well in which you struggle to do what is right despite your best intentions. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we all have these areas in our lives.
The Bible goes so far as to say, that we were "sinful from birth, sinful from the time of conception." In other words, the moment we cast our first labored infant breath - we all possessed a natural proclivity to sin. It is our default or reflex tendency to do the wrong thing in the eyes of God. I can't say that I really like this truth...but I suppose that doesn't stop it from being true.
The hope that I have in my sinful human condition rests in Jesus - the embodiment of the mercy, loving kindness, and grace of God. Jesus came and died to free me and you from the enslavement of our sinful nature. Oh, it still haunts us, and will continue to do so until we get to heaven - but Jesus in his forgiveness, enables us to do holy, noble, and righteous things. Jesus in his tender care for us, fills us with His Spirit to empower us to lose our thirst for sin. In Christ, we are gradually being formed more and more into holiness.
God hasn't given up on me, and he hasn't given up on you. I may still have a natural tendency towards referee animosity, but thanks be to my great and merciful God, I am forgiven, and I am improving. And at the least, the whole biblical idea of being born desiring to do the wrong thing, gives me some means of explaining just what was going on in the heads of some of those referees ;)
May you know the forgiveness and holiness of God in your life as well.
Be God's, Scott
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Psalm 51: 3-5
I have a love/hate relationship with referees - well truth be told...mostly the latter. This goes all the way back to when I was a kid playing soccer and basketball, and extends to the present day as I watch my kids play from the stands. In my mind, I am convinced that the referees (lovely people I am sure when they are not wearing stripes) are conspiring against my children, and in fact, myself personally. And well, far be it for me not to point this out to them, in the hopes that perhaps I might re-direct their attention to the ineptitude of their officiating (I mean it's the least I can do right? A public service).
Truth be told, I have left a couple games feeling embarrassed for myself - ashamed of my actions. I often envy those other parents who can sit there contentedly with a smile - simply enjoying the spectacle of their kid having fun. For me, I get emotionally involved in the game, and my passions sometimes lead my mouth to criticize folks that in any other arena of life, I would never dream of speaking such harsh statements. I don't intend to go to the game and get bent out of shape over the refereeing...sometimes, it just happens, despite my desire not to let it.
Perhaps you have an area in your life as well in which you struggle to do what is right despite your best intentions. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we all have these areas in our lives.
The Bible goes so far as to say, that we were "sinful from birth, sinful from the time of conception." In other words, the moment we cast our first labored infant breath - we all possessed a natural proclivity to sin. It is our default or reflex tendency to do the wrong thing in the eyes of God. I can't say that I really like this truth...but I suppose that doesn't stop it from being true.
The hope that I have in my sinful human condition rests in Jesus - the embodiment of the mercy, loving kindness, and grace of God. Jesus came and died to free me and you from the enslavement of our sinful nature. Oh, it still haunts us, and will continue to do so until we get to heaven - but Jesus in his forgiveness, enables us to do holy, noble, and righteous things. Jesus in his tender care for us, fills us with His Spirit to empower us to lose our thirst for sin. In Christ, we are gradually being formed more and more into holiness.
God hasn't given up on me, and he hasn't given up on you. I may still have a natural tendency towards referee animosity, but thanks be to my great and merciful God, I am forgiven, and I am improving. And at the least, the whole biblical idea of being born desiring to do the wrong thing, gives me some means of explaining just what was going on in the heads of some of those referees ;)
May you know the forgiveness and holiness of God in your life as well.
Be God's, Scott
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sound the alarm
"Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand—
“Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—" Joel 2:1,12-14a
Here in Alexandria Bay, like many small villages of its kind, we are blessed with an awesome volunteer fire department - men and women who work very hard, at times risking their own lives to ensure the safety and protection of the community. These brave and committed souls have to be ready at any instant to drop whatever it is they are doing when an emergency arises.
How do these folks know when an emergency arises you urban dwellers might inquire? THE Alarm - A super loud air horn that shakes the windows and sends my cat scurrying with panic and fear through the house. An alarm that can be heard for miles away. When this alarm sounds, volunteer firefighters drop their dinner utensils, throw on their boots, hurry to their trucks and head off to the fire hall. The rest of us in the village listen and wonder what might have happened, all the while raising silent prayers up.
The alarm sounds - and people respond.
The prophet Joel sounds a window shaking alarm as well - one that begs response. Into the day to day goings on of life, amidst the busyness and banality of daily routine - God sounds the alarm.
The alarm is a reminder that the Lord is returning, and the fact that He is returning ought to make a difference in how we live our lives. Life is more than the sum of our investments. Life is more than the argument we have with our neighbor. Life is more than what we will eat for dinner. Life is more than stuff, and pleasure, and me and you. How much has sin blinded us from the reality of our present situations.
As we enter into the period of reflection and self assesment called Lent - God sounds the alarm. The alarm reminds us that life is about pleasing God and planning for His return. This may upset our way of life - but then again maybe our lives need some upsetting.
The volunteer firefighters respond immediately by running towards the emergency. Joel begs us to respond to God's alarm with similar immediacy and urgency - return to God.
Whenever you choose to do so, no matter what you have done, or how far you have strayed - Joel tells us that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger. He will welcome, protect and bless all who respond to His alarm.
Be God's, Scott
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand—
“Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—" Joel 2:1,12-14a
Here in Alexandria Bay, like many small villages of its kind, we are blessed with an awesome volunteer fire department - men and women who work very hard, at times risking their own lives to ensure the safety and protection of the community. These brave and committed souls have to be ready at any instant to drop whatever it is they are doing when an emergency arises.
How do these folks know when an emergency arises you urban dwellers might inquire? THE Alarm - A super loud air horn that shakes the windows and sends my cat scurrying with panic and fear through the house. An alarm that can be heard for miles away. When this alarm sounds, volunteer firefighters drop their dinner utensils, throw on their boots, hurry to their trucks and head off to the fire hall. The rest of us in the village listen and wonder what might have happened, all the while raising silent prayers up.
The alarm sounds - and people respond.
The prophet Joel sounds a window shaking alarm as well - one that begs response. Into the day to day goings on of life, amidst the busyness and banality of daily routine - God sounds the alarm.
The alarm is a reminder that the Lord is returning, and the fact that He is returning ought to make a difference in how we live our lives. Life is more than the sum of our investments. Life is more than the argument we have with our neighbor. Life is more than what we will eat for dinner. Life is more than stuff, and pleasure, and me and you. How much has sin blinded us from the reality of our present situations.
As we enter into the period of reflection and self assesment called Lent - God sounds the alarm. The alarm reminds us that life is about pleasing God and planning for His return. This may upset our way of life - but then again maybe our lives need some upsetting.
The volunteer firefighters respond immediately by running towards the emergency. Joel begs us to respond to God's alarm with similar immediacy and urgency - return to God.
Whenever you choose to do so, no matter what you have done, or how far you have strayed - Joel tells us that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger. He will welcome, protect and bless all who respond to His alarm.
Be God's, Scott
Welcome
Well, it is Ash Wednesday 2011 - and that means the Lenten journey to the cross is upon us once again. I would like to invite you to join me over the next 40 days. I will be offering up a brief devotional thought, designed to season your spiritual journey, each morning through Lent. On each day, but Sunday, I will offer up some thoughts on the passages suggested by the Revised Common Lectionary.
I pray that God may use my meager and humble thoughts and ruminations to draw you nearer unto Him. May He add His blessing to these words.
Feel free to pass along the link to others, and feedback and discussion is more than welcomed.
Be God's, Scott
I pray that God may use my meager and humble thoughts and ruminations to draw you nearer unto Him. May He add His blessing to these words.
Feel free to pass along the link to others, and feedback and discussion is more than welcomed.
Be God's, Scott
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