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Neighbors

“We should all be concerned about our neighbor
and the good things that will build his faith.”
Romans 15:2

It’s usually the people with whom we have the most contact that also cause the biggest “rubs” in our lives. Neighbors may fit into that category at times. Paul likely knew how neighbors can affect each other…in good ways and bad ways. Though he was often on the move, unless he was in exile on a deserted island, he likely had experienced a “neighbor.”

In our first home, our neighbor was a sweet, old woman who had never had kids. Our three
busy little boys were “interesting” to her. One day, in the midst of making a cake, I realized I
had no eggs, and called my neighbor to ask if I could borrow two. My two-year-old was
“helping” me, seated on the counter watching the mixing process. My neighbor popped in,
handed me the two eggs and went back to her house. My little helper soon climbed down and disappeared as I was mixing in the borrowed eggs. I assumed he had better things to do.

Then my phone rang. It was my neighbor. “Did you get the eggs, Jan?”

I asked, “What eggs?”

She said, “The two eggs Seth came to get from me, because you had broken the first two.”
As the little guy appeared through the back door, carefully holding the two eggs in his little
hands, my sweet neighbor and I shared a delighted laugh.

Nothing profound, nor deeply meaningful. But it was a sweet moment provided by a little boy who had innocently created a special memory shared by two neighbors.

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Where Trust Grows

“God’s riches….wisdom…and knowledge
are SO deep, It is impossible to explain His decisions
Or to understand His ways.”Romans 11:33

Do you remember the first time you were put into a pool of water as a kid? Were you scared? Who put you into the water? Was it a fun experience at first? Did you think they were being mean? Or were you excited for a wonderful experience?

For many kids, that first introduction to a pool is pretty scary. Kind of like the
grown-up fears of life and new steps that we must take in our experience.
Most likely, being put into that scary pool was out of an act of love, wanting to
make sure that for the rest of the child’s life, they would know how to swim
and come to truly enjoy the experience of the water.

Reading this verse, and thinking about how it applies to my life, I know that
the realities that most impacted me were ultimately God’s Decisions to allow
in my life. Not my choice. Pain, loss, injustice,… and it was easy to jump to
the words that followed: “. . .or to understand His ways.” There are so many
“WHY’s” in life! The answers will likely never come in this lifetime.

But the Words Paul wrote before he expressed his longing for answers are
the most foundational point. They are Words of Truth about God Himself:

● His riches: God has everything that we could ever need or want or
even imagine. His riches are part of every Decision He makes. The
foundational Resources in His Hands are a practical baseline of all His
dealings with us.
● His wisdom: His best, all-things-considered choices in guiding our
steps and allowing whatever comes or does not come into our lives to
be covered and led by His deep understanding of what is best for us as well as all those whose lives we touch.
● His knowledge: There are no missing pieces in what He knows of
us, from before the beginning to the end. He knows all of the past and
future of our experience: how we are wired, how we’ve been hurt,
what struggles we face, all of it. And He knows exactly how He
intends to use all of it as we touch the lives of those around us.

Nothing escapes His awareness.

We are the ones who do not have the understanding, knowledge, wisdom nor
resources to go through this life on our own. We need Him, throughout every
day. We cannot rightly walk through our time here without His living
Presence with us . . . His Spirit in us.

It is a matter of deliberately holding tightly to Him as He carries us through
the rough waters, held firmly in His Arms.

That is where TRUST grows.

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3 Simply Wise Guidelines for Healthy Relationships

“ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak and
slow to become angry…”
James 1:19

James grew up with a perfect big Brother. Literally. Imagine . . . His name was Jesus.
But growing up in the same home would have surely provided the same types of
relational rubs as would be the reality of any family. Imagine a typical conflict between
the two young brothers being corrected by Mom or Dad. It would have never been “HIS”
fault. He was perfect. Literally.

We can only imagine what it was like for James, growing up as a younger brother of
Jesus. But the fact that he became a devoted follower of his big Brother, even losing
his own life for the Cause of Christ says a lot about their relationship.

James wrote these important guidelines for healthy relationships. He kept it simple
and clear. I wonder if this might have been a daily family recitation as the children of
the carpenter’s home headed out to their normal activities. The wise, simple principles
are just as pertinent in our relationships now, whether within families, the work place,
school, in a grocery store, or hearing from the neighbor that your children have again
stepped on her flowers.

James followed his older Brother, carried on in ministry, and wrote about Him. James
was stoned to death in Jerusalem because he had faithfully followed his Brother Jesus,
long after Jesus returned to His Heavenly Father. Three key relational guidelines given
to us by James: “ Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak,” and “Be Slow to Become Angry”.

Simple to read, practical, but not easy to do in the heat of conflicts. James’ simple, wise
principles are truly needed for any successful relationships that may last a lifetime.

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PRAYER FOR A DYING YOUNG MAN

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom
and healing every disease and sickness.”
Matthew 9:35

Many of the most extraordinary Moments of my life have taken place in the Sahara
Desert. . . in an all-Muslim nation-in-exile. Nearly 200,000 refugees.

Due to the long-standing political impasse, half of the People of Western Sahara are
refugees in the Sahara Desert of western Algeria, North Africa. The other half remain
in their historic homeland of Western Sahara, but under the brutal military occupation of
the Kingdom of Morocco. The desert refugees, the extraordinary native people of
Western Sahara, have chosen to do all they can during their forced exile to retain their
human dignity, to lay groundwork for their deep passion to return to their rightful
homeland. In their desert exile, they have prepared themselves to be able to “hit the
ground running” when they are finally able to return to their historic Homeland of
Western Sahara.

Giving one’s life for that cause is something that most of the hundreds of thousands of
them are willing to do.

I was in the refugee desert camps when a young man who had been on a hunger strike
for his people’s ‘just cause’ was in everyone’s minds. He was near death. I knew of the
situation, and its widespread attention of his nation. His name was on everyone’s lips.
It was an extraordinary act to try to bring the world’s attention to their plight.

I had never personally witnessed a real life situation unfolding like this. It deeply
touched my mind and heart. An unexpected thought began growing in my mind…. that I
needed to go to his deathbed and pray for him. This is not something I would normally
consider, but the thought continued to grow stronger.

I asked a friend in the camps if I could go to this young man. Just for a few minutes. A
car and driver was arranged, and I was soon on my way through the desert. When we
arrived, I was directed to the young man’s bed. . . outside, on a thin mattress on a
shaded concrete “bed”. His form was so very thin, that it took me a few seconds to
realize that his skeletal body was under the thin sheet. His eyes were closed, his
breathing very slow and silent. The scene broke my heart. I was alone with him as he
lay silent and still.

I gently put my hand on his arm, and quietly asked God to come near to him and speak
to him in his silent, motionless sleep. I asked God for His Presence to surround this frail
young man with His Peace. I asked God to whisper to him of His Love, His Presence,
and His Purpose for his life. I asked God to hold him… that he become aware of God’s
Nearness.

As I reluctantly, tearfully returned to the waiting truck, I continued praying for God’s
nearness and intervention in this young man’s life. I asked God to make Himself real to
him, and to spare his life. I never heard anything more about him after I returned
home.

This past year, on a return visit to the refugee camps, a young man approached me and
we spoke of several things . . . a simple exchange.

Then he stopped and looked directly into my eyes. “I want to thank you.” I had no idea
what this total stranger wanted to thank me for. “I want to thank you for praying for me.
I was that young man very near death some years ago, and you came and prayed for
me.” I was stunned. I had never heard if he had died (which I assumed) or anything
else of the situation.

He continued, “Your words. . . your prayer to God for me, changed everything. It
changed my life. . . . Thank you.” And he was gone.

We never know when a “Moment” will come in our lives and we have the privilege of
inviting God’s Presence into a situation. He comes. And that can make all the
difference in the life of a person who has lost all hope in this world.

He Comes.

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For One of Those Days

“Be happy in your confidence,
be patient in trouble,
and pray continually.”
Romans 12:12

We all have “good” days and “bad” days. I certainly do. I never anticipate those days,
and it may take a while for me to identify that I am having a bad day.

Paul certainly had bad days . . . according to his writings and history, he had a LOT of
bad days. He was also a very busy man. Before Jesus literally “knocked him off of his
horse” his was a life of power, aggressive behavior (to put it mildly), taking matters into
his own hands and killing people who followed Christ, . . . wreaking havoc in the
fledgling Christian communities that had sprung up following Jesus’ resurrection and
ascension.

In our daily lives, we can read these practical 12 words of Paul and hold them in our
minds as we move through our busy, pressured world.

“Be happy in your confidence,…” If you have chosen to follow Christ, you have
access to His Presence 24/7. God’s Word is full of promises that give hope, guidance,
wisdom, and peace of mind and heart. He has promised to be with us, no matter what
is going on around us, and in us. When everything in life seems to be chaotic and
confusing, we can be confident in Him. He never changes. He is always Present. He
is always accessible to anyone who comes to Him, no matter what.

“Be patient in trouble…” Because He is PRESENT, we can have calm hearts,
peaceful minds, and a perspective that results from knowing He Is Present. . . whatever
is going on. When trouble comes, HE is There with us. He sees. He knows. He is
near…in our very hearts. Listen to His Whispers “Peace! Be still.”

“Pray continually.” He is listening, He hears. He is Present. Keep talking to Him.

And listening.

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What’s Going on Here?

When Jesus entered the Temple courts,
he began to drive out those who were selling.
“It is written,” he said to them,
“‘My house will be ‘a House of Prayer’;
but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.”
Luke 19:45-46

In Jesus’ time, the Temple was the hub of the life of God’s people. Massive. Gleaming white
stones. A sacred space teeming with life. The “Crown Jewel” of the People of God. Animal
sacrifices were happening all the time, as the worshippers came with their gifts.

But the practical parts of that worship and sacrifice meant that there was also “business” going on: Doves and lambs that qualified for sacrifice were bought and sold. The aroma of incense, filled the air. Tables laden with articles needed by the worshippers . . . many of whom had come from great distance, needing practical items as well. Outside the sacred space of the Temple, the courts and surrounding area were filled with the visitors and worshippers, and sellers connected with the “Crown Jewel” of Jerusalem. . . and the biggest celebration.

Jesus had begun going there from nearby Bethlehem as an 8-day-old infant for His dedication to God by his parents. Then every year, they traveled all the way from Nazareth. Friends, neighbors and relatives were usually making the trip together on foot, along with the animals they would sacrifice.

Imagine a public event in a big city when the streets are barricaded due to the teeming crowds of friends and families. And strangers. In our world, these type of scenes are almost solely secular events, and it’s a madhouse of sights, smells, music, eating, drinking, shouting. Adding to the atmosphere was the presence of the military of the Roman Empire in all their power, arrogance, and cruel oppression of the worshippers of God.

Making the trip to the Temple in Jerusalem was something very, very special. Not a fair, not a carnival, not an entertainment event. . . its purpose was to worship and sacrifice to the One True God of the nation of Israel. Yet it’s easy to imagine the atmosphere of multitudes of people together for an event unique to the nation of Israel. Add to that the presence of Roman military, and it’s easy to imagine the “holy” purpose getting lost in the chaos.

Into this scene, comes Jesus. He could see his birthplace of Bethlehem, a few miles from the Temple Mount. The sacrifices and worship was taking place. He could also see the few miles of pastureland between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, where the finest quality of lambs were cared for by the best shepherds. These were the fields of lambs destined for sacrifice, above which Heaven’s angels had sung of the birth of the God’s Son. These were the finest quality lambs that were destined to be led through the Sheep’s Gate, nearest the Temple, and sacrificed for the sins of the people. This crowd of noisy people, buying, selling, keeping track of their children, keeping track of the sacrifice lambs they had brought with them were teeming on the Temple Mount.

Jesus knew that He, born in a sheep’s fold in Bethlehem, within sight of the Temple Mount,
would lay down His life . . . the Perfect Sacrifice . . . for the sins of the world.

Try to imagine the sights and chaos He took in, knowing all that had brought Him to this point in time. He knew what was to unfold very, very soon. He would be the One Perfect Sacrifice, led to the slaughter, to take away the sins of the whole world. The time was short.
In the midst of His own people completely engulfed in the chaos of what was a Sacred Space, a Sacred Moment in Time, when The Sacred Lamb would die a brutal, prolonged death as the One Holy Sacrifice Lamb for the sins of the whole world, is it any wonder that He experienced His Godly Anger for what that Space had become. Turning over the tables of “stuff” in the face of what He was about to do for all the world, . . . is it any wonder?

What would He say if He walked into our churches today? Knowing what His Sacrifice cost Him, what His Sacrifice accomplished for us as our only hope of spending eternity with Him, would He hear thanksgiving from our hearts and lips? Would He see money being exchanged for His Purposes? As acts of Worship for Him? Or for our own benefit? Would He experience a holy sense of awe from us for the privilege of being in His Presence? Would He walk through the clusters of Believers and hear hearts of gratitude . . . or even recognition of His Presence? Would they be there for “the show?” Would He call us by name?

Would we know Him?

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In the Courtroom

“That is why He is always able to save those who come to God through Him.
He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.”
Hebrews 7:25

Last year I had an experience I’ve never had before. I was called to testify in a trial for a
shooting I had witnessed two years earlier. In the weeks leading up to this trial, I found myself re-living the experience again and again in my mind. Though I witnessed something that had lasted only a few minutes, the seriousness of my testimony weighed heavily on me. I was not to be acting on the side of “interceding” for an action of an innocent person, but rather speaking words that would support a proof of guilt. The experience had been difficult to process, and reliving it in my mind was emotionally and mentally troubling.

When I consider the role that Jesus has taken in my life concerning my own sin and guilt, it is very sobering. Entering God’s Courtroom in my imagined “trial” is sobering. Not knowing who may be there to give testimony for or against me makes my mind and heart go in many
directions. What might be said? What did I do? What is true? What is false? What might
happen to me, either way? Who might be there, to accuse or defend? Is there anyone who will stand in my defense?

When we take a serious look at our own lives, as if on trial in a courtroom, what do we know will likely be exposed? What do we wish we had done differently? What do we fear may be the repercussions of a “guilty” verdict? What will happen to me? Who can help me?

Jesus is that One . . . the Only One . . . Who chooses to stand between “the guilty” and the
“Judge.” He is not there in a “Role” that can be hired, negotiated, bribed or bought. He is
there as One knowing exactly what we have done…the Eye Witness. He knows our guilt. He
knows The Judge, and His highest of standards and Laws.

He knows all the Truth. And He knows from experience the Penalty and punishment that a “guilty” verdict will bring. Yet He was innocent.

When the Hammer is poised to come down with a “guilty” verdict, fully deserved, Jesus turns to us, looks us in the eye, and asks, “Will you accept the forgiveness I offer you through giving my own life for you? Will you give Me your life, and follow Me from now on?”

What is your answer?

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It’s All About Me

“Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost.”
Luke 19:10

As I read Luke’s words, I recalled a little worship chorus that was popular in my earlier adult
years. The words were “It’s all about YOU, Jesus! And all this is for You, for Your glory and
Your fame . . . “ But at the time, there were other things going on in my adult life and church
world that made me substitute some other lyrics that seemed more honest:

“It’s all about ME, Jesus… for my glory and my fame. And all this is for ME . . . “

No, this version was never sung out loud. It was just sung in my own head. But it seemed an accurate description of the faith world in which I was surrounded. Unfortunately, we have a strong propensity to make ourselves the focus, even in our faith life.

Considering all that Jesus – the “Son of Man” – gave up for the sake of our earthly world and our Human destiny, we don’t deserve anything from Him. . . except judgment.

This simple statement by Luke is loaded with insight of what should matter most in how we live.

“…the Son of Man”….He lowered Himself to be one of us…simply as a “son”….a human.
“…has come…” His initiative, His movement toward us.
“….to seek…” Active pursuit of us…actively searching for us, no matter where we are …
No matter what rock we’re living under.
“…and to save….” Active choice on His part to intervene in our fatal path
“…people who are lost.” We face hopelessness, certain doom, unable to do anything to
change our fate. We have no idea where we are, nor how to get “home.”

He took all the actions to save our lives. We had no options nor ability to change our own
reality nor our endings and beyond, in our eternal destiny.

Why would He do that?
Because that is what Love does.
That is Who He Is.

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Marked

“If someone brings a lamb as their sin offering, they are to bring a female without defect.”
Leviticus 4:32

Our lambs are having babies! It’s the first time that this event was actually intentional on our part. The first sheep we purchased arrived in January a few years ago, and we received a phone call about a week later from the seller that she suspected they may all be carrying lambs, due to her ram escaping his pen every Sunday when she would go to church.

Now, those grown-up “lambs” are carrying their own little lambs, and we are almost daily finding new little ones in their mama’s pens. Their baby-like cries are so heart- touching, calling for their mama’s as they stand on their wobbly little legs, their little eyes looking at these strange creatures with two missing legs.

For our mama’s, it’s their first experience of giving birth. Some are doing fine with the process. But there are a few we have had to closely monitor or remove them from their
mothers for their own lamb’s safety.

One new mother actually killed her twin lambs in the night. The emotional experience
for our family was something we’d never dealt with before. One action taken was to
spray-paint a fluorescent “X” on her wool. She is “marked” to be used for “other
purposes” in the future.

God made it clear in His Book that the sacrifices He required in worship from His People were to be done with lambs that had no defect. Any lambs that were not “perfect” would be used for purposes other than as gifts of sacrifice to God.

It’s impossible to find “perfect” lambs.

God Himself could not find a “perfect” Lamb that would be fully acceptable to Him to
become the “perfect” Sacrifice. . . One who was not “marked” by sin. One whose blood
would cover the sins of man.

So He chose to provide His Own. . . for us.

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Hey! I’m Talking to You!

“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Any parent, and any child is probably familiar with the frequent scenario of parent’s voice calling the name of a child, and saying something like, “Hey! Are you listening to me?” or “I’m talking to you, Henry!” or “Have you done what I asked you to do 15 minutes ago?”

God has a lot of problems of this nature with telling His Children something, and then having to repeat the directive because it wasn’t done.

In this passage, God’s amazing leader Moses had died, just on the brink of entering – finally! – the Land He had promised to Moses and all of His People Israel. Joshua was now in his new role of leading this massive nation of desert-travelers into their new Homeland, Israel. Out of Egypt’s bondage, through decades of traveling (in circles at times) together and learning not only who they were as a Nation, but learning Who God Is.

Having now arrived at the brink of their Promised Land, their beloved leader Moses died, and the man who must now fill Moses’ sandals – Joshua – was looking at their Destiny. This was IT. The nation had spent 40 years going in circles in the Desert . . . learning who they were, and Whose they were. It was time to GO IN.

But there were already people there, who had lived in that Promised Land for as long as anyone could remember. They had their own history there. They had their own unique culture and language. They had their own gods.

It’s understandable that there was great hesitation and fear for the former slaves, God’s nation of Israel, to take those first steps into the Land. What awaited them? WHO awaited them? They could see their Destiny, but they did not know what would happen next. Friends or Foes. Most likely foes, as they had been experiencing for centuries as slaves in Egypt.

What were their thoughts as they stood at the brink of their true Homeland?

Fear. Weakness. Discouragement. What awaited the weary nation of former slaves? New leadership. Foreign people who now had lived their own history on those Promised Lands.

What would life be?

Joshua’s first official speech as their new leader was “Be strong and courageous.” Woven through the new leader’s first official address to his Nation were the reminders of God’s plans, how He had led and protected them. They remembered God’s promise to be with them each step of the way. God “has this” and was with them. Promise.

We, the People of God….following His leadership in our lives, need to also be reminded of God’s faithfullness, His Promises, His protection, His Plans for our good as we journey through this life on earth. Look back and remember how He did it before. Look ahead with confidence that He will be in our future. And hold tightly to His Hand as He walks with us through the years He has planned for us here.