It's 5 years to the day since I was lamenting a period of tough scripture readings (My reading plan at this time of the year has me in Ezekiel & Revelation each day). And as I shared it with Cathy Christelow I received an SMS back reminding me that there was a message in the Word for me that day. I just needed to persist.
I think of that advice often because some quite large slabs of the Bible are hard to read. Recently I have been finding it hard going again and I have a tendency to skip parts of my reading or only give it a superficial read and then wonder why I get nothing out of it. I have then grabbed my old journals and found that in other years I have obviously read the same passage with a different focus because back then I gained some interesting insights into what those passages meant to me.
Two lessons today:
1) There is no point in opening the Bible if we aren't focused on hearing from God. We have to believe that God's word has a message for us every time we open it up. Sometimes we just need to work a bit harder to find that message!
2) Words of encouragement are really important. We don't recall every bit of encouragement that we receive but sometimes we receive a word that sticks and keeps on giving year in, year out. So, a few words via sms from Cathy 5 years ago continue to come back to me on a regular basis.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Hearing from God
" I hear this most gentle whisper from one I never guessed would speak to me." Ps 81:5
It is so difficult to get your voice heard in the world. Often it is a case of not what you know but who you know that gets your voice heard. Other times you need to be loud or 'different' or controversial to get yourself some attention (cue the lunatic pastor in America or the Australian lawyer who think that burning religious books is smart).
This is the way of the world.
But not for the first time in scripture we see God coming in a quiet way (although other translations of vs 5 are less clear). We need to be consciously trying to engage God in order to hear him if he comes with a gentle whisper.
The Psalmist also says "I never guessed (He) would speak to me". Most of us would say that too. Who are we that God would choose to speak to us? If we don't have a high profile, if we don't have some influential person to open a few doors for us, if we don't do something outrageous to draw God's attention, then what hope do we have? Yet, God does want to speak to us.
Interesting isn't it that the God of the universe, the Creator, wants to speak to us and yet we don't think that he would want to and so don't spend time listening for his gentle voice.
At church we have come off a very busy weekend with lots of people returning for our 125th anniversary. It was loud both in terms of the music and the number of conversations going on between people who hadn't seen each other for some time. Some people leave events like that exilerated and energised. I came away drained. Maybe I just don't like crowds. But it has reminded me of the fact that in the frentetic pace of events and the loudness of gathered crowds it's sometimes hard to hear from God, even in a place designed specifically for that purpose.
God forgive me for not listening and not expecting to hear from you even though you have made it clear that you want to have this strong relationship with me.
It is so difficult to get your voice heard in the world. Often it is a case of not what you know but who you know that gets your voice heard. Other times you need to be loud or 'different' or controversial to get yourself some attention (cue the lunatic pastor in America or the Australian lawyer who think that burning religious books is smart).
This is the way of the world.
But not for the first time in scripture we see God coming in a quiet way (although other translations of vs 5 are less clear). We need to be consciously trying to engage God in order to hear him if he comes with a gentle whisper.
The Psalmist also says "I never guessed (He) would speak to me". Most of us would say that too. Who are we that God would choose to speak to us? If we don't have a high profile, if we don't have some influential person to open a few doors for us, if we don't do something outrageous to draw God's attention, then what hope do we have? Yet, God does want to speak to us.
Interesting isn't it that the God of the universe, the Creator, wants to speak to us and yet we don't think that he would want to and so don't spend time listening for his gentle voice.
At church we have come off a very busy weekend with lots of people returning for our 125th anniversary. It was loud both in terms of the music and the number of conversations going on between people who hadn't seen each other for some time. Some people leave events like that exilerated and energised. I came away drained. Maybe I just don't like crowds. But it has reminded me of the fact that in the frentetic pace of events and the loudness of gathered crowds it's sometimes hard to hear from God, even in a place designed specifically for that purpose.
God forgive me for not listening and not expecting to hear from you even though you have made it clear that you want to have this strong relationship with me.
Friday, September 10, 2010
World's most liveable city
"Astonished, passersby can't believe what they see. They rub their eyes, they shake their heads over Jerusalem. Is this the city voted "Most Beautiful" and "Best Place to Live"? Lamentations 2:15
When I read this I immediately thought of the line once bragged about by Melbourne - "Melbourne voted the world's most liveable city". So it also was with Jerusalem it seems. Yet eventually Judah was invaded and exiled to Babylon. It was the most horrendous time in its history. A classic case of price before a fall.
In the book of Obadiah we read of the judgement of Edom which was a mortal enemy of Judah. Obadiah wrote "you stood there & watched. You were as bad as they were. You shouldn't have gloated over your brother when he was down and out". And so on...
There are messages of pride and justice here.
Pride - Let's not think of ourselves better than we ought. No bragging. Times can change very quickly.
Justice - sometimes we stand, watch and gloat at an enemy's suffering. Eventually Judah ruled Edom. What goes around comes around.
God help me to leave pride behind and to help when another is suffering, not gloat over their suffering, especially if they are my enemies.
When I read this I immediately thought of the line once bragged about by Melbourne - "Melbourne voted the world's most liveable city". So it also was with Jerusalem it seems. Yet eventually Judah was invaded and exiled to Babylon. It was the most horrendous time in its history. A classic case of price before a fall.
In the book of Obadiah we read of the judgement of Edom which was a mortal enemy of Judah. Obadiah wrote "you stood there & watched. You were as bad as they were. You shouldn't have gloated over your brother when he was down and out". And so on...
There are messages of pride and justice here.
Pride - Let's not think of ourselves better than we ought. No bragging. Times can change very quickly.
Justice - sometimes we stand, watch and gloat at an enemy's suffering. Eventually Judah ruled Edom. What goes around comes around.
God help me to leave pride behind and to help when another is suffering, not gloat over their suffering, especially if they are my enemies.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The shrinking army
"All the army officers....accompanied by all the people, small and great, came to Jeremiah the prophet and said, "We have a request. Please listen. Pray to your God for us, what's left of us. You can see for yourself how few we are! Pray that your God will tell us the way we should go and what we should do."" Jer 42: 1-3
So, how did it work out? At the end of the chapter Jeremiah says "Well, now I've told you, told you everything he said, and you haven't obeyed a word of it, not a single word..."
Two things come to mind: 1) When I read "all the army officers" I thought of the Salvos (only a Salvo would think of that!) - you can see how small we are. What should we do? There are some parallels there between the remnants of Judah and the Salvation Army. And 2) having asked for guidance they didn't listen to a word of God's answer.
Well, we are a shrinking army, in the western world anyway. But do we listen to God when he gives his answers to our prayers? Often we, both individually and as an organisation, go to God with our request and also secretly with the answer that we almost demand God gives us. If the answer doesn't fit, we won't listen to it.
The end of chapter 42 is quite gruesome - "So now let me tell you what will happen next: You'll be killed, you'll starve to death, you'll get sick and die in the wonderful country where you've determined to go and live." They certainly got their comeuppance. We have to be careful not to ask God for an answer and then refuse to listen to it and wilfully do the opposite.
So, how did it work out? At the end of the chapter Jeremiah says "Well, now I've told you, told you everything he said, and you haven't obeyed a word of it, not a single word..."
Two things come to mind: 1) When I read "all the army officers" I thought of the Salvos (only a Salvo would think of that!) - you can see how small we are. What should we do? There are some parallels there between the remnants of Judah and the Salvation Army. And 2) having asked for guidance they didn't listen to a word of God's answer.
Well, we are a shrinking army, in the western world anyway. But do we listen to God when he gives his answers to our prayers? Often we, both individually and as an organisation, go to God with our request and also secretly with the answer that we almost demand God gives us. If the answer doesn't fit, we won't listen to it.
The end of chapter 42 is quite gruesome - "So now let me tell you what will happen next: You'll be killed, you'll starve to death, you'll get sick and die in the wonderful country where you've determined to go and live." They certainly got their comeuppance. We have to be careful not to ask God for an answer and then refuse to listen to it and wilfully do the opposite.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
What sort of mindset do I have?
I find it interesting, but not surprising, that I don't feel like reading the Bible at the times that I really need to read it. Today is one of those days. I have received some news that hasn't exactly made me a happy chappy! One sage piece of advice that I received from Kevin Grigsbey when he was our Corps Officer (minister) was that he never mailed a letter until the following day that he had written when he was angry. So, I won't blog today on my thoughts. Yet, as I opened my old journals from previous years I read something that I needed to read. So, even though I didn't feel like reading Kings, Chronicles, Jeremiah & Revelation today I have still received a message that I needed to hear. This is my 7th Sept 2006 journal:
"The evil mindset spread to the leaders and priests and filtered down to the people...." 2 Chr 36:14.
People in leadership positions have a lot of pulling power over the people they lead. Their influence can be considerable. When we look at countries such as North Korea or Cuba we see countries ruled by the influence of one man. But they wouldn't survive if their influence had not spread to other leaders and the military.
Evil leaders tend to spread fear but leaders of God need to lead in different ways.
It is a challenge to us and to me to think about what mindset we have and what is being filtered down to others we have the privilege of leading. We have a responsibility to ensure that the mindset we spread is one that demonstrates the characteristics of God.
God, with the influence that I have, help me to be an influence that brings people closer to you and demonstrates your values.
"The evil mindset spread to the leaders and priests and filtered down to the people...." 2 Chr 36:14.
People in leadership positions have a lot of pulling power over the people they lead. Their influence can be considerable. When we look at countries such as North Korea or Cuba we see countries ruled by the influence of one man. But they wouldn't survive if their influence had not spread to other leaders and the military.
Evil leaders tend to spread fear but leaders of God need to lead in different ways.
It is a challenge to us and to me to think about what mindset we have and what is being filtered down to others we have the privilege of leading. We have a responsibility to ensure that the mindset we spread is one that demonstrates the characteristics of God.
God, with the influence that I have, help me to be an influence that brings people closer to you and demonstrates your values.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Who is God... really?
"Am I going to put up with questions from people like you, Israel? As sure as I am the living God, I, God, the Master, refuse to be called into question by you!" Ezekiel 20:31
As we have moved into a kinder, gentler era where everyone can believe whatever they like, we have subtly redefined who God is. In fact, we could possibly suggest that all generations do it as we are tempted to make God in our image. So, God from one generation to the next looks remarkably like the generation of that time.
We tend to call God into question. Sometimes in our kinder, gentler generations we say "Nah, God doesn't judge like that. God is love." In the more barbaric generations such as the Crusades we have tended to take judgement into our own hands as that is what we assume God would want us to do.
God, in Ezekiel says "I refuse to be called into question by you." We don't have any right to question God's judgement just because he doesn't happen to fit our mould at the time.
This is where we need to read the scripture with eyes open to see who God is...really.
God, help me not to be blinded by the here and now and, in the process, completely miss who you really are.
As we have moved into a kinder, gentler era where everyone can believe whatever they like, we have subtly redefined who God is. In fact, we could possibly suggest that all generations do it as we are tempted to make God in our image. So, God from one generation to the next looks remarkably like the generation of that time.
We tend to call God into question. Sometimes in our kinder, gentler generations we say "Nah, God doesn't judge like that. God is love." In the more barbaric generations such as the Crusades we have tended to take judgement into our own hands as that is what we assume God would want us to do.
God, in Ezekiel says "I refuse to be called into question by you." We don't have any right to question God's judgement just because he doesn't happen to fit our mould at the time.
This is where we need to read the scripture with eyes open to see who God is...really.
God, help me not to be blinded by the here and now and, in the process, completely miss who you really are.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Have a nice day
In what job would you find the grumpiest people? How about newsagents? When I visit the two newsagents close to work I get the feeling that I am a major interruption to their day. I usually have to wait to be served even if there are no people in the shop, then I am greeted with a surly look. No smile, often no eye contact, no thanks and maybe a gruff "do you want that it a bag?". Today I was made to wait (no one in the shop), no eye contact, definitely no smile but I did get "have a nice day" (minus the smile and eye contact) as I left!
I sometimes watch Christians too. Do we act differently when people know we are Christians to when they don't? And, does it matter? Well, yes and no. Yes, because if we are known to be a Christian (for us Salvos, maybe when we are in uniform) then people often form an opinion of all Christians on the basis of the behaviour of one. Suffice to say then that they often accept or reject God on the basis of our behaviour. On the other hand, no it doesn't make a difference because we are God's representatives whether other people are aware of it or not. And who knows what opportunities will present themselves if we come across as people who actually care about those we are dealing with.
As I read our Pastor's blog (Major Daryl) currently serving in Haiti, there is a recurring theme. It's about being a real follower of Christ. No flashy tee shirts screaming "look at me I'm a Christian"; not using our position of power over people (UN trucks refusing to sit in traffic like everyone else); not being the boss by standing and watching or giving orders but by earning respect by pitching in and doing the hard yards.
My 'friendly' neighbourhood newsagent has once again reminded me of how important it is to try and not stuff up the relationships that I have with the people I meet. With every contact that I have during the day, whether I know the person or not, is important to act in a way that doesn't trash the name of God.
I sometimes watch Christians too. Do we act differently when people know we are Christians to when they don't? And, does it matter? Well, yes and no. Yes, because if we are known to be a Christian (for us Salvos, maybe when we are in uniform) then people often form an opinion of all Christians on the basis of the behaviour of one. Suffice to say then that they often accept or reject God on the basis of our behaviour. On the other hand, no it doesn't make a difference because we are God's representatives whether other people are aware of it or not. And who knows what opportunities will present themselves if we come across as people who actually care about those we are dealing with.
As I read our Pastor's blog (Major Daryl) currently serving in Haiti, there is a recurring theme. It's about being a real follower of Christ. No flashy tee shirts screaming "look at me I'm a Christian"; not using our position of power over people (UN trucks refusing to sit in traffic like everyone else); not being the boss by standing and watching or giving orders but by earning respect by pitching in and doing the hard yards.
My 'friendly' neighbourhood newsagent has once again reminded me of how important it is to try and not stuff up the relationships that I have with the people I meet. With every contact that I have during the day, whether I know the person or not, is important to act in a way that doesn't trash the name of God.
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