the Cross

Today, we are turned toward the cross. No matter how I view the cross, I am reminded that it was my disobedience, my pride, my selfishness, my insecurity, my shortcomings that put Jesus there. I read of the 'trial' and the crowd. I read of the soldiers, the mocking, the torture, the crown of thorns. As I try to imagine the pain Jesus must have felt, I am reminded that it wasn't just the soldiers and the crowd - it was me. This story isn't a distant story, unconnected to my life - this is intricately connected to who I am. I cannot view the cross without thinking of my sin.
And I am also overcome with emotion, with the realization of how far-reaching God's grace is. I am reminded that Christ's body was broken for me. I am reminded that the blood He shed covers my shame and guilt, my sin. I am reminded that I have been made clean by the sacrifice of Christ. This is nothing I have done - I do not deserve that which I have received. It is only by the cross that I am forgiven, that I am made new, that I am adopted into God's family.
Years ago, I had a friend who shared his 'life verse' with me. This was the passage that served as foundational to his life. A couple of years ago (I'm a little slow) I found a verse that I wanted to own. As I read today's passage, I found myself coming back to my life verse.
"For I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the One who loved me and gave His life for me." It is found in Galatians.

I wonder what thoughts you had reading of the crucifixion. And do you have a life verse? If so, I'd love to hear it.

Gethsemane and the Arrest

Like so many of the others we've talked about, this passage contains so much. I'd love to hear which part resonated with you...and why. Was it the sleeping disciples? Peter? The Sanhedrin? What jumped out at you and why?

There are two pieces that spoke to me today:
1. Jesus' prayer. I love that Jesus was wrestling with what He was facing. It is one thing for us to look at the life of Jesus and think, "Well, He's Jesus - He's perfect and doesn't have to face what we have to face." Jesus was facing death for crimes He didn't commit. Those that He spoke into existence were going to nail Him to a cross. And He had the power to stop it all. Yet His simple prayer was, "Not my will, but Yours be done." I want to have the courage and peace and mindset to say those words with all my heart. And then I want to live them out.

2. In the midst of Jesus' arrest, Peter pulled his sword and was ready to fight. I believe that this is a mistake many of us make. We believe that we are called to fight in the same ways the world fights - with swords. Some of the greatest setbacks of the Kingdom have to do with those who have choosen the physical weapons of our world. I believe Jesus looks at us and says, "Put away your sword." We are not fighting against flesh and blood. We are fighting against darkness and the subtle yet powerful presence of evil in this world. The only means we have that will prevail is our choice to love.

Now it's your turn. I talk and type too much. I want to hear what is on your mind as you read these scriptures. What is God stirring in you? Don't be shy...let's hear it.

the end...or the beginning

Today's passage is probably the most convicting passage for me in the Greek Scriptures. Jesus has just told the Parable of the Talents (this is the parable that led our family to MMCC). As powerful as this parable is, it is not enough. Jesus continues on with "When the Son of Man comes..." This is a picture of the end - or is it the beginning? At the end, or beginning, all of humanity will be gathered before God and will be divided, like dogs and cats (or sheep and goats). Here we find how we will be judged. For many churched people, like me, it would be so much more comforting to read, "Well done. For you showed up every Sunday and memorized your Bible verse. You put money in the offering plate and sang the songs." But we don't find anything like this. We find "Well done. For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you provided a place for me. I had no clothes and you gave me some. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you didn't ignore me." (my paraphrase) These are the things that reflect the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

What makes you uncomfortable with this passage? Is it as convicting to you as it is to me? Why or why not?

Our mission team is working to lead us into opportunities here and abroad that move us in these directions. This passage will give us practical guidance on living out our new life in Christ. In the coming months, you will have the opportunity to do these things: feed the hungry, provide housing for the homeless, give clothes to those in need, visit the sick. We want these things to define who we are. These are practical ways we will love people with no strings attached. Are you in?

Separated and not Equal

Matt 25

I love how Jesus never leaves  a single stone unturned, or any loop holes for us to slip through then say, “ If I only understood what Jesus was really meaning.” My post from yesterday could be read again with the addition of the following thoughts.

The parable of the virgins adds the warning that we must be ready for the bridegroom ,and while we're waiting don’t become complacent or fall asleep. During the time of waiting, Jesus is telling us to use what we have wisely. In verse 14-30 the following parable of the talents enforces this truth.

Finally, in case I didn’t quite understand, verse 31-46 explains what is going to happen when Jesus takes His position on the throne in all His glory. There is the great separation that will take place, when we will be judged for what we did and didn't do. Our hearts will be checked under God’s microscope, what we have done will also be judged, because what I do gives much insight to what is inside.

I am understanding that all things are not equal, just because I am present for an exam doesn't give me a automatic pass. Jesus is not making me feel comfortable as I read this. 

My prayer Lord, is that as I walk from day to day, that I get it right and meet Your requirement for me. Amen

Paul D.M Johnson

The End and the Beginning

Matt. 24

As I live my life as a believer it is so easy to be consumed with living: doing life, meeting deadlines, focusing on the future as it relates to me.  Today I am strongly reminded by this passage that to live is Christ and to die is gain!

Jesus here is giving us a roadmap to understand the signals of the end of this age. When I think of many of the signs listed in this passage along with the description of a woman in labour (verse 8). The signs are becoming more frequent and pronounced. Then in verse 34 Jesus says something very serious…… when you see these things happen know that this generation will not die until everything has happened. If that wasn’t enough He says, “ Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”. This is another way of saying when Jesus speaks His words it is timeless

Even as to I am so easily consumed with my  busy life, the fact remains that scripture is being fulfilled, the time here on earth is short, and I need to be prepared and ready for the wedding (in chapter 22). If I am as serious as the Lord wants me to be, there would be a sense of urgency in how I live today, and how intense my passion is with respect to finding ways to let the whole world know that there is no one that He wants to leave behind. Everyone is invited to make their lives matter today for eternity, He is coming soon!

Paul D.M Johnson

Woe!

Matt. 23

In this passage there is a simple message and the Messiah was very clear in His monolog. There are few places in the scriptures where He was stronger with His words. Christ is speaking to the scribes, Pharisees and teachers, religious leaders who were all the targets of this discourse. 

The warning to this group was to those who sat in the  Moses seat(leaders of the church), where the holy scriptures were both read and taught (seat of authority). Their teachings were focused around the outward practices, it must make us look good to be good. These teachings put the hearers under bondage and weighted down the people with rituals. For instance, washing the outside of the cup that everyone sees, the outward was what mattered to them but the problem is that Jesus wasn't hearing any talk or interest about cleaning the inside of the cup. It was all about looking good for ego sake. Jesus is saying here, yes clean the cup on the outside, as well as the inside.  It needs the same focus as the outside. Then there were the issues of saying one thing and doing the another, along with showing superiority by their position and power, which is pride.

Today that same warning applies to us all to ensure that the whole truth is presented, the outer... and the inner part.

Woe to those that mislead, or exploit the word of God.

Who is the KING of the Castle?

Matt 22 

Again, a bunch of nuggets here, here are a few thoughts, 

verse 2-

There is a marriage that is happening, and Christ the bridegroom has prepared a wonderful spread. The bride is us the church, with the vows being the gospel on which we are called to believe, and a big sacrifice has been given which the food that we eat at this banquet. Jesus continues to bait the listeners in this parable, the ones who knew better couldn’t be bothered to go and invite guests to the wedding banquet. Therefore the king destroys those servants…. (I mean the king). The king sends out some more servants that truly understood the mandate. People started coming to the banquet, but one person arrived and thought that he could come dress how he wanted,  “Arizona casual”. God seems to be reminding me, that he is requiring formal wear only, which means preparation is required.

  verse 15-22

There is a feeling from the religious leaders that they are trying to entrap Jesus with the law of the land… go figure. Is it Caesar or is it God, who owns what is really important here. God trumps Caesar, Caesar keeps the coin. God gets my life.

verse 41-45

The closing argument is in , is who is the bridegroom? David you know, decent starting point, but even David says “LORD” (v45). If God is God then I must give myself to him.

GOD RESTS HIS CASE!!!! Court is now adjourned.

This is an incredible example of using the law and divine understanding.

Paul D.M Johnson

Following Him

Matt. 21

As usual there is too much in this chapter to spend a few paragraphs to comment on. As we read a few things stood out.

Scene 1:

Jesus sent Peter and John out with very specific instructions, basically to see at a specific location an ass and a colt, and to take the animals, if you are asked, let them know that the Lord has need of them. Now the Jews had been waiting looking for the Messiah that would come and save them from oppression. Horses were animals of kings that were joined by chariots and armies. In the natural this could have been an embarrassing command. But they went, the animals were right where they were supposed to be.

Scene 2:

 Jesus rides into a township of Jerusalem, and these animals that were used by a pauper. Yet there was something that compelled many to line the roadway, and do what we call in this era, “roll out the red carpet”. They shouted and celebrated “Hosanna!” Yes some asked questions but that didn’t stop the crowd.

Scene 3:

Jesus goes to the temple, and does some house cleaning. The temple had turned into a sellers market, there were potential sacrifices for sale, but the purpose of the temple had been compromised, what a scene of the Christ’s anger and authority. His house was to be a house of prayer.

There isn’t really a scene change here....  the sick, then came to the temple and they were healed. What a supernatural event!

What hit me here is there were some things that paved the way for the extra ordinary to take place in the temple;

1)             1)     Obedience, we need to do what he says. He has given us scripture as our road map, even when we don’t                   understand 

2)              2)    Purification, what things in our life need a spring cleaning, good sweep, even a good fire to burn what is                not pleasing to God 

3)              3)   Worship, in simplicity, doesn’t need a horse and chariots to ride in, he wants us to see Him for who he really            is, and living in an attitude of that street scene.

4)            Wonders, extra ordinary things took place, lives were changed. Lord let me crave such a experience on a daily basis so I can affect my world. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit.

  Just my 2 cents worth.

  Paul D.M Johnson

 

"What do I still lack?"

Matthew 19

The story of the Rich Young Man is astonishing to me. He was not a Pharisee trying to trap Jesus. It seems he genuinely wanted help. How many people in the gospels come to Jesus, seeking, searching, asking and leave disappointed?

For so many people in the gospels who are hurting, dying, caught in sin, the message of Jesus is good news. For this young man, the message of Jesus does not seem to be good news at all. “He went away sad…”

He meets Jesus and leaves sad?
Why?
What can we learn from this?

Of course, there are a lot different contextual things going on in this story...but with our current sermon series, this is a good reminder of what we should put our trust in.

PS- Verse 21 might be one of the hardest verses in the Bible to read….verse 26 might be one of my favorites.

What goes in...

In our first 21 verses from yesterday, Jesus takes the criticism of the Pharisees and religious scholars and turns it right back on them, pointing out how they have abused the law. They had to realize He new that they were now trying to use it against him. Personally, the law and the Book of Leviticus can sometimes make my head hurt; I can’t imagine trying to actually live it out to the letter. Yet Jesus is able to live out the law perfectly in the eyes of God. He respects the law but is able to use it to bring about a change and, most importantly, a focus on God. What is that focus? I love the title The Message Bible gives to this passage: “What Pollutes Your Life”. Jesus knows that, as humans, what we put in our heart and mind directs what comes out of our mouths and actions.

With kids, we often talk about this concept as a recipe. If you put vinegar into your cookie dough batter, you’re cookies aren’t gonna’ taste they like should when all is said and done. This is why we are to take heed of these words in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

This chapter then takes us to an act of great faith as we witness a Canaanite women’s fight for her daughter. We rarely see Jesus turn anyone away and yet, here, it seems that is what is happening. What a test of faith this turns out to be. What I take from this passage is more than just faith put to test, but a message about who Jesus is here for. He came “the lost sheep of Israel”, but stretched His arms on the cross of all of mankind. His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace know no barriers of race, culture or heritage. He is available to all who will seek and submit, no matter the personal struggle or cost.

2 Great Deeds

Over the years I have told and reenacted these two great deeds countless times to groups of children. I love watching these pieces of history come to life and, more importantly, how they demonstrate how awesome our God really is. He can multiply food by the thousands and defy gravity by walking on water and all while involving Himself and interacting on a personal level with the people.

The walking on the water story became very personal to me about 4 years ago. Darin’s job had been cut in a work force reduction and we had been feeling a huge tug to move on…but to where, to what? I remember the day vividly, as I sat in the prayer room pouring my all out to God for direction. “Just show me what you want us to do,” I cried over and over again. And that’s when He brought me to Matthew 14:22. I saw the whole story play out in my mind, but this time it wasn’t Peter stepping out of the boat it was me. “Just sep out of the boat” God told me several times. But each time His command was met with a question from me “How?” “When?” And the only response was “You’ll know when it’s time.” I have to admit I walked away not feeling much more at peace and with little resolve, but I clung to the hope that I would know. A year later, I knew. We had a difficult and scary decision to make. Make a commitment to move to Arizona when our house hadn’t sold yet and neither of us had jobs lined up. And it was in that situation that I knew it was time, time to step out of the boat. I told Darin that instead of us waiting on God to put everything all in order, God was waiting on us to step of the boat and walk. So we did.

The great deeds in our reading today are powerful testimonies to who Jesus is. I love that Jesus is so BIG and powerful and so small and intimate at the same time. That just blows my mind sometimes! I share my story today because it was a very powerful lesson for me; a time when I truly feel my faith was tested. Could I step out of the boat? Could we totally go on faith? I thank God today for reminding me of it today so that I never forget how precious my faith in Him really is.

I encourage you today to reflect on a moment or moments in your life where you stepped out of the boat. But go beyond that, share it someone today. Let your “walk on water” be an encouragement, a testimony, a challenge to someone God has put in your life. And let us walk tall today, whatever challenges come our way, knowing our faith is enough.

Change is coming...

Notice in the readings the mixed reception that Jesus receives. This new 'way' draws much criticism and anger from the religious leaders of His day. The Pharisees are looking for ways to oppose and trap Him. They have trusted so much in their strict obedience to the Law that their hearts have become hard to the truth Jesus has brought into the world. Jesus quotes Hosea 6.6 a couple of times. I love this passage of scripture: "I (God) desire mercy, not sacrifice." The Israelites were trusting in their sacrifices to make them right with God. But as Jesus will continue to say, it is the condition of our hearts that connects us with our Heavenly Father.

I believe the church in our day focuses on sins of commission. We seem to focus on not doing certain things. But there are also sins of omission. These are things that we should do, but choose not to do. I believe it is possible to not do evil/wrong, but still fail to do good. This is what was going on with the Pharisees. They were completely preoccupied with staying away from certain things and in turn, they missed out on doing more important things (did that sentence make any sense?). We can be guilty of the same. Let's not focus only on cutting out certain things...let's remember to do good in the process.

Did you notice?

Matthew chapter 9

Did you notice?
*The statement Jesus makes (vs. 2) is that why the paralytic came to Jesus?

Did you notice?
*Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him (vs. 9). What is the significance of a tax collector?

Did you notice?
*Similar to the story of the leper, Jesus comes in contact with two more things that according to Jewish Law defile or cause to become unclean.
(Vs. 18-26) A hemorrhaging woman touches Jesus, and then he himself touches a corpse.

Did you notice?
*Jesus tells the blind men who have been healed to not tell people about Jesus (vs. 30). Why does Jesus want them to be quiet?

Did you notice?
*The healed blind men immediately disobey Jesus (vs. 31) and spread the news. Is that okay? ☺

Did you notice?
*The abuse Jesus takes from the Pharisees, teachers of the law and John’s disciples?
Vs. 3 This fellow is blaspheming!
Vs. 11 Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?
Vs. 14 How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?
Vs. 24 But they laughed at him.
Vs. 34 It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.
Each statement comes in response to the work of Jesus.

Once again, Matthew was written to a Jewish audience. Imagine what the first recipients of this book were thinking as they read these stories.

This Jesus does things a little differently.
This authority is different from the authorities of our world.
This Jesus has authority to do things only God does.

The reach of love

Great job with the discussion! It has been enjoyable to read.

Chapter 8 consists of a variety of characters! It begins with a leper, a Roman soldier who had great faith, and Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus then calms a storm…you know...like you do. And finally heals two men who are demon possessed by wiping out a bunch of pigs, and actually has people beg him to go away. So needless to say…I might need some help with this blog ☺

Let’s start with the leper. Lepers will be popping up in the gospels and it is important to understand the physical and social consequences of their condition.
Two kinds of leprosy: The first is on top of the skin:
“It might begin with little nodules on the skin, which go on to ulcerate and boil. The ulcers develop a foul discharge; the vocal chords become ulcerated, the voice becomes hoarse, and the breath wheezes. The hands and feet always ulcerate. Slowly the sufferer becomes a mass of ulcerated growths. The average course of that kind of leprosy is nine years and it ends in mental decay, coma and death.
The second kind of leprosy is in the nerves.
Leprosy might begin with the loss of all sensation in some part of the body; the nerve trunks are affected; the muscles atrophy; the tendons contract until the hands are like claws. Without feeling in the extremities, it would not be hard to lose fingers or toes due to injury. This type of leprosy could take 20 years to kill a person. It is a kind of terrible progressive death in which a person dies by inches.”
(The Gospel of Matthew, Barclay 295)

The physical condition of leprosy is absolutely terrible and painful, a horrible disease! But there is something that made it worse. Lepers were cut off from their family and friends. They were banished from human society. Wherever they went, they were required by the Law to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45) Josephus tells us lepers were treated “as if they were, in effect, already dead.” For a Jew in the time of Jesus, there were 61 different contacts which could defile. Lepers were number two on that list. Lepers were the walking dead.
Remember, Matthew was written to a Jewish audience and they knew the rules “no contact with lepers”. Imagine a young Jewish boy in the 1st Century A.D. reading this story for the first time, and this sentence pops up:

“And Jesus reached out his hand and touched the leper.”

Seek first...

Wow, another chapter with a lot to digest (hagah). Who wrote this Bible reading plan? ☺
Chapter 6 opens with a simple warning from Jesus…”Be careful”. He just finished teaching on murder, adultery, divorce, and revenge, and he segues into giving, praying, and fasting with this warning?
Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.

Give, but not like the hypocrites who do so to be honored by men…. do so secretly.
Pray, but not like the hypocrites who pray to be seen…. do so behind closed doors.
Fast, but not like the hypocrites who show off…. don’t let it be obvious.

Is there a wrong way to do a good thing? What do you think Jesus is getting at?

The first thing that comes to my mind is pride. Spiritual pride. Something I struggle with greatly.

In “Mere Christianity”, CS Lewis has a wonderful chapter called The Great Sin.
Lewis writes, “The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit: and the virtue opposite to it, in Christian morals, is called Humility. The devil is perfectly content to see you becoming chaste and brave and self-controlled provided, all the time, he is setting up in you the Dictatorship of Pride - just as he would be quite content to see your chilblains cured if he was allowed, in return, to give you cancer. For Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.”

What are our motives? And whom are we trying to please/impress? Do I seek God’s kingdom first, or my own? God wants more than just our actions, he wants our hearts. When our motives are to seek God and his kingdom first we find true life.

The second part of this chapter starting in verse 19 is worth memorizing! A passage I think we should return to everyday in our walk with God.

A Hebrew idiom appears in verse 22. Does anyone want to explain it?

too much

Seriously? This much for one day? I don't think it is possible for me to do justice to the great material in this chapter. So, I'll not comment on everything that is on my mind. (If you want to dig into some thoughts I'm having about verses 38-42, google Walter Wink - the third way. You'll find a lot of great material there...and you will find yourself frustrated and encouraged and ...)

One of my favorite parts of Jesus' teachings is found here in chapter 5, verses 13-16. This is good stuff, and a great challenge to us as followers of Christ. We are salt and we are light. If we don't 'taste' good, if we've lost our saltiness, we have missed something. We should 'taste' good in the way that we live and talk in the world. We should shine because of Who lives in and through us. These things should be externally evident. But it isn't just because of the external. Salt tastes a certain way because of the chemical makeup. Light has visible qualities because of the source. In the same way, we are salty and shiny (shiny, happy people everywhere...) only because of an internal change. We can act like salt and light for a time, but if we aren't composed of a substance that creates the saltiness and light, it will not last. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is that internal source - He is the One that changes us. If we aren't salty and shiny, maybe we need to look internally rather than simply working on the externals.

I hope you 'taste' good to those around you and that you bring some light to someone's day today. If you follow Christ, if you have the Holy Spirit within you, you are salt and light. May we be salty and shiny people.

Two things...

Two things jumped out at me this morning. There is a lot packed into this chapter, many things that could be pulled out. For me, there are two things Jesus says that are invitations to you and me.
1. Follow me. This was the call Jesus gave to the disciples. And this is the call that we have before us. Notice that Jesus doesn't say "Get your life cleaned up, straightened out, then come interview as my followers." He doesn't say "Jump through these hoops, say these things and you can be in." He simply says "Follow me." It is as if Jesus is saying to people in that day, people today, and everyone in between, "Just hang out with me for awhile and see what happens. I think you'll be convinced that I am who I say I am and that this is the best possible kind of life." I love that invitation.
2. Repent. This one has all kinds of religious baggage wrapped around it, so it is difficult for us to grasp what Jesus was saying. Jesus wasn't calling everyone to suddenly enter into a confessional booth and confess all their sins. He was inviting people to consider the direction of their life and return to the kind of life God had created at the very beginning of time. Repent...or maybe return would be a good translation. If you can, try to forget all the things that enter your mind when you read the word 'repent.' Then, think about what the Garden of Eden might have been like. Jesus invites us to return to that kind of life.

So glad you are taking this journey with us. My prayer is that we aren't just reading, but that we're chewing on these Scriptures, in an attempt to digest them into our lives. May you and I be changed as the Spirit brings life to these words.

And, may you enjoy discovering these words as life, whether you are reading them for the first time or the 5,000th time.

Looking Back Looking Forward

The Scriptures have some depth that I often overlook. I've read chapter 3 of Matthew many, many times. And I've even taken a cemetery course on it (or did I mean seminary? I can't remember). There are things I just miss. However, I love when I do wake up to something that has been there all along. Today was one of those times.

Matthew was written to a Jewish audience. In other words, Matthew was writing to a group of people who knew Genesis - Deuteronomy very well (and the other books of the Hebrew Scriptures...but we know they knew the Torah VERY well). One of the foundational stories for the Jewish people was the Exodus. The story of the Israelites, their ancestors, in captivity, led by Moses out of slavery, through the Red Sea. Yet, they were stubborn and ended up in the desert for 40 years. So salvation (in one sense) came to the Jews through Moses, but the people didn't fully step into a life with God. In Matthew 3, we read of Jesus going down to the river (I wonder if John the Baptist lived in a van down by that river?) to be baptized by the John the Baptist. Matthew definitely ties these stories back to some of the foundational Jewish stories. Do you think Matthew could be tying this story back to the Exodus so that the Jewish readers would come to know Jesus as the true salvation? Jesus in the Jordan River to the Israelites in the Red Sea? If so, it would seem that the next story in the story would be Jesus heading to the desert like the Israelites did. The Israelites spent 40 years in the desert. I wonder what chapter 4 will hold tomorrow. I wonder if we'll see the number 40 there.

Like I mentioned above, the depth of God's Word is amazing. And even though we read it over and over, it seems to me that God's Spirit can continue to teach us and guide us and shape us. May that happen to you and to me as we read.

Simple

I am trying not to post something every single day. I'm just extremely stoked that so many are up for this New Testament challenge ... I can't help myself! I'll soon slow down a bit.

Something very simple hit me this morning as I read Matthew 2 with the family. In some way that I can't explain or completely understand, Joseph heard this message from God: leave Bethlehem for awhile and come back later. I don't know if it is my personality or my desire for control, but it would be very hard for me to pack up my new wife and brand new baby to take off for some foreign place. But Joseph did. We don't know much about Joseph, but he teaches us a very simple lesson. Obey. Don't talk yourself out of it, don't reason God's voice away...just obey. Simple.

I know there are those of us who are saying, "Well if God showed up in the form of an angel and spoke to me, I'd do whatever He said. God just doesn't speak to me." Here's the deal - God speaks to us more than we realize. We just don't do a great job of listening. I'm as guilty on this as anyone. I believe God speaks to you and me through 1. His Word and 2. each other. The take away for me on this busy morning (my day is full of meetings) is to slow down.....listen.....and then obey.

May you and I hear God's quiet voice speaking to us in the chaos of this world...and may we, like Joseph, say with profound wisdom in our voice, "OK."

Matthew 1

This morning, as our family read chapter 1, I was struck again by who was listed in the genealogy. In this culture, women were nothing. They held no status whatsoever. Yet here, as Matthew begins his account of Jesus' life, he includes 5 women - Rahab, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. We know that Rahab and Ruth weren't even Jewish. As we read from our perspective, it is so easy to miss this subtle truth: God invites every one of us - no matter who we are, where we've been, what we've done - into his story. God doesn't look at us like we often look at ourselves (I'm not good enough, I'm such a failure, I hope people like me, I need to prove myself) and He doesn't look at us like others look at us. God looks at us as a treasured possession, His very children, chosen, adopted into His family. You and I are invited into the story God is writing in our world. Rahab, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary all stepped into what God was doing in the world. Will we?