Looking for the happy ending

Today: Genesis 48-50

Don't you love happy endings? From the time we're young, we hear fairy tales or watch superhero movies and become accustomed to happy endings. When we read these stories or watch these movies, we wait in expectation for them. We trust that they're going to happen. We try to determine how the (sometimes dangerous!) plot will unfold...and still lead to that picture-perfect ending.

Do you ever do that in real life? I'll be honest--it's really difficult sometimes. In the real world, "seeing" the happy ending before it happens can be tough. But sometimes, it can help you (or someone you love) through a rough patch...or it just might make them smile.

Last year, many of my closest friends and relatives lost their jobs. It was awful to watch that happen to people I care about deeply.

However, I can vividly remember a few bright moments where we tried to look for happy endings. On the day one of my best friends was laid off, I remember a conversation like this:

"Promise me something," I said seriously (well...sort of).

"Sure--what?" she asked.

"Find a job at a company with lots of cute single men for us, okay?"

We both laughed. I wish I could say now that she works at a firehouse or something. :) But I am VERY happy to report that she has a new job better than her last one on multiple levels. She hasn't found the great single guys for us both yet...but I'd like think that her happy ending is just beginning. Already, we know that she went through a very bad situation that God ultimately used for her good.

In today's passage, Joseph illustrated this concept in a conversation with his brothers:

Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid.

Do I act for God?

Don't you see, you planned evil against me

but God used those same plans for my good,

as you see all around you right now—

life for many people.

Easy now, you have nothing to fear;

I'll take care of you and your children."

He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

I can't promise that you'll always experience a happy ending to your challenging situation. But can I dare you to look for one? To search for reasons to hope and believe that something good can come from your tragedy? I firmly believe that it's possible...and if not in this lifetime, your happy ending could surface in eternity--and that could be pretty amazing, too.

Tomorrow: Exodus 1-3

A dream come true

Today: Genesis 46-47

Don't you love it when (good) dreams come true?

Joseph's life story is filled with many dreams...they almost seem like milestone markers defining key moments in his life. But in today's passage, it's Jacob's dream that comes true. As he's on his way to Egypt to reunite with Joseph, Jacob has a dream from God:

God spoke to Israel in a vision that night: "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Yes?" he said. "I'm listening."
God said, "I am the God of your father.

Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt.

I'm going to make you a great nation there.

I'll go with you down to Egypt;

I'll also bring you back here.

And when you die, Joseph will be with you;

with his own hand he'll close your eyes."

For much of his life, Jacob had mourned the loss of his son Joseph. Surprisingly, Jacob had the opportunity to reunite with him (thousands of years before Internet search tools or The Locator were even available!). To top it all off, the lives of Jacob and his entire family--the family God promised his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham--were saved from famine. And the best part of all? God was with him, guiding his steps and promising continued blessing.

The stories of Joseph and Jacob have been such incredible pictures of God's faithfulness. God's still faithful today. I'm going to do something a little different in this post and pray for anyone reading this...

I hope and pray for you.

I pray for the God-given dreams of your heart.

I pray that you'll see glimmers of God's direction and faithfulness in your life,

even when things seem tough.

I pray that you'll have the wisdom, patience and character

that helped Joseph and Jacob weather their stormy circumstances with grace.

I pray that you'll be able to forgive those who hurt you.

I pray that you will not be afraid--

that you'll walk in the kind of confidence that only comes

from trusting God.

I pray that you'll know and hear His voice and

let His vision be your vision.

And I pray that you'll see those God-given dreams come true.

Amen.

Tomorrow: Genesis 48-50

The Locator, perspective and forgiveness

Today: Genesis 43-45

Have you ever watched a reunion show?

I'm not talking about a YouTube video of a 10-year high school reunion in Milwaukee where everyone does the macarena. I'm talking about a show where people are reunited with someone really special to them...like a sister they were separated from in the foster system, a son they didn't know they had or a father they had never met. A few weeks ago, I was at my parents' house and watched such a show called "The Locator." It's a show where this guy (Troy Dunn) helps people find their long-lost loved ones.

I watched one episode where a woman was looking for her biological father. She always wondered, "Does he look like me? Does he know if I exist? Does he have the same laugh?" The Locator found the woman's biological dad...a man who never believed he was her father. He felt guilty and wondered, "Will she forgive me for not looking for her? Will she forgive me for not being there?"

When I read today's passage, I felt a bit like I was watching that show again. This reunion story between Joseph and his brothers was so emotional and inspiring. It was charged with all of the feelings I listed above--I'm sure some of Joseph's brothers thought he was dead. They thought they'd never see him again. Some of them probably felt scared--I mean the brother they betrayed and sold as a slave was one of the most powerful men in the world! And at least one (Joseph himself) was (surprisingly?) thrilled to see them again.

I just wrote surprisingly with a question mark because I don't know how many people would be thrilled to reunite with those who caused them such sorrow and pain. We already know that Joseph was an incredible guy with an incredible heart. He walked with this mature perspective that allowed him to forgive--truly a gift from God.

Rather than writing any more about it, I thought I'd let you read some of his words to his brothers again:

"I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt.

But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me.

God was behind it.

God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.

There has been a famine in the land now for two years;

the famine will continue for five more years—

neither plowing nor harvesting.

God sent me on ahead to pave the way

and make sure there was a remnant in the land,

to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance.

So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God.

He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh,

put me in charge of his personal affairs,

and made me ruler of all Egypt.
"Hurry back to my father. Tell him,

'Your son Joseph says: I'm master of all of Egypt.

Come as fast as you can and join me here.

I'll give you a place to live in Goshen where you'll be close to me—

you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds,

and anything else you can think of.

I'll take care of you there completely.

There are still five more years of famine ahead;

I'll make sure all your needs are taken care of,

you and everyone connected with you—you won't want for a thing.'

Tomorrow: Genesis 46-47

The inside scoop...from God

Today: Genesis 41-42

I'm continually amazed at all the TV shows, mobile apps, newspapers and magazines focused on giving us "the inside scoop" about something. You can track what your friends are doing minute by the minute on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. You can get the scores from every sport imaginable sent directly to your phone. You can find out details about who Jennifer Aniston is dating on five different TV entertainment news shows and 12 magazines placed enticingly at the front of your grocery store checkout line.

But have you ever thought that it was possible to get inside scoop from God?

In today's passage, Joseph demonstrated that it's possible. Take a look at what happened after God helped Joseph interpret Pharaoh's dreams:

Then Pharaoh said to his officials, "Isn't this the man we need?

Are we going to find anyone else who has God's spirit in him like this?"
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "You're the man for us.

God has given you the inside story—

no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom.

From now on, you're in charge of my affairs;

all my people will report to you.

Only as king will I be over you."
So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph:

"I'm putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt."

Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph's hand.

He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal,

and as he rode people shouted "Bravo!"
Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt.

What an incredible turnaround story! Remember Joseph--the guy who was unjustly in jail in the passage we read yesterday? Yeah...today's he's the guy with inside scoop from God who is placed in charge of an entire country.

I don't think that was a coincidence. Even while in jail, Joseph worked hard and dedicated himself to being the best worker he could be--that takes an incredible heart. Joseph developed a deep relationship with God that deepened his character. He trusted God completely--and God trusted him in return.

Tomorrow: Genesis 43-45

"It's not fair!"

Today: Genesis 38-40

"It's not fair!" is a pretty common statement and thought for many people. Today is Thanksgiving day in the U.S. and while many are feeling pretty grateful, I'm sure some "It's not fair!" exclamations were made...as in "It's not fair! My favorite football team lost!" or "It's not fair! I can't eat pie and stay thin like my sister!"

But perhaps there were more serious statements, too. Someone probably thought, "It's not fair! I should be home with my family instead of sick at this hospital" or "It's not fair!
I should have food--at least a turkey--to feed my kids."

Even though all of us have plenty of things to be thankful for (if you're reading this, you're breathing...and reading...so there's two!), life doesn't always seem fair. What do you do in the "It's not fair!" moments in your life?

In today's passage, it was very interesting to read about two people--Tamar and Joseph--who faced extremely "unfair" situations.

Tamar was a widow whose husband "grievously offended God and God took his life." She was a woman who could have been seriously angry at her husband and God. To top it off, her husband's family treated her poorly. Their tradition stated that her deceased husband's brother(s) should have married her--restoring her place in their family and her livelihood. Instead, she was basically left to fend for herself.

Tamar took a unique approach to her "It's not fair!" situation--she resourcefully (maybe even deviously?) tricked her father-in-law (the same guy who unjustly kept his youngest son from marrying her) into sleeping with her and taking her back into the family. Wow. I don't know many people today who would still have that fight, that courage, within them to go after what was rightfully theirs...and back then, it would have been even more difficult for a widow to do so.

What's really amazing is that Tamar's name is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. First of all, women's names didn't normally appear in genealogies. At. All. But the fact that this once abandoned...and later scandalously courageous...woman was mentioned as one of Jesus' ancestors? That's mindblowing.

The other person who faced an "It's not fair!" situation in today's passage was Joseph...again. The guy sold by his brothers into slavery is thrown into jail unjustly--because he actually did the right thing! To top it off, he helps two politically well-connected guys in jail by interpreting their dreams. And at the end of the passage, we learn that one of the guys (Pharaoh's cup bearer) was restored to his place of honor...only to forget Joseph, the guy who helped him. It's not fair!

Throughout today's chapters, you won't read that Tamar or Joseph said anything resembling "It's not fair!" even once. Tamar powers through her unjust situation through her ingenuity, courage and resourcefulness. Joseph just keeps trusting God, working hard, doing and being his best. God saw their attitudes and their hearts and completely turned around their unfair circumstances. We've got more reading to do before we find out the rest of the story...

Tomorrow: Genesis 41-42

The dream haters

Today: Genesis 35-37

Dreams are fascinating. Most of the time, I don't remember the dreams I have at night. I definitely have strong daydreams...or maybe it's the work of a creative imagination? :)

I don't ever remember being hated for my dreams, though. But in today's passage, we read about a guy named Joseph whose own family hated him...in part, because of his dreams. Take a look:

Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons

because he was the child of his old age.

And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat.

When his brothers realized

that their father loved him more than them,

they grew to hate him—they wouldn't even speak to him.
Joseph had a dream.

When he told it to his brothers,

they hated him even more.

He said, "Listen to this dream I had.

We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat.

All of a sudden my bundle stood straight up

and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine."
His brothers said, "So! You're going to rule us?

You're going to boss us around?"

And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams

and the way he talked.

To be fair to the context of the passage, Joseph's brothers likely hated him for other reasons, too--he was Jacob's (their father's) favorite and he received (at least one) special gift because of it. But in addition to those factors, the passage says that they hated him "because of his dreams."

Perhaps Joseph's brothers disliked the fact that he told them about his dreams (a lesson for dreamers perhaps?). I don't know about you, but I wouldn't exactly be thrilled if someone described a dream that put me in a very bad light. It wouldn't make me feel great, but I don't know if I would hate the dreamer--hate is a very strong word.

It's an even stronger word when paired with the actions of Joseph's brothers. The dream haters thought about killing the dreamer, but chose instead to sell him--their own brother!--as a slave.

Wow. Those must have been some dreams...

Tomorrow: Genesis 38-40

Wrestling with God

Today: Genesis 32-34

Have you ever wrestled with God?

I think a lot of people...particularly Christians...are afraid to admit it. Why is that?

It's not like God's offended when people have questions about Him. He's not intimidated. God's no pansy. :)

Today's passage talked about a guy who wrestled with God...literally, but also in prayer. Jacob's prayer was particularly interesting to me. Let's take a look and see what we can learn:

And then Jacob prayed,

"God of my father Abraham,

God of my father Isaac,

God who told me,

'Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.'

I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me.

When I left here and crossed the Jordan

I only had the clothes on my back,

and now look at me—two camps!

Save me, please,

from the violence of my brother, my angry brother!

I'm afraid

he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children.

You yourself said,

'I will treat you well;

I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea,

far too many to count.'"

Okay, so here are a few observations I had as I looked at this prayer:

1. Jacob re-stated God's promises back to God...twice.

Why did Jacob do that? It's not like God is someone who forgets what He says, right?

I think Jacob re-stated God's promises partly to remind himself what they were--to say, in essence, "Here's what you said to me, God. I'm trusting You to follow through."

2. Jacob acknowledged God's goodness in His life...and God's history of blessing him.

Jacob was thankful for God's blessings in his life. Acknowledging God's history of goodness was definitely an expression of gratitude to God, but I think it was again a reminder to Jacob himself. It's like he was also telling himself, "God helped me before. He could do it again."

3. Jacob admitted his fear and asked for God's help.

Jacob didn't hide his (very real) feelings and he didn't try to brush them aside and tackle challenges on his own, either. He gave his fear to God and unapologetically asked for God's intervention on his behalf. This reminded me of a quote from the (little known) movie Bounce where Ben Affleck says, "It's not brave if you're not scared." Maybe we could update it to say, "It's not faith if you're not scared."

Faith doesn't necessarily mean denying that you're scared--it's a belief that God is bigger than whatever makes you afraid. Faith is overcoming fear through trust.

Tomorrow: Genesis 35-37

Sex, drugs and rocks

Today: Genesis 30-31

I thought yesterday's reading was full of soap opera-style drama. Well, today's chapters describe some stuff that's pretty out there, too.

There's this guy Jacob who has two wives (Rachel and Leah--who happen to be sisters) and two mistresses (his wives' maids). Leah's son finds these things called "mandrakes" that Rachel trades a night with her/their husband to receive. What in the world are "mandrakes" you might ask? I looked up the definition on Google and it turns out that mandrakes are plants that can be used medicinally or as narcotics--so basically Rachel traded a night with her husband for a type of drug. Wow--and I thought Jerry Springer had a lot of drama!

What's interesting throughout this complicated story is once again how God cares about the people involved--He saw their hurt and heard their prayers.

At one point, Jacob and his father-in-law/uncle Laban make a covenant with each other and with God, symbolized by a pile of rocks. God served as a witness, watching over them and protecting them. In the midst of dramatic situations, God cared for His people and made sure they were cared for.

Tomorrow: Genesis: 32-34

The Bold, Beautiful, Blessed and Deceived

Today: Genesis 27-29

If there ever was a Biblical soap opera, I think today's passage might have been it. These chapters set out a pretty twisted plotline--a brother deceiving a brother (and his father, too!), a bait-and-switch at the altar, a wife who gives children to her husband but receives no love in return, and the beautiful girl whose guy waited 14 years to make her his bride (and did I mention that this guy was also the one who married her older sister by mistake?). It sounds a little like Jerry Springer, don't you think?

What's amazing is that God was in the midst of this messiness. He didn't cause it. But He loved these people with messy lives. He was with them. He blessed them. He saw them. He heard them.

At moments, all of us can find ourselves in the midst of messes--messes that impact us or the people around us. Don't be afraid to reach out to God in your dramatic, messy life. And don't be afraid to reach out with God's love to someone else whose life is a mess to rival a Jerry Springer episode. Love is strong enough to wade its way through messes--and to pull us out of them, too!

Tomorrow: Genesis 30-31

Dinner? Or your destiny?

Today: Genesis 25-26

Some choices we make seem pretty arbitrary--your life is probably not going to be seriously changed if you choose to wear red tomorrow instead of blue. But if you had to choose between eating dinner or living the life you were destined to live, my guess is that you'd pick the latter...right? Right?

I hope so. But many times, I think we're tempted to make decisions that seem right at the moment, but can totally take us off track from what's best for the long term. In today's passage, a story about Esau and his younger brother, Jacob, illustrated this human dilemma:

Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that red stew—I'm starved!"...

Jacob said, "Make me a trade:

my stew for your rights as the firstborn."
Esau said, "I'm starving! What good is a birthright if I'm dead?"
Jacob said, "First, swear to me."

And he did it.

On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn.

Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils.

He ate and drank, got up and left.

That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.

At first glance, it would be easy to judge Esau and his choice as, well...stupid. Esau gave up a blessing and an inheritance from his very wealthy father Isaac (a guy so rich that he had to move because his stuff was taking over an entire area and the neighbors were seriously jealous). And Esau gave it up for...lentil stew and bread (not even steak or lobster!). Esau rationalized his decision--it actually seemed logical to him at the moment.

I actually feel sorry for Esau. Everyday there are people who do the same thing--trading a God-given destiny for something that seems right at the moment. They rationalize their decisions--"I need this job! It's a paycheck." or "I'm lonely and he says he loves me." or "I need an escape and going out drinking with the guys is so much fun!" But how will their lives be impacted by these choices?

Sadly, it appears that Esau didn't learn to make wise long-term decisions from his dinner v. destiny mistake. Later in the passage it says:

When Esau was forty years old he married Judith,

daughter of Beeri the Hittite,

and Basemath, daughter of Elon the Hittite.

They turned out to be thorns in the sides of Isaac and Rebekah.

Ouch. It looks like Esau didn't make the smartest decision about who to marry, either. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping not to have a thorn by my side for the rest of my life!

Even though Esau didn't learn from his mistake the first time, I hope we can learn from him. Pray for wisdom and when you're faced with a decision. Then ask, "How will this affect my future?" and "What could I be giving up by going this direction?" If you're giving up on God or what His Word says, run the other way. "Dinner" isn't worth your destiny.

(Acknowledgement: When I was a teenager, I remember hearing a message on this topic and passage by Pastor Steve Hage. I've heard gazillions of messages, but I never forgot this one. Thank you, Pastor Hage.)

Tomorrow: Genesis 27-29

Love and life on the line

Today: Genesis 22-24

Have you ever been asked to give up something that meant the world to you?

In today's passage, Abraham was faced with that exact dilemma. God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac...the promised miracle child Abraham had waited for years....and years...and years to receive (and did I mention that God was the one who promised Abraham the son?). Abraham trusted God and headed to a mountain to put his love and his son's life on the line:

They arrived at the place to which God had directed him.

Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood.

Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood.

Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.
Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Yes, I'm listening."
"Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him!

Now I know how fearlessly you fear God;

you didn't hesitate to place your son,

your dear son,

on the altar

for me."
Abraham looked up.

He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.

Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering

instead of his son.

Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It).

Abraham was willing to put something he dearly loved on the line for God. But instead, God saved Abraham's son by providing a ram for the sacrifice. Abraham called the entire place God-Yireh--which means basically "God sees and provides."

What's really interesting about this story when you think about it (and when you're reading the Bible in reverse like we are this year!) is the fact that God provided more than a ram. Not only did He spare Abraham from proving his love by killing his son, He actually went through the exact same thing. God proved His love by sacrificing His Son, Himself...for Abraham's descendants...and for all of us, too. He put His love and His life on the line.

Tomorrow: Genesis 25-26

What now, God? moments

Today: Genesis 19-21

(Confession: I actually wrote this post on another blog in 2008....but thought of it again when I re-read the passage today. I hope it encourages anyone reading this now.)

Have you ever had a "What now, God?" moment?

I have.

And most people I know have faced at least one--sometimes they happen when something unexpected occurs--or on the flip side, when something you do expect doesn't. So what exactly should we do in the "What now?" moments?

Today's passage included a story about a woman in the Bible named Hagar with a pretty serious moment like this. Hagar was a servant whose master, Abraham, couldn't have children with his wife (even though God promised he would be the father of nations). So his wife told him in effect, "Sleep with Hagar--maybe she'll give you a child." And it happened--but not the way God intended.

As always, God came through on His promise and Abraham and his wife had a child--the Plan A promised child. And Abraham's wife got nervous,so she kicked Hagar and her son to the curb (okay, the desert to be exact).

This was definitely Hagar's "What now, God?" moment. I'm sure she felt abandoned. As a servant, she probably didn't have much choice in the circumstances that led her to the desert--she was in a desperate situation.

But some things about Hagar's story caught my attention, so I thought I'd share a bit of it with you:

She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba.

When the water was gone,

she left the child under a shrub and went off, fifty yards or so.
She said, "I can't watch my son die."
As she sat, she broke into sobs.
Meanwhile, God heard the boy crying.
The angel of God called from Heaven to Hagar,

"What's wrong, Hagar? Don't be afraid.
God has heard the boy and knows the fix he's in.
Up now; go get the boy. Hold him tight.

I'm going to make of him a great nation."
Just then God opened her eyes.
She looked.
She saw a well of water.
She went to it and filled her canteen and gave the boy a long, cool drink.
God was on the boy's side as he grew up.

Even though she may have felt deserted, desperate and alone, God was with Hagar in her "What now?" moment. God cared about what was wrong in her life and encouraged her to let go of her fear. But the words that are repeated stand out to me--"God heard." In our moments of confusion or sadness, God hears us.

The other thing I noticed? An answer to Hagar's prayers was right in front of her face--she just had to look for it.

I think sometimes we have expectations for exactly how and when God will answer our
prayers--and those expectations drive how we look at our situations. Sometimes we just have to get a fresh perspective and look at things in a new way. Because in the "What now?" moments, God is always there. We just have to trust He's listening and have the faith to look for His answers.

Tomorrow: Genesis 22-24

Crazy promises, lies and laughter

Today: Genesis 16-18

"The truth always comes out."

I can remember my parents saying this all throughout my growing up years (mainly to prevent my sisters and I from lying during our childhood--it was their equivalent of "We know and see everything."). :)

They were right. Time and time again I've seen that sooner or later, the truth comes out (and if not on this planet, I think it will come out in eternity). I think sometimes the worst lies are those we tell ourselves...or try to tell God Himself. Today's passage illustrated those principles.

Abraham and Sarah welcomed several visitors to their home--special visitors who were really God's messengers (maybe angels). Here's what happened:

One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year.

When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son."

Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old.

Sarah was far past the age for having babies.

Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me?

Get pregnant?

With this old man of a husband?"
God said to Abraham,

"Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me? Have a baby?

An old woman like me?'

Is anything too hard for God?

I'll be back about this time next year

and Sarah will have a baby."
Sarah lied.

She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid.
But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."

First off, I'll admit that God's promises to Sarah were...a little crazy. But aren't those the best kind of promises from God?

Sarah seriously doubted, laughed then lied to herself and to God--because of fear. And God called her out...because He knew (duh!). The cool thing is that despite her laughter and lying, God still made His crazy promises come true for Sarah...because my Mom and Dad were right...and the truth always comes out.

The leap of love

Today: Genesis 12-15

"Love is a leap," is a quote I remembered as I read Abram's story today (after completing a Google search, it looks like I might have heard it in the movie Kate and Leopold).

Honestly, I don't know if there are many people in the Bible who illustrate the concept of faith more than Abram. Think about it--Abram didn't have a Bible. He didn't have a pastor or a church to teach him or support him in his faith. He learned about God only by listening to His voice.

I don't know what I would have done if I were Abram for example, when God told him to leave his home country. I don't know how I would have reacted if God made promises for my descendants...while I still didn't have even one child. I probably would have doubted and asked at times, "Is that really God?" I don't know if I would have been able to take the leap of love and faith like Abram did.

One of the cool things I noticed about God in this passage, though, was His ability to communicate a vision to Abram. He used these great word pictures (counting the stars, picturing God as a shield) to help Abram "see" what was beyond his present circumstances.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. There are moments where all of us need to take leaps of faith and love. He was there to guide Abram through those moments--couldn't He also be there for us? Couldn't He also give us hope and a vision for something beyond where we're at right now?

Let's dare to take the leap.

Tomorrow: Genesis 16-18

Famous last words

Today: Genesis 8-11

What would you do if someone saved your life?

My guess is that totally disregarding what they said wouldn't be at the top of the list. But that's what happened in part of today's passage. God saved Noah and his family from a great flood. When it was all over, he told them, "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth!"

But instead of following the instructions to fill the earth, the people stuck together. They said:

"Come, let's build ourselves

a city

and a tower

that reaches Heaven.

Let's make ourselves famous

so we won't be scattered

here and there across the Earth."

Ouch. Not only were they totally disregarding God's instructions to spread out, they tried to make themselves famous.

I thought this was interesting in light of our culture today. Did you know that kids actually aspire to be famous? And not just for doing something (winning the World Series, singing, making a scientific discovery)--they dream of being famous just for the fame itself.

On a smaller scale, many people live for praise and approval. They want to be recognized, awarded, and publicly acknowledged for their work or their service. While I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with "giving honor where honor is due," I think there is something wrong with working, serving and striving to simply make yourself famous. It's wrong because it's an attempt to take full credit for someone else's work--in this case, God's work--in your life. No human being would be alive and breathing if it wasn't for Him.

Instead of disregarding God, let's honor Him--let's make God famous instead of attempting to be famous ourselves. There's a big difference...and it starts with having a heart to obey.

Tomorrow: Genesis 12-15

He liked what he saw

Today: Genesis 4-7

They met in a school hallway.
And he liked what he saw.

They were friends at work.
And he liked what he saw.

They were on the same team.
And he liked what he saw.

How many times have you heard stories like this--typically about a romance or a "love at first sight" moment?

I don't know if love at first sight is possible, but I think it's possible that sight itself can be different from what we think. If you took the scenarios above at a basic level, they were about a guy who physically saw a girl he found attractive.

But what if the guy in the school hallway saw the girl laughing with her friends and thought her happy, joy-filled spirit was stunning? What if the guy at work saw the girl wow her clients by excelling at a project? And what if the guy on the team saw the girl who always encouraged the people around her?

There are people who see you and me and there are people who see you and me.

God definitely tends to choose the latter form of sight. I love what it said about his view of Noah in today's passage:

God liked what he saw in Noah.

This is the story of Noah:

Noah was a good man,

a man of integrity in his community.

Noah walked with God.

These are simple words, actually...but I would be really proud if God said those kinds of things about me. Does God like what He sees in us?

Back to the start

(Originally written November 14)

Today: Genesis 1-3

Today was full of déjà vu moments. Yesterday, we talked about God as the ultimate Imagineer…and today’s story of Creation definitely illustrated that. I once again found myself on an airplane today showing…you guessed it… Julie & Julia (the movie that inspired this entire project).

In addition to the movie, my in-flight entertainment included a BBC-produced film about Yellowstone National Park. It was a piece tightly aligned with today’s passage in its illustration of the beauty and intricacies of Creation.

I don’t normally watch nature shows, but in light of the passage…and you may totally laugh or think this is ridiculous…I teared up on the airplane. It was just so overwhelmingly beautiful and obvious that the ultimate Imagineer was at work. I watched as a small beaver meticulously built his dam and stored food for the winter. His ability to defend his home and food from a (much larger!) moose was so simple, but so obviously God-given (he whacked the water with his tail and scared the moose away). The piece also profiled a bird at Yellowstone who took thousands of seeds from pine trees and buried them throughout the park as food for the winter. The narrator said that astoundingly, the bird would remember where he placed 700 out of 1,000 seeds (a 70% success rate). The forgotten seeds? Not forgotten by the ultimate Imagineer—they would grow into trees that would feed the animals for years to come and keep the cycle of life at Yellowstone in motion. How cool is that?

The short film about Yellowstone and the repeat of Julie & Julia moved me in many ways. It was like God was saying to me, “See—I didn’t forget about you, either. I see what you’re doing, what you’re thinking. I made you—and I love you so much more than that beaver and that bird. I’ll always take care of you.”

Please take that as a message for you, too…because it is (check it out here). Of all the incredible things in Creation, only men and women were created “in God’s image” for a relationship with Him. Don’t believe me? Check out today’s passage and go back to where we started from.

Tomorrow: Genesis 4-7

The Imagineer

(Originally written November 13)


Today: Revelation 20-22

I’m going to Disney World!

Well, actually I went earlier today. For the first time ever, I went to Hollywood Studios in Florida. Every Disney park has this incredible sense of…magic. When you enter, you automatically find a fountain of youth—you turn in to a kid again. You walk in wonder as you look at the rides, the palm trees, the scenery, the dancing Christmas lights. You hum along to your favorite Disney songs. And you don’t really care that you’re surrounded by strangers. You don’t think about work. You don’t think about any of the challenges you’re facing in the real world. This is Disney—and it’s magical.


As fun and amazing as Disney parks are, they don’t even come close to what heaven is like. For starters, you and I eventually have to leave Disney parks and go back to our work, back to our challenges. And the Disney experience (while amazing!) isn’t totally perfect. Sometimes there are lines and crying babies and your feet get sore. That kind of stuff doesn’t happen in heaven because heaven was designed by the ultimate Imagineer.


I was reminded of this today when after returning to my hotel from Disney World, I learned of an acquaintance who passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. As I read today’s passage, I thought about him.

"Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood,

making his home with men and women!

They're his people, he's their God.

He'll wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death is gone for good—

tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—

all the first order of things gone."

For the past few years, the man I knew was confined to a wheelchair. Now, he’s standing (Or maybe dancing? Skipping? Flying?) through golden streets in the Happiest Place That No One on Earth Could Even Imagine. That’s pretty cool!

God is the ultimate Imagineer—the Creator who transcends our imaginations. Think about the incredible creativity and dreams of Walt Disney: What do you think God Himself could do?

Get this party started...

(Originally written November 12)

Today: Revelation 17-19

If we did a survey, I bet that most people believe that church is…well, kind of boring. They see it as a place for people who are reserved. Stoic. Solemn. And maybe church should be those things at times…but shouldn’t it also be fun? A celebration of God and His awesomeness?

Perhaps nowhere is this tension more obvious in a service than during praise and worship. I’ve been to some services where I’ve honestly asked, “Would Jesus want to be here? Would He feel honored by this?”

I’m not going to write about worship styles, songs or instruments in this post. But I will say that no matter what your preference or the preference of your church, God likes to be celebrated—and He deserves it. Celebration is largely an attitude and approach to worship—you can celebrate God in a song, in your giving and in prayer—but you’ve got to put your heart in it.

Here’s what today’s passage said:

Praise our God, all you His servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!...
Hallelujah!
The Master reigns, our God the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him glory!

Tomorrow: Revelation 20-22

The Mighty & the Marvelous

(Originally written November 11)

Today: Revelation 13-16

I’m in Orlando, Florida tonight getting ready to go to Universal Studios in the morning. Universal Studios has a whole section dedicated to Marvel superheroes (I’ve already been told to go on the Incredible Hulk rollercoaster and by the time this is posted, I’ll have finished it!).
I didn’t really read comics as a kid and I haven’t seen all of the movies, but I know that superheroes are usually good at heart and strong.

Superheroes use their powers to fight for what’s right…perhaps unlike the things and people we meet in the “real world.” In life, we see lots of Mighty & Mediocre—people, groups or institutions that do not recognize the potential they have. The Mighty & Mediocre settle for average, not using the power that they’ve been given. On the other end of the spectrum, there are people and institutions who are Mighty & Mad (in the crazy, manic sense). They’re strong, but use their strength in the wrong way or for the wrong cause.

It’s a good thing that, like a superhero, God is Mighty & Marvelous. Take a look at a portion of today’s passage:

Mighty your acts and marvelous, O God,
the Sovereign Strong!
Righteous your ways and true,
King of the nations!
Who can fail to fear you, God,
give glory to your Name?
Because you and you only are holy,
all nations will come and worship you,
because they see your judgments are right.

Tomorrow: Revelation 17-19

Spoiler alert...

(Originally written November 10)

Today: Revelation 9-12

Have you ever REALLY wanted to watch something—a big sporting event, an episode of your favorite TV show or a movie—only to have someone else tell you the ending in advance? It’s usually not a good thing. But in the case of Revelation and information about the end of the world, I think it’s amazing. Here’s what it says:

The kingdom of the world
is now the kingdom of our God and his Messiah!
He will rule forever and ever!

Revelation discusses some things that sound…well, a bit scary. Some of it may be confusing, too. But the ending? Priceless.

Tomorrow: Revelation 13-16

Bought back to rule

(Originally written November 9)

Today: Revelation 4-8

Earlier this week, I saw a short TV news story about First Lady Michelle Obama. This story was absolutely incredible--no matter what your political views are. In the story, I heard that genealogists traced Michelle’s roots back through American history. One of Michelle’s ancestors was a slave girl, purchased in the American South for something like several hundred dollars. Generations later, her descendent, Michelle Obama, became the First Lady. Wow!

Did you know that many of us share a similar story?

We were slaves, too…to sin. Someone paid a price for us, only it was far more than a few hundred bucks. Our lives and our souls were (and are) priceless—He bought us with His own blood. Here’s what I noticed in today’s passage:

Worthy!...
Slain!
Paying in blood,
you bought men and women,
bought them back from all over the earth,
bought them back for God.
Then you made them a Kingdom,
Priests for our God,
Priest-kings to rule over the earth.

People who believe and have accepted Christ’s payment for their sins are described as “priest-kings” in this passage. That may sound kind of strange—I mean, we’re not all Presidents or First Ladies, right?

This is my own personal view, but I think the passage is saying that by believing in Him and accepting what He did—we can walk in an amazing type of freedom. We can be like freed slaves who now rule over things that He ruled over for us—sin, Hell, death, guilt, shame. And like the priests in the Old Testament, we now have the freedom to access God directly—through Christ. That’s pretty incredible, too, don’t you think?

Tomorrow: Revelation 9-12

Don't fear...he's got the keys

(Originally written November 8)

Today: Revelation 1-3

Have you ever locked your keys in a car?

It can be VERY frustrating! I remember one incident when my mom locked her keys inside the car while it was still running. Luckily, this particular event happened within a few blocks of the dealership where she purchased the car. A representative from the dealer ship came to the scene quickly—what a relief! We could pile in the car and head out to our next destination.
Did you know that God has a set of keys? Here’s what the Word said today:

Don’t fear:
I am First, I am Last, I am Alive.
I died, but I came to life,
and my life is now forever.
See these keys in my hand?
They open and lock Death’s doors,
they open and lock Hell’s gates.

Today we started reading the book of Revelation—probably one of the most-talked-about books of the Bible. For years, people have used Revelation to predict when the world will end and when Christ will return. There are countless books, movies, articles and different perspectives that sound very scary. But in this passage, Jesus told John not to fear—we should also follow His instructions. God’s been around since before time itself, He will be around forever, He’s alive today…and he’s got a serious key ring.

Tomorrow: Revelation 4-8

Following the directions

(Originally written November 7)

Today: 2 John – Jude

Today I put together something I’d never put together before. I’m attending a conference where my company is a sponsor with a booth…a booth with a large display I had never set up before. At first it was a HUGE overwhelming struggle. One of the boxes I needed was locked…and I didn’t have a key (luckily I realized it would open with the flathead screwdriver in another box!). There were about 12 metal plates that seemed to have no purpose whatsoever. It was like a giant Erector set gone wrong (and I never even played with those!).

Luckily, after struggling for 15 minutes or so, I found a piece of paper that saved the day…the directions. :) Once I had them, putting the display together was pretty simple.

The Bible has a lot of instructions (as we’ve already seen) and today’s passage is no exception. The section that stood out to me today included directions for dealing with sin, people who haven’t yet accepted Christ and people who have turned away from God. Take a look:

Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith.
Go after those who take the wrong way.
Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin.

These seem like relatively simple instructions. But I think the hardest to wrap my mind around is the idea of being tender with sinners, but not soft on sin—it’s not exactly easy to practice.
I may not be a master at it, but I think this is one direction that works. Let people know how much you care about them…really. Take an interest in them as people. Be there for them as a friend. When sin issues come up, let them know what you think and why in a kind, unpreachy way. And continue to care about them, even when you learn about sin issues in their lives. We all have sin issues—but accepting the love and forgiveness of Christ is probably the best direction we could ever follow.

Tomorrow: Revelation 1-3

Get real...really

(Originally written Nov. 6)

Today: 1 John

“Real” is a favorite word of my generation—but does it really mean?

In today’s passage, the writer talks about “living in God’s reality”—the reality of love. Let’s read it here:

My dear children,
let’s not just talk about love;
let’s practice real love.
This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly,
living in God’s reality.
It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self criticism,
even when there is something to it.
For God is greater than our worried hearts
and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

I thought it was interesting to see love and fear discussed throughout this passage. God and His love “shut down” things like self criticism. However, that only happens when love is practiced, not just discussed. It’s good to know that real love is much greater than fear—and that a real God is greater than anything we might worry about.

So let’s get real: Let’s not just hear it or read it; let’s believe it and live it. Love God, love people—and allow God to love you. Really.

Tomorrow: 2 John - Jude

The wonder of growth

Today: 2 Peter

I've been up since 4:00 AM this morning...and now it's 11:20 PM (in my current timezone). It's been a long day of traveling in airports and on airplanes. I really don't travel a lot, but today I realized just how used to it I'm getting...and maybe not in a good way.

I had this realization while sitting on my last flight, across the aisle from a young boy who was about five years old. When the airline safety video played, I was reading a magazine, while he sat mesmerized. When the plane took off, I was still reading the magazine while he strained his head to peek out the window. And when we landed at our destination, I was waking up from a nap while he exclaimed, "WHOA! That was AWESOME! How did it do that? I've never seen that before!"

The little boy was filled with the wonder of flying, while I was just wondering when I'd finally reach my hotel, grab dinner and check my office e-mail.

I think sometimes our relationships with God can be like our relationships with flying. In today's passage, Peter talked about the importance of continually growing:

So don't lose a minute

in building on what you've been given,

complementing your basic faith

with good character,

spiritual understanding,

alert discipline,

passionate patience,

reverent wonder,

warm friendliness,

and generous love,

each dimension fitting into and developing the others.

With these qualities active and growing in your lives,

no grass will grow under your feet,

no day will pass without its reward

as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.

Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you,

oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

Peter's message here rings so true today in light of my experience today with a little boy on an airplane (who was even wearing the plastic "wings" pin!). God deserves my reverent wonder...if I lose it and stop growing, I begin to take Him for granted. I'll miss the blessings in front of my face and become oblivious to the sheer gift that is salvation. I never want that to happen.

And on my next flight, I may strain to peek out the window, clap when the plane lands or ask for some plastic wings. Why not?

P.S. Dear blog followers--I'm on the road this week and may have unreliable Internet access. However, I promise I'll write daily and eventually get everything on the site...just know that the postings may be a little delayed.

Pride and prejudice

Today: 1 Peter

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is my all-time favorite book. I've read it at least once every year, since high school English class when I read it for the first time. I love the characters and the dynamics. Unlike many women, I don't really love Mr. Darcy (or Colin Firth, for that matter). What I love most is the story...and how something written hundreds of years can still ring true today.

Pride and prejudice are dynamics we all face. Have you ever thought about their impact on your life as a Christian? Their impact on your relationships with people who don't share your faith? Take a look at a portion of today's passage:

Friends, this world is not your home,

so don't make yourselves cozy in it.

Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

Live an exemplary life

among the natives

so that your actions

will refute their prejudices.

Then they'll be won over to God's side

and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

Hmm...it's interesting that the ego of the Christian is mentioned in a passage that also talks about prejudice from people who don't believe in God. Why?

When we let go of our egos, our souls--and Jesus at work in them--can shine through our "exemplary lives." If our egos are in the way, people see our pride instead of Christ--it's a big turn-off that may make them prejudiced against Him. Ouch. Let's win them over by living lives of love, letting God shine through our everyday actions, attitudes and hearts.

The gift of...challenge

Today: James

"Dear God - I really didn't pray for patience..."

If you're like me, maybe you've thought or actually prayed this at some point or another. :) I honestly don't love dealing with difficult people or situations. I don't love waiting for an answer to prayer. I don't love seeing people I love sick or hurting.

But maybe I should learn to love these moments...as weird as that sounds. Here's what today's passage said:

Consider it a sheer gift, friends,

when tests and challenges

come at you from all sides.

You know that under pressure,

your faith-life is forced into the open

and shows its true colors.

So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.

Let it do its work so

you become mature and well-developed,

not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing,

pray to the Father.

He loves to help.

You'll get his help,

and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.

Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

Challenges themselves can be awful. BUT it is an AMAZING feeling to know that God is with you in the midst of your challenge. He LOVES to help you and offer direction.

And it's pretty incredible to overcome a challenge--to see what, with God's help, can happen. That's a total adrenaline rush! But it's only a gift we receive because of...you guessed it...a challenge.

Tomorrow: 1 Peter

Heroes

Today: Hebrews 11-13

I've only seen a few episodes of the TV show "Heroes," but I know that each of the lead characters in the show has some sort of supernatural power. That's cool, I guess...but I think the most incredible heroes are sometimes just real people...people who may seem otherwise ordinary, but who have lived extraordinary lives.

Today's passage talks about some of the heroes of the Bible--ordinary people who may have seemed a little...well, crazy...at moments. Like Noah, a guy who built a Titanic without any water around at all. Or Sarah--a woman WAY past normal child-bearing years--who became the mother of a nation. These people were heroes, not necessarily because of who they were or what they accomplished, but because of what they believed.

I love this verse at the start of the passage:

The fundamental fact of existence is that

this trust in God,

this faith,

is the firm foundation under everything

that makes life worth living.

It's our handle on what we can't see.

I don't know about you, but I for one, have sometimes struggled with having faith and trusting God. In America today, being "self-made" is in--it's part of being "independent," "realistic" or "in control." We work and we try and we do and we push...toward whatever we think possible. The problem? We sometimes forget to ask for God's help. We forget to exercise even a little bit of faith.

But in my life (and yours, too), faith is required. Sometimes I'm reminded just how much I don't know...and how much I don't control. I may not think I need God to provide direction for my life...but I definitely want Him to! Anything I face is much better when He's involved.

Just because heroes of the past paved the way for us to learn about God and faith does not mean we don't need to live in faith ourselves. On the contrary--how much more faith should we have knowing what God did before us?

Here's what Paul said in today's passage:

Do you see what this means—

all these pioneers who blazed the way,

all these veterans cheering us on?

It means we'd better get on with it.

Strip down, start running—and never quit!

No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

Keep your eyes on Jesus,

who both began and finished this race we're in.

Study how he did it.

Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—

that exhilarating finish in and with God—

he could put up with anything along the way:

Cross, shame, whatever.

And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith,

go over that story again, item by item,

that long litany of hostility he plowed through.

That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

The Goo Lady...and the Great God

Today: Hebrews 7-10

"I'll be the Goo Lady!" I said this morning in a meeting with my team members in the preschool class.

As the designated Goo Lady, my role involved cleaning out the goo, gunk and seeds of a pumpkin--a pumpkin that represented our hearts full of sin or bad things like "kicking," "lying," and "punching" (according to the four-year olds).

In our lesson today, we talked about how when we ask Him, Jesus can clean out the "goo" of our hearts and make us clean inside and out...like the pumpkin appeared after my stint as the Goo Lady. It was pretty amazing to watch the kids' wide eyes light up when they saw the goo and thought about the way Jesus can clean their hearts.

When I read today's passage, it reminded me of that lesson. Take a look:

If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification

were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior,

think how much more the blood of Christ

cleans up our whole lives,

inside and out.

Through the Spirit,

Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice,

freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable,

so that we can live all out for God.

This morning with the preschoolers, the teacher asked, "How do we clean out the bad stuff or goo in our lives?"

"We reach in and take it out!" one child suggested.

"How could we do that?" the teacher replied. "I can't reach inside my heart and grab anything out, can I?"

She was right. You and I can't make our hearts goo or sin-free. That's a dead-end effort. No--we need a Great God to do that...not just a Goo Lady.

Tomorrow: Hebrews 11-13