Relay for Life

Today: Isaiah 36-41

It's almost midnight and I just got home after a wonderful graduation celebration. On my way home, I drove past a high school that was still lit up with hundreds of lights. It wasn't a football game or a concert--it was something called Relay for Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. The grandstand was lit up with hundreds of bags that had candles placed in them--together, the bags spelled out "Hope" and "Cure." Glowing bags (called luminaries) lined the track around the football field--each one representing someone who had cancer or is currently fighting the disease.

Tonight there were people still walking around the track around midnight, working together in teams to complete a relay for a cause they care about deeply. I've attended Relay for Life before and remembered seeing cancer patients and survivors among the participants...walking or running around the track. How do they find the strength?

When I saw the Relay for Life tonight, it reminded me of this excerpt from today's passage:

God doesn't come and go.

God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind.

You and I may not be participating in the Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society...but we are in another kind of Relay for Life. We are running a race, living our everyday lives on this planet. We have picked up batons from others--our parents, mentors and/or spiritual "family." And someday, we will pass along those batons to our children or to people we mentor throughout our life-long relay.

Do we get tired--physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually? YES! But God is always there to help. He's our stable friend, encouraging coach and energizing cheerleader along the way. He recharges us and fills us up--with strength, wisdom, love and endurance to get through.

Tomorrow: Isaiah 42-44

Doormats, humility and justice

Today: Proverbs 27-29

While I was reading today's passage, this proverb struck me:

If you let people treat you like a doormat,

you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

Interesting, right?

When I initially read this, I thought it was a bit strange--namely because it could be interpreted as contradictory to other passages or the actions of other Biblical figures. For example, Jesus talked about "turning the other cheek" and personally allowed Himself to be beaten and killed. He was humble...but Jesus was no doormat.

There's a difference between humility and being a doormat. What is it? And why is this proverb so prescriptive in its encouragement to not be forgotten doormats?

To answer the first question, I think it's important to look to examples of humble strength in the Bible. For example, Jesus wasn't a doormat when He overturned merchants' tables in the Temple or when He stood up to men about ready to stone an adulterous woman. With humble strength, He defended honest worship and a human life endangered by judgmental hypocrites.

Other examples of humble strength?

• David chasing the giant Goliath with some stones: He put his life on the line to take a stand for God and his people.
  
• Esther defending the Jews before her husband the king: She stopped a brutal massacre through a combination of submission and courage (which may sound contradictory, but check it out again if you didn't read the book of Esther with me earlier).
  
• Daniel's refusal to pray to a false god: He honored a higher authority (the real God) and through his lions' den experience, showed a king and a nation the power of God's faithful protection.

Arguably, Christ's death wasn't a "doormat" situation at all, but another example of humble strength. Jesus died knowing that His death was for a greater purpose. He submitted to the will of His Father...and simultaneously, revealed His omnipotent power to conquer sin and death for all mankind. There's nothing "doormat" about that!

What's the danger of allowing ourselves to be treated like doormats? At its worst, tolerating this kind of abuse shows a lack of love for ourselves and ultimately, for humanity--God's creation. If we willingly allow our own minds, bodies or spirits to be terrorized for no greater cause, it's a poor example to other people.

The second part of this verse--"you'll be quite forgotten in the end"--is also eye-opening. I don't believe that the Bible teaches us to seek fame or notoriety for our own sake. However, I do believe that sometimes God calls us to be courageous, to walk in the confidence of humble strength. Why? At its best, humble strength brings attention, fame and notoriety to God Himself. Contrary to pride, this kind of courage is not selfish--it rises to take a stand for justice and to help other people, sometimes at great risk to your own safety or ego.

Tomorrow: Proverbs 30-31

Iron, magnets and God's truth

Today: Psalm 119: 89-176

Today I was talking with a co-worker about a CAT scan I have scheduled for next week (nothing too serious, but something my doctor wants to get checked out). My co-worker asked, "Do you have any metal in your body?"

"Yeah--the plate and screws in my arm that broke a few years ago."

"You should call the doctor back and let them know--it might impact the scan."

Thankfully, I learned that the metal in my arm won't impact my CAT scan, but it could definitely be a factor with an MRI test. My sister, who works at a hospital, told me that the magnet(s) used in MRI tests are so powerful that hospital staff members are strongly encouraged to ABSOLUTELY, NEVER EVER EVER take any metal in a room containing and MRI machine. My sister has seen footage of metal hospital equipment (such as a crash cart) that was completely destroyed when it shot across the room toward the MRI magnet.

This may seem like an odd way to open my post today, but I thought about these examples when I read about the power of God's truth:

Let praise cascade off my lips;

after all, you've taught me the truth about life!

And let your promises ring from my tongue;

every order you've given is right.

Put your hand out and steady me

since I've chosen to live by your counsel.

I'm homesick, God, for your salvation;

I love it when you show yourself!

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,

use your decrees to put iron in my soul.

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!

I'll recognize the sound of your voice.

In this excerpt, I think the writer is stating that the decrees of God's Word--His law--can be like iron that strengthens the soul. And like iron, when God's Word really gets in us, it guides us toward truth--like that ultra-strong MRI magnet. God's Word steadies us--it draws us toward Him because it helps us to know His voice and who He is. That's pretty powerful stuff!

Tomorrow: Psalm 120-132

Shining and saving

Today: Psalm 115-118

Tomorrow begins one of my favorite events of the year: the women's conference at my home church. This year's theme as "Shine." I'm sure there will be lots of sparkles and lights around (it is a girly-girl kind of event, after all!). I'm also sure that the speakers will talk about what it means to shine. It's interesting to me that today's passage shed some light (no pun intended!) on the topic as well:

God is higher than anything and anyone,

outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God,

so majestically enthroned,

Surveying his magnificent

heavens and earth?

He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,

rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best.

He gives childless couples a family,

gives them joy as the parents of children.

Hallelujah!

But you, Israel: put your trust in God!

—trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!

At Christian conferences for women and men, there's often talk like, "God's called you to be a king!" or "You're one of God's princesses." There's definitely truth in those statements--in the Bible, there are references to people like Esther placed "in a royal position" and God refers to His people as "heirs" called to "rule and reign" with Christ.

That said, I don't think being a king or queen in God's Kingdom is just about sparkles, power and fanfare. On the contrary, I think Jesus was a king with callouses--or a knight in strong armor whose heart bled (in His case, literally) for people. Women like Esther were queens who took major risks for the unloved and underprivileged. The female heroes of the Bible were not pristine princesses in high towers, present only in polished cliques--I picture them as princesses with patches on their knees and dirt on their fingernails. They helped real people.

Because what good is shine if it doesn't reach the darkness? And what good is strength if it lies sedentary?

I love the fact that God is a ruler who also helps.

I love that I know plenty of amazing princesses with patches--women beautiful inside and out who do things like building orphanages for children in South Africa affected by AIDS, giving their time to read to underprivileged kids in our city, donating money to help reach people with the Gospel...and so many other things.

I also love that I know a few good kings with callouses--guys who aren't too proud to spend a Saturday picking weeds in a disabled woman's yard, who live everyday as good dads and husbands, and who give time out of their busy schedules to volunteer at their churches.

Thank you all for shining and serving--for your strength and for your hearts. You will never know (well, until heaven anyway!) what you've done to impact me and so many others. Shining and saving isn't easy, but you're following God's example and that's just priceless.

Tomorrow: Psalm 119:1-88

Beauty and the might

Today: Psalm 96-102

I may be a little (or a lot!) biased--but I think that I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Today was no exception. It was a sunny spring today and the Emerald City of Seattle and nearby Whidbey Island was literally sparkling. I saw green trees, a bald eagle, deer, mountains and the ocean. It was a, "Wow--I can't believe I get to be here and see these things and believe in a God who made them all!"

For me, those moments come often when I'm at the ocean. It's incredible to walk barefoot on the beach and see tiny tiny sea creatures and on the opposite side of the spectrum, to see the effects of powerful tides. The ocean is a beautiful picture of God's power at work.

When I read today's passage, I was reminded of God's power and beauty. Take a look:

God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

Let's hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.

Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

An extravaganza before God as he comes,

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Tomorrow: Psalm 103-105

Just in love

Today: Psalm 80-85

Is it possible to be both kind and strong? Is it possible to be loving and to simultaneously lack tolerance?

These are not simple questions. If I took a poll on the street, the votes would be split...but my hunch is that most people would say that it is difficult to hold ideals that (at first glance anyway) seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum.

The Bible teaches that God is love...but God is also just. At times, those two virtues could seem contradictory. I would argue that God is just in love. That may sound like a paradox or a total tongue twister. I'll explain a bit later, but I thought it would be interesting to first highlight some different scenarios from today's passage that illustrate these attributes of God's character.

In this part of the passage, Asaph highlights the loving blessing of God:

Smile your blessing smile:

That will be our salvation.

And a few chapters later, he discusses God's justice toward some evil judges:

God calls the judges into his courtroom, he puts all the judges in the dock...

O God, give them their just deserts!

You've got the whole world in your hands!

I think these excerpts contrast the loving and just natures of God:

All sunshine and sovereign is God,

generous in gifts and glory.

God, you smiled on your good earth!

You brought good times back to Jacob!...

Help us again, God of our help;

don't hold a grudge against us forever.

You aren't going to keep this up, are you?

Love and Truth meet in the street...

This may be a confusing concept to grasp--and far be it from me to say that I've got it all figured out. But here's what I think: When I write that "God is just in love," I am first and foremost saying it in its simplest form--God is madly in love with you, me and every human being. But on a deeper level, when I say, "God is just in love," I'm pointing to His justice. Because if He loves all of us--along with ideals like goodness and truth, it means that He hates other things (like evil and lies, to name a few).

Things to think about:

• Who and what does God love?
  
• What does God hate?
  
• How have we seen God's balance of love and justice play out in Scripture? How have you seen it unfold in your own life?
  
• Yesterday, I wrote about the idea of grace (see "Undeserved help"). How does grace fall into the mix of love and justice?

Tomorrow: Psalm 86-89

The perfect getaway

Today: Psalm 26-31

I have a serious bug. You may think it's still the flu (which I had earlier this week--not fun!). But I've had this bug for much longer than that. I have a travel bug.

I haven't traveled to very many places...yet. But I definitely have a mental and literal list going of the countries and cities and shops and museums I'd like to visit. For Christmas, my best friend bought me a subscription to a travel magazine. Every single issue is filled with beautiful pictures of fabulous getaways. And my lists are getting longer every single time I read it.

In today's passage, David wrote about his perfect getaway.

Light, space, zest— that's God!

So, with him on my side I'm fearless,

afraid of no one and nothing...

When besieged,

I'm calm as a baby.

When all hell breaks loose,

I'm collected and cool.

I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing:

To live with him in his house my whole life long.

I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.

That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,

The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.

I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!

Already I'm singing God-songs;

I'm making music to God...

Stay with God!

Take heart.

Don't quit.

I'll say it again:

Stay with God.

David's perfect getaway was simply a place where he could find God's presence. Talk about a budget vacation! In David's day, that place was usually the Tabernacle (or a Tent of Meeting)--in other words, church. But God's presence has never been confined to a building. You and I can find "the perfect getaway" with a laptop on our living room couches (that's where I'm at now!), a park, a coffee shop, a conference room or a beach in the middle of Hawaii.

The perfect getaway is a place we can go to spend time with God and to worship Him. Wherever that place is, because you're with God, you can walk away feeling like David felt--light, restored, peaceful, energized and strengthened. The experience of prayer, worship and hearing/reading God's Word changes you for the better. Who wouldn't want that? And if that experience could happen on top of the Eiffel Tower, even better!

Tomorrow: Psalm 32-35

The strength of trust

Today: 1 Samuel 28-31

Trust is an interesting concept that conjures up different ideas depending on your perspective. Some people view trust as complete surrender--it's like the game where you completely fall backwards, believing that someone will catch you. Trust can be scary because it does always require some vulnerability. At the same time, trust can also bring strength to your life and your relationships...as long as you're putting your trust in the right places.

In a story from today's chapters, David returned home to find that his city was burned to the ground, his wives and possessions captured by an enemy. How devastating! To top it off, David's loyal army of friends was angry at him--they felt that their losses occurred because they sided with David. I can't imagine how the double blow--loss of family and anger of friends--hit David. But I love his response:

David strengthened himself with trust in his God.

In his moment of weakness, David found strength by trusting in God. He didn't find strength in himself or look for it in external stuff--his friends or his armor. In a moment like that, some people would have turned to God in anger, saying, "Why did you let this happen? I trusted you and followed you and now what?!?" But David continued to trust God. He believed that trust would bring strength...and it did.

Tomorrow: 2 Samuel 1-3

The poured-out heart

Today: 1 Samuel 1-3

Today's passage describes a few great stories from the life of Samuel. His "Here I am" moment with God is probably one of the most famous. But as I read today, the story that stood out to me was the story of Hannah, Samuel's mother. Hannah was unable to have a child and wanted one so badly. She prayed to God with such desperation that the priest, Eli, thought she was drunk. She replied, "The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God." Wow!

Her prayer is answered and Hannah gives birth to a son whom she dedicates to God. I loved her prayer at that moment and thought her words proclaiming God's strength and care might bring hope to anyone reading them:

I'm bursting with God-news!

I'm walking on air.

I'm laughing at my rivals.

I'm dancing my salvation.

Nothing and no one is holy like God,

no rock mountain like our God.

Don't dare talk pretentiously—

not a word of boasting, ever!

For God knows what's going on.

He takes the measure of everything that happens.

The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,

while the weak are infused with fresh strength.

The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,

while the hungry are getting second helpings.

The barren woman has a houseful of children,

while the mother of many is bereft.

God brings death and God brings life,

brings down to the grave and raises up.

God brings poverty and God brings wealth;

he lowers, he also lifts up.

He puts poor people on their feet again;

he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,

Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—

a place in the sun!

For the very structures of earth are God's;

he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.

He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step,

but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark.

No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle!

God's enemies will be blasted out of the sky,

crashed in a heap and burned.

God will set things right all over the earth,

he'll give strength to his king,

he'll set his anointed on top of the world!

Tomorrow: 1 Samuel 4-8

What's the secret of your strength?

Today: Judges 16-18

"What's the source of your strength?"

It was the main question Delilah posed to Samson in today's passage. Delilah was definitely deceptive and her quest to know the answer led to the his downfall. He hid the truth from Delilah three times. Here was her response:

She said, "How can you say 'I love you'

when you won't even trust me?

Three times now you've toyed with me,

like a cat with a mouse,

refusing to tell me the secret of your great strength."

She kept at it day after day,

nagging and tormenting him.

Finally, he was fed up—he couldn't take another minute of it.

He spilled it.

He told her, "A razor has never touched my head.

I've been God's Nazirite from conception.

If I were shaved, my strength would leave me;

I would be as helpless as any other mortal."

This section of the story caught my attention today. I may be overanalyzing, but when I read this, I realized that Samson's last answer--that his strength came from his hair--wasn't true, either. Ultimately, Samson's strength came from God. It came because of a commitment he made to God and that God made to him. The long, Fabio-like hair was just a symbol of that promise--the hair didn't make Samson strong.

I wonder if Samson's final answer caused God to have some of the same emotions as Delilah. I wonder if God thought, "How can you say 'I love you' when you won't even trust me?" By giving away part of the secret and wrongly saying that the hair was his source of strength, Samson showed God that He wasn't first in his life. Samson valued his relationship with a manipulative woman more than he valued his promise to God.

The good news for Samson is that he later realized his mistake and asked God for forgiveness. In his final moments, God used him to destroy his enemies and a city filled with evil. To me, this signifies that there's always hope when you know where your strength truly comes from.

Tomorrow: Judges 19-21

The not-so-desperate housewives

Today: Judges 3-5

Sometimes God uses the most ordinary people to do the most extraordinary things. In today's passage, he used two women I'm referring to as the not-so-desperate housewives. Their names were Deborah and Jael. One ruled a nation and the other killed a mighty warrior, to be exact.

What makes them extraordinary?

Think about it. Even in 2010, how many women are leaders of their countries? Not many. Think back through history to a time well before Jesus walked the planet. I'm sure it was very, very, very rare. Most of the time, women were treated as second-class citizens. However, Deborah was a leader--a judge governing Israel. To top it off, she was also a spiritual leader, a prophet. I'm guessing that she was a pretty incredible chick because she was very well respected by a guy named Barak. Barak was a military leader (a pretty strong guy in his own right!). But when Deborah told Barak that God wanted him go into battle, Barak said:

"If you go with me, I'll go.

But if you don't go with me, I won't go."

Honestly, I don't know if Barak's words indicate more about his lack of confidence in himself (or even God?) or if they are more indicative of his great respect for Deborah. It's probably a combination of all three factors. One thing's for sure: Deborah was extraordinary. God talked to her and through her--and events transpired just as she said:

She said, "Of course I'll go with you.

But understand that with an attitude like that,

there'll be no glory in it for you.

God will use a woman's hand to take care of Sisera (the enemy)."

Enter Jael. She was a housewife--an incredibly smart woman who used her power and her kindness to capture and kill an evil warrior. She invited him into her home, gave him milk and a place to lay down his head--and then proceeded to nail a tent peg through it while he slept! Wow! To be honest, it sounds like a scene from the show "24" (one of my favorites). It would be equivalent to an American housewife wooing Osama bin Laden with hospitality--and then killing him in his sleep. Can you imagine?!? Jael had courage and guts. She used what she had to help God's people.

I've dubbed these women the not-so-desperate housewives because they were confident--in God and in the smarts He gave them. Unlike military leader Barak, they didn't downplay their strengths or God's.

I pray that I can have even a fraction of that confidence. If we all walked in that kind of courage, what extraordinary things could God do with our lives? And what could be the impact on the people around us?

Tomorrow: Judges 6-7

Consistency, strength and God in trouble

Today: Romans 14-16



What happens when people...when Christians....get into trouble?

What if it's trouble they bring on themselves?

How should you and I respond?

And more importantly, how does God respond?



These are some serious questions. In life so far, I've seen people get into trouble and I've been in some myself. I thought that today's passage had some interesting answers, so let's talk about some of the questions again.



What happens when people...when Christians....get into trouble?

What if it's trouble they bring on themselves?

I believe there are different kinds of trouble we face in life. Some is trouble that comes from simply being a human being in a world tainted by sin (e.g. people can be sick, abused by others, poor, etc. through absolutely no fault of their own). And sometimes, it's trouble we bring on ourselves through bad choices or sin. This chapter (and today's post) deals with that kind of trouble, as the passage states:

If the way you live isn't consistent

with what you believe,

then it's wrong.

I've faced this kind of trouble before (and my bet is that you have, too!). When you live inconsistent with what you believe--or what is true--it can tear you up inside. It's living out of sync with your conscience. It's hypocritical.

If it goes on too long, it can make you numb--lifeless, blind to God's truth and deaf to the direction of the Holy Spirit. But there's always hope...

How should you and I respond?

If someone in your life is struggling, here's what the passage says to do:

Those of us who are strong

and able in the faith

need to step in and lend a hand

to those who falter,

and not just do what is most convenient for us.

Strength is for service, not status.

Each one of us needs to look after

the good of the people around us,

asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

Sometimes when people struggle, we avoid them...like they have some kind of contagious disease. Or when people struggle, a lot of Christians want to say the right things like, "I'll pray for you" or even "God has a plan." Those things may be true...but they may not be what the person struggling needs.

They may need you to listen. Really. They may need you to call or visit. They may need you to babysit or cook a meal. They may need you to mow their lawn or help them laugh.

How does God respond to people in trouble?

God's response to trouble is so incredible when you think about how people characterize other religious figures (like Buddha, for example)...or even people (like celebs or politicians) that are idolized. Here's what the passage says:

...That's exactly what Jesus did.

He didn't make it easy for himself

by avoiding people's troubles,

but waded right in and helped out.

"I took on the troubles of the troubled,"

is the way Scripture puts it.

Even if it was written in Scripture long ago,

you can be sure it's written for us...

May our dependably steady

and warmly personal God

develop maturity in you

so that you get along with each other

as well as Jesus gets along with us all.

I love this description of Jesus as the God who waded in trouble. He wasn't afraid to deal with people whose lives were messy...He picked them up in their mess and helped them out.

The mark of a mature faith is to do the same--to get along with people, to help them, to stand with them in good times and in bad. Be a dependable, warmly personal friend--just as Jesus is that kind of friend to you.

Tomorrow: I Corinthians 1-4