Exodus 33:7-8,25 (NKJV)
7 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them...
25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame...)...

Moses is meeting with God on the mountain for 40 days and nights. And in that span, God's people decide to create an idol - the golden calf. The process of this slide is documented in these verses. It says that thay had "corrupted themselves." What was the cause of this corruption? They turned aside quickly from the way God had commanded them. See, God had placed boundaries on thier life that were not intended to restrict thier life, but to protect it. Yet in a very short time they chose to live without that constraint.

Everybody wants the quick change: weight loss, cosmetic surgery, stock speculation...the list goes on. There is no easy way, but it doesn't stop us from looking for one. This is especially true when it comes to our spiritual lives. People want a "bailout" from God, but as soon as we get it, we go back to the old ways that brought us to that desperate position. In my life, I always go backwards when I live without the restraint of God's directives for me. Anytime I step outside of those life principles, corruption creeps in and disipline leaks out.

There is no quick change that produces any real and lasting good in life. Real change is made by little decisions to live with your boundaries, your means, your assignments. This kind of living requires focus, discipline, and perseverance. Without it, we're left to worship the life we've created for ourselves and face the consequences.

Proverbs 6:12-14 (ESV)
12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;

What struck me this morning while reading is the term "worthless." It's translated differently in other other versions, but this term I think best defines the kind of person this proverb is speaking about. This is someone who only looks out for themself. The don't bring anything of value to a relationship or community. In fact it's just the opposite - thier life revolves around taking. So they "talk out of both sides of thier mouth" (MSG translation) saying what ever the person they're speaking to wants to hear, or what ever will get them what they want (even if what they want is just attention).

Another trait is the wink. I've been winked at before. It usually start with a statement like, "Now I'm not supposed to be saying this, but if you'll keep it a secret, I'll tell you..." It is a tool of seduction, a "come on" of sorts, that implies or invites an illicit intimacy that doesn't exist.

Then there's the "signal" giver; the person who will always give you up and point you out. This is a dangerous person because the results of thier actions result in your injury. This is also the kind of person who will make promises to you while having thier fingers crossed behind thier back.

Because they have no honor and only look out for themselves, eventually they burn bridges. The only way to keep control then is to turn those around them against each other. This is nothing more than a distraction method intended to shift the attention from them. But thier selfishness destroys community.

I know I'm not this kind of person. What I need to know is if there are people in my life who are. I've not known many people who are intentionally malicious like this. For most people who act worthless is because they feel worthless and are trying to compensate for thier insecurities. The need of self-importance is a destructive force.

Lord, help me to see if there are those in my life who are worthless. Guard my heart from them. Help me protect my family and community from them. Keep me from falling into the trap of self-importance.

Malachi 3:16 (New King James Version)
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name.

As I want to lead our congregation into the life-giving discipline of reading God's Word and journaling each day I was caught by this verse. I know that it means a "scroll" was was made containing the names of those who feared the Lord. But I want a "book of rememberance" for myself; a journal of the conversations God has with me, a reference to learn from and to refer to, mostly a way to remember what God is speaking to and shaping in me. This book can be a point of conversation with other people who fear Him and we can share our learnings together, meditating on His name.

As I conclude another year of reading the scripture through, I'm grateful for the way the Lord uses his word to speak to me and transform me. Lord, thank you for speaking and listening.

Zechariah 14:16 (New King James Version)
And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Tonight concludes the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. This year it happened to coinside with the week of Christmas. Part of our family's holy-days celebration is to light the menorah each night of Hanukkah. This year I wanted to understand this holiday a little more, so I did a little more research through which I ran across this interesting online article about "The Messiah in Hannukah" at BiblicalHolidays.com, a portion of which I am quoting below:

Was Jesus Conceived on Hanukkah?
Many believe that our Messiah, the “light of the world,” was conceived on the festival of lights—Hanukkah. The Bible does not specifically say the date of Jesus’ birth. It was not during the winter months because the sheep were in the pasture (Luke 2:8). A study of the time of the conception of John the Baptist reveals he was conceived about Sivan 30, the eleventh week (Luke 1:8-13, 24). Adding forty weeks, for a normal pregnancy reveals that John the Baptist was born on or about Passover (Nisan 14). Six months after John’s conception, Mary conceived Jesus (Luke 1:26-33); therefore Jesus would have been conceived six months after Sivan 30 in the month of Kislev—Hanukkah. Was the “light of the world,” conceived on the festival of lights? Starting at Hanukkah, which begins on Kislev 25 and continues for eight days, and counting through the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy, one arrives at the approximate time of the birth of Jesus at the Festival of Tabernacles (emphasis added).

The "Light of the World" concieved during the "festival of lights?" It's interesting to note God's timing in the fact that the event commemorated by Hannukkah took place approximately 165 years before Christ's birth. This gave enough time for the celebration to become rooted in the culture. This event is also during the 400 years know as the inter-testmental period, during which its thought that God did not speak to his people. Yet could the the purification and restoation of the temple been prophetic?

Furthermore, it make sense for Jesus, "Emmanuel" - God With Us (or as it could be translated, "God who tablernacles with man") to come during this season. In fact, the day following the conclusion of the 7-day Sukkot festival is called Simkat Torah, the day on which the year-long reading of the Torah is concluded and started again. And now, as John said in his description of the incarnation, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among men" (John 1:1-4,14).

And now we come to today's reading, where it says that all nations will come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tablernacles. Not Passover, not Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), not Pentecost, but Tabernacles - when God came to live with men. I wish I had more time to write because this has so many implications. I can't wait to do some more research on the subject. Nevertheless, During the season that I as a Christian celebrate Jesus' birth, I am pointed to a day when as it says in Revelation 21:3-4, 23 (NKJV):

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
The city (the new Jerusalem) had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light."

For more basic information on the Feast of Tabernacles I reccomend the following articles: "The Festival of Booths" and "Succot", @ Hope4Israel.org 's blog as well as "Sukkot: A Practical Guide for Believers in Messiah" hosted @ Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation's website

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (Contemporary English Version)
2 Then the LORD told me:
"I will give you my message
in the form of a vision.
Write it clearly enough
to be read at a glance.
3 At the time I have decided,
my words will come true.
You can trust what I say
about the future.
It may take a long time,
but keep on waiting--
it will happen!

I don't know why I don't spend more time in Habakkuk. It's a rich, little book. Very readable for a minor prophet and so many foundational concepts contained in it. I also wonder if every December 18 I so a life journal entry on these same verses? (I should check my archives).

As a pastor the holidays are a time of reflection and preparation for the start of a new year. In this season, I've not yet had the time to really get away to hear God abut what he has for the church I serve in 2009, but I'm geting tastes of it. What I need to do is to take the time to capture all these thoughts, allow them to become clear through prayer and prepare to lead our church on the journey He has for us. I've already spent time getting ready for this; reading some books that stir my heart, meeting with friends & leaders who challenge me. Snce August I really feel that this year at New Life is all about "making disciples." There's a lot of Christians, but not many actual "Christ-followers" (see Jesus: "You're my disciples if you do what I command you...," etc.)

Now it's one thing to say it, but it's another to communicate it; to really help people understand where we're going and how we're going to get there. That's why the CEV spoke to me in it's translation today, "Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance." People's lives are rush by so fast, like traffic on the freeway. So this vision for our church has to be "caught on the fly." Like a billboard, the vision has to have a simple and clear message. Like a road sign, the vision has to point people in a specific direction. Like the sound of an alarm, people have to understand what the sound means and how to respond. This is my challenge over the remaining weeks in 2008. And if I do my part of writing it down, the Lord says I can trust Him with the future outcome.

Lord, help me hear, help me focus, help me communicate what, where, and how You're leading our church into our future.

Proverbs 17:14 (NKJV)
The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Man, is this proverb ever true! It always suprises me how much stuff people supress (including me). If you ever want to discover what issues people have with you, get in an argument with them about something. Not too far into it, whatever problems were once held back come flooding out even if it's unrelated to the issue at hand. We (people) can help it. Once the plug is pulled, it's hard to control what comes flooding out.

This proverb instructs to stop contentions before it goes to the next level, but how? First, steer clear of anger (Ephesians 4:31). Just get rid of it. Don't let stuff back up and clog the pipes of the heart.

Then there's the responsibility to walk in self-control (Proverbs 29:11; Galatians 5:22-26). I don't know why I give myself permission to "vent." The scripture says that's foolishness.

When it does come time to confront something, love has to be the boundary for the conversation. The truth does need to be spoken, but both restrained by the speaker and filtered by the hearer through love (Ephesians 4:15).

Issues, problems, misunderstandings are an unavoidable part of life with each other. It takes faith and trust with a healthy dose of self-control to keep them from blowing up. Funny thing is, if conflict is navigated correctly, it becomes a shaping force in one's life, not a destructive one.

Lord, secure the walls of my heart. Help me not to let the pressure internally become disasterous to those around me. Strengthen me, heal me, forgive me, so that I can walk clean with those around me.

Micah 7:8 (NKJV)
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;
When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness,
The LORD will be a light to me.

I don't know why this verse captured my attention today. I'm not feeling especially persecuted; I don't feel like I'm in the dark (although there are times that both of these are true). But this verse brings perspective to each of these kinds of situations. When I fall, I will get up. Yet so many times failure feels fatal. But it's not. To paraphrase the theologian LL Cool J, "Don't call it a comeback..." With the Lord's help, just get back up.

It's also true when darkness comes. It is disorenting and disconcerting. It's lonely and confusing. But the Lord says, He's the light at the end of the tunnel. He's the illumination that allows me to see where I am and what needs to be done.

Not especially deep today, but rich never the less. I'm sure that this will be something I'll have to turn to sometime in the days/weeks/months ahead.

Lord, be my light. Be my strength.

Psalm 131:1-2 (NKJV)
LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

I had lunch with a long time buddy of mine yesterday. He happens to pastor a church that has experience wonderful growth over the past 8 years. We enjoy each other's company and process life and ministry together. I was sharing with him about some leadership struggles I was experiencing and feeling a little paralyzed from not knowing what to do. His response was encouraging, but direct. His comment was that I see things at such a macro level, that I can tend to overcomplicate things. It can be like trying to get to step 5 before completing step 2. I have a tendancy to try to get to the desired result without completing the entire process. His words resonated with me, and today's reading in Psalms affirmed this sense.

I have a tendancy to be overly concerned with "great things." I like "deep" and "profound" thinking. Vision and strategy are all things that stoke my fire. But these things can create a discontent in my soul. The Lord wants to break me from, wean me from continually geting ahead of myself. I've got to break my dependency to being on "the cutting edge." This means I also have to care a little less about what people think of me and the persona I must be trying to project. I must be content with what is in front of me. I must be focused on what He has told me to do and see it through, without getting distracted by my own need for recognition("haughtiness") or ambition ("lofty eyes") or being imressive ("great matters," "profound"). Like my friend said, hear God and just do what He tells you.

Lord, I want to do just and only that; to hear You and to do what you've told me to do. Wean me from my need for affirmation and teach me contentment through obedience so that my soul would be calm and quiet.

2 Chronicles 29:15-16 (NKJV)
And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the LORD to the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it out and carried it to the Brook Kidron.

This passage is a little too close to home. About 3 months ago, we had to do this at New Life. Nothing had been "defiled," but long term neglect to putting stuff away (either organized or trashed) resulted in things piling up. On Monday of this week I had to take some time to reorganize my garage. A summer's worth of activity resulted in things not being put back into place. It just took some time to clean up. I followed that up with cleaning out my closet, getting rid of some old clothes; stuff that was worn or just didn't fit anymore. Actually, I need to do the same in my office now too.

There's a tension that I live in: when things are busy, my life gets cluttered. Things don't get put away, and if left too long it gets dirty. On the other hand, when I have too much time on my hands I get distracted. I'll procrastinate and leave things undone. That's why these "spring cleaning" times are a regular part of my life, not only in the natural, but the spiritual as well. Right now I'm in the "search me, try me, lead me" season (Psalm 139:23-24). It feels like everything is cluttered and I need to get in there and ask the Lord what needs to go. There are some things that need to be put back in place (my daily disciplines for one) I want to be clutter free...and sanctified for His service.

2 Chronicles 25:5-10 (NKJV)
Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to their fathers’ houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. 6 He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. 7 But a man of God came to him, saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the children of Ephraim. 8 But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow.”
9 Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”
And the man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” 10 So Amaziah discharged the troops that had come to him from Ephraim, to go back home.

Here's another example of men who have a good idea, but not God's idea. Amaziah numbered the warriors of Judah in preparation for a war with Moab. He also recruited another 100,000 mercenaries from thier "brothers" in Israel. This seemed like a good idea at the time. Instead, not only was it a waste of money, but it had graver consequences as Israel later initates war with Judah and defeats them.

The word from this unknown man of God is the focus of my thoughts, especiall the end of v.8. I am guilty of asking God to help me with my plans, when His plans are bigger. I want His help to win some little battle and His plans are to overthrow the enemy. More specifically, I want God to help me with some little project and He wants to completely take it to another level. But I've already made arrangements for my plans (like hiring 100,000 mercenaries). I've spent resources to insure my plan will work. Although I might win the battle, ultimately, I end up losing the war. Bigger problems arise down the road all because I'm doing what seems to be right without asking God first. He sees things I can't. He knows things I don't. And most of all, I just don't need his help, I need to know his will.

Acts 8:1
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

It amazes me to to find these mirrored passages. Even though I know the chapter and verse designations were added in the 16th century, when I see things like this it makes me smile thinking God could have even inspired the numbering of the verses.

More important is the lesson contained in the verses. Jesus told his followers (not just the disciples, but possibly even including as many as those who gathered in the upper room on Pentecost) that they would be His witnesses beyond Jerusalem. I wonder how they thought that would happen. I don't know if they could imagine what would hapen at the coming of the Holy Spirit. None of the twelve disciples were even current residents of Jerusalem. Like so many things Jesus said to them, I would think they weren't entirely sure of what He was saying. Whatever they thought, I doubt any of them could imagine the persecution that would follow that would drive many of them out of Jerusalem.

That does tend to be the pattern of God speaking to me. He says one thing, so I create scenarios how it's going to take place. Yet what happens is often very different from what I had imagined. Still, in the end I find that I'm where he said that would would need to be, even if the route to get there is different from the journey I expected.

Lord, I trust you to get me from point to point in my journey of following you.

This past weekend I took Justin out to shoot a gun for the first time. We went with our friend Bruce to Prado Shooting Park to shoot some skeet. Growing up in suburbia, Justin doesn't get to have some of the experiences that a kid in a more rural setting would get to have. Gun safety and experience is one of those things I learned as a kid. Although we're not a hunting or gun owning family, I wanted him to have a respect for guns and learn how to safely handle them.

This was the first time I had ever shot skeet. Justin and I both had a great time! Thanks Bruce - I bet you don't even know you're Wiki!

Joshua 24:9-10 (ESV)
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.

It's funny the things you remember, what gets registered in your brain. I'm thinking that as I'm reading this list from Joshua of all the amazing things God has done to bring them into the promised land. At the end of his life and the conclusion of posessing the land, Joshua is reviewing how God has sovreignly directed them as a people; from God's call to Abraham (big), the original journey into Egypt (with no mention of Joseph, but still an important event), the exodus, the battle where when Moses hands were raised the Israelites won (for which Joshua was the field general), and then the above verses fall.

I know the story of Balaam and the talking donkey. And interesting little side story with a funny side show. But for whatever reason, this must have been a very significant event in the nation's history. In fact, Peter, Paul, and even John in The Reveation comment on Balaam.

I'm not going to try today to fid the significance in Balaam's story. My point is that sometimes what we think is insignificant isn't. In hindsight, small events can have major influence. Maybe Joshua used this story to remind the people that God is often working on our behalf behind the scenes and not only in the big stuff. I wonder what events in my life are identity shaping that could be overlooked.

Lord, don't let me overlook the the stuff that you want me to remember.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Mark chapter one says that Jesus came "preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'" (v 14-15). The "good news" that Jesus offered was that God's Kingdom was now present. Could have the call to repent ("to turn away from") been an invitation to turn away from thier dependence upon the Law and a new dependance upon the Spirit? How could have they known or understood what Jesus was saying? It was so far beyond thier frame of reference; a radical change of paradigm.

They must have heard Jesus' words about the Kingdom and possibly tried to understand what He was talking about by looking for a point of reference - "Oh, that's what he means by the kingdom." Maybe it's a different way of doing things, or a new set of rules to live by. I would imagine that people were looking intently for the signs of a new regime, even if it wasn't a polictical one. What was completly beyond them is the concept of this Kingdom being inside of them. The power and presence of God indwelling. The King ruling one's heart. God's kingdom is not only "among" you, but to everyone who can let go of thier attempts at self-righteousness, it can be "within" you.

Lord, let your kingdom be present not just around me, or among my life's activities, but let me live with a consciousness of it being resident within me.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Mark chapter one says that Jesus came "preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'" (v 14-15). The "good news" that Jesus offered was that God's Kingdom was now present. Could have the call to repent ("to turn away from") been an invitation to turn away from thier dependence upon the Law and a new dependance upon the Spirit? How could have they known or understood what Jesus was saying? It was so far beyond thier frame of reference; a radical change of paradigm.

They must have heard Jesus' words about the Kingdom and possibly tried to understand what He was talking about by looking for a point of reference - "Oh, that's what he means by the kingdom." Maybe it's a different way of doing things, or a new set of rules to live by. I would imagine that people were looking intently for the signs of a new regime, even if it wasn't a polictical one. What was completly beyond them is the concept of this Kingdom being inside of them. The power and presence of God indwelling. The King ruling one's heart. God's kingdom is not only "among" you, but to everyone who can let go of thier attempts at self-righteousness, it can be "within" you.

Lord, let your kingdom be present not just around me, or among my life's activities, but let me live with a consciousness of it being resident within me.