Don't go out in the next Nor'easter

I read an interesting passage this morning. As I may have mentioned a few times ago, I am working my way through the New Testament book of Acts. I am really taking my time, tying to understand what is going on in this book. I am almost at the end of the book, where Paul finally gets to Rome to please His case before Caesar. But Paul actually has to get to Rome, and he does so via ship…. no planes at this time in history. Canada Post maybe, becasue it took FOREVER for him to arrive, but I digress. 

anyway, the passage that jumped out to me was Acts 27. I’ve included the immediate context, where Paul is out at sea and they are in the middle of a “NorEaster”:

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” (NLT2)

There is some interesting news, now isn’t it. These sailors had thought they would be safe to travel, so they loaded up and instead of having a save sail, they sailed right into the heart of a storm, where they were blown and tossed and ended up upchucking things— and probably the contents of their stomachs as well—.

what I really jumped out to me was the words that Paul spoke, particularly in verse 25: I know God, but we’re going to be shipwrecked. (the PN version)

Paul was telling the people that although their ship would be destroyed, none of them would die. God would grant each one of them safety, but yet they would still end up in hitting an island somewhere, losing their ship. 

sounds like great fun, doesn’t it? “I believe God… But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” (NLT2)

Sometimes that’s how our life will go. We believe in God, but we still hit a wall. When we believe in God we can often times blow right through a wall. When we believe in God and we can still end up in a hospital. We can believe in God and some bad stuff can happen to us. 

We can believe in God and good stuff happens to us as well, but we often overlook those things and focus only on the bad stuff… I’m not saying this is right or wrong, I’m just telling how it is. 

So, if you are feeling a little bit like Paul’s travelling companions were— feeling like you’re about to be shipwrecked— Hang-on. 

Hang on to God. He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned ship; He is with you each step of the way. 

My Dishwasher.

The other day I was unloading my dishwasher and got to thinking to myself, “you know, this dishwasher has only one job to do. Wash dishes.” 

(If you think it’s strange that I talk to myself… well, its not. Sometimes its the only intelligent conversation I have all day! But I digress…)

My dishwasher has only one purpose, as I said, and that is to wash my dishes. It is not supposed to bake me a cake; nor is my dishwasher supposed to vacuum out my car.  Its sole purpose is to wash dishes. 

this got me thinking.. obviously, or you wouldn’t be reading this post…. but it got me thinking about our job as Christ followers… what is our job exactly?

Well, let me give you a few Scriptures and see if you can pick up what I’m trying to lay down….

first of all Ephesians 5:1-2: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (NLT2, emphasis added)

How about this one, from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome: 

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (NLT2, emphasis added)

One more: “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” ( 1 John 2:5-6, NLT2. Emphasis added)

The main theme from each of these verses is the same: Those who claim to follow Jesus, should act/think/be like Jesus. Not your favourite actor, not your favourite political party. Jesus. 

How often we get this wrong. At least I do. I think that I was made for something else; made to do something else… but I need to remember that just as my dishwasher was made with one purpose in mind: to wash dishes, I was created anew in Christ Jesus to represent Jesus to a world that desperately needs to know Jesus. 

My sole purpose on this earth is to Know Christ and to Make Him known. 

Sure, it’s ok for me to love my family and get a spare part or three along the way, but the reason I am here is to know Jesus Christ and to show/share Jesus Christ with the folks in my world.

I don’t want to sound like a downer here.. but I’m just afraid we miss the mark so often. We think we have to have an opinion on everything; when in reality we are here to learn from and follow Jesus, to listen to and for His voice— (read John 10) to Love God and Love people. 

So where am I going with this? 

I’m not sure really… other than to serve as a simply friendly little reminder that it’s our job to serve Jesus. To Listen to Jesus. To represent Jesus. 

Now, I understand, probably better than anyone that we miss the mark more than we hit the target. And that’s where— thankfully God’s grace kicks in… so today, say a little prayer and ask God to help you serve and represent him.. you never know who might be watching.

You are the only Bible some people will ever read...

I have been working my way trough Steven Furtick’s book (Un)qualified. It’s a very good book. The theme that runs through the book is “the third word.” Basically, when Moses came to God and wanted to know God’s name God told Him I AM. 

Moses was looking for something more, like we would when we ask someone their name.. I am Nick, or I am Beth… but not so with God. His Name is I AM. 

So Steven picks up this theme and runs with it in his book…. how we must allow God to determine our third word, like forgiven, or loved, or precious, or saved. Not broken, or abused, or adulterer. We need to let God give us the third word….

as I am reading this book, the author touched on one of the 10 commandments and it reminded me of a story that I read along time ago by another one of my favourite authors, Max Lucado. 

The particular verse in question is Exodus 20:7: “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.” (NLT2)

Many of us who have grown up in the church have been told that this verse means that we are not to use the Lord’s Name in vain. We are not to cuss. We are not to say Lord Almighty. 

But, both authors— Steven and Max— agree that this verse means more than not just taking the Lord’s Name in vain. It also is talking about a lifestyle. 

(Max Lucado was in an airplane having a conversation with a Jewish Rabbi.) He goes on writing:

My puzzled expression was enough to request an explanation. "Don't think language; think lifestyle," he instructed. "The command calls us to elevate the name or reputation of God to the highest place. We exist to give honor to His name. May I illustrate?" ... I took notes. He proceeded to create a story involving a Manhattan skyscraper. Everyone in the building works for the CEO, whose office is on the top floor. Most  have not seen him, but they have seen his daughter. She works in the building for her father. She exploits her family position to her benefit.

One morning she approaches Bert, the guard. "I'm hungry, Bert. Go down the street and buy me a danish." The demand placed Bert in a quandary. He's on duty. Leaving his post puts the building at risk. But his boss's daughter insists, "Come on; hurry up." What option does he have? As he leaves, he says nothing but thinks something like "If the daughter is so bossy, what does that say about her father?" She's only getting started. Munching on her muffin, she bumps into a paper-laden secretary.

"Where are you going with all those papers?"

"To have them bound for an afternoon meeting."

"Forget the meeting. Come to my office and vacuum the carpet."

"But I as told..."

"And I am telling you something else."

The woman has no choice. After all, this is the boss's daughter speaking, which causes the secretary to question the wisdom of the boss.

And on the daughter goes. Making demands. Calling shots. Interrupting schedules. Never invoking the name of her dad. Never leveraging her comments with, "My dad said..."

No need to.

Isn't she the boss's child? Doesn't the child speak for the father? And so Bert abandons his post. An assistant fails to finish a task. and more than on employee questions the wisdom of the man upstairs. Does he really know what he is doing? They wonder.

... The girl dishonored the name of her father, not with vulgar language, but with insensitive living.... But what if the daughter acted differently? Rather than demand a muffin from Bert, she brings a muffin to Bert. "I thought of you this morning," she explains. "You arrive so early. Do you have time to eat?" And she hands him the gift.

En rout to the elevator she bumps into a woman with an armful of documents. "My, I'm sorry. Can I help?" the daughter offers. The assistant smiles, and the two carry the stacks down the hallway.

And so the daughter engages the people. She asks about their families. Offers to bring them coffee. New workers are welcomed, and hard workers are applauded. She, through kindness and concern, raises the happiness level of the entire company.

She does so not even mentioning her father's name. Never does she declare, "My father says..." There is no need to. Is she not his child? Does she not speak on his behalf? Reflect his heart? When she speaks, they assume she speaks for him. And because they think highly of her, they think highly of her father.

They've not seem him. They've not met him. But they know his child, so they know his heart.

... Paul wrote: "We are ambassadors for Christ as though God were making an appeal through us..." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

The ambassador has a singular aim - to represent the King. He promotes the king's agenda, protects the kings reputation, and presents the king's will. The ambassador elevates the name of the king.

I pray that we do the same. May God rescue us from self-centered thinking. May we have no higher goal than to see someone think more highly of our Father, our king.

"You know how the story ends? the rabbi asked..."No, I don't. How?"

"The daughter takes the elevator to the top floor to see her father. When she arrives, he is waiting in the doorway. He's aware of her good works and has seen her kind acts. People think more highly of him because of her. And he knows it. As she approaches, he greets her with six words." The rabbi paused and smiled ... "What are they? " I urged, never expecting to hear an orthodox Jew quote Jesus. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

May all of us reflect the Father's heart until we hear the same. (found this illustration here)

Really, what more could I add? 

We are representatives of Jesus Christ. Do people see Him, when they look at us? I pray the answer is yes! 

Again???

Interesting times we live in, isn’t it? 

Does it scare you to turn on the news? Most of the time I want to find something else to watch, or to listen to, other than the news… but on the other hand, I want to turn on the radio— or my iPod as I lay awake— and listen to the news of a world run amuck. 

This past week alone, we had an attack in Edmonton, then there was an attack in Las Vegas... Hearing all of this is enough to make a person shake their heads in disgust. 

Since I’ve heard about these news events, one Scripture verse has been floating around in my head and I would like to share it with you now. 

It comes from Psalm chapter 11. David is asking— and answering-- a question. 

First the question:

“When the foundations for good collapse, what can good people do?” (NCV) 

What David is asking is the question that all of us have been— or are currently asking: “What do we do when all hell breaks loose?”

Before David gives us time to think about an adequate answer for this question, he gives us an answer— rather The answer to “the what do we do” question… 

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord sits on his throne in heaven.” (NCV)

Even though chaos abounds, God is still on the Throne. Even though (it seems that) evil is running rampant in our world, God is still in control. Even when all hope seems lost; God is still an ever present help in times of trouble. Our God is in control and will be in control. 

God has not abdicated the throne and gone running from everyone. He is very much enthroned in Heaven and He is waiting for us to call out to Him, for when we turn to Him, He will turn to us:

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chr. 7:14)

If/then. 

If we will humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s Face Then He will hear, forgive and heal. 

Isn’t that what we need more than anything else. Healing. Forgiveness. These— and more— are offered to us by our heavenly Father, but first we must come to Him; come to the One who can heal our broken hearts/land. 

So, in all of this turmoil, don’t lose your head. Don’t blow a gasket. Even with all that is going on— and there will be more to come— God is still on the Throne. God still knows what He is doing, God can still be trusted. 

When all that is good falls apart, what are good people to do? The Lord is in His Holy Temple. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him.