Will I Choose Freedom?

Dogs pace  the hall.  

Each one makes a pass and looks in the doorway.  

Finally Mickey peeks his head around the edge of the door frame with eyebrow cocked upward and expectation in his eyes.  He's asking if I'm ready.  It's time for our daily walk.  My reply is "Almost ready buddy."  I rarely disappoint him.  Those walks, wrestling three dogs, is good for them and me.

I respond to that reminder and continue with my morning routine, brushing teeth and hair, washing face, dressing.  I include a quick trip in the middle of the routine.  I pop onto the scale.  For some reason I check my weigh often but the information the scale displays does not gain my response.  Been seeing those numbers for years and they are nothing to be proud.

Micah, the prophet, deliver God's reminder to His people to turn from their wicked ways and follow His way.  He reveals plenty of consequence.  In chapter 2 verse 6 the people reply.  "Don't harp on those things!"  (from the New Living Bible) "It's disgraceful, that sort of talk. Such evils surely will not come our way."

How like us when confronted with a reminder of ill behavior, talk or thought?  As Sunday's sermon reminded me, we would rather deceive ourselves and change the context of our behavior to feel better about our condition.

Too often we turn away from anything that might convict us and make  us feel uncomfortable.  It's too easy in today's world to find acceptance in any area that we choose.  We can always defend our actions by comparison.  Plenty of  others are behaving much worse than I.

Yet, as Sunday's sermon also reminded me,  when I ignore the reminders, I then become a slave to the web of self deceit I create.

God is not harping at me to burden me.  God wants it to go well for me.  (I learned that in Deuteronomy!  That was the real reason for all those rules and laws.)  God offers me freedom.  His way is really the easiest and it leads me when I really want to go.

I've been reading the classic, Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.  (Don't be too impressed, it's the modern English translation and I have a study guide!)  The heroes of the story, Christian and Hopeful engage a self professed believer, Ignorance.  Ignorance has convinced himself that his spiritual state is just fine as it stands.  Christian challenges him.  "How can you imagine that you believe in Christ when you do not see  that you have any need of Him?  You neither see your innate nor your actual sins, but  you have an opinion of yourself that plainly puts you beyond the need of the Redeemer. How the do you believe in Christ?" (Pilgrim's Progress in Today's English, John Bunyan retold by Jamesh. Thomas, p. 140)

I do need a Savior!

So my challenge for today:  How will I respond to God's gentle reminders?  I have two choices, the easy way, that would be God's way or the complicated way which means I try to deceive myself into comfort. 

Hmmmm......    I always respond to Mickey's inquiry about the daily walk.  He's so cute ! Maybe I should have Mickey tell me how much I weigh!

Woe means Whoa

"What does the horse say?"  I asked on Saturday.

"Nay!" replied the adorable two year old girl, that I am so very fond.  When she is present I rarely look at anyone else.  She has my complete attention.  There is no other child as important.

I thought about horses when I read Micah 1: 14-2:5.

Micah is delivering some bad news.  The Israelites had strayed from the ways of God, big time strayed, way off the  path strayed.  They had followed pagan rituals, They had taken  advantage of those less fortunate and used their power to amass riches for themselves. Micah was pointing out their sins and giving notice of the consequence of their sins.

In verse one of chapter 2 the sentence begins with "Woe..."  What follows is not good news.  Micah addresses the plotters of evil who covet  and seize fields and defraud others of homes and inheritances.

I'm reminded of an exercise and health "guru" from the 1980's, I think.  Her signature phrase was "Stop the madness" of unhealthy habits and eating.  Micah also delivers the message to Stop the madness of fraud, stealing, lust, and evil.

 God is counter-planning disaster on the plotters of evil and no one will be able to save them.  He will take their pride.  He will take their possessions and give them to traitors.

In the Bible, the word "Woe" is an attention grabber.  Synonyms are Ah, Alas, Ha, Ho, O.  I submit that what follows Woe is a warning to stop whatever comes next.

So today  "Woe" means "Whoa"!  Micah  tells the people to Whoa, to stop the fraud, the stealing, the lust, the evil.  Even though  I don't count myself as such a plotter these verses remind me to Whoa and take a spiritual inventory.  Do I collect too many possessions?  Am I too proud of my accomplishments? Have I injured others on my worldly way?

The online article I read on the meaning of Whoa indicated that this command is the first thing to learn, especially for the horse, if I'm the rider!   Full disclosure, I'm not a horse person.  I've been on a horse a couple of times and spent most of the time terrified only because of my total lack of experience.  I always get the best, calmest and most obedient horses and I don't let the human in control of the horse leave my side!

Yet, I've seen plenty of western movies and admire the partnership between horse and rider. The online article continued to explain the importance of the Whoa command.  If the horse does not stop at the Whoa, then the horse should receive a bit of consequence, like having the horse back up.  The article emphasized that if the horse doesn't stop at first command, then deliver a bit of consequence.(I hate to backup also.  Pretty effective consequence!)  So the rider doesn't give the horse the option to not obey.  It's follow the rider's command or else.  (I digress but wondering if Whoa will work on three dogs!  Do dogs hate to backup?)

All of this research made me think about my relationship with God.  Intellectually I know He holds the reins of my life.   The horse article tells me that it's His command that is to be followed.  Do I hold up or Whoa when God speaks to me?  My disobedience always leads to consequence not of my choosing.  So these verses have reminded me to Whoa when God speaks to me.

These verses also remind me that there is plenty more that follows in The Book.  There is God's grace.  Even though Micah is delivering bad news, I know by further reading and experience there is an opportunity for repentance in that message.  God is Good,  Really, Really Good so He will not tolerate evil.  At the same time God is Loving, Really, Really Loving and if I Whoa when He warns me and turn from my way to His Way, I have that opportunity for forgiveness and a fresh start.

When God says Whoa to me He is telling me to "Stop in the name of love"  just like the song made famous by The Supremes!

Here's what these verses taught me:

·         focus my attention on God's way, there is no other way. 

·         remember who really holds the reins of my life.

·         "Woe means Whoa!"  

Moving from Lack-ish Town

"OK, Rich, remember what we've taught you..."  I was at our monthly card group and a new player was at my table.  I wasn't drawing the cards I needed so I decided it was time for some risky play.  We all had been sharing the strategy for success with the new players and what I was about to do violated the generally accepted plan.

I thought about my teaching and my example that night when I read Micah 1:6- 13.  Micah listed the consequence of idolatry and oppression. He named specific communities and gave details of the disasters to come. 

Samaria would crumble into a heap of rubble. It would become a vineyard.  Those ornate, idolatrous and expensive temples would be burned. People would be led away as slaves. People would live in fear behind their walls. They would vainly hope for better days.  They would become bitter. People would suffer for straying from the Lord's way. 

Then in verse 13 Micah points his prophetic bony finger (I always imagine prophets pointing bony fingers in the Name of The Lord) at Lachish.  Lachish started the downward slide.  Other Israelite cities followed their example and strayed from The Lord to worship worthless idols.

I am always struck with fear when  someone begins to quote something I said or repeats one of my actions.  I feel the weight of influence.  God left me here to proclaim His Name, His Work and His Glory.  I worry that I may have misspoke or someone caught me in an all-too-human moment of assimilation to the world.

Fortunately, God is merciful.  He believes in second chances.  Perhaps those times are opportunities for me to be a better example.  Or a time to share God's amazing grace with another soul that has a tendency to want the temporary benefits of this world, not focusing on the eternal rewards in our future.

By the way, my risky card play, didn't result in a victory that night.  It was just a discussion of strategy and a teachable moment for the rookie!

Today I am reminded not to be Lachish or Lack-ish (as I like to think this town is  pronounced) in my spiritual walk.  Today I am inspired to concentrate so my witness does not lack in proclaiming the beginning of worthy worship-Jesus, only Jesus.  What I do and say, build and acquire, should proclaim Jesus.  Others are paying attention.  More importantly, God knows.  He always knows.  We think we can build walls and hide.  Hallelujah, God is greater  than any wall I can build. He loves me enough to come to me. He gives me another dose of His amazing grace.

My life does not lack in blessings and benefits.  Therefore my devotion to The  Source of these blessings and benefits shall not be lack-ish.  I have experienced His love and mercy.  So I am moving from Lack-ish Town!

Safety Lesson

As I slid toward the edge of the roof, I grabbed the safety belt.  Then I realized the belt wasn't anchored so the safety belt would be no use to me and accompany me over the edge! What was I thinking when I came up to the roof?

We had just started ministry in our first church.  The church needed a new roof. The enthusiastic young pastor had a great idea- to save money the congregation would tear off  the three layers of old roof.  Sounds like fun! 

The assumption was the men would be  on the roof scraping the old shingles to the edge.  The women were on the  ground tossing the old shingles into the dumpsters.  Being a too independent female, I bucked against my assignment.  I watched the men on the roof for a couple of evenings.  I thought

"How hard is that?" 

"I'm not afraid of heights." 

"Why not me?"

"I'm going  up."

So I scrambled up the ladder without announcing my intent.  I didn't ask or inform, just took action.  I was up there for, oh, one minute and felt my feet slipping toward the edge.  I wasn't worried, yet.  A safety belt was within  my reach.  Unfortunately the belt had not been tied off so the belt became my companion, not my salvation, and slid with me toward the edge.

In chapter 1 verses 3-5 Micah announces The Lord is coming down from His dwelling place to the so-called high places of the earth.  The mountains melt like wax before Him.  He comes to combat the idolatry and oppression of the so-called high places.  The people called these high places but The Lord is higher than any high place created.

Many  times in Israelite history God has made it abundantly clear:  Do not worship false gods.  Those high places were the locations of worship to false gods.  The Israelites were doing what "everyone else was doing."  Perhaps they wanted to fit in.  Perhaps they thought they could handle the false worship as well as worshipping The Lord. Perhaps they didn't want to be told what to do, even by God.

That day on the roof, and too many times before and after, I have been just like those Israelites.  I think I know

better than rules,

better than the experienced and mature,

better than God.

I am too often just like Israel, afraid to be set apart from the world to worship the one and only God.  I rebel against His loving ways because  I want what I want. Israel and I think we can make high places, really high  places to show off.  Yet God is higher and  more powerful than anything we can think or make.

God is holy.  He  is so  powerful that those stable and sturdy mountains become like wax and melt.  He loves me so much that when I stray He will come to bring me back to safety, and His safety belts are always tied off!

Pride

Rebellion

Stubbornness

Desire

These threaten  my safety in this world.  They cause me to slide toward the edge.  Thankfully, God is with me and continues to send other "Micahs" me to guide me to the better life, with God, not in spite of God.

I learned a few life lessons that day slipping down the roof.  Check the safety equipment before you need it!  And life is safer following God rather than following my pride, rebellion, stubbornness  and/or desire. God loves me enough to put my feet on solid ground, His ground, even when I get myself close to the edge.  He is the reason I did not go over the edge that day and so many other days since!

                                                                                                                                               

The Quest to be a Better Mushroom

I was drawn to the tree stump.  As I drew closer I saw them.  A cluster of small brown mushrooms.  They were well camouflaged.  They blended into the old stump.  I pulled my phone from my pocket and snapped their picture but had no idea why!

I've started my study of the Book of Micah.  I wanted the challenge of studying one of the prophets.  I choose Micah because it is labeled as a "minor prophet" (meaning it's shorter) and one of my favorite verses is found in Micah.  Follow my blogs to find out which one!

The first verse of Micah lists Micah's credentials.  He was from Moresheth.  He lived during the reigns of Kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.  The Lord's message came to him in visions.  The messages were directed to Samaria and Judah. The second verse tells me to "Listen Up!  God, the Holy One has accusations!" 

I flipped over to 2 Chronicles to read about the reigns of these three kings.  They all were kings of Judah, the Southern kingdom of the Israelites. Israel, the Northern kingdom, had no good kings.  My Marine friend in my Sunday School class used the advertising slogan for Marine recruitment at that time to describe the kings of Judah, "A Few Good Men."

2 Chronicles lists each king's parentage, length of  reign, accomplishments, failures and God's evaluation.  As I began the study of Micah I totaled the years of reign for these three kings who ruled during Micah's lifetime.

16+16+29= a long haul.  Micah's message was  may be short in the number of pages in The Bible but he preached his messages over many, many years.  Ironically, a span close to the  number of years of my own lifetime!

Then I pondered those mushrooms.  They were gone the next day.

Just yesterday in Bible Study I was reminded that God left me here on earth to influence others on His behalf.  Am I like those small brown mushrooms?  Clustered with other like-minded, so I won't stand out?  Do I look like every other believer?   Camouflaged so my message might not get noticed?  Do I have a small message of God's amazing grace like too many other believers?  When the weather changes to slightly warmer, do I disappear?

Today I want to learn from a different variety of mushroom that I photographed that day just a few feet from the tree stump.  Large, almost white and standing alone in defiance of the grass!  This proud mushroom survived several days.

The first two verses of Micah tell me to live a long life for God, to stay with God for the "long haul" of life, and to pay attention to His expectations. I want others to hear about the Big God of whom I am learning.  I want others to hear the Good News as the only way to survive this crazy life.  I'm hoping to become a better variety of mushroom, sharing the glory of God!

Head to Galilee

"Mom can go now?"  The teacher's comment snapped me out of my reverie.  It was my son's first day of kindergarten and I had become lost in thought.  I thought this day was the end of freedom, care free, unstructured days of fun.  Now our calendar would be controlled by the school calendar.    I thought my influence would diminish as teachers   became more a part of his world.  I thought  it was an ending.

I read the last chapter in Mark.  It was days ago but again I've been lost in my thoughts, pondering an ending. 

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary the mother of James went and purchased embalming supplies.  Early the next morning they headed to  the tomb to finish the final care of Jesus' physical body.  They discussed a obstacle. How were they going to move the huge stone Joseph of Arimethea had rolled across the entrance?

When they arrived they saw that very heavy stone moved away from the entrance!  Inside the tomb a young man clothed in white waited for them.  They were startled.  "Don't be so surprised.  Aren't you looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified? He isn't here. He has come back to life!  Look that's where his body was lying.  Now go and give this message to his disciples including Peter.  Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see him there just as  he told you before he died!"

Trembling and bewildered the women left, too afraid to say anything. The most reliable and oldest manuscripts end the gospel here.

Talk about a surprise ending!  These women had thought hope had ended, had died.  The changes in the world hadn't quite happened as they expected.  This Good News, this really Great News shocked and bewildered them.

Some thought the book shouldn't end on just a note.  So verses 16: 9-20 were added to serve as quick summary of what happened.  The disciples didn't believe Mary Magdalene when she delivered the message that Jesus was alive.   They didn't believe until he showed up at dinner and rebuked them for lack of faith and stubbornness.  Then He gave them instructions to go and preach to all creation.  He promised they would see amazing proof of belief.  Then He was taken to Heaven and the disciples went and preached everywhere and witnessed amazing signs.

I've never liked endings, especially unhappy endings.  I would have added those verses also.  I always want to end positive.  If something has to end, I want to be looking forward to what comes next.

On the first day of kindergarten, I remembered what my mother said when asked what her favorite age of child rearing.  "Whatever age they were at the time.  I loved them all."    She knew there were more, perhaps different, good memories coming.  She treasured the past memories and anticipated the new memories.

The young man in white gave me the "clue" to handling an ending-- Head toward Galilee!  Why?  Jesus is waiting there.

When change comes the form of an ending, go to

G o on

A s before

L ed by  God

I n faith

L ong for God's comfort

E xpect God's care

E ager to see God's work.

There really are no endings with God, only more beginnings.  Whatever God leads me to, will be my favorite because, well, Jesus is waiting for me!

A sunset may seem like an ending but it's a promise of a new day, another beginning.

The Bookends

"Bookends!"  As I finished  reading Mark 15: 42-47  the word popped into my mind.  This can't be an original thought. Have you noticed that two men named Joseph were called to care for Jesus at His most vulnerable times?

Joseph, the husband of Mary, cared for Jesus at the beginning of His earthly life.  This Joseph was called to be the earthly father of Jesus.  He is the one and only person that we know the name of who was present at Jesus' birth.  We don't know much about Joseph the father.  He was an obedient man.  When the angel gave him instructions about Mary's situation, he obeyed, against social norms of that day. ( see Matthew 1:18-25).  Later when the angel told him that the child was in danger he took his family to Egypt.  After Jesus is 12 and stays in the temple while both His parents were headed home, we don't hear of Joseph the father again.

Joseph of Arimathea cared for Jesus just after He ended His earthly life.  As evening approached on the day Jesus died, this Joseph approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.  After the centurion verified His death, Pilate released the body to Joseph.  He bought linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb.  Finally he rolled a stone against the entrance.

These two Josephs have a few attributes in common.  They were

J ust -

O bedient - responded to God's call

S ervant - put Jesus' physical needs before their own

E xpectant - eagerly awaited The Kingdom

P roper - followed the laws of the land

H ad a small but very important role in His mission.

I ponder why these two men were selected and remembered for their common yet vital ministry.

A third Joseph answers my query.  The Joseph in Genesis who experienced betrayal and slavery at the hands of his brothers and rose to power in Egypt reminds me that God is control of the "Big Picture".  "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Genesis 50:20

God has The Plan.  God is in control of The Plan.  God calls ordinary people to play a small part in His Plan, even people like the Josephs, you and me.

God is faithful from beginning to end.  I have couple of other bookends that remind me of His control and His faithfulness.  The sun comes up every single day and sets every single day.   His faithfulness will continue until the very end of time.  The bookends remind me.