We Get an “F”?!

We Get an “F”?!

(more later; this points to the need for a surrogate exam stand-in?!  Jesus)

1.       Forgetful

Forget the Lord

Forget who we are

Forget His good gifts

2.       Focused [NOT]

On our treasures?!

“think on things ABOVE”

“double-minded man”

3.       Flippant

“let your laughter be turned to mourning…”

Party vs. purity

pray vs. play

4.       Fake

Can you say “Pharisee?”

Let’s get real!

5.       Failing

Flagging/flickering

Not winning

Giving up

6.       Fleshly

Unspiritual

Gal.6:8

7.       Fat

No spiritual muscle

Indulgent

Couch potato

8.       Fit (the world)

“be not conformed…  but transformed…”

“not pushed into a mold…”

9.       Filled

Need to empty schedule

Quiet time

“be still and know that I am God…”

priorities

10.   Friends

With the world

Not God’s friend

TAKE MY HAND

TAKE MY HAND

The nurse hands him to his mother.  And she tenderly takes the hand of her newborn, only minutes after the pain of birth has ceased.  And, an unseen bond forms forever.  With a tenacious grip, I take the hand of my mama, looking around at the lights and the world.

A young child reaches for his dad’s hand, as he listens to the howls in the night, just outside their tent.  “Daddy, take my hand…”  And, a gentle squeeze relieves all fears.  The little boy rolls over in his sleeping bag and nods off to sweet dreams.

“Take my hand, now!” is the demand, as a parent protectively holds the hand of a youngster.  They safely walk through the dangerous and unfamiliar setting.  All is well.

The two brothers are growing up so quickly.  They often fight, but are just as quickly over any hard feelings.  Next they try to squeeze into submission the hand of one another.  It is a tight squeeze, but neither will cry “uncle” as they take each other’s hand!

A struggling teen questions life and meaning.  So many questions!  But, a kind soul takes his hand and pats his back; and he whispers that it will all make sense one day. 

He swims out to the nearly gone fisherman, and he barks, “take my hand!”  The  drowning man desperately clings to the rescuer’s hand, as his only hope.

The two lovers gently squeeze one another’s hands.  He takes her hand and messages are sent only they can hear.  Within their joined hands is contained warmth that only their souls can sense.

Seeing one another all too seldom, the old college room-mates clasp their hands.  They firmly shake hands as they renew bonds of camaraderie.  It is almost like they just saw each other yesterday!  Sweet fellowship in a bitter world.

Like two sparrows in a hurricane, the aging couple struggle through a sea of strangers in a noisy, crowded store.  “Take my hand” he whispers to her, fearing they might lose one another.   She finds security and peace in his grip.

In the middle of a dark night of his soul, peace comes from the touch of an unseen hand, squeezing my own, bringing quiet comfort.  And, I pray, “squeeze a little tighter!”

The doctor walks in and approaches the bedside, telling me, “take my hand; squeeze my hand if you can hear me…”   There is only a weak response, but it is promising.  And, his family joins hands in prayer.

Grown children take the hand of an aged parent as he slips away in death.  They look at his old, weathered hand, and remember … and, they listen as he seems to be humming an old hymn, “as I travel through this pilgrim land … blessed Jesus, take my hand…”

The ferryman is coming?!  I lay there dreaming of the story of one who jumped out of the boat.  But, Jesus took Peter’s hand as he slipped beneath the waves.  Then, I hear a voice, “take my hand” and wonder, what hand is this that raises me from this dark hole”?!  Sweet Jesus!

THE TAR PIT

THE TAR PIT

It had the most beautiful, glistening sheen reflecting off it from the sunshine above it.  And, it seemed to slowly but rhythmically writhe and sensuously but smoothly stir about?!  The smell of it was heavy but intoxicating, like some sort of musky aroma.  And warmth radiated from it, drawing me forward.

 

I stood at a distance, in the meadow, watching it for a while.  The colorful flowers around me began to fade in glory as I stared at the black, glimmering tar pit, nearly ogling.  They were so fragile and delicate and temporary.  The tar pit seemed so strong and even empowering, if not overpowering?!  The sweet melodies of the song birds were overcome by its earthy, raspy murmur.  It sometimes seemed like I could see human-like forms disappearing into its depths.  But, I imagined that it was somehow part of the allure, some sort of magic well worth the price of admission!

 

I told myself that it would not hurt to carefully ease near and just touch it with the tip of my pointer finger.  But, I swear, the tar gurgled and belched up, and swallowed my whole hand, like an old friend that I never really liked nor trusted.  I snatched back my hand, but it was enveloped with a thick blob of black goo.

 

I sat down in the lifeless, gravel-rock pile surrounding the tar pit, trying to clean off my hand.  But, I only succeeded in getting the black stickiness all over me.  And, now it was getting cold as the sun faded over the horizon.  So, I moved closer to the warm, steamy, oozing tar pit.

 

I awoke in the middle of the night, with a warm sensation in my feet.  I had somehow, in my sleep, rolled over into the tar pit.  The warmth must have drawn me?!  I was so cold.  I foolishly decided to sit in the tar pit, like a warm bath, to fight off the cold surrounding me.

 

As I sat there, I could begin to feel body forms around and beneath me.  An incredibly, anxious fear gripped me like the tar around me.  There was no way out!  I was in up to my neck!  Soon I would be in over my head?!

 

Along came my brother.  But, I was ashamed for him to find me in such a mess.  So, I just sat there and whistled like everything was great.  But, he walked over, and immediately saw my predicament, like it was some flashback nightmare.  Trying not to alarm me, He asked what he could do.  It is a blur, but somehow he got me out!

 

It has been months now.  Most of my skin has healed.  Some of my hair has grown back.  I am so embarrassed.  Some people just stare; but, others look away, in disgust and/or disbelief.  “Maybe I should just go back to the tar pit?” I begin to think!

 

My brother came by to visit and he did the strangest thing – he took off his shoes and socks, and then rolled up his pants legs.  He showed me scars that were half-way to his knees, either from rescuing me, or from some previous mistake in his life!  He told me, “Do NOT get anywhere near that stuff!  I may not be there to get you out next time, or may not be able to get you out!”  But, somehow the tar pit can still be heard whispering my name?!  Maybe I will just walk over the hill so that I can just smell it?

 

JACOB'S LIMP

JACOB’S LIMP

“Boys, tomorrow you get to meet your grandfather, my dad!  I have not seen him in years, since before you two were even born.  Aren’t you excited?!”

“Father, we are not like them.  You have told us stories about their being shepherds.  Will they smell like animals?  Will they talk like the strange words you have taught us from your past?  Will they dress like sheep-herders?! …”

“Boys, I have not seen him, for years; but, you will love him.  His name is Jacob, but call him ‘Is-ra-el’, which means ‘Prince of God’!  He is surely now only older and wiser!  He loved me so … and he will love you too!  Now, go to bed and say your prayers!”

“Get up boys!  Today is the day!  We will go out to meet their caravan; my whole family is nearly here!”

“Ephraim, why is dad running on ahead of us?”

“I do not know, Manasseh; but, look now?!  That must be his father, Jacob.  They are hugging and kissing and wailing and crying …?!  I have never seen our dad, the governor, act like this?!  It is nearly embarrassing!

“Ephraim, do you smell them?”

“And, who are these two fine boys?  They remind me of little Joseph and Benjamin!”

“Father, these are your grandsons, Manasseh and Ephraim.  You shall have to get to know them better after you rest from your trip…”

“Mama, we met dad’s father today.  What do you think about them?  The old man smells; and, he does not shave.  And, he walks funny, with a limp?  And dad wants us to call him ‘Is-ra-el’.  He said it means ‘prince of god’?!  he sure does not look nor act like your dad, the high priest of Rah?!”

“Boys, we believe in El Shaddai, God Almighty, God Most High!  Your dad’s great-grandfather, Abraham, talked with Him!  Your dad has told you many stories.  But, he has not told you of the limp, nor the nickname, ‘Israel’.  Tomorrow, you shall ask him about these things!”

“Well, boys, yesterday was a big day.  Many things will change for us!  This is your family!  It will be a struggle; but, now you can live the stories, not just listen to them!”

“Dad, mom said that we should ask you about your dad’s name and his limp…”

“She did?!  She always smiled when I retold her that story … sons, basically, the story is this – often we learn best from what hurts us the most!  Many things in life will hurt us; but, they will teach us, bot only if we really listen, instead of cussing and fussing.”

“But, dad, what has that got to do with grandfather limping?!  And, his other name, ‘Is-ra-el’…?”

“O.K. boys – we must wrestle with God, but we will always win, only by losing!  Is that any clearer?!  Life’s defeats will be our greatest victories.  Slavery will produce deliverance.  Your grandfather wrestled with God’s angel, and lost, lost his use of a good leg, but gained a good name, ‘Prince of God”!  We, too, must wrestle with God.  When you see your grandfather limping, remember him wrestling with God … I know that He has had me in a few headlocks!”

DEAF DON'T DANCE

the DEAF DON’T DANCE

The stars all sing, with words unspoken!

But, how can we hear, with hearts so broken?

Create in us, hearts anew, and spirits aright.

Let us see, from our darkness, your blessed light.

In sullen quietness, the deaf cannot dance.

To hear the music, they have not a chance.

Alone, in cold darkness, they miss the sunrise;

Maybe sensing the warmth, yet blind are our eyes.

He heals the deaf; and, to the blind gives sight.

Now, they can hear; and, gone is their night.

“Open our eyes that we may see, and ears to hear.”

We urgently call out to you! Lord, draw us near!

Turn up the volume of the heavenly chorus.

Front row and center, the best seats for us!

Fill with your Spirit, with forgotten resurgence.

Raise us up to our feet; and Lord let us dance!


.

FIRE

FIRE

Some are out of control – they run across the tree tops laughing at their destructive trail of ash and smoke.  Some are but slaves, waiting as pilots, to ignite a stream of gas, whenever some thermostat demands.  Some float, briefly, through dismal swamps, evoking eerie fear amongst onlookers.  There are the mysterious ones, seemingly offering direction; but, I fear they are not to be trusted, the blue ones you call “wisps” but centuries ago, the ancients called “ignis fatuus”.

Long ago we began.  On the first day, He created “light” and then on the fourth day He embodied “light” in those blazing celestial balls of fire, that you call “stars”. And,  He is, in fact, Light.  Probably our favorite verse in your “Bible” is the one that says, “… our God is a consuming fire…”!  In fact, the word “fire” is in your “Bible” hundreds of occurrences.

Just think of the “fires” in the Scriptures!  Sinai shook and smoked with the flames of His presence.  A pillar of fire led and guided the children of Israel.  Carmel witnessed its stone altar, soaked and dripping wet, licked up like so much tinder, with heaven’s flames.  The Almighty chose to reveal Himself within a “burning bush” that was not consumed.  There are the flames of Nadab and Abihu, of Korah, of Sodom and Gomorrah.  But, we did not touch the three in the fiery furnace!  On that Pentecost Day, God’s Spirit made His presence known with tongues of fire blazing above the heads of the 120!  You have surely read of the “fiery ones” called by the ancient Hebrews, the seraphim!  We stand ready, to be released, at the end of the age, consuming and renewing.  We have been His messengers and agents for many purposes.  Even our fallen ones will do His bidding, albeit not willingly, when they burn in Hell, “… where the fire is quenched not…” And, in the New Jerusalem, the LORD, Himself, will be the light, but not a LED, I promise! ha!

We have many purposes and effects, good and evil.  We can thrill; and, we can terrify.  Think bonfire; then, think wildfire?!  Moths are drawn to us, on a candle, irresistibly!  But, rats are driven away, scattering and running from us, when a cane-field is set ablaze.  Think of the verbs that describe us?!  Flames illuminate, signal, refine, purify, cook.  Fire can warm, heat, expand, energize, … But, we have a darker side (not funny) – we have tortured, destroyed, consumed.  It is tricky.  One named Nero destroyed much of a city, only to rebuild larger and greater edifices.  But, we got the blame, which was shifted onto the disciples of the Light?!  Flames can renew, cleanse, eradicate, …

And, there is one very high purpose that we fulfill – worship!  Just think of all the sacrifices offered upon the altar in Israel’s Temple?!  Flames lifted to heaven the aroma of the offerings made in worship to the Lord!  From heaven itself came the first blaze that lit the altar’s offering!  Indeed, one of your hymn-writers penned the words "...All things praise Thee—Lord, may we!"  Like fingers on raised hands, we praise the “Father of Lights”!


One other thing, before I flame out of here -- there is another fire coming; but there is a hill that has been back-burned.  Get there.  It has already been scorched with the full fury of His wrath.  It is a fire-proof haven! 

“Father, refine us, illuminate us, draw us, renew us.”

THE RED ROPE

THE RED ROPE

                And God Almighty looked to the angels and said, “… get my daughter out of there …”  So, the angels began to work out His sovereign plan!  It would not be a coincidence, nor even just a consequence of their visit, but the two strangers would accomplish, albeit unknown to them, the divine counsel of God in Heaven!

                Many centuries ago, a Bedouin shepherd watched his two youngest kids, twins, Reuel and Bathel, play in the sand outside their tent.  The Spring New Moon festival was next week and he wanted to surprise them with some sort of toy.  Soon enough life would become mostly toil for them also; but for now, he wanted to surprise them and watch them laugh and play.  But, times were hard and little could be wasted.

                The old man loved the solitude and serenity of the sand dunes.  In the quietness of Sinai, he could hear the Maker whisper.  Away from the city he had deliberately wandered to escape the demonic din, the noise, the busy-ness …  Out here, under the stars, he could almost hear the songbirds of Eden!  He felt divinely delivered and could sense heaven’s provision and protection.  He whispered to himself, “God watches … He leads me to green pastures …”

                The family came together after a long day tending the flocks.  The sheep were safely secured in their folds, and the women had prepared a great feast to celebrate the New Moon!  There was music and laughter and so much to eat!  Then old Jethro stood and motioned for silence.  All his family smiled as he snapped his fingers at the young twins, fidgeting in the twilight.  He began, “… we thank God Almighty for the coming of Spring and the promise of life seen as the desert blossoms…”  Then old Jethro added, “… and I thank all my sons and daughters for all their labors for the family;  and I thank my wife for keeping us all fed and warm.”  And all smiled as he raised a bag with a surprise.  “…and for little Jethro, my Reuel, and little Bathel, his sister, I have a gift!”  Reuel let his twin sister, Bathelshaddai, open the bag; and, they gasped and then squealed, “…Papa!  A red rope!  How did you dye it red?!  We can play so many games with it!  Let’s all play jump rope…”  later, their mother rolled up the red rope and placed it between their exhausted, sleeping bodies, in the back of the tent.  The older ones had laughed as the twins tugged and pulled and spun with their new toy, their red rope.

                Years later, old Jethro went into the city, as he would do only on rare occasions.  He left the older boys watching over the flocks; and the older girls were left tending to the camp.  Jethro junior, Reuel, now a teen, was left to watch over his aging mother, who had a hard time seeing much anymore.  Bathel had begged to go with her father on the visit to the pharmacy for his wife’s eye salve.  Old Jethro reluctantly gave in to Bathel’s pleading; and, she was so excited to see the city!

                As they approached the walled city, Jethro warned Bathel to stay near to him at all times.  “… oh father, you worry about everything and nothing …”  She was a little startled when he roughly snapped back, “… I mean it, dear child!”  She wondered, “… what could be so bad to raise his ire so quickly?”  Soon enough they passed through the city gates; and all eyes were on the new girl!  The young men smiled strangely and winked her direction.  Jethro just stared, coldly, back at them.  But, Bathel was enjoying the attention.  Jethro took her hand and they went straight to the pharmacy.

                They got the eye salve and headed for the gate; but, Bathel sweetly, but slyly, asked, “… can’t we stop and get something to eat before we leave, father?”  “… o.k. – but then we immediately leave for Sinai.”  But, as they sat at the shady bistro, waiting for their order, the waiter was pestering Bathel for her name.  Jethro sat there wishing he had packed more food so they could have avoided this stop.  But, it was the beginning of his worst nightmare.

                A couple of years went by and old Jethro was at his wits’ end.  Old Jethro warned, “… I am worried.  Men are hard there…” as Bathel considered leaving the desert for the city.  Reuel pleaded with his twin sister, Bathelshaddai, “… Bathel, the City is not the way back to the Garden!  God Almighty made THIS place; man made the city … remember the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah?!...” 

                But, her man was at the outskirts of their camp, anxiously smiling.  Her family pleaded with her one last time; but, she had made her choice.  With moist eyes, Reuel hugged goodbye his twin, Bathel, handing her a going-away gift.  She opened the bag, and smiled tenderly.  It was the red rope, their childhood toy.  Reuel whispered to Bathel, “… I will pray for you daily; and, may this cord bind together our hearts, forever…”  Bathel could only look away into the distance as she replaced the red rope into the bag, and turned to walk away.

                Years later, Bathel desperately warned her daughter, “… Nehushtan, get out of here!  Do not make the same mistake that I made …”  “… oh mom!  …no wonder Father left you!  All you do is whine and whimper.  Come out with us tonight?!  Let’s hit some taverns?  Isn’t that where you met my old man?  Which one was it?  … the one dad named me after?  … ‘the Snake Pit?’!?  See ya later;  gotta go …”  Bathel sobbed herself to sleep, clutching to her last connection to the desert, the red rope Reuel had given her.  She was mumbling, “… gotta get back to the desert …”

                It was not all that long before Bathel sat in a quiet, dark room with Nehushtan.  The Jerichoites still treated them as outsiders.  Sure, they wanted them around until they got older.  But playing around has a way of wearing you down.  Soon your youth was all used up!  Men want young, soft things, not old wrinkled whores.  Then Nehushtan announced, “… I think I will name her Ra-hab, the ‘chaos creature’!  That’s even better than ‘snake-girl’?!  She oughta be a terror!?”   Bathel had a distant look in her eyes as she toyed with the childhood keepsake that Reuel had given her, their red rope.

                Years later the impudent child stole her grandmother’s red rope, just to annoy the old woman.  For the longest she just let her believe it was lost.  “Granny B, tell me, again, about that old, red rope you once had.  What was the big deal about it?”  She would tease her mercilessly.  But, for some reason, Ra-hab wanted to hear the story, every so often …

                Across the river, Moses met with the leaders of the clans.  He rehearsed with them how their fathers had left Egypt decades ago, but how they fell back in fear, without faith, and died wandering in the wilderness.  “You must be strong and full of courage!  Trust the Lord!  Joshua, lead them to victory, in the name of the Lord.  But, I will not be able to go with you …”  So, Joshua sent out two spies, Daniel and Samuel, to look for options as they attacked Jericho.

                The two spies decided to pass off themselves as jewelry merchants from Egypt, taking some of the jewels that their parents had gotten as spoil from the Exodus so many years ago.  As they sat in a tavern, they noticed some stares, and they decided to deepen their cover by asking about any local brothels.  Several laughed and told them, “… check out ‘Rahab’ down the street; she’s cheap and easy …”

                As Daniel and Samuel entered Rahab’s house, she gave them a glaring look as she held out her hand for silver.  Trying to hide their accent, they told Rahab, “… all we want is a piece – of bread – and a bed for the night.”  Rahab startled them, accusing them, “… I know who you are!  The whole town is trembling in fear.  We heard what you ‘desert people’ did to the Ammonites and Moabites.  Everybody is scared to death.  But, I KNOW that your god has given you this land.  I will hide you if you swear to deliver my family.  Quick, on the roof …”

                Meanwhile, a snitch at the tavern told the soldiers that he saw two strangers go into Rahab’s house.  They all raced over, but Rahab laughed, “… men come and go all the time!  They paid and left to the East – hurry and try to catch them…”  Next, the spies told Rahab, “…we need a sign to mark your house to protect you when we return.”  Rahab quickly responded, “I have an old red rope that belonged to my Granny B; I will hang it from my window.  Nobody will pay any attention to a red rope in MY window!  But, when you return, tell your soldiers to look for this red rope?!”  “… o.k.” the spies replied, “… anybody in the house with the red rope will be spared; but, only those in that house!”  Listening in the next room, old Bathel remembered two angels that visited Lot?!

                Joshua eagerly debriefed the two spies, “… so, what did you see?  Any weak defenses?  Any secret passages?  … by the way, did you happen to meet an old lady called ‘Bathel’?  Moses once mentioned her, being his relative – his wife’s aunt, or something like that.  Never mind.  No telling if she’s even still alive!”  “… no…” the spies replied, “… but we met this crazy whore, don’t ask, named ‘Rahab’ who lied for us and saved our lives!  We promised to get her out when we attack.  But, no, we met no ‘Bathel’ …”

                “Granny B!  and, Mama! They’re here!  They’re taking us out of here!  The ‘desert people’ are here!  They saw your red rope!”               

                Meanwhile, in a Sunday School class, in the 21^st century, somewhere in rural Alabama, somebody asks, “… what is the significance of this scarlet cord, this red rope, in the story about the battle of Jericho?”  The teacher responded, “… in this story we see an emphasis on divine providence, God’s protection and His provision; we see God’s deliverance … kinda like Lot was visited by the angels … and, I am reminded of what Paul said in Acts 17:26-28, ‘… He has determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitations; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from every one of us.’ – but, why the ‘red rope’  -- who knows?!”

                And God Almighty looked to the angels and said, “… get my daughter out of there …”  So, the angels began to work out His sovereign plan!  It would not be a coincidence, nor even just a consequence of their visit, but the two strangers would accomplish, albeit unknown to them, the divine counsel of God in Heaven!