Advent 12 - Isaiah 57:18 - December 9

Peace, peace, to the far and the near,

says the Lord; and I will heal them.

Isaiah 57:18

 

The longer life goes, the more I'm re-defining "healing."

 

"Healing" in my book used to be physical -- the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the cancer is gone. And it still can be! But I've come to realize that physical healing is always temporary. We will all -- eventually -- die. And any physical healing will be undone.

 

Therefore, true healing is in the heart and soul -- the eternal parts of us. Forgiveness heals bitterness. Hope heals despair. And gratitude heals selfishness.

 

Now, a miraculous physical healing can be the spark of faith that heals doubt. But if you remember the forgetful Israelites in the wilderness, sometimes the effects of miracles are only short-lived. We need our heart -- not our circumstances -- to be healed.

 

In Isaiah, God cries, "Peace, peace," and peace certainly heals division. But it's not just peace that God is offering here -- it's grace. 

 

In the verse just before today's lesson, God says, "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort ..." In other words, "in spite of their ways, in spite of their rebellion, in spite of their doubt, anger, selfishness, and greed ... God will heal us." And his healing is designed to be internal. Peace in our hearts and comfort in the face of darkness, bondage, and despair.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who who's cried "Piece, Piece"

(as in "Piece of Pie, Piece of Pie")

as often as "Peace, Peace"

Advent 11 - Isaiah 32:17 - December 8

The effect of righteousness

will be peace,

and the result of righteousness,

quietness and trust forever.

Isaiah 32:17

 

I want peace ... and quietness ... and trust ... forever.

 

My only pondering is: What's the difference in this passage between "the effect of" and "the result of"? Not being a Hebrew scholar, here's my best guess ... 

 

There are two kinds of ways that people tend to find success in the world:

1. The first work hard for it. They have high ideals and set lofty goals. Imagine, for example, a good employee at work. She works hard and does everything right and gets rewarded for it. 
2. The second is like my dad. If you asked him about any successes in life, he'd tell you, "he just happened to be in the right place at the right time." He never purposefully chased success, but respect found him anyway simply because he has a unconscious knack for doing what is honorable and right.

Like I said, I'm not a Hebrew scholar. But I think that's the way it is with these results and effects. Some of the results are what we earn by working hard and doing the right thing. Others are just the natural, unconscious fruit of rightousness. 

 

Therefore, our Advent Adventure is simply doing right ... doing right ... doing right ... following the commandments ... loving others ... being fair and generous ... and doing right ... until it becomes an absolute habit.

 

What habit, therefore, do you need to break so that peace ... quietness ... and trust ... might find you more consistently ... and forever?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to be unconscious

(wait ... that sounds bad.

Don't knock me over the head ...

just pray for my unconscious, ingrained habits!)

Advent 10 - Isaiah 26:12 - December 7

O Lord, you will ordain peace for us,

for indeed, all that we have done,

you have done for us.

Isaiah 26:12

 

In this week of peace, I love this simple verse! All that we have done, you have done for us.

 

It strips away all pride and pretense. All that we have done, you have done for us.

 

What if more of the world submitted itself to this logic? Nations spend billions of dollars a year trying to broker peace. And after all our human efforts inevitably fail, we wind up spending trillions more on war and defense. What if more "kings" and nations were truly humble before God? What if more of the world submitted itself to God's conditions? We might just have the peace we yearned for and we might just be able to say, "All that we have done, you have done for us."

 

Now, it's easy to point at the monumental and ongoing struggles of the world and say, "If only ..." But how many of us have these struggles closer to home? We have anger, contention, betrayal, ingratitude, and unforgiveness in our own circles of friends and family. What if our Advent Adventure was humbling our own selves before God and submitting totally to his condition. Then maybe we too might be able to say, "All that we have done, you have done for us."

 

In Christ's Name,

a guy who finds it easier

to point out other people's problems

than work on his own

  

Advent 9 - Psalm 34:14 - December 6

Depart from evil, and do good;

seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

 

This is a week of peace.

 

And as we progress through our Advent Adventure, pay attention to the active verbs in this passage.

 

DEPART: It means pack your bags -- no, pack a moving truck. You are moving across a continent. As far as the east is from the west, God encourages you to actively distance yourself from evil.

 

DO: My tendency is to think about good (and then do what I want). God says, no, just do it!

 

SEEK: If I said, "Who are you fussing with and separated from?" whom would you say? The active verb doesn't say, "Wait passively for them to come to you." The active verb says, "You be the one to seek peace."

 

PURSUE: Indeed, chase peace and reconciliation! Make this your exhaustive passion. After all, God made reconciliation with you his exhaustive passion. And he wouldn't let anything -- including his own death on a cross -- stop his passionate pursuit.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's played

too much Trivial Pursuit  

Advent 8 - Isaiah 9:6 - December 5

For a child

has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

At Thanksgiving, most of the kids in my house one day were talking about singing The Messiah. I think if we'd had an alto -- the only part missing -- they would have performed the whole thing on the spot.

 

My favorite line from Handel's great work comes from this verse: "Wonderful! Counselor! Almighty God! The Everlasting Father! The Prince of Peace!"

 

Peace and preparations are our theme for the second week of Advent. And it's almost impossible to combine peace with preparations in the month of December. We decorate and bake and shop. Every activity has a final performance. Every office has an extra party. Every class has an exam. More money flows out than replenishment flows in. And it's the same with energy -- more energy flows out than refreshment flows in. 

 

Where's the peace.

 

It's in the first line for today: "a child has been born for us."

 

Sit with that one for a moment. In fact, your Advent Adventure is to hunt for a quiet spot, and sit with prince of peace for a moment.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's working on his "day off"

(Oops. Prince of Peace I need you!)

Advent 7 - 2 Samuel 7:13 - December 4

He shall build a house for my name,

and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

2 Samuel 7:13

 

God is faithful.

 

He made -- and kept -- this ancient promise to King David: "12 When your days are fulfilled ..., I will raise up your offspring after you ... 13 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever ..."

 

In recent years, I've heard more and more about "Generational Curses." This is not an occultic hex; it's the simple acknowledgment that apples don't fall far from the tree. For example, children of divorce tend to become adults who get divorced. Children who are abused tend to become adults who abuse. Children of poverty tend to stay in poverty as adults. And children of alcoholics are more prone to addiction too. We can inherit good habits as well -- a discipline of faith, for example -- but do you see the danger of these generational curses?

 

Here's the good news. The key words in that last paragraph are "tend to." It's not destiny. More and more I've been hearing young adults say, "I'm going to be the one who breaks this generational curse."

 

Here's your Advent Adventure: 1) Call your mom and dad and thank them for any and all good things they passed on to you. 2) Identify the generational curse that you've inherited, and claim the Philippians 4:13 promise in defeating it -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who -- along with any of the faithful --

claims the promise to David for himself:

"He shall build a house for my name"

 

(No, I'm not expecting any Messiah's in my lineage,

but I'm applying his principles daily and

trusting him for the faith for the next generations) 

Advent 6 - December - Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old,

from ancient days.

Micah 5:2

 

Do you know what "Bethlehem" means?

 

It means "House of Bread."

 

Now, think about this ... One of the names of Jesus is: "The Bread of Life." Therefore, hundreds of years before the coming of the Messiah, God told his people that the Bread of Life would come from the House of Bread!

 

The Advent Adventure is: How is your home a house of bread?

 

Bread feeds other people. The question is: How are you using your abode as a safe place to feed others? Maybe it's an open table for a physically or spiritually hungry neighbor. Maybe it's a sanctuary for a grieving friend. Maybe it's a launching pad for your kid's faith.

 

One of my favorite elderly women used her home and kitchen as a tremendous source of blessing. She spent every morning baking, so she could spend every afternoon giving it away! How is your home a house of bread?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes the

International House of Pancakes

but loves the

Everlasting House of Bread 

Advent 5 - December 2 - Isaiah 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert

Isaiah 35:5-6

 

When I read this verse, the word that jumped out at me was "then." I wondered, what came just before "then"? 

 

Isaiah 35 contains one of the great prophecies for the long-awaited Messiah. The words just before "then" are: "Here is your God ... He will come and save you." In other words, Have hope! The Savior -- the Messiah -- is coming, and when he comes even the mute shall sing for joy.

 

The advent adventure in this passage comes in the rest of verse 4: the prophet says, "Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! He will come!" Yes, but "he will come with vengeance and with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."

 

Recompense is a word that belongs in the insurance industry. It means to compensate for damage incurred. Sin has wrought terrible damage to our world. The only way to pay for sin was with blood.

 

In other words, Christmas was more than just a Precious Moments' manger scene. It was an invasion. Generations ago in the Garden of Eden, war had been declared. Now, the little town of Bethlehem was like the beaches at Normandy and Christmas was D-Day. 

 

Ask historians ... The war was won that day! Nevertheless, it took 11 more months of brutal battles and mass casualties before the enemy officially gave up. 

 

Nowadays, we'd like to think otherwise, but we're in the brutal battle phase. Through Christ, the victory is already won ... and yet life still hurts. Our parents die and our kids suffer collateral damage. Pray for V-E day. Pray for Christ to come again. And in the meantime, strap on the full armor of God because we're in the midst of the battle.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who had to look up

what recompense meant

(the full armor of God ought to come with a dictionary)

Advent 4 - Isaiah 40:3 - December 1

A voice cries out:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

Isaiah 40:3

 

Most of us are accustomed to hearing Isaiah 40:3 through the words in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each one quotes the prophet when they introduce us to John the Baptist, saying, "A voice cries out in the wilderness [comma], 'Prepare a way for the Lord.'"

 

But ... I invite you to pay attention today to the traditional Old Testament punctuation: "A voice cries out [comma], 'In the wilderness prepare a way.'" 

 

Rather than John crying out from his wilderness, this translation invites us to ask, "What is my wilderness? Where do I struggle? In what ways am I parched and without living water."

 

The advent adventure in this scripture is: Imagine you’re hiking through the desert. You’re dry and dying. And whether you know it yet or not, the world is harsh and the vultures are circling. The invitation today is: Lace up your hiking boots and keep pushing through until you get to the water and the refreshment. The water of life is not an oasis. Life doesn't have to be defeating, and December doesn’t have to be exhausting.

 

In your wildernesses, prepare a way for the Lord. 

 

In Christ’s Love

A camel

(I can go an extra step)

Advent 3 - Isaiah 53:5 - November 30

He was wounded for our transgressions,

crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

and by his bruises we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

 

"[Isaiah] was more of an Evangelist than a Prophet," said St. Jerome, "because he described all of the Mysteries of the Church of Christ so vividly that you would assume he was not prophesying about the future, but rather was composing a history of past events."

 

That was Isaiah. For example, seven hundred years before the angel appeared to Joseph, he proclaimed, "7:14 Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Prophesy? Or history?! Was he quoting the angel? Or was the angel quoting him?! Or were both quoting the living God?!!

 

In this week of Prophets and Hope, I invite you to encounter the living God. Isaiah -- chapter 6 -- fell down when he encountered the living Lord, who was "sitting high and lofty upon the throne." Part of the advent adventure is searching for God ... and trembling because he is almighty. 

 

Part of the advent adventure is finding our Awesome Lord laying humbly in a manger. 

 

In Christ's Love,

A guy who feels like a brainless scarecrow.

I tremble at the awesomeness as I approach the mighty Oz.

But when I pull back the curtain of swaddling clothes,

I encounter one whom I can approach after all

Advent 2 - John 1:5 - November 29

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:5

 

The candles mean light in the midst of darkness. The evergreen means life in a season of winter. The circle has no beginning nor end -- like God and his unending love.

 

We're talking, of course, about the Advent Wreath.

• The first of three blue candles symbolizes Prophets and their Hope.
• The second candle -- blue again -- represents Bethlehem and Preparations.
• The third candle -- a celebratory pink -- represents Shepherds and Joy.
• The fourth -- blue -- signifies Angels and Love. 
• In the center is the fifth candle, as white and pure as Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb of God.

Now ... where's the advent adventure in the midst of candles? We live in a world of fluorescent bulbs and artificial light. Fire calls us back to nature. 

 

Imagine that you're a shepherd in a wind swept field. The world outside is cold. It's also dangerous. Can you name the wolves that prowl around your family?

 

Each night when you strike the match, make it a statement of faith. Say, "Lord, help me conquer my dark predators with your bright light."

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to light the fire

and confront dragons

(after he toasts a few marshmallows)

Advent 1 - November 28 - Psalm 57:8

This month --- if you can --- spend a minute with your family lighting candles,

reading the daily devotions together, and watching for Christ in Christmas

 

Awake, my soul!

Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn.

Psalm 57:8

 

Advent! 

 

Today is the first Sunday of this holy season.

 

In one sense advent means dawning. And dawn means awakening. Two thousand years ago, the Holy Spirit was moving like a gentle breeze that stirs before the rising of the sun. In moments, earth and Israel would awaken to the coming of the Messiah. Unfortunately, too many people kept on sleeping. (Indeed, they wound up shooting the rooster; crucifying the Son.)

 

The Holy Spirit still stirs today. He wants to awaken our world and stir your heart.

 

In one sense advent means dawning. This year, I hope it also comes to mean adventure. Lace up your hiking boots and join me for four minutes a day as we turn this December into an advent adventure.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to awaken his heart

from a long winter’s nap

(and it's not even winter yet)

 

Quick Question: What does advent mean to you?

November 27 - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; 

pray without ceasing; 

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Do you ever want to know God’s will?

 

My wife Mary Louise says, "That’s why I like this verse!"

 

To know God's will, God invites us to do three things:

• Instead of thinking about what we get, need, what, or have – or don’t have – this verse invites us to focus on what we can give.
• Instead of worrying about what may or may not come, we need to give things back to God – regularly, repeatedly, unceasingly.
• And instead of being sucked into dramas that are dark – monitor your friendships, values, and TV choices – and habits that are unproductive, focus on things that are light, bright, worthwhile, productive and affirming. And see if joy doesn’t begin to chase you a little more.

In Christ’s Love,

a guy whose last name is Will

(and want’s his first name

to be "God’s" not "My")

November 26 - Matthew 27:45

From noon on,

darkness came over the whole land

until three in the afternoon.

Matthew 27:45

 

"I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black."

 

That old song seems appropriate for the day our country calls "Black Friday." Apparently we ate enough yesterday that we now have enough energy stored up to shop for a whole day.

 

As I write this – on Wednesday – I must confess ... I just finished shopping. It seems unavoidable in our American society. But do you remember the next line to that song? "It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back."

 

I am as guilty as anyone. Gluttony and greed define this weekend. I pray that I discipline myself instead to focus on a little more thanks … a little more giving … a little more family … and a little more faith.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who weighs three pounds more today

than I did yesterday

(it’s hard to dance with that on my back too!)

November 25 - Luke 22:19

Then he took a loaf of bread,

and when he had given thanks ...

Luke 22:19

 

One of the greatest events in scripture occurs at table. In this moment, Jesus is poised between two great things.

 

On one side is God's wonderful provision -- bread! On the other side is an eternal meal of blessing, presence, and forgiveness -- Holy Communion. In the center is a holy moment. What will Jesus do to connect God's continual provision with a new and eternal blessing?

 

He pauses to give thanks.

 

On one side, God has given you much. On the other side, he wants to give you eternally more. Pausing in the middle -- and a little more frequently -- is a key to true blessing.

 

Let us pause today to give thanks.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who will take bread

... and another piece of bread

... and some extra turkey

... and a second piece of pie ...

which means

I really need to pause many times today

and give thanks for daily bread ...

the freedom and wealth to eat of my choosing

... a good family ... a good church ...

and so much more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24 - Philippians 1:3-4

Every time I think of you

I thank my God,

constantly praying with joy

in every one of my prayers for all of you

Philippians 1:3-4

 

One of my favorite New Testament glimpse of Thanksgiving comes is at the beginning of the Epistle to the Church in Philippi. A pastor who is traveling at a great distance (Paul) tells his congregation that he is always thankful for them and always praying for them.

 

This Thanksgiving, please know that I am thankful for you.

 

And I pray ... that you will blessed this holiday season ... that your journeys will be safe ... that homecomings will be blessed ... that time will be spent meaningfully.

 

Some of you will be separated from those you love -- some because of great distance, some because of grief and loss, some because of tensions and pain. If family is separated because of broken relationships, be the one to reach out gentle. If the family is separated because of a death, watch for quiet ways that God may be reaching out to you. Indeed, if lonliness and pain define your days, please let us know. 

 

And if you have the privilege of counting a few blessings, adopt a of little Philippians 1 into routines this holidays and "constantly pray" for neighbors who may find Thanksgiving a little more challenging this year.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is continually thankful

to be serving God with you

at Spirit of Joy 

(Paul wrote my sentiments)

November 23 - 2 Chronicles 33:16

He also restored the altar of the Lord and 

offered on it sacrifices of well-being and of thanksgiving;

and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 33:16

 

Most of the kings of Judah and Israel were not so good. Manasseh, in fact, "33:2 did what was evil in the sight of the Lord."

 

So ... after "10 they ignored all God's warnings" -- "the Lord ... 11 sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.

 

"12 But ... Manasseh ... sincerely humbled himself before God ... 13 And when he prayed, the Lord ... was moved by his request [and] brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem." Now here's the best line:

 

13 Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!

 

What has it ever taken for you to be humbled and rebuild the altar in your home, your life, your heart?

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who doesn't ever

want a ring in his nose

(I'd rather humble myself)

November 22 - 1 Chronicles 25:3

Jeduthun had six sons --

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah --

who worked under his direction.

They proclaimed God's messages and prophesied 

to the accompaniment of the harp,

offering thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.

1 Chronicles 25:3

 

Yesterday, as I signed my devotion, I almost wrote: "a guy who needs to send notes of thanks." And then I almost changed it, nearly writing instead, "a guy who needs to SING notes of thanks." (Get it? Play on the word "note".)

 

Well, it's rather ironic that God -- not me -- invented that play on words. Because the second time thanksgiving is mentioned in my NRSV is with people singing (or at least playing) notes of thanksgiving and praise.

 

Have you ever been moved by melody and lyrics? Sometimes thanks and praise comes out of our heart and mouth. These guys also used their harp to prophesy and proclaim!

 

Why not let the note of your life today sing in thanksgiving of God's wonder and praise.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who hopes it rains today

... so I can sing in it

(I love that old movie!)

November 21 - Leviticus 7:13

With your thanksgiving sacrifice of well-being

you shall bring your offering with cakes of leavened bread.

Leviticus 7:13

Did your mom ever make you write thank you notes?

Did laboring over those notes ever feel like a huge sacrifice and a burdensome chore?

The first time "thanksgiving" is mentioned in the Bible -- at least in my trusty NRSV -- is in Leviticus. In chapter 7, God tells us that "thanksgiving" required a "sacrifice" and brought "well-being."

I don't know about you, but I'm glad that mom was wise and made me labor over those notes. Those letters of "thanksgiving" might have seemed like a "sacrifice," but without it, our heart will also lurch toward selfishness, entitlement, and pride -- instead of "well-being."

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs some new stationary

-- I need to be saying thanks more often