He Will not Leave Us Alone

The world is a very hard and harsh place. Look at some of the recent stories that sheds light on what the world sows and reaps. A high school sophomore hangs herself, because of the cruelty of her fellow students. They were relentless in their torture of her. What was her crime? She accepted a date with a couple of boys that asked her out and their former girlfriends took exception to her decision. Unfortunately, she felt so alone and so tortured that her only hope for peace was to take her life.

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Workers in a coal mine in West Virginia and on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico are killed from devastating accidents. Their families hold out hope for good news early in the announcement, only to learn that no hope will be coming. They are in deep grieving as a result.

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Six police officers are gunned down in Mexico as the violence of the drug trade continues to escalate in that country. They are taken because they wore a uniform that stands in opposition to what the killers stand for. Their families are mourning their loss as they struggle to make sense of the senseless.

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And this is just a picture of a few weeks out of this new year. The world goes about its way leaving heartache, suffering, divisions, and tears in its wake. There is no relief and there will be no relief. These same kind of stories will fill our papers and airwaves throughout the rest of this year and will continue into next year and the year after that and actually from now on.

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The world leaves people broken and defeated, seeing no hope on the horizon. It is then that the Father shows us His presence and tells us through Jesus, I love you. Galatians 4: 4-5 affirms this for us, "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son,..... to redeem those under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons. Father, let us cling to you when we feel so alone and hurting. Assure us of your comforting presence and our status as your sons and daughters. Help us to be watchful for those who are especially feeling the wrath of everything the world has to dish out and to hold them until they are strong enough to stand on their own. Thank you and thank you.

Who Among Us is Nonredeemable?

I learned recently that my oldest son has decided to write me off as nonredeemable, and while that saddens me, I realize must move forward in life. I will however, continue to hold out hope for reconciliation one day. I have taken responsibility for the melt down I had with him right before the new year, but that has not been enough to satisfy him. I have also expressed my deepest regret and offered to make amends for his hurt and that has been rejected as well. So, our family is at a point where we may be plowing forward, (less one), in the remaining days our Heavenly Father blesses us with here on earth. If that is the case then hopefully, there will be a reunion with our oldest child in heaven.

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Nonredeemable, my what a sad word to even type. The word is so powerful that it fairly shouts that there is nothing good to be found in a life so defined, so don't even waste time looking. Nonredeemable, means that others can draw harsh conclusions about your heart, because there is no chance that anything good is hidden in it. Nonredeemable, means that those who reject you have sufficient reasons to make that decision and there is little chance that they will be in danger of judgement. Nonredeemable, means there is no hope for such a person. This person is and always will be a loser.

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Yet, nonredeemable is a fallacy. A bunch of erroneous judgements by others who choose to dislike you and want to justify their dislike by focusing on negatives. It is a word used not by the Father, but by His adversary to convince others it is acceptable for you to dislike this one. Instead our savior said in John 16:8, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement." If you are convicted of your sin, then you are redeemable. If after conviction your heart seeks to be righteous, then you are redeemable. If you fear the judgement that will come before a Holy and Righteous God, then you are redeemable. Jesus gave us such hope with his words in this verse.

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Yet, there remains one more argument that is even more powerful in proving that nonredeemable is a fallacy. Go to the foot of the cross and meditate there for a while. If even one is nonredeemable, then Jesus death on the cross is in vain, because he died that all might be saved. Oh, the wonderful cross and I am so thankful that today, it's power is just as evident as it was 2000+ years ago. My own flesh and blood may write me off, but my Father says otherwise, and I think I'd rather listen to Him.

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Father, I messed up a few weeks ago and I expressed my sorrow and regret to my son. I offered to make amends. I went to my minister and confessed my sin to him so he could offer up intercessory prayers on both our behalves. Father, I believe in the power of the wonderful cross, because your son went there so I and everyone else could be redeemed. The power of the cross also says a broken relationship can be redeemed as well, so I think I'll go to the foot of the cross and leave the brokenness there so that you can bring your redemption to it. The hope of the cross lifts my heart and comforts my soul. Thank you. Thank you.

A Place at His Table

The last 24 hours of the savior's life shows Him beginning it by sharing the passover meal with His 12 disciples. The account can be found in Mark 14:12-31. One of the things Jesus did during the Passover meal was to talk about the significance of His body and His blood to the disciples and how they were to remember by eating the bread and drinking of the cup together. So, Jesus was very aware of what the next 24 hours held for Him.

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Clearly, Jesus knew what would transpire in the next 24 hours. He knew that those who were sharing this very meal with Him would also make some decisions that would be significant in their relationship with Him as well. Jesus shared that one of them will betray Him, one will deny Him, and the others will abandon Him. The incredible thing is not that He knew this, but what He did with the knowledge. He still shared the meal with them. He did not lecture them about being weak and unfaithful. He did not show any irritation towards them for their coming cowardice. He simply gave them something to hold on to later on when they were hiding and scared. They could always look back and know they had a place at the table of the King! He did not tell them to leave His table even though He knew what actions they were going to take in just a few hours hence.

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How encouraging! If our savior did not remove the disciples from the table when He clearly knew what they were about to do, that means He will not prevent me from sharing a place at His table as well. Unbelievable, I have a place at His table. In spite of my many failures and the mess I have made of my life, Jesus will let me share a meal with Him. In spite of what others think of me, Jesus thoughts are much different and He will still let me dine with Him. What a savior, what a King.

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In II Samuel 9: 1-13, David did a similar thing for Mephibosheth at his table. King David remembered his promise to his special friend Jonathan and inquired about any survivors that he was unaware of, and he learned about a son of Jonathan's named Mephibosheth. He had his servants bring Mephibosheth to him and an amazing encounter took place. Upon entering the presence of the king Mephibosheth prostrated him self and asked, "What is your servant, that you should look upon as a dead dog as I?" (II Samuel 9:8). He knew how insignificant he was and could not comprehend that anything good was about to come out of this encounter with the king. Mephibosheth was also lame in both feet, the result of a childhood accident, and it is unlikely that the king would want to have someone as helpless as that around him. But, David makes an incredible statement. He tells Mephibosheth that you shall eat at my table continually, verse 7.

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It makes no difference if I am crippled, physically out of shape, or carry things in my heart I shouldn't carry. The King has a place for me at His table. Give thanks that we serve such a King. Thank you, oh Father, for your wonderful grace. Let me become more like Jesus as I sit with Him at the table and learn of His heart. He has reserved for me, a pleace at His table.

Will God Speak to Me?

The dialogue between Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4:1-25 is most revealing. Here is a woman who chooses an opportune time to draw water so as to avoid seeing other women. Because this is not the time that the other women would typically draw water. She seems to be looking for solitude to probably avoid the cruelty that the other women would throw her way. She is a five time divorcee and is currently living out of wed lock with another man. This is a recipe for gossip, judgment, and rejection. She is the person others would hold up and say, "well I'm not perfect, but at least I'm better than she is." Who wants to hear such things said about themselves? I know I'd seek out the most opportune time myself if I had to face such cruelty.

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This woman must have really been lonely. She didn't even have a girlfriend she could walk to the well and visit with while they went about their chores. She concluded at some point that it would be better to go by herself and avoid the confrontations sure to come her way.

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Yet, on this particular trip, a man was sitting by the well and a Jew at that. I wonder if she thought to herself when she saw Jesus sitting there, "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all." A Jew of all people. Jews and Samaritans mix together like oil and water. They just don't like each other. So, it must have been quite a shock when Jesus asked her for a drink of water. Now how significant is this? Look at the contrast between righteousness and sinfulness that Jesus and the woman represent. It is an ocean of difference. It is so clear, that I think we have to marvel at what actually occurred. Jesus spoke to her! God does not run from, nor even shun such a person. God instead speaks to such people. This is incredible! This is such a revelation about what our Father is like. He will engage you in dialogue. He will not be mean, judgemental, or reject you. Instead, He will reveal Himself to you, if you will listen.

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Her first response to Jesus' request for a drink was to raise up the old hatreds between their peoples. Yet Jesus did not respond in kind. Instead he told her that "If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you,'Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10). When God comes to you, He brings a gift that will be refreshing to our souls. It will be renewing to our hearts. It will be revealing to our minds. God approaches such people and God speaks to us! Father, I am immoral, I am sinful, I am prideful, I am hateful, I am envious, I am messy through and through, and yet, You will speak to me. Father, I am stunned. Thank you.

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As the woman begins to understand that Jesus is no ordinary man, she shares some confusion with him. "Where are we supposed to worship God? Here or there?" Then, Jesus reveals something else that is extraordinary about the God who even today, we are still confused about. He tells her what kind of people the Father is seeking to worship Him. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking SUCH to worship Him." (John 4:23) Oh that I will be SUCH a person.

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Then there is one more amazing thing that the woman reveals about herself. Even though she is an outcast, immoral, and sinful. She is actually waiting for "Messiah to come and tell us all things." She is living about as far from righteousness as one can get and yet she is looking for Messiah. When Jesus reveals that He is Messiah, she doesn't scoff, she doesn't laugh. Instead, she believes! He is coming and I want to see Him seems to have been her thoughts. I wonder if she thought that when He comes, I'll be an anonymous face in the large crowd that comes to hear Him speak, and yet here is the very Messiah and He is speaking to her personally and on her level. What a wonderful Father we have. He will reach out to me in the same way. He will meet me at my level, exactly where I am and will bring me along from that point.

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Father, this story is just so refreshing, so touching, and so incredible. As messy as I am, and as many issues as I have, You choose to speak to me and to let someone like me worship you. I am shaken to my core. I am so grateful. My own mother, the very one who birthed me, does not accept me like this, and yet You, my Father, You cherish me. Fill my heart with your Spirit and teach me more and more about You. Meet me at my well of solitude and loneliness, and speak to me.

Am I significant?

Am I significant? From the rejection of most people who I work with each day, I don't appear to be. When I try to say something at a meeting my thoughts are unimportant. I can be speaking in mid sentence and be interrupted by another person without the courtesy of being allowed to finish my thoughts. No one has ever returned to me and asked me to finish what I was saying. One team member has yet to acknowledge me 20 days into the New Year, yet he has been to every other person's office at least once.

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One evening following an argument with one of my sons, I came out of my room and found that all of my family had taken advantage of that opportune moment to leave. I came out of my room and found the house completely empty. My son no longer talks to me as a result.

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When I go out of town to visit with those in another location that I am assigned to work with, I typically enter an office and begin visiting with that person. Yet, as is often the case, another person enters the same office and even though I may be speaking they turn to the other person and begin a discussion with them completely cutting me off with no thought of wondering if that bothers me.

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I am broken and flawed. I have a temper, I am short on patience. In summary, I am a mess. Messy is the word that can be used to describe my life. I am unwanted and not liked. I am not significant enough to bother with. I am not worth listening to. I have no redeeming value to most of those around me. I would be abandoned if others could make that call. They would throw me out of the car and leave me standing by the side of the road while they raced off abandoning me there.

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Recently, we went to an animal shelter to look at dogs that were available for adoption. As we walked into the shelter the animals stood up in their little cages and wagged their tails in anticipation that we would give them some attention. Their eyes spoke of brokenness. They were unwanted and so desired to get out of the little cages holding them and run free. I could relate to them. I had empathy for their hurt. One young dog caught our attention because she was similar to the dog we had recently laid to rest after 14 years in our family. She gazed at us deeply and wagged her tail with dignity. She wanted us, but wouldn't get too excited lest we decide on another. We selected her, and she knows the joy of being wanted.

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Am I significant? Most of the people around will say no. If I were in the cage and stood up and called to them they would gaze my way, but move on. I know the hurt of not being selected. But....There is a God who made me who says otherwise. He reminds me that He made me. I have not grown into the way He planned me, yet He will not leave me in the cage. I am broken, chipped, hurting, and sad. Yet He still takes me. Why? What does He see that most people around me cannot see? Why would the Creator even care? Surely a majority opinion counts for something doesn't it? Surprisingly, He says no. His thought of me is independent of everyone else, and He will take the broken pieces and make my life into something beautiful.

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My Father, I have listened too much now to the thoughts of those around me. I have wanted to be accepted by everyone except you. Please forgive me. I need your presence in my life now more than ever. I am significant, because you do not make trash. You, Father formed me and breathed life into me. Oh Father, I belong to you. I have been claimed by the blood of your beloved son. Help me, oh Father to reach out to you each day. Help me to leave these painful feelings at the cross so that I am no longer burdened by them. Redeem my life father for your glory. If you can redeem me then there is hope for every other person in this world. Let gratitude flow out of my life each day for your love. Hold me Father for I am crying and need your comfort. Just like our dog Sierra, the door to my cage has been opened and you reached in with your powerful yet gentle hands and pulled me out to yourself. Thank you. I have forgotten. Please work on my memory to forget the pain and hurt caused by others and to fix my focus on you. Thank you for loving me.

Do We Even Care?

The story of the woman who was bent over and unable to straighten up in Luke 13:10-17, clearly contrasts the difference between God caring for us and our not caring for others. Jesus was in the process of teaching on a sabbath, when the woman walked into the synagogue. How telling that even in her condition, she seems to not be angry at God and she seems to not blame God for her physical condition, because she still went to the synagogue to worship Him. And Jesus noticed.

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Now it would have been easy for anyone to notice her, because she walked in such a way that it would have caught anyone's eye. Why? Because that is not how people are supposed to look. They are to stand upright not bent over, so we would have seen her situation and felt some sadness for her, because after all that is not the way it is supposed to be. Then we would have recognized our powerlessness and her powerlessness to do anything about ther condition and probably shrugged our shoulders and said there but for the grace of God........

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The text says that Jesus was teaching and I presume he was telling his audience some truth about his Father, when he noticed the woman. So, he called her over and said to her, "Woman you are loosed from your infirmity", and she was able to stand upright. This healing clearly shows to us that God cares. She was a person who accepted her condition and still chose to worship God and as a result, He "fixed" her.

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Now contrast this to the reaction of the other people in the synagogue. The ruler of the synagogue stands up and says, "there are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the sabbath day." Huh? Who has the power to heal? Does man, or does God? No man alive could do anything to help this woman. We are powerless in this situation. So if she should happen to be healed, then it must be an act of God, and wouldn't that be cause for us to rejoice with her?

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The rulers statement is incredulous. A healing took place in his presence and he was irritated. Why? He was irritated, because he placed greater emphasis on a day than he placed on a person's need. But Jesus action reminds us that people should always be our priority. People need healing 7 days a week, and when we recognize such a need we stop what we are doing and do what our Father calls on us to do. At the time, Jeus was teaching, but the lesson was not more important that this woman's need, so he stopped and let God work through him. We must always be alert to the needs around us, and when God causes us to recognize a need then we are to stop what we are doing and allow our Father to work through us to heal that person.

The woman in the story may have been anonymous to those around her, but she was important to her Father and he healed her. Do we even care?

Does God Even Care?

Does God even care? Does He care about my heartache? My lonliness? My sadness? My struggles? I'm convinced these questions are asked many times each day by people too numerous to count. My conclusion is yes, our Father does indeed care.

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Luke 7:11-17 tells of the story of Jesus seeing a widow, following the casket of her only son who had died. During this encounter, God revealed to Jesus the pain of the widows grief and the depth of her lonliness upon losing her last remaining family member. She was going to be by herself once her son was buried. No other person would have cared for her as deeply and lovingly as her son. How deep her grief must have been during the walk to the graveyard. The Father saw and was moved. So, He raised her son back to life through Jesus. Clearly, one lesson from this text is God knows our grief and pain and wants to help us through times such as this.

But He doesn't bring everyone back, and neither does He heal all who are suffering from a disease. So how can I say He cares when there are parents at M D Anderson watching their children suffer through cancer? How can I say He cares when another family has buried a loved one cut down by a drunken driver? How can I say He cares to numerous other situations similar to these?

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Here is a partial answer. Luke 7:22 tells us how Jesus responded to John the Baptist's inquiry about whether Jesus is really the one or should they look for another? Jesus responded, and I paraphrase here, "Tell John to look at the evidence of God's power that is working through my life. Here is what the Father is doing. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf here, the dead are raised, and the poor are being ministered to. Take heart John, God is revealing His extraordinary power to humanity through me. No man can do any of the things you have seen me do, only God can! He is showing humanity what His power is able to accomplish, so look at this evidence and be encouraged and approach the Father with your heartaches, your lonliness, your sadness, or your strugggles and be prepared to see something extraordinary occur, because God cares!"

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This may not be satisfactory and I understand that, but what I can say with assurance is this. No life is so messy or so painful that it is beyond the Father's power to redeem. When we come to Him with the shatttered shards of our life, He takes the broken pieces and from them builds a new and beautiful life. Father, you care. I really believe that, and I thank you for revealing this through Jesus.