Awesome rare photo.

Eastwood Eagle Watchers

While I was at Eastwood Tuesday I witnessed a very interesting event. Across Harshman Road, and quite a distance away, I saw Jim or Cindy flying in a northerly direction. Ahead of the eagle flew a duck frantically trying to be somewhere else, fast. Bald Eagles will prey on ducks but they normally don’t catch them in midair but rather snatch them from the water’s surface. Even though the cloudy skies made the lighting poor and the eagle was a good distance away, I zoomed in and snapped a few pictures of the pursuit. When I looked at the pictures I saw that the eagle had a passenger on board. Smaller birds, like the Eastern Kingbird and the Red Winged Blackbird can be very territorial and aggressively confrontational with larger birds and

will sometimes land on a flying eagle’s back and surf across the sky. The Kingbirds had returned to Eastwood last week and the Red Wing Blackbirds are also plentiful…

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Thoughts on 2 Samuel 15-16

Absalom would say to those who came to the king for justice.

“Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you. … If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”

It doesn’t say, but I am guessing this is a lie in order to make people upset with the king and gain their allegiance. More lies… more deceit. It appears that Satan is working hard to disrupt God’s plan. David could easily turn away from God, but…

Then the king [David] said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him. ”

David puts his trust in God, not in the ark.

It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.

I wonder if David, not knowing that Absalom had been deceiving the people, believed that God was punishing him for his sin with Bathsheba. It’s easy to assume that when bad things happen, it is heavenly punishment. Remember that Nathan spoke God’s word to David,

“The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”

Today we have the promise of John 1:19…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We will reap what we sow. If we plant good seeds and water them, we will grow a good crop. Weeds will also grow, but we need to stay on top of them before they overrun the field. Working as a teenager in the corn fields, I remember having to get rid of morning glory, a beautiful plant, but destructive to corn if let go. As I got more experienced, I could spot a small morning glory plant from 50 yards and would immediately go pull it. If you didn’t get all of the root, it would grow back quickly.

I think this is the way it is with sin, it will grow in our fields and we have to recognize it and pull it. It is easier to pull when it is a small weed. Weeds growing in our neighbors field will blow seeds into ours, but we need to concern ourselves first with our weeds before worrying about our neighbors.

Lord, help me to see the weeds in the field when they are small. I know that You want a relationship with me, not to punish me. Reveal the works of Satan, the lies and deceit, for what they are so that I can know You better. I pray for myself and others who are struggling with loved ones whose fields have become overrun with weeds. In Jesus name.

Thoughts on Divorce – Matthew 19

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

This is difficult to put into perspective in the modern day. How do we deal with cases of abusive relationships? I can see it being clearly acceptable for a woman to leave a marriage if being physically/emotionally abused. Clearly, if a man/woman divorces their spouse for someone else or because they put on weight, this is out of bounds. I have a friend who’s wife is controlling and manipulative when it comes to intimacy and she is constantly deceiving him when it comes to financial matters. Is it acceptable for him to ask for divorce? This certainly isn’t black and white…

I think it is better to focus on how to avoid coming to such ends than to deal with the legalism of what is right and wrong. Several verses jump out at me.

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:18-1

1 Peter 3:1-7 is also good reading on this.

It is easy for the husband to focus on the requirement of the wife and not on himself and vice versa when reading these. The bottom line is that we can’t focus on ourselves. When we get married, we are spiritually joined to our spouse and no longer an individual. I think that Hollywood rock-star marriages and fairy tale dreams of happily ever after are tainting our view of marriage, which are hard work. But I have found that the harder the work, the better the reward.

Lord, I pray for marriages and families today. I pray that “family values” goes from a meaningless political jingle to something that we take to heart. I pray for those who are being abused and manipulated in their marriages, that you comfort and protect them in their time of need. I pray that you provide for those who have been abandoned by their spouse.

Thoughts on Matthew 7

I could spend days up days discussing the Sermon on the Mount. It’s like a guidebook for Christians.

When reading the psalms, I feel a little out of touch. Verses similar to Ps 31:13,

“For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.”

I don’t feel as if I have many, if any, enemies. I’ve always tried to keep short accounts with people. David didn’t have that option of course since he has being chased by a madman. This makes me extremely thankful.

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. (Matthew 7:1-2 MSG)

Back in Genesis, God promised Abraham that he would bless those who bless him and curse those who disrespect him. I think this establishes a biblical principle that extends beyond Abraham since right after saying this God tells Abraham that through him all nations will be blessed. We can look at this as we reap what we sow or what goes around comes around. Somehow, it seems like I should help God out when it comes to cursing those who disrespect me. After all, revenge is a dish best served cold, right?

Note to self, let God do the cursing. He is better at it.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” (Romans 12:17-19 MSG)

This is VERY hard. It doesn’t mean we have to let people run all over or outright abuse us. I think it means that we have to be honest and upfront with others. We should always seek reconciliation instead of revenge, however, if the other party is clearly not interested in reconciliation, then turn them over to God and move on. Revenge only serves to bring judgement back on ourselves.

Lord, thank you for providing shelter for us. I want to outsource the cursing of others to you because you are just and righteous.  I pray for protection against those who earnestly want to do harm, both emotionally and physically. In Jesus name.

Thoughts on Matthew 6

“When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively.”

It’s impossible to do anything quietly these days. Organizations that help people in need have to raise awareness, recruit volunteers, raise money, etc. Volunteers themselves are usually bursting at the seams with so much joy that they want to shout it to the world. This is what happens when the kingdom of God invades our lives. Unspeakable joy… I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking condemning here. The question is whether we are exalting ourselves or God the father in Christ’s name. When we write a check to help the poor, are we doing it out of obligation or for a tax write off, or do we care about helping others? Jesus doesn’t want or need our money, He wants our hearts.

As we do good works we should always check our motives. Are we doing it to look good, or because we earnestly want to help? I have some pagan friends who are good decent people. They are kind and generous and help others without expecting to be patted on the back. We should do what we do out of concern for others and not just to appear to be a good Christian. What we have to offer that the pagans don’t is a kingdom of God experience through prayer. After we serve people, they shouldn’t say, “Those were nice people.” They should say, “How awesome is God to stir them to such faith. Thank you Jesus!”

Lord, may I glorify you in all that I do. You know my heart. I can’t hide my motives from you. Show me where they are not right.

Thoughts on 1 Samuel 20-21

Saul… he is quickly becoming a picture of how not to behave. He is irrationally angry, manipulative as well as envious, and he is lying, falsely accusing, attempting murder, etc. I was going to say that sexual perversion was the only thing absent, but who was that one person who got naked while prophesying? He knows that his rule is done for, yet he is doing everything he can to stay in power for as long as he can. Isn’t this satan’s calling card?

There are people I know who struggle with many of these same things. We all do in one way or another. I can think of one person in particular, who has major anger management issues. There are those who are aroused to jealousy and accusation with hardly anything to go on. My friend’s wife is constantly accusing him of infidelity when I know for certain that he is faithful to her. Addiction and porn seem to be at epic levels. I used to seek out heated political debates and had road rage in the worst way. One day, the Holy Spirit asked me why I was getting so mad. I didn’t have an answer.

We know that our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) We also know that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. (James 4:7) Saul is exhibiting a downward spiral that we must avoid. Had Saul been kingdom minded, he would have surrendered his crown to David knowing that the Lord was with him. We should not hold on to things that are not rightfully ours.

Lord, I pray for everyone who is dealing with addiction, anger, lust, envy, and all influences of satan. May we all turn from evil and do good instead. Help us resist satan and his lies, temptation, and manipulation.

Thoughts on 1 Samuel 19 – Saul Tries to Skewer David

But one day when Saul was sitting at home, with spear in hand, the tormenting spirit [Or evil spirit.] from the Lord suddenly came upon him again…

I struggle with the fact that the evil or tormenting spirit came from the Lord if we are to read this that God actually directed the evil spirit to go and torment Saul. I accept it since it is in scripture, but I really struggle with it. As I have come to know God over the years, I find it hard to believe that He actually would send an evil spirit to torment someone. I know that God created everything, even satan and the angels that fell with him and that He has dominion and authority over it all. I know that His ways are higher than my ways. It just doesn’t seem right to me. I know that God pulled the Holy Spirit from Saul. I couldn’t imagine what a wretch I would be if that happened. I would be like that guy I used to be or worse!

We all need a friend like Jonathan… I have a friend who going through some hard times with his marriage, job, family, etc. He has a deep passion for Jesus, yet it seems like he is under trial and tribulation to breaking point. Like Jonathan, I just want to be there for him to lift him up in prayer and raise his spirits. I received a word for him that I passed along, and that was, “It will be alright.”

Someone once described to me that the Holy Spirit in us like water in glass. When we sin, a stone is dropped in the glass leaving less room for the water. When we confess our sins, the stones are removed leaving more room for water. To take that a bit further, let’s say that this water is flowing into the glass and spilling over and our sinful nature represents stones and sediment pouring in and clogging the flow. Repenting (turning from sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, addiction, etc.) is in essence slowing the flow of sediment pouring into the glass. I think when we worship Jesus in truth and spirit, the water valve opens wider. I guess in the instance of Saul, his extreme disobedience caused the water to be turned off and he was left with muddy crud in his glass.

Lord, thank you for being our supply of living water and filter for sediment. You paid our water bill for eternity. I know my cup will never be clean, but I will try to keep it clean enough for light to shine through. May Your supply of water flow from my cup to others. Thank you for our friends who lift us up and pray for us when we are down. I pray that everyone reading this would be filled with Holy Spirit. In Jesus name.

Thoughts on 1 Chronicles 6

Another long list of names and geneology only applicable to biblical scholors…

These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them. vs. 31-32 (NIV)

I don’t know why, but out of 1 Chonicles 6, this stood out to me. I’m amazed because John the Baptist, which was also in today’s reading, is one of my favorites. I really wanted to talk about him calling the Pharisiees a brood of vipers. Perhaps because this was some interesting information in a long list of names. I doubt it since there are other snippets of information as well.

I was reading this Monday morning before heading out for another long work week. I had this image like a bad quality Youtube video of people dancing, singing, playing instruments joyfully. I doubt Heman the Musician (love that) ever woke up saying, “I’m just not feeling it today. I think I’ll call in sick.” What an honor to minister to the Lord at the tabernacle!

Hey, wait a minute. We get to do that as well. We don’t need the tabernacle, ark, etc. We can minister to the Lord any time, any place. Anyone can, not just Levites. How much cooler is that?!

Lord, let my attitude of worship be that of ministering to you, lifting up your name, not just simple singing. I am thankful that you accept our worship despite our imperfections through salvation in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts on 1 Samuel 17

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Vs. 24-25 (NIV)

I think it’s easy to think that David killing Golliath was simply miraculous. When I read verses 34-35, it is clear that God had been preparing and training David for years. It could be that God divinely softened the forehead which is the softest part of the skull or that the rock plunged into the temple (softest), but either way, a miss would have been a miss. Unfortunately, we don’t have access to the CSI report. =) God certainly performs miracles, but more often than not, he works with us and our imperfections. I think that if we would follow God’s plan, miracles wouldn’t be needed.

Wow, what has God been preparing me for? I was thinking that he wanted me to win The Masters tournament and give Him all the glory, but that went to Bubba Watson. Perhaps the databases in heaven need a major upgrade. I know that God is preparing my body, mind, and spirit for His plans. I’m not sure what they are, but I know that I want to be always ready to say…

Here I am Lord, send me!

Lord, thank you for preparing me for whatever You have in store. I ask for protection from the enemies plans to disrupt and destroy whatever You have in store. I am thankful for all the gifts and blessings you have given me. All glory to You for now and forever. In Jesus name.

Day 84

Vineyard Life Journal

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Welcome to Day 84 of our Life Journal!

Click here for today’s reading: Joshua 21, 22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10 (2012 Daily Bible Reading Plan)

Before you comment or read what I have posted, please read the following passages for yourself and complete your own S.O.A.P. exercise… How does this work?

S.O.A.P = Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

S cripture

Joshua 21, “So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hands. 45

Not one

… of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Joshua 22:24-27, 29, “We…

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