Monthly Archives: January 2011

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 14

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Farmer spreading grasshopper bait in his alfal...
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All the farm work has stopped.
   Not a drop of rain has fallen.
The farmers don’t know what to do.
   They wring their hands, they shake their heads.
Jeremiah 14:4 (MSG)

Growing up in Iowa, even when you grow up in the city, you can’t help but feel the effects of agriculture. It becomes a part of you. I remember summers of intense drought, when farmers and small communities gather to pray for rain. I remember during one harsh summer a small Iowa community held a prayer service and a small rain cloud appeared on the horizon and dropped a small amount of rain on the fields. Our local television station reported the event in a crawling message across the bottom of the television screen.

I also remember years of flooding, when entire sections of farm land were washed out. In 1993, virtually every able bodied citizen pitched in somewhere along the endless number of sand bag dikes to try and hold back the torrential flood waters of the flood that our generation will always remember as “the big one.”

When your livelihood is linked to the land, I believe there is a greater appreciation for the forces of nature that lie completely outside your control. Because of that, there is a more keen sense that everything you have and everything you hope for lies in the hands of God. In that way, I have to believe that the farmers of Jeremiah’s day were no different than the farmers of today.

Jeremiah’s prophecy carefully chronicles the effects of God’s wrath on every level of society. He records not only the reactions of the powerful temple priests and officials in Jerusalem, but also the farmers in the fields.

Every one is welcome to partake of God’s gracious salvation. No one is excused from God’s judgment.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 13

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scream and shout
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Do I hear you saying,
   “What’s going on here? Why me?”
The answer’s simple: You’re guilty,
   hugely guilty.
Your guilt has your life endangered,
   your guilt has you writhing in pain. Jeremiah 13:22 (MSG)

I’m reminded this morning of being a child, sent to my room because my dad caught me swearing. It was summer. It wasn’t even 8:00 p.m. yet and the sun would be shining bright for another hour or more. Out of my upstairs bedroom window I could hear the sounds of the neighborhood kids continuing the game of kick-the-can from which I was pulled to serve my bedroom interment.

“It’s not fair,” my preadolescent brain wanted to argue. But my reasoning couldn’t make it very far. I said the “G.D.” word. There was no getting around it. Arguing that dad misunderstood what I said would be an exercise in futility. His hearing wasn’t that bad.

My brain continued to spin. I wanted to blame my brothers. They were the ones who taught me those words. They swore all the time (and never got caught). But, I knew that argument would go nowhere. Dad was judge, jury and executioner. He wouldn’t buy it. “It still doesn’t excuse you saying it,” I heard his voice saying in my brain.

I had to face the facts. I was stuck in my room, and it was my own “g.d.” fault.

Like children cloaked in adults bodies, I still find myself and others clinging to “why me?” sorrows while wallowing in the muck of our own making. We drive like demons on wintery roads and grieve the tickets and body shop bills. We ignore relational pains and then wonder why the relationship broke apart. We eat too much, sit in front of the television, and despair when our clothes don’t fit.

There are times when tragedy strikes without warning and wreaks havoc on life in unjust ways. However, like a child confined to his room and trying unsuccessfully to spin a plausible defense, I have to confess that much life pain is simply the consequences of my own making.

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Top Five Tuesday

Top Five Comfort Foods

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When life gets you down, there are certain foods you turn to that will nourish your body and your spirit. Here are my top five comfort foods…

5. Breakfast (or Brunch) Buffet. I love breakfast. I loved waking up to the smell of bacon frying. As a kid, I once told my grandparents that “nussin’s as good as pancakes” and I was never allowed to forget it. Sunday after church was the day for “brunch.” Eggs, bacon, hash browns, pancakes, french toast, and, if you’re lucky, biscuits and gravy. Mmmmm. Heaven, it’s said, is a place of feasting. I can’t wait to see that breakfast buffet!

4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich. My family will marvel that this is not first on the list. As a child I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich at every restaurant. My dad could splurge to take us out to a fancy place and I would ask for a grilled cheese. I still love ’em. Give me a grilled cheese and watch me smile.

3. Eireflensjes. This Dutch version of the crepe presumably came to the states with my great-grandfather along with his tool chest, and it has been a family treat through the generations. The paper-thin egg, milk, & flour “pancake” is sprinkled with sugar (though some will try jelly, syrup, peanut butter, etc.), rolled up, and eaten. About once a year the family gathers for an eireflensjes feast.

2. Grandma Jeanne’s Cinnamon Rolls. From a culinary standpoint, I’m sure you can find other cinnamon rolls that exceed my  mother’s recipe in taste and texture. Mom’s secret ingredient, however, is love. Every cinnamon roll on Earth pales in comparison. Grandma Jeanne’s cinnamon rolls not only please my palate, they fill my soul.

1. Blueberry Pop-Tarts. I have a confession to make. Blueberry pop-tarts are my secret indulgence. If I get sick, sad or depressed, Kellogg’s toaster pastry comes to my rescue. The sweet frosting and the sugary blueberry filling in a steamy, toaster heated treat. Mmmmmmmm.

Photos courtesy of Flickr and cordandme, manilamommy, and dwyereywd.
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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 12

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You are right, O God, and you set things right. I can’t argue with that. But I do have some questions:
Why do bad people have it so good?
   Why do con artists make it big?
You planted them and they put down roots.
   They flourished and produced fruit.
They talk as if they’re old friends with you,
   but they couldn’t care less about you.
Meanwhile, you know me inside and out.
   You don’t let me get by with a thing!
Jeremiah 12:1-4 (MSG)

One thing I have noticed a long the way; It is very difficult for us to stop comparing ourselves to others.

  • “Why won’t you buy me a car? Every one of my girlfriends’ parents bought them a car!”
  • “The only reason that guy got published was because he’s the son of someone famous. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Why don’t I have those connections?”
  • “I went to my friends house. It’s so big, and it’s so beautiful. Why can’t I have that?”
  • “That guy runs his business with less integrity than the mafia and he’s making money hand over fist. I try so hard to do the right thing and I can’t get a new client to save my life. What’s up with that?!”
  • “Why does that guy win the lottery and I’m still stuck with more bills than income this month? What gives, God? How about giving me a break for once!”
  • “At least I’m not THAT down-and-out guy. I must be doing something right.”
  • “Awwwww. Her husband gave her flowers. Why does she get him and I’m stuck being married to such an insensitive dork.” 

I am on my own personal journey. It is my journey and while there are certain things common to the human experience, it is still unique. God’s plan for someone else is different than His plan for me. Comparing their path and mine is apples and oranges. My job is to walk my own path well, and seek God’s will for me in each step. I will always be able to find others who appear to have it better, easier, and happier than I do despite the fact that they also appear to fall short of my own personal sense of self-righteousness.

“But Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Helga Weber
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 11

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“‘Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you. Your obedience will close the deal. You’ll be mine and I’ll be yours.'” Jeremiah 11:4 (MSG)

In the customer service business, I often train people the value of an ownership statement. It’s that statement you make right after a request is made that not only tells the customer that you are going to take responsibility to resolve his request, but also reveals your positive attitude about doing it.

Customer: “I have a question about my monthly statement.”
Representative: “I’d be happy to help you with your statement. What’s your question?”

When my daughter Madison was very young, perhaps four or five years old, there was one day when I asked her to do something for me. I don’t even recall what it was. It was simply a small task that I needed her to perform for me at that moment. While I don’t recall the task, I do recall her attitude. She beamed up at me and said, “Sure, dad. I’d love to do that for you!” I was blown away. Her enthusiastic obedience in that moment endeared dad like you couldn’t believe. I’ve never forgotten it.

Somewhere along the way it seems to me that obedience has gotten a bad rap. To obey and to serve has somehow become synonymous with being a a mindless lemming. Yet, choosing to be obedient, and to do so with a positive attitude, is a sweet thing.

Today, I’m happy to do what I’m asked. I want to serve God, my loved ones, and others – and serve well.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 10

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Which Way?
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It’s because our leaders are stupid.
   They never asked God for counsel,
And so nothing worked right.
   The people are scattered all over.
Jeremiah 10:21 (MSG)

I had a really nice conversation with an old friend yesterday. He is a University professor with high academic degrees and is working on two books he is writing while on sabbatical. As our conversation wandered here and there we ruminated on different life experiences. We both shared that the further we get in the journey, the more sure we are of what we don’t know.

When I was younger, I was more sure of my own strength and understanding. Now, I am convinced that I know very little in the grand scheme of things. I am slower to judge. I am slower to react. I am less given to rash decisions. I am continually reminded of my need to be reliant on God’s counsel, God’s strength, God’s wisdom, and God’s provision [and to be sure to listen carefully to my wife].

Today, I’m heading out determined to seek God’s counsel throughout my day.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 9

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“Don’t let the wise brag of their wisdom.
   Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don’t let the rich brag of their riches.
   If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.” Jeremiah 9:23 (MSG)

This last week a machine randomly pulled some numbered balls out of a machine and two people immediately became $190 million dollars richer. These two people were no better than anyone else. They did nothing to earn their reward but take a chance.

It’s easy for me to see life as really a big lottery. I was blessed to be born to a loving family in a nice middle-class neighborhood in the middle western part of the richest country in the world. I did nothing to earn this heritage. I was blessed to hear the Message of Jesus told to me as a young person. With the simple act of faith, believing Jesus is who he said he was, and did what he said he did, I am a recipient of God’s unmerited favor; I am given the riches of His his love, forgiveness and blessing. I did nothing to earn this. I am no better than anyone else. I simply believed.

If there is anything I have to brag about it is this:
God has done great things and has been gracious to me.

God, help me today to keep my head on straight about that and act accordingly. Please and thank you.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 8

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Australian give way at roundabout sign
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So why does this people go backward,
   and just keep on going—backward!
They stubbornly hold on to their illusions,
   refuse to change direction. Jeremiah 8:5 (MSG)

It takes little or no courage to continue living in the same unhealthy patterns. We perpetuate cycles and systems that drain life from our souls because it’s what we know and there is fear doing anything different. The unknown terrifies us more than the muck in which we find ourselves wading each day.

Yet if it is Life we wish to experience in abundant and increasing measure, than a change of direction is required. Illusions to which we have firmly grasped must be released, old patterns of thought and behavior must be left behind, and new relational systems must be established.

When we walk with Jesus, old things must surely pass away. New things must surely come.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 7

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Loop 101 and Interstate 17 Interchange (3)
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“Tell them all this, but don’t expect them to listen. Call out to them, but don’t expect an answer.” Jeremiah 7:27 (MSG)

Jesus said that the path that leads to life is a narrow footpath, the way is difficult, and few find their way onto its trecherous terrain. Other other hand, Jesus said the path to death is a superhighway with plenty of spacious on-ramps. Most people find their way to it because it’s always easy to go with the flow of traffic and most people prefer to hit the interstate, hit the cruise control, and go where everyone else is going.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 6

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It’s hopeless. Their ears are stuffed with wax — deaf as a post, blind as a bat. It’s hopeless! They’ve tuned out God. Jeremiah 6:10b-11a (MSG)

I have hearing problems. It is not a fun thing to have your hearing diminished. It aggravates life in a myriad of ways. It’s amazing how much you miss, and in converstions you frequently find yourself having to decide if you are going to admit you didn’t hear and inquire about what was just said or of you just let it go. Wendy’s gotten sharp at knowing the blank expression of my face as I try to process what she just said. I feel awful asking people to repeat themselves all the time. Not only is it humbling but it’s an annoyance for all parties involved.

It’s no wonder that these lines from today’s chapter jumped off the page at me. I may struggle with hearing, but I never want to be deaf to God. Like any other conversation in any other relationship, I’ve found that you have to consciously listen for what God is saying. You have to tune your spiritual ears. You have to concentrate and pay attention. Prayer is not just about talking to God, it’s also about listening to God. It’s not a monologue, it’s a dialogue.

Today, I’m trying to remember to do a better job of listening.