Rich One-a-Day Wednesday  11/20/24

Posted on by November 20, 2024
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A life worthy

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his son.

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong…”

Let the poor say, “I am rich,”

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

(Give Thanks, Don Moen, 1986)

Yes you are.

Rich

Oh, your car may be falling apart and your dishwasher may be dying and you may be checking the sofa for enough change for a Del Taco run, but you are rich.

First, in this world you are rich. Beloved, there are people out there who pray for shoes so they won’t have to walk barefoot

who pray for clean water to wash the dishes with

who pray for dishes…and food to put on them.

And in the spiritual world…are you kidding?  You’re the beloved child of the King of, you know, Everything.

You are in possession of the greatest treasure the universe has ever known:

the love of God.

Baby, you are rolling in it.

Bask in your wealth today, Beloved.

Happy Wednesday.

Strong One-a-Day Tuesday  11/19/24

Posted on by November 19, 2024
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A life worthy

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Give thanks to the Holy One.

Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his son.

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong…”

Context is really important.

This line from Don Moen’s song is found in the Bible in Joel 3:10.  Of course, those of you who look it up will find that the Lord is actually speaking to the enemies of Israel, the nations who have plundered and destroyed his people.  God is essentially telling them to “Bring it on,” to prepare to fight, because God is going to turn them to powder.

Not exactly the same feeling Mr. Moen was looking to engender in his song.

Why am I telling you this?  Well, for one thing, I want you to be Biblically literate.  If we’re going to use Scripture, we should at least know what it really says.  

Also, even with the contextual confusion, this remains one of my all-time favorite worship songs.  And the message is true, even if the reference is a bit askew.  The Bible is full of the truth that God gives strength to the weak.  He offers–may I be so bold as to say that he wants–to show his strength in our feebleosity.

Do you feel weak?  

Well, you are…you know… in and of yourself.

But in Christ…oh, baby!

In Christ you are mighty.  In Christ, you have the power to do battle with whatever comes against you today.  In Christ, your weakness is transformed into his great strength.

So now, though you are weak, say, “I am strong!”

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Grateful One-a-Day Monday  11/18/24

Posted on by November 18, 2024
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A life worthy

As we move toward Thanksgiving, I’m going to take a look at one of my favorite worship songs.  It’s written by Don Moen.  Part of it is Scripture; all of it is scriptural.  Feel free to sing along!

Give thanks with a grateful heart.                                                      

Give thanks to the Holy One. 

Give thanks, because he’s given Jesus Christ, his son.

Are you thankful today, Beloved?  Do you even have time to stop and think of all you have to be thankful for? Or are you so busy preparing your house or your travel plans that preparing your heart has slipped down the list? Even worse–has your Christmas to-do list leapfrogged Thanksgiving entirely?  Look, I’m not judging; I know you’ve got a lot to do.  Myself, I’m looking at a garage that needs to be cleaned–I’ve been putting it off for eighteen months now–just so I can get to the Christmas lights, most of which are broken, if I remember correctly.  I have a vague memory of an entire string of lights falling from the roof last January, resulting in a string of mini-explosions and a decision that I would replace all the lights “Next year,” when finances would undoubtedly be better, except they’re not.  So I’ve probably gotta buy lights, and garland, and maybe a lawn elf–but no inflatables, I’m passionately against inflatables–before I can even start decorating, and some of the neighbors are done already…

Yeah, so I get it.

But, for those of us in Christ, the One we give thanks for next Thursday is the same One we celebrate at Christmas.  It’s pretty much the same holiday; you just have to swap funny hats.

Of course, you know that already…you’re a bright one.

So, hey, take time this week–like today, like right now–to stop and breathe and give thanks.  

For him

For you and him

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Peace One-a-Day Friday  11/15/24

Posted on by November 15, 2024
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A life worthy

For he himself is our peace…(Ephesians 2:14)

It isn’t so much that he brings peace

or makes peace

or counsels peace

or helps you find peace

or teaches peace…though he does all those things.

He is peace.

Now, that’s a big concept for me to get my heart around, but I’m going to try today. Frankly, it simplifies things somewhat:

Stressed? Turn to Jesus.

Frightened? Turn to Jesus.

Angry? Turn to Jesus.

Lonely? Turn to Jesus.

Confused? Turn to Jesus.

Sad? Turn to Jesus.

I think this might be the ultimate life-simplification strategy.

Walk in Christ today, Beloved.

Happy Friday

After One-a-Day Thursday  11/14/24

Posted on by November 14, 2024
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A life worthy

But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ  (Ephesians 2:13).

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can bring me through an endless wasteland of darkness and emptiness and loneliness and despair and shame and grief and guilt and sorrow and pain and loss and bring me to the One who loves me?

You guessed it.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Before One-a-Day Wednesday  11/13/24

Posted on by November 13, 2024
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A life worthy

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)–remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Well, now…that’s uplifting, ya?

Paul is talking to the Gentiles here, those who were not born into Israel and therefore did not share in Israel’s promise under the Old Covenant. But frankly, I can’t help personalizing this, because I’m just that egocentric. I can’t read this passage without remembering my own life B.C.  I was outside, I was separate from Christ, I was excluded, I was without hope and without God.

As were you

Don’t worry–there’s an A.D, to follow the B.C.

But we’re not going there today.

Today,  just spend a little time remembering who you were, where you were, what you were, before the Lord of the Universe stepped in. I know it stings, but it’s good for us.

You’ll thank me later.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Advance Prep One-a-Day Tuesday  11/12/24

Posted on by November 12, 2024
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A life worthy

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

The steps are laid out.

All you have to do is walk.

If you follow God’s lead, you will do good things. You will make this world a better place. You don’t have to agonize over what to do…He’s got it all planned.

No, Beloved, that does not make you a robot. It makes you an independent person with free will who chooses to follow a path laid out by the Expert.

Or chooses not to

But let me ask you this: is it a good idea to jump off the roller coaster mid-ride?

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Thank You One-a-Day Monday   11/11/24

Posted on by November 11, 2024
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A life worthy

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Thank you, Veteran.

Thank you for leaving your home behind in order to protect it.

Thank you for setting aside your freedoms to help safeguard mine.

Thank you for fighting for my right to protest, even when my protest saddens or angers or disgusts you.

Thank you for shouldering a rifle, or climbing into a chopper, or racing toward a bomb blast, knowing that this could be the day that you were called to give “the last full measure of devotion.”

You must have been terrified.

You went anyway.

For me.

Thank you.

I pray that on this holiday you will know the love of a grateful nation, and the love of the One who gave his life that you might live…forever.

Happy Veterans Day, Beloved of God

Good Works One-a-Day Friday  11/8/24

Posted on by November 8, 2024
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A life worthy

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…(Ephesians 2:10)

“Aha! See, I told you it’s about works!”

Well, of course it is

and

no it isn’t.

Beloved, Jesus does not love you because of what you do. That, quite frankly, is a lie from the pit of hell that will torment you if you let it. Please do not undo God’s loving grace over one phrase.

However,

God did not create the unique, complex, individually awesome and talented you just so you can sit and watch the world go by. He created you to do stuff.

And you probably already are.

So, here’s a thought for my friends who get caught up in the need to do more and build more and be more…which is probably most of us. This verse does not just apply to serving meals in a soup kitchen or building houses in another country or teaching children overseas–though those are all wonderful things that God may have for you. This verse also applies to the kind word spoken in passing. It applies to an honest day’s work that benefits others. It applies to raising children that will follow Christ. It applies to studying hard to learn and build a God-honoring future.

Beloved, you will have epic moments, but you will have far more mundane moments.

Make them count.

Happy Friday, Beloved.