Some words shared at a community Good Friday Service. My assignment was to consider the Word of Affection (John 19:25-27).
Thank God for the women!
The women never betrayed Him. The women never spoke a word against Him. The women never raised a hand in opposition to Him. And, here we see, the women never deserted Him.
Thank God for the women!
His first missionary was a woman He met at a well. She went and told everyone to "come and see!"
Thank God for the women!
His first miracle was for a bride. The wine had run out and, so she would not be shamed, He turned water into wine. Let the celebration continue!
Thank God for the women!
His first words after His resurrection were to some women who showed up to take care of the body. (Brothers, I'm not sure where the men were. The women were even discussing among themselves who they would get to roll the stone away. Seems as if the men folk were busy that morning. Discussing matters of grave importance I am sure.)
Thank God for the women!
Born of a virgin. Nursed at her breast. Showered with her praise. Cared for by her hand. Fed at her table. Taught by her word. Comforted by her presence. Yes, now, at the last, again, comforted by her presense. "Jesus...saw his mother standing nearby."
Thank God for the women!
We struggle to conceive of the anguish dear Mary must have felt on that Friday afternoon. There hangs her dear son, naked, mocked, humiliated, and she does not cry out. She hears His cry of thirst and is unable to meet His need. She sees Him struggle for breath and is unable to offer Him aid. She sees, all too clearly, the wounds and is unable to tend them. She looks upon that blessed brow, now pierced, and is unable to soothe its hurt. Certainly she thinks again of Simeon's words to her that day in the temple when they dedicated Him, "and a sword will peirce your soul..."
Thank God for the women!
Here we find a son speaking to his mother. That is respect.
Here we find a son providing for his mother. That is responsibility.
Here we find a son caring for his mother. That is love.
Thank God for the women!
But look, standing there with her is another. One simply described as "the disciple whom He loved." This one had deserted Jesus a few short, dark hours ago. This one had made bold professions of loyalty and courage, "Never will I desert you!" The pride and machismo ran naked into the darkness when the soldiers came. The bravado and bluff disappeared like the smoke from the torches in the mob's hands and all he carried with hm was his shame.
Yet, now we find him, "the disciple whom He loved," standing near the cross.
Would he find rebuke?
Would he be greeted with a sneer?
Would he simply be ignored?
"To err is human; to forgive, divine." (Alexander Pope)
Here we see them together. The erring human standing before the crucified and forgiving divine.
"And he took her into his own home from that hour."
Rather than a rebuke he was given a responsibility.
Rather than a snub he was given salvation.
Rather distrust he was given a life-long trust.
Rather than hearing a grievance he was given a grace; a mother.
Thank God for the women.
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
August 22, 2013
September 17, 2008
Twenty and Counting!
Twenty years ago I said "I do" to this beautiful woman who graces my life with joy and laughter every day. She is a marvelous cook, an unparalleled mother, a natural wit, a well of wisdom, and the one I can't wait to get home to each day. To say I am blessed would fall far short of the mark.We often laugh out loud at what God must have been thinking when He brought us together.
- I love solitude and silence, she leaves the television on for "background" noise.
- I am a constant reader, she reads for survival.
- I am a "Good morning God!" person, she is a "Good God, it's morning!" person.
- I am self professed nerd, she is a southern lady.
- I believe "Gone With the Wind" to be a perfect waste of three hours of film, she thinks it's the greatest movie ever made.
I am approaching the point at which I will have lived half of my born days with this woman. Funny, but I'm not sure I ever really lived before she came into my life. Sure, I can remember some great moments from my younger years (I had a great childhood!) but they all pale in comparison with the moments I have shared with her. And as I look forward to what lies ahead of us (kids in college, our 2nd honeymoon (aka "empty nest"), daughters and son in law, grandchildren, adventures, etc.) I get that Christmas morning feeling in my stomach. I just can't wait to see what's there for us!
My Beloved, you are truly the treasure of my heart. I thank God for you. Here's to the next twenty and beyond! I can't wait to see what's around the bend!
June 12, 2008
Maybe She Should Speak Instead of Him...
Mrs. Bush's Op-Ed piece in the WSJ is worth a read. This is the clear minded expression that is devastatingly missing from Mr. Bush. Maybe she should begin giving the speeches. Just a thought.
The "stand out" paragraph for me is this: "It is important – and smart – for the world to invest in Afghanistan. Americans learned on a clear September morning that misery and oppression half a world away can manifest themselves on the next block. That lesson has been retaught in the years since, in cities from Jakarta to London to Madrid."
You can read the first lady's comments here.
The "stand out" paragraph for me is this: "It is important – and smart – for the world to invest in Afghanistan. Americans learned on a clear September morning that misery and oppression half a world away can manifest themselves on the next block. That lesson has been retaught in the years since, in cities from Jakarta to London to Madrid."
You can read the first lady's comments here.
June 2, 2008
Monday Morning Message - Hannah
If you are unfamiliar with this wonderful woman's story then, by all means, take a moment and familiarize yourself with it. You will find Hannah, Elkanah (her husband), and Peninnah (the other wife) and Eli (the priest of YHWH) in 1 Samuel chapter 1.
A few facts followed by a few observations will suffice for this post. I'll leave the conclusions to you.
First the facts.
Hannah lived in a day and time that the social security system was birthing children. Like it or not, fair or not, the cultural context of the ancient world (and much of the modern world for that matter) was not necessarily "woman friendly." Should her husband die there was no pension or inheritance and therefore, unless she had children to take care of her in her old age she was hopeless. In fact, many considered a childless woman cursed by God a fact attested to in this passage as it states, "the LORD had closed her womb." (v. 6)
Hannah was mercilessly tormented by the "other wife" because of her childless state. So much so that she could not eat and tears were a common sight on her face.
Hannah was deeply loved by her husband but this did not solve her inner struggle with the fact that she had not borne any children.
Hannah turned to the only place she could to find an answer to her dilemma, the one who had "closed her womb" was the only one who could answer her deepest need.
A few observations.
Hannah was a desperate woman. Desperate people pray. I like the bumper sticker that says, "As long as there are tests there will be prayer in school." Sure it's tongue in cheek but it's right on. Take your Bible and flip to almost any page in Psalms and you'll notice a song and prayer that comes out of desperate situations.
Could it be the reason we struggle with a prayer life is we are not really desperate? Jesus instructed his followers to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." How many of you are truly concerned about where your next meal is coming from? Not many. Most of us have this weeks bread in the pantry and if we don't we'll just hop down to the corner store and get some. Daily bread is a desperate thing.
Hannah was a decisive woman. There came a time when she had to do something. The status quo just was not going to cut it any longer. There are two words which speak volumes in this passage. In verse 9 it says, "Hannah rose."
Hannah was willing to discuss this issue. She goes and prays literally pouring out her soul before the LORD. I'm pretty sure this was not one of those polite conversations that you are likely to overhear in the church. I've got an idea (because I've got a wife) that when Hannah started speaking her mind God got an earful. All the hurt, all the anger, all the disappointment, all the confusion, all the questions came pouring out and they were directed at one target - God.
Now I often get the "Oh, we're not supposed to question God!" statement thrown at me. To which I reply, "Since when?!" I often remind people that they are in good biblical company when they pour out there honesty to God. I love what Walter Wink has to say about prayer. "The fawning etiquette of unctous prayer is utterly foreign to the Bible. Biblical prayer is impertinent, persistent, shameless, indecorous. It is more like haggling in an oriental bazaar than the polite monologues of the churches."
In the midst of this prayer something happens, something changes in Hannah. I find this intensely interesting because externally NOTHING has changed. She is still childless. She is still tormented by Peninnah. She is still loved by Elkanah. But she is different. Verse 18 ends with these telling words, "and her face was no longer sad." What had she found? What had she discovered? What changed?
The simple truth is she found that the very one who had closed her womb was the one to open her heart. Though she railed against God she discovered that indeed it was God she truly needed. God told Jeremiah, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jer. 29:13). Sometimes it takes a desperate season to cause us to seek God with all our heart. Are you desperate?
A few facts followed by a few observations will suffice for this post. I'll leave the conclusions to you.
First the facts.
Hannah lived in a day and time that the social security system was birthing children. Like it or not, fair or not, the cultural context of the ancient world (and much of the modern world for that matter) was not necessarily "woman friendly." Should her husband die there was no pension or inheritance and therefore, unless she had children to take care of her in her old age she was hopeless. In fact, many considered a childless woman cursed by God a fact attested to in this passage as it states, "the LORD had closed her womb." (v. 6)
Hannah was mercilessly tormented by the "other wife" because of her childless state. So much so that she could not eat and tears were a common sight on her face.
Hannah was deeply loved by her husband but this did not solve her inner struggle with the fact that she had not borne any children.
Hannah turned to the only place she could to find an answer to her dilemma, the one who had "closed her womb" was the only one who could answer her deepest need.
A few observations.
Hannah was a desperate woman. Desperate people pray. I like the bumper sticker that says, "As long as there are tests there will be prayer in school." Sure it's tongue in cheek but it's right on. Take your Bible and flip to almost any page in Psalms and you'll notice a song and prayer that comes out of desperate situations.
Could it be the reason we struggle with a prayer life is we are not really desperate? Jesus instructed his followers to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." How many of you are truly concerned about where your next meal is coming from? Not many. Most of us have this weeks bread in the pantry and if we don't we'll just hop down to the corner store and get some. Daily bread is a desperate thing.
Hannah was a decisive woman. There came a time when she had to do something. The status quo just was not going to cut it any longer. There are two words which speak volumes in this passage. In verse 9 it says, "Hannah rose."
Hannah was willing to discuss this issue. She goes and prays literally pouring out her soul before the LORD. I'm pretty sure this was not one of those polite conversations that you are likely to overhear in the church. I've got an idea (because I've got a wife) that when Hannah started speaking her mind God got an earful. All the hurt, all the anger, all the disappointment, all the confusion, all the questions came pouring out and they were directed at one target - God.
Now I often get the "Oh, we're not supposed to question God!" statement thrown at me. To which I reply, "Since when?!" I often remind people that they are in good biblical company when they pour out there honesty to God. I love what Walter Wink has to say about prayer. "The fawning etiquette of unctous prayer is utterly foreign to the Bible. Biblical prayer is impertinent, persistent, shameless, indecorous. It is more like haggling in an oriental bazaar than the polite monologues of the churches."
In the midst of this prayer something happens, something changes in Hannah. I find this intensely interesting because externally NOTHING has changed. She is still childless. She is still tormented by Peninnah. She is still loved by Elkanah. But she is different. Verse 18 ends with these telling words, "and her face was no longer sad." What had she found? What had she discovered? What changed?
The simple truth is she found that the very one who had closed her womb was the one to open her heart. Though she railed against God she discovered that indeed it was God she truly needed. God told Jeremiah, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jer. 29:13). Sometimes it takes a desperate season to cause us to seek God with all our heart. Are you desperate?
May 12, 2008
Monday Morning Message - Keep Hoping!
"Wonderful Women of the Word" is the series of messages I am beginning (appropriately on Mother's Day! Happy Mom's Day Mom!) In this series I will be focusing some much needed attention on the story these wonderful women have to tell us about this marvelous and powerful God we worship! My prayer is that you find encouragement for the journey, a fresh perspective on some well worn stories, and a renewed challenge to keep on keeping on in your walk with God.
Joyce Baldwin in her commentary on Genesis states, "Prayers that receive no immediate answer, though based on God's word, can be a source of considerable unease." I think she's right on target. How long do we wait for an answer? Is God even listening? Has He forgotten us? Is there any reason to keep hoping? These seasons of God's seeming silence in the face of our increasing anxiety certainly stretch our ability to trust.
One woman who encountered this "considerable unease" in her journey with God was Sarah. Hers is a story of a ridiculous promise, an equally ridiculous hope, and a laughter-filled ending. Walk with me as we revisit her story...
When Sarah's husband Abraham got word from God that he was to uproot the family and go to some, as yet, unspecified place she was already pretty far down the road of adult life. Abraham was 75 and Sarah was some 10 years younger when this move happened. Moving is never easy and it seems to be more difficult for the fairer sex than for men. I imagine the same holds true in Sarah's life.
It's likely that Sarah had settled into a reasonably comfortable existence in Haran. I find it hard to believe she was terribly dissatisfied with life with one glaring exception...she had no children. This had to be a sore spot in her life. It hung over her life as a constant reminder that all was not well. In the culture of that day and time a childless woman was looked on as a cursed woman, not favored by God. Part of the attraction for moving to an unknown place may have been Abraham's comment concerning God's promise of becoming a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Was it possible that even at her age she might bear a son?
The journey takes place and years pass. Lots of years. Not just a few, A LOT. Twenty-four, to be exact, and Abraham and Sarah have done all God has asked of them but somewhere along the way it seems that God forgot about His end of the deal. Sarah is still childless and if she was a little old to be having children at 65 it's past hoping at the age of 89. That's when all the laughing gets started.
It seems that Abraham has an incredible experience of worship in which God reminds Abraham of the promise to make a great nation out of him. At first Abraham must have been mystified by all of this talk of offspring and generations. Maybe he was even pained by the insensitivity of God at bringing up this most glaring omission. All of these feelings were replaced by laughter as the pure ridiculousness of the situation dawned on him. Here he is, a 99 year old man with an 89 year old wife, and God is talking to him about having kids. Abraham worships, but he's laughing all the way. (Gen. 17:17)
Pretty soon Sarah is joining in on the laughter. God drops by for dinner one evening (Gen. 18) and in the course of the after dinner conversation He makes the statement that "This time next year Sarah will bear you a son." In case we've somehow manged to miss the point that Abraham and Sarah are past their childbearing prime, we are given this memorable line, "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah." (v.11) Which is "nice" way to say Sarah was a "dried up old lady" and Abraham was not up to the task. (Translations are nice but they sometimes shield us from the vivid rough and tumble language of the Bible.) So, understandably Sarah laughs to herself saying, "After I am worn out, an my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" (I'll let you fill in the blanks here...)
25 years after the promise was made it is fulfilled and there is more laughter! Genesis 21 tells the story of this marvelous moment. But let's not forget the preceding 9 months of unbelief becoming belief! What an astonishing sight Sarah must have been wearing her maternity clothes at 90 years of age! I'm sure there were a lot of laughs as she made her way through the market or when she visited with the neighbors. I can't begin to imagine the ribbing Abraham took down at the coffee shop! But then there's this moment of birth, this can't really be happening but it is!
"It's a boy!"
"What'll we name him?"
"What else, Laughter!"
And so Isaac (which means "Laughter") arrives and an old man and little old dried up lady learn the great truth that whatever God promises He will do. Even, and maybe especially, when it seems ridiculous to believe that it could ever happen.
Perhaps there are some of you who have come to the end of your hope. Keep hoping. Maybe you don't believe God can do it for you; you're too far gone, too far beyond the possibility of belief, too messed up. The God Abraham and Sarah encountered, the same God who continues reaching out to ordinary people like us, is the God unafraid of seeming impossibilities. His words to Sarah can offer you hope today, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Gen. 18:14) The answer is, "Of course not!"
Joyce Baldwin in her commentary on Genesis states, "Prayers that receive no immediate answer, though based on God's word, can be a source of considerable unease." I think she's right on target. How long do we wait for an answer? Is God even listening? Has He forgotten us? Is there any reason to keep hoping? These seasons of God's seeming silence in the face of our increasing anxiety certainly stretch our ability to trust.
One woman who encountered this "considerable unease" in her journey with God was Sarah. Hers is a story of a ridiculous promise, an equally ridiculous hope, and a laughter-filled ending. Walk with me as we revisit her story...
When Sarah's husband Abraham got word from God that he was to uproot the family and go to some, as yet, unspecified place she was already pretty far down the road of adult life. Abraham was 75 and Sarah was some 10 years younger when this move happened. Moving is never easy and it seems to be more difficult for the fairer sex than for men. I imagine the same holds true in Sarah's life.
It's likely that Sarah had settled into a reasonably comfortable existence in Haran. I find it hard to believe she was terribly dissatisfied with life with one glaring exception...she had no children. This had to be a sore spot in her life. It hung over her life as a constant reminder that all was not well. In the culture of that day and time a childless woman was looked on as a cursed woman, not favored by God. Part of the attraction for moving to an unknown place may have been Abraham's comment concerning God's promise of becoming a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Was it possible that even at her age she might bear a son?
The journey takes place and years pass. Lots of years. Not just a few, A LOT. Twenty-four, to be exact, and Abraham and Sarah have done all God has asked of them but somewhere along the way it seems that God forgot about His end of the deal. Sarah is still childless and if she was a little old to be having children at 65 it's past hoping at the age of 89. That's when all the laughing gets started.
It seems that Abraham has an incredible experience of worship in which God reminds Abraham of the promise to make a great nation out of him. At first Abraham must have been mystified by all of this talk of offspring and generations. Maybe he was even pained by the insensitivity of God at bringing up this most glaring omission. All of these feelings were replaced by laughter as the pure ridiculousness of the situation dawned on him. Here he is, a 99 year old man with an 89 year old wife, and God is talking to him about having kids. Abraham worships, but he's laughing all the way. (Gen. 17:17)
Pretty soon Sarah is joining in on the laughter. God drops by for dinner one evening (Gen. 18) and in the course of the after dinner conversation He makes the statement that "This time next year Sarah will bear you a son." In case we've somehow manged to miss the point that Abraham and Sarah are past their childbearing prime, we are given this memorable line, "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah." (v.11) Which is "nice" way to say Sarah was a "dried up old lady" and Abraham was not up to the task. (Translations are nice but they sometimes shield us from the vivid rough and tumble language of the Bible.) So, understandably Sarah laughs to herself saying, "After I am worn out, an my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" (I'll let you fill in the blanks here...)
25 years after the promise was made it is fulfilled and there is more laughter! Genesis 21 tells the story of this marvelous moment. But let's not forget the preceding 9 months of unbelief becoming belief! What an astonishing sight Sarah must have been wearing her maternity clothes at 90 years of age! I'm sure there were a lot of laughs as she made her way through the market or when she visited with the neighbors. I can't begin to imagine the ribbing Abraham took down at the coffee shop! But then there's this moment of birth, this can't really be happening but it is!
"It's a boy!"
"What'll we name him?"
"What else, Laughter!"
And so Isaac (which means "Laughter") arrives and an old man and little old dried up lady learn the great truth that whatever God promises He will do. Even, and maybe especially, when it seems ridiculous to believe that it could ever happen.
Perhaps there are some of you who have come to the end of your hope. Keep hoping. Maybe you don't believe God can do it for you; you're too far gone, too far beyond the possibility of belief, too messed up. The God Abraham and Sarah encountered, the same God who continues reaching out to ordinary people like us, is the God unafraid of seeming impossibilities. His words to Sarah can offer you hope today, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (Gen. 18:14) The answer is, "Of course not!"
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