"Lettuce" in Hebrews

Lettuce is a healthy choice food choice, isn’t it?  It definitely deserves a place at the table.  This morning I read the book of Hebrews, and was struck by how much “lettuce” there was!  Okay, it’s not real lettuce – but  statements of “let us” – and I just wanted to write down the verses because they are worth repeating. 

I do have to say that it is important to read the whole book to truly understand the importance of these verses.  Many of them have “therefore” in them – which should make us ask:  “What is that there for?”  Hebrews is a book full of reasons why Jesus is BETTER than anything the Israelites had known before (the old covenant, the old priestly system, the old sacrificial system, etc.).  And since He is better – therefore, LET US:

·         “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”(4:1)

·         “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”  (4:11)

·         “Therefore, since we have such a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  (4:14-16)

·         “Therefore, let us move beyond elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…”  (6:1)

·         “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as we see the Day approaching.”  (10:19-25)

·         “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  (12:1-3)

·         “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for ‘our God is a consuming fire’.”  (12:28-29)

·         “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.  For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.  Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  (13:13-16)

 Let us strive to enter the rest God has promised.  Let us hold firmly to our faith.  Let us talk with God confidently in prayer.  Let us strive to be mature.  Let us draw near to God!  Let us hold on to our hope.  Let us encourage each other to do good.  Let us throw off sin and entanglements – LET US RUN TO JESUS.  Let us be thankful.  Let us worship God.  Let us not be ashamed to go to Jesus where He calls us.  Let us continually praise God.

He’s deserving of all of that, isn’t He?  When we truly look at all He’s done, our response (besides utter thankfulness) should be all of the above.

Let us.  J

Sonburn

This is one of those days that must have inspired the “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring…” song.  It is definitely raining.  I’m sure somewhere an old man is taking a lovely Sunday afternoon nap.  But today, I can’t help but thinking about sonburn.

Haha.  Not sunburn, silly.

Sonburn.

Summer is almost upon us!  As a teacher, I catch (and sometimes surpass) my students' excitement for another summer.  Warm days, sleeping in, swimming, adventures….and, of course, sunburn.  I was blessed to inherit mostly Irish genes from my mother (what happened to the Greek olive skin, Dad?) and so most every summer I tan a little.  But I’m mostly sunburned.

But you know what?  I think when your face is kissed by the sun, it is very becoming.  Although tan may be even more becoming than burn, either way, there is an unmistakable look for those who have been in the presence of the sun.  This summer, I hope to look “sun-kissed” (in a non-cancer forming way…yay for sunscreen).

But, I hope even more to look “Son-kissed”.  J

Have you ever noticed that people who spend a lot of time with Jesus have a certain look about them?  They glow.  They have a remarkable peace about them in the midst of struggles.  They are often wise beyond their years or experience.  Here are some biblical examples:

·         “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.”  Exodus 34:29

·         “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13

·         “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue…These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke…All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”  Acts 6:8-9a, 10, 15

Moses literally glowed.  Peter and John were noted as different.  Stephen was wise and eloquent and peaceful.  And all because of the Lord.  What is it about the Lord Jesus that affects us so?  How can time spent with him even change the countenance of our faces?  Maybe because, in some ways, the sun is like the Son. J

·         “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word….”  Hebrews 1:3

·         “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.  His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”  Revelation 1:14-16

Whoa.  Those are pretty powerful word pictures.  Jesus’ face is like the sun shining in all its brilliance?  He is the radiance of God’s glory?

So, if I spend time face-to-face time with Jesus, shouldn’t it be evident to those around me?  Shouldn’t I have the unmistakable glow of “sonburn”?  J

That “Sonshine” is worth basking in and will never go away.  But it’s up to me to spend time in it. 

If I don’t, just like with my red sunburn, I will go back to being pasty white. J 

This summer, like all summers, will be here and gone before I even realize what’s happening.  I’m excited to see the wonderful adventures God has in store.  But even after the sunshine of summer fades, I pray that my face will continue to show the color that is evidence of my time spent with Him. 

·         “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  Psalm 34:5

·         “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  II Corinthians 3:18

Oh, may we never spend time so much time away from the Lord that He isn’t recognizable in our countenance.  May we focus more this summer on being “son-kissed” than “sun-kissed.”  And may that “sonburn” make us beautiful in His eyes.

 

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

George Beverly Shea

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” 

Psalm 28:7 (Bev's life verse)

This afternoon I found myself attending the funeral of a man I had never met.  For the past two years I have lived just down the road from George Beverly Shea.  His celebration service was held within walking distance of my house.  So, I went.  And it made me wish I had just taken the time to walk down to his house, knock on the door, and introduce myself.  Because not all giants of the faith are recorded in the Bible… some live just down the street.  And oh – what we can learn from those whose lives are focused on Jesus! 

 

George Beverly Shea died this past week at the age of 104.  He was a close friend of Billy Graham for 70 years.  Before Billy preached, Bev sang – and it was mentioned this afternoon that Billy Graham once said, “I’d rather hear Bev sing than anyone else in the whole world.”

 

It’s no wonder.  His voice was incredible.  I almost teared up listening to the recordings of it during the service today.  But – it was more than just his voice.  Bev loved Jesus – and it showed up in his songs, his interactions with others, and his entire life. 

When he was younger, Bev found the poem “I’d Rather Have Jesus” by Rhea F. Miller on his piano and came up with a tune for it.  Here’s a recording of Bev singing it in 1965. 

 

But look at the words:

“I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause

I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame

I’d rather be true to His holy name.”

Although he won a Grammy (1965) and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy (2011), composed many songs, recorded more than 70 albums and sang hundreds of concerts, fame was not the focus of Bev’s heart.

Here are some of the comments made during the service:

·         In the opening prayer, Richard White stated that if all we did was talk about Bev “…that would be to miss the point of his life.” 

·         “He was a big, strong man – but he was strong in heart…a Gentle Giant.”

·         “He loved life, loved people, and loved laughter because he loved the Lord.”

·         “When we get to heaven, something about Jesus’ face will seem familiar to us because of Bev…”

·         “Without Jesus, Bev may well have been a singer, but not one of eternal significance.”

·         David Bruce got up and shared about a song called “The Longer I Serve Him” that Bev sang.  It was written by the Gaithers after an older woman (I believe Gloria Gaither’s mother) was asked at the end of her life whether it was worth serving Jesus, she replied, “The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.”   David Bruce added that it seems that the longer people serve Jesus, the sweeter they grow.  Look at this video of Bev last year at the age of 103.

 

This was a precious man.  And he was precious because he spent his life serving a precious Savior.  The point of his life was to point others to the Lord Jesus Christ.    

What a life!  Whether we live to be 104 years old or only 20 – may we find our significance in an unwavering focus on Jesus.  Then, truly, our funeral service will be called a celebration.

Things That Are Not

“…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”  

Romans 4:17b

Things that are not. 

Interesting.

I don’t think I would describe myself that way very often.  I like to think of myself as something.

But that phrase comes up in I Corinthians as well.  

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”  I Corinthians 1:27-29

That phrase has always stuck out to me...but God knew that I needed to hear these verses this afternoon.  Sometimes I get caught up in thinking that I need recognition – the pat on the back or the words of praise.  Or sometimes it's just not wanting someone to whisper negative comments about me or my work.  And then God reminds me…that He is everything.  And if it wasn’t for Him – I would just be something that is not. J

I was reading in A.W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God a few weeks ago and loved this passage:

“Let us examine our burden…First, there is the burden of pride.  The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed.  Think for yourself whether much of your sorrow has not arisen from someone speaking slightingly of you.  As long as you have set yourself up as a little god to which you must be loyal there will be those who will delight to offer affront to your idol.  How then can you hope to have inward peace?  The heart’s fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest.  Continue this fight through the years and the burden will become intolerable.  Yet the sons of earth are carrying this burden continually, challenging every word spoken against them, cringing under every criticism, smarting under each fancied slight, tossing sleepless if another person is preferred before them.

Such a burden as this is not necessary to bear.  Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method.  The meekman cares not at all who is greater than He, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.  He develops toward himself a kindly sense of humor and learns to say, ‘Oh, so you have been overlooked?  They have placed someone else before you?  They have whispered that you are pretty small stuff after all?  And now you feel hurt because the world is saying about you the very things you have been saying about yourself?  Only yesterday you were telling God that you were nothing, a mere worm of the dust.  Where is your consistency?  Come on, humble yourself, and cease to care what men think.’

The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority.  Rather, he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself.   He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life.  He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels.  In himself, nothing; in God everything.”

Isn’t that always the key?  We are nothing.  God should be everything.

So, to bring it back around – let’s look at a larger chunk of the I Corinthians passage:

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” 

I Corinthians 1:27-31

May we always boast in the Lord. 

Let’s face it.  Without Him – we’re just not. J

Seeing & Remembering

“Child, perhaps you do not see quite as well as you think.  But the first step is to remember.”

Aslan

 

I’ve been reminded this past week by John Piper that “beholding is becoming”.  What I spend my time looking at the most is what I will eventually start to resemble. 

I totally agree with John Piper.  Seeing is important. 

I also agree with C.S. Lewis.  Sometimes we do not see quite as well as we think. 

In The Silver Chair, one of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series, C.S. Lewis describes the interaction between a girl named Jill and Aslan, the Great Lion.  Aslan has just given Jill a set of very important instructions for her journey into Narnia.  In response, Jill weakly says, “I see.”  To which Aslan replies:

“Child, perhaps you do not see as well as you think.  But the first step is to remember…

Repeat to me the four signs.  It is important for you to remember them as I’ve said them…

Remember.  Remember.  Remember the signs. 
Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.

And second, I give you a warning.  Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly.  I will not often do so down in Narnia.  Here on the mountain the air is clear and your mind is clear.  As you drop down into Narnia the air will thicken.  Take great care that it does not confuse your mind.  And the signs which you have learned will not look at all as you expect them to look when you meet them there.  That is why it is important to know them by heart.  And pay no attention to appearances. 

Remember the signs and believe the signs.  Nothing else matters.  And now, daughter of Eve….farewell…”

I couldn’t help but think of analogies as I heard these words.  (Yes, I was listening to the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre version J). 

1.       Jill is being sent out on a mission for Aslan.  Our lives are a mission for God.

2.       Jill tries to “see”/understand – but doesn’t quite grasp the big picture.  We try to “see”/understand – but don’t always understand how God is working.

3.       Jill is told to remember Aslan’s words – to memorize them – so that she is not confused when she is away from him.  We are told to remember God’s words – to memorize them – so that we are not confused in the midst of our mission.

As much as we try to “see”, sometimes we are only capable of remembering. 

The reason C.S. Lewis’ words hit me so strongly today was that I realize even in my deepest efforts to focus on Jesus…I struggle.  Whether it’s a tragedy that blinds my spiritual eyes with tears or a victory where pride blocks my view of my Savior….sometimes I miss out on seeing God in everything.  Sometimes I just don’t understand.  I get captured by the present and miss out on the big picture.

But in all of that – I know I can always remember.

I can always go back to the cross.

And when I look at Jesus on that cross – even if I can’t see exactly how He’s working in the present situation – I can remember that as He gave His life for me He trusted God the Father’s plans.

And as I take that first step of remembering, I am confident that I will begin to see more clearly the Father’s plans for me, too.

 

Sweet Jesus

 “And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’  And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.”  Exodus 15:22-27 

Sometimes when we cry out to the Lord, he doesn’t give us great words of insight.  Sometimes God just shows us a log, like He did for Moses.  Someone pointed out the other day that the word log in the verse above is the same word for “tree”. 

A tree can change everything…because it was on a tree our Savior Jesus died.  THAT tree, when thrown into our lives, makes everything sweet. 

Just this past week I was a chaperone on the senior class trip to Washington, D.C.  As we walked through the National Cathedral, I took in the beautiful stained glass, the intricately carved stone and wood, the statues and organ pipes…but what struck me the most was a small statue.
 

 

It’s supposed to represent Jesus as a young boy.  And, as you can see by the wearing of the metal, everyone touches His hands.  I'm sure they want to touch His hands for many reasons - maybe even because everyone else seems to. 

But it is funny that even in a building where they are trying to be so accepting of different faiths and systems of belief – where there are statues and pictures of many different things - that people really want to hold Jesus’ hands. 

His cross makes life sweet.

His hands comfort us.

His love fulfills us. 


He is true.


As A.W. Tozer said:  “All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to the end of the sweet things that might be said of Him.”

So may we, in our busy lives, not forget to remember that cross, those hands, and that love. 

When life seems full of bitterness and we cry out to God - sometimes He just shows us a tree. 

A tree that reminds us of someone altogether lovely.  Our sweet Jesus - whose love can make anything sweet.

Fathom

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God?  Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" 

Job 11:7

Do you know what the word "fathom" means?

According to Dictionary.com, it means:
1.  A unit of length equal to 6 feet, used chiefly in nautical measurements
2.  To measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound
3.  To penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand

But what I thought was even cooler...I learned from Encyclopedia Britannica:

"old English measure of length, now standardized at 6 feet (1.83 metre), which has long been used as a nautical unit of depth. The longest of many units derived from an anatomical measurement, the fathom originated as the distance from the middle fingertip of one hand to the middle fingertip of the other hand of a large man holding his arms fully extended. The name comes from the Old English faedm or faethm, meaning outstretched arms."

Uh...neato!  I like plays on words - so it got me thinking about fathoming the deep love of Jesus...which can truly be measured by His extended arms...on the cross.

So, I wrote a little song.  And recorded it.  (And I'm really hoping that there wasn't another song stuck in my head whose tune I stole!  It's possible...I'm not the most musically gifted person in the world...:))  So, in case you can't understand my singing, the words are below.  May we all be amazed by His love!  It's unfathomable. :)

Link to me singing:  Fathom

Fathom

 

How deep are Your riches of wisdom and knowledge

How vast are Your thoughts that we can’t understand

We plumb the depths of the world’s deepest oceans

But to fathom Your love?  Oh, our hearts never can.

 

You can’t be contained by the highest of heavens

Stars in their orbit are but part of Your plan

We use instruments to take in Your wonders

But to fathom Your love?  Our hearts never can.

 

You’re deeper than all the deepest oceans

Higher than all the stars we see

To think on your grace fills us with wonder

We can’t fathom your love so free.

 

On Calvary You showed us the depth of Your passion

In love You took nails in Your feet and Your hands

It’s from outstretched arms that we get the word fathom

But to fathom that love?  Oh, our hearts never can.

 

You’re deeper than all the deepest oceans

Higher than all the stars we see

To think on your grace fills us with wonder

We can’t fathom your love so free.

 

How deep are Your riches of wisdom and knowledge

How vast are Your thoughts that we can’t understand

We plumb the depths of the world’s deepest oceans

But to fathom Your love? Oh, our hearts never can.