Ready for the Road Ahead

          March 20, 2011, was the beginning of Purim.  The Book of Esther explains the origins of Purim and why it is celebrated.   Esther's story begins with Queen Vashti's fall from grace.  Persia was known for its opulent and excessive wealth.  The royal city of Susa was often host to endless banquets and celebrations.  Many times the entertainment at these affairs was "R" rated.  Vashti's refusal to take part in this debauchery seems understandable, but an inebriated king is not one to be crossed.  With the encouragement of his officials, King Ahasuerus deposes Vashti.  It seems a bit unfair, but Vashti's departure is a prelude to a bigger story.

            Since Vashti has been removed it is decided that a "Miss Persia" contest should be held. The winner gets an all expense paid year at the Palace Spa and the prestige of being the next Mrs. Ahasuerus.  Whether they want to enter or not, all the young maidens in Persia are rounded up, put through a beauty regime and paraded before the king.  A beautiful, young Jewish girl, named Hadassah (Esther in Persian) is chosen to be the next queen.

            The plot thickens as Esther's cousin, Mordecai, thwarts an assassination attempt on the king, and a man named Haman is promoted to a high position in the king's court.  Haman has a deep-seated hatred for Mordecai.  Earlier in Israel's history Haman and Mordecai's ancestors had bad blood between them (Ex. 17:8-16; Dt. 25:17-19; 1 Sam. 15:8).   Haman uses his rise to power as a means to take revenge on Mordecai and his people.  He casts lots (pur) to determine a date to exterminate the Jews, and that is how this festival gets its name.  If you want to know the rest of the story, read Esther!

            The Book of Esther raised some eyebrows when it was included in the Scriptures.  Its message was clearly in line with all the other sacred writings, but it had one, obvious omission, the name of God!  Although God's name is never spoken or written, God is clearly at work across its pages.  His hand is guiding the events within each chapter.  And His Covenant promises are still in tact as the Jews come out victorious in the end.

            It would be easy to read through this book and think that it has nothing to do with us here in the 21st century, but we would be wrong!  At a critical point in the story, Mordecai challenges Esther (Est. 4:14) saying she will not be spared just because she lives in the palace.  "If you do not step forward to help," Mordecai warns, "Help will come from another place."  That little phrase, "another place" reminds Esther of God's sovereignty.  God has placed Esther where she can make a difference.  The same is true about us. 

            Have events in your life seemed to spin out of control?  Does it seem like God is removed from your situation?  The Apostle Paul, like Esther, could have felt the same.  Locked in prison and separated from his beloved Philippian church, Paul learned that some people had begun to spread the Gospel, not for God's glory, but to spite Paul.  Paul, however, could see God's hand at work in the situation.  First and foremost, the Gospel was being shared, and for Paul, that was the most important thing (Phil. 1:12-18).

            Although we do not face a life or death situation as Esther did, sometimes we have trouble seeing God at work in our lives.  Perhaps, in those times, we would do better by changing our perspective.  Maybe there is an opportunity God has placed in your path where you can make a difference.  Like Esther and Paul, you will need courage to take hold of that opportunity, for who knows, maybe God has brought you there "for such a time as this".

Ann LeFevre                                                                                                            3/20/2011

Ready for the Road Ahead

            I was in one of the moods- bored, tired, and not in the mood to do anything.  Exasperated with myself for not wanting to do something healthy or good for my soul, I turned on the television, flip-flopped around a few stations and landed on "The Amazing Race".  I'm not really into "reality" TV, but I was curious to see where they would be going, so I stayed with it.  On this particular episode, the convoluted goal was to decipher a phrase out of nautical flags, using the code from a compass submerged in a shark tank.  As the teams approached the "judge" (the commandant from a local marina), they breathlessly stated the phrase, hoping that they had correctly identified each flag with its matching letter.  If they did not get the words exactly, they were denied access to the next clue.  Sadly, one team failed miserably at their translation and was sent back to the flags to try again.

            In the early 80's, an educational theory called "Out-come Based Education" would have solved this poor team's problem immediately.  It proposed that if a student showed any attempt at doing work, even if it just meant showing up to class, that student should be given a passing grade for their effort.  It was a ludicrous idea, but it had some staunch supporters.  Unfortunately, the commandant did not believe that if a team got part of the phrase correct, they should receive the next clue.  Until they figured it out precisely, they were not allowed to proceed.  No out-come based education here!

            A similar idea appears among the world's religions.  It's called Universalism.  This concept accepts the belief that if a person recognizes God, in any way, shape or form, and does his or her best to please Him, that person will land in heaven once their earthly existence is over.   In this sense heaven is an inclusive place which accepts any religious practice as long as the person is sincere.

            In John 10:1-10, Jesus likens heaven to a sheepfold.  The sheepfold was an enclosure surrounded by a stone wall, about waist high, with only one opening.  The opening was just wide enough for the shepherd to lie down across it at night.  This prevented the sheep from wandering and predators from attacking the sheep.  The door was the only legitimate way in and one had to gain access through the shepherd; there was no other legal way.  Jesus said that those who entered any other way were thieves and robbers.   The way in to the sheepfold was not inclusive; it was exclusive. 

            Jesus claimed He was the door to the sheepfold.  He was the access to heaven that people were seeking.  Any other entry way was designed to "harm the sheep" rather than help them.  He adds an interesting fact about shepherding.  Shepherds lead their flocks in two ways.  They call out to the sheep as they walk.  The sheep hear their voice and follow by watching where the shepherd walks.  Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him.  Sheep will not follow the voice of a stranger.  They only follow their shepherd because they know he looks out for them.

            It is clear that Jesus did not see heaven as inclusive.  No matter how sincere someone might be, if they have not come through Jesus, they have not come through a legitimate entrance.   It is our responsibility to show people the way to the Shepherd.  Knowing this passage can help us to clearly show His love for all sheep if they will heed His voice (verse 11).

Ann LeFevre                                                                                                     3/13/2011

Ready for the Road Ahead

            Our tour group walked into the ancient city of Philippi on a beautiful day.  The sky was a pleasant blue filled with puffy white clouds.  But we recognized it only as a good back drop for the pictures we were taking.  Underneath our feet was the weathered Roman road, the Via Egnatia (Vee-ah Egg-nay-she-uh), one of the key elements in the spread of the Gospel.  It was especially moving for me.  Not only did Paul, Silas, Timothy and Lydia walk along this road, but countless "no names"; the people who were touched by the Gospel, but whose names were never recorded across the pages of Scripture.   They were my "spiritual" ancestors who first spread the Good News on this very road.

            When most disciples think about sharing their faith, they think in terms of Billy Graham Crusades, missionaries like Jim Elliot, and people they know who "have the gift of evangelism".  But these are more the exception than the rule.  The Via Egnatia is certainly proof of that.  While the activities of Philip, Peter and Paul are featured in the Book Acts, the unsung heroes are all the others who responded initially to their proclamation and then went on to share it with those they knew.  The spread of the Gospel was like the old commercial where an "average person" held up a bottle of shampoo and declared, "I was so pleased with this product, I told my friend!"  The screen continues to divide as friend after friend spreads the word about this fabulous product.  It was the same with the Gospel.  It was passed on to friend, after friend, after friend.

            We often think that we must know at least 100 Scripture verses by memory, and have all the points of the Four Spiritual Laws memorized in order to adequately share our faith with others.  We think that God demands this, but we are wrong.  The model for sharing our faith is actually set in the Old Testament in the Book of Deuteronomy.  In chapter 6 the Lord admonishes the people of Israel to teach their children diligently to follow God's commands.  They are to make it a part of their daily routine: while at home, while walking along the road, while resting, and while they prepare to work.  In other words, it's a natural part of the conversation.

            Sharing our faith is as simple as that.  It's part of our natural conversation, because it is who we are as a disciple of Christ.  We can't help but tell others about what we've discovered.  When Andrew met Jesus, he was so glad to have found the Messiah, he went and got Peter (Jn. 1:41).  Philip sought out Nathaniel in the same way (Jn. 1:45).  If you're hesitant about sharing your faith with others, remember you do not need to be a Bible scholar or debate team captain to share about your experiences as Jesus' disciple.  Many times you will be surprised at how receptive people can be.   Even Paul, whom we like to label as the greatest evangelist of all time, let the Gospel speak for itself (1 Cor. 2:1-5).

            I can honestly say that I am not bold when it comes to sharing what I believe with others.  I am constantly asking the Lord to step in and take over when I feel timid.  But I am never disappointed when I surrender those fears.  That trip to Greece during my seminary days proved to be a valuable lesson on this.  For later on, I stood with a classmate at Mars Hill in Athens, and as we discussed how the Gospel had spread along the Roman road system, a young woman from England overheard us.  She asked me to repeat it.  I was happy to oblige.  And while I recounted how the Gospel traveled along those ancient roads, I included its message and how it eventually came to me.  Who knows what seeds were planted that day!

Ann LeFevre                                                                                                             3/6/2011

Ready for the Road Ahead

            Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!  That little ditty ran through my head several times during the first full week of March 2011.   Not only did we see record rainfall here in the Northeast, but an earthquake in Japan set off a tsunami which destroyed property and beaches in the Northwest.  The rainfall coupled with melting snow caused rivers and creeks to overflow their banks and commuters to detour around the more troublesome areas of flooding.  Thanks to the fact that I had to drive up Route 209 more than once that week, I was able to see the rising waters first hand.  One Saturday afternoon found me stopping at the Bushkill Access on the Delaware River to take a rather comical picture of the Stop sign submerged in four feet of water with debris caught on the One Way sign below it.   There was lots of water, but not much of it was worthy to drink.

            Sometimes I marvel at people who build houses along the coast or next to a river.  They must know about the risks, but the setting is so appealing, it's worth the risk I suppose.  I have to confess I've daydreamed about living near the ocean.  I love the vast horizon, the sound of the waves, and the shells!  There are appealing places like this in Israel too.   One such place is mentioned in Psalm 23:2.  We often translate the word as "green pastures", but this Hebrew word actually relates to the well-watered and green area at the bottom of a wadi.

            "What's a wadi?" you ask.  Wadiis are like gorges, but not as wide.  They were carved out of the limestone in the wilderness area in the same way the Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon.  Shepherds who raise their flocks in these areas of Israel must know the layout of a wadi inside and out, because although they are a great water source, they are also dangerous.  Rain can cause flash flooding in a wadi, so it is wiser to get your water and leave, rather than make yourself comfortable and stay.

            Jesus had this geographical characteristic in mind in Luke 6:46-49.  Maybe you remember singing this as a child:  "The wise man built his house upon the rock...".  It's not necessarily convenient to build on the top of those rock walls.  It would be far more pleasant to build down in the gorge, next to the water source.   When you build next to the water, you don't have to lug those big water urns up and down the path.  It's easy.  It's comfortable.  But, Jesus warns, building in the sand, is unsafe!  When the rains come down, and they will, your house will wash away.

            It's tempting for us to "build our lives" in the conveniences of the world.  We think life should be easy, comfortable. The trouble is, putting trust in the comforts of this world, is like building a house in the bottom of a wadi.   So, when storms come rushing into our little world, its sandy foundation is washed away with the water.

            What should disciples build on?  Jesus says in verse 47 that those who come to Him, hear His words, and act on them have built their life on the rock.  If we are letting the Bible guide us in the way we live and what we believe, when the storms of life come (and they will come), we will be able to withstand the tempest.  It is certainly more popular to build on worldly things.  It's easier, more comfortable.  But it's unstable.  Today's fads are tomorrow's history lessons.  The latest trends are forgotten tomorrow when the "next big thing" becomes news.  So, why build on this shifting sand?  Build your life on God's Word so that you will stand firm when storms come your way (Proverbs 3:1-8; Colossians 3:2).

Ann LeFevre                                                                                                            3/27/2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

            No matter how long you stare at the picture below, your brain will tell you that the smaller circle pattern has a larger center and the larger circle pattern has a smaller center.  In reality, it's an optical illusion.  Both centers are the same size.  Optical illusions are brain teasers.  Some are geometric, like the one below.  Others are illustrations which have hidden objects, or subjects that change appearance depending on which side of the brain is active when you view the picture.  Whatever shape or form they take, optical illusions are just that- illusions.  They are not what they appear to be.

            The Bible tells us there is a grand and dangerous optical illusion in our life and we run into it on a daily basis.  It is the temptation of sin.  Proverbs is so mindful of this illusion, it repeats the warning two separate times (Prov. 14:12; 16:25).  Sin looks harmless at first glance, even good at times, but in the end, its reality is death.  And like optical illusions which dazzle our eyes and override the brain's rational process, our eyes are the instruments which introduce both godly and sinful thoughts into our lives.  Jesus illustrated it in this way, "The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great the darkness!"  (Matt. 6:22-23).  What goes into you through your eyes, has a direct effect on both your heart and mind.  So, as the children's song goes, "Be careful little eyes what you see".

            One time, when my sister and I were in high school and our parents were out for the evening, we stayed up late to watch a Rod Serling show (somewhat like the Twilight Zone).  It just so happened to be a dark and stormy night, so the stage was set for nerves to be on edge.  I've never really liked watching scary things, but my sister had talked me into it.  As the climax approached, a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder sent us into each other's arms and a split second later to the TV's OFF button!  We never watched another episode.   What had appeared to be fun, turned out to be anything but fun.  It was an optical illusion.

            The greatest scene of temptation in the New Testament is the encounter between Satan and Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11; Mk. 1:12-13; Lk. 4:1-13).  No matter what Satan enticed Jesus with, fame, power or pleasure, Jesus steadfastly refuted those temptations with God's Word.  It is the most powerful lens by which to view the optical illusion of sin.  Jesus knew that Satan's promises were optical illusions and what was true could only be found in God's Word.  Like a lamp turned on in a dark room, God's Word dispenses light which shows everything for what it truly is.  If you are being fooled by the optical illusion of sin, immerse yourself in God's Word and surround yourself with His people (Ecc. 4:9-12).  This is the way a disciple keeps his/her eyes healthy.

Ann H. LeFevre                                                                                                 2-27-2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

            Outside my kitchen window there hangs a small birdfeeder filled with a homemade suet mixture.  A number of birds like to visit this feeder throughout the day, but, the most consistent patrons are a pair of Downy Woodpeckers.  It's always fun to watch them maneuver their way across the feeder.  As the suet gets lower, they must find some pretty acrobatic poses in order to keep their balance while feeding.  Many times they will use their tail feathers, making a V formation with their body, to accomplish this.  Who would have ever thought a bird would use its tail like that?

            Sometimes our lives demand that we perform a balancing act.  All sorts of things can fight for our attention and pull us off balance.  Demands at work, home, and our own desires can cause us to tilt, slip or fall into unbalanced and unhealthy behaviors.  The Bible says there is only one way to keep our lives balanced and that is to seek God and His ways first (Ps. 123: 1-2; Prov. 2: 1-7; Is. 55:6; Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2; Phil. 4:18).  The concept here is not much different than unbalanced wheels on a car.  Wheels that are balanced assure you that your vehicle is safe.  But unbalanced wheels not only wear out faster, they can even cause accidents.  If your inner life is not balanced, your outer life will not be either.

            So how about a spiritual check up this week?  Ask yourself some of the following questions to see if your life is balanced as it should be.  If it is, GREAT!  If it isn't, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to healthier choices for the balance in your life and seek out a Christian friend whom you can trust and ask them to keep you accountable as you fine tune your balance.

            1.  How is my relationship with God?

            2.  Have I been reading my Bible?

            3.  What has God been saying to me as I read His Word?

            4.  Where have I been resisting Him these days?

            5.  What is the state of your perspective and desires?  Tempted?  Dealing with fantasies?  Entertainment?

            6.  What challenges do you see yourself facing in the coming week or month?  In what ways will you meet that challenge?

            7.  What things take priority over spiritual matters in your life?  Why?

            8.  Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right now?  Are you able to reconcile them in a Biblical manner?

            Gordon MacDonald wrote, "If the private world of a person is in order, it will be because they are convinced that the inner world of the spiritual must govern the outer world of activity."  No one knew this principle better than King David.  After a disastrous encounter with Bathsheba, he was confronted by the prophet Nathan and then wrote Psalm 51.  If you should find yourself "unbalanced", follow David's footsteps and then rest on the promise of 1 John 1:9.  No one said the path of a disciple would be easy, but with God's grace, it can be balanced.

Ann LeFevre  2/20/2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

             One time while visiting Cape May, Jeff and I saw a print in a gallery that we just had to have.  It was a photograph of a lighthouse off the coast of France, well known for the stormy waves that crash upon it each day.  A photographer in a helicopter had captured one of those waves as it smashed around the base of the lighthouse while the lighthouse keeper blithely looked skyward  to see what the noise was all about.  One glance at this picture and you want to yell, "Watch out!!  Get inside!!"

            How many times over the years have you been gripped by headlines such as the ones concerning Egypt recently.  As of February 7 the chaos in Cairo had continued for 14 days.   Headlines on that day also proclaimed clashes in Cambodia, protesting in Turkey,  and ships being raided by pirates in India.  It seems that the world is a fearful place to live without a shelter to keep us safe in the storm.  One glance at the headlines and your mind wants to yell, "Watch out!!!  Stay inside!!" 

            No one understood better about how chaotic life could be than the ancient Israelite.  Due to its key location on the path of several major trade routes linking 3 continents, Israel was constantly subjected to attacks and turnovers.   Not only was their little sliver in the fertile crescent valuable for trade, other nations such as Assyria and Egypt, were on a mission to prove that their gods were far more powerful than Yahweh.  They viewed their military victories as a reason to proclaim that Yahweh was weak and undependable.  As threats for another invasion surfaced it was enough to cause any faithful Israelite to yell, "Watch out!!  Don't go outside!!"

            This month Jewish people will celebrate the festival of Purim whose story is found in the book of Esther.   The Israelites had been conquered by Persia and some, like Esther, were now in exile.  Times were unstable and uncertain.  The strange thing about the book of Esther is that God's name is never mentioned.  It appears that God is not involved in the story at all.  Actually, God is very cleverly disguised within the story, and to the faithful there is no doubt that He is the source of Esther's courage and the reason the Jews prevail.

            Sometimes the chaos of the world feels the same way.  No matter what continent, no matter what nation or state, strife and turmoil seem to say that God is not involved in our world at all.  Times are unstable and uncertain.  However, the psalmist encourages us in Psalm 46 that even when mountains shake and the waters roar, God is in the midst of His people acting as an anchor and a source of hope which will see us through the storm safely (Heb. 6:13-20).   We may not see it; we may not sense it, but we know God is at work in our story.

            The Sea of Galilee is often depicted as an idyllic body of water surrounded by pleasant hills.  However, it is not always that peaceful.  Cutting into those rolling hills are gorges called "scarps" and when the wind blows down through the scarps on to the Sea of Galilee it stirs up the water and sailing becomes treacherous.  Such a storm is recorded in Luke 8:22-25.  This storm was so fierce that even the disciples who were seasoned fishermen feared they were about to die.  Whether it is a massive wave off the coast of France, a disturbing headline about our chaotic world, or a storm upon the Sea of Galilee, there is only one thing to do when a storm of that intensity comes your way.  Esther turned to God through fasting and prayer.  The disciples turned to Jesus.  Rather than succumbing to panic or hiding when life seems out of control, our best recourse is to follow in the footsteps of the psalmist and place our trust in the Lord (Ps. 121) for that is where our help comes from.                                                                                 Ann H. LeFevre    2/13/2011

Ready for the Road Ahead

            I came across a sad confession the other day as I read through the postings of my friends on Facebook.  A young father wrote of his feelings of failure in this life.  I sensed his feelings were due to that measuring stick we call "The American Dream".   A man is supposed to find himself a good job that pays well and allows him to acquire all the material pleasures of the good life- a home, a car, and of course, a big screen tv.  It is a common feature of life in these United States.  People are valuable if they own things of value. 

            What things are considered valuable today?  The most valuable athlete in the world is Tiger Woods who has amassed $110 million over 13 years through his winnings, endorsements and business ventures.  The most valuable home, owned by Mukesh Ambani, is a $1 billion skyscraper mansion called "Antilla" in Mumbai, India.  The first 6 floors are a parking garage.  The remainder of the 27 story building houses Mukesh, his wife, 3 children and 600 servants.  The most valuable gem is a flawless, blue diamond estimated to be worth $4 million.  The most valuable car (which can still be driven legally on the street) is a Bugatti Veyron.  It costs only $1,700,000.

            The psalmist warns us in Psalm 49 (vv. 16-20) to remember that wealth accumulated on this earth cannot be taken with us when we die.  Our sense of value and accomplishment must be taken from a different criteria than that of the world.  Oddly enough, the story of Cinderella illustrates what the Bible teaches.  Cinderella's father had married a proud and haughty woman, who relegated Cinderella to servitude after he died.  The "wicked" stepmother repeatedly told Cinderella that she was "common" and of little value.  But when the prince enters the story, all that changes.  The extent of the prince's love for Cinderella compels him to search the kingdom high and low until he finds her.  His love demonstrates her value and he goes to great lengths to be reunited with her.

            Jesus told a parable about the same kind of love in Luke 15 (vv.3-7).  A shepherd with a large flock has lost one of his sheep.  Rather than leave it in the wilderness to succumb to the elements, the shepherd searches out the lost sheep and brings the little wanderer back to the fold.   This is a picture of God's love.  He has gone to great lengths in expressing His love for us and demonstrating our value to Him (see Phil. 2:5-8). 

            Perhaps in these times of economic uncertainty it becomes easy to fall prey to calculating our value in terms of our earthly possessions and accomplishments as my friend on Facebook did.  Maybe you have been having similar feelings.  If those doubts should arise, remember, God so loved you, that He sent His Son to save you.   The world and its value system may lead you to believe that you are common.  That is not true!  The prince has traveled throughout the kingdom to find you.  The Shepherd has searched the wilderness to bring you home.  There is no greater value than that.

     Our church lists daily Bible readings on the back of our bulletin for those who want to read the Bible through the year.  The pastor also preaches from one of these passages.  This month we have begun Lamentations, which for many in our congregation, will be the first time they've read it.  The following insert is designed to help them understand Hebrew poetry and to gain some insight on the background of this beautiful book.

     If you've been following the Daily Bible Readings on the back of our bulletin, you may have noticed that we are alternating between Old and New Testament books.  I know when I first began reading the Old Testament some books were easier to understand than others.  I was drawn to books like Genesis, Jonah and Ruth because they contained stories about people that I could relate to.  Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Lamentations were less appealing because they were harder to understand.  Perhaps you have encountered the same feelings.  Don't give up!  Here are some helpful points to take along on your journey through Lamentations*:

     ~ Other Ancient Near East writings lament the destruction of great cities.  But unlike the Bible, these literary pieces attribute the loss of property, loved ones and income to capricious gods who temporarily lost interest in protecting the city.  In contrast, the prophet Jeremiah sees that Judah's disregard of God's Law is what brought about its destruction.  As you read through Lamentations notice how many times Jeremiah links the two.

    ~ Many times we place the Bible on a "spiritual bookshelf" all by itself.  But like many great books, the Bible is literature.  God has chosen to communicate His Word through the conventions of language.  Therefore the Bible contains many genres of writing.  Lamentations is a poetic book.  Hebrew poetry is quite beautiful but sometimes hard to capture in English.  It doesn't rhyme, rather, it builds concept upon concept, image upon image.  So as you're reading, look for repeated ideas and images which are usually repeated in double or triple lines.

    ~ A lament is a specific type of poem.  It reflects on deep, personal suffering as well as spiritual agony.   The prophet Jeremiah probably wrote this lament shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B. C.  Although Jeremiah understands God's justice in carrying out His judgment on Jerusalem, he still mourns the loss of his beloved home.  As you read, notice that Jeremiah might be intensely sorrowful, but he is not hopeless.   He understands that hope lies in God's character alone.

    ~ Jeremiah is not the only person ever to encounter sorrow.   Yet while his beautiful poetry speaks of an event that is foreign to most of us, the depth of his emotion speaks to anyone who has mourned over a tragic loss; a loved one, innocence,  a job, a home, a piece of oneself.  As you read through Jeremiah, keep in mind its immediate context, but let the poetry speak to the loss in your own heart.  Remember, like Jeremiah, that hope lies in the character of God.  He is the One who will console you in your time of sorrow.

*  A great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the books of the Bible is How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, c.2002, Zondervan

Ready For the Road Ahead

            My sister Diana and I took great delight in designing games for my youngest sister, Kim, when she was little.  One of our favorites was a birthday scavenger hunt where Kim had to figure out clues in order to discover the whereabouts of her presents.  Kim had a great deal of fun searching for those gifts and Diana and I took delight in watching her eyes light up when she figured out a clue and was rewarded with another colorful package.

            This past week I joined an online photography group called the "365 Project".  Photographers of all levels of ability search out pictures that capture their daily routines in a creative and unique way.  The idea is to learn to look at the common, everyday things with a new perspective.  You don't need fancy equipment or a top of the line camera.  All you need is eyes to see.

            The Christian walk requires us to look for God in a similar fashion.  Years ago (1984 to be exact) David and Karen Mains wrote a book called The God Hunt.  In it they encouraged families to search for "God sightings" like Kim searched for her birthday presents those many years ago.  I recently read of a young mom who uses the walk to the school bus with her children as a way to see God at work in the world around them.  They look at the birds and see God's creativity.  They say hello and smile at people they know and see His love.  What a wonderful way to inspire children to recognize that God is with His creation!

            Developing your spiritual eyes is a must on the walk of Christian maturity.   It's a challenge to see life through a spiritual lens, because as adults, we've been conditioned to be concrete and practical.  But if we do not learn to see things from a spiritual perspective, we may end up like the servant of Elisha, who could only see the enemies encircled around his camp (2 Kings 6: 8-17).  It took the prayer of Elisha to open his eyes to the spiritual realm.

            Cultivating your spiritual eyes is not difficult, but it does require that you look beyond the ordinary and the usual.  One day, while I waited for my friend to check out her groceries, I was charged with the task of entertaining her 3 year old daughter.  How do you keep an active toddler in a shopping cart in a busy supermarket?  In a moment of inspiration I began a game of "I Spy".  Cloe loved finding the different colors and objects and I was amazed at her powers of observation!  The same is true in seeing God.  You are more observant than you think!  Seeing God at work does not always mean we will be looking at "supernatural" events in our lives.  More often it is learning to see those everyday events from a new vantage point.  It doesn't take fancy equipment or a top of the line camera to catch sight of God.  All you need is eyes to see.

            Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.  (Psalm 66:5)

Ann H. LeFevre  1/23/2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

            If you've been following the Daily Bible Readings on the back of our bulletin, you may have noticed that we are alternating between Old and New Testament books.  I know when I first began reading the Old Testament some books were easier to understand than others.  I was drawn to books like Genesis, Jonah and Ruth because they contained stories about people that I could relate to.  Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Lamentations were less appealing because they were harder to understand.  Perhaps you have encountered the same feelings.  Don't give up!  Here are some helpful points to take along on your journey through Lamentations*:

            ~ Other Ancient Near East writings lament the destruction of great cities.  But unlike the Bible, these literary pieces attribute the loss of property, loved ones and income to capricious gods who temporarily lost interest in protecting the city.  In contrast, the prophet Jeremiah sees that Judah's disregard of God's Law is what brought about its destruction.  As you read through Lamentations notice how many times Jeremiah links the two.

            ~ Many times we place the Bible on a "spiritual bookshelf" all by itself.  But like many great books, the Bible is literature.  God has chosen to communicate His Word through the conventions of language.  Therefore the Bible contains many genres of writing.  Lamentations is a poetic book.  Hebrew poetry is quite beautiful but sometimes hard to capture in English.  It doesn't rhyme, rather, it builds concept upon concept, image upon image.  So as you're reading, look for repeated ideas and images which are usually repeated in double or triple lines.

            ~ A lament is a specific type of poem.  It reflects on deep, personal suffering as well as spiritual agony.   The prophet Jeremiah probably wrote this lament shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B. C.  Although Jeremiah understands God's justice in carrying out His judgment on Jerusalem, he still mourns the loss of his beloved home.  As you read, notice that Jeremiah might be intensely sorrowful, but he is not hopeless.   He understands that hope lies in God's character alone.

            ~ Jeremiah is not the only person ever to encounter sorrow.   Yet while his beautiful poetry speaks of an event that is foreign to most of us, the depth of his emotion speaks to anyone who has mourned over a tragic loss; a loved one, innocence,  a job, a home, a piece of oneself.  As you read through Jeremiah, keep in mind its immediate context, but let the poetry speak to the loss in your own heart.  Remember, like Jeremiah, that hope lies in the character of God.  He is the One who will console you in your time of sorrow.

Ann LeFevre  1/30/2011

*  A great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the books of the Bible is How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, c.2002, Zondervan

Ready For the Road Ahead

            On July 5, 1994, my son Christopher and I attended "Game 44" of the World Cup.  Bulgaria was pitted against Mexico and the stadium was completely full.  Over 70, 000 fans gathered to witness the first game to go into overtime, and sudden death in order to determine the winner.  The atmosphere was amazingly electric and we were blessed to watch the shoot out in the front row!

            The World Cup, The Super Bowl, The World Series, The Stanley Cup, and the Olympics all have one thing in common.  They are the premiere game that determines the best of the best in their given sport.   If you've been able to attend one of these championships, you can't help but be captured by the energy of cheering on your favorite team and the instant familiarity you have with the thousands of others who have come to do the same.   It is why many teams in many sports consider their fans to be "the twelfth man".

            The Christian walk can feel like an intense athletic competition.  We are met with opposition, temptation, trials, challenges and obstacles in our daily lives as well as milestones, victories and the satisfaction of a job well-done.  If you've ever tried to face the challenges alone, you know how discouraging and detrimental that can be.  And who wants to celebrate a victory by themselves?  It's so much better to celebrate with others who understand your joy and want to celebrate with you.  Most importantly though, knowing there are others who surround you with encouragement and love, no matter what part of the journey you're on, is like the team whose "twelfth man" cheers them on to victory in spite of the tremendous obstacles they face to win.

            This is the imagery that the author of Hebrews is reminding us of when he writes that we have a "great cloud of witnesses" watching us as we run the race of faith in Hebrews 12:1.   Not only do we have fellow believers here on earth to help us take on the challenges of the race, but we also have those who have gone on before (take a look at chapter 11 if you want to know who some of them are), sitting in the bleachers of heaven, and rooting for us to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

            Have you ever noticed that Paul often closes his letters with greetings from the believers with him to those who will receive it?  Paul is reminding them all that they are in the "faith walk" together and face the same challenges.  The same is true for us.  Whether you are a well-trained athlete or not,  you may be facing a competitor this week.  That adversary could be as simple as managing your time better or as deep as overcoming an addiction.  Remember, you are not alone in this challenge.  There is a "great cloud of witnesses" gathered around you to cheer you on.  Draw on the strength and enthusiasm of your "twelfth man".

Ann H. LeFevre                                                                                                    1/16/2011

Ready For the Road Ahead

            About a year ago, thepublisher, Nan A. Talese and an author, James Frey, came under scrutiny when itwas discovered that Frey's autobiography was not entirely truthful andcontained descriptions of his life that did not actually happen.  In an article which called the publisher'sintegrity into question, Talese was quoted as saying, "When someone startsout and says, 'I have lied, I have cheated...', you do not think this is goingto be the New Testament." Interesting words coming from someone who did not actually believe theNew Testament.

            Throughout Scripturewe are reminded how trustworthy God's word really is.  It is called the "Word of Truth" in2 Tim. 2:15, living and active in Heb. 4:12, and the prophet Isaiah proclaimedthat the Word of the Lord would endure forever, while John wrote in Revelationthat God's Word was faithful and true.

            Our Bible is uniqueamong other literary works, spiritual and secular.  Although it's subject matter spans thousandsof years and was written by at least 40 different authors, it is more accuratethan other ancient writings whose oldest manuscripts still exist.  For example, the scribes who copied the OldTestament books, followed a demanding criteria. If at any point, on any given page, the smallest stroke of the smallestletter was copied incorrectly, the entire scroll was destroyed.  This why Jesus could claim with confidencethat, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not passaway" (Mk. 13:31).

            The transmission ofthe New Testament followed the same scrutiny in that many of the earlybelievers were still alive while it was being written and any untruth orinaccurate accounts of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord werebranded as heresy and kept out of what came to be known as the NewTestament.   Not only did these earlybelievers refute what was inaccurate, many died for the faith they placed init's Divine Author.

            Many think the Biblehas been disproved through scientific discoveries, but these discoveries havedone just the opposite.  For example, itwas long believed that King David was a figment of the Bible'simagination.  Archaeologists had not foundany evidence which proved otherwise, until an excavation in northern Israelunearthed a stone tablet which included the phrase "the house ofDavid" confirming not only David's existence, but his kingship as well.

            Nan Talese attemptedto minimize the extent of her accountability over the lies in Frey's book byclaiming it was not Sacred Scripture. Scripture, however, like Hebrew National Hot Dogs, answers to a higherauthority (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17), so we can speak of our trust in God's Word withboldness.   Are you ready?

Ann H. LeFevre; 1/9/11

Ready For the Road Ahead

          Anyone can tell you that a goodrelationship is built on consistent communication.  Maybe you've experienced this yourself.  Communication does not always involve words,but words can certainly determine the emotional outcome of a conversation.  Proverbs 25:11 says that "words spokenin the right circumstance are like apples of gold in settings ofsilver".  Even the description ofwell-spoken words sounds appealing!

          Good communication also involveslistening.  In fact, listening is perhapsthe more important part of a conversation. I've often encouraged people through the years to develop the art oflistening when they've sought to improve a relationship with someone.  It's tempting to begin formulating a responseto someone before they've finished speaking. But a good listener will wait and then respond.

          Prayer is one of the most intimate wayswe can communicate with our Heavenly Father. A pitfall for many of us is that we tend to make it a laundry list ofrequests rather than the dialogue it is meant to be.  In Matthew 6, Jesus contrasted some of themore ritualistic forms of prayer practiced in His day with the type ofheartfelt prayer that Lord desires from His children.  The culmination of Jesus' teaching is theprayer we call "The Lord's Prayer", but it has been rightly suggestedthat this simple and beautiful prayer is "The Disciple's Prayer".  

          Think about your prayer life thisweek.  How often to you converse withGod?  How deeply?  Do you listen for His response?  Is your prayer life composed of a list ofrequests or do you include other aspects, such as praise and confession, intoyour prayers?  One of the beautifulthings about prayer is that it is profoundly individual.  There is no "one size fits all"formula that everyone must do in order for it to be done right.  I know people who have a quiet time everymorning and prayer for an hour straight. I also know others who pray while they commute, clean the house, or takea walk.  However, or wherever, you pray,take time this week to listen to God's response.  He hears and He answers.

AHL  1/2/2011