Hearing God on The Treadmill.

From the Woods to the Treadmill – God has Something to Say

My stay at Pacem in Terris started like most others. After checking in to my hermitage around 1:30 pm, I decided to go for a walk. It was a sunny afternoon though chilly at approximately 10 degrees. The path through the snow led into the woods and then out to an open meadow where a simple cross stands in focused reminder of the price paid for our salvation. Kneeling down, I grabbed hold of the cross and lingered for awhile feeling it’s reality. Continuing on the path, I wound up down at the lake where a chair sat on the end of the dock. I knew the Lord was inviting me to set and rest awhile.

While I rested a muskrat, (I think that’s what it was,) came scurrying out of the bushes and across the ice. He had a very interesting gate where he would run a few steps and then seemed to slide on his stomach. He repeated this rhythm for a few minutes until he was out of sight. I wondered if this was normal or if something had happened to him. It seemed a picture of my spiritual life, running a few steps then sliding on my stomach. After noting God’s handiwork, (and humor,) in the creation around me, I got up and slowly made my way back to my hermitage.

Since I had not been able to go running for the last week due to Christmas obligations and the bad weather, I had decided to look for an opportunity to do that here. I have had a couple of other occasions where I took a run as part of my Pacem in Terris experience. Since I had signed up for dinner at 5:30, (I always like to meet the staff and other guests,) I thought there was just time to go for a run. They have excellent indoor equipment at the lodge because the son of the founder was a marathoner. I grabbed my stuff and headed over there. I felt I could squeeze in 5 miles and not be late for dinner.

I got on the treadmill and after about 4 miles I said to the Lord, "I know this is strange but is there anything you want to say to me here?" (As opposed to out in the woods or in my hermitage.) God responded by saying, “Yes there is. Have you really paid attention to the body I have given you and thanked me for it? Your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, etc. are all my design and gifts to you.” So I took some time to thank him for my body. Then he said, “and what about your 5 senses?” So I thanked him for my senses, even the ones that are weakening a little now with age. Then he said, “and what about this 4 dimensional world you live in? I created you so you could live and function in this world. Your physical body was designed to live in this 4 dimensional world.”

Then God said to me, but you are more than your physical body and reality is more than the 4 dimensional world. Your prayers and our communication break through the limits of this world. I created you with a spirit that comes alive through the work of my Holy Spirit based on the gift of Christ. In addition, when you do acts of true agape love, (sacrificial love,) you transcend this 4 dimensional world. They make no sense in the 4 dimensional world but they make sense in the spiritual world because I am Spirit and I am love.”

Well this dialogue took place during the 5th mile in less than 10 minutes. I was running in the 4 dimensions but communicating in the spiritual dimension. I love coming to Pacem in Terris where I have heard from the Lord many times but this is the first time he spoke to me on the treadmill.

Fences

I read Psalm 139 in my devotions 2 weeks ago. I wanted to write something in my blog but I was too intimidated by all that is there. Today I read it again in my hermitage at Pacem in Terris. The Jerusalem Bible that lay open on the stand to Ps. 139, reminded me of some wording in the King James Version that I grew up with. In Verse 5 it says: “You fence me in , behind and in front….” (The NIV uses the phrase, “You hem me in….”)

I asked myself, "Why do people build fences?" I could think of a few obvious reasons. Some build fences between two properties to say, “what’s on this side of the fence belongs to me.” Some build fences to keep bad people or dangerous critters out of their property. Still others build fences to allow freedom of movement for children or pets within limits so they don’t wind up playing in the street or facing other dangers. (Check out the day care centers in your neighborhood.)

When I read this verse I see God saying to me, “you belong to me.” You’re on my side of the fence. I also hear him saying, “I want to protect you from evil people and forces that might come in to harm you.” I also hear him say, go out and live life safely. You have freedom to make decisions, inside the fence you are relatively safe, (though some bad things might still happen,) but you can’t get outside my love and care.

When God builds a fence for us it’s a good thing. We won’t always understand all of the limits and restrictions but in the end we will recognize his hand of protection and blessing. God's fences mean bring true freedom.

What is God Like?

Psalm 130 contains two very interesting verses. “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared.” NIV What could this passage mean? Doesn’t God know that I am a sinner? Is all history a blur to him since it is pretty much filled up with men and women sinning? No, the psalmist is saying something else about God.

Most people see God as the great sin “record keeper.” He is jotting each one down and he is going to make us pay for each one. I have had that thought many times myself. “Oh no, I sinned again, now I’m going to get sick or lose some money or have something terrible happen to me.” In hockey terms, I am headed for the penalty box. God’s going to get me back. Many have promoted the “fear of God” based on this idea.

But this passage says something quite different. It says that with God there is forgiveness. He knows when we sin but his purpose is not to punish us every time we screw up. God is a gracious God, desiring for us to come to him and receive forgiveness. That is why he is feared, (honored or respected, held in awe.) He is feared not because he is mean but because he is loving.

Because God is loving and forgiving, the psalmist is anxious to come before him. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Nothing will improve our desire to come to God more than getting a right perspective on who he is. The psalmist has helped us do this. Sometimes God does need to discipline us to keep us from destructive behaviors. But his loving purpose is to draw us to himself. He is not the sin record keeper but the sin forgiver and that makes all the difference.

"Coming in God's Name"

Psalm 118

So many Psalms start out with the admonition to give thanks. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.” This thought is so important to our understanding of who God is and how we view ourselves in a fallen world. The psalmist doesn’t pretend that everything around him is good or that only people who have an easy life have a good God. On the contrary, he is pressured and attacked on many sides. In his “anguish,” he cries out to God and he takes “refuge,” in him. The Lord is his “strength,” for the battles of the day, his “salvation.”

The psalmist also recognizes God’s hand of chastening, (vs. 18,) as coming from a good God that loves him. In verse 19 he says, “Open for me the gates or righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Giving thanks, even for God’s hand of discipline, affirms our willingness to accept his reign and rule over us and our desire to live righteous lives that honor him.

As we get up each morning, what are the circumstances we face? Are there tough decisions, struggles and hurtful people in our path? The psalmist reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Then he says, “O Lord save us; O Lord grant us success.” This is the way to start each day, thankful to God no matter what our circumstances, knowing he can save us, trusting in his strength and believing in his ultimate goodness. Verse 26 says, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord….” Yes this is a prophetic verse referring to the coming of Jesus but it also points out that when we live in this way we also “come in the name of the Lord.” We are his presence in a fallen and broken world. Lord, be present in me today, so that no matter what the circumstances, people see you through me.

God Heals our Diseases

I think Psalm 103 is one of my favorite Psalms. I am sure I could fill several pages on this special passage. God gave me one new thought as I read it in devotions 2 days ago. Verse 3 says: "...who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases." Usually this verse is interpreted in terms of physical diseases but let's take a look at it in light of verse 2, which says: "Praise the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits...." One might argue that the psalmist who is addressing his soul is referring in verse 3 to healing "diseases of the soul." If this is true, what would diseases of the soul, look like? What comes to my mind are things like, anger, fear, pride, bitterness, greed, lust, etc. These diseases make us sick, perhaps even more than physical sickness. In fact, unchecked, several usually lead to physical sickness. But, how might God go about healing our soul diseases?

The rest of the Psalm helps us understand how God brings healing. He brings us salvation, love, compassion, justice for the oppressed, forgiveness, patience, grace and all manner of good things. When we open our hearts to receive these things we respond with thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on his throne, and when we praise him, along with his angels and creation, we experience his healing. The Psalmist concludes: "Praise the Lord O my soul." Let's do it.

What's All the Excitement About?

Psalm 100 is often read at Thanksgiving services. God is blessed by thankful hearts. This Psalm, however, says a lot more about our worship of God. It begins with shouts of joy and joyful songs that express overwhelming exuberance and excitement. We saw the exuberance of the Yankee fans as they watched their team win the World Series recently. Jumping, shouting, laughing, hugs, excitement of all types filled the stadium.

God loves it when we get excited about him. This Psalm tells us several reasons to get excited. The God of the universe, who made us, loves us; we are his sheep, his people. He is good (yes he is,) and he not only loves us now but his love is forever. His faithfulness is eternal. We will soon forget who won the World Series of 2009, but God’s goodness and love are continual. Let’s get excited today about that – a few hi 5s all around.

PS 100 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Singing New Songs

Psalm 96 begins, “Sing to the Lord a new song….” Why a “new song?” When I think about music and the worship of the Lord, I am reminded of two basic musical purposes. One is to help us remember what God has done and the other is to remind us of who God is. Old songs tell the story of God over the last years, decades and centuries. New songs remind us that God is still at work in our time and circumstances. The church must always encourage the writing of new songs while not neglecting those of the past. I’m thinking of some great songs from the 70s and 80s I haven’t heard for awhile. I am also thrilled with new music that emerges from dear friends like Joel Hanson and Carol Zimmerman. Many thanks to them and the many artists who help us see the God of yesterday still active today.

Remembering Ken Churchill

I learned a great deal from Ken Churchill, my pastor and friend for many years. Ken officiated the wedding for Carolyn and I and Carolyn grew up in a house right across the road from the parsonage where Ken and his family lived. Ken passed away just short of his 90th birthday and I shared a few thoughts about what I learned from him at his funeral last Friday. Here they are:

Ken was a man who loved God. He nurtured his relationship with God by spending time in God’s Word and time in God’s presence through prayer. His ministry wasn’t a duty or a profession, it reflected his life with God. He showed me that and I’m trying to do it, not as well as he did, I’m still learning but I thank him for modeling this.

Ken was a man who loved people. I know that reflected God’s love in him but it was evident to everyone. Ken loved me. (Of course, 50 years ago we men didn’t use the L word very much,) but when I came in to see Ken he really cared about me. He read our prayer letters, he wanted to know what was going on in our lives and he listened. And of course, he prayed for us. Ken truly modeled the two great commandments. I’ve tried to follow him in this with still a long way to go.

Ken had a missionary heart. It was first evidenced in his call and ministry in China but when they were expelled by the communists and ultimately came to MCC, Ken led us in creating an outstanding vision for missions and practice of the same. I was the fruit of that vision along with many others. MCC was known through out the region as a mission minded church and when I worked for the Association of Mission Committees I would often talk about the MCC model, the result of Ken’s vision.

But Ken also cared about the person across the street. As a church he led us in door-to-door evangelistic efforts on several occasions, encouraged evangelistic home Bible studies and
many ministries that reached out to the lost. He wanted everyone to know the love of God as he did.

Finally, Ken showed me and all of us how to persevere. There were ups and downs in his ministry as there is with everyone of us. Ken never changed character or gave up. He consistently chose to do things the Jesus way. When he did retire from full time pastoral work he picked up the baton of US director for the Red Sea Mission Team, now Reach Across. He and Marie faithfully served in this role for at least another decade. When I would visit him at Ridge Pointe he would mention his ministries and Bible studies and his personal ministry carried on even to the Auburn Manor residence. Ken could truly say like Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. I hope to continue imitating Ken as he imitated Christ his Lord.

I already said finally, but here is a further thought. At the end of his life, Paul wrote to his son in the faith, Timothy. He said, “That which you have heard and seen in me among many witnesses, the same commit though to faithful men, (and I must add women here,) who will be able to teach others also.” There are four generations in this passage and there are at least four generations in this room The majority of Kens legacy don’t even know his name. They are followers of Christ around the globe that are a part of this generational chain. So what’s the best way to honor Ken? Pass it on. Pass it on.

A Simple Daily Routine

From Psalm 92
No matter what is swirling around us we can still take some simple steps that help ground us and that God will look at and declare, “Good job.” In Ps. 92 we read, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…” Starting the day in praise and ending it in thankfulness, is this possible when most of what has happened in between seems to have gone wrong?

If our focus is on ourselves and that is how we evaluate the day, the answer is no. With this perspective, God is only good when he is good to us and we judge that goodness relative to his meeting our expectations. So in the end, we are god and he is our servant and not a good one if we don’t get what we want.

Praising God in the morning and thanking him at night reverses this perspective. We don’t always understand his ways but we know he is good and there is an ultimate goodness even in our difficult day. Taking these steps each day takes us off the throne of the universe and declares God to be in charge.

The psalmist says that this is a wonderful way to live even into our older years; it will keep us young and fruitful. I like that. He ends up saying, “They will bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright, he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” Or in my own words today, “Praise God, I can always trust him and he is always good.”

Be Bold

Sometimes my readings in scripture just seem to harmonize so perfectly. That's what happened in reading Joshua 1, Ps. 80 and Acts 5 together. Joshua chapter one repeatedly calls for boldness and courage. Joshua, the new leader is about to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the promised land but there are many obstacles, including the fortified city of Jericho.

Meanwhile, in Acts Chapter 5, the apostles are seeking to lead the fledgling church in the face of opposition and persecution. They are arrested and beaten but they continue speaking boldly. How could they do this? The answer is in chapter 4. First in verse 13 the religious leaders saw their courage and took note that they had been with Jesus. At the end of the chapter they pray and are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit takes our time with Jesus and translates it into mighty power and boldness. Our times in God's word and prayer are the components of walking in boldness.

Psalm 80 repeats this verse 3 times. "Restore us, O Lord God Almighty, make your face shine upon us, that we maybe saved." Let's call to God for his renewing power so that we can not only be saved but boldly carry the message of salvation to others.

Passing on the song.

Psalm 78 opens with an exhortation to hear and listen to the story of God's working in the people of Israel and then to pass that story on to succeeding generations. Their children and their children's children and even the children yet to be born should hear the story of God's praiseworthy deeds, his power, wonders and law. The purpose of all this is so that they might know him and trust him.

The psalmist then proceeds to recount many of those stories in the rest of the psalm, (song.) The power of story and song are the vehicles of communication that keep the message alive and remembered. There is something special about contemporary worship because it is our story. Traditional songs are joined with today's songs to tell the work and wonders of God. A big thank you to all the musicians and poets who are a part of this process. Let us continue to sing out the story of God.

The Discipline of Remembering

Psalm 77 begins with the psalmist crying out to God. He is full of fear and stress. Life had become too hard. He cried for God t0 hear him, to help him. He lay on his bed at night moaning and groaning. He remembered God but in a spirit of fear. Where is he, has he forgotten me, will I ever see happy times again? Where is he, has he rejected me, will he fail to keep his promises?

Suddenly the psalmist switches gears. His thoughts go from what he fears to the one in whom he has placed his faith. He activates a discipline of remembering. Remembering God's mighty deeds and awesome works. He takes it a step further and meditates on all that God has done. He takes us inside his process as he describes God's miraculous deliverance for the children of Israel. He begins to see the bigger picture.

Then the psalm ends. He doesn't return to his bedtime musings. He doesn't tell us that now his fears are gone. Still, I believe he has left us an important message. The discipline of remembering and meditating on God's nature, works and ways is a real difference maker. While under stress he ordered his thinking to take a new tack to go in a new direction. I believe we can do this too. I want to develop a discipline of remembering God and his faithfulness. How about you?

I have a normal pattern of reading from a Psalm, another Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage each morning. It was while reading Psalm 40 that God launched me into this new activity of blogging. (Funny that this sounds a lot like jogging, which I also do.)

This morning while reading through Zechariah 12 I took note of verse 10 where it says, "They will look on me, the one they have pierced...." My sequential reading in the New Testament was John 19 which covers the crucifixion and the fulfillment of this prophecy, (vs. 37 "They will look on the one they have pierced." NIV

God's word is fulfilled hundreds of years later. A second part of that prophecy says that when they look on the one they have pierced they will morn and grieve as one who has lost an only child. It seems that the fulfilling of this part of the prophecy is yet to come when all of Israel will realize that the Jesus who was crucified 2,000 years ago was in fact the Son of God. Still, on another level, it is my sin that put Jesus on the cross and caused his side to be pierced. When I come to this understanding it should grieve my heart every time I fail to follow God's ways and will. In the end it was not the Jews that crucified Jesus but the sins of all of us. Thank you Lord for connecting these passages for me today and help me take seriously the sacrifice made to pay for my sin and restore me to a right relationship with you.

Eagles

"...like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions." Deuteronomy 32:11

Last week I learned an important lesson about Eagles from Avery Willis, the head of the International Orality Network. Avery showed some video clips of eagles preparing their nest with soft material on which to lay their eggs. As the chicks hatch they feed and care for them until they get big enough to leave the nest. At that point, they "stir the nest," taking out all of the soft material, exposing the prickly, uncomfortable, pointed sticks. The parents know that the young eagles need to leave the nest and learn to fly. If the nest is too comfortable they won't overcome their fear of leaving and flying. Clearly, eagles are meant to fly and to soar. The parents are protectors and providers but also the source of whatever it takes to bring the young eagles to the next stage. Their are many more lessons from the eagles, and I encourage you to read "Learning to Soar," by Avery and Matt Willis.

If we are encountering issues and problems that are making life uncomfortable we might just ask ourselves, "what is God preparing us for?" Are we needing encouragement to leave the nest, to fly and to soar. If so, look for God's powerful outstretched wings beneath us. Don't worry, take a leap of faith.

Reading through the Psalms from 51-59 I felt the struggles and stretching going on in David. Several of these Psalms refer to his early battles with Saul and his running for his life. Sometimes we feel this kind of stress and it seems like the enemy is in hot pursuit. We are encouraged to run to God our fortress and we often do but that doesn't mean the battle is over. We may have some peace for awhile but then we are back into it. The good news is that life has it's seasons and David wasn't always chased by Saul. In fact, David was elevated to the place of power and authority.

If something is chasing you or me, (a recurring dream I have from time to time,) we can run to Jesus but not always staying at rest and avoiding the battle going on in the world. Jesus will give us comfort and encouragement so that we may then head out to face our enemy again. But there are also times of rising up on the wings of eagles and feeling God's power and presence filling our sails. These times of hope and strength give us more stamina in the midst of more intense battles. As Jesus said, "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

It's always been about the heart. I think that would be an appropriate title for Psalm 51, which I read this morning, or for all of life for that matter. God has placed us in a world that has many dangers and temptations. We will stumble and fall. What then? We can try hard to compensate for our mistakes by our human sacrifices but they will not bring peace and restoration. Our broken heart will open the door to the new day we desire. In spite of all his failings, God loved David because he was a man after God's own heart. It isn't about what we do but who we seek. And, of course, that will affect all we do.

PS 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

I read John 2 this morning. I have preached from this chapter several times from the perspective of one performing a wedding. However, the other important passage here is the reference to Jesus chasing the venders and money changers out of the temple. Jesus says that his house should be known as a "House of Prayer." I don't believe this is a reference to prayer alone but an attitude of connection be God and his children. The business of selling goods for sacrifices takes the focus off of God and on the stuff of religion. We can turn our worship experiences into events that take the personal connection to God out of the picture and put it on our music, style or stuff. I pray that the people that leave our services return home feeling they had a special encounter with God while they were in our midst.

Part of my daily readings in the Bible includes a chapter from the Old Testament Prophets. I just finished reading the book of Micah. There are many many words regarding the tough times the Israelites will face as a result of their bad choices but in the end Micah reminds them of god's true nature. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18,19

The new song is not about turning over a new leaf, although sometimes we are able to do that, but it is about the renewing of God's love and mercy. He is able to do that because of the brief reference in Micah 5:2 concerning one to be born in Bethlehem who will bring salvation to Israel and in fact to all of us. He is the melody of our new song.

Today I read Psalm 42 and was struck by the significance of this passage in the light of today's pressures. So many people are struggling and feeling discouraged if not depressed. Here David tells his heart to remember the good days of God's faithfulness, his joy in the community of believers as they worshiped God together and the mountain-top experiences. He acknowledges the deep waters and the difficulties of the moment but tells his heart to put it in perspective. David turns his anxious thoughts to hope and concludes with the affirmation that his hope will lead to a new song of praise. (Seems like a theme is going here. :)

JQ

"I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40: 1-3

I can't say I was in a slimy pit exactly, but bogged down might describe my life. (I guess a bogg is kind of a slimy pit.) Reading this passage a couple of days ago led me to some new thinking, a "new song." What will this song look like? Is it a solo or meant for a group/choir? Who is the audience? Is it one or many verses? Well, I guess I don't have to have all the answers at this time. I do want to listen to the Lord since these verses indicate that he is the giver of the song and that's the kind of song I want to sing.

If anyone else is hearing a "new song," I would love to know. Join me in this blog, (not bogg,) and let's see if some harmony develops.

JQ