Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the end of January

Musings on a Tuesday Morning at the End of January

Reading in Exodus, the time leading up to, during, following that event which was pivotal in Israel's history, I am struck by this:  as long as they were miserable, fearing for their lives, even in the time immediately following their escape/deliverance, the Israelites were obedient.  But days later, not only did their obedience flag, they began to complain about their circumstances and their leaders--not necessarily in that order.

What difference is there between them and us?  As the hymn puts it, "Fast bound in sin and nature's night," we called for deliverance.  When God graciously granted it, how long did we really give thanks before we began to grumble about this, that, and the other thing?  This brings me back to 1 Corinthians 10 where we read, "Now these things took place as examples for us" (verse 6).  This is an instructive chapter, one worth reading parallel to Exodus.

Don't miss these verses in 1 Corinthians 10: "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (verses 12-13).

I am thankful for both the warning of verse 12 and  the promise of verse 13. 

Revisiting my seven-year plan

Revisiting my seven-year plan

It seems appropriate to revisit my seven-year plan as this is both the last day of January 2012 and a Tuesday--the day we used to visit our friend Jean.

What have I done as regards my health?  More visits to more doctors and more tests and more medicine.  At my age, what can I expect but that?  I am thankful to live in a country where those are possible.

What have I done as regards my soul?  Sought to spend more time reading the Bible and some additional books, loading my Kindle appropriately, and trying to remember to keep its battery charged.

What have I taken to heart as regards my spirit?  Actually this passage applies to all aspects of life:

"Look carefully then how you walk [live], not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be willed with [controlled by] the Spirit, addressing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:15-20; ESV).

God's word regarding government

God's word regarding government
This evening the president will give the annual state of the union address.  Here is what God says about government:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Peter wrote this in his first letter: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of a foolish people.  Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.  Honor everyone.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:12-17).

Over Coffee at Woolworth's

There used to be a Woolworth's in Minneapolis but the chain went away years ago, at least in the US, so that is a giveaway that this is another vintage piece.  I post it because the convictions now are the same.
Over Coffee at Woolworth's
If I have any equilibrium,
It has one source: God's Only Son.
If through changes I come with peace,
It's thanks to God's Spirit's release.
If I can laugh during my twelfth working hour,
It's because He is my power.
When I'm ready to cry or quit,
He enables me to deal with it.
The times I choose to disobey,
I come to Him in pain and dismay.
I try to listen, and hearing, heed,
Knowing He'll give me the strength to match the deed.
And when I fall, He takes me back,
Forgives and fills in where I lack.
No matter how things appear to be,
There is no greater one than He!

A Song of Affirmation

I admit, this too is one of my vintage pieces and appeared in one of my books.

A Song of Affirmation
It's hard some days to truly praise
Yet we ought however God's ways
Seem more to muddle than cast light:
Whatever God wills is right.
When it seems He's forgotten
Or blesses those obviously rotten,
Take faith in hand and proclaim
All the honor due His name.
When storm clouds sound with rolling thunder
And lightning thrusts, then look with wonder.
Giving thanks for rain of grace,
Fall before Him on your face.
When discipline recurs with pain,
He will give you strength again,
For as a Father He must train
All His sons and daughters to reign.
So whether you "see" or the way seems dim,
Praise will make you more like Him.

The Letter

I wrote the original of this more than 40 years ago while taking a writing course.  It has appeared in print elsewhere, so if you think you've seen it before, you may have.

The Letter

To Joseph ben Jacob,
The blessings of Jehovah.
I have received your letter marked
"Urgent."
Though it was last fall,
Though hundreds were enrolled,
You knew,
And I remember.
She was near her time.
He steadied her as
The beast she rode, stumbled.
Though they were home,
None of their relatives would take them in.
Everyone said, We are sorry, but ....
I found them in my stable.
It would have been a more awkward moment,
But we were all in the same basic boast.
Castouts.
I didn't know why they were.
I?
As a Jewish employee of the Roman establishment,
I am loved by neither Roman nor Jew.
That was how it was the morning I found them.
The birth was unexpectedly quick.
It seemed as though the son was--
Eager to be born.
Shepherds and wise men!
This was no ordinary family.
The husband was a carpenter, yet
Here were wise men
Unselfconsciously mingling with unwashed shepherds,
Offerings of gold and spices and a lamb.
The little woman and I did a lot of head scratching.
I talked to them.
Messiah?
We had waited so long.
But, a carpenter's son?
And born on the land of a Jew owned by Rome?
Worshipped by Gentiles?
Still, it was by the prophets
The right set of circumstances.
I am not the same man.
I have held Messiah in my arms.
I have seen Him draw
Jew and Gentile, wise and unlearned, outcast and accepted
Together.
He made us each whole, all, one.
That, my cousin Joseph, is the truth.
They're gone, now,
The family,
The shepherds,
The wise men.
I hope that you and your household are well.
I understand that you are one of
The most blessed in Arimethea.
If you deem it wise, you may share these faltering words
In synagogue.
Shalom!

Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh

It appears that the wise men (however many there were) arrived after The Child and his parents had moved from a stable to a home.
Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh
Gold and frankincse and myrrh,
Gifts from the Gentile men to her,
Must have baffled Mary's mind
For such strange gifts and men to find
Her with Joseph and the Child
After months of travel wild,
Coming as they did to worship the infant King,
Coming on the eastern wing,
Coming, worshipping, offerings leaving,
Warning Mary of future grieving.
Gold and frankincense and myrrh--
Meant for the Child, entrusted to her.
How odd it must have seemed
As the gifts intense scents and gleamed
As more practical gifts were not brought
These were those which there had thought
Appropriate for a king's birth,
And so they were for King of heaven and earth.