fearfully made

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Dana

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with you.” Psalm 139:14-18

When things go wrong in your body you gain a deeper appreciation for the magnificent creation of a human being. Over these last several years I’ve learned more than I’ve wanted to about white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, plasma cells, stem cells, wanted proteins, and unwanted proteins. How can one conclude this all came together by chance? The child of God not only knows he is created, he knows he is created for purpose. And the One who created us holds us together. God knows every day we will live and he loves us with an everlasting love. He is not against me… He is for me! How precious are his thoughts!

“From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on the earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:13-22

Our oldest daughter Kinsey gave me a great present for Christmas. It was a DVD of an event she attended in Atlanta a little over a year ago. Song writers Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman led worship and speaker Louie Giglio pointed to our awesome Creator. He told this story. After an event in Tyler, Texas, a molecular scientist introduced himself to Louie and shared about a protein in our body that has a special purpose. ‘Laminin’ is a cell adhesion molecule similar to glue that holds our body together. Louie confessed he didn’t understand the big words the scientist used, but he promised to ‘google’ the word ‘laminin’ when he got home. After clicking ‘image’ in his search, this picture appeared:

Did the Author of Life put a cell in our bodies that points to the sacrifice offered on our behalf? He holds all things together… what Good News for the New Year!

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

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wise men

Posted on December 18, 2007 by Dana

Three-year-old John was playing with a manger scene in our home a few days ago. He had pulled out the three Magi when I asked what he was doing. “These are the bad guys,” he replied. “No, those are wise men, John. They came to worship baby Jesus and bring him gifts. See, they gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” John looked a little puzzled, then picked up one of the statues and asked, “Is this Merv?”

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written.’ (quote from Micah 5:2) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Matthew 2:1-12)

We have much to learn from the Magi (no matter what their names) about being wise in our generation: First, be looking for what is promised. We may not know enough about celestial beings to notice a strange star, but we should be familiar enough with Jesus’ words to notice signs around us and His promise of a return. Of course people will call you a star-gazer, but I don’t think He’ll call you a fool… and His opinion is the one that counts. “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.”

Next, be willing to take a journey. These wise men didn’t really know where they were going; they just packed up and left. They didn’t have to wander as long as Abraham did, but their story reminds us that God is pleased with faith in action. If these guys had simply said: “Behold, a new star! Come all you people of the east and let us tell you what we have found,” but had never taken the journey, we would have never known about them. I’m sure their trip was not easy – it took sacrifice; it was inconvenient; some probably called them crazy; but oh was it worth it. Jesus says, “Watch and pray,” but He’s not telling His followers to sit around. “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Next, be humble enough to ask directions. “We know a King has been born. Could you help point the way?” Today the question is similar: “We know the King is alive. Could you help point the way?” Listen to answers with great discernment; not everyone has proper motives. “Come over here! We are bigger and better than everyone else. You are sure to find God here… just look at how much He’s blessed us!” Jesus gave different directions: “You’ll find Me in the least of these my brethren… the poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned… But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Next, don’t quench the joy of the Lord. These wise men found the King! They worshiped… they gave… they celebrated… they were overjoyed. If there is no joy in worship, we don’t see the King. If we give out of duty (or if we don’t give at all), we don’t see the King. If we don’t celebrate freedom from sin, freedom from hell, and freedom in Christ, then we don’t remember or understand what the King has accomplished. “O worship the King, all glorious above, and gratefully sing His wonderful love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.”

Finally, follow God’s guidance. Though doubtless these wise men intended to share their good news with many listeners, they would not share it with Herod. God sees the battle and He gives perfect orders. We don’t see clearly, so we must depend on His wisdom and direction. God knew this: Herod was an evil man. He was the tool of the devil and he was about to destroy all the innocent male babies of an entire town. So the wise men were warned in a dream and they heeded the warning. (If they hadn’t… we wouldn’t call them wise men.) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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fellowship

Posted on December 11, 2007 by Dana

Believe it or not, a person can be very close to the Cross and miss out on everything. “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’”

In the first part of his letter to the Romans, Paul gives the sobering truth about the condition of man. He quoted part of this passage from Psalm 36. “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.”

“I will put the fear of me in their hearts so they will not turn away from me.” Another translation of this verse from Jeremiah reads: “I will inspire them to fear me, so they will never turn away from me.” How does God do this? In the early days of the Church a husband and wife dropped dead after lying about their degree of generosity. Here was the predictable result: “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” While God may not strike down the dishonest of a congregation today, he still pierces hearts.

I was in Mexico once and went into a little Catholic church to pray, but I’m afraid I did more judging than praying. Since God not only hears our prayers, but reads our hearts, he knew my need. That night, while reading the first few chapters of Romans, his sword cut deep: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on the truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?”

We can learn much from the thief on the cross who was humble and honest. “I know I’m guilty. I deserve any punishment I receive. But, Lord, will you have mercy on me? Will you remember me when you enter your kingdom?” The suffering Savior’s answer reveals the great desire of God. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” As the brazen criminal taunted Jesus, he was only moments away from the fear of the Lord. At death, every atheist, pagan, and unbeliever instantly fears God. “‘As surely as I live’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” But God longs for something else; his desire is fellowship.

Read I John this week. The apostle proclaims Jesus so there can be fellowship… with God and with one another. Walk in the light. Walk in truth. Walk in love. Walk in joy. “This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” And Jesus walked in fellowship with his Father. Another section of Psalm 36 declares his praise:

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalm 36:5-10

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fear of the Lord

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Dana

Some may think what is written today conflicts with the message of God’s love, but it does not. When three-year-old John is at our house, something could happen that might not look like love. If John walks into the road without permission, he will receive swift and intense pain. I want the ‘fear of Dana’ to keep this little boy far away from a dangerous step. Is such an attitude meanness… or love?

At risk of being labeled crazy, I want to share three occasions when I faced unique moments of fear (I won’t include many stories from foreign lands :-) ).

  1. More than eight years ago (before cancer), I was praying in my bedroom and felt God impress something on my heart that made me tremble: “Jesus is coming back soon and most people aren’t prepared.”
  2. More than seven years ago, at the doctor’s office, after asking what would happen if I chose not to do anything about the cancer just discovered in my blood, I was told: “You might have three months to live.”
  3. In the middle of a sleepless night of an early round of chemo, I could not breathe. I was on our sofa downstairs and it was as if some evil presence was smothering me. I was not hallucinating; I really thought I was going to suffocate. I could barely whisper, “Jesus,” and when I did, the presence left and I was able to breathe again. (Do you think I’m crazy?)

Now of these three experiences, which do you think brought most fear? The answer is #1. Fear of death, fear of evil, fear of the Lord… no comparison.

We may think, “But if we talk about ‘fearing God’ people will be scared away from Him. Shouldn’t we just talk about His love and kindness?” Paul wrote, “Consider the kindness and severity of God.” Jesus said, “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you who to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Why would Jesus, who knew God better than anyone, and who described Him as the Father who ran to forgive and restore the prodigal, tell people to fear Him? Such a question is not difficult to answer; Jesus knew the “fear of the Lord” was “the beginning of knowledge” and “the beginning of wisdom.” He knows God’s “mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation,” and He knows “the Lord delights in those who fear Him.”

So where’s the “fear of the Lord” in my generation? Where’s the “fear of the Lord” in my children’s generation? Has a misunderstanding of perfect love made “living in the fear of the Lord” (a description of the early church) incomprehensible? Oswald Chambers wrote: “Beware of the pleasant view of the Fatherhood of God – God is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us. That sentiment has no place whatever in the New Testament. The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ…” (from “My Utmost For His Highest” – Nov. 20) The Cross is the place where the humble can receive the unfailing love of God… and the place where we can understand the fear of the Lord. If you saw Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion,” you were shocked (and perhaps sickened) with the torture Jesus endured… the beating, the humiliation, the crucifixion. If indeed Jesus had to die, why did His death have to be so horrible? Because of sin – your sin, my sin, the sins of the world…

Sin ruins, destroys, damns, and separates us from the loving Father. No wonder it brings God’s wrath. From Paul’: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things (sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, greed) God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” God hates sin no less today than when the punishment fell on His innocent Son. Does this not bring fear… and praise? “My sin – O the bliss of this glorious thought: My sin, not in part but whole, is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.” From Peter: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…”

From God: “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so they will not turn away from Me.” Jeremiah 32:38-40

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delight

Posted on November 27, 2007 by Dana

Terry, John, Blake, and baby Leesa went with us to Chattanooga for Thanksgiving. Susan’s family and my family welcome Terry and her kids the same way they welcome us. We had a great holiday.

Most of the time John, who is 3-1/2 years old, calls me ‘Dana,’ but every now and then he calls me ‘Dad.’ He has quite an imagination and I must be on my toes to enter his ‘games’ at any moment. Not long ago at our house, John said, “Dad, it’s time for me to go to school.” I said, “OK…Bye-bye,” without realizing that I needed to drive him. So we got in the car on our driveway, buckled our seatbelts, and took a five second drive to school. I said, “Goodbye, John. Have a great day!” As John put on his imaginary book bag, he replied, “OK, Dad. You have a great day too!” He then walked to the other side of the driveway and pretended to put down his book bag so he could begin his school work. I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next, but I think I made the right decision. After about thirty seconds (that’s about enough school work for a three year old), I honked my horn. John turned to see me and started running with a big smile on his face. I got out of the car as he yelled, “Dad!” I shouted, “Hey son!” and John threw himself into my arms and gave me a big hug. I helped put his heavy book bag (those teachers give a lot of homework) in the car and we buckled up to drive home. John told me all about his day at school and I told him that I was so proud of him. When we arrived home, I realized that was just one day of the week. We repeated the same scenario at least five times… just long enough for me to learn something very beautiful.

I’m not sure of all the reasons John enjoyed playing this game, but I know why I did. You see, I delight in John. Our family has delighted in him since he was born. As he was so happy to see his ‘dad’ at the end of the ‘school day,’ I wanted John to know I was even happier to see him. There is beauty in fellowship.

I’ve probably read this verse fifty times over the past three weeks: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) Next time I want to write about “the fear of the Lord,” for I am concerned it is often absent in our world. But do I “put my hope in his unfailing love”? In John’s game, hope was an expectation. If I didn’t honk the horn at the end of each ‘school day’ I would have failed ‘my son.’ Our hope in the Lord is also an expectation. Waiting on the Lord is not an exercise in futility! God is love and He never fails. This means that in the end I will not be disappointed. Yes, perhaps now I don’t see the end and perhaps there’s a lot I don’t understand, but that’s OK. Bystanders might even say circumstances are hopeless, but by faith the child of God can say, “I am weary, but He is not. He will give me strength. Yes, I will hope in the Lord and He will make me soar on wings like eagles. He delights in me and I trust in Him.”

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

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