If you know me well (or read my blog often ;) ) you will notice that food is a common theme in my life. I love to cook! I love to eat good food (taste-bud-tickling or "good for you")! And we have just celebrated one of my favorite holidays! Because PIE! I love the crust. I love the filling. I love the mixing and making. And when it's time for eating, I savor every bite. But unless some pies of the savory variety are included, you can't live on pie alone...
I was recently talking with a little sister in the faith about her wrestling with sin, and I asked her when was the last time she had read her Bible. She responded that she wasn't sure. Then I asked her when was the last time she had fed her physical stomach. It had only been a couple hours. You can probably guess that my next question was, "If you only fed your physical body as often as you are feeding your soul, how healthy would you be?"
So, Christian, I'll pose the same question to you. When was the last time you fed your soul?
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psalm 34:8
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 8:3
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
John 6:35
Monday, November 28, 2016
Friday, November 11, 2016
chasing a king...
I do not want to be known on social media for my political views. I personally wouldn't have been thrilled with either outcome in this election. I grew up in a very politically involved family, but while Shorty and I are not disinterested in politics, it does not consume our conversation at regular intervals. It has been interesting however, to begin to have conversation with my children about this election. Tuesday they were all worked up into a dither about how life was going to change if this one or that one was elected. It amused me to see them have such strong opinions with very little evidence! =D
During a particularly dramatic moment, I told them that we were made to long for a king. And the problem is that because of sin we run as far and fast as we can from the one King who can satisfy our longing. As I've watched my news feed the last few days, I've seen evidence of this longing again and again. Of course it isn't phrased that way, this is America after all...
But just any king will not do. We want a king who promises justice. We want a king who will champion the downtrodden and marginalized. We want a king who promotes prosperity. We want a king who guarantees our security. And every four years in the US, we get a procession of candidates who make these kinds of promises. And every four years many of our citizens hang their hopes on one or another candidate. But a president is not a king. And a human can never fulfill all these promises.
Friend, I don't care how you voted. This government of ours is good, but all governments will be corrupted because they are run by sinners. Governments and leaders will come and go. They will fail and fall. If you desire justice, pursue the holy God through whom we know what is just. If you want a champion for those on the fringes of society, turn to the God who changes hearts and cares for those who are most vulnerable. If you want prosperity, embrace the God who sent His Son so that we can have an eternal inheritance with Him. If you want security, trust the One who is able to keep you from all harm. Jesus Christ is the one king who will never fail.
And while we live under corruptible and corrupt governments, do all that is in your power to fight for justice, and to champion the weak, and to work for the prosperity and security of your community.
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
The LORD is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Psalms 10:12-18
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
Psalms 89:13-16
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
(The LORD is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.)
The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Psalms 145:8-18
During a particularly dramatic moment, I told them that we were made to long for a king. And the problem is that because of sin we run as far and fast as we can from the one King who can satisfy our longing. As I've watched my news feed the last few days, I've seen evidence of this longing again and again. Of course it isn't phrased that way, this is America after all...
But just any king will not do. We want a king who promises justice. We want a king who will champion the downtrodden and marginalized. We want a king who promotes prosperity. We want a king who guarantees our security. And every four years in the US, we get a procession of candidates who make these kinds of promises. And every four years many of our citizens hang their hopes on one or another candidate. But a president is not a king. And a human can never fulfill all these promises.
Friend, I don't care how you voted. This government of ours is good, but all governments will be corrupted because they are run by sinners. Governments and leaders will come and go. They will fail and fall. If you desire justice, pursue the holy God through whom we know what is just. If you want a champion for those on the fringes of society, turn to the God who changes hearts and cares for those who are most vulnerable. If you want prosperity, embrace the God who sent His Son so that we can have an eternal inheritance with Him. If you want security, trust the One who is able to keep you from all harm. Jesus Christ is the one king who will never fail.
And while we live under corruptible and corrupt governments, do all that is in your power to fight for justice, and to champion the weak, and to work for the prosperity and security of your community.
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"?
But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
The LORD is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Psalms 10:12-18
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
Psalms 89:13-16
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
(The LORD is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.)
The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Psalms 145:8-18
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