Delight

Confident of the words he wrote, the psalmist wrote "the LORD takes delight in his people." 

Back up and read that again. 

Now, let that sink in.

In the context of that phrase (Psalm 149), the delight that God takes centers on the singing, praising, and dancing that His people offer to Him.  Certainly, such worship stirs the delight of our Lord.  He is pleased, also, with other actions.  The Bible tells us that God takes pleasure . . .

- in the well-being of His servants (Psalm 35:27)
- in broken and contrite hearts (Psalm 51:17)
- in those who fear (respect) Him (Psalm 147:11)
- in me (Psalm 18:19)

The most well-known verse in Scripture begins with "For God so loved." 

God loves and delights.

Notice the pair.  The phrase lifts the load a bit - "You're called to love people.  That doesn't mean you have to like them."  The callousness of such a statement shocks; yet, it comes in handy when dealing with a difficult person.

Remember.  God loves and delights.  That means that while God loves us, He likes us as well.  He likes us even when we are difficult people.  Truly amazing grace.

#ordinarylives

A Good Time to Think

Facts:
- Soon, half of 2018 will have been lived.
- This month, my wife and I will have been married 23 years.
- This month will be my 17th Father's Day as a father.
- Four days ago marked my 10th anniversary serving Rabbit Creek Church.

Possibilities:
- I have lived half of my life.
- I will double (at least) the number of years as a husband, father, and pastor.

Thinking about these numbers today, I am reminded of the value of reflection and evaluation.  Those who strive to live well their Ordinary lives do well to practice those sibling disciplines. 

To whom to assign credit, I do not know; so without footnote, I mention the well-known adage that many people live by - throwing darts and then drawing the target around the spaces they stuck. 

Ordinary lives don't require detailed planning in all areas, but some anticipation truly helps.  Here are some questions I offer as suggestions.  Ask them as you anticipate the "next half," next year, coming anniversary, etc.
(1) What is going well?
(2) Where can I improve as a _____? (husband / wife / father / mother / student / teacher / etc.)
(3) What can I try?
(4) What should I stop doing?

As you answer those questions, the "first halves," present years, past anniversaries, and the like will guide your answers.  Allow the past events to serve as fodder for tomorrow's moments.  As you answer, also remember these things:
(1) Matthew 6:34
(2) Proverbs 27:1
(3) 2 Timothy 1:7
(4) Proverbs 16:9

And in the words of Calvin (Hobbes' friend, not John) . . .

"You know, sometimes the world seems like a pretty mean place.  That's why animals are so soft and huggy."

 https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1989/9/21

#ordinarylives

Which Ebenezer?

Several years ago I "thanked" a friend of mine for ruining my music-listening experience.  He did so by encouraging me to pay attention to the lyrics rather than merely the tune.  Songs that once earned my turn-the-dial-up interest soon faced rejection.  It became difficult to sing along with lyrics with which I disagreed.  As a result, my Jeep stereo and my WalkMan (remember those?) blared different tunes than before. 

I also began to give more attention to the songs I sang along with the rest of our church as we turned to various page numbers in the Baptist Hymnal. 
Do you know . . .
     "God of Earth and Outerspace"?
Does it seem odd to you to sing that we should go . . .
     "Onward, [as] Christian Soldiers"?
Or that "the joy we share as we tarry [in the garden] . . .
     ". . . none other has every known"?    

Other lyrics confused me.For years I sang verse two of "Come, Thou Fount . . ." having zero idea what I declared when I loudly proclaimed, "Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither."  For two reasons:
(1) I didn't know (still not sure) the word "hither."
(2) I thought Ebenezer was only the first name created by Charles Dickens.

I'll leave "hither" for some day yonder and will not tarry there.  Rather, I will continue with a word about Ebenezer.  Someone (I fail to remember who and, therefore, cannot express proper gratitude) finally explained that word to me as they spoke of 1 Samuel 7.  Ebenezer is the Hebrew name with which Samuel deemed a stone.  The word means "stone of help."  It recalled the help the Hebrew people received from the LORD as they conquered a Philistine army at Mizpah. 

If one is familiar with the Ebenezer of 1 Samuel 7, they may still be unaware of its previous mention in 1 Samuel 4.

And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.  Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek.
1 Samuel 4:1 (NIV)

Note what happened there.

The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield.
1 Samuel 4:2 (NIV)

The first mention of Ebenezer (1 Samuel 4) recalls pain; the second mention (1 Samuel 7) urges gratitude.

Yesterday people across America took time to remember - specifically, by giving tribute to the memory of all the Americans who died while serving in our military. 

The interesting thing about memories is that they can inspire gratitude or drag one into misery and/or anger.  During times of remembering, which Ebenezer do you raise? 
- One that recalls failure / defeat / betrayal / sorrow?
- One that recalls success / victory / God's grace / joy?

We have a choice.  Choose wisely as you raise an Ebenezer.

#ordinarylives