I have been thinking more and more about the difficulties of making a marriage work. There are so many pressures, things to divert our attention and to be honest … just the normal way things to … from good to bad. We are required to give our car an MOT on a yearly basis. But how much checking, maintenance does our marriage get? Normally none. We need to address that. Just thinking …
Marriage
Letting God be God
Lost Chance
John Challenge – Day 20 (John 21)
John Challenge – Day 19 (John 20) 
Letting God be God
How many times have we pointed a finger at God ... UNFAIR!
It seems stuff hits you in torrents sometimes. It seems that over a relatively small period of time, a large number of events have either SURFACE or HAPPENED that have brought be back to the beginning. Sometimes that happens.
Things such as:
- Why would God allow this to happen?
- Why would God allow this to happen to me?
- Why would God allow this to happen to me at this time?
- Why would God allow this to happen to me at this time given other “stuff”?
The whole issue of God’s sovereignty is smacking me hard in the face. Sovereignty is basically the ability/power to make choices and … dare I say it … be answer-able to no one. But people (and I am one) being as we are wonder about those choices. I wanted to take this section of my musings to think about that some.
In my Bible reading today I came across Gen. 20. It is the story of how, once again, Abraham wanted to save his own hide out of fear that he would be thrown away to make room for someone else to take Sarah his wife. Abimelech is next in line now. However God spoke to him in a dream and told him not to touch her OR ELSE. God prevented sin to happen IN THIS CASE. However I can point you to any number of times that sin did happen and judgment was passed.
I wonder how/why God chooses to do what He does. The sovereignty of God … an incredible mystery. I wonder how many times fingers have pointed at God with accusations of being unfair …
Lost Chance
I wonder if by some of the things I write, either here or in the Rosso Today mag, if i appear to be a “perfect Dad” … whatever that is supposed to mean anyway. Let me tell you straight up, that is not the case. There have been many times I wish I could steal back some of the sharp words, body language or actions that have come from me. Today is one of those times.
Have you ever thought about missed opportunities? This morning (back to work Tuesday after an Easter bank holiday Monday) Chase got up early as is his usual case. I got up with him and straight away he wanted to decorate the buns we had made the night before. We messed around for a short bit as yesterday I brought down a black trunk (we had used for moving) he wanted to use to practice magic tricks. The thought struck me that I could “redeem the time” by making the phone call to the bank. Chase was, for 20 minutes, trying to ask me to put on my clown dress up bits so we can play. For 20 minutes I was on the phone talking to someone who said they cared about our situation but knew me no more than the man on the moon. For 20 minutes Chase offered me an opportunity to do something with him …
After 30 minutes (of angonisingly listening to blah, blah), I put the phone down and said, OK Chase what are we going to do before I have to go?
“I want to watch a DVD (the one I gave you while you were on the phone)”
“… OK … can I sit with you?”
“No, when I sit on your lap, my bum goes to sleep”
That’s the first time, ever, that I remember Chase saying he didn’t want to sit on my lap. He may have said it before but this time was different.
I can never win back that chance …
John Challenge – Day 20 (John 21)
God spoke to me about
I have read this portion so many times and thought about the puzzles such as what was Jesus and Peter on about when Jesus queries him about his love for him and then Jesus’ command to feed His lamb/sheep. But the thing God spoke to me about this round is when the “other” disciple (almost assuredly John himself) comes into the story. Jesus challenges Peter, basically that each believer has their own path to walk for God and His service.
Change
Sometimes I get envious about the seeming ease at which some believers … even ministers have it. I am sure there are things under the surface that may change what I think is reality. But I need to remember that my personal path will not be the same as anyone else, not even that of my family.
Thank you God for this journey through John …
John Challenge – Day 19 (John 20)
God spoke to me about
We are nearing the end of our John journey. I am really amazed at the number of times I told myslf, “I never really put that together”. I came on another one in chapter 20 today. Thomas has quite the encounter with the resurrected Christ. However the other disciples were not the pillars of faith … even up until this point as it says in v 9 “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”
Change
I struggle at times with impatience from both myself and others when we just don’t “get it”. But look how long it took for the 11 to “get it” and they saw and experienced all that we read. God, help me to see things from that perspective.
John Challenge – Day 18 (John 19)
God spoke to me about
Though it is all thoughout the gospels, God seemed to bring out to me how that the very ones who SHOULD have embraced the Messiah (Pharisees) show themselves to be the enemies. Jesus’ “natural” enemy (the one who would be threatened as a King appearing), however, seems to be the one who is in sympathy (Pilate). I don’t know if that is clear or not but it seems the tables are turned.
Change/Encouragement
Sometimes I can relate to this situation. The very people who should embrace His church are the ones who seem to put up the most opposition. Odd. I get angry sometimes at these kinds of attitudes but need to take on Jesus’ attitude to see the effects of sin on ALL people.
John Challenge – Day 17 (John 18)
God spoke to me about
Jesus is coming close to the point for which He came. The crucifixion is just round the corner. In the confrontation with the guards who came to arrest him, Peter (being Peter) draws a sword and cut off the guard’s ear (I never stopped to think … “Why did Peter have a sword anyway?”). Jesus replied and rebuked Peter … “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”. The cup (crucifixion) was, no doubt, a difficulty above all. However Jesus faced it head on, knowing it was the Father’s will for Him.
Change
How many times have I blamed God for whatever “cup” that has been given me. Don’t I expect the church to grow, never experience problems, sin to creep in, personality conflicts to rise up, but is that the cup the Lord gives me? If my cup is to Pastor this church, I need to realise the cup doesn’t always hold just sweet juice.
John Challenge – Day 16 (John 17)
God spoke to me about
Last night was the break-in at Holmescarr. Just ridiculous. Two things God spoke to me about this morning in John 17. First relates to Jesus’ statement of what eternal life is all about … “that they may know you (the Father), the true God, and Jesus Christ”. How simple yet profound is that. The second is that Jesus did not pray that we would be taken out of the world but that (v. 15) the Father would protect us from the evil one.
Change
Wow … on a day when the rubbish of sin seems more glaring than usual, it is encouraging to know that my feet are on a solid rock and that relationship with the Father is really what it is all about. The door is gone … laptop is gone … but in the light of eternity. :)
John Challenge – Day 15 (John 16)
OK, back on track now … 
God spoke to me about
These sections just seem to be crying out. Jesus is getting ready to face the cross. He has been speaking of persecution, disciples’ grief because Jesus is “leaving” (v. 17) then Jesus’ incredible statement of when all else fails and everyone has left him, the Father would still be with Him (v. 32). It almost seems He takes that encouragement and then pronounces “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Change
Sometimes I do feel … alone … God help me to take comfort in that as the Father never left Jesus (wonder what happened “My God, my God why did you forsake me”? … in what way did God “leave” Jesus) God won’t forsake me. I know we are made out of weak stuff, but God help me to remember you are the Rock, the Anchor.
John Challenge – Day 14 (John 15)
Before I write anything, for the sake of our church members who might be following along … no I did not do my John Challenge on Sunday. But no guilt! But what a chapter this was!
What God spoke to me about
What do I pick? If I were to pick one of the two things that stand out in a BIG WAY (that of persecution and … this topic, that of love), Jesus’ command to love each other shines a beam like a lighthouse (v. 17). I wonder why now this is a recurring theme?! Christians have the Holy Spirit. Why does Jesus command us to love each other? Is it so unnatural? But after saying that, I do find myself greatly struggling with this.
Change
This has to be a God thing … I can’t generate “love”. God has to do it. I find this is where the proverbial rubber meets the road. But here is a great example that I find when my prayer life lags, things irritate me much easier. God help me to “love each other”!
