The sun, with the moon and stars, signs to mark seasons and days and years.
"Sunrise, Sunset. Sunrise, sunset. Swiftly flow the years."
Tevye and Golde used the passing of the sun to symbolize the passing of time in
"Fiddler on the Roof."
I always have loved sunrises and sunsets.
Even when I had a morning paper route in high school, as the sun rose,
there were times I would take the advice of the Jerry Reed song, "Today is Mine,"
playing on my stereo, and take "the time to watch it rise."
I have taken hundreds of pictures of sunrises and sunsets,
often getting up early or staying up late,
driving or biking or hiking or climbing
to a place with a better view.
I moved to Albuquerque, NM last summer.
My apartment opens to the east with a view across the Rio Grande Valley
to the mountains.
I watch the sun rise as I read my Bible, eat breakfast, reflect, and journal.
I have taken pictures of sunsets and sunrises on water:
the Gulf of Mexico, and lakes and rivers in many places.
I have used windmills, grass inflorescences, trees, and rock formations
to frame the sun on its path.
Clouds figure prominently in the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets in
the Texas Panhandle,
framing the sun, enhancing the colors, changing the light patterns.
In Albuquerque, hot air balloons drifting south along the valley
often add variety in color and shape.
But I think my favorite sunrises to watch involve mountains,
though not all mountains are created equal.
I recently went to Laughlin, NV.
I looked across the Colorado River as the sun rose
over the Black Mountains in Arizona. It was inspiring, ...
But ...
the colors are more complex in Albuquerque as the sun rises over
the Sandia Mountains.
Why? I'm not sure.
Both ranges are about 4000 to 5000 feet above, and about 12 miles east,
of their respective rivers.
The starting elevation is much different. Laughlin is at 535 feet,
while Albuquerque sits at 5300 feet.
Perhaps it's just the difference in the mineralogy and vegetation, but ...
Perhaps the thinner atmosphere and slightly higher humidity in Albuquerque
enhance the colors.
Perhaps the steep slope of the west face of the Sandias makes the change from
light to dark more drastic.
Whatever it is,
the silhouettes are more dramatic;
the nuances are more pronounced;
the palette is more varied.
Thanks, Lord, for the beauty with which You surround us to proclaim Your glory.
Though I enjoy sunsets, which may be glorious,
I have a greater appreciation for the symbolism in the sunrise.
Each day promises a new start and reminds us that we have been
brought out of darkness,
transferred into the Kingdom of Light, and
that the Son of righteousness,
the Light of the world,
is rising in our hearts.
The sunrise reminds us that Light overcomes darkness, and
the darkness cannot resist light, and
that one day darkness will be dispelled,
completely defeated.
The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our God and
of His Christ, and
He shall reign forever and ever! Amen!
Hallelujah!
The glory of a sunset symbolizes that of a life well-lived,
one to whom the Master will say,
"Well done, good and faithful servant ..."
This is the blessing promised to those who finish the race and fight the good fight.
They will receive the inheritance.
The kingdom prepared since the creation of the world awaits ...
Sunrise
Genesis 1:14-19; Proverbs 4:18; Lamentations 3:22-23
John 1:4-5; 8:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 1:9; Revelation 11:15; 21:23-24
Sunset
Matthew 25:21,23,34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:14
January 27-28, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Died yet Raised!
Colossians 1:12-14; 2:11-12; 3:1,5,10
Like the Colossians, everything has changed for us.
We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness
transferred into the kingdom of light,
the kingdom of the Son God the Father loves.
We have died to the sinful nature,
been buried with Christ in baptism,
been raised with Christ through faith in God's power.
YET ...
we live as if nothing has changed;
we submit to the same rules of morality by which we lived before Christ
forgave us
redeemed us,
raised us,
set us free;
we continue as if our bondage to the old self and way of life had never been broken.
We have not made the necessary adjustments to our new position,
with subsequent changes in our attitudes and actions,
changes that do not cause the change in position, but
flow from it.
We have died with Christ,
so we must continually
put to death the flesh and its ways.
We have been raised with Christ,
so we must continually
put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in our Creator's image.
set our hearts and minds on things above.
recognize our position in Christ:
God's chosen people,
holy,
dearly loved.
Recognizing this,
we walk through Christ's power,
clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience, bearing with others and forgiving,
being clothed constantly with Christ's love which results in peace.
We constantly must choose
to be thankful,
to dwell in Christ's word and
let it dwell in us through meditation, prayer and application.
to sing for joy,
to do everything, word and deed,
in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
giving thanks to Him,
thereby bringing glory to God through the fruit Christ produces in our lives.
Lord, help us live in the truth of the change You have wrought in us.
Set us free.
January 27, 2012
Like the Colossians, everything has changed for us.
We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness
transferred into the kingdom of light,
the kingdom of the Son God the Father loves.
We have died to the sinful nature,
been buried with Christ in baptism,
been raised with Christ through faith in God's power.
YET ...
we live as if nothing has changed;
we submit to the same rules of morality by which we lived before Christ
forgave us
redeemed us,
raised us,
set us free;
we continue as if our bondage to the old self and way of life had never been broken.
We have not made the necessary adjustments to our new position,
with subsequent changes in our attitudes and actions,
changes that do not cause the change in position, but
flow from it.
We have died with Christ,
so we must continually
put to death the flesh and its ways.
We have been raised with Christ,
so we must continually
put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in our Creator's image.
set our hearts and minds on things above.
recognize our position in Christ:
God's chosen people,
holy,
dearly loved.
Recognizing this,
we walk through Christ's power,
clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience, bearing with others and forgiving,
being clothed constantly with Christ's love which results in peace.
We constantly must choose
to be thankful,
to dwell in Christ's word and
let it dwell in us through meditation, prayer and application.
to sing for joy,
to do everything, word and deed,
in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
giving thanks to Him,
thereby bringing glory to God through the fruit Christ produces in our lives.
Lord, help us live in the truth of the change You have wrought in us.
Set us free.
January 27, 2012
How did we get from betrayal to boasting?
Luke 22:21-23 Jesus told the disciples one of the Twelve would betray him. Wouldn't you like to have eavesdropped on the conversation to understand it turned to v. 24, "Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest"?
It probably started innocently, with questions.
Who do you think he means?
Maybe it's _______?
Fill in the blank: Bartholomew, Simon the Zealot, James the Lesser, Philip, ...
(The name probably depended upon who was asking the question.)
Could it be me?
Then a subtle shift occurs in the conversation, as it cascades among the disciples.
No, it could never be me!
I would never betray Jesus!
I will fight for him!
As will I!
And I!
I will fight beside him!
So will I!
I will die for him!
Me, too! I will be faithful to the end!
Then the claims begin to escalate even more, as the testosterone in the room
jostles for position.
Jesus trusts me - He takes me (Peter), James, and John with him and
leaves the rest of you behind.
That's right. He's grooming us to be his lieutenants.
He obviously thinks we're more deserving than the others.
We've been with him the longest.
I wonder which one of us will sit at his right and left in the kingdom?
Gotta be me!
No, not you! You get off track too easily. He will pick someone steadier.
I suppose you mean he will choose you? That's a laugh.
...
They were probably close to asking Jesus to resolve the issue.
But as He was fully aware of their conversation,
He preempted their question, v. 25-27.
Jesus shocked them with His perspective on greatness.
You suppose My kingdom is like all the other kingdoms on the earth. It is not.
Greatness in my kingdom is not about loyalty or valor or honor or authority;
it's about meekness and service.
Be like a little child, helpless and humble and totally dependent.
Serve the body, My body. Meet needs.
Then you will be truly great.
Lord, help us come humbly into Your presence, as we truly have nothing about which we can boast.
January 22, 2012
It probably started innocently, with questions.
Who do you think he means?
Maybe it's _______?
Fill in the blank: Bartholomew, Simon the Zealot, James the Lesser, Philip, ...
(The name probably depended upon who was asking the question.)
Could it be me?
Then a subtle shift occurs in the conversation, as it cascades among the disciples.
No, it could never be me!
I would never betray Jesus!
I will fight for him!
As will I!
And I!
I will fight beside him!
So will I!
I will die for him!
Me, too! I will be faithful to the end!
Then the claims begin to escalate even more, as the testosterone in the room
jostles for position.
Jesus trusts me - He takes me (Peter), James, and John with him and
leaves the rest of you behind.
That's right. He's grooming us to be his lieutenants.
He obviously thinks we're more deserving than the others.
We've been with him the longest.
I wonder which one of us will sit at his right and left in the kingdom?
Gotta be me!
No, not you! You get off track too easily. He will pick someone steadier.
I suppose you mean he will choose you? That's a laugh.
...
They were probably close to asking Jesus to resolve the issue.
But as He was fully aware of their conversation,
He preempted their question, v. 25-27.
Jesus shocked them with His perspective on greatness.
You suppose My kingdom is like all the other kingdoms on the earth. It is not.
Greatness in my kingdom is not about loyalty or valor or honor or authority;
it's about meekness and service.
Be like a little child, helpless and humble and totally dependent.
Serve the body, My body. Meet needs.
Then you will be truly great.
Lord, help us come humbly into Your presence, as we truly have nothing about which we can boast.
January 22, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Luke 10:38-42: A Sketch from Martha's Perspective
I can almost hear Martha's thoughts, her inner monologue;
maybe because I have heard similar rants from others, or
maybe because I have heard the echos in my own mind.
"All these guests.
At mealtime, no less.
And where is Mary?
Certainly not in the kitchen.
No! She's in the other room,
with the men,
hanging out,
relaxing
and laughing.
Who's left to do all the work?
That's right!
Dependable old Martha,
the reliable, trustworthy,
kitchen wench.
It's just not right!
Jesus ought to do something about this!
Jesus will do something about it.
He's about fairness and equality."
So Martha works up the courage to leave the kitchen and
go interrupt Jesus in the living room.
"LORD, tell Mary to HELP me."
Jesus' response was puzzling and unexpected,
"Martha, you're upset and worried about many things,
but only one thing is really important.
Mary has made a better choice than you.
I will not take it from her."
Martha wants to storm back to the kitchen, but
the wind has been (temporarily) lost from her sails.
She goes back to the kitchen slowly,
the wind gaining strength with every step.
The monologue resumes.
"What has Mary chosen that I haven't?
Laziness?
Certainly not responsibility!
Who's going to make sure there's food
for ALL these people
if I don't prepare it?
That's right.
No one!
If I went into the other room and just sat there,
what would happen at meal time?
Everyone would be hungry and looking at me,
expecting me to put food on the table
because that's what I always do.
It's not like we are a rich family who can afford
to have a servant do all that work.
So, who's going to make sure I'm not embarrassed
in front of all these guests and the Master?
Only me.
What other choice do I have?
Laziness?
To be an inhospitable host?
To be embarrassed before my friends and house guests?
How can a choice that leads to laziness,
embarrassment and
shame be
better?
So, here I am,
being responsible.
AGAIN.
The only one, ...
No one else volunteers.
No one helps.
Only me ..."
And her resentment and bitterness
grows,
until finally,
LIGHT
penetrates
the self-serving
darkness of her soul.
She understands what her Lord was saying,
"Martha,
though your faithful,
dutiful service is appreciated,
that's not why I came.
I came to be with you,
not to share your food.
I came to fellowship because I love you,
not because your house is clean.
It's not about you or your service -
it's about relationship.
Mary chose relationship over duty.
I will not take that from her.
Will you make the same choice?
That is my invitation to you.
Repent of your self-serving duty and
self-righteous sacrifice, and
come be with me.
You may still serve,
but with a different motivation and outlook.
Martha,
I love you.
Come,
BE WITH me."
maybe because I have heard similar rants from others, or
maybe because I have heard the echos in my own mind.
"All these guests.
At mealtime, no less.
And where is Mary?
Certainly not in the kitchen.
No! She's in the other room,
with the men,
hanging out,
relaxing
and laughing.
Who's left to do all the work?
That's right!
Dependable old Martha,
the reliable, trustworthy,
kitchen wench.
It's just not right!
Jesus ought to do something about this!
Jesus will do something about it.
He's about fairness and equality."
So Martha works up the courage to leave the kitchen and
go interrupt Jesus in the living room.
"LORD, tell Mary to HELP me."
Jesus' response was puzzling and unexpected,
"Martha, you're upset and worried about many things,
but only one thing is really important.
Mary has made a better choice than you.
I will not take it from her."
Martha wants to storm back to the kitchen, but
the wind has been (temporarily) lost from her sails.
She goes back to the kitchen slowly,
the wind gaining strength with every step.
The monologue resumes.
"What has Mary chosen that I haven't?
Laziness?
Certainly not responsibility!
Who's going to make sure there's food
for ALL these people
if I don't prepare it?
That's right.
No one!
If I went into the other room and just sat there,
what would happen at meal time?
Everyone would be hungry and looking at me,
expecting me to put food on the table
because that's what I always do.
It's not like we are a rich family who can afford
to have a servant do all that work.
So, who's going to make sure I'm not embarrassed
in front of all these guests and the Master?
Only me.
What other choice do I have?
Laziness?
To be an inhospitable host?
To be embarrassed before my friends and house guests?
How can a choice that leads to laziness,
embarrassment and
shame be
better?
So, here I am,
being responsible.
AGAIN.
The only one, ...
No one else volunteers.
No one helps.
Only me ..."
And her resentment and bitterness
grows,
until finally,
LIGHT
penetrates
the self-serving
darkness of her soul.
She understands what her Lord was saying,
"Martha,
though your faithful,
dutiful service is appreciated,
that's not why I came.
I came to be with you,
not to share your food.
I came to fellowship because I love you,
not because your house is clean.
It's not about you or your service -
it's about relationship.
Mary chose relationship over duty.
I will not take that from her.
Will you make the same choice?
That is my invitation to you.
Repent of your self-serving duty and
self-righteous sacrifice, and
come be with me.
You may still serve,
but with a different motivation and outlook.
Martha,
I love you.
Come,
BE WITH me."
A Father's Prayer (inspired by Proverbs 9)
Tune my kids' ears to hear the invitation of Wisdom, not Folly.
(Keep my ears tuned to Wisdom, as well.)
Folly's song is loud, insistent, sometimes belligerent,
and hard to ignore.
Wisdom's melody is soft, unobtrusive,
and gently persistent,
but original, meaningful and appealing,
not like elevator music remakes.
Wisdom's lyrics have content and power,
in stark contrast to Folly,
who has little beyond a loud, driving beat.
Help us walk in the fear of the Lord
and knowledge of the Holy One,
that we may have wisdom and understanding.
(Keep my ears tuned to Wisdom, as well.)
Folly's song is loud, insistent, sometimes belligerent,
and hard to ignore.
Wisdom's melody is soft, unobtrusive,
and gently persistent,
but original, meaningful and appealing,
not like elevator music remakes.
Wisdom's lyrics have content and power,
in stark contrast to Folly,
who has little beyond a loud, driving beat.
Help us walk in the fear of the Lord
and knowledge of the Holy One,
that we may have wisdom and understanding.
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