The last Saturday this month, my son and I are running 2 mile race and then right after, my husband is running a 10 mile race. My son's 11 and has never run a race, but I told him if he wanted to run, I'd run with him. So we are officially registered. He's mostly in it for the shirt. Oh, and lunch at Wendy's afterwards.

 

Analogies aren't perfect, but here are some things about our upcoming race that got me thinking…

It would be unfair and even a little cruel to expect Alan run the 10 mile race his first time out. Two miles is much better suited to his abilities (and mine). However, many times we expect new believers to behave the way veteran Christians do. Rather than saddle them with more than they're ready for, let's come alongside and run with them. Help them maintain their pace. Point out their progress and encourage them to keep going. 

 

 

If I don't prepare adequately I can't help my son at all. It means getting up when the alarm goes off. Some days that means shifting my running time a little later in the day (when it's warmer) to ensure that I get it in. More running means more laundry. But he's counting on me. I can't let him down. I'm not sure we grasp how much newer believers depend on us. We have to shift our routines around for their sakes. If they see us giving up, laying down or sleeping in, they will too. 

 

Having both races the same day, it will be tempting to look at the 10-milers and feel completely inadequate, especially since a number of them will run the 2-mile as a warm-up for their race. Sheesh. Thing is, the 2-milers get the same refreshments and the same shirt as the 10-milers. God lays a different race before each of us, and it's the one suited to our abilities and preparation. We shouldn't feel inferior to believers who have appear to have more faith, or more knowledge or some incredible ministry. At the end, we all get the same shirt- the righteousness of Christ.

 

 

The other day Jon brought me a t-shirt. The Red Cross had been to the refinery and he gave his latest pint on his way to five gallons. Along with the usual juice and cookies, they offered him a nice long-sleeved shirt, and he picked one in my size.

 

See that?

 

I got something free, because someone who loved me shed his blood to secure it.

 

Ephesians 2:7 says God saved us, so "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

 

It is beyond my comprehension to imagine what God has for us, all obtained by the blood of Christ.

 

And now I have a t-shirt as a gentle reminder.

May you and yours

know the joy

of the shepherds,

the worship of 

the wise men

and the wonder of 

Immanuel this Christmas! 

 

 

 

 

 

Very little is said of Joseph in the Bible. He is possibly one of the least discussed men of Scripture. If we examine the few Scriptures concerning him, we find an exemplary man and father. Briefly and succinctly here is what Matthew 1:18-25 says. 

 

Joseph, being a just man — Few people are given this description. Mary had “obviously” been unfaithful, and Joseph was going to see that the situation was dealt with as the law allowed.

 

Not willing — He could make a decision. He knew what he did NOT want to do although he hadn't fully decided on what TO do. This apparent indecisiveness was actually the manifesting of another character trait we'll discuss later.

 

To make her (Mary) a public example — Joseph was merciful. He could have done anything up to and including stoning, but he loved Mary too much for her to receive the justice she apparently deserved.

 

While — This single word that we may often over-read, simply and clearly relates that Joseph was not brash, but patient. He didn't want to make a hasty decision that he would regret later. 

 

He thought on these things — Joseph was wise. This is closely related to his patience, but time is sometimes necessary for the mind to weigh out all of the options and (as many people forget) the consequences of his decisions. 

 

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said — He was a spiritual man. Some do not believe in angels because they have not seen them. Joseph did not seem to be too disturbed by the angel, so he already assumed they existed. 

 

"Joseph, Son of David — You are of the kingly line, Joseph. You could rightly be heir to the kingship of Israel. 

 

"… the child is conceived by the Holy Ghost — “Really!? Pregnant by the Holy Ghost. That’s rich.” No, that was not his response. He received it by faith as fact. His previously mentioned spirituality  is accented by the faith he exhibited here. 

 

Did as the angel said — Obedience. Spirituality and faith are not complete if they are not put into action. Joseph, in addition to the other traits discussed was obedient. 

 

Joseph was a confident man. This is not directly stated, but certainly inferred. By not punishing Mary for infidelity, Joseph appeared to admit that he was the father, and therefore unable to control himself. He bore the blame and shame for the "early" pregnancy. Joseph knew what he had done… and what he hadn't… and lived the rest of his life shadowed by the notions of the community. 

 

I wish to follow Joseph’s example and encourage other men (and boys) to do the same. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My son is a trumpet player now. Since September. Early out he asked me to track down an easy trumpet hymn book so he could play in church. (Something simple and light like Beethoven's Ode to Joy.)

 

I love that.

 

He never worried that we have other, more skilled musicians in the church. He wasn't intimidated at the prospect of making a mistake. The extra practice wasn't even a burden.

 

 

Most times we go to a worship service because of what we expect to get out of it. We hope to be uplifted by the music, challenged by the teaching or encouraged by the words spoken. Or maybe all three. Being uplifted, challenged and encouraged are all good things. But they aren't the point of worship. Worship is more about what I can give. What offerings, what sacrifices do I bring? How do I demonstrate to God my Father that He is worthy? Not whether or not I'm worthy, but whether He is.

 

What will you bring to worship this weekend? Your voice? Your prepared heart and mind? Your tithes? What else?

 

I know a boy who's bringing a trumpet.

Welcome to my Thursday morning exactly one week ago. We were heading out of town for a long weekend and I was trying to schedule Monday and Tuesday's blog posts. Instead of logging on my website, I got an error message. Essentially, it meant that although my website (and all the posts, etc. from the last two and a half years – Yikes!) was still there, it was invisible, at least to the system. 

 

I did the only rational thing I could do at that point. I walked away.

 

But then, before commencing with the meltdown, I took a deep breath, and I prayed. I don't remember what I said exactly, but I'm sure it was deep and theologically profound like, "God, I can't deal with this today. I need to find a way to fix this now. Help me find a way to fix this."

 

I came back to the computer, and eight keystrokes later, it was fixed. Eight. Not eight hours or even eight minutes. Eight keystrokes. 

 

 

But then again it's not.

 

Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  I tend to reserve that for "life-threatening trouble", but Scripture doesn't restrict it that way. Trouble is however I define it, and Thursday morning my website was trouble. Refuge and strength can mean that simple deep-breath moment. And I love the alternate translations for "very present" –  well-proven, abundantly available, always ready.

 

While I need to remember that "help" doesn't always mean an instant fix, sometimes, it does. No matter what form trouble takes, God knows.

 

He is near.

 

Sheltering. Strengthening. Helping.