Happy Birthday, Maggie!

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV).

Just a few days ago we celebrated our oldest granddaughter’s birthday. Today we celebrate the third birthday of our next oldest, Maggie. I was taken to the prophet Isaiah for our reading today. I went back into my picture files and found one taken this summer when we went to eat in Ft. Worth, Texas. We sat outside on the patio with the Trinity River flowing by in the background. It was a very pleasant summer day for our area. After we finished our meal, Maggie said, “Ride the cow, Pee Paw.” Well, you certainly know what happened next. I took her to the life size cow and hoisted her aboard. She was delighted! There’s something wonderful about getting to see her so often now as we are geographically so close. It has also become something of a problem in that she has come to believe that Pee Paw can fix or do anything. Recently she defiantly began tearing pages from one of her books. David and Becca corrected her to her retort, “That’s OK. Pee Paw will fix it.” That reminded me of something very important. Through the years I have tried to practice an important principle. I need to guard against being God in their lives. I cannot write their stories. I cannot set the course for their future. I want to prevent them from every being hurt. I want to be the one to set anyone straight who messes with my kids. We cannot do that. Well, let me give you a few of the commitments I work at following in my relationship with the kids. It can be summed up with one word: prayer. Let me suggest five specific things you can pray for your children and grandchildren: Pray that they will learn early in life that to obey their parents and God is the best way to the life they truly desires (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22). Pray that they may find comfort in God’s to reach her, hold her and rescue her (cf. 2 Samuel 22:17-18). Pray that they will find confidence in God, even when hard times come and they don’t know what to do (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:12). Pray that they may keep themselves under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger her (cf. Proverbs 29:11). Pray that their journey will be made walk in the security of God’s assigned worth to them. Yes, prayer is the only possibility with real possibility. And that brings me to the place where I can finally say ... "Hello, my name is Mom. Not God." Happy Birthday, Maggie! I hope to live up to these commitments and more as you grow!

December Birthday

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7 ESV).

Tomorrow is another granddaughter’s birthday. Maggie will be three! I’ll have more to say in tomorrow’s devotional; however, today I want to focus on “December Birthdays.” Of course, that brings us to the discussion of Jesus’ birthday. Our reading is sufficiently silent about the exact date. It does give us some clues. Most scholars agree it was customary for the Jews to send their sheep to pasture from the spring until early October. As the cold winter months began, the flocks would return from the fields for shelter and warmth. Since the shepherds were still tending their flocks in the fields around Bethlehem it might be concluded that the angels announced the news of Jesus’ birth no later than October. We can find some additional clues to answer the question of “when was Jesus really born” by looking at the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1 tells of Zacharias, who was from the priestly order of Abijah, and his barren wife, Elizabeth, becoming pregnant with John the Baptist after his days of service in the temple. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy Gabriel visited Mary with the news that she would give birth to Jesus. The approximate month of Jesus’ birth can thus be determined by counting from the date of Zacharias’ priestly service until the birth of Jesus. Jewish priests were divided into 24 courses which ministered throughout the year in the temple. The order of Abijah was the eighth priestly course (cf. 1 Chronicles 24:6-19) which served in the temple during the 10th week of the priestly cycle. The start of the 10th week coincided with the second Sabbath in the month of Sivan, which runs approximately from mid-May to mid-June. Soon after Zechariah returned from his priestly duties Elizabeth became pregnant with John the Baptist. According to these references we can approximate the month of Jesus’ birth to be around the time of Tishri, or mid to late September. We might want to say, “So?” Well, the importance of the silence of the Scripture as to the exact time points us to the real focal point of Jesus’ life and ministry. The birth is only important in that it allowed him to die and be resurrected! This year, think upon Jesus, His sacrifice, and His mercy. That’s the real Good News!

Memories - Pt 4

Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:20-23 ESV).

The last of the principles in our reading is: embrace the life you have. Embrace it as you would a beloved friend. Hold it near and wholeheartedly. Welcome it with joyful acceptance, rather than grudging obedience. Embracing means gladly receiving and even welcoming whatever the Lord gives us, even when it wasn’t in our plans. It means being fully present, living in the now, finding joy in the moment, and not longing for what’s past. David shows us this principle. He changed his clothes, worshiped the Lord, and ate. He returned to a routine. Even though he would never be the same, he returned to a familiar routine of life. His loss became a part of his “new normal.” Mary and I have had to deal with that on several occasions. It is never pleasant sitting with a physician and asking the question, “What is the new normal?” At least in my experience, that means what appears to be the future is not anything what I had hoped or dreamed about. It has also been my experience that God does not leave us hopeless. Notice what David says: But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (v. 23). It is one of the many great passages of assurance about heaven and the blessing of being reunited with our loved ones. So today, if you are feeling weary and disappointed about your life, allow yourself to grieve. Allow yourself to weep deeply, to mourn the loss of what you hoped for, and then after you have lamented, wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life he’s given you. Into a world of great sadness and loss, God told his people, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19). The Lord is indeed doing a new thing in our lives. He is making a way in the wilderness and forging streams in the wasteland. Press into it, and embrace it. God is doing something beautiful.

Memories - Pt 3

On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. (2 Samuel 12:18-20 ESV).

We continue with the progression of things that we can do to manage and overcome the pain of our losses. I am using the experience of David when his first child by Bathsheba died. Today’s reading shows David moving from his great show of sorrow and grief to an incredible position in his faith in God. The last verse of our reading says, “then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothing” (v. 20). This is the second principle for us: wash your face. After David wept and grieved, the Scripture recounts that he “washed his face.” I know that’s a bit difficult for us to understand. This is more than merely drying his tears. It is a very intentional movement in a different direction emotionally and spiritually. I like the imagery. He takes a cloth and wipes the salty streaks from his cheeks. It is a means of describing the act of letting the soothing water move across his skin; he is taking steps to being refreshed through the redirection of his thoughts. It is his way of changing his focus to the Lord and the future he has determined for us. This is a deliberate act, a choice to refocus. When I refocus, I take my eyes off my problems, and shift them onto the Lord. It is an intentional act to trust God. Trust him even when the situation looks impossible. Trust him that he is working for your good. Trust him that he knows your best path and is in control. There was a reason I began this little series with Romans 8:28. It is the definitive passage on the provenance of God and our good. The context shows that in a groaning, heaving world, God’s concern is conforming his children to Christ’s image. And he works through the challenging circumstances of our lives to develop our Christlikeness. In the parallel passage of the Old Testament, Joseph said to his brothers (who’d sold him into slavery), “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (cf. Genesis 50:20). “God meant it for good” indicates God didn’t merely make the best of a bad situation; rather, fully aware of what Joseph’s brothers would do, and freely permitting their sin, God intended that the bad situation be used for good. He did so in accordance with his plan from eternity past. God’s children have “been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (cf. Ephesians 1:11). This trust allows us to wash our face. It is this step that allows us to move forward. Perhaps it’s your step today.

Memories - Pt 2

And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died. (2 Samuel 12:15-18 ESV).

I have often counseled people in their grief to weep deeply. Whatever the loss that is the first step to healing and restoration. We are going to see from David’s experience in the loss of his first child with Bathsheba that he did went through these four steps of dealing with his deep sorrow. They work for us as well. Each day we will consider one of them. They are: grieve the loss, wash your face, trust God embracing the life you have. In the historic Glenwood Cemetery of Houston, where both my parents are buried, there is a well known statue, “The Weeping Angel.” You can see from the picture that it is striking. I use it to visually remind us that our tears do not go unnoticed. It is always beneficial to acknowledge what is hard. Grieve the loss. You can and should feel the sting of what will never be. When we weep deeply over the life we hoped would be, we begin to walk a path leading to a sense of release. Often we too guarded about our pain, because it seems more spiritual. That’s not true. Weeping helps us heal. Since mourning is rarely a “one and done” event, it is natural to return to this state even after we think we have “moved on.” Often it is unexpectedly. Discipline yourself to acknowledge and even welcome this grief. Often it will reveal something that is worth paying attention to. I mourn the loss of what once was as well as the loss of what never was. They are both losses of what I hoped would be. There are so many forms of loss. There are couples who have struggled with infertility, as well as those who have buried a child, or who are raising a special needs child or a wayward son or daughter; each have all lost what they hoped would be. Whatever the origin, they are losses nonetheless. There are other losses, each bringing their own pain. Careers that have been cut short through no fault of your own, dreams that are lost from the devastation of injury or illness, or relationships that have imploded as a result of a partners poor choices and sin. There are so many hurts that the list grows seemingly unending. Weep. Grieve. However, rise from your depth of pain and “wash your face.” We will see David do just that in tomorrow’s devotional. It cleanses both mind and soul. It brings us to the One who heals and works our good.

Memories - Pt 1

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 ESV).

You may or may not recognize the picture that accompanies today’s Moring Devotional. It is a scene from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” If you haven’t seen that movie, spend an evening and laugh a lot while watching the exploits of Clark Griswold and his Christmas experience. That’s not the crux of today’s devotional though. We began our decorating for Christmas over the Thanksgiving holiday. Remember that it has been three years since we have been able to decorate our own space. That was due to being in transition between Tennessee and Texas. Regardless, this was our first “real” Christmas in our Texas home. We certainly are not going to have our home look like the Griswold’s; however, we do have lots of decorations we have accumulated through the years. I began bring all the storage tubs down from the attic in preparation for the actual trimming of the tree and decorating of our home. In a very strange way it left me more nostalgic and emotional than I anticipated. As I open each tub, I remembered the way life used to be. Each tub contained some item that evoked strong memories garnered over the last fifty years. Seems astonishing that it could be that long ago, but it has. I met Mary in the summer of 1968, and we were married December 21, 1969. Over the years we have lived an incredible life. We have been blessed more than either of us imagined when we began all those years ago. However, I am also reminded that the life I’m living now isn’t what we planned. While I am deeply convinced that I’m living out God’s best for me, there are days I miss what used to be. Unpacking these old tubs, each one filled with memories of a life that no longer exists, I realize there is loss in this journey we have taken. Oh, there is lots of gain, but the loss cannot be denied. As we unpacked and selected the things for this year’s decoration I saw pictures of family from years past. Inevitably, as with your albums, I am reminded of those who have moved from this life to that which God has prepared for them. I would love to have another conversation with them, to hear their voice. There are also pictures and mementos of Christmases past, recitals, and school plays, boxes filled with letters from people I no longer see, photographs that make me laugh and at the same time cringe in horror. All reminders of how our lives have changed. I am reminded again that the life I’m living now isn’t what I planned. This emotion isn’t particular to me. All of us face these memories. Our lives look vastly different than we imagined they would. So, what do we do? In the next few days we’ll examine that question. For now, revisit today’s reading. I know I go there often; however, it is the standard for hope. ALL things will work for my good. Until that is realized I urge you to place your trust in that promise.

Happy Birthday, Faith and Logan!

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. (Proverbs 17:6 ESV).

I am “crowned” five times according to this verse. Faith, Logan, Maggie, Harris, and Lucy are certainly the apple of my eye. Each of them are so unique and special in our lives as grandparents. Today I am only going to mention Faith and Logan as it is their 14th birthday! It hardly seems that is possible as the time has sped by. We have been entirely blessed to have watched them since their birth being close enough geographically to have watched all those little moments of life. This picture was taken yesterday at their "party." To say I am amazed is certainly an understatement. Their accomplishments are many, even at such a young age. To list them would only serve to sound like the boasting Grandpa that I really am! However, that would not serve the purpose of focusing on them as encouragement for us today. Grandchildren are our hope for the future. Our reading and others indicate that the elderly find a “crown” of reward and honor in being surrounded by grandchildren (cf. Proverbs 16:31; Genesis 48:11; and Psalm 128:5-6). Our lives have mattered, in a sense, through succeeding generations. We not only raised up godly sons and daughters, but they raised them to raise up the same kind of children. That is our hope for the future. This is a blessing for me today. However, I also know that is not everyone’s story or situation. It is not necessarily the case that grandchildren are a blessing to their parents, any more than fathers necessarily bring glory to their children. The Scripture reminds us that “He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy (cf. Proverbs 17:21, 25). If you are going through the pain of a wayward child, an unfaithful spouse, or some other broken family relationship, my heart is indeed broken for you. I’m not sure that there is any category of pain worse than family pain. I’ve watched people battle cancer, heart disease, and paralysis. I’ve seen others lose jobs and careers. Yet, is has been my experience personally, and my observation as a pastor and counselor, that there is something uniquely devastating about the pain of the broken family. While that is not my journey, let me encourage you today. God has a plan for your good, even in this. Your blessing is already prepared and sealed for your arrival at the end of your journey. Do not lose hope. The end of the story, while written in the heart and mind of our God, is not yet revealed. Happy Birthday, Faith and Logan! You encourage me; you are a crown in my old age. And, I pray my blessing will be an encouragement to all of you who read this little bit of inspiration today.