On the way to Sunday . . . Krazy Kinfolk pt 2

I still remember watching Hee Haw at my grandparents house. As a matter of fact that was the only place I ever watched Hee Haw. And yet there are parts of that show I still remember to this day.

Gloom, despair and agony on me-e!
Deep dark depression, excessive misery-y!
If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all!
Gloom, despair and agony on me-e-e!


Each week there would be some sad tale that was told between the singing of the chorus and it would end with everyone in tears over the horrible misfortune.

As we journey towards another Sunday and another story of our Krazy Kinfolk from the Bible, this song came to mind. So often, in our families we like to lament about the lot in life we have been given.

As children, we rant about how unfair our parents are ... only to discover years later that we have become the same unfair parents. Go figure? When did our parents become so smart?

Part of our difficulty in growing up is that we feel 'cheated' when our parents aren't paying attention to us. Let's face it, we always want our parent's approval and we will go to nearly any length to get it.

And if we don't receive that approval ... then doom, despair, and agony on us!

What if there was a way to ensure that our children received that blessing of approval from their parents?

What if for those whose parent's are long gone, they could still receive a parental blessing?

What would that blessing look like?

Join us Sunday for a look at the despair and joy of the blessing that is available for every child (and adult too!).

Krazy Kinfolk: A Lying Father

There was a time when everyone could acknowledge that "Father knows best," but in our story today I'm not sure that was the case.

Our story begins in Genesis Chapter 12. Many people today think of the characters in the Bible as people who lived in a different time that have nothing in common with us today. While it is true that the people in the Bible lived in a different time there are still a lot of things that people in the Bible have in common with us today and that includes having really dysfunctional families or as I like to think of them: there just regular people with Krazy Kinfolk!

At the beginning of our story, Abraham was called by God to leave the land he knew as home and travel to a place that would be revealed to him later. This unknown place would be settled by his family and would lay the foundation for a blessed nation (Gen 12). Abraham obeyed God and left his homeland with his wife Sarah and nephew Lot and their humble possessions.

During their travels they encountered the Pharaoh of Egypt who was quite taken by the beauty of Sarah. In an attempt to save his own life, Abraham lies about his wife and says she is his sister (Gen 12:10-13). Abraham essentially sold his wife to Pharaoh in exchange for a large dowry. As a result Abraham became quite wealthy. After he was discovered as a liar, they all fled from Egypt. The wealth gained by Abraham was so great that it caused quarrels between Lot and Abraham – money and wealth will do that. So, they agreed to split company (Gen 13:11-12). You can’t make this up --- well you could, but it would be a late light soap opera --- perhaps you would call it something like Dallas?

Now, God reminded Abraham of the promise of the riches that he had promised (Gen 15:1). Abraham argued with God that they would be no good if he had no offspring to inherit the riches. God promised him a son, an heir, who would bring forth a nation to large to count (Gen 15:5). Sarah, his wife, who was unable to have children convinced Abraham to have a child with their servant girl, Hagar (Gen 16:1-2). How else would this promise of God come to be?

The birth of the son created a rift between Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham – You think? Sarah became physically and mentally abusive towards Hagar. Hagar would eventually run away to escape only to return later for more abuse. All the while, Abraham remains silent. Interestingly Abraham will speak up in defense of Sodom and Gamorah - go figure?

Throughout all this, God remained faithful to the promise and Sarah became pregnant 14 years later at age 90. Abraham at the time was nearly 100. The son was to be named Isaac which meant “laughter”. The laughter would soon become tears. To celebrate the news of this impending birth the custom of circumcision was begun. This included every male – I am sure they were all thrilled at the news of the pending birth! BTW, the nephew Lot ran into some trouble in Sodom and Gomorrah and also fathered children with his 2 daughters. --- You can’t make up these stories --- Wouldn’t this make a good episode on Maury or Doctor Phil?

While traveling, Abraham encounters another king who is again quite taken with his wife’s beauty who was nearly 90 at the time! Abraham again lied about his wife’s identity assuming the king was not God fearing in order to escape (Gen 20:11-13). The end result is another large gift of livestock and land. I’m telling you – Sarah must have been the most beautiful woman to ever live (except for my wife - of course! ).

Sarah eventually gives birth to a baby boy and they calls him Isaac. As the boy grew, his older half brother teased him and this upset Sarah, his mother, so she planned to have him and his mother killed. The end result was that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, left and grew up in Egypt and God continues to watch over both of them (Gen 21:20-21).

To summarize: Abraham repeatedly lies to protect himself; He twice jeopardizes the honor and life of his wife; He has an illegitimate child with a servant woman; He abandons his out-of-wedlock child; stood passively by while his wife abused Hagar; constantly sought God’s assurance that God would keep His promises; plus there's the whole ordeal where Abraham plans to sacrifice his son Isaac – now that's gotta leave some emotional scars!

Abraham is a mistrusting father, has a wife of ill-rhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifepute, has a broken and quarreling family, is given to a propensity to lie, as a result his family tree is filled with countless problems and dysfunction. Yet, and don’t miss this “yet” - God was and still is in control.

And no matter how broken, how desperate your life may seem it is never too late to trust God. God can use all the failings and broken parts and can still work something beautiful. All that happened in Abraham’s life, all the mistakes, all the failings, all the lies, all the deceit; everything came together in this one moment in time.

Through all the brokenness and dysfunctionality of this family, God is able to provide THE PICTURE of faith and grace for all the future generations (Genesis 22:1-19). This one moment in time gives us the picture then of what would be later – God supplying the perfect sacrifice to save us all – Jesus Christ.

This complete wreck of family, this less than perfect father gives us the picture of sacrifice and love – a loving father willing to give his son and a loving God supplying a perfect lamb in his place. I hope this story provides hope for you and your family. No matter how broken or imperfect you might be – God can use you to provide a picture of love and grace to this world – If you will let Him.

One final thought from this dysfunctional family:

They got things together and returned to Beersheba. Abraham settled down in Beersheba. Genesis 22:19b The Message

Scripture says after all of this (all of the dysfunction) that Abraham settled down. I like that phrase settled down. It is comforting. It is peaceful. I believe it is what we all desire – the ability to settle down – to be at peace with our lives.

When we become willing to surrender our desires, our bent for control, our appetite for now, when we let go of all of that and give all that we have and surrender our desires to God – it is then that we can discover the joy that is only found and described as settling down.

And perhaps in discovering peace and contentment for ourselves, our families will discover it as well even to the next generation.

On the way to Sunday . . . Krazy Kinfolk

You never know where inspiration is going to strike. A few years back I ran across this book and made note of the title and the concept.

It got me to thinking. Families today come in all sizes, shapes, and forms - Step families, multicultural families, blended families, adoptive families, foster families, multi-race families. We even marry into families and kinfolk. You name it we got it in our world, our neighborhoods, our church, and our own families. And I hate to break it to you, but some of the Krazy in your family is related to you!


We are far more politically correct these days, so we don' call them Krazty Kinfolk. We call them dysfunctional. Dysfunctional family is one of the buzz words of our day.

Dysfunctional family as defined by the McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine © 2002: A family with multiple 'internal'– e.g. sibling rivalries, parent-child– conflicts, domestic violence, mental illness, single parenthood, or 'external'– e.g. alcohol or drug abuse, extramarital affairs, gambling, unemployment—influences that affect the basic needs of the family unit.

You can explain away anyone's behavior by mentioning that they grew up in a "dysfunctional family." Seemingly that makes nearly any behavior acceptable and understandable. Do you think your family is dysfunctional?

Truth is we all have a few Krazy Kinfolk in our genealogies and I can promise you that some of the Bible's most famous characters had even more dysfunctional families than you do. When you consider the people of faith that have gone before us, it really is amazing to think that faith has survived 'til now.

Come to think of it, when I consider some of the Krazy Ancestors I have ... it's amazing to think that I even exist!

Perhaps the stories of their dysfunction can help us be better parents, children, or even families today.

See you Sunday ...

Elijah: Leaving a Legacy

Today Elijah is faced with the task of leaving a legacy … it is a question we are asking as a country – what is the legacy we are leaving our children … it is a question we are asking ourselves as a church … what is our legacy? … It is a question nearly every parent asks themselves – what is the legacy I am leaving my children … my grandchildren?

What do you go when you have people willing to follow you, but you are not sure what to do? That is the problem with trying to leave a legacy - what will you do? That is the plight of our main characters in this final installment in the life of Elijah.

2 KINGS Chapter 2

1When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

Elijah knows the time is come for someone else to take up the mantle as God’s chosen prophet. His work is done.

Like a parent driving away from the college campus for the first time, moving your child into their first apartment or home, or simply letting go of the training wheels for the first time, teaching our children to stand on their own is not easy.
Elijah has been entrusted with the role of being prophet and teacher for Elisha and the time has come for Elisha to be on his own.

Elijah has one final opportunity to teach. Elijah leads Elisha on a journey of remembrance and testing. First they travel to Gilgal. The place where Joshua led the nation of Israel into the promised land.

Throughout the journey these two will take, nothing is said about the places. I believe they spoke for themselves. No words were needed to describe the importance of the places. Everyone knew about their significance. As a side, parents have you taken the time to share the lessons of your life to your children. Are the stories so familiar to them that words are not needed.

2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
Then they travel to Bethel. This is the place where Jacob encountered God.
4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.

They go to Jericho where Joshua led the nation in a great victory. It is here that 50 additional prophets begin to follow the activity.

5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" "Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.


Elijah then leads Elisha to the west bank of the Jordan River. This is one of the nation’s borders and is rich in biblical tradition. This is the river that Moses could not cross and where Joshua led the people to finish what Moses started.

7 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan.
Can you imagine the sight of them trying to remain out of the way?
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

Elisha is the one selected to assume Elijah’s position of leadership. Elijah has been training him, but when will he be ready? They are both in a tough spot. Elisha knows this will be a tough position to fill and asks Elijah for the “GIFT.” Elisha recognizes that a leadership position without God’s spirit will be an empty position of leadership. Elijah’s success had not been based on his ability but rather his obedience to God. This journey, I believe, was to remind Elisha that.

Parents we do are children a disfavor if we teach them they can do it on their own. Nothing is impossible – with GOD!

The task before Elisha will be impossible without God’s power and leadership. Elijah is reminding Elisha that nothing is impossible – with GOD! Elijah has one more important lesson to impart to Elisha with God’s help because the “GIFT” Elisha seeks is not Elijah’s to give. Elisha needs to focus on the God of Elijah and not Elijah, the Man of God.

10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."


Wise leaders test the commitment of their followers. John Wesley believed that church membership should include a commitment to Prayer, to be Present, to Give, to Serve, and to Witness. The church should call all members to accountability. We should be accountable to one another, accountable to the church, and most important accountable to God. By all accounts Elijah held Elisha accountable. For Elisha, it certainly was not an easy task following Elijah for this day or for the past years. This time of testing and service was hard for Elisha. There are times ahead for Elisha that will not be easy.

Like Elisha, our journey was not meant to be easy. The most important things in life never are easy. They seem to require everything of us – just ask any parent.

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
13 He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 "Look," they said, "we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley." "No," Elisha replied, "do not send them."
17 But they persisted until he was too ashamed to refuse. So he said, "Send them." And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. 18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

I don’t know what this means. The Bible says Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. At the same time there was a chariot of fire that appeared. I don’t get it. Faith is hard to explain and sometimes we are simply called to believe and not necessarily understand. Sometimes we need to explore faith on our own just like the fifty that went searching for answers.

This past week our children have had that opportunity to search for answers during Vacation Bible School. Hopefully what they learned this week will be part of the legacy that we will leave behind.

A word of caution (and encouragement) --- the lessons of faith are not learned in a week. They are learned in a lifetime.

As parents we all want to leave a legacy to our children. I would go as far as to say each generation hopes to add to the legacy left to each subsequent generation. What legacy will you leave?

May your faith be a part of that legacy as you seek to live your faith each and every week.

The Gift of Light

It's amazing how much light one match can create in a room of darkness.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9

Every Sunday at church we pass the offering plate. Often times I hear this called "taking up the collection." I have come to understand that is wrong on so many levels.

I take time each Sunday to remind our congregation that our offering is an act of worship as we sacrifice to give a portion of what we have been given.

The idea of the gift of light struck me this week.

May your gifts be light in a world of darkness.

On the way to Sunday . . . God revealed in the details

God must frequently watch us and laugh.

We have a team that has planning our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year. It has been great. I would get updates on the planning, but I was not involved in the planning. VBS Started today using SKY curriculum from Group.

Here is the concept: Every kid wishes they could fly … so imagine transforming your church into the boundless blue sky! At Sky VBS, kids discover that by trusting God, everything is possible.

Cool idea, but here is the humor of God (remember I have not been part of the planning and until today knew nothing of the theme).

Sunday I talked about Superheroes and flying and how God calls each of us to be a hero (full story here).

This coming Sunday I will be telling the story of Elijah flyin' off to heaven in a whirlwind and how we are called to leave a legacy of faith behind us.

It appears to have been wonderfully planned by the pastor, but I must admit there was no plan - well at least on my part - God has been at work all along.

Always grateful when God reveals His plan in a way that can be seen. Thanks for the peak behind the curtain.

As we count the days 'til Sunday, I can't wait to see what else God has to teach us this week as learn to fly!

Elijah: Learning to Practice Grace

I love all the old super hero shows. Clark Kent hears the cry with his super hearing, removes his glasses, and leaps out the window to fly into action as Superman. The Bat Signal goes up and the cry, “To the bat cave is heard!” and Bruce Wayne and Master Grayson slide down the secret pole and race into action as Batman and Robin. Even Larry Boy in Veggie tales responds when his mop signals that someone is in need by declaring, “I am that Hero!” and hops off to go the rescue. I often think of those heroes and wonder how I would respond if given the opportunity.

One of my first jobs was as a cashier at the old People’s Drugs. I worked a lot of Sundays and there would most often be only two people in the store when we opened, the assistant manager, who was also the pharmacist, and myself. I remember one Sunday morning, I had a long line of customers waiting to check out and out of the corner of my eye I see a couple of people coming out of the liquor department. This was highly unusual because it was closed off on Sundays.

This was my moment. Time to leap into action. I had two known shoplifters right in front of me. As I looked the first one right in the eye, I prepared to “spring” into action. In the next moment, I cried out the loud and profound words, “Un-huh, not on my watch! Drop it and get out of here!” They were gone in a flash and I was left to explain to a line of stunned people wondering what had just happened. That was my moment. What a hero!?

This week Elijah will be put in a similar instance and he too will declare to Ahab, “Not on my watch!” I believe it is a far more dramatic scene than that which I was a part of twenty-five years ago. But, never the less, Elijah does play the role of God’s super hero in this week’s installment of the Life of Elijah:

I Kings 21:1-29

1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth." 3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers." 4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. 5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?" 6 He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' " 7 Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death." 11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead." 15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead." 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard. 17 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!' " 20 Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!" "I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 21 'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. 22 I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.' 23 "And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.' 24 "Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country." 25 (There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)


While Ahab is hearing the news of Naboth’s death and is preparing to go take possession of the vineyard, God calls out for His hero. I like imagining the Superhero type response of Elijah. Elijah springs into action. Ahab, the bad guy, and Elijah, God’s hero, arrive in the vineyard at the same time. Villain and Hero set to battle and just when you think that the bad guy is going to finally get what he deserves – BOOF! POW! KAZOWIE! – God’s grace steps in and the bad guy is let go!

27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. 28 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29 "Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."


In all of this, Ahab has something to teach us. We learn that God's grace is available to everyone --- even the most evil acting king of all time! We also learn that God’s grace is available if we respond.

Our choices have consequences and consequences, if not immediate, will be inevitable. In the Old Testament covenant, the consequences of Ahab’s actions were to be brought on his sons. We live under a new covenant written in the blood and sacrifice of Christ. The new covenant states that we will be judged individually for our actions and this judgment will come at the end of our days. Our actions no longer carry a Godly judgment to our nation or even to our families. However, do not be mistaken, our actions will always have consequences and those consequences may very well come to bear on our nation and/or our family.

Therefore, we must learn to discipline our desires so that our actions do not stand in opposition to God’s standard for our actions. We must learn to put our desires under God’s submission. Perhaps you need to reorder some of your desires in the face of God’s standards for your life? If God’s grace is evident in the life of Ahab (did I mention Ahab was the most evil king to ever live?), how much more may God’s grace become evident in your life?

There is one last thing for us to learn from our Superhero - Elijah. We can discover this by looking at words written about Elijah in the New Testament - “Elijah was a man just like us.” James 5:17 NIV

Are you kidding me?

Elijah was anything but “just a man,” BUT that is the point. Elijah was no different than you or I. Our problem is that we find it easy to be like Elijah in part, but not the whole. We like be like Elijah when he is pronouncing judgment on the mistakes or sins that exist in Ahab’s life. We don’t mind being the judge and jury for God in people's lives (other than our own).

We might even find it easy to compare ourselves to the people around us. It is easy to say “At least I’m not as bad as Ahab” or “At least I’m not as bad as ________” or I’ll never be as good as _____” or “at least I’m better than _____.”

The problem with comparing is that it can also limit us …. “I’ll never have that kind of relationship with God” or “I wish I could do that (give, serve, pray) but I don’t have the _____”

It would be really easy for us to look at the life of Elijah and say I could never be like him. But then again ... “Elijah was just a man.”

You and I have the ability to have the same relationship with the same God that Elijah did. We even have one more trick up our sleeves that Elijah didn’t --- the Holy Spirit! Our problem is we don’t believe that we have the capability.

Can we learn to practice grace in our lives?

When we fail, we need to practice grace just like Ahab.

And when we seek to live our faith, we need grace to see beyond our own ordinariness and begin to see in ourselves and others what God sees … “Elijah was just a man.”

But then again...a life given over to serving God is anything but something ordinary.

Practice grace this week and begin to unleash the Superhero that is within you!

The Cost of Freedom

THE COST OF FREEDOM

On this the 4th of July, let us not forget the cost of freedom. Many a brave soldier has given of their lives to afford us the freedom we have this day. Take time to pause and give thanks for those that paid the price and continue to serve in harm's way.

Let us not forget that the cost of freedom has never changed.

God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. Romans 3:25

We have freedom from the curse of sin because of the sacrifice of Christ.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me [Christ] to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,"
Luke 4:18-19

While you celebrate your freedom this day remember freedom comes with responsibility:

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive." I Corinthians 10:23

On the way to Sunday . . . Practicing Grace

Here I am to save the day!

Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s ... you?

Why not? Who hasn’t dreamed about casting off the bondage of gravity and flying through the air like Superman or sticking to the side of buildings like Spider-Man or rescuing helpless vegetable like Larry Boy? I mean if a cucumber can do it, why can't I?

Unfortunately, reality has a way of ruining a good fantasy. After all, superheroes only exist in comic books, cartoons, and movies. I am just one person. What difference could I make anyway?

Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. Romans 7:19 CEV

But still ...

I wish I had the power to always do the right thing.

I wish I had the power to make things right.

I wish I had the power to love the unlovable.

I wish I had the power to fix things gone wrong.

Amidst my wishing, I find God speaking to me through scripture:

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

Maybe I can be a superhero ...

Maybe by learning to practice grace in my life ... accepting God's forgiveness,

I can learn to practice grace in other people's lives as well.

Practicing grace on the way to Sunday ... see you then.

Elijah: Rediscovering Your Purpose

My oldest son had a habit (actually a lot of habits ... I just mention this one) that used to bug me to no end. He would play sport’s themed video games and whenever the tide had turned in favor of the computer he would reach out and hit the reset button and start over. It would drive me crazy!

I would always say, “Life doesn’t have a reset button!”

He would remind me, “It’s only a game Dad and it is more fun when you win!”

I would counter with “but winning is even sweeter when you make a comeback and overcome the odds.”

He would then remind that he was playing a game and the purpose of the game was to bring enjoyment and he enjoyed winning ... all the time!

I have often thought that life would be a lot easier if it had a reset button?

As we continue this week in the life of Elijah, He has just won a big victory. However, in the aftermath of the great victory he will find himself devoid of purpose and I believe searching for a reset button for his own life.

When we were last with Elijah he had just journeyed nearly 100 miles to challenge and defeat the 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. After the battle was won and all of the prophets killed, Elijah prayed for rain to return to the land. At the sight of distant rain clouds, Elijah ran the seventeen miles back to Jezreel. He ran so fast that he arrived ahead of Ahab in his chariot. Elijah is on “top of the world.” Everything is going just as planned – God is good – there is no God like Jehovah! Meanwhile, it is still early in the evening at the palace and Ahhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifab must deliver the bad news to his wife, Jezebel, the queen.

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."

Obviously, Jezebel does not take the news well. All of these now dead prophets had been in her safe keeping these past 3+ years. So, she sends a message to Elijah that she will have him killed in the next 24 hours.

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
Upon hearing the news, Elijah begins to flee in fear for his life. His journey of running in fear takes him over 100 miles from Jezreel. At his point, Elijah declares for the first time, “I have had enough God, take my life.”

I suppose looking in from the outside, Elijah looks a fool. After all, didn’t God provide protection for Elijah these past 3+ years? During this time, had not Jezebel been trying to have him killed? Hadn’t Elijah just taken part (with the help of the entire nation) in defeating (killing) all the false prophets? Had Elijah not just been part of one of the greatest displays of God’s might and power?

Elijah! Why are you running away?

5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

After all that God has done for Elijah. In the moment of victory, Elijah runs in defeat and chooses to hide. I love God’s response because it reveals to us much about God’s character. God responds with grace – not rebuke. God allows Elijah to rest. God even feeds him with similar provisions, bread cakes and water, as before. Perhaps this was a subtle reminder from God of their past history together? Perhaps you can relate in your life to those subtle moments when you have been reminded of God’s provision in your life.

God strengthens Elijah for the journey that lies ahead of him. God knows where Elijah is headed even though it is not where God wants him to be. Elijah will spend the next 40 days traveling to Mount Horeb. Elijah is going to the holy mountain of God to once and for all have it out with God.

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

What has brought Elijah to this point? He is exhausted. He is disillusioned with his work. The people have not changed their ways. He also has a distorted perspective on events. He is depressed. He has forgotten his past with God: the ravine, the Widow, the victory over Baal, and his encounter with Obadiah and the other 100 prophets. Elijah is focused on the negative and as a result Jezebel now seems larger than God.

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

God asks Elijah, “Why are you here?” This is a subtle way of asking why are you not where I have sent you? God does not argue with Elijah but rather provides him with a divine encounter – Yes, God is in the big things (Fire, Wind, Earthquake), BUT God is also in the calm and quiet and no matter what is happening God is in control.

Even after this encounter Elijah has still had enough – it all seems pointless! His response sounds even more self-centered when repeated after this encounter. Elijah was in need of a new vision from God – He just couldn’t see it.

14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
How often we must sound like Elijah, while we repeat the same excuses for failing to do what we know God has asked us to do. 15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." 19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."

God remains patient and tells Elijah to go back. God patiently reminds Elijah, “I am not done with you!” God also reveals more details for the plan that God has for taking back the country.

Elijah responds with obedience and does as God asks – He goes back. Sometimes the purpose that God has for our lives is in the place we are – it’s just when we are honest – it isn’t the place we want to be!

Don’t miss that God’s grace becomes real and available as a result of Elijah’s obedience. At the end of this chapter in Elijah’s life, Elisha is provided as a companion and confidant for Elijah. This is a reminder that God provides people in our lives to keep us from wearing out, to encourage us, to help us keep perspective, to help us keep the faith --- that is the church --- small groups --- Christian friends.

We will leave Elijah today on his journey to meeting Elisha. The story of their meeting is for another day and perhaps another series because I want to focus on the one question that God asks Elijah, “Why are you here?”

Have you ever reached the point where you just wanted to quit – throw in the towel - or at the very least ask for a “do-over” or a mulligan? It is easy to reach that point – the point in life where nothing seems to be going well and everything seems stacked against you. Whatever purpose you thought you had in life is gone or forgotten. You are left feeling alone – life is purposeless and you are ready to quit.

Perhaps God is asking you today, “Why are you here?” Why are you here in this moment of your life in general? Too often we seek to find our purpose in what we do – our careers – our activities --- but God had called us to a greater purpose --- and the problem is, like Elijah, we often run from our purpose.

Too often we seek to find God in the big things. While God is most often revealed in the quiet and often unnoticed moments.

Have you had enough of life and all that it has offered you? Are you worn out? Feeling isolated? Defeated? Are you running from something? Have you ever been exhausted by all that life has offered? Have you been disillusioned by people? Have you felt like what is the point of all that I do? Have you ever felt depressed? Alone? Defeated?

God’s grace is sufficient. Jesus offers rest for the weary and strength for those that are worn out. Don’t miss out on the provision that God has for your life. God is calling you back into His loving care.

Don’t miss God’s provision of a friend – we often feel alone and defeated – because we allow ourselves to be in isolation. We refuse to tell others, or be around others, or we fail to notice those that have withdrawn. We were not designed to be alone . . . Why are you here?

Find a church home. Find a place to call home.

Why are you here?