Author: Dave Dishman (Page 226 of 458)

I notice two types of workers at coffee shops. The most common appears uninterested in the customer standing at the counter (me) and punches in my order with boredom. The second type greets me with enthusiasm, asks about my day and smiles through the process. A cup of coffee tastes much better from the hand of a cheerful barista.

The book of Nehemiah tells the fascinating story about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Led by returning exiles, the citizens started moving rock. People with all sorts of skills step forward, including perfumers and goldsmiths.

In the long list of volunteers, one stands out for his fervent attitude—Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section.

Only Baruch garnered the description of zealous. The word means he burned with intensity, or he glowed as he went to work.

I wonder what brought this response out of Baruch? Was the rebuilding of the wall the fulfillment of a long-delayed dream? Did the wall represent years of prayers finally answered? Or did the task present an unexpected opportunity to step into God’s plan and rebuild part of the holy city?

Baruch recognized the hand of God. Even more than his neighbors, Baruch sensed his work on the wall displayed the goodness of the Lord to his people, the nations around them and the generations to follow. Baruch knew he contributed to a great undertaking and the glow leaked out.

Baruch caught the vision. Where do you and I need the Lord to give us fresh eyes? It’s a worthy prayer to ask the Lord to burn with the zeal of Baruch as we take part shoulder to shoulder in his work.

Nehemiah 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Tyler Nix

I’m not one for hard lessons in my life. I’d rather read about them happening to some other poor sap. But I know the Lord, like all good parents, corrects those he loves, and I’d much rather live under his direction than anyone else’s.

The psalmist writes on this theme, blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, until a pit it dug for the wicked.

Speaking of the wicked, later the psalmist asks the Lord, can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?

Notice the difference. In the first case, wise words from the Lord deliver discipline, which bears relief during troublesome times. Contrast those with words maneuvered by unscrupulous leaders to codify injustice into law and condemn innocent people to death.

Which words to embrace? Whose idea of flourishing to feed our hearts? Far better the words and justice of the Lord, than the twisting of language and ideals by corrupt people out for themselves.

But how do I know which of these dueling views influences me the most? Likely the one I spend the most time with. When I’m in the scriptures, I put myself under teachings from the Lord. As I make this a daily habit, his law seeps deeper into the recesses of my life.

This remains the only way I see to learn the lessons—and enjoy the blessings—the Lord holds for us.

Psalm 94 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Patrick Tomasso

Reading through the Bible every year and blogging about it is only a small (but very enjoyable) part of what I do.

I recently returned from two successive weekends speaking to college juniors and seniors who are considering next steps beyond graduation. While some plan to work in ministry, others are thinking about how to best serve the Lord in their places of work.

It was a privilege to speak to such motivated young people on walking with the Lord for the next 60 years of their lives. In a world where we don’t hear enough good news, these delightful students give hope for the future.

Later in January I’ll travel to Guatemala to plan for mission trips with professors alongside a partnering ministry. In March my wife and I will help host an outreach featuring American academics in Italy, and in June we will again lead a group on the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain.

Alongside these mission experiences, I’m working towards a Doctor of Ministry degree. Already well into the program, I’m researching how to better equip professors to serve as missionaries. I’m excited about the confluence of missions with this avenue of study.

Which brings me to money. My wife and I raise all the funds needed to cover our salary, health care, retirement benefits and ministry expenses—everything we receive. It amazes me to realize that we have seen the Lord provide, through many committed donors, for 37 years straight.

With so many doors opening, I hope to raise an additional $25,000 for the coming year. Along with opportunities with international missions and the expenses for my doctoral program, an increase in medical insurance adds to the total. Would you prayerfully consider giving toward this need?

This need is best met with on-going giving. But while our primary need is for long-term funding, a gift of any amount helps us serve for the coming year.

If you would like to help, you can do so by making a one-time gift or joining our team on a regular basis. You can give to us at www.give.cru.org.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness in following my blog, Thank you as well for considering this request.

I look forward to this next year of engaging with Scripture together and seeing what the Lord brings!

Do you know someone who loves to be first? I don’t mean an athlete in competition or a fan rooting for their favorite team, but a person who always needs control. It’s a regular tendency.

John wrote to a church leader regarding a man named Diotrephes, who loves to be first. Apparently Diotrephes opposed hospitality to traveling believers, and spread malicious rumors about John and his party. Not content in his personal obstruction, Diotrephes threatened kicking those inclined to help out of the church.

A deep need for control twists a leader. Insidious, the one who loves to be first manipulates and confuses. Leaders like this arise in our churches, as we see here, as well as in politics and business and education and all walks of life. Such a leader strangles the passion of others, divides good people and works all situations to benefit himself.

Which makes me wonder—where am I tempted to control situations to my benefit? Where do I love to be first? As I work with people, the temptation to make situations beneficial to myself regularly pops to mind. Occasionally this creates a better plan, but most often I’m simply using others for my pleasure.

It’s worth asking a co-worker if they see this tendency in you (a seriously brave question). Dealing with this impulse before it fruits moves us to healthier places with God and others.

Plus, better than poor Diotrephes, we avoid becoming an object lesson for the next 2,000 years.

Photo by Javier Quiroga