Author: Dave Dishman (Page 270 of 475)

My friend in college (and still my friend today) explained a fascinating concept over a meal. At least once a week he tried to eat until he reached “popping point,” not leaving the table until he was grossly over-stuffed. I immediately adopted this philosophy, wistfully abandoned a few years later when my metabolism slowed. But it was fun while it lasted.

Jesus fed 5,000+ men, women and children until they reached popping point. Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves…they all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Everyone ate all they wanted. Food was left over, piled all around. No one stopped eating until they were full. Jesus provided an abundance.

Worried about resources, I would have worked it out so that everyone had just enough. I slice the pie thinner. But when the Lord gets involved he cuts thick slabs and creates more pies.

Jesus said, I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). His demonstration with the loaves and fish holds a mirror to what he proposes. I underestimate his ability to create abundance.

Along those lines, I fail to enjoy his abundance all around me. In family, in health, in nature, in friends, and yes, in my pantry. No lack of food anywhere near.

While the goal of popping point remains a fond memory, it reminds me of the promise of the Lord and his ability to create a life of abundance.

Matthew 14 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Alex Lvrs

Insurance is a wonderful thing. I just got my Jeep back from the bodyshop after a fender bender. My auto insurance paid for most all of the repair. Along with car insurance, I have homeowner’s insurance, health insurance, savings insurance (FDIC) and life insurance.

Amaziah, king of Judah, won a smashing victory over the nation’s oppressors. When he returned to the palace, he carried back the idols of the defeated, bowed before them and worshipped. The Lord immediately dispatched a prophet with this message:

Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?

The prophet asked a good question—why would Amaziah worship powerless gods, and in doing so, offend the Lord who went before him?

Amaziah’s choice looks wildly foolish. Maybe he thought in slow-motion? Likely something in the look and build of those idols caught his eye, and Amaziah heard stories of the power of those gods.

I suspect Amaziah hoped to add a layer of insurance. If the Lord saves, why not a few more deities? A dream team of gods? The Lord+?

I lean that direction. Whether position or money or recognition or security, I tend to layer insurance to the Lord’s role in my life. When the Lord looks the other direction, I’ll have something solid to hold. I cannot quite trust all the way.

It’s not to the level of burning incense and praying to carved images, but I notice my lack of assurance. Why do I consult the people’s gods when the Lord has always provided? I recognize the Lord stands beyond all the added ways I insure my life anyway, so why get stuck on my insurance? Why look to create my version of the Lord+?

Only when my hope returns to the Lord do I find a solid, fully insured place to stand.

2 Chronicles 25 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Tierra Mallorca

Jonah was a miserable prophet. Or more to the point, he carried a bad attitude during his prophetic cruise to Nineveh. Jonah felt the Ninevites deserved some wrath of God in their lives so he bitched and moaned all the way to Nineveh and then into the prophet’s hall of fame.

Three days in the belly of a giant fish set Jonah straight. He fulfilled his mission and the people in Nineveh responded overwhelmingly, fasting and praying and hoping for the Lord’s compassion.

The Lord noticed: When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.

Jonah never wrapped his mind around the graciousness and compassion of the Lord. He fixated on the evil acts of the Ninevites, but overlooked their lost souls—a position I find myself in at times.

I pause at the story of Jonah because I notice how God sent a reluctant messenger through the belly of a fish to reach clueless, idol-worshipping people. God wants all to come to repentance, and God uses even lousy prophets to carry his message.

Hopeful for all of us, as we’re all either straying from God, or lousy prophets attempting the work of the Lord.

Jonah in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Mitchell Orr