Author: Dave Dishman (Page 357 of 459)

As Easter approaches I often need a reminder of why it’s so important. Perhaps you do as well.

My gracious friend Miriam Wei Wei Lo, an Australian poet and professor, helps me remember…

Easter, Margaret River

Saturday, 2 a.m. Someone is skateboarding

outside our bedroom window. Tick-tacking

up and down the kerb. Next door, the party

pounds on. Car doors open and slam.

Kids sit on the verge, passing joints,

and everywhere that tired old language of rebellion

rocks on. I swear I grow sick of this place.

These people flattening beer cans

outside my window. Jesus Christ!

This world you came to die for.

Miriam Wei Wei Lo in Inscribe journal

Photo by Harry Cunningham

I’m fascinated every time I read about Joshua’s encounter with the commander of the Lord’s army, who happened to be an angel with bared sword and no sense of humor.

Joshua nervously asked, are you for us, or for our adversaries? Neither, the angel shot back. I wonder what ran through Joshua’s mind?

I know what runs through my mind. Shock. Didn’t the angel automatically side with Joshua and his people? Apparently not. It appears the Lord stayed above the fray. The commander took orders from the Lord, and expected Joshua to do the same.

I assume the Lord takes sides – my side, in particular.

The Lord apparently doesn’t think like me, nor does the Lord allow me to manipulate him to undergird my causes.

On the contrary, the Lord finds holiness more valuable than the side I support. His side is the side I need to line up on.

Joshua 5:13-15 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

The Captain of the Lord’s Army Appears to Joshua (Ferdinand Bol, 1662)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Thus the Lord encouraged Joshua at the first steps of his leadership journey.

Sometimes that’s just what I need to hear.

Week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Billy Pasco

Yeast.

A tiny seed.

The kingdom of heaven is not like blaring trumpets, wealthy nations, military prowess, or social media empires.

I read these descriptions from Jesus and I hope. I read them and I relax. I read them and a sense of peace seeps through the cracks of my soul.

God grows his kingdom imperceptibly, slowly, out of sight. God doesn’t need me or my efforts to grow his kingdom, although he graciously allows me to take part.

Today, during holy week, the kingdom grows. I can’t see where, or in what ways, but it roots and expands and swells, soon to burst forth.

Thank you, Lord.

Luke 13:18-21 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Joshua Lanzarini