Category: Bible (Page 265 of 361)

I have much to be grateful for this time of year, including a successful trip with a group on the Camino de Santiago, despite all the covid fears and protocols. One of our participants said this of the trip:

The Camino trip with y’all is one of the greatest gifts we have received from God in our 20+ years with Cru. We returned home with sore joints but refreshed souls.

I’m grateful for family and friends, and for times of slowness and contemplation. Of course, I grateful for those of you who read my blog regularly, or occasionally, whatever the case may be!

As staff members with Cru (the campus ministry where I do my day job), 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 sometimes to realize that we have seen the Lord provide this way, through a team of committed donors, for 36 years.

However, as we look towards 2022, we find ourselves with a specific need that requires us to give attention to our funding.

Recently a long-term church partner informed us of a change in their giving, resulting in a decrease in our funding of $4800 annually. Add in a significant increase in the costs of our medical coverage and ministry expenses, and we find ourselves needing to raise an additional $14,000 in annual giving this coming year.

For us this need is best met with on-going giving on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. But while our primary need is for long-term funding, a gift of any amount at this time helps us serve for the coming year.

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

Thank you for considering this request and lifting this need up to the Father. I hope to continue to blog my way through the Bible in 2022, and your giving will help make that possible.

Blessings,

Dave

Of all the terrible people in scripture, Haman stands in the top 1%.

An adviser to King Xerxes, Haman literally pranced his status in the streets. When one lowly Jewish man failed to bow, an incensed Haman concocted a plan to murder him and all his people throughout the empire. Genocide over a snub.

Fortunately, Esther and Mordecai saved the day. Well, saved the day for everyone except Haman. When Xerxes discovered the depths of the foul plan (why he asked no questions earlier reveals a disturbing lack of connection) he turned his wrath on Haman, impaling him on a 75-foot pole. The best, most ironic part of the story reveals that Haman initially built this structure to victimize Mordecai (FYI, don’t google impalement unless you have a strong stomach).

Ultimately, Haman suffered the justice he deserved. I like this ending. Nice, tidy, dramatic. Evil is vanquished and good people take charge (except crazy Xerxes is still calling the shots). Justice like we all hope for in the world.

Sometimes before my eyes, I watch the unjust brought to punishment. But too often, I see corrupt people prosper, doing so as they climb on the backs of unfortunates below them. Nothing nice or tidy emerges to chastise their behavior.

However, I’m reminded that the Lord knows how to execute justice, in this world or the next. While I’m not sure if eternity will be nice and tidy, it certainly will be dramatic.

Esther 7 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ashley Jurius

If people could read one line on your tombstone 2,000 years from now, what would you hope they would read?

In a short letter, way back at the end of our Bibles, we learn the names of two church leaders. Outside of this letter, no further knowledge of these men exists. Scholars know nothing more of their past or futures. Only their mention in this short note from John to his friend Gaius reveals anything about them.

John first wrote of Diotrephes—who loves to be first. Diotrephes opposed the influence of John and other followers of Jesus. He spread rumors, refused to host traveling believers, and even stopped others from doing so. John goes to far as to refer to Diotrephes as evil.

Contrast that description with Demetrius—well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. John commended Demetrius for his service to the people around him and encouraged Gaius to engage with such a good man.

Diotrephes loved his position, loved to be first, loved all the attention and adornments and power that come to a leader. He cherished control. The work of the Lord dragged behind the work of keeping Diotrephes in the limelight.

Demetrius walked in the truth he professed. He was ok with being first, or second or fifteenth, or twenty-third. I picture him patiently waiting at the back of the church buffet line, letting others fill their plates first, then helping wash the dishes.

Demetrius served others—Diotrephes used them.

Pretty crappy line on a tombstone—He loved to be first—but that’s what Diotrephes earned. Demetrius, for his humble service, reaped a beautiful epitaph—well spoken of by the truth—and we gain encouragement from his example today.

I’m sure we’ll meet Demetrius in glory, where he’s probably holding one of the pearly gates open for us to enter.

3 John in week forty-eight of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Javier Quiroga

The Jews of the kingdom faced a death sentence. Due to the evil influence of one man, they woke to the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day.

One hope remained—Esther, the new queen, and unknown to the king, also a Jew. Her uncle Mordecai sent her this message:

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Esther, in one of the bravest acts recorded in scripture, risked her life to approach the king and save the day. The twists and turns of her story read like a movie script. The Lord used Esther to both save and bless her people.

I don’t face such dramatic circumstances, and hopefully never will. But I believe that each one of us was born to some purpose. You and I live in a time where we need to act, to step forward to help or guide or influence another.

I’m tempted to stay quiet when speaking feels risky, or to melt into the crowd rather than raise my hand. The Japanese have a saying—the tallest blade of grass is the first one that gets cut—and I’d rather not get cut. And why should I speak in our world where everyone jabbers all the time anyway?

For such a time as this. In my life this works much more simply. I might be listening to someone, and feel a nudge to respond in a way that feels risky or uncomfortable. Perhaps that nudge is from the Spirit, and I need to speak up with truth and grace. Or I see a need that I could meet, and I just go do it. Not pause and talk myself out of it, as tempting as that sounds.

Mordecai prodded Esther to act. I need to ask myself—where is the Holy Spirit prodding me?

Esther 4 in week forty-eight of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by William Krause