"A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold...and given to the poor.
"But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, 'Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me...For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'"
This passage was part of my devotions today. The story has always fascinated me; just the whole picture of Jesus, the cross only days ahead of Him, reclining at the table and Mary, nervous and sorrowful, coming in with that flask. The sound of pottery smashing as she broke it, the pungent scent of the costly liquid filling the room, and then, this young woman anointing the Master's head and washing His feet with her tears, wiping them dry with her long, dark hair.
That perfume was not cheap and it was probably all Mary had; a fragrant oil to perhaps be used at her own burial. And yet, she gave it completely and recklessly to Christ; every drop was poured over Him, she kept nothing back.
How often do we clutch our alabaster flasks so tightly and say, "No, Lord, everything but that! You can have everything else but not my job, my home, my spouse, or my money. Not that one precious flask."
And yet, that is often that very thing that He most wants because it is of most value to us. Sometimes, as with Abraham, He asks us to give up the unthinkable just to see if we really love HIm best?
So...do we? What is your flask? What are mine? If He asked for them, would we obey? Or would we grasp it tighter, hide it away, and mutter excuses on how the God of the universe isn't worth that much?
Do we trade the Creator for a creation or do we smash it recklessly and completely and let the sweet scent of obedience fill our nostrils and cover us in the fragrance of a heart truly under the lordship of Mary's Master?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Light and Life Obeyed
"O Father, you are sovereign, in all the worlds you made;
Your mighty word was spoken, and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar."
We think of God's powerful arm; His mighty throne room; or His loving eyes but how often do we think about His voice? His mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed. Imagine, the darkness of before creation and then, a voice to shatter the mountains and still the heart of a child shot across the waters, commanded light to form, and like an obedient servant, it leapt forth shimmering and brilliant!
Through all six days of creation, it was His voice that was obeyed as dry land stretched up from the waters, animals and plants sprang to life, and finally, a man was formed with the breath of life breathed into his nostrils.
But the power of God's voice does not end with creation. Look at the second part of the verse. It commands the seasons and bounds the ocean's shore. I always liked that image. It is as if He drew a line in the sand and told the waves, "Here you go and no farther for I AM."
He sets the stars in place and He stills the tempest's roar. He has utter power over nature and us. We have no need to fear. We serve a God who knows all the stars by name and at whose voice, the earth quakes. We can rest knowing that His voice, His love, His arms, and His eternal plan are unfailing; we will never be alone.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
Your mighty word was spoken, and light and life obeyed.
Your voice commands the seasons and bounds the ocean’s shore,
Sets stars within their courses and stills the tempest’s roar."
We think of God's powerful arm; His mighty throne room; or His loving eyes but how often do we think about His voice? His mighty word was spoken and light and life obeyed. Imagine, the darkness of before creation and then, a voice to shatter the mountains and still the heart of a child shot across the waters, commanded light to form, and like an obedient servant, it leapt forth shimmering and brilliant!
Through all six days of creation, it was His voice that was obeyed as dry land stretched up from the waters, animals and plants sprang to life, and finally, a man was formed with the breath of life breathed into his nostrils.
But the power of God's voice does not end with creation. Look at the second part of the verse. It commands the seasons and bounds the ocean's shore. I always liked that image. It is as if He drew a line in the sand and told the waves, "Here you go and no farther for I AM."
He sets the stars in place and He stills the tempest's roar. He has utter power over nature and us. We have no need to fear. We serve a God who knows all the stars by name and at whose voice, the earth quakes. We can rest knowing that His voice, His love, His arms, and His eternal plan are unfailing; we will never be alone.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1
Monday, October 5, 2009
Love Like This
How much does God love us? To the moon? To the stars? Our human brains can't even take in the depth of His love!
Two days ago, my father came home for a two week R and R after serving nine months in Iraq. My entire family went to the airport and waited...and waited...and waited. I stood at the window and tried not to be sick; I could not sit still I was so eager to see him.
Then,finally, he was there in the flesh and we enveloped him with hugs. Tears were on everyone's cheeks and I was shaking with adrenaline. My mom couldn't even text to say that he was home to those of our friens who were waiting for the news. We were just too excited.
That night, I sat in bed and thought about how great it was to finally have him home and it struck me. That is how God loves us. He yearns for us to finally come to Him in heaven; He longs for me a hundred times more than I ever longed for my dad.
I mentioned this thought at community group since the topic of our dicussion was very similar and one of the men added to what I had said. What if, instead of hugging us and wanting to spend every minute he could with us, my dad had juat walked past us towards the McDonalds or the latest Kohl's sale? That would have hurt more than I can imagine, to be ignored by the very person that I have so eagerly been waiting for.
We do that every day to God. We would rather finish our book or take our nap or buy the latest fashions than give even a little of what He gave to us back to God. He loves us so much; He DIED for us and we ignore Him. How dare we? Think of how that hurts Him and yet...and YET, He doesn't just give up on us. He still pursues us, stil loves us, still helps us when we're in trouble and we decided that praying is worth our time suddenly. He still keeps all His promises. He is truly a wondrous God!
Two days ago, my father came home for a two week R and R after serving nine months in Iraq. My entire family went to the airport and waited...and waited...and waited. I stood at the window and tried not to be sick; I could not sit still I was so eager to see him.
Then,finally, he was there in the flesh and we enveloped him with hugs. Tears were on everyone's cheeks and I was shaking with adrenaline. My mom couldn't even text to say that he was home to those of our friens who were waiting for the news. We were just too excited.
That night, I sat in bed and thought about how great it was to finally have him home and it struck me. That is how God loves us. He yearns for us to finally come to Him in heaven; He longs for me a hundred times more than I ever longed for my dad.
I mentioned this thought at community group since the topic of our dicussion was very similar and one of the men added to what I had said. What if, instead of hugging us and wanting to spend every minute he could with us, my dad had juat walked past us towards the McDonalds or the latest Kohl's sale? That would have hurt more than I can imagine, to be ignored by the very person that I have so eagerly been waiting for.
We do that every day to God. We would rather finish our book or take our nap or buy the latest fashions than give even a little of what He gave to us back to God. He loves us so much; He DIED for us and we ignore Him. How dare we? Think of how that hurts Him and yet...and YET, He doesn't just give up on us. He still pursues us, stil loves us, still helps us when we're in trouble and we decided that praying is worth our time suddenly. He still keeps all His promises. He is truly a wondrous God!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Be Still
"'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the GOd of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46: 10-11
Our world runs by in a fast pace. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Here in America, we are always rushing somewhere. Hence the drive in pharmacy, fast food resturants, and microwave dinners. We are always trying to save time. But why?
What are we saving time for? Is it just for the pure and simple fact of having more time to hurry and do something else? Do we rush just for the sake of rushing?
It is so easy with our honey-do lists and the thousand different demands on our time to let God and Scripture slip to the background but whenever we give Him second place, we are sure to be less gracious, less peaceful, and less able to see the blessings and joys around us. He knew that. That is why He told us to be still. This doesn't mean that we can never be busy but that even our business, we remember that He is in the throne and He is in control.
Every other summer or so, my family goes camping up to Lake Superior. We get a campsite right by the lake where we can climb through a thin strip of trees down to the beach and then, out into the icy cold water. We play in the sand, ride on the waves, made smores around the campfire, and fall asleep to the sound of the water.
One day, after swimming, I was standing on a washed up piece of wood and looking out across the water to the faint gleam of Canada's shores with the cry of birds and the crash of the waves in my ear. I stood there in wonder at the creation and I thought of that verse. 'Be still.' How good it is to be silent in your soul, even if you aren't in your motions, and to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He is God. That is how we can have peace even when life is like an earthquake roaring around us.
"I am God." It is a powerful three words with volumes of meaning behind them. God. We have given that word many definitions but none compare to the Bible's definition. Holy, majestic, righteous, soveriegn, merciful, mighty, loving, truth, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, never changing, ever faithful. He is the Warrior whose mighty arm will be our fortress and He is the tender Shepehrd who will make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters. He rules kingdoms, poewrs, wars, and nations and He raises up or tears down according to His perfect plan. We can trust Him for He is God.
Our world runs by in a fast pace. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Here in America, we are always rushing somewhere. Hence the drive in pharmacy, fast food resturants, and microwave dinners. We are always trying to save time. But why?
What are we saving time for? Is it just for the pure and simple fact of having more time to hurry and do something else? Do we rush just for the sake of rushing?
It is so easy with our honey-do lists and the thousand different demands on our time to let God and Scripture slip to the background but whenever we give Him second place, we are sure to be less gracious, less peaceful, and less able to see the blessings and joys around us. He knew that. That is why He told us to be still. This doesn't mean that we can never be busy but that even our business, we remember that He is in the throne and He is in control.
Every other summer or so, my family goes camping up to Lake Superior. We get a campsite right by the lake where we can climb through a thin strip of trees down to the beach and then, out into the icy cold water. We play in the sand, ride on the waves, made smores around the campfire, and fall asleep to the sound of the water.
One day, after swimming, I was standing on a washed up piece of wood and looking out across the water to the faint gleam of Canada's shores with the cry of birds and the crash of the waves in my ear. I stood there in wonder at the creation and I thought of that verse. 'Be still.' How good it is to be silent in your soul, even if you aren't in your motions, and to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He is God. That is how we can have peace even when life is like an earthquake roaring around us.
"I am God." It is a powerful three words with volumes of meaning behind them. God. We have given that word many definitions but none compare to the Bible's definition. Holy, majestic, righteous, soveriegn, merciful, mighty, loving, truth, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, never changing, ever faithful. He is the Warrior whose mighty arm will be our fortress and He is the tender Shepehrd who will make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters. He rules kingdoms, poewrs, wars, and nations and He raises up or tears down according to His perfect plan. We can trust Him for He is God.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Isn't it interesting the places we can get post ideas for? Today, mine came from a prayer at our community group. The man who was praying mentioned his gratitude that God has given us the Holy Scripture and it struck me. What would this world be like without the Bible?
It has been cherished, died for, belittled, and burned. It is the one Story that never grows out of date or irrelevant, though many people would like to claim so. Even Christians often push it to the margins or forget so very often what a blessing it is. Think about it. We love and trust God because we read of how He always provided for His people in the past. Romans 8, any of the Gospels, or 2 Samuel 22. These show His incomprehensible love, His everlasting mercy, and His mighty power.
God is not required to reveal Himself to us. He didn't have to give us the guidance and encouragement of Scripture. It is a gift and we need to remind ourselves of that. Here in America, Bibles are so easily available but there are places in the world where Christians have only portions that they cherish and memorize. I heard once of a person who walked, I believe, forty miles one way just to get a Bible. Would we do the same? Do we understand how precious it is?
It is the words of God Himself!
It has been cherished, died for, belittled, and burned. It is the one Story that never grows out of date or irrelevant, though many people would like to claim so. Even Christians often push it to the margins or forget so very often what a blessing it is. Think about it. We love and trust God because we read of how He always provided for His people in the past. Romans 8, any of the Gospels, or 2 Samuel 22. These show His incomprehensible love, His everlasting mercy, and His mighty power.
God is not required to reveal Himself to us. He didn't have to give us the guidance and encouragement of Scripture. It is a gift and we need to remind ourselves of that. Here in America, Bibles are so easily available but there are places in the world where Christians have only portions that they cherish and memorize. I heard once of a person who walked, I believe, forty miles one way just to get a Bible. Would we do the same? Do we understand how precious it is?
It is the words of God Himself!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Perfect Society
Today, I went to a Christian conference for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I heard a lot there; a lot of encouragement and a lot of conviction. But there was one quote that struck me full in the face. It is from a feminist named Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.
She wrote that "When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident...another Newton will come forth to unlock further the secrets of the earth and the stars. There will come a Plato who will be understood, a Socrates who will drink no hemlock, and a Jesus who will not die upon the cross."
I just sat there...
Margaret Sanger missed a lot of things but that last sentence blew me away. A Jesus who will not die upon the cross? That is what her vision of what a perfect society is. So many people see the cross as horrible, murderous, and ugly...and it is if you just look at the death. However, if you go further, if you look at the Man and understand why He was on that cross, why He let Himself be beaten, spit upon, and killed, and why He came out of that tomb three days later, it isn't ugly. It's beautiful!
Jesus dying on the cross is the one thing that saves our world from utter damnation. That is a controversial statement in this day and age...but it is true. He says Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There is no mountain with multiple paths, there is no 'your way is okay for you and mine for me'. There is ONE way and it is through the cross. We don't have to like it but it is still there. Our prefence does not define true reality.
She wrote that "When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident...another Newton will come forth to unlock further the secrets of the earth and the stars. There will come a Plato who will be understood, a Socrates who will drink no hemlock, and a Jesus who will not die upon the cross."
I just sat there...
Margaret Sanger missed a lot of things but that last sentence blew me away. A Jesus who will not die upon the cross? That is what her vision of what a perfect society is. So many people see the cross as horrible, murderous, and ugly...and it is if you just look at the death. However, if you go further, if you look at the Man and understand why He was on that cross, why He let Himself be beaten, spit upon, and killed, and why He came out of that tomb three days later, it isn't ugly. It's beautiful!
Jesus dying on the cross is the one thing that saves our world from utter damnation. That is a controversial statement in this day and age...but it is true. He says Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There is no mountain with multiple paths, there is no 'your way is okay for you and mine for me'. There is ONE way and it is through the cross. We don't have to like it but it is still there. Our prefence does not define true reality.
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