Draw from the Well

If You Want Stuff to Grow, Do This...

I'm into gardening right now having just embarked on my first square-foot garden.  I like the idea of producing something...from seed to harvest.  It's exciting to be able to say, "I grew that." 

This weekend, Pastors Jon and Fawn reminded us that we all are in a process of growth.  Jesus told the parable of the sower and the soils to point out that growth isn't always equal.  Like it or not, if you claim to follow Jesus, you are some combination of soils...in some process of growth and there are things which help our growth and things which hinder our growth too.

The main reason I'm  doing "square-foot gardening" is because I'm lazy.  Seriously, gardening is hard work.  Square-foot gardening is ultra-efficient.  Compared to the traditional single row gardening, it promises that you will get the same "100% Harvest" for  "50 % of the cost, 20% of the space, 10% of the water, 5% of the seeds, and 2% of the work."

Did you catch that?  100% harvest for 2% of the work!  That's amazing! 

So what's my point?  The longer I follow Jesus and work with people who claim to want to follow Jesus, the more I realize that we make growing in our relationship with Jesus harder for ourselves than it should be. 

Here are three thoughts on what we can do to make our growth journey as efficient and productive as possible:

1. Be consistent.
Hands down this is the most important thing we control about our growth journey.  So often people start out with enthusiasm, over and over again!  The average church attender comes to church one out of four Sundays per month.  Ponder how often they might actually read the Bible.  Pastor Jon says that's like trying to water your faith with a "tea cup".  How effective is that?  If I only watered my garden a quarter of the time, my plants would be dried up and dead!  Note that consistency isn't perfection.  However, if you are consistent, you will develop a habit.  The great thing about habits are that when we miss a day or two, we usually are motivated to get back at it!

2. Mind the weeds.
Weeds happen.  Only a foolish gardener thinks they can avoid them.  But the smart gardener keeps on top of them.  Small weeds are easier to deal with than big weeds.  How often in your faith walk have you let a "little weed" (translation:  little compromise, little sin) go untended?  Before long, that weed is out of control.  Are you actually stopping to consider the "weeds" in your life?  Again, note that the call isn't to have a "weed-free" life, but to pull those weeds out as soon as you detect them!  (The Holy Spirit is happy to highlight the weeds in our lives for us!)

3. Get good nutrients.
In gardening, it's all about what type of nutrients your soil has.  You can do all the right stuff, and if you have poor soil, stuff just won't grow.  Consider what you are feeding yourself.  Are you snacking on spiritual "junk food"?  Yes, reading your one-minute-day Bible every day is good, it's just not very nourishing.  What are you reading, watching, and listening to every day?  The media fasts we participate in during our discipleship classes have really challenged me to examine what I consume on a regular basis.  What messages are you surrounding  yourself with? 

I don't think that finding growth in our relationship with Jesus is all about working harder and spending all our time in a Christian bubble.  However, some of us find ourselves frustrated by our feeble growth (we struggle with the same sins and hang ups over and over again.)  Perhaps if we were more efficient, we'd find more growth and harvest, too!

Focus on What's Important

Noticed today that the Gospel of John gives tenchapters to the events and details of the last week of Jesus' life and beyond. (chapters 12 - 21)

The Gospel of Matthew gives three (chapters 26 - 28.)

The Gospel of Mark gives three (chapters 14 - 16.)

The Gospel of Luke gives six (chapters 19 - 24.)

That says something to me about what John thought was important. Out of three years of ministry, the last week gets a lot of press.

I'm really grateful for that last week and so glad that John covers it in detail!

5 Lessons from the Woman at the Well

From our Life Journal reading in today in John 4:

God will find you!

The Samaritan woman is trying to hide - she's drawing water at noon, when no one else is around. But God finds here.

Jesus invites us to better things!

"If you knew the gift of God..." Jesus has such good things for us and He is just longing to give them to us.

Jesus will make us face our sin.

Note that the woman doesn't need to get cleaned up before coming to Jesus, but interacting with Jesus brings up the areas of sin in her life. Jesus isn't being cruel here, He's holy. He's pointing out the sinful ways she's tried to fill herself. This conflicts with the good gift of living water He is offering her.

Jesus moves us beyond religion!

The more mature we become, the more we will worship in Spirit and truth. The less we will cling to our particular ways of doing things.

Tell what you know!

The woman testifies to what Jesus has said and done for her. And people are changed. I doubt she could answer every question. She just said, "come and see!" And people where changed. Just tell others what you know!

Refined by Fire

Last night I read Carol Kent's When I Lay My Issac Down - it's free for Kindle right now. (You should rush to get it after you finish reading this!) It's a gripping little book about how to react when the unthinkable happens in your life (Kent's son committed murder.) Today in our scripture reading, Isaiah 48:10 "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." I was reminded that often God uses the "unthinkable" to shape and mold us. In our OSL 2 class we are learning more about discipleship. Pastor Jon was commenting on the lordship of Jesus and stated that "lordship is easy when you are in agreement - true lordship and submission is shown when you don't understand or agree." Wow. How true in my own life this has been. It's easy to believe that I'm doing well in my discipleship journey because I'm only looking at the "easy" parts of the process - the areas where I've already come into agreement. Isaiah talks about the foolishness and destructive nature of idols. Isaiah 48:11 continues "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this [bring refinement]. how can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another." What refinement is happening in your life right now? What are the real lordship issues - your places of disagreement or lack of submission towards God? As you find yourself facing your "unthinkable" (Kent says we should never compare unthinkables!) how is God deepening your trust and dependance on Him? That's the way He wants it.

Are You Worshipping Wood?

This is an interesting verse out of Isaiah 44:14-17 - "He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire." From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me; you are my god." Idols are stupid. Here God points out that we take something He has given us to use and we begin to worship it as if it were a living God. The difficulty today (in our culture) is that most of us don't literally bow down to carved wooden images. So what can we learn about idols from these verses? ~ Common things can become idols in our life. Wood is not very exotic. It's common, used every day. Note that the man works with it, warms himself with it, cooks his food with it. Common things can subtly get a foothold in our lives and we don't realize they have taken a place of worship for us; that we've begun to bow down to them. Consider your daily dose of tv or internet or your work schedule, or your snack schedule... ~ Idols give us the illusion of control. I'm struck by how often the verses refer to the man doing something. He's very much "in control". But it's an illusion - after all the wood is really dead (keep reading in Isaiah 44 and you will see!) Sometimes we begin to worship what we want to control, i.e. our schedule, our children, our spouse, even our destiny. ~ We don't see the foolishness of the idols we worship. It's easy for me to judge the man in these verses. How foolish to worship the thing you bake your bread on. How silly to take half your wood and burn it and the other half and worship it. The problem is, we often can't see our own foolishness. We deceive ourselves with the control illusion..."I can stop any time I want", "It's not that bad, just a little addiction", "I HAVE to live this way..."...pick your excuse, there are a million reasons we use to justify our idols. But to those watching us it can look like foolishness. For example, we work endless hours at a job to provide a certain standard of living for our family while our kids wilt from lack of parental care. We continue to binge eat and lament our overweightness, but chalk it up to genetics. We are frustrated by lack of real relationships, but unaware of the affair we are having with the tv or the internet. I'm wondering if I'm brave enough to ask those around me what foolish things they see me worshiping. Idols are stupid, lifeless, common things which we were never meant to worship. They pale in comparison to the wonderful majesty of our God. Let's agree to stop worshiping wood.

What Keeps You from Saying "Yes"?

How often do we say we want something, when really we don't?

I'm not talking about over-commitment:saying "yes" to things you should say "no" to, I'm talking about legitimately saying "yes" and meaning it.

• We say we want to get healthy and in shape, but then we don't change our eating habits or exercise.
• We say we want to live financially responsible lives, but then don't change our spending habits or take steps to reduce our debt.
• We say we want to grow spiritually, but then don't read our Bible or pray or attend a church service.

We say we want change, but we aren't really saying "yes". 

Why is that?

I've been thinking about this a lot because I'm contemplating saying "yes" to a big change.  Actually a HUGE change.  This morning as I was thinking and praying about this change, I started to get overwhelmed.

It reminded me of the story of the Israelites in Numbers 14:1-11.  God had promised to take His people into the promised land.  It was a good land, a land filled with blessing and abundance.  But the land wasn't free - there were other people living in the land that needed to be conquered.  Yet God had clearly said that He would lead His people and give them the land. 

The Israelites wanted to say "yes", but then they started to say "no"...they began to clamor to go back to Egypt, believing that slavery would have been better.  It's sad really - they missed it.  And because of their unwillingness to say "yes", only Caleb and Joshua (who said "yes" all along) were allowed to enter the promised land, the rest died in the desert.

So what keeps us from saying "yes" to our own promised lands?

1.  Laziness 

We want change to be easy.  Change involves effort; often there is something to conquer (likely something that you should have been doing in the first place, but weren't!) We have to enter our promised land and take possession of it.  These are not passive activities.

2. Fear 

We focus on the "giants" - the "what ifs"...we become overwhelmed with the amount of faith it takes to trust God to help us win the battles we need to fight. We see ourselves as "grass hoppers" focusing on our limitations instead of God's limitlessness.

3. Rebellion (aka sin)

We know we should say "yes", we know that is the right answer, but we are comfortable where we are.  We love our situation or standard more than we love God and what He wants for us.  We find ways to justify what we want rather than surrendering to a better plan, a higher standard, a place of trust.

What is God asking you to say "yes" to?

What's holding you back?

Remember that the promised land was good and god was faithful to give the Israelites exactly what He had promised them.

How "the World" Does It

Recently I decided to take a class.  Since I'm in the business of offering various classes, I always like to compare expectations.

This class is a "secular" class, with no connection to Christianity whatsoever. 

Here are some observations:

1. I was expected to register on time.  Class size was limited, so time mattered.
2. The class costs money.  Not only did I have to pay for the class, but I had to become a member of the organization offering the class.  No exceptions.
3. I showed up 10 minutes early to class...I was almost the last person there.  People were there on time and ready to go.
4. I am expected to take notes and read a book. 
5. Missing a class is not allowed (you won't graduate).
6. I am expected to prove my skill level.  Both physically and mentally.
7. This class requires me to spend extra time practicing and participating and doesn't give me options.
8. I've been expected to purchase additional equipment to further my expertise.

This has left me thinking.  Often times I am afraid to place too many expectations on people.  Fortunately Jesus wasn't: Luke 14:25-27.

Happy Birthday to Thee KJV!

Yup- Monday, May 2 the KJV Bible translation turns 400 years old.  On May 2, 1611 the Church of England published the King James Version of the Bible allow the common man to be able to read God's Word.  In the 14-16th centuries this idea was so controversial that some people were killed for their translation efforts.

The KJV is one of the most influential translations in making Scripture available to everyday people in their own language.

You can be part of history.  YouVersion is working on reading the entire KJV Bible in 400 seconds.  That's 6 minutes and 40 seconds.  How will they do it?  Each participant will read a small section from the Bible out loud, simultaneously.  Everyone will start at the same time (noon, May 2)  They are calling it a "global Bible-reading flash mob."

You can sign up to participate here.

Also, see a cool King James Bible infographic here.

The King's Speech

And by King - I mean King of Glory!

This Easter season I've been following Jesus' journey through the Gospels each day. 

It amazes me how quickly the events unfold -

Sunday - Jesus is hailed as the prophetic Messiah, cheered by the masses

Monday - Jesus cleanses the temple, denouncing fruitless religion

Tuesday & Wednesday - Jesus outfoxes the religious leaders who try to trap him and plot against him.  Judas begins to contemplate his betrayal.

This brings us to today - Thursday.

Thursday is a big deal in the last week of Christ's earthly life. 

On Thursday night he spends his last intimate meal with his disciples.  He tenderly washes their feet (though they do not understand.)  He brings fulfillment to the Passover meal - sharing the cup of wine and the loave of bread, which become enduring symbols of the sacrifice yet to come (though they do not understand.)

And his gives his last long speech.

The best version of this speech is found in John13.  It begins with these words:

"It was just before the Passover Feast.  Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love."

Wow.  He showed them the full extent of His love.

If you get a chance, read through John chapters 13 - 17.  They are filled with "red words".  Jesus shares his thoughts and hope for the disciples, talks about the Holy Spirit, reminds them to abide in Him, tells them to love above all else, and prays for them. 

They are chapters filled with powerful words.

I wept this morning as I read the passion and love conveyed in them.

Jesus loves us so much.  How much?

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. "

Jesus thought about you as His prayed in the garden, knowing He was headed for the cross.  He loved you so much, He laid down His life for you.

Ponder that today with me.

 

Look Here

We all have those special verses we've marked in our Bible - I often make a note in the front pages of my Bible. 

Yet there are a few places that I've marked more significantly.  One of those tabs simply says "look here" - it's there to remind me that when I don't know where else to turn  - I should turn there.

That tab marks Psalm 34 which is part of our Solid Life Journal reading today.

Psalm 34 is an amazing piece of scripture.  The back story is that David is on the run, being hunted by Saul.  David had been anointed as king; he's found victory on the battle field...he should be at the top of his game, instead he's on the run.  He finds himself in the Philistine city of Gath in front of King Abimelech, who was less than friendly.  To escape with his life, David pretends that he is insane.  The king spares him and david finds himself hanging out in a cave.

Ever felt like every part of your life was just falling apart? 

Ever felt like life was out of control and making you crazy?

Ever had that spirit crushing sense of disappointment and confusino?

Here is what David prayed when he found himself in that situation.

Verses 1 - 3:  David begins with praise...

Verses 4 - 6:  David remembers what God has done for him.  I love verse 6, "Ths poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."

Verses 7 - 10: The goodness of the Lord brings safety and provision - those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Verses 11-16: David passes on wisdom concerning the Lord and how we should live.

Verses 17-22: The Lord is faithful to those who need him: broken hearted, crushed in spirit...though you may have many troubles, the Lord will deliver you from them all.

There are two notes in my Bible near this Psalm...the first is a journal entry I wrote a few years ago which is filled with pain, frustration, and failure.  One line reads, "Since so much of my life is out of my control, I can do nothing but lean on Jesus." 

The second note is a quote from Pastor Burt: "When you don't understand the why, rely on the Whom."

Time and again, I come back to Psalm 34 to remember what a good God I have.  I remind myself to "look here" so I won't forget, even in the midst of the craziness, pain, or disappointments of life.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."  Psalm 34:8