The Patriarchs

This was a post I posted to our church's Bible-reading blog (here). I have been reflecting on the story of the Patriarchs and heard someone make a comment about how depressing it was to read the stories of these dysfunctional people. I realized that so many times the only way we know to read the stories of people's lives are as examples to either imitate or avoid. But the story of the Patriarchs is so much more than that.

Some times it's difficult to see the forest for the trees and the same is true when reading the Bible. Take the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), for instance. While each of them display some admirable qualities, they also display some qualities that are less than exemplary:) Among other things, all of them are truth-challenged and none of their families seem to be quite...functional. So let me offer you a bigger-picture way to look at the Patriarchs.

The story of the patriarchs is a story of providence. The Bible records the family line of God's promise, showing why some where chosen and others were not. Abraham's promise was passed on Isaac, not Ishmael, even though Ishmael was his first born son (according to ancient custom, if a man did not have an heir by his wife, he could take one of his son's through a concubine to pass on his family's inheritance--in other words, Ishmael was a legitimate option). Then Isaac has two sons, Esau and Jacob. Although Esau was the clear choice because he was older, God did not choose Esau (what sort of person sells his birth-right for the soup du jour?). And then Jacob has a passel of children, the oldest of which was Reuben (not the sandwich), then Simeon, Levi, Judah, and so on, down to Joseph and Benjamin. You might think the line of Levi would be chosen to continue God's promise, but no. Then you might think Joseph would be the line of God's promise. Wrong again. Judah was chosen, the fourth son and someone with his own issues.

But through the ups and downs of this family--through their brokeness and triumph--God raised up a family who eventually gave birth to King David, and then after King David, our Lord, Jesus (thus the phrase, "the Lion of Judah"). Yes, the story of the Patriarchs is a story of providence--God's ability and resolve to work out his plan of salvation in the midst of the drama of our lives. As you read the story of the Patriarchs, take comfort in the fact that God can and does work his redemptive plans in the midst of broken people, as long as those broken people are willing to put their trust in him.

Happy reading!

Savor The Day

We've all heard the Latin phrase, "Carpe Diem," which means, "seize the day" or something like that. I don't have anything in particular against the idea of seizing the day, but I think sometimes we talk about it in terms of getting things done, going for broke, pursuing our dreams, etc. Now I don't really have anything against that either, but sometimes the effort required to seize a day means that we have little strength left to savor the day. Seizing the day usually means that we're trying to get to another level or achieve another goal sot that we can savor some accomplishment out there in the future.

And then there's life, which throws a never-ending stream of curve-balls. And sometimes we get to savor the the things we have seized, but sometimes things turn our differently. Sometimes our plans change. Sometimes we are not able to seize quite what we thought we could. Sometimes we confront difficulties we could not have imagined. And when we get too busy seizing, we can often forget to savor the wonderful things God has given us right now. None of us are guaranteed another day, so it's important that we seize and savor all at the same time.

My children have helped me see this more clearly. There are things I want to do, things I'm trying to accomplish, dreams I have of savoring this milestone or that. But I will never get my kids again at this age, in this place, at this time. I will never have Keri again at this point in our lives. I will never be at this place, with these people, the way I am right now. And that means while I fully intend to seize what God has put before me, I also pray that He will bless me with the ability to savor what I have right here, right now.

My favorite service of the year...

I love church. I'm not sure you could do what I do and not love church. I love to hear a sanctuary full of people raise their voices in worship. I love to see friends encouraging each other and praying for each other. But I think my favorite service of the year is the Christmas Eve service. Other than some lights on the platform for the choir and speakers to see by, the service takes place by candlelight. We sing some carols together, listen to some music by the choir and orchestra, read a prayer together, and join in the Advent reading. The service ends in candlelight with the song Silent Night.

There is something very special about this service, not just because it is done by candlelight. I think it's because of the anticipation Christmas Eve brings. Even though we've heard the story our whole lives, we cannot help but anticipate what we know will come in the morning--the birth of our Savior. And that anticipation strikes a chord not only because we are looking back at what happened more than 2000 years ago, but because we believe that God will again step into the pages of human history to finish rescuing his people. And so we wait...

Bible Reading Program

I'm very excited about our journey through God's Word this year and I want to encourage everyone to join us. Here's what we're asking: 1) choose a translation 2) choose a Bible reading program 3) sign up so we can encourage you and so you can share your experiences along the way. This post is designed to help you choose a translation and a Bible reading program that's right for you.

Choosing a translation is not difficult. It's really about personal preference (aside from a few colorful, ideologically driven translations). Here are five prominent ones that you might enjoy.

1. The NASB, or the New American Standard Bible, is the perfect Bible for you if you like your translation VERY literal. It preserves the original form of words as well as the original word order, including the times when the original word order is not English word order. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2. The NIV, or the New International Version, is a good translation if you like a fairly straight forward English translation that prizes idiomatic English more than original literal translation and word order. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
3. The ESV, or English Standard Version, is a good translation if you like something more literal than the NIV, less literal than the NASB, and also want a translation that preserves much of the literary beauty of the text. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority iin heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them oto observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
4. The MESSAGE translation, or more accurately, paraphrase, is a good version to read if you want to read a paraphrase. The Message attempts to stay faithful to the ideas of the text, but in no way attempts to translate the original words as does the NIV, NASB, ESV, or the NLT. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
5. The NLT, or the New Living Translation, is a good translation to read if you like very idiomatic English, but want a translation of the text instead of a paraphrase. The NLT is gaining popularity as an alternative landing somewhere between the NASB/NIV on the one side, and the Message on the other side. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Choosing a Bible reading program is not difficult. Here are three popular options.

1. The chronological Bible reading program allows you to read through the Bible as any other, but it takes you through the Bible chronologically rather than in the order the books appear in the Bible (and there is a difference).
2. The one year Bible reading program allows you to read through the Bible by date. You simply open the Bible to the current date and it has the reading portions broken down for you. Every day you read a portion of the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and a couple verses from Proverbs.
3. The God's Word for Today Bible reading program is available in the church foyer. It gives you a list of chapters to read each day and provides a devotional thought to go with them. The reading guide makes it easy for you to use whatever translation you prefer without buying a new Bible (such as the one year Bible mentioned above).

Finally, if you need to purchase a new Bible there are two main options. You can purchase them online or in a store. If you want to look online, try a site like www.christianbook.com. If you want to look in a store, you can try everything from Walmart to Cokesbury to Family Christian Stores.

I cannot think of any better way for us to grow in our love for God than to consistently read his word. Please prayerfully consider joining us in reading through the Bible this year.

A Cheeseburger For Christmas?

Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with my kids about Christmas that reminded me of my relationship with God. Jake turns 4 on December 14th and he received a coupon from someone for a free cheeseburger from McDonald's. He relished getting a card addressed to "Jacob Stoner" in the mail, and when he saw the cheeseburger coupon, well that just sweetened the deal. But after a few moments he got quiet and said, "dad, do you like cheeseburgers?" I had no idea where he was going so I just took the question at face value and said, "yes, they're great." Then he gave held up his card and said, "you can have my cheeseburger coupon."

I melted inside, thanked him profusely and then told him that I thought he should keep it and enjoy it himself. He insisted I take the card and happily turned it over to me. I didn't want to refuse him so I took it and thanked him again. Later that night as I drove Katie and Jake home from their Christmas party (thanks, Pastor Tina:) Katie listened to Jake explain what he had done. Katie wasn't buying.

"Jake, dad has enough money to buy his own cheeseburger," she protested. He simply responded, "I want to give it to him because kids can give their stuff too so that moms and dads can have a nice Christmas." Katie was exactly right. I have enough to buy a cheeseburger at McDonald's. And yet Jake was so right, too. The fact that I had enough to buy one didn't lessen his joy in giving it or my joy in receiving it. And then I thought about my relationship with God and what I can give him this Christmas. My best gift is nothing more than a cheeseburger coupon to God, and yet the joy I think he finds in it is far beyond its actual value. It's my heart of love that makes the gift so precious, that makes him savor the memory of receiving it. This Christmas I want to give God a gift that will let him know how much I love him, even if it's something he can afford buy a million times over.

Date Night

Tonight was special...it was a family date night. Keri took Jacob to meet a friend and her little man so they could shop for their sisters. That left me free to spend the evening with Katie, and it was great. She wanted Chinese food, so we went to the Chesterfield Mall for some rice and veggies, did some Christmas shopping for mom (she reads this so I can't share any more), and went by Walmart for some browsing. Then we came home, hid the presents and finished the evening with a little Tom and Jerry. She's growing up so fast and I want to enjoy every minute I can with her. She's a beautiful person and I can't wait to see what she becomes.

Thanksgiving Part 3

Last one (not the last thing I'm thankful for, but the last one I'm writing about). I'm thankful for the church I have the privilege of serving. Case in point-on Sunday I did a baby dedication for Penelope who was distractingly cute, and then moments later listened to the Walker's talk about their memories of Christmas growing up in the Depression. Mr. Walker talked about never having a Christmas present or a Christmas tree and that if the snow was too deep to make it to church in the Model T (South Dakota) then they would hitch the sled to the horses and ride the five miles to service. I love that I get to be a part of the lives of a broad range of interesting people.