As is our custom, today a scripture for our time with God. Dwell in these words of the Lord:
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,
then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
All the nations will be gathered before him,
and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats,
and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.
Then the king will say to those at his right hand,
'Come, you that are blessed by my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world;
for I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him,
'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food,
or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you,
or naked and gave you clothing?
And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them,
'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.'
Then he will say to those at his left hand,
'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels;
for I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me,
naked and you did not give me clothing,
sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
Then they also will answer,
'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison,
and did not take care of you?'
Then he will answer them,
'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these,
you did not do it to me.'
And these will go away into eternal punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 25:31-46 - NRSV
Blessings,
Ron
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
A stranger returns ...
Shiann brings today’s devotional thought. Be sure and read through the scripture to the story that follows:
Here is the reading from Deuteronomy 10 from The Message:
So now Israel, what do you think GOD expects from you?
Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road
he sets out for you,
love him, serve GOD, your God, with everything you have in you,
obey the commandments and regulations of GOD that
I'm commanding you today—live a good life.
Look around you: Everything you see is GOD's—
the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it.
But it was your ancestors who GOD fell in love with;
he picked their children—that's you!—
out of all the other peoples. That's where we are right now.
So cut away the thick calluses from your heart
and stop being so willfully hardheaded.
GOD, your God, is the God of all gods,
he's the Master of all masters,
a God immense and powerful and awesome.
He doesn't play favorites, takes no bribes,
makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly,
takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that
they get food and clothing.
You must treat foreigners with the same loving care—
remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect GOD, your God,
serve him, hold tight to him,
back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He's your praise! He's your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things
that you saw with your own eyes.
When your ancestors entered Egypt,
they numbered a mere seventy souls.
And now look at you—
you look more like the stars in the night skies in number.
And your GOD did it.
Ron has been speaking from Deuteronomy 10 in our devotionals about entertaining strangers - making them feel welcome, safe, and loved. He has reminded us that we are to do this as families and as a missionary community at Westview.
I recently got and opportunity to see this concept come full circle. We had a young man show up from out of the blue, who had left our ranks exclaiming himself a stranger some years ago. He had rejected our community of his own free will. It was a very painful disconnect for Troy and me. We mourned his leaving for quite some time, and never knew how he was doing. I searched for him on Facebook, MySpace, and Google. His well-being has been a matter of prayer since his departure (in 2003). Six years later he returns to visit with us: his eyes are clear, he claims a job and attendance in a church. He states “I love y’all” before he leaves the room. Although he removed himself from this community some years ago, he now feels safe enough to express his love and care to a room full of people who represent that same community.
I can’t tell you how much this filled up my heart. I was afraid this particular boy was in prison or even dead. It was almost as if a piece of my heart got to come back home. What a picture of the heart of God this day was for me!! I regularly thank Him for these blessings, which are big to me.
It is infrequent that we get to see and hear the stories of our guys after leaving unless a staff member stays for an extended period of time. So accept this story as one that encourages you to keep on. God’s faithfulness is so immense.
Blessings,
Shiann
Here is the reading from Deuteronomy 10 from The Message:
So now Israel, what do you think GOD expects from you?
Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road
he sets out for you,
love him, serve GOD, your God, with everything you have in you,
obey the commandments and regulations of GOD that
I'm commanding you today—live a good life.
Look around you: Everything you see is GOD's—
the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it.
But it was your ancestors who GOD fell in love with;
he picked their children—that's you!—
out of all the other peoples. That's where we are right now.
So cut away the thick calluses from your heart
and stop being so willfully hardheaded.
GOD, your God, is the God of all gods,
he's the Master of all masters,
a God immense and powerful and awesome.
He doesn't play favorites, takes no bribes,
makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly,
takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that
they get food and clothing.
You must treat foreigners with the same loving care—
remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect GOD, your God,
serve him, hold tight to him,
back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He's your praise! He's your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things
that you saw with your own eyes.
When your ancestors entered Egypt,
they numbered a mere seventy souls.
And now look at you—
you look more like the stars in the night skies in number.
And your GOD did it.
Ron has been speaking from Deuteronomy 10 in our devotionals about entertaining strangers - making them feel welcome, safe, and loved. He has reminded us that we are to do this as families and as a missionary community at Westview.
I recently got and opportunity to see this concept come full circle. We had a young man show up from out of the blue, who had left our ranks exclaiming himself a stranger some years ago. He had rejected our community of his own free will. It was a very painful disconnect for Troy and me. We mourned his leaving for quite some time, and never knew how he was doing. I searched for him on Facebook, MySpace, and Google. His well-being has been a matter of prayer since his departure (in 2003). Six years later he returns to visit with us: his eyes are clear, he claims a job and attendance in a church. He states “I love y’all” before he leaves the room. Although he removed himself from this community some years ago, he now feels safe enough to express his love and care to a room full of people who represent that same community.
I can’t tell you how much this filled up my heart. I was afraid this particular boy was in prison or even dead. It was almost as if a piece of my heart got to come back home. What a picture of the heart of God this day was for me!! I regularly thank Him for these blessings, which are big to me.
It is infrequent that we get to see and hear the stories of our guys after leaving unless a staff member stays for an extended period of time. So accept this story as one that encourages you to keep on. God’s faithfulness is so immense.
Blessings,
Shiann
Thursday, January 29, 2009
For you were strangers ...
As Moses prepares to part from his people the last time, he speaks
these words to help them understand how to serve the Lord.
His words still speak wisdom to us today:
So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?
Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him,
to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God
and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being.
Although heaven and the heaven of heavens
belong to the Lord your God,
the earth with all that is in it,
yet the Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors alone
and chose you, their descendants after them,
out of all the peoples, as it is today.
Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart,
and do not be stubborn any longer.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,
the great God, mighty and awesome,
who is not partial and takes no bribe,
who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.
You shall also love the stranger,
for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship;
to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear.
He is your praise; he is your God,
who has done for you these great and awesome things
that your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons;
and now the Lord your God has made you
as numerous as the stars in heaven.
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 – NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
these words to help them understand how to serve the Lord.
His words still speak wisdom to us today:
So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?
Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him,
to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God
and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being.
Although heaven and the heaven of heavens
belong to the Lord your God,
the earth with all that is in it,
yet the Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors alone
and chose you, their descendants after them,
out of all the peoples, as it is today.
Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart,
and do not be stubborn any longer.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,
the great God, mighty and awesome,
who is not partial and takes no bribe,
who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.
You shall also love the stranger,
for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship;
to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear.
He is your praise; he is your God,
who has done for you these great and awesome things
that your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons;
and now the Lord your God has made you
as numerous as the stars in heaven.
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 – NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A stranger in a strange land ...
Hear the word of God:
But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh
and settled in the land of Midian;
and he sat down by a well.
A prince of Egypt has become a stranger and pauper in a foreign land.
Moses is not a young man, but he is a troubled soul with family and social issues.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters;
and they came to draw water,
and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
Then the shepherds came and drove them away,
but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
When they came to Reuel their father, he said,
"Why have you come back so soon today?"
Isn’t it odd that Reuel expects this chore to take longer?
Does he expect the girls to be harassed by the other shepherds?
Does he know that they would have to try more than once
to get the job done?
Or is this just an odd way to find a husband for one of his seven girls?
So they said, "An Egyptian delivered us
from the hand of the shepherds;
and what is more, he even drew the water for us
and watered the flock."
And he said to his daughters, "Where is he then?
Why is it that you have left the man behind?
Invite him to have something to eat."
It’s not just that Moses delivers the girls from their tormentors;
he also draws the water for them.
And since he doesn’t have anything else to do,
he waters the sheep while he’s at it.
So Reuel’s question is obvious:
“If a man would do this for you, where is he?”
In other words, where are your manners?
Where is your hospitality?
And Moses was willing to dwell with the man,
and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses.
Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom,
for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land."
What does this episode tell us about the character of Moses?
Yes, he is strong and capable of both hard work and defense.
But there is something deeper than that.
Why was Moses by the well in the first place?
Isn’t it because, in a moment of passion, he did away with the life
Of a taskmaster who would oppress his people?
He won’t sit still and watch a crew of rowdy shepherds harass
Or oppress a covey of girls, either.
Moses has a deep-seated sense of social justice.
Moses hates oppression.
The shepherds ought to be thankful to get away alive.
Others have not. Others will not.
This virtue is why, I think, God picks this sojourner in a foreign land.
Moses understands what it is like to be the stranger,
what it is like to be powerless,
what it is like to be hurting,
what it is like to be an outcast.
How can our memories of belonging, and not,
Empower our ministry with children?
Blessings,
Ron
Exodus 2:15-22 - NASB
But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh
and settled in the land of Midian;
and he sat down by a well.
A prince of Egypt has become a stranger and pauper in a foreign land.
Moses is not a young man, but he is a troubled soul with family and social issues.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters;
and they came to draw water,
and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
Then the shepherds came and drove them away,
but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
When they came to Reuel their father, he said,
"Why have you come back so soon today?"
Isn’t it odd that Reuel expects this chore to take longer?
Does he expect the girls to be harassed by the other shepherds?
Does he know that they would have to try more than once
to get the job done?
Or is this just an odd way to find a husband for one of his seven girls?
So they said, "An Egyptian delivered us
from the hand of the shepherds;
and what is more, he even drew the water for us
and watered the flock."
And he said to his daughters, "Where is he then?
Why is it that you have left the man behind?
Invite him to have something to eat."
It’s not just that Moses delivers the girls from their tormentors;
he also draws the water for them.
And since he doesn’t have anything else to do,
he waters the sheep while he’s at it.
So Reuel’s question is obvious:
“If a man would do this for you, where is he?”
In other words, where are your manners?
Where is your hospitality?
And Moses was willing to dwell with the man,
and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses.
Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom,
for he said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land."
What does this episode tell us about the character of Moses?
Yes, he is strong and capable of both hard work and defense.
But there is something deeper than that.
Why was Moses by the well in the first place?
Isn’t it because, in a moment of passion, he did away with the life
Of a taskmaster who would oppress his people?
He won’t sit still and watch a crew of rowdy shepherds harass
Or oppress a covey of girls, either.
Moses has a deep-seated sense of social justice.
Moses hates oppression.
The shepherds ought to be thankful to get away alive.
Others have not. Others will not.
This virtue is why, I think, God picks this sojourner in a foreign land.
Moses understands what it is like to be the stranger,
what it is like to be powerless,
what it is like to be hurting,
what it is like to be an outcast.
How can our memories of belonging, and not,
Empower our ministry with children?
Blessings,
Ron
Exodus 2:15-22 - NASB
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The stranger in our midst ...
Today, a prayer:
A Prayer for the Stranger in our Midst
O Lord,
we thank you for those loving souls
who welcomed us among your people.
Who helped us feel your welcome
and joy at our arrival in their midst.
O gracious Host,
help us to be loving souls
who welcome the stranger
into the midst of your people.
Who help the children know your welcome
as you invite them into your presence.
May you never have need to remind us
to let them come to you.
Instead may we point the way in between
our rising up and laying down,
our going out and coming in.
O Lord,
we thank you for those strong souls
who helped us to feel safe in their presence.
Who helped us understand the safety
behind you, our shield, our rock;
under the shade of your wing;
surrounded by the power of your mighty arm.
O mighty King,
help us to be a safe haven
for the widow, the orphan, the outcast.
May the danger that they bring with them
neither cause us to recoil in fear,
nor tempt us to build walls that insulate
instead of bridges that communicate.
Strengthen, O vulnerable One, our hearts
so that we may offer so secure a safety
as to call them to behave safely.
O Lord,
we thank you for those loving souls
whose loving actions helped us see
the depths of your unfathomable love.
Who helped us understand that
surrendering to your love allows that love
to conquer all things, especially those fears
that cause us to feel unsafe or cast out.
O unshakable Love,
Help us to love the unlovable
with a love that mirrors your love for us.
May neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation
separate a child, a stranger, an outcast one
from our love as your people,
anymore than those dear ones can be separated
from the love of your Son.
May we welcome them to the table of your Son,
make them safe by the power of your Spirit,
and love them with your love, O Lord.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Ron
A Prayer for the Stranger in our Midst
O Lord,
we thank you for those loving souls
who welcomed us among your people.
Who helped us feel your welcome
and joy at our arrival in their midst.
O gracious Host,
help us to be loving souls
who welcome the stranger
into the midst of your people.
Who help the children know your welcome
as you invite them into your presence.
May you never have need to remind us
to let them come to you.
Instead may we point the way in between
our rising up and laying down,
our going out and coming in.
O Lord,
we thank you for those strong souls
who helped us to feel safe in their presence.
Who helped us understand the safety
behind you, our shield, our rock;
under the shade of your wing;
surrounded by the power of your mighty arm.
O mighty King,
help us to be a safe haven
for the widow, the orphan, the outcast.
May the danger that they bring with them
neither cause us to recoil in fear,
nor tempt us to build walls that insulate
instead of bridges that communicate.
Strengthen, O vulnerable One, our hearts
so that we may offer so secure a safety
as to call them to behave safely.
O Lord,
we thank you for those loving souls
whose loving actions helped us see
the depths of your unfathomable love.
Who helped us understand that
surrendering to your love allows that love
to conquer all things, especially those fears
that cause us to feel unsafe or cast out.
O unshakable Love,
Help us to love the unlovable
with a love that mirrors your love for us.
May neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation
separate a child, a stranger, an outcast one
from our love as your people,
anymore than those dear ones can be separated
from the love of your Son.
May we welcome them to the table of your Son,
make them safe by the power of your Spirit,
and love them with your love, O Lord.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Ron
Monday, January 26, 2009
Waiting for adoption ...
Hear the word of God:
Romans 8:18-39
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Romans 8:18-39
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
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