1.31.12

Bible Reading: Exodus 28-31, John 19


Reel thoughts:


Have you ever been in a position where you doubted God's love for you?  Read story of Jesus's death on the cross again today and see if it doesn't change you mind.  


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1.30.12...and they saw God

Bible Reading: Exodus 24-27, John 19: 1-15


Reel thoughts


There's a particular verse in Exodus before the author starts to describe the instructions God gives for the creation of the temple.  It says, they saw God, and they ate and drank.  This was all a part of their experience fellow-shipping directly with God.  How cool must that have been?


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1.29.12- The Spirit of the Law

Bible Reading: Exodus 21-23, John 18


Reel Thoughts:


Isn't it interesting that for a man who had committed no crime, the religious leaders of Jesus's day were willing to have him killed?  Juxtapose this with the Israelites in Exodus, who just seemed to fall over themselves breaking commandment after commandment, all in a self-destructive attempt to flagrantly disobey God.  It's like, God goes through all this effort to show us the right way to live, but we keep choosing our own way.  Probably much to His chagrin.  


But, as I read through the laws in Exodus, I wasn't thinking about how comical some of them sound now (though, perhaps they haven't lost all relevance), but rather I was trying to figure out the spirit of each of the rules.  What was the purpose of the laws?  That's what got the men of Jesus's day in trouble.  They were defending a way of life that they felt Jesus threatened, meanwhile, they didn't understand what they were defending.  They totally missed the spirit of the matter, and thus missed out on all the privileges that come with it.  Don't let that happen to you. 


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1.28.12- the one who holds the future

Reel thoughts:


Over the past week I've read about the Israelites Exodus from Egypt, and Jesus's last days before his Crucifixion.  And though neither of the stories are free from ups and downs, there's also a sweet resoluteness that comes from knowing how the stories end.  That's not necessarily a luxury that I can say that I have right now (none of us know exactly what the future holds).  But as the saying goes, as long as we know the one who holds the future, we don't have to worry about what the future holds.  So, for me, living in the moment begins with putting the moment in perspective of the one who gave me this moment.  There's nothing greater than what God has in store for us.  So relish the time we have right now as we live for Him.  


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1.27.12- questions

Bible Reading: Exodus 18-20, John 17


Reel thoughts:
1. Why did the people keep their distance while Moses approached God?  Why didn't they want to experience Him for themselves?


2. Why are we still struggling today with these 10 commandments that God gave to the Israelites?  How central are they to conducting the everyday business of living? 


3.  Why didn't Moses realize the reality of burnout on his own?  What made him think he could take on the world by himself?


4.  Jesus said, "I gave them a mission."  Later He said, "The goal is for us to become one heart and mind with Him.  Then the world might believe that God sent Him."  His mission was for us to know Him and the father.  Why is that so difficult to accept for some?

1.26.12- Do you finally believe

Bible reading: Exodus 15-17, John 16


Reel thoughts:


Favorite quote was Jesus' question to the disciples after they'd told him, now you're finally giving it to us straight, in plain talk, and we understand.  Jesus said, Do you finally believe?  Then He went on to share what would immediately challenge their purported belief (new obstacles), but He also told them to be of good cheer because He has already overcome their difficulties.  Funny how belief is sometime followed by an opportunity to validate/test that belief (see Exodus 15-17 to see how the Israelites responded in this exact situation).  


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1.25.12- Awe of God

Bible Reading: Exodus 12-14, John 15


Reel thoughts:


The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses.  This is recorded after God split the Red sea, creating giant sea-water walls that allowed the Israelites to walk through the sea on dry land.  Pause and imagine for a moment what that experience must have felt like.  Now, can you picture yourself ever doubting God again after seeing him come through in such a spectacular manner?  


When have you seen God come through for you in your own life?  Isn't that enough for you to believe forever?


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1.24.12- If you love me..

Bible Reading: Exodus 9-11, John 14


Reel thoughts:


Key verse: If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you.  So difficult to follow, yet, so easy to understand why He said it.  It's for our own good, and God certainly knows what's best for us.

1.23.12- new introductions

Bible Reading: Exodus 6-8, John 13:18-38


Reel thoughts:


Did you notice how God mentioned to Moses that the distinction between his forefathers is that they knew God by a different name (The strong God, or God Almighty), while the Israelites were getting ready to be introduced to The Ever Present God?  What's the importance of knowing God in this new way as they move forward?  


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1.22.12- Attention on Serving

Bible Reading: Exodus 3-5, John 13:1-17


Reel Thoughts:


a few random thoughts...First, isn't it interesting that despite calling Moses to lead His people out of Eygpt, God was getting ready to destroy Moses for failing to complete a small task (circumcising his son) and Moses's wife had to step in and save the day?  Makes you wonder...  Second, why did things immediately get worse for the Israelites after Moses obeyed God?  Finally, and probably most poignant for me right now was Jesus's modeling of servanthood right before His death.  Right up to the end, He was in teaching mode, and one of the last lessons he gave was: your aim should always be to serve, just like I'm doing.  It makes me feel ashamed for all the times where my focus is diverted from service, particularly in light of the extraordinary circumstances under which Jesus was able to keep his attention on serving.


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1.21.12- The paths we choose

Reel Thoughts:


As I look back over this past week's bible readings, a few things come to mind. First, I don't believe that we always have to go through everything that we end up going through, in order to become the people we are.  Our paths are determined by the choices we make.  While God used Joseph's circumstances to His glory and to fulfill Joseph's potential, I'm not so sure that Joseph himself had to go through everything he went through.  He learned an important lesson in humility along the way that can't be underestimated (something that he didn't have a strong grasp on in his early days).  As for Jesus, well, He chose His path and He knew all along the road that He was taking.  He willingly went where no man had gone before, in order to pave the way for all of us.  


I heard a wise man say once, "i'd rather gain a lesson for free (via wisdom from someone else), than pay for it from experience".  While the latter may be more valuable because you fully recognize it's worth, they both work just the same.  


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1.20.12- It's not over, till' God says it's over

Bible Reading: Exodus 1-2, John 12:36-50


Reel Thoughts:


The story is never over, until God says it's over.  Here the children of Israel are, generations later enslaved in a land where they seem to be forgotten.  Long ago are the memories of the promises God made them, now all they seem to have is pain and suffering.  Same thing for the people in Jesus' day.  It was so hard to believe in Jesus as the Messiah at that point (and even in today's day and age for some) because people have lived so long without real hope, they couldn't recognize when the real deal showed up.  


Jesus noticed, when push came to shove, the people cared more for human approval than for God's glory.  The people would rather trust in the judgement of their peers, or allow culture or society to dictate what's right, rather than find out for themselves.  In what world is this order reversed?  Only when you experience God for yourself will you fully understand why His word is the only say that matters.  


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1.19.12- The Power of Letting Go

Bible Reading: Genesis 48-50, John 12:1-36


Reel Thoughts:


Key scripture: "Listen carefully: unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat.  But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.  In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life.  But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real, and eternal."


What should you let go of, or let die, in order to reproduce new, more glorious life?  Life just as it is, is never as good as life as God intends it to be.  You have to let go of one to get the other.  But remember, the emphasis isn't on what you do, it's what God does (and has already made available), that's now up to us to embrace.      


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1.18.12- Biding Your Time

Bible Reading: Genesis 45-47, John 11:38-57


Reel Thoughts


So many questions...First of all, did you notice how Joseph's reunion goes with his family?  The same brothers who sold him in to slavery, Joseph is able to spare their lives from famine, and even bring them up to a higher standard of living because of his position of promise.  Talk about payback!  And the attitude with which he did it, Joseph completely restored his family to dignity, despite their past, because he finally understood God's greater purpose behind his struggle.  That's maturity.  


As for the New Testament reading, every time Jesus gives the people another reason to believe, the "establishment" who has something to lose (power) moves closer to wanting to kill him.  But Jesus knows this, so He's not worried.  He's just biding His time.  


That seems to be the theme in today's reading.  After a long time coming, Joseph finally saw the culmination of his dreams.  Jesus, meanwhile keeps giving people reasons to believe while they wait to see the full manifestation of His glory.  What are you doing, thinking about, listening to, believing, hoping for, praying...etc while you're biding your time? 


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1.17.12- New Grounds for believing

Bible Reading: Genesis 42-44, John 11:1-37


Reel Thoughts:


Key scripture.  Then Jesus became explicit: " Lazarus died.  And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there.  You're about to be given new grounds for believing."  


What new grounds for believing have you been given lately?  Dealing with a sickness of your own?  Financial trouble?  Relationship problems?  What would change in the situation if you began to view it as new grounds for believing?  


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1.16.12- The Route We Take

Bible Reading: Genesis 40-41, John 10


Reel Thoughts:


So, while reading the story of Joseph in Genesis 40-41, and thinking about all the things that Joseph has gone through up till this point in his life, I can't help but wonder, why?  Then of course, I'm reminded that God, in His own infinite wisdom and Joseph, in his own free will, both played a vital role in the path that ultimately Joseph took.  It's the same with us today.  


Sometimes I get frustrated myself with the various dips and turns that I take, until i realize that regardless of how I got there, what matters most is what I do with the circumstances of my situation.  


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1.15.12 catching a break

Bible Reading: Genesis 37-39; John 9


Reel Thoughts:
Bad breaks.  Everyone has them.  As a matter of fact, it's probably one of the few commonalities amongst humans.  Today's reason was filled with them for Joseph, first dumped in a well by his brothers, then sold into slavery, then cast into prison.  Meanwhile, in John's story, a blind man caught a good break when he met Jesus who healed his sight.  


Here's what I found fasinating about the blind man's good break.  When the disciples first approached him, they asked Jesus, "who's fault is it that this man is blind?"  Jesus responded, that's the wrong question.  You're looking for someone to place blame, instead of viewing the situation through what God can do.  Even in Joseph's situation, twice the author writes that the Lord was with him and blessed him in each of his tumultuous situations.  I'm sure things weren't great for Joseph, but there was a silver lining in spite of the mess.  


So, if you're in need of a break, what can Joseph or the blind man in today's reading teach you about patience, obedience, and taking advantage of opportunities?


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1.14.12- Stories of redemption

Bible Reading: Genesis 33-36, John 8:31-58


Reel Thoughts:
If your week has been like mine, it's been a week of reflection from the lessons learned in this week's bible readings.  The key thing that sticks in my mind right now is the consistency of God's love, despite man's imperfections.  Numerous characters I've read about this past week are riddled with flaws.  Yet though they sometimes suffer the consequences of their poor decisions, not always, and not fully, mercy does intervene at times.  Additionally, the fact that the bible isn't a book about perfect people is refreshing.  Nope, instead from New Testament to Old, it's the story of redemption, it's our saving grace.   Now if only we'll listen.  


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1.13.12- What's in a name?

Bible Reading: Genesis 30-32, John 8: 1-30


Reel Thoughts:


I keep thinking about the story of Jacob, who's name literally means "heel" or "heel grabber" or "a cheater".  And as I read his story over the past few days you could really see him living up to his name.  From his stealing of his brother's birthright, to the stealing of his brother's blessing, to his other deceptive ways.  Yet, along the way, though he lives up to his moniker, in today's reading he receives a new identity.  God renames him Israel, which means "God wrestler" because he literally wrestled with God and survived.  


It's a fitting transition for a man who for so long succumbed to the limitations of his previous identity, his life marred by what he seemed destined to become, until he started to view his life and himself differently.  And it all began with a name. Speaking of which, the irony of the New Testament reading for today was all about how the people of Jesus' day couldn't fully grasp the enormity of his identity.  Again, there's so much in a name.  


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1.12.12- God isn't looking for perfection

Bible Reading: Genesis 28-30; John 7:25-53


Reel Thoughts


If you look back at all the "cast of characters" in today's bible reading you'll notice a common theme.  Jacob was a liar and thief.  Esau wanted to kill his brother.  The leaders of Jesus' day were out to both arrest and kill him, and the people couldn't fully bring themselves to believe that something good could come from Galilee.  Today's reading is filled with people who don't seem to deserve God's love, yet God still makes promises and reaffirms his love for them.  In response to man's doubt and self-inflicted adversity, God still waits for us to get our acts together to respond to His call.  Isn't it clear yet that God isn't looking for perfect people (what would a perfect man need from God anyway)?


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1.11.12- God is in the details too

Bible reading: Genesis 24-26, John 7:1-24


Reel Thoughts:
If you read Genesis 24-26, you'll notice the intricate details that God has His hand in.  He makes sure that Abraham's servant finds just the right wife, by doing just the right things, at the right time for his son Issac.  He ensures that Jacob and Esau have just the right temperments for their destiny, and Esau makes just the right mistake in trading away his birthright.  Even later, as Issac grows older, God's busy in the details as well.


There's an old saying, "the devil's in the details".  I'm not sure where that comes from, but here's another one that I prefer.  God's in the details too, and He's always working things out for the good, for those who love Him.  


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1.10.12- What causes you to stay?

Bible reading: Genesis 21-23, John 6:27-71


Reel Thoughts:


Jesus did a peculiar thing at the end of one of his public appearances in the book of John chapter 6.  After people sought after Him because they'd seen the "razzle dazzle" i.e. the miraculous healings and such, he challenged those who weren't truly committed to walk away.  In fact, He went a step further, He publicly exposed the people's thinking and dared them, implored them, and even asked His own disciples, "do you want to leave too?"  Why would He do that?  


I think about Abraham's ordeal in Genesis 21, where God challenged him to sacrifice his own son, and Abraham proceeded to obey until God stepped in and stopped him.  Why would God go that far to test one man's obedience and commitment to Him?  That's probably a far less significant question than this one.  How would you respond?  What keeps you from walking away from God, when clearly as a man or woman of free agency, you could do so at any point in time.  Particularly when it gets difficult to believe, or when you feel like God's requiring too much of you.  What causes you to stay?  Therein probably lies the answer to what drew you in the first place.  


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1.9.12- Highlights

Bible Reading: Genesis 18-20, John 6:1-26


Reel Thoughts:


2 Scriptures that were the highlight of today's reading...


From Genesis 
Lot was dragging his feet.  The men grabbed Lot's arm and the arms of his wife and daughters- God was so merciful to them!- and dragged them to safety outside the city.  When they had them outside, Lot was told, "Now run for your life!  Don't look back!..."


From John 6
Jesus answered, "You've come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs- and for free."

1.8.12- Grace and Discipline

As I look back on the past week of bible readings through the first 17 chapters of Genesis, and the first 5 chapters of John, two themes jump out at me.  The first is grace.  The past few weeks my pastor has been preaching a lot about grace.  Several verses in particular have punctuated this message including 2 Peter 1: 2-4 and Romans 5:2.  The point here is, all that God has in store for us, we access through our faith in Him.  And once we do, we can tap into His grace, His ability to do beyond our capabilities.  Grace is our not so secret weapon as Christians.  It's what caused men like Abraham to accomplish mighty things, simply because he believed God.  It's what we need everyday of our lives because we're not capable of living up to God's standards or even reaching our full potential on our own.  


The other theme is discipline.  The front end of receiving God's gift of grace to maximize the potential of your life, is having the courage to consistently believe and obey Him.  That requires discipline.  Jesus demonstrated His discipline in his habits, character, and lifestyle.  Those up to the task of wielding the mighty gift of grace must also be prepared to discipline themselves to receive it.  


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1.7.12 - Receive the life you want

Scripture Reading: Genesis 15-17, John 5


Reel Thoughts


In both of today's passages, characters were struggling to choose the life they wanted.  What's particularly confusing in each case, was that God was plainly handing it to them.  In Abraham's case, God kept showing up and telling Abraham that He wanted to make him a great nation, make him a father of many people, and bless him until all families of the earth are blessed.  There was just one problem.  Abraham, the man who left everything to follow God, was reluctant to believe.  Yet, after some coaxing, a failed attempt to take matters into his own hands, and the passage of time, Abraham finally achieved the realization of his dreams.  In the New Testament reading, Jesus found a man who needed healing, and despite public backlash, the man did exactly what he needed to do to receive his healing.  Afterwards, Jesus offered a stirring lecture about missing the forest for the trees because of your unbelief.   


In both cases, belief is the key to receiving from God.  Abraham believed God and that's what made him right with God.  The man believed Jesus and that's what led to his healing.  It just might be that whatever you're looking for, may be found in your faith.  


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1.6.12...What clinches it for you?

Bible Reading: Genesis 12-14, John 4


Reel Thoughts
In both cases, these readings tell the story of the power of believing.  In Genesis, God tells Abram to get up, leave everything he's ever known, and go somewhere he's never been, all in pursuit of someone he can't even see!  Likewise, John 4 ends with a court official from Cana believing Jesus on His word that the man's son was healed.  When he later returned home and discovered that the boy's fever broke at the exact moment Jesus declared him healed, that clinched it.  Not only he, but his entire household believed.  


Makes me think, what clinched it for me?  When was the moment I first believed?  And what have been the instances that have reaffirmed my belief in God?  


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1.5.12...Second Chances

Bible Reading: Genesis 9-11, John 3


Reel Thoughts
The thing I kept thinking about while reading both the story of humanity's continued fall after the flood, and Nicodemus asking Jesus to explain what it means to be born again, is that despite the many second chances offered to us, do we really know how to take them?  Jesus put it best to Nicodemus saying, "This is the crisis we're in.  God light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness.  They went for the darkness because they weren't really interested in pleasing God."  Real talk, have you recognized God's second chances in your life today? 


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1.4.12 What to do with anger

Bible Reading: Genesis 6-8, John 2


Reel Thoughts:


Reading these scriptures tonight was particularly interesting for me given the emotional roller-coaster of a day I've had.  It made me wonder, when does God reach His breaking point?  When does His righteous anger rise to the point where it spills over into judgement?  In Genesis 6-8 we see exactly when this happens: when God surveys the world and can't seem to find many whose hearts are turned towards Him.  The Message translation says that He looked around and all He could find was evil.  How daunting.  Then in John 2, Jesus appears to reach His breaking point when He witnesses the desecration of the temple.  


There's a lesson in all of this.  God gets angry with sin.  As a matter of fact, He hates it and He expects us to as well.  However, that's not the same as hating the people who sin, or even not being able to forgive them.  So for those of us (myself included) who sometimes get up on our high horse of judgement to condemn others for their mistakes, or can't find it in ourselves to learn to forgive, let's take a page out of God's playbook.  His anger, warranted as it may be, only last for but a moment, and always leaves the door open for reconciliation and restoration.  We should do the same.  


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1.3.12- The Fallout to Redemption

Scripture readings: Genesis 3-5, John 1:19-1:51


Reel Thoughts

Here's what I think is so interesting about reading these two books of the bible concurrently.  The contrast btw the two is fascinating.   In the book of Genesis right now, the author (presumably Moses) is telling of the fallout, while John is telling the story of redemption.  One makes the case for what relationship with God once was, and what's it's intended to be.  The other, prescribes the way back home.  It's so cool to see these two angles juxtaposed.  

I love how God addressed the issue w/Cain and gave him the opportunity to make a good choice before he acted.  He told him what sin was at the door waiting for him, if he does well then he and his offering would be accepted.  If not, then sin is ready to pounce if he doesn't master it.  This certainly seems to be a more proactive approach than the one God takes with Cain's parents before they disobeyed God, though perhaps not necessarily.  All of this illustrates that God will never force His will on us, He allows us to be free moral agents.  What a double edged sword though right? 

And then how about the initial enthusiasm for the Messiah characterized in the opening book of John?  Talk about generations of people who'd been waiting for redemption...I'm curious to see how this unfolds.  How do people really respond when the thing they've been waiting for is staring them in the face?  Are they too numbed by the realities of their daily lives to see the bigger picture and pursue a relationship with God?  You know, at the end of a long day, that's a relevant question for all of us.  

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1.2.12- Start from the Beginning

The Bible is not only written about us, but to us.  In these pages we become insiders to a conversation in which God uses words to form and bless us, to teach and guide us, to forgive and save us.- Eugene Peterson


Daily Reading: Genesis 1-2, John 1:1-18


Reel Thoughts Genesis 1-2
Note- These are just some of the things that jumped out at me while I read these scriptures.  There may have been other things that resonated with you.    
1. There was an innate order to what God spoke in the beginning, it was purposeful, intentional
2. God kept seeing that what He said was good
3. God said, "let us make man in our image...reflecting our nature so they can be responsible"
4. On the 7th day God rested from His work b/c He'd finished His work...
5. from the beginning God seems to give humans purpose, authority, and responsibility 

The Purpose of Reel Conversation

Purpose:
The Message Translation of James 2:17 says, "isn't it obvious that God-talk without God acts is outrageous nonsense?"  The problem is, that most people don't really understand "God talk" because they haven't spent enough time hearing what God has said, first through His written word and then by pausing in prayer to hear His spoken voice.  This year, one of my personal goals is to better understand my faith, so that I can more effectively employ my faith.  This will require being transformed by the renewing of my mind with God's word.  Thus, I'm dedicating specific time daily to read the bible.  I know, it's a novel idea but I think it just might work :)




Logistics:
Welcome to my year long journey through the bible.  In this blog, I will be chronicling my own lessons learned as I read through the Message translation of the bible throughout this year (hence the title Reel Conversation- it's a documentary of God's conversation with us through the bible).  If you want to follow along, join the blog as I won't be sending out regular updates from this particular blog.  Additionally, feel free to join my bible reading plan which can be found by purchasing a copy of Eugene Peterson's The Message Bible/Remix: Pause.




So, I invite you to join along for the journey, as I engage in Reel Conversation with God and His written scriptures.  


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