Faded Leather or Faint Heart

Like I said in my previous post, I am in Austin finishing up a graduate class. I have had the opportunity to stay with this awesome family, Dean and Mary Johnson, while I am here. On the way home from class yesterday, Mary (who is taking the class as well) and I were sharing little things that had blessed us in our lives. One of the things she shared with me was a small quote, “A Bible that is worn out usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

This quote got me to thinking. Keeping it in mind, take a look at this passage from Psalms 119:9-16…

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all of my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

How can you keep your life pure? By living according to the word of God. One thing you discover about the writer of this Psalm, is that there exists within his heart a deep love and appreciation for God. If you read on through Psalm 119, life experience has taught this writer that dependence on God has proven to be an ally in life. For him, there is something to knowing God and knowing God’s heart. Therefore, he meditates on God’s precepts and considers his ways. He doesn’t just read the word of God, he meditates on it and tries to make sense of what it means for him and the way he lives his life.

Such meditation pays off in other ways. With his lips, he can recount all of the laws that come from the mouth of God. For some, this may seem like a cumbersome task, to be able to recite all of the laws of God. Before you become too dismissive, do you remember when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert? It was the recitation of Scripture that rocked Satan back on his heels, and reminded him of his place in the kingdom of God. Paul says in Ephesians that we should take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; our only offensive weapon in this spiritual battle.

Maybe that is it…maybe the reason that some of us are so worn out is because we are not fighting back. Our Bibles are not worn. They are not being used. Instead we keep them in their leather sheaths, never exploring God’s precepts and ways, and missing out on the edge that God has honed for the faithful. Maybe we should wear out the leather a bit more in our daily lives. We should open our Bibles more so that we may be equipped in this battle against Satan and the powers of darkness. Then we can be the ones giving, rather than taking, the beatings.

Is your Bible worn out, or are you?

He Answered...Setting Me Free

Isn’t it great how the Lord just swoops right in sometimes and gives you exactly what you need at just the right time? Well, this week I have been in Austin taking yet another grad class on the road toward my Masters degree. I have been at this since 2001, working as a full-time minister and dad. There are no words that are capable of expressing just how badly I want to be done. Seriously, I have been going to school and doing homework since I was in Kindergarten. And just so you know how painful that is for me, I am now 31 years old. I am not going to tell you why it has taken me this long, so don’t ask.

Anyway, now that the light has broken at the end of the tunnel, I have acquired what can only be explained as a serious case of Senioritus. Just when this bug had to bite me, I had to have one of the most difficult classes of my educational career. It is not difficult because of the content. The class is The History of Christianity in America, and I am more than interested in the topic. No, the class is difficult because of the work load. Forgive me while I whine a little. Within this two week course I must read two books and complete a Group Project, take two major exams at the end of each week, and read 5 books and write a book review for each.

I cannot even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I feel right now. I am away from my family during the week. I am away from my church family and closest friends. I am tired, worn out both mentally and physically, and ready to come home. I know, when is he going to stop whining and get to the part that is supposed to be good? Well, as I was feeling really bummed last night, I just went to God in prayer before falling asleep. I asked God to give me the strength and encouragement that I needed that would help me complete these two weeks and move on with life. That is when I decided to open up the Psalms and read for some inspiration. I mean, David, and others, went through some really rough times. Most all of them recorded in the Psalms how God came to their aid and gave them hope. That is when God led me straight to Psalm 118:5-7, 14…

5 In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. 14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

How beautiful is that?