Monthly Archives: February 2013

The 4th Watch and the Ghost

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Mark 6:48-50 (NIV)
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, [49] but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, [50] because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

This passage reminds me of the beginning of Hamlet–it is spooky. Some guys on a boat, lost in a storm, see a ghost. No wonder they were terrified. They were in a scary place.

I remember reading Into Thin Air and marveling at the spookiness and privation of that story. Just stay off the mountain, people!!

But we all face death. If veteran fishermen can’t avoid a terrifying storm, then I should take comfort when my life is rocked by storm.

I am a stormaphobe. I want smooth sailing. But when each storm has threatened the boat of my life, I too have seen the Miraculous walking toward me on impossible waters.

Somebody else tells me to take courage and I might be inclined to snap. He says it and I listen.

Because his is the voice that can calm the storm.

Take courage
It is him
He is here.

Where the flip is Jesus?

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Mark 6:46-50 (NIV)
After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. [47] Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, [49] but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, [50] because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

I don’t know about you, but I can see them in the boat–bailing water, straining against the storm, really scared with little bubbles over their heads asking– Where the flip is Jesus?!

….when you need him.

We have those storms. We think we are perishing. We try our best to help ourselves and then start to feel desperate…because the wind is against us.

But he is always there. Not because he is omniscient, (check) or omnipotent, (check again). No. Because he has paid with his life a debt of sin for a treasure of love.

If he did not abandon us to hell, a storm or two is a cake walk. For him.

Immediately!

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Mark 6:44-46 (NIV)
The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. [45] Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

People have noticed the breakneck pace of Mark’s story. Jesus moves immediately. The pace is direct and efficient. He gets stuff done.

The people counted in feed up time were men. Most biblical historians suggest that there would be about 4 women and children for each man–so the meal may have been 25000 people.

Wow.

But the details are as interesting as the big stuff.

1. They cleaned and organized– leftovers are gathered and counted

2. Jesus sends his disciples on ahead immediately.

3. While he dismissed the crowd? Benedictions, personal instructions. What does it look like when the God who loves you tells you to return home?

Then he went home too. Jesus missed the close time with God, so he prayed. He prayed to maintain relationship. He prayed for rest and comfort. He prayed for us.

Glad he did. I need it.

Feed Up Time!

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Mark 6:34,37-44 (NIV)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. [37] But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” [38] “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” [39] Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. [40] So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. [41] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. [44] The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Our family has a new dinner call–feed up time! a line from Beasts of the Southern Wild.

This is a feed up time story. Bunch of sheep wandering in search of a Shepherd…

Gets hungry out there.

The miraculous meal stories in the gospel are the best!!! People in the tens of thousands getting fed. How great is that!?

Great, unless that is all you come for.

Many of us would follow Jesus around if he tossed us French bread or pita sandwiches. Jesus, after all, makes it plain that we are all richly invited to the ultimate party–heaven, and the ultimate celebration–his wedding feast.

Only wait…

We are invited as the Bride. We are invited to love and comfort and joy. Not just a picnic on the shore.

If we are to go, we must prepare. We must follow our dear love to the end of this most crucial of stories.

Love calls, love beckons.

Love announces–

feed up time!

Best listen.

You feed them

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Mark 6:32-37 (NIV)
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

First of all, picture the people. I see them scrambling to catch up, running over rocks and hills to get to him. They are sheepdog determined.

Jesus knew they would be. Why not stay close to town?

The solitude and quiet rest are important. Not just for Jesus’ disciples but for all of us. We need to be still, without distractions. We also need to commit. Running after the boat is unceremonious but it shows you care.

Jesus is worth pursuing…to the quiet, to the wilderness.

So he began teaching them many things.

Lessons for heaven…

The Crowd

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Mark 6:32-33 (NIV)
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

Who would you run to meet?

Not amble or stroll: run.

Lights Out

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Make no mistake. In the heart of the God of love, a stadium in the dark matters less than a child found strangled and bare in a park.

The child is a girl. The girl is thirteen. A foster child. Nameless. A mere silhouette.

Lost child.

So when you remember this amazing, expensive game we all stand still for.

Remember the dark.

Not a failure of technology; a failure of heart.

God in the dark.
Grieving

Moving Mountains

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Dear Sir,

You are my dad’s age. He died after a helicopter crash a few years ago. Actually, around the time little Ethan was born. And pretty close to Newton–he died in Dothan.

You need to know that God has an answer to what is troubling you. A peaceful answer.

I am praying for both of you.

Please, Sir, let this little boy get home safe. His mama needs him back safe.

When I pray for you I see my dad. You traveled in a truck. He traveled in a helicopter. He flew over Dale County all the time.

Both you and Ethan are scared little ones to God. He loves you. And you are both precious to God. You are both in my prayers.

Please sir, move this mountain so Ethan can hug his mama soon.

Please.

Mom

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I have mostly modest gifts, but one that is extraordinary but of no monetary value is my ability to understand, remember, sort through who I was at 2 or 5, 4 or 7.

I still can see through mine younger eyes. Only now I see all the other stuff besides.

It is painful. No one is perfect. You tried. I know you did try. And when you tried you succeeded.

It took me a long time to realize that God always saw me clear–beautiful and lovable, valuable and dear.

The picture of us taken by dad’s cousin. The picture you must’ve taken of all of us–I am wearing a wild blue coat. Fuzzy.

I can look at these pictures now and feel the fierce heat of God’s love for that little girl.

I have always loved you. I cannot and won’t stop.

Your monster pictures of me are not real mom. They. Are. Not. Real.

What is real is this–

Somewhere in the world you have a grandchild who is your twin.

Resembling who you were when you were three. Adorable. When I look at this child I think–gosh, I was a cute kid.

When I look at this child I see you. And I love you both.

Think about it mom.

When you see me you see the Minotaur.

When I see you I see a beautiful little girl with a head of dark curls.

Beautiful child
Mom.