Messiness is a place where hope lives

 

Hi, how are you?

How’s it going?

What’s new? How’s the family – was your Christmas good?

How are you doing?

It’s a series of common questions when people encounter one another. The meaninglessness of random “hellos” along with the “how are you doing” questions that are followed by random conversations that have no intent or meaning – a matter of conversational rite of passage, per se. It’s been almost two weeks since Christmas morning and now the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, and the next retail magnets begin to move in for their versions of attraction to any of us who would give in to our shopping temptations and tendencies. Yet, there continues to be encounters with people who will ask, as if they really mean it, “Hi, how are you?” but what they mean is “hello” – and can’t say it. It’s not the norm….it’s not what we are accustomed to. People want to be cordial and want to be interested but the problem is – most are not interested, they are preoccupied and their own lives are so full they have a mess that is leaking out of their ears….because of their self imposed fullness; or, so they think.

People would ask Olivia and me about our Christmas and we would reply how it was and what we thought of and encountered. It began as something good but turned into a bit of a “I need to put the brakes on this conversation” mode because, for some of those talks, we could tell the other person was passing by and saying hi, but since there are Christmas trees and holiday greeting cards out, it makes sense to ask about the holidays as a general greeting to others. We wanted to talk about Christmas. We wanted to talk about Jesus. We wanted to tell (and still do) the story of what Christmas means in our home and how we have worked to celebrate Christ and His birth and our family time together…and how excited we have been to greet others this time of year and more than that, to cozy up at home and be a family. But, maybe that isn’t “for” all those other people – just the ones who might really want to know. I once heard a friend say that when others ask how you are doing, if you REALLY told them how you REALLY are doing….you would quickly find out who your REAL friends are. So, when people ask, I try and answer in an honest way rather than a passing by of social greetings. Sometimes, I get the hint and shorten my responses.

So, what about Christmas? What about my house? What about the mess? What about when people say, “ours was good, how about you….” – do they really mean it? Well, they asked….so I tell. I wonder if sometimes they, or we, or I would say it like it is – what would be different?

Hi, how was your Christmas?

     -Great! It was nuts. It was messy, the house is crazy, there is stuff everywhere….wrapping paper that hasn’t been thrown away, boxes that are all over the house, dishes are out and unclean, left overs are still on the counter and drying out – the toys are spread out, the needles of our tree are hosed and prickling everyone in the living room. The t.v. is on all the time, music is playing, the trash needs taken out and we laid out of church because we could…..yes we celebrated the birth of Jesus like never before….yes it was the Godliest Christmas at home I have been a part of – yes, our lives are and certainly can be a wreck….but, hey! Big deal!!! It was awesome!

Seems okay, during the holidays to have this wonderful and acceptable laziness greeted with divine embrace and Godly experience…equaling a joyful Christmas and family time. However, what if THIS was the everyday experience? What if the mess and the food and the madhouse affect was a typical scenario? Would we really tell others? Would it be okay? What would people think….

They would think our lives were a mess. They would think we don’t have it together. They would think we were a bit of a wreck. Hmmm, sounds kind of…..true. I am a mess. I don’t have it all together. I am a wreck. I have been a wreck and will probably be one for quite a while. Isn’t a wonderful thing? I am in a place where I must rely on the love of God. I cannot pull it off and make things all good and okay everyday – it cannot be done. There is a problem with this world and I am not the fix. But, Christmas happened…and Jesus put skin on to reveal the love of God so those who don’t have it together, like me, can rely on Him. And the messes….create patterns of dependence on God!

My mess puts me in a position to trust in and rely on God.

Shall we allow the mess to screw things up and wreak havoc? Shall we allow the mess and the reality of who we really are to misalign our identities?

Our messiness is exactly why Jesus became a baby. Our messiness is exactly why ‘he who knew no sin became sin…..so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.’

My mess is the business of God. And I belong to him, thank heavens.

Blessings,

-ao

Excerpts from "A Christmas Chronicle"

"If anyone does not believe...they place their hope in hoping for what is unknown and nonexistent. They are without hope and without love. They reject the gift. It's a free gift, you know. It's a free gift from God. It's a free gift from God through Jesus Christ...our Lord."

-A Christmas Chronicle; Andy Ogle (yea, I read some of it, today)

Lord, prepare our hearts..and lives...for the 'silent night', the birth of the Christ child.

Blessings,

-ao

Third Sunday of Advent

"Shall we enter into life?  If we do, we may sin. If we don't, we will either and die....." -The River Within; Jeff Imbach

Today's scripture:

Luke 1:5-25 NIV84

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

"The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

May we soak in the Lord's preparation for our hearts this day.

Christmas tidings upon us.....

Blessings,

-ao

A Simple Advent reminder

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV84

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Thinking of today. Of being the "God-flavor of the Earth" (The Advent Party by Buddy Odom). Of preserving that which belongs to the Father. Of remembering that He became a baby...to reveal His love and give me His eternal invite. Thinking of being the "taste of godliness" (the Message bible) and flesh out to others the love of God made known...in Jesus.

Lord, you became a baby for me.

Help me shine. The light of God. Shine like a star that leads the way...to the Christ child...to Gift of God...to the gift of life forever with Him..to peace.

Glad tidings and may we resemble the light of God..as do our Christmas lights and "stars" on our trees.

Blessings,

-ao

On the way...by the way

Matthew 27 this a.m.

The Journey of Christ...on His way, toward becoming my sin. Toward rejection. Toward the will of the Father.Toward the embracing of difficulty most high....of the woundedness of a couple followers and a governor. Wounded on the inside, conflicted and confused. Which way is "right" and what move is next.

Judas Iscariot.

Simon Peter.

Pilate.

...others? Perhaps you and me. Maybe we have an understanding of what it looks like to doubt God..to question the clarity of a big decision...to walk in the footsteps of a betrayer, and to turn away from what we know is good and true. I can relate, for sure. It hurts and as I read this account of the journey of Jesus, His brute love and trust in the Father and His word....I can't help but wonder:  When have I been like Judas? When have I renounced Jesus as did Peter? When have I gone against my gut...my wife..and made a move/decision with such poor influences...like Pilate?

Jesus was on His way, by the way...on His way to becoming Death - so I would not have to look upon it! He was exchanging guilt, messes, death itself..and truthfully so much more (maybe in next few days there will be more on this..) in order that Life would be given.

Life. Life to the fullest. Full of the righteousness of God. I pray that the Lord speaks to my heart as I re-live this journey to the cross in the next few days in my times in scripture. For now, I am hung up on betrayal...on washing hands clean..guilt, and the joining in of the crowd!

The crowd always seems to join in, don't they? Where are you..in this?

Are you in the crowd? What's your role?

Jesus, teach me your ways...I hope I lean toward Peter's experience....with guilt came restoration...soon, it can't come soon enough.

Lord restore me. I am grateful. I need you, Jesus.

On my way, too, by the way.

My Journey in Christ.

Blessings,

-ao

My thoughts from this a.m. - a tweet

 Tweet from TweetCaster 

-Matthew 26:45-75

He is getting at something: a ‘listening.

 

He is getting at something, Jesus is. He is getting at my life…my inner life. My decisions. The choices I make on a daily basis. He is getting at my lifestyle – they way I choose to walk around this Earth and interact and show myself or what  I truly believe in….what, really, is the Lord of my life. I heard recently if you turn a man upside down, what he really puts his confidence and trust and lifestyle rhythms in – that will be what falls out of the man’s pockets. So, the quote said, put your confidence in the hope of Jesus so that His hope is what comes out when your life turns upside down.

Hope. In Jesus. Life upside down. Something about that seems a bit….accurate theology, no? I think so. Life upside down – forcing me to really see what I trust in – the Lord gaining my attention – He is fond of you and me so He will do whatever it takes, perhaps, to help us to recognize love. I am reading in the book and gospel of Matthew in my time alone w/Jesus. I am in chapter 24. Here is some of where I have been:

 

25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall away[K]and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day and Hour 36“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son but the Father only. 37For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants[N]and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

-Matthew 23:25-28; 24:3-14;32-51 ESV

 

One theme seems to prevail, here. At first glance it probably feels a bit harsh to read this section of scripture, especially to one who may or may not be a skeptic or doubter of God’s reality and truth and live. But, if in a rhythm with the Lord in regular readings and gaining the story in the midst of the words – that these are sayings that really did happen, accounts that really are historically true and the words were spoken from (so many of them) the Son of God….it begins to take a different shape. Not such a nasty and griping and “tisk-tisk” sort of God in the sky, but one whom went through much to communicate is love, divinity and care for you and me.

Jesus is getting at something: obedience. I believe there is a root word in Latin (sounds really smart, huh?) for ‘obedience’ and it is the word “audire’” also written as ob – oedire. Both words carry this meaning: to listen. What is Jesus Christ telling us in these words of ‘let no one lead (us) astray’ and to ‘watch for the Lord…’ as we are careful for how we are living in the in-between of now and the Great Rescue??? I believe He is telling me to “listen” – to obey his commands and follow His Word – be obedient to the Lord. When I hear “be obedient” or “obey and follow commands” – it does NOT appeal to me. However, when I understand that our word comes after knowing the definition of obedience….that it is ‘a listening (Thomas a’ Kempis said, “my life is a’ listening and His is a’ speaking”) to the Lord’s guidance, then I am more apt to actually being obedience because I feel like the Bible can come alive and is not a list of rules but a guide to connectedness to God and a glimpse into the Kingdom of Heaven.

A glimpse into Heaven? Listening to God? Connected to the Son of Man?

Sounds wild…doesn’t it?? Sounds like a life I want to live and one I want my family to be a part of, too. It’s a life that God desires you and me to dig into.

Worth consideration.

Blessings,

-ao

Which are you...

Matthew 21:28-32 ESV

"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him."

Where do I stand, here? Do I believe the scriptures? Do I believe that God has given me the opportunity to be in communion with Him? That He has shown me His way...and which route has been the road I have taken.

The Lord is up to something....which have you seen? Which son are you? The worker who delayed, only to keep his word and honor the father? Or the son who said he would uphold the father's request and didn't?

One put his faith into practice. The other pretended only to cover up his own desires..ultimately that were not life giving.

Is my life 'a choosing of the path of God, as wretched as I am....is my life living in a lie....this is worth yours and my consideration.

May we consider these words of Christ, today. I'm in.

Blessings,

-ao

A faith secured...

Matthew 21:18-22 ESV

"In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

What does it mean to pray with expectation? Is it something you practice? What if, in prayer, I asked God, in faith....not doubting, that being in communion with Him and fully trusting in His nature...that God will do great things. He "will move" and my faith and prayer answered. What if I really believed that God would show up and do great things...answering prayer, of all things.

Is this a confessional mixed with a lottery ticket booth....not hardly. So, why should we treat our Lord as such?! What was the message in these verses for the disciples? What did Jesus have in mind for them? Was it to ask whatever they wanted? Was it to display the authority of God..that Jesus was one with God? Was it a message within a moment of authentic fleshly struggle per say...hunger. Jesus was hungry and this fig tree had bore no fruit...none. Jesus ended its future potential for any further fruit. He had previously come from the temple in anger at how man had robbed the purposes of God's temple for his own monetary gain,disgracing the name of Yahweh.

So, what is the message? Perhaps the same message is for you and me. Perhaps an offer of connection and intimacy with the Father.

Connection. Intimacy. Trust. Faith. True-hope in God. Prayer. Results from the Lord. A deeper trust.

Sounds like something I desire.

I'm in.

What about you? Take a second look and lets consider the infinite love of God, chasing our hearts, to further communicate love and trust. Divine security.

'Tis true. 'Tis true, indeed.

Blessings,

-ao